Category: travel

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The Time Record for Driving Across America Was Just Broken

If you haven’t heard of it, the Cannonball is a race from New York to Los Angeles that racing aficionados are constantly trying to win. There are no official rules or regulations because…well, it’s pretty much illegal; in order to break the record for the fastest cross-country time, you have to break a whole lot of traffic laws.

Just like the movie The Cannonball Run, remember?

But the fact that it’s illegal doesn’t stop people from trying to break that illustrious record all the time. And some guys in a 2015 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG just demolished the previous record, in place since 2013, by driving from New York to L.A. in 27 hours and 25 minutes.

The previous record? 28 hours and 50 minutes.

The two drivers, Arne Toman and Doug Tabbutt, and their “spotter,” Berkeley Chadwick, left the east side of Manhattan at 12:57 A.M. on November 10 and reached Redondo Beach, California in literal record time.

They drove on I-80 through Nebraska, took I-76 to Denver, I-70 to the middle of Utah, and then took I-15 to Southern California’s interstate system. They drove a grand total of 2,825 miles, and Toman and Tabbutt averaged a very illegal 104 miles per hour during the journey. Incredibly, they managed to spend only 22-and-a-half minutes on fuel stops. I’m assuming they ate and went to the bathroom in the car.

Hey, you gotta do what you gotta do.

The group was obsessed with beating the previous record, so they outfitted the car with a custom-fabricated fuel cell and all kinds of electronic gadgets. Berkeley Chadwick acted as the spotter using gyro-stabilized binoculars to look out for police.

Here’s a cool video about the newly-broken record.

Let’s see how long this record stands…

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These Are 7 of the Hardest Countries for Americans to Visit

Americans are fortunate to be able to travel most of the globe with minimal restrictions. That said, there are some spots that are less-than-welcoming to people from the States (sometimes, understandably so). Just a warning: you might want to think twice before attempting to stamp your passports in these 7 countries.

7. Iran

The State Department says “There is a very high risk of kidnapping, arrest, and detention of U.S. citizens in Iran.” If you’re dying to visit the Middle East, don’t choose Iraq, either – but Dubai in the United Arab Emirates is totally safe (and has killer authentic Iranian food).

6. Libya

This northern African nation is a hotbed of crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and armed conflict. That’s a trifecta+, so do not go. Nearby Egypt and Morocco are much more popular, but not entirely safe, either.

5. Mali

The State Department says Mali is rife with terrorism, kidnaping, and crime – consider heading to the much safer Senegal, instead.

4. South Sudan

With crime, kidnapping, and armed conflict risks, you should consider the somewhat-safer Ugandan mountain region. Gorillas!

3. Venezuela

Here, you’re looking at the potential for violent crime, like armed robbery, homicide, and carjackings, along with civil unrest, poor healthcare, and arbitrary arrest and detention of U.S. citizens. But there are plenty of beautiful South American countries (almost all the others, in fact) waiting to safely welcome you to their shores.

2. Yemen

With a years-long proxy war being waged between Saudi Arabia and Iran here, there is heightened risk of targeted terrorism, civil unrest, disease, kidnapping, and, of course, getting caught in that. armed conflict. Unless you’re with Doctors Without Borders, there’s really no reason to feel pulled to Yemen – it’s one of the most dangerous places in the world.

Oman is also on the Arabian Sea, and it’s supposed to be lovely, though, so consider that!

1. Central African Republic

More crime, more civil unrest, and risk of being kidnapped wait for you in this land-locked African country. And to make matters more dangerous, it’s sandwiched between other countries that come with warning labels.

You can hang out in the Virunga Mountains of Rwanda, instead – there are gorillas and everything.

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It Took 20 Years for This Woman to Recover Her Lost Luggage

Losing your luggage sucks. I mean sure, you can pack the things you really need in your carry-on, but there’s just something about not having your things that can make you feel so much more lost, and stressed, especially if you’re away from home.

Most of the time, though, the airline is quick to recover and return your things.

That wasn’t the case for Tuscon resident Maria Dellos, whose bags went missing more than two decades ago, never to be seen again.

Image Credit: KVOA Tucson

At least, that’s what she thought…

Until she got a call from TSA.

Because she apparently has terrible luck, she assumed they were ringing about the luggage they lost 4 months ago, but no – it was about her bag that had disappeared twenty years earlier.

She told KVOA news about her reaction to the call.

“Well I actually almost ignored the call because of telemarketing. All day long I get calls.”

We feel you, Maria.

The bag was returned, and inside it she found art supplies she’d purchased from a trade show, as well as a handwritten note that was chock full of nostalgia for her.

Image Credit: KVOA Tucson

“When I looked at this note, it was dated, it dated me as 20 years ago! And I was just absolutely blown away. I’m absolutely thankful to the TSA for calling me today and giving me great faith back into the airline industry.”

I don’t know if I’d have “great faith” if I was her, but it’s also amazing to me that they actually called and got her the bag instead of trashing it in order to never have to discuss their mistake.

TSA says the bag was likely left unattended for so long that someone dumped it in lost and found without researching who it might belong to or where it should properly have been sent.

 

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Oh, and her more recently lost bags? Those’ve been returned, too, so maybe her faith isn’t totally misplaced.

Time will tell. I’ll be ready for updates the next time she flies.

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This Is the Story Behind the Secret Apartment in the Eiffel Tower

There’s more to the Eiffel Tower than meets the eye. Beyond its magnificent beauty, this popular tourist attraction holds something invisible to the naked eye: a secret apartment.

Anyone who has visited the Eiffel Tower can testify to its breathtaking views overlooking the city of Paris. And while it would be a dream come true to live at the top of the tower, the secret apartment was not constructed for livability. In fact, it was a bit of a con.

The tower was originally intended to be a temporary exhibit that would eventually be demolished in 1909. That didn’t sit well with entrepreneur Gustave Eiffel, who came up with a savvy solution to convince everyone to let his construction masterpiece remain a permanent part of Paris.

Eiffel contacted world-renowned scientists and allowed them to use the apartment as a laboratory for atmospheric measurements, astronomical observations and physics experiments. Just six years before its demolition date, Captain Gustave Ferrie utilized the tower for the French Army’s wireless telegraphy experiments that allowed the tower to broadcast signals all the way across the Atlantic Ocean to North America.

Once the tower was saved in the name of science, Eiffel had to turn down many offers to rent the secluded space. His guest list was short but did include famous scientist Thomas Edison.

However, in 2016, one vacation rental company made it possible for people to actually stay inside the tower. HomeAway converted a conference space inside the tower into a two-bedroom apartment. Four lucky contest winners got to stay in the space (located 188 feet above ground) in July of that year.

Until I can afford the flight to France, I guess a croissant will just have to do.

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A Woman Was Stung by a Scorpion on a United Airlines Flight

Oh great, can’t wait to fly during the holidays!

A woman was stung “multiple times” by a scorpion while on a United Airlines flight from San Francisco to Atlanta. The passenger felt a stinging sensation on her leg during the flight, and when she went to the toilet, a frickin’ scorpion fell out of her pants and crawled away.

Horrifying, we know.

The woman spoke to TMZ about her experience, and even shared a photo of the creature. Her name has not been released.

United Airlines said in a statement to USA Today that the plane crew “responded immediately” to the incident.

“After learning that one of our customers on flight 1554 from San Francisco to Atlanta was stung during flight, our crew responded immediately and consulted with a MedLink physician on the ground who provided medical guidance,” the airline said.

“The customer was transported to a local hospital. We have been in contact with our customer to ensure her well-being.”

While it’s great that the passenger is okay, the airline didn’t explain how the hell a scorpion got onto the flight in the first place.

Photo Credit: iStock

Even more horrifyingly, this isn’t the first time that this has happened on a United Airlines flight. A scorpion also stung a man on yet another flight with the same airline in 2017 (was someone on both of those flights? Is there a person bringing scorpions with them when they fly and just letting them go???)

A second airline, EasyJet, had to delay a flight after a scorpion was found onboard in 2017.

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A Guy Got Punished for Trying to Sneak a Fat Cat on a Plane

People can legally bring animals on flights. Some airlines allow you to fly with your pet, either in the cabin or as checked baggage. All airlines are required to allow service animals to fly with their disabled humans.

But in all circumstances, there are specific rules that apply, for the safety of you, your pet, and the other passengers and crew. Rules that Mikhail Galin did not consider or give a flying flip about when he decided to try to sneak his cat (who was over the kitty weight limit) on board.

Posted by Mikhail Galin on Tuesday, November 5, 2019

The saga began when Aeroflot, a Russian-based airline, refused to let Galin’s cat, Viktor, fly home with him the cabin. Galin was worried about putting his little buddy in the cargo hold, though, because he knows that Viktor gets nervous in unfamiliar settings and also that the pressure changes are hard for him.

So, instead of taking no for an answer, Galin took to social media in search of a cat who looked like Viktor, except skinnier.

Once the perfect match was found, Galin checked in with the skinnier cat, then simply traded it back for Viktor to a friend who took the littler guy (or gal) home (where can only assume he had a treat and then got on his kitty treadmill).

Galin and Viktor boarded the flight without issue, but he was busted by airport surveillance footage, which showed him swapping the cats.

The old switcheroo was caught, and for Galin (and Viktor), the jig was up.

As a penalty, the airline stripped Galin of his frequent flyer status and removed his 400,000 saved miles.

Ouch.

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Тигр! #викторthecat

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But I mean, he seems to really love his cat, so I’m guessing it’s a small price to pay.

Next time, though, maybe just hire a pet sitter.

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Prehistoric Mammoth Traps Were Discovered Outside Mexico City

This is big news.

The National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) has revealed at a press conference that ancient traps containing the remains of 14 woolly mammoths were uncovered in Mexico.

At least 15,000 years old, the traps were discovered in Tultepec, a city approximately 25 miles north of Mexico City.

Named “Tultepec II,” the site has been under excavation for about 10 months, and archaeologists working there have discovered around 824 bones from 14 mammoths, including skulls, jaws and ribs. The site has been named a “Mammoth Megasite.”

At the press conference, Pedro Francisco Sánchez Nava, the national archeology coordinator at the INAH, said, “It represents a watershed, a touchstone for how we previously imagined groups of hunter-gatherers interacted with these enormous herbivores.”

Photo Credit: Wikimedia

Researchers think they now have a better understanding of how the beasts were hunted and used by hunter-gatherers in the Mexico Basin. Twenty or thirty hunters would separate one from the herd and, using torches, lure it into the trap. Once there, the animal would be killed, with most of the body either eaten or used in other ways.

One of the skeletons was laid out in a ceremonial way with evidence that indicated it took several hunts to bring it down completely. The arrangement of the bones points to a level of reverence the hunters had for such a fierce kill.

A Mammoth Museum is already open in Tultepec with a nearly complete wooly mammoth skeleton, discovered there in 2016, on display.

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According to National Geographic, These Are the Best Trips to Take in 2020

Listen up, world travelers!

Where do you plan on traveling in 2020? Somewhere overseas, or maybe you plan to keep it domestic?

Either way, the new list of “transformative travels” from National Geographic will definitely get you thinking about where you might want to explore next year.

George Stone, executive editor of travel at National Geographic, says, “Best Trips is our annual list of where to go, what to know and how to see the world in the year ahead. To build the list we worked with National Geographic editors around the world as well as photographers, writers, explorers and, of course, passionate travelers to report on the essential sites to see and places to be in 2020.”

Here are the lists from National Geographic, broken down into different categories: Culture, City, Nature, and Adventure.

Culture Picks

1. Asturias, Spain

2. Guizhou Province, China

3. Gobekli Tepe, Turkey

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#göbeklitepeturkey #tarih

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4. Maya, Guatemala

5. Mendoza Province, Argentina

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Provincia de Mendoza • Egzaminy i projekty skończone w pierwszym tygodniu, drugi wolny na podróże. W sobotę spakowałam plecak, a w nocy w niedzielę dopiero zdecydowałam w którym kierunku jadę w poniedziałek. Ale chyba dobrze trafiłam, prawda? ?☀ ••• Exams and projects done in the first week, the second free to travel. On Saturday I packed my backpack and on Sunday I decided where I were going to on Monday. But I ended up nice, didn’t I? ————————————————- #mendoza #potrerillos #lake #andes #mountains #argentina #mendozaprovince #experiencesouthamerica #backpacker #girlswhotravel #backpackersintheworld #southamerica #polacywpodrozy #podrozniczka #podroz #travel #mochilera #hitchhiking #nature #amazingworld

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6. Abu Simbel, Egypt

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?Abu Simbel, site of two temples built by the Egyptian king Ramses II (reigned 1279–13 BCE), now located in Aswān muḥāfaẓah (governorate), southern Egypt. In ancient times the area was at the southern frontier of pharaonic Egypt, facing Nubia. The four colossal statues of Ramses in front of the main temple are spectacular examples of ancient Egyptian art. By means of a complex engineering feat in the 1960s, the temples were salvaged from the rising waters of the Nile River caused by erection of the Aswan High Dam. Photo ? by: @alexinavannes . Follow @antiktarih ? _ Follow us for more Archaeological Photography ? ??@archeo.photo ?? ? _ ?#archaeology ?#archeology ?#archeologia ?#arqueologia ?#arkeoloji ?#археология ?#arqueología #archéologie ?#archäologie ?#abusimbel ?#ancienttemple

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City Picks

1. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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WPW shot of Billy watching the sunrise, as he does every morning, keeping watch over our fair city and all of her inhabitants, as we wake up for a new day. With Thanksgiving tomorrow, I have to say I am very thankful for my family most of all, but the success of our business this past year was quite unexpected, thanks to all of you, our loyal followers, so thank you all for all of your support over the years!! Really means a lot! ______________________________________ Equipment: Mavic 2 Pro Editing: Lightroom Location: Center City, Philly Settings: ISO 100, 10.26mm, f/2.8, 1/30sec ______________________________________ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #depthdiscovered #visitphilly #philly #philadelphia #shotzdelight #yophillymag #artofvisuals #trappingtones #gramslayers #instagood #citykillerz #depthobsessed #wanderlust #illgrammers #citygrammers #way2ill #howphillyseesphilly #stayandwander #trappingtones #unknownperspectives #agameoftones #theimaged #moodygrams #phillyphire #heatercentral #drone #meistershots #roamtheplanet #williampennwednesday #rawurbanshot 

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2. Telč, Czech Republic

3. Fort Kochi, Kerala, India

4. Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

5. Parma, Italy

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Parma, Italy ? @marylouu89 #parma #italy

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6. Puebla, Mexico

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In the past, all Cuetzalan was inhabited by the majestic birds called "Quetzales", their feathers were used as an offering being given as tribute to the Aztecs by the cultures that lived here. Hence it is believed to be one of the reasons for the name of this Town, Cuetzalan, or as its name says "Abundant Place of Quetzales." Who do you want to tour Cuetzalan with?  Share it! ❤??⛰ ?Cuetzalan, Puebla. _ En el pasado, todo Cuetzalan estaba habitado por las majestuosas aves llamadas "Quetzales", sus plumas eran usadas como ofrenda siendo entregadas como tributo a los aztecas por parte de las culturas que aquí vivian. De ahí es que se cree que es uno de los motivos del nombre de este Pueblo, Cuetzalan, o como su nombre lo dice "Lugar Abundante de Quetzales". ¿Con quién quieres recorrer Cuetzalan? Comparteselo! ❤??⛰ ?Cuetzalan, Puebla. . ?Fotografía y derechos propiedad de…@omargonval . Equipo MEXICOFORALL??… @diego_lazaro_mtz . Recuerda etiquetarme y usar el #mexico_for_all para futuras menciones! ?‍♂️?‍♀️

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Nature Picks

1. Magdalen Islands, Quebec, Canada

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How majestic does #magdalenislands look?! ?? @mathieu_dupuis_photo says this spot in #québec  is one of his “favourite locations in all of Canada” as it’s “heaven on earth.” ⬇ PHOTO OF THE DAY?June?11?2019? _____________________________________________ ? Location: #ilesdelamadeleine #quebec ⭐ Photos credit by?@mathieu_dupuis_photo? ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ⓒ ⓞ ⓝ ⓖ ⓡ ⓐ ⓣ ⓤ ⓛ ⓐ ⓣ ⓘ ⓞ ⓝ ⓢ follow @livelovecanada Tag #livelovecanada . ? #cliffs #explorequebec #ig_color #ig_captures #banff #explorebc #explorecanada #canada #montreal #edmonton #ottawa #calgary #novascotia #6ix #mississauga #winnipeg #usa #saskatchewan #yukon #nyc #streetsoftoronto #tofino #toronto #ontario #alberta

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2. Kalahari Desert, Botswana

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The Kalahari Desert is a large semi-arid sandy savannah in Southern Africa. One of the most interesting Kalahari Desert facts is that it is not a desert in the strictest sense of the word, as it receives too much rainfall – between 5 and 10 inches annually. However any rain filters rapidly through the vast expanses of sand, leaving nothing on the surface, turning the Kalahari into the "thirstland". The name “ Kalahari” is derived from the Tswana word Kgala, meaning "the great thirst", or Kgalagadi, meaning "a waterless place". . . ? @beautifuldestinations ? #Kalahari #kalaharidesert . . #botswana #namibia?? #southafrica #visualsofafrica #africantourism #nomadsafaris  #traveladdict #safariadventure #africangeographic  #discoverafrica #iloveafrica #safarilife #africanwildlife  #giraffe #africanroadtrip #bushveld #savanna #southernafrica

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3. Bialowieza Forest, Belarus/Poland

4. National Blue Trail, Hungary

5. Canary Islands, Spain

6. Maldives

7. Grand Canyon, Arizona

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Sedona is Beautiful from Above ❤? @jonhuynh1

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Adventure Picks

1. Tasmania, Australia

2. Grossglockner High Alpine Road, Austria

3. Wales Way, UK

4. Tohoku, Japan

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達沢不動滝 秋Ver? 2019/11/2 夏に続き、秋も達沢不動滝へ訪問しました。 以前投稿した 塔のへつり に行く前、朝方を狙いました。 タイミングとしては落葉が進んでいて、ギリギリセーフといった感じでした? 相変わらず糸を引くような流れに日差しが入り、水がキラキラと光る光景と、紅葉?との組み合わせがとても綺麗✨でした? 良く撮られるのは男滝と呼ばれるほうですが、左隣には女滝があります。此方も一緒にアップします? #絶景 #フォトジェニック #達沢不動滝 #紅葉 #滝 #滝好きな人と繋がりたい #いなわしろ新八景 #ふくしまの水三十選 #自然好きな人と繋がりたい #写真好きな人と繋がりたい #写真撮ってる人と繋がりたい #ファインダー越しの世界 #けしからん景色 #絶景辞典 #福島県 #猪苗代町 #東北 #行くぜ東北 #秋の東北インスタキャンペーン #極上の会津 #tohoku #fukushima #japan #zekkei_delic_j #dokoiku #retrip_nippon #spira_spot #bestphoto_japan

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5. Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia

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Озеро в кратере вулкана Горелый Пожалуй, один из самых доступных вулканов для восхождения. До него достаточно легко добраться – на проходимой машине ехать 4 часа, находится он в 75 км (по прямой дороге) от Петропавловска-Камчатского. Восхождение на него занимает от 3 до 6 часов в зависимости от подготовки путешественника. Высота 1829м, набор высоты по вертикали 900м, уклон пологий 25°. Подъем хоть и затяжной, но весьма лёгкий, осилить его сможет каждый, чтобы самому увидеть эту красоту! ?@victorr_joy

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6. Zakouma National Park, Chad

Have you visited any of these destinations? Or maybe now you want to after these recommendations?

Share your travel thoughts and plans with us in the comments!

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Jet Lag Is Not Fun, but Don’t Worry – It Can Be Mitigated

Have you ever stepped off a plane and felt like you could fall asleep at the baggage claim for an hour or eight? That exhausted, drained feeling after flying for an extended amount of time is the dreaded jet lag.

It’s miserable, but there are ways to make yourself feel better.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, “jet lag disorder occurs when there is a temporary mismatch between sleep-wake cycle timing generated by the person’s internal circadian clock, and the external cues at the new destination.”

Photo Credit: Flickr

Jet lag has very little to do with how much sleep you did or didn’t get. It’s when your internal clock is not synced with what’s going on in your new time zone.

If we’re only talking an hour or two between your point of origin and your destination, then you probably won’t experience jet lag, though some travelers so really feel the difference between Pacific and Eastern time zones when flying between the two. Most people, though, feel jet lag when flying internationally east to west, or vice-versa.

One way to minimize jet lag is to make sure you keep hydrated. Airplane cabins are notorious for being dry, and the alcoholic and caffeinated beverages airlines peddle can accelerate dehydration. If you really want to keep your jet lag to a minimum, try sticking to water. If you like to drink alcohol on flights, than have a bottle of water for each beverage. It will make you feel better.

Photo Credit: Needpix

Getting up and moving around the plane is helpful for blood circulation and reducing jet lag. A little walk will also get oxygen to your brain, helping fight fatigue.

The decreased air pressure in an airplane cabin at altitude can cause gas and bloating that makes you feel uncomfortable and lousy upon landing – which gets your body working overtime and worsens jet lag. Bring healthy snacks and avoid fatty and greasy food while in the air.

If you feel pressure in your head, you can relieve it with gum, hard candy or big yawns. The movement in the jaw can also help ease headaches and stress, and since contributes to jet lag, anything you can do to keep it low will help. Try meditation, noise cancelling earphones or other relaxation activities.

Photo Credit: Flickr

Vitamins, particularly B12 and C vitamins, and healthy juices are good for fighting germs that cause illness and aches we all seem to pick up from flying. And, again, any energy your body is putting toward fighting off illness is energy it’s not spending on adjusting its body clock. Bone up before boarding.

Many international flyers also stave off jet lag by tricking their bodies into thinking they are already in the new time zone. Depending on what time it will be when you land, you could either expose yourself to bright light for a few evenings before you fly west or to bright light earlier in the morning for eastern destinations. If you need to sleep to get used to the time in a new place quickly, try taking melatonin to induce a restful sleep while flying.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia

The best way to handle being on the ground in a new time zone is to take things slow. Absorb your new surroundings, grab a healthy meal at a time good for your new normal and get to know the place. Ease into it, and you’ll be enjoying your strange times soon enough.

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What Happens When a Plane Flies into a Flock of Birds?

Sometimes, these two worlds collide mid-air, and planes fly straight into a bird, or even a flock of birds.

The results can look really disastrous, especially for the birds. The good news is that bird strikes don’t typically pose any risk to airplanes or passengers. The really good news is that they’re unlikely to bring down a plane.

“Aircraft are designed and built to withstand bird strikes, and pilots undergo rigorous training to enable them to deal with eventualities like a bird strike,” BALPA flight safety specialist, Stephen Landells, told The Telegraph.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Even if a bird gets sucked into the airplane’s engine, the plane can usually land just fine. “Losing one engine is not going to cause an aircraft to crash because they are designed to fly with one engine down,” Stephen explained.

That doesn’t mean fliers are completely in the clear, however. While a single bird rarely poses any danger to a plane, Stephen added that “multiple bird strikes – or hitting large birds such as Canada geese – can and have caused serious accidents.” Captain Sully’s landing of a US Airways plane on the Hudson River in 2009 is perhaps the most famous example of this.

Photo Credit: YouTube

This is quite rare, though.

There were 160,894 bird strikes between 1990 and 2015 in the U.S. Only 40 of those strikes resulted in an accident.

Unfortunately, these incidents are often fatal for the birds (though not always). They can die on impact if they run into a plane, and they usually disintegrate if they get sucked into an engine. The number of wildlife strikes has also increased drastically over the years, as flying gets more popular.

Sadly, there’s not much that planes can do to avoid birds in the sky.

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