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hms-chill · 4 years

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RWRB Study Guide: Chapter 14

Hi y’all! I’m going through Casey McQuiston’s Red, White & Royal Blue and defining/explaining references! Feel free to follow along, or block the tag #rwrbStudyGuide if you’re not interested!

Jezebel (359): Jezebel calls itself “a supposedly feminist website”; they are a blog geared toward women

Dykes on Bikes (359): Dykes on Bikes is a philanthropic organization focused on building community of women motorcyclists and supporting LGBT+ organizations.

Westboro Baptist Church (359): A church famous for being homophobic and doing pretty much exactly what Jesus said not to do.

Pennsylvania Avenue (359): The street that the White House is on.

Green (359): Someone who’s green is fresh or young and naive

The House (360): The House of Representatives is one of two branches of Congress.

Speaker (360): The Speaker of the House is the presiding officer of the House of Representatives.

X-wings (360): The ships flown by rebel pilots in the original Star Wars movies.

Vogue (360): Vogue is one of the biggest fashion magazines in the US.

Decathlon (361): A track event composed of ten different events.

Oval Room (362): The White House’s Yellow Oval Room is on the south side of the White House’s second floor; it has been used as a library, study, and reception room.

Bluebonnet (362): The state flower of Texas; they bloom all along the roadways in the spring.

Barracuda (362): A Barracuda is a large, predatory fish known for being ferocious. It is also a 1977 song by rock band Heart.

Keds (362): A brand of classy sneakers.

Resolute Desk (362): The president’s desk in the Oval Office.

“Four, on the other couch: Alex, counting” (362): You know what Alex does to calm down when he’s in minor panic mode? He makes lists.

Oval Office (363): The president’s office.

Sockpuppet account (364): An account that isn’t linked to a real person.

RNC (364): The Republican National Committee, the committee that leads the conservative American political party.

Not paying for Bigfoot sightings (365): A reference to the fact that most photos of Bigfoot are blurry or indistinct.

Subpoena (365): A document that demands that someone present evidence to a court.

Red Bull (366): An energy drink.

Weed gummy (366): A gummy with marijuana in it, often used to help someone calm down.

Five Guys (367): Five Guys Burgers and Fries is a popular burger/fry place.

A1 Sauce (367): A type of steak sauce.

“Bills, Bills, Bills” (367): A very popular Destiny’s Child song complaining about a man who refuses to work/do his part in the relationship. (listen here)

NYU (368): New York University

Casper Mattresses (369): A mattress brand that often sponsors episodes of podcasts.

Diplomatic Reception Room (370): A room used to receive foreign diplomats on the south side of the White House (just below the Oval Room).

Fireside chats (370): A series of radio talks from president Franklin Delano Roosevelt from 1933-1944. He spoke directly to the American people with familiarity, explaining his policies and the course of WWII.

October 2 (371): The Bill of Rights was first sent to the US states on October 2nd, 1789. The Twilight Zone premiered on October 2nd, 1959. Thurgood Marshall was sworn in as the first African American supreme court justice on October 2nd, 1967.

Purple silk (372): Purple was historically the color of royalty, as purple dye was the most expensive.

American Dream (373): The idea that if someone works hard enough in America, they can succeed.

Jack loved Jackie (374): John Franklin “Jack” Kennedy and his wife, Jackie Kennedy.

Lyndon loved Lady Bird (374): Lyndon B Johnson (who Lake LBJ is named for) and Lady Bird Johnson were a president and first lady.

Inauguration Day (375): The day in January when the new president is sworn in and officially takes office.

Mall (375): The National Mall is a park in DC between the Lincoln and Washington monuments. It’s where MLK’s March on Washington ended.

Sam the Eagle (375): Sam Eagle is a muppet known for his extreme patriotism.

AG (377): Attorney General, the head of the department of justice.

Undocumented (378): Someone who is undocumented is in the US without the appropriate documentation and is at risk of being deported if they are discovered.

Nicotine patch (381): A patch that provides people with nicotine, used to help quit smoking.

Queen’s Bedroom (383): A room on the second floor of the White House, formerly known as the rose room. It’s almost entirely light pink.

——

We’re so close! If there’s anything I missed or that you’d like more on, please let me know! And if you’d like to/are able, please consider buying me a ko-fi? I know not everyone can, and that’s fine, but these things take a lot of time/work and I’d really appreciate it!

—–-

Chapter 1 // Chapter 13 // Chapter 15

#rwrb study guide #not fic #alex claremont diaz #henry fox mountchristen windsor x alex claremont diaz #henry fox mountchristen windsor #bea fox mountchristen windsor #june claremont diaz #nora holleran #pez okonjo #rwrb analysis #red white and royal blue #red white and royal blue analysis #English Major Brain™️#firstprince #history huh?

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douglashonorscollege · 3 years

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A Family Outing

short story by Anonymous ⌂

“WHOEVER STOLE MY WHEELBARROW F*** YOU B**** COME SEE ME.”

Duke stared at the words in front of the orange home in the Box. This was much different than the “Bless This Home” sign in front of his own house. His house--located in the suburbs, many miles away from the Box--was tall and well-groomed. The carpet in the house was soft under his paws, the bright yellow walls were smooth when he brushed his small furry blonde body against them, and food crumbs were plentiful.

Everything about humans fascinated Duke. He watched every movie with his family (even the scary ones), tried every food he was given, and even sang along when Madeline practiced the violin. When the day of the Box trip arrived, he sat in the family’s van and watched them exit the church. All Duke knew about church was that nobody wanted to go and Mom yelled at anyone who dared to wear jeans. Despite their complaints, Duke envied the time they spent in that small mysterious building.

Duke had been anticipating the visit to the Box for months. He was there when Mom had ordered the tickets online and had been attentively eavesdropping on the family’s Box discussions ever since. At dinner, Dad had remarked, “I can’t wait to see one of those Box-freaks in real life.” Dad acted really tough with his yelling and cursing and giving Duke the nickname “Schmuck”. When no one was looking, he cried during movies, sang to love songs on the radio, and cuddled with Duke after work.

Duke intently watched as Madeline, the oldest sibling, wrote a research paper about the Box:

The Box was built in 2067 in a small town formerly known as Finley, WA. After 6,000 different Hanford Nuclear Power Plant employees developed physical and mental mutations from a radioactive material leak, the government decided to intervene. Side effects ranged from psychotic behavior, tentacle growth from the brain, and green tinting to the skin. After the incident, the power plant was shut down; thousands of families were left without any source of income, ill, and angry.

First, they torched the mall, then the bank, then the churches. When they started murdering masses and rearranging the railroads, it became clear that no ordinary jail cell could contain the continually mutating victims. That’s when the Box was built. The Box is a sturdy, well-filtered facility that is 14.5 cubic miles large. All 6,000 employees were forcibly transferred to live in the Box permanently. Upon entering the Box, citizens were encouraged to build houses and begin farming with the artificial resources provided.

Duke recalled the times he had learned about the Box from the magic screen in the living room. When a Box resident attempted to scale the 14.5 mile wall in an effort to escape, he suffocated from lack of oxygen and died. In efforts to boost morale, the government transformed the Box into a freak show/amusement park for the citizens outside the Box. Within weeks, The Box became the most popular tourist attraction in eastern Washington. Duke was confused why such a sad place would bring people excitement, but he just assumed that it was yet another aspect of being human that he would never understand.

The day they went to the Box was a warm Sunday afternoon in October, so Dad decided a trip to the winery would be a good way to kill time before their appointment at the Box. Duke loved wineries. The long stretches of grass to chase his sisters on, the sunshine to bathe in, and the occasional hidden dead bird or rat to munch on. He loved how happy his family looked. Mom and Dad, sipping red wine and playing cards, and his sisters slicing apples with a small kitchen knife from Mom’s purse. Mom was incredibly thoughtful, she was prepared for anything.

Duke’s family approached the gates to the Box in their minivan and parked next to the ticket booth. A teenager wearing an “I SURVIVED THE BOX” T-shirt opened the ticket window. The shiny pimples on his face reminded Duke of the Skittles commercials his sisters thought were so funny.

“Tickets for seven please,” said Dad.

“Is your group interested in purchasing any souvenirs, sir?” the boy grunted.

“Nah, not today.” Eyeroll. Sigh.

“Welcome to the Box. At the Box, we have three rules: no leaving the vehicle, no weapons permitted, and no removing any items from the Box. Pictures are encouraged. If you post a photo, please use #getboxed to get 15% off your next visit. Since you’ve already signed the waiver you’re good to go.”

The family chanted “The Box! The Box! The Box!” as they traded their van for a rented military-grade Hummer. Duke sat in the passenger's seat on Mom’s lap. Mom is a charming woman whose big eyes, big nose, big mouth, big teeth, and big blonde Jennifer Anniston highlights, looked even bigger on her petite body. She wore large beaded earrings, pink lipstick, high heels, and a dress with lots of lines and shapes on it.

As Dad drove the Hummer through the gates and towards the steak fields, Duke recalled the time when mom had snuck him steak, fish, and even cabbage before dinner. She never forgot about Duke. He thought of their morning snuggles, the good books he read over her shoulder, and the time she defended his honor when he chewed up the cord to the vacuum cleaner. His favorite part of the day was sitting by her side and watching her paint. He often followed his family as their feet shuffled throughout the house. Mom’s were his favorite to follow.

There were times when Duke was convinced that despite her adoration for her biological children, he was indeed Mom’s favorite. He was a good boy. Mom made Duke feel as if--despite his small furry body--that he was human. It was Mom who insisted he join the family on long hikes and trips to the beach and demanded his appearance in every Christmas card. It was Mom who chose to bring him on the family’s big trip to see the Box.

Dad was not as enthusiastic to bring Duke. He found it outrageous that he had to buy an adult-priced ticket for a 10-pound chihuahua.

The further they drove into the Box, their amazement grew. Despite it being 2 pm, the sky was pitch black, and torches illuminated the houses built from garbage. Between the houses were fields of colorful produce, and green octopus-looking children eyeing the family closely, licking their lips. The fields felt endless. The air smelled different near the plants, a sweet, sour stench that made Duke feel dizzy.

Madeline shouted, “Mom look! That orange house is made of trash, just like we learned about in the documentary. The garbage man dumps our trash here so that the monsters can make houses.”

Duke watched as Mom’s bright green eyes faded to a watery grey, as they usually do after a few drinks. Her eyes were glued to a garden next to the orange house. Duke scratched her arm to ask for more snuggles, but she did not respond. The garden was filled with bright blue glowing pumpkins. She was entranced. So entranced that she didn’t even notice the threatening sign next to the house.

“Michael stop the car.”

Dad stopped the car; he is more obedient than Duke sometimes. Mom pulled a small kitchen knife from her purse, handed the knife to her two oldest children, and told them to go to the garden and grab a pumpkin for her.

They hesitated at first, confused why they were being encouraged to steal but soon jumped out of the car like it was the grandest adventure of their lives. They too, upon seeing the pumpkins for themselves, fell in love.

They had never looked at Duke the way they looked at those pumpkins. Was he not good enough? What did those pumpkins have that he didn’t? The pumpkins never chewed up their toys. That must be it.

Duke watched through the window. He observed their big cheesy smiles as the two girls tried to cut the pumpkin from the stem, and their terrified faces when the door to the orange house opened, a 300-pound green-skinned witch with scales instead of skin emerged. Her long hair was made of octopus tentacles that rattled as she walked. She wore a long nightgown made of bedsheets. After taking a long puff from her cigar, she asked them to leave.

Duke was ready to attack. He could sense that his sisters were in danger.

Dad opened the door to apologize, but before he could muster the words Mom had summoned her children to the car, put the pumpkin in her purse, and had called Box patrol.

The Box patrol rolled up in another military-grade Hummer with #GetBoxed logos on every door. Two tall brawny women armed with assault rifles exited the vehicle and inspected the scene. Duke noted the way they looked at the woman from the orange house. They grimaced at her scaly feet and overgrown nails. The stench seeping from her tentacles made them gag. The woman took a long puff from her cigar.

“These kids stole one of my pumpkins. The rules say no stealing. I’ve been growing these pumpkins for years. They are the only part of this Box that brings me joy.”

Mom remained calm, and looked the patrol woman in the eyes, “There seems to be a misunderstanding. My dog leaped from the car window and my daughters went to go grab him before he did any damage to this beautiful garden. Then this witch chased my children around the yard and threatened them with violence. I was so scared.” She paused and turned to the woman, “You have a lovely home by the way.”

Duke was in shock. That is not what happened. He was a good boy and stayed in the car.

How could the woman he loved so dearly lie so easily?

The woman became enraged by Mom’s lies and pleaded her innocence. The patrol women ignored her; they had already made up their minds.

“CHECK HER PURSE!” the witch yelled. The veins in her neck glowed through her skin.

The first gunshot fired. Duke whimpered. His sisters unbuckled their seatbelts. Mom locked the doors. Dad didn’t move, his eyes glued to the ground.

“SHE HAS MY PUMPKIN.”

The second shot fired. Duke began to bark. When his sisters cried, they were told to close their eyes. Mom was yelling now, demanding them to shut their eyes. Duke looked at mom, eyes wide open.

“PLEASE, LET ME LIVE!”

The third shot fired. Duke darted through the window to the Box Patrol and started biting their legs. He tore their pants but realized it was too late.

The woman’s body lay in front of her home. The little orange house made of garbage that she built herself. Her blood was a deep blue and bubbled as it pooled around her body. Duke walked to her corpse and stared at her. He licked her fingertips but she didn’t move.

Momo, age six, was crying and tugged at Mom’s shoulder, “Can we say sorry now? We’re really sorry we stole her pumpkins. I want to go home. Is she hurt? We should wake her up now.”

Duke’s other sisters remained silent, they knew better than to comment. They stared at the floor, nauseous with guilt.

The muscular Box Patrol women stood over her corpse, took a photo, and asked Mom and Dad if they would like a free copy of it emailed to them. Dad said no, Mom said yes, which means yes, the picture would be sent to her email address.

As one of the patrol officers bagged the body, another apologized to Mom, “We are sincerely embarrassed for your family’s traumatic experience today and would like to offer a gift to make up for it. We will be sending #GetBoxed T-shirts as well as #IsurvivedtheBoxFreak merchandise to your home as well as a 50% discount on your next visit.”

The blue glowing pumpkin now lives in the family’s beautiful home in Kennewick. It sat first in a glass box next to the easel where Mom paints, in place of where Duke used to sit. The glass seemed to be shrinking. Last week, the glass broke. Every day, Duke patiently waits for his morning snuggles, lunchtime walks, and evening painting, but Mom no longer shows any interest. She prefers to stare at the pumpkin. Her eyes have faded since staring at it, obsessing over it, and refusing to throw it away, even after it starts to decay. She has stopped sneaking Duke treats and inviting him on trips. When Duke chewed up a shoe out of boredom, she called him a monster.

His sisters stay in their rooms with the doors shut, not cracked, so he can’t push them open with his nose. At dinner, there is silence. The pumpkin at first sat on the piano during dinner but is now massive enough to be a table.

Duke often finds himself staring at the yellow walls, which have now begun to fade to green. The walls are no longer smooth, but prickly when he rubs against them. They’re covered in numerous paintings of the blue pumpkin. Duke stares in awe, confusion, and betrayal. The walls have become so shiny that Duke sees himself in the mirror for the first time. He doesn’t look human at all. He looks like a blue pumpkin. ∎

Minerva’s Owl Homepage

#journal #journal2021 #2021

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travelcenter-uk · 3 years

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Trip to Dubai: 6 Best Encounters and Wow Facts

I was able to find a lot of answers to some prolonged questions on my last trip to Dubai in November 2019. Not just that, but I learned several wow facts that blew my mind!

Keep reading. I have a lot to tell you.

Did you know that the literal meaning of Dubai is money? And that, Dubai was mostly a small desert 50 years ago, but now it is ranked as one of the fastest-growing cities in the world?

I would love to see that shock on your face when you read this. Because, when I first learnt this, I went crazy!

Then, I started to wonder what more about Dubai, don’t I know?

However, I was able to overcome this dubiousness! (Find the pun). It was, as I started visiting some of the best tourist attractions in the country.

1 - I visited the Dubai Frame

You may wonder why I visited the Dubai Frame first, out of all tourist attractions. Well, it was because of the hype.

My brother has been in Dubai for almost fifteen years now. And, this frame has always been a hot topic for him.

I was a little bland at first, though. Like you are right now. But can you see this giant, glistening Gold frame in the picture below?

Yeah, I couldn’t let my curiosity kill me.

What is so special about it?

The wow factor is, this giant frame has a symbolic connection between the old and new city of Dubai! It is also the most massive frame in the world.

Is the visit free of charge?

Although this frame stands there like an adornment, you cannot just visit it. You need to purchase tickets. We purchased it online (because it is easier than staying under the hot sun at the venue to buy). There were four of us as adults, so we had to pay around 11 Euros each. They did allow the kids in for free.

The fun part about the Dubai Frame?

The panoramic glass lifts, of course!

Once you are on one of these lifts, it shuttles you to the top.

I have a fear of heights, so this was even fun. I know I should say ‘terrified’, but it was fun! Because, once you are at the top, you can walk on a clear glass walkway along the entire 313-foot width of the frame.

Pictures taken from here are so Instagram worthy (mostly if you use your selfie-stick or GoPro). Oh, and it was almost sunset when we visited the frame, so the view was breath-taking! Now you know what the best time is for you to visit the Dubai Frame on your next trip to Dubai.

2 - I had Dinner in the sky!

If this is not in your ‘things to do in Dubai’ list, add it right now!

I can’t tell you that I signed up for this with no hesitations. I kept throwing tantrums for nearly ten minutes.

My brother had pre-purchased the tickets to ‘Dinner in the Sky Dubai’ online It was because they allowed only 22 pax during a single slot! Do you think saying ‘no’ after that would have been a good thing to do?

I don’t think so.

Tip: If you are planning to have Dinner in the Sky in Dubai, pre-purchase your tickets online. This way you can pick the day and time-frame of your choice! You can also contact the team at Travel Center UK to make an arrangement.

Okay, now to the best part!

Familiarizing with the premises

We were welcomed with a refreshing drink. After which, we had to deposit all our belongings (except mobiles & cameras) into a locker.

It was relieving to do so because we could enjoy the whole time without panicking. I mean, I am sure none of us wants to see our bags fly down from 50 m above the ground.

Once we made ourselves comfortable, they strapped us to bucket seats. Of course, with safety harnesses.

The fun part of this?

They used cranes to lift the slots. My nephew had a great time, screaming and enjoying the whole process.

As I love photography, I did not miss out on the breath-taking views of the glittering skyline. 50m above the ground, we were able to see the Dubai Marina, Atlantis, Burj Al Arab and Burj Khalifa!

What about the food?

The chefs onboard were outstanding. As soon as we were in the sky, they started to make our two-course gourmet menu live! Yes, we got to see our menu prepared before our eyes.

The food was excellent, along with the peppy tunes accompanying us as we had our delightful feast.

For nearly 90 minutes, we enjoyed our meals with 360 degrees view of the splendid city!

3 - I Realized why Dubai is a Birder's Paradise

Thanks to my little nephew, who kept crying to visit the wildlife sanctuary. I learned that there are over 320 bird species that migrate between Europe, Asia, and Africa via Dubai!

It was not some random fact thrown in the wildlife sanctuaries. It was a wow fact I heard from the guard at one of the sanctuaries there.

Another double-wow fact about the birder’s paradise is, the rare birds passing through the city. These rarities include; spotted eagles, broad-billed sandpipers, and greater herons. Usually found passing during the spring and fall.

Can they be sighted?

Yes! You will easily get this opportunity if you go on an unplanned trip to Dubai.

Ras al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary is from where I learned these wow facts. It is also where I sighted most of these rarities. The show-stealers, however, were the flamingos. They created a picture-perfect sight in the wetlands, with their beautiful pink feathers.

4 - I Tandem Skydived to see Palm Island in Dubai

Do you recall me telling you that I have a fear of heights? If you do, then you surely know this was a challenge I took.

Undeniably worth it!

What was unique about tandem skydiving in Dubai?

There is a wow fact about tandem skydiving in Dubai! The types of jumps are, of course, similar to any other countries (in general). But here we could explore the world’s largest artificial archipelago!

We were also able to see the Atlantis Hotel, Burj Al Arab, The World Islands, and Dubai Marina! An all-in-one sight-seeing experiences.

What were the charges like to skydive in Dubai?

The Palm Drop Zone that we chose was quite expensive compared to the other spots. However, it gave us a spectacular view and best skydiving experience (as first-timers).

If you are on a budget and still want to try skydiving in Dubai, then you can take the Desert Campus Drop Zone. If you are more afraid of heights than I am, then you should try Indoor skydiving. Best way to take that first step to overcome your fear of heights. It’s wallet-friendly too! (Thank me later!)

5 - I travelled on the longest driverless metro line in the world!

Wow! I could not wait to boast about it.

I have given you the wow fact already, but not the double-wow facts yet.

The city’s Red Line (32.37 miles), runs through the heart of Dubai like an artery. I am not exaggerating, but the experience of taking the Red Line was completely futuristic!

The Red Line cuts through the centre of Dubai and flies past the city’s many newly built skyscrapers and landmarks.

What is so special about this metro line?

The Red Line experience includes cheap fares, air-conditioned cabins, on-time service, and multiple ticket classes! It’s like a Do-It-Yourself tour of Dubai when you take the metro.

The double-wow fact here is, the Red Line consists of more than twenty tourist spots and restaurants!

What are these tourist spots and restaurants?

iFly Dubai

Dubai Festival City

Deira City Centre

Dubai Creek

Xiao Wei Yang

The Noodle House

Red Shrimp

ADCB (formerly Karama Souk)

Zabeel Park

World Trade Centre

The Emirates Towers

Applebee’s

Tim Hortons

Rose Rayhaan by Rotana

Burj Khalifa

Dubai Fountain

Dubai Mall

Ski Dubai at Mall of the Emirates

Dubai Marina

Jumeirah Lake Towers

Ibn Battuta shopping mall

Did the Red Line metro tickets cost a lot?

I had the same concern as you. But luckily, it was significantly cheaper than I thought.

For tourists and occasional visitors, they offer ‘red tickets’. And they cost only 0.46 Euros!

It’s interesting as it sounds. Because the Red tickets are worth for ten trips or five daily passes!!

6 - I lost myself in the most extensive natural flower garden in the world

Miracle Garden was one of my favourite places to visit in Dubai. The garden was like a total animation. My trip to Dubai would have definitely not been complete without having visited this garden.

The wow fact about the miracle garden could go on as a list.

Starting from, the fact that it displays almost 50 million flowers at its premises!

Then, the responsible use of water through drip irrigation! I mean, don’t we know they could have spent millions on bringing freshwater for the garden if they wished? But they didn’t!

What were the best things to do in the Miracle Garden?

The garden included so many entertainment facilities and attractions. Some of them that we did not miss out were;

Floral Parades

Street performances

Zumba sessions

Trampoline Park

Disney Avenue

Mickey Mouse

Life-size Emirates A380

Lost Paradise

Cabanas for relaxation

Butterfly Passage

Hearts Passage

Umbrella Passage

Giant Tortoise

Floral Clock

Floral Castle

Giant Teddy Bear

Lake Park

Hill Top

Next How much did the visit to Miracle Gardens cost?

The entrance fee for us (adults) was nearly 9.16 Euro per head. For my seven-year-old nephew, we paid 6.53 Euro, and the baby nephew was allowed in for free.

Additional costs? Definitely, for all the snacks, we whacked at all the restaurants, kiosks, cafes and sweet bars!

#ThisIsNotTheEnd

So, I’ve spoken about the six best encounters and wow facts already. I hope you all had a good time taking notes. That means, now you know some of the must-do on your next trip to Dubai!

But trust me, these aren’t everything that Dubai has for you. I have only spoken about a few. There is so much more I could talk about, but if you wish to read. So, let me know in the comments if you are interested to know more about my trip to Dubai!

You can also read this e-book from Travel Center.

Oh, and there is something important about my trip to Dubai that I should not forget to mention!

Although my brother escorted us in Dubai, we did need a Travel agent! I mean, how else could we have got some of the best Dubai deals? It is where Travel Center came in functional!

If you are planning on your trip to Dubai, then you must talk to one of the travel experts at Travel Center. They not only provide you with the best travel solutions but also give you a list of customized and affordable deals to choose from!

Now, that makes my seventh wow fact for you. (Chuckles)

Read More:- Trip to Dubai: 6 Best Encounters and Wow Facts

This Article, Information & Images Source (copyright):- Travel Center UK Blog

#travel #traveller #travelling #travelcenteruk #travellife #travelgoals #travelblog #travelblogger #destinations #dubai

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boyahia · 4 years

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أبو الحناء الأوروبي - طائر الروبن (Britain’s National Bird) (الاسم العلمي: Erithacus rubecula) (بالإنجليزية: European Robin) طائر صغير جذاب يتبع جنس أبي الحناء ينتمي إلى صائدة الذباب (فصيلة: Muscicapidae) ينمو حتى يصل طوله إلى 14 سم. له صدر أحمر أما الأجزاء العليا والذيل فلونها بني والأجزاء السفلى ذات لون أبيض. ويتواجد طائر أبو الحناء الأوربي بأعداد كبيرة في أوربا حيث يعتبر من طيور أوربا الرئيسية حيث يشاهد باستمرار في الحدائق العامة والمنتزهات الوطنية، وهو من الطيور المحبوبة في بريطانيا لدرجة إنه في سنة 1961 تم تسميته بالطائر الوطني. ========== @a.s.ragab ========== European robin (Erithacus rubecula), most commonly known in Anglophone Europe simply as the robin, is a small insectivorous passerine bird, specifically a chat, that was formerly classed as a member of the thrush family (Turdidae), but is now considered to be an Old World flycatcher. Around 12.5–14.0 cm (5.0–5.5 in) in length, the male and female are similar in colouration, with an orange breast and face lined with grey, brown upperparts and a whitish belly. It is found across Europe, east to Western Siberia and south to North Africa; it is sedentary in most of its range except the far north. The term robin is also applied to some birds in other families with red or orange breasts. These include the American robin (Turdus migratorius), which is a thrush, and the Australian red robins of the genus Petroica, members of a family whose relationships are unclear. #uk (at Marina mall) https://www.instagram.com/p/B44ux0wARi_/?igshid=1miv4xseujcak

#uk

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wikitopx · 4 years

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This city is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Texas, known for its array of tourist spots from beautiful sandy beaches, a unique museum, to breathtaking attractions.

The city, which means Body of Christ in Latin, was named by the Spanish explorer Alonso Alvarez de Pineda after discovering the bay on the Catholic feast day of Corpus Christi. Also known as the Sparkling City by the Sea, this city truly deserves its nickname for being able to preserve its untouched beaches making its way to being tagged as a must-visit destination in Texas. So now, without further ado, let’s check out the best things to do in this coastal city, Corpus Christi, Texas.

1. Visit USS Lexington

Also known as The Blue Ghost, this museum might seem a little bit familiar if you watched the famous film Pearl Harbor in the year 2000, as this museum was also part of the set. USS Lexington was commissioned in 1943, a performer of its kind in the Pacific War during World War II, was converted in 1992 into a naval aviation museum with the intention to enlighten the public with the history and its roles as an aircraft in the national defences. Being one of the top attractions in the city, discover the amazing history aboard with the guided tours available which make you have a closer look into numerous vintage aircrafts, the command deck and quarters, and the chance to be the captain and take control of the ship in their Virtual Battlestations, on the main Hangar Deck, or be a pilot and take over a fighter jet in the Flight Simulator.

2. Walk along the shore of Padre Island National Seashore

Being one of the prides of the city’s famous attractions, this seashore is known for being an untouched barrier island that stretches around 70 miles (112 km) from end-to-end and the world’s longest barrier island. A great location on the Central Flyway, this place is a birder’s paradise that houses over 380 different bird species. Feel relaxed for a few hours or have a good night’s rest with an overnight camping trip. This place is also a shelter for marine life and helps with the conservation, to save some of the most endangered species such as Kemp’s ridley sea turtles.

3. See Texas State Aquarium

If you are looking for a fun-filled family day out, then this place is one of the top visits! This non-profit attraction situated on North Beach, where some of the most visited attractions are located, aims to promote environmental conservation as well as rehabilitation of marine’s wildlife biodiversity in the Gulf of Mexico. Learn and see the shows of different animals with their different talents. One of the most popular animal exhibits is Dolphin Bay, which shows four Atlantic bottlenose dolphins namely Liko, Schooner, Shadow and Kai on an educational dolphin presentation for the visitors to know more about conservation and protecting the world’s oceans. With the aquarium’s attractions, you will not run out of sights to see and shows to watch and have a close encounter with your favorite marine animals. Now that’s a fun and educating way to finish the day!

4. Go nature tripping in South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center

The city of Corpus Christi, Texas is not only known for its sandy beaches and conservation areas but is also a home of rich flora and fauna. Formerly known as Corpus Christi Botanical Gardens and Nature Center, this place hosts gardening programs from time to time. A public garden situated on South Staples Road, this nature center was established in 1987 as a recreational and educational resource for the residents in the city. This place will not only be enjoyed by adults, but also by the kids who love and respect nature.

5. See the Corpus Christi Museum of Science

Located in the museum district, this attraction was established in 1957 to motivate and encourage people, most specially children of all ages, to be more interested in the world of science and discovery. The museum exhibits a collection of the weirdest but most stunning artifacts for more than 50 years of age. If you are staying long in the city, you can try fun and fascinating activities and educational programs in the museum, such as workshops and summer camps including excursions to the neighboring countryside and wildlife haven.

6. Visit Texas Surf Museum

Surfing enthusiast? Visit this one of a kind museum which shows the history of, of course, surfing. Established in 2005, visitors; surfers or non-surfers, will surely find something interesting and captivating inside this museum. Did I just mention that the benches inside are made from surfboards? Cool, right? You can even watch a surfing film in their projection theater. It’s a very nice spot if you want to learn more about surfing in the Lone Star State or just surfing in general.

7. Go shopping at La Palmera

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Have a quick break from all the information and history and splurge that pocket money in the shopping mall in Corpus Christi. One of the popular premiere shopping destination is La Palmera, and an indoor and open-air shopping mall located along Staples St. It is the largest retail shopping in the mall with over 130 retail stores and choices of restaurants. The mall also has a movie theater, food court and 3 anchor stores namely Dillard’s, JCPenney, and Macy’s (formerly Foley’s). The best place to do some shopping and buy that bag as a souvenir for yourself!

8. Ride a horse on the beach

The city is known for its beautiful coastal setting which makes the beach one of the must-visit attractions. Plus, hearing the waves of the ocean is the nicest thing to do if you want to feel relaxed after long days of historical information and discovery. Not only that, you can also see the whole wonderful scenery of the beach during the long ride along the way, without hurting your feet! To fulfill that dream, be sure to check the availability and make a reservation at Horses on the Beach, located on the beach side of the highway in the beautiful South Padre Island. Services offered are horses riding lessons and the rental of horses. Even residents like this activity, so be sure to try it!

9. Visit the wonderful Selena Museum

Are you a Selena fan? Well, she is just an American singer, songwriter, spokesperson, model, actress and fashion designer who started drawing at the early age of 15. Dubbed as the Queen of Tejano music and The Mexican Madonna, she’s one of the most famous Mexican-American artist from the late 20th-century. Luckily, there is a museum in Corpus Christi that is dedicated to the singer of the popular album and song Dreaming of You. The museum shows the achievements of Selena and her life as an artist. With just 3 USD, you will be able to see some of her iconic outfits, fashion concepts, her dolls, her one and only Grammy award and her red Porsche. So fab!

10. Try the Hurricane Alley Waterpark

Still can’t get enough of the beach? Try this family-friendly water park with a lot of attractions to choose from! Experience their wave pool, lazy river, slides and the most favorite, thrilling rides. I’m sad to say, they only open seasonally, so you better check their website to see their opening times and schedule. Don’t forget to pack your favorite swimwear!

Read also: Top 10 things to do in Destin

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