Lonely Planet has released its Best of Travel 2015 list

Lonely Planet has released its Best of Travel 2015 list and there are some fascinating countries on the list as well as some iconic favorites and some must-see destinations. For those who want to follow in the footsteps of Lonely Planet’s recommendations, here are some suggestions for tours in their top 10 countries. 

Gardens by the Bay in Singapore. Getty Images/Seng Chy Teo

1.  Singapore

 Now is apparently the time to go to Singapore. The city-state is celebrating 50 years of independence and it is doing it in style with events planned throughout 2015. It is easy to get to Singapore with many direct, roundtrip flights and it is a gateway city for much of Asia. Contact Asia Transpacific Journeys to plan a tourthat includes Singapore as a destination.

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Visit Namibia with Abecrombie & Kent. Getty Images/Len Combrinck

2.  Namibia

Abecrombie & Kent offer a variety of tours in Namibia from a private jet experience to its Marco Polo Club Journeys. The 15-day Namibia & Botswana: Dunes, Delta & the Kalahari includes the quaint village of Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, NamibRand Nature Reserve, the Okavango Delta and more.  

3.  Lithuania

Kensington Tours can take you to Lithuania on the Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania Discovery. The seven day tour explores the Soviet legacy and modern western influence on these Baltic nations. Discover the architecture of the Lithuanian capital, the royal playground of the Duke of Courland, the Nevsky Cathedral in Tallinn and more.  

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4.  Nicaragua

 Get ready to get adventures with a Backroads multisport tour in Nicaragua. This new tour combines Costa Rica and Nicaragua and includes idyllic beaches, hikes and rides through nature reserves, kayaking, wildlife viewing and visits to cloud forests, steaming volcanoes and one of the world’s largest lakes.

Giants' Causeway, Ireland. Getty Images/Joe Daniel Price

5.  Ireland

CIE Tours will take you through Ireland on the 2015 Irish Adventure tour. The nine-day itinerary explores some of the country’s most important sights, including the Cliffs of Moher, Sheepdog Trails, Blarney Castle, Giant’s Causeway, Titanic Belfast, Waterford, Derry and more.

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6.  Republic of Congo

 Be among the first to explore the Congo Basin, which is one of the world’s largest rainforests. Congo Gorilla Tours offers a 14-day safari into this region where you will see the mountain gorillas, Nouabale-Ndoki, Dzanga-Ndoki and Lobeke national parks and more.

7.  Serbia

 Lush vineyards and crumbling fortresses define the glamorous yet grungy terrain of Serbia. Intrepid includes a visit to Serbia on its Budapest & the Balkans itinerary. Discover the Old World charm of these cosmopolitan cities with visits to Budapest, Belgrade’s Bohemian quarter, Sarajevo, Motar’s Old Bridge and more.

Palawan Province, Philippines. Getty Images/John Seaton Callahar

8.  The Phillipines

G Adventures offers five trips to the Philippines, that encompass all regions of the country, including the islands. Travelers can choose to travel on “Classic” itineraries or the shoestring itineraries for the younger set known as “Yolo.” The Classic Northern Philippines adventure includes trekking through remote villages, visiting World Heritage rice terraces, exploring hidden waterfalls and caves, savoring Filipino cuisine.  

9.  St. Lucia

 Discover St. Lucia with a day tour offered by Island Routes. The six-hour Soufriere Safari allows travelers to explore the island via buggie. The journey includes local delicacies at a hilltop restaurant, a visit to a waterfall, a volcanic cauldron and more as you drive through dense forests and lush vegetation surrounding the legendary town of Soufriere.

Visit Essaouira in Morocco with Cox & Kings. Getty Images/Rafael Elias

10.  Morocco

 Cox and Kings’ 10-night Morocco Explorer journey takes a less-travelled path through the dry desert country of eastern and southern Morocco, combining dramatic scenery with a sense of history, exuded by the many elaborately decorated and slowly crumbling kasbahs. The journey ends with a relaxing stay in coastal Essaouira.

Best of Travel

There are plenty of other destinations that Lonely Planet recommends on its Best of Travel 2015 list. You can purchase the list directly from Lonely Planet.

SHOPPING IN HEAVEN

SHOPPING IN HEAVEN

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR IN 2015.  MAY GOD BLESS YOU ABUNDANTLY!

Shopping In Heaven   If you seek to cheat others, you end up cheating yourself!!,,, Enjoy. Take time to watch the very last sentence!! A minute read........   Read this story, and Follow the recommendation at The end...   As I was walking Down life's highway Many years ago   I came upon a Sign that read   Heavens Grocery Store..   When I got a Little closer   The doors swung Open wide   And when I came To myself   I was standing Inside..   I saw a host of Angels.   They were Standing everywhere   One handed me a Basket   And said 'My Child shop with care..'   Everything a Human needed Was in that Grocery store   And what you Could not carry You could come Back for more   First I got some Patience.   Love was in that Same row.   Further down was Understanding, You need that Everywhere you go..   I got a box or Two of Wisdom And Faith a bag Or two.   And Charity of Course I would need some Of that too..   I couldn't miss The Holy Ghost It was all over The place.   And then some Strength And Courage to Help me run this race.   My basket was Getting full But I remembered I needed Grace,   And then I chose Salvation for Salvation was for Free   I tried to get Enough of that to do For you and me..   Then I started to The counter To pay my grocery Bill,   For I thought I Had everything To do the Masters Will.   As I went up the Aisle I saw Prayer and Put that in,   For I knew when I Stepped outside I would run into Sin.   Peace and Joy Were plentiful, The last things On the shelf.   Song and Praise Were hanging near So I just helped Myself.   Then I said to The angel   'Now how much do I owe?'   He smiled and Said   'Just take them Everywhere you go.'   Again I asked 'Really now,   How much do I Owe?'   'My child' he Said, 'Jesus paid your bill A long, long time Ago.'   This poem has Been sent to you With love and for Blessings.   It originated in The Netherlands And has been Around the world 9 times.   The blessing has now Come to you and You will receive Showers of blessings in the mail   Within six days Of receiving this letter   Providing you Sent it out to someone else. Do not send money As this message Has no price. Do Not keep this letter   But send it on to Someone who   Needs blessings.   Send 5 copies within 9 Minutes of   Reading this and see what Happens !!!!!!! Have A Great Day,

This American park is COVERED in diamonds, and park policy is "Finders Keepers"

 Tatiana Danger

01 May, 2014

Not too many people know about the goldmine of diamonds in Murfreesboro, Arkansas. Since February there have been five diamonds weighing over a carat found at Crater of Diamonds State Park.

And just two weeks ago, David Anderson, an intrepid diamond hunter, discovered a 6.19-carat white diamond after searching for four hours. It's the 15th largest diamond to have been found at the park since 1972. Anderson has found hundreds of diamonds at the park over the years, but this latest find blows them all away. The diamond was discovered in the East Drain area of the search field. It's a "clear, white marquise-shape diamond." He's named the diamond "Limitless Diamond" and will donate the proceeds of its sale to the charity "Speed the Light."

According to a park spokesman:

"It's no surprise that a large diamond was found this week. Over four inches of rain fell on the park last weekend, and David found his diamond on the first sunny day following the rain. Rainwater washes soil from the search area and often exposes heavy gravel and diamonds on the surface." He emphasized, "David has worked hard to find more than 400 diamonds here over the years, but he had never surface searched for diamonds until this year. This is the largest, and probably the easiest, diamond he's ever found!"

On average TWO DIAMONDS A DAY are found at the park. Brown, Yellow, and White diamonds are the most popular. During hard rains more diamonds find their way to the surface. So, basically, if you wanna find some diamonds, now's the time to go. Conditions are just right for amateur jewel-hunters.

Brandon Kalendra found a 2.89 carat triangular white diamond on March 6th, while gem-hunting with his family. He was only looking for about 20 minutes before he discovered the jewel in the Fugitt's Bank part of the park. The best news: The park has a "finders keepers" policy.

"Diamonds are a bit heavy for their size, and they lack static electricity, so rainfall slides the dirt off diamonds that are on the surface of the search field leaving them exposed. When the sun comes out, they'll shine and be noticeable."

Three years ago an 8.66 carat white diamond was found by Beth Gilbertson. A 12-year old North Carolina boy found a 5.16-carat honey-brown diamond at the park just last August. Once polished, the rock would be worth between $12,000 and $15,000. Then a 14-year old girl discovered a 3.85-carat canary diamond, only a few months later.

There's 37 1/2 acres of plowed field that make up the world's 8th largest diamond-bearing deposit. This is also the world's ONLY diamond-producing site that the public are invited to explore and keep their findings. And it's not just diamonds, but it's also home to a variety of precious gems like amethyst, agate, and quartz (among others).

In total, over 75,000 diamonds have been unearthed at Arkansas's diamond site since the first diamonds found in 1906 by John Huddleston, the farmer who at that time owned the land, long before the site became an Arkansas state park in 1972. The largest diamond ever discovered in the United States was unearthed here in 1924 during an early mining operation. Named the Uncle Sam, this white diamond with a pink cast weighed 40.23 carats. Notable diamonds found by park visitors since the state park was established at the site include the Amarillo Starlight, a 16.37-carat white diamond discovered in 1975 which ranks as the largest diamond ever found by a park visitor. The second largest find by a park visitor is the Star of Shreveport, an 8.82-carat white gem unearthed in 1981.

Another gem from the Crater is the flawless 4.25-carat Kahn Canary diamond that was discovered at the park in 1977. This uncut, triangular-shape gem has been on exhibit at many cities around the U.S. and overseas. It was featured in an illustrious jewelry exhibition in Antwerp, Belgium, in 1997 that included precious stones from throughout the world including the Kremlin collection, the Vatican, Cartier, and Christies. And, in late 1997, the Kahn Canary was featured in another prestigious exhibition at the American Museum of Natural History in New York entitled "The Nature of Diamonds." Former First Lady Hillary Clinton borrowed the Kahn Canary from its owner, Stan Kahn of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and wore it in a special, Arkansas-inspired ring setting designed by Henry Dunay of New York as a special way to represent Arkansas's diamond site at the galas celebrating both of Bill Clinton's presidential inaugurals.

via Yahoo News

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14 Beautiful Waterfalls in the U.S. I Bet you can guess two of them in our back yard.

From North America’s highest cascade to one that looks like it flows with chocolate, these 14 U.S. waterfalls are all worth a visit.

Palouse Falls

Palouse Falls State Park, Washington

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The nearly 200-foot Palouse Falls plunges fiercely over the side of a canyon into the Palouse River. In February 2014, it was honored as the official state waterfall of Washington.

Niagara Falls, New York

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What Niagara Falls lacks in height, it makes up for in length. Three separate falls comprise greater Niagara Falls, which straddles the U.S. and Canadian border between New York and Ontario. Two of them—American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls—are on the U.S. side. Together, the three falls have the highest flow rate in the world.

Marin County, California

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Alamere Falls hits the coastline of Point Reyes National Seashore, technically making it a tidefall. It has a total of four drops, the longest of which is 40 feet.

Grand Falls, Navajo Nation, Arizona

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The 185-foot-tall Grand Falls, also known as Chocolate Falls due to its muddy waters, is located in the Painted Desert of Arizona in Navajo Nation outside Flagstaff, Arizona.

Yosemite National Park, California

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At 2,425 feet, Yosemite Falls earns top honors as the highest waterfall in North America. The cascade is broken into three sections: Upper Yosemite Fall, Middle Cascades, and Lower Yosemite Fall. Be sure to plan your visit after a winter with heavy snow, otherwise the falls might be little more than a trickle.

Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina

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There’s no question how this waterfall got its name. Sliding Rock, in the Pisgah National Forest, is Mother Nature’s waterslide. You can slip your way down this 60-foot long, gently sloped waterfall all the way into the plunge pool that gathers at its base.

Kauai, Hawaii

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Made famous by its cameo in Steven Spielberg’s 1993 dino classic Jurassic Park, Manawaiopuna Falls drops through the Hanapepe Valley on Kauai Island. It’s located on private property, but can be viewed on a helicopter tour.

Chattanooga, Tennessee

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This underground waterfall drops 145 feet through a vertical shaft within Tennessee’s Lookout Mountain. A stream that flows 1,120 feet underground feeds the waterfall. Ruby Falls, along with the greater Lookout Mountain Caverns complex, is a registered National Historic Landmark.

Mt. Hood National Forest, Oregon

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Ramona Falls resembles a veil of lace draped over the mossy rocks of Mt. Hood. The falls cascade 120 feet down the west side of the mountain over columnar basalt rocks. It can be reached on foot via the Ramona Falls Trailhead.

South Cheyenne Canyon, Colorado

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With an impressive seven drops, the aptly named Seven Falls in Colorado is worth the challenging hike it takes to get there. From top to bottom, the seven falls are Ramona, Feather, Bridal Veil, Shorty, Hull, Weimer, and Hill. Cumulatively the waterfall has a total drop of 181 feet.

Grand Canyon, Arizona

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Picture-perfect Havasu Falls plunges 100 feet into the Grand Canyon. The rusty canyon walls are a striking contrast to the vibrant turquoise pool that the waterfall dumps into it.

Twin Falls, Idaho

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Dubbed the Niagara Falls of the West, Idaho’s Shoshone Falls drops 212 feet along the Snake River. If you’re planning to visit, aim for the spring or summer when water levels are typically at their highest.

Yosemite National Park, California

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Yosemite National Park is home to an impressive number of waterfalls, but toping the list is Ribbon Fall. It plunges over the side of El Captain and at 1,612 feet, it’s the longest single-drop waterfall in North America.

Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Oregon

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Multnomah Falls is the tallest cascade in the state of Oregon. Located in the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area, the waterfall has two drops that plunge approximately 542 feet and 69 feet. You can access the waterfall on foot, then marvel at it from the Benson Footbridge.

How To Remove Your House From Google Street View

Stars like Paul McCartney and Jimmy Page are asking Google to blur out their houses on Street View, but that's not a feature exclusive to celebrities. You can do it, too. Celebrities -- they're just like us!

There's not a whole lot of privacy to go around nowadays, so it's a good idea to take advantage of any opportunity for anonymity you can find. It's actually pretty easy toask Google to blur out your house from Street View. Here's how:

Find your house on Street View by searching for your address on Google Maps. We used Google's NYC office for this example.

Then you'll need to drop the little Street View man onto the street in front of your house to get into Street View. After that, click "Report a problem" on the bottom right of the screen.

When you do that, you'll see the following page:

On that page, say that you want your house blurred, provide your email address, type in the CAPTCHA and press submit. Hopefully Google will comply with your request, and you'll be one step closer to going off the grid.

EXOGEN UPDATE: CHRISTMAS DAY INTEL, 25 DEC

EXOGEN UPDATE: CHRISTMAS DAY INTEL, 25 DEC

Exogen:HERE IS A SUGGESTION.............IF YOU BANK AT WELLS FARGO, OR HAVE A WEALTH MANAGER AT WELLS FARGO, MAKE SURE YOU KEEP AT LEAST 1 IQD NOTE AND 1 VND NOTE ON YOU AT ALL TIMES, AND CHECK EVERY TIME YOU GO TO THE BANK.

PEOPLE ARE CATCHING OPEN RATE WINDOWS ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES AT WELLS FARGO..............(HINT HINT)

Vinman :Merry Christmas to all!

Dong is skyrocketing right now.

Merger and acquisition agreed to and in motion.

Beware of the Iraq budget misinformation and misdirection.

Be smart...realize that #1 bank is finished with their plan.

What are we waiting for?....the last piece of the puzzle and all the boxes checked....by China and WF.

The window is open...800 #'s hiding in plain sight.

Exogen :HOW CAN YOU READ A BUDGET WITH NO EXCHANGE RATE IN IT WHEN YOUR CURRENCY HAS TO NOW OPERATE IN DINARS AND NOT USD AND YOU HAVE A PROGRAM RATE OF 1166????

Gt:So the #800s are HIDING IN PLAIN SITE!!!

WELLS FARGO (& Maybe the other Participating Banks) have live Rates on their Screens (But on Admin Hold)!!!

Does Wells Fargo & The OTHER BANKS have Authorization to Release The #800s to the Public?

O R

Do they have to Wait for a Command from the UST or The Administration???

S3A CHAT UPDATE, 25 DEC

S3A CHAT UPDATE, 25 DEC

Rv/gcr:Philip, HAPPY RV! 

Rates are live now in MX!

Banks are open through the 2nd to exchange. SOON/TONIGHT IN USA.

2.11 for VND

Waaahhhoooo! 

MERRY Christmas!

Gg: Netdania.com still showing VND overnight @ $2.08 at this link: 

http://netdania.com/Products/FullQuote/FullQuote.aspx?symbol=USDVNDON&provider=idc_lite&ext=false&d=forex_forwards#

EXOGEN December 25, 2014 at 1:36am

CURRENCY CONVERSION WEBSITES ARE A WASTE OF TIME UNLESS YOU ARE LOOKING AT PAIRING AND OVERNIGHTS

Reply

Bouzai > EXOGEN December 25, 2014 at 1:44am

Sir is VND showing US$2.11 anywhere? 

Reply

g g > Bouzai December 25, 2014 at 1:52am

The fact that Netdania.com is showing $2.08 overnight rate for the VND in Denmark, suggests that the US rate of the same range is not far behind.

Reply

Bouzai > g g December 25, 2014 at 1:54am

Thanks Sir

POST FROM TNT

CCOOK527 POST FROM TNT 

: Screenshot of IQD on Bing Finance, 25 DEC

Ccook527:Maybe a glitch but usually it's 1166. This is saying the value has

 almost doubled. 1USD=607.5000 IQD so 25,000/607.50=41.15 USD

TNT Daz last nite

TNT

[daz] IN COMMON LANGUAGE "THE 11TH HOUR" ALWAYS MEANS "AT THE LAST MINUTE" ...IN MILITARY TIME ITS 11AM, IN COMMON LANGUAGE ITS THE LAST HOUR BEFORE MIDNIGHT

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE STATEMENT MORE THAN THE TIME IS THAT ITS CLEARLY STATED ITS SOON RATHER THAN LATER IN THE BIG SCHEME  IMO

[Thebes] Ok 3am or 11am?

[daz] SMASH YOU CLOCKS AND BURN YOUR CALENDARS