SmashingLists

Category: Misc

  • Top 10 Novels by Sidney Sheldon

    I’m sure all of you are familiar with this remarkable writer. It was his books that got me hooked on reading in the first place and I loved every novel I ever read from the late Sidney Sheldon. He was born on the 11th of February 1917 in Chicago, Illinois and died at the age of 89 on the 30th of January 2007 in Rancho Mirage, California. He worked as a novelist from the year 1969 to the year 2007 and would generally write novels based on crime, suspense, mystery and thrill. He happens to be the seventh bestselling author of all time. The name of the books are followed by blurbs so you get an idea of what the book might be about. I hope you enjoy the read!

     

    10. If Tomorrow Comes

    If Tomorrow Comes
    Lovely and idealistic Tracy Whitney is framed into a fifteen year sentence in an escape-proof penitentiary. With dazzling ingenuity, she fights back to destroy the untouchable crime lords who put her there. With her intelligence and beauty as her only weapons, Tracy embarks on a series of extraordinary escapades that sweep her across the globe. In an explosive confrontation Tracy meets her equal in irresistible Jeff Stevens, whose past is as colorful as Tracy’s.

     

    9. The Best Laid Plans

    The Best Laid Plans - Top Ten Novels by Sidney Sheldon
    He wanted power. Oliver Russell is fated to rise to the pinnacle of power, the office of President of the United States. She wanted revenge. Leslie Stewart is his betrayed fiancee, a woman dedicated to a single purpose-the downfall of Oliver Russell. Amassing her own media empire, marshaling all her forces against him, she stands poised to destroy Russell on the eve of his most dazzling triumph. From Sidney Sheldon, the unchallenged master of bestselling fiction, comes a story of blazing ambitions and thwarted love that enthralls and surprises with every page..

     

    8. Bloodline

    Bloodline
    Sheldon’s sweeping saga of greed and betrayal, sabotage and danger, and the ties that can kill… Roffe and Sons is a family firm, an international empire filled with desperate, cash-hungry family members. At its head was one of the wealthiest men in the world, a man who has just died in a mysterious accident and left his only daughter, Elizabeth, in control of the company. Now as this intelligent, tough, and beautiful young woman dares to save — not sell — Roffe and Sons, she will have to outwit those who secretly want her power, and the unknown assassin who wants her life

     

    7. The Stars Shine Down

    The Stars Shine Down
    In a dazzling global setting from London to New York, Reno to Rome, one woman will find everything she has won–her fortune, her fame, the man she loves–shockingly endangered by a secret with the devastating power to destroy her. HC: Morrow.

     

    6. Tell Me Your Dreams

    Tell me Your Dreams - Top Ten Novels by Sidney Sheldon
    Computer whiz Ashley Patterson is convinced she is being stalked. Coworker Toni Prescott has a penchant for Internet dating and little time for anyone else. And Alette Peters prefers quiet weekends in the arms of a beefcake artist. They know virtually nothing about each other–until the three women are linked by a murder investigation that will lead to one of the most bizarre trials of the century.

    5. Master of The Game

    Master of the Game
    She is the symbol of success, the beautiful woman who parlayed her inheritance into an international conglomerate. Winner of a unique position among the wealthy and world-renowned. And she’s a survivor, indomitable as her father, the man who returned from the edge of death to wrench a fortune in diamonds from the bleak South African earth. Now, celebrating her ninetieth birthday, Kate surveys the family she has manipulated, dominated, and loved: the fair and the grotesque, the mad and the mild, the good and the evil — her winnings in life. Is she the… Master of the Game?

     

    4. Rage of Angels

    Rage of Angels - Top Ten Novels by Sidney Sheldon
    Jennifer Garner’s life as an attorney takes an unexpected turn when she is wrongly accused of being involved with the Mafia headed by Micheal Moretti. Adam Warner, who is running for the senator’s position brings the love quotient to the proceedings. In trying to save her son’s life Jennifer gets involved in the unlawful dealings of the Mafia and Moretti himself.

     

    3. The Doomsday Conspiracy

    The Doomsday Conspiracy - Top Ten Novels by Sidney Sheldon
    When a mysterious weather balloon crashes to earth in the Swiss Alps, the head of the NSA handpicks Robert Bellamy to track down and identify the ten known witnesses to the event. A man whose obsession with his covert assignments has cost him the only woman he can ever love, Bellamy now faces the impossible. But as he searches for clues from Rome to Budapest to Texas, this mission blows up in his face — and rips the lid off an incredible conspiracy that stretches around the globe and even into space…
    Alone and betrayed on every side, Bellamy must run for his life — holding an astonishing secret and the key to the planet’s very survival.

     

    2. Nothing Lasts Forever

    Nothing Lasts Forever - Top Ten Novels by Sidney Sheldon
    Three young doctors-their hopes, their dreams, their unexpected desires…Dr. Paige Taylor. She swore it was euthanasia, but when Paige inherited a million dollars from a patient, the D.A. called it murder. Dr. Kat Turner. She vowed never to let another man too close again-until she accepted the challenge of a deadly bet. Dr. Honey Taft. To make it in medicine, she knew she’d need something more than the brains God gave her. Nothing lasts forever races from the life and death decision of a big San Francisco hospital to the tension-packed fireworks of a murder trial. It lays bare the ambitions and fears of healers and killers, lover and betrayers. As the story surges toward its unpredictable climax, Sidney Sheldon proves once again that no reader can outguess the master of the unexpected.

     

    1. Windmills of The Gods

    Windmills of the Gods - Top Ten Novels by Sidney Sheldon
    She’s on the glinting edge of East-West confrontation, a beautiful and accomplished scholar who has suddenly become the new US ambassador to an Iron Curtain country, a woman who is about to dramatically change the course of world events – if she lives. For Mary Ashley has been marked for death by the world’s most proficient and mysterious assassin, and plunged into a nightmare of espionage, kidnapping and terror. Only two people – both powerfully attractive and ultimately enigmatic men – can offer her help. But soon she comes to believe that one of them is out to kill her.

  • 21 Crazy, Creative and Cool Teapots

    Drinking tea and arranging tea parties have always been a favorite activity of the masses. The aroma and flavor of the tea enhances with the crockery used to serve and drink tea. The crockery expresses and describes a person’s taste and personality. Add a flavor to your tea using this interesting collection of teapots and tea sets.

     

    1. Lipstick Stand Teapot


    Lipstick Teapot
    This teapot would catch everyone’s eye in a lady’s get together or coffee or tea party. It looks like a lipstick holder. You can order this for immediate U.S.A. delivery via FedEx or USPS.

     

    2. Animal Shaped Teapots

    White Elephant TeapotWhite Elephant Teapot
    This cute yet classy teapot is available in $ 14 only.
    Cigno Teapot
    Swan Shaped, Cingo Teapot
    This swan shaped, classy, elegant and creative teapot is designed by the designer Adam Hammerman.
    Cow Teapot
    Cow Teapot
    Mowing cow shaped, black and white teapot would be an interesting collection in your crockery. This teapot costs $24.95 and can be purchased at the link.

     

    3. Egg Teapot

    Egg Teapot
    Egg Teapot
    You can buy this cute teapot in $39.95 at the link.

     

    4. Eye Ball Shaped Teapot

    Eye Ball Teapot
    Egg Ball Teapot
    This creative teapot has a ceramic base and stainless steel frame. It makes the tea table elegant and modern. It is Zygo Teapot by Shaun Redsar.

     

    5. Mobile Phone Teapot

    Mobile Phone Teapot
    Mobile Phone Teapot
    This teapot is created by The teapottery. It costs $47.7

     

    6. Elegant Jeweled Teapot

    Rutilated Teapot
    Rutilated Teapot
    This 7″ tall beautiful and elegant teapot, is an iridized glass vessel with fabricated sterling silver lid, handle and spout, rutilated quartz, amethyst, topaz, and aquamarine set in 22 karat gold, adorning the silver. You can order this for immediate U.S.A. delivery via FedEx or USPS.

     

    7. Pearls and Rose Set Teapots

    Rose Teapot
    Rose Set Teapot
    Pearl Fountain Teapot
    Pearl Fountain Teapot
    These elegant teapots are made entirely in silver. They are painted white and set with pearl fringe and vintage rhinestone brooches. Elegant handmade roses decorate the top and the front. This beautiful teapot is available in $97.99 at M.G. Collectibles.

     

    8. Handbag Teapot

    Handbag Teapot
    Handbag Teapot
    This interesting teapot is designed by artist Meghan Runkle Bernard. It is not only for display but has a built-in tea strainer. In place of a purse closure is a detachable lid to pour hot liquid. It is available in three colors i.e. white, green and blue at a price of $189.00. To order follow the link.

     

    9. Pirates Teapot

    Pirate Teapot
    Pirate Teapot
    This crazy looking yet amazing teapot is an excellent gift item. For pricing and delivery details you may follow the following link.

     

    10. Skull Tea Set

    Skull Teaset
    Skull Tea Set
    This German made, funky looking 9 piece porcelain tea set consists of 6 espresso cups, 1 sugar bowl, 1 creamer and 1 teapot is available at a price of $297.99. To buy you may follow the following  link

  • 30 Amazing Watches You'd Love to Own – Page 2 of 2

    16. The ORB – Time Orbit watch


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    The idea for this watch is classic plastic bracelet, with incorporated lines inside the watch that show the current time. Those three line are rotating around the watch and show the time, while the seconds line is going around all the time. One line for hour,second for minute and third for seconds,and three different colors for every lines. It`s simple concept, attractive and eye catching. The ORB could be made in two colors, black and white, with different colors for the time lines. Adjusting the clock is easy as the watch is the touchscreen, all you have to do is to touch the line, click adjust icon and slide current time line to correct time.

     

    17. Horological Machine No. 2


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    HM2 is a timepiece god. It has four dials, which offer the following measurements: “instantaneous jump hour, concentric retrograde minutes, retrograde date and bi-hemisphere moon phase.” That basically means the watch has two date and two time keeping dials. Who the hell cares? It’s stunning! This flawless beauty is worth $59,000.

     

    18. The Camera Phone Watch


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    Telson’s TWC 1150 is the world’s first camera phone watch. It supports a RUIM card which can be used in GSM phones for international roaming. Other features include, a 256 color LCD, plug-in camera, Infrared wireless earpiece, speakerphone, stopwatch, and planner.

     

    19. Ultra-Violet Watch


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    Infinity Optic’s Ultra-Violet watch is like an optical illusion, you’ll see the same reflection many times over due to specially placed mirrors and electroluminescent coated hands.

     

    20. Luna Crystal Watch


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    Time Floats magically inside this wathch. If you ever tried to match the brilliance of Swarovski’s expertise in crystal and mixed it with the bedazzling gems Signity specialize in, you might end up with something that looks a whole lot like this Luna Watch created by designer John Pszeniczny. Made with crystal, stainless steel and a Spessartite Garnet, the watch almost gives you the illusion of a crystal ball since the touching of tow contact points seems to make the time flash and float magically inside the crystal. With a subtle luminescence making it glow like a secret key to some outlandish magical world, the Luna watch finds the perfect balance between function and aesthetics making it just the perfect fashion accessory for the season.

     

    21. High-Tech Army Wristwatch


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    Tadiran Communications has developed new video communication technology that delivers real-time images taken by helicopters on to a 3-inch LCD display. This wristwatch-style receiver gives solidiers an aerial view of the battlefield with video beamed directly from drones at 30 frames per second. For $50,000, you’ll get a receiver, transmitter, and battery.

     

    22. Issey Miyake OVO  Watch


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    What can we say about Issey Miyake’s quite remarkable OVO Wrist Watch? A watch of extreme modernist beauty, the OVO is arguably one of (if not the) most striking wrist watches we’ve ever come across or are ever likely to come across. A masterpiece of watch design from the Japanese master of all things cool.

  • Weird Rituals Around the World

    Religion is something that every individual can be very dedicated to but there are many weird traditions that no one can deny. Sometime people practice some rituals which are adopted as a part of religion. There are a lot of traditions that seems really bizarre to the world where it is not followed. Here are ten weird Rituals that are still observed around the word.

     

    10. Tooth Filling Ceremony

    Tooth Filing Ceremony is one of the biggest Hindu religious ceremonies. This ceremony is executed by smoothing down tooth and eye-tooth. In Hindu Balinese belief system, this celebration helps people to free themselves from all invisible evil forces

    They believe that the teeth are the symbol of lust, greed, anger, confusion and jealousy and the custom of filling teeth renders a person physically and spiritually. This ceremony is also a symbol that the person normally female has entered from adolescent to adulthood.

     

    9. The Vegetarian Festival

    Vegetarian Festival is an annual event in Thailand held during the ninth lunar month( 27th sept to 5th Oct ) of the Chinese calendar. The participant vegetarian believes good fortune for those who religiously participate in the festival. Local and Chinese ancestry strictly observe this festival for 10-days during which they take only vegetarian diet. They believe that it will clean their soul. In many Chinese shrines and temples and artistic displays such as walking barefooted over hot coals and climbing ladders with rungs having blades, they singsong name “Ma Song”.

     

    8. Burial Ritual Yanomami

    Funeral rituals for dead relatives is very important inYanomami tribe (Venezuela and Brazil), the people of this tribe want to to ensure peace for the souls of dead person.

    The bodies are Burned, and the remains of the skeleton crushed and bone powder is kept in calabashes until all of the important funeral ceremonies are finished, some of the powder/ashes are mixed in a banana drink for these occasions which is given to the tribe member to drink, and the remaining is buried near the family’s fireplace.

     

    6. Satere-Mawe Bullet Ant Ritual

    The Satere-Mawe is a native Indian tribe they live in the Amazon, in this tribe they have tradition that when a young man is entered to manhood he has to wear glove which is full of fainted satere-mawe, bullet ants. When the men wear this glove, ants are awakened and bite on his hand which he has to wear for ten minutes. The bite of the bullet ant is more painful than the bite of any other creature in this world. It is said that it has to be repeated several time in a year.

     

    4. Sholapur Baby Throwing

     

    In Sholapur district of Maharashtra, Western India, the infants are thrown on the bed-sheet hold by men from a Muslim shrine’s roof which has a height of 50feet approximately. The babies are then given to their mother immediately.

    Sholapur Villagers say that no baby injured for last 500 years in this ceremony. People believe that this custom helps their children to live healthy and wealthy life. Parents who want their infants to participate in the event first take swear at the Baba Sheikh Umar Saheb Dargah.

  • 15 Cool and Creative Key Holders

    Keys here and there, whenever you see they are always there but the moment you need them they defying your physics, just disappear? Funny how the universe works huh? There must be a key to not losing your keys. While a hook may do it but give your keys a good home to stay because these are some cool products especially designed for holding keys in style and you’d no more have to throw your keys in a cup or on a table and no more “where the hell is the key”.

     

    1. The Dirty Key Holder



    Oh well, its a human instinct to design such things. not so good if you have kids in your house.

     

    2. Buckle up Key Holder


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    This wall mounted key holder cleverly changes the context of the buckle whilst retaining the “arriving and leaving” element of using a seatbelt. Over time, plugging in your keys becomes as much of a habit as putting on your seatbelt.

     

    3. Magnetter Key Holder


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    Magnetter is an elegant wall-moutable key holder that works without hooks or a shelf or cup of any sort. As you’d have guessed by it’s name it uses  a powerful ten lb neodymium magnet hidden behind the curved mahogany finished wood. Simple yet stylish. It’s  curved top can be used to stash mail or other papers behind. The Magnetter  comes with wall anchors for mounting and three steel keyrings at a very reasonably price of $12.99.

     

    4. Lego Key Holder


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    Lego key holder is another stylish thing which claims “lost keys are a thing of past”. This is an awesome design that comes up with a lego brick pad that allows holds lego key chains which are included in the set. Keypad provides a soft, scratch resistant surface and offers perfect key storage for the home or office. The adhesive surface below also provides sticking to your paper notes.

     

    5.Ladybug KeyThing Key Holder


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    It’s a wall mounted funky looking steel-backed rubber dome  and you insert your keys right into the grippy holes. It can store up to five sets of keys with enough separation that it appears quite easy to quickly pick out the key you need.

     

    6. Human Kinky Key Holder



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    You’ll never lose your keys again with these Human Key Holders mounted to the wall and if you lose you’d not have to blame them. These holders come in either His or Hers and with another key that’s used to attach your house keys. Simply attach your keys to the key provided, and insert the key into the male or female forms. Kinky and useful in a way at $16.99.

     

    7. Wheels Key Holder


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    The wheels key holder unit features quality British construction and a brilliant polished chrome finish. It is a style piece that comes up with a dummy key that is used as a key chain which is the key able to rotate the classy wheel like you are going to open up a highly protected locker in your space ship. Further it adds a little elegance to your decorum wherever you mount it.

    8. Clote Velcro Key Holder


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    It was true when you were struggling to tie your shoes, and it’s still true now: Velcro makes everything easier. The Clote Velcro Key Holder  is a prime example of this, with a steel unit that features five color coordinated velcro circles and loop fastener key chains. Never get your keys confused again at $70.

     

    9. Adhesion Climber Key Holder


    A cute little climber made of adhesive plastic that would stick to almost anything from metal to glass to plastic would stickily hold your key safe and mounted wherever you want since you don’t have to hang it by nails like others, it just sticks.

     

    10. Safe Key Ping


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    Keys seem to have a penchant of getting themselves lost on their own, which is why the safe Key Ping is inexpensive and cool  in case there is someone forgetful living under the same roof as you. Take any key on your key ring and stab it into the bristles.

     

    11. SmartFinder Key Holder


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    SmartFinder Key Holder while safely holds your keys, is a wireless technology that can help track your keys up 60 feet with just click of a button. The thing has its pros and cons, didn’t impress me much though.

     

    12. Dutchbydesign Key Hander Board


    Stylish and simple key hanger board by DutchbyDesign.com.

     

    13. Switch Entry Caddy


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    Say goodbye to the last minute scramble for keys. They’ll be waiting by the door like a faithful dog. This modern metal organizer fits perfectly over your existing switch plate, with no drilling or hammering required.

     

    14. Keypad Key Holder


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    Made from durable silicone, Keypad provides a soft, scratch free surface. Like the magnetter, Keypad uses  a hidden super magnet that grabs any steel on your keys for easy storage.

     

    15. Bicycle Valve Key Holder


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    You never knew recycling would result in such things. But its cool!

  • 10 Most Expensive Cars

    For those of us who have the cash to throw around, and want high speed and flashy cars, here is a list of the ten most expensive cars in the world that are still sold on the market.

     

    Bugatti Veyron

    Bugatti Veyron

    With a price tag of $1,700,000, the Bugatti Veyron holds the distinction of being the most expensive car available on the market today. The Bugatti Veyron also claims the spot for the second fastest car in the world, right behind the SSC Ultimate Aero, with a top speed of 253 mph+. However, it is the fastest accelerating car and can go 0-60 in 2.6 seconds.

     

    Lamborghini Reventon

    The Lamborghini Reventon retails for $1,600,000. This version of the Lamborghini packs a lot of power and is the company’s most expensive model. It can reach 60 mph in 3.3 seconds with a top speed of 211 mph. The car has a slick jet-inspired design and is rare: only 20 are manufactured each year.

     

    McLaren F1

    McLaren F1

    When the McLaren was first built in 1994, it held the distinction of being the most expensive car in the world. It has now dropped to third place with a price tag of $970,000. The McLaren F1 has a top speed of 240 mph and can hit 60 mph in 3.2 seconds.

     

    Ferrari Enzo

    The Ferrari Enzo is the most popular and most known super car ever built. It retails for $670,000 and has a top speed of 217 mph. It can go from 0-60 in 3.4 seconds. There were only 400 units produced and the Ferrari Enzo often sells for $1,000,000 at auction.

     

    Pagani Zonda C12 F

    The Pagani Zonda C12 F is produced by a small and independent company located in Italy where ten of these cars are manufactured per year. The Pagani Zonda C21 F retails for $667,321. It is the fifth fastest car in the world with a top speed of 215 mph+ and can go from 0-60 in 3.5 seconds.

     

    SSC Ultimate Aero

    The SSC Ultimate Aero carries a price tag of $654,400 and can claim the title as the fastest car in the world. It has a top speed of 257 mph+ and is the fastest street legal car on the market. It can go from 0-60 in 2.7 seconds, just 0.1 behind the Bugatti Veyron.

     

  • 15 Cool Toilet Designs

     

    1. The Fish & Flush Toilet


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    2. Busty Toilet



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    3. The Blogger’s Toilet


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    When you know you’re spending way too much time blogging.

     

    4. Candy-coated Toilet


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    5. Guitar Toilet

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    So now, you can go ga ga while flushing yourself and being a true musician.

     

    6. Techie Toilet


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    8. Slayer Toilet

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    9. Bench Toilet


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    10. Eco-friendly Toilet


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    11. Band Toilet


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    12. Multani Art Toilet


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    13. Gold 24 carat Toilet


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    Who stupid would buy it for installing in bathroom?

     

    14. Open Air Wall Painted Toilet



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    15. Swarovski Crystal Studded Toilet


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    And here it is an elegant commode’s 50,000 euro ass-set studded with  swarovski crystals from the Isis collection designed by Jemal Wright of Hollywood for rich born.

  • 10 Luxurious Means of Transportation

     

    1. Luxury Ship


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    World’s Largest and Most Revolutionary Cruise Ship: Oasis of Sea. After nearly six years in the making, Royal Caribbean International proudly took delivery today of its newest and most revolutionary cruise ship, Oasis of the Seas, from STX Europe in Turku, Finland. The cruise line that revolutionized the industry with the FlowRider surf simulator, ice-skating rinks, cantilevered whirlpools, rock climbing walls and the Royal Promenade, an entertainment boulevard stretching nearly the length of the ship, is poised to unveil a range of new attractions and engineering marvels onboard Oasis of the Seas. The ultimate expression of Royal Caribbean’s legacy of imagination and innovation, Oasis of the Seas introduces unique industry “firsts” including a neighborhood concept – seven themed areas providing guests with the opportunity to seek out relevant experiences based on their personal style, preference or mood. Within these seven neighborhoods – Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone – are extraordinary elements such as the first park at sea, a thrilling zip line that races diagonally nine-decks above an open-air atrium, an original handcrafted carousel, 28 multilevel urban-style loft suites boasting floor-to-ceiling windows, an aquatic amphitheater – called the AquaTheater that serves as a pool by day and a dazzling ocean front theater by night; and an array of epicurean innovations that allow for new culinary experiences each day of a guest’s cruise vacation.

    Oasis of the Seas is the largest and most revolutionary cruise ship in the world. An architectural marvel at sea, she spans 16 decks, encompasses 225,282 gross registered tons, carries 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and features 2,700 staterooms. Oasis of the Seas is the first ship to tout the cruise line’s new neighborhood concept of seven distinct themed areas, which includes Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone.

     

    2. Luxury Bus

    Travel in sheer luxury in this cool bus.

     

    3. Luxury Car

    Limo Broker’s Ferrari Limo is a one of a kind design. Available in either red or black, this vehicle is guaranteed to turn heads at your prom, wedding or night out.

     

    4. Luxury Transforming Car


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    5. Luxury Train


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    The Blue Train has an aura of mystique about it. Kings and presidents have traveled on this magnificent moving five-star hotel. Its very name has become synonymous with the ultimate in luxury and personal service. The routes of The Blue Train – both scheduled and chartered – take guests through some of the most breathtaking countryside to be found anywhere in the world.As the ever-changing scenery flashes past the windows, guests can savor exquisite meals freshly prepared on board by top chefs. The suites on The Blue Train live up to its reputation for magnificence and splendor. The finest bed linen, marble tiles and gold fittings in the bathrooms and sheer opulence all ensure that guests will never forget the time they spend on The Blue Train.When you choose to travel on The Blue Train, you choose to travel in a world of grace, elegance and romance.

  • Top 10 Royal Dynasties

    5. The Piast Dynasty

    This dynasty takes it name from the probably-legendary Piast the Wheelwright, from whom several Polish kings claimed to be descended. However, it is a historian’s term, and the kings themselves never called themselves the Piasts. But it does indicate a clear period of Polish history, from Prince Miesko I in 960 until 1370, when Casimir III the Great died. During this time, Poland was on the defensive, with the Holy Roman Empire ever threatening to step over its borders, as another aggressive state would a thousand years later. Eventually, the state shattered into several smaller duchies, and the Piasts continued to rule over a period of unrest, with dukes constantly being overthrown until the family died out in 1370.

     

    4. House of Braganza

    Now, this House has just the best name – “Most Serene House of Braganza”. They also have an impressive record, ruling not just Portugal but also Brazil. The House of Braganza was founded in 1442, when the first Braganza, Afonzo was granted a dukedom by his nephew the King. 200 years later, the family began reigning Portugal, with the coronation of King João IV. Then in 1815, the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves was formed, with, of course, a Bragaza at its head. The empire lasted just ten years, but when Brazil split off a Braganza was still in charge – Emperor Pedro I of Brazil (also known as King Pedro IV of Portugal). ThBraganza rule lasted until both countries were declared republics – Brazil in 1889 and Portugal in 1910, making an impressive total of 468 years in power.

     

    3. House of Hapsburg

    The royal families of different countries are often interconnected by marriage, thanks to the relatively small pool of candidates considered suitable material for a royal to marry. The Hapsburgs are more interconnected than most, and this has led to the kind of problems you’d expect with inbreeding (genetic disorders etc). Nevertheless, they dominated Europe from the Middle Ages to the 18th century, with Hapsburg descendants sitting on thrones from Portugal to Poland.  The first Hapsburg ruler was Rudolph I of Germany, who took the throne in 1273 and added the Austrian rule 3 years later. His descendants ruled Austria, Germany and Bohemia for two centuries before starting a line of Spanish kings through the marriage of Philip the Handsome to Joanna of Castile (also known as “Joanna the Mad“). Hapsburg eventually reigned in most of the countries of Europe until the line finally died out in 1780.

     

    2. The Imperial Japanese Dynasty

    The length of these dynasties is about to shoot up dramatically, as we look at our final two, which both claim to have started before the birth of Christ. The Japanese imperial dynasty is especially impressive, as it still continues today, having been founded in 660BC by Emperor Jimmu. There are debates about the length of the dynasty, as there is little evidence that the first 25 emperors are related to each other….or even that they existed at all! Still, the subsequent 100 monarchs are accounted for, with a direct line to current emperor Akihito which makes it the oldest monarchy in the world today. Including the debated monarchs, it’s a total of 2673 years of Japanese emperors. Impressive!

     

    1. The Solomonic Dynasty

    But the lineage of this dynasty is even more impressive – the Ethiopian line that claims to come from Solomon of Isreal (son of King David, ancestor of Jesus) and the Queen of Sheba. Again, there may be some evidence for the line that is more anecdotal than factual, but it certainly sounds impressive to tell people you’re descended from the Queen of Sheba! The line was supposedly started in 950BC and lasted until Haile Selassie was deposed in 1975, so stretched over huge periods of change. There is still a royal family, but since the deposition that have been non-regnal and so the Solomonic dynasty came to an end not long before it hit 3000 years (2924 to be exact). Another amazing dynasty.

  • 10 Notable Shipwrecks of the History – Page 2 of 2

     

     

    5. German Liner Wilhelm Gustloff


    This German ship was running towards northern Poland, as the Red Army was advancing them. This event occurred during the winters of 1944 to 1945, where the ship left the port and crashed into a submarine as it reached the vast sea. This ship was not only overloaded but it sank the moment it hit the submarine. With the freezing cold water, there was very little chance of the passengers to survive. To add up to the torture, the ship was carrying refuges and people have no idea about the number of deaths, keeping in mind it was a refugee ship, it would have triple the amount of passengers it could cater otherwise.

     

    4. The American Battleship U.S.S. Maine


    Have you ever heard about the war being initiated because of a sinking ship. Well there is an exception, powerful but small warship, which goes by the name of Maine. Maine, an American battleship, faced an occurrence at the Havana harbor on February 1898 after dusk blew up into pieces. Coming to the number people who were on board, the ship had a crew of 335 men on board out of which 261 embraced death right on the spot. The question arises how did such an explosion happen. Even though this topic is quite debatable and there have been many reasons and theories associated with the explosion, it has been said that it took many weeks for the investigators to conclude that the explosion was due to a mine attached to the ship’s hull. Added to this problem were the growing bad relations between US and Spain. Thus, the blame game started which lasted for ages.

     

    3. The British Liner Lusitania


    When it comes to historical importance, Lusitania is one of the ships which were considered to be of utmost importance though  the number of deaths in this incident were less compared to Titanic, where a total of 1200 men, women and children lost their life through drowning. This occurrence occurred near the Irish coast, sunken by a submarine by the Germans on May 1915. What amazes people is that this liner died just because of a torpedo. However, most of the times you would find small vessels earning an extra life in such cases. Because of this the suspicion grew that the liner probably would be carrying illegal munitions on the vessel.

     

    2. American battleship, Arizona.


    This shipwreck is famous because it signaled the start of the world war two in the pacific ocean. The shipwreck was due to a surprise attack on the Pearl Harbor by the Japanese forces. This attack occurred on December 1941, the day the Arizona died. During this attack, the Americans lost two third of their ship crew which was one of the darkest times in American history. Today, this shipwreck areas are easily accessible.

     

    1. Titanic the British liner


    This was very obvious, wasn’t it? The most famous shipwreck of the world, which not only gulped in thousands of lives but also gained fame from people all across the world, also has an 11 Oscar winning true movie based on the incident. As everyone knows that this luxury liner of that time, was hit by an iceberg which caused a hole in the ship. Thus, allowing seawater to enter and flood the lower cabin, which caused the ship to sink. The ship had over 2200 people, with the event killing about 1500 men, children and women. Looking at this huge ship, the worse part about it was that the number of lifeboats were not even half the required number, which is one of the main reasons why sea became a grave to most of the people on board. Shocking but the location of the ship remained unknown for 70 years until 1985 when a group of oceanographers located it at the Atlantic Ocean .