Once a group of 17-year-old schoolboys decided to break the world basketball marathon record ( 马拉松记录). They wanted to play for ninety hours and add six hours to the record. Each team had nine players, with five at a time. The boys decided each person would play 21.5 hours and then rest for 2 hours. Then it started between both of the sides at 6 o'clock in the evening.

    The first night was very hard for the players. When it was their turn to rest, they were too exited(兴奋的) to fall asleep at once. After sleeping for a short time, they had to play again.

    On the second night, they fell asleep as soon as they stopped. Some of them had trouble with their feet and hands, but the only serious problem was a psychological one. Each boy was thinking: Why am I doing this? How can I play any longer?

    After the third night, the players knew they could finish the ninety hours. The basketball on the fourth night was very slow. But in the final hours, the players got better. For the last few minutes, the players looked as fresh as when they started. How happy everyone was!

    Light travels at a speed which is about a million times faster than the speed of sound. In one second, light travels about 300,000 km, but sound travels only 344m. You can get some idea of this difference by watching the start of a race. If you stand some distance away from the Starter, you can see smoke come from his gun before the sound reaches your ears.
     This great speed of light produces some strange facts. Sunlight takes about 8 minutes to reach us. If you look at the light of the moon tonight, remember that the light rays (光线) left the moon 1.3 seconds before they reached you. The nearest star is so far away that the light which you can see from it tonight started to travel towards you four years ago at a speed of nearly 2 million km per minute. In some cases the light from one of tonight's stars started on its journey to you before you were born.

    Thus, if we want to be honest, we cannot say “The stars are shinning tonight.” We have to say, “The stars look pretty. They were shining four years ago but their light has only just reached Earth.”

    Almost all researches in sleep explain that nightmares are a reaction to negative experiences that happen during waking hours. However, some of them believe that nightmares do have some real benefits. One 2017 study, for example, found that frequent nightmare sufferers rated themselves as more empathetic (共鸣的). They also displayed more of a tendency to unconsciously mirror other people through things like yawning. People who have constant nightmares also tend to think further outside the box on psychoanalysis tasks. Some other researches have found support for the idea that nightmares might be linked to creativity.

    People seeking cure for nightmares were not necessarily more fearful or anxious, but rather had a general sensitivity to all emotional experience. Sensitivity is the driving force behind intense dreams. Heightened sensitivity to threats or fear during the day results in had dreams and nightmares, whereas heightened passion or excitement may result in more intense positive dream. And both these forms of dreams may feed back into waking life, perhaps increasing suffering after nightmares, or promoting social bonds and empathy after positive dreams.

    The effects go further still. This sensitivity overflows over into perceptions and thoughts: people who have a lot of nightmares experience a dreamlike quality to their waking thoughts. And this kind of thinking seems to give them a creative edge. For instance, studies show that such people tend to have greater creative talent and artistic express. And people who often have nightmares also tend to have more positive dreams than the average person.

    The evidence points towards the idea that, rather than disturbing normal activity, people who are unfortunate in having a lot of nightmares also have a dreaming life that is at least as creative, positive and vivid as it can be distressing and terrifying. What's more, this imaginative richness is unlikely to be limited to sleep, but also is filled with waking thought and daydreams. Even after people wake up and shake off the nightmare, in other words, a mark of it stays behind, possessing them throughout the day.

A BIG DAY OUT

    Home to Scotland's national maritime (海事的) collection, the award winning Scottish Maritime Museum makes a great day out, with so much to do:

    ● Explore tools and tales across the big Linthouse, a former shipyard (造船厂) building.

    ● See historic ships such as Garnock & Carola, a steam boat built in 1898.

    ● Test a model boat on our indoor boating pond or sail your own on our outdoor boating pond.

    ● Learn about Scotland's importance to maritime history, and about the people that built and sailed Scottish ships around the world.

    Irvine public tours

    Leaving the Linthouse three times a day and lasting about 75 minutes, you will visit the 1920s Tenement Flat and take a step back in time in a typical (典型的) shipyard worker's home. Then, weather permitting, you can experience life at sea onboard MV Kyles, the oldest Clyde-built boat still in service in the UK.

    Getting here:

    By rail: five minutes' walk from Irvine Railway Station

    By road: From the A77, take the A71 and follow the brown signs to the Harbourside and the Maritime Museum. (FREE PARKING)

    By bus: No 11 from Ardrossan, Saltcoats, Stevenson, Kilwinning, Irvine and Kilmarnock;

    No 585 from Ayr, Irvine and Greenock;

    X34 from Irvine, Beith and Glasgow;

    14A Service from Troon all have convenient bus stops nearby.

    By sea: We have our own spot in Irvine harbour that visitors can use. Pre-booking is needed by emailing visitorservices@scotmaritime.org.uk.

    By bike: We have cycle spaces within our boat shop. We are located on Route 7 of the National Cycle Network.

    Opening times and admission:

    Open daily: 10 am – 5 pm Monday to Sunday

    Adults: ￡7.50 (age 17+)

    Concessions (优惠): ￡5.50 (Visitors aged 60+, registered disabled (已注册的残疾人士), or full time students aged 17+)

    Children: Three go FREE (age 16 and under) with any paying adult or concession

    EXTRA CHILD PRICE IS ￡2.

    Registered carers: One free when accompanying (陪同) a paid disabled person

    Group visits: Pre-booked groups of 10 or more receive special rates from ￡4 for a self-tour

Embark on an exhilarating expedition across the ancient trade routes, commencing your 5-day odyssey from the heart of China to the vibrant lands of Central Asia.

Day 1 inTurpan, China: Commence your journey in the oasis city of Turpan, where you will delve into the intricate Karez Well System—a testament to the ingenuity of ancient irrigation techniques that persist in their operational capacity to this day. As the sun sets on your inaugural day, retreat to the tranquility of a family-owned vineyard, where you can meander through the verdant vineyards, engaging in conversations with the hospitable locals to gain insights into their customary way of life.

Day 2 in Urumqi, China: With the first light of dawn, set forth from Turpan to the bustling metropolis of Urumqi, the political epicenter of Xinjiang. Post a nourishing breakfast, immerse yourself in the cultural tapestry of the Xinjiang Museum, a treasure trove of diverse artworks, meticulously crafted handiworks, and historical artifacts. As you prepare to wing your way to Kashgar, seize the opportunity to amble through the vibrant Erdaoqiao Market, the most expansive marketplace in Xinjiang, teeming with a medley of goods.

Day 3 inKashgar, China: Devote this day to the leisurely exploration of Kashgar, commencing with a visit to the bustling Handicrafts Street, a cornucopia of artisanal treasures ranging from copper wares to metal and porcelain masterpieces. Pause for refreshment in a time-honored teahouse, where you can mingle with the convivial community, partaking in their animated dialogues and spirited dances. As the day draws to a close, retire to your lodgings for a rejuvenating night's rest in anticipation of the forthcoming voyage to Osh.

Day 4 in Osh, Kyrgyzstan: Upon reaching the second city of Kyrgyzstan, Osh, immerse yourself in the National Historical and Archaeological Museum Complex, a repository of cultural artifacts, handiworks, and sculptures that narrate the region's storied past. Subsequently, venture to the Jayma Bazaar, the most expansive marketplace in Central Asia, whose origins are rooted in the bygone era of the Silk Road. Should your interest lie in the silken threads of history, inquire of your guide to lead you to the Yodgorlik Silk Factory, a sanctuary where the age-old manual silk-making process is preserved.

Day 5 in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan: Conclude your journey with a serene morning train excursion, culminating in your arrival at Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan. Dedicate the day to the exploration of the Parthian Fortresses of Nisa, a pivotal city from the Parthian Empire's early annals. As evening descends, return to the city to savor a meal and embark on an evening sojourn to the Ashgabat National Museum of History, where the chronicles of the nation are enshrined.

Tired of having the same old travel experiences that leave you feeling unfulfilled (失望的) and disconnected? Mindful travel is offering a new way to explore the world that is meaningful and sustainable.

Mindful travel is a concept that encourages individuals to fully dive into the present moment while exploring new destinations. Individuals are aware of their surroundings, engaging all the senses, and enjoying the beauty of each experience. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

Mindful travel is not just about the destination but also the journey. The goal is to create a positive impact on both individuals and the world around them. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} It is an opportunity for people to positively contribute to the world.

Mindful travel provides an opportunity to disconnect from the stresses of everyday life. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Whether it's wandering through a busy market, hiking in nature, or simply sitting by the ocean, it allows us to let go of our worries and fully enjoy the beauty of our surroundings.

{#blank#}4{#/blank#} By stepping out of our comfort zones and experiencing new cultures, we gain a fresh viewpoint on life. We become more open-minded, adaptable, and caring. Through interactions with locals and fellow travelers, we learn about different ways of life and develop a greater understanding of the world.

Mindful travel also has a positive impact on the destinations we visit. Mindful travelers are aware of their impact on the environment. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} By choosing eco-friendly accommodations, supporting local businesses, and respecting cultural traditions, we can ensure that our travels leave a green footprint.