EVENTS

Aug.31-Sept.4,Laughter Bus

Cape Town, South Africa

Lovely sightseeing tour with laughter, fun and festivities. The tour departs(启程) from Cape Town towards the Garden Route, stopping at beautiful and interesting places, enjoying lunch at the seaside and sharing laughter with local communities. Cost:$800.

+277222-97454, info@laughterbus.co.za  Sept. 17-18, Laughter Yoga 2-day Certified Leader Training

Irvine, California, USA

10 am-5 pm daily at Irvine Valley College. Learn to laugh for health without the need of jokes. Start a laughter club, share laughter with elders and kids, and earn income sharing happiness. Includes practice with Jeffrey Briar. Costs: $ 295.

▪ (949)376-1939, JBriar@LYInstitute.org

Set. 30, Laughter is Serious Business Workshop

St. Albans, Hertfordshire, UK

A workshop for those who have completed Laughter Leader/Skills courses and want to get ideas and real advice on how to promote(提升) themselves. 10 am-3 pm with lunch break. Costs:￡100 (includes a￡25 DVD)

+44(0)1727-741-050, Jotte@unitedmind.co.uk Oct. 7-9, Laguna Laughter Club Mountain Retreat(静修)

Angelus Oaks, California, USA

Everyone is welcome on this three-day retreat in the pine forest of Redlands. Daily laughter yoga sessions, music, dancing, hiking, and vision-sharing. Costs:$150 (includes meals).

▪ (949)376-1241, Anne@LaughingAnne.com

Oct. 29-Nov. 5, Laughter Cruise in the Caribbean

The tour departs from Miami, Florida, USA. Daily laughter sessions, onboard programs, easy yoga classes, creating new exercises, fun and friendship! Holland America Lines. Costs: $719.

▪ (941) 349-6069, amy.ferrell@verizon.net

    At 2:30 on December 5,1945, five US Navy training planes took off in clear weather from the base Lauderdale, Florida. The planes flew cast over the coast...and disappeared. The group was Flight 19, on a run between Florida and Bahamas. Tailor was the group leader. At about 3:40, Tailor reported that his compasses were not reading properly. The other planes followed their leaders aimlessly, first east, then west, then northeast over the ocean, as Tailor tried to make sure of the direction by radio. Then, suddenly Tailor was heard to give orders to dive...

    Quickly, two giant Martin seaplanes were sent up to search for Flight 19. Several hours later, the wind became strong and visibility (能见度) dropped. A return to base was ordered. But only one of the Martin seaplanes landed. Four days later, the Navy and Coast Guard combed a 100,000 square miles area with more than 100 planes and ships. No sign was ever shown of the missing planes.

Today, people have noted the disappearance of many ships and planes in the southwest part of the North Atlantic and began to call this area the Bermuda Triangle(百慕大三角区).

    The points of the triangle are Bermuda, Puerto Rico and a spot in the Gulf of Mexico, west of Florida. It is a two-faced water world of tiny islands, bright beaches and beautiful waters. Yet thick fogs, powerful currents(激流) and sudden storms are hidden behind this smiling surface.

Climbing Without Ropes

    The popular image of the mountain climber is of a person carefully climbing a steep cliff with a network of safety ropes, but it is not the only kind. Many climbers now enjoy bouldering. It's more accessible and better for the environment.

    Here is an example of a climber addressing a bouldering problem.

    Figure 1: The climber has two routes she could take, one to the left and one to the right. The left one appears easier because it has a jug within easy reach, but look what happens if she chooses that direction. She gets stuck on the rock and has to go back down. Sometimes that is even difficult than going up.

    Figure 2: The climber takes the one to the right this time. using a foothold and placing her right hand in a crimp, she is able to life herself up and locate other handholds. After only a few moves, she is able to throw her leg over the top of the boulder and pull herself up.

    Tiny Countries You Never knew Existed

    Sao Tome and Principe

    Sao Tome and Principe off Africa's west coast is only 372 square miles, but it has Impressive, undamaged nature, rich in biodiverse species. The amazing needle-like volcanic peak Pico Cao Grande rises 1,000 feet into the air. The islands are home to only around 200,000 people today.

    San Marino

    Only 23 square miles with a population of just 34,000, the little-known country of San Marino, surrounded by Italy, is the world's fifth smallest country. With the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mount Titano, the country is said to be the oldest republic in the world.

    Dominica

    Dominica covers only 290 square miles, with some of the best diving in the Caribbean, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of volcanic Morme Trois Pitons National Park. In Dominica, you'll see rainforests, waterfalls, and coastal views. The island is also home to the only remaining population of the Kalinago, who are part of the island's 74, 900 inhabitants.

    Kiribati

    This Pacific island country 33 coral islands is 313 square-miles, but it's the only country in the world to fall into all four hemispheres (半球). The country's 109, 000 residents live in only 21 of the islands see this tropical paradise before it is no longer--rising seas are threatening to swallow the country whole.

    Still seeking a destination for your weekend break? There are some places which are probably a mere walk away from your college.

    King's Art Centre

    A day at the Centre could mean a visit to an exhibition of the work of one of the most interesting contemporary artists on show anywhere. This weekend tees the opening of an exhibition of four local artists.

    You could attend a class teaching you how to 'learn from the masters' or get more creative with paint—free of charge.

    The Centre also runs two life drawing classes for which there is a small fee.

    The Botanic Garden

    The Garden has over 8, 000 plant species; it holds the research and teaching collection of living plants for Cambridge University.

    The multi-branchedTorch Aloe here is impressive. The African plant produces red flowers above blue-green leaves, and is not one to miss.

    Get to the display house to seeDionaea muscipula, a plant more commonly known as the Venus Flytrap that feeds on insects and other small animals.

    The Garden is also a place for wildlife-enthusiasts. Look for grass snakes in the lake. A snake called 'Hissing Sid' is regularly seen lying in the heat of the warm sun.

    Byron's Pool

    Many stories surround Lord Byron's time as a student of Cambridge University, Arriving in 1805, he wrote a letter complaining that it was a place of "mess and drunkenness". However, it seems as though Byron did manage to pass the time pleasantly enough. I'm not just talking about the pet bear he kept in his roans. He spent a great deal of time walking in the village.

    It is also said that on occasion Byron swam naked by moonlight in the lake, which is now known as Byron's Pool. A couple of miles past Grantchester in the south Cambridgeshire countryside, the pool is surrounded by beautiful circular paths around the fields. The cries of invisible birds make the trip a lovely experience and on the way home you can drop into the village for afternoon tea. If you don't trust me, then perhaps you'll take it from Virginia Woolf—over a century after Byron, she reportedly took a trip to swim in the same pool.

    If you fancy a break over the festive season, then why not join Solos Holidays on one of their special Christmas or New Year breaks. These social events are a great opportunity to mix and associate.

    Stratford Christmas Market

    A wonderful way to start getting into the festive spirit on this 2-night Christmas market break. Wander under the twinkling lights while shopping for homemade gifts and tasting warming wine, roast chestnuts or luxury(奢侈的) chocolates. Explore historical Stratford-upon-Avon and enjoy dinner on both evenings where you can relax, join in the hotel's party night and hit the dance-floor with other single guests.

    Departure: 7th December

    Price: £380, Breakfast Dinner

    New Year in Brighton

    Head to the south coast and the busy town of Brighton for a 3-night break this New Year. Celebrations begin with a Solos welcome drink before joining other single guests for dinner and musical entertainment. The next morning we take the fun ‘Only in Brighton Tour' showcasing all things special about Brighton, before New Year's Eve kicks off with a Gala dinner and party to take us into 2019.

    Departure: 30th December

    Price: £555, Breakfast & Dinner

    To find out more about Solos Holidays Black Tie Balls, Party Nights, Dances & Festive Breaks that take place at venues(场所)across the UK throughout December: call 0844826 8515 or visit solosholidays.co.uk