Rambutans (@ Hemis/Alamy)

Rambutans (@ Hemis/Alamy)

comments,

• Nope, these aren\t sea anemones.""You\ll find them on land, and they\re delicious
• Rambutans vs. Tribbles.""Know the difference
• Not sure what to do with those fresh rambutans you bought?""When all else fails, just add the word “martini” to any fruit
• Don\t eat the peel!""Here\s how to get to the good part

Banggai Cardinalfish, Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia (@ Daniela Dirscherl/age fotostock)

Banggai Cardinalfish, Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia (@ Daniela Dirscherl/age fotostock)

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• Native to just one small corner of the oceans…""These swimmers are a popular aquarium resident
• This fish is the only one of its genus that\s active and feeding during the day.""What\s the word for that?
• The males of this species carry the fertilized eggs and brood the young after they\ve hatched.""All inside their mouths – gah!
• These fish are endangered in their native habitat due to harvesting for the aquarium trade.""So, traders introduced the fish to a nearby area, where their numbers are increasing.

Gunn Brook Falls in the Pioneer Valley region of Massachusetts (@ Denis Tangney Jr./Getty Images)

Gunn Brook Falls in the Pioneer Valley region of Massachusetts (@ Denis Tangney Jr./Getty Images)

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• It\s not yet too cold out…""To dip your feet in, is it?
• “One more thing:""Don\t go chasin\ waterfalls”
• Not far from the falls is the city of Amherst.""You may be acquainted with its Belle
• A nearby town was once known as Swampfield…""But residents decided a more attractive name might encourage settlers

European bee-eaters in Málaga province, Andalusia, Spain (@ José Antonio Moreno/age fotostock)

European bee-eaters in Málaga province, Andalusia, Spain (@ José Antonio Moreno/age fotostock)

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• If you eat more than 200 European bees a day…""You can\t complain about your name
• Bugs aren\t just for the birds. Millions of people eat insects as part of their regular diet.""When will Americans catch on to this bountiful harvest?
• Before you eat a bee, you must catch a bee.""Ouch!
• As the weather turns cooler, you can visit this migratory pair in their winter home.""Get a bird\s-eye view

Detail of an autumn leaf (@ Funkystock/age fotostock)

Detail of an autumn leaf (@ Funkystock/age fotostock)

comments,

• Don\t live in a region where fall brings a burst of color to the trees?""To the internets!
• Someone will ask, “Why do leaves change color in the fall?”""And now you\ll know
• The chill in the air, those fading memories of summer...""It\s the stuff of romance and song
• While raking up, you may find a leaf stripped of everything but a thin framework of veins.""There\s a name for that

Japanese maple tree next to pond at the Portland Japanese Garden in Portland, Oregon (@ Don Paulson/Jaynes Gallery/Danita Delimont)

Japanese maple tree next to pond at the Portland Japanese Garden in Portland, Oregon (@ Don Paulson/Jaynes Gallery/Danita Delimont)

comments,

• Are you feeling a “sense of peace, harmony, and tranquility”?""It\s by design. Take a tour of some other sights in this garden
• It\s National Punctuation Day.""One day to correct your friends\ texts without guilt
• The TV show “Portlandia” pokes fun at the strong DIY ethic of Portland, Ore., residents.""We\re told it\s not really this extreme
• Though the Japanese garden here is considered one of the best in the West…""You may associate this city with a flower not found in the garden\s grounds

Fall colors in the Great Smoky Mountains, North Carolina (@ Nancy Rotenberg/Danita Delimont)

Fall colors in the Great Smoky Mountains, North Carolina (@ Nancy Rotenberg/Danita Delimont)

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• Who needs New England for amazing autumn scenery?""Welcome to the most-visited national park in the United States
• Gone from the park since the mid-19th century, a majestic animal was reintroduced here in 2001.""They\re doing just fine now, thank you
• Roughly 100 different native tree species combine in the Great Smoky Mountains to paint this wide range of autumn colors.""Take a look
• When this national park was established in the 1930s, five sisters were allowed to remain living in their cabin inside the park\s boundaries.""Who were they?

Raccoon building a nest in a Montana forest (@ Framepool)

Raccoon building a nest in a Montana forest (@ Framepool)

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• If you were nocturnal, rustling leaves…""Might keep you awake, too
• A critter native to the Himalayas was once thought to be a close relative of the raccoon.""Do you see any resemblance?
• Whatever you do, don\t attempt to hug a raccoon.""Buddy the Elf tried … once
• If you listen closely, you can almost hear the leaves changing color.""Autumn is here

Cathedral of Pisa and its bell tower in Pisa, Italy (@ Jean-Pierre Lescourret/Corbis)

Cathedral of Pisa and its bell tower in Pisa, Italy (@ Jean-Pierre Lescourret/Corbis)

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• The bell tower on the right is more famous…""Than the church it was built for
• Galileo may have conducted his “falling bodies” experiment from the top of the Tower of Pisa.""Commander David Scott duplicated the gravity test from an even higher perch
• It\s called the “Square of Miracles.”""Seen from above, it\s a miracle that tower is still standing
• Some say it\s a tourist photo cliché.""We think it\s a grand tradition

Aerial shot of Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island off Queensland, Australia (@ imagebroker.net/Superstock)

Aerial shot of Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island off Queensland, Australia (@ imagebroker.net/Superstock)

comments,

• Swirling tides mix turquoise water into white silica sand.""Drink in these samples of nature\s mixology
• The calm waters along this coast make an awesome nursery for giant newborns.""But who\s this, the new Moby Dick?
• Just a short boat ride from here is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.""Dive in, everyone says it\s great
• You can boat to a new island every week for a year, and you\d still have over 20 more islands to see here.""Where in the world are we?

A bus descends the serpentine turns of Tongtian Avenue on Tianmen Mountain near Zhangjiajie, Hunan province, China (@ Tom Horton/Getty Images)

A bus descends the serpentine turns of Tongtian Avenue on Tianmen Mountain near Zhangjiajie, Hunan province, China (@ Tom Horton/Getty Images)

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• With 99 hairpin turns, how long do you think...""Brakes last around here?
• Prefer a stroll over a nail-biting drive? The local glass sidewalk may be perfect for you.""Just try not to jump up and down
• Faster than a horse and buggy. Able to fly down mountains on his elbows and toes. Who\s the maniac wearing 31 wheels?""“ROLLERMAN!”
• A natural arch cuts right through this mountain, creating a shape like a giant door.""Inspired by the formation, Taoist monks named it the “Heavenly Gate Mountain”

Underwater view of spawning salmon in Katmai National Park, Alaska (@ Paul Souders/Corbis)

Underwater view of spawning salmon in Katmai National Park, Alaska (@ Paul Souders/Corbis)

comments,

• Welcome to rush hour…""Where everyone\s racing against a biological clock
• If there\s any hope for these fish to break into the art world...""Here\s the fellow to make it happen
• When millions of salmon churn up a river, it\s kind of like putting out a big sign that says:""“Dinner time!”
• It\s hard to get a bead on where these swimmers are when they\re underwater.""So let\s get an overhead view

Ellis Island Immigration Museum in New York Harbor, New Jersey (@ Clarence Holmes/age fotostock/SuperStock)

Ellis Island Immigration Museum in New York Harbor, New Jersey (@ Clarence Holmes/age fotostock/SuperStock)

comments,

• There\s a long list of individuals on record here.""You might know a few as “grandpa,” “grandma,” “mom,” or “dad”
• Just a short boat ride from here is a very large pedestal, erected back in 1886.""A perfect perch for a 225-ton, copper-clad mademoiselle
• Today we celebrate our nation\s newest citizens...""And the Constitution they vowed to uphold
• Although this building no longer serves as a gateway to a new life for immigrants…""These days, it welcomes anyone to visit the grounds

Village of Gásadalur below Heinanova mountain, with waterfall cascading over cliff into the Atlantic Ocean, Vágar, Faroe Islands (@ Kimberley Coole/Lonely Planet)

Village of Gásadalur below Heinanova mountain, with waterfall cascading over cliff into the Atlantic Ocean, Vágar, Faroe Islands (@ Kimberley Coole/Lonely Planet)

comments,

• Welcome to the edge of Mykinesfjørður, under the shadow of Heinanova, where Gásadalur lies in the sýsla of Vágar.""It\s all Faroese to us
• These islands are miles and miles from any mainland.""So can you blame the locals for staring at you in a creepy, yet sheepish way?
• How do the local lasses keep their shoulders warm in the cool Atlantic mist?""Why, with this lovely garment
• Tourism is a growing industry on these beautiful, remote islands.""Just how far do you have to go to experience their charms?

Harvesting cotton in Costa Rica (@ Fernando Bueno/Getty Images)

Harvesting cotton in Costa Rica (@ Fernando Bueno/Getty Images)

comments,

• What looks like so many zippers in corduroy?""Let\s find out
• Soon as these farmers harvest the crop, they\re going to party!""But not just because their work is done
• Visitors to this tiny country have been known to lose their heads in the clouds.""Take a look. You may never want to come down
• The high crop yield here is just one of many reasons why the name of this Central American country translates to…""The “Rich Coast”

Cypress trees at Trussum Pond, Delaware (@ David Muench/Stone/Getty Images)

Cypress trees at Trussum Pond, Delaware (@ David Muench/Stone/Getty Images)

comments,

• You\ve heard of the bee\s knees?""How about the tree\s knees?
• At night, under a full moon, this could almost be the setting of a monster movie.""But the state\s most notorious monster is a mile-long terror in the capital
• Not all conifer trees are evergreen. Some, like these, lose their leaves in the fall.""It\s no wonder they\re called…
• This swampy setting is in “The First State,” so named because it was the first to ratify the Constitution.""And you thought it was the “Home of Tax-Free Shopping”

Fog over Spray Park in Mount Rainier National Park with Glacier Peak in the background, Washington (@ Stephen Matera)

Fog over Spray Park in Mount Rainier National Park with Glacier Peak in the background, Washington (@ Stephen Matera)

comments,

• When the fog lifts…""You can see all the wonder below
• You\re unlikely to encounter talking White Rabbits or Cheshire Cats on this park\s famous 93-mile trail…""But the scenery will leave no doubt you\ve entered a perfect Wonderland
• Meet the local varmint whose new talent is singing…""This silly song
• Clouds often cloak this park\s sleeping giant. But when the sky clears, locals exclaim:""“The mountain is out!”

Svartifoss waterfall flanked by hexagonal basalt columns in Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland (@ Martin Moos/Lonely Planet Images)

Svartifoss waterfall flanked by hexagonal basalt columns in Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland (@ Martin Moos/Lonely Planet Images)

comments,

• The name of this natural wonder translates to “black fall.”""You can see why
• Inspired by those hexagonal lava columns, a local architect designed…""The largest church in the country
• Would you try the Icelandic delicacy of fermented shark meat washed down with caraway-infused “black death” liqueur?""This guy did
• The falls are fed by glaciers that cover large portions of the surrounding area.""Even the ice looks as if it\s falling around here

The National September 11 Memorial at the site of the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan, New York (@ Jon Hicks/Corbis)

The National September 11 Memorial at the site of the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan, New York (@ Jon Hicks/Corbis)

comments,

• These reflective waters…""Mark sacred ground
• Today, the American flag flies at half-staff…""To honor those we lost 11 years ago
• How do you design a memorial for a nation in mourning?""You build the equivalent of a moment of silence
• Ten years ago, families of 9\/11 victims launched a movement to remember and honor their fallen loved ones.""See how their actions are galvanizing communities across the country

Close-up of a sea fan off Raja Ampat Islands, West Papua, Indonesia (@ Matthew Oldfield Underwater Photography/Alamy)

Close-up of a sea fan off Raja Ampat Islands, West Papua, Indonesia (@ Matthew Oldfield Underwater Photography/Alamy)

comments,

• Step back from all the colorful branches…""And you\ll see how this creature got its common name
• There\s often a teeny, tiny “pony” prancing among these tentacles.""But she\s wearing camo, so good luck spotting her
• Forward-thinking coral looking for immortality may consider…""Passing their genes along
• More than three-fourths of the world\s coral species make their home here, which is why the region\s sometimes called…""The “Amazon of the seas”

St. Finbarr's Oratory at Gougane Barra Lake, Ireland (@ Trish Punch/Lonely Planet)

St. Finbarr's Oratory at Gougane Barra Lake, Ireland (@ Trish Punch/Lonely Planet)

comments,

• One way to limit the guest list for your wedding vows?""Hold your nuptials where there\s room for just 50
• “There is a green island in lone Gougane Barra, where Allua of songs rushes forth as an arrow.” J.J. Callanan""What setting inspires such a poem?
• Legend has it that after St. Finbarr won a battle with a large winged serpent, he cast it from this lake…""And the force of its landing carved a 56-mile waterway
• Visitors have long believed this quiet spot captures the beauty of the Emerald Isle.""Where will you find this idyllic hideaway?

Olive trees reflected in the waters of Barragem de Alqueva (Alqueva Lake) near Alqueva, Portugal (@ Paul Bernhardt/Lonely Planet)

Olive trees reflected in the waters of Barragem de Alqueva (Alqueva Lake) near Alqueva, Portugal (@ Paul Bernhardt/Lonely Planet)

comments,

• The gnarled trees growing along this lake will commonly live to 200 years.""What better subject for a still life?
• To harvest the goodies on these trees, their limbs receive a vigorous shaking.""(No trees were harmed during the making of this video)
• What\s in your olive oil?""Do you really want to know?
• A vast hydroelectric dam was built here, flooding a river valley in Europe\s driest and hottest region.""You\re looking at an artificial lake in which country?

Travertine terraces of Pamukkale, Turkey (@ Ocean/Corbis)

Travertine terraces of Pamukkale, Turkey (@ Ocean/Corbis)

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• These terraced pools have tempted bathers for thousands of years.""Come on in -- the water\s fine!
• The healing waters are the main draw around here…""But step out of the pools to find even more surprises
• Before you rock that bathing suit here…""Whip up a delightful local treat
• These hot springs are continually depositing calcium carbonate, leaving cascades of white travertine down the hillside.""Where is this “Cotton Castle”?

Driver-training course in Minnesota (@ Richard Hamilton Smith/Corbis)

Driver-training course in Minnesota (@ Richard Hamilton Smith/Corbis)

comments,

• Before new drivers get behind the wheel on this course…""They might take a training run on a smaller version
• Practice roads were designed to help teach safe driving skills.""But for some, there\s just no help
• “Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves.”""So, what wise guy said that?
• Roundabouts, U-turns, and cloverleafs. They\re all designed to keep traffic flowing.""And from this angle, that can look a little wacky

Young caracal in a wildlife sanctuary near Windhoek, Namibia (@ Ignacio Palacios/Lonely Planet)

Young caracal in a wildlife sanctuary near Windhoek, Namibia (@ Ignacio Palacios/Lonely Planet)

comments,

• With ears like these…""It ain\t easy keeping secrets from this cat
• Although these critters lead solitary lives in the wild, they\ve had a long history with humans.""You\ve heard of bird-hunting dogs? This here\s the kitty equivalent
• When night falls, this cat leaps to staggering heights to feed her kittens.""Guess who else is coming to dinner?
• These cats range across the dry steppes and grasslands of several continents.""You\ll find this one in a wildlife sanctuary of a sub-Saharan country

Stillaguamish River of Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Washington (@ Stephen Matera)

Stillaguamish River of Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Washington (@ Stephen Matera)

comments,

• Although they call this river the “Stilly,” locals will attest…""There\s nothing still about it
• Legions of bald fishermen are lured back here each year by the multitude of salmon.""Watch how they fly in for dinner
• When a rare, 300-year-old preserved cedar log was recently unearthed nearby, the Stillaguamish Tribe commissioned a carver…""To revive a traditional craft
• This river flows from the mountains all the way to Puget Sound.""It cascades over the western portion of which state?

Honey bees in San Felice Circeo, Italy (@ Massimo Borchi/4Corners)

Honey bees in San Felice Circeo, Italy (@ Massimo Borchi/4Corners)

comments,

• A real-life zombie plague has reached the honey bee population.""What\s causing the legions of buzzing undead?
• Fifty years ago, an insect-inspired hairstyle debuted.""It\s gone in and out of fashion ever since
• Found a great new place to eat?""Imagine telling your friends about it through dance
• Chances are, you\re not as busy as a bee today.""If it\s a holiday, why do we call it \"Labor Day\"?

Bridge over the Loire River at Amboise, France (@ ESCUDERO Patrick/Hemis/Corbis)

Bridge over the Loire River at Amboise, France (@ ESCUDERO Patrick/Hemis/Corbis)

comments,

• Head south on the bridge and you\ll find yourself…""In the former seat of the royal court of France
• Not far from this bridge lies the possible resting place of the original Renaissance man.""But was he really buried so far from home?
• If you\re a gephyrophobe, we\re surprised you\re still looking at this image.""Now please tell the rest of us how to pronounce that word
• During the 11th century, the Count of Anjou began fortifying this strategic point on the Loire River. Stone by stone, a fortress was built…""With a bridge to cross the water

Surfer riding a wave near Pacific City, Oregon (@ Gabe Rogel/Aurora Photos)

Surfer riding a wave near Pacific City, Oregon (@ Gabe Rogel/Aurora Photos)

comments,

• The cold, rough surf here isn\t a playground for the likes of Gidget and Moondoggie.""Just look at this rugged scene
• It\s one thing to hang 10….""But how about hanging 10 on the back of a great white?
• When you\re done surfing for the day…""Head 30 miles up the coast for the favorite local snack
• Although Lewis and Clark blazed their way to this coast, there\s no mention in their field notes of folks riding the surf.""In which state can you score these most excellent waves?