Understandably you’d think there’s something to the suspense of not knowing the outcome of a story.
And often getting “spoiled” ruins the suspense you might have otherwise enjoyed. However despite the lengths some might go to not get “spoiled” on a given movie or television show, few seem to consider our ability to return to a favorite book, or re-watch something numerous times with undiminished pleasure.
So is there something to the idea that a suspenseful outcome may not be critical to your enjoyment of the story?
A recent study at University …

Nic will probably be one of the first to tell you that I often complain about how little seems to happen in Canada’s history – making for some very boring study material.
But that’s not a very fair criticism, after all we’re neighbours to the Americans, and those guys can’t seem to go five years without getting into it with someone.
In fact, if you were to go back 197 years today on August 24, 1814, Washington D.C. was set ablaze by British troops in retaliation for the burning and looting …

Given how much I’ve written about their ruins, I thought I’d pay a little attention to the Dynasty responsible for settling one of our favourite parts of Morocco.

Founded in the 12th century, the Almohad Dynasty established their Berber state in the Atlas Mountains before expanding their power over all northern Africa and sweeping over to Portugal and southern Spain, where they eventually transferred their capital to Seville in 1170 CE.
Because of which you’ll find evidence of their presence in the Giralda, commissioned in 1184 CE in imitation of the …

Seeing as our cruise is only a couple of months away, I thought I would revisit our last cruise, and our first port of call: Key West.

Claimed in 1822 by Matthew C. Perry – same guy who would thirty-one years later with his “Black Ships” would visit Japan and “open” them to trade with the U.S. – Key West is home to the most southern point in the Continental United States.
And since the highway was completed in 1938 becoming an extension of United States Highway 1, the Keys are …

Recently I’d mentioned that Caltech had made some breakthroughs in light manipulation, and its use for running a computer.
Well it seems the traditional idea of the computer is going to be going through another evolution with the advent of “memory crystals” a la the Superman films and the work of lead research Martynas Beresna from the Southampton University optoelectronic research centre.
Like the Fortress of Solitude, researchers have figured out a way to alter glass with laser beams to allow it to act like a conventional hard drive, but with …

My mom is a worrier.  I’m sure many travellers can relate to this; dealing with parents is often difficult when it comes to visiting parts of the world considered dangerous or less-than-safe.  When I went to Japan, Thailand and Hong Kong over New Year’s of 2001, I know my mom was definitely concerned… and I admit to being glad of that when my friend and I were low on cash in Hong Kong and we were staying in less-than-amazing accommodations.
Though after reading the Travelling Editor’s great post on/for parents (and I’m …

The Saadian Tombs date back to the time of Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur (1578-1603 CE) but weren’t actually discovered until 1917. And as you walk the grounds you can see the effort Beaux-arts Service has put into their restoration of the tombs, and why this beautifully restored mausoleum is such an attraction to visitors of Marrakech.

And of course there’s the staff.

Approximately sixty members of the Saadi Dynasty – who originated in the Draa River valley – lay buried here. Among those interred in the mausoleum is Ahmad al-Mansur and his family.

Outside …

Recently Nic got me this book as I’d some how managed not to read it while I was going through high school. Apparently it’s an important book from 20th Century Canadian literature.
Unsurprisingly my teachers didn’t get the memo.
Though it’s funny I didn’t manage to stumble upon it on my own to this point.
I’ve been an avid sci-fi fan for as long as I can remember, and have read all manner of Post-Apocalyptic fiction. Interestingly after reading it I felt as if there was a strong Black Adder sensibility …

Game of Thrones wrapped up its first season with blood, fire and dragons – and as we book-readers know winter might be coming, but you have to wait a little while for the story to continue. In the meantime, here’s another filming location you can visit that will make you feel like you’re part of the story in Westeros or Essos – or where you may catch a glimpse of shooting if your timing is right… the island nation of Malta!
We’re now visiting Malta on November as a stop …

During our stay in Casablanca we decided to take advantage of a tour offered by our hotel to see all the must-see sites during our short stay in the city, and Hassan II Mosque surely hits the top of the list.

The largest mosque in Morocco, and the second largest in the world, this massive building can accommodate up to 25,000 worshippers, and a further 80,000 on the adjoining grounds.

Inspired by the Qur’an verse which states that “the throne of Allah was built on water,” the mosque was built to …