Top ten cutest residents of the Valencia Bioparc

by Annie Scott on

The zoo in Valencia, Spain, known as Bioparc Valencia, is full of wonderful animals in deluxe, non-depressing enclosures. You’ll find it on the western border of the city, easily reachable by bus or subway (you’ll have to walk about 15-20 minutes if you take the subway).

Bioparc Valencia is a new zoo which opened in March 2008, and its philosophies include sustainable design, scientifically-created habitats to ensure the well-being of the animals, specialized animal care provided by teams of both biologists and veterinarians and a concept called zoo-immersion for guests. Zoo-immersion means that when you enter an area of the zoo, which is divided into geographical ecosystems (currently only the African savannah is open, but Southeast Asia and the Neotropics are next), you will be surrounded by vegetation and landscaping appropriate to the animals you’re viewing, and in some cases, like with the ring-tailed lemurs, you’ll be inside an enclosure with the animals. The lemurs run all around their habitat, jumping over your head and crossing your path like cats.

And that brings us to #1 of our Top Ten Cutest Residents of the Valencia Bioparc: lemurs in trees (above and below)!

Cutest residents #1 through #4 are included in the video above. Here are the rest:

5. Blue butt monkey

So you like a cute blue-footed booby. How do you feel about a blue butt monkey? I feel pretty good about him.

6. Kirk’s dik-dik

This little antelope is only about knee-high. I’m so jealous of whoever Kirk is. (Kidding.)

7. Ostrich

I get the feeling this ostrich thinks he blends in. He doesn’t. He stood very still and tried as hard as he could to make me think he was a tree, but I totally knew he was an ostrich. All. Along.

8. Rhino (I know)

You may point out, and you’d be right, that an animal like a rhinoceros is not normally called “cute,” but this guy’s wrinkly muzzle and his graceful, tri-clump feet are adorable. No? Agree to disagree.

9. Aardvarks in a heart-shape

I spotted these two aardvark lovers sleeping together in the dark, curled around each other into the perfect shape of a heart. My guide told me that some visitors think aardvarks are ugly, but I think they’re tremendous.

10. The mama and baby hippo

Last, but certainly not least — probably best, in fact — are the mama and baby hippo who love to swim together in an enclosure where you could watch their behavior underwater. Click here to watch the video: Mama hippo and baby hippo swimming together – cutest video ever.

Read more about Valencia here!

[Photos and video by Annie Scott.]

This trip was sponsored by Cool Capitals and Tourismo Valencia, but the ideas and opinions expressed in this article are 100 percent my own.

Lagoon Park to add new family coaster – Bombora in 2011

by Joel Bullock on

Utah’s Lagoon Park is building a new roller coaster that’s set to debut in 2011. Little is known about the ride, but the park has revealed that its name will be Bombora. A Lagoon Park spokesman also confirmed rumors that it will be a family roller coaster. This means that it shouldn’t be taller than three or four stories and its top speed should be rather tame. Lagoon Park’s website shares little information, but thanks to construction photos popping up on the Web we know that it will have traditional sitdown-style trains and a blue steel track. Also, theme park fan site Lagoon Is Fun has posted a Christmas card that the park sent out as a teaser.

Lagoon’s last new roller coaster was the thrilling Wicked in 2007. The Zierer-designed launched roller coaster boasts two launches, a zero-g roll, and a 90-degree drop. I know that many coaster enthusiasts want every roller coaster to be bigger and faster than the last, but Bombora should serve as a reminder that amusement parks need to cater to families too. Not every new roller coaster can be an intense, white knuckle thrill ride.

[Photo Credit: Flickr user zaui]

Russian climber BASE jumps from remote Antarctic peak

by Kraig Becker on

Last week a Russian climber and BASE jumper by the name of Valery Rozov climbed to the summit of Mount Ulvetanna, a 9616-foot tall mountain located in a very remote region of Antarctica. After spending a couple of weeks preparing for the climb, Rozov wasn’t content to just stand on top of the peak however. Once on the summit, he proceeded to don a specially designed wingsuit, leap from the summit, and glide through the cold air, which registered a chilly -22 degrees Fahrenheit on the thermometer.

BASE jumping continues to grow in popularity with adventurers and daredevils around the globe. Participants put on a pre-packed parachute and then proceed to climb up, and leap off, some fixed object such as buildings, antennas, spans, and the Earth itself, hence the “BASE” that give the sport its name. Wingsuits have been added in recent years to allow the jumper to glide through the air for a period before they open their chute and end their flight.

This particular flight lasted all of 45 seconds before the Russian pulled his parachute and gently glided back Earth, but as you can tell from the video below, it was one heck of a ride while it lasted. Watching this video, it seems clear that all climbers should use this method for returning to base camp, as it sure is a lot faster than descending the old fashion way.

[Photo credit: Thomas Senf]


Gadling’s budget-friendly gift guide: 30 travel products that won’t break the bank

by Scott Carmichael on

If you are still struggling to shop for that special someone in your life, then have no fear – Gadling is here to help. We’ve collected 30 of the best “under $50” pieces of travel gear on the market.

From speakers to packing cubes – if this budget friendy gift guide doesn’t help give you some inspiration, nothing will.

Don’t forget to visit our other 2010 gift guides covering carry-on bags, outdoor travel, business travel gear, luxury gear and iPod/iPhone gear.Technocel Battery Boost

The Technocel Battery Boost is a battery pack small enough to fit on your key chain, with an internal battery, a MicroUSB charger cord and a MicroSD memory card reader.

Product page: Technocel Battery Boost
Price: $29.99

Joby Gorillatorch Flare

Part Gorillapod bendy mount, and part ultra-bright LED flashlight, the Gorillatorch Flare could be a real lifesaver on the road.

Product page: Joby
Price: $34.95

Griffin Travel Stand

This is a personal favorite of mine – one of the simplest gadgets around, the Griffin Travel Stand is part phone stand and part headphone case. Sheer brilliance.

Product page: Griffin Travel Stand
Price: $9.99

Otterbox defender and commuter series cases


Keep your phone looking shiny and new, and protect it from the elements with an Otterbox case. Available for many popular phones.

Product page: Otterbox
Price: from $34.95


Eye-Fi Connect X2 Wi-Fi memory card

Pop one of these in your digital camera or video camera, and next time you make a photo, it’ll automatically upload your shots to one of 25 different photo sites.

Product page: Eye-Fi
Price: $49.95

Keynamics laptop stand

The Keynamics laptop stand is perfect for using your laptop on a plane. Its innovative design brings your laptop forward by a couple of inches, which should keep it out of reach of seat recliners.

Product page: Keynamics
Price: $19.95

In Your Face Viewbase

Forget holding your phone for your entire flight – simply clamp the In Your Face Viewbase on the tray table, and place your phone in the holder.

Product page: In Your Face
Price: $29.99

iMainGo Speaker

This compact, battery powered speaker protects your device, and makes it accessible – a great combination.

Product page: iMainGo 2
Price: $39.99

Sandisk Sansa clip+

Forget that fruity brand – as far as we are concerned, one of the best portable music players on the market is the Sandisk Sansa Clip+. With prices online under $30, this is one heck of a player. MicroSD expansion slot, FM Radio, voice recorder and equalizer.

Product page: Sandisk Sansa Clip+
Price: From $30 (at Amazon.com)

Balanzza mini

Avoid surprises at the airport with the Balanzza Mini luggage scales. Weighs bags up to 100lbs and hooks onto the handle of your luggage.

Product page: Balanzza Mini
Price: $24.95

Moshi travel alarm clock

Say goodbye to the horrible hotel alarm clock, and take the Moshi travel alarm clock on the road. Moshi lets you program the time and wake time with your voice.

Product page: Moshi Travel Alarm Clock
Price: $24.99

iTunes gift card

Shopping for the gift recipient that already has it all? If they have an iPhone, iPod or iPad, then an iTunes gift card means letting them pick their own music, movie or apps.

Product page: Apple gift cards
Price: from $15

Sewell PC to TV adapter

For $34.99, the Sewell PC to TV converter box lets you plug the VGA signal from your laptop into a regular TV. Which means Netflix movies instead of local news next time you are stuck in a lousy hotel.

Product page: Sewell
Price: $34.99

WaterGeeks filtering bottle

Stylish bottle? Check! Built in carbon filter? Check! The WaterGeeks stainless steel bottle can remove unwanted filth from water thanks to its integrated filter. The bottle is available in eight different colors.

Product page: WaterGeeks
Price: $24.99

IPEVO icon iPhone battery pack

The ipevo icon is the only iPhone battery pack in the world that actually looks like a battery charger icon. You have to see this thing to understand how cool it is.

Product page: IPEVO
Price: $54

Callpod Chargepod bundle pack

With the Chargepod, you can carry a single charger, and power up to six devices at the same time. With a huge variety of power tips, there is almost always a way to charge anything you want.

Product page: Chargepod
Price: $49.95

Tom Bihn packing cube backpack

The Tom Bihn packing cube backpack is brilliant – this packing cube turns inside out, and converts into an emergency backpack. Perfect if you over-shop!

Product page: Packing cube backpack
Price: $40

Eagle creek Pack-It packing cubes

Eagle Creek packing cubes and folders are a “must have” for anyone that switches from the “stuff it in” method to something with a bit of style and thought. Folders can pack and safeguard shirts, packing cubes can sort socks and other smaller items.

Product page: Eagle Creek packing cubes
Price: from $8.50

Mini Bluetooth keyboard

Best friends with a heavy texter? Move them away from on-screen typing with this compact Bluetooth keyboard. It may not be suitable for typing a manuscript on a phone, but it’ll do a good job for long emails.

Product page: Mini Bluetooth keyboard
Price: $18.99

Mophie Juicepack reserve

Yes – another iPhone/iPod battery pack. But this one fits in your pocket, and comes with a built in LED flashlight

Product page: Mophie JuicePack Reserve
Price: $39.95

Kensington Pocket Smartphone Battery

Another brilliant product – the Kensington Smartphone battery pack has built in plugs for mini and micro USB, along with a regular USB jack for charging the pack itself.

Product page: Kensington
Price: $39.99

Moleskine city notebooks

For the ultimate in moving your life back to paper – Moleskine City Notebooks are available for 50 major worldwide cities, and offer quick access to public transport maps, and plenty of room for writing personal notes.

Product page: Moleskine
Price $16.95

KiwiChoice U-Powered solar charger

Yes – another battery charger – but this is the only one in the lineup with a built in solar panel. The kit comes with an assortment of plugs and power tips.

Product page: KiwiChoice
Price: $49.99

Monster Outlets to Go Laptop

This compact product turns one outlet into three – along with two USB charger ports. It prongs fold, and the USB ports provide up to 1.5 amps of power – which means they’ll charge the iPad. To make it even better, the Outlet To Go Laptop works on any power system in the world.

Product page: Monster Power
Price: $29.95

Suite Arrival travel size products gift set

Next time a loved one is on the road, consider sending a gift from Suite Arrival to their hotel. Suite Arrival features a huge assortment of mini travel products, from peanut butter to high end cosmetics.

Product page: Suite Arrival
Price: from $2

Griffin Technology PowerDuo reserve

iPhone car charger, wall charger and battery pack – all in a single product, and all for under $50? That is the Griffin Technology PowerDuo Reserve.

Product page: PowerDuo Reserve
Price: $49.99

Beam n Read eBook reading light

Want to read your Kindle in the dark? You’ll need a reading light, and reading lights don’t get more effective as the Beam N Read.

Product page: Beam N Read
Price: from $19.95

Griffin Technology Mini USB cable kit

Why carry long and bulky cords when you can pop these cuties in your bag? The kit includes a MiniUSB, MicroUSB and iPhone cable.

Product page: Mini USB cable kit
Price: $24.99

The Art of shaving carry-on kit

Give a special man in your life the gift of a perfect shave with the Art Of Shaving carry-on shaving kit. Three shaving products and a badget hair shaving brush, all TSA friendly.

Product page: The Art of Shaving
Price: $50

Which airline charged more than $500 million in cancellation fees?

by Tom Johansmeyer on

There isn’t as much money in cancellations as there is in baggage fees, it seems. So far, close to $2.6 billion has been charged for bags this year (with three quarters measured), and U.S. airlines have only racked up $1.7 billion in cancellation fees. And, as usual, there’s one culprit that consumes around 30 percent of this, with the top five airlines accounting for more than 80 percent of the cancellation fees charged in the United States so far this year, according to the Department of Transportation.

Curious? Well, the list will look pretty familiar to you, largely because the largest airlines are most likely to generate the most revenue from cancellation fees.

Delta wins this fee race, as it did baggage fees, with more than $530 million in cancellation fees, followed by American Airlines ($353 million), United Airlines ($243 million), US Airways ($192 million) and Continental Airlines ($181 million). JetBlue takes a distant sixth with $85 million, and the numbers only get (much) smaller from there.