99 Words

Bermuda Triangle has earned its moniker the Devil’s Triangle after a number of ships and airplanes disappeared without a trace over the its waters on the Strait of Florida, Bahamas and the Caribbean islands. The area is one of the world’s busiest nautical highway. Likewise, numerous flights from North America to the Caribbean fly over it daily. Strong currents up to six knots have been known to capsize vessels. It might have been human error that have caused the disappearances but most sailors claim that the Triangle posses paranormal forces unexplainable by science. Famous myths are that the legendary city of Atlantis is underneath the Bermuda Triangle while others say that the phenomenon of disappearances are credited to aliens or UFOs. Famous incidences include the disappearance of USS Cyclops, one of the largest loss of life in the US Navy during peace time.

Tonic Water when placed under the rod of an ultraviolet light will make it have a fluorescent glow. That is because of the quinine added to it which also lends a bitter taste to the tonic water. In the old times, it was called as the Indian tonic water since its quinine content was added as prevention or prophylaxis against malaria, a tropical disease common in South Asia. Tonic water available in the market today is contains carbonated drink and a medically insignificant volume of quinine. It is used to enhance flavor in cocktails containing gin. Often times, lime or lemon is added to make a drink called bitters.

Ferdinand Magellan was the first man to circumnavigate the world as he sailed westwards to find the Spice Islands. However, his successful attempt in his journey to cross the meridian ended with a tragedy as he was killed in a battle with the natives in an island in the Philippines. Thus, he was unable to complete his voyage.

Although born in Portugal, Magellan embarked on the journey under the Spanish flag. On August 10, 1519 Magellan set out with five ships. With him is another Basque, Juan Sebastian Elcano, who took command on the fleet after Magellan’s fall. The expedition was also the first to traverse the strait of South America connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Many other navigators followed Magellan’s route but their attempts were futile until Sir Frances Drake’s voyage in 1577.

Mesa or a plateau is a landform like of a tabletop that is uplifted from surface by tectonic activity. These flat-topped mountains and hills are common in arid regions such as deserts. Other mesas are actually full mountains which after extensive erosion and weathering, cut out the mountainsides into steep slopes. The characteristic formation of a mesa also depends on the type of rock that composes it. Mesa is the Spanish word for table. This term is widely used southwestern United States where plenty of such landform can be seen. The highest mesa or plateau above sea level is the Tibetan Plateau which earned its moniker, the Roof of the World. Whereas the largest mesa in the world is the Grand Mesa in Western Colorado, USA.

Hanukkah or the Festival of Lights is a Jewish holiday observed by lighting one candle on the Menorah for eight nights. The Menorah is a special candelabrum that holds the eight lights. Sometimes called the Chanukah, is to celebrated to honor the re-dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem after it was made unholy by the Seleucid army and the commemoration of the miracle of the olive oil’s burning for eight days even if it was only meant to last for a day. The festival is also marked by blessing of the candles, doing communal rituals, singing songs, and eating special foods during the length of eight days. Hanukkah starts on the 25th day of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar.

Fabergé Eggs are a famous lot of ornate eggs made of gold and precious stones by Carl Fabergé and his team of skillful goldsmiths. From 1885 and 1917, they have produced over sixty-nine eggs. Fifty of which are known as the Imperial Fabergé eggs of the Russian Czars Alexander III and his son Nicholas II. Seven of which were commissioned by the Kelch family.

The first egg was the Czar’s Easter gift to his wife, Maria Fyodorovna. Once opened, the egg reveals a surprise inside. The royal household was so charmed that Fabergé was commissioned to produce the egg every year thereafter.

At presesent, only sixty-one Fabergé eggs remains and are stored in museums in Russia.

Fudge was what came out after a batch of caramels became “fudged” or miscued in the kitchen. The sweet confection is made from sugar, butter, milk, and cocoa that are then heated and beaten into creamy consistency. The popular dessert is made into cakes and brownies. Though fudge is a type of fondant, it can be heated to make a viscous syrup called hot fudge sauce and made into ice cream toppings. There are other versions of the fudge; others are with nuts. Fudge originated in the US but it is popular in some parts of Europe, as well.

Santa Claus in modern Western culture is often described as a white-bearded, fat, old man in a red suit, red pointed hat, and black boots. American cartoonist Thomas Nast has eternalized the image of St. Nicholas and was reinforced by media influences. Legend tells that Santa Claus lives far up North and makes a long list of children who have been good through out the year. During Christmas Eve, Santa makes his rounds around the world with his flying sleigh pulled by reindeers to give presents to kids on his list. Santa is often depicted with magic elves and Mrs. Santa Claus. Many countries around the globe has its own version of Santa Claus. Most believe that he is the ghost of Saint Nicholas whose feast day falls on December 6.

Poison arrow frog or the poison dart frog is the moniker for a group of amphibians common to South and Central America. They were called dart frogs as Indians dip their arrow points to the frog’s toxic secretions. The frog is small, less than 1.5 cm (0.59 in) long. It’s acid bright colors serves as warning to predators unwary of its lethal prey. The frog’s skin secretes lipophilic alkaloid toxins. They come out during the day rather than being nocturnal as most frogs do. But like most animals in the wild, their natural habitat is now threatened by environmental degradation. The poison arrow frog belongs to the family Dendrobatidae.

Orion could be that bright group of stars you see in the night sky. The most observable among the constellations, Orion will remain visible in every corner of the Earth for the next millions of years. In Greek mythology, Orion was the great giant hunter with two hunting dogs, Cani Major and Canis Minor. The constellation is easily spotted through three stars that comprise the hunter’s “belt” and hanging from it are also several stars that forms its “sword”. Thus, the Orion is often times used to locate other stars. It is said that the constellation Orion is as ancient as the human civilization.