BY Sarmind SafiDec 27, 2023

The holidays of Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Year's are all about happiness, family, and celebration. This entails engaging in festive customs and spending time with loved ones for the majority of people. However, these holidays have a whole new significance for cosmonauts and astronauts in space. Vacations in space were uncommon in the early years of space exploration. The first Christmas spent in space by astronauts was during the Apollo 8 mission in December 1968. Frank Borman, James A. Lovell, and William A. Anders read passages from the Bible's Book of Genesis while in orbit around the moon, broadcasting the scenes to an estimated billion viewers worldwide. Vacations in space increased in frequency and length as missions went on. Astronauts Gerald P. Carr, Edward G. Gibson, and William R. Pogue observed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's in space during the 1973–1974 Skylab 4 mission. They watched a comet pass by, made a homemade Christmas tree out of food containers, and had a festive dinner that included fruitcake. For cosmonauts, the New Year's holiday was particularly important. Yuri V. Romanenko and Georgi M. Grechko were the first people to celebrate the new year while in orbit on the Salyut-6 space station in 1977 and 1978. In a broadcast on television, they raised a glass to the occasion. Astronaut Jeffrey A. Hoffman observed Hanukkah in 1993 while on the STS-61 mission aboard the space shuttle Endeavour. To celebrate the Festival of Lights, he spun a dreidel and carried a traveling menorah. Holidays were not only observed in space, but astronauts went above and beyond to make the occasion joyful. The 1999 STS-103 crew, who were entrusted with fixing the Hubble Space Telescope, celebrated Christmas with a special meal that included French specialties. Twelve Mir expedition crews, including NASA astronauts, spent their vacations on board the Russian space station between 1987 and 1998. Messages were exchanged and customs, like lighting Hanukkah candles and sending Christmas greetings, were demonstrated during these festivities. On board the International Space Station, holiday celebrations are still customarily observed. Whether it's through live broadcasts, symbolic decorations, or special food items, astronauts and cosmonauts find inventive ways to bring the joy of these festivities to the cosmic realm. Though they may be different, people who celebrate the holidays far above Earth still find great meaning and significance in them. Read Also: 6 Things Locals Wish Tourists Wouldn’t Do When In Iceland Juneau’s Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area Is Expecting Big Changes Bora Bora Is Shifting Its Tourism Policy, Aims To Double Tourists By 2033

BY Sarmind SafiDec 15, 2023

The holiday season is approaching and this is the time for travelers to make the best of the offers all around. Maldives, for one is offering the best Christmas all-inclusive plan at Oaga, Art Resort. The package includes it all, from boat transfer to food and drinks by the pool. This resort in the Maldives is offering something unique this festive season. Visitors also have the opportunity to discover the real Maldivian culture. There are water sports, spa, cocktail classes and the unique Maldivian entertainment that will elevate the festive experience.   The magical atmosphere at Oaga is vibrant and dynamic. It is setting new standards of Maldivian luxury. The spot is welcoming guests with both friends and family. With Christmas just around the corner guests are being treated to indulgent festive feasts coupled with the timeless delight of watching the much adored film "Home Alone." With added brunch packages accompanied by live music and the excited wait for Santa Claus. From 9pm-11pm the beach bells and bubbles beach party with DJ Afruh will come to a close in the evening with dance and celebration. The merriment obviously continues even after Christmas offering a plethora of activities to maintain the spirit of Christmas in between the Boxing Day bonfire at Raa Raa Beach accompanied by live music by Zaki and live authentic Maldivian music, cocktail parties, jewelry workshops, and then concluding in the deeply anticipated gala dinner. The entire event promises an unforgettable experience to have the festive season reach its pinnacle. Read More About: Traveling Christmas Tree For The Western Lawn Of U.S. Capitol World’s Most Famous Christmas Tree Has Reached Trafalgar Square

BY Sarmind SafiDec 4, 2023

A magnitude 6.9 earthquake has struck off the coast of the southern Philippines following a series of strong quakes in the same region. On early Monday morning, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake shook the southern Philippines. The United States Geological Survey reported. 2 people died and several have been injured after the quake on Saturday, according to a report made by AFP news agency. The earthquake on Saturday triggered tsunami warnings across the Pacific area and sent the residents along the east coast of Mindanao fleeing buildings, seeking higher ground and evacuating a hospital. The Philippine Seismology Institute has warned of a possible "destructive tsunami" after the first quake on Saturday. The waves were expected to be life-threatening but fortunately, none took place and the warning ended. Thousands of residents have stayed outside their homes for long hours due to the earthquake and the impending tsunami scare. Some of them were drenched by the overnight downpour. Earthquakes have been a common occurrence in the Philippines which is located along the Pacific Ring of Fire. It is an arc of intense seismic and volcanic activity that goes from Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin. Most of them are too weak to be felt by humans. Read Also: Zanzibar Is Luring Tourists With A 30Kg Christmas Cake Record-Breaking Holiday Travel Anticipated As TSA Prepares For Busy Season! The Italian Train Group FS Will Launch A New “Night Train Like Hotel”: Rome To Dolomites