Taj Mahal scenic sunset view with moody sky. A UNESCO World heritage site at Agra, India.

“India is, the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend, and the great grandmother of tradition. our most valuable and most instructive materials in the history of man are treasured up in India only.”

– Mark Twain

(Photography: Henri Cartier-Bresson Srinagar, Kashmir, India, 1948)

India is a country in the south of Asia known for many things: the awe-inspiring Himalayas, a million spice markets and colors, women wearing sarees and bindis, incredible festivals and weddings that last for days on end, henna, spirituality complete with many gods, diverse culture, the Ganges river, an extremely large population, the train system, and, of course, the Taj Mahal: one of the most famous structures on earth.

And then there’s Gandhi. Mahatma Gandhi was a non-violent political leader who led India to its independence from Great Britain and is one of the most famous figures throughout modern history.

In India, people bow, place their hands together in a prayer-like fashion and say “Namaste” (a Sanskrit word) when greeting one another. This literally means “I bow to you.”

In India, you’re taught that there are certain qualities that make you a divine human being.

 – Deepak Chopra

Discover India with Spartan and the Green Egg!
And don’t forget to collect your explorer pins!

• “Roopkund Skeleton Lake in Uttarakhand, India, is known by the locals as ‘Mystery Lake’ or ‘Skeletons Lake.’ This glacial lake in the Himalayas of India is famous for the hundreds of human skeletons found at the edge of the waters. With a depth of around six feet, the skeletal remains can be seen when the snow has melted. At the high altitude of 16,499 feet, it is uninhabited.”

• “Chand Baori is located in Rajasthan in India. It is considered a stepwell, which means there’s a series of steps that ends in a pool of water. The Chand Baori is a very popular tourist spot during the summer since after the walk down the stairs tourists get the chance to cool off in the refreshing pools of water below.”

• “The Nohkalikai Falls are located near Cherrapunji, one of the wettest places on Earth. The plunging waterfall is 1,115 feet tall, making it the highest in India. The source of the falls is entirely rainwater collected at the summit during the wet season. In the dry season, the falls are not as strong as the rest of the year. At the base of the waterfall is a waterhole that was carved by the cascading water.”

• “The Lotus Temple, New Delhi is a large temple which can be found in New Delhi, a part of India. It is the primary house of worship for the Bahá’í religion. The Bahá’í religion is centered around the belief of spiritual unity between all people. The temple is meant as a place of worship, but also just a general gathering place where people can spiritually come together. The church is shaped like a gigantic lotus flower, which is where the name of the temple comes from. At night, the temple is lit up and resembles a giant star in the shape of a flower.”

• The Taj Mahal: “Rising above the Yamuna River in Agra, India, the glistening white dome of the Taj Mahal welcomes visitors to its doorways, winding paths, and beautiful gardens. Created by Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz upon her death, the Taj Mahal stands as one man’s undying statement about his love for his wife. With its jewel encrusted walls, ornate details, set against the turquoise sky, the Taj Mahal is considered to be on one of the Seven Wonders of the World.”

https://www.spartanandthegreenegg.com/product/roopkund-skeleton-lake-uttarakhand-india/
https://www.spartanandthegreenegg.com/product/chand-baori-india/
https://www.spartanandthegreenegg.com/product/nohkalikai-falls-sohra/
https://www.spartanandthegreenegg.com/product/lotus-temple/https://www.spartanandthegreenegg.com/product/taj-mahal/

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog #littleexplorers #letsgoonanadventure #india #tajmahal #explorerpins

With unique architecture, rugged coastlines, hot springs, mountains, fjords, volcanoes, lagoons, icebergs, glaciers, geysers, the Northern Lights, and waterfalls, Iceland is truly one of the most amazingly beautiful and extreme countries on earth. A Nordic island nation in Europe, Iceland has a vast Viking history and is known as a thrilling destination for explorers everywhere.

“I have fantasies of going to Iceland, never to return.” – Edward Gorey

Unbelievable Sights

• Hofskirkja Church in Iceland is “the most recent grass-roofed church to have been built. Originally constructed in 1884, the roof stretches from its pointed top all the way to the ground.” Complete with stone slabs for steps, this style of architecture is unique to Iceland and is an effective way of staying warm during cold winter months.

• “Gullfoss is a famous waterfall that can be found in a canyon made by the Hvítá River. What makes the waterfall so famous is the way the water flows. Instead of just going downwards, the water flows in a unique shape that makes it look like a three-step staircase. The water then descends deep into a crevice that goes down over one hundred feet. When translated, the name of the waterfall is ‘Golden Falls.’” Gullfoss Falls is the most famous of all the waterfalls in Iceland and is a popular tourist attraction.

• Landmannalaugar is “an encampment located on the dark edge of a rhyolite lava field in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve. Surrounded by mountains, the encampment can only be accessed in the summer. There are many volcanic phenomena in the area, including a geothermal pool nearby that is popular for bathing.”
• Did you know that Iceland has more hot springs or “solfataras” than any other country? These geothermal pools/alkaline hot springs are heated by volcanic vents. They are incredibly desirable destinations but can also be very dangerous because of boiling water. The largest of these is called “Deildartunguhver” and “emits nearly 50 gallons of boiling water per second!”

Ancient and Extreme

The earth in Iceland is underlain by a type of igneous rock called basalt; some of these rocks were formed over 16 million years ago!

(Follow Me Away)

• The Westfjords region of Iceland is a peninsula that is definitely out-of-the-way so it’s difficult to navigate and is very vast. Famous for its beaches, the Westfjords boasts one with pink sand called “Rauðasandur.” Another beach with black-sanded shores called Reynisfjara is more well-known but no less extraordinary.
• The nature to be seen is astounding! Puffins, whales and arctic foxes are all a part of the landscape and can be observed on cliffs near the Arctic Circle.
• Haukadalur is a geothermal field or valley of hot springs known for its amazing geysers, Geysir and Strokkur (which have been active for about 10,000 years).
• Earthquakes are actually common and frequent in Iceland but are rarely very serious or damaging.

(Atlas Obscura)

• Jökulsárlón is a lagoon known for its beautiful and otherworldly ice floes and blue glaciers. It is also the deepest lake in Iceland (over 900 feet deep!).
• Askja is an active volcano and is nestled within a group of “calderas” or volcanic craters surrounded by the Dyngjufjöll Mountains. One of the smaller calderas is home to a famous lake called Öskjuvatn. Located in the Highlands, this is the second deepest lake in Iceland (after Jökulsárlón).
• The Northern Lights or “aurora borealis” can be seen in Iceland and is one of nature’s most majestic phenomena.

For more information on certain mentioned sights in Iceland and collectible pins from Spartan and the Green Egg, visit the links below:

https://www.spartanandthegreenegg.com/in-awe-of-the-aurora-borealis/
https://www.spartanandthegreenegg.com/product/landmannalaugar-iceland/
https://www.spartanandthegreenegg.com/product/gullfoss/
https://www.spartanandthegreenegg.com/product/hofskirkja-church/

For more information on geographical wonders of Iceland cited in this blog, consult the links below:

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/iceland
https://visiticeland.com/about-iceland
https://www.britannica.com/place/Iceland/Demographic-trends
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/destination/iceland
https://guidetoiceland.is/nature-info/the-wild-westfjords-of-iceland
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/haukadalur-geothermal-field

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog #littleexplorers #travelpins #iceland

EXPLORE SCANDINAVIA

Sweden is one of the most beautiful countries on Earth. Give it some consideration when choosing your next travel destination!

Sweden is a European country located on the Scandinavian Peninsula, next to Norway. Located between the North Atlantic Ocean and the Baltic Sea, Sweden is known for its many coastal islands, lakes, rivers, moose, and Swedish meatballs. When we think of Sweden, we think of herring, Viking and Nordic culture, sleek and efficient interior design, and impressive educational institutions. Did you know that Sweden’s residents have an exceptionally high quality of life compared to the rest of the world?

(The city of Stockholm, travelpulse.com)

Explore Sweden with Spartan and the Green Egg

• Visby is the most well-preserved medieval city in Sweden. It is full of historical remains, including the city “ring” wall that dates back to the 13th century, many church ruins, and cobble stone streets. Visby is only accessible by boat or airplane. Every year there is an annual medieval festival complete with tournaments, camping, and an old-town marketplace.
  
• Old Tjikko “is a 9,550-year-old Norway spruce tree that can be found on the Fulufjället Mountain in Sweden. Historians believe that the Old Tjikko is almost ten thousand years old. Scientists were able to get a rough estimate of the age of the tree by examining the gigantic roots that run underneath the earth.”

Neat and Nordic

(fern.org)

• Sweden’s capital, Stockholm, is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Sparsely populated, Sweden is a nature lover’s dream as there is lots of green space.
• “At the peak of summer, the northernmost region of Sweden experiences a phenomenon known as the midnight sun. This is when the sun doesn’t completely dip below the horizon, creating 24 hours of daylight.” There is another natural phenomenon that occurs but, instead of lots of sunlight, there’s something called “polar nights” where twilight lasts for months on end. This is when the Northern Lights or the “aurora borealis” can be seen and is one of nature’s greatest spectacles.
• According to ancient Norse Mythology, the first two people on Earth were tree logs brought to life by the pagan god, Oden. Sweden is famous for being nearly completely covered in forests: “Every year, 340 million trees are planted.” Not only is Sweden sustainable, but it is the perfect destination for hiking, camping, and tree-hugging!
• “In 1994, a law was added to the Swedish constitution stating ‘everyone will have access to nature according to Allamansrätten (All man’s rights).’ This means that legally, anyone and everyone can hike, sleep for at least one night, forage, and swim pretty much anywhere in the country.”
• Sweden is also home to the Nobel Prize ceremony (funded by Swedish businessman, chemist and engineer, Alfred Nobel). Nobel was an inventor and is most well-known for the creation of dynamite.

For more information on Sweden, exploration, world travel, and adventure, visit the website and consult the links below (and don’t forget to collect your explorer pins!):

• https://www.spartanandthegreenegg.com/product/visby/
• https://www.spartanandthegreenegg.com/product/old-tjikko/

To read more about the aurora borealis or the “northern lights,” check out Spartan and the Green Egg’s blog:

• https://www.spartanandthegreenegg.com/in-awe-of-the-aurora-borealis/
• https://www.nordicvisitor.com/blog/10-coolest-things-about-sweden/

To read more about topics discussed in this blog, refer to the links below:

• https://heyexplorer.com/what-is-sweden-known-and-famous-for/
• https://www.tripsavvy.com/polar-nights-in-scandinavia-1626400

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog #explore #explorerpins #thinkadventure #sweden

FIND OUT HOW TO RECYCLE.

Have you ever wondered about the best way to recycle? Learn good recycling tips

The Correct Way to Recycle

It’s no secret that recycling is good for the planet. Recycling is turning trash into something else. When trash is turned into something else, it keeps that new item from being made from scratch. That helps save the Earth’s resources. But what is the best way to recycle? That can be a hard question to answer. All recycling is good, but the more recycling you can do, the better.

Some materials are recyclable. Others aren’t. There are also some that you have to recycle in special ways or special places. Learning the correct way to recycle can help you do your part to save the planet. Here are some things you need to know before you start recycling.

Recycling Versus Reusing and Reducing
When you hear the word “recycle,” you might also hear “reuse” or “reduce” at the same time. Reducing means that you use fewer new things. Every time a new thing is made, it uses energy and resources. It takes time to replace those resources. There are lots of ways to reduce, like:

• Buy used items you need instead of new ones.
• Share items that you only need sometimes with friends or family members instead of getting your own.
• Have your parents help you fix broken or torn things, like shirts. Then you can buy less of them.
• Tell your parents to buy items for around the house in bulk. It saves money and reduces waste. They won’t have to throw out a lot of packaging materials all the time that way.

Reusing is exactly what it sounds like. It means you need to make sure as many items in your house as possible are reusable. Sometimes you can reuse the same item for the same purpose many times. Other times you can reuse the item in different ways. A water bottle is a good example of both because you could refill it with drinking water. You could also fill it with juice or another drink. When you’re done drinking out of it, you can use it to water plants, too.

Using a Recycle Bin

Recycling is really important, especially in areas where dumps or landfills are filling up fast. Most town leaders want to do anything they can to reduce the amount of trash that is thrown out. That is why many neighborhoods have curbside recycling. If yours does, it means you can put items in a recycling bin. The bin gets picked up on certain days each month. Curbside recycling protects the planet. Usually, any item with a triangle-shaped recycling symbol on it can go in your bin. Some other items often can also, but some companies have different rules. No matter what, items like these can never go in a recycling bin:

• Batteries
• TVs and Large Electronic Devices
• Cellphones and Small Electronic Devices
• Kitchen Appliances
• Vacuum Cleaners
• Plastic Grocery Bags

Where Else You Can Recycle
A home recycling bin isn’t the only place to recycle. You can also visit your local recycling center if you have one. If not, your town dump may have certain days when they let you drop off items to
recycle. Your parents may have to pay to go on those days since there are usually charges for recycling items like appliances on those days. Another place you can often recycle is at a store that sells electronics, like TVs. A lot of those stores let you bring in broken items to dispose of them safely. Some also take dead batteries. Some makers of batteries also let you mail back dead batteries for recycling.

There are always opportunities to recycle, either officially or unofficially. For example, you can use items around the house for art projects if you want. You can also find people that need the things you want to get rid of. To find official recycling events, check your local paper and message boards to see when the next ones in your town are.

Doing Your Part for the Planet
There is a good feeling that comes from recycling and reusing items. You can know you are doing your part to protect Earth for yourself and all the people in the future. Recycling keeps the air and oceans cleaner. It also helps ensure resources won’t run out. That is why you can be proud of yourself whenever you recycle.

Learn more about how to save the planet with Spartan and the Gang! Go on adventures, rescue reefs, save the Amazon, and much more!

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications
#spartanandthegreenegg #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog #recycling #savetheplanet

LEARN ABOUT BEING AN ASTRONAUT.

Have you ever thought about space travel? Find out more about astronauts.

So you want to be an astronaut.

There are a lot of interesting and exciting jobs you can do when you grow up. Most of them are here on Earth. For instance, you could take care of animals as a veterinarian or people as a doctor. There are even jobs that let you work outdoors, like being a park ranger, an adventure tour guide, or a NASCAR mechanic.

If you really love space, what could be more thrilling than exploring it as an astronaut? Space is fascinating because so few people have actually traveled there, and there is still so much to discover about it. You might dream of becoming an astronaut and making some of those discoveries yourself when you grow up. But being an astronaut takes a lot of hard work and requires specific skills. Here’s what you need to know about being an astronaut.

The First Astronauts

There haven’t always been astronauts. In fact, it’s a pretty new job, compared to many others. The first American astronauts were named by the National Aeronautics and Space Association (NASA) in 1959. They had to go through a lot of grueling training. Two years later, in 1961, two of them went into space in two different ships. Two astronauts from the USSR also went into space that year, but on one ship. Those four astronauts were:

• Alan Shepard of the USA
• Virgil Grissom of the USA
• Yuri Gagarin of the USSR
• Gherman Titov of the USSR

Between 1959 and 1969, astronauts made a lot of discoveries. One of the most important trips astronauts from the USA made was on a ship called Apollo 11. In 1969 it landed on the moon. Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin and Neil Armstrong became the first men to walk on the moon. This remarkable event was live-streamed to many millions of viewers in multiple countries back here on Earth.

What Astronauts Need to Know

It’s great to love space. You can collect space pins or space patches to show your enthusiasm for space. But it takes a lot to become a real astronaut. You need to know many different things. That means you have to study really hard in school. Science is a very important subject to study. You can’t explore space if you don’t know about science.

Being an astronaut also means you have to know how to fly space vehicles. They have a lot of different buttons, switches, and machines onboard. If you are on a space station, you and your crew are the ones who will have to fix any problems that arise, so you will also need to know about computers and engineering. And it also helps to know a bit about medicine, since you have to take care of yourself and your crew if any of you become sick or injured.

Astronauts Need to Get Along

If you want to be an astronaut, you also need to be patient and friendly. You might be on a ship with only a small crew for a long time. You can’t work safely and efficiently if you are fighting with your team. There may even be times you need to talk to or work with astronauts from other countries. Learning another language can help you do that.

Start Early

If you really want to be an astronaut, tell your parents now. They might be able to send you to space camp or guide you towards studying the subjects you need to know. Astronauts have to take basic training in many subjects. If they pass those courses, they need advanced training in flight procedures. They also have to take tests to make sure they are healthy enough to go into space. Since it takes years to train to be an astronaut, starting to study early can help you reach your goal faster.

Find out more about the sun, moon, stars, and planets at Spartan & the Green Egg Website! Join Spartan and the Explorer gang as they and their alien friend EGG travel to amazing places around the world.

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

“The diffused magic of the hot, sweet south had withdrawn into them -the soft-pawed night and the ghostly wash of the Mediterranean far below.…a sea as mysteriously coloured as agates and cornelians of childhood, green as green milk blue as laundry water, wine dark.”

–F. Scott Fitzgerald, Tender is the Night

The South of France: Explore with Spartan and the Green Egg

(Spartan and the Green Egg Explorer Sticker)

• Èze, a medieval hilltop village, is one of the most beautiful sights in all of southern France. Overlooking the French Riviera, Èze is known for its spectacular views and is nestled between Nice and Monaco. With narrow, cobblestone streets, beautiful architecture, and houses painted bright colors, this charming and rustic village is one of the loveliest villages in all the world.

• The Millau Viaduct, located in southern France, is the tallest bridge in the world. Spanning the entirety of the Tarn River Valley, the bridge is roughly one thousand and a hundred feet high (at its highest point). Made of concrete, steel, and cables, the Millau Viaduct was officially open for business in 2004 and is taller than the Eiffel Tower.

(Pont du Gard)

• Pont du Gard in Nîmes is an ancient aqueduct and is a prime example of awe-inspiring Roman engineering. This magnificent structure was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985.
  This gorgeous structure, when summited, offers views of the sparkling Gardon River and is incredibly impressive in its history. At 2,000 years old, the ancient Roman aqueduct was an incredible undertaking. With arches that span “15 to 24 meters in the lower level, constructed at a time where the average span would have been four to five meters,” it is astounding that this structure was ever realized. Standing at a height of 50 meters (161 feet) and 274 meters (899 feet) long, the Pont du Gard is not only a remarkable bit of innovative architecture but a must-see sight, if only for its immense beauty.

(lavender fields in Provence, fodors.com)

• Provence is a region in the southeastern part of France that borders Italy and the Mediterranean Sea. Known for its charming villages, olive groves, lavender fields, sunny weather, and friendly people, Provence is one of the most magical places in the world. Some amazing towns in Provence include:

(The Camargue)

• Arles: is known for its Roman amphitheater and the Camargue region. Once a port city, it is now an area filled with salt marshes, brown bulls, white stallions, and pink flamingos. Imagine seeing all of these incredible creatures together in one place!
• Avignon is probably most well-known for the Palais des Papes (Palace of Popes). A must-see!
• St. Remy de Provence was founded by the Romans (the ruins of the ancient Celtic-Roman city of Glanum can be seen nearby, along with an arch “dating back to the first century B.C.”) and is right next door to the Ancient Monastère de St- Paul-de-Mausole (a monastery built during the 12th century). Vincent van Gogh also painted Starry Night here, one of his most beloved works.

Don’t forget to collect your Cannes explorer pin (sold individually).

Cool in Cannes
Think of all the glitz and glamour of Hollywood but it’s situated on the French Riviera. Is there such a place? It’s Cannes—home of the annual film festival! With white sand beaches brimming with movie stars and European sophisticates beneath brightly-colored umbrellas overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, Cannes is the coolest place to be.

To collect your Spartan and the Green Egg explorer pins (sold individually) and travel stickers (sold as a set), visit the websites listed below:

https://www.spartanandthegreenegg.com/product/eze-france/
https://www.spartanandthegreenegg.com/product/millau-viaduct/

For more information on the sights mentioned in this blog, consult the following websites:

https://www.headwater.com/blog/10-most-breathtaking-sights-in-southern-france/
https://juliasalbum.com/beautiful-eze-village-in-southern-france/
https://interestingengineering.com/7-marvelous-facts-about-the-millau-viaduct
https://www.tripsavvy.com/provence-map-and-illustrated-travel-guide-1508843
https://www.fodors.com/world/europe/france/provence/experiences/news/10-must-see-towns-in-provence
https://www.dw.com/en/pont-du-gard-n%C3%AEmes/a-19003203

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog #spectacularsouthernfrance #explore #explorerstickers

Travel Without Leaving Home: Top 5 Virtual Tours for Kids

Travel to some of the world’s most exotic locales, view some of Earth’s most impressive treasures including natural wonders, art museums and architectural miracles. And who knows….maybe these will inspire you to plan a trip in person one day!

The San Diego Zoo

Did you know that the San Diego Zoo is listed as one of the most visited Zoos in the U.S.? There’s a good reason for that. With more than 3,500 animals, many of them a part of a conservation program, their live streams are wonderful! Koalas, baby orangutans and penguins are some of the live cameras you can pop in on. Since these are live steams keep in mind the time of day it is. Most animals are more active in the morning hours, and during scheduled feeding times.

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Enjoy a virtual visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium where you can view sea otters as they play, sharks as they swim slowly overhead, or view the shimmering jelly fish. Monterey is located in California, so keep the time zones in mind when accessing the live streams. The Aquarium offers 10 different web cams to choose from. And, to take your tour a little further, there are educational booklets games & activities as well as curriculum to use with your virtual tour.

Go on Safari!

This virtual tour puts you in the seat next to a safari guide as he takes you through the habitat of lions, hyenas, leopards, elephants and wildebeest. Rangers tell you what you’re seeing while ‘traveling’ in the all terrain Jeep. Hosted through Facebook’s platform, the tour takes place twice a day. Keep in mind for younger children, that these safaris depict animals in their natural habitat, doing what they do, including eating animals they’ve killed. You can also ask the guide questions while the tour proceeds…just as if you were there!

The Louvre

Located in Paris, France, the Louvre is one of the world’s greatest collections of art. View the iconic Mona Lisa’s smile, ancient Egyptian Sphinx, and take a tour of the Louvre’s moat…a remnant from when it was a Medieval Castle. The museum offers free educational videos about works of art, many geared specifically for children under 12 years of age. You can also virtually tour much of the museum without leaving home!

The Great Wall of China

Stretching 4,000 miles, the Great Wall of China is considered a must see for any traveler. Check it out ahead of time with this virtual tour. It is easily one of the greatest wonders of the world. You can enter the virtual tour from several entrances, including Beijing, Mutianyu, Jinshanling and others. They were all built between the 14th-17th centuries.

Take the Tour with a Friend

If your child is missing his or her friends, then why not arrange for a virtual tour together? Coordinate times to login to the virtual tour site, then tour the rooms ‘together’. If you are tech savvy, you can use Zoom’s screenshare feature so that a whole group of friends can take the tour. If you’ve found yourself inside for longer than you’d hoped, there are many ways to travel and escape….and on the plus side, there’s no passport needed, no lines to wait in, and best of all….it’s free.

For more ideas, games, puzzles and activities, check out the Spartan & the Green Egg Graphic novel series by Nabila Khashoggi. Enjoy the adventures of the Explorers club, learn about conservation efforts, endangered animals, and foster a tolerance for others. Learn more at fullcyclepublications.com or spartanandthegreenegg.com

Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love when people the world over express their affection with greeting cards, heart-shaped boxes of chocolates, and flowers (most traditionally red roses). So, how did it originate?

St. Valentine’s Day
The holiday has origins in the ancient Roman festival Lupercalia. The pagan festival celebrated the coming of spring after a long winter and was filled with feasting and even sacrifice. It wasn’t until the 5th century that Pope Gelasius I replaced this festival with St. Valentine’s Day. It has been a day to celebrate romance since the 14th century.

Who was “St. Valentine”?

• “Although there were several Christian martyrs named Valentine, the day may have taken its name from a priest who was martyred about 270 CE by the emperor Claudius II Gothicus.”
• As legendary folklore goes, the priest wrote a letter with the inscription: ‘From your Valentine’ to his friend (who was also the daughter of the man who imprisoned him). This is most likely why we ask the ones we love to be our valentine or refer to loved ones as our valentine.
• According to other sources, the social custom was named after “St. Valentine of Terni, a bishop.” It is conceivable that these two saints were, indeed, actually the same person.
• Another common myth is that St. Valentine married off couples in secret to save husbands from having to fight in battle.

How to Celebrate
Of course, when Valentine’s Day is concerned, we all immediately think of sparkly red and pink hearts, lace-trimmed greeting cards emblazoned with the words “I Love You” and “Be My Valentine,” and cupids wielding a bow and arrow. What else do we think of? Bouquets of long-stemmed red (and pink) roses, stuffed animals, and heart-shaped boxes of chocolates, to name a few!

Cupid: Just a Chubby Cherub?

“Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.” –William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1595)

• Cupid is associated with the Greek god of love, Eros (son of Aphrodite).
• In Roman mythology, Cupid is the son of Venus: “And by and by she called her winged son Cupid.”- Apuleius
• The Latin word for Desire is “Cupido.”

Valentine’s Greetings

“She bath’d with roses red, and violets blew, And all the sweetest flowres, that in the forest grew.” –Edmund Spenser, “The Faerie Queen” (1590)

• We all know that we surprise the ones we love with romantic Valentine’s Day greetings but did you know that a “Vinegar Valentine” was a popular token to send to someone who was disliked? This was a common practice during the Victorian era.
• Don’t forget to sign your loving Valentine’s Day cards with X’s and O’s or the acronym SWAK (Sealed With A Kiss).

For more information on Valentine’s Day, its origins, and facts mentioned in this blog, consult the websites below:

https://www.history.com/news/6-surprising-facts-about-st-valentine
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Valentines-Day
https://www.history.com/topics/valentines-day/history-of-valentines-day-2
https://cosmons.com/greek-and-roman-religion/greek-and-roman-mythology/greek-and-roman-gods-and-goddesses/who-is-cupid-the-story-of-the-roman-god-of-love/

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog #valentinesdayorigin #stvalentinesday

 
 
 
 
Learn MORE About the Pyramids of Egypt

What is square on the bottom, has four sides, and four triangles that come together in a point at the top? A pyramid of course! Most people think that pyramids were only built by the Egyptians, but actually they were built by many different groups of people throughout history. But the Egyptians took the art of pyramid building to new heights, building them bigger and stronger. To this day, nearly all of the pyramids that have stood the test of time are located in Egypt.

Fun Facts about the Pyramids of Egypt

The most famous pyramids today are the Great Pyramids of Giza, which are specifically located at a place named Giza along the west banks of the Nile River in Egypt. There are three pyramids that make up the Great Pyramids of Giza. The largest among them is called the Great Pyramid (Pyramid of Khufu) and is also one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Did you know that it took more than 100,000 people and close to 20 years to make the Great Pyramid, alone? The Great Pyramid has two million stone blocks, and each block weighs 5,000 pounds. Another amazing fact is that millions of blocks weighing all together between 2.5-5.5 million tons were cut, and transported to the construction site before they were precisely assembled to make pyramids. The Great Pyramid currently stands 451 feet high. To this day no one knows exactly how ancient Egyptians managed to build such massive structures, and no one today has been able to build one exactly like they did.

Pyramids Were Burial Chambers

So why did ancient Egyptians bury their dead in pyramids? It was not just the body of the dead who were placed in these pyramids, but their treasured belongings as well. Ancient Egyptians were so loyal to their pharaohs that they wanted them to live forever. They believed that if they mummified the pharaohs after death and placed them in the tombs then they would live forever. Throughout most pyramids there are star chambers to allow the soul of the dead to pass out of the burial chamber and join their ancestors in the sky. The steep sides of the pyramids were made so that they could assist the kings’ souls to ascend easily to heaven.

Egyptian Pyramids and Treasure Hunters

A pharaoh’s tomb was filled with all types of precious metals, jewels, and artifacts during burials. Throughout the centuries graverobbers stole most of the contents within the pyramids in Egypt. However, those pyramids that were covered with sand before the graverobbers could find them are still being discovered today, full of rich treasures and artifacts from thousands of years ago. Scientists become excited when they make such a find because it gives them a look back at the history of an ancient time, and tells them how people lived and what was important to them.

The Egyptian Pyramids are Guarded by a Lion

At the pyramids of Giza, there is a sphinx that rests in front of the pyramids. The sphinx is a sculpture that has the body of a lion but the face of pharaoh. It is believed that the sphinx protects all the pyramids of Giza.  The sphinx is approximately 238 feet long, and over 65 feet tall. His ancient name translates as: The Father of Dread.

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

Explore your world and the universe though the Spartan and the Green Egg Series. Join the Explorer’s Club, enjoy interactive games, collect travel pins and more! Learn about the world and the SGE Explorers Today!

(whistler.com)

Fun Winter Sports

There’s nothing more exciting during the winter than sports! If you and your children are looking for something filled with adventure and fun, look no further.

• Ice skating is the perfect winter pastime; it can be as athletic or as fun and playful as you like. One doesn’t have to be a skilled skater to love the activity. It’s all in the doing and enjoyment!

(Spartan and the Green Egg’s “Poiana Braşov” Explorer Sticker)

• Skiing (alpine and cross-country): one of the most spectacular ski resorts in the world is called Poiana Brașov. Located in Romania, this is an incredibly popular destination for tourists throughout all of Europe as the trails are very long and wide. There are other popular winter attractions there as well, such as ice skating, luging, and snow tubing. To collect the Spartan and the Green Egg Explorer Sticker featuring the majestic ski resort Poiana Brașov, visit spartanandthegreenegg.com!

(Spartan and the Green Egg’s “Faraya” Explorer Sticker)

Faraya is a magnificent village in Lebanon and is a winter-time destination for any explorer as that’s where the region’s ski resorts are located. One of the most well-known resorts in the area, Mzaar (in the Mzaar-Kfardebian mountain range), is also one of the largest in the Middle East. It overlooks Bekaa Valley as well as famous peaks such as Zaarour and Laqlouq. If skiing isn’t your favorite winter activity, there are cable cars where tourists can ride high above the landscape while admiring the snow-covered mountains below. Spartan and the Green Egg also offers a Faraya Explorer Sticker to add to your collection!

• Snowboarding: It has been said that skiing is easier to learn than snowboarding but that it’s more difficult to master. So, if skiing isn’t your cup of tea, snowboarding may be a fun and exhilarating way to make the season fly by. And, if neither is your forte, that’s okay: curl up by the fire at the ski lodge and enjoy a hot cup of cocoa.
• Ice Hockey is a more rigorous team sport played in a rink and is definitely a winter option when it comes to competitive sports.

Whimsical Activities Unique to Winter

(Film still from Edward Scissorhands, 1990)

(Spartan and the Green Egg’s “Sapporo Snow Festival” Explorer Sticker)

• Ice sculptures: the idea of carving ice into a sculpture is a whimsical and extremely specialized one. It is also rare because, as we know, ice melts, so a work of art created from a block of ice is transient and uncertain. Every year, in February, millions of people attend the week-long Sapporo Snow Festival in Japan. Located in Odori Park, the festival is filled with the world’s most elaborate snow and ice sculptures. There is even a snow sculpture contest! It began and 1950 and, to this day, is one of the world’s most anticipated winter festivals. Don’t forget to add Spartan and the Green Egg’s Sapporo Snow Festival Explorer Sticker to your collection!

To join Spartan and his friends on the numerous adventures mentioned in this blog (and to collect the corresponding travel stickers), visit the websites mentioned below:

https://www.spartanandthegreenegg.com/
https://www.spartanandthegreenegg.com/product/sapporo-snow-festival/
https://www.spartanandthegreenegg.com/product/poiana-brasov-romanian/
https://www.spartanandthegreenegg.com/product/faraya/

For more information on the sports and locations mentioned in this blog, consult the following websites:
https://www.tripsavvy.com/where-to-ice-skate-in-new-york-city-4154227
https://www.theskigathering.com/solo-travel-guide/ski-advice/skiing-versus-snowboarding.php
https://www.snowfes.com/english/
http://www.poianabrasov.com/
http://mzaarskiresort.com/

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

Imagine going to your favorite beach or park and finding it covered in trash. Now imagine that trash is so deep, when you try to walk on it, you sink up to your shoulders — or higher. That’s what it was like on Versova Beach in Mumbai, India. Over the years, thousands of tons of plastic and other debris had washed ashore on Versova Beach, covering the once-beautiful sand and making it a place where no one wanted to hang out — that is, until two friends decided they’d had enough.

Big Journeys Start with Small Steps

In the fall of 2015, Afroz Shah, a young lawyer, and his friend and neighbor, 84-year-old Harbansh Mother, headed to the beach with bags and gloves and decided to start picking up trash. At that time, there was so much filth stretched over so much coastline, the two friends thought there was little chance they’d make any kind of difference in how the beach looked. After all, how could they even begin to clear away the layers and layers of trash that were, in some areas, five feet deep? But they didn’t let that stop them; they knew they had to do something. And they decided that, on every Sunday, they’d head to the beach to do what they could to collect, bag and dispose of as much trash as they could carry.

As their work progressed, people would stop and ask them what they were doing. And soon, others had joined in. Shah and Mother realized they were doing something important — not just to them, but to others, as well. Shah began talking to his neighbors, his friends, local business people — pretty much anyone who would listen. He explained the problem of ocean pollution, and he also talked about how it was up to them — the people who lived and worked in the area — to make a difference. He reminded them of the beautiful beach, how for years, people gathered to swim, have picnics, and just hang out.

All this time, he still went to the beach every weekend to pick up more and more trash, filling hundreds of bags with waste. Soon, his dedication and enthusiasm attracted others. And before long, the two friends found they had company — at first, just a few volunteers, and then dozens, visiting the beach every Sunday with gloves and bags, ready to dig in — literally — to the seemingly endless piles of trash.

Now, four years later, the little project started by two old friends has had remarkable results. The beach is clean — and just last year, dozens of rare sea turtles returned to the beach after decades of absence, laying their eggs and reclaiming a beach they abandoned when the trash started showing up many years ago. Since the clean-up began, more than 12,000 tons of trash have been bagged up and removed.

Change Starts with You

As the world’s largest beach clean-up, Versova is a good lesson for everyone. It shows how just one or two people can make a big difference, not just to other people, but to the global environment, too. With the internet, you don’t need to visit the beach to save marine wildlife. The Ocean Conservancy offers lots of tips for keeping the seas clean. One you can do right now: Give up plastic drinking straws. It might sound surprising, but straws are one of the biggest pollutants in the world’s oceans and each year, they kill hundreds of fish, birds, and mammals. The Ocean Conservancy has started its own drive to get people to stop using straws and help preserve marine wildlife. If that sounds like something you’d like to do, visit the conservancy’s website and sign their pledge (but ask your parents first). It’s one small way you and your friends can make a really big difference.

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

Manpupuner may not look like any word you’ve ever seen. That is because it is not an English name but a Russian one, and is pronounced, “Man-pupu-nyer’. The Manpupuner Rock Groupings are found in the Ural Mountains of the Komi Republic in Russia. The name Manpupuner means ‘seven strong men’ and therefore Manpupuner means Seven Strong Men Rock Formation. There are 7 huge and shapeless stone pillars that make up the Manpupuner Rock Formations. But these aren’t just any group of boulders. These stones have a story.

Fun Facts about Manpupuner Rock Formations

The Seven Strong Men Formations are so badly shaped that if you walked in the area at night they would cast 100 meter-long monster shadows and give you the creeps. Many who have done this swear that the shadows really do look like giant men! These formations are incredibly tall, ranging between 30 and 42 meters high. They may not be part of the Seven Wonders of the World but they are definitely recognized among the Seven Wonders of Russia.

The Story of the Giants that Formed Manpupuner

What everyone always asks is how the Seven Strong Men Rock Formations came to exist on a very flat part of the Ural Mountains. The Manpupuner Rock Formations are on the plateau part of the Ural Mountains, which is a fairly level part at the top. The local legends stat that one of the Mansi people who lived near the Urals crossed the border and encountered some giants. The giants started chasing the lost man near the Pechora River, but the tribe of Mansi blocked the paths of the giants and a powerful Medicine Man turned them into large pillars of stone. To this day they are frozen in place.

No Climbing on the Seven Strong Men Rock Formations

Anyone visiting Manpupuner Rock Formations is always advised against trying to climb the sculptures. There are helicopter tours that are arranged for visitors who would like to view the Manpupuner from air. But otherwise, visitors are told that the legend of the formation says that anyone that attempts to climb them will become just like them…frozen like stone!

Komi Forest: Home of the Seven Strong Men

The Seven Strong Men formation resides in the Komi Forest, which is a colorful home to over 200 species of protected plants and animals. That means on your trip to the formations you may encounter a brown bear, reindeer, or other rare types like the northern pika, golden eagle, or white-tailed eagle. The area is also surrounded by other mountains, rivers, and forests. This means that it is possible you will find more than the Seven Men Rock formations to interest you. Some courageous visitors hike up to the top of the plateau to view the formations from above. This hike can take up to three days! Helicopters can also take people up to view the formations from the air, if they can’t make the hike up the mountain.

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg  #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

The Antarctic Ocean, which is also known as the Southern Ocean, surrounds the continent of Antarctica near the South Pole. It is the only ocean that completely surrounds a continent, but there are also many other things that make it special. Let’s explore some of the Antarctic Ocean’s special secrets.
The Antarctic Ocean’s Strange Formation and Naming
One thing that makes the Antarctic Ocean special is its age. It is the youngest of all the Earth’s oceans. Scientists say it is only about 30 million years old. It formed when South America split off from the continent of Antarctica. The strange thing about the Antarctic Ocean’s formation is that it is bordered by three of the Earth’s four other oceans. Parts of the Antarctic Ocean border the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Ocean. Those oceans are all bordered on many sides by land, but the Antarctic Ocean is almost completely bordered by water. That’s why scientists had to decide where its boundaries actually are. The northern limit of its boundary is defined as 60 degrees South latitude.

Another interesting fact about the Antarctic Ocean is that it wasn’t even called an ocean until the year 2000. Part of the reason why it was officially called an ocean is that its water is very different from the water that feeds into the area from the oceans and waterways around it. But some scientists still don’t think of it as an ocean.

The Water in the Antarctic Ocean
The water in some parts of the antarctic ocean is colder than anywhere else on Earth. The salt in it makes the water freeze at a colder temperature than fresh water. But even though Antarctica’s water is very cold and often ice covered, it is also home to something called the Antarctic Convergence. The Antarctic Convergence is a spot where the freezing cold water in the Antarctic Ocean meets the very warm southern waters of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. If you went swimming at the Antarctic Convergence it would be like swimming through a water curtain where one side was nice and warm and the other side was too cold for you to stay alive.

The Antarctic is also home to the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), which is an ongoing flow of water that circulates around the continent of Antarctica. It is the strongest current found anywhere on Earth, and it also moves the most water. Within the ACC, which is also called the West Wind Drift, the water is not very salty at all, even though the Arctic Ocean, like all other Oceans, contains saltwater.

The Creatures That Live in the Antarctic Ocean
Some people think that penguins live at the North Pole, but most penguins actually live near the South Pole. They make their homes on the ice, but they swim and fish in the Antarctic Ocean. They have special layers of feathers that help them to stay warm and dry off quickly. They eat squid and krill, which are like tiny shrimp.

Most fish can’t live in the Antarctic Ocean because it is so cold, but a few types have adapted to the cold water. Some of them include the mackerel icefish and the Antarctic toothfish. Toothfish are often hunted illegally by humans, but Australia, France, and other countries are trying to protect them.

Another creature that lives in the Antarctic Ocean is the squid. Squid are found in all of the world’s oceans, but they are among the few animals that can survive the cold temperatures in the Antarctic Ocean. Giant squid can grow to be over 30 feet long. They eat smaller types of squid, as well as fish. They are well known for having the biggest eyes in the animal kingdom, which can be as big as beach balls when they are full grown.

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg  #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog