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Why we feel like Christmas comes around more quickly each year

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ruth-ogden-1182467">Ruth Ogden</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/liverpool-john-moores-university-1319">Liverpool John Moores University</a> Think back to your childhood. December was the longest of months. It might have been filled with rehearsing school nativity performances, writing up your wishlist and savouring the morning’s advent calendar chocolate. But at times it felt like Santa would never arrive. As an adult it’s a different experience. One minute it’s summer holidays, barbecues and sunburn and then, in the blink of an eye, it’s mince pies, tinsel and turkey. Is it just me, or is Christmas coming around faster? If you cannot believe the festive season is upon us already, you’re not alone. My colleagues and recently conducted a survey of 918 adults in the UK (full results still to be published) and found 77% of respondents agreed Christmas seems to arrive more rapidly each year. One reason may be the way we experience the <a href="https://brill.com/view/journals/time/9/3/article-p275_275.xml">passage of time changes as we age</a>, often resulting in the feeling that <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0961463x13478052">time speeds up as we get older</a>. For a seven-year- old, the 12 months between Christmases are a huge proportion of their life. For a 45-year-old, those same 12 months are a small portion of their experience. This <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.2466/pms.1975.41.1.235">difference in ratio</a> compresses the relative time between Christmases each year. Our experience of time also changes because we rely on memory to estimate duration. When we judge how long something lasted for, we base our estimate on <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2004-18721-003">how many memories we made during the period of interest</a>. Whether we are trying to remember the length of a film, car journey or relationship, the number of memories we encoded during it will serve as an indicator of its length. Periods of time in which fewer new memories are made, either because there was a lack of stimulating tasks, novel activities or heightened emotions, are interpreted by <a href="https://philpapers.org/rec/BLORAP">our brains as short</a>. <h2>Where has the year gone</h2> As we age, memory becomes more fallible and we recall less from our day to day lives. We’re also less likely to try new things than when we were younger. Together these factors may contribute to the sensation that less time has passed since last Christmas than we were expecting. Because what we do has such a strong influence on how we experience time, <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0235871">changes to our routine distort the passage of time</a>. A predictable day helps time to flow steadily. This was illustrated on a global scale during the pandemic. One minute we were all going about our daily lives. Then all of a sudden, our routines were scrambled. People from <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/comments?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0266261">Buenos Aries</a> to <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0266877">Bagdad</a> reported an overwhelming sense time did not pass as normal during the pandemic. While Christmas does not cause the same level of disruption as a global pandemic, it disrupts our habits. <h2>Can’t wait ‘til it’s Christmas?</h2> Another factor which may make us feel like Christmas is here too fast is the amount of energy we put into anticipating it. For many children, Christmas is arguably the most eagerly awaited event of the year. Advent calendars count down the days until Father Christmas arrives. All this excitement means children pay a lot of attention to the passage of time in the run up to Christmas. Unfortunately for them, focusing on the passage of time <a href="https://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/facbooks/472/">typically makes it drag</a>. For most adults, Christmas is less thrilling. So adults probably think less about the countdown. Paying less attention to time <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35902608/">makes it pass more quickly</a>. The effect may have been particularly pronounced this year because, in the post-pandemic normality, life is busier than ever and we have even less time to think about Christmas. Technological change also affects our perception of time. Advances in technology enable us to accomplish more tasks, more quickly, than ever before. This acceleration in the <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.2466/pms.1975.41.1.235">pace of life</a> over the past 20 years may also contribute to the sensation that Christmas now comes around too soon. <h2>Running out of time</h2> Despite paying less attention to time, adults experience significantly more demands on their schedules than children in the run up to Christmas. For children, Christmas happens by magic. For adults however the festive mystique is replaced by large amounts of planning, shopping, wrapping and cooking. The added time pressure created by Christmas may contribute to time passing more quickly. The lack of control children have over Christmas likely increases their level of <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1053810015300465">temporal uncertainty</a>. Not knowing when, or indeed if, something will happen can also slow the passage of time. However, maybe we feel like Christmas comes around faster each year because it really does. In years gone by Christmas advertising wasn’t seen until the start of Advent. Nowadays it is normal to see chocolate Santas on the supermarket shelves in early October. This literal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165176505002284">shifting of the Christmas timeline</a> undoubtedly adds to the psychological sense of Christmas coming earlier. However, retailers’ attempts to increase profits by starting the festive period earlier each year come at a price. When retailer Very.com launched it’s Christmas <a href="https://metro.co.uk/2022/10/10/christmas-advert-in-october-from-very-outrages-viewers-17534895/">advertising campaign on October 7</a> in 2021 there was public outrage. We don’t want to actually see Christmas coming around more quickly. Very didn’t repeat their mistake this year.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/194575/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ruth-ogden-1182467">Ruth Ogden</a>, Reader in Experimental Psychology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/liverpool-john-moores-university-1319">Liverpool John Moores University</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-we-feel-like-christmas-comes-around-more-quickly-each-year-194575">original article</a>.

Mind

Extraordinary snaps from around the world for the Nature Photographer of the Year awards

Every year, the <a href="https://naturephotographeroftheyear.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nature Photographer of the Year</a> awards showcase the best that Mother Nature has to offer. For the 2023 competition, photographers from all around the world have captured beautiful snaps of wildlife in their natural habitat, picturesque landscapes and much more. The annual competition is an initiative of Nature Talks, the organisation responsible for the Nature Talks Photo Festival that takes place in the Netherlands. This year, the competition saw entrant from South Africa, Germany, the USA, England, Finland, France, Luxembourg and many more corners of the globe. This year's winner is a photographer hailing from Canada, Jacquie Matechuk, who stole the show with her photo of the Spectacled Bear. Chairman Marco Gaiotti explained why her photo was chosen as the winner, "The Spanish moss hanging from this centuries-old fig tree gives an incredible sense of three-dimensionality while the soft light filtering through the colours highlights the profound connection between species and habitat in this image." "Finally, the pose of this spectacled bear fits perfectly into the texture of the photograph. Congratulations to Jacquie Matechuk for this outstanding photograph of the spectacled bear." All image credits: Nature Photographer of the Year

International Travel

Shop around, take lunch, catch the bus. It is possible to ease the squeeze on your budget

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/laura-de-zwaan-180752">Laura de Zwaan</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/griffith-university-828">Griffith University</a> It’s no secret that the cost of living has increased substantially over the last year, with rises of between <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/employees-annual-living-costs-highest-record#:%7E:text=%E2%80%9CLiving%20costs%20for%20employee%20households,per%20cent%20was%20in%201986.">7.1 and 9.6 per cent</a> for all households. So what can households do to manage these increases? It might sound simple, but starting with a budget is the best approach. Even if you already have a budget, price increases mean it will need to be updated. For those new to budgeting, it is just a list of your income and expenses. Make sure you match the frequency of these so you are working out your budget over a week, or a fortnight, or a month. There are plenty of budgeting apps and websites that can help, such as the <a href="https://moneysmart.gov.au/budgeting/budget-planner">Moneysmart budget planner</a>. Once your budget is up to date, you can see your financial position. Do you have a surplus of cash – congratulations! You can save that money to help you in an emergency. But what about if you have less income than expenses? You need to work through a process of figuring out where you can cut back. Some expenses are easy to cut back on: <ul> <li> If you have multiple streaming services, drop back to one at a time. Check for any other subscriptions you might be paying for – if you are not using them frequently, now is the time to cancel. You can always resubscribe when money isn’t tight. </li> <li> If you are spending a lot of money on take out or paying for lunch, find cheaper alternatives such as eating at home and packing a lunch using cheaper ingredients. Switch to tap water for normal drinks, and take a travel cup of coffee with you. </li> <li> Check and see if public transport is cheaper for you. If you are using a lot of fuel and paying for parking, public transport could be a better option. </li> <li> Groceries can be a huge cost for families. It is always worth shopping around to not pay full price. Understand unit pricing and buy the products you use when they are on special. It might be necessary to switch to cheaper products. </li> <li> Check if you are paying too much for your utilities like internet, electricity and gas. There are comparison websites you can use, including the <a href="https://www.energymadeeasy.gov.au/">Energy Made Easy</a> website. You can also make simple changes such as turning off lights and using a saucepan lid when boiling water that will reduce your usage. </li> <li> Check other products you might be paying for, such as car, home and health insurance to see if you can save money by switching. Be careful with any life or disability policies. It is best to speak to a financial adviser before changing those as there can be implications for cover. </li> </ul> Other expenses, like housing, can be a lot harder to manage. Rising interest rates have pushed up mortgage repayments for homeowners. Mortgage interest charges have <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-03/record-high-living-costs-businesses-contracting-interest-rates/102296992">risen by 78.9% over the year</a> to March 2023. For many homeowners, their repayments are unaffordable compared to when they first took out their mortgage. If you are struggling to afford your mortgage, the first step is to talk to your lender as soon as possible. Moneysmart has <a href="https://moneysmart.gov.au/home-loans/problems-paying-your-mortgage">useful information</a> on what to do when you can’t meet your mortgage payments. You may also be able to <a href="https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/super/withdrawing-and-using-your-super/early-access-to-super/access-on-compassionate-grounds/access-on-compassionate-grounds---what-you-need-to-know/">access some of your superannuation</a> so you don’t lose your home, however bear in mind that this is a temporary solution and uses your retirement savings. Increased demand for rentals has seen average rents across Australia increase by <a href="https://content.corelogic.com.au/l/994732/2023-07-05/z2tcd/994732/1688600749Ly8Iv9wt/202306_CoreLogic_RentalReview_July_2023_FINAL.pdf">27.4% since the COVID pandemic</a>. Supply of rental properties is low, which means many people may not be able to find a suitable alternative if their rent increases and becomes unaffordable. It might be necessary to take on a housemate, or move to a cheaper location (make sure to consider additional costs such as transport). If your circumstances have changed suddenly and you cannot pay your rent, contact your landlord or property manager. If you are paying a lot in credit card or other personal debt repayments such as numerous Afterpay-style accounts, it could be a good idea to speak to a bank about consolidating. This can help move some expensive debt, such as that from credit cards, into lower interest debt and simplify your budgeting as there is only one payment. If debt is making your budget unmanageable, then you can call the <a href="https://ndh.org.au/">National Debt Helpline</a> or for First Nations Australians there is <a href="https://financialrights.org.au/getting-help/mob-strong-debt-help/">Mob Strong Debt Help</a>. A final option could be to increase your income by taking on more work. This can be a good solution, but if you already work full time it might be unsustainable. Two common side hustles to boost income are gig work, such as Uber driving, and multi-level marketing, which is selling goods like Doterra and Herbalife to family and friends. However, both are <a href="https://www.twu.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/McKell_QLD_Gig-Economy_WEB_SINGLES.pdf">low</a> <a href="https://eprints.qut.edu.au/216593/1/MLM_report_Print.pdf">paid</a> and in most cases you would be better off earning minimum wage as a casual employee.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/210895/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/laura-de-zwaan-180752">Laura de Zwaan</a>, Lecturer, Department of Accounting, Finance and Economics, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/griffith-university-828">Griffith University</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/shop-around-take-lunch-catch-the-bus-it-is-possible-to-ease-the-squeeze-on-your-budget-210895">original article</a>.

Money & Banking

8 landmarks around the world that are seriously strange

Le Pouce, Paris, France Yes, it’s a 12-metre thumb, in the middle of the busy business sector of Paris, France. Known as Le Pouce, by artist César Baldaccini, this giant sculpture is most definitely one of the weirdest landmarks around the world. Known for making oversized sculptures of commonplace objects, Baldaccini’s mammoth digit is actually an exact replica of his own thumb. Built in 1965, this strange addition to the landscape of Paris has left locals and visitors scratching their heads ever since. Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park, Grenada You may not have known the world needed one, but the very first underwater sculpture park was created by sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor in 2006. The British sculptor used casts of real people to create a cement world of people buried in the water off the coast of Grenada in the Caribbean. The most famous of the series features a collection of people holding hands in a circle. The strange sculpture park can be viewed by scuba divers or passengers on a glass-bottom boat tour. Upside Down Charles La Trobe Statue, Melbourne, Australia In most respects, this is an ordinary statue of Charles La Trobe, the first Lieutenant-Governor of Australia – except for the fact that it’s upside down, of course. Why is it upside down? The Australian sculptor Charles Robb says the controversial nature of this statue, located at La Trobe University in Melbourne, is what makes it a memorable monument. However, many onlookers and locals disagree, deeming it disrespectful to La Trobe’s memory. Hand of the Desert, Atacam Desert, Chile In the Atacam Desert in Chile, you’ll find a hand that seems to be emerging from the sand. The closer you get to it, the bigger it seems, giving the impression that a giant human is breaking out of the sand as you approach. Created by Chilean sculptor Mario Irarrazabal, the hand is quite literally in the middle of nowhere. However, if you have the chance to roam the Chilean desert, you’ll certainly appreciate its cool effect. Manneken Pis, Brussels, Belgium Why? No one is quite certain, but there are several theories, most of which are quite hilarious. One legend says the statue, located in Brussels, Belgium, and created in the 1600s, was made to commemorate a young boy who saved the town from a fire by putting it out with his urine. Another legend says it was made in memory of a young king who was known for urinating on enemies. Whatever the reason behind the construction of this little naked boy, peeing into a fountain, it is most definitely one of the weirdest landmarks around the world. Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia What used to be a prehistoric lake near the Andes is now the largest salt flat in the world. It is over 10,000 square kilometres and contains half the world’s supply of lithium, and 10 billion tons of salt! Though this Bolivian landmark isn’t man-made, it still fits into our category of weird. Its unusual appearance makes it an interesting sight to see, despite the fact that it’s really just a huge ton of salt. Hanging Statue, Prague, Czech Republic This may look like a man about to plummet to his death, but it’s actually a bronze statue of a man hanging from a building in Prague, Czech Republic. Not just any man, either: created by controversial artist David Cerný, this is supposed to be none other than Sigmund Freud, father of psychoanalysis. Kindlifresser Fountain, Bern, Switzerland In the city of Bern, Switzerland, there are beautiful landscapes at almost every turn. The only unusual thing about this picturesque place is Kindlifresser Fountain, which translates into ‘Child-Eater.’ The disturbing statue depicts a giant or ogre quite literally eating a baby, with a few more infants held captive in his sling. Stranger still is the fact that the origins of this 16th-century monument are not really known. Some say it’s a reference to Kronos the Titan of Greek mythology, who ate his own children to keep them from stealing his throne. One thing’s for certain: it’s been scaring the daylights out of children (and parents) for nearly 500 years. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/uncategorized/the-worlds-strangest-landmarks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

International Travel

Clever ways to reuse dryer lint around the house

<h2>Start a fire</h2> Dryer lint is flammable, which is why we’re urged to clean out the trap after each load of laundry. Collect it in a sealed jar to use as tinder the next time you start a fire in your backyard fire pit. For a self-contained fire starter, stuff cardboard toilet paper rolls with lint. <h2>Use as mulch</h2> You can add dryer lint as a mulch around potted plants as long as you’re not using dryer sheets, which may leave an unwanted chemical residue. <h2>Prevent erosion</h2> When spread out and dampened with water, dryer lint can form a barrier to protect soil from erosion. If you don’t like the look of soggy lint, use the lint as an under-layer and cover with decorative stones. <h2>Discourage weeds</h2> Just like a thick layer of lint can prevent erosion, a base of dryer lint can prevent weeds as well. Use it as a substitute for landscape fabric and top with a decorative mulch. <h2>Add to compost</h2> Lint from natural fibres like cotton and wool is biodegradable, so you can add it to the compost pile as a source of carbon. <h2>Oil down tools</h2> Use a clump of dryer lint to apply linseed oil to wooden-handle tools to keep them from cracking, and to metal parts (after cleaning) to keep them from rusting. Then toss the lint in the garbage. <h2>Line garden containers</h2> Line the bottom of a plant pot with dryer lint to keep soil from spilling out the drainage hole. The lint layer will also act as a blotter, soaking up extra moisture and making it available for the roots later. This container gardening tip is not recommended for cacti, succulents and other plants that like soil on the dry side. <h2>Soak up spills</h2> Keep a jar of dryer lint in the garage to use when you need to soak up oil spills. Image credit: Shutterstock This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/food-home-garden/diy-tips/clever-ways-to-reuse-dryer-lint-around-the-house" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

Home Hints & Tips

The 10 most beautiful libraries around the world

Whether you’re a bookworm or just a lover of fine architecture, these gorgeous libraries are sure to fill you with wanderlust. Here are 10 of the most stunning libraries around the world. <ol> <li>Clementinum in Prague, Czech Republic – built in 1722, the Baroque library hall is adorned with elaborate frescoes and houses The National Library of the Czech Republic.</li> <li>Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., USA – established in 1800 and boasting over 160,000,000 items on catalogue, the Library of Congress has the largest collection in the world.</li> <li>Marciana Library in Venice, Italy – a pinnacle of Renaissance architecture, this stunning library took 50 years to build after construction began in 1537.</li> <li>Trinity College Old Library in Dublin, Ireland – the grand Long Room is the most iconic part of this historic library, founded in 1592.</li> <li>Bodleian Library at Oxford University, England – established in 1602, this library is the second largest in Britain and was used as a filming location in the first two Harry Potter films.</li> <li>Biblioteca Joanina in Coimbra, Portugal – another Baroque masterpiece built in 1717, this library is known for its elaborate decorative elements.</li> <li>Austrian National Library in Vienna, Austria – built in 1723, this incredible library was once the palace library, and once you see in side you won’t be surprised to hear of its royal past.</li> <li>The Library of El Escorial in San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain – this royal library is spectacularly adorned in gold and classic frescoes and is nestled in the magnificent royal site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial.</li> <li>Abbey Library in St. Gallen, Switzerland – at over 1,000 years old, this World Heritage site is designed in the Rococo style and survived the devastating fire in 937 which destroyed the Abbey.</li> <li>Sainte-Geneviève Library in Paris, France – designed nearly 200 years ago, the grand glass and iron reading room is one of the most iconic libraries in France.</li> </ol> Images: Getty

Books

Around the world three-year cruise in crisis

When Life at Sea Cruises announced their record-breaking <a href="https://oversixty.co.nz/travel/cruising/world-first-three-year-cruise-revealed">three-year voyage</a> around the world, eager travellers raced to book their cabins onboard. Marketed as the "world's first – and only three year cruise", demand for rooms was “unprecedented”, with some travel enthusiasts moving out of their homes and selling their possessions in preparation for the trip of a lifetime. Despite the demand for a spot on board the MV Gemini, the future of the voyage is now in jeopardy, with Life at Sea Cruises, a subsidiary of Miray Cruises, being inundated with demands for refunds just months after the bookings opened. The entire team at Life at Sea Cruises, which was set up specifically for the record-breaking project, has parted ways with Miray Cruises after an apparent breakdown in communication over the suitability of the ship. Mike Petterson, the now former managing director for <a href="https://www.lifeatseacruises.com/">Life at Sea Cruises</a> confirmed to <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/three-year-cruise-crisis/index.html">CNN Travel</a> on Wednesday that he and the rest of the founding team have "stepped away" from the project. Despite the team breakdown, Kendra Holmes, director of business development and commercial operations at Miray International, insisted that the voyage will still go ahead. "This cruise is not cancelled," Holmes said. "We are moving ahead. It is departing November 1st as planned. So I just want to make sure to clear that up right now. We are not cancelling this." However, it's still unclear whether the voyage will go ahead on board MV Gemini, or a different ship. "Currently the name of the ship is Gemini," Holmes added, before explaining that she was not able to discuss a new ship at present. "I wish that we didn't have these kinds of situations," said Fuat G., hotel director at Miray Cruises. "We are moving forward. Whatever we have to do to finish that project. And [we will] go to a second, third, fourth and fifth ship. Whatever it is." A press release announcing the project back in March stated that the MV Gemini would be "overhauled" for the voyage. However, according to Irina Strembitsky, former director of sales and marketing of Life at Sea Cruises, the ship, which has capacity for up to 1,074 passengers, was deemed "unseaworthy" by an engineer, who also expressed doubt that it would be able to complete a three-year journey. Understandably, the news of the uncertainty that the trip will go ahead has caused major concern for passengers, with some demanding a refund. One traveller who voiced her concerns is retired teacher <a href="https://oversixty.co.nz/travel/cruising/meet-the-woman-preparing-to-spend-three-years-at-sea">Sharon Lane</a>, who booked a ticket for the entire three-year journey and planned to sell most of her belongings before setting off. Lane says that regardless of how things turn out, she will not be going on the journey, which was due to visit 135 countries and seven continents. "Life at Sea says the trip is cancelled. Miray says it's still a go, but without the entire Life at Sea management team," she told CNN. "I don't really care who is right or wrong. I'm allergic to chaos. Going was a huge calculated risk to begin with. Now, it's far too risky for my liking." "It's very sad," she said. "I was all in. It will take me some time to undo what I have already set in place, but at least I'm not one of those who has already sold a house and all of my belongings. My heart aches for them." Image credits: Life at Sea Cruises

Cruising

5 changes to make around the home that combat depression

Dealing with depression is difficult no matter what environment you’re in, but studies show there are certain steps you can take around the house to improve your mental health. Here are 5 activities you can do and changes you can make to your home that will boost your mood in no time at all. 1. Get gardening Whether or not you’ve got a natural green thumb, spending time in nature, getting your hands dirty and breathing in that fresh air has been <a href="http://www.pnas.org/content/112/28/8567.abstract" target="_blank" rel="noopener">scientifically proven</a> to lower feelings of despair. No backyard or front yard? No worries. Simply putting plants on your balcony, windowsill or around the house can be beneficial. <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/home-garden/2017/01/plants-that-will-make-your-home-happier/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Here’s a list of plants </a>that will clear the air, calm you down and even help you sleep. 2. Bring the outside in Having a view lets in lots of light, which benefits your circadian rhythm and naturally boosts your mood, but if you don’t have a bright, scenic view, there are ways around it. “There are some beautiful murals, including decals that are easy to hang, that you might put on a wall in your living room,” Dr Jean M. Larson tells <a href="http://www.preventionaus.com.au/gallery/7-simple-changes-to-your-home-that-fight-depression-474471" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Prevention</a>. “You want to pick something that's familiar and pleasing.” 3. Light up As we mentioned above, light is essential (particularly in the morning) for those suffering depression – especially those affected by seasonal affective disorder. Try to get as much natural light in the morning as possible, otherwise you can install a light box which provides the same light produced by the sun but without all those nasty UV rays. 4. Get painting Painting your walls a bright, warm colour like orange or red can “evoke feelings of happiness or optimism,” according to interior designer Suzanne Falk. These colours are most widely associated with happiness, but colour preference is personal, so whatever colour makes you happy is the one you should go for. If painting isn’t an option, try the same thing with art, furniture, rugs, throws and décor. 5. Express yourself Decorate your space with constant reminders of the people and things that make you happy. Whether it’s a painting by one of your grandchildren, a photo from your favourite holiday or one of your pet’s toys lying around, it’s always good to have something to bring you back up when you’re feeling down. Image credit: Shutterstock

Mind

What it’s like to cruise around the world

Harry Phillips has checked off all the locations he dreamed to visit as a little boy growing up in Sydney – and he’s done it all by cruising. Harry has enjoyed a 75-night cruise around the Pacific and a 104-day cruise around the world and recommends cruising as a fun and convenient way to travel the globe. “I was just amazed the sights I saw on my cruise around the world. I saw places I had only read about, United States, Europe, Arabian Gulf, Asia, just so many great ports,” he tells Over60. Harry first got a taste for travelling on the sea when he embarked on a cruise around the Pacific on the Sun Princess. “The most memorable day was when we organised a mock wedding with the crew help. It had a cake and we held the wedding on the back deck. We had a friend dress as a minister, I was the MC and there were groomsmen and bridesmaids. It was a beautiful day, about 80 people turned up and thought it was for real,” he recalls. Two years later, his passion for exploring the world had not abated so Harry embarked on his second cruise on the Dawn Princess where he travelled around the globe. “I'm a widower and so is my lady friend and we both like warm weather. Those two years we were away from the cold weather,” he says. Some of his friends joined the two as they sailed from England to Sydney but “missed some great ports in America.” Breaking expectations Not everyone thought Harry’s adventure was a good idea. But Harry prove them wrong. He believes cruising reduces the majority of stresses that comes with travelling. “Friends said I was mad to be on a ship that long but most of the time you’re ashore all day sightseeing and only come back aboard to eat and sleep. Then you wake up in a different port. I tell them it's like traveling the world with a great hotel following you,” he says. “It’s the best way to see the world. You get on in Sydney unpack and have a drink while you sail away to see the world. You don't have to worry where to eat or stay, no worries about the weight of your bags. You see some of the best places in the world and I can tell you sailing into Sydney after 104 nights away is the most beautiful sight in the world.” For Harry, cruising the world is the prefect holiday. He can’t think of any negative aspects to his experience. The sheer excitement of looking forward to what he would see in the next port they stopped at made his day, every day. Many highlights Harry has taken away many highlights from his cruises – from visiting Normandy, to being stunned by the French country side and watching the changing of the guards in a palace in Monte Carlo. “One of our most memorable nights on board was on the formal night when we were invited to a private party by the Head Maitre D, his name was Rui. it was a birthday dinner for the first officer and there were two officers, another couple and us. It was a feast with jumbo prawns, lobster tails and we had flaming Bombe Alaska dessert,” he recalls. “It was a fabulous night, the wine flowed and we would only take a sip out of our glasses and the waiters would top it up. For the life of me I never realised why we were invited but we seemed to get along with Rui. He was very suave Italian, always immaculately dressed, not a hair out of place and to me he looked like he just stepped out of The Sopranos.” Images: Getty

Cruising

10 amazing abandoned sites around the world

For every perfectly-manicured tourist attraction around the world, there are scores more that haven’t been touched in years, yet still draw thousands of curious thrill-seekers who aren’t afraid of a bit of dust (and maybe a few ghosts!). Take a look at these incredible abandoned places that are definitely worth a visit – but only if you’re game. <ol start="1"> <li>Chateau Miranda, Belgium – an imposing castle built in 1866 but abandoned in 1991 after becoming too expensive to maintain.</li> <li>Kolmanskop, Namibia – a German settlement established in the early 20th century to mine for diamonds, but which has been a ghost town since the ‘50s.</li> <li>Teufelsberg, Germany – the “Devil’s Mountain” is a manmade hill in Berlin created out of rubble from WWII and home to a former US National Security Agency (NSA) listening station.</li> <li>House-Monument of the Bulgaria Communist Party, Bulgaria – it looks like it’s straight out of a sci-fi film, but in its heyday, this structure was the meeting place of communist leaders.</li> <li>Garnet Ghost Town, USA – this remote town in Montana was built to house those rushing to the state during the gold rush, but these days, the mines are empty and so are the houses.</li> <li>Ross Island, India – this British Administrative Centre was abandoned after a serious earthquake in 1941. It now lies in overgrown yet beautiful ruins.</li> <li>Wonderland Amusement Park, China – construction on Beijing’s answer to Disneyland stopped after land disputes, so all that’s left is the surreal shell to a Disney-esque castle.</li> <li>SS Ayrfield, Australia – right in the middle of Homebush Bay lies this floating relic of the past, covered in beautiful greenery.</li> <li>Villa Epecuén, Argentina – from the 1920s to 1985, this Buenos Aires village was a popular tourist destination, after a flood forced both residents and visitors out for good.</li> <li>Gouqi Island, China – on the banks of the Yangtze River lies this beautiful forgotten fishing village, filled with ivy-covered homes reminiscent of old European towns.</li> </ol> Images: Shutterstock

International Travel

Won’t somebody please think of the children? Their agency is ignored in the moral panic around drag storytime

<a href="https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/politics/protesters-clash-over-drag-story-time-event-at-melbourne-council-meeting/news-story/f8671b4047b59f9fc27d8ffee803c9f8">Protesters derailed</a> a Monash City Council meeting on Wednesday, demanding the cancellation of a sold-out drag storytime event at Oakleigh Library in Melbourne’s south-east. This is just the latest in a string of drag performances for children throughout Victoria being cancelled or postponed in response to protest. The central message of these campaigns (accompanied by varying levels of vitriol) is the same: “let our kids be kids”, “protect our children” and “hands off our kids”, while simultaneously labelling performers and supporters of the events “paedophiles”. This is part of a global backlash. Similar protests and cancellations have happened in <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/unhinged-conspiracy-theorists-auckland-drag-queen-targeted-in-avondale-library-protest-speaks-out/TE6BFUOXVJC6VFYMU4VAUAERTQ/">New Zealand</a>, the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-64610724">United Kingdom</a> and the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/21/anti-drag-show-laws-bans-republican-states">United States</a>. The argument in support of drag emphasises the impact on the performers at the centre of these events and queer community, arguing that the cancellation of these events is a form of <a href="https://fortune.com/2023/03/02/drag-queens-tennessee-law-minors/">discrimination and a contravention of human rights</a>. But the debate so far overlooks the agency and rights of the events’ intended audiences: children and young people. <h2>Children as citizens</h2> Calls to “protect the children” from drag performers and trans people assume children are, in fact, in need of safeguarding. Such messaging is rooted in a tendency for Western societies to reduce childhood to an <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/au/academic/subjects/sociology/sociology-general-interest/importance-being-innocent-why-we-worry-about-children?format=PB&isbn=9780521146975">idyllic innocence</a>, which positions children as “in need of protection” and amplifies their constant vulnerability. Children’s vulnerability played a critical role in motivating the adoption of the United Nations’ <a href="https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/convention-rights-child">Convention on the Rights of the Child</a> in 1989. Since the adoption of the charter, new laws and policies have been established in Australia to criminalise forced marriage, to remove children from detention and to change the Family Law Act to better protect the rights of children. The charter details children’s need for safeguarding and special care. But it also confirms the evolving capacity of children to assert their rights as cultural citizens and their need for freedom of thought and expression. <h2>The power of drag and imaginative play</h2> Drag as a form of creative, physical and spiritual expression has existed within theatre and cultural performance <a href="https://www.grunge.com/1243587/drag-shows-older-realize-real-history/">for millennia</a>. Drag and queer performance studies have given rise to understandings of gender as an everyday performance: from the clothes we pick out, to the products we gravitate towards in supermarkets, to our repeated physical and vocal gestures. Drag pokes fun at the gender binary and, in doing so, it aims to blur the boundaries and expose the artificiality of gender roles. While the success of television shows like RuPaul’s Drag Race have established drag as something more accessible and relatable for a range of audiences, the visibility of queerness that comes with drag – especially when moving outside designated queer spaces – is an apparent step too far. But the way drag asks us to question the socially constructed nature of gender offers children a vision of self-determination. You can do what you want to do, you can be who you want to be. The potentiality within the play of drag engages the power of children’s imaginations today to conceive better tomorrows. Philosopher David Harvey refers to moments of “<a href="https://academic.oup.com/book/40603">free play</a>” as fertile ways of exploring and expressing a vast range of ideas, of taking on power structures and social practices, and imagining new possibilities for how we structure and support community. <h2>The insights of the child</h2> In post-plebiscite Australia, the success of targeted campaigns against drag-themed events for children exposes certain conditions around what are “acceptable” encounters of queer expression for children. The all-too-familiar campaign messages that swirled around the marriage debate – “protect the sanctity of marriage”, “protect families” – are rearing up again with only a minor rhetorical shift. The more obvious difference now is that the messages have been co-opted by extreme groups who are targeting individuals and threatening violence. The drag storytime event at the centre of the protests at Monash City Council remains scheduled to take place at Oakleigh Library on May 19. At the time of writing, an online petition to cancel the event has 820 supporters, while another in support of the event has over 3,300 signatures. Perhaps, then, the social temperature is not as heated towards drag performers as recent cancellations suggest. Instead, a minority of vocal and visible dissenters are dictating the rights and freedoms of the majority. The image of a drag performer in relation to a child elicits violent responses for some because it is an image of progress and change and of queer acceptance and love set against a long history of homophobia and transphobia in this country. But there are two figures in this image and one has been kept silent. In debating rights and agency, perhaps it’s time to ask and be guided by the insights of the child. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/wont-somebody-please-think-of-the-children-their-agency-is-ignored-in-the-moral-panic-around-drag-storytime-204182" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Caring

Be careful around the home – children say Alexa has emotions and a mind of its own

Is technology ticklish? Can a smart speaker get scared? And does the robot vacuum mind if you put it in the cupboard when you go on holidays? <div> Psychologists from Duke University in the US asked young children some pretty unusual questions to better understand how they perceive different technologies. The researchers interviewed 127 children aged 4 – 11 years old visiting a science museum with their families. They asked a series of questions seeking children’s opinions on whether technologies – including an Amazon Alexa smart speaker, a Roomba vacuum cleaner and a Nao humanoid robot – can think, feel and act on purpose, and whether it was ok to neglect, yell or mistreat them. In general, the children thought Alexa was more intelligent than a Roomba, but believed neither technology should be yelled at or harmed. Lead author Teresa Flanagan says “even without a body, young children think the Alexa has emotions and a mind.” “Kids don’t seem to think a Roomba has much mental abilities like thinking or feeling,” she says. “But kids still think we should treat it well. We shouldn’t hit or yell at it even if it can’t hear us yelling.” Overall, children rejected the idea that technologies were ticklish and or could feel pain. But they thought Alexa might get upset after someone is mean to it. While all children thought it was wrong to mistreat technology, the survey results suggest the older children were, the more likely they were to consider it slightly more acceptable to harm technology. Children in the study gave different justifications for why they thought it wasn’t ok to hurt technology. One 10-year-old said it was not okay to yell at the technology because, “the microphone sensors might break if you yell too loudly,” whereas another 10-year-old said it was not okay because “the robot will actually feel really sad.” The researchers say the study’s findings offer insights into the evolving relationship between children and technology and raise important questions about the ethical treatment of AI and machines in general. For example, should parents model good behaviour for by thanking technologies for their help? The results are <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037/dev0001524" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">published</a> in Developmental Psychology. </div> <div id="contributors"> This article was originally published on <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/technology/be-careful-around-the-home-children-say-alexa-has-emotions-and-a-mind-of-its-own/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cosmosmagazine.com</a> and was written by Petra Stock. Images: Getty </div>

Technology

5 strangest laws around the world

As we navigate through life, we learn how different other countries are in this complicated world of ours, especially when it comes to laws. Here are 10 of the most absurd laws from around the world. 1. It’s illegal to hold salmon under suspicious circumstances This law applies to England and Wales. This law essentially means if a person receives or disposes of any salmon in circumstances where they believe that the salmon has been illegally fished. The maximum penalty is two years imprisonment. It might sound weird, but the title is certainly stranger than the meaning behind it. 2. It’s illegal to let your chickens cross the road in Quitman, Georgia This isolated US law calls for owners to keep their chooks under control. The law describes chicken as a “culinary delicacy sacred to its municipality.” The law also states, “It shall be unlawful for any person owning or controlling chickens, ducks, geese or any other domestic fowl to allow the same to run at large upon the streets or alleys of the city or to be upon the premises of any other person, without the consent of such other person”. 3. It was illegal to change a light bulb unless you were a licensed electrician in Victoria, Australia Luckily the Aussies have made this law redundant, but back in the day for Victorians, if your light went out, too bad! It would have been illegal for you to change your own light bulb. While there were no harsh penalties for doing so, up until 1998, if caught, you’d be whacked with a $10AUD fine. 4. It’s a legal requirement to smile at all times except at funerals or hospitals in Milan, Italy Say cheese! In Milan, the law compels you to smile by a city regulation from Austro-Hungarian times that was never repealed. Exemptions include funeral-goers, hospital workers, or those beside an ill family member. You could be up for a fine if you're looking too glum. 5. You must let anyone use your toilet if they ask in Scotland If you’re busting in Scotland, you won’t have an issue finding a bathroom because, by law, you must let a person intending to use the bathroom into your home. This law derives from an old Scottish common law regarding hospitality which is still enforced to this day; however, it’s not really safe. Would you let a stranger into your home to use the bathroom? Image credit: Shutterstock

Legal

"Who wants me around?" Sarah Ferguson's hilarious Coronation response

Sarah Ferguson has joked about being invited to King Charles' Coronation in May, claiming she hasn't received an invitation. While in New York to promote her new book, titled A Most Intriguing Lady, a question came from the audience if she was planning to attend the royal event, given some members of the royal family, including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, had already received their email invites. "TBD [to be determined]," she said before asking, "The invitations haven't gone out yet. Have they?" After a murmured response from the crowd, the Duchess quipped that her invitation could be waiting for her at home. "I'm travelling at the moment, so maybe it [invitation] has gone to another place," she said to host and Glamour magazine editor Samantha Barry. "The invitations haven't gone out yet, so I don't know if I'm going to be there because, you know, who wants me around," she joked. Fergie also joked about other grand plans she may have for the big day if she doesn't make it to Westminster Abbey. "Well I've decided the best thing about being British around a coronation - although I've never been to one - I think we should, I should set up a tea room at the bottom of the drive with bunting and cakes," she said. When asked if she had any advice for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who have received their invitation but are yet to announce if they'll attend amid the deepening family rift, Fergie said she aimed to "lead by example" to the young royals. "I think the best way to answer that is to really take hold and lead by example," she said. "I wouldn't give advice, I would say that your actions speak louder than words." Image credits: Getty Images

Family & Pets

5 of the eeriest abandoned hospitals and asylums around the world

<h2>From places of healing to horror</h2> For some people, the allure – even the eeriness – of abandoned places draws them to dilapidated destinations year-round. For others, visiting vacant Victorians and otherwise abandoned mansions, or scrolling through images of abandoned castles, is a yearly tradition that gets them in the Halloween spirit. And when it comes to spooky structures, it doesn’t get much more creepy than abandoned hospitals and asylums. Hospitals are vacated and left to decay for a variety of reasons – maybe a larger location is needed, buildings have been damaged and repairs are too costly, or the disease the hospital was created to treat has been eradicated. Similarly, most of the psychiatric hospitals constructed in the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries – previously known as ‘mental asylums’ – no longer exist. Their doors were closed in the second half of the 20th century, following the development of medications used to treat mental illness and the shift away from permanent institutionalisation and toward a community-based model of care. But regardless of why their hallways went dark, there’s something unsettling about these empty medical facilities. Even if you wanted to visit them, most are closed to the public. So we’ve done the next best thing and rounded up photos of some of the most chilling abandoned hospitals and asylums in the world. <h2>Old Mental Hospital</h2> Location: Hong Kong This eerie, now-abandoned hospital in Hong Kong’s Western District, known today as the Old Mental Hospital, has had several lives. Completed in 1892, the L-shaped building was originally constructed as quarters for the medical staff of the Government Civil Hospital. The building’s rusticated granite blocks, wide verandah and decorative pinnacles and parapets belied its next life as a psychiatric ward for the hospital’s female patients, which it was until 1961, when the Castle Peak Hospital opened. For the next 10 years, the Old Mental Hospital was used as a psychiatric outpatient treatment centre, and in 1998, work began to convert it into the Sai Ying Pun Community Complex. Though most of the complex is new, the original granite facade remains, and it was declared a monument in 2015. <h2>District of Columbia General Hospital</h2> Location: Washington, DC, USA The first public health hospital in the US capital – the Washington Infirmary – was founded in 1806 as a place to care for the city’s ‘poor, disabled and infirm persons.’ Because of its role as not only a hospital but also a workhouse and poorhouse, it was renamed the Washington Asylum, and in 1846, it moved to a larger site that would become its permanent home. Over the years, the asylum was used as a smallpox hospital, quarantine station, disinfection plant and crematory. In 1922, the city constructed a new health-care facility, Gallinger Municipal Hospital, which was renamed District of Columbia General Hospital in 1953. Following the hospital’s closure in 2001, the hospital – known as DC General – was used as a shelter for unhoused families until its closure in 2018. <h2>Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum</h2> Location: West Virginia, USA One of the most popular abandoned asylums to visit in the United States – also known as the Weston State Hospital and, ominously, the West Virginia Hospital for the Insane – the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum was constructed between 1858 and 1881. It’s often touted as the largest hand-cut stone masonry building in North America and the second-largest in the world, after the Kremlin. But regardless of its ranking, the hospital is enormous, comprising nine acres of floor space under three-and-a-half acres of roof. Like most psychiatric hospitals of the era, the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum was intended to provide high-quality mental-health care in a state-of-the-art facility. But by the 1950s, it was overcrowded – housing roughly 2400 patients in a building designed to hold 250 – and conditions deteriorated until it closed its doors in 1994. Given that its cavernous halls are now open for tours and paranormal investigations, it’s no surprise that there are plenty of rumours related to the asylum. <h2>North Wales Hospital</h2> Location: Denbigh, Denbighshire, Wales Built between 1844 and 1848, the North Wales Hospital opened as a facility for Welsh-speaking people living with mental illness. Despite three expansions, the hospital was consistently overcrowded, reaching its peak population of more than 1500 patients in 1948. Changes in the treatment of mental illness – especially the use of medication – left patient numbers dwindling, and the hospital announced its closure in 1987. Unfortunately, the North Wales Hospital has been abandoned since it closed in 1995, and years of neglect, vandalism and theft have left it dilapidated. The local government hopes to restore the structures, given that the hospital is considered ‘an exceptionally fine and pioneering example of early Victorian asylum architecture.’ For now, the abandoned buildings and grounds are closed to the public. <h2>Poveglia Island</h2> Location: Poveglia Island, Italy Located in the Venetian Lagoon, Poveglia Island is a quick boat ride from St Mark’s Square. But unlike that crowded tourist spot, it’s eerily empty. Thanks to its dark history, Poveglia has a reputation for being one of the most haunted places in Europe, making it a frequent stop for paranormal investigators. Its ties to illness go back to the 18th and 19th centuries, when the island was used as a quarantine station for ships sailing into the Port of Venice. In 1922, Poveglia’s abandoned hospitals and other structures were converted into an asylum. A nursing home was the final medical facility to open on the island, and in 1968, the last to close. Poveglia has been uninhabited since and is not open to the public. But while many of the rumours and ghost stories associated with the island have been proven false, there are still some <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/true-stories-lifestyle/thought-provoking/10-strange-urban-legends-turned-out-be-true" target="_blank" rel="noopener">true urban legends</a> out there. This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/culture/15-of-the-eeriest-abandoned-hospitals-and-asylums-around-the-world" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>. Images: Getty

Travel Trouble

13 nifty uses for magnets around the house

Magnets are a really useful tool for organising your bits and pieces around the house. Try some of our tips to see if they can help you. 1. Install magnets in your bathroom cabinet for storing things like bobby pins, nail scissors and nail files. 2. Glue a small magnet to the bottom of your hammer to hold onto nails. 3. Mount a magnetic strip near the front door to hold onto your keys. 4. Use magnetic paint to make a bulletin board for bills and reminders (rather than overloading your fridge door). 5. Install a magnetic knife block inside a cupboard to store things like scissors or metal kitchen utensils. 6. Keep a magnet in your desk drawer to hold onto paper clips or staples. 7. Use magnets to keep your shower curtain closed and avoid slippery floors. 8. Find a wall stud by sliding a strong magnet along the wall until you feel the pull. 9. Save sore fingers and easily remove stuck batteries by placing a magnet near the battery. 10. Screw a magnet onto your broom handle to keep it attached to the side of your fridge. 11. Make a fridge pen by gluing a magnet to a pen so that you are always ready to make a note. 12. Save a key or earring from a drain by dangling down a magnet tied to a piece of string. 13. Clean an aquarium without removing the fish and water by embedding a magnet inside a sponge. You can guide the sponge around the glass from the outside with another strong opposing magnet. Image credits: Getty Images

Home & Garden

The Qatar World Cup is beaming misogyny around the world

One of the fundamental questions relating to the 2022 World Cup being hosted by Qatar is what message this gives to women and girls around the world. Fifa <a href="https://www.fifa.com/social-impact/human-rights#:%7E:text=%E2%80%9CFIFA%20is%20committed%20to%20respecting%20all%20internationally%20recognised,UN%20Guiding%20Principles%20on%20Business%20and%20Human%20Rights" target="_blank" rel="noopener">purports to uphold human rights</a>. Its decision, in 2010, to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/dec/02/qatar-win-2022-world-cup-bid" target="_blank" rel="noopener">award</a> the hosting duties for the 2022 tournament to Qatar was not, however, without controversy. In the 12 years since, these issues have only intensified. The <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-world-cup-puts-the-spotlight-on-qatar-but-also-brings-attention-to-its-human-rights-record-and-politics-4-things-to-know-194970" target="_blank" rel="noopener">treatment of migrant workers</a> throughout the run-up to the event has garnered continued attention, as has the way <a href="https://theconversation.com/world-cup-2022-fifas-clampdown-on-rainbow-armbands-conflicts-with-its-own-guidance-on-human-rights-194485" target="_blank" rel="noopener">LGBTQ+ rights</a> <a href="https://eu.usatoday.com/story/sports/2015/05/27/fifa-bribery-corruption-qatar-world-cup-worst-ever/28014953/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">and women’s rights</a> are contravened by local law. <a href="https://theconversation.com/stopping-violence-against-women-starts-with-learning-what-misogyny-really-is-175411" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Misogyny</a>, a sexist contempt and hatred of women, aims to keep women in a lower position than men within a patriarchal society. With discrimination against women enshrined in Qatari law – which, among other things does not criminalise domestic violence or sexual assault – misogyny is being beamed through televisions internationally, via the means of the 2022 men’s football World Cup. <h2>Women in Qatar</h2> <a href="https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2019/country-chapters/qatar" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Qatari law</a> undergirds a profoundly patriarchal system. Sex outside of marriage is banned and Qatari women can only marry with the permission of a male guardian. This controversial system of male guardianship also shapes women’s ability to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/mar/29/were-treated-as-children-qatari-women-tell-rights-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener">study, drive and travel</a>. Men have the unquestioned right to divorce, yet the grounds on which a woman can apply for divorce is limited. Wives are expected to obey husbands and their priority is seen to be home making. Women <a href="https://www.hrw.org/report/2021/03/29/everything-i-have-do-tied-man/women-and-qatars-male-guardianship-rules" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cannot pass</a> nationality on to their children, as men can, nor can they be their children’s primary carer in case of divorce or the death of their husband. Female beneficiaries only get half of any inheritance their brothers receive. Women are asked to provide proof of marriage to receive sexual health and antenatal care. And they have to abide by a strict <a href="https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/09649429610109271/full/html?casa_token=naTUyIdS9wgAAAAA:wqUgZBFDLUqiTioqcQJYMkymKOKVfNcmEUzYWCkZr_kVmJEm-pJsYcd5179NhHKCSX4sDIu6Aklz1m6_l92YYnXaAmRdQE9zn_wOW1ldYnuJu4KF_o0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dress code</a>. Crucially, domestic violence and rape is not criminalised. While family law forbids moral or physical assault by husbands against wives, reporting domestic abuse or sexual violence is frowned upon as it is seen to bring <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gender-Violence-Praeger-Security-International/dp/0313359954/ref=sr_1_1?adgrpid=1174279316512322&hvadid=73392656152523&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=4900&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-73392591771253%3Aloc-188&hydadcr=10841_1825545&keywords=gender+and+violence+in+the+middle+east&qid=1669211683&sr=8-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">shame upon the family</a>. Both the lack of prosecution for domestic violence and the victim blaming that surrounds sexual assault point towards possible risks for any women attending the World Cup. Research <a href="https://rss.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1740-9713.2012.00606.x" target="_blank" rel="noopener">shows</a> that women face a heightened risk of <a href="https://theathletic.com/3583817/2022/09/22/world-cup-sexual-violence/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sexual assault</a> at any major sports tournament. It also shows, in the UK, the increase in domestic violence <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0022427813494843" target="_blank" rel="noopener">around World Cup matches</a> and other <a href="https://www.policeprofessional.com/news/lessons-learned-from-the-domestic-violence-enforcement-campaigns-2006/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">big sporting tournaments</a>. <h2>Women at the World Cup</h2> Reports <a href="https://metro.co.uk/2022/11/18/fifa-theres-not-a-woman-i-know-that-is-going-to-the-world-cup-in-qatar-17769410/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">have highlighted</a> that this heightened risk has already resulted in many women not wanting to travel to Qatar for the World Cup. This, in itself, is discriminatory. Those who do head for Doha <a href="https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/qatar/local-laws-and-customs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">are advised</a> to follow a strict dress code. Fifa’s <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/fifa-world-cup-wearing-shorts-revealing-clothes-in-qatar-may-land-you-in-jail-1563943" target="_blank" rel="noopener">position</a> on this is unclear. It states that people attending matches can wear what they want but also that they <a href="https://theislamicinformation.com/news/qatar-jail-women-wearing-inappropriate-clothing/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">must respect local laws</a>. When in public, women in Qatar are expected to <a href="https://core.ac.uk/reader/17244280" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cover up</a>. They must forgo tight clothing and not show their cleavage, knees or shoulders, and contravening these rules can result in prison or fines. <a href="https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/qatar/local-laws-and-customs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Official advice</a> for travellers published by the UK government also covers strict laws against relationships outside of marriage. There are multiple cases of visitors being punished for being seen to be in contravention of these laws. In June 2021, a <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/world-cup-worker-threatened-100-lashes-after-sexual-assault-qatar-1680871" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mexican world cup official</a> reported that she was sexually assaulted. As a result of this, she was accused of extramarital sex, which is against Qatari laws, rather than being seen as a victim of sexual violence. This saw her threatened with imprisonment and 100 lashes. And in 2020, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/oct/21/australian-women-sue-qatar-airways-over-forced-examinations-at-doha-airport" target="_blank" rel="noopener">13 Australian</a> women were forcibly removed, at gunpoint, from grounded Qatar Airways planes in Doha. They were then forced to undergo internal examinations, without their consent, as officials sought to find the mother of a newborn baby who had been found in the airport. This subordination of women is in direct conflict with <a href="https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/middle-east-and-north-africa/qatar/report-qatar/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">human rights laws</a>. The <a href="https://www.unfpa.org/resources/human-rights-women" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations</a> and the <a href="https://www.echr.coe.int/documents/convention_eng.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">European Convention on Human Rights </a> categorically state that any compromise of women’s rights contravenes international human rights laws. Significant progress has been made in terms of women’s rights worldwide in the <a href="https://www.who.int/news/item/08-03-2020-women-s-health-and-rights-25-years-of-progress" target="_blank" rel="noopener">last 25 years</a>, not least in the sphere of football itself. <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-football-needs-a-gender-revolution-182394" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Women’s football</a> has gathered enormous traction of late, particularly with the success of the England women’s team winning the European cup. By holding the men’s World Cup in Qatar, and thereby not sanctioning the lack of progress the country has made in terms of women’s rights, the impression given is that these rights are discretionary. Preventing discrimination and violence against women and girls, however, is never optional. This is not a cultural issue. It is a serious breach of human rights. This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-qatar-world-cup-is-beaming-misogyny-around-the-world-195242" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. Image: Getty

Travel Trouble

5 diet secrets from around the world

We’ve all heard about the studies showing that certain parts of the world have much longer life expectancies than the rest of us. Often researchers will pinpoint certain aspects of their diet and lifestyles and find that there are specific things that these people are doing to help prolong their life. To save you time, we’ve pulled together a list of the best parts of the diets of each of these countries that you can choose to add to your own diet. The best part is that in a recent study of 35 countries from the Imperial College London, all of them were predicted to increase their life expectancy in the near future. Published in The Lancet journal, the study found that Aussie men born in the year 2030 should live to 84, while females can expect to hit 87.6 So, what have you got to lose? 1. Green tea Want to reduce your risk of cancer? Add a cup of green tea to your day. The Japanese drink it as a matter of course, and the antioxidants found in green tea have been found to decrease the incidence of some cancers. 2. Seafood For many of the countries with longer than average life expectancies, seafood played a big role in their diet. You’ve probably heard of the Mediterranean diet being one of the best on the planet. Access to fresh fish in countries like Monaco means that it is cost effective, and consumed by young and old. 3. Yoghurt Help your digestion and metabolism by adding full fat yoghurt to your day like the Swiss do. The protein fills you up so that you don’t overeat, and the calcium has benefits too. But the real boost comes from the probiotics, which can act as a regulator for your digestive system. Keep your gut healthy and you’ll experience less bloating, gas, constipation and diarrhea. 4. Fermented foods In South Korea, it’s common to serve kimchi with meals. This is a fermented mix of vegetables that contains probiotics and antioxidants. When paired with their traditional dishes of rice, vegetables, egg and meat, kimchi not only tastes good, it also keeps your gut healthy. 5. Miso soup Visit any Japanese restaurant and you’ll most likely find a steaming bowl of miso on your table whether you ordered it or not. It’s such an everyday part of the Japanese diet – and they are expected to live to 80 (for men) and 87 (for women). Miso soup contains miso paste and seaweed, which is packed with calcium and iodine. Image credits: Getty Images

Body

The most luxurious presidential suites around the world

You don't need to be the leader of the free world to holiday like one. Feel like the commander-in-chief of your own life when you spend the night in one of these fancy hotel suites. The St. Regis New York <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/11/1-st-regis-nyc-770.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="665" /> It’s only fitting that in the city that never sleeps, The St. Regis New York offers 24-hour access to English-style butlers to guests in the Presidential Suite. You also get postcard-worthy views of Central Park and Fifth Avenue from its floor-to-ceiling windows. While you pretty much have everything you need within the master suite – bedroom, private sitting area, spa-style bathroom, and expansive dressing room – you’ll want to take advantage of the entire 311 square metre suite, which includes an exquisite wood-panelled library and full kitchen. Conrad Bora Bora Nui <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/11/2-Conrad-Bora-Bora-Nui-770.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="665" /> How do you make an overwater villa even more extravagant? You add a second floor and call it presidential. At the Conrad Bora Bora Nui, the expansive two-storey Presidential Overwater Villas is the ideal venue for relaxation. Indulge in a massage in your own well-being room, sweat it out in your personal sauna, or simply enjoy unobstructed sunset views from the pool, whirlpool, or daybeds in your private outdoor living area. InterContinental Sydney <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/11/3-Presidential_Opera_Suite_Piano_Gallery-770.jpg" alt="" width="898" height="583" /> Blending old-world wonder with contemporary flair, this five-star hotel’s Presidential Opera Suite lives up to its name, offering unparalleled views of Sydney Harbour and its iconic landmarks – including the Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens – from all rooms, courtesy of its lofty position on the 29th floor. Set across 245 square metres, it has its own private outdoor terrace complete with sumptuous sun bed, while the luxurious interior is meticulously appointed down to a stunning central grand piano. Burj Al Arab in Dubai <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/11/4-Burj-Al-Arab-Jumeirah-770.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="665" /> You get double the fun in the 667 square-metre Presidential Suite at Burj Al Arab in Dubai. Decorated in royal shades of purple and gold, the two-bedroom suite includes two bars, two loungers, and two full-size Jacuzzis in each master bathroom, not to mention his-and-hers dressing rooms. And to ensure the best night’s sleep you’ve ever had, the hotel offers a selection of 17 types of pillows. You’ll want to tuck yourself into your king bed just as soon as you finish the evening with in-suite cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. The David Citadel Hotel in Jerusalem <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/11/5-David-Citadel-Hotel-770.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="665" /> Renovated in 2016 by Italian designer Piero Lissoni, the Presidential Suite at The David Citadel Hotel offers modern elegance in historic Jerusalem. Oak parquet flooring connects the bedroom, living room, dining area, and study area of the 89 square-metre suite with a furnished balcony running the entire length of the space. Before you explore the local sights, including the Old City, the Western Wall, Tower of David, and the colourful Machane Yehuda market, grab a few complimentary bottles of mineral water and enjoy the delicacies of a full Israeli buffet breakfast. The InterContinental Presidente Mexico City <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/11/6-InterContinental-Presidente-770.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="665" /> It’s fitting that one of the world’s largest cities is home to one of the largest presidential suites. Designed by Mexican architect Felipe Ramos, the Diego Rivera is 604-square metres of modern luxury and innovation. It’s hard to decide what feature is most impressive about the suite, but it likely has something to do with water: The master bathroom boasts an enormous walk-in glass shower, a steam bath, and a large standing bath, and the second floor offers an indoor Jacuzzi and pool. Waldorf Astoria Berlin <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/11/7-Waldorf-Astoria-770.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="665" /> Your Presidential Suite perks begin at the airport with complimentary limousine service to the Art Deco-style Waldorf Astoria. Located high above the city on the 31st floor, the 260 square-metre suite offers panoramic windows at every corner. When you’re not taking in the sights down below, you can relax in front of your fireplace, tickle the ivories of your very own grand piano, and eat like royalty on specially-designed porcelain from the Royal Porcelain Factory. The Hassler in Rome <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/11/8-Hassler-770.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="665" /> Location, location, location! Enjoy the spectacular view of the Spanish Steps from a chaise lounge on the panoramic terrace of the San Pietro Presidential Suite. A well-designed mix of ancient Roman artefacts and modern amenities, the sixth-floor suite at The Hassler has a living room and dining area, bedroom, and two bathrooms. The master bath in white and grey marble, naturally, features his-and-her sinks plus a separate shower and bathtub. Ashford Castle in Ireland <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/11/9-Ashford-Castle-770.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="665" /> It’s hard not to feel like European royalty when staying in any room of an 800-year-old castle, but the Reagan Presidential Suite manages to take that experience up a notch. Named after President Reagan, a personal friend of the former owner, the split-level suite is located in the oldest wing of the Irish castle and boasts an original fireplace, an antique George III-style four-poster bed, and original portrait art. It’s easy to pretend you’re a member of the royal family with 24-hour housekeeping, a complimentary bar, and a gift delivered daily. The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/11/10-Beverly-Hilton-770.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="665" /> The Presidential Suite at The Beverly Hilton is “presidential” in every sense of the word. The historic three-room suite – master bedroom, living room and dining room – has hosted important guests from all over the world. Did JFK, President Clinton, or President Obama relax on the furnished patio or enjoy the spa-inspired bathrooms in your suite before your visit? More traditionally styled, the space features custom-made European furniture thoughtfully chosen to complement the elegant decor. The Franklin in London <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/11/11-The-Franklin-770.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="665" /> Just a short walk from Harrods and The Victoria & Albert Museum in London, The Franklin combines the charm of an English townhouse with the opulence of a five-star hotel, thanks to acclaimed British designer Anouska Hempel. Its Presidential Suite is the perfect size for two guests and features a private lounge, walk-in closet, and marble bathroom with double sinks. Decorated in rich shades of grey, brown, and cream with modern herringbone flooring, the suite shines with marbled surfaces and mirrors. Of course, it wouldn’t be a truly British experience without your own electric kettle and assortment of hot beverages. The St. Regis Washington, DC <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/11/12-The-St.-Regis-DC-770.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="665" /> Let the President have the White House. To feel truly important in the US capital, spend a night in the Presidential Suite at The St. Regis Washington, DC. Recently renovated in clean neutrals and bespoke accents, the 233 square-metre suite features upholstery with Italian beading, handmade French trim and tassels, carved French mirrors, and English furniture. While the suite may offer many of the convenience as your own home, you probably don’t have a St. Regis Butler on hand to draw your shades and deliver your morning coffee or unpack and store your luggage. Enjoy it! Written by PJ Feinstein. This article first appeared in <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/travel/destinations/the-most-luxurious-presidential-suites-around-the-world" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.com.au/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=RDSUB&keycode=WRA87V" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here’s our best subscription offer.</a>

International Travel

11 breathtaking underwater hotels around the world

Your new dream vacation spot is six metres below sea level. Be their guest! Talk about a tropical oasis! These stunning hotel rooms from around the world share one thing in common: they’re all underwater. So whether you’re an ocean lover by nature or are always looking for your next adventure, take a deep dive into some of these exquisite stays. Conrad Maldives Rangali Island – Rangali Island, The Maldives <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/10/02_-conradhotel_Underwater-Hotels-Around-the-World-that-Look-Too-Beautiful-to-Be-Real_VIA-CONRADHOTEL.COM-770-1.jpg" alt="" width="770" height="500" /> Image: Courtesy conradhotel.com This island resort is famous for its Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, the world’s first all-glass dining establishment completely submerged underwater. It’s also one of the only locations in the world where you shouldn’t be afraid of sharks staring at you. Above ground, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island provides spectacular views of the Indian Ocean. Stop for a unique massage in the Over Water Spa, tiki hut-style rooms with glass floors that allow you to watch colourful fish swim below you during your treatment. The Manta Resort – Pemba Island, off the coast of Tanzania <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/10/03_themanta_Underwater-Hotels-Around-the-World-that-Look-Too-Beautiful-to-Be-Real_themantaresort-COURTESY-THEMANTARESORT.COM-770.jpg" alt="" width="770" height="500" /> Image: Via themantaresort.com The most exciting part of this underwater hotel isn’t even attached to the hotel. It’s called the Underwater Room, your own private floating island where you can sleep under the sea or under the stars. A boat takes you from the mainland to your little paradise. The landing deck with a lounge area and bathroom is at sea level. Climb up the ladder to sunbathe or stargaze on the rooftop, or head below deck to your bedroom for a nearly 360-degree view of underwater life. Prepare to see exotic fish, squid, and even an octopus during your stay at the Underwater Room. Atlantis The Palm – Dubai, United Arab Emirates <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/10/04_atlantisthepalm_Underwater-Hotels-Around-the-World-that-Look-Too-Beautiful-to-Be-Real_VIA-ATLANTISTHEPALM.COM-770.jpg" alt="" width="770" height="500" /> Image: Via atlantisthepalm.com Atlantis The Palm with its picturesque views of the Arabian Sea is well worth the trip. It was the first resort built on an island and is located on the world’s largest man-made island, Palm Jumeirah, which actually looks like a palm tree. Atlantis The Palm also offers floor-to-ceiling views of the sea in its underwater suites, even in the bathrooms. Guests can dine at not one, but two underwater restaurants, Poseidon Café and Ossiano. The latter is renowned for its seafood, though it may feel disconcerting to eat the same creatures swimming mere feet away from your plate. Resort World Sentosa – Sensota Island, Singapore <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/10/05_resortworldsensota_Underwater-Hotels-Around-the-World-that-Look-Too-Beautiful-to-Be-Real-VIA-RWSENTOSA.COM-770.jpg" alt="" width="770" height="500" /> Image: rwsentosa.com No need to waterproof your mobile phone when you want to take pictures here at this underwater hotel. The Ocean Suites at Resort World Sentosa are similar to two-story townhouses, the upper level being an above-ground patio with Jacuzzi and the lower level a private underwater suite looking into the depths of the Singapore Strait. Guests can see any number of the over 40,000 kinds of fish that live in the area from the comfort of their own beds. Plus, with seven hotels, four amusement parks, a museum, a cruise ship, and a casino all located on resort property, it’s safe to say this resort has something for everyone. Planet Ocean Underwater Hotel – Florida, US <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/10/06_Underwater-Hotels-Around-the-World-that-Look-Too-Beautiful-to-Be-Real_PlanetOceanUnderwaterHotel-COURTESY-PLANET-OCEAN-UNDERWATER-HOTEL-LLC-770.jpg" alt="" width="770" height="500" /> Image: Courtesy Planet Ocean Underwater Hotel LLC While you’re in Florida visiting the best beaches in the US, take a detour to Key West, home of the Planet Ocean Underwater Hotel. Located almost 10 metres below the surface, the hotel’s 12 bedrooms are accessible via a glass elevator and provide a panoramic view of aquatic life. A marine biologist will accompany guests to explain the marine life around them. But here’s the catch: Only 90 groups (with 12 couples each) will be able to stay at the Key West location once it officially opens. After that, the hotel will travel to other locations – Okinawa, Japan, Singapore, and Thailand are listed on the hotel’s website – to bring the experience to other citizens of the world. Better make your reservation fast for this underwater hotel. Utter Inn – Vasteras, Sweden <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/10/07_utterinn_Underwater-Hotels-Around-the-World-that-Look-Too-Beautiful-to-Be-Real_VIA-VISITVASTERAS.SE-770.jpg" alt="" width="770" height="500" /> Image: Via visitvasteras.se We would call this one of the strangest hotels you can ever visit, but technically it isn’t even a hotel. It’s an art project designed by artist and sculptor Mikael Genberg, which conveniently doubles as a hotel room. Guests enter the Utter Inn through a red Swedish-style house floating on the water, then climb down a hatch in the floor for the main attraction: the underwater bedroom surrounded by windows looking into Sweden’s Lake Malaren. Outlaw’s at Al Mahara at Burj Al Arab Jumeirah – Dubai, UAE <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/10/08_burj-al-arab-nathan-outlaw_Underwater-Hotels-Around-the-World-that-Look-Too-Beautiful-to-Be-Real_jumeirah-VIA-JUMEIRAH.COM-770.jpg" alt="" width="770" height="500" /> Image: Via jumeirah.com Burj Al Arab Jumeirah rightly earns its place as one of the most outrageous resorts in the world. Its ambitious architecture resembles a sail blowing in the wind, each room is two stories with state-of-the-art amenities, and Hawksbill turtles are rehabilitated right on the resort’s premises. Its restaurant Nathan Outlaw at Al Mahara famously serves the best seafood in Dubai, and the floor-to-ceiling aquarium gives you an authentic underwater dining experience without actually being underwater. Poseidon Undersea Resort – Katafanga Island, Fiji <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/10/09_Underwater-Hotels-Around-the-World-that-Look-Too-Beautiful-to-Be-Real_poseidonresorts-VIA-POSEIDONRESORTS.COM-770.jpg" alt="" width="770" height="500" /> Image: Via poseidonresorts.com In some cultures, rain on your wedding day is considered good luck. But what about getting married in an underwater hotel? Poseidon Undersea Resort can host wedding ceremonies and vow renewals in its underwater chapel, which has a transparent wall overlooking a coral reef. We’re not sure if a mermaid-style marriage will bring good luck and happiness, but at least it will bring spectacular views. The five-star resort is only accessible via a submarine that you can learn to drive, if you wish. Register online to get notified when the resort starts taking reservations. Lovers Deep Submarine from Oliver’s Travels <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/10/10_submarine_Underwater-Hotels-Around-the-World-that-Look-Too-Beautiful-to-Be-Real_oliverstravels-VIA-OLIVERSTRAVELS.COM-770.jpg" alt="" width="770" height="500" /> Image: Via oliverstravels.com After your aquatic wedding, keep the undersea fun going at this literal submarine hotel. The self-proclaimed founders of the Mile Low Club are on hand to make your submarine stay just the way you want it. Lovers Deep Submarine can be marooned wherever you’d like for your boarding. A personal chef will design your own aphrodisiac tasting menu. Other optional services include a free rose petal scattering service and champagne breakfast in bed. It sounds too good to be true – and it is. Just one night aboard the sub costs $450,000 per night. Subsix at Niyama Private Islands – The Maldives <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/10/11_Underwater-Hotels-Around-the-World-that-Look-Too-Beautiful-to-Be-Real_niyama-VIA-NIYAMA.COM-770.jpg" alt="" width="770" height="500" /> Image: Via niyama.com You definitely don’t want to forget proper dining etiquette when you eat at this luxurious restaurant, which serves champagne breakfasts, prix fix lunches, and gourmet dinners six metres below the Indian Ocean. Getting to Subsix involves taking a speedboat from the mainland and descending a three-tier staircase; you will undoubtedly feel like James Bond in doing so. As the world’s first underwater club, Subsix also throws glow parties twice a week so you can dance with the fish, eels, and sea turtles all night long. Hydropolis – Dubai, UAE <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/10/12_Underwater-Hotels-Around-the-World-that-Look-Too-Beautiful-to-Be-Real_dubailime-VIA-DUBAILIME.COM-770.jpg" alt="" width="770" height="500" /> Image: Via dubailime.com This underwater hotel could join the ranks of the most expensive resorts in the world – if it ever opens. Hydropolis has been in the works since 2005, was supposed to open in 2009, and is still incomplete in 2020. The project has been postponed indefinitely due to costs (only $850 million) and to address the impact the building could have on marine life, but the artist renditions of what it could look like are still breathtaking. The above-ground portion looks like something out of The Jetsons, and the undersea section contains the 220 luxury suites designed with transparent walls. Those working on Hydropolis call it a 10-star hotel. We’ll need to wait until it opens to find out if that’s actually true. Written by Claire Nowak. This article first appeared in <a href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/flightstravel-hints-tips/11-breathtaking-underwater-hotels-around-the-world" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.co.nz/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=RDSUB&keycode=WRA87V" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here’s our best subscription offer.</a> Image: Getty Images

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5 strangest laws around the world

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5 of the eeriest abandoned hospitals and asylums around the world

13 nifty uses for magnets around the house

The Qatar World Cup is beaming misogyny around the world

5 diet secrets from around the world

The most luxurious presidential suites around the world

11 breathtaking underwater hotels around the world

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Catalogues

Travel

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Lifestyle

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Entertainment

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Why we feel like Christmas comes around more quickly each year

Extraordinary snaps from around the world for the Nature Photographer of the Year awards

Shop around, take lunch, catch the bus. It is possible to ease the squeeze on your budget

8 landmarks around the world that are seriously strange

Clever ways to reuse dryer lint around the house

The 10 most beautiful libraries around the world

Around the world three-year cruise in crisis

5 changes to make around the home that combat depression

What it’s like to cruise around the world

10 amazing abandoned sites around the world

Won’t somebody please think of the children? Their agency is ignored in the moral panic around drag storytime

Be careful around the home – children say Alexa has emotions and a mind of its own

5 strangest laws around the world

"Who wants me around?" Sarah Ferguson's hilarious Coronation response

5 of the eeriest abandoned hospitals and asylums around the world

13 nifty uses for magnets around the house

The Qatar World Cup is beaming misogyny around the world

5 diet secrets from around the world

The most luxurious presidential suites around the world

11 breathtaking underwater hotels around the world

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