Curiosities

August Engelhardt (1875–1919) was a German visionary and founder of the "Sonnenorden" (Sun Order) community, known for his radical beliefs in natural living and the worship of the sun. Born in Nuremberg, Germany, Engelhardt studied economics and philosophy before embarking on a journey that would lead him to the South Pacific. Inspired by the writings of August Hermann Niemeyer and his own interpretations of Nietzschean philosophy, Engelhardt developed a fervent belief in the healing and spiritual powers of sunlight and a fruitarian diet. In 1902, he established the Sonnenorden community on the island of Kabakon in German New Guinea (now part of Papua New Guinea). Engelhardt's community aimed to create a utopian society based on principles of natural living, sun worship, and a strict fruitarian diet. Members of the Sonnenorden lived in harmony with nature, eschewing clothing and consuming only coconuts and other fruits. Despite initial enthusiasm, the community faced numerous challenges, including conflicts with local indigenous populations and the harsh realities of tropical living. Engelhardt's unwavering commitment to his beliefs eventually led to his downfall. In 1913, German authorities intervened and forcibly removed him from Kabakon, citing concerns for his health and the welfare of his followers. Engelhardt returned to Germany, where he continued to advocate for his unconventional lifestyle until his death in 1919.

Dong Tao chicken is a rare Vietnamese chicken breed with enlarged feet, that originates from the village Đông Tảo in Khoái Châu District near Hanoi. Dong Tao chickens are valued as a delicacy in Vietnam, and they were once bred exclusively to be served to the royal family and mandarins. They are difficult to breed as their large legs make hatching difficult, and they are also sensitive to changes in temperature. Hens often break the eggs with their bulky legs, so eggs are usually kept in an incubator.

Shirime is a strange yōkai (supernatural entities and spirits in Japanese folklore) with an eye in the place of his anus. Although Shirime appears to have a very startling appearance, it does not mean to harm people. Its joy comes from scaring people.

Fin Fin on Teo the Magic Planet is a 1996 computer game for Windows-based computers made by Fujitsu about a creature that is a hybrid of a bird and a dolphin which the user can communicate with via a microphone which came with the game, as well as with a webcam add-on called the SmartSensor. If he is not fed or paid enough attention, he would sing a sad whistling song or sometimes fly away.

Pheasant Island, known as Île des Faisans in French and Isla de los Faisanes in Spanish, is a small uninhabited islet located in the Bidasoa River, which forms part of the border between France and Spain. Despite its diminutive size, this tiny island holds immense historical significance as a symbol of peace, diplomacy, and international cooperation. The history of Pheasant Island is deeply intertwined with the complex relations between France and Spain, two European powers that have frequently been at odds throughout history. In 1659, the Treaty of the Pyrenees, negotiated to end the long-running Franco-Spanish War, stipulated that Pheasant Island would serve as a neutral territory, jointly administered by both countries. Since then, Pheasant Island has become a symbol of reconciliation and diplomacy between France and Spain. Every six months, on February 1st and August 1st, representatives from both nations gather on the island to perform a ceremonial handover of sovereignty, symbolizing the shared commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region.

Campione d’Italia is an outpost of Italy entirely surrounded by Switzerland. The town is a geographic rarity known as an enclave – a territory completely surrounded by another territory. It’s also an exclave, a closely related term describing a portion of a territory separated from its main part by another territory. While it’s less than a mile hike to the Italian border through the wooded hillside above town, it’s a 40-minute drive to Como, the Italian region’s governmental centre. The history of Campione d’Italia dates back centuries, with evidence of human settlement in the area dating to Roman times. Over the centuries, Campione changed hands multiple times between various Italian city-states and foreign powers, including the Duchy of Milan, the Swiss Confederacy, and the Kingdom of Italy. In 1918, following the end of World War I, Campione officially became part of the Italian Republic as an exclave, surrounded entirely by Swiss territory. This unique geopolitical status has contributed to Campione's distinct identity and cultural heritage, blending Italian and Swiss influences in its architecture, cuisine, and way of life. One of Campione's most iconic landmarks is the imposing Casino Municipale di Campione d'Italia, a lavish casino complex that has been a symbol of the town's prosperity and glamour since its opening in 1917. The casino, situated on the shores of Lake Lugano, attracts visitors from across Europe with its opulent décor, world-class gaming facilities, and stunning lake views.