Garfield 01.12.09

The Burj Dubai Just Can’t Stop Getting Struck By Lightning

A tipster sent along this spectacular photo of the Burj Dubai, the world’s tallest, most absurdly ostentatious building, getting stuck by lightning. While checking for newness, I noticed something amazing: This happens all the time.

Well, not all the time, since storms aren’t exactly a daily occurrence in Dubai. In a way, though, that makes the sheer number of occasions this has been caught on film all the more impressive. Cue neck hair standing on end…now:

A proposal: When the hotel finally opens in January, this should be their advertising campaign. --Thanks, Cuyler!

Written by: John Herrman

Tokyo from the Air

Tokyo from the Air
© 2009 Trey Ratcliff
Stuck In Customs

25th anniversary of the Bhopal disaster

A policeman points to the gas tank which vented its contents into the atmosphere in 1984, at the site of the deserted Union Carbide factory on November 28, 2009 in Bhopal, India. Twenty-five years after a massive gas leak at the Union Carbide factory in Bhopal killed thousands, toxic material from the ‘biggest industrial disaster in history’ continues to affect Bhopalis. A new generation is growing up sick, disabled and struggling for justice. The effects of the disaster on the health of generations to come, both through genetics, transferred from gas victims to their children and through the ongoing severe contamination, caused by the Union Carbide factory, has only started to develop visible forms recently. (Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images)

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25th anniversary of the Bhopal disaster

U.S.: Virgin America sale from $39/each way

Why Go:

Those Cyber Monday airfare sales sailed past too quickly to plan a trip but this Virgin America deal lingers until December 8. Book by then for travel between December 3 and May 23…

Portland, OR: Jupiter Hotel distillery package from $169

Why Go:

Portland’s Jupiter Hotel got a big thumbs-up from Travel + Leisure’s editors who called it “rock …

Get ‘Mass Effect’ (PC) for $4.95

Like to blow stuff up real good and gain experience points while doing it? BioWare’s action-RPG smash hit came to the PC in style, and it’s on sale for just 5 bucks.

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Get ‘Mass Effect’ (PC) for $4.95

US: 25% savings at Starwood Aloft hotels

Why Go:

I stayed in an Aloft Hotel for the first time this past weekend and was impressed.  First of all, the price was right: the manager matched the $87.20 price I’d found on a booking w…

Europe: 2-for-1 fares + free air on 2010 Crystal Cruises

Why Go:

Crystal Cruises, which snags our annual World’s Best Award for Large-Ship Cruise Lines with impressive regularity, is …

Aruba: Up to 40% savings at Radisson

Why Go:

The Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa was described in last year’s