The Curious Case Of Twins

The Curious Case Of Twins - Kodinhi (Kerala) and Umri (near Allahabad)

Kodinhi, a sleepy little town tucked away in the Malappuram district of Kerala, has managed to baffle scientists across the world. In a population of 2000, Kodinhi has 350 pairs of identical twins! It has rightfully eamed the title of ‘TWIN TOWN’. 6 pairs of twins in every 1000 births are considered a high twinning rate. Kodinhi has a rate of 42 twins per 1000 births. This means, almost every family in kodinhi has more than one pair of twins!

Mohammedpur Umri village, near Allahabad has a similar tale to tell. With over 60 pairs of identical twins in a total population of 900, Umri's twinning rate is 300 times the national average, and perhaps the highest in the world. Researchers believe that the cause might lie in the genes, but for others, it is the divine hand.

Lake of Skeletons

Lake of Skeletons – Roopkund Lake, Chamoli, Uttarakhand

At a height of 16,500 feet, in the middle of the most uninhabitable part of the Himalayas lies the secluded Roopkund Lake, covered in snow and surrounded by rock-strewn glaciers. More popularly known as Skeleton Lake or Mystery Lake , the spine-chilling attraction of this lake is the 600 odd human skeletons that were discovered here. These date back to the 9th CE and are clearly visible at the bottom of the shallow lake when the snow melts. The locals believe that this entourage had earned the fury of the local deity, Latu, who sent a terrible hailstorm their way, which eventually killed them.

Lechon, Philippines

Lechon, Philippines

Young pigs, chosen for their tender meat, are rotated and roasted thoroughly over a fire pit for hours. The result is a thin layer of crispy skin on juicy, succulent meat. Every mouthful makes you wonder why you eat anything else.  Great way to kick off this list. 

Vladamir Putin Inspired Cologne

This is not a drill, you guys: a Vladamir Putin inspired cologne exists. It’s called Leaders Number One and is selling in Moscow for $85. Apparently the stuff smells like citrus and cedar and musk and mung beans. Citrus and cedar, sure why not. But I think we can all agree that, in this case, musk is just a nice way of saying horrific BO. And mung beans? Who the hell knows what that’s supposed to mean. We’re talking about Vladamir Putin inspired cologne here, people. Nothing makes sense anymore.

Gibraltars International Airport

 Gibraltars International Airport

 

Gibraltars International Airport has a runway with a road that runs straight through it.

Gibraltar International Airport or North Front Airport is the Civilian airport that serves the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. The runway is owned by the Ministry of Defense for use by the Royal Air Force as RAF Gibraltar.

Address: British Lines Road, Gibraltar

Code: GIB

Elevation : 5.00 m

Phone: +350 200 12345

Owners: Ministry of Defense

Gibraltar International Airport or North Front Airport (IATA: GIB, ICAO: LXGB) is the civilian airport that serves the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. The runway is owned by the Ministry of Defence for use by the Royal Air Force as RAF Gibraltar. Civilian operators use the civilian-operated terminal. National Air Traffic Services hold the contract for provision of air navigation services at the airport.

In 2013 the airport handled 383,876 passengers and 351,867 kg of cargo on 3,564 total flights. Winston Churchill Avenue (the main road heading towards the land border with Spain) intersects the airport runway, and consequently has to be closed every time a plane lands or departs. The History Channel programme Most Extreme Airports ranked the airport the fifth most extreme airport in the world.

Monarch is the largest operator at Gibraltar International, operating three weekly flights to London Luton, Manchester Airport and Birmingham. Both routes are operated by an Airbus A320-200. easyJet operates seven weekly flights to London Gatwick operated by Airbus A320 family aircraft, as well as 3 flights per week to Bristol Airport. British Airways also operates nine weekly flights to London Heathrow being operated by an Airbus A320-200.

Although located in Gibraltar, the airport is also used by people travelling to or from neighboring parts of the southern Spain such as the Costa del Sol or the Campo de Gibraltar.