Images In Orbs In Pictures: Is it Paranormal or Pareidolia?

Images Inside Orbs in Photographs: Is it Paranormal or Pareidolia?  What do you see in this picture?

I am not a huge believer in paranormal and supernatural things.

I am not one of those people that travels to a city to go on haunted tours or to see its famous haunted locations.

But, I have had my share of weird, unexplainable experiences.

I think I have seen an unidentified flying object (UFO) on 3 occasions: 
1. from my bedroom window (probably a light reflection in the window), 
2. driving home with my kids from soccer (probably a satellite), and 
3. out of an airplane window while approaching the Denver airport (probably just an unusually shaped airplane). 

I have no explanation for the strangest, creepiest thing that ever happened to me. I was working on my computer in the basement around 10 years ago. I was the only one home. Suddenly, something dropped into my lap from high above. I jumped a bit and my hair stood on end. I looked down and saw an AOL software disk which I have never seen before and which probably had been sent as a junk mail advertisement at least 10 years before that. 

This post has very little to do with travel other than the fact that this picture was taken at night just before the fireworks in Niagara Falls, Ontario.  

We pointed the camera towards the coloured spotlights used to illuminate the Horseshoe falls at night, which a spectacular sight to see.

Of course, there was mist everywhere from the waterfalls, which naturally would create orbs.

However, we have had orbs in many other pictures where there should not have been dust or mist in the air.

Has anyone reading this also noticed strange orbs in their pictures? 

Do you think it is paranormal?  Or just a technical glitch of some sort?

I am posting this photograph and sharing it with you because it has always freaked me out.

Look closely at the small orb with the arrow pointing at it (blown up in the lower image) and tell me what you see.

I see the nativity scene with Joseph, Mary and Baby Jesus in a manger.

I know that our brains naturally look at objects to fill in the gaps to make shapes and patterns (called “Pareidolia” or "Apophenia"), but what do you think?

I welcome all of your comments.

Happy Travels,

Kev

P.S. Here are links to my other social media accounts, in case you want to connect that way:
Kevin's Instagram
Kevin's LinkedIn
Kevin's Facebook
Kevin's Pinterest
Kevin's YouTube (You should check out my YouTube Channel for related travel videos)

Top 20 Records Held By Las Vegas That You Probably Didn’t Know (Vegas Hacks)

Top 20 World Records and American Records held by Las Vegas you probably didn’t know - must-see Landmarks and Attractions in Las Vegas (VEGAS HACKS & Travel Tips):

There are many more world and North American records held by Las Vegas, but I think these are the most impressive. If you like trivia, you will love this.

All of the pictures are in a section at the bottom of the post. You will find good photo ops at these locations (or just take a quick selfie). 

     1.       World’s biggest glass sculpture at Bellagio (created by Dale Chihuly & measuring 30 ft by 66 ft).

2.       World’s biggest chocolate fountain (27 feet high) at Bellagio.

3.       World’s largest chandelier (costing $30 million) at the Chandelier lobby bar of Cosmopolitan.

4.       World’s largest Keno board at the D Casino on Fremont Street.

5.       World’s largest LED video screen at Viva Vision on Fremont Street (5 football fields long).

6.       World’s biggest mechanical neon sign is Vegas Vic on Fremont Street.

7.       World’s largest slot machine replica is SlotZilla on Fremont Street.

8.       World’s biggest gold nugget called “Hand of Faith” (weighing 62 pounds) at Golden Nugget on Fremont Street.

9.       World’s highest observation wheel (Ferris wheel) is the High Roller Observation Wheel at the LINQ Promenade (550 feet tall and takes 30 minutes to go around).

10.   World’s brightest light beam shoots out of the top of Luxor (which can be seen from space).

11.   World’s biggest atrium at Luxor (29 million cubic feet) – like a hollowed-out pyramid.

12.   World’s largest “gentlemen’s club” (strip joint) & night club is Sapphire Las Vegas.

13.   World’s longest decelerator sky jump (a combination of rappelling and a reverse bungee jump) at Stratosphere.

14.   World’s highest thrill rides on top of the Stratosphere (including a terrifying tower drop).

15.   World’s biggest gift shop across from Stratosphere.

16.   World’s largest hotel is the Venetian/Palazzo Megacenter.

17.   World’s most convention and meeting space in one city.

18.   North America’s most expensive building & resort ever built (Wynn Las Vegas cost close to $3 billion and will soon be surpassed by the new Resorts World Las Vegas which cost $4.3 billion).

19.   17 of the 20 biggest hotels in the United States are in Las Vegas.

20.   More hotel rooms than any other city in the USA (approximately 160,000 rooms).

BONUS: You can also see the world's largest replicas of several world-famous attractions such as the Statue of Liberty and the Eiffel Tower. 

Happy Travels,

Kev

P.S. Here are links to my other social media accounts, in case you want to connect that way:
Kevin's Instagram
Kevin's LinkedIn
Kevin's Facebook
Kevin's Pinterest
Kevin's YouTube (You should check out my YouTube Channel for related travel videos) 

Top 10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Las Vegas (Vegas Hacks)

Top 10 things you probably didn’t know about Las Vegas that will help you plan to get the most out your trip to Las Vegas (Vegas Hacks, travel tips & money-saving tips):

Here is some useful information you need to know about Las Vegas before you go.

     1.      Transportation from the Airport - Uber or Lyft is usually the best and cheapest way to get to and from the airport (except when surge pricing is in effect). Sometimes, when there are large conventions, Lyft has a shorter wait time. Taxicabs are now flat rate to the Strip based on zones, so you no longer have to tell the driver not to take the tunnel (that route is longer and used to cost more money).  A shuttle bus can be affordable if you are alone, but it might have lots of stops on the way.

2.     Transportation on the Strip - You should not take Ubers, cabs or buses or even drive your car or rental car on the Strip at night. Traffic moves at a snail’s pace. Instead, walk, take the monorail, or take one of the free trams that go between Casinos (see my other blog post called "Top 7 best free shuttles & trams"). 

3.     Law Enforcement - Don't jay-walk because police strictly enforce this jay-walking law and it has a hefty fine ($150 last time I checked). Police also sometimes break up groups of people that appear to be loitering in busy areas on the Strip.

4.     Coupons - You can get “funbooks” containing coupons at the hotel front desk when checking in or signing up for a player’s club. However, Groupon and similar websites usually offer better discounts than Vegas coupons. 

5.     Gambling - Gambling odds are better off-the-Strip.

6.     Players Clubs - Sign up for players club at each casino to get free play, match play and other sign-up bonuses. Also, they usually have extra prizes (ex. free t-shirts or meal) if you earn a minimum number of points on the day you sign up. Every time you gamble in the machines or at the tables and every time you eat at a restaurant or go to a show, be sure to use your card to provide your account number so you get the points, which can be redeemed for future hotel stays or other spending (such as restaurants, shows, and merch/swag) at that casino or family of casinos. 

7.     Casino Freebies - Many casinos offer free matchbooks, free used decks of cards, free gaming lessons, and free beverages (including alcohol) while you gamble. Just ask at the players club desk.  Almost all of the casinos on the Strip charge for parking, but some towards the north part of the Strip are changing back to free parking. 

8.     Open Liquor - Drinking alcohol is allowed while walking on the Las Vegas Strip and on Fremont Street as long as it is not in a glass container.  This is probably very unusual for most of us to see.  I find it funny to see these tiny college-aged girls carrying around a plastic cup full of daiquiri that is literally a yard long and half as tall as they are.  As you pass drug stores on the Strip, you can pop in and buy a tall beer in a can for $1 and drink it while you walk. 

9.     Smoking - Smoking is permitted on the casino floor, in certain hotel rooms, and in bars that don't serve food.  If you are sensitive to this, you will probably get red eyes and might start coughing after prolonged time on the gambling floor. 

10.   Kids - Minors (under 21) can walk through casinos, but are prohibited from loitering in casinos or near slot machines. Also, the Strip has a curfew of 9 PM for kids under 18 (unless accompanied by an adult), which is a good thing because after dusk, there are people all over the Strip handing out business cards for prostitutes with nude pictures on them.  These cards are all over the sidewalk at night because people take them and then drop them. Apparently, the law says that they aren't allowed to say anything to you and they can't offer you a card unless you make eye contact with them, so just don't make eye contact. They will try to get your attention by making noises or clicking the cards against their hand.

     BONUS TIP #1: If you want a picture with one of the many "characters" on the Strip or on Fremont Street, they will want to be paid.  People dressed as famous movie characters or women dressed like Go-Go dancers will approach you in a friendly way and offer to take a picture with you without asking for money up front, but afterwards they will demand money (usually $5). Also, some of these "characters" are barely dressed, such as men wearing nothing but thong underwear or women wearing a thong and pasties on their nipples. These scantly clad people are more common on Fremont Street and might make you or your kids uncomfortable. 

BONUS TIP #2: If you plan to go to a nightclub at night, pay attention as you walk down the Strip in the afternoon and evening. Club promoters (usually dressed really nicely or wearing a t-shirt with the name of a club) might offer you free VIP access to skip the line, pay no cover charge, and get a free drink. 

BONUS TIP #3: In general, I don't like to use Valet parking for a few reasons. First, it is no longer free at most Casinos on the Strip and on Fremont Street. Second, even if it is free, you sometimes have to wait a very long time (30 minutes) for them to bring your vehicle to you when you want to leave, during which time you could have already arrived at your next destination. 

Happy Travels,

Kev

P.S. Here are links to my other social media accounts, in case you want to connect that way:
Kevin's Instagram
Kevin's LinkedIn
Kevin's Facebook
Kevin's Pinterest
Kevin's YouTube (You should check out my YouTube Channel for related travel videos)

Top 7 Best Free Shuttles and Trams in Las Vegas (Vegas Hacks)

Top 7 Best Free Shuttles and Trams in Las Vegas (Vegas Hacks and Money-saving Tips):

     On the maps, the casino resorts on the Las Vegas Strip seem right next to each other. In reality, they are probably 1 kilometer apart.  

     Walking around is fine if you are healthy, if you have good shoes, and if it is not too hot and sunny.  

     Using Uber, cabs and buses is not practical, especially after about 5 PM due to gridlocked traffic. These also cost money.

     The monorail is only on one side of the strip and it runs at the back of the casinos, which is pretty far from the Strip. This also costs money. 

     Thus, you might want to take advantage of some of the free transportation options provided by the various casinos.  Here are some suggestions for you.

1.       Free tram between Excalibur and Mandalay Bay (stopping at Luxor on northbound route).

2.       Free City Center Tram runs from Monte Carlo to Bellagio.

3.       Free tram between Mirage and Treasure Island.

4.       Free Caesars Entertainment Shuttle Bus from Rio to and from Bally’s, Paris and Harrah’s every 30 minutes from 10 AM to 1 AM.

5.       The Las Vegas Downtown Loop is a free shuttle bus around downtown Las Vegas from the Fremont Street Experience to the Mob Museum, the Arts District & the North Premium Outlets (every 30 minutes).

6.       Sam’s Town has a free shuttle to Fremont Hotel and Harrah’s.

7.       Gold Coast Hotel has a free shuttle to the Orleans Hotel and the High Roller at the LINQ.

#1, #2 & #3 are convenient because they are on the opposite side of the Strip as the Monorail. I have used these trams many times and the wait is usually less than 5 minutes and I have never seen them over-crowded.

#4, #6 & #7 may give priority to guests of their hotels. 

Happy Travels,

Kev

P.S. Here are links to my other social media accounts, in case you want to connect that way:
Kevin's Instagram
Kevin's LinkedIn
Kevin's Facebook
Kevin's Pinterest
Kevin's YouTube (You should check out my YouTube Channel for related travel videos)

Top 20 Wild Things To Do in Las Vegas for Thrill-Seekers (Vegas Hacks)

Top 20 wild things for thrill-seekers to do in Las Vegas in 2020 (Vegas Hacks):

     

     1.       Shoot zombies with Airsoft guns at Apocalypse Vegas, a simulated zombie apocalypse. It is super intense and feels real because you are trained and led by real special ops veterans.

2.       Shoot targets with exotic weapons like machine guns, rifles, and handguns at a gun range. There are several shooting ranges on or very near the Strip, including:
     a.       Las Vegas Shooting Center.
     b.       Machine Guns Las Vegas.
     c.       Strip Gun Club.
     d.       Top Shot Las Vegas.

3.       Hyper-realistic, location-based Virtual Reality makes you feel like you are in another world. Try:
     a.       Nomadix at Area15.
     b.       The Void at Venetian.
     c.       VR Adventures at LINQ Promenade.
     d.       Zero Latency at MGM Grand.

4.       Put the pedal to the metal in race cars and exotic luxury sportscars at racetracks like:
     a.       Dream Racing.
     b.       Exotics Racing.
     c.       NASCAR Racing Experience.
     d.       Richard Petty Driving Experience.

5.       Take in a gentlemen’s club or burlesque show. There are too many to mention and they are easy to find. Even the casinos on the Las Vegas Strip have burlesque shows. There are no strip clubs on the Las Vegas Strip, but some strip clubs offer free limousine transportation from hotels on the Strip. TIP: If you go to a strip club, pay with cash and leave your wallet in the safe in your hotel room so you don’t get scammed.  BONUS TIP: Don't waste your money on the Erotic Heritage Museum, Las Vegas (aka. The Museum of Sex). I have not gone, but I read online that it is not worth the money and it is probably not what you expect.

6.       Go see Absinthe, which is a show with adult-themed carnival acts & raunchy comedy under a tent at Caesar’s Palace. Absinthe is highly recommended by several of my friends. However, you may prefer Zumanity, which is Cirque du Soleil’s sexiest show.

7.       Day Clubs are for relaxing, suntanning, swimming, drinking, and partying during the day with sexy people. Some of the most famous dayclubs include:
     a.       Drai’s Beachclub at Flamingo/Cromwell.
     b.       Encore Beach Club at Wynn.
     c.       Marquee Dayclub at Cosmopolitan.
     d.       TAO Beach Dayclub at Venetian.
     e.       Wet Republic Ultra Pool at MGM Grand.

8.       Night Clubs will be packed with gorgeous people dancing, loud music, and sometimes world-famous DJs. Go early to avoid the lineups and ask your concierge (or even promotes wandering the Strip) for free VIP access. Drinks are expensive – typically around $20 each. Don’t expect a seat because, at most clubs, only people with bottle service get tables with a minimum charge in the hundreds of dollars. Some of the most popular nightclubs include:
     a.       1 Of A Kind at Mirage.
     b.       Marquee Nightclub and Bond Lounge at Cosmopolitan.
     c.       Drai’s Nightclub at the Cromwell.
     d.       Hakkasan Nightclub at MGM Grand.
     e.       JEWEL Nightclub at ARIA.
     f.        OMNIA at Caesar’s Palace.
     g.       TAO Nightclub at Venetian.
     h.       XS Nightclub at Encore at Wynn (one of the most expensive nightclubs ever built and popular with a slightly older crowd).

9.       Over-indulge on alcoholic cocktails, beer & wine at an all-you can drink open bar special (see my separate blog post about this by clicking this link: Las Vegas open bar specials). TIP: If you can still walk afterwards, try the secret, mouth-numbing Verbena (Szechuan flower) drink at the Chandelier Bar at Cosmopolitan.

10.   Put on a thick jacket and enjoy a cool beverage served in cup made of ice at one of the many ICEBARs in Las Vegas. Pretty much everything inside, including the furniture, is made of ice.

11.   Have a huge hamburger, greasy french fries, and a milkshake with the highest fat content in the world at Heart Attack Grill. They ask you to dress up in a hospital gown and they punish you if you don't eat all your food. Even more shockingly, people who weigh over 350 pounds eat free.

12.   Take a helicopter ride over the Las Vegas Strip. The experience is just as exhilarating as the view. Expect to pay over $100 per person.  If you want to take it even further, you can also take a helicopter tour over the Grand Canyon. Some of the options include:
     a.       5 Star Las Vegas Helicopter Tours.
     b.       GC Flight.
     c.       Maverick Helicopters.
     d.       Papillion’s Helicopters.
     e.       Sundance Helicopters.
     f.        Viator Las Vegas Helicopter Tours.

13.   Experience the free-fall of skydiving without the risk at Vegas Indoor Skydiving just off the Strip near Circus Circus.

                                           

     14.   Fly like a bird while soaring over crowds of people on one of these zip-lines:
     a.       Slotzilla on Fremont.
     b.       FlyLINQ in the LINQ Promenade.

15.   Challenge your fear of heights & get great views on the High Roller Observation Wheel, the world’s highest at 550 feet tall, in the LINQ Promenade. Upgrade to an open bar to make it more extreme, but be forewarned that the pods don't have bathrooms. 

16.   Catch breathtaking views of the Las Vegas Strip from the observation deck at the top of the Eiffel Tower at Paris. Don’t waste your time going to the observation deck at the Stratosphere because you can’t see the Strip from there; the view is obstructed by the Wynn and a few other tall buildings.

     17.   Scream at the top of your lungs on thrill rides at the following places (this is my kind of fun):
     a.       Adventuredome indoor amusement park at Circus Circus has many thrill rides, including a drop tower and roller coaster with loop-de-loops.
     b.       The Stratosphere Hotel has rides at the Top Of The Tower, including X-scream roller-coaster, Big Shot (the world’s highest drop tower), SkyJump controlled free fall from the top & Insanity-The Ride. I regret that I didn't get to ride the old roller coaster that used to go around the top of the tower before they removed it.  
     c.       New York, New York Hotel has the Manhattan Express Big Apple Roller Coaster, which goes outside and has a few loop-de-loops. You can also ride the coaster with a virtual reality headset on, which totally changes the experience. In the simulation, a space ship was dragging me in the sky through all of the Vegas landmarks. It is wilder than it looks. The first time I rode it, 2 university-age young men threw up when the ride ended. I am glad they waited until the end because I was sitting behind them and it could have gotten messy.

18.   Slide down a transparent waterslide that goes through a shark tank at Golden Nugget.

19.   Ride the waves and probably wipe out on the FlowRider Surf Simulator at Planet Hollywood.

20.   If you are on a longer trip and you have kids (or if you are a kid at heard), Wet ‘n’ Wild Waterpark, which is 30 minutes from the Strip, is a nice activity on a hot day. You’ll find many waterslides and activities to satisfy all tastes.

Many of the suggestions above are definitely not family friendly. 

I hope you find something exciting above that will get your adrenaline flowing.

Here is a short video walk-through of Fremont Street and at the end you will see people riding the Slotzilla zip line overhead.

Did I miss anything? If so, please comment. 


Happy Travels,

Kev

P.S. Here are links to my other social media accounts, in case you want to connect that way:
Kevin's Instagram
Kevin's LinkedIn
Kevin's Facebook
Kevin's Pinterest
Kevin's YouTube (You should check out my YouTube Channel for related travel videos)