Monopoly Here and Now World One of the 2008 Best Christmas Gifts

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Welcome to the exciting new world of Monopoly. Every time you travel around the board of the Monopoly Here and Now World Edition, you also travel through six continents. If you're shopping for a board game that will truly delight your Christmas gift recipients, this new take on a long-time classic is sure to please.

This 21st-century version of the popular classic board game keeps the very best ingredients of classic Monopoly while adding thrilling new twists to the game play. The utilities--water works and the electric company--are now hip new renewable energy sources (solar and wind). The oh-that's-so-industrial-revolution railroads now include rail, air travel, ocean cruises and space travel. Banking is now effortless thanks to digital electronic banking that keeps track of your transactions.

The electronic banker doesn't exactly replace a human banker, but it sure makes their job easier. Shove a couple of AA batteries into the banker (um, the electronic one) and it's ready for business. Monopoly Here and Now World can begin when everyone picks a moving and a credit card.

The electronic banking unit really makes game play simple. Some people (like me) can find that Monopoly banking is somewhat of a chore, but the new electronic system makes everything easy, even fun. The banking unit also rides herd on all the wheeling and dealing that goes on when someone lands on a property they don't want. It even includes a random auction timer to add even more excitement and chance.

The game comes with six randomly selected mover pieces that bring even more international flair to this hot Christmas gift. Although your game will only come with six moving pieces, there's a total of 24 mover types available (I sense an eBay opportunity here). You could get any six of the following: Kangaroo, Koala, Surfer, Boomerangs, London Cab, Pretzel, Matador, Windmill, Canadian Mountie, Cowboy Hat, Baseball Glove, Nascar, Inca Mask, Easter Island Moai, Football, Inca Statue, Safari Hat, Egyptian Head Mask, African Mask, Camel, Chinese Dragon, Tuk-Tuk, Russian Dolls, or a Sumo Wrestler.

The cities on the board read like a rock star's world tour. Your properties are located in Taipei, Tokyo, Barcelona, Athens, Istanbul, Toronto, Rome, Shanghai, Vancouver, Sydney, New York, London, Beijing, Hong Kong, Paris, Belgrade, Cape Town and more.

Monopoly Here and Now World teaches and informs the players during game play. The community chest and chance cards include a selection of international facts and holiday festivals. Every property on the board includes stunning photography from around the world.

Let's be honest. When the presents are being opened on Christmas morning, the board games may not be the first things played with. But this Monopoly Here and Now World Edition will be a long-term favorite even after Christmas has come and gone. Every family should have one (or more) Monopoly games in the house. Whether this is your first game or a new addition to the family, it's sure to please everyone.

Review the top Christmas gifts for 2008 at http://www.ChristmasToyReview.com

Find lists, reviews and links to the best deals on this year's best Christmas gifts.

Top Ten Travel Wonders of South America

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South America holds an extraordinary collection of travel wonders including both natural and cultural experiences. With the world's greatest rain forest, the world's most spectacular waterfall, the world's highest waterfall, the world's greatest river and sophisticated historic cultures, there is something in this great continent for everyone.
It isn't possible to nominate a top ten travel list without omitting a number of key sights. Here is my list. How many have you seen?

1. Machu Picchu and Inca Trail (Peru)
Bordered by thick forest, accessed by a famous trek and perched on a mountain top, the exceptional Incan stonework and the richness of its religious sites makes Machu Picchu a truly cultural experience in the most beautiful of settings..

2. Iguazu Falls (Argentina / Brazil)
The sheer dimension of this natural miracle and its 250+ cascades thundering over an eighty yard cliff ensures that Iguazu Falls are the most mesmerizing waterfalls in the world.

3. Galapagos Islands (Ecuador)
Darwin's laboratory with the unusual varieties of wildlife including a flightless cormorant, giant tortoises and iguanas that have adapted to this volcanic barren land offers one of greatest wildlife shows on Earth.

4. Amazon River and Rain Forest
Roughly the size of the continental United States, spending time on the river or walking the forest trails of the Amazon basin is one of most treasured experiences in life.

5. Easter Island (Chile)
In testament to an isolated past civilization on this remote Pacific island, the moai (stone statues) stand proudly and majestically in groups around the island.

6. Patagonia / Torres del Paine (Argentina / Chile)
Vivid blue lakes, tumbling cascades and saw-edged mountain peaks provide an uplifting, almost spiritual outdoor experience in the far south of the American continent.

7. Andes
The backbone of the South America continent with its jagged snow-capped mountains are the second highest mountain range in the world and offer some great hiking and climbing.

8. Angel Falls (Venezuela)
These falls tumble over half a mile into remote Venezuela forest. The journey there is as adventurous as sighting the falls themselves.

9. Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)
The golden beaches, the raucous Carnaval fiesta and the glorious panoramas from the Christ the Redeemer statue and Sugar Loaf mountain makes Rio the most popular city in South America.

10. Nazca Lines (Peru)
Mysterious giant animals (100 to 200 yards across) including a spider, a hummingbird and a condor, along with unusual geometric designs were marked into the dry and dusty Peruvian desert by an ancient culture. They are best explored in a small plane.
South America has a rich selection of travel wonders and experiences from superb natural settings of forests, glaciers and waterfalls to culturally-rich and expressive cities. Travel with an open mind and enjoy this fascinating and diverse continent.

Mark H is the widely-traveled author of the popular travel blog http://www.travel-wonders.com (Travel Wonders of the World) where he reviews and shares his experiences, stories and photos of traveling to many of the world's great locations over twenty years of travel.

MOAI in RANO RARAKU 2

This place is a factory of Moai !!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoVndNvJ4K4&hl=en