Animal alternative: A shimmering green parrot suddenly appears in the ring, followed by an elephant family thundering past an astonished crowd, but none of it is real. Germany's Roncalli Circus replaced live animals with holograms using high-resolution projections and mesh screens to create vivid illusions. The idea emerged from the growing use of holographic performances in entertainment where digital recreations often take centre stage. Mounting concerns about animal welfare along with the challenge of housing creatures while on tour led the circus to explore this alternative. Instead of asking what is missing, this circus asks what is possible. Some guests leave smiling, unsure what was more magical the circus or what it chose to leave behind.

Sacred climb: Mount Tai in Tai'an, China, is revered as a bridge between earth and sky and has drawn pilgrims and poets for centuries. Though not among China's tallest peaks, the path to its summit demands spirit, as it winds more than 6,000 stone steps upward. Hikers can start at the Red Gate, passing incense-filled temples and ancient stone tables while climbing through forests. Many pause at midway stations or take the cable car, but the most determined can follow in the steps of emperors to reach the peak. Jade Emperor Peak rewards sunrise seekers with sweeping views, often shared with hundreds gathered at the top. Mount Tai's towering presence inspires the feeling that the world, from above, looks very small.

Border puzzle: In the town of Baarle, where Belgium and the Netherlands meet, the border isn't a straight line - it's a maze. Streets, houses, and even buildings are split between the two countries, with white crosses on the ground showing where one ends and the other begins. Some people sleep in one country and cook breakfast in the other. The confusion began long ago, when land was divided between noble families, and it took centuries to settle the details. Locals deal with mixed rules, double services, and two of almost everything. Visitors come to see the odd layout, but for those who live here, it's about working together and solving everyday problems across a dotted line.

Laugh line: A vintage pay phone with a twist is bringing back dial tones and punchlines in Washington, D.C. (USA). Instead of just making calls, this sidewalk fixture also tells knock-knock jokes, shares fun facts, and delivers cheerful thoughts, all triggered by the press of a button. Rewired and reimagined by a local teacher, the phone uses a small computer and home wi-fi to run its lighthearted programming and keep things fresh. Kids walking by often stop to giggle or to surprise their parents with an unexpected call. While smartphones dominate daily life, this throwback gadget offers a reminder that simple ideas can still connect people. It's not just nostalgia - it's community, with a dial tone.

My goal is to build a life I don't need a vacation from. ~ Rob Hill Sr.

The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain! ~ Dolly Parton

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1. Mancala is a board game that originated on this continent.

2. What type of tree produces acorns?

3. Is a group of flamingos called a flock, flutter, or flamboyance?

4. This is the only mammal capable of true flight.

5. What part of the body does a snake use to smell?

Star catcher: Built into a natural hollow, China's 500-metre radio telescope is too massive to move. Its giant metal dish gathers signals from deep space, helping scientists discover distant stars, and maybe even hints of life beyond our planet.

Bug countdown: Some of the large, loud insects called cicadas spend 17 years underground before surfacing all at once. During that stretch, they stay busy as nymphs, feeding on tree roots. When the soil warms to the right temperature, they rise up to sing and mate.

Backing band: The music group best known for Africa didn't just top charts on their own. They also backed Michael Jackson on Thriller. Members of Toto contributed to much of the iconic album, lending their musicianship to tracks like Beat It and Human Nature.

Language layers: In Papua New Guinea, more than 800 languages are spoken across its rugged mountains and scattered islands. Isolated villages have developed their own ways of speaking over time, making this Pacific nation the most linguistically diverse on the planet.

Stage glow: The phrase in the limelight comes from a bright stage light once made by heating quicklime, a type of calcium compound. It lit up performers long before electric bulbs took over. The expression still shines today.

A monster with a drip dry suit is called a wash-and-were-wolf.

We were going to tell you a swimming joke, but it was too watered down.

Patient: I'm here for my liver. Doctor: Sorry, I don't have it.

What do you need to know to be an auctioneer? Lots.

1. Africa 2. Oak 3. Flamboyance 4. Bats 5. Tongue