Alright you're wondering where to go on your next vacation now that you have time off. Tired of the theme parks and big cities? Well here are ten fantastic destinations and itineraries to consider. Note: Never mind isolated incidents in these places like out-of-control androids and rampaging dinosaurs. For the most part these are prime vacation spots to ease a tired mind and body or excite anyone seeking adventure.
10. Carillon (Battlestar Galactica "Saga Of A Star World"): Imagine you're a weary war refugee and need a resort planet with people to welcome you with open arms and food, drink and great chances to win fortunes. Look no further than Carillon and don't mind the fact that the indigenous Ovions only want to wine and dine you in order to fatten you up for their children's menu.
9. The Titanic (Doctor Who "Voyage Of The Damned"): Want to book a voyage on an interstellar replica of the famous ship but can do without Celine Dion songs and morons shouting "I'm the king of the world"? Well this upgraded Titanic is the ship for you. It's posh, elegant and can warp between planets in no time.
8. The Fhloston Paradise (The Fifth Element): So a Titanic replica may not be your thing. How about a magnificent, state-of-the-art space cruise ship that takes leisurely anti-g sails on alien oceans and has weird blue aliens that sing opera for entertainment? And hey you may get a chance to help Korben Dallas save the universe!
7. Naboo (Star Wars Episode I and II): Now this a planet of royal luxury! Verdant plains, magnificent waterfalls, and majestic Mediterranean-like architecture are just some of the highlights in your trip to Naboo. Just don't mind those pesky Trade Federation android armies or those underwater Gungans.
6. The Axiom (WALL-E):
5. Time Safari (A Sound Of Thunder): Go anywhere in time with the Time Safari. The most popular temporal destination is the prehistoric past where guides on marked above-ground trails help you hunt down a vicious T-Rex just before its natural death. Please make sure not to leave anything behind not even footprints and don't step on any butterflies.
4. Westworld (Westworld): The Delos Corporation's amusement park also features Medievalworld and Romanworld but Westworld is the most memorable spot to visit. For a mere $1,000 per day, you can indulge yourself in your most primal desires. Have a shootout (and win!), do some hard drinking and bar fighting or spend time with a lovely partner. Don't let that recent glitch with the human-looking androids keep you from visiting. Coming soon is a new addition called Futureworld where you can visit Mars!
3. Jurassic Park (Jurassic Park): This is a must-visit theme park that blows away all the others. For anyone tired of fake-looking audio-animatronics, Jurassic Park has actual dinosaurs. Resurrected after millions of years of extinction thanks to genetic engineering, these gigantic beasts are a wonder to behold for the young and old. Visitors can view them in their natural habitats from the safety of perimeter fences and rugged jeep vehicles. Back at the park's facility take a behind-the-scenes tour of how these reptilian giants were recreated. Or indulge yourself with top-notch amenities and make sure to visit the gift shop.
2. The Shore Leave Planet (Star Trek "Shore Leave"): Located in the Omicron Delta system, this planet's highly advanced facilities can literally create your ideal dreams just by scanning your thoughts. Want to get even with the school bully? Here's your chance to find him and give him a beat down. You can also be a part of fairy tales, fight samurai or spending time with the person of your dreams. Just be mindful of your thoughts.
1. Risa (Star Trek: The Next Generation "Captain's Holiday", Star Trek: Deep Space Nine "Let He Who Is Without Sin" and Enterprise "Two Days And Two Nights"): This is the resort planet that everyone talks about and visits. From Captain Archer in the 22nd century to Captain Picard and the Deep Space Nine crew in the 24th century. Why would so many people visit Risa? Imagine a planet with a plethora of white-sand beaches, luxurious resorts, rich gardens, outdoor activities, nightclubs, perfectly controlled weather and unforgettable twin sunset views. It's the best spot in the galaxy for couples wanting to get away from it all. Plus, it's the best spot in the galaxy for singles, just remember to have a Horga'hn statue ready.Top Ten Stan Lee Marvel Cameos
One of the highlights for any Marvel film are comic book creator Stan Lee's often humorous cameos. Some are better and more memorable than others. These are his best appearances to date in Marvel superhero films.
10. Security Guard; Hulk: One of the very few highlights in this film was seeing Stan Lee and Lou Ferigno together as security guards who pass by Bruce Banner. And he actually has lines to speak unlike previous cameos.
9. The Pickup Truck Driver; Thor: During a segment where locals try to move Thor's hammer, Stan tries using his pickup truck to loosen the weapon without any luck.
8. Man In The Park; The Avengers: In the film's final moments there is a media montage with reporters interviewing New York citizens about the Avengers. Stan is park visitor who scoffs at the idea of the Avengers. In his too-short appearance he remarks, "superheroes in New York? Give me a break!"
7. Army Officer; Captain America: The First Avenger: Steve Rogers skips an awards ceremony that Stan attends. He's a befuddled army officer who mistakes a diminutive official, who informs an announcer that Rogers won't be attending, for being Rogers. His humorous line is "I thought he'd be taller."
6. Man Drinks Hulk Juice; The Incredible Hulk: Bruce Banner's gamma-irradiated blood accidently spills into a juice bottle that is later drunk by Stan. He reacts immediately to the drink and mutters "wow." According to reports in the film, the juice had quite a punch!
5. Stan Lee as Hef; Iron Man: Now is Stan supposed to be playing famous Playboy magnate Hugh Hefner or is he only mistaken for Hef because of his wardrobe and gorgeous entourage? The debate goes on with this funny scene where Tony Stark addresses him as Hef when Stark arrives at a function.
4. Willie Lumpkin; Fantastic Four: Stan Lee actually plays one of the characters that he helped to create in the Fantastic Four. Only fans of the comic book will recognize Stan as the Fantastic Four's lovable mailman; here he delivers overdue bills to Reed Richards.
3. The Librarian; The Amazing Spider-Man: His most recent appearance is a very funny one. A heated battle between Spider-Man and the Lizard spills over into Peter Parker's high school library. Stan Lee plays an oblivious librarian to the chaos behind him because he is listening to classical music on his headphones.
2. Stan Lee Tries To Crash A Wedding; Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver Surfer: Reed Richards and Sue Storm are holding a posh, invitation-only wedding in Manhattan. Stan Lee is prevented from attending by an usher because he's not on the guest list. It was his funniest appearance and a recreation from Fantastic Four Annual # 3 where he and Jack Kirby aren't allowed into the characters' wedding.
1. Stan Lee meets Peter Parker; Spider-Man 3: Peter Parker in the middle of swooning over himself early in the film encounters Stan as they both admire New York's Spider-Man displays. He looks at Peter and tells him "I guess one person can make a difference." This is Stan's best line spoken in these films and sums up a poignant philosophy that is at the core of his stories. Also unlike other cameos it's prominent and memorable.
On that note one thing keeps glaring out with these cameos. Co-creators Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko aren't featured anywhere in these films. Of course, Kirby is no longer with us but they could at least feature a landmark named after him. Wouldn't it have been cool if the Thing passed by the corner of Yancy Street and Kirby Avenue? Or if Peter Parker attended the Ditko Art Exhibit?
José Soto
Check out a video of Stan Lee's cameos