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A site that reveals both the underbelly and the wonders of the world in all their glory. It looks at the amazing, the breathtaking, the inane and the insane...

Web Watch: 26 February 2008
Published each week in the Henley Standard

A weird and wonderful world

by Jacqueline Alexander

Despite being fully aware that knowledge is no substitute for wisdom, I have to confess to an overwhelming desire to accumulate obscure facts. My father used to claim to have 'a headful of useless information' and I, as a mini human vacuum, hoovered up many of his more unusual facts and figures. These trivial gems probably take up that vital space in my head that should be reserved for either more beneficial or, at least, looking at my bank statement, more profitable use. There's no question, I am my father's daughter, and I too admit to having a headful of useless information.

Having said that, you would think that I am about to correct this misuse of grey matter and introduce you to a site that will challenge your philosophy of life, expand your spiritual understanding of the world and feed your soul. Unfortunately, I haven't found that site yet so, until I do, please accept my invitation to visit a site that is jam-packed with the most weird and wonderful information.

Oddee.com is the aptly named site that reveals both the underbelly and the wonders of the world in all their glory. It looks at the amazing, the breathtaking, the inane and the insane. Breaking you in gently, let's start with the amazing.

Did you know that in order to counterbalance their diminishing revenues from oil and gas reserves, Dubai has been busily building a formidable array of awe-inspiring constructions? The idea is to ensure the tourists continue to contribute vast amounts to their $46 billion economy. Most people are aware of the Burj, the world's tallest building standing at over 800 metres, but perhaps less well known is the currently under construction Dubailand, which, at twice the size of Disneyland, is set to become the world's largest theme park, Then there is the Dubai Mall which, as you might expect, is to be the world's largest shopping centre and, just to endorse the world theme, we are treated to a miniature, man-made series of islands forming the shape of a world map. Dubai has decided to make it's mark on the underwater world, too.

When it opens in 2009, a new resort, the Hydropolis, will offer 220 suites all of which will have a spectacular sea view - a term I use quite literally as this resort is being built 66 metres below sea level. Although it's shell, at the very least, must surely be completed by now, I couldn't find any photographs but the artist's impressions are well worth a look. And, if you find yourself with Ł3,500 to spend on a night in one of their luxury suites, you can let me know if the artist got it right.

Moving on from the man-made to the rather more impressive natural wonders of the world, this site highlights just a few of the world's most amazing islands. Some of these you will be familiar with but there's one or two that may have escaped your notice.

Back in 1963, a trawler was going about its business just south of Iceland when an unusual activity caught the notice of the boat's cook. Further investigation revealed bellowing smoke emerging from the sea. At first, the captain assumed a boat was on fire but, in fact, the trawler's crew were witnessing the birth of an island as a huge volcanic eruption emerged from over 130 metres below sea level. Other volcanic islands have appeared in various parts of the world since but few stay for long as the immense power of the oceans simply washes them away. Surtsey, as it was subsequently named, was not such a push over and is now established as the southern-most point of Iceland.

Not all the information on Oddee.com is quite so edifying so browse with care - I would hate you to stumble across the world's youngest mother (age 5) or the rudest gravestone ever without at least tipping you the wink. Equally, I would hate you to miss out on the climbing goats, the fish rain or the advertisements from a bygone age that remind us that the world wasn't always the PC-mad place it is today - although some of these examples do make you strangely grateful that it is.

A further word of warning is necessary to alert you to the fact that all the innocent looking links on the left hand side of this site are advertisements and it is easy to inadvertently find yourself on a site promoting the latest money-making scams - sorry schemes - available to you. Whilst I understand the need to generate revenue, I am not sure about the lack of any obvious signals to enable you to differentiate between links and advertisements. Although, if the money-making works out for you, please let me know, my thirst for useless information may yet pay off.

www.oddee.com

Jacqueline Alexander presents Web Watch every Tuesday at 5.45pm on BBC Radio Berkshire on 104.1FM, 104.4FM, 95.4FM, 94.6FM and DAB Digital Radio. To listen in, just visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/berkshire.

What is Web Watch?

Web Watch is broadcast on BBC Radio Berkshire, published in the Henley and South Oxon Standard and published online right here at web-watch.info.

As a cross-media project, Web Watch is designed to help you find the best sites here on the Internet.

You can catch Web Watch on air every Tuesday at 5.45pm when Jacqueline Alexander sits down with Phil Kennedy during the Drivetime show on BBC Radio Berkshire to chew the virtual fat.