In unusual but true stories this week, we have luminous mushrooms in western Japanese woods, spelling mistakes on Australia's new 50 dollar note, a Frenchman crossing the Atlantic in barrel capsule, a floating mansion designed for rising sea levels, and a Sherpa climbing Mount Qomolangma a record 23rd time.
These odd and interesting anecdotes from around the world are here in our review.
Luminous mushrooms in western Japanese woods
Green luminescent mushrooms nicknamed "forest fairies" on a western Japanese mountain offer visitors a touch of fantasy, with this year's observation tours starting early May, according to Japan Finder.
The species of fungi called Mycena lux-coeli with a cap measuring one-to-two centimeters in diameter glows in rainy conditions due to an enzyme that oxidizes luciferin, a light-emitting compound. It can only be found in Japan.
The mushroom was first discovered on Hachijo Island in the Pacific in 1951 and on Mount Mesame on the Ugui Peninsula in Wakayama Prefecture in 2001. Currently, it can also be found in the Mie, Hyogo, Oita and Miyazaki prefectures.
The mountain is off limits except for mushroom observation tours due to environmental conservation efforts.
Spelling mistakes found on Australia's new 50 dollar note
The Reserve Bank of Australia is reeling after a local radio station posted a photograph on social media highlighting an embarrassing spelling blunder on the country's new 50 dollar note in early May.
Uploaded to Twitter, Triple M shared the image was sent in by a listener, showing the word "responsibility" misspelt three times as "responsibilty."
Although the note has been in circulation since October last year, it hadn't previously been detected because the writing appears in 'reverse text' which is only detectable via microscope.
According to rare currency dealer Jim Noble from Noble Numismatics, this is the first time the Reserve Bank of Australia has ever made a "typo" on any currency.
Frenchman completes Atlantic crossing in barrel
A 72-year-old French adventurer is on the Caribbean island of Martinique after successfully crossing the Atlantic Ocean in a barrel-shaped orange capsule, according to the BBC.
Jean-Jacques Savin set off on his journey in late December from El Hierro in Spain's Canary Islands.
He used ocean currents alone to propel the capsule across the Atlantic.
Savin declared his trip a success on April 27, when he entered the Caribbean after 122 days at sea. The journey covered more than 4,500km (2,800 miles).
A floating mansion designed for rising sea levels
For many, the idea of floating away from real life and traveling all over the world is a recurring fantasy. Arkup, a company based in Miami, Florida, might be able to turn that dream into a reality.
The Arkup houseboat, built by co-founders Arnaud Luguet and Nicolas Derouin, is a fully solar powered and sustainable luxury livable yacht that has 4,350 square foot total space, which includes 2,600 square foot indoor space and 1,750 square foot total outdoor space.
The Arkup has four hydraulic pilings that stabilize the vessel on the seafloor and can also be used to lift the living quarters above rising ocean waters.
Sherpa climber scales Mount Qomolangma for record 23rd time
Sherpa climber Kami Rita scaled Mount Qomolangma on Wednesday for a 23rd time, breaking his own record for the most successful ascents of the world's highest peak.
Rita reached the summit with other climbers Wednesday morning and all were reported to be safe, said Gyanendra Shrestha, a Nepalese government official at the mountain's base camp.
Rita's two closest peers have climbed the 8,850-meter (29,035-foot) peak 21 times each, but both of them have retired from mountain climbing.
Rita, 49, first scaled Qomolangma in 1994 and has been making the trip nearly every year since, one of many Sherpa guides whose expertise and skills are vital to the safety and success of the hundreds of climbers who head to Nepal each year seeking to stand on top of the world.
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