Hurtigruten Insiders

 It is somewhat surprising to discover that a remote and inhospitable region located within Norway's arctic territory is home to a population representing over 20 nations. But with the Domesday Clock currently set the closest it's ever been to midnight; it might be a relieve to know that the Svalbard Global Seed Vault serves as a repository guarding the planet's biodiversity with its priceless collection of flora species. Its existence highlights the fascinating and important research taking place here, as well as its amazing natural and cultural heritage. Tourists to this area are drawn to the spectacular aerial dance that alternates between the enigmatic northern lights in winter and the midnight sun of the arctic's summer season, as well as its unique wildlife which includes several species of whales, walruses, seals, arctic foxes, puffins, barnacle geese, reindeer and of course, the rock stars of the arctic, the polar bear. As a Facebook group, Hurtigruten Insiders represents the shipping company that offers a gateway to this important region for 130 years, a great place to visit, if you are planning an icy adventure amidst its glaciers or just curious.

Members: 71.1k members, at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join. 

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My Cat is an Asshole

To be honest, mine too. There was a time, not that long ago, when Leo could not be trusted with a cat litter bag, as the above photos show. And as much as we all love our furry felines, those exasperating moments are part and parcel of being a cat parent. Of course, there are a few instances where My Cat is a Badass might seem more appropriate. Like the tuxedo who brought home a live foot snake as prey. But in general, you will see plenty of cats behaving badly, ranging from misdirected excretions, the selection and appropriation of unlikely toys or conspiring to deprive their long-suffering owners of that good night's sleep they really need. Meet the destroyers of upholstery, furniture and electronic peripherals. Super-picky eaters, who are hooked on gourmet cuisine. Or accident-prone grumps who rack up astronomical vet bills and then behave badly towards veterinary professionals who saved their lives. Innocent looking duos or trios of felines plotting mayhem. Siblings being brats. Cats sharing their favorite entertainment options, whether it's hijacking boardgame-play or randomly knocking things off surfaces. Cats showing their sweetest asshole faces.

Members: 498.4k, at the time of writing. 

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join. 

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Tasty Treats with a Gothic Twist

Most Goth-themed Facebook groups and pages don't have plates of cookies in them. But this one does. There are also delectable cocktails and mocktails, bundt cakes, brownies, air fryer meals, bat plushies and black cats. Not to mention legendary Goth icons, vintage horror legends, Halloween themed art and dark, dark memes. For some reason nearly half of the edibles have cherries in them. No complaints here, though. Actually, it's really cool to see such an eclectic mash-up presented in such a gorgeously seductive ensemble. 

Members: 1.2k members, at the time of writing.

Trigger warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join.

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Paper Mache on the Wild Side

For most of us, paper mâché represents that embarrassing crime against the art establishment that somehow managed to sneak into our school curriculum. Paper mache is not smooth and sexy, like clay, nor mind-blowingly arresting like oil-paintings. But in the hands of the professionals or perhaps a dedicated amateur, you could be surprised at the results. Meet surprisingly realistic dogs or engaging cat families. Auto-biographical trophies, and jaw-dropping masks. A delightful carousel horse. A stylish collection of bunnies. Quirky white mice. The sheer versatility of the art featured in this group and the fun spaces they populate is mind-blowing and inspiring.

Members: 50.1k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join. 

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Wild Dogs of Africa

Although their evolutionary path parted ways with those of domestic dogs around three million years ago, Africa's painted dogs are nevertheless eerily similar to their distant cousins in the ways they move and socialize. But their exploits are larger than life by comparison. Hunting in packs, they take down larger prey such as impala, zebra, waterbuck, reedbuck and kudu by their sheer tenacity, persistence and close co-operation, or even brave a skirmish with a pair of crocodiles. There are signs that the African wild dog was once highly regarded by the San community and also in prehistoric Egypt and the oldest fossils go back 200,000 years. The Facebook Group dedicated to the Wild Dogs of Africa take us into their world through the lenses of wildlife photographers and safari tour guides. We also meet their fiercest defenders and advocates, such as Jealous and Edward Mpofu, and catch the dogs themselves in rare moments - such as expressing playful joy at a surprise shower of rain. 

Members: 13.1k, at the time of writing

Trigger warnings: inter-species violence.

Go here to visit or join. 

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Work with ICELANDIC horses in Iceland

Volunteering with horses is a bucket-list activity for many young animal lovers and Iceland has a quaint and magical allure that attracts many visitors. As an ancient breed known for its sturdy resilience and unique fifth gait, Icelandic horses are popular choices for cross-country riding and even certain equestrian sports disciplines. They are gentle, with a rugged, yet endearing appearance. If you are looking for volunteering opportunities that include access to riding and working with horses, you can post your availability and skillset, or browse through the available listings. Even if you're not yet ready to take the plunge for this popular gap year activity, the posts should give you a good idea of what's required and what to expect. 

Members: 26.1k, at the time of writing.

Trigger warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join.

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Film Locations - Then and Now

What if I told you that you could trek through Tatooine, in the footsteps of Luke Skywalker? Brush shoulders with the aura of Tony Soprano. Dine at the very same table as Tootsie in the Russian Tea Room. Step into the sandals of Maximus Decimus Meridius from Gladiator in Italy, or the boots of Laura Ingalls, at Big Sky Ranch, California. For the members of this Facebook Group dedicated to sharing movie locations, it's all about recreating iconic and defining moments in pop culture. Occasionally, other famous events are re-immortalized, such as music videos or just a couple of celebrities hanging out. Some settings barely show the passage of half a century or more. Others seem almost disappointingly mundane, without that extra glow of Tinsel Town magic. If you're a film buff, you will enjoy the obscure and not so obscure references and clues. 

Members: 1 million.

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join. 

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Random acts of knitting and crochet kindness

Some of them are deliberately flawed, but non-the-less endearing. They are made from the colorful little balls of yarn found within any knitter's stash. Apparently, they are called Izzy dolls, and you can probably make one in little more than an hour. With a few clever embellishments, you can its bland face into a familiar one - Paddington Bear or Mario. Take your pick. But the whole purpose of this group is not merely to create and post - there is a deeper sharing at play here. These adorable little knitted dolls are created to bring love and joy into the life of the random stranger who finds it and takes it home. Occasionally a grateful recipient shares the find. Take a moment to browse through all the adorable little ambassadors of kindness. You are sure to be inspired. 

Members: 92.1k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join.

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The Medieval Horse and its Equipment

The horse is such a central figure in popular media depictions of the Middle Ages that most people seldom notice the inaccuracies or misconceptions. For example, fantasy movies would have us believe that every average farm boy with dreams of grandeur just happened to have access to a well-bred Friesian stallion, never mind the fact that destriers were expensive, high-maintenance and exclusively reserved for the elite. There were times when laws prohibited the peasantry from even owning equines above a certain height, or at all. If however, you are interested in scratching beneath the glamor of modern myth to uncover some real facts, this fascinating Facebook group, dedicated to the tack and care of medieval steeds should give you plenty to digest. Posts include period depictions, book references, real artifacts from museums and links to re-enactments. 

Members: 2.2k, at the time of writing.

Trigger warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join. 

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Beatrix Potter Loves

Most people don't know this, but Beatrix Potter, now synonymous with Victorian children's literature, was also a pioneer in terms of creating a brand identity and earning a healthy residual income from merchandising opportunities. What began as a letter to a child, became the iconic Peter Rabbit, a charming creature inspired by one of the author's own pets, Peter Piper. Ms. Potter was also an enthusiastic naturalist and an award-winning sheep farmer, and before you mistake her for a straitlaced prude, there was an anecdote about the time she rewarded one of her animal models with hemp seeds, and inadvertently got him stoned out of his skull. Even now, more than a hundred years later, her creations remain as recognizable and beloved as ever. One need only look at the images found in this Facebook Group, which includes jaw-dropping fan-art alongside beautifully rendered originals. If you love the relatable innocence of small woodland creatures, this one's for you. 

Members: 116.4k, at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join.

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The View From My Window

One of the best things of the Internet, in my opinion, is the way it brings the world to you. It's wonderful to be chatting to someone in World of Warcraft, who is on another continent, or find a kindred soul whom you would never have met, had it not been for the World Wide Web or Facebook. This Facebook group uses images shared as a medium of saying hello to someone far away. And it's not necessarily the stunning, touristy scenery that's shared in snapshots - just moments of life, little pieces or local, with a few words that say, in so many ways "Look, I am here!" Take glimpses through windows in Australia, Kenya, Argentina, Chile, Minnesota, USA, Greece, the Netherlands, Belgium, Malta, the UK, Madeira, the Orkney Islands, Norway and Northern Ireland.   You may see newsworthy moments, adorable pets, visiting wildlife, sunsets, water, greenery and snow-capped firs, traffic and laundry, flowers, swimming pools and lawn flamingos, garden gnomes in Germany, visiting kangaroos in Australia, marinas, seascapes and beach views, the vastness of Canada and quaint little gardens and so much more. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy this wonderful collection of crowd-sourced postcards and pictures.

Members: 1.6 million at time of writing.

Trigger warnings: None. 

Go here to visit or join. 

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