1. Sculpt

What do you do with a huge block of cheese? Sculpt it!

That's what Troy Landwehr of Wisconsin did in mid 2007. The cheese carver and winemaker used his carving tools to sculpt a 700-pound giant block of Land O' Lakes cheddar into a replica monument of Mount Rushmore, custom-built for the manufacturer of Cheez-It snack crackers. What happened next? After Troy and his creation went on a road tour across USA, the cheddar block end up in Oklahoma and was cut into cubes for public consumption.

2. Auction

Why not auction it?

10 years ago, Diana Duyser who was about to bite her grilled cheese sandwich realized that there was a familiar face, resembling the image of Virgin Mary on the said cheese sandwich. She put it in a plastic box and kept it for 10 years. The amazing thing is that it never grew mold and looks fresh as ever. The item was eventually sold through an auction on eBay, reportedly for $28,000 by Golden Palace, an online casino.

3. Smoke

Can you really smoke it?

In 1966, Stuart M. Stebbings patented the world's first cheese-filter cigarette, under the US Patent Number 3,234,948. What a brilliant idea to enjoy grilled cheese flavoured ciggies.

4. Perfume

Wear them as perfume!

This was featured in my earlier article. As part of a campaign to encourage the public to eat more Blue Stilton cheese, The Stilton Cheese Makers Association (SCMA) of UK, through ID Aromatics perfumers of Manchester developed the Eau de Stilton cheese perfume. Don't worry because this perfume is definitely wearable.

5. Play Games

Have you heard of cheese-rolling game?

It only happened at a place in Gloucestershire, UK. Here, for the past 100 years, the Cooper Hill Cheese-Rolling Festival is held each year on 2nd May Bank Holiday. It is actually a hazardous game whereby a cheese (usually a 7-pound wheeled of cheese) is rolled down the steep hill and people are expected to chase after it. The first one who can reach the bottom of the hill is the winner. I supposed only a professional stunt man can do this as the game has resulted in many injuries thus far.

6. Musical Instrument

Can you really make music using cheese?

Actually you can. Walter Willems, a Dutch artist created his artistic drum set using cheese. This piece of art form was featured in the Mocca Contemporary Art Exhibition. It was reported that the cheese used to make the perfect sound of drum beats must be a rather aged cheese. Hmm, talking about cheesy music.

7. Bathe

You can bathe in it?

Perhaps you can visit the Gerschni Alp in the town of Engelberg of Switzerland. The bath at the cheesemaker's farm in Gerschni Alp actually utilizes a bi-product of cheese curdle called whey. It is reported that it looks like oily melted cheese and it smells of sweet hot milk, which is perfect for smoothening skin. The perfect cheese bathing temperature is 37 degrees Celsius, and oh yeah you can eat them too. You can enjoy both the bath and the magnificent view at the mountain top at the "outdoor bath tub", with starting price of about 40 francs.

There are the classic Santas that look like they have just dropped in from the North Pole and there are funny Santas that make us laugh with that good old fashioned holiday spirit. There are dress-up Santas where everyone from cats and dogs, kids, a lizard and sexy babes put on that festive red pointy hat to get in the spirit of Christmas.

Then there is the weird stuff. There are Santa clones, Santa weirdos, crazy Santa toys, and some funny, strange, and alternative festive Santa Claus pictures and decorations that are not your every day Santa. Is he getting a little crazier every year, or maybe just a little weird? And what about that house full of elves?

OK, let's not get into all of the details but it is important to share this special tribute with the lady behind the man - we'll throw in something special to give due credit to the lady that makes her home with this celeb the other 364 days of the year - Mrs. Claus.

Yep, Santa is one of those stars that won't go away, he comes back every year and just seems to get hotter and hotter. The kind of guy that makes even the North Pole sound cool. So enjoy this Santa Claus extraordinaire, and get yourself into the holiday spirit.

Classic Santa Look

OK, we will at least start off with a few great shots of the classic Santa Claus, that jolly old man with a furry beard that blows in from the North Pole once every year on Christmas Eve.

Santa Christmas Pets

It seems that it only takes a red pointy hat placed on the head of our favorite pet to get us into the holiday frame of mind, although again, everyone has their own idea of what that holiday spirit is exactly...

OMG Santa, Is That You?

Santa is on his way, although once he gets here, he may look a little bit different than you remember him. Is that really the Santa Claus we know?

Is Santa Getting Weirder or What?

Maybe it is the long nights at the North Pole, maybe it is the isolation from mankind, or maybe it is that crazy band of elves he keeps around him, but it seems like Santa Claus has picked up a few crazy quirks and peculiarities along the way.

Everybody Wants to Be Santa Claus

In spite of what anyone may think, Santa Claus is still a very famous person, and everyone wants to be him. Some are a little more suited for becoming Santa impersonators than others, but every year, it seems that even more want to try on that famous costume.

Santa Claus is Cool

Like any other massive celebrity, Santa gets to hang out with the cool folks, and it seems that he is becoming hipper with every coming year.

A Tribute to Mrs. Claus

One of the reasons that we may have not considered for Santa's self imposed isolation on the North Pole is the fact that his wife Mrs. Claus is one hot babe, and Santa has a hard time leaving - knowing that he is leaving this lady home at night.

Crazy Santa Toys

Some of these are cute, some of these are a little bit unique, and a few of these are some of the weirdest Santa toys around.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Gamirasu Cave Hotel, Turkey

The cave was originally inhabited by the Christian monks in the Byzantine era for more than 5,000 years. The volcanic rock insulates the cave, keeping the temperature naturally comfortable. Opened in 1999, the restored cave hotel has a total of 18 rooms at around $100 - $150 per night.

Kokopelli's Cave, New Mexico, USA

This is actually a privately owned luxury cliff dwelling in Farmington, New Mexico. The one bedroom cave home is carved from a 65 million year old sandstone formation. For about $280 per night, not only you will get a "living-in-cave" experience but also a superb view of the La Plata River as well as La Plata and San Juan mountains.

2. TREE HOUSE

Woodpecker Hotel, Vasteras, Sweden

This is a tree house built on a 130 year old oak tree located in the Vaserparken park. At 13 meters above ground, the only access to the tree house is by a rope ladder. The tree house was built by a Swedish artist, Mikael Genberg. Even though small, the tree house is furnished with all the basic amenities. As this is the only tree house in that area, early booking is necessary and expect to pay around $300 per night.

Green Magic Tree Houses, Kerala, India

This is a tree house built on a tropical rainforest tree at around 100 feet high above the ground. The only access to the tree house is via a hanging bridge. As the tree houses are located in a protected rainforest, they are all eco-friendly and use alternative energy to keep running. There are four double rooms in two tree houses. Costing around $250-$300 per night, each room is equipped with a bathroom and telephone.

3. ICE

Ice Hotel, Sweden

Ice Hotel of Sweden is the original and the world's first ice hotel made of 6,000 square feet of ice and snow. This hotel only exists from December to April every year since 1990. At an average temperature of about 17 degrees Fahrenheit, the hotel beds are also specially made of ice and snow, topped with a couple of layers of reindeer skins with a thermal sleeping bed for the guests to sleep. The hotel charges around $200 per night. It has 80 rooms including suites, a church and a bar called the Absolute Icebar.

Alta Igloo Hotel, Norway

This hotel is made of snow and ice, measuring about 2,000 square meters. The hotel is decorated with ice sculptures depending on the theme set each year, for instance, Viking myth (2004), Norwegian fairytales (2005) and wild animals (2006). The temperature in the igloo remains between minus 4 and minus 7 degrees Celsius. To ensure comfort of the guests, the bed is made up of reindeer hide mattresses and a thermal sleeping bag. The hotel has 30 rooms which cost around $250-$300 per night.

4. DESERT

Al Maha Desert Resort, United Arab Emirates

This luxurious hotel has received world recognition for its architecture which comprises 40 Bedouin-tent shaped villas and two suites. The resort has a full spa complex with a large pool and gym. Each room is equipped with air-conditioning, a giant bed and a luxurious bathroom, costing between $800-$1500 per night.

5. UNDERWATER

Utter Inn, Stockholm, Sweden

This is an underwater hotel with a floating top which looks like a little red house in the Lake Malaran. The bedroom is like an underwater hatch with windows. This is in fact another creation of Swedish artist, Mikael Genberg. Access to the underwater hotel is by boat. Meals will also be delivered by boat. A night stay with dinner costs around $350.

Jules Undersea Lodge, Key Largo, Florida

It claims to be the world's first underwater hotel, 21 feet below the sea. It was originally built in the 1970s as a research lab off the coast of Puerto Rico. It was only opened to public in 1986. The only access to the hotel is by diving for 21 feet underwater. Each room is equipped with a kitchenette, shower and window (for underwater viewing), costing around $350 per night.

6. CAPSULE

Capsule Inn, Tokyo, Japan

This is more like a capsule than a standard hotel room. These capsules are made of reinforced plastics. Each capsule has all the basic amenities such as TV, radio, alarm clock and lightings. The Inn also provides lounge and also shared bathrooms. It charges around $50-$100 per night.

7. FANTASY / WEIRD DECOS

Hobbit Motel, Woodlyn Park, Otorohanga, New Zealand

Hobbit Motel is one of the 3 unique motel units in Woodlyn Park. It resembles the authentic Hobbit home based on Tolkiens's books with the Hobbit furniture and circular windows. Comes with a very basic amenities, you can stay here for under $100 per night.

Propeller Island City Lodge, Berlin, Germany

This hotel is especially designed for people who like weird decorations and arts. Each room at Propeller Island Lodge is distinct in its own way. For instance, one room is orange in color, another comes with a slanted bed as if floating in the air. There's also a room complete with coffins that double as beds or you can even sleep in a lion cage. Cost per night comes to around $150-$200.

8. BIZARRE WALK-THROUGH EXPERIENCE

Queen Mary Hotel, Long Beach California, USA

Queen Mary was once a luxurious ocean liner and first set sail in 1934, carrying about 3,000 passengers and crew. During World War II, the ship carried around 16,000 troops at a time and also became a hospital for a short while. Right after the 1,001th voyage, the ship was permanently docked in Long Beach in 1967 and was transformed into a hotel with an interactive museum. Ghost sightings are quite common among the guests and the crew. However, if you can't see one, there is also the "Ghosts and Legends" tour, which is a special effect walk-through tour that dramatizes most of the ghostly stories reported on the ship. There are 365 rooms and suites. Price starts at around $150-$200 per night.

Old Jail Mount, Mount Gambier, Australia

This old jail house was transformed into a lodging aimed at budget travelers and backpackers. Guests will get the experience of being locked up during the night, pay legal fees, court appearance, eat in mess hall, sleep next to a toilet; all for less than $100 per night.

9. TRANSPORTATION

Imperial Boathouse, Hotel Cheong Mun Beach, Thailand

These boathouses were originally rice barges which are transformed into 34 luxurious beach-front suites. These two-storey boathouses are equipped with a luxurious bedroom, bathroom, dining area, living room and sunbathing deck, with a starting price of about $600 per night.

Exploranter - Overland Hotel, Sao Paulo, Brazil

This is actually a hotel on wheels. The hotel amenities include a shared kitchen, hot showers and a total of 28 beds. There is also a traveling chef on board who are also adventurous in preparing international cuisine. You can expect to pay less than $100 per night.

10. ANIMALS AND PETS

Dog Bark Park Inn, Indiana, USA

This is a two storey building in a shape of a giant beagle. For less than $100 per night, the rooms are well equipped with a queen sized bed, bathroom, fridge, microwave, hair dryer and a coffee maker.

Paw House Inn, Vermont, USA

This hotel is specialized for pets traveling with their owners. The pets get its own custom made dog bed complete with quilt and pillows. There is also a day care center for the pets to enjoy the scenic countryside. Price starts at around $200 per night.

Mollejas (ARGENTINA)

This food from Argentina is made from the Thymus gland of young calves, and is served especially with lemons!

Reindeer Steak (CANADA)

How about trying out a little bit of reindeer meat from Canada, for a change, eh?

Nopales (MEXICO)

If you are in Mexico and want to eat something local but vegetarian, try out their special cactus salad.

Kim Chee (KOREA)

Want to go veggie in Korea too? Then just try out some of their fermented cabbage. It is very sour and actually tastes a lot like vinegar.

Ika Sashimi (JAPAN)

In Japan, besides eating the food, watch out for its preparation, because the live squid is normally kept in a tank underneath the table at restaurants. Upon the arrival of a customer, there is a special ceremonious “Squid Dance” performance by the waiters where the live squid is cut up in front of you, then taken for cooking.

PATATJE OORLOG (HOLLAND)

The English translation of this dish from Holland means “war chips”. They are fried potato chips served with mayonnaise, tomato ketchup, garlic sauce and peanut-butter. It apparently gets its name because a war breaks out in your stomach when you eat it!

FUFU (GHANA)

People in Ghana simply relish this local dish made up of beaten yam fried in groundnut oil, and eaten especially with peanut butter