Thar She Blows

Well, I've never been to Vegas. And I don't like Celine Dion. But it would be worth a trip just to see some of the funky architecture and crazy stuff that goes on.

The reason this comes to mind is word that the Mirage was to re-open its famous volcano on Dec. 8 at 5 p.m. Vegas time.

The volcano has undergone a $25 million renovation, which is a lot of dough even for Vegas, and is said to be even bigger and louder than ever, with 120 fireballs lighting up the sky. There's a new soundtrack, too, composed by Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart.

The volcano is set to spew forth lava every hour on the hour from dusk to 11 p.m.. Plans call for Robbie Knievel, son of the late Evil Knievel - to fly over the volcano on New Year's Eve on a motorcycle.

Take that, Dick Clark.

TRY SITTING IN COACH ...

Hard to believe, but an item moved the other day that said pilots who fly the Airbus 380 superjumbo are complaining the plane is TOO QUIET.

Apparently, pilots count on a little humming noise from a jet's engines to lull themselves to sleep while the co-pilot takes over (we presume). But there's not much noise from the A380, which makes it easier to hear all those poor schmucks in coach complaining about lousy food and extra baggage charges. Not to mention crying babies.

It's kinda hard what to make of this. I don't want my pilots having to down Red Bulls to stay awake at the wheel, but they should try sitting back where the rest of us do some time. I think the cockpit will seem pretty good by comparison, don't you?

CHRISTMAS TRAVEL

Travel and Leisure recently listed 10 favourite spots to spend Christmas. Making the list were Charleston, South Carolina, anywhere in New Zealand, Boston, Edinburgh, Bali, Montreal, Munich, Park City, Puerto Rico and Santa Cruz, California, where Santa arrives on a surfboard. How cool is that?