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The Earth is indeed a puzzleball. Not so much the static natural landscape, animals and plants but that most puzzling element of all: mankind. Thankfully, this post has nothing to do with the complicated issues facing man on planet Earth, neither the puzzling situations man is able to create for himself to complicate daily life…

The puzzleball is a 3D puzzle in the shape of a globe. On our previous trip to Australia, the box beckoned from the shelf at Socrates in Pacific Fair. Not wanting to burden my luggage any further, I set it back down after looking at it. I had some regrets at not buying the World Globe puzzleball, but forgot about it soon after. In December, we once again happened upon Socrates. To my delight, the same shelf still contained a few boxes of the World Globe, discounted no less. Obviously, this item is a real seller

Grabbed one and started putting it together over the weekend. The puzzle consists of 540 pieces, each molded precisely from plastic. The box contains a pre-assembled North Pole and South Pole section to assist in starting and finishing the model. The curved based is used during assembly to create a surface to push pieces more easily together and doubles as a display stand once the globe has been completed.

I’m no keen puzzle builder, so I was rather pleased to discover that each puzzle piece is numbered – 1 through 540.

There is no way I’ll attempt to match pieces by their decorated side, so I opted for the McDonald‘s style assembly method: since the pieces are attached to each other numerically, it was a rather easy methodology of piecing the globe together without having to consider the outside too much. I consider it a bit of a hack. Simple, yet effective.

Simply find the next piece in sequence, then see how best it attaches to the preceding one. In some cases, a glance at the outside to match a colour or location cannot be avoided, but I’ve completed almost half of the globe in less than 2 hours.

Now moving onwards through Europe, Russia and the USA towards Africa, South America and Australia.

This is a great gift for the puzzle-loving cartographer…

The original 1966 Batmobile is an absolute classic. I owned an original Corgi model in my younger years. The one with an embossed Batman on its base, rocket blaster and front-mounted slicer. Alas, that much-loved toy couldn’t and didn’t survive. A replacement nowadays would run into a few thousand Rand, not necessarily in good nick and probably without any packaging. The next best option is the 40th anniversary model Mattel is rolling out. It’s a 1:18 scale 1966 Batmobile as seen in the original TV series and it’s the first time since the original Corgi model that such a larger scale Batmobile model is available.

George Barris‘ design is instantly recognizable.Though the model doesn’t have the original features of the Corgi, it’s still a perfect addition to any shelf in the various Batcaves strewn around the world.

If you have tried to find an original Corgi model, this may be the next best bet. If you’re in South Africa, you may want to order one here.

If you have the money, there are some rather nice toys to be had. If the new Veyron is just beyond your means (goes for USD 2.25 million), why not settle for an original prop from Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope? From the item description: this is the actual filming miniature of the T.I.E. Fighter that bumps into Darth Vader’s fighter knocking him out of the trench, allowing Luke to destroy the Death Star.

While the rebel ships appeared worn from use with dents, primer spots, oxidation and oil streaks, the Imperial Forces’ equipment was always pristine and appeared in top-notch condition. The corner of the right wing in this fighter was purposely distressed to exhibit the damage resulting from the collision with Vader’s ship; however, this model was also used in its pristine state in other sequences of the film.

If you wanted to place a bid, you’re out of luck. Someone already bought it for USD 350,000…