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The best hikes in Tasmania

Tasmania, the triangular chunk of land under the Australian continent, was once best known outside the country for being the home of the Tasmanian devil, a sharp-toothed marsupial that is much cuter than his Looney Toons depictions of old. But Tasmania also has some of the most diverse landscapes in Australia — including thundering waterfalls, beaches, and dramatic rocky outcrops that dot the coastline — and an astonishing 19 national parks.

Although Tasmania still gets the fewest visitors in Australia, it has been experiencing the country’s fastest growth in tourism. Yet while the new travelers come to appreciate its natural beauty, too few take advantage of its incredible hiking opportunities. With mountains, lakes, beaches, and pristine forests, Tasmania is in fact a hiker’s dream.

When to go and how to get there

Photo: Visual Collective/Shutterstock

You can hike in Tasmania year-round, even in the winter months of June to August — although there’ll be cooler temperatures and snow will fall on the highest peaks. Winter is also humpback whale migratory season, when thousands make the journey from Antarctica up the east coast of Australia to breed and play in warmer waters.

The spring months from September to November bring comfortable hiking temperatures; moreover, the flowers are in bloom and vineyards come back to life. Summer from December to February is peak season, when the days are warmer and the trails more traveled — but crowds are never excessive. The fall period from March to May is still warm, and Tasmania’s beloved Fagus tree turns forests all shades of red and yellow.

That said, Tasmania is known for its unpredictable climate. Even on the hottest of summer days, the threat of heavy rain is always looming. When hiking, be prepared for all weather and always make sure to let someone know of your hiking plans.

Flights from Melbourne to Tasmania’s towns of Hobart or Launceston are just over an hour and less than $100. From Sydney to Hobart takes less than two hours and can cost under $200. The 10-hour commuter ferry from Melbourne to Tasmania is not really worth the time and cost. While you could bring a car on the ferry, you can just as easily rent one in Tasmania.

You need a National Parks Pass to enter all of Tasmania’s parks, which can be booked online and range in price from AUS$24 (US$16) for a daily pass to AUS$123 (US$85) for a two-year pass. Below we outline our favorite national parks and the hikes you should do within them.

Wineglass Bay and Hazards Beach Circuit — Freycinet National Park

7 miles, 5 hours round-trip, moderate

Photo: crbellette/Shutterstock

If beaches are your thing you’ll want to head to this national park for the Wineglass Bay and Hazards Beach Circuit. From the trailhead at the parking lot, the climb begins on a paved track which quickly turns to a dry but dusty path through the Australian bush. You’ll be surrounded by tall green gum trees and rocky hills, but you’ll soon catch glimpses of nearby Coles Bay as the trail ascends and begins to get steeper.

As the elevation increases, the track turns into well-placed stone steps to Wineglass Bay Lookout, with views of Mount Freycinet as the backdrop, before continuing down a stepped path to Wineglass Beach, Tasmania’s most famous powder-soft beach.

It can get hot during the day, even in the winter, and the weather is forever changing be prepared for all kinds of weather. If you are feeling warm, Wineglass Bay, called such because of its resemblance of a wine glass from above, is the perfect spot to cool off.

From the bay you can follow the boardwalk track to Hazards Beach and back up to the start of the hike, stopping off to admire the ocean views from the numerous orange-rocked swimming coves along the way.

Photo: Tom Jastram/Shutterstock

Other hikes in Freycinet National Park:

Mount Amos Track: A moderate hike covering 2.5 miles and taking three hours round-trip. This hike entails a little more scrambling over large boulders, but has fewer people on the trail. The views of Wineglass Bay are even better from higher up on Mount Amos, giving a wider view of the neighboring mountains and light blue coves that lap against them.

Cape Tourville Circuit: An easy three-mile hike that takes 20 minutes round-trip. This short but sweet boardwalk track takes you to along the granite coastline to the edge of Cape Tourville and the lighthouse built in 1971 that sits at the end.

Lady Barron Falls Circuit — Mount Field National Park

3.7 miles, 2 hours round-rip, easy

Photo: Darren Tierney/Shutterstock

Despite being the island state’s first national park and a real treasured spot for locals, Mount Field National Park is one of Tasmania’s lesser-known parks for outsiders. Here you’ll find temperate rainforest brimming with the iconic eucalyptus tree and vast alpine moors side by side.

The lower altitude Lady Barron Falls Circuit is one of the easiest hikes to do in the area, with only an 860-foot elevation gain. It’s still one of the most rewarding in the park as it weaves through swamp gum and between three waterfalls: Lady Barron Falls, Horseshoe Falls, and Russell Falls. The nearby visitors center is a good place to start or end your hike to learn about the surrounding vegetation and unique Tasmanian wildlife.

Photo: Pixelheld/Shutterstock

Another hike in Mount Field National Park:

Pandani Grove Nature Walk: An easy hike covering just a single mile and taking an hour round-trip. Suitable for all ages and levels of fitness, this walk has no steep sections but can have dustings of snow and ice. It follows a path to Lake Dobson, passing by the subalpine plant after which it’s named, the pandani. The pandani is the world’s tallest heath, found only in Tasmania.

Overland Track — Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park

40 miles, 6 days, strenuous

Photo: urbancowboy/Shutterstock

Cradle Mountain sits over 5,000 feet above sea level and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is also one of the best places to see some of Australia’s quirkiest wildlife, including wombats, echidnas, and the Tasmanian devil. Cradle Mountain’s impressive jagged peaks provide the backdrop for a number of hikes, including the popular Overland Track.

The multi-day hike in Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park will take you to the summit of Cradle Mountain, across rivers and through pine forests, past flowering heath and rural towns, and to hilltop huts each night to rest, before ending at nearby Lake St Clair. Bear in mind you need a permit (AUS$200, or about US$140) to do the hike and the huts can fill up pretty quick, so book ahead to guarantee you can get your hike on. Even with reservations, always carry a tent in case weather prevents you from reaching the huts before nightfall.

Photo: Olga Kashubin/Shutterstock

Other hikes in Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park:

Dove Lake Circuit: An easy hike covering 3.7 miles and taking two hours round-trip. This hike with one short steep hill takes you through moss-laden trees and around to a much-photographed 1940s boathouse. Take your time to admire the spikes of Cradle Mountain reflecting in Dove Lake, which sits below.

Shadow Lake Circuit: A moderate hike covering 7.5 miles and taking four hours round-trip. This hike will take you through subalpine forests of pencil pines and snow gums to Shadow Lake, with views of Mount Hugel on a clear day.

Cape Huay, Cape Raoul, and Three Capes tracks — Tasman National Park

Photo: Atul Haldankar/Shutterstock

The scenery gets really exciting in Tasman National Park, with weird and wonderful sandstone and granite rock formations, sea caves, and dramatic cliffs on the Tasmanian peninsula. For views that pack a punch try the Cape Huay Track, a moderate five-mile hike that’ll take four hours, or the Cape Raoul Track, a moderate 8.5-mile hike that’ll take five hours; both wind through rugged wooded areas and end at wave-washed sea cliffs.

Another multi-day hike to add to your list is the Three Capes Track, a strenuous hike that covers 30 miles and will take four days. It begins and ends at the World Heritage-listed Port Arthur prison and settlement. Port Arthur was built in the 19th Century by inmates and is now an open-air museum and one of the best preserved convict sites in Australia.

From Port Arthur you’ll be ferried to the start of the track at Denmans Cove where you’ll hug the wild cliffs of Tasman National Park for uninterrupted views of open ocean, bays, and granite stacks. A maximum of 48 hikers are allowed per day, so book in advance to avoid missing out.

Photo: Ophe/Shutterstock

Another hike in Tasman National Park:

Tasman Coastal Track: A strenuous hike that covers 11 miles and takes eight hours one way. This easier and cheaper alternative to the Three Capes Track still offers incredible, rugged Tasmanian views — from cliffside archway Devil’s Kitchen down Eaglehawk Neck and into Fortescue Bay.


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The post You need to hike in Tasmania, the least visited place in Australia appeared first on Matador Network.

The best mofongo in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico’s rich blend of cultures influences the art, music, and cuisine on the island. Puerto Rico is where you’ll find many (many) Piña Coladas, and where you can visit a town with an identity tied to unusual ice cream flavors. And it doesn’t stop there. There are stories to be told across Puerto Rico’s food landscape. Few dishes, however, have as strong of a connection to Puerto Rico as mofongo.

Puerto Rico’s national dish is technically arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon peas), but residents are most proud of their signature dish, mofongo. Mofongo is a local favorite, and it’s typically made with green plantains fried and mashed together with oil, garlic, salt, and sometimes chicharrón (fried pork skin). The mash is usually served on a plate with chicken, shrimp, beef, or vegetables.

Mofongo is arguably Puerto Rico’s most important dish. Not only is it a favorite among locals, but it also represents the complex, often overlooked history of the island. Mofongo exemplifies the heart and soul of the country — different backgrounds coming together to create something uniquely Puerto Rican. No trip to the Island of Enchantment is complete without it.

Mofongo was created on the island through a blend of local and foreign influence. The Spanish began to colonize the island in the early 1500s, and brought slaves from West Africa. With the West African slaves came fufu, a dish native to Central and West Africa made with boiled root vegetables (usually yuca, plantains, or yams) which are pounded into balls of dough and served as a side to meat or stews.

Inhabitants on the island adopted and modified the fufu brought from West Africa. They used a mortar and pestle from the indigenous Taino people called a pilón to mash together the ingredients, which were then fried rather than boiled. Additionally, a Spanish sauce base called sofrito, made with onions, garlic, and peppers, was added. From these three cultures, mofongo was born.

How mofongo is served

Photo: AS Food studio/Shutterstock

The most basic version of mofongo is made with mashed fried plantains and is served as a side dish to some form of protein, similar to the way fufu is traditionally eaten. Mofongo can also be made with yuca or breadfruit rather than green plantains. The most common way to eat mofongo is to fill it with meat, seafood, or vegetables. Filled mofongo is called mofongo relleno, and this is how it’s most often presented on a menu.

Other variations of mofongo are popular, too. Sometimes yuca, breadfruit, or sweet yellow plantains are mixed in as well. When green plantains are mixed with sweet plantains or a root vegetable, it’s called mofongo mixto or bifongo. Trifongo, as the name implies, is a mix of green plantains along with two other starches.

The best mofongo in San Juan

Photo: Restaurante Casita Miramar/Facebook

Mofongo is a staple of Puerto Rican cuisine and is easy to find on the island, especially in the capital of San Juan. The best place to get it is at a restaurant that serves cocina criolla, or Creole food. The term refers to traditional Puerto Rican cuisine, and restaurants advertised as criolla are typically mom-and-pop diners with a family run, home-cooking kind of feel.

Casita Miramar: A restaurant that’s a short drive from the historic city center in San Juan’s Miramar district. The space resembles a large, beautiful house and has an upscale vibe. The food is a bit more expensive here than most traditional Puerto Rican establishments, but the heaping portions, a free appetizer of plantain soup, and complimentary all-you-can-eat bacalaito (cod fritters) make it worth the price. Casita Miramar’s mofongo is filled with shrimp and is made with yuca rather than green plantains.

Cafe Manolin: Located in the center of Old San Juan, Cafe Manolin has an atmosphere reminiscent of an old-school American diner. It serves mofongo as a side dish made from either green plantains or yuca, or you can order mofongo relleno filled with chicken or shrimp. The mofongo at Cafe Manolin is particularly delicious if you love garlic, as there’s quite a lot of it in the mofongo mash.

Ajo Del Pais: Another popular option in the heart of Old San Juan. This restaurant is known for both its attentive service and the quality of its mofongo. You can find a much wider variety of mofongo relleno here, including mofongo filled with conch, shrimp, skirt steak, mahi-mahi, or octopus.

Los Pinos Café: Just down the street from Casita Miramar you’ll find Los Pinos Café, which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It’s the best place to fulfill a late-night craving or end a night of drinking in San Juan. Los Pinos has mofongo relleno with fillings ranging from chicken to octopus to crab. There’s also a trifongo made with yuca, green plantains, and yellow plantains.


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Plastic bag found in Mariana Trench

It was a day of joyous celebration. Deep sea diver Victor Vescovo pushed down seven miles to the bottom of the Mariana Trench, the deepest part of the Pacific Ocean, setting a record for the deepest dive of all time. Vescovo joined two other divers — American navy lieutenant Don Walsh and Swiss engineer Jacques Piccard, who dove in 1960 — as the sole divers to ever reach the bottom of the trench, with Vescovo reaching about 36 feet deeper than his predecessors.

But news of the record-breaking dive has been overshadowed by what Vescovo found lurking on the ocean floor, 35,849 feet below the ocean surface. His mission found at least one plastic bag along with multiple candy wrappers, signifying that the impact of humanity’s filthy obsession with plastic has reached the farthest depths of our planet.

Beyond the discovery of plastic litter, the mission proved to be a successful undertaking. The ocean floor teems with life, as evidenced by the microbes collected on the mission. Over the course of four hours exploring these deep depths, the mission released robotic ocean floor crawlers to conduct studies of the deep ocean. Exploring inside a submersible craft built by Triton Submarines, Vescovo also collected rock from the seafloor and believes they have discovered four new species of crustaceans called amphipods.

This dive effort is one of five being undertaken by Vescovo and his team. Dubbed the Five Deeps, they will attempt to reach the deepest point of each of the world’s five oceans. Vescovo, who is privately funding the expeditions, has also climbed the tallest mountain on each continent, according to a BBC report. The expeditions are scheduled to be completed this year before the submersible is donated to scientific institutions for further research.

H/T: BBC

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Wildlife experiences in Thailand

Photographs of travelers posing with wildlife on a trip to Thailand are often looked at in awe by friends and family back home. After all, it’s not every day that you get the chance to be in such close proximity to an exotic elephant or tiger. Regrettably, though, things are not always as they seem — it would be a divine miracle if you lived to tell the tale should you ever encounter a tiger in the wild. A lot has been made of these excursions over the last few years, including activists citing animal cruelty and making public stands against inhumane wildlife excursions. Today more than ever, it is vital that tourists are not visiting — and therefore not funding — the more sinister side of wildlife tourism in Thailand. It is totally possible to see these animals up close and in a secure and healthy environment. Here’s how to do it.

Never ride an elephant

Photo: Gina Smith/Shutterstock

One needs only to look at how popular elephant riding excursions became to see how their owners are experts at marketing to tourists. What happened behind the scenes remained hidden, though in recent years — thanks in part to the efforts of conservationists and travel writers who took the time to look beyond the brochure — people have begun to realize how disgusting elephant riding is. Elephants do not naturally allow people to hop on their backs. The selling point was that elephant riding happens only if the animal allows, making the excursion sound exciting and somewhat humane and perhaps even an opportunity to form a friendship with a magnificent creature. In actuality, the elephants are forced into allowing visitors to ride them through tortured conditioning that begins early on in their life. This is called the phajaan (meaning “to crush”) process, seeking to crush the spirit of the animal.

Once this became common knowledge, many operations ceased and were replaced with Elephant sanctuaries marketed as a safe haven for formerly mistreated elephants. This is precisely why it is vital to do some research before taking part in any wildlife experience — visiting an elephant sanctuary is one thing. Sanctuaries where elephants can live and roam are your best option for viewing elephants in their natural habitat. Responsible Travel, a site that vets ethical travel experiences, cites several ethical elephant sanctuaries in Thailand, including Elephant Nature Park in Kuet Chang and Elephant Valley in Chang Rai. In Kanchanaburi, you can visit Elephants World and work with old and ill elephants who are allowed to roam freely in a protected environment. You’ll be able to provide genuine help and care, and while it is such a shame that their mistreatment has made this necessary, this is the harsh reality.

In general, beware of any that offer shows or activities specifically involving live elephants, and of course, don’t hop on top of one. When it comes to elephant riding, there is not an ethical option.

Avoid personal experiences with tigers

Photo: Maxim Tupikov/Shutterstock

The case of Thailand’s tigers can be slightly more complex. Prior to being raided by the country’s Department of National Parks in 2016, the Tiger Temple in Kanchanaburi was marketed as the only place you could observe monks and tigers living side by side. For an extra fee, you could even feed the cubs and take the adults for walks. Speculation had circled surrounding how and why these wild animals knowingly allowed humans to touch and hug them, with suggestions that the tigers were under heavy sedation being a major concern. During a raid, 147 tigers were removed from the ‘temple,’ while the bodies of more than three dozen deceased tiger cubs were found in freezers across the property. Also discovered was jewelry made from tiger skins, which were given to tourists making an additional donation.

Tiger sedation has not been proven, and I struggle to believe that it was the case. Several years ago, I visited the Tiger Kingdom in the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai, keen to see what actually happened at these centers. Naturally, tigers are a sleepy animal. They sleep for up to 20 hours a day and do the majority of their hunting at night. Therefore, it is not unusual for them to be sleeping or lying about in the midday heat. What really convinced me that sedation was not in play, though, was how the tigers moved. They swept across the enclosure quickly and as powerfully as one might ordinarily expect a tiger to.

Whether or not the tigers were sedated, I still struggle to believe that these attractions are as ethical as they claim to be. There are a lot of questions still unanswered surrounding experiences with tigers in Thailand, none of which have been proven entirely ethical. Again, if the facility or sanctuary allows anything other than simply observing the animal in a natural habitat, you should stay away.

Look to wildlife recovery projects run by conservation groups

Photo: blue-sea.cz/Shutterstock

Despite the issues with elephant and tiger attractions, Thailand does offer wildlife experiences that haven’t lost their moral compass. A standout in ethical wildlife conservation is the Sea Turtle Project on the island of Koh Phra Thong. The organization works to protect natural habitats through beach cleaning efforts, like its 100 Turtles Marine Waste Project, and to improve nesting grounds for the turtles. It expands its effort to the community by involving local children and resident volunteers, and you can actually volunteer with them if you have some time to spend away from the more tourist-heavy parts of the country.

Photo: huang jenhung/Shutterstock

Gibbons — small apes common throughout much of Southeast Asia — have long been used and mistreated in the entertainment industry in Thailand. They are, in addition, at an increased risk from poachers and habitat loss. The Gibbon Rehabilitation Project rescues them, rehabilitates them, and releases them back into their natural habitat on Phuket, now a protected area where hunting is banned. The group relies on donations and dedicated volunteers who generously offer their time to work on the rehabilitation process. If you don’t have time to volunteer, the center will open for visitors on a daily basis to come and see the animals play. Like the Sea Turtle Project, working with the gibbons offers tourists the chance to do something really amazing and make an enormous difference in the process.

Your responsibility as a tourist

Photo: Gregory Zamel/Shutterstock

It comes as no surprise that in a region where wildlife is so prevalent, it is the animals who suffer as tourism increases. As tourists, we must take responsibility for our actions in the countries that we visit. What we might consider an amazing bucket list moment can have far deeper consequences for the chained up tigers and elephants wailing in pain as they undertake their fiftieth walk of the day. But there is hope. Given the growth in sanctuaries and higher percentage of visitor awareness, where we are now is far better than 10 years ago.

There will always be a gray area. These animals need caring for and need the tourist’s money to do so. Even though you might be funding a company that was once unethical, the animal’s welfare in this present day is what is important. Certain animals, like elephants and tigers, can never be returned to the wild. Go, see them and enjoy yourself. If at any time you feel they are being mistreated, document it, report it, and do whatever you can to improve their lives. In many cases, leaving an online review is a great start.


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Traditional Cuban dishes

Cuban food is a blend of Spanish, African, Native Taino, and Caribbean ingredients and cooking styles. Other parts of the Caribbean and Latin America also have a cuisine based around comida criolla, all with slight variations on similar dishes. If you want to understand Cuban cooking, though, you need to know the island’s idiosyncrasies.

Typical Cuban dishes are highly seasoned and not spicy. The cuisine is often centered around cuts of meat that have marinated for hours or even the day before cooking. While many cultures add sauce after the meat is cooked, Cubans let the flavors soak in by slowly cooking and heavily marinating chicken, pork, and beef for extra depth and complexity.

There are a couple of Cuban ingredients you should know. The first of which is mojo, which is a common marinade of sour orange and lime, onion, garlic, oregano, olive oil, salt, and pepper that’s used to season meat (especially pork) ahead of time. For stews, a sauce called a sofrito is made with chopped tomatoes, green and red bell peppers, onion, garlic, olive oil, and salt, and is used as the base.

Quick note: The most popular food in the US bearing the Cuban name is the Cuban sandwich. It was not, in fact, created in Cuba. It’s a Cuban-American sandwich that was created in Tampa and popularized in Miami.

These are the true Cuban ingredients and dishes you need to know.

1. Arroz con pollo

Photo: Paul_Brighton/Shutterstock

Chicken and rice is the most common staple in a Cuban household. This one pot dish is similar to Spanish paella. There are many variations of arroz con pollo, but the basics include rice, quartered chicken leg or thighs cooked with sofrito, Bijol seasoning, chicken broth, and beer. Peas and roasted red peppers are also traditionally mixed in.

2. Ropa vieja

Photo: Foodio/Shutterstock

Considered the national dish of Cuba, ropa vieja literally translates to “old clothes” and comes from Spain. The dish is made with shredded beef that’s slow cooked in a tomato-based sauce with onions, bell peppers, garlic, and cooking wine. It is always served over white rice and accompanied by maduros (sweet plantains) or tostones (fried pressed plantains). A similar dish with a twist is vaca frita, or fried cow, which is a flank steak marinated in mojo and then fried with garlic and salt.

3. Picadillo

Photo: AS Food studio/Shutterstock

This simple dish is another Cuban classic that’s a perfect weekday meal. It’s ground beef that’s browned with garlic, onions, bell peppers, oregano, bay leaf, and salt. Then, the beef is simmered over low heat with tomato sauce, cooking wine, olives, and raisins. White rice is mixed in once all the flavors combine. The dish comes from Spain, and the name comes from the word picar, which means to chop or mince.

4. Yuca

Photo: rocharibeiro/Shutterstock

Yuca is the root of the cassava plant. Its flavor is similar to potatoes, and it’s one of the staple sides in Cuban cooking. Cassava comes from South America, and it’s used in various ways in different cuisines around Latin America and the Caribbean. In Cuba, yuca is often cooked until soft and then covered with a garlic mojo for added flavor.

5. Congri

Photo: Priymak Evgeniy/Shutterstock

Black beans are a standard addition to many Cuban dishes. They’re cooked with white rice to make a delicious and ever-present dish known as congri, and are the base of a thick black bean soup that’s stewed for hours and made with whatever is available. The same can be said of frijoles colorados, or red beans. Congri’s black beans and rice can be found with slight variations all over the island.

6. Ajiaco

Photo: Fanfo/Shutterstock

A stew that’s made with a little bit of everything, ajiaco is a recognizable and well-loved Cuban dish. Cooks often throw together what they have on hand to make ajiaco, but common ingredients include corn, sweet potato, malanga, plantains, beef or pork, tomato paste, garlic, onion, and lemon juice.

7. Lechón

Photo: M_AA/Shutterstock

Lechón is a roasted suckling pig, and variations are found in many former Spanish colonies, including in the Philippines. During the holidays, Cubans will cook a whole pig over a spitfire, turning it often until the skin gets crispy. It’s heavily marinated with mojo, and lechón is the centerpiece of the family meal. As a leftover, it can be converted into a tasty sandwich known as pan con lechòn.

8. Croquetas

Photo: Victoria43/Shutterstock

A dish brought over by the Spanish, a croqueta is type of fritter. A ball of dough is filled with ground ham or chicken, sometimes cod, and mixed with onion and garlic. It’s then deep-fried into elongated rolls. Croquetas are typically a breakfast item or snack.

9. Pastelitos

Photo: Hunt Consulting/Shutterstock

A pastelito is a baked puff pastry filled with something sweet or savory or both. Traditional Cuban fillings include guava and cream cheese, sweet cheese, or ground meat. Like croquetas, pastelitos are usually eaten for breakfast, but can also be a snack.

10. Medianoche

Photo: Janet Moore/Shutterstock

Medianoche means “midnight” in Spanish, but in Cuba it also refers to a popular sandwich eaten at lunch and late at night. It’s the Cuban sandwich that Cubans in Cuba actually eat. It’s almost exactly like a Cuban sandwich on the inside with roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, mustard, and pickles, but medianoches use a sweet egg bread.

11. Flan

Photo: Paul_Brighton/Shutterstock

Flan is a common dessert in most Latin American countries. In Cuba, however, they swap the fresh milk for canned evaporated and condensed milk (making it creamier) along with eggs, vanilla, and caramel. Once baked and cooled, the caramel becomes the flan’s crust. Expect to find this decadent treat in every Cuban restaurant.

12. Arroz con leche

Photo: Patty Orly/Shutterstock

Rice pudding, or “rice with milk” is another popular Latin American dessert. But in Cuba, again, evaporated and condensed milk is used, making it a sweeter and richer dish. Lime peel and other traditional ingredients like rice, vanilla, and cinnamon complete a proper Cuban arroz con leche.

13. Café Cubano

Photo: aojungman/Shutterstock

Cuban coffee is a dark espresso mixed with sugar that can be served in a variety of ways. Café con leche is the usual name for a cup of warmed milk with a shot of Cuban coffee. This is a standard part of breakfast — as well as a middle-of-the-afternoon pick-me-up and after-dinner sipper. A cafecito or cortadito are the usual drinks of choice. A cafecito is an ounce or two of straight-up Cuban coffee, while a cortadito “cuts it” by adding steamed milk.


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Myanmar pilot lands plane

A pilot with Myanmar National Airlines pulled off a landing for the history books. The front wheels on the commercial plane en route from Myanmar’s largest city, Yangon, to Mandalay failed to function, yet captain Myat Moe Aung managed to land the plane on the runway and skid to a halt, leaving the flight’s 89 passengers uninjured.

#MNA (Embraer 190) #Yangon–#Mandalay this morning, landing at the #Mandalay airport – Nose Lansing Gear failure on landing. Flight Capt. has done the amazing job. #Myanmar pic.twitter.com/7dDzSIs13V

— Cape Diamond (@cape_diamond) 12 mai 2019

According to a report by the BBC, the Embraer 190 circled the airport twice as air traffic control and the pilot worked to determine whether or not the front wheels had lowered down and were set for landing. The decision was eventually made to land the aircraft without the front wheels. After landing on its rear wheels, the pilot tipped the nose down and skidded for 25 seconds until the plane came to a stop on the runway. While in the air, the pilot burned excess fuel to minimize the weight of the aircraft before touching down. The crew onboard performed an emergency evacuation on the runway, safely leading all passengers out of the aircraft.

“The pilot did a great job,” said Win Khant, Myanmar’s transport minister, to Reuters.

H/T: Reuters

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Spain’s new slide on Costa del Sol

The Spanish town of Estepona, on the Costa del Sol, thought it had found a fun way for its residents and visitors to get around. Two of the town’s streets, separated by a steep incline and previously requiring a long walkabout to move between, has been connected by a much-anticipated 125-foot slide inaugurated last Thursday.

Opening day did not go as planned, though, as multiple users reported injuries and a video circulated widely on social media showed a rider careening around a sharp curve and flying off the end of the slide onto the ground.

While The Guardian reported that more than 1,000 riders safely used the slide on Thursday, several reported injuries after slipping down the 32-34 degree gradient made of stainless steel. Photos posted by one Twitter user showed bruised arms and were accompanied by a damning review, which labeled the slide as “a piece of shit.” The user noted, “I’ve thrown myself and hurt myself everywhere, I flew 2 meters and the cops started laughing.”

Estepona’s town council, however, maintains that some of the injuries sustained on the slide were the result of improper use. “The City Council had placed indications of how the slide should be used in an appropriate manner to avoid risks,” the council said in a statement. “Among them, it is forbidden to slide lying down, and mandatory to slide seated and with the arms gathered or not to use the installation if it is being used by another person, among other recommendations.” Still, the town ordered the company who built the contraption to conduct a thorough review.

H/T: The Guardian

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Hard to accept truths for Wisconsin

Life isn’t always fair and there are some things we all just have to accept. Some of these unpleasant realities hit Wisconsinites harder than others, from the Packers’ actual success record to the inevitability of sub-zero winters, here are nine things Wisconsinites learn to accept.

1. Winter is always either coming or here.

It’s scarcely an exaggeration to say that once fall is over, we Wisconsinites become as anxious as Winterfell when they see White Walkers on the horizon. Of course, we have it worse since we have to accept the fact that winter comes every single year. There’s no series finale for us.

2. Spotted Cow is only available in-state.

There’s no way around it, and believe me, we’ve looked. You just can’t get Spotted Cow anywhere but Wisconsin. We have to accept that when going out of state, we must either abstain from our favorite beer, or find a way to sneak it onto the plane.

3. The Packers might not actually be as good as we think.

I cringe as I type this, but there’s no denying the ugly reality that our beloved Packers aren’t always the best team out there. At least we always have the Detroit Lions to make fun of.

4. France might make good cheese too.

We hate to admit it, but those prissy cheesemongers across the pond make some pretty good cheese too. We might even buy French cheese over local varieties at the grocery store every now and then. But don’t tell anyone else that.

5. And California probably has happier cows.

But only because of the warm, sunny weather — California probably also has happier humans. But our cows still make the best milk. Nobody calls California “America’s Dairyland,” after all.

6. Most foreigners only understand where we live if we put it in relation to Chicago or Canada.

We’ve accepted that it’s pretty pointless to answer “Wisconsin” when someone from a different country asks where we’re from. They almost always think it’s somewhere out west, maybe where Wyoming is. It’s far more efficient to just say, “Chicago” or “near Canada.”

7. We actually DO sound like that.

We all laughed at the exaggerated accents in That ’70s Show. That is, until we actually listened to ourselves and realized they pretty much nailed it. Yep, you betcha we talk like that, don’t cha know.

8. It will snow at least one more time in April.

Even as we pack away our winter coats at the end of March, we know deep down that there will be at least one more snowstorm.

9. Not all people from Illinois are jerks.

Perhaps the hardest truth of all, we know in our hearts that not all FIBs are actually FIBs. Yes, it pains us to admit it, but some people from Illinois are actually pretty decent. As long as they aren’t driving, that is.


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What is Palio del Daino

Every August, the 1,400 residents of hillside village Mondaino in Italy welcome over 20,000 people for the renowned medieval festival, Palio del Daino. For four days this little town, located 25 miles southwest of Rimini, travels back in time hundreds of years, providing its many visitors with a medieval experience like no other.

The Palio del Daino festival recreates the intense historical period of the 15th century in such detail that it has been recognized by the European Historical Re-enactment Consortium. An era that was dominated by bitter disputes between the Marche and Romagna regions about the ownership of land was finally settled over a peace agreement made in the year 1459, bringing an end to the harsh living conditions, high taxes, and famine faced by residents. The pact was signed near the agricultural town of Mondaino and was celebrated by the local population with games and festivities, re-enacted to this very day through the Palio del Daino festival.

The atmosphere

Photo: Palio del Daino/Facebook

The alleyways and streets throughout Mondaino are lined with blacksmiths, gunsmiths, artisans who craft bows and harquebuses, potters, dyers, and weavers. Ladies, gentlemen, and children are dressed from head to toe in medieval costumes. And if that’s not enough, every evening, the streets are brought to life by dozens of actors, minstrels, jugglers, witches, and musicians to entertain locals and visitors. You will often catch yourself marveling at the men on stilts as they weave their way throughout the crowds or the acrobats who maintain their guile and focus without breaking character despite the hundreds of eyes that follow their every move. When the clock strikes midnight, the markets are closed and the party continues on in the main square until the early hours of the morning.

The game

Photo: Palio del Daino/Facebook

Palio del Daino, which translates to “the winner of the deer,” involves four districts, Castello, Borgo, Montebello, and Contado, who compete against one another in the form of games, challenges, and battles throughout the course of the festival. The teams compete in flag bearing and juggling challenges each evening in the main square, but the final day is when the competition for Palio del Daino really heats up.

On the last day of the festival, three games are played to determine the overall winning district. The first challenge, disfida de li balestrieri (the battle of the archers), sees one member from each district have two attempts at shooting a bullseye target in the main square. The district with the highest score then holds the advantage over the next challenge, corsa delle oche (the race of the geese). Winning the archery contest allows the district to have first preference when selecting their goose, which they will then guide as fast as they can through the main street and into the main square using only their hands and voices. The district that wins the geese race then holds the advantage for the third and final challenge, lo giuoco de lo palio (the game for the prize). For the final game of the festival, each district enters a team consisting of two members each. Using the same format as musical chairs, the four districts compete in three elimination rounds, battling to occupy bases, similar to those used in baseball, until a victor is crowned “Palio del Daino.”

The feast

Photo: Palio del Daino/Facebook

Each district (or contrada) also runs a tavern, providing outsiders with the opportunity to taste traditional mid-15th century dishes such as soups, tagliatelle pasta with porcini mushrooms and lentils, ribs, shanks and racks of lamb, assortments of fruits and cheeses, endless amounts of wine, and gallons of beer. Local families come together, working around the clock to prepare the food on offer.

The town of Mondaino

Photo: cristian ghisla/Shutterstock

Located 30 minutes southwest by car from the province’s capital, Rimini, Mondaino is a great spot to escape the business of the seaside towns. Overlooking the Adriatic Sea, rolling hills and deep, green valleys, it’s easy to see why locals seem so content with their little town. Although Palio del Daino in August is undoubtedly Mondaino’s main event, the town also hosts other cool festivals and events during the rest of the year. The cheese and truffle mushroom festival in November invites artisans to showcase their finest cheeses and truffle mushrooms over two consecutive Sundays. Restaurants, bars, and market stalls are opened on the main street, providing visitors with a chance to taste, buy, and experience local produce. La Camminata di Primavera (the spring hike) in April encourages locals and visitors to take part in a leisurely three-hour walk through the surrounding valleys, embracing the arrival of the warmer period of the year, before returning to the main square where they enjoy a freshly prepared lunch that’s provided by the local bar.

In 2019, Palio del Daino will take place from August 15-18. The entry fee is $9 (8 euros) on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and $10 (9 euros) on Sunday. Entry is free for children up to 14 years old. Daily events start at 5:00 PM and end at midnight.


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Stay in an 800-year-old Irish castle

Staying in a castle is the type of experience vacation dreams are made of. Located in Mayo, less than hour from Galway, Ireland’s 800-year-old Ashford Castle Hotel & Country Estate was home to the Guinness family (yes, that Guinness family) for nearly 70 years. Today, sleeping like Irish beer royalty is as easy as making a reservation.

The oldest part of the castle dates back to 1228, but thanks to major renovation work, modern touches like heated floors and bathrooms with televisions coexist with original fireplaces and antique George III-style four-poster beds. Castle life is as swanky as it sounds, and there’s a good case to be made for sleeping in and lingering in any of its 83 rooms. The trouble is, there’s so much to do on the 350-acre estate that it’s hard to justify sitting still.

Get outside and meet the wild locals.

Photo: Ashford Castle

Ireland doesn’t exactly have a reputation for fantastic weather, but that’s what raincoats are for. (The castle has raincoats and boots in all sizes for the unprepared.) And as cushy as the castle may be, some of the best perks can only be found outside castle walls. The grounds are studded with a fun variety of wildlife, including one of the largest equestrian centers in Ireland. Trail rides are a great way to cover a lot of ground in a short period of time, and riders of all ages and abilities can sign up, but it’s the feathered members of the castle’s menagerie that have a way of swooping in with WOW factor.

Ireland’s School of Falconry is on the estate and home to 36 Harris hawks, each with personalities as striking as their looks. One of the birds, Swift, apparently won’t fly if there’s a baby stroller around while Maya only likes to fly certain times of the day. But when one of these birds of prey heads straight toward you and nails the landing on your gloved hand, all idiosyncrasies are forgiven.

It is, in fact, your gloved hand that has the power. When hanging down around your waist, the hawks keep their distance, but lift it up, much like you’re getting ready to take a gulp of coffee, and the birds will be on the move, knowing tasty morsels like mice and chicken could be tucked in between your fingers. Just don’t look as they chow down, and don’t mistake the hawks’ well-trained behavior for affection. They have no desire to be touched or pet, they simply know where to get a good meal.

Photo: Ashford Castle

If you’re an early riser, a dog lover, or both, meet up with Cronan and Garvan, the resident Irish Wolfhounds, for their morning constitutional. After taking on the art of falconry, going for a walk with a couple dogs might not seem particularly exciting, but splashing in mud puddles takes on new meaning when the dogs doing it weigh in around 160 pounds. The boys are so big that instead of dog beds they sleep on twin mattresses.

Toast castle life with Guinness, whiskey, and wine.

After the morning romp through the woods, you should still have plenty of time to enjoy the breakfast buffet in the George V Dining Room. You could try the pan-fried hake with oatmeal crumble, or, as my server put it, “You can become one of us” by opting for porridge topped with Irish whiskey. Just don’t over serve yourself as later in the day there’s afternoon tea where you’ll have food like Irish lobster sandwiches, scones with lemon curd, and vanilla scented eclairs that are often enjoyed with Champagne.

Photo: Ashford Castle

I guess it shouldn’t come as a surprise in a house built by the success of Guinness that alcohol plays a role in many aspects of castle life. With its wood-paneled walls, leather chairs, and richly embroidered bar stools, the Prince of Wales Bar is fit for a king. In fact, in 1905, the bar was visited by the Prince of Wales who went on to become Great Britain’s King George V. You’d be hard pressed to find a time when Guinness didn’t flow here. These days, it’s Irish whiskey that has guests raising a glass with a smile.

And what’s not to be excited about? Irish whiskey is booming, and there are plenty of exciting bottles to try and distilleries to visit. Ashford Castle is getting in on the category with a partnership with Midleton Very Rare Whiskey and Waterford Crystal. The castle now has an exclusive, single cask whiskey affectionately known as cask #70345. There are only 168 bottles in all, so getting your hands on some will cost you (bottles have ranged between $1,000 and $1,800, and a single pour goes for around $175). But castle life is a luxury, and some things are worth the splurge. Plus, when the bottle comes out, anecdotes about royal castle life quickly follow.


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