Matador Network's Blog, page 1157
February 21, 2019
Adorable pandas playing in the snow
Visiting pandas at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, DC, is an experience to remember no matter the season, but there’s something about snow that brings out the pandas’ playful side. While the temperatures and heavy snowfall might make humans want to bundle up in blankets and stay inside, pandas, with their thick, woolly fur that keeps them warm and dry, are much more keen to have some fun outside.
The snowy weather that hit DC yesterday was a welcome sight for 20-year-old panda Mei Xiang and three-year-old Bei Bei, who spent their morning rolling in the snow and eating bamboo.
The snow frolicking comes in advance of the zoo’s giant panda housewarming party on February 23. Sponsored by Airbnb, and organized with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, the zoo is hosting the party in honor of the new visitor exhibit inside the panda house. The event will include special talks by scientists and keepers, free dumplings, and hot chocolate. The exhibit itself will teach visitors about the ecology, history, reproduction, conservation, and care of giant pandas through interactive games and activities.
The event will run from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and more information is available on the event’s web page. 
More like this: Where to see all of the internet’s favorite animals in real life
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Indiana’s first national park opens
The US is getting a brand new national park right on the southern shore of Lake Michigan in Indiana. The 15,000-acre Indiana Dunes National Park, about 50 miles from Chicago, was made a national park in February.
The country’s 61st national park, and Indiana’s first, the area was previously known as the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, and park staff are overjoyed at the new designation. The park’s official twitter account announced the news on February 15, along with a photo of staff members proudly standing beside a homemade park sign.
— Indiana Dunes (@IndianaDunesNPS) February 15, 2019
The park is home to 1,100 native species of plants, has 15 miles of lakeshore, and the highest dunes reach up to 192 feet.
Photo: Delmas Lehman/Shutterstock
Amy Howell, director of communications for Visit Indiana, told CNN Travel, “This is a big recognition. It will put Indiana on the map more than it already is, for people who don’t know where it is.” Howell hopes the park will draw more visitors to Indiana Dunes and encourage them to explore the surrounding area as well. “It has more plant and animal species than Hawaii,” she said, “and I don’t think people realize that’s in Indiana.”
H/T: CNN Travel
More like this: The best national parks to visit this winter
The post The US just got a new national park, and it’s stunning appeared first on Matador Network.
Pilot leaves message in sky
If you thought of pilots as serious, focused people who never stray off the sensible path, think again. A pilot test-flying a single propeller aircraft in Salisbury, a suburb of Adelaide in Australia, got so bored he spelled out “I’m bored” on his tracking device by carefully maneuvering his flight path.
Photo: FlightAware
Leaving South Australia’s Parafield Airport just before 9:00 AM yesterday morning, and returning around 12:00 PM, the pilot was tasked with flying the aircraft, a Diamond Star, for two hours and apparently got a little creative in the process. The message, which was many miles long, would not have been visible from the ground — only on his tracking device and those following along on live flight tracking programs and websites.
If you look closer, it wasn’t just boredom that he was expressing on his flight tracker. Two seemingly phallic symbols also appear before he starts spelling out the message. Have a closer look by checking out the accelerated version of his flight on FlightAware.
H/T: Insider
More like this: 7 unique ways to beat boredom on long-haul flights
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February 20, 2019
History of the torta de tamal
The base of Mexican street food is the diet of the Ts: tortillas, tacos, tortas, tlayudas, tostadas, and tamales. The T diet is something I’ve heard more than once and something you’ll also hear and experience if you stay in Mexico City, Oaxaca, and other parts of Mexico for long enough. And among those many Ts you’ll find the torta de tamal, sometimes called guajolota, which is a magical combination of bolillo (a short French bread also called pan frances in some parts of Mexico) and tamales. Alongside with your chocolatito, a hot chocolate beverage, it’s the perfect to-go breakfast.
Whether you’re in a rush or are just craving a good breakfast, you can always find a torta de tamal in a city’s zócalo (main plaza). More often than not, you’ll find more than one vendor with a crowd of people circling the cart.
The torta de tamal is an artful food. It’s simple, but each key ingredient plays an important role. First, there’s the bolillo, which looks like a shortened loaf of French bread. Then there’s the tamal inside, made from masa (dough made from corn flour) that’s stuffed with meat or vegetables. The filling can be mole, rajas, green or red chile, chicken, beef, pork, or any combination of those ingredients. By some accounts, there are over 500 types of tamales in Mexico, varying in taste and how they are prepared from region to region throughout the country.
The description of a torta de tamal might lead you to believe that it’s dry. After all, the key ingredients are masa and bread. But because of the juices inside the tamal, and because sometimes the tamalero (someone who sells tamales) puts the bread in the hot container of tamales for a few seconds so the steam softens the bread, this doesn’t happen. Plus there’s that soul-warming chocolatito on the side.
How tamales became a part of Mexican culture
Both the chocolatito and tamal are foods with pre-Hispanic origins. Tamales date back to Mesoamerican cultures throughout Mexico and Central America, including the Maya and Mexica cultures as the magazine Arquelogía Mexicana writes in a definitive history of the tamal. Tamales are wrapped with either corn husks or banana leaves to keep the ingredients together as it cooks, hence the origin of the word, which comes from tamalli, which means “wrapped” in Náhuatl. Early tamales were as varied as the cultures that made them. Indigenous groups on the coast of Oaxaca, for example, made tamales with shrimp, acuyo leaves, and pepita seeds.
Photo: Tono Balaguer/Shutterstock
The earlier versions of tamales were a bit different from what we’re used to seeing today. Early versions were much more simple — and, likely, less tasty. Over time as other cultures influenced ingredients, the tamale mixed with lard and pork instead of primarily vegetables. The fat and meat added flavor, but the earlier versions were likely healthier.
Just like today, tamales were made for holidays and festivities as well as for sustenance.
How the tamal joined with the torta
The mix of starch-on-starch can seem like a bit of an out-there concept, but it’s been a common food tradition for on-the-go meals around the world. Consider po’ boys in the US, for example, or vada pav in India.
It’s not exactly clear when bread was first added to tamales other than the fact that it came from European colonizers. Mexican food is a conglomerate of flavors, spices, and ingredients, like tacos al pastor from Middle Eastern shawarma cooking or the use of flour tortillas in northern Mexico near the US border.
And of course, there’s the convenience factor that comes from putting the tamale between bread. Unlike a burrito or taco where the vessel is edible, tamales are steamed inside corn husks and can’t easily be consumed on-the-go. Add bread to the mix? Problem solved.
It’s likely that torta de tamales came about to satisfy a working class short on time and money and in need of dense calories. Torta de tamales are filling, cheap, and ubiquitous. They won’t, for the most part, throw you for a loop in terms of flavor, but they will get the job done without too much thought.
The best part of the tamal is its versatility, and few things show that like the torta de tamal. Tamales take time and hard work to prepare. Its presentation has changed over time, but it continues to be very present in Mexican culture, and you should try a tamal sandwich at the first chance you have.
More like this: Best places to eat in Mexico City
The post This twist on a tamale is Mexico’s best on-the-go breakfast appeared first on Matador Network.
Best times to book holiday flights
Figuring out when to book summer travel is a lot like grilling steaks at a summer barbecue: Everyone’s apparently an expert, and they’re not afraid to tell you their opinion. But much like you’ll only take grilling advice from Bobby Flay, so should you only listen to proven experts when trying to determine the best times to buy airline tickets and hotel rooms.
Unlike your know-it-all neighbor standing behind you at the grill, we’re not going to claim to be those experts. Instead, we talked to the booking gurus at Priceline.com, who crunched a ton of numbers and found not only when to book for spring break, Memorial Day, and all of summer, but also for pretty much every other big weekend for the rest of the year.
1. Spring Break
When to book: before February 24
Though campus reps might be hawking big group deals to Cabo hard right now, you don’t need to lock that in just yet. Book a flight and hotel before the end of February, and you’ll be paying somewhere around $228 per ticket. Wait until after February 24, and that price spikes up to $313, or 37 percent more than you would have paid this week. What we’re saying is lock in your plans by the end of this weekend, or maybe consider spending this spring break catching up on sleep.
2. Memorial Day
When to book: before May 13
Hard to imagine it as you stare out the window at a dreary snowbank, but the unofficial start of summer is only three months away. You can start daydreaming about barbecues and swimming pools now, then start perusing flights for the Memorial Day weekend. The average cost of $239 will hold pretty solidly up until May 13. After that, the average goes up to about $313, or 31 percent more. Another Memorial Day flight hack: Look at flying Saturday to Tuesday if you can, as the difference in price going home a day later might be worth spending a vacation day. Especially if you’re traveling with your family.
3. Fourth of July
When to book: before June 18
This year we’re back to our glorious, four-day Independence Day weekends as July 4 falls on a Thursday. That means Wednesday-Sunday routes will be the most expensive though booking before June 18 still shows an average fare of $214. That goes up to $304 — or 42 percent more — if you wait until 16 days prior. But you can still save money if you’re okay with sharing the sky with fireworks and flying on the Fourth. Hotels, Priceline notes, stay pretty constant right up until Independence Day. So feel free to roll into town with nowhere to stay and see where the party takes you.
4. August travel
When to book: before July 20
Even though technically we don’t get all of August off like our friends over in Europe, sometimes it feels like it as the doggiest days of summer are usually filled with empty offices and unreturned emails. August is the ideal time to get away, and if you’re looking to travel during the holiday-free week of August 4-11, you’ll want to lock that down around mid-July. Average prices will jump up a staggering 71 percent if you wait past the 14-day window, from $216 to $369. Hotels, on the other hand, should stay pretty constant. So you can figure that out later.
5. Labor Day
When to book: before August 21
Summer comes to an unfairly early close this year as Labor Day weekend doesn’t even wait for September and begins August 31. If you’re looking for one last hurrah of summer, you’ll need to book your flights at least 10 days prior by August 21. That’s when you’ll find an average ticket price of $252, which increases 44 percent to $364 after. Hotels won’t see much price fluctuation, so you can book at your leisure.
6. Thanksgiving
When to book: before November 20
Calculating when to book Thanksgiving travel has become a popular science over the last decade, and by now, most people know traveling the Wednesday prior and the Sunday after is about the most expensive way to do it. Though timing when to buy is a topic of heated debate, Priceline found airfares holding pretty solidly until eight days before Thanksgiving with an average of $243 per ticket. That number jumps up 47 percent to $357 if you wait until the week of Thanksgiving and possibly even more if you’re looking to travel on those prime Wednesday and Sunday routes. The good news is if you’re just not feeling spending Thanksgiving with your family is that hotels rates will stay constant. Constantly jacked up, but still constant.
7. Christmas
When to book: before December 14
Much like traveling for Thanksgiving, trying to predict the best time to book Christmas travel gets almost as much press as Tom Brady’s diet. If you’re looking to head home for the holidays on December 22, make sure to book at least seven days out. Your average ticket will go up from $277 to $341 if you wait, costing you 23 percent more. Looking to cut it a little closer? Flights on December 23 will average $283 before December 14 and go up 17 percent to $330 after that. Though conventional wisdom says flying on Christmas Eve is cheapest of all. Also, like Thanksgiving, accommodations that aren’t your in-laws’ guest room won’t see much price fluctuation.
More like this: The best places to travel this April
The post The cheapest times to book travel for every major holiday for the rest of the year appeared first on Matador Network.
Supplements to take while traveling
Traveling is not the time to skip a quality supplement routine. Navigating crowded airports, eating unfamiliar food, and bouncing between time zones affect your ability to maintain homeostasis, the body’s innate desire to seek balance and health.
I’ve had a private nutrition practice for 14 years, hold a masters degree in clinical nutrition and functional medicine, and have been awarded the credential of a Certified Nutrition Specialist practitioner. To keep myself healthy while abroad, I never leave home without this essential wellness pack, five supplements that support digestion, immunity, sleep, and stress.
Editor’s note: Please consult your doctor before adding supplements to your diet.
1. Ashwagandha: Your secret weapon to instant zen.
Ashwagandha has been used for over 2,000 years as a gentle tonic to help improve energy and reduce stress. Ashwagandha belongs to a class of herbs called adaptogens, which have the unique ability to help your body better adapt to stress. They work similar to a thermostat: When the thermostat senses that the room temperature is too high, it lowers the temperature, and when the temperature is too low, it raises the temperature. Adaptogens can increase a sense of calm and boost your energy at the same time. Essentially, adaptogens help to counteract the adverse effects of stress by normalizing body imbalances.
Taking a gentle adaptogen while traveling helps your body better adapt to the strain of travel. As I suffer from anxiety while flying, I take ashwagandha several times during a flight to help relieve the anxious discomfort that accompanies plane travel. Adaptogens may sound “woo-woo,” but there are several well-designed clinical studies to back their efficacy. A systematic review of five controlled studies found that ashwagandha significantly improved anxiety.
2. Magnesium: Improve sleep, reduce constipation, and relieve muscle soreness.
Magnesium is one of the most important minerals in the body, necessary for over 350 biochemical processes. It is estimated, however, that over 80 percent of the population is deficient, and a magnesium deficiency can affect virtually every system of the body.
Magnesium is my secret weapon of wellness when I travel. I keep travel-sized packets of powdered magnesium in every carry-on bag or suitcase that I own. Including a nightly dose of magnesium while you are away may help to keep you regular, improve sleep, and even relieve muscle pain from that long day exploring a new city on foot. I simply mix the powdered magnesium into a bottle of water and drink up.
There are many types of magnesium. For travel, I recommend magnesium citrate to help with regular bowel movements, and magnesium glycinate to raise overall levels of magnesium. The recommended daily allowance of magnesium is 420 mg for men or 320 mg for women. You can dose as high as 500 mg/day when traveling, but reduce the dose if you experience loose stools.
One of the highest food sources of magnesium is chocolate, which is good news indeed! A 3.5-ounce dark chocolate bar contains 176 mg of magnesium. So why not take your powdered supplement, and then also enjoy some chocolate while you are away?
3. Probiotic: Protect the good gut bugs.
Hippocrates, the father of medicine, believed that all diseases begin in the gut. Maintaining good gut-health habits while traveling is fundamental to overall health. The gastrointestinal system contains trillions of good bacteria that ultimately protect our body from infection and illness, support our metabolism, and promote healthy digestion and elimination. In fact, 80 percent of our immune system resides in our gut.
Traveling can take a toll on the balance of bacteria in our gut, oftentimes introducing new strains of pathogenic bacteria that can overtake the balance of good bacteria and thus cause frustrating symptoms of discomfort. Taking a probiotic both before traveling and during your trip can help to keep the good bacteria balance high so pathogenic bacteria has less of a chance to take hold.
When it comes to probiotics, the benefit is in the strain, but there are billions of strains. To say “take a probiotic” is much like saying “take a vitamin” — general and non-specific.
Saccharomyces boulardii, a particular strain of probiotic yeast, has been well studied and shown to be effective as a prophylactic treatment specifically against travelers’ diarrhea. I recommend taking Saccharomyces boulardii (affectionately referred to as Sac B in the nutrition word) at least a week before you leave for a trip, while you are traveling, and for a week post trip. Purchase a shelf-stable brand that does not require refrigeration.
4. Digestive enzymes: Because lamb kebabs at 2:00 AM in Tel Aviv are always a good idea.
I intentionally do not limit or restrict food while I am traveling. Experiencing another culture through their food is one of life’s great pleasures, and I am here for it. Unfortunately, diving into unfamiliar food at strange times of day can lead to digestive distress and discomfort.
Digestive enzymes to the rescue. Enzymes help to facilitate the chemical breakdown of food into smaller, more absorbable, easier to digest components. Some of us are inherently better enzyme endowed than others. Factors like age, overall diet, and digestive health play a role in how hearty your own enzymatic action may be. I’ve found that taking digestive enzymes with every meal while traveling dramatically improves my body’s ability to adapt to new foods and digest more efficiently. Essentially, digestive enzymes allow me to eat late-night street food all over the world and not suffer the consequences.
Digestive enzymes are naturally found in certain foods like pineapple and papaya, but when traveling I don’t rely on food sources alone. For a supplement, choose a brand that offers a broad spectrum enzyme blend, and take one to two pills with every meal.
5. Elderberry: Protection from a sneezing seatmate.
Maneuvering between airports, planes, trains, and automobiles while traveling means increased exposure to germs and the potential for getting sick. I think we can all agree that there is nothing worse than coming down with a cold or flu while on vacation.
Black elderberries are the fruit of a plant that has been used medicinally for centuries. Elderberry has the ability to improve immune defenses through potent antibacterial and antiviral properties. Elderberry should become a part of your new travel routine. Pick a location, book a flight, start taking elderberry.
A 2016 study found a significant reduction of cold severity and duration in air travelers. In the study, travelers took elderberry 10 days before travel and four to five days after arriving at their destination. The travelers found on average a two-day shorter duration of cold and a reduction in cold symptoms.
You can find elderberry in pill, gummy, and liquid form. I prefer the liquid (tincture) form at home, but I take the pill form when I travel. I also recommend wiping down your plane tray table and armrest with antibacterial wipes to avoid unnecessary exposure to illness.
As effective as all of these supplements are, the golden rules of nutrition still apply. There is no magic pill that will take the place of consistent health-promoting behaviors. Prior to a trip, eat lots of fresh wholesome food, get plenty of rest, stay well hydrated, and be cautious of over-consuming sugar or alcohol. Arm yourself with the right supplements to help fill in the nutritional gaps while you are away.
More like this: 7 ways you can be a happier and less stressed traveler in 2019
The post 5 supplements you should always pack in your carry-on, according to a nutritionist appeared first on Matador Network.
Cities in West Africa with beaches
Twelve countries in Africa’s western horn have sweeping Atlantic coastlines with beautiful beaches that, aside from a few Europeans escaping winter weather, see little tourism. The region is difficult to fly into, but if you’re willing to route through Brussels or another European flight hub, your reward is a beach experience far different — maybe even better — than that on this side of the ocean. The beaches around the region’s vibrant cities are also more accessible than ever, so hone your French and grab your surfboard. The beaches of West Africa await.
1. Accra, Ghana
Photo: eappiah/Shutterstock
Ghana’s capital of Accra is among the easiest countries to travel to in West Africa. This modern and busy city has one of the region’s most dependable international airports and metropolitan amenities that make it the ideal jumping off point for first-time visitors to Africa. Accra itself is alive with culture, defined by a heavily spiced cuisine and a homegrown blend of hip hop and traditional Ghanaian music known as hiplife, which permeates the clubs both downtown and closer to the beach. Labadi Beach and Kokrobite Beach are a part of its beating heart with ample room to toss a towel and lay under the sun or pop into the water for a swim.
What sets these two oceanside hotspots apart from other African beaches is the built-in scene that thrives within them. Fresh street food, including the region’s signature roasted plantains and yams, is readily available from vendors, as are a wide variety of souvenirs. You’ll also find plenty of locals eager to engage you in conversation, and you should oblige as Ghanaians are among the most friendly people in West Africa. You might even discover a secret spot to catch an incoming swell. Fueled by the music, bonfires and parties pop up along the sand after the sun goes down, adding the perfect nightcap to a unique beach experience you won’t find anywhere in North America. The suburb of Krokrobite is a popular surf spot, home to Mr. Bright’s Surf Shop and School and offering consistent waves for beginning and intermediate surfers.
Visa and entry requirements: US travelers should apply for a visa from the Ghanaian embassy in advance and must have a valid passport with at least one blank page.
2. Dakar, Senegal
Photo: Damian Pankowiec/Shutterstock
You’ll see the bright light of the Cap Manuel lighthouse as you fly into Léopold Sédar Senghor International Airport. Dakar, the capital of Senegal, is as much a feast for the eyes as it is a great place to relax and catch some mellow waves. The buildings and buses of the bustling port city shine in colors brighter than the lighthouse itself, and the pirogues — small wooden canoes — that dominate your offshore line of sight are no different. The city is both vibrant and eternally chill at the same time, and the best place to find your footing is at the Plage de Ngor. The Ngor right is a popular point break for surfing off the coast, and this beach anchors the surrounding nightclubs, hotels, and dining options built around it. Despite its popularity with beachgoers, the Plage de Ngor still serves as a working fisherman’s beach. Settle into a secluded spot as the boats come in, and you might even hear the fisherman’s iconic chanting as they secure their vessels and unload the day’s catch.
Vivier is another popular surf spot, located south of Ngor on the far west side of Dakar near a set of cliffs dubbed La Cabane du Surfeur. To relax post-surf, head over to Plage des Marabouts and take in the sunset from alongside the black rocks. Dakar’s beaches offer the best of just about every beach world: They’re gorgeous, have good swells, and are relatively easy to get to. Plus, even as Europeans come to escape winter months, they sit surprisingly uncrowded.
If Dakar’s beaches are uncrowded, Cap Skirring’s beaches are vacant. This fishing town in the far south of the country is the place to go to get completely away from the hustle and bustle. Cap Skirring has about 1,800 full-time residents, and while you won’t be overcome with Cast Away vibes, you also won’t be shoulder hopping or worrying about someone swiping your prime sunbathing spot. The area is ripe with surf camps, and its beach is among the most beautiful anywhere in the world. You’ll notice the striking contrast of a seemingly forgotten town that somehow offers full-on tourist amenities like fishing and surf tours, boat rides, and luxurious hotels and spas. To get to Cap Skirring, hop a 45-minute flight from Dakar on either Friday or Sunday.
Visa and entry requirements: No visa is required for stays of fewer than 90 days for US travelers. You must have a valid passport with at least one blank page.
3. Banjul and Serrekunda, The Gambia
Photo: Damian Pankowiec/Shutterstock
The Gambia is Africa’s smallest country, a tiny sliver of land surrounded entirely by Senegal. Entirely, that is, except for 50 miles of Atlantic coastline that are home to a number of incredible beaches. Kotu Beach is the shining gem, a wide-open stretch of sand on the edge of Serrekunda lined with palm trees and mellow beach bars pumping rasta tunes well into the evening. The beach gets crowded at times, and the water can swell unexpectedly — but with plenty of food and drink options within a quick barefooted stroll, Kotu is the spot to settle in for a day.
For a glimpse of the fisherman’s lifestyle, head to the Beach Bakau. Wake up early and fish the rocky expanses of coast until the smell of smoked seafood calls you in for lunch, which you can grab from Oscar’s on the Beach or the Ngala Lodge. You can’t swim at Bakau, but you can do so at nearby Cape Point Beach. This flat, mellow expanse is easily accessed from a number of nearby hotels and resorts that give it a sort of “scene” vibe as you people watch, as you’re likely to bump into many of the same faces at the pub later in the evening.
Visa and entry requirements: US travelers should apply for a visa from the Gambian embassy in advance, but if you happen to fly in on an impulse you can enter the country provided that you obtain a visa from the immigration department in Banjul within two days of arrival.
4. Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Photo: Roman Yanushevsky/Shutterstock
Abidjan is the Ivory Coast’s biggest city, an urban hub that is increasingly cosmopolitan though you can still sense the remnants of French colonialism. With about four million residents, it is West Africa’s second largest city. The beaches to visit are just east of town, and your best course of action is to use Abidjan as your base to pick up supplies and to fly in and out of. You can stay in the city and head out to the beaches with surfboard and beach towel in tow or bring your overnight bag to crash in one of the beachside resorts and hotels along Bassam beach, the area’s most famous. This expansive stretch of sand is about 28 miles east of the city center and home to vendors selling handmade souvenirs. It’s an ideal place to stretch out, relax, and catch some rays. Surf isn’t great here, but just down the coast at Assinie you’ll find a consistent break and plenty of other surfers.
West of Abidjan are the Grand-Lahou and Jacqueville beaches. These spots are beautiful and isolated and can be difficult to access as there are no roads in our out. Car ferries run often though their schedules can be inconsistent. If you wish to visit these beaches, ask for assistance from the staff of your hotel or lodging property in Abidjan. There’s no shame in staying along the easier-to-reach beaches, however, and the lagoon accessible from the city is unmatched in the region.
Visa and entry requirements: US travelers must obtain a visa from the country’s embassy and have proof of Yellow Fever vaccination to enter Côte d’Ivoire. In December 2018, the US government issued a travel advisory citing increased crime.
5. Casablanca, Morocco
Photo: Savvapanf Photo/Shutterstock
The famous beaches of Essaouira and Tangier notwithstanding, Casablanca is the place to go for a taste of Moroccan relaxation. The beaches of this port city make it easy to take advantage of the fact that Casablanca is so frequently overlooked in favor of Fez and Marrakech. As you unwind on the Plage Ain Diab, you can raise your cold non-alcoholic drink in a toast to a trip well-planned. Plage Lalla Meryem is another must-do, home to the Tahiti Beach Club and just out the door of the Four Seasons Casablanca.
The people-watching on the sands of this beach is second to none in all of Morocco, as you’ll see the self-proclaimed elite from across the Mediterranean region strolling it like they own the place mixed with casual tourists and locals enjoying a day under the sun. For a more relaxed scene, head down to Bobaloo Beach, which is lined with casual cafes and is far enough from central Casablanca that it almost necessitates an entire day trip. No matter which beach speaks your language, all visitors should check out the waves rolling into the Hassan II Mosque, which towers over the coast from the Sour Djid district.
Visa and entry requirements: No visa is required for stays of less than 90 days for US travelers. You must have a valid passport with at least one blank page.
More like this: Escape the rest of winter on the beaches in Uruguay
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Saudi Arabia tourist visa and sights
Last year, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia began issuing tourist visas for the first time in its history. Previously, only those traveling to Saudi Arabia for work or Muslim pilgrims were permitted to enter the country. Now, the new Saudi e-visa system promotes the Sharek visa, available to citizens from the US, the Schengen Zone, Australia, Japan, South Korea, South Africa, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Singapore, with more countries to be added to this list in the future.
Under the Sharek visa system, visitors to Saudi Arabia must first purchase a ticket to one government-designated international event on the Sharek website. Upon selecting your ticket type, you will transition to filling out the connected e-visa application, which takes only a few minutes to complete. Once you have submitted your application and payment, assuming there are no mistakes or issues on your part, your visa application will promptly be approved. Simply print out the visa emailed to you and take that with you to the airport.
Cost for the visa and your ticket together runs between $200 and $300, depending on the event and ticket type. All Sharek visas are single-entry and valid for 30 days, so naturally, you may opt to travel around Saudi Arabia before or after the event. Understand that this visa prohibits access to Mecca and Medina, and only events listed on the Sharek visa website enable visitors to be eligible for a Sharek electronic visa. Recent events include the 2018 Saudia Ad Diriyah E-Prix: Formula E Championship, the Riyadh Jiu-Jitsu Open Championship 2019, and the upcoming Jeddah Jiu-Jitsu Open Championship 2019.
Once you’re in Saudi Arabia, besides the event you booked and the many modern shopping malls to check out, there are many attractions scattered throughout the country for you to see. Here are nine of the best.
1. Edge of the World — outside Riyadh
Photo: Photos by Ava Kabouchy/Shutterstock
Approximately 60 miles north of Riyadh lies the stunning Edge of the World rock formation and its spectacular views. Budget two hours for the drive there, two hours to hike to the actual rock formation site, and then another two hours to return to Riyadh. A lot of walking and hiking is required, so be sure to bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and ample gear to stay cool in the sun. Additionally, know that the ranger shuts the gate to the Acacia Valley at 6:00 PM, so unless you want to be stuck in the valley overnight, you’ll want to make your way out by then. Private tours can also be arranged by travel agencies.
2. Kingdom Centre Tower Sky Bridge — Riyadh
Photo: Fedor Selivanov/Shutterstock
If there is one building that distinguishes Riyadh’s skylines from other cities around the world, it’s the Kingdom Center Tower — the one with the semi-circle-shaped hole near the top. The Sky Bridge, open from 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM, is the tippy-top of the tower looking down on the desert capital. For just $16, you’ll speed up two elevators to the top of Riyadh’s most famous landmark. For the best views of the entire city, go a little before sunset to catch daytime colors and night lights. The first three floors of the building consist of a shopping mall. You can find the entrance to the Sky Bridge on the second floor.
3. Al-Ahsa Oasis — Eastern Province
Photo: Saudi Tourism
The Al-Ahsa Oasis is one of the largest desert oases in the world, thanks to its millions of date palms. The grounds include gardens, archaeological sites, old fortresses, canals, mosques, and other ruins from the Neolithic period to the present. The diversity of rock formations and water systems is complemented by the oldest port in the world, Al-Uqair, and the breathtaking Al-Shu’ba Mountain. The Al-Ahsa Oasis was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2018.
4. National Museum — Riyadh
Photo: Crystal Eye Studio/Shutterstock
Easily the most renowned museum in the Kingdom, the National Museum is ideal for a rainy day or anytime you are looking to escape the dry heat if you’re visiting outside of winter. Displays and installations incorporate the latest technology, and all descriptions are presented in both Arabic and English. Exhibitions revolve around the Arabian Kingdoms, including the pre-Islamic era, The Hajj, the Two Holy Mosques, the Unification of Saudi Arabia, etc. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better collection of Saudi artifacts anywhere else.
5. Mada’in Saleh — Al-Ula
Photo: Gimas/Shutterstock
Often referred to as the “Petra of Saudi Arabia,” Mada’in Saleh is a 2,000-year-old site comprised of monuments carved in sandstone rocks. Amazing old forts, ruins, and tombs speckle this area of the Arabian Desert. This archaeological wonder and desert city has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site and for this reason has been attracting an increasing number of visitors, with even more as KSA’s tourist visa system opens up. Keep this on your list for now as unfortunately Mada’in Saleh is closed until early 2020.
6. King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture — Dharan
Photo: Chris worldwide/Shutterstock
Located next to the larger city of Dammam, Dharan accommodates a world-class center of culture. Saudi Aramco, the country’s massive oil company, runs the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, which was completed in 2016 and subsequently made Time Magazine’s list of the World’s 100 Greatest Places in 2018. The center, designed by Norwegian architectural firm Snohetta, holds a library of some 200,000 books, an auditorium, beautiful exhibitions, a museum, and movie theater.
7. Al Wahba Crater — Medina Region
Photo: mohamed hashif/Shutterstock
One of the largest volcanic craters on Earth, Al Wahba also features a large salt field near its center that you can hike to. Contrary to the surrounding desert landscape, the crater is home to shrubbery and other plants. Al Wahba is an incredibly unique site to visit, hike around, and even camp at, especially with the recent construction of more roads and access points. Despite these recent developments, ensure that you take proper gear like extra water, hiking boots, and sun protection to withstand the elements. It should take you around 45-60 minutes to reach the bottom of the crater, and due to the crater’s slippery surface, going back up may take even longer.
8. Scuba diving the Red Sea — Jeddah
Photo: blue-sea.cz/Shutterstock
Saudi Arabia is home to the longest coastline of the Red Sea and is famous for its colorful coral reefs, World War II shipwrecks, and biodiversity. Although year-round diving is possible, the best time of year to go is November to January when visibility is better and there’s an increased likelihood of seeing sharks and dolphins. Many scuba agencies and dive shops offer certification and tours with tons based out of Jeddah.
9. Al-Tayebat International City — Jeddah
Photo: Gimas/Shutterstock
This impressive, sprawling complex with ornate minarets, Moorish wood carvings, and winding passageways is a must-see when in Saudi Arabia. Inside the gates, visitors can find the Abdul Raouf Khalil Museum of Jeddah detailing the city’s history. Small shops and kiosks sell crafts and souvenirs, and you can try some of the local cuisine as you wander outside. Check the Al-Tayebat website (use Google translate as the site is only in Arabic) before you go as there are specific opening hours for single men and families (including single women), and these may vary with the weather. While in Jeddah, check out the beautiful traditional buildings of the UNESCO-listed old town.
More like this: This ancient city in Saudi Arabia is like Petra without the crowds
The post How to get a Saudi visa and what to do once you get there appeared first on Matador Network.
Recreational dispensary how to
It’s easier than ever to buy legal marijuana in the US. Nearly 80 million people live in the 10 states that currently allow recreational cannabis, and a number of states like New York and New Jersey are considering legislation. That population, and the tens of millions of tourists who visit those states every year, are presented with a previously foreign concept: the recreational marijuana dispensary.
In towns like Denver where there are more dispensaries than Starbucks — these are the best recreational shops in the city if you’re looking to narrow down your options a bit — the choice of where to go can be a bit overwhelming. Even in towns with just one or two shops, however, going to a recreational dispensary for the first time can lead to a lot of questions.
“I think people’s biggest fear when they walk in is that it’s so overwhelming to see so many things laid out and so many options,” Nikki Furrer, author of A Woman’s Guide to Cannabis, tells Matador. Anyone who walks in without a plan could very easily leave with something they don’t know how to use, she says, adding, “I’ve gotten texts from friends who walk into a dispensary for the first time and don’t know what to do — these are people who are regular smokers but still overwhelmed.”
Furrer, who has run dispensaries as well as worked as a budtender and grower in Denver, says the people who go to shops aren’t just young people interested in trying something new. There are “more Baby Boomers now and older people coming into the dispensary,” she says. “That’s the fastest growing category (of people).”
No matter your age, first-timers will — and should — always have questions. Answering those questions is what budtenders are there for. But before you go to a recreational dispensary for the first time, there are a few basic things you should know.
Your first decision: smokable or edible?
“Just ask the basic question smoke it or eat it,” Furrer says. “A lot of non-smokers are not really thrilled about smoking, but it depends on the crowd.”
In the past, there were often concerns with the dosage in edibles. Too many headlines about tourists unknowingly eating an unreasonable amount of cannabis in recreational states only exacerbated the fears around them. Thankfully, regulators and producers have caught up. Edibles today generally have a limit of 100 milligrams of THC per package and 10 milligrams per dose. Labeling clearly lays out what a single serving is; for example, a snap-apart piece of a chocolate bar.
“Edibles are so much better in 2019 than five years ago,” Furrer says. “They taste better, they’re better dosed, they’re more accurate.”
You’ll see things you’ve never seen before. Ask questions.
Waxes, shatter, live resin, vapes, weed lube — there’s a lot of innovation in the cannabis space right now, and that goes for delivery methods as well as new strains. In Furrer’s experience, showing people how to operate a basic weed pen is one of the more common things she has to do. And while you might feel like an oblivious prude asking for instructions while you’re in the shop, you’ll feel even worse if you use the products you just bought completely wrong.
The biggest mistake is getting the wrong strain.
Photo: Joshua Resnick/Shutterstock
Once you’ve decided on a delivery method, you’ll need to decide the type. There are strains of cannabis with higher levels of THC compared to CBD and vice versa. The most basic thing you need to know is whether you’re looking for a sativa or indica strain. In general, sativas lead to a more active mind high while indicas lead to a body high that can glue you to the couch. Growers often have their own strains that you can’t find anywhere else, and trying them is a great way to see the style of a city if you’re visiting for the first time.
“I love going to new cities and trying strains they only have in that state,” Furrer says. “That’s my question for the budtender every time I go to a new city, ‘What’s the one strain that I can’t miss?’ And they love showing off the best of what they’ve got.”
Along with the right strain, you want to make sure you get the right dose as well. Start at 10 milligrams and go up from there.
Bring cash or be prepared to ask where the nearest ATM is.
Cannabis is illegal on the federal level no matter what the state law is, so banks are hesitant to accept money or do business with dispensaries. That means, in general, that cash is king for the recreational marijuana business.
Be sure to have enough cash on you before you go, although many dispensaries have ATMs onsite or nearby. Dispensary review sites like Weedmaps and Leafly often list whether a store has an ATM (or, in rare cases, takes cards). Those sites also have prices for stores, so you can get a general idea of how much to bring. Whatever you do, don’t be that person who spends an hour filling your hands with products and then acts surprised that the place won’t accept your Visa, Mastercard, or Amex.
On a similar note of things to bring, don’t forget your ID. Dispensaries are strict about who can be in and hang around the shop, and an ID is necessary no matter how old you look.
Know how much you’re looking for.
Edibles have the milligrams of THC listed on the packaging. It can be a little trickier for smokable flower unless you’re buying pre-wrapped joints.
In general, a gram is about the amount of weed in a joint. It’s the smallest unit you can purchase and is ideal for testing out a strain to see if you like it. Other common amounts include an eighth of an ounce (around 3.5 grams and called simple an eighth), a quarter of an ounce (around seven grams and called a quarter), a half ounce (around 14 grams), and an ounce (around 28 grams). Different states have different limits on how much one person can buy in a single day, and the budtenders will be sure to keep you in those limits.
Other terms you’ll see are “trim” and “shake.” Trim is the leaves trimmed away from the flower and is used for making edibles, and shake is flower that’s been broken apart or ground.
Know which materials you need before going.
There’s no one size fits all when it comes to cannabis consumption. Edibles are easy enough — “eat it” is about as simple as it gets when it comes to instructions — but there’s a world of other methods out there.
Enter the shop with a plan on your first visit. Want to smoke a joint? You’re going to need to buy a pre-rolled joint or have on hand a grinder, papers, and a lighter. What about vaping? You’ll need either a disposable one-time use vape or to buy the vape plus cartridges. Shops will generally sell everything you need to get started, but know what you’re getting into so you don’t have to go back out after buying what you thought was everything you need.
And remember, there’s no need to put up a cool front and act like an expert when you aren’t. Just like you would ask a bartender for a cocktail recommendation, ask your friendly neighborhood budtender for advice.
More like this: Everything to know before going to a state with recreational marijuana
The post Everything to know before your first recreational marijuana dispensary visit appeared first on Matador Network.
5 Wege die schönsten Seiten von Montana zu entdecken
5 Wege die schönsten Seiten von Montana zu entdecken
By: Shar Riley
Die Nationalparks
Nicht verpassen: Road Trips
Geschichte und Kultur
Tierwelt
Kulinarische Ziele
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Sicher kommen Ihnen gleich die Rocky Mountains in den Sinn, wenn Sie an Montana denken. Und das hat auch eine Berechtigung, denn diese Berge sind unglaublich beeindruckend! Aber mit einer Größe die ungefähr der von Deutschland ähnelt, hat Montana — übrigens der viertgrößte Staat der USA — soviel mehr zu bieten als nur schneebedeckte Gipfel. Klar, die Berge sind der Grund warum viele herkommen, aber verpassen Sie bei Ihrer Reise nicht die Highlights im Rest des Staates.
Wie wäre es zum Beispiel bei Sonnenaufgang Vögel zu beobachten, auf verwunschenen Pfaden zu wandern, oder einheimischen Whiskey aus handverlesenem Mais zu probieren? Nicht zu vergessen die PowWows – bunte Feste der Ureinwohner-, Ausritte durch die Wildnis hoch zu Ross und natürlich Road Trips auf Panoramastrassen, wo Sie freiwillig vom Gaspedal gehen um den nächsten tollen Ausblick so richtig genießen zu können.
Es gibt viele tolle Arten Montana zu entdecken — also los geht’s!
This guide is proudly produced in partnership with the Montana Office of Tourism and Brand USA. All photos provided by the Montana Office of Tourism, except where noted.
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Die Nationalparks
Montana ist Heimat des Glacier Nationalparks und gleichzeitig bekannt als Gateway zum Yellowstone National Park – zwei der schönsten Parks in Amerika. Diese geschützte Wildnis einmal selbst zu sehen und zu erleben sollte ganz oben auf der Liste stehen. Und das geht auf viele Arten: Ob bei einer anspruchsvollen (Mehrtages-)Wanderung oder beim Sundowner von der Terrasse eines historischen Hotels mit Blick über einen Gletschersee.
Zu Fuss
In beiden Parks, dem Glacier oder dem Yellowstone, steht jeweils…
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Zu Fuss
In beiden Parks, dem Glacier oder dem Yellowstone, steht jeweils ein hunderte Kilometer langes Wanderwegenetz bereit – die Wege führen über Wiesen, zu Berggipfeln oder entlang von Flüssen – beim Terrain haben Wanderer die Qual der Wahl.
Soll es eine etwas anspruchsvollere Tour sein? Wir empfehlen den 28 Kilometer langen Pitamakan Pass Trail auf der östlichen Seite des Glacier National Parks, benannt nach der einzigen Frau des Blackfeet Stammes, die je einen Männernamen innehatte (so will es die Legende). Wenn Wadenmuskel strapazierende Touren nicht so Ihr Ding sind, nehmen Sie den einfacheren knapp 7 Kilometer langen Trek zu den Virginia Wasserfällen. Diese Glacier Nationalpark Wanderung ist auch ideal für Familien mit Kindern.
Auf Bootstouren lassen sich einige der schönsten Gletscherseen des Landes…
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Mit dem Boot
Auf Bootstouren lassen sich einige der schönsten Gletscherseen des Landes aus einer wunderbaren Perspektive entdecken. Am Ufer gleiten die dichten Kiefernwälder vorbei und Nationalpark-Ranger erklären die Flora und Fauna der Gegend – und geben gute Hinweise, wenn Tiere wie Adler, Bergziegen, Bären, Elche oder Rotwild an den Ufern zu sehen sind.
Beliebte Seen im Glacier Nationalpark sind zum Beispiel der Lake McDonald, Lake Josephine, und Swiftcurrent Lake, und die Fahrt auf ihrem Wasser findet meistens in charmanten Holzbooten statt.
Für passionierte Radfahrer ist die Going to the Sund Road im…
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Mit dem Rad
Für passionierte Radfahrer ist die Going to the Sund Road im Glacier Nationalpark auf ihrer gesamten Länge eine Traumroute. Im Frühjahr, bevor die Strasse (meist Ende Juni) für den PKW Verkehr öffnet gibt es auch geführte Touren.
Bei diesen Touren fährt man in der Gruppe unter Führung eines erfahrenen Guides nicht über die gesamte Länge der Panoramastrasse sondern nur die ersten Kilometer (der Wendepunkt wird je nach Schneelage bestimmt). Dabei sieht man diese berühmte Strasse und die beeindruckenden Gipfel rundherum wie nur sehr wenige Menschen: nämlich vollkommen still und Auto-frei.
Photo: Glacier National Park Service
Von der Terrasse eines historischen Hotels
Anfang des 20. Jahrhunderts ließ die Great Northern Railway Gesellschaft…
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Von der Terrasse eines historischen Hotels
Anfang des 20. Jahrhunderts ließ die Great Northern Railway Gesellschaft mehrere „Grandhotels“ im Glacier Nationalpark bauen, welche Gäste bis heute mit ihrem rustikalem Charme bezaubern: Das Many Glacier Hotel oder die Lake McDonald Lodge beispielsweise, welche 1913 entstand und den größten See des Parks überblickt.
Die Going-to-the-Sun-Road und die US-2 (am südlichen Ende des Glacier Nationalparks)…
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Aus dem Autofenster
Die Going-to-the-Sun Road und die US-2 (am südlichen Ende des Glacier Nationalparks) schlängeln sich über Bergpässe und ausgedehnte Täler – und sie können sich so viel Zeit lassen, wie Sie gerne möchten.
Bei Sonnenauf- und Sonnenuntergang steigen die Chancen wildlebende Tiere wie Bären oder Elche zu entdecken. Also unbedingt die Kamera griffbereit haben! Aber eigentlich ist jede Fahrt durch Montanas Nationalparks eine „landschaftlich reizvolle Strecke“ – wie man so schön sagt.
Photo: Glacier National Park Service
Nicht verpassen: Road Trips
Mit seinen berühmten „Big Skies“ – dem unendlich weiten Himmel – und Strassen die bis zum Horizont zu führen scheinen, ist Montana natürlich ideal für alle die mit dem Auto unterwegs sind. Einige der Routen führen über schwindelerregende Pässe, andere Strecken entlang von Wiesen voller Wildblumen. Aber auf allen Routen wird der Drang groß sein, oft zu halten und nach dem Fotoapparat zu greifen.
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Jeder der im Sommer nach Montana kommt, will sie sehen…
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Die Going-to-the-Sun Road
Jeder der im Sommer nach Montana kommt, will sie sehen – die Going-to-the-Sun-Road. Ihre spektakulären 80 Kilometer kulminieren an der Continental Divide – der kontinentalen Wasserscheide im Glacier Nationalpark. Egal von welcher Seite oder ob mit dem Mietwagen, einem Transfer oder auf einer Tour mit den urigen „Red Busses“ – der Logan Pass auf etwa 2.000 Höhenmetern ist ein Must-See.
Neben den Ausblicken, ist die Straße selbst sicher unvergesslich. Bei den engen Haarnadelkurven und mächtigen Wasserfällen gleich neben der Fahrbahn fragt man sich unweigerlich, wie dieses Wunderwerk der Ingenieurskunst gebaut wurde – und das schon in den 1920er Jahren.
Photo: Glacier National Park Service
Manchmal sollte man die Interstate 90 verlassen…
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Der Pintler Scenic Highway
Manchmal sollte man die Interstate 90 verlassen – und eine weniger befahrene Strasse nehmen. Der zirka 100 Kilometer lange Pintler Scenic Highway führt entlang des Flint Creek Gebirges von Drummond nach Anaconda im Westen von Montana.
Die Berge hier sind von dichten Nadelwäldern mit Fichten und Kiefern bedeckt (unbedingt den Duft der Bäume schnuppern), darunter erheben sich windverwehte Hügel mit wilden Salbeisträuchern. Nach der Hälfte der Strecke bietet sich der Georgetown Lake für einen Halt an, das Panorama hier wird von drei Bergketten bestimmt: Anaconda-Pintler, Sapphire und Flint Creek. Ein weiterer lohnenswerter Stopp ist das Örtchen Philipsburg, mit netten Restaurants und Cafés.
Aber warum nicht gleich zwei Nationalparks mitnehmen?
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Der Old Highway 89
Aber warum nicht gleich zwei Nationalparks mitnehmen? Die zirka 580 Kilometer vom Glacier zum Yellowstone sind auch für sich genommen ein spannender und vielfältiger Road Trip. In Montana treffen die weiten Ebenen, die Plains, auf die Berggipfel und von beidem gibt es auf dieser Fahrt viel zu sehen.
Entlang des Weges liegt Great Falls, auch bekannt als das „Gateway zum einzigartigen Montana“. Auf dem Highway 89 finden Sie heraus was das eigentlich heißt. Natürlich viele Wild-West und Cowboy-Städtchen mit historischen Saloon Türen – aber das kleine Livingston zum Beispiel beherbergt auch viele Kunstgalerien. Ebenfalls auf der Route liegen einige Stopps des bekannten „Montana Dinosaurier Trail“.
Entlang der Ufer des weitläufigen Flathead Lake im Nordwesten Montanas…
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Der Flathead Lake
Entlang der Ufer des weitläufigen Flathead Lake im Nordwesten Montanas führt eine knapp 300 Kilometer lange Strasse – man kann den See also einmal umrunden, wenn man möchte. Insgesamt 13 öffentliche Zugangspunkte zum See gibt es, die zum Schwimmen, Picknicken oder Zelten einladen. Im Sommer sollten Sie an einem der vielen Stände mit frischem Obst Halt machen und ein paar lokale Spezialitäten mitnehmen.
Die 110 Kilometer des Beartooth Highway gehören zu den schönsten…
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Der Beartooth Highway
Die 110 Kilometer des Beartooth Highway gehören zu den schönsten in Montana – mit kleinen Abstechern nach Wyoming. An oberster Stelle auf zirka 3.300 Metern, ist er der höchste ausgebaute Highway der nördlichen Rockies.
An den nördlichen Ausläufern der umliegenden Gipfel sieht man noch die Gletscher und das Bergklima sorgt für alpine Flora mit Wildblumen und „Krummholz“: Die von Wind gepeitschten und vom rauen Klima geprüften Stämme der niedrigen Bäume sind wunderbar krumm und schief.
GESCHICHTE UND KULTUR
Die Ureinwohner, fälschlicherweise ja auch Indianer genannt, haben diesen Teil der USA schon vor tausenden von Jahren besiedelt. Heute leben in Montana zwölf Native-Stämme auf sieben Reservaten. Und nimmt man noch die Cowboy-Traditionen dazu, die Schlachten die geschlagen wurden, die vielen Geschichten vom Goldrausch in den Bergen und der Siedler in den Ebenen – dann versteht man, dass es in Montana Geschichte und Kultur in Hülle und Fülle zu entdecken gibt.
Kulturelle Zentren
Das Museum der Plains Indians in Browing oder auch das People’s Center in Pablo…
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Kulturelle Zentren
Das Museum der Plains Indians in Browing oder auch das People’s Center in Pablo sind beides tolle Orte um in die faszinierende Geschichte von Amerikas Ureinwohnern einzutauchen: Die Skulpturen der Blackfeet, Schmuck und Kunstgegenständer der Salish, Kootenai oder Pend d’Oreille und natürlich die fingerfertige Perlendekoration und einmalige Gemälde auf Tierhäuten. Wer selber lernen möchte mit Perlen zu dekorieren wie die Natives, sollte vorausplanen. Im People’s Center werden dafür nämlich Kurse angeboten.
Powwows – die traditionellen Zusammenkünfte der Stämme – sind die Höhepunkte…
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Powwows
Powwows – die traditionellen Zusammenkünfte der Stämme – sind die Höhepunkte eines jeden Sommers in Montana. Wer einmal einen Powwow besucht hat, wird die farbenfrohe Kleidung, das leckere Essen (wie wäre es mit einem Indian Taco?), die mitreißenden Tänze, das Trommeln und den Gesang nicht so schnell vergessen.
Tipp: Der Forth of July Chiefs Powwow des Northern Cheyenne Stammes gehört zu den besten Powwows in Montana.
Wer das Lebensgefühl des Wilden Westens einmal nachempfinden möchte…
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Auf dem Pferderücken
Wer das Lebensgefühl des Wilden Westens einmal nachempfinden möchte, der sollte einen Ausritt machen. Anbieter dafür – sogenannte Outfitter – gibt es in Montana überall. Ob nur ein kurzer, sanfter Trail-Ride am Nachmittag oder der Mehrtagesausflug in die Wildnis mit Lagerfeuer, Cowboy-Kaffee und allem Drum und Dran: Auf dem Pferderücken geht es in Gebiete wo keine Autos hinkommen und die „Zivilisation“ fern ist: Über Wildblumenwiesen oder durch Felsengärten, immer aber begleitet von einer wunderbaren Stille unter den berühmten „Big Skies“ von Montana.
Wenn das genau das ist, wonach Sie sich sehnen, sollten Sie vielleicht gleich einen Ranch-Urlaub in Betracht ziehen um für eine Zeit lang dem normalen Leben komplett zu entfliehen und sich als Cowboy oder Cowgirl zu versuchen.
Photo: Elements Mixed Media
Das Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
Über wenige Schlachten der amerikanischen Geschichte ranken…
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Das Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
Über wenige Schlachten der amerikanischen Geschichte ranken sich so viele Legenden wie um diese: Die legendäre Begegnung des 7. Kavallerie Regiments unter Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer und der vereinigten Stämme der Sioux und Cheyenne mit Sitting Bull als Anführer. Ob auf eigene Faust oder bei einer Ranger-geführten Tour: Auf dem weitläufigen ehemaligen Schlachtfeld, beim Monument für die Gefallenen und im Visitors Center werden viele Geschichten erzählt. Daneben fasziniert auch die Schönheit der Landschaft, auf der heutigen Crow Indian Reservation in Südmontana, ganz in der Nähe von Billings.
Montanas Geschichte ist voll von Boom-Zeiten und Pleiten…
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Geisterstädte
Montanas Geschichte ist voll von Boom-Zeiten und Pleiten. Die Hinterlassenschaften der harten Bedingungen während der Pionierzeit lassen sich heute noch in den sogenannten Geisterstädten bewundern. Viele davon sind für Besucher geöffnet: Garnet, Bannack State Park, Granite Ghost Town State Park – auf einem Zick-Zack-Kurs durch den Staat lässt sich bei jeder Geisterstadt ein weiteres Rätsel lüften, warum diese einstmals pulsierenden Gemeinden ihren Niedergang fanden.
TIERWELT
Montana hat mehr Tiervielfalt zu bieten, als irgendeiner der anderen kontinentalen Vereinigten Staaten, also Augen auf! Alles was man braucht ist ein wenig Geduld und ein paar gute Tipps um auf eigene Faust spektakuläre Sichtungen in freier Wildbahn zu machen! Ach ja – diese etwas eifrigen Typen, die um 5 Uhr morgens mit Ferngläsern um den Hals aufbrechen? Die sind auf der richtigen Spur!
Hier geht’s zu den Bergziegen
Diese trittsicheren alpinen Kletterkünstler sind eigentlich recht…
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Hier geht’s zu den Bergziegen
Diese trittsicheren alpinen Kletterkünstler sind eigentlich recht schwer zu entdecken – ausser im Glacier Nationalpark. Ob aus dem Autofenster am Logan Pass oder beim Goat-Lick Overlook auf dem Highway 2 – hier sollten Sie Glück haben!
Es soll eine etwas persönlichere Begegnung sein? Dann sollten Sie auf dem Highline Trail wandern gehen. Und immer schön die Steinwände nach kleinen weißen Flecken absuchen – Bergziegen und ihre Jungen haben nämlich besondere Hufe, die es ihnen ermöglichen auch noch im steilsten Gelände Halt zu finden.
Photo: Glacier National Park Service
Die National Bison Range in der Nähe von Moiese ist die Heimat von hunderten Bisons…
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Die National Bison Range
Die National Bison Range in der Nähe von Moiese ist die Heimat von hunderten Bisons, Nordamerikas größtem Landtier, dessen männliche Vertreter bis zu 900 Kilo wiegen können. Auch gibt es auf diesem rund 7.500 Hektar großen Schutzgebiet, guten Chancen, Dickhornschaafe, Rotwild und Pronghorn-Antilopen sowie Schwarzbären und Kojoten zu spotten. Die National Bison Range wurde schon vor über 100 Jahren ins Leben gerufen und hat seitdem treue tierische Bewohner.
Meistens braucht man etwas Glück – oder stundenlange Geduld und Hingabe…
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Sichtung garantiert
Meistens braucht man etwas Glück – oder stundenlange Geduld und Hingabe um wilde Tiere zu sichten. Aber so muss es nicht immer sein. Wenn man weiß wo kann man in Montana auch einige der wundervollsten Kreaturen jederzeit zu Gesicht bekommen.
Im Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone leben Grizzly Bären, Wölfe und Greifvögel. Drüben in Red Lodge haben Kojoten, Bisons und Schwarzbären im Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary eine neue Heimat gefunden. Hier sind Fotos garantiert und man lernt noch viel über diese Mitglieder der großen Montana-Tierfamilie.
Diese Wildlife Refuges bieten eine gute Chance wilde Tiere…
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Wildtier-Rückzugsgebiete
Diese Wildlife Refuges bieten eine gute Chance wilde Tiere in ihrer natürlichen Umgebung aber trotzdem von nahem zu sehen. Mit dem eigenen Auto fahren Sie auf ausgewiesenen Wegen durch das Gebiet, wie zum Beispiel im Ninepipe and Pablo National Wildlife Refuge, wo über 200 Vogelarten gesichtet wurden, darunter Kurzohren-Eulen und brütende Blaureiher. Oder schauen Sie sich Zehntausende von Wasservögeln an, die durch die 2.000 Hektar großen flachen Feuchtgebiete des Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge ziehen.
Photo: Montana Natural History Center
KULINARISCHE ZIELE
Appetit auf einen schnellen Burger mit den Einheimischen? Kein Problem. Oder ein eher elegantes Dinner aus saisonalen und heimischen Zutaten? Auch das gibt es hier! Montana ist seit jeher bekannt für seine ausgeprägte Landwirtschaft, also sollte die vielfältige und leckere Küche hier auch nicht überraschen.
Frisch auf den Tisch: Der Missoula Farmers Markt
Von Mitte Mai bis Mitte Oktober lädt der Missoula Farmers Market…
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Frisch auf den Tisch: Der Missoula Farmers Markt
Von Mitte Mai bis Mitte Oktober lädt der Missoula Farmers Market unter freiem Himmel dazu ein, die lokalen Köstlichkeiten von Montana zu verkosten: Ob heimisches Obst und Gemüse, in Montana gerösteter Bio-Kaffee, frischgebackene Croissants und duftendes Brot. Schon seit über 50 Jahren ist der Markt mit seinen dutzenden Verkaufsständen eine Institution in der Gegend.
Frisch gezapft: Der Montana Brewers Trail
Nach einen langen Tag an der frischen Luft und in der freien Natur…
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Frisch gezapft: Der Montana Brewers Trail
Nach einen langen Tag an der frischen Luft und in der freien Natur gönnt man sich doch gerne mal ein Bierchen! Umso besser, dass Montana mit vielen heimischen Brauereien aufwarten kann – und der Montana Brewers Trail tolle Vorschläge bereithält, wo diese zu finden sind und wo es noch dazu die besten Restaurants, Bars und Bierkneipen gibt. Generell findet man im gesamten Staat gutes Bier, recht geballt allerdings sind die besten Brauereien im Westen des Staates und entlang der Interstates zu finden.
Leckere Tröpfchen: Schnapsbrennereien
Kleine, in Eigenregie geführte Brennereien sind auf dem Vormarsch in Montanas Kulinariklandschaft…
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Leckere Tröpfchen: Schnapsbrennereien
Kleine, in Eigenregie geführte Brennereien sind auf dem Vormarsch in Montanas Kulinariklandschaft, viele davon nutzen spezielle lokale Zutaten um einzigartige Geschmacksrichtungen hervorzubringen. Für ihren Five Drops Bourbon Whiskey nutzt die Company Wildrye Distilling zum Beispiel handverlesenen Mais von der familieneigenen Farm. Unbedingt auf dieser Liste sollte auch die Destille von Headframe Spirits in der alten Bergbaustadt Butte stehen: Seit 2010 kann man in deren Probierstube verschiedene Kreationen verkosten und auch geführte Touren durch die Brennerei machen.
Einzigartige Beeren: Huckleberry Leckereien
Das bekannteste kulinarische Wahrzeichen von Montana wird allerdings nicht auf…
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Einzigartige Beeren: Huckleberry Leckereien
Das bekannteste kulinarische Wahrzeichen von Montana wird allerdings nicht auf einer Farm gezüchtet, sondern gedeiht nur wild in der freien Natur: die kleinen schmackhaften Huckleberries werden mühsam von Hand gesammelt und geben dann Kuchen, Gebäck, Eiscreme und mehr einen echten Montana-Kick.
Der Klassiker ist natürlich Huckleberry-Marmelade, am besten vom kleinen Laden The Huckleberry Patch, im Örtchen Hungry Horse. Hier rühmt man sich Montana’s ältestes Huckleberry-Unternehmen zu sein und ist stolz darauf, die süßen Früchtchen der Rocky Mountains schon seit 1949 zu verarbeiten.
This guide is proudly produced in partnership with the Montana Office of Tourism and Brand USA. All photos provided by the Montana Office of Tourism, except where noted.
The post 5 Wege die schönsten Seiten von Montana zu entdecken appeared first on Matador Network.
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