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Air Niugini plane crashes in lagoon

When your plane is landing and you find yourself waist-deep in water, it’s probably a sign that something’s not quite right. On Friday morning, Journalist Bill Jaynes was aboard an Air Niugini flight to Weno, a tiny island in Micronesia in the Pacific, when he realized the landing wasn’t going according to plan. According to the New York Times, in a Facebook video, Jaynes described how the plane approached Chuuk International Airport dangerously low and ended up crash landing in the Chuuk lagoon.

Photo: Aner Michael via Storyful

Luckily, help was on the way. A flotilla of local boats came to the rescue, evacuating all 12 crew members and 35 passengers aboard the aircraft. Also joining the rescue campaign was a United States Navy underwater construction team, which happened to be working in the area. Using an inflatable boat, they helped shuttle passengers and crew members to shore. The incident passed with zero fatalities, thanks to the quick rescue effort. Everyone on board was very, very lucky.

In a statement on social media, Air Niugini, Papua New Guinea’s national carrier, praised the heroic locals for their assistance and attributed the crash to poor visibility and heavy rain. Reports suggest, however, that the plane was simply flying too low to land safely. The aircraft also reportedly suffered damage to its wing back in May when it collided with another plane during taxiing, though it’s unclear if this had any effect on the Friday incident.

For now, all flights in and out of Chuuk International Airport are suspended, and access to the airport is limited.

H/T: The New York Times

More like this: How pilots use the seatbelt sign to send secret messages to the crew

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The 16 best dessert spots in NYC

No matter how much we eat, there’s always room for dessert. Combine our second stomachs with the ideas and innovation that flow through New York City, and you’ve got teamwork to make the dream work — a dream full of creative, sugary, sweet goodness. If you’re eating out and aren’t satisfied with the dessert menu, there’s no need to settle for a simple scoop of ice cream or slice of pie. Almost every neighborhood in the five boroughs boasts trendy and unique desserts that’ll satisfy your sweet tooth and are a sight for sore eyes. Here are the best 16 places to grab dessert in NYC.

1. Spot Dessert Bar

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Thai and New York influences led cousins Chai and Ace to create a restaurant group that values both tradition and innovation. Spot Dessert Bar in New York was their first restaurant, and they partnered with Iron Chef Ian Kittichai to create a unique dessert menu. Visit the flagship location in St. Marks Place, and try the signature Matcha Lava — a dark chocolate cake filled with green tea ganache, green tea ice cream, chocolate pearls, and cookie crumbs — or The Harvest, cheesecake with Oreo crumbs and raspberry sorbet designed to look like a potted plant.

Where: 13 St. Marks Place, New York, NY 10003

2. Levain Bakery

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Don’t let the lines that stretch down the block put you off from stopping into Levain Bakery — it’s worth all the hype. It was opened in 1994 by Connie McDonald and Pam Weekes who, after training for the demanding Ironman triathlon, talked about creating the world’s greatest chocolate chip cookie. Levain only sells three types — chocolate chip walnut, oatmeal raisin, and dark chocolate peanut butter chip — and all the thick, soft cookies are freshly baked onsite.

Where: 167 W 74th St, New York, NY 10023

3. DŌ

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Gone are the days where people disregarded salmonella warnings to eat raw dough for its pure deliciousness. Now, you can safely eat cookie dough and batter without thinking twice at DŌ. There are over 20 different flavors; the classics range from Commandō, which is just pure raw dough, to the signature chocolate chip cookie dough. The more wild combinations include Chocolate Dream (brownie batter mixed with Oreo cookies and chocolate chips) and Gimme S’more (cookie dough with Hershey’s chocolate, toasted marshmallows, and graham crackers). There’s usually a crazy line here too, though, so if you can’t wait for a fix, fresh pre-packaged DŌ is also sold at upscale grocery chain Dean & DeLuca.

Where: 550 LaGuardia Place, New York, NY 10012

4. Taiyaki NYC

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Taiyaki is traditionally a fish-shaped cake, and the name comes from the Japanese word tai, which translates to sea bream, and yaki which can mean baked, fried, or grilled. In Taiyaki NYC’s case, the taiyaki is baked into a fish-shaped ice cream cone. The menu offers up choices like Straight Outta Japan — a mix of green tea and black sesame ice cream with red bean, a mochi stick, and a wafer stick — or you can create your own concoction.

Where: 19 Baxter St, New York, NY 10013

5. Serendipity 3

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Serendipity 3 has been in the game since 1954 when it was founded by Stephen Bruce. It was named after three legendary princes of an island known as Serendip (modern-day Sri Lanka) and has been frequented by the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Andy Warhol, and Beyoncé. The Alice in Wonderland-inspired decor will make you feel like you’re a guest at one of the Mad Hatter’s tea parties, and the menu items are just as magnificently grandiose, including the Frrrozen Hot Chocolate, Strawberry Supreme, and Golden Opulence Sundae, which holds the Guinness World Record for most expensive sundae in the world at $1,000 due to ingredients like 23-karat gold leaf and rare chocolates.

Where: 225 E 60th St, New York, NY 10022

6. Blue Stripes Cacao Shop

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Created by famed chocolatier Oded Brenner, Blue Stripes is a modern-day coffee-shop version of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. It’s an ode to Brenner’s daughter Nellie, featuring small personal touches that act as a nod to her like a framed quote that reads, “I think I’ve never created anything for anyone else other than you.” That also includes the menu, with offerings like a shot of pure milk chocolate, chocolate pizza, and a pancake-sandwich combo. Health is also on the brain with cacao fruit energy drinks and teas. If that’s not enough, there are even chocolate drinks on tap.

Where: 28 E 13th St, New York, NY 10003

7. Tipsy Scoop

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If you thought booze and ice cream wouldn’t go together, think again. Tipsy Scoop began as a wholesale retailer selling liquor-infused ice cream to grocery stores and has now opened a storefront in Midtown. Each flavor has five-percent ABV, equating to that of a beer. Flavors like vanilla bean bourbon, strawberry white sangria sorbet, and cake batter vodka martini are sure to give you a pleasant buzz. There are also vegan and gluten-free options available.

Where: 217 E 26th St, New York, NY 10010

8. Sweet Moment

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Bingsoo is a popular Korean shaved-ice dessert, and Sweet Moment’s bingsoo, piled high with a seemingly endless number of toppings, will make you want to reach for every last bite. For something sweet, try the mango and cheesecake bingsoo, and for savory, go for the black sesame red bean.

Where: 106 Mott St, New York, NY 10013

9. Artuso’s Bakery

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The Bronx’s version of Little Italy is packed to the brim with Italian restaurants, coffee houses, and pastry shops. But you’ll find some of the best Italian pastries at Artuso Pastry. Vincent Artuso Sr. worked at the same location in the ‘30s and, upon his return from military service, purchased the shop to make it his own. The store takes up half a block, and the corner it sits on is named after Vincent F. Artuso Sr., the creator. Inside, you’ll find every pastry imaginable, from cannolis to éclairs to sfogliatelle (a lobster-tail-shaped pastry), as well as cookies, biscotti, and cakes. Spring for the cannoli cake for the best of both worlds.

Where: 670 E 187th St, Bronx, NY 10458

10. Lloyd’s Carrot Cake

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Flowers at the Toledo Museum of Art

This surreal installation at the Toledo Museum of Art in Ohio sets the bar unfairly high for other art exhibits.

Using 150,000 plants and flowers native to northwest Ohio, British installation artist Rebecca Louise Law created this incredible display of cascading flowers. It’s intended to be an immersive experience, so visitors can walk among the many beautiful flower garlands and consider the relationship between humans and nature.

Photo: Toledo Museum of Art

The installation is called “Community,” which is truly reflective of the process required to complete the exhibit. It took 1,800 volunteer hours to gather the necessary materials, with volunteers also helping string together garlands of fresh, dried plants and flowers.

In an effort to create a sustainable installation, in “Community,” Rebecca Louise Law reused everything that she had ever used in artwork over the past 10 years, as well as new, fresh flowers.

Photo: Toledo Museum of Art/Facebook

The installation at the Toledo Museum of Art will be on display until January 13th, 2019. To learn more about Law’s installation, visit the museum’s official website. Tickets can be reserved here for $10 each.

H/T: Lonely Planet

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The post This surreal cascade of flowers is an art exhibit like no other appeared first on Matador Network.

Best places to go in Europe in fall

With such a diverse range of cultures, geography, architecture, and natural beauty in such close proximity, Europe has everything you could possibly want in a fall adventure. But with so many countries to visit, so much food to eat, and so many city names to mispronounce, it’s tough to know where to start. A group of friends and I recently rented a van and drove across Europe, aiming to get the full fall experience in seven different countries. Here is the beauty we witnessed.

1. Burg Eltz, Germany

While there are certainly no shortage of beautiful, medieval castles in Germany, Burg Eltz is among the most memorable. Located in the lush Moselle Valley along Elzbach river, this castle was completed in 1540, and is one of the few in the area that is perfectly preserved. There are dozens of hikes available around the castle, including the popular Eltzer Burgpanorama trail, which is particularly scenic. Castle tours are conducted every 15 minutes in German, although French, Dutch, and English tours are also available on a more limited basis.

2. Tree Tunnel, France

After a few days of exploring Paris, we traveled east toward the German border, where we spotted an incredible tunnel of huge trees just outside Chemin. A lonely country house sat at the end of a leaf-covered road, making for a truly perfect fall setting.

3. Hallstatt, Austria

Located between the mountains on Lake Hallstatt, the town of Hallstatt in Austria looks nothing short of perfect. Dotted with 16th-century homes and filled with cafes, there are few places more peaceful. For hiking enthusiasts, there’s a trail leading to the Echern Valley glacier garden, where you can see glacial potholes, the Waldbachstrub Waterfall, and a funicular railway leading up to an old salt mine. The village of under 1,000 residents is just over an hour’s ride from Salzburg, although you’ll need to park out of town, as Hallstatt itself is refreshingly car-free.

4. Berchtesgaden National Park, Germany

Berchtesgaden National Park is located in Upper Bavaria, covering 81 square miles. The bridge in the picture above hangs over the Klausbachtal Valley and provides stunning alpine views and an array of popping fall colors for those who cross it. You can get more epic vistas by hiking the Watzmann mountain (the highest in the park at nearly 9,000 feet), and exploring Lake Königssee, which is considered to be the cleanest lake in all of Germany.

5. Landwasser Viaduct, Switzerland

The Landwasser Viaduct on the Rhaetian Railway in the Albula is only a 30-minute walk away from the village of Filisur. Completed in 1902, the bridge is 213 feet tall, with six arches that are each 65 feet long. Completely surrounded by the Alps, the Rhaetian Railway, a World Heritage Site, passes through 144 bridges and 42 tunnels.

6. Hintersee, Germany

Located in the small town of Ramsau, Hintersee Lake is another great spot in the Bavarian Alps. The most scenic route to the lake is walking along a path through the Zauberwald (Enchanted Forest), and beside a mountain stream. Hintersee itself is perfect for boating, but strolling along its edge and basking in the view of the surrounding alpine peaks is pretty darn good, too. If you’d like to see the landscape as captured on canvas by famous artists such as Carl Rotmann and Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller, you can take an art-themed hike around a lake called the Painter’s Road — the trail is lined with paintings.

7. Alpe Di Siusi, Italy

Europe’s largest mountain plateau, the Alpe Di Siusi in Italy’s South Tyrol, is the perfect place for an autumn hike or bike ride. With views of the Dolomite peaks, the area also has small forests and a smattering of settlements. The largest is called Compatsch, on the western side of the plateau. It serves as the perfect base camp for your Alpe Di Siusi trip, with hotels, restaurants offering traditional South Tyrolean cuisine, and a cable car up to one of the nearby mountains. If you’re visiting later in fall, or winter happens to come early, the area is also ideal for downhill and cross-country skiing.

8. Lake Bled, Slovenia

Lake Bled is probably Slovenia’s most recognizable spot, and for good reason. With the deep blue water and surrounding forests and mountains, Lake Bled is stunning. But you can do more there than just take cool photos. If it’s still warm enough, you can go kayaking, swimming, or use the lake as a starting point for hiking through the Slovenian Julian Alps. If you’re so inclined, you can also take a tour of the various nearby wine estates. Getting there is easy, too. Just take a bus or train from the capital of Ljubljana for a few euros, and you’ll be there in under an hour.

9. Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

Built in the 19th century by King Ludwig, the Neuschwanstein Castle looks like it’s right out of a fairytale (it inspired Disney’s Magic Kingdom after all). Located in the Bavarian Alps, on top of a hill near the town of Füssen, the castle has a panoramic view of the countryside. Ludwig built the castle in honor of the composer Richard Wagner. Neuschwanstein itself translates to “New Swan Castle” — a reference to one of Wagner’s characters called the “Swan Knight.”

10. Vintgar Gorge, Slovenia

One of the most popular natural features of Slovenia, the bridges and walkways of Vintgar Gorge make hiking relatively easy. The canyon’s winding wooden walkways lead past the turbulent Radovna River, ending at the 42-foot-high Šum Waterfall — Slovenia’s highest river waterfall. There’s also a cafe just before the waterfall, where you can relax.

11. Plitvice Lakes, Croatia

No visit to Croatia is complete without a trip to Plitvice Lakes National Park. While it might be a little farther east than you were planning on venturing, Plitvice Lakes is well worth the detour. The park, located in the heart of the country, about 80 miles from Zagreb, includes 16 natural lakes connected by a series of waterfalls. Covering 115 square miles, the park is full of deer, bears, wolves, boars, and rare birds, with the forest’s richest colors really coming out in autumn. The park is open year-round, for a fee of $8 per visitor.


More like this: The most scenic drives through Europe in the fall

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Beautiful waterfalls in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is one of the most picturesque places on Earth. The tiny country is very mountainous, with over 50 volcanoes — five of which are currently active — and dense, tropical forests. Deep in the lush rainforest canopy of the country are countless waterfalls, including the highest one in Central America, El Salto del Calvo. As 25 percent of the tiny country is protected for conservation, most of the cascades are located within some of the 32 National Parks and have entrance fees, but that shouldn’t stop you from checking them out — they’re well worth a few bucks. Here are the seven most amazing waterfalls you should go chasing while in Costa Rica.

1. La Fortuna Waterfall

Photo: Pavel Tvrdy/Shutterstock

La Fortuna Waterfall, located near Arenal Volcano, is the most famous one in Costa Rica. It’s a 10-minute drive from the center of the town of La Fortuna. If you’ve rented a car, just head down Diagonal 301 or take a taxi for $10 one way. La Fortuna Waterfall opens at 7:00 AM, so arrive early to beat the crowds and have this incredible feat of Mother Nature all to yourself.

To reach the basin of the 230-foot-tall waterfall you’ll have to go down 530 concrete stairs with railings. Don’t fret, the path is super sturdy and well traversed. Once you reach the bottom of La Fortuna Waterfall, go for a leisurely dip in the natural swimming hole to cool off. Make sure to bring lots of water as you’ll have to climb right back up the massive stairway. You can stop at many viewpoints on the way back up if you need to take a breather.

Entrance prices are currently $15 for foreigners, paid in cash at the entry to the fall. The fee is collected by a sustainability nonprofit that manages the park. Note that, even though La Fortuna Waterfall is located in Arenal Volcano National Park, you don’t need to enter the park and pay the park entrance fee to go and see the falls.

2. La Paz Waterfall

Photo: Kobby Dagan/Shutterstock

The best way to unwind after arriving in San Jose via a long, international flight is to head out to the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, just an hour and a half north of San Jose. The roads are well paved, so the best way to get there is by rental car — you may be able to get an Uber ride, but it’ll cost you. The trails to explore the park are well marked and pretty low impact, but there are quite a few stairs.

The highlight of the park is La Paz Waterfall and its massive drop of 110 feet. You can also see La Paz Waterfall from the road and snap a photo, but nothing beats getting up close and personal. You’ll also be able to visit Magia Blanca Waterfall, which is the largest at 120 feet, Templo Waterfall, Escondida Waterfall, and Encantada Waterfall. There’s no swimming allowed at any of the waterfalls at La Paz Waterfall Gardens.

Entrance to the park costs $44 per adult for foreigners and can be bought online with a credit card. The price is steep but includes over two miles of walking trails and an animal sanctuary. Stay the night in the onsite lodge to maximize your time and be the first to enter the park when it opens at 8:00 AM.

3. Rio Celeste Waterfall

Photo: David Gonzalez Rebollo/Shutterstock

The Rio Celeste Waterfall is located within the Tenorio Volcano National Park. In Spanish, celeste is the name of the picture-perfect blue color of the sky — and this waterfall seriously lives up to its moniker.

The cost to enter Tenorio Volcano National Park is $12 for foreign visitors, which needs to be paid in cash. Aim to arrive by 8:00 AM, when the park opens, in order to fully enjoy all that the nature reserve has to offer. It’s best to rent a car for the day to reach the park, which is about six miles from Bijagua town.

A concrete path cuts through the jungle en route to Rio Celeste Waterfall and is an easy trek, but it does have some stairs. You can’t swim in the turquoise basin, so after you’ve enjoyed the vistas at the waterfall, make your way to the nearby natural hot spring in the park.

4. Llanos de Cortez

Photo: worldroadtrip/Shutterstock

Llanos de Cortez is, hands down, the most beautiful cascade in Costa Rica. It’s a great first stop if you’re flying into Liberia Airport, as the Llanos de Cortez waterfall is in Bagaces just 16 miles south of Liberia. The drive should take about 30 minutes in a rental car or taxi. For now, it’s free to enter the park, but that’s likely to change as the Llanos de Cortez waterfall continues to grow in popularity.

The trail to reach the waterfall is short and takes most people just 10 minutes, but it is pretty steep, so don’t try it in sandals. After the short jaunt, you’ll be rewarded with the sight of a mighty, 50-foot-wide curtain of water that pours down from 40 feet up.

There’s also a natural freshwater beach with white sand on the banks of the pool. And don’t forget to climb with caution on the rocks behind the waterfall for a behind-the-scenes view.

5. Nauyaca Waterfall

Photo: Silverman1/Shutterstock

Nauyaca Waterfall is a quick drive inland from the beach town of Dominical and is the perfect waterfall in Costa Rica for those who want to spend time in the jungle. A taxi from Dominical to Nauyaca Waterfall costs $20 each way. The hike is on a gravel road and moderate with many curves up and down the side of a cliff. The round-trip distance is about five miles long. There’s also the option to pay to be taken to the fall by truck for $25 round-trip or $10 one-way.

Nauyaca Waterfall is located on private land and managed by the family who owns the property. It costs $8 to get in and can be paid in cash with US dollars or the local currency, Costa Rican colones.

The fall is truly spectacular with 200 feet of powerful water spillage over multiple tiers of rocks. Take a swim in the lower-level, 20-foot-deep pool. There’s nothing as divine as a cool dip after hiking. Note that it’s impossible to get into the pool during the rainy season due to water surge that makes the flow fast and dangerous.

6. Catarata Aquiares

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The Aquiares Waterfall, located in Turrialba, is off the beaten path and a favorite among Ticos, as Costa Ricans call themselves. You’ll need to walk about a third of a mile through the coffee plantations of the Aquiares village to find the Aquiares Waterfall, but it’s marked well on Google Maps. If you get a little lost, ask a local to point you in the direction of the catarata, the Tico word for waterfall.

It’s free to enter to check out the 132-foot cascade that gushes into a natural swimming pool. The best way to experience this waterfall is to float on your back and gaze up at the flowing water.

7. Gravity Falls

Photo: Lola Mendez

If you’re keen on an adventure, check out the privately-operated Gravity Falls in La Fortuna for a day of exploring a beautiful canyon with several waterfalls. Licensed canyoneering guides will teach you how to rappel down a cliff next to a 132-foot-tall waterfall followed by swinging on a rope into a massive natural pool, playing on natural rock slides, and climbing sheer rock walls. The tour’s grand finale is jumping down a 36-foot waterfall. If it’s too high for you, note that there are several spots for secure waterfall jumping that range in height from 10 to 30 feet.

The half-day excursion can be booked online or at the Desafio office. It costs $125 per person, including pick-up from your accommodation in La Fortuna, gear, and lunch.


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Baby panda in Japan needs a name

The Adventure World wildlife park in Japan has a new baby panda resident, and the tiny cub is just as cute as you would imagine.

Photo: Adventure World

The female panda was born on August 14th and weighed only 2.64 ounces. Now that she’s put on some weight and looks more like an actual panda instead of a minuscule pink kitten, the park wants your help in naming her. To submit your suggestion, apply online or mail a postcard including the name, phonetic spelling, and reason for your name choice.

Photo: Adventure World

If you’d like to get her parents’ blessing before deciding on a name, you can meet both at the park. Eimei, the father, was born in 1992 in China, and came to Adventure World when he was two years old. He’s described as “quiet, and always looks calm.” The mother, Rauhin, was born at Wakayama in 2000, and in 2008 became the first giant panda born in Japan to give birth. She and Rauhin have a total of nine children now — seven females and two males.

To see the cub herself before making the important naming decision, you can check out this live webstream and coo and caw at the magnificent creature.

Submissions are due by November 16th, and the winner will be announced online soon afterward.

H/T:

More like this: South Dakota just got two new baby snow monkeys, and visiting them this winter will be extra adorable

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48 hours in Leavenworth, WA

The little Bavarian-styled town of Leavenworth sits two hours east of the hubbub of Seattle, in the foothills of the Cascades. And while there’s definitely pretzels lining the streets — yep — and amazing beer and carillon bells and lederhosen, there’s also hiking. Stargazing. Leafy fall drives. Theatre, shopping, fruit stands, cider, and killer views.

This once-upon-a-time day-tripper town is now a Seattleite’s long-weekend getaway. A PNW getaway. A countrywide getaway. And in fall? It cannot be beat. Here’s how to spend the best weekend of your autumn, right here in Leavenworth.

Friday night

Photo: Erin Joy Nash for Stein

Roll into town. Are you staying in a glamper-style yurt? A suite on Front Street? A million-dollar log cabin with more fireplaces than you have square feet back home? A campground steps from the Wenatchee River? Great. Go there. Set up. Sit for a sec and soak it in. Then make your way to Front Street.

This is going to be your new favorite drag. We’ll cover the shops and sights in a bit, but for now, food. Let’s start with a bang — here’s the rundown:

Sulla Vita – If you’re anywhere within two blocks, it’s their pizza your nose can’t get away from. The fig & prosciutto pie is unbelievable, and not in one of those strange what-can-we-combine-for-effect kind of ways. It’s just really, really, really, really good.
Mana Restaurant – You’ll get eight courses of foraged food prepared by yoga masters. It’s a three-hour commitment to do dinner here, and there’s only one seating, two or three days a week (because, again, they have to go find that awesome food). And in the middle of it all, they’ll test you to see if you can decipher the ingredients in the previous courses.
If you’re here for the Deutschland experience, hit up the Bavarian Bistro for one of their soft pretzels. They’re warm and salty, and the homemade cheese sauce makes it a double-billing. You can also pair it with traditional mustard, chipotle dijon, bacon coconut peanut butter, or chocolate cream cheese for dipping. Or, as I call it, dunking and slathering.

We’ve got two more full days, so let’s not get carried away. With food, at least. Drinks? Another story. After dinner, head to the patio at Icicle Brewing Company for a cold one, stick around the Bavarian Bistro for one of their kickin’ cocktails, or check out Stein — they’ve got 50+ beers on tap, all color-coded to make selection less overwhelming.

Saturday morning

Photo: Sleeping Lady

If you’re the “all-I-want-is-coffee” type, hit up J5 Coffee for your sustenance (I suggest anything with their maple bourbon flavoring). If you’re like me and recognize that carbs are the closest you can get to God, hit up the Bavarian Bakery for their Apfelstrudel or a cherry danish. And meat-eaters? O’Gradys = corned beef benedict.

Whatever your pick, toss those crumbs to the birds and jump in the car for the fall leaf-peeping drive to Plain. Make sure to start out on Chumstick Hwy, going in a loop counterclockwise. Nature’s colors are a 128-box of Crayolas here, the drive cutting through the middle of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Vine maples, aspen, red cedar, loads of varieties of pine — it’s Washington State at its finest.

Break up the drive — and the bold autumnal colors — with a stop at the newly constructed yet still old-school 59er Diner. The hot pink and teal signage isn’t lying about having the best burgers around. Grab a quick one (and a blackberry milkshake, if you have any self-respect), and then drive back down Hwy 2. Feel free to pull over for photo opps and splashing in the Wenatchee. It’s right there.

Saturday afternoon

Photo: Steve Voght

Time to head back toward Leavenworth. Since it’s Naturday (Nature Saturday? No? Just me?), get outdoors and out of the car. You’ve got a ton of options:

Hike up Icicle Ridge – It’s a four-mile thigh workout to amazing views that justifies that milkshake. Look for a small brown sign on Hwy 2 about 1.5 miles from town, go up the gravel for about six seconds, turn left, and you’ll see the trailhead.
Bike Freund Canyon – The trail is a skinny single track with plenty of switchbacks, and it takes you up over the valley and through a handful of area orchards.
Paddleboard Lake Wenatchee – If you’re a pro paddleboarder, you could take on the Wenatchee River, but the rest of us will stick to the lake and its Switzerland-esque views.
Stroll through Waterfront Park – This follows the Wenatchee at a much more tranquil pace — aka however fast your feet take you. The three-mile Waterfront Park Trail leads to a number of beachy outlets for toe-dipping, too.

Or you could always just stay and play in the river.

Saturday night

Photo: Jacqueline Kehoe

Workout secured, go shower, put yourself back together, and track down dinner. A freshly ground reuben or a sausage hoagie at Renaissance Café or Baren Haus, some pub fare from Blewett Brewing Co., or one of the Friday-night options should do the trick.

For nightlife, make a beeline to Bushel & Bee to celebrate the day. The owner, Kayla, is a straight-up superhero with fantastic taste in cider and beer. She built the place herself (“I’d say I knocked it down to the studs, but I took those out, too”), and while she’s not brewing yet, her regional stock — and the schedule of live music and events — makes that a non-issue.

Before you sit down, locate the bookshelf full of “adult” coloring books and colored pencils in the center of the room. If you finish yours — preferably while knocking back One Tree’s Lemon Basil Cider — you get to hang it up on the very, very, very rainbow wall. (Look for the one about mermaids. That one’s mine.)

Sunday morning

Photo: Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce

Sandwiched right between Front Street Park and Waterfront Park on the corner of Commercial and 9th is a spot that’s easy to miss. Local Yokel is small and deconstructed…kind of like their menu. Their breakfast burrito might be the farthest your six dollars ever went — they’ve got sandwiches, bagels, and wraps, too — and the smoothies (snaps to blueberry coconut) should be winning awards. Otherwise, or in addition to, make the four-minute jaunt to Smallwood’s Harvest and load up on produce. Their fruit selection is so distracting you might not even notice the onsite goats that you’re completely welcome to pet and coo over.

Then it’s shopping time. If you’re anything like me, you’d rather it be literally any other time. This is what Amazon is for, right? But in this scenario, both you and I are wrong — shopping means something different in Leavenworth. My last Leavenworth morning went from two floors of Christmas to 30 free samples of cheese (I went for the double-cream gouda, thanks) to subversive car air fresheners to Earl Grey with Speculoos Cookie ice cream to being stared at by 6,000 nutcrackers. If that smoothie didn’t wake you up, this certainly will.

Sunday afternoon

Photo: Icicle TV

Get out of the vortex — that is, if you want — and take a break from your “Front Street hypnosis.” What’s the opposite of being lulled into a buyer’s trance? Adrenaline.

Ideas: Head up to Mountain Springs Lodge for ziplining, fly fishing, or mountain horseback riding. Go for a round at Leavenworth Golf Course (look around for bears or a stray moose playing a hole). Hike the Tumwater Pipeline Trail, or just settle in for a photo sesh on the old Pipeline Bridge. Do whatever water activity you’re itching to tackle at Lake Wenatchee State Park. Or check out any of the above ideas you didn’t get to yesterday.

Sunday night

Photo: Dzhan Wiley for Icicle Brewing Company

It’s officially dinnertime, followed by dessert time. Here’s your abridged 101:

Pavz Cafe Bistro – “North Cascade Cuisine” at its finest. For dinner, eye the angry shrimp salad or one of the seafood crepes. For dessert, their sweet crepes, if you can fit ‘er in.
Mozart’s or Uli’s – The former has a balcony, the latter has a patio, and both have fondue that rivals — if not surpasses, depending on your tastes for kirsche — any in Switzerland.
Watershed – They have an elk meatloaf that will convert anyone whose childhood cafeteria ruined the dish for them. Also consider their steamed clams, and pair whatever you feel like with a meringue cocktail.

And, of course, don’t leave town without a quick stop at the Gingerbread Factory. Grab a gingerbread man to accompany you on the ride home. Or to eat. Or one to set on your mantle to remind you that Bavaria isn’t so far away.

The post How to spend a perfect 48 hours in Leavenworth, WA this fall appeared first on Matador Network.

9 best coffee cities in the world

Coffee drives the world unlike any other product. Not only is it the fuel for people on every continent looking to kick start their days or stay up long into the night, but it’s also a canvas for artisans looking to take a simple pleasure beyond its utilitarian purposes.

“Every specialty coffee shop owner or roaster is someone that woke up one day and said, ‘You know what, coffee is amazing. I’m going to make this my life,’” says Tom Baker, the co-founder of the specialty coffee liqueur Mr. Black. Because of this, certain cities in the world have emerged as hubs for roasters to pursue their craft.

Everyone knows the regular coffee hotspots along the Pacific Northwest — looking at you Seattle — but there’s so much more. The regions that grow coffee, particularly in Africa (the home of the bean) and South America, used to only export coffee because of harsh economic systems implemented during colonial rule. Now those regions rank among the top places for coffee devotees. From Africa to Australia, we spoke with some coffees pros to determine the top nine coffee cities in the world.

1. Nairobi, Kenya

Photo: Java House/Facebook

Calling Kenya an upstart coffee country would be like calling Germany an upstart beer country. Some 150,000 coffee farms dot the country. Despite its long history as the origin of prized coffee beans, however, coffee hasn’t traditionally been the drink of choice for locals. Colonizers left a tea-drinking culture, and coffee was too expensive. That’s slowly starting to change.

Modern coffee culture kicked off with Nairobi Java House, which first opened in 1999 in a shopping mall and has expanded to places around the city. When in the past you would seek out the best Kenyan coffee in the US or Europe, you can now get it from the source at countless upstart coffee brewers and a handful of local roasters.

2. Bogotá, Columbia

Photo: Azahar Coffee/Facebook

Coffee isn’t native to Colombia, but it’s been around for centuries. The country has exported coffee since the early 1800s, and today, it’s one of the top producers in the world.

Most coffee production centers around rural areas, but Bogotá is a fitting urban location to taste Colombia’s best. A rising professional and artist class in the capital city is reaching for coffee to get their creative juices flowing. Three nearby mountain ranges and plenty of microclimates drive region-specific tastes from 21 producing states. Bogotá’s coffee culture is prized enough that cities in Australia are naming coffee shops after it, but not so well known as a coffee destination that it’s overrun with beard-and-bowtie baristas.

Top spots: Azahar Café for a cup and a stroll and Amor Perfecto for classic, original Bogotá cup of coffee.

3. Melbourne, Australia

Photo: St Ali/Facebook

Australia is a coffee-obsessed continent, but Melbourne stands out. Everywhere you turn there’s a coffee shop making the next best cup of Joe you’ve ever had.

“For us Aussies, coffee is more than just a beverage; it’s an obsession, a point of national pride,” Baker says. “We’ve evolved from an Italian coffee heritage into world leaders in specialty coffee. And our obsession with coffee extends well into the evening. That’s why we made Mr. Black — our cold-brew coffee liqueur — we’re just caffeine obsessed here down under. Did you know that the highest selling cocktail in Australian bars is an Espresso Martini? That should give you a good indication of our caffeine dependency.”

Top spots: St. Ali Coffee Roasters for ethically sourced beans from Africa, Asia, and central and South America. There’s also Seven Seeds, which has a rotating list of seasonal coffee beans.

4. Manchester, England

Photo: Grindsmith/Facebook

Coffee culture is strong in Manchester. The number of independent roasters and coffee shops has exploded over the past couple of years, and the city hosts an annual Manchester Coffee Festival to promote education and support local spots.

“Manchester really blew me away,” Baker says. “Coffee is booming in the UK, and when I stepped off the train from London into Manchester’s Grindsmith — the first of about 10 phenomenal shops I went to — I was just so impressed. Young winners crafting the future for us all.”

Top spots: Grindsmith for regionally roasted coffee. There’s also Barbecue, which is owned by Passion Fruit Coffee Roasters, for espresso and pour-overs, as well as Takk for a long list of coffee options and a warm environment.

5. Sydney, Australia

Photo: Single O/Facebook

“Sydney, Australia, home to Little Marionette Coffee Roasters, is a very underrated coffee city,” Sid Chitnis, the co-founder of Saltwater Coffee in New York City, says. A city like Sydney makes the list because even if you disregard all of the great coffee shops and the people who are obsessed with coffee culture, there are world-class roasters.

“The beans they are making there are served all over Australia and the UK and even in our East Village shop. You’d be hard pressed to find a bad flat white in the town, and that is why we use them at Saltwater Coffee, spreading Australian coffee culture one flat white at a time in NYC.”

Top spots: Reuben Hills for small batches of coffee roasted on the upper level of the building, and Single O for a look at one of the places that put single-origin coffee on the map in Sydney.

6. Reykjavik, Iceland

Photo: Mr Doomits/Shutterstock

Nothing screams “I need a warm cup of coffee” like a cold country. Iceland’s most famous Nobel Laureate, Halldor Laxness, wrote scenes about Icelandic coffee drinking where people would consume four or five cups in a casual setting. The capital city is one of the best places to discover why. There are few commercial coffee places in Reykjavik, making it a place where local coffee culture shines brighter than mass-market corporations.

Top spots: Reykjavik Roasters for a brewing and roasting workshop along with your cup of joe, and Cafe Haiti for Haitian-sourced beans.

7. Anchorage, Alaska

Photo: gubernat/Shutterstock

There are more places to get a coffee per person in Anchorage than anywhere else in the US. Daylight lasts for more than 20 hours in the summer, so there are a lot of reasons to stay awake. Then in the winter, well, we all know how hard it is to wake up without the sun. Caffeine helps. Thankfully Anchorage has plenty of it. Coffee carts abound, as do the coffee roasters that cook up million pounds of beans every year.

Top spot: Snow City Café, which is visited by both locals and visitors like former President Barack Obama.

8. San Diego, California

Photo: Heartwork Coffee Bar/Facebook

Don’t let the laid-back California atmosphere deter you. San Diego is more than just hanging out by the beach and drinking from the many (many) craft breweries. There are more than 10 local roasters, 430 coffee houses, and a trade group called the San Diego Coffee Network to promote the scene and host competitions. The variety and wide availability of good coffee prove that you don’t have to be in a cold and wet city to experience a good cup. You might even find that the beach is a better place to sip on coffee than a musty store.

Top spots: Heartwork Coffee Bar for specialty drinks and Dark Horse Coffee Roasters for a relaxed vibe.

9. Wellington, New Zealand

Photo: Flight Coffee/Facebook

Flat whites — a small espresso drink with microfoam — may have been invented in Sydney, but Wellington perfected them. New Zealand has the most coffee roasters per capita in the world, and Wellington has more than its fair share, making it all too easy to stumble upon your next favorite coffee shop. Just take note: Kiwis like their coffee strong.

Top spots: Flight Coffee Hangar for well-sourced coffee with easily available farm information and Customs Brew Bar for a laid-back espresso.


More like this: 7 unique ways people drink coffee around the world

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Six Flags hosting a coffin challenge

This coffin challenge takes “playing dead” to a whole new level. In preparation for Fright Fest, and to get you in the mood for Halloween, Six Flags has announced a “30-Hour Coffin Challenge,” taking place on October 13. Six participants will each be given their own cozy coffin, and $300 will be awarded to anyone who can stomach 30 hours inside.

You don’t have to stay for the entire 30 hours straight, though. A six-minute bathroom break will be allowed every hour, and meals, drinks, snacks, and even a phone charger will also be provided. Contestants are also permitted to bring a pillow and blankets.

If you’re one of the coffin-dwellers, though, you’d better hope none of your fellow contestants make it the full 30 hours. In the event that more than one person lasts the full time, the winner of the money will be determined by raffle. If the $300 isn’t a sweet enough prize to entice you to spend the next two days in a coffin, the winner will also receive two season-long park passes, a prize pack, and other souvenirs from Six Flags.

To participate, you must be 18 years or older with valid photo ID, not be inhibited by severe medical conditions, be able to lay completely flat in a 2’x7’ coffin, and sign a waiver form at check-in.

The challenge will take place at the Six Flags park in St. Louis, and you’ll need to apply by October 3rd. The lucky (or unlucky) contestants will be chosen on October 4.

H/T: Thrillist

More like this: The spookiest small towns in the US to visit this Halloween

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Best fitness retreats in the US

Did you get off track this summer in terms of diet and exercise? Not to worry — fall is the perfect time to kickstart your fitness goals and establish a healthy (and liveable) routine before the temptations of the holidays come around. These fitness-first wellness retreats and boot camps across the US will help you hit the reset button and eliminate obstacles to progress toward your health and happiness goals. Plus, they’re in pretty spectacular locations that are sure to motivate you to get outside and get moving.

1. Adventure retreat at Red Mountain Resort in St. George, Utah

Photo: Red Mountain Resort/Facebook

With a backdrop of red rock cliffs and canyons — plus easy access to nearby national parks — southern Utah’s Red Mountain Resort is an inspiring setting to make progress on your fitness journey. The resort offers retreat packages centered around adventure, health, wellness, and personal discovery, and all of them include three healthy meals every day, guided hiking, biking trips, yoga, and fitness classes. Beyond that, you’ll have the freedom to tailor your trip to your personal goals. An average day at Red Mountain Resort might consist of a 6:30 AM breakfast, morning hike, afternoon kayak trip, and an evening spent at the spa to wind down.

2. Immerse and thrive at Sunrise Springs Spa Resort in Santa Fe, New Mexico

Photo: Sunrise Springs Spa Resort/Facebook

Book the Immerse + Thrive package at Sunrise Springs only if you’re seeking what the resort calls a “transformative wellness experience” — as the curriculum extends beyond just your exercise regimen. Guests work with Medical Director Dr. Sally Fisher, M.D., to evaluate levels of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health, then develop a customized wellness plan to integrate into their lives. In addition to fitness classes, you receive daily gourmet farm-fresh meals, access to the spa’s private outdoor mineral-infused soaking tubs (plus a daily spa credit to use as you please), counseling sessions, yoga, meditation, horticulture lessons, expressive arts classes, culinary instruction, and even puppy play time.

3. Health makeover at Cal-a-Vie Health Spa in Vista, California

Photo: Cal-a-Vie Health Spa/Facebook

Stints at Cal-a-Vie Health Spa are available in three-, four-, and seven-night packages with perks including nutritionally balanced meals, spa services, unlimited fitness classes, nutritional lectures, cooking demonstrations, and even a fitness evaluation resulting in a full wellness profile to help you advance toward your best life. Guests are also provided Muse headbands during their stay, which can be used in conjunction with any of the 20 different mind-body-spirit classes on offer, ranging from Qigong to meditating in a 400-year-old chapel.

4. Refresh yourself at Canyon Ranch in Tucson, Arizona

Photo: Canyon Ranch/Facebook

One of the most prestigious names in the world of spas, Canyon Ranch offers the ultimate in both relaxation and personal wellness initiatives. If you’re serious about revitalizing your life this fall, sign up for a week-long stay at Canyon Ranch’s Life Enhancement Center, which promises “seven days to change” — and has a 30-year track record to back up that claim. The structured curriculum can focus on brain health, weight loss, mindfulness, or spiritual renewal and usually includes fitness classes, nutrition plans, analysis and strategizing sessions, goal-setting opportunities, and more. Canyon Ranch also has locations in Lenox, Massachusetts; Las Vegas, Nevada; and at sea on various cruise lines.

5. Yoga reset at Two Bunch Palms in Desert Hot Springs, California

Photo: Two Bunch Palms/Facebook

Kickstart your yoga practice with a retreat to Two Bunch Palms, where daily classes take place in a celestial dome. With options for yoga newbies such as gentle morning stretches, therapeutic yoga, and individual sessions that cater to your particular needs and interests, you don’t have to be a master at yoga to enjoy this escape to California’s Coachella Valley. To refocus your mind and gain mental clarity, there are also guided water meditation classes held in the resort’s outdoor mineral-rich hot soaking tubs, which stem from a 600-year-old natural spring. And after you’ve finished a power yoga session, you can enjoy the on-site restaurant Essense, which serves local fare and artisanal cocktails.

6. Moab Mindful Running Retreat at Red Cliffs Lodge in Moab, Utah

Photo: Run Wild Retreats & Wellness/Facebook

With dates in October and November, the Moab Mindful Running Retreat is intended for consistent runners and wannabes alike (though with four- to nine-mile runs on the agenda, jogging should be at least on your radar before you sign up). Attendees participate in daily guided trail runs through the red rock canyons, “mindful running” workshops, restorative yoga, natural running form clinics, and more — all in pursuit of helping runners up their game, avoid injury and burnout, and build a sustainable running practice.

7. Detox and reset at the Ranch at Live Oak in Malibu, California

Photo: The Ranch/Facebook

Whether it’s time to take back your health or simply re-calibrate, stays at the Ranch at Live Oak range from a four-day jumpstart to a ten-day total detox and practically guarantee results. Each day consists of an intense physical fitness regimen — eight hours of low-impact activity, including a four-hour group hike each morning — coupled with a 1,400-calorie organic plant-based diet (served in a greenhouse, of course). Guests will also receive medical diagnostic testing and body scans, a healthy cooking class, and a daily deep-tissue massage as part of their package at the Ranch.


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