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Game of Thrones prequel in Scotland

With the end of “Game of Thrones” drawing near, HBO has greenlit a prequel series set in the same universe from author George R.R. Martin and writer Jane Goldman. It’s reported that it will be set a thousand years before the events of “A Song of Ice and Fire,” during the golden Age of Heroes. Apparently, it’ll be even darker than the Westerosi events we’ve come to know and fear. Here’s the full synopsis from HBO:

“Taking place thousands of years before the events of ‘Game of Thrones,’ the series chronicles the world’s descent from the golden Age of Heroes into its darkest hour. And only one thing is for sure: from the horrifying secrets of Westeros’ history to the true origin of the white walkers, the mysteries of the East to the Starks of legend… it’s not the story we think we know.”

Everyone is staying tight-lipped to prevent any leaks about the impending “Game of Thrones” finale and planned prequel, so little else is known about the series, but we do now know two more things: filming is confirmed to begin in October of this year, and HBO is scouting the Isle of Skye in Scotland as the location for outdoor scenes for the prequels.

Though this isn’t the first time that “Game of Thrones” has filmed in Scotland (Doune Castle served as the location for Winterfell in the pilot episode), the prequel could bring a massive boom in tourism to the Isle of Skye as it has done for Northern Ireland and Croatia. According to Tourism Ireland, a record 2.1 million tourists visited Northern Ireland in 2016, boosting revenue by 12 percent, thanks in part to rabid “Game of Thrones” fans seeking out filming locations. Dubrovnik has faced similar influxes of crowds due to the hit show, and the city is packed with more tourists than ever.

While beneficial to Scotland, this news doesn’t fare well for fans wishing to experience the locations without hordes of other people getting in the way, or non-show watchers who just want to see the legendary beauty of Skye. Don’t worry though — you still have time to see these amazing Isle of Skye sights before the buses of fans wearing fur cloaks and holding plastic swords start rolling in.

1. Portree

Photo: YuriFineart/Shutterstock

Portree is the largest town on the Isle of Skye, created by Lord MacDonald of Clan MacDonald in the early 19th century, as well as its capital. Its name comes from the Gaelic, Port Rìgh, for “Port on the Slope.” If you’re planning to explore Skye over multiple days, then you’ll want to make this your home base. Its central location makes it easy to access a myriad of major Skye sights, and the town also has a number of great restaurants and shops.

There are several accommodation options to choose from — it all just depends on what you’re looking for. There’s the quiet Springfield Guest House five minutes away from the town center, which has been run by the same family for years; the functional Portree Hotel on the main street; and some budget hostels scattered around.

2. Old Man of Storr

Photo: Adrian Pluskota/Shutterstock

The Storr is a craggy hill located 2,359 feet above sea level with large, oddly shaped, pointed rocks on its peak created by a landslide that occurred many, many years ago. It’s called the Old Man of Storr because, according to legend, the rocks’ outline and peak resemble the face of an old man. The word Storr comes from Norse culture, meaning “Great Man.”

Those willing are able to hike to the top, and it should only take about an hour and a half each way. But be warned, the trek is steep, and you need to make sure you’re wearing the proper attire.

3. Mealt Falls and Kilt Rock

Photo: Natakorn Sapermsap/Shutterstock

Mealt Falls and Kilt Rock are side by side, so you can easily see both sights in one visit. Mealt Falls is a large, roughly 180-foot-tall waterfall that’s fed by the nearby Mealt Loch, and Kilt Rock is a set of ancient, 295-foot-tall cliffs made up of basalt columns on top of a sandstone base. Some say that because of sea weathering and other weather conditions throughout the years, the colors of Kilt Rock appear to be tartan.

If you happen to visit on a windy day, then you might be lucky enough to hear unusually beautiful — almost eerie — music emitting from the rocks. But don’t worry, there aren’t any fairies or other mythological creatures lying in wait. The noise actually comes from the fences that enclose the lookout point; its holes allow the wind in, which then creates the sound.

4. An Corran Beach

Photo: Ludovic Farine/Shutterstock

The beach at An Corran allows visitors to travel back in time and walk along the same paths that mighty prehistoric creatures did millions of years ago. Several pairs of dinosaur footprints can be found along the stretch of black sand and the surrounding patches of rock and grass. They were left by a group of Ornithopods, herbivorous dinosaurs that walked on two legs. Together with the Megalosaurus, Cetiosaurus, and Stegosaurus, they’re why Skye is also known as the “dinosaur isle.”

The footprints won’t be in obvious places, and can easily be overlooked if you’re not searching with eagle eyes, but if found, the feeling you’ll get when measuring your own foot against that of a dinosaur’s definitely won’t be forgotten. An Corran is open year round, but you’ll want to visit when it’s low tide or during the summer — that way, you can spot the footprints more easily and lounge on the beach afterward.

5. The Quiraing

Photo: Daniel_Kay/Shutterstock

You’ll feel as if you’ve journeyed to another planet at the Quiraing. It’s another one of Scotland’s cliffs created by large landslides, but it has a distinct feeling of otherworldliness once you reach the top. Visitors can either hike or drive to the top then admire the scene before them. If you visit during the end of winter, just before spring, the higher land will be touched with just a bit of snow, providing a nice contrast to the green, brown, and red lands below.

6. Neist Point

Photo: Daniel_Kay/Shutterstock

Neist Point is a viewpoint on the most westernly part of Skye. It’s one of the best places in Scotland to spot aquatic animals like dolphins, whales, and sharks. You’ll get excellent views over Moonen Bay to Waterstein Head and from the Minch to the Western Isles. The raised, slanted piece of land hides Neist Point Lighthouse from immediate view. Even if you drive there, you have to walk down the cliff and down a bunch of steps; it’ll take some work to get there, but it’s worth it.

7. Sligachan and the Cuillin Mountains

Photo: Targn Pleiades/Shutterstock

The Cuillins are seen as a large mountain range, but they’re actually separated into two: the Black Cuillin (the main one) and the Red Cuillin, which are separated by Glen Sligachan. The Black Cuillin is the most challenging range in the entire UK, over six miles long with a high point of 3,254 feet at Sgurr Alasdair. It has 11 Munros and 16 other summits. The Red Cuillin is easier to take on, but its highest point of 2,543 at Glamaig is nothing to laugh at.

Sligachan is a small settlement around nine miles away from Portree and close to the Cuillins, making it a great base if you want to pass through in any capacity. If you don’t intend to trek and just want to admire the magnificent mountains, then Sligachan is still your girl. Anywhere you stand in Sligachan, road or sidewalk, provides astonishing angles of the landscape. The best place, however, is Sligachan Old Bridge. Legend has it that the waters below are enchanted because the daughter of Scáthach, a fearsome warrior, was despairing over her mother’s potential loss in battle and was told by fairies to wash her face in the river. Afterward, her mother survived the battle. It’s said that if you wash your face in the river, you’ll be granted eternal beauty.

8. Fairy Glen

Photo: Marco Bicci/Shutterstock

The Fairy Glen is a hidden landscape that’ll really make you feel like fairies are afoot and you’re walking into their home. Unfortunately, there aren’t any legends that tie the creatures to the land, and it was named as such because it’s just so unusual. The area is utterly enchanting, and you can easily lose track of time as you wander through the green hills and tree groves. Visit during the summer, so you can see when the colors of the area really come alive.


More like this: 23 real-life settings you can visit from Game of Thrones

The post Game of Thrones is filming the new prequel on the Isle of Skye, so you need to visit now before the fans take over appeared first on Matador Network.

Everywhere you can dive with sharks

It’s officially Shark Week on the Discovery Channel, perhaps the most posted-about TV event of the year that doesn’t involve Jon Snow. If watching all that ferocious fish action has you thinking, “Man, watching this on TV ensures I keep all my limbs, but it sure would be cool to swim with them!” then there are tons of places around the world where you can do it. And most of them will ensure you leave in one piece. From the Galapagos Islands and Fiji to unexpected hotspots like North Carolina, here are the best places in the world to go diving with sharks and what you can expect to see there.

Photo: Nanuku Auberge Resort

Viti Levu, Fiji

What you’re seeing: reef, nurse, lemon, bull, and tiger sharks

Fiji’s soft coral has made it one of the world’s top diving destinations to check out the colorful fish that live off the reef, which also makes it one of the top feeding destinations for sharks. Food chain suckas! You can catch all the carnivorous action off Fiji’s main island in the Beqa Lagoon where the Nanuku resort offers an hour of cage-free swimming with these beasts for $200. It’s one of the few spots you can dive freely with sharks amid some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.

Photo: Ethan Daniels/Shutterstock

Bora Bora, French Polynesia

What you’re seeing: blacktip reef sharks

The sleek, bug-eyed blacktip reef shark is one of the most misleading-looking sharks on the planet as it appears to have the viciousness of a Great White but is surprisingly friendly. Blacktips hang out in large groups, so if you see one, you’re going to see dozens. Clear up the memory card in your underwater camera and hit the Conrad Bora Bora Nui, whose lagoon snorkeling experience has you swimming with blacktips along with manta rays, tropical fish, and sea turtles.

Photo: Liquid Productions, LLC/Shutterstock

Isla Mujeres or La Paz, Mexico

What you’re seeing: whale sharks

These 40-foot-long whale sharks are filter feeders that cruise the coast of Mexico feeding off eggs and other tiny organisms. Swimming with them leaves you nothing to fear as they have about as much interest in chomping your arm as they do a baseball. During the height of summer, they’re best found in Isla Mujeres near the Yucatan where Pro Dive Mexico takes guests on trips 20 miles out into the Caribbean. The rest of the year, head to Cabo San Lucas where the Esperanza resort runs full-day snorkeling trips to La Paz to swim in its feeding grounds.

Photo: Martin Voeller/Shutterstock

Oahu, Hawaii

What you’re seeing: whitetip, scalloped hammerhead, tiger, Galapagos, grey reef, and sandbar sharks

In Hawaii, you’re seeing allll the sharks, though the ones we mentioned above are the ones you’re pretty much guaranteed to see if you spend long enough underwater. The Turtle Bay Resort on the north shore of Oahu runs a daylong cage-diving adventure for $96, during which you’ll bask in the Hawaiian sun between dips in the cage. Underwater, sharks will come right up and say hello from behind a set of big, metal bars. You might also spot green sea turtles and humpback whales if you go between November and May.

Photo: wildestanimal/Shutterstock

Cape Town, South Africa

What you’re seeing: great white sharks

The holy grail of shark diving is a trip underwater with great whites, and nowhere gets you closer to the action than off the coast of South Africa. Be advised, it’s a long morning of sitting in fairly foul-smelling water waiting for the great beasts of the beneath to come rip a seal to shreds. But when you see a great white do its thing, it makes the whole experience worthwhile. Algoa Bay and Gansbaai are popular places to see great whites with a number of reputable outfits running trips. Topdeck Travel also runs a tour through Cape Town and Lesotho that includes this experience.

Photo: Ian Scott/Shutterstock

Great Barrier Reef, Australia

What you’re seeing: grey reef sharks

Grey reef sharks rip up fish almost as violently as great whites, and the best place to witness their intense attacks is around Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. If you’re really into it, various companies offer multi-day boat trips out into the Coral Sea, so you can spend all day underwater watching grey reef sharks attack pre-cut fish heads. They generally leave people alone, making this one of the safer ways to witness this feeding frenzy.

Photo: Tomas Kotouc/Shutterstock

Bali, Indonesia

What you’re seeing: hammerhead, whitetip, and blacktip reef sharks

Though Bali can skew a little touristy, under the water everything feels remote. At Manta Point, in addition to the rays for which the area is named, you’ll be diving with hammerheads and reef sharks. You won’t see quite the variety of sharks on the islands of Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Penida, and Ceningan, but they are far more abundant. The aforementioned Topdeck Travel also runs a Bali island-hopping tour that takes you to them all.

Photo: Lucie Petrikova/Shutterstock

Ambergris Caye, Belize

What you’re seeing: nurse sharks

This spot, better known as “Shark Ray Alley,” is the sharking equivalent of Stingray City in Grand Cayman, where schools of nurse sharks seem like they were almost placed artificially because there’s so many in such a small area. Nurse sharks are probably the easiest to dive among and have little interest in anything that’s not a fish, so you’re still safe with that many around. It’s also one of the cheaper shark experiences you can have as spots like Amigos Del Mar run half-day trips for $40.

Photo: Olympus Dive Center/Shutterstock

North Carolina

Where you’re going: Morehead City

What you’re seeing: sand tiger sharks

Though North Carolina surely sticks out among tropical destinations like Bali and Mexico, it’s one of the most underrated diving spots in the world. That’s because diving in Morehead City is a two-for-one diving experience — the spots you’re most likely to see Sand Tigers are around sunken ships. That’s right, wrecks and sharks! It’s also the most convenient place to shark dive if you live in the contiguous United States, and though these big boys can get as long as 10 feet and weigh near 200 pounds, they’ve never killed a person. Olympus Dive Center does a number of wreck dives here with two tanks for $130.

Photo: Amanda Nicholls/Shutterstock

The Bahamas

What you’re seeing: bull, hammerhead, and Caribbean reef sharks

Sharks swim pretty much everywhere in the Bahamas, but some spots like Exuma, Grand Bahama, and Bimini offer better experiences than others through the islands. If you’re looking to cage dive with hammerheads and bull sharks, head to Tiger Beach in Grand Bahama or Bimini where Cage Diver offers trips down that don’t require a SCUBA certification. Or you can head to Exuma and Shark Reef where you’ll swim freely with Caribbean reef sharks at only about 35-feet down.

Photo: Mohamed AlQubaisi/Shutterstock

Galapagos Islands

Where you’re going: Wolf and Darwin Islands

What you’re seeing: hammerhead sharks

There’s more than just turtles in the Galapagos. Near Wolf and Darwin Islands, scalloped hammerheads swim in packs of 100 or more, and though you’re never guaranteed to see any, spotting a school is one of the most spectacular sights in diving. If you can get yourself to the Galapagos, Caradonna Dive Adventures has been at it a while and gives you your best shot.

More like this: How to go SCUBA diving without being certified

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How to trek at high altitude

Trekking in the Himalayas or the Andes is on many travelers’ bucket lists. A high-altitude trek is a fantastic experience — and, for many of us, the chance of a lifetime to see some of the world’s most awe-inspiring peaks. From a hike in Patagonia to a long-distance trek in the Dolomites, preparation for the high altitude is vital.

Altitude sickness, caused by the lack of adequate oxygen at higher elevations, can ruin your experience and dash dreams of reaching your goal. That said, your body can react to lower oxygen levels and adapt through acclimatization — but it’s vital to be as prepared as possible before you go. Here are a few steps you can take in preparation to help lower your chances of feeling the full effects of this health condition.

1. Do a reality check.

When people think about altitude, the usual places that spring to mind are the Nepalese trekking routes and Kilimanjaro. These are epic treks, but altitude impacts hiking at lower altitudes, too. In fact, you just need to top 1,500 meters, or about 5,000 feet, to be in the high-altitude zone. One of the first things to do is check the altitude of the area you are trekking through, so you are aware of the terrain and the challenges of hiking there. You must also check that your insurance policy covers high-altitude trekking because many standard policies treat it as an exclusion. A specialist insurance policy may be required.

2. Get fit before you go.

A high altitude trek is not a method of losing weight or getting fit. You need to be as fit as possible before you go. If you are not a regular at the gym, this needs to start at least two months ahead of your journey. If you aren’t used to regular exercise and head out to the high-altitude trekking routes, you can easily put your life in danger, as well as those of other people.

Start by planning out your exercise regime. Long walks are ideal, but be sure to lengthen them as you progress. If you are in an office all day, take the stairs in place of the elevator and walk around the block at breaks. All this helps build your cardiovascular strength. You will need to progress to walking with your pack and include visits to hilly terrain or a mountainous area at a lower altitude to the one you will be visiting.

You will need to add additional exercises to your fitness regime. Some of the best exercises for building cardiovascular strength include cycling, running, and swimming. Make sure you have a session or two using these forms of exercise each week to build your endurance.

If you need to lose weight, make a plan and stick to it. Reduce any sugar in your diet, and eat food rich in protein and vitamins to build your strength.

3. Book an appointment to see your doctor.

If you have not seen a doctor in a long time, you need to get a checkup before you leave. This includes a check of your blood pressure and general fitness. If you are female, get your hemoglobin checked as it may be low from menstruation, which can lead to problems at altitude. People with existing medical conditions such as asthma or diabetes should get checked out to ensure the medication is controlling the disorder effectively; a certification of fitness to travel might be required for some treks.

Your physician may write you a prescription for Diamox (Acetazolamide), a medication that boosts respiratory function by pushing the kidneys to excrete bicarbonate, a form of carbon dioxide. As a prophylactic, it can help prevent some of the most dangerous symptoms of altitude sickness. However, Diamox can have its own side effects, including dizziness or lightheadedness, which may be difficult to differentiate from altitude sickness itself — so be sure to discuss these with your physician.

4. Stay hydrated.

The thin air at high altitude causes a high loss of fluids through breathing. It is vital to stay hydrated when exercising and walking at altitude. Make sure you drink water often when exercising. Dehydration can lead to lethargy, accidents, and even death at higher elevations, so keep your fluids up when exercising.

When trekking at altitude, keeping your hands clean and avoiding illness is vital because illness will dehydrate you further and weaken you when walking. This is particularly important if you are camping, so wash your hands and use hand gel frequently.

5. Acclimate, acclimate, acclimate.

If you only take one step to prevent altitude sickness, this should be it. The rate of ascent is the single most important factor in deciding who gets sick and who doesn’t. Acclimating to the oxygen levels slowly is vital. Avoid climbing more than 1,000 feet per day and drink lots of water. When traveling from low to high altitude, opt to drive or go on foot rather than fly — the longer trip will give your body time to acclimate. If you must fly, spend at least 24 hours being completely lazy — sleep plenty and don’t do any strenuous activity.

6. Invest in the right gear.

While you might not think this directly contributes to the effects of altitude sickness, being comfortable and having the correct gear is vital. The stress of not having the proper equipment will put further strain on your mind and body. Hiking boots are probably the most important gear and must be broken in before you go to avoid blisters and sores. I always wear my hiking boots on the plane when traveling to the mountains. If my luggage is lost, I can replace most things easily, but a comfortable set of hiking boots is impossible.

Also, take a water bottle, a basic medical kit, and the correct clothing. Some trekking companies give a list of equipment to take, including the most appropriate type of sleeping bag. The mountains can be really cold at night, even in summer, so be prepared with layers, fleeces, and waterproof gear.

7. Study up on altitude sickness and know the signs.

Everyone with altitude sickness presents differently, but there are a few symptoms that are pretty much universal. It’s vital to learn the signs of altitude sickness both to recognize a problem with yourself and a fellow trekker. A headache, lethargy, and nausea are all signs of altitude sickness. Shortness of breath, a general feeling of malaise, and a loss of appetite may also occur. If these symptoms persist, you should descend to a lower altitude. Generally, people trekking should sleep at an altitude lower than the highest point they trekked that day to help acclimatization and to avoid sickness.


More like this: 13 mountains that you should summit before you die

The post How to prepare for a high-altitude trek appeared first on Matador Network.

Jeff Goldblum statue erect in London

If you were feeling nostalgic about the 25th anniversary of Jurassic Park hitting theaters, this shirtless Jeff Goldblum sculpture is here to make those feelings even more poignant. The 25-foot-long sculpture sits on Potters Field beside London’s Tower Bridge, striking the iconic pose from the 1993 classic movie.

The massive sculpture of Dr. Ian Malcolm (portrayed by Jeff Goldblum) took 250 hours to create. At three-meters high, it weighs 150 kg; climbing on the sculpture is, unfortunately, prohibited.

Of the memes and paraphernalia spawned by his famous pose, Goldblum recently told Jordan Vogt-Roberts in an interview that, “I admire them, myself. It’s great: the human body is beautiful in all ways.” We imagine it’s pretty gratifying to see a giant sculpture of yourself suddenly erected in a prominent area of one of the world’s most populous cities — especially when it’s in celebration of a film made over two decades ago.

To get your new Tinder profile picture in front of the sculpture before it disappears, you’ll have to act fast. The giant Goldblum only graces Potters Field Park until Thursday, July 19.

H/T: TimeOut

More like this: 15 real-world places every movie fan should travel to

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How to travel with toddlers

Like most travelers, Brian and Pamela wondered about how having a child would change their lifestyles. Before their daughter Kaiya was born, they spent most of their vacation time on extended international backpacking trips. They visited Southeast Asia, Central America, India, and Nepal. They also spent a lot of time outdoors in Colorado, camping, hiking, backpacking, and snowshoeing. Instead of abandoning their passions for seeing the world, they made a decision to continue to travel. Now, with two-year-old Kaiya in tow, they hit the road again, vowing to raise her “with a love of wild mountain air.” Their story is documented in the new Matador Originals film, “Wild Toddler Chronicles.”

“Her birth definitely forced us to scale that back temporarily,” Brian says, “but after a few months we started to look for ways to integrate our ‘pre-kid’ lives and interests with our new family structure, starting small with a few short day hikes and an overnight camping trip at three months.”

Since then, the three of them have gone camping three to four times each summer since Kaiya was born and have also been able to mix in a few other adventures, such as a winter yurt trip and lots of day trips for hiking, snowshoeing, paddle boarding, and canoeing.

Photo: Brian Lewis

“Now that she’s getting a little bigger and more capable,” Brian explains, “we really want to get her out for her first backpacking trip this summer – even if it’s just a quick overnight. And next summer, we want to try some kind of extended family travel — either a longer international trip or a big road trip around the western US.”

Brian’s advice for parents wanting to take their toddlers on adventures? “Don’t wait,” he says. “Kids (even young babies) are more adaptable than we give them credit for. It’s usually the parents’ fears that hold them back.”

Photo: Brian Lewis

“All that being said, it is definitely more difficult than the way we adventured before kids. There’s obviously a lot more gear, and you have to focus so much on the needs of a person who can’t really take care of themselves. Be adaptable and be prepared to abandon whatever picture you had in your head of the perfect family adventure.”

“If you’re used to traveling or doing things outdoors without kids, definitely lower your expectations of what you can actually accomplish. Consider one to two nights of camping instead of a week, a two- or three-mile hike instead of an all-day death march, or just hanging out exploring a local park instead of a cross-state road trip.”

We at Matador have published extensively about traveling with toddlers, including this guide on how to travel long-haul with your toddler. But the “Wild Toddler Chronicles” is the first time we’ve really shown how traveling with a toddler looks and feels. This is the first of three episodes; we’ll be showing two more in the fall.


More like this: Why we took our kids out of the classroom for world schooling

The post How to raise a wild traveling toddler appeared first on Matador Network.

Supreme Court's Taj Mahal ruling

It’s clean it or lose it time for the Taj Mahal. Bug feces and industrial pollution have caused the iconic Indian monument to lose some its shine, turning its white marble to green, black, brown, and yellow. The government has failed to keep up with the building’s maintenance and restoration, so India’s Supreme Court is taking matters into its own hands, issuing this ultimatum: either restore the Taj Mahal, or demolish it.

The Supreme Court has weighed in on the famous monument before. In May, the court instructed the state of Uttar Pradesh, where the Taj Mahal is located, to seek foreign experts to help stop the building’s changing color, since the state itself seemed unable or unwilling to do so themselves. State and federal officials, however, have yet to file any action plan, prompting the court to issue an ultimatum.

The main threats to the monument are man made. Nearby oil refineries, a 200-year-old wood-burning crematorium, and other factories have caused the marble to change color. The government has closed dozens of factories, but that hasn’t stopped the yellowing of the magnificent building. Insects also pose a threat to the Taj Mahal, as a particularly invasive bug called Chironomus calligraphus has been leaving patches of green-black frass all around the structure. The bug’s population has exploded in recent years due to the pollution of the waterway.

While the threat of demolishing the Taj Mahal might be exaggerated, the government isn’t taking it lightly. The Times of India has reported that the government plans to create a 100-year plan for the Taj Mahal that would include closing down more nearby factories, preventing pollution discharge into the Yamuna River, establishing a green mass transit system in Agra, and improving the area’s sewage treatment.

It’s probably in the government’s best interest to appease the court, and take measures to preserve their most popular attraction. The Taj Mahal does, after all, draw up to 70,000 visitors per day, and they would be disappointed to find a building covered in bug feces. Or just a pile of rubble.

H/T: Smithsonian.com

More like this: Highlights of a week in Quebec

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Celebrate Mandela's 100th birthday

July 18, 2018, marks the 100-year anniversary of the birth of Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s famed anti-apartheid revolutionary and former president. Mandela was South Africa’s first black head of state, and his administration was instrumental in dismantling apartheid and racial segregation in South Africa. Throughout the course of his life, he was jailed several times and cast as a dangerous, radical revolutionary. Despite the adversity he faced, Mandela was praised internationally for his activism and is now remembered as a symbol of democracy and social justice. In South Africa, he is commonly referred to as the “Father of the Nation.” What better way to celebrate Mandela’s centenary than by learning about the sites most closely connected to him? Here are five incredibly moving experiences you need to have in South Africa to learn more about Nelson Mandela and the anti-apartheid revolution.

1. Robben Island

Photo: Anton_Ivanov/Shutterstock

Only accessible by ferry from Cape Town, Robben Island is where Mandela spent 18 out of 27 years in prison. He was jailed in 1964 for his anti-apartheid views. You can take a tour of Robben Island that includes a viewing of Mandela’s prison cell, a seven-foot-by-nine-foot room where a bulb burned night and day during the 18 years of his imprisonment. You will also be able to tour the other facilities that illuminate the island’s 500-year history.

2. Liliesleaf

Photo: Liliesleaf

This farm in Johannesburg’s suburb of Rivonia was a place of refuge for African National Congress leaders during the rule of the apartheid government. Mandela went into hiding here by posing as a farm worker, and security police raided the farm in 1963, arresting several leaders. At the time of the raid, Mandela was already serving a prison sentence though he was brought to trial nonetheless for his connection to Liliesleaf. You can take a guided tour of the farm; bookings should be made in advance.

3. Nelson Mandela Capture Site

Photo: SAPhotog/Shutterstock

This area is where, in 1952, Mandela’s 27-year imprisonment began. In the KwaZulu-Natal province, near the town of Howick, Mandela was pulled over by police, and although he pretended to be a chauffeur, he was arrested nonetheless. The site is now marked by a pathway lined with plaques of historic dates and facts — all leading to a unique facial statue of Mandela.

4. The Mandela House

Photo: Gimas/Shutterstock

Once the private home of Mandela and his first (and later second) wife, the Mandela House is located on Vilakazi Street in Soweto, a township in Johannesburg. He spent little time there, however, as he was always on the run. Upon his release from Robben Island, Mandela returned to the house in 1990, and his family resided here until the mid-1990s when it was turned into a public heritage site. The house has many personal artifacts from the family’s daily life in addition to Mandela’s many honorary degrees and gifts from significant people around the world.

5. Apartheid Museum

Photo: Dendenal/Shutterstock

To truly understand Mandela’s life’s work, and what South Africa was like during the system of apartheid, the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg is the perfect educational tool. Over 20 exhibits give visitors a window into the racial discrimination of 20th-century South Africa, including films, artifacts, photographs, and displayed texts of personal narratives. Of course, Mandela himself features prominently in the museum.

If you really want a comprehensive tour of all the sites connected to Mandela, South African Tourism and the Nelson Mandela Foundation have developed an app called Madiba’s Journey. The app lists 100 locations around South Africa tied to Mandela, which are accessible to the general public.


More like this: White privilege is alive and well in post-Apartheid South Africa

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7 humiliate things for a bartender

Humiliation is an essential part of everyday life, especially in jobs where you’re surrounded by an audience. Being behind the bar brings a host of potential hilarious mishaps. Here are seven ways bartenders humiliate themselves on the regular.

1. Being doused by a cocktail you’re shaking.

Occasionally, as you’re shaking cocktail tins, the tins will separate, dumping their contents all over your head. Oddly this tends to happen right when you’re chatting up cute bar customers. The universe has a sense of humor.

2. Accidentally flinging bottles across the bar.

You’re moving too fast, you pick up a bottle of simple syrup or spirits with damp hands and, the next thing you know, the bottle flies across the bar. Some bartenders recommend callused hands for better grip. But it happens to the best of us every once in a while.

3. Getting sprayed in the face by beer when you try to change a keg.

When you connect the coupler from your beer line to a fresh keg, you have to be careful not to push down on the lever as you’re connecting. If you do, you’ll get your own special “beer bath.” Not only do you have to suffer the embarrassment of failing at bartender 101, you have to work the rest of your shift soaked in beer.

4. When you make a drink incorrectly as the customer is watching.

We all get distracted sometimes behind the bar. We pour lemon juice when we should pour lime or we forget an ingredient in a cocktail. Usually, you can pass it off, but sometimes, if a bar guest catches you making a mistake, you must be prepared to take the blame and hang your head in shame.

5. When you get a little too loose behind the bar.

The number one reason bartenders get fired is for getting too drunk at work. While not every bar job is like this, often you’re allowed to have some drinks while you work. But you’ve got to know your limits. When the bartender is slurring more words than the bar patrons, it’s not just humiliating, it’s time for a new job.

6. When your ex stumbles in drunk and wants to talk.

Working in a public place makes it really easy for people to reach you. And there’s nothing more embarrassing than having a drunk ex wander into your job and make a scene. It distracts you from your work and usually forces you to be an asshole and kick them out of the bar.

7. When both the guys you’re dating drop by for a surprise visit on the same night.

A classic occupational hazard of bartending. Not so much humiliating as uncomfortable. But a sure way to entertain the rest of your co-workers for the night.


More like this: 8 skills that are second nature to bartenders

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The Color Factory is coming to NYC

The creators of the Color Factory clearly underestimated people’s love for colors (and how instagrammable their exhibit was). The pop-up exhibit that opened in San Francisco in August 2017 was only intended to be open for one month, but sold out for an additional eight months. Now, a whole new series of installations celebrating colors is coming to New York’s Soho district this August.

The exhibit will be inspired by “the colors of the city,” and will occupy 20,000 square feet of real estate at 251 Spring Street. Artists like Lakwena Maciver, Emmanuelle Moureaux, Jason Polan, and Tamara Shopsin will collaborate to transform the space into a colorful playground for adults and kids alike.

Une publication partagée par Color Factory (@colorfactoryco) le 2 Juil. 2018 à 11 :37 PDT

The New York version of the exhibit will feature 16 different experiences, including an installation of ombré floating balloons filled with wishes written by students from the 826NYC program, a luminous dance floor, and a colorful ice cream snack at the custom Mochi Bar. The popular yellow ballroom, which proved an Instagram favorite, will also be coming to New York.

Une publication partagée par Color Factory (@colorfactoryco) le 22 Avril 2018 à 7 :40 PDT

To give New York City audiences a preview of what’s to come, the Color Factory team painted the sidewalks in the garden at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum with stripes of color. The “Manhattan Color Walk” is free, and open to the public until the end of July.

Une publication partagée par Color Factory (@colorfactoryco) le 15 Juil. 2018 à 1 :22 PDT

The Color Factory New York opens on August 20th, and will remain open until September 30th, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM, seven days a week. Tickets can be purchased on the official website in advance, for $38 each. But you’d better hurry if you want to see the exhibit, because they’re selling fast.

H/T: AFAR

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City in Japan suffers ninja shortage

The Japanese city of Iga, about 280 miles from Tokyo in central Japan, claims to be the birthplace of the ninja, and has built its tourism industry on that reputation. Iga relies heavily on its ninja heritage to bolster tourism, mainly during its annual ninja festival, when its population of 100,000 grows by about 30,000, as tourists come expecting to see locals donned in ninja garb. Now, however, the mayor of Iga, Sakae Okamoto, feels it is not enough.

According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, Japan has seen a recent boom in tourism, with almost 29 million tourists visiting Japan in 2017 (up almost 20 percent from 2016), but rural cities such as Iga are struggling to capitalize. To draw more tourists to Iga, and encourage them to stay longer, Okamoto is relocating city hall and building a second ninja museum in its place. A chief component of the plan, however, is attracting labor forces to live and work in Iga. “There is a ninja shortage,” Sally Herships of NPR’s Planet Money podcast said, “or — to be accurate — a ninja-performer shortage.”

Japan’s low unemployment rate (2.5 percent) makes it difficult to find available, specialized ninja performers, and Iga’s rural location seems to be a deterrent to young people (According to Business Insider, Iga lost 1,000 residents last year alone).

So, if you do happen to be a ninja looking for work, the pay is quite competitive. You can earn anywhere from $23,000 to $85,000 — that’s more than the real ninjas made back in the day.

H/T: Business Insider

More like this: How to get a job and move to Japan

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