Matador Network's Blog, page 371
January 4, 2023
All of the Incredible Animals You Can See at the World’s Largest Tropical Wetland
South America is home to some of the most remarkable landscapes and ecological systems in the world. One of these places is the Pantanal wetland, a vast expanse of wetlands located in Brazil’s Mato Grosso region. Rich in wildlife and natural beauty, this incredible ecosystem attracts thousands of visitors each year, largely due to the variety of wildlife that calls it home.
The Pantanal wetland covers more than 77,000 square miles across Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia – making it one of the largest freshwater wetlands in the world. This magical place is teeming with life, from aquatic creatures such as piraputangas (giant otters) and peixes-boi (manatees) to colorful toucans, macaws and hawks soaring through the sky. It’s also home to endangered species such as jaguars, giant otters, maned wolves, and capybaras, as well as other species like pumas, ocelots, and tapirs/ It’s not uncommon to spot a few caimans (a type of crocodilian) lounging along the riverbanks or a troop of capuchin monkeys hooting and chattering in the tree canopy above you.
@visit Pantanal is an area located mostly in Brazil and is the world's largest tropical wetland, which makes it an amazing area to spot wildlife in action@naturalhabitatadventures #Pantanal #Brazil #braziltravel #wildlifetok #jaguar ♬ goodwill pants section – misery
In addition to its abundance of wildlife, there are also plenty of activities for visitors to enjoy in this incredible place. From fishing trips to horseback riding tours along winding trails, you can find something that suits your interests. For those who prefer more relaxed activities such as bird watching or camping out under starry skies surrounded by tranquil sounds of nature.
If you’re lucky enough to visit during dry season (July-November), you’ll have a chance to witness spectacular sunsets over its vast horizon – a scene that will stay with you forever. Besides being awe-inspiringly beautiful, the Pantanal is also a great place for learning about conservation efforts in action; here you’ll find several organizations dedicated to protecting this precious ecosystem and its wildlife inhabitants. 
January 3, 2023
Stunning Vid Shows How Diving in the Philippines Is Like Nowhere Else in the World
Diving in the Philippines is an incredible experience, offering spectacular views of the vibrant coral reefs that thrive along the coast. The fascinating and diverse coral reef ecosystems found in the Philippines are home to more than 500 species of corals and more than 4,000 species of fish. Diving in the Philippines gives wildlife enthusiasts with a chance to observe some of the most amazing creatures on earth. And among those creatures are the various species of sea turtles that thrive around the islands’ coral reefs.
@visit The coral reefs of the Philippines are a completely different world@Pema #turtletok #Philippinestravel #divingtok #na ♬ original sound – Visit
In recent years, the country and conservationists within it have made a concerted effort to protect and restore habitat for these majestic animals so they can continue to flourish in their natural environment. This means diving in the Philippines is a win-win situation for divers and species like turtles: divers get to enjoy some of the healthiest underwater ecosystems on earth, and the reefs benefit from the fact that tourists like clean reefs — the more money scuba diving tourists bring in, the more money gets spent on protecting the places divers want to be.
Of course, it’s not just sea turtles that live in the reefs of the Philippines, though the country’s Sula Sea is home to southeast Asia’s highest concentration of green sea turtles. The Philippines’ coral reefs are some of the most spectacular diving spots in the world, boasting an incredibly diverse range of aquatic life, from vibrant anemones to colorful tropical fish. The coral in the country’s reefs is particularly spectacular, with hard and soft colonies displaying a pallet of dazzling colors.
Photo: Ethan Daniels /Shutterstock
For diving enthusiasts, the islands of the Philippines provide an abundance of stunning opportunities to explore beneath the ocean’s surface. Popular places for scuba diving in the Philippines include El Nido in Palawan, Apo Reef on the island of Mindoro, and Balicasag in Bohol, near Cebu City.
Visitors to El Nido will find numerous rocky reefs and wreck dives with abundant sea life and vibrant coral gardens, while the area around Apo Reef is ideal for advanced divers seeking thrilling drift dives. Diving off Balicasag Island is great for viewing a diverse collection of macro life and the occasional passing pelagics. The sheer variety of locations to dive in the Philippines ensures both novice and expert divers can count on an unforgettable underwater experience — and if you want to make a bucket-list diving trip out of it, you can fly from Manilla straight to other nearby world-class sites like Raja Ampat, in Indonesia.
But diving in the Philippines isn’t just about admiring the color. Divers willing to give the reefs a closer inspection will likely notice delicate starfish, anemones swaying in the current, and clever crustaceans scuttling into their hideaways when disturbed. All these creatures rely on the health of the reef, so remember to always use reef-safe sunscreens and take steps to be a better friend to the oceans.
Awe-Inspiring Views From Above: What It’s Like To See a Cloud Forming From an Airplane
Clouds are such a fascinating sight that pictures of perfect clouds have the power to break the internet. They show up in shapes like mushrooms and waves. But flying on an airplane is the best way to see those perfectly fluffy, awe-inspiring vapors views from above. One of the most breathtaking sights is seeing a cloud form from an airplane window. From the sky, clouds look like soft white cotton candy, slowly growing and changing with every passing second. It’s an experience that any traveler can witness if they look closely enough. Tish De Alwis, a pilot from the United Kingdom, was able to catch the calming and beautiful phenomenon during a flight.
@visitFlying through the clouds while a new one is being formed
United Kingdom Ig: @tishdealwis
Clouds are formed when warm air rises into the atmosphere and meets cold at higher altitudes. This causes moisture, such as water vapor in the rising air, to condense into tiny droplets of water or ice crystals, forming visible clouds in the sky. Depending on where you are flying and what altitude you are at, you may experience this phenomenon for yourself!
From an airplane window, you’ll notice how quickly clouds can change shape and color within mere seconds—which gives you plenty of time to observe them as they move across the sky while your plane continues its journey forward. Since clouds represent nature’s ever-changing beauty, catching them forming right before your eyes can be both mesmerizing and inspiring all at once!
For travelers who want to take in some truly awe-inspiring scenery during their next flight, watching a cloud form from an airplane window is worth experiencing! Watching these gorgeous formations appear out of thin air is breathtaking and provides plenty of time for reflection. So if you have the opportunity during your next flight, keep your eyes peeled for these stunning views from above!
What To Know Before Swimming in Palau’s Jellyfish-Filled Lake
The Republic of Palau is an archipelago located in the western Pacific Ocean. While it may be small, this island nation is a true paradise for travelers seeking adventure. One of Palau’s most famous attractions are its jellyfish lakes, where swimmers can take a dip alongside thousands of harmless jellyfish. The largest concentration of jellyfish can be found in Jellyfish Lake on Eil Malk Island. This unique lake is home to millions of golden jellyfish, making it the perfect place to have an up-close and personal encounter with these amazing creatures.
@matadornetwork Palau is an island country in the western Pacific Ocean. These stingless jellyfish are found in very few other places in the world#jellyfishlake #palau #stinglessjellyfish #jellyfish ♬ Chill Vibes – Tollan Kim
Jellyfish Lake is one of the 12 saltwater lakes scattered across the islands of Eil Malk and Ngeaur in Palau. It was formed over 12,000 years ago when two limestone caves were sealed off by volcanic activity, trapping the lake’s inhabitants inside. Scientists believe that these jellyfish are descendants of their open-ocean relatives who adapted to their new environment over time. Today, there are around seven million jellyfish living in this lake.
The golden-brown jellyfish here range from dime-sized to dinner plate-sized, but they won’t sting you as they have lost their stinging cells due to the lack of predators in the lake. You’ll have plenty of time to observe and photograph these fascinating creatures as you swim alongside them from one end of the lake to the other. Jellyfish Lake is connected to the Pacific Ocean via an underground cave system, but over time it has become completely enclosed and isolated from the ocean. For this reason, the species of jellyfish found in this lake have been evolving independently for thousands of years, and are now unique to this location.
Aside from swimming with jellyfish, there are many other activities you can enjoy while visiting Eil Malk Island. The island is surrounded by white sand beaches where visitors can relax during low tide or take part in exciting water sports such as kayaking or snorkeling when the tide is high. Furthermore, exploring the nearby caves is another great way to spend your day on Eil Malk Island – just watch out for bats. You will also find plenty of WWII relics scattered around the island which provide insights into its fascinating history.
Visit Kawasan Falls, Philippines
80 miles southwest of Cebu City in the Philippines is a series of waterfalls that are the most brilliant light blue – one blogger compares this unusual color to the of “Gatorade blue drink.” The falls are formed from spring water that flows down the mountains near Matutinao, a barangay (a type of small town) in the city of Badian. The waterfalls form natural swimming holes that are perfect for a day of lounging and frolicking in the pristine waters.
80 miles southwest of Cebu City in the Philippines is a series of waterfalls that are the most brilliant light blue – one blogger compares this unusual color to the of “Gatorade blue drink.” The falls are formed from spring water that flows down the mountains near Matutinao, a barangay (a type of small town) in the city of Badian. The waterfalls form natural swimming holes that are perfect for a day of lounging and frolicking in the pristine waters.
From Cebu City, visitors can take a three hour bus ride to the Kawasan Falls park. The falls are nestled within the Mantalongon Mountain Range. A landscape of lush emerald green forests surrounds the falls and the rocky cliffs are made of limestone. Once visitors enter the park, they can walk less than a mile to the first waterfall. There are three waterfalls within the park, and visitors can swim at all of them.
There’s a $1 entrance fee to get into the falls. It’s a popular tourist attraction and the park sells souvenirs and t-shirts along the pathways to the waterfalls. There is a 15 minute uphill walk between each waterfall. At the last waterfall and the highest point of the park, there is a rope swing and plenty of opportunities for cliff diving.
Photo: valerii eidlin/Shutterstock
Though the waterfalls are a spectacular natural phenomenon, don’t expect isolated wilderness here. There are restaurants, cafes, picnic tables, and multi-colored umbrellas dotting the area around each waterfall (and it’s actually not the only place to eat near a waterfall in the Philippines; there’s a waterfall restaurant in Quezon, too).
For an even more luxurious swimming experience, some people also like to rent bamboo rafts piloted by guide, which float around the pools under the falls. At an extra charge, a so-called shower massage will take guests underneath the rushing falls. Some blogs recommend bringing your own picnic to the falls because restaurants catered to tourists are expensive.
If you’re coming from Cebu City, you can book a tour that will take you directly to the falls. Canyoneering tours are among the most popular group activities offered at Kawasan Falls – an intense physical excursion that involves climbing, cliff jumping, and swimming. However, if you prefer to travel there independently, buses run to Kawasan Falls from the cities of Cebu, Moalboal, and Oslob.
The falls are less crowded from June to December, during the rainy season. There are also fewer tourists early in the morning. The key to having the falls to yourself is to go on a weekday.
This Hotel in Palm Desert, California Unique Boat Ride Is the Most Scenic Way To Enter a Hotel
If you’re looking for a luxurious desert getaway, look no further than the JW Marriott Palm Desert. This stunning resort offers an array of amenities and activities to make your stay unforgettable. From championship golf courses to world-class spas, the JW Marriott Palm Desert has something for everyone. The resort has also created a unique, luxurious, and eco-friendly way to enter its hotel. The gondola boat entrance offers guests a unique experience that will make their stay extra special.
@epic.stays #stitch with @epic.stays This hotel in #PalmDesert #California has a gondola entranceway
The Gondola Boat Entrance
The JW Marriott Palm Desert in California’s Coachella Valley’s impressive entrance features a luxurious boat traveling across the lake up to the hotel’s front door. Guests can ride on this beautiful boat with an experienced captain who will guide them through their journey and answer any questions about the area or the hotel itself. This isn’t just any ordinary boat ride. Not only does it provide guests with a unique way of entering their hotel, but it also gives them breathtaking views of the surrounding area, including lush palm trees and mountains in the backdrop. Guests can enjoy some peace and quiet while they soak up their surroundings before arriving at their destination.
Unparalleled Comfort and ConvenienceThe JW Marriott Palm Desert prides itself on providing guests with comfort and convenience during their stay. The resort features luxurious suites with plush bedding, marble bathrooms, and flat-screen TVs in every room. In addition, guests can enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the property and 24-hour room service. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing weekend away or an extended vacation, the JW Marriott Palm Desert will provide all the comforts of home in a stunning desert setting.
Family Friendly AmenitiesThe JW Marriott Palm Desert offers plenty of amenities perfect for families. Kids can splash around in one of two outdoor pools while grownups relax in private cabanas or hot tubs nearby. The resort also boasts an impressive 18-hole golf course ideal for both experienced and beginners. There’s also a full-service spa with massages and beauty treatments that will help you unwind after a day on the links. For those looking for more family-friendly activities, there are plenty of nearby attractions, such as theme parks, shopping malls, hikes, and even a water park within walking distance from the hotel.
Dining Options GaloreNo stay at the JW Marriott Palm Desert would be complete without sampling some fantastic cuisine options! The resort boasts 12 restaurants ranging from fine dining establishments to casual eateries featuring locally sourced ingredients from local farms. Guests can also enjoy cocktails poolside at one of four bars or grab snacks anytime at any of the four on-site cafes. With so many dining options available, it’s easy to find something delicious to satisfy any craving!
The JW Marriott Palm Desert provides luxury accommodations combined with various activities and amenities that make it perfect for travelers looking for an unforgettable getaway experience! If you need more space than the JW can provide, there are plenty of Airbnbs nearby that are a great choice. Whether you’re seeking relaxation or adventure, whatever your age or budget, this five-star desert oasis has something for everyone.
Cano Cristales
Located within Colombia’s Serranía de la Macarena national park, in the country’s Meta province, is one of the most unusual natural wonders on the planet: A multi-colored river called Caño Cristales, sometimes referred to as “River of Five Colors.”
Surrounded on all sides by lush green jungle, the river cuts through tiered rock formations. But this is no normal river: The river bed is blanketed in rare red, yellow, green, blue and black plant life that resembles algae or seaweed. In fact, these plants are called macarenia clavigera and are actually a type of riverweed – and they don’t bloom with such abundance anywhere else on earth.
According to CNN, Colombia is the only place in the world where this exact phenomenon takes place, because of its position at the convergence of the Colombian Amazon and Orinoco rivers – making it one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet.
The best time to visit Caño CristalesThe best time to visit Caño Cristales is from July and October, when the flourishing plant life is at its most vivid. However, the colorful plant life is still visible from the end of May into November.
You don’t want to visit too early – like in April, for instance – when Colombia is experiencing its rainy season. The river runs too high and deep for sunlight to penetrate the river, giving the plants the light they need to grow.
How to get to Caño CristalesThe closest town to the river is La Macarena. There is no camping or overnight stay allowed in Serranía de la Macarena, so if you’re planning to visit, you will need to stay in La Macarena. There are flights to the local airport from both Bogotá and Medellin. Make sure you are vaccinated for yellow fever before booking your flight; sometimes passengers are not allowed to board the plane without proof of yellow fever vaccination.
Overtourism to Caño Cristales became such a problem that it closed to tourists in 2019 for 18 months, which helped the river recover from the impact of an overwhelming human footprint. Today, potential visitors can only visit the river with a government-licensed tour guide, and visitors will also have to purchase a permit before entering the park. Some tour guides offer three days packages that include hotels and airfares in the total price.
Booking a tour guide in advance will guarantee that you can get a permit for the park. Only 200 visitors are allowed to travel to the section of the park where the river is located per day, so having your permit in advance is essential. Tour guides will also lead their groups to the parts of the river where it’s safe to swim without disturbing the delicate plants.
From Skiing To Hiking, Here Are All the Outdoor Activities You Can Do at Prince Albert National Park
From museums, to hiking trails, to spotting woodland caribou and the plains bison, and even sunbathing on the beach, Prince Albert National Park in Canada is one of the most exciting places to embark on a family-friendly adventure.
A little more than a two hour drive from Saskatoon, Prince Albert National Park covers 1495.76 square miles in Canada’s Saskatchewan province. As big as it is, it’s only Canada’s tenth largest national park.
The park accommodates both winter and summer activities. In winter, snowshoeing and cross country skiing offer opportunities to explore the vast snow covered wilderness. This is also the ideal name to spot the elk, deer, wolf, and fox who reside in the park. In addition, ice fishing is allowed on Waskesiu Lake. Bird watching enthusiasts will spot owls, osprey, and white pelicans in the park as well. Dawn and dusk are the best times to view wildlife in the park.
Photo: Bob Hilscher/Shutterstock
In warmer weather, families gather at Waskesiu Lake for sunbathing and swimming. The Main Beach at Waskesiu is the most popular of these beaches, where paddleboarding, picnicking, water skiing, and inner tubing all provide hours of fun. In addition, the The Milky Way and northern lights are visible at night from South Bay or Paignton Beach. Other beaches within the park include Beaver Glen Beach, Point View, Birch Bay.
Waskesiu Lake, as well as many of the others, including Amiskowan, Shady, Heart, Kingsmere, are all amenable to kayaking and canoeing. There are two main canoeing routes: The Bagwa Canoe Route and Bladebone Canoe Route.
There are at least 14 hiking trails spread out throughout the park. Mud Creek Trail is one of the most popular. Some trails like Boundary Bog Trail have boardwalks. Prince Albert National Park hiking trails take hikers through aspen forests, wetlands, and offer views of the lakes, and deer, beavers, and even bears can sometimes be spotted from trails.
Your exploration of the park should include visits to Prince Albert National Park Nature Centre, located in Waskesiu, is where kids and families can learn about the park’s many ecosystems, as well as the Indigenous peoples that once called the lands inside the park home. Meanwhile, the Waskesiu Heritage Museum offers guests a look into the history behind the park.
A Step-by-Step Guide for Making Mochi, Japan’s Most Delicious Treat
If you’ve ever been to Japan, chances are you’ve tried (or at least heard of” mochi. Mochi, one of the most beloved desserts in Japan and also a traditional snack, has been a popular treat for hundreds of years. Though it comes in many varieties, it’s basically a rice cake composed of glutinous rice, and ingredients like sugar, cornstarch, and water. But how is it made?
@matadornetwork #Mochi is a Japanese rice cake made of mochigome, which is a glutinous rice flour. In Japan, it is traditionally made in a ceremony called #mochitsukiAdd this to your bucket list for all your foodie travels!
@名古屋のグルメペンギン ふもっち！！！#japantravel #foodietok #japanesesnacks ♬ original sound – Matador Network
The first step in making mochi is to prepare the ingredients, the most important of which is glutinous rice, which has high levels of starch and moisture content. This type of rice must be soaked overnight so that the grains become soft and pliable enough for further processing. Once the rice has been soaked, it is steamed until it becomes soft and fluffy.
Once the rice has been steamed, it is ready to be ground into a paste. In traditional Japanese households, this was done by hand using wooden mallets or pestles called usu and kine respectively. These tools were used to pound the steamed rice until it became an elastic paste with a sticky texture that could easily be formed into shapes. Today, however, most people use electric grinders instead of manual tools as these make the process much faster and easier.
Once the mochi paste has been ground up, it can then be formed into various shapes such as circles or rectangles depending on how you want to serve it. You can also add ingredients such as sugar or kinako (roasted soybean flour) for flavor if desired before forming your mochi shapes. Finally, your mochi can be served either hot or cold – no matter what method you use for preparation, you’ll end up with a delicious treat.
January 2, 2023
This Video Proves Asheville Is Home To America’s Coolest Craft Breweries
Asheville has a thriving craft beer scene, with more than 30 breweries in the city alone. It’s no wonder that it’s been dubbed “Beer City USA.” The city takes great pride in supporting local breweries and their unique flavors, and often hosts beer-related events throughout the year.
The most popular Asheville breweries include Wicked Weed Brewing, Hi-Wire Brewing, Burial Beer Co., and Pisgah Brewing Company. From hoppy ales to dark stouts and everything in between, you’ll be spoiled for choice as you explore the craft beer scene in Asheville. Wicked Weed is one of the most beloved breweries in town. They produce a range of ales as well as barrel-aged sours, and their beer is sold in cans and on draft throughout the city.
Hi-Wire Brewing is another popular Asheville brewery that specializes in producing beers with big flavor. They have an impressive selection of IPAs, lagers, stouts, Saisons, ciders, and sours. Their beers can be found in cans as well as on draft throughout the city.
On the other side of town is Burial Beer Co., a brewery that specializes in Belgian-style ales as well as German lagers. They have a taproom that offers regular tappings as well as a wide selection of bottles to go. Burial Beer Co. is also known for its inventive seasonal and limited-release beers as well as its barrel aging program.
Pisgah Brewing Company rounds out the Asheville beer scene with a selection of craft ales as well as IPAs, stouts, porters, and specialty brews. It’s taproom is open every day and offers a variety of brews as well as food. It’s the perfect spot for beer fans to sample some of the best beers in Asheville.
Where to stay in AshevilleWe hope you love these Asheville hotels! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
Haywood Park Hotel
Photo: Booking.com
Asheville is full of hotels, motels, and bed & breakfasts to suit any budget. The Haywood Park Hotel is a great choice for craft beer lovers as it’s located downtown near many breweries and taprooms. It also offers packages that include brewery tours and tastings as well as pint glasses from some of the popular local breweries.
The Cambria Hotel
Photo: Booking.com
The Cambria Hotel is another great option for beer lovers as it’s located on the city’s South Slope Brewery district and has an outdoor patio with a firepit as well as a pool.
Hilton Garden Inn Asheville Downtown
Photo: Booking.com
The Hilton Garden Inn Asheville Downtown is a great choice for those looking to stay in one of Asheville’s most popular neighborhoods, Biltmore Village. It’s conveniently located near many of Asheville’s breweries as well as Biltmore Estate and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
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