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How to See the Best Bermuda Caves, Including Several You’ve Never Heard of

Bermuda may be best known for its pink beaches, turquoise waters, tropical climate, and dangerously strong rum swizzles, but the British Territory has one more selling point hidden underground.

About two million years ago, most of the planet’s oceans froze in the early stages of the Pleistocene era. With more water frozen in ice, the sea levels dropped, and the above-ground part of Bermuda was a lot larger than it is today. During that period, rainwater slowly seeped into the earth, eventually dissolving and eroding the rock enough to form caves.

Of course, sea levels always rise when an ice age ends, and many of the best Bermuda caves are now underwater (and excellent sites for avid scuba divers to explore).

But you can still explore many of the best Bermuda caves on land; it’s truly like entering another world. Bermuda’s caves have inspired the creative minds of famous authors like Mark Twain and Jim Henson, who based his idea for the 1990’s TV show Fraggle Rock on a visit to Bermuda’s Crystal Caves.

With around 150 caves on the island, travelers can visit a few at their leisure or book guided tours to learn about the geology and development of stalagmites, stalactites, columns, and other formations.

1. Crystal Caves

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The most well-known cave in Bermuda is Crystal Cave, although it’s actually two caves — Fantasy Cave is steps away, but people refer to the area as “Crystal Caves.” These Bermuda caves slowly formed to create the underground natural wonder over millions of years. And they’re simply stunning. The same turquoise water that laps the island’s pink-sand beaches extends into its caves, where pearl-colored stalactites hang over the clear underground lake.

Tours begin with a descent into the cave, so you’ll need to be able to manage up and down 81 steps. The steps can be a little wet and slippery, so listen to the guides when they tell you to take it slowly. As you move through the caves, your guide will share stories about the caves’ accidental discovery by two young boys in 1907. The kids were playing cricket when they lost their ball, and when they found it in the grass, they noticed a slight breeze rustling the blades. They soon located a small crack in the ground, and upon further exploration, it was clear they had found something magnificent.

Tours of Crystal and Fantasy caves run daily from 9 AM to 5 PM. Ticket prices start at $24 for adults and $10 for kids.

2. Leamington Cave

On Harrington Sound Road in Hamilton Parish, near the Crystal Caves, is Leamington Cave, with several rooms with stalagmites and formations. The caves are known for their saffron-colored formations caused by iron oxide seeping through the rock.

However, when it comes to visiting, things get tricky. The cave’s property used to house a restaurant, but it closed nearly 20 years ago, shuttering access to the cave. However, a local couple recently bought the land and occasionally host public events and dinners. Check with your hotel concierge while you’re there to see if any events are happening during your stay.

3. Cathedral Cave

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The subterranean lake is nearly 30 feet deep, with clear water surrounded by hanging crystalline, mineral-packed dripstone. You can even take a dip, cooling off in the water beneath the stalactites and stalagmites. Unfortunately, this one is only open to guests of the on-property hotel, Grotto Bay Beach Resort, so consider booking a night there if exploring Bermuda caves is the top item on your vacation agenda.

4. Prospero’s Cave

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In an interesting use of natural space, Grotto Bay Beach Resort turned Prospero’s Cave into a spa where guests can get massages, facials, body wraps, and more on a floating platform within the cave. In addition to background music, you’ll enjoy the soft sounds of water dripping and echoing. There’s also an indoor lounge area a bit removed from the treatment platforms where you can relax before and after treatments.

Unlike Cathedral Cave, you don’t need to be a hotel guest to visit, but you do need to make a spa appointment. Try to book as far as possible in advance to ensure space in the cave is available — otherwise, you’ll have an outdoor massage on the hotel’s tropical grounds.

5. Jeffrey’s Cave at Spittal Pond

The Spittal Pond Reserve is in Bermuda’s Smith’s Parish area and is the largest protected area on the island at 64 acres. Since the nature preserve covers the rocky coastline, it should come as no surprise that there’s a cave system hidden below the surface. Jeffrey’s Cave is named for a slave (named Jeffrey) who hid in the Cave for over a month before escaping the island by ship. You can’t go into the cave, but you can peer down into the entrance — it’s amazing to think someone was able to safely scramble down and hide in it for so long.

5. The caves at Blue Hole Park

Photo: Sbguest/Shutterstock

One of the easiest caves to find is Causeway Cave in Blue Hole Park, part of the Walsingham Nature Reserve (known locally as Tom Moore’s Jungle). The reserve has several wet and dry caves in addition to bright blue lagoons, wildlife, and lush flora. Blue Hole Park has several caves open to guests, including Causeway Cave, which is free to enter (and near the smaller of the park’s two eponymous blue lakes).

There are a few other caves in the area as well, some of which have open roofs or collapsed walls and are viewable from above ground. Ask for directions (there are many paths and ways to get from Point A to Point B) to Walsingham Cave, a large cave with an underground swimming area. You may want to bring a flashlight as the cave is quite dark inside.

Where to sleep and eat in Bermuda

Aside from Grotto Bay Beach Resort, a good choice for exploring the island is The Loren at Pink Beach, a luxury boutique hotel in the central part of the island. Rooms have ocean views and the beach access is fantastic.

The Loren’s Pink Beach Club is a lovely outdoor restaurant on the water with sustainable seafood; make a reservation regardless of whether you’re staying at the hotel. If you visit Blue Hole Park, you may want to swing by The Swizzle Inn Pub and Restaurant. It’s the oldest pub in Bermuda and famous for – as the name may suggest – rum swizzles. And near St. George is the old-school White Horse Pub & Restaurant on the water. It’s a low-key place for a local beer or great cocktail, but it’s near the cruise ship terminal, so expect a crowd if there’s a large ship in port.

More like thisSpirits + CocktailsHow Goslings Rum Defines Bermudian Culture

This Google Flights Hack is Perfect for Adventurous Last Minute Travelers on a Tight Budget

Finding flight deals can be a hassle when thinking and comparing all the platforms that offer discounted fares. You probably didn’t think to check Google Flights. Besides that, there are always the questions about what day is the best day to book the best flight deal. Should you book on incognito mode? Can you get a good deal for last-minute fares? And everything else in between? All of these questions, you’re more than likely asking via Google–so use it!

Thankfully, former flight attendant and TikTok user @hacks.travel has a simple solution using a Google Flights hack.

With nearly 2.5 million views, the video is a fan favorite and takes you step-by-step through booking the cheapest airfare using a Google Flights hack and helps for finding last-minute budget travel flight deals as well.

Put the city in which you plan to depart from, no destination or date input.Hit “search”, click on the calendar, then hit the “flexible dates” option.Locate the month you’d like to travel and the map will immediately show you the cheapest round trip flights to different cities from your original departing city.Click on the price to select the destinations you’d like to travel based on the dates available.

@hacks.travel Google flights travel hack! #googleflights #savemoney #travelhacks #flights #vacationtime #dealsfordays ♬ Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes) – Edison Lighthouse

With this option of using the Google Flights hack, you can look at round trip flight fares both nationwide and internationally without having to keep searching for different weeks or days and going through a tedious process. This is a hassle-free hack that’s so easy, it takes less than five minutes to do and since you are already using Google to search the best flight hacks, this lessens any additional steps.

So, why wait for some random Tuesday at 1 AM in incognito mode, when you can do it right now?

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10 Things Cruise Ship Chefs Wish You Knew about the Food Served on Board

Cruise food is very polarizing. Stereotypes in pop culture represent the food at sea as spoiled, expired, canned, boxed, and generally unappetizing – but that’s not the reality of how food is prepared and served on-board cruise ships. In reality, there’s absolutely nothing to fear – and a lot to look forward to – when you sit down for dinner at a cruise ship restaurant, or even peruse the buffet. And those stereotypes definitely do not encompass how cruise ship chefs feel about their food.

“We exceed the quality of on shore options,” says Chef Rudi Sodamin, the newly appointed Head of Culinary Arts at Princess Cruises. “Not many restaurants or hotels have seafood or fresh lobster on a weekly basis.”

Steve Van Der Merwe, corporate executive chef at MSC Cruises, also stands by the freshness of his fare: “Our steaks are hand cut on board. Fish and poultry are butchered on board and all those cookies, cakes, and bread? They’re baked on board.”

Here, cruise ship chefs reveal what they wish everyone knew about how food is prepared and served at sea.

1. The common perception of cruise ship food is all wrong

Photo: Solarisys/Shutterstock

According to chefs, the problem isn’t their food. It’s our perception of it.

“We don’t just serve meat and potatoes,” insists Sodamin. On his seven-day cruises diners can choose from more than 450 options. Still, his greatest challenge is changing the way people view cruise ship cuisine. In fact, he’s so committed to shattering the stereotype he wrote one of the first cruise line cookbooks. Not only is there a greater variety of food these days, but it’s fresher than ever.

“What shocks people the most is finding out our bakers are baking bread 24/7, nonstop, to provide freshly baked bread at any time of the day,” says Sharmaine Amparo, an assistant cook at Marella Cruises.

2. Cruise ship menus are meticulously planned

Sodamin has to plan ahead when creating his menu, knowing it will be seven days before he can restock ingredients. “There is no emergency food truck in the middle of the ocean,” he quips.

That doesn’t stop some guests from making outrageous requests though. “We were on a world cruise once and a VIP guest made a request two days before we arrived in Tonga for us to cook him an entire Tonga pig,” recalls Steve Van Der Merwe.

The inability to restock means that cruise ship chefs also have to make certain ingredients stretch long periods of time – perhaps longer than they would on dry land. One food that proves challenging to use before they go bad is bananas.

“We can order them in different stages now, but it’s difficult to get them to last long on, let’s say, a nine-day cruise,” says Van Der Merwe.

3. All food waste is properly disposed of

Sodamin recalls guests once arguing that he should stop serving spare ribs and lamb shanks because of the leftover bones.

“I would say that’s stupid. That’s inexperience. We definitely want to give our guests an amazing experience, and that includes not taking items off of the menu because of the waste.”

Princess Cruises still serves menu items. The bones go into the ship’s compactor, not overboard, and they’re properly disposed of on shore.

4. Cruise ships hire award-winning chefs

Photo: Salvador Aznar/Shutterstock

A cruise ship restaurant has yet to be awarded a Michelin-star but these oceans liners are no stranger to chefs with serious accolades. In fact, many highly decorated chefs collaborate with cruise lines to create specialty restaurants at sea. Celebrity Cruises has worked with Daniel Boulud and Cornelius Gallagher, and Princess Cruises has partnered with Richard Chen and Emmanuel Renaut. Seabourn cruises has its gourmet menu that features dishes crafted by Thomas Keller (who has earned an impressive seven Michelin stars across his restaurants).

5. Cruise ship restaurants can accommodate dietary restrictions

Unlike what viewers see on Bravo’s hit show “Below Deck,” you can’t make or break a cruise ship chef’s day with your dietary request.

“If you’re gluten-free you’re gluten-free,” notes Sodamin. “It is what it is. When it comes to dietary requests, we’ve seen everything.”

That said, they’ve seen some requests that have raised an eyebrow: Amparo remembers when a guest insisted they were allergic to lettuce, tomato, carrots and cucumber, after ordering a salad. She’s also had a guest order a chicken salad, hold the chicken.

6. Pandemic-related food shortages are affecting cruises

“Duck is one example of an ingredient that we just can’t get at this time,” says Van Der Merwe.

He can’t even order it from China — the largest duck producer in the world — because FDA regulations state it has to be sourced in the US. As a result, his team has had to change two dishes on the seven-day menu. Fortunately, one thing there’s never a shortage of is frozen water. Princess Cruises uses three tons of ice to carve 20 sculptures per cruise.

7. Cruise ships undergo strict food safety inspections

Not only do the ships have to undergo thorough inspections twice a year, they also have to adhere to stricter sanitary conditions than restaurants on land.

“I think buffets have come a long way,” says Van Der Merwe, who personally loves a good salad bar. His team implements best practices like preparing food in small batches so the odds of you getting a hot dog that’s been out for hours are nil. “Because the volume of people we serve is so high, there’s a constant turnover of food.”

Cruises ships also employ a dedicated front of house team constantly cleaning buffet stations and making sure dishes look appetizing.

8. Cruise ship buffets use quality ingredients, too

Photo: Ina Meer Sommer/Shutterstock

Buffet-goers expecting stale pizza with rubbery cheese and watery tomato sauce are sure to be disappointed on MSC Cruises. Buffet pizza is one of the ship’s most well-made items.

“We have very good well-trained pizza makers that hand toss the dough right in front of you,” Van Der Merwe says. “And we only use San Marzano tomatoes and fresh mozzarella cheese.”

He also emphasizes that his dishes are made to order whenever possible. For example, grilled items are freshly prepared and rotisseries are displayed front-of-house so passengers can watch their proteins be barbecued or roasted in real time.

9. Quality control of ingredients is taken very seriously

Turnaround day (when current passengers disembark and new passengers board) is as busy as a post office at noon. Despite needing all hands on deck, Van Der Merwe always spares at least two chefs to go out on quality control patrol for new ingredients and supplies.

“They stand on the pier checking the quality of the products that come on board,” he explains. “If anything isn’t up to our standards we send it back to the supplier.”

10. Every dish on a cruise ship is taste tested before it’s served

Photo: SariMe/Shutterstock

Similarly, everything is tasted by the chef and his team before it’s served to guests.

“We also do what we call a menu briefing and tasting where we pre-plate all the food for the night,” explains Van Der Merwe.

One person from each galley station – and there could be up to 18 stations – tastes each dish. The chefs explain the menu and the pastry chef presents his desserts. Of course, they do it early enough in the day that if adjustments need to be made they have time to make them.

More like thisCruisesEverything You Need to Know about Navigating COVID-19 on Cruise Ships

The Most Important Things to Check Before Booking an Airbnb, According to Experienced Hosts

You’re scrolling through Airbnb looking for that perfect place for an upcoming trip. Hot tub? Check. Mountain views? Check. Walk to the beach? Check. You enthusiastically book. But when your trip comes around, you arrive to find that the property isn’t quite what you’d expected. It happens to the best of us. When it comes to what to look for in an Airbnb listing, there are some tips to keep in mind to find the property that matches exactly what you’re looking for.

Matador spoke with Luke and Abby Hatteberg, experienced Airbnb hosts of an eight-guest Airbnb home in the Dallas area, about the most important things to look for in an Airbnb listing. As travelers themselves, Luke and Abby have seen both sides of the coin, from booking properties and hoping for the best to carefully crafting their own short-term rental into a comfortable and spacious stay for their guests.

First off, even before looking at a property’s amenities, the simple fact that it’s rented by nearby hosts rather than a distant property management company is an indication of personal care and a more personalized host-guest relationship. And the biggest takeaway? Look for hosts who are honest and who are experienced in the ways of online business. Luke and Abby also own the Etsy shop Wayfaren based in Dallas’s hip Deep Ellum neighborhood. The husband and wife team are masters of understanding what customers want and how to best serve them, even when they will likely never meet that customer in person.

Follow these tips the next time you’re looking for a stay, and be sure to check out Luke and Abby’s property for your next trip to Dallas:

We hope you love this advice on what to look for in an Airbnb! 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. See our full Advertiser Disclosure here.

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These responses have been edited for length and clarity.

What makes for a good Airbnb property

Luke and Abby: I would say there are a few key things that make a good Airbnb property. First and foremost: cleanliness. It’s hard to look past sheets that you question being washed, or countertops that clearly haven’t been wiped down from the last guest — even if the property has a breathtaking view or an unbeatable location.

Next, an accommodating and friendly host. This really can enhance the Airbnb stay or make it completely forgettable. The hosts we have had that go above and beyond to be helpful, accommodating, and fix any issues quickly are the Airbnb properties we want to return to over and over.

Lastly, I’d say the little thoughtful touches really do go a long way when it comes to a vacation rental. Whether it’s just a personalized handwritten welcome note or a complimentary bottle of wine and glasses already set out, those intentional details really take a property from good to unforgettable.

How to book an Airbnb with trustworthy hosts

We will say (unabashedly) that we are pretty picky when it comes to choosing an Airbnb to book for our next getaway. I truly think it all comes down to the reviews, host, and guest experience.

We typically will only book properties that have 4.5 stars and above, because the reviews just don’t lie when it comes to cleanliness, overall accommodations, and helpfulness of the host. Just this past weekend, we stayed in an Airbnb in Austin for a Texas staycation of sorts, and even though the property wasn’t pristinely updated, the host going above and beyond for us was really what made it a fantastic experience.

The reviews say it all for us.

8 Irish sayings in Irish Gaelic

Travelers to Ireland need to work on understanding the variety of Irish accents in English before they start learning Irish sayings — it’ll be a better use of your time. But if you want to immerse yourself a little deeper into Irish culture, it’s a good idea to look at some of the most common phrases in Irish Gaelic, also known as Gaeilge.

English and Irish (Gaeilge) are the official languages in the Republic of Ireland, and in 2016, 1,761,420, i.e. 39.8 percent of the population of the country, said they could speak Irish. Irish is mostly spoken in the south and west of the Republic of Ireland (from Cork to Mayo along the coast), and more commonly in rural areas, but it’ll never hurt to know a couple of Irish sayings for when you visit these parts — if only to show that you’re interested in the country’s traditions.

Here are eight Irish sayings about Guinness, tea, and God that will help you understand Irish culture better, and appreciate it even more.

Irish saying #1: Cé leis thú? | Who do you belong to?

When you meet an Irish person, their primary concerns tend to rest more with where you came from and who your granny is than about finding out about your own interests. We need to know if you are of good stock before we could possibly entertain a light conversation with you. The chitchat is then generally preceded with a lengthy discussion on your great-aunt’s neighbors, cousins you never knew you had, and the local shop that your mam used to live near.

Irish saying #2: Marbh le tae marbh gan é | Dead with tea, dead without it

The Irish have a pretty serious obsession with tea. The above phrase equates to saying “Tea: can’t live with it, can’t live without it”. You won’t last long in an Irish house without the teapot being brought out.

Irish saying #3: Fliuch an tae | Wet the tea

In Ireland, we “wet the tea.” “Fliuch an tae, le do thoil” may sound strange to the unaccustomed ear (tea is wet), but to us, this is an everyday request from our parents to make it. We are very picky about our favorite drink, it has to be drawn for the right amount of time (an tae a tharraingt) and we do not, for the most part, like weak tea (anglais tae).

Irish saying #4: Le cúnamh Dé | With the help of God

While many Irish are not as devout as we once were, we seem to still depend quite a lot on God. Most things in life, the weather, openings, the lotto, etc. are left to God to sort out for us. We can be pretty blasphemous, too, and we struggle to utter a sentence without referring to “Dia” or “Iosa Chríost”.

Irish saying #5: Chuirfeadh sé dubh ina bhán ort | He’d convince you black was white

The Irish are particularly gifted when it comes to blaggarding people. When I lived in America, some of my Irish friends managed to convince some locals that there were only six days in a week in Ireland, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and that we simply have more hours in each day so there is the same amount of hours over the week. No harm is ever meant, it’s all in the name of craic (fun), but be very wary of believing something that a person says without question.

Irish saying #6: Peata ceart a dhéanamh de dhuine! | Make a right pet of someone

One of the biggest insults an older Irish person can give is to say that someone has spoiled their child. We are strong believers in providing our children with enough hardship so that they grow up never expecting too much in life or being demanding. Many of the older generations think our children need more of the wooden spoon and fewer hours in front of a screen.

Irish saying #7: Is fearrde an Guinness thú | You are the better for Guinness

Some genuinely believe that Guinness has magical health benefits and that no matter what the ailment is (hunger, shock, flu) the best cure is some alcohol. There’s a reason why Guinness was marketed “for strength” for so long. The same curative line of thinking goes for the harder stuff, too. Coming down with the flu? No doctor for me, I’ll just have a hot whiskey. The Irish for whiskey, “uisce beatha” translates as “water of life”, which says a lot about our attitude to the drink. For some, it is our elixir, but there’s no doubt that it comes second to tea.

Irish saying #8: Deoch an dorais | Drink of the door

Leaving places — pubs, neighbors’ houses, cafés — is a fifteen-minute ordeal. By the time you start indicating that you are ready to leave, get up, and head for the door, you run into your cousin’s girlfriend’s brother, sit down for a chat with him, and have one more pint so as not to be rude. If you need to be somewhere else you’d better plan your departure well in advance.

More like thisTravelThe Ultimate Guide to Irish Accents

This Iconic Arizona Hotel was a 1930S Celebrity Favorite. At 85 It’s Better Than Ever

IN the foothills of Mummy Mountain, in the neighboring Scottsdale town of Paradise Valley, the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa, with its standalone adobe-style casitas, wins travelers over with their privacy and luxury.

Photo: JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa

Photo: JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa

Photo: JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa

The words “Where Time Stands Still” on the side of an adobe building near the entrance serve as a reminder to relax and wind down. This same greeting welcomed visitors in the middle of the last century, as seen on a 1960s postcard that just sold on eBay.

When the property was first built in 1936, with 75 casitas, it quickly soared into popularity thanks to the Hollywood connections (such as Clark Gable, Jimmy Stewart and Bette Davis) of owner-entrepreneur Jack Stewart. His goal: to build an alternative to a dude-ranch resort and highlight Southwestern-style architecture. Architect Edward Loomis Bowes Frank Lloyd Wright was already wintering at Taliesin West 13 miles away, also in Scottsdale. Stewart’s friend John C. Lincoln, then president of Lincoln Electric Co., kicked in some of the financing.

Photo: JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa

Photo: JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa

Photo: JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa

Photo: JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa

Now there are 453 casitas, with log-beamed ceilings as well as French doors that open to a private balcony or garden. Guests have very few reasons to leave the sprawling 125 acres, thanks to a 32,000-square-foot spa, two 18-hole championship golf courses, two outdoor pools, seven restaurants, fitness center, tennis courts, chef gardens and hiking trails.

Architectural details like cracked-earth textures, wooden beams and tumbleweed patterns are artfully woven into the Sonoran Desert setting, The Mummy Mountain Western Town is like stepping way back in time and hosts pop-up events for guests. These amenities attract repeat guests year after year. Some return with newer generations of the same family to continue the vacation tradition.

Among the fans is Bill Marriott, current chairman of Marriott International, who championed for this hotel to become part of the JW Marriott collection in 2003. But he was staying at the property long before that — starting in the 1940s, with his family — and Marriott Hotel Corporation bought it in 1967. Camelback Inn was the brand’s first resort, a more laid-back cousin to its city hotels.

“Mr. Marriott has celebrated every birthday with us, except for March of 2020, since the 1967 purchase. He brings his family. They act just like our (other) guests,” says Jonathan Amato, the resort’s director of sales and marketing. This month he returned to the property for his 90th birthday. “I asked Mr. Marriott to describe the property in one word and, in true Mr. Marriott form, he said ‘Perfection.’ And he’s been to a lot of properties,” says Amato.

Photo: JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa

Photo: JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa

In December, when the property’s 85th anniversary was realized, dishes that were clear favorites over the years were brought back onto the restaurants’ menus and with throwback pricing. “We really wanted to engage our guests with the nostalgia of the hotel,” says Amato.

An $85,000 package with over-the-top inclusions is offered through the end of 2022. It includes a week-long stay for 10 guests in the Jackrabbit Suite (the 1,526-square-foot, one-bedroom luxury casita boasts a kiva fireplace, 1.5 baths, dining area and outdoor pool) and nine standard rooms. Twenty spa treatments for the group as well as a private guided hike, nine holes of golf, private yoga session, daily breakfast, off-site excursion, and a private dinner and welcome reception.

Photo: JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa

Photo: JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa

Photo: JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa

Joe and Jean Talbot are among the many repeat guests at the resort. Joe quickly fell in love with the property’s “over-the-top hospitality” on overnights while on business trips in the 1990s. This led to the couple’s wedding-anniversary vacation one year, during the month of March. “We have been coming back every March since, for over 27 years,” says Joe. “After hearing so many accolades about Camelback Inn, our three adult children wanted to see for themselves. No surprise, they also fell in love with it. They come when they can and the little grandkids have a blast.”

Benefits of being a repeat guest at a resort are immeasurable and that has been the Talbots’ experience, too. “They always make us feel like we are the most important people at Camelback Inn. This infectious customer intimacy flows right up to Jack Rabbit pool where the staff jokes about where we choose to sit poolside,” says Joe. “We have been sitting in the same spot for all these years and even some of the other guests have commented at times. They always knew who we were by where we sat.” A few years ago, Hoppin’ Jacks at the Jack Rabbit pool manager Jessica Fox named their spot “Talbot’s Corner” and arranged for a photo of the couple with staff, who signed the back of the photo as a special memento.

In 2019, the property underwent a $12.5 million renovation that updated rooms while retaining the Southwestern-style vibe and charm. This includes retaining framed black-and-white photos of the property decades ago, hung in the main lobby building. Next up: renovations of the pools and spa.

“You really can’t pick this hotel up and put it somewhere else,” says Amato. “It wouldn’t have the same ambiance. Anywhere you see those adobe bricks, that’s original 1936 brick.”

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In a Sequoia-Sized Win, New Research Predicts Nearly 9,200 Undiscovered Tree Species on Earth

There are many more species of trees on Earth than we thought — almost 10,000 (or 15 percent), more, actually, according to a new study reported by Science Daily. It’s great news not only for the arborists, dendrologists, and forest ecologists that will spend the coming decades attempting to find and catalog these rare tree species, but also for us treehuggers who want to help those professionals protect them.

Humans have discovered 64,000 species of trees to date, the study notes. But even with advanced technology and surveillance, the magnitude of cataloging every tree on the planet is dizzying (estimates vary but some suggest there are more than 3 trillion), and current data is nowhere near complete. The total number is likely to be closer to 73,000 species, with an estimated 9,200 species yet to be discovered.

A high percentage – some 40 percent – of undiscovered tree species are likely in South America. That’s because the continent is home to about 8,200 already discovered rare tree species, and its rich biodiversity and expansive forest coverage make it a prime habitat for rare species to flourish. Tropical and subtropical areas of the continent probably hold most of the undiscovered species as the thick coverage of trees – and the sheer volume of them – make it nearly impossible for scientists to analyze each and every tree to identify subtle genetic differences.

While identifying all of these trees will keep forest ecologists occupied for decades to come, the discovery of new species of trees is likely to provide information on how to best conserve and re-grow forests to clean the air and combat global warming. However, while news of new tree species is a win for the environment, it’s up to us to protect the trees so they can do their jobs of cleaning the air. Currently, the greatest threats to these trees are global warming (which trees can help fight) and deforestation from encroaching development and agricultural projects.

“This makes forest conservation of paramount priority in South America, especially considering the current tropical forest crisis from anthropogenic impacts such as deforestation, fires, and climate change,” said Peter Reich, a forest ecologist at the University of Michigan, to Science Daily.

You’re reading The Climate Win, the most positive sustainability news around the world every week.

How travelers can help protect these rare trees

Photo: Javier Folgar/BatCon

As a traveler, the best way to support the conservation of rare tree species is to opt for eco-tours when visiting places like Brazil and Bolivia, both covered in vast stretches of tropical and subtropical forest. For example, when venturing into the Amazon, for example, tour with a reputable eco-outfitter vetted by the World Wildlife Federation, the International Ecotourism Society, and/or the Nature Conservancy, such as Natural Habitat Adventures or Brazil Nature Tours. Traveling with conservation-minded outfitters not only ensures your presence minimizes the impact on the surrounding environment, but also turns the dollars you spend into a political voice for conservation. Money talks, and when that money supports companies that actively work to protect the forests, rather than cut them down, it’s a win-win for both the local economy and the planet.

Whether or not you’re traveling, you can also choose to be picky about the meat you eat, if any, by opting for locally raised meat and veggies rather than buying generic ground beef at the grocery store. Among the biggest threats to the Amazon and tropical and subtropical forests around the world is the clearing of the forest to make way for cattle grazing.

More climate wins this week

In another win for global biodiversity, an endangered bat not seen in 40 years was spotted in Rwanda, The Guardian reported. A Hill’s horseshoe bat was seen in the Nyungwe Rainforest following a 10-day expedition in 2019. Further studies showed the bat to be the Hill’s horseshoe, confirming to conservationists that the species, long feared extinct, is still alive.

A nearly endless stream of energy could come from 12 miles below the Earth’s crust, Freethink reported. Quaise Energy, a spinoff of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is creating a drill that vaporizes rock. This drill will allow humans to drill into the crust from the Mponeng gold mine in South Africa and hopefully capture geothermal energy in the process. If successful, the experiment could make possible the use of geothermal energy as a clean and reliable energy source (as it doesn’t need sunshine or wind).

We close this week’s “Climate Win” with a treaty (because the world needs more of those right now). A UN environmental assemble in Nairobi, Kenya, saw global leaders outline plans for a treaty to cover the “full lifecycle” of plastics, from production to disposal, over the next two years, The Guardian reported. The plan will address the global plastics crisis and how to mitigate it, beginning with the source — mankind’s addiction to disposable plastic. Here’s a toast (in a reusable container, of course) to the treaty’s production and eventual adoption. {mn-post-ender]

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Why You Have to Put Your Seat Back and Tray Table Up During Takeoff and Landing

There’s nothing like finally getting comfortable enough to peacefully sleep on your flight only to be abruptly woken up by your flight attendant telling you to put your seat back in the upright position and to put your tray table away. And while it might be a bit annoying, cut your flight attendant some slack. They’re not trying to be a nuisance, it’s simply federal law.

The Federal Aviation Administration requires by law that seats are upright and tray tables are put away during take-off and landing. Statistically from 2012 to 2016, you had a one in 20 million chance of getting in a plane crash. But of that one in 20 million, 58 percent of fatal accidents occurred during take off and landing, according to a Boeing study.

Having your seat back upright and your tray table up means less of a chance that you trip over anyone’s reclined chair or get smacked by anyone’s table. It also reduces chances that your face will end up slammed into the head rest of the seat in front of you during a crash landing. If your own seat is reclined, you’re at more risk for head injuries. Your head will have to travel further back, leading to a hard impact. And If a crash is inevitable and evacuation isn’t possible, passengers will need to brace for impact, which you can only do if you’re sitting up right, according to Britain’s Civil Aviation Authority.

Flight attendant Kat Kamalani explained in a TikTok video that it’s also all about your egress, which is your way out. The space between your seat and the chairs in front of you drastically impacts your access for egress. In the unlikely event that you needed to evacuate, it’s very important that your escape route is clear.

@katkamalani Please don’t be this person… #travelhacks #traveltips #tipsandtricks #didyouknow #shadowandbone ♬ Act 2: In the Hall of the Mountain King – Edvard Grieg

So no need to make a fuss the next time your flight attendant asks you to prepare for landing. Instead, how about a thank you?

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The Best Sports Bars to Watch March Madness in Bloomington, Indiana

If you’re looking for the ideal destination to watch the March Madness college basketball tournament, look no further than these sports bars in the beating heart of Bloomington – otherwise known as “B-Town” to locals. March Madness will kick off soon this Sunday, March 13th. The First Four games will take place in Dayton, Ohio at the UD Arena starting on March 15th. 68 teams are set to face off in 14 tournament venues located in cities such as Portland, San Antonio, and even Indianapolis in the Hoosier state. After fighting their way to the end, the national champion will be crowned at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Monday, April 4th;  have a decent chance to take home the sought-after title of the 2022 NCAA Division Ⅰ Men’s Basketball Tournament Champions. Bloomington, Indiana sports bars are sure to show every single game.

Indiana is known for being the basketball-loving epicenter of America. James Naismith invented the sport of basketball in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1891, however he made it a point to say that basketball really had its origin in Indiana, which continues to have an affinity for the sport. Last year, Indiana’s historic basketball venues hosted the entirety of the NCAA Tournament, as the cities of Bloomington, West Lafayette, and Indianapolis hosted rounds of the tournament. After hosting these massive NCAA tournament matchups, it’s no surprise that Bloomington, which is home to the Indiana University Hoosiers, is still riding a March Madness high. And one thing is for sure: the Hoosiers love nothing more than their game days.

Indiana University fans regularly gather at these Bloomington, Indiana sports bars to watch the state’s famed college basketball teams play, and during March Madness the energy that fills these bars is unmatched. Most of these bars are family friendly too, so you can watch the games with kids in tow. Bloomington, Indiana sports bars offer some of the best selection of game day foods like wings, burgers, fries, and even some Midwestern favorites like cheese curds. There’s also craft beer from national, regional, and local breweries on tap. Come on down to B-Town and grab a seat at these storied sports bars. You’ll leave invigorated by Bloomington’s basketball spirit, full from all of the delicious food, and feeling welcomed by all of the friendly faces. But no promises that your March Madness bracket will still be intact when you head out. Here are seven Bloomington, Indiana sports bars to check out.

1. Yogi’s Bar & Grill

Photo: Courtesy Visit Bloomington

Yogi’s is a modern, hip hangout for all sports fanatics. In Yogi’s there’s no shortage of screens where you and your friends can watch March Madness games, as there’s a TV playing a different game every square inch. Yogi’s not only caters to the college student fanbase — on game days they have both 21+ seating and room for some family fun. Make sure to check out the wall signed by IU players and coaches and order some fried food favorites like the mini corn dogs, the Fry Flight that comes with four signature sauces, and the fried cookie dough. The IU sports memorabilia that hangs on Yogi’s walls offers an eye-catching sports history lesson. Look out for the red-and-white NCAA championship banners, Yogi’s scoreboard, and the classic Indiana logo in big, bright lights.

Where: 302 N. Walnut St., Bloomington, IN 47404

2. Crazy Horse

At Crazy Horse, IU alumni pull up a seat at the expansive wooden bar. Open to all ages before 9pm (and 21+ after that) Crazy Horse is a dive bar that is steeped in Hoosier tradition. The bar showcases plaques of the names of people who have taken part in the “Around the World in 80 Beers” tradition, where patrons have to down 80 of Crazy Horse’s beers from their entire beer selection within 6 months. Try their B-Town wings and pick from a variety of house-made sauces.

Where: 214 W Kirkwood Ave., Bloomington, IN 47404

3. BuffaLouie’s

Photo: Courtesy Visit Bloomington

March Madness fans would be remiss not to check out one of the most iconic restaurants in Bloomington: BuffaLouie’s. Housed in the historic Gables Building, BuffaLouie’s is filled to the brim with IU basketball memorabilia. From signed Hoosier gear to team photos to murals with sports figures, there’s no shortage of basketball-related decor on the walls. BuffaLouie’s has long wooden benches that seat families on game day while munching on the bars legendary wings.

Where: 114 S Indiana Ave., Bloomington, IN 47408

4. Nick’s English Hut

Photo: Courtesy Visit Bloomington

The holy grail of Bloomington sports bars, Nick’s English Hut has been an Indiana University tradition since 1927 where students, alumni, fans, prospective college students, and just about everyone else flock to on game days and take in the lively atmosphere. Consider this bi-level sports bar your one-stop shop—dine at the bottom and party up top. The bar on the upper level is 21+ and the restaurant on the lower level is family-friendly. Before grabbing a drink and watching the basketball games upstairs, order one of Nick’s signature strombolis and pair it with their Biz Fries (bonus points if you Sink the Biz).

Where: 423 E Kirkwood Ave., Bloomington, IN 47408

5. Kilroy’s on Kirkwood

Kilroy’s on Kirkwood (aka KOK or Kilroy’s) is the go-to party spot on game days. The bar’s outdoor patio offers an ample amount of space to celebrate. Kilroy’s caters to a younger college crowd, but if you’re looking to be transported back to your college glory days, look no further than this bar. Order Kilroy’s famous stuffed breadsticks that are filled with gooey Mozzarella cheese and pepperoni and served with a side of marinara and cheese sauce.

Where: 502 E Kirkwood Ave., Bloomington, IN 47408

6. The Tap

Photo: Courtesy Visit Bloomington

This brewery & craft beer bar on Bloomington’s downtown square has a more laid-back atmosphere than some of the bars on Kirkwood, but don’t underestimate its ability to draw in a rowdy sports crowd. The Tap’s flat screens in their upstairs brew pub are almost always tuned to the sports channels. Chow down on their selection of pub grub, such as burgers like the Beer Cheese burger with house-made beer cheese that’s served with Tap fries and their parmesan garlic aioli dipping sauce. Wash it all down with some of the bar’s 450 beers, more than 15 of which are brewed in their brewery just downstairs.

Where: 101 N College Ave., Bloomington, IN 47404

7. The Upstairs Pub

Located above a Jimmy John’s, The Upstairs Pub is the bar that gets the award for the best bird’s-eye view of game day. The Upstairs Pub is Kilroy’s next-door neighbor and it has one of the best balconies in Bloomington, perfect for relaxing and sipping your beer while you take in the sight of other sports fans flocking down Kirkwood and a prime view of Sample Gates. Play some games while watching March Madness match ups, including darts, pool, and you can even try your shot at a basketball-themed arcade game.

Where: 430 E Kirkwood Ave. #18, Bloomington, IN 47408

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A Trip to the Yucatan Isn’t Complete Without a Taste of the Cherished Melipona Honey

Deep inside the low lying forests of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, workers tend to large apiaries to collect a very special type of honey known as melipona. This rich, syrupy liquid has been a sacred source of food and medicine for the indegenous Maya for millenia. Today, melipona honey production is still steeped in culture. It is also gaining worldwide recognition for not only its superb richness but its health properties as well, including by renowned chefs like René Redzepi of Noma.

These bees, however, have long been under threat of extinction. As the Yucatan’s honey gains fame, beekeepers and honey producers are facing additional challenges from climate change and deforestation. And they’re working hard to preserve and protect this prized natural product.

Honey production in the Yucatan dates back to the Mayans. Honey was collected from wild beehives until the stingless species melipona beecheii was domesticated. For the Maya, honey used in sacred rituals and was a source of sugar as well as medicine. Ailments such as eye infections, respiratory diseases, digestive disorders, and skin diseases were all treated with the native melipona honey.

Photo: Left: Alessandro BanchelliShutterstock Right: Alessandro BanchelliShutterstock

After Spain colonized Mexico, several species of European bees were introduced, and much of the early wild beekeeping traditions were lost. However, in many Mayan communities today, melipona apiculture is still an important part of daily life. The traditions that survived are being passed down to new generations — though many young people are leaving the countryside for growing cities and leaving much of the bee collecting to the older generations.

At the same time, thanks to melipona’s new-found fame overseas, honey production in the Yucatan has seen a dramatic shift from small to large scale production and producers are entering a new world of marketing and sales. Silvia Izel Morán from Balaam Keeb is one producer working hard to promote melipona honey for its incredible quality and flavor while preserving the culture behind it.

Balaam Keeb has a storefront in downtown Mérida and sells a wide range of products, from jars of honey to soaps. The jars are separated by flower types which, aside from the special bees themselves, is what sets the Yucatan’s honey apart.

“The flowers that are here in the peninsula are only in this zone,” Izel Moránn tells me. Native plants like dzidzilche, jabin, guava, tajonal, and san diego make all the difference.

These diverse plants are also the sources of many of the honey’s medicinal properties. Of course, none of these compounds could get into the honey if it weren’t for the hard working bees.

Photo: Mario ChirinosShutterstock

“On average, a bee makes 10 trips a day, and on each trip it visits approximately 100 flowers,” Izel Morán says.

Some companies are making a beeline from honey to producing medicine from other substances created by the bees. Dr. María de los Ángeles Moreno Ojeda of Sanjool produces propolis, a resinous substance produced by the bees that’s said to have antifungal, antiviral, and cancer fighting properties. Propolis is the same substance used by ancient Egyptians to embalm royalty, a practice that says a lot about the world wide importance of apiculture. Although more conclusive scientific research is needed, propolis has been used for thousands of years as a medicine worldwide.

“The trees of the Yucatecan jungle are some of the most efficient in making quality propolis, a resinous substance that is produced by the bees (in our case Apis Mellifera),” Izel Morán says. “The bees use this propolis to protect their beehives.”

Although honey production remains an indispensable cultural and economic activity in the Yucatan, climate change is creating new hurdles.

“The climate affects the plants and flowers, and if bees don’t have enough nectar and pollen they can die,” says Helga Giovannini at Ruta de Miel, a company that makes honey and bee products in Merida.

The Yucatan’s weather and rain pattern have always posed a risk to agriculture. Many people are worried that these unpredictable patterns are getting worse. Izel Morán notes that there wasn’t much rain, and therefore not many flowers, in 2017. The reverse can also be catastrophic. If unseasonably heavy rains occur, the pollen may be stripped off the flowers before the bees can pollinate and create honey.

Photo: Samantha Demangate

In the face of global warming and a shifting workforce, many of the Yucatan’s honey producers are doing everything they can to not only save this cultural resource, but to take it into the future. Because of the high demand for Yucatecan melipona honey and honey products in fine dining, cosmetics, and health industries worldwide, many places are expanding operations. And along with the expansion comes conservation.

Many beekeepers are educating local children, tourists, and local businesses alike, and are raising awareness about the vulnerability of the natural habitat. As a valuable natural product, melipona honey is closely regulated locally and internationally, ensuring that the best quality product comes from this region.

Today, the pride for melipona honey and its incomparable quality is insatiable. Anyone visiting Yucatan state must try this honey and the other products these unique bees create.

Where to shop for melipona honey and honey products in Mérida, Mexico

Photo: Samantha Demangate

Balaam Kaab: The storefront is located inside the incredible restaurant Pancho Maiz, where several wonderful products from honey to candles are sold. Contact the business via Facebook or stop in to shop in the beautiful store.

Where: Calle 59 437a, Parque de la Mejorada, Centro, 97000 Mérida, Yuc., México

Sanjool: Sanjool is a family business focusing on the production of propolis from local melipona bees.

Where: C. 48 #472, Brisas del Bosque, 97143 Mérida, Yuc., México

Ruta de Miel: A small group of melipona beekeepers that collects honey one or two times a year, as well showing the bees at schools and public events. Ruta de Miel sells its products, including soaps and mead, on Etsy and in markets and boutique stores around Mérida.

Where: Calle 11, 118, local 4, x 14, García Ginerés, 97070 Mérida, Yuc., México

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