Matador Network's Blog, page 608
July 30, 2021
How pan-Asian supermarkets are changing the way Americans eat
The way the so-called Asian speciality grocery store has evolved in the United States stands out. This type of shopping center usually often occupies a nondescript strip mall, surrounded by fast-food restaurants, mortgage lenders, and beauty salons. It may specialize in products from one Asian country, but rarely fails to carry some Latin pantry items like canned and dried beans, chili powder. and essential American goods from Oreos to Progresso chicken noodle soup. Larger chains tend to be pan-Asian, stocking Vietnamese shrimp sauce, Filipino calamansi concentrate, and Korean fermented soybean paste close together, or Cantonese egg noodles and Japanese soba side by side, and often come with a bakery and a food court. This expansive stock of diverse ingredients is gradually changing the way many Americans cook and eat.
The rise of pan-Asian grocery stores in the US is a product of shifting immigration patterns. According to census data, the Asian American population grew by 70 percent in the ‘80s, mainly driven by immigration. Unlike their predecessors who mostly worked manual labor jobs and sent money home, the wave of immigrants in the 1980s had higher educational and professional qualifications, partly thanks to immigration policies that favored skilled workers. Many were eventually joined by their families. Parents commuted long distances to STEM jobs and brought grandparents to the US to take care of the kids. Some of today’s most successful Asian grocery chains, such as H Mart and 99 Ranch Market, were founded around this time to serve the needs of these multigenerational families.
The founders often cite homesickness in their origin stories. “[He] missed his hometown — the familiar sounds, the smells, and the food. He wondered why he couldn’t shop for those foods and brands that were familiar from home here, in a grocery environment similar to his local American supermarket,” a marketing manager at 99 Ranch Market once said of the company’s Taiwan-born founder in an interview with South China Morning Post.
Photo: Manuela Durson/Shutterstock
For many customers, however, shopping at Asian grocery stores was as much about necessity as nostalgia. Usually, the grandparents cooked, and they much preferred familiar ingredients and dishes. Many of my Chinese American friends have fond memories of their grandmas’ cooking (soy-braised chicken wings were a favorite recipe).
It was usually the parents who did the shopping, which entailed driving long distances on weekends to a region’s biggest (and sometimes only) Asian supermarket. Today, travel is still part of the ritual, but as much for fun as necessity. Before the pandemic, a coworker of mine, a single, 25-year-old, used to ride the 7 train all the way from midtown Manhattan to Flushing every other week to “eat a good meal, do a nice facial, and haul back some groceries.” Another college friend said it was “well worth it” to sit for two hours in Los Angeles weekend traffic to buy ingredients for homemade hotpot.
Upgrades to Asian grocery store chains that seem stuck in the 1990s are underway, these days. Successful chains are expanding nationwide, moving into neighborhoods with growing Asian populations. The new stores are clean and well-lit; the selections are often tailored to local demographics. The H Marts near Columbia and New York universities, opened in 2018 and 2019 respectively, are stocked with entire isles of frozen potstickers (and a lot of frozen rice cakes too), instant noodles, and Japanese cookies — staples in college dorms.
This new wave of expansion has coincided with the growing popularity of Asian cuisines in the US, stoked by celebrity chefs and fueled by social media and global travel. Mainstream American grocery stores now carry Asian ingredients (I myself buy fish sauce and sesame oil from Trader Joe’s), and influential food media also introduced once unfamiliar Asian vegetables to the general audience, sometimes with Americanized twists to acclimate uninitiated palates.
But American home cooks flock to Asian grocery stores not just to buy specialty items for Asian recipes. “The Asian eggplant […] works better for Mediterranean recipes like melitzanosalata [and] baba ganoush,” a Reddit user wrote of a recipe that actually works better with ingredients that can typically only be found in an Asian grocery store. “It’s not quite the same variety as what’s used in Greece, but it’s a closer substitute than the typical American eggplant is.”
Vegetarians can also get a larger variety of meat alternatives beyond baked tofu and vacuum-sealed tempeh in regular health food stores, including soy-free tofu (also called tamago, made of eggs and seaweed stock), shirataki noodles, and pure wheat gluten.
It’s not just home cooks that appreciate the offerings. A bar owner told me that he regularly shops at a local 99 Ranch Market for his specialty dishes. “They have very well-priced seafood. The lobsters are $9.99 a pound,” he says.
Another chef, who asked to remain anonymous, started a weekend meal delivery service called ThatzKoththu during the pandemic. He said he goes to Asian supermarkets for recipe ideas. His signature dish, called koththu, is a Sri Lankan street food similar to pad thai. When we first met, he was finalizing the recipe for a Sichuan-style koththu. The sauce uses Sichuan peppercorn and, as he wryly revealed to me, a dab of hotpot soup base.
Photo: Trong Nguyen/Shutterstock
There is always a sense of exploration shopping at Asian grocery stores today, even for those well-versed in Asian food. New products are showing up in greater varieties than ever before. Many products that I first saw on Chinese social media, such as brown sugar bubble tea ice pop, self-heating hot pot, and stinky rice noodle in river snail broth are vying for the attention of the new generation of fun-loving, global-trotting customers.
I myself am often surprised at the speed at which trending products from Asia turn up in American stores. I almost laughed when I saw in my local 99 Ranch Market a peach-flavored seltzer made by Nayuki, a Chinese bubble tea chain trying fiercely to carve out a share in the bottled drink market. I had to find out for myself what the fuss was all about. The drink was more assertive than subtle, halfway between a good old Japanese Ramune soda and LaCroix. It’s vaguely “western” but unabashedly and proudly Asian — just like the grocery stores themselves. 
The post How pan-Asian supermarkets are changing the way Americans eat appeared first on Matador Network.
Watch: Dubai is so hot it’s using laser-beam-shooting drones to encourage rainfall
As the world gets warmer due to climate change, some countries are looking for ways to keep it cooler. The National Center of Meteorology in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, is using drone technology to shoot laser beams at clouds to create rainfall. Electrifying the clouds charges them up to create bigger raindrops and more rain overall. The country’s official weather service posted two videos on its Instagram showing the technology in use.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by المركز الوطني للأرصاد (@officialuaeweather)
View this post on InstagramA post shared by المركز الوطني للأرصاد (@officialuaeweather)
In June, Dubai reached 125 degrees Fahrenheit, and the country averages four inches of rainfall per year. Critics of the technology worry about unintentional flooding and privatization of the technology. The UAE spent $15 million on nine projects encouraging rain over rain for the last few years, according to Forbes. In March, the country searched to test the project and then collaborated with the University of Reading in the UK, according to the BBC.
Other countries using this technology for rainfall solutions include the United States. In 1923, the US began using cloud seeding, which uses crushed-up silver iodide to create water clusters in the air. Most recently, on July 13, 2021, Death Valley, California, recorded the Earth’s hottest temperature record since 2017, at 128 degrees.
The post Watch: Dubai is so hot it’s using laser-beam-shooting drones to encourage rainfall appeared first on Matador Network.
Everything you need for a trip to the beach this summer
We hope you love the beach essentials we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you make a purchase. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
There is, quite frankly, nothing better than a perfect day at the beach. Beaches along the coast and at lakesides provide an ideal environment for a safe, socially distanced activity and a way to beat the heat this summer.
Whether you are planning a long weekend away or a quick afternoon escape, you need to have all the essentials ready to go. If it’s been a while since you’ve had a chance to enjoy time on the sand or if you’re just in need of upgrading some of your gear, we’ve put together a great list of beach essentials for this summer. From a sand-free blanket to beach games, shelter, sunscreens, and other beach must-haves, here’s everything you need for a perfect fun day out of sun and sand.
1. Reusable tote bag
Photo: REI
A reusable tote bag is essential, but that does not mean it needs to be boring. This trendy and stylish beach bag by Matador Transit packs away into a compact sack so it can be neatly stored when not in use. When unfolded it can hold 18 liters and is perfect for snorkeling gear, sandy shoes, and wet swimming costumes as you can easily rinse out the quick-drying fabric after use.
Price: $24.73
2. Sun hats
Photo: REI
Never underestimate the need for a sun hat. Not only do they top off your summer outfit, but they give much-needed protection from the sun and double up that given by sunscreen. This CTR Summit Crushable straw hat can be flattened down and popped into a bag, ideal for those who don’t travel light to the beach.
Photo: REI
We also love this Havana hat by Sunday Afternoons, which has adjustable sizing, a wicking sweatband and is made of breathable fabric.
Price: $19.73 — $34.00
3. Sunscreen
Photo: REI
Sun Bum is one of our favorite sunscreen brands because they are vegan, cruelty-free and reef safe. Their Mineral SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion is a beach essential sunscreen and is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. Couple the lotion with their signature lip balm which is zinc-based with moisturizing shea butter and vitamin E.
Price: $14.95
4. Sunglasses
Photo: REI
Sunglasses not only need to suit your face and look chic, but they also need to be durable, especially if you are going to be running about with a frisbee on the sand or jumping in the waves. We rate these Knockaround Mai Tais Polarized Sunglasses because they are affordable and wearable. With UV400-rated protection and polarized lenses, they are a must-have in your beach bag. If you are worried about them disappearing into the ocean, tag on a colorful glasses chord for around $10.
Price: $25
5. Waterbottle
Photo: REI
Keeping hydrated when in the sun is a no-brainer with this Hydro Flask. The double-wall vacuum insulation will keep your water cold throughout the day and its outer coating is BPA-free. It holds 20 fl oz of liquid and is one of the best flasks on the market outdoor activities. Although it is a bit of an investment, Hydro Flask products come with a lifetime warranty.
Price: $37.95
6. Portable charger
Photo: REI
The last thing you want is a dead phone battery when you want to capture your day on the beach for the gram. This portable charger will have your back. It comes with three USB ports and is solar rechargeable in four to five hours.
Price: $19.95
7. Beach towels
Photo: REI
Slow Tide have a great collection of beach towels. Their Mauka Beach Towel has an especially fun tropical design making it easily spottable after a swim. Slow Tide also adheres to a responsible cotton production program, which we respect. This towel is 60 x 30 inches and will fold comfortably into your beach tote.
Price: $29.95
8. Beach chair
Photo: REI
A beach chair is not for everyone, but if you are someone who would rather sit above the sand with a beer rather than roll about on a towel or a rug, this lightweight framed chair is a great buy. It’s super comfortable, stable and sits snug into the sand. It also comes with storage on the back for the safekeeping of your phone, sunscreen and other beach essentials.
Price: $49.95
9. Beach shelter
Photo: REI
Those who are going to the beach with a family might want to consider investing in a beach tent or shelter. This pea-green shade by Big Anges is super versatile. One of its best selling points is that the outer shell can rotate so it can be adjusted accordingly when the sun moves. It’s also very easy and quick to erect and comes with handy inside pockets and hooks for storing your beach picnic snacks.
Price: $127.73
10. Portable cooler bag
Photo: IGLOO
Talking about a beach picnic, you might also want to consider purchasing a decent cooler bag. So much lighter and fashionable than a large clucky hand case cooler, this portable cooler by Igloo is made from recycled bottles and keeps drinks and food cold for up to 12 hours. If you are planning on a beach party this will hold around 20 cans in its spacy interior.
Price: $39.95
11. Snorkel set
Photo: REI
Aqua Lung Sport’s snorkel set comes on a handy travel bag, so there’s no need to worry about juggling fins, a mask and snorkel to and from the beach. The mask promises clear vision with its shatter-resistant tempered glass and antifog coating. Their short blade fins are also convenient for traveling and make kicking through the waves a breeze.
Price: $74.95
12. Sand free mat
Photo: REI
Who likes sand in their sandwiches — no one. This mat provides the solution. Made from weaved materials grains are able to fall through the mesh allowing for a sand-free lunch. It comes in various colors and patterns from a classic blue and white stripe, aqua green, a blue zig-zag design and quilted navy.
Price: $69.95
13. Beach games
Photo: REI
A day on the beach without games is no fun at all. Grab an Aerobie Superdisc and team up with friends for an iconic game of frisbee. This disc floats, so if your game goes into the water, it’s easy to retrieve. Its cushioned edge makes for an easy catch, so it makes a perfect game for young beachgoers too.
Price: $10-$17.95
14. Portable speaker
Photo: REI
Not all portable speakers are splash-proof, so purchasing one such as the JBL Clip 4 Speaker is a great shout for the beach. Although it is small, it packs a punch with great sound quality and strong bass. The speaker has an inbuilt cabana making it easy to clip to your beach shelter, chair or belt — if you desire to take the music with you. It also is Bluetooth compatible so you can stream your summer beach playlist from your device.
Price: $69.95
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Road tripping Nevada's ET Highway
The ultimate guide to road-tripping Nevada’s Extraterrestrial HighwayBy: Suzie Dundas
Photo: Whit HassettIn most places, if you want to up your odds of experiencing something extraterrestrial, you’ll need to cross your fingers and keep your eyes on the skies.
And then there’s Nevada.
Home to Area 51, the secret, off-limits government base supposedly hiding proof of alien aircraft and technology, Nevada is the setting of many of the country’s juiciest stories about extraterrestrial activity. From hotbeds of UFO sightings to alien art and the backdrops to your favorite sci-fi movies, you’ll find weird and wild destinations dedicated to all-things-alien simply by following a short, looping road trip north out of Las Vegas. On the Extraterrestrial Highway, alien artifacts can be found around nearly every turn, though some may be in the form of offbeat roadside attractions rather than actual little green dudes and their flying saucers.
If you believe the truth is out there, set off on this three-leg, three-day road trip through the lesser-seen side of Nevada. Be sure to carry water and snacks when you’re driving through the desert — and maybe download a few alien-themed playlists in advance, too. Ready to make contact? Let’s go.
This guide is proudly produced in partnership with Travel Nevada.
Leg 1: Getting "Out There" Natural Arch at Basin and Range National Monument Night sky at Basin and Range Basin and Range National Monument Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge Ready to uncover the mystery in Nevada’s Great Basin Desert, a short drive north of Las Vegas? Once you get here, you’ll see that going off the grid brings you closer to some of the most intriguing sights, adventures, and landscapes in the modern Wild West.Where: North out of Vegas
Distance: 200 miles, depending how much you explore
Stay: Sunset View Inn, Alamo
Set out in the morning from Las Vegas, heading towards Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge. It’s about 90 minutes north of the city and covers 5,380 acres — for reference, the original gaming strip in Las Vegas was only 110 acres. There’s a lot to see here.
The refuge covers lakes, marshes, meadows, and desert, and it’s home to a wide variety of wildlife thanks to that ecological diversity. While visiting, you may see bald eagles, rattlesnakes, coyotes, desert tortoises, (aliens?) and more than 250 bird species. The refuge has seven miles of hiking trails where you’re likely to encounter more lizards than people, as well as a visitor center where you can sign up for guided programs or learn about the Indigenous Paiute people, whose history in the region goes back thousands of years.
So long as your legs are still feeling strong, set your GPS toward a few of the sites within Basin and Range National Monument. It’s about an hour’s drive north of Pahranagat and the town of Alamo — depending on where you land, as it’s massive — and you’ll want a good off-road vehicle (or at least a car with high clearance) to drive the monument’s roads. You’ll find well-preserved American Indian petroglyphs in the White River Narrows and Mount Irish Archaeological Districts, and rock arches, formations, and cacti-dotted landscapes that photographers will flip over throughout the monument.
Once night starts to fall, you’ll need more of a plan. Many people traveling this way camp in the monument — it’s a great spot to practice your astrophotography or, if you’re lucky, UFO photography — but you’ll find affordable roadside accommodations in nearby towns as well, like the Sunset View Inn in Alamo.
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Leg 2: Beaming along the E.T. Highway E.T. Fresh Jerky Alien Research Center Rachel Lunar Crater National Natural Landmark Clown Motel Now it’s all about exploring the E.T. Highway. Just getting here was probably enough to give you a sense of why these landscapes consistently inspire rumors of desert secrets and alien sightings. Thus primed, you’ll spend today squarely focused on chasing down the truth behind those rumors.Where: Crystal Springs to Tonopah
Distance: 215 miles
Stay: Clown Motel, Tonopah
From whatever accommodations you chose for the night, make your way to Crystal Springs, the official start of the E.T. Highway. Begin the odyssey at the E.T. Fresh Jerky store in Hiko (at the junction of US-93 and Highway 318) to stock up on road trip eats and drinks — you’ll know you’re there when you see the giant alien cowboy mural, the first of many essential selfie spots during your travels today. The store offers a wide selection of snacks and small-batch treats, plus plenty of funky souvenirs. Be sure to take photos with the alien murals and backdrops and try as many types of “alien jerky” as you can stomach.
Your next stop, the enigmatic-sounding Alien Research Center, is only a few miles away, though you should also pull over quickly and take a photo at the E.T. Highway sign at the start of Highway 375. About three minutes later, you’ll see the 20-foot-tall alien marking the entrance to the research center. This is the real kick-off to your tour, and staff in the shop are genuinely happy to chat for as long as you’d like about alien sightings and where to go for the best chance of seeing something inexplicable. Pro tip: Ask for directions to the nearby Black Mailbox, which marks the site of more than a few self-reported UFO encounters.
Next, drive about 30 minutes west on 375 to the town of Rachel, which you may recognize as a set from the hit ’90s flick Independence Day. Head to the Alien Cowpoke Gas & General Store, where you could spend at least an hour on E.T. selfies — make sure to pose with the “road tripping” aliens stationed in the old car out front. Fill up with gas from the alien-covered pumps and stock up on snacks from the store before heading on.
When you’re ready, keep driving the Extraterrestrial Highway toward Tonopah, but take a detour to the right on US-6 to check out Lunar Crater National Natural Landmark. When you arrive, you’ll see where the landmark gets its name: It looks like a giant moon crater, some 430 feet deep. Apollo astronauts from missions 16 and 17 actually trained here to prepare for their groundbreaking work. If time allows, explore a bit of the Lunar Crater Backcountry Byway, which links 20-some other craters, cinder cones, ancient obsidian-laden lava beds, and other out-of-this-world geologic features.
Next up, continue your westward trek to Tonopah, about 90 minutes away from Lunar Crater. Depending on when you arrive, you should have a few hours of daylight before it’s UFO-spottin’ time. History buffs may want to seek out Tonopah Historic Mining Park, a sprawling turn-of-the-century silver mine once known as the “Queen of the Silver Camps.” Dozens of buildings, bridges, and pieces of mining equipment are still standing. It’s only $5 to get in and is open daily with guided and self-guided tour options.
Before dark, check into the Clown Motel for the perfect #WeirdNevada accommodations to cap off your day of hunting aliens. The hundreds (if not thousands) of clown figurines waiting to greet you in the lobby will immediately tip you off that this is not your ordinary motel stay. What’s that you say, clowns don’t spook you? Well, the resident ghosts from the historic cemetery next door might do the trick. Hauntings are kind of a thing in Tonopah — if you end up at The Mizpah Hotel instead, keep an eye out for the “Lady in Red.” Sleep tight!
But first, pack up a blanket, warm clothes, and your camera and tripod in your backpack before heading to dinner at Tonopah Brewing Company. The brewery is known for beer and BBQ, though the fried jalapenos and cheese curds are worth it for sure. No matter what you order, be sure to taste a few beers so you know which to take to-go for the last activity of the evening: UFO spotting. Post up near the Clair Blackburn Memorial Stargazing Park, which has individual stargazing platforms throughout the lawn. Break out your blanket and beers, and keep your eyes peeled to see if you’ll be the next to report a Nevada UFO sighting.
Pro tip: Consider downloading a smartphone app in advance to help you identify constellations in real time, and check the park’s website to see if you can catch a summer stargazing or photography event.
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Leg 3: Completing the orbit International Car Forest of the Last Church Rhyolite Ghost Town Golwell Open Air Museum The truth is out there — have you found it yet? Because today, you’re heading back to Las Vegas, a drive that takes a little over three hours if you do it in a straight shot. But since you’ve got all day, turn it into another quest for close encounters. As long as you’re in Nevada, the adventure’s never over.Where: Tonopah back to Vegas
Distance: 250 miles
Stay: Las Vegas
When you’re ready, head south on US-95 and piggyback onto another of Nevada’s excellent road trip routes: the Free-Range Art Highway. Your first stop should be the International Car Forest of the Last Church. Created by a local artist, it’s an interactive art exhibition smack in the middle of the desert, filled with dozens of brightly spray-painted cars and buses.
Another hour south and you’ll come to two more great stops: the Goldwell Open Air Museum and the ghost town of Rhyolite. If you do your research in advance, you’ll see that the most recent UFO sighting in Rhyolite was in 2016 — E.T. may be overdue for a visit.
If you have time before getting back to Las Vegas, make a stop at either Mt. Charleston or Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Near Mt. Charleston, hike the Mary Jane Falls Trail to see how diverse Nevada’s landscapes really are. Though most of your trip has been spent in the desert, Mary Jane Falls cascades down a forested cliffband. In Red Rock Canyon, the Fossil Ridge Trail is a great spot to peek at ancient history, especially if you believe life on our planet began when a meteorite seeded with alien cells crashed into Earth — a theory called “panspermia,” if you want to be scientific about it.
One of the best parts of driving to, from, and along Extraterrestrial Highway is that it’s an open-range playground. At any point, you can pull over and search the skies or have an impromptu photoshoot in the desert — and the business owners and travelers you’ll meet along the way are usually brimming with stories to share with their fellow offbeat adventurers. If you love wide-open spaces, vast skies, and feeling like you’re the only human in the world, set aside a few days to explore this outlandish side of Nevada on your next Vegas vacation.
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This guide is proudly produced in partnership with Travel Nevada.
The post Nevada’s Extraterrestrial Highway: One spaced-out road trip appeared first on Matador Network.
July 29, 2021
This underrated national park is unexpectedly epic for scuba divers
Of all the outdoor activities America’s national parks call to mind, scuba diving is low on the list, especially when that national park is in the Midwest.
Michiganders know better. Isle Royale National Park, which doubles as the largest of Lake Superior’s 400-plus islands, is one of the most unexpectedly exciting places to scuba dive in the United States. The water is invigoratingly icy, the lake floor is a maze of shipwrecks waiting to be explored, and the view from the surface captures Lake Superior at its most remote.
If you’re looking for an unforgettable experience in one of the country’s most underrated national parks, wetsuit up, and look no further than Michigan’s Isle Royale National Park.
What to know about scuba diving in Isle Royale National Park
Photo: Isle Royale National Park/Facebook
The first thing you need to know about scuba diving in Lake Superior is that it’s cold, like really cold, averaging about 35 degrees Fahrenheit once you plunge below 50 feet. It’s also dark, with visibility that ranges from 20 to 70 feet. And it’s rugged to boot, with capricious waves that may be moderately choppy one minute and downright stormy the next.
None of this should discourage divers, provided they have advanced certifications and cold-water, wreck, and deep diving experience. But it should serve as a reminder to come prepared and stay vigilant — two tenets seasoned divers already abide. At Isle Royale, being prepared starts with having the right gear. Drysuits are preferable, but six- or seven-millimeter wetsuits may suffice if worn with three-finger mitts and a hooded vest. Cold-water regulators and dive lights are a must, and dive computers are highly recommended.
To stay vigilant, divers should stick to a buddy system, both while navigating shipwrecks where the visibility can be slim to none and by ensuring that there’s at least one person monitoring conditions from the surface at all times. The park also reminds divers to respect the no-decompression limits, which is the maximum amount of time a diver can spend underwater at a given depth without needing to make decompression stops during their ascent. Only experienced and equipped divers should attempt dives below 100 feet.
The best way to ensure you’re prepared to dive Lake Superior is to book a charter. Isle Royale Charters is a National Park Service-licensed operator specializing in liveaboard dive trips averaging four nights, five days, between Sunday and Thursday. Regardless of your plans, all divers are required to register at one of the park’s three visitor centers.
Note that Isle Royale is only open from April 16 to October 31 and is only accessible by ferry, boat, or seaplane from either Michigan or Minnesota. More information on the ferries and seaplanes operating in both states is available on the Isle Royale website.
The best wreck sites in Isle Royale National Park
Photo: Isle Royale National Park/Facebook
There are 10 major wreck sites in Isle Royale, only some of which are available or advisable for recreational, non-technical dives. Among the best-preserved is the America shipwreck, a 183-foot freighter built in 1898 and sunk in 1928 after sustaining damage on a rocky reef. Swimming through the midship and stern, or back of the boat, divers will find the engine room, boilers, galley, crew quarters, and various cabins intact, although visibility can be poor. Starting at a depth of merely two feet, the dive caps at 80 feet. Not only popular among sport divers, the America wreck is also an attraction for ferry passengers and is unavailable to divers between 10:00 AM and noon to give onlookers a better view.
Another popular and well-preserved wreck is the Emperor, which is accessible at 25 feet and reaches an impressive depth of 175 feet. As with the America, the bow of this steel freighter suffered the majority of its damage when the vessel struck a rocky reef in 1947. The stern is mainly intact, with the engine room and several cabins on display. Divers will see a variety of equipment here, from the ship’s rudder and propeller to multiple anchors and various other features of the deck. At the time of its launch in 1910, the Emperor was the largest Canadian-built freighter ever made at 525 feet long. It’s now said to be haunted by a ghostly crew member, though that hardly stops intrepid divers from hopping aboard, so to speak.
Photo: Isle Royale National Park/Facebook
Though divers should have at least 50 open water dives under their belts before planning a trip to Isle Royale, those with just enough experience will enjoy the Congdon Bow site. The dive showcases the back end of the 532-foot Chester Congdon bulk freighter that sunk during a storm in 1918, barely over a decade after it launched. While the rest of the ship plunged farther down in the lake and wound up on the opposite side of a reef, the bow sits upright in 50 to 120 feet of water. Because much of the site is unenclosed, like the decks, mast, and pilothouse, it’s comparatively easier to navigate. Less experienced divers are also suited to the shallow Glenyon bulk freighter wreck, which ranges from 15 to 60 feet but is less intact.
Other outdoor opportunities in Isle Royale National Park
Photo: Arlene Waller/Shutterstock
Adventuring beneath Isle Royale’s surface is undeniably exhilarating. Still, it’s not the only way to dive into the park, which is among the least-visited national parks in the United States.
Located miles offshore in northwest Lake Superior, closer to the borders of Minnesota and Canada than it is to mainland Michigan, the national park encompasses 850 square miles and hundreds of tiny islands, with Isle Royale being the largest at over 200 square miles. The island has no permanent population but plays host to wildlife like moose and gray wolves. There are, however, 36 wilderness campgrounds for backpackers to call their temporary home.
Backpackers could spend days exploring Isle Royale’s North Woods forest, which has 165 miles of scenic trails, while day hikers can plan outings around the ferry depots in Rock Harbor and Windigo. Both areas also have lodging. The Rock Harbor Lodge is the lone full-service accommodation on the island. At the same time, the Windigo Camper Cabins are equipped with rustic amenities, such as bunk beds, futon sofas, picnic tables, and grills.
Photo: Steven Schremp/Shutterstock
It goes without saying that Isle Royale is also an excellent choice for water sports, even those that stick to the surface. Kayaking, canoeing, and paddling are all popular activities here, as is fishing. The lake is filled with various trout species, as well as northern pike, herring, and others. Angling is regulated, though, so read up on what is and is not allowed before you arrive.
Even if you choose to leave your hook and line at home, boating provides a relaxing introduction to the area’s wilderness. Sturdy shoes are recommended on guided boat cruises, many of which include hikes to scenic lookouts and sites such as the Passage Island Lighthouse.
Whether you plan to dive, are traveling with a diver but are not certified, or want nothing to do with Lake Superior’s depths, Isle Royale is a pristine pocket of wilderness that every outdoor enthusiast should experience. Little visited and far away from the civilized world, it’s one of few national parks that can truly promise an escape from the crowds, on land and underwater.
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These great deals on hotels and shows take Vegas to another level this summer
We hope you love the shows and stays we recommend! 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.
A trip to Las Vegas is all about the perfectly tailored experience, whether you’re here to party or just need to escape the conference hall for a night out on the town. Right now, take advantage of these incredible Travelzoo deals and save big on Sin City’s best shows and classic hotels.
Unique hotel deals in Las Vegas this summerExperience Vegas without the hectic crowds at the Aliante Casino + Hotel + Spa
Photo: Aliante Casino Hotel Spa/Facebook
Very few travelers ever experience Vegas off the Strip. You can break the mold by staying in North Las Vegas at the Aliante Casino + Hotel + Spa. While this isn’t the spot for reckless bachelor parties and bar-hopping debauchery, it is indeed the spot for a real Vegas experience. Play at the massive 100,000-square-foot casino, dine and drink at any of the five onsite restaurants, and hit the links at the adjacent Aliante Golf Club. It’s known for its 650-seat showroom and the events often hosted here, but our little secret is that the real gem of this hotel is the spa and the upmarket, well-trimmed rooms — rated four-star and decked out with high-thread count sheets and soaring views of the surrounding hills and desert. And it wouldn’t be Vegas without a happening pool scene, which you’ll find here, all for a price that’s a fraction of the mega-resorts further south.
Price: From $90
Stay in the historic Golden Gate Hotel and Casino for just $34
Photo: 4kclips/Shutterstock
Of course, sometimes downtown Vegas is in order. The Fremont Street Experience is the best way to take part in the party culture and dining opulence that Vegas is known for, and the Golden Gate Hotel and Casino is the oldest hotel in the Fremont district, opened in 1906. It’s also the smallest — with just 106 rooms, so you’ll actually feel as though you’re part of the hotel experience rather than be overwhelmed by it. The rest of Fremont is just outside the door and the Strip is a quick Uber or walk away. And as one of the hottest Vegas summer deals, there’s absolutely no harm in staying an extra night.
Price: From $34 per night
What to do in Las Vegas this summerCatch Penn & Teller for nearly 30 percent off
Photo: Travelzoo
A trip to Vegas is nothing without catching one of its iconic stage shows. Penn & Teller have been staples of the Vegas comedy scene since 2001. The duo combines magic with witty one-liners and stage pranks for a show that is never exactly the same twice. Following a year-long hiatus, Penn & Teller are back at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino for your pleasure. This Travelzoo deal puts you in a mezzanine seat for just $48.75, a sharp discount from the window $65 price. The deal also saves you money on processing and order fees, saving you cash to spend at the bar or at dinner on the strip. This deal is valid Thursdays through Sundays through September 6.
Go check out “Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition” at the Luxor for just $22
Photo: Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition Las Vegas/Facebook
This Travelzoo deal is among the hottest Vegas summer deals. It gives you access to Vegas’ hottest exhibit of the summer, “Titanic The Artifact Exhibition” at the Luxor Hotel & Casino, for just $22. More than 250 items rescued from the Titanic are currently on display for a limited time, including luggage and “the big piece,” the largest piece of the iconic ship’s wall to have ever been recovered. You’ll also have the chance to see recreated scenes from the ship including first- and third-class cabins, and the Grand Staircase and Promenade Deck. Kids can join for just $16 through this deal as well. This Vegas summer deal is valid through September 30.
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Being a passport holder from one of these countries means constant restrictions
In theory, all passports should be created equal. Everyone should have the same access to the rest of the world as everyone else regardless of geopolitics. Unfortunately, that’s not the reality.
Whether it’s complicated political relationships, ethnically motivated prejudice, perceived security threats, or a lack of open-border reciprocity, many citizens find themselves walking past the proverbial lunch table hearing that dreaded phrase: “You can’t sit with us.”
While not the strongest passport in the world, the US has access to 91 countries visa-free, meaning US citizens can pretty much travel anywhere they want without facing restrictions or special visa considerations. Many countries, particularly those in the Middle East and Africa, aren’t so lucky. Their citizens can’t simply hop on a flight to the US or Europe for an impromptu vacation. Instead many must diligently plan every detail of their trip in advance, wade through the murky waters of bureaucracy to obtain a visa (or be denied one), and remain within very tightly defined parameters during their trip. With the help of research from the Global Passport Index, we’ve taken a look at some of the weakest passports that afford the least amount of freedom for travelers.
How researchers identified the world’s weakest passportsThe Global Passport Index (GPI) took various metrics into account to determine its rankings. Each piece of criteria measures a different aspect of a passport’s overall utility, resulting in the ultimate list compiled by the GPI.
Global Mobility Score: This is the total number of countries that can be easily accessed with a passport. It’s determined based on total countries that can be accessed visa-free, visa-on-arrival, eTA, and eVisas obtainable within three days.
Visa-Free: This metric is one of the most important for determining a passport’s strength. It refers to how many countries a given passport allows you to enter without needing a travel visa.
Visa on arrival: This refers to countries whose citizens don’t need to apply for a travel visa ahead of time for certain destinations, but can obtain one upon entry.
eTA: Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is an entry requirement for foreign nationals who are visa-exempt. It requires a simple online application.
Visa Required: This measures how many countries require a visa from a given passport holder. Every country’s visa criteria is different, but usually the process involves an extensive application completed in advance of travel, which may be approved or denied.
Passport Power Rank: This ranking is based on the Mobility Score and the United Nations Development Program’s Human Development Index. The higher the Mobility Score, the better the Power Rank is likely to be.
World Reach: This means quite simply, how much of the world can be accessed with a given passport. More powerful passports can access a higher percentage of the world, while weaker passports can access a much smaller fraction of it.
1. Afghanistan
Photo: FotograFFF/Shutterstock
Mobility Score: 30
Visa-Free: 3
Visa on arrival: 26
eTA: 1
Visa Required: 168
Passport Power Rank: 81
World Reach: 15%
Photo: Mohammed Ihsan/Shutterstock
Mobility Score: 31
Visa-Free: 2
Visa on arrival: 27
eTA: 2
Visa Required: 167
Passport Power Rank: 80
World Reach: 16%
Photo: Amir Sabbagh/Shutterstock
Mobility Score: 32
Visa-Free: 4
Visa on arrival: 27
eTA: 1
Visa Required: 166
Passport Power Rank: 79
World Reach: 16%
Photo: Passport Index
Mobility Score: 34
Visa-Free: 6
Visa on arrival: 26
eTA: 2
Visa Required: 164
Passport Power Rank: 78
World Reach: 17%
Photo: PIC2FRAMES/Shutterstock
Mobility Score: 35
Visa-Free: 6
Visa on arrival: 28
eTA: 1
Visa Required: 163
Passport Power Rank: 77
World Reach: 18%
Photo: Anis Al-bareq/Shutterstock
Mobility Score: 35
Visa-Free: 6
Visa on arrival: 27
eTA: 2
Visa Required: 163
Passport Power Rank: 77
World Reach: 18%
Photo: nejdeh_ivan_photography/Shutterstock
Mobility Score: 37
Visa-Free: 4
Visa on arrival: 31
eTA: 2
Visa Required: 161
Passport Power Rank: 76
World Reach: 19%
Photo: Passport Index
Mobility Score: 38
Visa-Free: 7
Visa on arrival: 29
eTA: 2
Visa Required: 160
Passport Power Rank: 75
World Reach: 19%
Photo: Images By Kenny/Shutterstock
Mobility Score: 39
Visa-Free: 4
Visa on arrival: 33
eTA: 2
Visa Required: 159
Passport Power Rank: 74
World Reach: 20%
Photo: Alii Sher/Shutterstock
Mobility Score: 39
Visa-Free: 6
Visa on arrival: 31
eTA: 2
Visa Required: 159
Passport Power Rank: 74
World Reach: 20%
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How to plan the ultimate girls getaway in Nashville
We hope you love the stays we recommend! 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.
Live music to fit every mood, a firmly established food scene and plenty of men singing in deep, buttery baritones make Nashville a true feast for the senses. The city embodies an enticing contrast of quaint country romance and urban hustle-bustle, making it ideal for gathering groups with different party preferences. It’s one of the many reasons why, every year, Music City draws countless bachelorette crowds to the bars of Broadway and beyond — there is truly something for everyone.
For those charged with rounding up sisters, cousins, and besties of the bride-to-be for a celebratory girls getaway, we’ve outlined our favorite places to stay, neighborhoods to explore and, of course, music venues to check out so all that’s left to do is coordinate your matching outfits (we’ve got that covered too) and designate the commemorative hashtag. Here’s how to plan the ultimate bachelorette in Nashville.
Where to stay for a bachelorette in NashvilleDowntownIn the past decade, Nashville has transformed from a niche, mid-sized city destination to a cultural urban hotspot — complete with hotels and Airbnb’s fitting every personality.
For the uptown girls heading downtown,= where the bars of Broadway, or “Honkey Tonk Highway,” are within easy walking distance, head to The Joseph, an arty new hotel decked-out in gorgeous pieces from its owners’ famously large private collection.
Photo: The Joseph, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Nashville/Facebook
There’s something about the sound of high-heels clicking across hand-cut Italian marble floors that leaves one feeling instantly more sophisticated, even if the intended destination is a beer-soaked Broadway bar. In the mornings, a transportive cup of espresso and freshly baked pastry from the on-site Italian restaurant, Yolan, works wonders on any hangover, followed by an afternoon baking, poolside, in the sun at their posh rooftop bar, Denim. The Joseph’s stylish take on Nashville is a bit like a Southern boy on a New York subway getting up to graciously offer you his seat — you’re not sure if it belongs here, but damn, does it feel good.
Photo: Airbnb
If you prefer your swanky digs in the form of an Airbnb, go for a listing such as this historic Henrie House. The four-bedroom townhouse is located in the quiet Rutledge Hill downtown neighborhood, making it an ideal oasis to return to after a night on the town. Beautifully appointed rooms ensure each guest will feel special, and the host, Natasha, can even help curate welcome baskets for each guest — a major bonus for the bachelorette set.
East NashvilleThose looking for a more off-the-beaten-path experience might opt for Vandyke’s Bed & Beverage, a boutique hotel near East Nashville’s Five Points intersection.
Photo: Vandyke Bed and Beverage/Facebook
This hipster haven is home to a now firmly-established food scene. If the girls are fans of well-maintained facial hair, coffee snobbery and bars with hand-made bitters, East Nashville is the place to be. Vandyke’s was the first hotel to spring up here, with style to fit its surroundings. Each of its eight rooms pays homage to a specific spirit, including wine, whiskey, beer and champagne. This informs the room’s accompanying glassware and décor, so that you can assign rooms based on everyone’s favorite cocktail.
Photo: Airbnb
If Vandyke’s boozy bedrooms are fully booked, opt for a rental like The Purple House on Airbnb, an East Nashville home as eclectic as it is colorful. Expertly-chosen details scattered throughout the house help connect the home’s guests to the city, like shelving made from a repurposed guitar case, framed music posters and a cowhide-clad breakfast nook. Grab some coffee in the bright turquoise kitchen before heading out to sip it on the porch as you contemplate the day ahead — a cherished Southern pastime.
For an unforgettable East Nashville night out, head to Rosemary’s Bar & Beauty Queen (or RBQ as locals call it) a bar and restaurant located in an old yellow house with a Studio 54-inspired club in the property’s back garage.
Germantown
Photo: Germantown Inn/Facebook
For something in-between try The Germantown Inn, located in a restored, multi-level 1865 manor with rooms named for US presidents. Be sure to book “The Adams” for a girls trip, which pays homage to presidential wife and mother, Abigail Adams, who is known for throwing a good party.
Photo: Airbnb
Or try the three-bedroom Chateau on Monroe, an Airbnb designed specifically with group travel in mind. The open-plan living room and kitchen connect to a large outdoor deck via sliding doors, and floor-to-ceiling windows make the most of the gloriously green and tree-
ensconced space.
Both The Germantown Inn and Chateau on Monroe are just steps from Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, a large, elegantly manicured and highly Instagrammable green space that’s perfect for those in the group wanting to burn off the BBQ with a run or walk during the day. Germantown is one of those neighborhoods that begs to be explored, with quaint coffee shops, local bakeries and a weekly Farmers Market alongside award-winning restaurants.
Photo: Saint Stephen/Facebook
Try critically-acclaimed Saint Stephen for a celebratory dinner — even if just to celebrate being together. The irreverent, rock and roll-inspired fine-dining spot is helmed by James Beard Award-winning chef RJ Cooper.
Where to drink and experience live musicWhile it’s a good idea to choose a convenient hotel or Airbnb location for your planned itinerary, there are a few places around Music City you’d be remiss not to see no matter where you’re staying.
Photo: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock
On Broadway, the abundance of bars can feel overwhelming, so start with two staples — Honkey Tonk Central and The Stage — for a classic Nashville-night-out experience. Extend the trip through Monday night for a chance to hit up Winners in Midtown for the Whiskey Jam show, known for having the best live performances in town featuring local talent and the occasional celebrity act. The Bluebird Cafe is another must-visit if you can manage a reservation. The 100-seat restaurant has a famous history of hosting up-and-coming singers and songwriters who later become household names. And, of course, there’s the classic Grand Ole Opry, the aspirational stadium venue of so many Nashville musicians where you can catch the biggest stars in country music today.
What to pack for a bachelorette in NashvillePhoto: The Pool Club at Virgin Hotels Nashville/Facebook
Weather-wise, Nashville is at its best in the shoulder seasons, trending more hot and humid by mid-summer. No matter the weather, take a cue from Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the USA” and skip the stilettos in favor of your favorite boots or booties. The laid-back dress code applies for the rest of your ensemble.
Day or night, most bachelorette groups can be identified by their matching cutoff jean shorts and tank tops, though a Dolly Parton-inspired costume of head-to-toe glitter topped with bleach-blonde wigs is also acceptable. Also, make sure everyone has an up-to-date license, or else be turned away from the bars by bouncers wary of sneaky students from the surrounding colleges and universities (take it from a 33-year-old who was turned away for a license that had expired only one week prior).
Pack a cute sundress for brunch, which transitions well to daytime bar-hopping, and a pair of flat sandals to keep you comfortable into the evening. Alternatively, go for a swimsuit and cover-up if the plan is to hit up one of the city’s scene-y rooftop pools. In addition to Denim at The Joseph, The Pool Club at Nashville’s Virgin Hotel is a popular spot.
Finally, a good pair of sneakers or hiking boots and some activewear are necessary if you plan to explore one of the many scenic trails nearby. Favorites include a lovely looping path around Radnor Lake or hiking through Peeler Park Greenway. Expect lush greenery in the summer months and an explosion of fall colors by late October, Tennessee’s peak leaf-peeping season.
Much like the oft-cited mud-soaked truck tires and dusty back roads of so many country songs, Nashville is a city that endears itself to you in small and almost imperceptible ways, with sensory delights to charm even the most stoic among your group. No matter how you and the girls spend a weekend together in Nashville, you’ll be sure to leave with laughter-filled memories and a burning nostalgia that will bring you back again and again.
The post How to plan the ultimate girls getaway in Nashville appeared first on Matador Network.
You can visit the Colombian Amazon for as little as $50 per day
Like a sprawling carpet of moss, the Amazon Rainforest stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the foothills of the Andes, creating a lush basin that still remains partially unexplored to this day. Cut by thin ropes of water flowing from the Amazon River, the forest stretches over land in Colombia, Peru, Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana.
The basin covers roughly the same area as the contiguous United States, 40 percent of the entire continent of South America, yet nearly all Amazon tourism comes from two nations: Brazil and Peru. Meanwhile, the often overlooked Colombian Amazon Rainforest tempts travelers that are seeking diverse wildlife, or immersive and budget-friendly excursions into the depths of the ancient rainforest.
Leticia, an unpolished jungle town coined “The Gateway to the Amazon ” by locals, sits surrounded by thick primary forest on all sides offering easy access to the Amazonian Basin through guided tours and DIY exploration. Only accessible by domestic flight from the capital city of Bogota, Leticia is tucked into the far-flung southeastern corner of the country. Often destinations this remote and lacking traditional tourist infrastructure come with an impossibly high price tag. But fortunately, while Colombia experienced a major boom in tourism over the last decade, its Amazonian region did not. This has kept prices in Leticia low, while also preserving the authentically Colombian ambience of the small jungle town.
You’ll share the streets with local Colombians from larger cities, like Bogota and Medellín, looking to explore the more wild and rugged side of their home country. Instead of tourist markets selling trinkets you’ll find fruit vendors serving fresh-pressed açaí in styrofoam cups, piping hot buttery buñuelos, and perfectly charred fish plucked straight from the Amazon river. This heavy domestic tourism influence, rather than a focus on international visitors, has protected the extensive species of indigenous flora and fauna as well as being a driving force for budget-friendly trekking excursions, tours, and eco-lodges.
Why tourism is important to the Amazon Rainforest
Photo: Laszlo Mates/Shutterstock
The Amazon Rainforest is one of the last unspoiled and untamed natural wonders of the world. About 390 billion individual trees, some a thousand years old, act as the lungs of our planet and have created one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth. It’s a landscape environmentalists across the globe fight to preserve. Deforestation due to the logging and cattle industries, as well as the destructive fires spurred on by an ever-warming climate, threaten this delicate landscape. But tourism to small, often eco-conscious towns like Leticia and nearby Puerto Narino, can help save the rainforest and the cultural practices of its indigenous communities by putting money directly into the hands of those who care deeply for its preservation.
Why Leticia is the best choice for backpacking the Colombian Amazon Rainforest
Photo: Andres Avecedo/Shutterstock
The jungle town sits at the international junction known as “Tres Fronteras,” separated by a wide ribbon of dark water known as the Amazon River, where the countries of Colombia, Brazil, and Peru collide. Leticia is the ideal jumping off point for an Amazon adventure because sitting smack-dab in the middle of the rainforest, you’ll forgo costly transportation and support indigenous guides, all while savoring the ease of access you’ll have to wildlife, excursions, and an inside look at life on the Amazon River.
This steady flowing river is the lifeblood of civilization in the jungle. It provides food, transportation, employment, and demarks the border of these three countries. Much like the rainforest itself, locals rely heavily on the river and live as close as possible to the water’s edge. The perimeter of Leticia is scattered with stilted riverfront homes connected by wobbly wooden walkways, some 10 feet high.
Leticia locals are cut off from the rest of the country by a thousand kilometers of rainforest; all food, medical supplies, and goods arrive either by air or are floated hundreds of miles down the river to town. No one knows the Amazon region better than they do. That’s why many of these indigenous peoples now work as guides, offering their services for half the price of their Peruvian or Brazilian counterparts.
Getting to LeticiaLeticia and its small single-room airport are quite literally surrounded by rainforest. The only way to reach the city is via airplane from one of Colombia’s major metropolises, primarily Bogota. Fortunately, domestic flights in Colombia are extremely affordable. LATAM offers daily flights to the region at a round-trip price of around $100. Be sure to book on the LATAM Colombia site for the cheapest fares, prices on the English version of the site are inflated.
How much should you expect to spend in Leticia?A budget traveler in Leticia should expect to pay around $50 to $75 per day on average if staying in guesthouses, eating local food, enjoying the free attractions, and embarking on several guided excursions into the Colombian Amazon.
Most days where you’re simply exploring the city you’ll spend far less. But tours and guides are worth splurging on. For those who opt for the standard day tours, they typically cost around $30 per person. Travelers interested in immersive private tours should expect to pay around $40 per person for each night they want to spend in the jungle.
Where to stay in LeticiaSurprisingly, there’s no shortage of places to stay in the Amazon. Cozy guesthouses, eco-resorts, Airbnbs, and even a hostel can be found within a small radius of the city.
Balancing comfort and cost, the best options in Leticia proper can be found on Airbnb and Booking.com. Here you’ll find guesthouses and even full apartments for as little as $10 to $20 a night, sometimes including a home-cooked breakfast. Be aware that there are many small villages along the river that advertise as “Leticia-based” properties. Use the map function when searching to avoid accidentally booking a guesthouse a canoe ride from town.
What to do in Leticia
Photo: JaimePorElMundo/Shutterstock
Leticia is a small community easily explored in several days, but it’s not without its charms. A few cracked pavement streets house all the shops, street vendors, a handful of restaurants, an impressive Catholic church, and Parque Santander, where each night hundreds of thousands of screeching parrots come to roost at sundown.
Leticia’s Orellana Park contains a large stone amphitheater for the various town festivals and also hosts an early morning market. The market consists mostly of street food stalls and staple grocery items like sapote, a football-shaped cantaloupe-colored fruit that tastes mildly sweet and soft, and mojojoy, thick writhing grubs ready for frying.
The most interesting activity in Leticia is getting outside of it. It’s while wandering its streets that you’ll encounter guides, small tour operators, and locals willing to help you set up a multi-day excursion into the rainforest. But you can explore the nearby jungle communities without a guide holding your hand. Pressed up against the riverbanks, the network of stilted walkways connecting these villages to town is worth a wander. Life on the Amazon River is remarkably interesting. You’ll witness herds of cattle being floated downstream, a plethora of birds and other wildlife hunting on its shores, and other seemingly mundane tasks made infinitely more fascinating by the challenges the environment poses.
Leticia is a town to be savored, not a list of attractions to be checked off. Because of this, every traveler’s experience in the city will be different. But if you take the time to explore its streets, you’ll gain invaluable insight into life in the rainforest.
Expeditions into the Colombian Amazon Rainforest
Photo: Jess Kraft/Shutterstock
There are essentially three categories of jungle excursions into the Colombian Amazon.
The “all-inclusive” tour booked in advance often skips over Leticia entirely. These packages offer airport pick-up and transfer to lodging deep in the forest. Many of these are located in the Puerto Narino area. This is the most common Amazon experience for international visitors to Colombia and also the most expensive. If you’re looking for easy, comfortable, immersive, and have a larger budget this may be the route for you.
The “standard group tour” is the most popular option for Colombian visitors. These tours can be booked in advance or last-minute off the street from local travel operators in Leticia. Because the clientele is predominantly Spanish-speaking, you can expect the tours to be in Spanish. The major downside to this option is the sheer number of tourists. Traveling in a massive group of up to 20 people per boat can feel a little watered down if you’re looking for an immersive Amazon experience.
Some attractions easily accessible via group tour from Leticia are Monkey Island or Isla de Los Micos, searching for the elusive pink Amazonian river dolphins, canopy tours in Reserva Natural Tanimboca, or a visit to the eco-friendly village of Puerto Narino. Most of the tours also come with a stop or two at remote villages where locals dress in indigenous garb and perform elaborate ceremonies based on ancient tradition, then sell you some locally-made trinkets before your departure.
Puerto Narino is just a short ride upriver from Leticia and you don’t need to book a tour to visit. Instead, hire a boat from the docks and stay at a guesthouse. There’s no need to book in advance. This remote town is the first Colombian municipality certified as “sustainable” due to its rainforest conservation efforts and eco-friendly energy systems. It also makes a great home base for exploring the surrounding jungle.
Photo: Fotos593/Shutterstock
Lastly, the “private guided excursion” is as close to DIY as you can get in the rainforest without simply grabbing a tent and walking into the jungle yourself. Guides can be found everywhere in Leticia. Small tourism operators line the main street. Gamboa Excursions is a great company offering overnight or multi-day treks with a private guide into the rainforest.
These adventures can be tailored to your liking. Often including the activities listed above in addition to nighttime caiman hunting, a stopover in Santa Rosa for Peruvian river ceviche, and overnighting in a hammock on a floating platform deep in the rainforest. You’ll also have a greater chance of spotting wildlife like the three-foot-long purple iguanas, brightly-colored macaws, and jovial primates. Typically, this immersive option is rugged and you’ll spend several days hacking through the jungle foliage covered in all kinds of insect life. But it offers a truly intimate experience in the Amazon at the most affordable price.
Regardless of the route you choose, Leticia is an ideal jumping-off point for your Amazon adventure.
Preparing to visit the Colombian AmazonThere are a few precautions to take and things to consider before you embark on an adventure to the Amazon Rainforest, Colombian or otherwise.
Get your Yellow Fever vaccineColombia requires travelers to receive the Yellow Fever vaccine before visiting the Amazon. For those in the United States, this can cost anywhere from $250 to $350 and be difficult to track down. Fortunately, Colombia offers the vaccine for free at Bogota International Airport to everyone. Just be sure to receive the vaccination at least two weeks before you head to the Amazon so you’re covered.
Be mosquito readyPack light-colored loose-fitting clothing to avoid being bitten through your clothes. It’s recommended you douse your trekking clothes in 90 percent DEET spray before you leave home and bring some low-percentage DEET or natural mosquito repellant for your skin during the trek. Be sure to avoid aerosol sprays due to flight regulations and the environment.
Know the seasonThe Amazonian basin has two distinct seasons: high water or low water. During the high water season of February to June, the Amazon River spills over its banks and floods the forest floor in up to 20 meters of dark water. During this season you won’t be hiking in the Amazon, instead, you’ll be canoeing through its dense canopy. If your heart is set on hiking be sure to time your visit for between July and January.
Brush up on your SpanishAside from the larger tour operators, few residents in Leticia speak English. This can make orchestrating your private guided excursion difficult. Try to brush up on at least the basics before your trip.
The post You can visit the Colombian Amazon for as little as $50 per day appeared first on Matador Network.
July 28, 2021
A neighborhood guide to some of the diverse and authentic food of Queens
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Queens, New York, is the “most ethnically diverse urban area on the planet.” Exploring New York City’s largest borough is proof that the joy of discovering new cultures, food, languages, and ways of life — in short, the magic of travel — doesn’t always require expensive airfare or long journeys.
More than 130 languages are spoken in Queens. In Jackson’s Heights’ aptly-named Diversity Square, it’s not uncommon to hear robed monks chat in Tibetan on a park bench, while a man selling momos from a food cart takes orders in Nepalese. In Astoria, you may hear old-timers kibitz in Cypriot or Serbian as they smoke cigarettes and sip Greek coffee outside a storied bakery that makes the best baklavas in town. Over in Woodside, the air is often filled with the sounds of a family catching up in Spanish over paper plates of birria tacos cooked to perfection on a streetside grill. Queens sounds, looks, and smells like a microcosm of the world.
While the borough doesn’t have as many Michelin-starred restaurants or expensive tasting menus as Manhattan, Queens is king for authentic, home-style plates from cuisines as far-ranging as Uzbek, Bangladeshi, Colombian, Guyanese, or Brazilian. So strap on your walking shoes, work up an appetite, and hop on the 7 train toward Flushing. From the city’s best dim sum, to celebrated Greek and Italian restaurants, to authentic Central Asian shashlik, the following neighborhoods showcase Queens’ dazzling diversity and, of course, fabulous food.
Astoria: Greek cuisine
Photo: James Andrews1/Shutterstock
With more than 150,000 residents, Astoria is one of the largest neighborhoods in Queens. It takes its name from John Jacob Astor, a mid-19th century New York real estate tycoon (Astor Place in Manhattan gets its name from the man as well). Germans were among the earliest immigrants to settle en masse in Astoria, especially after Steinway & Sons, the celebrated piano makers, established a company town here — a neighborhood still referred to as Steinway. Greeks from the Balkan Peninsula and Cyprus arrived in large numbers in the early-to-mid 1900s, and in the area around Ditmars Boulevard you’ll find Orthodox churches and buildings adorned with street art depicting classical mythology. Most importantly for this case, there’s also a slew of Greek tavernas, grocery stores, and bars.
Taverna Kyclades is a Greek-American neighborhood favorite on Ditmars Boulevard that specializes in seafood. Many of the dishes are cooked with little more than a few simple Mediterranean ingredients — olive oil, garlic, a squeeze of lemon, and not much else — allowing the fish to speak for itself. The branzino and the scallops are particularly scrumptious, and the retsina, a Greek wine fermented with pine sap, pairs well with the delicate, citrus-spiked seafood. Be prepared to wait for up to an hour on weekends and busy nights.
If you’re looking for something faster, head for a deli. Sal, Kris, & Charlie’s Deli right off Ditmars is an Astoria institution that serves goliath gyros (pronounced “yee-rohs” in the parlance of New Yorkers). Be warned: The sandwiches are so massive and packed with cured pork that finishing “the Bomb” or “Italian Special” in one-sitting requires a Joey Chestnut-level appetite. For a strong Greek coffee paired with a cannolo or kourabiedes, walk a little farther down Ditmars to Lefkos Pyrgos.
Rego Park: Uzbek Jewish cuisineFor millennia, the Central Asian oasis of Bukhara — an ancient city that’s now within the borders of Uzbekistan — was home to a large and vibrant Jewish community. Bukharian Jews represented the most eastern major branch of the Jewish diaspora, and developed a culture that borrowed heavily from their Turkik, Mongolian, and Persian neighbors. After the 1970s, according to The New York Times, almost all of Uzbekistan’s Jews left their ancestral land. Many settled in the Rego Park and Forest Hills neighborhoods of Queens.
Uzbek cuisine, developed on the rugged grasslands of Central Asia, centers around grilled meat, basmati rice, naan-style bread, and spices like sumac, cumin, and dill. The national dish of Uzbekistan is plov, which is fried basmati rice decorated with meat — usually lamb, but sometimes beef, goat, horse, or a combination thereof. Other classic Uzbek fare includes shashlik (smoky meat skewers served with thinly sliced onion) and manti (dumplings topped with yogurt and dill). Jewish-Uzbek cuisine differs slightly from Muslim-Uzbek cuisine in that horse meat is verboten but alcohol is embraced.
Cafe Arzu and Shashlichnaya are great starting points for exploring Uzbek cuisine and experiencing the spirit of Rego Park. Both restaurants are famous for plov, but bring some friends because an order of the heavy rice dish is recommended for groups of three or more.
Jackson Heights: Bangladeshi, Indian, Nepalese, Pakistani, and Tibetan cuisines
Photo: Angel Indian Restaurant/Facebook
With more than half of its residents born outside of the US, Jackson Heights could be considered the quintessential Queens neighborhood. Today, the people who live in the neighborhood primarily come from South Asia and countries around the Himalayas. To walk around Jackson Heights on an eating tour is to see and taste a blend of the cultures, peoples, and cuisines of Bangladesh, Nepal, Tibet, Pakistan, and India.
Angel Indian Restaurant has a small, tight menu and executes Punjabi classics flawlessly. Be sure to try the panipuri appetizer, which is a crispy pastry partially filled with potato and spices then is topped off with a citrusy gravy. The biryani and butter chicken are guaranteed home runs. Alcohol is BYOB, so bring your favorite bottle of riesling or gewurztraminer — refreshing, sometimes sweet, wines that pair perfectly with the heat and spice of Indian masalas. Got a sweet tooth for some halva or gulab jamun with some spicy chai? Raja Sweets and Fast Food, right down the street from Angel, offers exquisite cardamom- and cinnamon-spiked pastries.
Flushing: Chinese cuisineWhile New York City’s most famous Chinatown is in Manhattan, Flushing, located off the last stop on the 7 train, may well be where to find the city’s most authentic Chinese cuisines. The area around Flushing was part of Dutch New Amsterdam and originally called Vlissingen, a placename the British anglicized to Flushing after wresting the territory from the Netherlands. Taiwanese immigrants began arriving in large numbers in the 1970s, followed by people from Fujian, Canton, and other regions of China. Today, Chinese characters outnumber English on Flushing’s streets, and the neighborhood is home to countless restaurants and grocery stores from nearly every region of China.
If you were to pick an official dish of Flushing, the honor would likely go to the soup dumpling, a Shanghainese delicacy containing meat — usually pork, crab, or sometimes sea cucumber — that’s bathed in a savory broth and enclosed in a dumpling wrapper. Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao, a Bib Gourmand award winner, is a Flushing institution and serves some of the best soup dumplings, scallion pancakes, noodles, and other Shanghainese classics. Not surprisingly, lines are long during lunch or dinner, and sometimes even the in-between hours. The original Xi’an Famous Foods is in Flushing, and the restaurant, now with 15 locations across the city, specializes in the dishes of the Shaanxi province in northwest China. Xi’an, the ancient imperial capital, was a great crossroads of civilizations, and the region’s food borrows heavily from Persian, Uighur, and Indian influences. Xi’an-style cuisine tends to be meat-heavy, and noodles are generally made with wheat instead of rice.
Regardless of where you choose to go in Flushing, or just about anywhere in Queens for that matter, you won’t be disappointed.
The post A neighborhood guide to some of the diverse and authentic food of Queens appeared first on Matador Network.
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