Matador Network's Blog, page 763

Underwater tunnel being built

As soon as 2029, the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel which, at its deepest point, will be 131 feet under the Baltic Sea, will easily connect Germany and Denmark. At 11.1 miles long, it will be the longest immersed tunnel in the world.

The Fehmarnbelt Tunnel will span the Fehmarn Belt, a strait between the German island of Fehmarn and the Danish island of Lolland. It will give travelers an alternative to the ferry service that currently brings passengers from Puttgarden, Germany, to Rødby, Denmark. While the ferry takes 45 minutes, the tunnel would take only 10 minutes to traverse by car and seven minutes by electric train.

Photo: Skyfish

Jens Ole Kaslund, technical director at Femern A/S, the Danish company in charge of the project, said, “Today, if you were to take a train trip from Copenhagen to Hamburg, it would take you around four and a half hours. When the tunnel will be completed, the same journey will take two and a half hours. Today a lot of people fly between the two cities, but in the future it will be better to just take the train.”

The tunnel will hopefully create a fast and climate-friendly alternative to air travel.

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COVID wedding US-Canada border

The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on the 2020 wedding season, causing many couples to postpone tying the knot. Not to let a virus stand in the way of love, however, one Canadian couple got creative with their wedding plans. So their friends and family from both the US and Canada would be able to attend their nuptials — and sidestep the border restrictions — they got married right on the US-Canada border.

Alex Leckie and Lindsay Clowes, from Nova Scotia, Canada, got married on October 10 on a pier along the St. Croix River in New Brunswick, Canada. The location was within easy viewing distance of Calais, Maine, so US-based family members could also be present for the occasion and attend the ceremony from boats.

The couple had initially planned to get married in August when the pandemic forced their plans to change. They considered postponing until 2021 before devising this creative approach.

Clowes told CNN, “It couldn’t have gone any better. I wouldn’t change anything about it. I had this idea in the back of my head I always called Plan B to get married on the river so family can join us by boat and the other side of the river. I called my parents and I said, ‘I have this idea, what do you think?’ And they loved it and really helped us bring that vision to life so we were able to plan it and have the wedding within six weeks.”

It’s the perfect example of making the best of an unfortunate situation — and creating a very unexpected memory. “I was overwhelmed with happiness,” said Clowes, “to see Alex there and all our family and friends together in such a cool and unique way.”

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Largest wind powered vehicle

A huge and revolutionary boat is about to take to the seas, but it’s not a mega cruise ship — it’s a wind-powered freighter. The Oceanbird is a transatlantic car carrier designed by Wallenius Marine, a Swedish shipbuilder, and with a capacity of 7,000 vehicles it’s the world’s largest wind-powered vessel. The 650-foot-long ship has five telescopic “wing sails,” each 260 feet tall, capable of rotating 360 degrees, and powerful enough to generate power to propel the 35,000-ton ship.

Photo: Oceanbird

According to CNN, the shipping industry is under immense pressure to curb its CO2 emissions, as shipping accounted for 2.89 percent of global manmade greenhouse gas emissions in 2018. The International Maritime Organization, which regulated global shipping, is aiming to reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by 2050, and ships like the Oceanbird are instrumental in achieving that.

Instead of loading vehicles onto the cargo ship with cranes, the Oceanbird will allow loading by a ramp built into the ship.

Photo: Oceanbird

The ship will take 12 days to cross the Atlantic instead of the usual seven — but the positive environmental impact is worth it. The Oceanbird would emit 90 percent less carbon emissions than a traditional diesel engine cargo ship.

The ship is slated to set sail in 2024.

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Great Barrier Reef has lost coral

The Great Barrier Reef, one of Earth’s most vital habitats, has lost half its coral thanks to climate change. The ARC Center of Excellence for Coral Control (CoralCoE) conducted a long-term study (from 1995 to 2017) that showed the reef’s small, medium, and large coral populations have all declined in the past three decades.

According to Professor Terry Huges of CoralCoE, coral bleaching has become a major issue. Bleaching — the expulsion of algae in their tissue, causing vulnerability — occurs when corals are stressed due to changes in light, temperature, and nutrients. “We found the number of small, medium and large corals has declined by more than 50 percent since the 1990s,” Hughes said. “The decline occurred in both shallow and deeper water, and across virtually all species — but especially in branching and table-shaped corals. These were the worst affected by record-breaking temperatures that triggered mass bleaching in 2016 and 2017.”

The loss of coral has a ripple effect resulting in the loss of habitat and ultimately a decline in the productivity of coral reef fisheries. Climate change has caused the southern part of the reef to be exposed to record-breaking temperatures this year, exacerbating reef disturbances like marine heatwaves.

According to Hughes, “We used to think the Great Barrier Reef is protected by its sheer size — but our results show that even the world’s largest and relatively well-protected reef system is increasingly compromised and in decline.”

The findings are a major call to action for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, before even more of the reef is damaged beyond repair.

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Green chiles are Thanksgiving food

The story of how chiles ended up in what is now the United States likely starts in New Mexico. There are conflicting accounts of who exactly introduced the first chiles to the soil but there are two theories. The first is that when Spanish conquistador Antonio de Espejo led an expedition into the territories that would become known as Arizona and New Mexico in 1582, where he planned to set up a colony, he charged the indigenous Pueblo people with cultivating pepper seeds. One of the members of his party wrote that, “They have not chile, but the natives were given some seed to plant.”

Another theory states that Captain General Juan de Oñate, the first governor and founder of Sante Fe, brought chiles from Mexico to his new home in 1609. Either way, once Spanish colonization took hold in New Mexico, chiles became an essential crop in the state, and they remain so today.

Perhaps one of the most iconic chile-growing regions in New Mexico centers around a town called Hatch that’s near the Rio Grande river valley. It’s generally agreed that Hatch grows the best green chiles in the state, and the variety is appropriately called the Hatch chile. This versatile vegetable, which is often fire roasted, is incorporated into a number of dishes, from stews and sauces to enchiladas and chile relleno.

Perhaps inevitably, this spicy-sweet pepper, which is present year-round in New Mexican kitchens, has made its way to the Thanksgiving table.

“It’s impossible to understate how central green chile is to New Mexico’s food culture,” writer Kyle Paoletta, who grew up in a mountainous town just outside of Albuquerque called Sandia Park, but is now based in Cambridge, MA, tells me. “Many people eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and it’s so expected that every restaurant has some kind of chile on the menu — that most sushi places have a roll that includes it and McDonald’s serves a green chile cheeseburger. So if New Mexicans eat green chile at Thanksgiving, it’s only because we eat it literally all the time, no matter the occasion.”

Thanksgiving dishes with green chiles

Photo: Michael Zysman/Shutterstock

Amethyst Ganaway, a chef and food writer from Charleston who now lives in Albuquerque, says that everyone she knows from the region adds green chiles to their Thanksgiving menu in the form of a condiment, a green chile stew, or pozole, which is a traditional Mexican stew made with hominy, pork, and the equally popular red chiles.

People from New Mexico find a way to incorporate chiles into all of the classic Thanksgiving dishes you’ll find in other parts of the country, too, but the decidedly peppery twist might not be suited to everybody’s palate. Take mashed potatoes. Olga Garcia, head chef at El Paragua, told the Santa Fe New Mexican, “Traditional Thanksgiving meals always, always, always include red chile on our mashed potatoes, green chile carne as a side dish, or green chile in our stuffing.”

Even turkey, the most traditional Thanksgiving dish, can’t escape a distinctly Southwest green chile twist. Jane Butel, an Albuquerque based chef who dubbed herself the “Queen of Chiles,” adds green chiles to both her stuffing and her turkey gravy — two fairly widespread methods for incorporating green chiles into a Thanksgiving meal.

In stuffing, one of the most popular applications for green chile, added jalapenos kick up the heat, while herbs like cilantro, thyme, and oregano give this dish extra savory, earthy depth. The key to New Mexico green chile stuffing is cornbread — specifically day old buttermilk cornbread — which adds another layer of texture and richness to the dish.

In New Mexico Magazine, writer Kate Winslow reveals that the secret ingredient to her gravy is the addition of green chiles rather than the classic combination of leeks, rosemary, and chicken broth.

Predictably, traditional Mexican dishes also have a strong presence at the Thanksgiving dinner table in New Mexico. Winslow stuffs enchiladas with butternut squash for an extra autumnal flavor, then covers the dish in homemade red chile sauce. She leaves the extra on table as a condiment or as dressing for Thanksgiving leftovers in the following days. Winslow isn’t alone.

“My grandmother often made chile rellenos, which are green chiles that get stuffed with cheese, battered, deep fried, and then topped with more cheese and chopped green chile,” says Paelotta. He calls the dish “simply divine.”

Their versatility and flavor is just one reason that green chiles hold such a revered place in the cuisine of New Mexico. The more important point, Paelotta speculates, is that green chiles — first introduced to the region through colonization but quickly adopted by the indigenous people — are inextricably linked to the state’s complex history and its diverse population.

“I think that for a lot of Native Americans and Hispanics there’s a sense of green chile as an ingredient that speaks to New Mexico’s multicultural heritage,” he says, “while for Anglos, enjoying green chile is a way of feeling connected to that culture without necessarily being a participant in it.”

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7 unknown places in North Carolina

Winding downward from the highest point east of the Mississippi, North Carolina unfurls into rocky gorges, snaking rivers, high sand dunes, and endless barrier islands. But you probably knew that.

What you might not know is that hidden among these postcard landscapes is the country’s wildest road, scenic waterfall byways, rolling hills of wine country, and epic pirate battlegrounds. Take a closer look at these places you might never have heard of — until now.

Note: Just like you should practice social distancing and pack your mask to protect yourself and others, these landscapes deserve protection as well — as you explore and connect to the land, keep to the trail, take only pictures, and always leave no trace.

1. Tail of the Dragon

Photo: Shutterstock/TheBigMK

Check these numbers: 318 turns in 11 twisting miles. For some of us, that sounds like a reason to reach for the pepto — for others, there’s no better road in America. The Tail of the Dragon starts on Highway 129N at Deal’s Gap, snaking through Nantahala National Forest and the Great Smoky Mountains. There are zero intersecting roads, driveways, or stop signs to dull your adrenaline rush. Just make sure to be cautious, as these turns are tight.

Note: If 11 miles sounds like too few, the nearby Cherohala Skyway adds on 47 more miles of scenic cruising bliss.

2. Brunswick Islands

Photo: Shutterstock/Rick C Lanier

On North Carolina’s southernmost shore you’ll find the Brunswick Islands, home of the Golf Coast and the “Seafood Capital of the World.” The beaches here get name-dropped by National Geographic and Nicholas Sparks — and the golf courses get to name-drop themselves.

Any standard Brunswick Island vacay should go a little something like this: Rent a vacation home with your pod, and use it as a home base for your adventures. Catch late-night rays at Sunset Beach, preferably on a kayak; golf a Palmer-designed course; pop back hush puppies at Waterfront Seafood Shack; drop a line from Oak Island Pier; watch sea turtles lay their eggs; climb Old Baldy, the state’s oldest lighthouse; and ferry to Bald Head Island, where cars and worries aren’t allowed. The Brunswick Islands are the kind of place you’d expect massive crowds, but you won’t find them.

Note: Never disturb wildlife! Give any and every creature their distance. The Brunswick Islands are wild and beautiful — do your part to keep them that way.

3. Ashe County

Photo: Shutterstock/Zack Frank

Welcome to the Christmas Tree Capital of the World. The human-to-tree ratio here is 28,000:2,000,000 — the county’s specialty is the classic Fraser fir.

Set in the mountains, with the Blue Ridge Parkway tracing its southeastern border, Ashe County peaks at the 4,665-foot Mount Jefferson — great for hiking — and lights up in hues of gold, scarlet, and tangerine come autumn. In West Jefferson, a leaf-peeping tourist town with a cute main drag, be sure to grab coffee at Bohemia, watch curds being hand-stirred at Ashe County Cheese Company, and munch on a traditional Cuban from Havana Cafe.

4. Beaufort, Bath, and Ocracoke

Photo: Shutterstock/Dawn Damico

Some 300 years ago, Blackbeard — the infamous English pirate who stuck lit matches under his hat, who looted ports from South Carolina to the West Indies — wrecked his flagship, the Queen Anne’s Revenge, in Beaufort Inlet, near what’s now Fort Macon State Park.

Stranded here, he pretty quickly became a North Carolina celebrity. Wander his old stomping grounds in Bath — his New World “hometown” — and then head out to Ocracoke Island via the free car ferry from Hatteras (or the paid ferry from Swanquater, if you’d rather do more floating and less driving). Ocracoke was a favorite hideout of Blackbeard’s, and it’s here that he met his end on the sound side of the island. Swashbuckling pirates long gone, today’s Ocracoke has a cute village and impeccable beaches and restaurants — and one historic Blackbeard’s Lodge.

5. Mountain Waters Scenic Byway

Photo: Shutterstock/Dave Allen Photography

Practically every drive in North Carolina could be a scenic byway, but some — like the Mountain Waters Scenic Byway — demand a fully charged camera at the ready. This 61.3-mile route winds through the Cullasaja Gorge to the 250-foot Cullasaja Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Dry Falls — you get the picture. It’s a watery course through Nantahala National Forest from the town of Highlands to Almond, ending just past Nantahala Lake and the Nantahala River Gorge.

If you’re looking for a spot to stretch your legs along the way, try the climb to the Wayah Bald Fire Tower, where you’ll get views of the Appalachian Mountains across four states. Or pack a bag — for water, snacks, and your trash — and take an afternoon hike on the Appalachian or Bartram Trails, both long-distance routes that crisscross this region.

6. Yadkin Valley

Photo: Shutterstock/Konstantin L

The Yadkin Valley makes for one unforgettably romantic — and COVID-conscious — road trip. Scenic country drives lead you to 40+ wineries, and secluded, often-historic accommodations make the trip feel like a faraway escape.

Here are just a few places you might wind up strolling hand-in-hand: the Italian villa at Raffaldini Vineyards; the rolling hills of Medaloni Cellars (where you can toast the sunset from the front porch of your cabin); in Winston-Salem, the cobblestone sidewalks of Old Salem; and the 46,000-square-foot historic estate and modern-day conference hotel of Graylyn, which could pass for Downton Abbey’s American cousin.

Tip: On your way into or out of the valley, be sure to stop for warm Moravian sugar cakes at Winkler Bakery in Winston-Salem — one of the oldest bakeries in America.

7. Brice’s Creek Saltwater Trail

Photo: Shutterstock/Ryan McGurl

Croatan National Forest is the only coastal national forest on the East Coast, and Brice’s Creek is the only saltwater-based trail through a national forest in the country. Grab your kayaks — it’s a 100-mile loop that’s suitable for beginners and can take as long as seven days to complete (though focusing on shorter segments is certainly doable).

To paddle the trail in its entirety, you’ll start and end near New Bern and circle the heart of the forest. Watch for wildlife like ospreys and alligators; pitch your tent on the shores of secluded creeks (check regulations beforehand and leave the space like you found it); use that fishing pole; and detour off the main route to wander estuaries, bogs, pocosins (raised swamps), and pine forest. For those without their proverbial water wings, many of the forest’s best spots are also accessible by road or hiking trail. North Carolina’s adventures are for everyone.

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How to bike the Palisade Plunge

From the high alpine of Colorado’s Grand Mesa, a rocky dirt trail wraps, winds, and eventually descends 6,000 feet to the town of Palisade below. Years in the planning and construction, the Palisade Plunge will offer mountain bikers — and even hikers or horseback riders in some areas — access to lands and views that haven’t been available before. Before even opening, the trail is earning accolades.

Opening in spring 2021, the new mega-trail takes you from the Mesa Top Trailhead in the pine-forested alpine region, at 10,700 feet of elevation, 12 miles across the world’s largest flat-topped mountain. Less experienced riders can opt to hop off here at Shirttail Point. If you’re up for the challenge, however, you can follow the trail from there on its steep, winding descent along the side of the mesa, taking in expansive views of Palisade’s verdant wine country and Mt. Lincoln towering above downtown.

In total, the ride is 32 miles of epic, quad-busting terrain and is set to be the country’s next best mountain bike trail. Read on for the lowdown on the Palisade Plunge because this is one ride for which you don’t want to show up unprepared.

The story behind the Palisade Plunge

Photo: COPMOBA

“The Palisade Plunge brings a unique, world-class mountain biking trail that connects the Grand Mesa to the valley floor below near the town of Palisade,” says Josh Springer, Project Manager with Mesa County Public Works, who has been part of the years-long effort to create the trail.

“The Plunge is one of a handful of similar singletrack trails worldwide. Portions of the trail traverse through areas not previously accessible to the public due to lack of trails and access restrictions. The trail travels through some amazing and diverse scenery, starting out in aspen and pine tree forests, and descending into desert canyons.”

Mountain bikers will be able to experience this behemoth of a mountain bike trail and catch the diverse western Colorado scenery as of the spring of 2021. Rondo Buecheler, co-owner of Rapid Creek Cycles and Palisade Plunge Cycles in downtown Palisade, has advocated for the trail since its inception and, along with many partners, has been a major proponent in bringing it to life. His shop will serve as a basecamp of sorts.

“[We] will offer Plunge Shuttles and bike rentals from the official ending of the trail in downtown Palisade,” he says. “We also service bikes and have last-minute stuff.” For around $30, riders can hop a ride in a shuttle van from the town of Palisade to the trailhead, about a 40-minute drive. From there, it’s on them to navigate the berms and bumps sure to challenge even veteran riders.

Photo: Josh Springer

Construction of the Plunge over the past two years followed eight years of work between private landowners, local and federal government officials including the Bureau of Land Management, and the Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Association (COPMOBA) to secure land easements and permitting. Once fully opened in Spring 2021, the trail will be accessible from May 1 into December, weather permitting. Shuttles will run from May to October.

COPMOBA estimates the total cost of the trail at nearly $3.5 million, with funding coming from grants and private donations from individuals and businesses. The trail is estimated to bring $5 million per year in revenue to the Grand Valley through spending on gear, lodging, food and drink, and other forms of recreation.

“Even though the trail was constructed for mountain biking, it is open to hikers as well, and is open to horseback riding through the portion on Forest Service lands,” Springer says.

What skill level and gear do you need to ride the Palisade Plunge?

Photo: Josh Springer

To ride the Palisade Plunge, one should be an “advanced rider who owns a bike,” Buecheler says, though his outfit will offer rentals. The first 20 or so miles are labeled as intermediate singletrack, with the final stretch intended for “upper advanced” level riders. Exposure to cliffs is unavoidable. You’ll need a helmet and protective gear, as well as plenty of water and calories to consume along the way. Layering is essential as well because when descending 6,000 feet, changing weather conditions are unavoidable.

The trail follows handbuilt singletrack across the top of Grand Mesa before dropping onto a steeper section along the Otto Wall, named for — and originally developed as a trail by — conservationist John Otto, who throughout a lifetime of outdoor work advocated most prominently for the designation of the nearby Colorado National Monument into the national parks system. The Plunge is taking home awards even before it opens. In October, the Palisade Plunge won a “Great Places” award from the Colorado chapter of the American Planning Association.

Expect a diverse ride. As Buecheler puts it, the trail consists of a “Flat first 1/3, then around 12,000 feet of ups and downs for 1/3 and mostly down for the last third.” A new parking lot was built at Shirttail Point on top of the Grand Mesa, but primary access is from the Mesa Top Trailhead. A connector trail will connect the Plunge to Powderhorn Mountain Resort, which offers lift-accessed downhill mountain biking in the summer.

Photo: Josh Springer

Designed to be a “destination trail” for mountain bikers, the Plunge is similar in length and difficulty to the Whole Enchilada trail near Moab and the Monarch Crest trail in Colorado. With sections of smooth dirt, others rocky and bumpy, and the final third a steep descent to the end of the trail, the Plunge will take even seasoned riders at least four hours to complete. Several overlooks present themselves along the way as rest points, though the trail is not suitable for beginners or those looking for a casual afternoon cruise.

Buecheler notes that the trail is most similar to the Whole Enchilada, though there is “not the climbing you have to do from Burrito Pass on the Enchilada,” he says, referring to a grueling uphill stretch of the ride that many bikers prefer to walk.

More than anything, the Palisade Plunge is a “by the riders, for the riders” trail built as a testament to the Grand Valley’s mountain biking community. Along with COPMOBA, local officials, and volunteers, Buecheler says, “Scott [Winans, President of COPMOBA] and myself have worked hard to make this trail happen for all our friends.”

Where to stay and what else to do in Palisade

Photo: Josh Springer

Downtown Palisade is a five-minute drive (or a 15-minute pedal) from the bottom trailhead.

Palisade Brewing Company and Peach Street Distillers serve drinks and food daily. Spoke and Vine Motel opened in 2019 as a hub for outdoor recreationists visiting Palisade. The motel often hosts food trucks and lawn gatherings on busy nights and is the starting point for a weekly group bike ride that pedals from its parking lot at 6 PM on Mondays and traverses the town in parade fashion.

Other options include the Wine Country Inn, with an onsite restaurant and walkable access to wine tastings at Grande River Vineyards and St. Kathryn Cellars. Palisade Basecamp offers RV parking and camping less than a mile from the bottom of the Plunge trail. The town itself is best known for its 25 wineries and numerous orchards, nearly all of which are reachable by bicycle.

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Longest mountain coaster

If you haven’t had your adventure fix in a while, or you’ve tried just about every roller coaster across the United States, this new epic mountain coaster should pique your interest. The Cliffside Mountain Coaster just opened in Lake Placid, New York, at Mt. Va Hoevenberg. It makes use of the bobsled track repurposed from the Lake Placid Olympic Games in 1980.

Mike Pratt, CEO and President of the Olympic Regional Development Authority, said in a statement, “The coaster follows the alignment of the 1932 & 1980 Olympic Bobsled track as it descends the mountain. The views are amazing, and the curves get your heart pounding.”

Photo: Lake Placid Olympic Sites

The track stretches 1.4 miles, making it North America’s longest mountain coaster. Visitors will be able to drive their own car along the track and even control its speed. As they cruise down the mountain enjoying the views, they’ll also be listening to audio commentary about the 1980 winter olympics and the history of bobsledding.

The coaster is part of a broader revitalization project designed to modernize the Mr. Van Hoevenberg complex. In a statement, Governor Andrew Cuomo said, “This revitalization is transforming the complex into a year-round provider of excitement and entertainment for both athletes and families, which will attract more summer visitors and provide a critical boost to local businesses as we work to build back better.”

Photo: Lake Placid Olympic Sites

It will be open to the public on weekends only, from 11 AM to 4 PM. Tickets will be available for $55 for one driver and $65 for one driver plus one passenger, and they must be purchased in advance. Ride operation is weather dependent.

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Digital prayers in Western Wall

While visiting the Western Wall is currently out of the question for those outside of Israel, Israel’s Ministry of Tourism is trying to make it as easy as possible for those who are far away to still leave their prayers and wishes on the Wall.

Eyal Carlin, the tourism ministry’s tourism commissioner for North America, told Travel and Leisure, “While Israel is still closed to international travel, we wanted to create a meaningful way that people can be inspired and connect with the spiritual sites that are abundant in our country. The Western Wall (or “Kotel,” in Hebrew) is an important piece of Jewish tradition, and it also attracts travelers from all faiths. We want to make it accessible for those who aren’t able to visit in person right now, so we created a portal for people to send their personal notes.”

To leave a message, prayer, or wish, just post it online between October 19 and October 21, and someone will place it in the wall for you. The ministry will post your note on the Visit Israel Facebook page once your eNOTE has been placed in the wall itself.

The Western Wall is one of Israel’s most famous and sacred sites, with many making pilgrimages to pray there.

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Movies filmed in Hawaii

A film’s setting usually takes a backseat to the plot, unless of course, the setting is Hawaii. Movies filmed in Hawaii range from cheesy comedies to dramatic Academy Award winners, but they all share a strong sense of place that ignites the audience’s imagination long after the credits roll. Even if the movie itself has no comedic or cinematic value, somehow the alluring tropical backdrop is enough to make an indelible impression on the audience. You might not care for Adam Sandler’s jokes or have any interest in surfing, but who wouldn’t want to look at stunning images of Hawaii for an hour and a half? These films are more than just entertainment — they also give you the unquenchable urge to jump through the screen and live the Hawaii lifestyle for yourself.

1. 50 First Dates (2004)

Photo: Sony Pictures

There are a few potential takeaways from 50 First Dates: seducing a woman with chronic short-term memory loss is incredibly sketchy, seducing a woman with chronic short-term memory loss is incredibly sweet, and Hawaii is absolutely gorgeous. The last one is without controversy. This disturbingly touching Adam Sandler movie was filmed in Kaneohe, Kaʻaʻawa, Wahiawa, Makapuʻu, Waimānalo, and Honolulu, as well as in Kāneʻohe Bay, and the backdrop certainly overshadows the major characters. The Hukilau Cafe, where Sandler and Barrymore’s characters meet every morning for breakfast, is actually still standing at Kualoa Ranch in Kaneohe.

2. Jurassic Park (1994)

Photo: Universal Pictures

Technically Jurassic Park takes place on the fictional island of Isla Nublar, off the west coast of Costa Rica, but the movie’s landscape is so iconic and memorable that it couldn’t be ignored. The dinosaurs are the real heavyweights of the plot, but they must vie for screen dominance with the dramatic landscape of Hawaii itself. Spielberg filmed at locations across Kauai, Maui, Oahu, and Ni’ihau, with Oahu’s Ko’olau Range and Kauai’s Waimea Canyon. One of the most epic scenes in the movie, of a group of dinosaurs running through a valley, was filmed at Kualoa Ranch — yes, the same location as the cafe from 50 First Dates.

3. Blue Crush (2002)

Photo: Paramount Pictures

When you think about classic Hawaiian surf films, Blue Crush is the first one that comes to mind. Filmed all across Oahu, including the North Shore, Makaha, Waikiki, and the Marriott Ihilani Resort at Ko Olina, Blue Crush epitomizes Hawaiian surf culture and inspired female surfers everywhere to embrace their inner badass.

4. Just Go With It (2011)

Photo: Sony Pictures

Although not quite the classic 50 First Dates is, Just Go With It is another Adam Sandler film that puts Hawaii at center stage. And you better believe the lush, tropical setting works overtime to compensate for the movie’s lackluster plot. Adam Sandler plays a plastic surgeon who brings his children and fake ex-wife (Jennifer Aniston) to Hawaii to impress his new girlfriend (Brooklyn Decker). As you’d probably expect, the most memorable things about the movie are the dolphins, Maui’s waterfalls and beaches, and the luxurious oceanfront resort (the Grand Wailea). You’ve gotta hand it to Sandler for finding excuses to keep filming in one of the most beautiful places in the world.

5. Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)

Photo: Universal Pictures

Yet another Hawaiian comedy classic, Forgetting Sarah Marshall tells the story of a lovesick man (Jason Segel) who takes a trip to Hawaii to forget about his ex-girlfriend (Kristen Bell), only to learn she’s staying at the same resort. An equally major character is the Turtle Bay Resort (its real name and name in the film) on Oahu where the movie was filmed. Nearly the entire movie takes place around the resort, but those familiar with Hawaii might also recognize Laie Point where Segel’s character jumps from the cliffs or Mokuleia Beach to the island’s northeast.

6. Jumanji (2019)

Photo: Sony Pictures

The 1995 original might be more fondly remembered than the remake, but The Rock’s version really gives you the itch to visit a tropical island. Although the setting here isn’t supposed to be Hawaii specifically, it certainly puts the Aloha State’s rugged, adventurous character center stage. The movie was largely filmed on Oahu, at Kawela Bay, Waimea Valley, the Judd Trail in Nuuanu Valley, Kapena Falls, and the ever cinematically present Kualoa Ranch. On the island of Hawaii, you might recognize Kawainui Falls from the film.

7. North Shore (1987)

Photo: Universal Pictures

One of the most popular surf films in Hawaii itself, North Shore showcases some of the island’s most epic and recognizable surf spots. It follows a surfer from Arizona who goes to Oahu to chase waves and try to make it as a pro surfer. Filmed entirely on Oahu’s famous North Shore, the movie captures the essence of Hawaii’s surf culture and will definitely inspire both pro and would-be surfers alike to make a pilgrimage to Hawaii.

8. The Descendants (2011)

Photo: Fox Searchlight Pictures

The Descendents gives audiences a dose of Hawaiian reality. Rather than saturating the screen with an abundance of white sand, palm trees, waterfalls, and coconut cocktails, this George Clooney flick was set and filmed primarily in Honolulu and around Hanalei Bay. The movie is based on a novel by Kaui Hart Hemmings, a Hawaiian-born writer, and focuses on a man who must decide if he should sell his family’s 25,000 acres of land on Kauai. It’s darker and more emotional than most films set in Hawaii, showing audiences a different side of the tropical islands that may make you want to visit even more.

9. Blue Hawaii (1961)

Photo: Paramount Pictures

Blue Hawaii has it all — Elvis, Hawaii, and campy 1960s humor. The first of Elvis’s three films shot in Hawaii in the 1960s, Blue Hawaii is about a surfer whose mother wants him to take over his father’s Great Souther Hawaiian Fruit Co. Instead, Elvis’s character prefers to work as a tour guide with his girlfriend. The plot (and cinematic merit) doesn’t go much deeper than that, but the film did highlight Hawaii as a beautiful and desirable destination for audiences. It was one of the first movies to promote Hawaii as a tourist destination for Americans, and so played a relatively important role in the state’s burgeoning tourism industry.

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