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220 pounds of trash found in whale

Beached whales are never a welcome or happy sight, but when those whales are filled with man-made plastic and debris, it’s a particularly disheartening situation.

Workers with the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (SMASS) recently found a beached male sperm whale on Luskentyre Beach in the Outer Hebrides, and when they performed a necropsy, they discovered that the adult whale had 220 lbs of trash in its stomach.

Photo: Google Maps

According to a Facebook post by SMASS, the workers discovered a “horrific” amount of waste inside the whale, including rope bundles, tubes, fishing nets, gloves, bags, and plastic garbage. The debris had formed a large ball in the marine mammal’s stomach.

Photo: Scottish Marine Animal Strandings Scheme/Facebook

The whale got stranded and died on the beach. It remains unclear if the amount of trash in the whale’s stomach is linked to its death, but it would very likely have impaired its digestion.

The 20-ton whale was buried on the beach where it was found after the necropsy was complete.


More like this: 6 steps you can take today to become a zero waste traveler

The post 220 pounds of trash found inside dead whale in Scotland appeared first on Matador Network.

The best natural sites in Wales

Most international visitors to Wales head to Cardiff in its southeast region. Located only a couple of hours from London and with its delightful Victorian arcades, a medieval castle, an enviable bay, and plenty of sports events, it’s no wonder the Welsh capital is such a magnet. But if you only stop here, you’ll miss out on the stunning wilderness and wildlife this country has to offer.

Starting from Cardiff, access to the rest of Wales is easy. Distances are short, routes are scenic, and the weather is, well, still Welsh weather. From south to north, you can roll down Merthyr Mawr Sand Dunes or visit the wild Llŷn Peninsula — maybe even bump into Bear Grylls, who happens to own an island there. Or you can go as far as Anglesey (the Mother of Wales) with its record-breaking Llanfair­pwllgwyngyll­gogery­chwyrn­drobwll­llan­tysilio­gogo­goch — the longest town name in Great Britain. All along, it’s possible to walk the entire Welsh coastline by following the Wales Coast Path. But if you really have to choose, these are the five most deserving natural heavens you shouldn’t miss on your next vacation in the Land of the Red Dragon.

Brecon Beacons is Cardiff’s hometown national park.

Photo: antb/Shutterstock

Brecon Beacons is rugged mountains, hills, forests, waterfalls, lakes, rivers, caves, moorland, and so much more. Among the many walks to choose from there, the most popular is a circular hike to the top of Pen y Fan, which at 2,907 feet is the highest peak in southern Britain. It goes from Storey Arms Outdoor Centre to mount Corn Du first, Pen y Fan second, and then back to Pont ar Daf car park.

To make it longer, the option is to see three more peaks on the way down. At Pont ar Daf, there’s plenty of food and drinks to reward yourself, including Welsh cakes made just for dogs. T4 bus takes you from Cardiff city center to Storey Arms in 1.5 hours — and it’s free on weekends. Alternatively, you could also canoe or kayak along the River Wye or head to the town of Hay-on-Wye, which is known as “the town of books” and hosts a prominent literature festival each May. Brecon Beacons even has a dinosaur park, which is fun for kids.

The Gower was the UK’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Photo: Billy Stock/Shutterstock

The Gower Peninsula in south Wales is so beautiful that it inaugurated the list of The National Association for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1956. Since then, 45 more British areas have been added, four of which are also in Wales. You can start exploring the Gower from the posh town of Mumbles in Swansea Bay, with Catherine Zeta-Jones’s Welsh residence round the corner. But for the highlights, you’ll have to reach Three Cliffs, Oxwich, or Rhossili Bay.

Rhossili, in particular, has been recognized as one of the best beaches in Great Britain, Europe, and even the world — which says a lot for a beach in a country not renowned as a beach destination. The three-mile-long beach is majestic in its simplicity: the sea, which reflects the mood of the blue or grey sky; the pale sand; and vibrant green on the cliffs that overlook it. It also has a famous ice cream shop called Taste of Gower that you don’t want to miss. N.A.T. Group buses can take you from Swansea bus station to the Gower, including Rhossili.

Flat Holm is not flat at all.

Photo: Veronika Von/Shutterstock

The island of Flat Holm is a 15-minute RIB boat ride from Cardiff Bay. But don’t expect just any ride. It can be an exciting, adrenaline-filled trip or gut-wrenching affair, depending on water conditions. This islet lies in the middle of the Severn Estuary between Wales and England, right next to Steep Holm, and is dominated by a lighthouse. Despite being so close to the city’s buzz, it’s a magical place to get away from it all.

It also has great scientific and historical significance as so much has happened here over time. Once used for smuggling, it then became the site of an isolation hospital for cholera patients, and later a defensive outpost during WWII. Also, it was from here that Guglielmo Marconi sent the first wireless communication message in the late 1800s. Nowadays, it’s a Local Nature Reserve and home to the UK’s second-largest breeding colony of lesser black-backed gulls. Three-hour guided tours allow visitors to experience all of this nature and history first-hand. Also, from 2019, the Cardiff Harbour Authority organizes yoga and meditation weekend retreats.

The coast, cliffs, and coves of Pembrokeshire.

Photo: Billy Stock/Shutterstock

Pembrokeshire is the westernmost county of Wales. It’s well-known for its picturesque towns, such as Tenby, Pembroke, Milford Haven, St. Davids, and Fishguard. As you’d expect, it’s not short of its share of famous castles and cathedrals, either. These towns are a good starting point for the Pembrokeshire Coast Park National Trail, which runs continuously for 186 miles and is one of the longest sections of the Wales Coast Path. It grants wonderful views of cliff tops and hidden coves, small villages and sandy beaches, wildflower meadows, and grazing cows. Besides nature, Pembrokeshire’s Skomer Island is famous for its puffin colonies and other seabirds and sea life. And a little further north, New Quay in Cardigan Bay is a perfect location to spot bottlenose dolphins. Find a train from Cardiff to Pembrokeshire on GWR.com and a boat to Skomer on the Pembrokeshire Islands website.

And, of course, there’s Snowdonia National Park.

Photo: stocker1970/Shutterstock

To cap it all, there’s Mount Snowdon in north Wales. It’s Wales’s highest peak, at 3,560 feet, and an absolute must for all nature lovers. There are six main routes to reach the summit, from the hardcore Crib Goch to the gradual Llanberis Path. The latter will take you up and down in about five hours beside the Snowdon Mountain Railway, which is an even easier way to the top. All along the way, there are views of an imposing slate quarry and a multitude of glacial lakes. And as you go higher up, you’ll be greeted by gulls and might even spot the island of Anglesey in the distance.

Apart from hiking, Snowdonia is also an excellent place for activities like mountain biking, climbing, whitewater rafting and — believe it or not — even surfing. For overnight stays, check out the charming Ty Gwyn Hotel in Betws-y-Coed, or Castle Cottage in Harlech, which has an award-winning restaurant. And as you make your way back to Cardiff, you might also want to stop a few hours in the elegant Portmeirion, which was designed and built over 50 years ago to resemble an Italian villa amid verdant Welsh surroundings.


More like this: The 3 most unforgettable mountain bike rides in England’s Peak District

The post All the natural wonders of Wales you’ll miss if you only see Cardiff appeared first on Matador Network.

New Mexico winter road trip ideas

Winter road trips just don’t have the same allure. This probably has something to do with the abundance of road chain advisories and potential for black ice. But it’s probably also because the days are shorter, the nights are colder, and half the country is closed for the season.

That said, some parts of the country are best viewed from the road this time of year. Case in point: New Mexico, a land that’s especially enchanting under clear, cold skies with a light dusting of snow. Its desert-scapes can be experienced under pleasant temperatures, and summer crowds at the national parks and alien attractions are minimal. So follow along on this journey from Albuquerque to Santa Fe, White Sands, and all the oddities in between as we show you why New Mexico is the best spot for a winter road trip.

Experience the wide-open majesty of Albuquerque

Photo: Elise Linscott/Shutterstock

The easiest and most abundant flights will be into Albuquerque, so it’s the logical place to begin your adventure as a cold-weather road warrior. Though you might only know it as the place that birthed Walter White, this vast city of red rocks and vast skies is a fascinating place to start the trip.

There is, of course, the requisite Breaking Bad RV tour. But beyond that you’ll find the snowy desert to be especially scenic from the top of the Sandia Peak Tramway. The short cable-car ride to the top brings you to spectacular views over the city and the valley beyond. Or, since the weather is cooler, you can hike up to the top and treat the view as a reward.

Winter will make the red and green chile stews you’ll find all over Albuquerque especially cozy. They’re on menus citywide, but you’ll find the best at the Barelas Coffee House and Duran’s Central Station.

You’ll also want to make a stop at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, where you can stuff yourself with a Pueblo taco then learn the history of the native peoples of the land you’re about to explore.

Rest your head in Albuquerque at the Painted Lady Bed & Brew, a fairly new boutique hotel in a restored 20th-century brothel, which eschews the staid bed-and-breakfast concept for craft local beers at the daily “hoppy hour” instead.

Ski in Santa Fe

Photo: Roschetzky Photography/Shutterstock

After exploring Albuquerque, head an hour and change north to Santa Fe and one of the best daytime ski resorts in the Southwest at Ski Santa Fe. Lift tickets here are still under $100, and there’s terrain challenging enough for a solid day on the mountain. Don’t let the views back over the red rocks covered in white snow distract you on the slopes, but do make sure to stop and appreciate the setting.

After your day on the slopes, let your muscles decompress at the Ten Thousand Waves Onsen Spa, where a Japanese garden full of heated pools feels especially calming on cold winter nights.

In town, you’ll find yourself in an adobe winter wonderland as the second-oldest city in America is full of old mud-and-straw structures that date back centuries. You can tour the oldest house in America, grab margaritas at the iconic La Fonda on the Plaza Hotel, and learn the history of the state at the Palace of the Governors.

In addition to being one of the best food cities in America, Santa Fe is also home to the trippy Meow Wolf museum. Set in an old bowling alley, it’s an interactive art museum with 70 rooms of blacklights, performance artists, acrobats, and bright neon that’s unlike any other art space in the country.

See carvings from thousands of years ago

Photo: Elliotte Rusty Harold/Shutterstock

About half an hour southeast of Santa Fe you’ll find La Cieneguilla, a site with over 4,000 petroglyphs carved by early inhabitants of the area. You’ll start by the side of the Paseo Real, hiking up a dormant volcano to a series of cliffs. The 15-minute walk brings you to carvings that date back nearly 10,000 years, and though carvings and cave paintings in this region aren’t unusual, these ones come with a nice view out over the valley and mountains beyond.

Visit homes carved into the side of a mountain

Photo: JHVEPhoto/Shutterstock

About an hour north of Santa Fe, you’ll find some of the most unusual dwellings in the world, carved into the porous volcanic rock at Bandelier National Monument. As the walls of this massive canyon were already poked with holes, the Pueblo people were able to expand them and carve their homes into the side. A 1.5-mile loop trail takes you past dozens of them — equipped with ladders for you to climb inside — and to the ruins of some underground homes from the same period.

Heal yourself in arsenic water

Photo: PhotoTrippingAmerica/Shutterstock

After you’ve sufficiently burnt out your legs exploring the national monuments, relax them yet again in an arsenic bath.

“Arsenic?” you ask. “You mean the same stuff used to kill like half the people in Agatha Christie books?”

Kinda. When not ingested on a trans-European train ride — and rather used as an element in natural hot springs — arsenic is said to have healing properties for arthritis and digestion. Judge for yourself at the Ojo Caliente natural hot springs, where you can also soak yourself in a lithia pool that’s believed to help with depression or cover yourself in mud and bake in the sun. You can also opt to swim into the enclosed soda pool, where a rock structure surrounds the bath, providing a sense of separation and serenity. If you feel like splurging, spend a night at the luxury hotel here to recharge for the big driving days ahead.

Eat Mexican food in the middle of nowhere on your way to Chimayo

Photo: Beautiful Day Photography

As you head out into the desert on US-285, you’ll pass through a little town called Española. Off the town’s main drag you’ll find a tree-lined street leading to a colorful, adobe family home, which houses what some argue is the best Mexican restaurant in the state at El Paragua. What started as a family-run taco stand in the 1950s has become a destination restaurant in the middle of the mountains, where you’ll definitely want to try the tacos and a cold margarita for the road.

Many of the people who stop at El Paragua are on their way to El Santuario de Chimayo, an early-19th-century church that sits on land rumored to have healing properties. The legend stems from a friar who claimed to see a glowing crucifix emanating from the river that runs nearby, and after touching it, he was able to heal the sick. Hundreds of thousands of people come here each year to scoop up some of the church’s dirt floor hoping to find those same healing properties. None of this has been proven, of course, but it hasn’t stopped the swell of visitors, which should be slightly less numerous in the winter.

Eat at an alien McDonald’s in Roswell

Photo: ocphoto/Shutterstock

Descend back down the mountains and you’ll get your first big dose of New Mexico desert, rolling about three hours down I-25 and US-285 until you hit the alien theme town of Roswell. To avoid any confusion, it’s actually not anywhere near Area 51 (that’s in Nevada) but rather was the site of a famous UFO crash in 1947, first called a flying saucer then later deemed a “weather balloon” by the US military. Whatever it was, it’s spurred an entire alien industry in Roswell, including the International UFO Museum and Research Center, a UFO festival, and the world’s only McDonald’s shaped like a UFO.

Venture down into Carlsbad Caverns

Photo: Beautiful Day Photography

Leaving Roswell down US-285, the landscape turns from flat desert into miles of pecan orchards, then to colorful rock formations and rolling hills. A couple of hours through these petrified coral hills brings you to Carlsbad Caverns, carved out of that same coral 1,000 feet underground. You’ll drive to the top of a mountain with a panoramic view, where an elevator takes you nearly 80 stories down into the caverns. Or, if you’re up for a little exercise after a day in the car, you can hike 90 minutes down the long, dark staircase.

The Big Room should be relatively empty in the winter, and despite the cooler air outside, it stays a constant 55 degrees inside. Maybe a little cooler without busloads of people inside. The 4,000-foot by 625-foot room is the size of six football fields — if football fields had stalactites hanging from the ceilings.

Stroll through desert snow in White Sands

Photo: Beautiful Day Photography

Climb through the mountains up US-285 to US-82 into the Mescalero Reservation, then descend into the surreal landscape of White Sands National Monument, the largest gypsum sand dunes in the world. Your pictures will likely confuse your friends as the endless sea of white looks more like snow than the stuff they make casts out of, but much like you can with snow, you can go sledding down the dunes or take a more salt-dune-appropriate horseback ride. Or just drive the eight-mile trail. Just make sure to get out before sunset — or right after. Wintertime can bring sub-freezing temperatures to the desert, so camping might not be in the cards.

Stop in one of America’s best undiscovered mountain towns on your way back

Photo: Discover Ruidoso

The drive from White Sands back to Albuquerque is about three and a half hours. Doable if you spend the night in the park but a long day if you’ve gone straight through from Carlsbad. Instead, take the scenic route back through the Sierra Blanca Mountains and spend the night in Ruidoso. This little mountain town is one of the coolest in America, and few people have heard of it. It’s home to North America’s southernmost ski resort if you want to get a few last runs in before heading home. Plus, loads of mountain hiking and welcoming restaurants to get a last taste of New Mexican cuisine.

After a night here, it’s back up north to Albuquerque and a flight home from the Sunport. Even though you’ve probably spent a week or so in America’s fourth-largest state, you’ll still have only seen a fraction of it. So while this itinerary will make for one hell of a road trip, it still leaves the door open for you to come back again.


More like this: The 25 coolest towns in America: 2019

The post New Mexico is the best place in the US for a winter road trip appeared first on Matador Network.

Orient Express ‘The Party’ train

While you probably won’t be solving a murder — fictional or otherwise — you can still ride the famed Orient-Express across Europe in style this March. Belmond, the company behind the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, is launching a new high-end train travel experience called “The Party.” The rail company will offer a two-night experience on March 27-29, 2020, which will transport guests a century back in time.

The experience begins at a speakeasy party at Belmond’s Hotel Cipriani in Venice. You may not want to get too drunk, however, as you’ll be departing the next morning for London aboard the Orient-Express train. You’ll pass through the Italian countryside, Austria, Switzerland, and France, and we have a hunch you probably won’t mind the long journey. Each of the train’s 17 carriages are from the 1920s and will be outfitted in period furnishings. Guests will be entertained by performances while onboard and will be encouraged to dress up in 1920s costumes.

According to Belmond, “The party continues as long as you do, so leave your inhibitions on the platform and embrace the atmosphere of a bygone era. Put your Charleston skills to the test, and make sure the 2020s begin as they mean to go on.”

Tickets for “The Party” start at $4,845 per person, which includes a one-night stay at the Belmond Hotel Cipriani, tickets to the speakeasy kickoff party, a cabin on the Orient-Express, and, most importantly, all drinks, meals, and entertainment.


More like this: The 7 most glamorous sleeper trains in Europe

The post The Orient Express is turning into a 1920s-themed party train next year appeared first on Matador Network.

Traditional Serbian dishes

While food tourism in Europe has long thrived in places like France and Italy, Serbian cuisine has remained under the radar for many tourists. The truth, however, is that this Balkan country is one of the best places to visit for anyone who enjoys good food.

In Serbia, most of the cooking is done at home, and recipes are passed from one generation to the next. Locals are strict when it comes to the quality of the products they feed their families. Serbia is still largely an agricultural country where locals grow their own fruit and vegetables and produce dairy, meat, and honey. Instead of shopping at a chain grocery store, often they’ll visit the local butcher to hand-pick the meat for kobasice. While visiting, a trip to the farmers market in Pirot to see vendors showing off homemade goods is essential.

When it comes to spices, Serbian isn’t the most adventurous of cuisines. Chefs primarily stick to the classics: paprika, spicy red pepper, garlic, black pepper, and salt. Soups and salads tend to be topped with parsley. Families and friends enjoy long sit-down meals that start with a salad and an appetizer, a meat dish for the main course, and something sweet for dessert. Most meals are accompanied by rakija, a strong brandy made from plums, quinces (a pear-like fruit), or other fruits.

Whether you’re planning a trip to Belgrade, the capital city, or heading to smaller cities like Niš and Pirot, your appetite will be more than satisfied. These are the most delicious dishes to try.

1. Pljeskavica

Photo: Balky79/Shutterstock

Pljeskavica is the Serbian version of a hamburger. The dish can also be found in Croatia, Bosnia, and Montenegro. It comes with a side of sliced tomato, lettuce, and onion, but unlike your typical hamburger, pljeskavica is served without the bun. The patty is a mixture of pork, lamb, and beef, and locals usually order it well done. You can ask for the traditional version or order it with melted cheese on top. Either way you order, order hungry, because each portion is typically bigger than your palm and around a quarter-pound of meat.

2. Shopska salad

Photo: Veronika Kovalenko/Shutterstock

Serbia has some exciting salads. While healthy and generally meat free, they are still very filling. Shopska is a type of chopped salad popular in the Balkans, and it is a must-try. It’s made with tomatoes, cucumber, feta cheese, and onion, and is topped with a single black olive and a parsley leaf. Locals dress it with olive oil and dip bread in the remaining juice on the bottom of the dish after finishing the whole thing. If you throw the juice away, there’s a chance you’ll be called out for being wasteful.

3. Ćevapi

Photo: Andrija Ivanovic/Shutterstock

Originally a Persian delicacy, this dish found its way into southeastern Europe during the years of the Ottoman Empire. Ćevapi (sometimes referred to as ćevapčići) are small sausages made with one of three variations of minced meat: pork; pork and lamb; or pork, lamb, and beef. Ćevapi aren’t spicy, but do have a hint of black pepper and garlic. Serbians shape the meat by hand and are very particular about the final form.

Ćevapi are considered both a delicacy and a fast-food item on the Balkans. In Belgrade, you’ll see street vendors selling them on every corner, usually accompanied by generous slices of white bread. When you order them at a restaurant, cevapi come with a serving of tomatoes and onion, as well as kajmak.

4. Kajmak

Photo: Daria Mladenovic/Shutterstock

The phrase “it gets better with age” applies perfectly to this Serbian delicacy. Kajmak is a type of cheese made from unpasteurized and unhomogenized milk. Kajmak tastes both smoky and buttery, and the longer you let it sit, the stronger the taste becomes. While the cheese is rich, it doesn’t feel heavy at all. It’s used both as a dish paired with toast or pita and as a condiment with pljeskavica, ćevapi, steak, or fries.

5. Karađorđeva šnicla

Photo: sanjagrujic/Shutterstock

According to legend, this now-classic dish originated by accident. In 1959, the Serbian chef Mića Stojanović ran out of chicken and didn’t have anything to serve to a distinguished Soviet guest. He scrambled around the kitchen and found some veal, which he prepared with tartar sauce and decorated with tomato and lemon. The arrangement looked very much like the medal of honor of Karađorđe, a Serbian freedom fighter, which is how the dish got its name.

Karađorđeva šnicla is a type of fried, breaded schnitzel stuffed with pork or veal. It makes for excellent finger food and is a very popular appetizer. It can be served as a main, as well, in which case it comes with roasted potatoes. The dish pairs well with kajmak for a meal that’s a mix of crispy texture and rich, creamy cheese.

6. Ajvar

Photo: Melica/Shutterstock

Ajvar is another staple dish that’s usually served as a side. It became popular during World War II because it’s cheap and easy to make. Serbians sometimes refer to it as a salad, but it’s more of a condiment, really, and can be added to most dishes. It’s made with a mix of garlic, roasted red bell peppers, oil, and eggplant, and has a light and refreshing quality. It’s commonly served alongside meat dishes, but vegetarians can still enjoy ajvar on a slice of toasted bread.

7. Kobasice

Photo: SuzyM/Shutterstock

Serbian cooks are resourceful and like to use as much of the animal as possible when preparing a meal. Kobasice is sausage, and it’s typically grilled and seasoned with garlic and paprika. Locals still go to the butcher to choose the exact cut of meat they like for kobasice. There are a few variations you will find depending on the region you’re in. You’ve got Sremska kobasice (from Srem), krvavice (blood sausage), kulen (from Syrmia), and švargla (similar to headcheese and made with organs and head meat). Sausage is a staple not just here but also in Slovenia and Croatia, two other countries that made up the former Yugoslavia. The country broke up in 1992, but similarities in the three cuisines remain to this day.

8. Palačinke

Photo: bepsy/Shutterstock

Don’t skip dessert while in Serbia. Order a palačinke, the Balkan version of a French crêpe. The light dessert is made with flour, eggs, milk, and butter. It comes soft, delicate, and rolled up or folded, depending on how much topping is inside. You can have it with whipped cream or Nutella. The tastiest option, however, is to order it stuffed with slatko: Serbian jam that comes in a wide variety of flavors, including strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, plum, peach, and apricot.


More like this: How to plan the ultimate road trip through the Balkans

The post 8 cheesy, buttery, and creamy Serbian foods you’ll fall in love with appeared first on Matador Network.

Miners of Java's Kawah Ijen volcano

In the remote, far-eastern tip of the island of Java, a stone’s throw away from paradisiacal Bali, stands the active Ijen volcano complex. In the middle of this complex is Kawah Ijen, a volcano like no other. Kawah Ijen is home to the largest acidic crater lake in the world. Its shimmering turquoise waters are surrounded by vents expelling sulphuric gas. This suffocating environment is extremely hostile to life, yet some people spend entire days on the volcano. These people are the sulfur miners of Kawah Ijen.

The volcano is far from urban centers, the nearest city of Banyuwangi is 20 miles away and no roads go to the crater. The one-hour steep trek up to the base camp on the crater’s rim is tough, but it’s probably the least difficult part of the 230 or so miners’ job. Twice a day, they go down into the solfatara to collect hardened, cooled sulfur, and carry fully loaded baskets back up to the camp. They then carry it all the way down the volcano to be weighed. Their life expectancy is said to barely reach 50 years.




1

The “devil’s gold,” as the miners call it, is the result of sulfuric gases that come out from cracks in the volcano and condense into a liquid. That liquid, molten sulfur, then flows out into the crater before cooling and hardening into a chalky, yellow rock. For the process to be easier and faster, a mining company set up pipes on a vent to redirect the liquid sulfur so that it pools on a flat surface rather than down the slopes of the crater. The miners use metal rods to dislodge the ore and to break it down into pieces that they then carry in baskets.

The exploitation of the sulfur mine started in 1968, but there’s been next to no modernization (other than the installation of the pipes) to the mining process since then.

2

The miners of Kawah Ijen use almost no protection despite the grueling conditions. The heat is almost unbearable by the vent and the volcanic gases make it near impossible to breathe, even with a gas mask. The gases burn the miners’ lungs.

3

The baskets used by the miners can weigh up to 200 lbs and are carried on their shoulders for a half-mile upward hike. This results in many health issues such as burnt skin on their shoulders from the friction of the heavy baskets, irreparable back issues, and knee pain.

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4

The rocky and steep terrain adds to the difficulty of the fully loaded baskets and makes the trek back up extremely difficult. The miners stop often along the way to catch their breath and rest.

Modernization of the mining process through mechanization might endanger some of the miner’s jobs.

5

Supeno is 35 years old; he has been mining sulfur since he was 23. He is a father of two and mining on Kawah Ijen is his way to provide for his family. The miners make an average of $5 per trip down into the crater.

In recent years, the local government has been trying to make the crater a tourist attraction, and it’s achieving some success. However, that comes with its share of issues as visitors are often ill-prepared for the demanding trek and rough conditions. Tourists often get in the way of the miners, but with them also comes new opportunities; some miners are turning into guides and are able to make extra money selling sulfur-carved crafts.

6

The base camp on the crater’s ridge is located two miles away from the road and accessible only on foot. The miners use it as an intermediate base between the mine in the crater and the weighing station down the volcano.

7

At the end of each day, the miners ready the sulfur for transportation at the base camp on the crater’s ridge. They pack up the freshly collected sulfur on wheelbarrows to transport it two miles down the volcano. They bring the sulfur to a nearby refinery that will pay them by weight.

More like this: 6 active volcanoes you can actually go and see up close

The post Poisonous gases and curious tourists: Inside the lives of the Kawah Ijen miners appeared first on Matador Network.

What is an orgasm workshop

Orgasms have been shown to reduce stress and increase self-esteem — all while triggering a rush of the pleasure hormone oxytocin throughout the body. And yet, not everyone is getting them equally. According to a study of over 52,000 American adults, straight men usually or always orgasm 95 percent of the time they have sex, compared to 65 percent for hetero women. This is what’s known as the orgasm gap, and it’s a problem. Why? Because sex builds intimacy and brings physical happiness — so if one half isn’t enjoying it as much as the other, then there’s something wrong. The gap doesn’t just apply to couples, either: Another study revealed only one in four women masturbates regularly, which is half the rate of men.

Although men reach orgasm more frequently than women, it would be a mistake to think this is something that only affects those with vaginas. So many things can stand in the way of sexual fulfillment, including low self-esteem, past trauma, and poor communication. Meanwhile, pop culture tells us all kinds of misinformation about sex and places too much emphasis on the orgasm itself. This makes pleasure too goal-oriented, which, ironically, decreases fulfillment and desire.

Orgasm workshops are designed to help primarily women, but also couples, solo men, and members of the LGBTQ+ community overcome these issues. They focus on building confidence by helping people understand they don’t have to fit into a single model of desire. They also give people permission to enjoy what they find pleasurable — rather than what culture tells them they should be a turn-on. So, now you know what an orgasm workshop is, here’s where you can find one.

1. Killing Kittens — Worldwide

Killing Kittens hosts a program of parties and socials held at various locations around the world. Its main aim is to give people a safe environment to learn more about pleasure and sexual satisfaction. The events, which cost between $51 and $309, range from hands-on male orgasm workshops for women who like men to nudity-free genital massage classes and tantric tutorials for couples. Attending is easy: Women, including trans women, just need to sign up and get party-approved. Men (who are called “Toms”) are allowed to attend, but they need to be invited by a female.

2. OMGyes — Online

Don’t fancy attending a workshop IRL? This one’s for you. The website — which recently rose to fame after actress and feminist icon Emma Watson revealed she was a paying subscriber — has combined the experiences of more than 2,000 cisgender women, aged 18 to 95, to create a science-based guide to female pleasure. So forget everything you read in Cosmo as a teen: This is previously unpublished information gathered from real women from around the world. Membership requires a one-time payment of around $63, and for that you get access to 62 videos, as well as 11 “touchable” guides that allow you (or your partner) to practice techniques on the screen for a more hands-on approach.

3. Intimacy Matters — London, UK

Colin Richards, a trained sex and relationship therepist, created Intimacy Matters in 2005. His organization now runs an enormous range of mentoring sessions and workshops ranging from one-on-one private tutoring with vetted volunteers to group events for people of all orientations. Couples’ workshops cost around $193 and cover things like erogenous areas, prostate massage, and edging. Aside from running hands-on, nude orgasm classes, Colin is a vocal advocate for physical and mental health. He believes a good sex life is essential to overall wellbeing and should be discussed openly and honestly.

4. Secret Yoga Club — Worldwide (but primarily London, UK)

Secret Yoga Club events blend sex education with a range of creative activities, including art and dance. Every workshop and retreat is slightly different, but attendees are usually encouraged to discuss their sexual history in a supportive group setting. You’ll also learn about communication, arousal, and things that get in the way of pleasure, such as negative self-talk. Sessions are fully clothed and hands-off, but “homework” is encouraged. London-based events range from $32 to $322 for admission whereas the international retreats start from $1159 and include food and accommodation.

5. Bodysex — Manhattan, US

Betty Dodson became active in the sex-positive movement in the late 1960s and has been recently named one of the top 10 sexual revolutionaries by Cosmopolitan and number 43 of the 100 most important people in sex by . In 2007, she launched her business with partner Carlin Ross to promote the “Betty Dodson” method of self-love, which involves a Hitachi Magic Wand vibrator and a towel. In addition to hosting an array of videos and tutorials on their site, the duo hold biannual two-day Bodysex workshops held at Betty’s apartment in midtown Manhattan. Each nude event is designed to teach cis and transgender women learn to overcome negative body image and pleasure anxiety. Bodysex is a registered charity, but the suggested donation is $1,200.

6. The V. Club — New York, US

The V. Club is a little different to most orgasm workshops in that classes place just as much empahsis on the psychological side of sex as the physical. Run by Courtney Cleman, a New York-based relationship coach, sex and relationship expert, and Kate Lubimov, a globally renowned sex educator, the organization offers women of all ages and orientations nudity-free classes on pleasure and arousal techniques. Speaking to Bustle, Cleman says, “Most therapy and workshops on sex and relationships focus on men’s or couple’s needs. We created a class to teach what every woman should know about getting the most satisfaction but usually doesn’t, which is why so many women struggle with achieving orgasms easily and consistently as compared to men.” Seminars run for four hours and are priced at $40 an hour.

7. O.School — Online

Another one for people who aren’t keen on the in-person approach, O.School is a live-streaming platform anyone can watch. It features sex ed classes from some of the most well-respected educators in the business who discuss everything from pegging and porn to masturbation and communication. Workshops are completely free (although participants have an option to tip) and viewers can jump in to ask questions live. In addition to streamed classes, visitors can also read news, trending topics, and cheat sheets written by coaches and doctors. Check the schedule for upcoming streams and mark your calendar for classes that look interesting.

8. Orgasmic! A Guide to Female Pleasure — London, UK

Sh!, a London-based sex toy emporium, hosts events covering everthing from bondage to dirty talk. Its monthly Orgasmic! A Guide To Female Pleasure event is women-only, fully clothed and all about clitorises and climaxing. Attendees will be taken on a tour of orgasmic delights, including how to locate the elusive G-spot, plus tips on techniques and toys. Tickets cost around $45, and for that you’ll get refreshments (usually bubbly and nibbles) and a one-and-a-half-hour class that includes a talk and a Q&A session, followed by mingling and and shopping discounts.

9. Tantra is Love — Sydney, Australia

This Sydney-based team hosts a range of events ranging from yoga to self-love classes, but it’s the tantric workshop that focuses specifically on sex. Over the course of two days, attendees learn about different techniques, including how to improve communication and intimacy, how to last longer and how to have different types of orgasm. Classes are mixed gender and LGBTQ+ friendly, and there’s no nudity or genital touching. You’ll be given a workbook full of tips and information for you to try out in the privacy of your own home.

10. Sexpert Consultants — Washington, US

Sexpert Consultants run a selection of private evens, group classes and online workshops covering a range of sex-related topics, from fellatio and cunnilingis to kink and cannasexuality (that’s sex on cannabis). Their popular ‘Women’s Sensual Self-Care’ workshop is the one to choose if you want to learn how to incorporate more sensuality into your self-care routine. You’ll also pick up some tips on how to prioritize pleasure and figure out what sparks your desire. While it’s not specifically focused on orgasms, you do get a goodie bag filled with treats — including a bullet vibrator — to try out at home. The class costs $50 and is fully clothed, with no intimate touching. There’s also the option to take an online version if you’re feeling shy.


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6 foods that can be easily faked

When it comes to banking, social media, and almost every activity that involves a computer, people are warned to always be wary of scams. We’re diligent to not click on any link from a random email address asking for far too much personal information. We don’t answer spam phone calls that bombard our cell phones on a daily basis. Yet, although most people are hyper diligent when it comes to protecting their bank accounts or social security numbers, we don’t seem to pay as close attention to our food.

That’s right, there is a lot of fake food floating around out there. Faked foods can be any edible product which has been labeled and passed off as one thing, but doesn’t actually contain any of the product it claims to be. These foods can be hard to spot, but there are some tell-tale signs you might not be eating what you think you’re eating. Check out six of the most commonly faked foods below, plus how to spot the fake versions.

1. Chilean sea bass

Photo: Piyato/Shutterstock

If you see this dish on a restaurant menu, think twice before ordering. Your favorite Chilean sea bass is actually Patagonian toothfish. The name was changed in the ‘70s to make it more appetizing. But wait, there’s more. It’s also not even a bass, it’s cod, and the majority of this supposedly Chilean fish is caught in US or Arctic waters, nowhere near Chile. On top of all of that confusion, this fish appears on the upscale restaurant menus at hiked up prices — even when it’s substituted for a much cheaper alternative called Antarctic toothfish. Your best bet is to just order a burger instead.

2. Wasabi

Photo: charnsitr/Shutterstock

Wasabi might be one of the most well-known, and most commonly, faked foods. That’s because the vast majority of low-end sushi restaurants don’t serve freshly grated green wasabi (the Washington Post reported that 99 percent of wasabi is fake). Instead, they substitute it for dyed green horseradish, which mimics the spicy flavor of the Japanese root. Real wasabi grows naturally in Japan’s stream and river beds — and is obscenely expensive. You’ll know you’re eating the real thing because it’s typically grated right in front of you and must be eaten immediately. The fake horseradish-based “wasabi” has a longer shelf life, making it the perfect accompaniment to takeout sushi.

3. San Marzano tomatoes

Photo: Clari Massimiliano/Shutterstock

The name San Marzano should signify high-quality canned tomato. But more than 90 percent of tomatoes with this label are fake. The majority of canned tomatoes labeled San Marzano might be grown in Italy, but aren’t from the seed used to create the iconic tomato. True San Marzano tomatoes must come from the Agro Nocerino Sarnese region of Italy. Once canned, the tomatoes will come with a special DOP label, which specifies that they are from a “Protected Designation of Origin.” The can should also read “Pomodoro San Marzano dell’Agro Sarnese Nocerino.” Only about 5 percent of San Marzano tomatoes at your neighborhood grocery store are the real deal. Back in 2010, the Italian government seized nearly 34 tons of fake San Marzano tomatoes before they could be shipped to America.

4. Calamari

Photo: photosmatic/Shutterstock

If you’re eating at an upscale, respected restaurant, you probably won’t run into this fake food. Still, it’s worth noting that in 2013, This American Life did a story on “imitation calamari.” Calamari, as most people know, is simply breaded and fried pieces of squid. This sneakier version is made from pig rectum (also known as bung). It makes the perfect, less expensive substitute because it has a similar texture. The two varieties were so similar that the show’s producers couldn’t even tell them apart in a blind taste test. And to be fair, the show didn’t uncover any instances of restaurants trying to pass off pig rectum as real calamari — just “compelling belief within the American meat industry that this is a practice,” according to one of the show’s producers.

5. Crab meat

Photo: Gilberto Villasana/Shutterstock

Imitation crab meat isn’t exactly a secret, but it’s still one to look out for if you’re only interested in eating true crab. Instead of being made from the bottom feeder crustaceans, fake crab meat is made from a variety of pollock called surimi. The surimi is mixed with fillers like sugar and egg whites, and artificial coloring is added to make it appear red. It’s also much cheaper than true crab. You’ll find imitation crab meat hidden in Western versions of sushi dishes like California rolls, but it does taste similar to crab, so you might not even notice it’s there. That is, unless you actually look at the price tag.

6. Truffle oil

Photo: Paolo Certo/Shutterstock

If you see the word “truffle” on a restaurant menu, you probably automatically think of a high-quality, expensive, classy ingredient. That might be true when it comes to shaved truffles adorning dishes like pizza or pasta. Where you run into trouble is with so-called truffle oil. This seemingly expensive dip for fries or bread doesn’t actually contain any truffles. Once upon a time, this oil might have been infused with black or white truffles, but today the majority of it actually contains a molecule that simply mimics the scent of truffles. Your side dish is actually getting drizzled with a synthesized, petroleum chemical compound.


More like this: Common sushi mistakes Americans make, according to David Chang

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Submarine turned into digital art

The largest digital art center in the world is coming to France, and it’s probably not where you’d expect. Instead of being housed in a newly built, modern facility, the center for art will be located in Bordeaux’s former World War II submarine base, an immense concrete structure built by the occupying Germans in 1943.

Photo: Culturespaces/Erich Lessing/akg-images/Bridgeman Images

Parts of the highly unusual concrete and steel space comprised of four large ponds has already been repurposed for temporary artistic and cultural events, but they will now be devoted for permanent exhibitions. Les Bassins de Lumières (The Ponds of Lights) digital art center is scheduled to open on April 17, 2020 with an amazing immersive display of Gustav Klimt and Paul Klee’s work projected on the venue’s walls and reflected in the ponds’ water.

Photo: Culturespaces/Erich Lessing/akg-images

Culturespaces, the company behind the Atelier des Lumières in Paris, is responsible for this fantastic project. The Atelier des Lumières’ first exhibition, an immersive display of Van Gogh’s artwork, was extremely successful.

Photo: Culturespaces/Erich Lessing/akg-images/Heritage Images/Fine Art Images

The space will be open seven days a week year-round. Exhibitions will change each year.


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First all-electric commercial plane

Vancouver, Canada, is soon to be the site of some very exciting developments in aeronautical technology. On December 11, Harbour Air is scheduled to test the world’s first fully electric commercial aircraft. The seaplane, a DHC-2 de Havilland Beaver that can hold six passengers, was retrofitted with a magniX electric motor, and will be flown for the first time by Greg McDougall, the company’s CEO.

“I’ll be the only one aboard it,” said McDougall to Global News. “The flight permit actually includes one test pilot and that’s it.”

McDougall created Harbour Air in 1982 and the all-seaplane airline, located in the heart of downtown Vancouver, has always been ahead of its time. In 2007, it became the first fully carbon-neutral airline in North America.

Photo: Harbour Air

Harbour Air operates mostly short-distance flights, which is perfect for the current battery technology. The test flight itself will only be about 10 minutes long. If the test proves successful, Harbour Air wants to start using electric seaplanes for commercial use in two years’ time. The electric seaplanes will also help the company save fuel and limit the cost of plane maintenance.

Weather permitting, Harbour Air’s first electric plane will take off from the YVR South Terminal on December 11, 2019.


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