5 Reasons to Try Scuba Diving on Your Next Vacation
Everyone’s idea of an adventure is different. Traveling and going on excursions can be the highlight of any trip. But if you’re any kind of a fan of sea life, the ocean, or water in general, scuba diving just might be for you. Why? Because the world of scuba diving can be as involved as you want it to be. This is a sport that can be tailored to fit exactly what you’re looking for. Want a deep sea experience or something with a little more depth? There are programs for that. Perhaps there’s a certain kind of sea animal you’re dying to see? Yes, you’ve guessed it! There are programs for that. Whatever you want out of your scuba diving experiences, you can have, and so much more besides. Sounds too good to be true? It really isn’t! So, the next time you’re near the ocean, maybe you should give scuba diving a try? In this article, we’re sharing the top 5 reasons why. 1. Dolphins, Hammerheads, and Whales, Oh My! We can easily forget what is below the beautiful waters that surround us. We get so fixated on the essentials of survival that we forget how much more there is to explore. But imagine for a second, what it would be like if we could connect with our water mates. Would you like a caged-in experience to see a great white? Or perhaps a free dive and swim in southern Brazil to meet some dolphins is more your cup of tea? Experiencing what’s below allows you to meet creatures that will leave you in awe. The under water world can introduce you to magnificent sea creatures that will remind you of just how small we are, both literally and figuratively. Yes! The underwater schools of sea life that you’ll experience, may just rock your world, in the best way possible. 2. World of Color The colors beneath the ocean floor are like nothing you’ve ever seen. The corals and reefs reflecting off one another will offer you shades of your favorite colors that you didn’t know existed. The structural reefs of calcium carbonate will give you a colony experience that you won’t forget. The marine waters offer many nutrients that keep the reefs alive. And, as long as you’re respectful of them, you can swim in and out of the many nooks, the reefs have to offer. 3. You’ll Get Outside Yourself Sometimes all it takes for us to get outside our heads is to get outside of our routine and comfort zones. Suffering from anxiety or PTSD? Recent studies show that someone suffering from PTSD can experience 80% relief from symptoms through scuba diving. Spinal injuries and certain forms of paralysis have been healed and improved through therapies that involve walking on the bottom of the ocean. Perhaps it’s all about connecting to a time many millions of years ago when we were much more familiar with ocean waters? Submerging yourself into something so vast, and so much bigger than yourself can be an awakening experience. Many scuba divers claim to experience complete euphoria while below waters. Scuba diving allows us to connect with our planet in one of the deepest ways possible. You’ll let go of yourself and move freely in a new space. When you’re...
read moreHow to Scuba Dive With Sharks (& Not Get Eaten)
As kids, we all went snorkeling once or twice. Flippers on our feet, life vests, and funny masks kept us safe and near the surface of the water. There were beautiful coral reefs and schools of fish, but that is where the excitement ended. If snorkeling wasn’t thrilling enough for you, what if you could go swimming with top of the food chain predators? Shark diving is definitely a step up from snorkeling in skill and excitement level. But is it safe? In this article, I’ve put together a guide on how to scuba dive with sharks, its safety, and where to do it. Thrill seekers read on! Is Shark Diving Safe? The short answer to this question is yes, generally. As with any other situation that has a chance to be dangerous, your safety can’t be guaranteed. When you are near sharks, especially if you aren’t accompanied by a professional, there is a chance of an attack. But how common is it? Contrary to what Shark Week & online videos may have you believe, sharks are not the man-eating machines that media has made them out to be. You have more chances of being struck by lightening than you do by being bitten by a shark. In 2015, there were only six fatalities from shark attacks. That is less than a .001% chance when you compare the 2015 attacks to the world population. Yearly, sharks bite less than 100 people and most of those people (92 in 2015) survive and live to tell the tale. This data is for unprovoked shark attacks. As you can imagine, a shark will be much more inclined to bite someone who is poking, prodding, or baiting it. If you’re looking at learning how to scuba dive with sharks, make sure the company you use doesn’t use shark baiting methods. How to Scuba Dive with Sharks Now that you know the rarity of shark attacks, hopefully, you’re considering diving with these majestic ocean predators. Before you go under water, there are some things you’ll need to do first. Get Licensed Learning how to scuba dive is not a do it yourself type of thing and you won’t be allowed to dive if you’re not licensed. There are many programs, even in landlocked places, that have scuba diving lessons that can be completed in an intensive weekend or over the course of a month. The local dive center in your area will tell you what options it offers. It’s also an option to get certified while you’re on vacation, but it takes up precious free time. Pick the Right Spot When planning out how to scuba dive with sharks, you’ll need to pick a location that sharks are known to frequent. For those living in North American, those include the Bahamas, Mexico, and the waters around Cuba. If you have a little more vacation cash to play with and want to go diving somewhere exotic, Fiji, South Africa, and the Maldives are all beautiful shark diving locations. Pick the Right Time Important but not usually mentioned in how to scuba dive articles is the time of the year you plan your vacation. The best time to see sharks is after their pups are born since the adults will be more active. Try to plan your...
read moreCrazy Stories From Casinos
Casinos are frequently depicted in the media, in movies and television shows, as they can add tension, excitement and unpredictability. As any casino gambler including those who started playing online will tell you however, this is also true of the experience in real life – which is a big part of the appeal. This article will take a look at some of the craziest real-life stories to have emerged as a result of casino gaming. 1. The ultimate all-in bet Many people consider themselves to be high stakes gamblers, but when compared to one Ashley Revell they are naught but lightweights. This tactical genius – or madman depending on where you stand – opted to bet the entirety of his net worth on a single spin of the roulette wheel. In case you don’t realize what that means, Revell took out all of his cash and sold everything he owns except the clothes he needed to attend the casino, and bet it. His resulting bet was $136,000 and he won – walking away with $272,000. 2. Giving it all up Most people who play casino games have dreamed of securing a life-changing win at some point – but it’s probably safe to say that fewer of them dream of giving that money right back to the casino afterwards. Astonishingly, this is what David Meade, a mentalist from Ireland, opted to do after taking the Vegas casinos for a cool $1 million. He did this as part of his David Meade: Million Dollar Bet television show, which saw him test his mental skills by becoming the first player to devise a winning roulette strategy – something even Einstein couldn’t manage. He admitted he wasn’t really a gambler at heart though, and gave all his winnings back. 3. Poker prodigy This story involves an eight-year-old who is believed to have won $500,000 playing poker at an online casino. The child, who has never been named, is a prodigy who hails from India and began creating his own web pages when he was just four. As the story goes, he was using an account for the online casino that had been set up by his uncle when he won the money, but there is some dispute about whether he ever collected his winnings. Some say the site refused to pay due to his age, while his family maintained that he had played poker at the site before and was known by people who run it as the “little poker wizard” – although they were probably calling him something less polite when he took $500,000 off them. What these stories go to show is that gambling attracts the brilliant and the mental, but that anyone has a shot at winning big if they...
read moreHappy Birthday to My Loose Acquaintance
Have you ever wished a “Happy Birthday” to someone you barely know on Facebook? Of course you have. We all have. And some of us even had fun doing it! More than likely though, you only wished someone a happy birthday because you felt a random moral obligation to congratulate them. And this small act of kindness helped you sleep at night. No, not as much as the Zzzquil and Quaaludes, but it helped a touch. We last featured Garfunkel and Oats on Golden Twist after they released their amusing “Sports, Go Sports” sketch. Not long after they published that video on their YouTube channel, they unveiled a bit titled “Happy Birthday to My Loose Acquaintance,” and even though it’s a year old, it — amazingly — is still culturally relevant today. (Your sarcasm meter should be going wild at my use of the word “amazingly.” If it’s not, get it checked.) Through song, Garfunkel and Oats point out the absurdity of taking ten seconds to wish a stranger on social media a happy birthday. A lyrical highlight: “Facebook told me, it’s your birthday, and I wouldn’t have known any other way. Because we co-exist in a mutually unstated unattached cohesion that Facebook created.” So, the next time you send birthday wishes to a loose Facebook acquaintance, keep this song in mind. Hell, maybe even direct them to this video as you congratulate them. No reason to leave them out of the joke, if you ask...
read moreUnexpected Thug Life at Its Absolute FINEST!
Post by Unexpected Thug Life. So unless you’ve been living under some kind of anti-Facebook dictatorship (or just under a rock with no Internet access whatsoever), you’ve no doubt already heard of or stumbled upon the glorious, high comedy that is the “Unexpected Thug Life” series. For the un-indoctrinated amongst you, it’s essentially a video series chronicling various people, animals or situations in which said people, animal or overall situation abruptly (and usually unexpectedly, even despite you technically know something crazy is coming) shifting into giving absolutely ZERO f’s. It’s funny, it’s often delightfully surprising – and in the case of this video – well, it can once in a while simply offer a straight-up masterpiece. You’re welcome in advance. c1de78472aa028bcfb0075ae7d0533def4b3f9f7037eaf0d6b...
read moreYeah, That’s NOT What She Said…
As someone who’s career “that’s what she said!” batting average is currently sitting under .200, I have a sort of love-hate relationship with the whole thing. On the one hand – thanks to my annoying, ADHD-addled mind juggling approximately 137 things at once usually — my “that’s what she said quips” almost always fall flat. Or come entirely too late. Or just don’t really make sense whatsoever. But on the other hand, when you get the timing right and you’re saying it in response to something that, “Hey, by golly, she WOULD say something like that, guffaw, guffaw,” it can be truly magical. (THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID!...
read moreThe Real Reason For Dad Jokes
It’s common knowledge that all Dads have stupid, corny jokes that they all think are hilarious. But why is this? What evolutionary or genetic explanation is there for this that isn’t too scientific and boring? I have the answer my friends. It’s because, as Dads, most guys had to more or less say goodbye to their younger, party-hardy lifestyle. As such – and this is especially true if said Dads friends didn’t manage to have kids at the same time as them – they pretty much stopped hanging out with their friends on anything close to a regular basis. Because of this, the poor Dad – now out of his element and thrown into the “wild” of parenthood – basically has to stay amused all by his lonesome, but he also has to keep it PG (at the naughtiest – can’t have the kids being corrupted, you know?). As a result, Dad jokes become his new close friend and solace. Thanks, I know it’s a solid theory. It’s because it’s...
read moreSmoking Catnip for Dummies: Everything You Need (or Wanted) to Know About Meowijuana
So you want to smoke catnip, huh? You crazy, crazy bastard… Smoking catnip certainly isn’t something your everyday, average Joe Schmoe ever really thinks about ever doing, you’re at least to be commended on your efforts to research this topic first before sparking up that sweet, sweet meowijuana. So, consider this a formal commendation. Well done! So, what exactly happens when one smokes catnip? Is it dangerous? Is the smoke dangerous if inhaled by your (hopefully) smoking buddy Tinkles the cat? Most importantly of all, does it give you any kind of high whatsoever? Worry not, my groovy, creative, young sir or madam, because we’re here to help you learn all this and then some because, well… that’s just what we do around here. We try to help people and… stuff. Regardless, you’ve come to the right place. So let’s jump into the lesson, shall we? The Basics Catnip (also known via its scientific name, Nepeta cataria) surprisingly enough belongs in the mint family. While originally native to Europe, it spread to other continents after sea voyage and trade became more common back around the 1500’s. Now known pretty much universally as catnip (although we much prefer our new invented name of meowijuana), it was also known as catswort and fieldbalm back in the day. Health/Medicinal Benefits Believe it or not, catnip also has a slew of various medical benefits and has long been used in China (because… of course it was) for treating a variety of different health problems. In addition to helping aid healthy digestion, catnip can also act as a sedative, menstruation promoter, tranquilizer, and even as a cure for infant colic. It can additionally be ingested in tea form to reap its many benefits. Catnip tea itself has long been used many European countries as a remedy for the common cold, chest congestion and to even help loosen up relaxed muscles. Chewing the leaves of the plant has also been known to help relieve toothaches, offering a surprisingly pleasant and aromatic flavor – arguably the exact opposite of what you’d think catnip would actually taste like. Although thought of as a beneficial side effect when used for the treatment of fever, smoking the plant promotes mild to moderate sweating, which is obviously a negative side effect (unless you’re an absolute goof who actually enjoys getting all soaked, gross and sweaty). Lastly, as all of this weren’t enough already, smoking catnip can and has been used to treat both asthma and bronchitis. Like most medicinal herbs and plants, the overall effect of administering catnip on humans can vary greatly depending on the method of consumption. In addition to smoking it, chewing it and making tea with it as we’ve already discussed, one can also concentrate the plant (and naturally amplify its benefits in the process) into a potent tincture. But this is an extremely lengthy and complicated process we shall discuss in detail on some other (preferably rainy) day. Meowijuana Basics & Effects Now that we’ve covered the brief history and health/medicinal benefits of catnip, it’s now time to get into the nitty-gritty of what you came here for in the first place: how to smoke the plant and the various effects one can expect after the session. As a forewarning (of sorts, although knowing you,...
read moreNine Amazing Places to View the Northern Lights
Take a long look at any traveler bucket list and it’s likely that seeing the Northern Lights is a big priority, if it hasn’t already been crossed off. This natural phenomenon lights up the sky with beautiful greens, purples, reds, and yellows, and is caused by the collision of solar wind with magnetospheric charged particles (don’t worry – that’s the sciencey bit over and done with)! Although it’s best known for its northern cameos, it can be witnessed in many different areas of the world. Named after the Roman Goddess of dawn, Aurora, you’re more likely to catch a glimpse of this natural light show where light pollution is low. Normally, you’ll see the lights between 5pm and 2am, when the sky is clear. The lights aren’t very predictable – so luck has to be on your side – but they are more commonly witnessed between September and March in northernmost countries. Sweden – Torneträsk Up in Swedish Lapland, Torneträsk is a picturesque lake, even if ‘träsk’ does mean ‘swamp’ in standard Swedish! You’re most likely to see the lights on a cool, dark night with little moonlight and clear skies. In the winter, Torneträsk often freezes over, so you will enjoy the Northern Lights from a frozen wonderland. Sweden – Jukkasjärvi Another Swedish lake, Jukkasjärvi used to be a Sami marketplace and is surrounded by beautiful natural scenery. However, this destination is best known for its iconic Ice Hotel, which has become world-famous for its amazing architecture. Every year, this jaw-dropping inn is rebuilt from snow and ice, including the chairs and beds. Artists from all over the world are asked to create individual, annual decorations – there is even a bar with glasses made of ice! The Ice Chapel is a firm favourite for marrying couples, even if the structure remains below freezing at -5°C (pretty chilly!). From this frozen palace, you can also catch the Northern Lights when it occurs. Iceland – Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park Þingvellir is one of the most popular destinations in Iceland, and for a good reason! It’s home to Þingvallavatn, the largest natural lake in Iceland. It also boasts one of the oldest parliaments in the world, Alþingi, which was established in 930 and stayed in this National Park until 1798. There are great hiking trails and camping grounds, as well as scuba diving for the very brave! Seeing as Iceland is so sparsely populated, light pollution is unlikely to be a problem, making this one of the best places in the world to catch the Northern Lights. Read the rest of this post here. This article is courtesy of...
read moreInterview with YouTube Superstar Joe Miragliotta
Men’s lifestyle blogger and YouTube mastermind Joe Miragliotta knows a thing or two about creating captivating video blogs. He also knows a thing or two about airports — that’s because he practically lives in them. I recently sat down with Joe (metaphorically speaking) to ask him a few questions about his rise to stardom, and he was kind enough to answer my meandering inquiries. What made you want to start a YouTube Channel in the first place? Like most YouTube viewers, I started watching funny little viral clips my friends would send me. Every now and then I would come across a person talking to their camera and found myself captivated with what they had to say. To think a person who is by no means what we would call “famous” was able to gain such interaction and praise from viewers had me intrigued. It introduced me to a new kind of audience, an audience I could speak to directly like we were having a friendly conversation. How do you think the content of your channel has changed over the years? My content has changed A LOT over the last few years. The main thing would be quality from the video productions, topics, and how I present myself. Do you do all your own video editing? If so, do you ever get tired of having to do it, day in, and day out? I do all my own editing. It’s hard to say I’m tired of doing it since it really doesn’t take too long. Thankfully I know the ins and outs of working with editing software. But I will admit if I were able to just let go, and not be a control freak, I would love to pay someone to edit for me. Your channel has the occasional “Would You Rather” episode, in which you stand with a few friends and answer generally insane questions. You must receive submissions too crazy to even mention on your show. Where could one read these? HA! Believe it or not I don’t have much of a filter. That is actually one thing I should work on for the sake of brands because I tend to use the whacky Qs. But if I were to direct you to a place where I sometimes answer insane questions it would be on my Tumblr (joesdaily.tumblr.com). I get some pretty whacky anonymous questions. Other than that, next time I ask for “Would You Rather” questions on Twitter, just check there. Your men’s lifestyle blog, JoesDaily.com, paints a picture of a blogger who travels constantly. How many trips do you take over the course of a month? I love traveling so I’m happy you actually picked up on that. Lately I’ve been traveling a whole bunch. I would say on average it would be anywhere from 2-4 trips a month. Sometimes they are local, though. For example as I answer these questions I’m heading off to a Scion event in an Uber. God bless technology. Months ago you left your full-time job (because the company you worked for crumbled) to pursue being a full-time entrepreneur. Was this transition easy for you? Great question. And yes, I’ve been extremely fortunate for the support I’ve had behind me on this new venture. Basically all the clients I worked with under the...
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