Bali vs Thailand: Which Place is Better? 

BY  Sibashree Oct 15, 2024

Lassen Volcanic National Park was in the news recently as the fourth-largest wildfire in California exploded out of proportion. The park's officials evacuated staff from the Mineral community near the park headquarters.  120 people were there in the community, and the evacuation started as the fire started moving east to the park on the evening of 26th July 2024.  However, the park fire reached near containment in August, and on 17th August 2024, the park was partially reopened. You may wonder what to see in Lassen Volcanic National Park after the fire breakout and if there is any significant destruction in the places of interest in the park.  Let me assure you. The park officials stated that the fire had never entered the park. However, there are still risks in the southern part of the park and Mill Creek and Mineral communities.  Nevertheless, the reopened parts of the park are out of danger despite some lingering smoke. So, Subway Cave, located around 15 miles north of Lassen Volcanic National Park, is one of the safest sites to explore after the fire incident. Make a rush, as it remains open from late April to November.  What To See In Lassen Volcanic National Park After The Fire Breakout (Exploring The Underground World Of A Lava Tube) Yes, you got me right! I am talking about the Subway Cave. The self-guided trail inside the cave is ⅓ miles long and 30 feet wide, and complete darkness is inside. So, many call it the journey into darkness. The USDA Forest Service maintains the cave, which remains open from dawn to dusk.  Before I get into more stories and facts about the cave, I want to present the basics you need to know briefly.  Important Facts About Subway Cave, Lassen National Volcanic Park Location in the ParkA 2-minute walk from the parking lot near the junction of “Highway 89” and “Highway 44” in Old StationAmenitiesPicnic TablesDrinking WaterParkingToiletsInterpretive SiteFeesFree (You can make donations)Pet-FriendlyNoParking FacilitiesMany Parking Facilities, Buses and RVsOutdoor ActivitiesInterpretative Sessions, Caving, PicnicTemperature Inside the Cave46 Degree Farrenheit Nearby AttractionShasta County (Mountainous landscape and multiple picnic locations)Nearby Trails*Cinder Crone TrailSpattercone Nature TrailButte Lake to Widow Lake, etc.  *Many hiking trails in the park, such as the Lassen Peak, Bumpass Hell, and Mill Creek Falls, are closed as the park has partially reopened after the recent wildfire explosion. So, check with the park authorities before you plan a hike on the park trails.  This Is How The Subway Cave Was Formed  If you are a keen learner of geology and want to know what to see in Lassen Volcanic National Park, you cannot avoid the lure of Subway Cave. I have already shared an account on the geothermal wonders of the park. This cave is an example of how lava flowed around 20000 years ago and created some magic.  A major lava explosion happened all across the Hat Creek area around 20000 years ago. The top layer of the lava flow became cold and hard in contact with air. Thus, a hard cap was formed. However, there was a continuous flow of molten lava below this cap.  The molten lava drained out Over time, but a hollow tube structure remained there. As you hike this trail, you will find traces of the more recent lava flows.  Route To The Subway Cave Is Bumpass Hell on your list of what to see in Lassen Volcanic National Park? Are you planning a trip to the park soon? Then, you will be disappointed as the Bumpass Hell trek route is closed after the park has reopened following the recent fire breakout.  Further, as Bumpass Hell is closed, you must take the Warner Valley Area route to  Devils Kitchen, which is the cave's opening. Devils Kitchen is a 4.4-mile hike from the Warner Valley Area (camping here is closed for 2024).   Accessing The Subway Cave  You have to climb down metal stairs as you access the Subway Cave. You will get down into a wide opening in the ground. The ground surface has a leveled floor. However, you must be careful as you get off the stair flight.  Further, you must wear sturdy footwear to avoid injuries and difficulties where the floor gets rough.  Fortunately, the ceiling and walls are quite smooth, minimizing the hiking difficulty level while hiking. Also, there is complete darkness inside the cave. So, you will need a flashlight to make it to the end.  The weather inside is a little cold, even in summer. So you will need a light jacket. Moreover, don’t forget to read and follow the interpretative signs through the trail to better understand the place.  The best thing about this park is that it’s 30 feet wide. So, even with complete darkness inside, you never feel suffocated.  What To See In Lassen Volcanic National Park Subway Cave It is not a long walk inside the Subway Cave. However, this short walk is enough to make it feature on the list of what to see in Lassen Volcanic Park.  Lucifer’s Cul-de-sac (An Attraction Very Few Knows About) Have you listened to Satan’s Cul-de-sac from Gangland Buries Its Own? The first thing that may amaze you inside the cave is Lucifer’s Cul-de-sac. There is a split as you enter the cave, and you are to turn to the right if you want to continue the trail. However, you will notice a big room if you are adventurous enough to turn left, when I tell you about Lucifer’s Cul-de-sac, The ceiling height starts from 6 feet and gets higher up to 15 feet. The most amazing thing about this room inside the cave is the rock formation on the ceiling and walls. It’s gothic and justified its name.  https://open.spotify.com/track/6cq37W4OXjEdQRLh2IVQOF As The Hike Advances  The ceiling height will vary as you continue the trek, and there are small boulder-like rock formations in many places. So, be careful with your steps and do not stumble upon them. Also, because of these rock formations, you must not wear an open-toe shoe while walking through the cave.  Nevertheless, the ceiling formation is fascinating, and in one section, it looks like stoned rainfall or water ripples. The section is called the Lavacicle Lane. Molten lava dripped off through the cracks in the ceiling cave, and there were formations of “drip pendants” or “lavacicles.”  Further, as you plan to take the exit, you notice all the colors in the lava rock formation, including green, blue, white, and brown lines.  Getting Out Of The Subway Cave As you approach the end of the cave, you will find a metal stair flight similar to the one at the entrance. From the top of the exit staircase, you can hike through an on-ground trail to the west or north to find the parking lot.  However, I prefer to take another walk through the cave and get back to the entrance. It will be so much fun to explore this unique geological formation again.  Things To Remember Before Getting Into The Darkness Of The Subway Cave  Subway Cave is a hidden gem if you consider what to see in Lassen Volcanic National Park. However, once you take the hike and read the interpretative signs, you will learn why it is geologically unique.  Nevertheless, you must be careful about certain things to ensure complete safety throughout the hike.  You will find rattlesnakes in the trail, and you have to be respectful to these reptiles. You must not make any move to catch or hurt them. Moreover, you cannot go off trails or litter inside the cave.  No food, water, or firelighting is allowed inside the cave. There are picnic areas nearby for you to catch refreshments. Wish you a safe, easy, and fun-filled experience inside the Subway Cave!  Also read Why Include Whale Watching In Your LA Itinerary. Traveling On A Budget: Tips For Affordable Adventures. From Cocktails To Kickflips: Must-Try Activities In San Diego.

BY  Sibashree Sep 3, 2025

One of the absolute best things about travel? Hands down, it’s the food. Nothing beats sitting near the water, breeze in your face, and digging into whatever the locals have been making for generations.  Maybe it’s smoky sardines in Portugal or paper-thin slices of tuna sashimi in Japan… Either way, seafood has this way of stealing the show. But here’s the flip side: while we’re chasing flavors, it helps to know what’s actually landing on the plate.  Mercury in seafood’s been popping up in conversations more and more. It’s naturally out there in the environment, sure, but industries add to it too. Some fish pick up more of it than others. Most of the time, you’re fine, but if seafood becomes your go-to meal on a trip? Yeah, worth paying attention. In this Tour and Travel Blog, we will talk about how to try the best coastal cuisine safely.  How To Try The Best Coastal Cuisine Safely? Understanding The Importance Imagine you’ve planned this whole trip around food—coastal markets, little family-run joints, maybe a cooking class or two. Seafood’s everywhere.  But here’s the thing: the big, long-living fish—swordfish, king mackerel, certain tunas—they build up more mercury over time. Smaller guys like sardines, trout, anchovies? Usually safer bets. This isn’t about saying “don’t eat seafood.” Please, no. It’s about eating smart so you don’t have to think twice later. When a menu lists a fish you can’t pronounce, knowing the basics means you can pick something tasty without worrying about it. Why It Matters For Travelers? Eating local food is how you get a place. Paella in Spain, ceviche in Peru, a messy clam bake in New England—they’re experiences as much as meals.  But if you’re traveling and eating seafood meal after meal, that exposure can stack up faster than you think. For most healthy adults, a little extra seafood isn’t a big deal. But pregnant travelers, kids, or folks with certain health issues? They’ve gotta be a bit more cautious. Knowing which fish to enjoy freely and which to maybe skip for the day? That’s just good travel sense. The Role Of Sustainability And yeah, mercury’s one piece of the puzzle. Overfishing’s another. A lot of places now highlight eco-friendly options right on the menu. Asking about it isn’t annoying—it shows you care about the place you’re visiting and the people feeding you. How To Navigate Coastal Cuisine Safely While Traveling? Know The Practical Tips Freshness, simplicity, and a riot of flavors! These are the core reasons why coastal cuisine is so popular. Furthermore, smoking, grilling, and making curries are the most popular methods of cooking these cuisines.  However, you need to be extra careful while navigating these cuisines.  1. Safer Selections Abroad Menus in other languages, mystery dishes… yeah, it can get confusing. But here are a few things that make life easier: Chat with locals. They know what’s eaten all the time versus the “special occasion” stuff. Go smaller when you can. Sardines, smelt, whitefish—lower on the mercury scale. Shellfish’s usually fine. Shrimp, crab, scallops—still best not to overdo it. Throw in some variety. Plant-based meals or land proteins here and there keep things balanced. 2. Culinary Traditions And Conscious Choices  Every region has its classics for a reason. Mediterranean? Grilled sardines with olive oil and lemon—healthy, simple, perfect. Southeast Asia?  Flavorful curries using smaller fish. Then there are places serving bigger predatory fish, like marlin in parts of the Caribbean—amazing flavor, but maybe not for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The cool part is, you don’t have to give up authenticity. You just get to enjoy it without overthinking. 3. Practical Tips For Travel Planners  If you’re the “map out everything” type, a little prep work helps: Look up local fish before you go. Two minutes online gives you a head start. Learn a few names in the local language. Saves a lot of pointing and guessing. Visit good markets. Tours often highlight safe, sustainable stalls. Spread out the big meals. Try the famous dish… just maybe not twice a day. Having Coastal Cuisine Safely For Long-Term Travel And Health Awareness  Traveling for weeks—or months—near the coast? Yeah, seafood’s going to be everywhere. Switching things up helps keep it fun and balanced.  A little shellfish, some whitefish, a veggie dish now and then—it all adds up to fewer worries later. Being aware of seafood high in mercury ensures that long-term travel remains not only adventurous but also sustainable for personal health. What Are The 5Cs Of Trying Coastal Cuisine Safely?  These are the thumb rules or the basic 5Cs while cooking coastal cuisine.  Cleaning Cooking Chilling Cross-Contamination Prevention Communication  When you are trying seafood or coastal cuisine in a new place, you will have to consider these factors. Otherwise, there are high risks of food contamination and allergies. 1. Cleaning We all wash our hands and sanitize the food preparation and cooking surfaces. At the food preparation stage, we have to deal with raw meat and seafood ingredients.  Furthermore, we have to wash all the ingredients thoroughly using warm and cold water.  So, when you visit an eatery, especially for seafood, you have to ensure that all these practices are being followed thoroughly.  If not, however tempting the place or the dish may look, leave it at once! 2. Cooking Cooking thoroughly is very important, and at the right temperature. It is essential to get rid of the harmful bacteria and disease-causing elements in the raw ingredients.  Furthermore, reheating the refrigerated or stored food before eating is mandatory to avoid throat and stomach infections.  While it is difficult for you to check whether all these are being followed properly in a restaurant kitchen or a seaside shack, you can at least avoid having raw seafood at an unknown place.  3. Chilling Once the food is cooked, eaten, and cooled, you can store it in a refrigerator for safe preservation.  When you need that food again, you can take it out of the refrigerator, warm it, and have it.  This is also something very basic in restaurants. However, there are also risks of restaurants serving food that has been stored in the refrigerator for the longest time.  So, talk with locals and get ideas about a safe place where you can have fresh seafood.  4. Cross-Contamination Prevention Preventing cross-contamination requires the use of separate accessories and tools for raw meat, fish, and fruits and vegetables.  Also, there needs to be separate containers and storage places for all these ingredients. While you will not get a tour of the kitchen and pantry of a restaurant easily, this remains one of the golden rules of cooking seafood safely.  The Pan American Health Organization, or PAHO, also prioritizes cross-contamination prevention as one of the WHO's golden rules.  5. Communication  Well, this is something that happens entirely within the pantry or the cooking space of an eatery. Various verbal and non-verbal cues are used to ensure safe and fast food preparation.  Being A Responsible Food Explorer Travel’s about discovery, right? And food’s a huge part of it. With a bit of knowledge, you can dive into coastal cuisine without a second thought. A sardine in Lisbon, clam soup in Tokyo, a crab boil on the East Coast—those aren’t just meals. They’re memories. This isn’t about saying no to anything. It’s about saying yes in a way that keeps the trip—and you—feeling good. Read Also: What Is Arizona Known For Food | Culinary Tourism Exploring The Desert Delights Boat Trips And Czech Cuisine: A Taste Of Prague’s Culinary Delights Unlocking The Secrets: Key Ingredients In Italian Cuisine

BY  sagnika Aug 8, 2023

Taco Bell needs no introduction, especially with its classic breakfast burritos! Want to know more about Taco Bell breakfast hours? Read the article regarding the best part of the breakfast hours at Taco Bell. Taco Bell is one of the most successful fast-food restaurants in the US, a fusion restaurant with a mix of American and Mexican food items. The food manufacturer, of course, specializes in Tacos. However, you can also order burritos, quesadillas, and crunch wraps that are delicious. Taco Bell has created its unique place in the restaurant business, especially because it offers a change in the same old Burger and Sandwiches options for Breakfast. You have to be aware of the timings because, like other restaurants offering Breakfast, Taco Bell has a specific time after which you might not get served. Taco Bell Breakfast Hours: When Does Taco Bell Serve Breakfast? The company was founded around the 1960s, but it has been very recently that Taco Bell launched its breakfast menu. It was in 2014 that they launched Breakfast especially to compete against McDonald's' which has been dominating the breakfast scene for quite a long time. Taco Bell has kept some items available from the breakfast hours long after it ends. Some things are, however, only allowed in some outlets during the Taco Bell breakfast menu hours. Sometimes, if you search for "Taco Bell breakfast hours near me" on Google, you will find options to visit and others. However, due to being short-staffed, you might only find some of the food items on the breakfast menu at Taco Bell. The brand has recently become a billion-dollar chain and has successfully maintained fast-food standards during breakfast hours. What Is Taco Bell? Taco Bell is one of the most underrated fast-food restaurant chains in the US for both dining and takeout. When all restaurants across the globe are claiming that they use and offer organic food, Taco Bell went ahead and focused on creating nostalgia through junk food. The brand has successfully incorporated breakfast menus and hours. However, they did not need to complete McDonalds' breakfast policies. Breakfast Crunch-wrap and Breakfast burritos are some of the top favorite items available in the Taco Bell breakfast hours. What Are Taco Bell Breakfast Hours? The Taco Bell breakfast hours start from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. So you can fix your Breakfast within this time. According to the official website of Taco Bell, www.tacobell.com informs that only some stores have all the food and drinks options available. At times, there is a limited number of staff at the store. However, the quality of the food and the taste is quite satisfactory. The official site also has store locators that help you locate the stores. If you want to know, taco bell lunch hours, visit their official site. If you plan to visit Taco Bell on Saturdays or Sundays, call ahead at the restaurant and confirm your breakfast orders. Taco Bell is heavily packed on weekends, especially because of the delicious breakfasts. If you are asking, what time does Taco Bell stop serving breakfast? The answer is after 11, you probably won't be served breakfast items. What Are The Taco Bell Items For Breakfast? The classic breakfast burrito is one of the most in-demand items for Breakfast by Taco Bell. Egg stuffed in crunch wraps accompanies the traditional burrito. The Taco Bell website claims," We make bold food you can't get anyplace else." This claim is quite righteous as Taco Bell does experiment with their food. Food The Breakfast burrito, also known as the Cheesy Burrito, is stuffed with cheese, steak, potatoes, sausage, and eggs based on your choice. It is one of the best things about Taco Bell. The bacon put inside the burrito is smoked, adding to the food party in your mouth. The Breakfast Crunch-wrap Comes with a hash brown, bacon, eggs, and cheese are put inside the wrapped tortilla, and creamy jalapeno sauce is added. Trust me, and it tastes as good as it sounds. It acts very appropriate to have a low-level breakfast sandwich. There is a distinct crunch in this item with caramelized potatoes. Breakfast Quesalupa is a flour tortilla filled with melty pepper jack, then fried with nacho cheese. The item is wrapped around scrambled eggs, extra-spicy potato nuggets, and bacon bits. A.M. Grilled Taco tastes quite close to Quesalupa. However, they could be more flavorful. There are also fluffy eggs that accompany the item. This item can be ordered with bacon or with sausage. Remember to hit Taco Bell before 11 a.m. to try the best of the items during breakfast hours. Drinks Taco Bell breakfast hours have four types of drinks: Mountain Dew Baja Blast Freeze, Tropicana Orange juice, Mountain Dew Kickstart Orange Citrus, and premium Hot Coffee. Coffee is one of the most important parts of Breakfast, especially for those unable to function without caffeine. The Tropicana orange juice is mostly a supplement that accompanies a combo meal. It is refreshing and often mixed with soda, giving the drink a refreshing taste. Mountain Dew Kickstart Orange Citrus consists of less Fanta or juice; instead, there is too much sugar. One thing that is advantageous about the drink is Vitamin C. However, the flavor could be more noteworthy. The drink "Baja Blast" does sound like a mix of alcohol and juice; however, it is more of a sweet, sugary, and creamy combination. The ideal food item you can have with this drink is the Quesalupa. Most of the drinks offered by Taco Bell in their breakfast menu have soda. It is a bold move, especially when people across the world are trying to become more health-conscious and limit their sugar intake. They are, however, a nice addition to Taco Bell breakfast hours. Reviews According to TripAdvisor, Taco Bell has been rated 3 out of 5 especially based on its breakfast items and their reviews. The brand has a benefit, especially on Sundays when Chick-Fil-A is closed. Hence, the brand has successfully grabbed the attention of breakfast customers with its classic burritos and crunch wraps apart from tacos. The reviews have been satisfactory in terms of the services and the quality of the food. However, there have been issues with some items with dry meat or tasteless sauce. The drive-thru service of Taco Bell across the US has been quite efficient. Conclusion Please read the article to learn more about the Taco Bell breakfast hours and the items you can order. Let us know in the comment below about your favorite breakfast item that you order when you visit Taco Bell. Read Also: Burger King Breakfast Hours: What Time Does Burger King Serve Breakfast? Have You Tasted Starbucks Boba? Does Starbucks Have Boba? 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