Curious

You can now spend the night in a gigantic wine barrel

Are you a true wine lover? Do you feel like spending the weekend someplace different? Then this is the perfect plan for you. “Quinta da Pacheca” has now opened a hotel service which allows you to spend the night in an enormous wine barrel. Isn’t it a dream come true?

A wine barrel hotel

The “Quinta da Pacheca” wine barrel hotel is located in the vineyard area in Douro, Portugal. The objetive of this creative project is reinforcing the originality of vineyard tourism that is offered in Douro. In case you didn’t know, Douro is one of the most important cities worldwide when it comes to wine. So what better place to start up such wine-y project.

High-end services

The wine barrel-like rooms are just as sophisticated as what other many-star-hotels might offer. They include a round, king-sized bed, a private wardrobe, and a bathroom with an incorporated shower.

These spectacular barrels also include WiFi connection, skylights as well as a private terrace. What more could you ask for? Another big plus, which also sticks to the main theme, is that guests are able to taste different types of wine, from white, to rosé to red.

In the middle of an enormous vineyard

The wine-tasting is made possible because the giant barrel rooms have been strategically placed along a wine producing work space: right in the heart of the wine making. So if wine is what you live for, you might want to look into this.

Spending the night

Spending one night in a “Quinta da Pacheca” barrel would cost between 190€ and 205€, which includes a night in one of the rooms plus a delicious breakfast.

However, if these barrel rooms don’t seem to sweep you off your feet, and you’d still rather sleep in a normal hotel room, “Quinta da Pacheca” also provides the option of sleeping in their regular hotel, in which you can choose between double rooms, “superior” rooms and “romantic rooms”.

Photos: Booking.com

6 tech myths you should stop believing and why

We live in a world in which our lives completely revolve around technology, and we couldn’t even remember what life before it was like. However, as most of us are no tech-experts, it often happens that people start having misconceptions about technology and issues. We tell you some of the most common tech-misconceptions and why they are not true.

Emptying the “bin” doesn’t completely delete photos

As long as nothing is written where the deleted archive was placed in the hard disc, you can still recover the document. Windows keeps track of your files through a pointer, meaning every file in your hard drive has this pointer that indicates its location.

When said file is deleted, what actually happens is that just the pointer is deleted, but not the file itself. In other words, the document still exists inside your hard drive, your computer just isn’t able to detect where anymore. There are ways to find out where your files are.

It’s not necessary to let your laptop rest when it warms up

If your laptop does heat up, you should go ahead an check its fan, as it might be a sign there’s something wrong with it. Plus, turning it on and off is only good for shortening its lifespan.

Computers nowadays have power management systems that prevent you from having to turn off your laptop. Modern day smartphones run on lithium-ion batteries, and are programmed to stop charging when the battery is full.

More megapixels doesn’t necessarily mean better quality photos

The only thing more megapixels guarantees is a bigger picture. It doesn’t mean the quality will be better, contrary to popular belief. Quality is actually related to the lens and sensor of the camera.

So if you have either a bad lens or a bad sensor (or both), the photo will remain of bad quality no matter what the number of megapixels is. What megapixels actually do, is transforming a visual image into a pattern of electronic signals.

Using your phone excessively doesn’t cause cancer

If people have told you that using your phone too much can cause cancer, they were lying to you. It is, in fact, not more that a myth. It turns out that the frequencies phones emit are so low that human bodies can’t even perceive them.

Phones do emit electromagnetic radiation, but it is in the form of non-ionizing, radio frequency waves. The only known side-effect we have found is the generation of heat at the body part placed closer to the apparatus.

Side-effects

The biggest concern linked to mobile phones is the effects they have on little children, who have yet to fully develop their brains. Studies have been carried out that prove that the side of the brain closest to the phone metabolizes more glucose than the other side, but any bad side effects from these findings are still unknown.

The worst side-effects mobile phones have are things like tripping on sidewalks and being involved in car accidents, but it’s all because they were paying attention to their phones instead of to life.

Closing apps doesn’t increase your phone’s battery life

Apparently, closing the apps you’ve been using does not lengthen your phone’s battery life span, opposite to what we have believed for many years. This has caused a popular habit of people closing their apps in the multitask window, when it’s not even necessary.

Many people have claimed it not to be true, but even Kyle Richter, former Apple technician and CEO of MartianCraft, has confirmed that closing apps does not only not affect its battery life at all, it could also be damaging the battery life.

Contactless technology is as safe as can be

Contactless cards make use of the same technological security as cards with a chip. They have safe encryption technology, according to Howard Lewis, MasterCard money expert.

An accidental payment cannot happen, as your card has to be very close to the reader, and on top of that, the reader has to take a payment of the exact amount you key in. It’s also impossible to pay twice: you will only be charged once.

Photos: Unsplash

The “Ecocapsule”: live wherever you want

Do you ever dream about living in exotic places and visiting the most remote areas of the earth? Do you wish to travel but you just feel like you’re stuck to your home? Your time has come with the new “Ecocapsule”.

A self-sufficient capsule

A solar capsule is Nice Architects’ newest invention. They have described it as a “self-sustainable microhome”. In other words, it is a tiny, movable home that works with solar energy. The product is self-sufficient, practical and functional.

The capsule has various uses

On their webpage, they claim the capsule has many different uses: it can serve as a cottage, a caravan, a mobile office, and even as a pop-up hotel. What’s interesting about it, as its name implies, is that it’s an opportunity for an eco lifestyle. It can obtain both solar and water resources from its environment, allowing it to be placed anywhere.

It provides independence

This innovative home allows you to live completely disconnected from the “real world”, meaning it can be placed literally anywhere. But if you’re not one to live in the loneliness of nature, the invention can still be suitable for you. The capsule has been specifically designed for two people, but of course, you could also live there on your own.

A two-people place

Although the inside of the capsule is very compact and consists of just 21 squared meters, it feels very spacious when standing inside. It includes every single thing two people might need, from a bathroom (which includes a shower), to a small kitchen, and even an unfoldable sofa. And although we mentioned you don’t have to live connected to the rest of the world, the capsule does have electric connections.

It’s app-controlled

What’s perhaps most mind-blowing is that you control the capsule through an app installed in your smartphone. The tiny home is made out of glass fibers and has solar panels on the roof. To “feed” the capsule, it has a battery of 10kWh, which can last up to 4 days.

The Ecocapsule has a protective barrier made from aluminium, as well as 4 wheels for transportation. It has, in addition, two hooks on the top in case of other types of transportation like a helicopter or a crane.

Ecocapsules are now available

Ecocapsules are now available for a price of 79.000€, but there are just 50 available for now. However, a second edition will be coming out, which will have a more affordable price as it will be mass-produced, for which you can now pre-order. You can even place bulk orders, for which you will receive a custom made prices.

Photos: Ecocapsule

6 mundane things you didn’t know the purpose of

Nowadays you can find many different types of inventions with all sorts of weird uses. From a ‘sleep box’ to a DIY house you can build in under 8 hours. It’s all available to us. However, have you ever thought about day to day things that seem very normal to you but you don’t actual know their uses?

I bet you think you know what everything you own is for. However, it turns out some have hidden uses, or even uses you just didn’t know about. Maybe they were originally created with different intentions or maybe you just assumed they had a different use. We bring you several mundane objects and what their real uses are.

1. A pompom on top of your knitted hat

You probably think having a pompon on a beanie has a decorative purpose. But have you ever thought about where it comes from? Apparently, it origins from sailors.

They used to wear these hats with pompoms on top as extra protection: it kept them from bashing their heads when inside the boat, because these tended to be very cramped; especially during times of rough waters. Who would have thought they were actually useful?

2. Tetra Pak cartons

Turns out you’ve been pouring your milk wrong all along! Tetra Pak cartons are designed in such a way that they don’t splash back all of its content on you when pouring your drink. Now this really seems like a lie. It happens every single time.

Truth is, you’ve just been holding the carton the wrong way: try turning it upside down. The trick to pouring the perfect glass of milk is nothing more and nothing less than flipping the carton. It’s that easy. The “Crazy Russian Hacker” youtuber shows us how to properly pour a glass of juice. Behold:

3. The arrow next to the fuel indicator

This one is actually very useful, but not many people know about it. Does it ever happen to you that you go to a gas station, and you don’t know where to park your car because you can’t remember at what side the gas tank filler hole is? Well, those days are over.

We found out that your dashboard tells you. There is a sort of triangle symbol at the side where it’s placed. In other words, if the tank opening is at the right side of the car, the triangle will be placed at the right side of the gas station symbol. Just like in the picture underneath. You’re welcome.

4. The small pocket your jeans have

The small pocket in your jeans comes from a different time period. Many, many years ago, carrying around a pocket watch was the norm. These tiny pockets where made specifically for pocket watches, and although nobody uses them anymore, they have been kept as part of the design. How cute?

5. Car headrests

We all know the obvious function headrests have: they protect our necks in case of an accident. However, a peculiarity they have is that you can take them out of the car seats. Not in case you need more space in your car to carry things, but more so in case you get trapped if involved in a car accident.

If you take the headrests out you are left with two metal rods that you can use to break the windows if you are unable to get out of the car. Car designers really do think about everything.

6. Notebook margins

You have probably thought yourself about the many uses notebooks’ margins might have: from having space for side annotations, to being your drawing canvas when bored. These uses are fine, and you can use your notebook any way your want, but there’s an actual reason you didn’t know about behind these margins.

The manufacturers used to make these margins because they foresaw that little rodents would want to nibble on the paper, so they included these margins to protect the content of the notebook. This way, rodents would eat the outside of the paper and leave the information intact. How clever?

Photos: Unsplash and Pixabay

You’re not antisocial, you’re just smart

Do you feel like you’re more comfortable when you’re alone? Maybe you prefer carrying out activities like reading and learning in peace, or maybe you prefer quiet places rather than going to a party. This doesn’t mean you’re a “weirdo” like some people have probably called you before. Quite the opposite, in fact.

Your brain allows you to think clearer

Science has proven that your brain actually works better than those of people who always need to be around others. Yes, that’s right. There’s nothing wrong with you. You are just able to think clearer than more “socially involved” people.

Scientifically proven

According to the British Society of Psychology, people who are more reserved socially and prefer to lead a quiet life have obtained a higher score on the intelligence scale. Researchers call this phenomenon the “forest hermit” strategy, which allows them to focus on their personal approach.

According to Satoshi Kanazawa, the director of the investigation, the study showed how most people need to constantly interact with others, whereas the reduced minority that obtained higher scores could all happily work on their own, avoiding interaction with others, and keep it that way.

The Savanna Theory of Happiness

The basis of the study is the Savanna Theory of Happiness. This study establishes that what made our ancestors happy, still makes us happy today: interaction was very special in low populations. However, it seems intelligent people have cut loose from this and don’t care much about social interaction.

“The most intelligent individuals experience a lesser satisfaction of their social lives with more frequent social interaction with friends”
Satoshi Kanazawa

Happier people live in seclusion

The study has concluded that people who leave behind city life to move to a remote town tend to be happier because they have limited communication and are generally stress-free.

This makes you question quite some things, doesn’t it.

Photos: Unsplash

You can finally wave your cravings goodbye

It has probably happened to you more than once that you were just quietly minding your own business and then, suddenly, some sort of supernatural force drives you to the fridge in search of that last piece of brownie you had left behind. Cravings seem to be controlling your life. And you’re not even a pregnant lady (no offense if you are actually pregnant).

Worry no more, it is, in fact, possible to prevent your engulfing impulses. With these tips you will leave your craving days in the past and make way for a healthier lifestyle.

Distract yourself

If you can make yourself focus on somethings else, it won’t be long until you forget about your sudden “hunger”. So fill out a Sudoku or pay the gym a visit: any activity is enough to forget about your cravings. A plus point is if your hands are busy, that way you won’t have space to hold food.

However, do bear in mind that the distraction should be something other than watching TV or Youtube videos as this might become counterproductive.

Drink enough water

You might think drinking water might mislead your body into thinking you are full, but this is actually not the reason why you should drink water. We often think we are hungry, when in reality, we are just thirsty.

In other words, drinking water will not only keep us hydrated, it will also keep our appetite in check. Now, you can’t change food for water: don’t think you can feel full by just drinking water. You also have to eat.

Drink coffee

Coffee can satiate us a bit, and take away the hunger at the same time. Either because of the effect caffeine has on us, or because of its strong flavour, truth is, we don’t usually feel like eating after a coffee. But don’t spend your whole day stuck to your coffee mug, keep in mind coffee can dehydrate you: drink enough water with your coffee.

Increase your protein intake

Increasing protein intake does not mean continuously eating meat. Protein has a higher satiating effect than carbohydrates or fats, no matter if they are vegetable or animal. This means that if we increase the amount of protein we intake, we will feel full for a prolonged period of time.

Additionally, if we are trying to lose weight, this protein extra will help us build up muscle in the process.

Exercise lightly

We often feel hungry after exercising. However, quite the opposite occurs when we carry out light exercises: going for a stroll, for example, helps us reduce hunger.

On one hand, we distract ourselves from food, and on the other hand, it allows us to prepare ourselves for a situation that involves exercise. In such cases, ingesting food doesn’t benefit us at all (and can even cause harm), so our appetite is reduced.

Don’t stop eating

However counterproductive this one may seem, if we don’t eat enough, or skip any meals we will feel hungrier. Not just because our bodies are used to it, but also because they fall into a state of “alertness”.

This means, that if we eat amounts suitable for us, we will be able to prevent sudden cravings.

Sleep enough

Sleep deprivation has many harmful consequences, and sudden cravings are one of them. In addition, time spent sleeping is time you don’t feel hungry. So now you know: you go get your 8-hour sleep and say goodbye to cravings.

Photos: Unsplash and Pixabay