This Is Probably the Most Disturbing Bar in America

Today’s Daily Whoa is more like a Daily WTF. Or a Daily “Wow… that’s really disturbing.”

Because today’s focus is a new bar in Brooklyn with some seriously messed-up wax figures. It’s called House of Wax and it opened this past fall in the lobby of the new Alamo Drafthouse Cinema multiplex in the (also new) City Point retail center in Downtown Brooklyn.

And you might think, because this is situated inside a brand-new upscale mall that cost tens of millions of dollars, that the contents of this bar/wax museum would be fairly tame. Restrained. Censored. You know, “scary” but not scary.

We can tell you: No, that’s definitely not at all the case. This isn’t a Hard Rock Cafe, fun-for-the-whole-family type of environment. This bar has some frightening sculptures. Legitimately macabre, dark, disturbing pieces. And not one or two. Dozens.

Think: death masks of serial killers, some made with human teeth and hair; a man with a giant tumor on his tongue; a life-size model of a digestive tract; a wax model of a woman whose body has become deformed by years of wearing a corset; wax models of facial disfigurements; body parts depicting symptoms of syphilis; lungs afflicted with tuberculosis; the internal organs of a newborn and many babies being born both naturally and by C-section.

There’s even a section devoted to genital abnormalities. And a section devoted to fetal abnormalities.

In all, there are more than 100 anatomical models, and they look like something salvaged from a 19^th-century wax museum in Germany. Mainly because they were literally salvaged from a 19^th-century wax museum in Berlin.

In one sense it’s effective, though. After viewing these wax figures, you’ll probably need a stiff drink.

Take a closer look at some of the curiosities you’ll find inside House of Wax below.

Zip Through the Ocean in the World’s Fastest Personal Submarine

If you’re going scuba diving or trying to infiltrate an enemy ship, you could just swim there.

Or you could just power up your own submarine.

Yeah, that sounds better. And that’ll soon be possible thanks to Ortega, a company that’s well versed in submersibles. They’re the team behind the new MK.1C, a three-seat submarine with a pair of electric motors that can be employed for both over and underwater activity.

On the surface of the water, this thing can reach speeds of about 10 miles per hour, and under water it can travel about 13 miles per hour. So it’s no racing vehicle, but it’s still the world’s fastest personal submarine. And a lot faster than kicking around with flippers.

It’s an open-top vessel, which means you’re exposed to the water and will require the use of the onboard breathing apparatus. So it’s perfect transportation for scuba divers or anyone wishing to explore the ocean down to depths of 310 feet. It’s also equipped with a navigation system and sonar for finding your way around in the water, and some cargo space for storing all your gear. Plus, did we mention it’s a goddamn submarine?

The MK.1C isn’t available for purchase just yet, but once it is, it’s reported to cost somewhere between $250,000 and $500,000.

So let’s hope you find some buried treasure down there.

Zip Through the Ocean in the World’s Fastest Personal Submarine

If you’re going scuba diving or trying to infiltrate an enemy ship, you could just swim there.

Or you could just power up your own submarine.

Yeah, that sounds better. And that’ll soon be possible thanks to Ortega, a company that’s well versed in submersibles. They’re the team behind the new MK.1C, a three-seat submarine with a pair of electric motors that can be employed for both over and underwater activity.

On the surface of the water, this thing can reach speeds of about 10 miles per hour, and under water it can travel about 13 miles per hour. So it’s no racing vehicle, but it’s still the world’s fastest personal submarine. And a lot faster than kicking around with flippers.

It’s an open-top vessel, which means you’re exposed to the water and will require the use of the onboard breathing apparatus. So it’s perfect transportation for scuba divers or anyone wishing to explore the ocean down to depths of 310 feet. It’s also equipped with a navigation system and sonar for finding your way around in the water, and some cargo space for storing all your gear. Plus, did we mention it’s a goddamn submarine?

The MK.1C isn’t available for purchase just yet, but once it is, it’s reported to cost somewhere between $250,000 and $500,000.

So let’s hope you find some buried treasure down there.

According to Expedia, A Lotta People Like Sand in Their Buns (Especially Austrians)

Nude beaches quickly summon thoughts of abs of steel and sun-kissed butt cheeks. In reality, however, they’re known for attracting leather-y old people who can’t be bothered by tan lines. So if you’re looking to build some sandcastles in your birthday suit, Expedia’s 2016 Flip Flop Report released crucial data on where to find the most attractive bare beach-goers. Take a look at the chart above and get to booking that summer Eurotrip. Just don’t forget to pack your swim trunks.

Super Cool, Cheap Stays That’ll Change Your Mind About Hostels

Take a Swing at America’s Trippiest Mini-Golf Courses

How to Travel Fearlessly in the Age of ISIS and Zika

“Maybe everybody in the whole damn world is scared of each other,” says Slim in John Steinbeck’s 1937 classic Of Mice and Men. I read the book back in high school, and it didn’t mean much to me then. Now, having traveled some, I dwell on this quote quite often. I think a lot of people are scared of each other.

We have enough reasons to be. We live in a world inundated with terror, in an age of endemic terrorist attacks, insurgency and a spate of pandemic diseases­—Zika, Ebola, Yellow Fever—that claim lives in all corners of the globe. We’re reluctant to leave the cities of our comfort because we’re perpetually paralyzed by the “what if.” What if someone hijacks the plane? What if someone shoots up the airport? What if we catch something? But what if they don’t, and we don’t? In the interest of being tenacious, it’s our duty to take back our lives, to stop existing and to start living again. Because when we succumb to our fears, our enemies win.

Yes, we’re often at risk when we travel, but the sad truth is we’re not safe here, either.

The US government issues travel alerts and warnings regularly, discouraging Americans from visiting certain countries. For good reason, of course. But here’s the thing: There have been more than 1,300 confirmed cases of Zika on US territory and the gunman of the worst mass shooting in the history of our country was an American citizen. Four US cities—St. Louis, Baltimore, Detroit and New Orleans—have placed among the top 50 most dangerous cities in the world, based on their murders per capita. Yes, we’re often at risk when we travel, but the sad truth is we’re not safe here, either. The only choice we have is to live our lives fearlessly, or die  wishing we had.

With this in mind, I’ve chosen some of the countries listed with advisories by the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, and I am here to tell you why maybe you should still go to them, advisories be damned.

1. Philippines
Go for the rich biodiversity spanning more than 7,000 islands, to ride in a jeepney or to visit with the country’s hospitable locals, who look incredibly young because they smile more than most.

2. Mexico
Go for the family parties. Mexicans are typically very conscious of their responsibilities to their immediate families, which are traditionally large, and hosting family gatherings is not uncommon—usually complete with culinary wonders like chorizo and tequila.

3. Haiti
Haiti lacks emergency response and medical facilities. Still, hiking in this country, the most mountainous nation in the Caribbean, is worth the risk.

4. Honduras
Go for the ancient Mayan ceremonial site Copán, the massive barrier reef popular for scuba divers offshore the Bay Islands or the jungle lands near Guatemala.

5. Lebanon
Go for the shopping in the reconstructed souks, where name brands line the hallowed halls of the 5,000-year-old trading center in Beirut, a Middle Eastern fashion capital. Or go for the UNESCO World Heritage Site Byblos, recently selected as the Arab Tourism Capital for 2016, known for its medieval ramparts and authentic souks on the cobblestone streets.

6. Israel
In no particular order, you might want to float in the Dead Sea, tour the Old City of Jerusalem, spend a night out in Tel Aviv—the other city that never sleeps—or marvel at the mountain fortress of Masada.

7. El Salvador
The capital city of San Salvador boasts a ton of archaeological history and a vibrant nightlife and art scene, with the dramatic backdrop of volcanoes worth hiking and waves worth catching. Go for the hike or the surf. And pupusa, for real.

8. Tunisia
Tunis, the capital city, is known for its theaters, cathedrals and palaces. Go for the Arabic and French-Colonial history that dates back to the 6th century, stay for the Roman mosaics and Islamic art.

9. Turkey
Definitely pay a visit to the lunar landscape of Cappadocia’s Goreme National Park, where white volcanic ashes coat chimneys, the archaeological site of Troy, Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar or the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

10. Colombia
Go for Cartagena’s colorful colonial architecture. Stick around for the parties at Parque Lleras, the main nightlife district of Medellin. Trust us: There’s only a very small chance you’ll get kidnapped.