Kwesi Steele

The Andes

noreply@blogger.com (webmaster) — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 15:29:00 +0000

Ok, so blogging isn't easy. It requires discipline, dedication, and significant amounts of free time. When it comes to my blog I have been lacking in all three areas over the past year or so. My plan is to use this post to break that spell and get back to my usual travel blogging.

I am currently in the Andes mountains in Peru driving towards a train that will eventually take me to Machu Picchu, the famed Inca city. The landscape is breathtaking and the foliage along with the backdrop of snow covered peaks is right out of a blockbuster movie. Whining through the mountains I can't help but wonder (1) how/why the hell did the Incas make it all the way up here, (2) they made a great choice. Peru is beautiful in a way that differs slightly from the other Latin American countries. It's seemingly more rustic and rough around the edges than its neighbors. The people look less European and the poverty level seems greater on average.

Here, high in the middle of the mountains in old Inca territory the people look very different but still I recognize them. Their faces are the those of indigenous people all over the world. They are the faces of the Carib Indians of the Caribbean, the Mayan descendents in Mexico, the Male people of the Maldives, the indigenous Indians of North America, and the slave descendents in Brazil and Colombia. Yes, their faces look very familiar though I've never seen them before. Their struggles are the same too. They're still mostly very poor and almost second class citizens. Their strong, rich history now serves as amusement for wondering westerners like myself, and even though many of those visitors recognize their misfortune and contributions to civilization nothing is ever done to change their plight.

Many of these indigenous people are experiencing a second pillaging by most measures. 500k visitors to Machu Picchu each year amounts to a $xxxM business and yet the surrounding people are still poor and disadvantage. Most of the money goes to big business, many of which are foreign. It's the dark side of adventure tourism, some would say of tourism in general.

Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since its discovery in 1911 a growing number of tourists visit Machu Picchu each year, reaching 400,000 in 2000. Today that number is much greater. As Peru's most visited tourist attraction and major revenue generator, it is continually threatened by economic and commercial forces. In the late 1990s, the Peruvian government granted concessions to allow the construction of a cable car and development of a luxury hotel, including a tourist complex with boutiques and restaurants. Many people protested against the plans, including members of the Peruvian public, international scientists, and academics, as they were worried that the greater numbers of visitors would pose a tremendous physical burden on the ruins. Many protested a plan to build a bridge to the site as well.

Though despite the crowds at the site and my feelings of sorrow for the surrounding residents Machu Picchu remains on my bucket list and certainly one of the greatest historical sites in the world. Today I plan on checking one more item off that list and hopefully leave with a better understanding on what life was, and is, for the people of the Andes.

More Vietnam

noreply@blogger.com (webmaster) — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 00:52:00 +0000

Vietnam has a lot to offer the adventure tourist, but luxury travelers need not apply. It is rough, gritty, and dirty by most standards. However, what it lacks in polish it makes up for in uniqueness and diversity. I loved Vietnam in the same way I love China. They both are developing countries with something amazing happening around every corner. Even though I've traveled extensively in Asia and lived here for a bit I still found entertaining surprises in Vietnam.

The people of Vietnam weren't amazingly friendly, but they weren't rude either. Many of them were occupied trying to sell me something, which is understandable considering the economic hardship most live with. The pan handling is easily ignored though considering all the great things happening around you.

The food in Vietnam is delicious. If you like spicy food then you wouldn't be disappointed here. I enjoyed the simplicity of most of the meals and found a lot of options for any taste or dietary restrictions.

Exploring Vietnam

noreply@blogger.com (webmaster) — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 15:59:00 +0000

Vietnam is a naturally beautiful country even though still very rough around the edges. During my trip I was able to explore the cities of Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi both of which have their own unique charm and lots to offer tourists. I was also able to get out of the city and go to more remote areas of Vietnam where the remnants of the long war still lingers around like ornaments for all to see.

"Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam, officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea – referred to in Vietnam as the East Sea – to the east. With an estimated 90.5 million inhabitants as of 2011, Vietnam is the world's 13th-most-populous country, and the eighth-most-populous Asian country." - Wikipedia

There is so much to see and do in Vietnam that the 8 days I spent there went by fast and I left feeling like I missed a few things. There are many other cities to explore other than Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi, even though they are the most known, and those cities also offer unique experiences for the wandering tourist. I cover the various locations we visited in detail in other posts so keep an eye out for them.

So Hard To Say Goodbye

noreply@blogger.com (webmaster) — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 00:36:00 +0000

It's been an amazing eight days and I can't believe it's already over. The trip was so good I extended it for another two days. Being from the Caribbean I have a strong bias towards Caribbean islands and I've spent some time in most of them. I have to say though that the Maldives have no equal and blows anything you can find in the Caribbean out of the water. This was truly a trip of a lifetime and I can't wait to do it again, sometime in the future. For now though I have my memories and lots of pictures.

Everything on our island was exception and the service was hard to complain about. The beaches were deserted and stretched for miles around the island. The waves were calm and inviting and the snorkel was amazing. I give the Maldives a ten and it is now the yard stick by which all other tropical vacations will be measured.

So off we go now to VietNam where more adventure awaits.

This Must Be Heaven

noreply@blogger.com (webmaster) — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 00:23:00 +0000

So I finally made it to the Maldives after much traveling and a little adventure in Sri Lanka. My first impression was that the airport on Male is ridiculously busy and not so inviting. I prayed that our resort was nothing like this, and my prayers were answered. After arriving at night from Sri Lanka we stayed the night at the Male Traders Hotel which wasn't bad for what it was. We awoke early the next morning to take a speed boat to some other island where we caught our sea plane to the Hilton Maldives on Iru Fushi.

The sea plane ride was noisy but it allowed us to see many of the other atolls along the way, which made the trip pretty cool. Each resort is on it's own island, for the most part, so you have the greatest of privacy and relaxation once you arrive. The staff greeted us at the dock with drinks and flowers and I felt as if our vacation started as soon as we stepped off the plane. We were assigned one person who would take care of everything while we were on the resort so we didn't have to deal with multiple people for different things, I thought that was a good idea.

We quickly checked in then headed out to explore the island. Strategically it was the low season so there weren't that many other guests at the resort. We had a quick tour of the various facilities from the comfort of our golf cart then headed off to the water villa to relax and unwind for our long journey.

The water villas are little cottages on stilts that sit in the waters off the island. Since the island is almost completely surrounded by a coral wall the water is very calm and still. At night and during the day we sea schools of fish, sting rays, and even some sand sharks through the glass floor of the villa. At the back of the villa is a ladder which allows you to easily climb into and out of the water for a quick swim or snorkel.

I think we were in the pool once during our 8 days at the resort, and this was on the first day when we didn't know any better. But you really have to need to ever use the pool. Some of the villas even have their own infinity pool on the back patio, I didn't spring for one of those though.

After a quick swim and a long nap it was time to hit the restaurant and have some dinner. Here's a tip, walk with lots of strong sunblock.

Heading to The Maldives

noreply@blogger.com (webmaster) — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 16:21:00 +0000

So I am off to the Maldives, one of the most beautiful and enchanted places on earth (so I've heard). The Maldives are a series of ancient coral reefs that grew up around the sides of towering prehistoric volcanoes. These immense structures have long since sunk into the ocean, leaving behind coral islands of incredible natural beauty. Most islands are surrounded by a ring of coral called the house reef. Between the beach and the reef the water is protected, quite shallow and very safe for swimming. The reef is the best place to snorkel where most of the fish lives. Beyond the reef is deep blue water where the bigger fish live, sharks, manta rays, sail fish etc. This area is great for snorkeling and diving and I hope to do some of both once I get there. Some islands do not have a house reef and are just in sandy lagoons. If you are a keen snorkeler it is always good to ask if your resort has a house reef. The atolls of Maldives encompass a territory spread over roughly 90,000 square kilometres (35,000 sq mi), making it one of the world's most geographically dispersed countries. It was then ruled by a sultanate and an authoritarian government.

Getting There

Most travelers fly into Male, the main island and capital of the Maldives. From there you can take a boat to your resort island or go by sea plane. There are speed boats for shorter transfers up to 20 miles from the airport, seaplane transfers to islands between 20 and 100 miles from the airport and domestic air services for resorts over 100 miles away). Some resorts offer both and give clients an option. The transfers are handled by the resorts which sign contracts with the competing seaplane and launch companies. Transfers are, therefore, an integral part of booking a room and are booked by the resort at the same time as the room. They are also significantly expensive.

The hotel will arrange the arrival and departure transfer around the scheduled timings of the long haul flight. It will not always coincide exactly and you should be prepared for a wait sometimes for their transfer on arrival and sometimes for time in hand before check in on departure day.

Seaplanes can only fly in daylight and many boat journeys at night are also unsafe due to unlit coral reefs.

If you're arriving or departing on night flights or departing on early morning flights you should think about making special arrangements. If the flight arrives at night and no night transfer is available, then overnight accommodation at or near the airport needs to be arranged. This also applies to early departures if the latest check in time is before 6.30.am. I had to do this since my flight arrives at night, but it isn't so bad. Ok, next stop is paradise!

Hiroshima

noreply@blogger.com (webmaster) — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 07:26:00 +0000

When you hear the word Hiroshima the first thought that probably comes to mind is that of atomic explosion and nuclear fallout. As the first city to be struck with a nuclear bomb Hiroshima will forever be associated with the beginning of the nuclear age. Though for those of you who plan on visiting the city in the future don't expect to see rubble and destruction. The city is now a thriving metropolis with few remnants of the war left to be seen.

Hiroshima is the capital of Hiroshima Prefecture, and the largest city in the Chūgoku region of western Honshu, the largest island of Japan. It became best known as the first city in history to be destroyed by a nuclear weapon. Hiroshima was founded on the river delta coastline of the Seto Inland Sea in 1589 by the powerful warlord Mōri Terumoto, who made it his capital after leaving Koriyama Castle in Aki Province.

Hiroshima takes its nuclear history rather seriously and is an open and vocal opponent to nuclear proliferation. The city and surrounding areas also makes an effort to pass on it's history to future generations. On my visit to the city I spotted no less than 10 student class trips to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. The park, which was created at the center of the nuclear blast, serves as a living memorial to the victims of the nuclear bombing and contains a number of statues and monuments dedicated to those victims.

Each year, on the anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing, the mayor of Hiroshima sends an open letter to the ambassadors of each confirmed nuclear nation objecting to the continued existence of their nuclear stockpile. Hiroshima now considers itself a city of peace and the poster child of the movement to bring and end to the existence of nuclear weapons. I didn't ask what was the city's official stance on nuclear energy, but considering recent events it would have been interesting to find out.

My day in Hiroshima consisted of a walk through the Peace Memorial Park, a stroll through the museum, and riding the ancient city trams. The park is very lovely and well laid out and, as the epicenter of the nuclear bomb, it's a chilling reminder of man's ability to destroy himself. The city is much slower than other large cities in Japan that I've visited and feels like the kind of place I'll be happy settling down in and raise a family. The sky was blue and clear with some clouds thrown in for effect. This contrasts significantly with Tokyo at this time of year which tends to be a bit more hazy with low visibility. It seemed like no one in Hiroshima was in a rush to do anything or go anywhere, which could have been a product of the heat. And oh yes, it was hot.

If you plan on visiting the city during the summer months I urge you to stay in air conditioned accommodations. We stayed in the Hiroshima Sheraton hotel which is 100 yards from the train station. This was extremely convenient and the hotel did not at all suffer from noise pollution or excessive foot traffic. That partially because the lobby is on the 6th floor and every room is on a floor above that. The Sheraton was an extra bonus since I've decided to become loyal to Starwood Hotels.

We should all pray never to live through another Hiroshima as victims or as by standers. The destruction caused by the bomb is unimaginable and seeing it up close in the museum was incredibly sad. That, coupled with the fact that the most destructive atomic bomb tested to date is 3100 times more destructive than the Hiroshima bomb, should make anyone violently against nuclear weapons. No matter what the issue or conflict there simply has to be a better way.

Himeji Castle

noreply@blogger.com (webmaster) — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 16:54:00 +0000

Photo source: Wikipedia

As we were taking the train from Osaka to Kobe I noticed that there was a stop about 30 minutes away called Himeji. Immediately I recalled a conversation I had with an engineer in the office about Himeji Castle. He explained that very few foreigners make the trek to Himeji to see the castle even though it's one of the largest and best preserved in the country. So we decided that there was no better time to make a trip to Himeji than now. It was only 30 minutes and about $10 away and I would never be any closer. So, after doing the rounds in Kobe, we hopped back onto the JR Kobe line and headed further south to Himeji.

Himeji Castle must be one of the least talked about Japanese castles, yet is a totally amazing experience. The castle is one of the largest in the country and stands perched at the top of a hill within walking distance from Himeji station in Himeji. Once outside Himeji Station we were greeted by a wide, tree-lined, street that led us directly from the station to the Himeji castle grounds. We could see the castle at the top of a hill at the other end of the street in all its majesty and even from about a mile away it was still rather impressive.

"Himeji Castle is a hilltop Japanese castle complex located in Himeji in Hyōgo Prefecture. The castle is regarded as the finest surviving example of prototypical Japanese castle architecture, comprising a network of 83 buildings with advanced defensive systems from the feudal period. Himeji Castle dates to 1333, when Akamatsu Norimura built a fort on top of Himeyama hill. The fort was dismantled and rebuilt as Himeyama Castle in 1346, and then remodeled into Himeji Castle two centuries later. Himeji Castle was then significantly remodeled in 1581 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who added a three-story castle keep. In 1600, Tokugawa Ieyasu awarded the castle to Ikeda Terumasa for his help in the Battle of Sekigahara, and Ikeda completely rebuilt the castle from 1601 to 1609, expanding it into a large castle complex." - Wikipedia

Once on the castle grounds we started our journey up the hill to the main tower of the castle. The castle grounds are extremely well kept, as is to be expected, and almost exactly as they were since it's creation. Unfortunately the castle is currently undergoing repairs so it was draped in a massive tarp - which explains the wikipedia image opening this post. The huge bonus of the current construction is that we were able to go to the very top of the castle and stand on the roof - awesome view. I have included a few images of the ground in a link below, because as always pictures do a much better job than I can do explaining.

Himeji Castle Gallery

Shin-Kobe Ropeway

noreply@blogger.com (webmaster) — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 20:01:00 +0000

Although much ink has been spilled in praise of the Kobe foreign homes, I found them (1) hard to get to and (2) not very impressive to look at or be in. If you're completely in love with Japanese history then your opinion may certainly differ from mine. I recommend visiting them yourself to get a sense of it. I'll give you one recommendation, don't go in the summer. My trip was in late June and, although July and August are typically the hottest months, it was sweltering. The fact that the foreign homes are located at the top of a rather steep hill certainly didn't add anything to their enjoyment.

However, if you did make the trip up the hill by foot, bus, or taxi you can easily hop onto the Shin-Kobe Ropeway for one of the most scenic views of Kobe city and Osaka bay. The Shin-Kobe Ropeway was definitely my favorite activity in the city, that's unless you consider eating an activity. The Shin-Kōbe Ropeway is Japanese aerial lift line in Kōbe, Hyōgo, operated by Kōbe City Urban Development. It has an official nickname Kōbe Yume-Fūsen. Opened in 1991, the line links Shin-Kōbe Station and Nunobiki Herb Garden. Its scenic view is popular among tourists.

Kobe

noreply@blogger.com (webmaster) — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 18:33:00 +0000

From the moment I decided to move to Japan Kobe city has been at the top of my "to visit" list. The fact that it took me an entire year to make the trek south to Kobe is both a shame and a testament to the many wonderful things there are to do in Tokyo alone. On my recent visit to the city, however, I tried to make up for the delay by taking part in the top 3 things to do in Kobe. I'll cover each over three posts, but first here is a little history of Kobe city.

Kobe is the sixth-largest city in Japan and is the capital city of Hyōgo Prefecture on the southern side of the main island of Honshū, approximately 500 km (310.69 mi) west of Tokyo. Kobe is a prominent port city with a population of about 1.5 million.

The history of Kobe is very interesting, as is the history of many cities in Japan, however Kobe is also world renowned for it's excellent steak and beef products. Restaurant goers all over the world pay a premium for meat that bares the Kobe stamp and many will ask for it by name. Most people have heard the word Kobe before even realizing that it's a city in Japan or anything else about the city. Certainly, one of my primary tasks when I visited the city was to sample the famous Kobe beef prepared the way it should by a local chef.

Getting to Kobe from Osaka, which is where we stayed overnight, was very simple. From Osaka Station we took the JR Kobe line about 4 stops to Kobe Station - done. The fare was 390JPY and the trip took about 15 minutes. Conveniently we stayed in the Westin Osaka which was not far from Osaka Station and operated a shuttle bus from the hotel to the station and back.

As soon as we exited the train station we headed to a restaurant that, from advertising, seemed to be just what I was looking for. It was located on the 4th floor of an unassuming building 3 blocks from Kobe Station. As it was midday there was no wait for seating and the restaurant was sparsely occupied. The restaurant only served set menu options so we decided to go with something down the middle price-wise. Our lunch consisted of grilled vegetables, soup, grilled bread, rice, and steak. Everything was delicious and prepared with great care in front of us by our friendly chef, who was fine with me snapping away on my camera will he worked.

The meal was superb and the steak was absolutely incredible. Honestly I couldn't have made the meal any better. What was best about our lunch was the price. At about $35/plate our lunch was also very economical for what we received. I could have left Kobe right after lunch and feel satisfied to have made the trek, however there was still more of Kobe to see. Kobe is also famed for it's foreign homes which are a part of Kobe's early history. And no visit to Kobe could possibly be complete without a ride on the Kobe Ropeway up mount Rokko.

Here are a few pics for your enjoyment.

Osaka

noreply@blogger.com (webmaster) — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 14:52:00 +0000

I had to do it. There is no way I could say I truly lived in Japan without visiting Osaka and it's neighbor cities, Kobe and Himeji. Even though this is my last full week in Japan I still had to do it. It really shouldn't have taken me this long, but the earthquake did throw my schedule off a bit. As Japan's third largest city Osaka has a lot to do and see. Whether it's Osaka castle, the Tempozan Ferris Wheel, or Kaiyukan - one of the worlds largest aquariums - Osaka has a lot to offer.

Osaka is a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshuu, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe. Osaka is also the third largest city by population after Tokyo and Yokohama and one of the largest metropolitan areas highly ranked in the world, with nearly 18 million people

Getting to Osaka from Tokyo is fairly simple, just hop on the Shinkansen. From Shibuya station I traveled to Shinagawa via the JR Yamanote line then from Shinagawa I hopped the Shinkansen to Shin-Osaka station. Once in Osaka getting around is made convenient by the JR Loop line. Beware, however, that a single train doesn't necessarily go around the entire loop and you'll have to switch trains and tracks. Other than that it's a breeze.

We only had half a day in Osaka to see and do everything we could so we kept moving as much as possible. First is was off to Osaka castle which is by far the top attraction of the city. From there we made our way to Kaiyukan to check out the whale sharks and other giant fishes. Then finally we took a ride on the giant Tempozan Ferris where we were able to take some great shots of the city at night. If you make it to Kaiyukan there is a ferry that leaves from a port next to the aquarium which will take you directly to Universal Studios Japan, it's worth it and very convenient.

Osaka has a different feel than Tokyo. It's still very metropolitan and has its share of tall buildings, but it seems slower and a little more reserved than it's larger sister city. The people in Osaka were extremely friendly even by Japanese standards. We had a few people come up to us and start conversations, mainly to practice their English. There were also the few Chinese tourists who asked to take a picture with me. I'm used to it from my time in China. They really seem to love the idea of having a picture with a black person.

I have chronicled each attraction in it's own post so as to not create one extremely long blog entry. Take a look to get more information about Osaka. As always, here are some pics for you to enjoy

Hakone Ropeway

noreply@blogger.com (webmaster) — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 08:11:00 +0000

Ariel lifts are cool, be it a ski lift at your favorite ski resort or a ride at disney. I've been on my share of vertical multipliers but the one that takes the cake, the one that is completely "above and beyond", the one that takes my breathe away is the Hakone ropeway. How is that for being "over the top"? Ok, I'll stop.

The Hakone ropeway is a scenic 4KM long ariel ropeway that spans from Togendai to Sounzan in Hakone, Japan. The highest point on the ropeway is at Owakundani and is 1K meters high. Blessed by its wonderful natural environment, superb scenery and an abundance of natural hot springs, Hakone is one of the leading tourist attractions in Japan. The Hakone Ropeway service operates at approximately one-minute intervals, and the 30-minute journey from Sounzan Station to Togendai Station, which nestles on the shore of Lake Ashi, allows visitors to take in such spectacular views as the crystal-clear blue waters of Lake Ashi, the rising volcanic fumes of Owakudani and the grandeur of Mount Fuji on a fine, sunny day.

Floating over Owakundani, which is an active volcano, is pretty cool. You can see the sulfur pouring out of the top of mountain and smell it from high in the air. The bet part is the view of Mount Fuji from the ropeway car.

Japan is an incredibly wonderful dichotomy of ultra modern technology and superb natural beauty. It has some of the best kept natural treasures that you'll find anywhere in Asia and Hakone is at the top of that list. The ariel ropeway allows you to enjoy Hakone from a vantage point that is second to know. I was blown away by the experience and I know that you will too. When in Tokyo, do yourself a favor and visit Hakone. I couldn't recommend it anymore.

Getting There:

From Shibuya take the JR Yamanote line to Shinagawa (160 JPY). If you're already at Tokyo station then just take the Shinkansen from there.
At Shinagawa transfer to the Tokaido Shinkansen to Odawara station (2940 JPY)
At Odawara station take the Hakone-Tozan Line to Hakone-Yumoto station (300 JPY)
At Hakone-Yumoto station you can take a bus to the Lake (1150 JPY).

You can also take a tram to Gora (350 JPY)
Then transfer to the cable car to Soounzan at the top of the hill (425 JPY)
Then take the Hakone ropeway, which I highly recommend, from Togendai to the lake (1490 JPY).

Note:

The transfers are time consuming and taking the tram, cable car, and ropeway takes about 2 hours longer than the bus but is totally worth the view from the ropeway - see my other post.

Enjoy!

Lake Ashi, Hakone

noreply@blogger.com (webmaster) — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 06:54:00 +0000

Hakone is a beautiful place. The natural beauty is difficult to describe relative to other places I've visited around the world. It's peaceful, tranquil and seemingly not spoilt by being one of the major tourist attractions outside of Tokyo. I must admit that when I first heard of Hakone my major question was "what's there to do". Doing is not as important in Hakone as seeing, and there are a lot of things to see. If you enjoy nature and the simplistic yet magnificent beauty of the natural environment then Hakone is where it's at. In short, if you're a tree hugger then head to Hakone ASAP.

Lake Ashi, or Hakone Lake as it's also called, is probably the most beautiful lake I've ever seen. The beauty, again, is difficult to convey with words. It's a place where the demands of the modern world disappears and you get a glimpse of life as it must have been hundreds of years ago when the emphasis was on being one with nature. Rising in the distance is the towering Mt. Fuji in all it's majesty. The best time to go to the Lake is in the fall when the leaves are changing and the sky is completely clear. This will give you the best possibly views of the surrounding mountains and the foliage of the tress.

When at the lake there are a few cruise ships masquerading as pirate ships that take you from one end of the lake to the other. It's $10 but absolutely worth it. I spent most of my time on the top deck of the ship starring out at the panorama of trees and water. Pictures absolutely do now do this place justice, neither does vide. It's best to just go there and see for yourself. If you're in Tokyo and have a day to burn, then hop on a Shinkansen and head down to Hakone.

Getting There:

From Shibuya take the JR Yamanote line to Shinagawa (160 JPY). If you're already at Tokyo station then just take the Shinkansen from there.
At Shinagawa transfer to the Tokaido Shinkansen to Odawara station (2940 JPY)
At Odawara station take the Hakone-Tozan Line to Hakone-Yumoto station (300 JPY)
At Hakone-Yumoto station you can take a bus to the Lake (1150 JPY).

You can also take a tram to Gora (350 JPY)
Then transfer to the cable car to Soounzan at the top of the hill (425 JPY)
Then take the Hakone ropeway, which I highly recommend, from Togendai to the lake (1490 JPY).

Note:

The transfers are time consuming and taking the tram, cable car, and ropeway takes about 2 hours longer than the bus but is totally worth the view from the ropeway - see my other post.

Enjoy!

Golfing in Singapore

noreply@blogger.com (webmaster) — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 12:08:00 +0000

I am not a big time golfer, I'll admit it. Though I can see the joy in hanging out with a bunch of friends whacking around a few tiny defenseless balls. Throw in a few drinks, a beautiful backdrop, and a cool breeze and you'll have yourself a wonderful time. I've been golfing a few times and thought the courses were ok, but none of them compared to the course at the Marina Bay Golf Course, Singapore.

Opened in November 2006, the Marina Bay Golf Course is Singapore’s first and only 18-hole golf course which is open to the public. Located strategically in the heart of town, the course offers golfers great accessibility and a picturesque view of the city skyline, be it day or night. I was in Singapore for a business conference on Sentosa. My flight didn't leave until midnight of my last day so we had some time to kill. A couple of coworkers and myself headed to the course for a round of golf and it was the best thing of the trip.

I must admit, golfing isn't a cheap recreational sport and golfing at the Marina Bay is on the expensive end of golf courses. After renting equipment and paying for 18 holes I was out about $300. Yep, that's expensive for a day of anything. I even had to fork out $100 for two box of balls. The balls weren't expensive by golf ball standards, but why pay that much for something that's gonna end up at the bottom of a fake lake in 1 hour.

The two guys I was with were both good golfers. When I wasn't hacking holes in the lawn I was spending my time taking tips from them and trying to imitate their swing. The hour spent on the course getting instruction from them really improved my game, but that's not saying much. I was horrible going in and a little less horrible coming out.

Despite the cost, which is a lot to put aside, golfing at the Marina Bay golf course is a great experience. If you have the time and are willing to pay then head over to the course and play a few rounds.

Yokohama Landmark Tower

noreply@blogger.com (webmaster) — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 08:11:00 +0000

I've been to the top of many tall buildings so it's kinda old hat for me now. However, every now and then I get to the top of a building that's so tall that it reminds me of the awe and wonder I had the very first time I ascended a skyscraper. The Landmark Tower in Yokohama is the tallest building and third largest structure in Japan and the mother of all Japanese mega buildings standing 296.3 m (972 ft) high. It is located in the Minato Mirai 21 district of Yokohama city, right next to Yokohama Museum of Art. Work on the building was finished in 1993. It has the highest observation deck in Japan. Once at the top you cannot help but gaze and the tinny specs moving about below and the beautiful Japanese landscape disappearing in the distance.

The Landmark Tower is so tall that it dwarfs the other skyscrapers next to it and from the top of the Landmark Tower you can see the helipads of the surrounding skyscrapers. Inside the building is a bit stale and the decor is dated. However, I was able to get reservations for lunch at the Chinese restaurant on the 70th floor of the building. The food was wonderful, though pricey, and the view is incredible.

Yokohama city makes for a great day trip out of Tokyo and has a number of great attractions that Tokyo doesn't offer. If you're ever in Yokohama then consider a detour to the Landmark Tower, if for no other reason that to say you've been to the top of the tallest building in Japan.

Kichijoji and Studio Ghibli Museum

noreply@blogger.com (webmaster) — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 07:48:00 +0000

When visiting Tokyo, if you ever get tired of the big city there are no shortage of lovely suburban neighborhoods to visit. These neighborhoods are mostly within a short one hour train ride from Tokyo city center and make for great day trips that round out the Tokyo experience. Kichijoji is a lovely little suburb west of Tokyo, less than 20 minutes on the express train from Shibuya station. Take the Inokashira Line from Shibuya station and get off at Kichijoji station in Kichijoji.

The highlight is Inokashira Park, a large park with long walking paths surrounding a lake. The park is filled with both cherry trees and maples, making Inokashira Park an excellent choice for both flower viewing in the spring, and the autumn colors in the fall. Kichijōji once enjoyed a reputation as an artists' colony, and today it is filled with stores from little boutiques to the big department stores.

The park was incredibly enjoyable and the highlight for me was the abundance of artisans and craftsmen in the park selling their creations. The crafts were incredibly well done and I found myself purchasing something at almost every other stall. There were also many performers in the part, from a group reenacting scenes from popular music videos, to a magician doing some very impressive card tricks with a digital pack of cards.

In the West Garden of Inokashira Park, past the lawn tennis courts, is the Studio Ghibli museum, where you can admire the work of Hayao Miyazaki, the Japanese anime master behind Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, My Neighbor Totoro and other films. There's a big furry cat bus to play in, a giant robot on the roof, artist sketches and cels and a trippy zoetrope. The museum is geared toward kids, but Miyazaki fans of any age will enjoy it. The theater shows a short film that you can't see anywhere else.

Kichijoji was some of the most fun I've had outside of Tokyo since visiting Kamakura last year. If you have 4-6 hours and wanna do somethind outside of Tokyo I highly recommend a short trip to Kichijoji.

One Love Jamaica Festival

noreply@blogger.com (webmaster) — Sun, 22 May 2011 00:49:00 +0000

I woke up this morning and smiled to the rising sun. Three little birds were pitched by my doorstep singing a sweet song, the melody was pure and true. Saying, go to the One Love Jamaica Festival in Yoyogi park today. So I did.

It was an absolutely lovely day in Tokyo. I find myself saying this a lot in my blog posts but the days here are truly beautiful. The sky is typically blue and clear with some clouds and a temperature of about 77 degrees. Today was no exception and so it was a perfect day to hit Yoyogi park.

Yoyogi Park is one of the largest parks in Tokyo, Japan located adjacent to Harajuku Station and Meiji Shrine in Shibuya. What is now Yoyogi Park was the site of the first successful powered aircraft flight in Japan, on December 19, 1910, by Captain Yoshitoshi Tokugawa, after which it became an army parade ground. During the post World War II occupation, it was the site of the Washington Heights residence for U.S. officers. It was later the site for the main Olympic athletes village of the 1964 Summer Olympics and the swimming, diving, and basketball venues. The distinctive Yoyogi National Gymnasium which hosted swimming, diving, and basketball was designed by Kenzo Tange for the Olympics, and is still in use, but most of the area north of the gymnasium complex and south of Meiji Shrine was turned into a city park in 1967.

Yoyogi is about a 25 minute walk from my apartment or a short 7 minute taxi ride. Since I didn't want to tire myself out before I got to the park I decided to take a cab and save my walking for the park. Today was the annual One Love Jamaica Festival which takes place in a huge parking lot at the side of the park. I've heard a lot about the festival and it's popular among Caribbean people living in Tokyo. I was certainly looking forward to experiencing it for myself. Luckily I had my HD recorder with me so I was able to capture some great video along with images. And since video is better than words I'll leave you with the video and a few thoughts.

This was the highlight of the festival for me and I couldn't stop laughing. The Japanese were truly entertained, though I think maybe for the same reasons as I was.

This stall had it all, and the name says it all too. :-)

Walking around the festival to give you a sense of the layout. This was some kinda ethnic dancing, though completely unrecognizable to me.

In summary the festival wasn't as big as I had imagine though it was certainly not small. I was also expecting more authenticity in the food, music, and arts but looking back it seems like too much to ask for in Tokyo. I enjoyed it, but if I had to grade the festival I'll give it a B. It's worth going to, but it's not something I'll go to every year. Here are a few pictures to end this post.

When Rapture Comes

noreply@blogger.com (webmaster) — Sat, 21 May 2011 10:04:00 +0000

After extensive investigation I have managed to uncover the source of the rapture prophecy. In 2009 Terminator 'Salvation' was released on May 21st - starring Christian Bale and Sam Worthington. The video trailer for that movie clearly states that on May 21st "the end begins". This, I believe, is the source of the confusion, problem solved.

Regardless, if rapture does come, can one of you heathens please walk my dog and water my plants while I am gone?

Thanks from heaven. :-)

Koishikawa Kōrakuen Garden

noreply@blogger.com (webmaster) — Thu, 19 May 2011 08:19:00 +0000

By now you should know that I am completely in love with Tokyo and Japan in general. One of the things that's most enjoyable is that there are seemingly endless numbers of parks, gardens, and temples that act as little oasis in one of the most metropolitan areas in the world. These parks provide much needed respite to the city dwellers and are always packed with locals enjoying a lazy day or retirees taking their daily walk.

Koishikawa Kōrakuen Garden is one of the least visited gardens in Tokyo (by tourists) but equally as enjoyable as any of the major gardens or parks. Construction on the garden was started in 1629 by Tokugawa Yorifusa, the daimyo (feudal lord) of Mito han, and was completed by his successor, Tokugawa Mitsukuni. Mitsukuni named the garden "Kōraku-en" (Kōraku means "enjoying afterwards") after a Chinese proverb which states that "a governor should worry before people and enjoy after people". The garden still shows a strong Chinese influence in its design and is currently under improvement.

With 70,000-sq-metre of formal Japanese garden to explore, if you have the slightest interest in gardens you should make a beeline to Koishikawa. The garden is particularly well known for plum trees in February, irises in June and autumn colours. Of special note is the Engetsu-kyō (Full-Moon Bridge), which dates from the early Edo period. Kōrakuen means ‘the garden of later enjoyment’, which comes from a Chinese proverb about maintaining power first and enjoying it later – we assume this sounds better in Chinese.

Lanterns Over Thailand

noreply@blogger.com (webmaster) — Fri, 06 May 2011 16:36:00 +0000

Paper lanterns come in various shapes and sizes, as well as various methods of construction. In their simplest form, they are simply a paper bag with a candle placed inside, although more complicated lanterns consist of a collapsible bamboo or metal frame of hoops covered with tough paper.

During dinner one night the hotel staff asked us if we'd like to release a lantern into the sky. I've never done this but that it was a pretty cool idea. After dinner the staff brought us a large paper lantern which they lit and gave to us. All we really had to do was let it fly. It was certainly memorable watching the lanterns float away in the distance. Enjoy the video.

Hong Island, Krabi Thailand

noreply@blogger.com (webmaster) — Mon, 02 May 2011 05:27:00 +0000

During my recent trip to Thailand my daily activity involved venturing out on a local Longtail boat to the islands just off the coastline. Most of these islands were a short 20 minute boat ride from my hotel and offered some of the most breathtaking snorkeling and sunbathing that I've ever experienced. I visited Four Island (Poda Island, Tub Island, Chicken Head Island, Pranang Cave), Hong Island, and Phi Phi Island - to name a few. Hong island was the first one I visited and it made a very lasting impression.

Hong Island (Koh Hong) stands out as one of the most beautiful islands off the Andaman coast. As you approach from the sea you notice towering limestone formations that inspire images of a deserted island from a dream. Koh Hong’s name comes from the Thai word “Hong” which translates loosely into “room”. That's because in the middle of this beautiful island there lies a hidden lagoon with water so clear that you can see the bottom of the lagoon at all times. The coral reefs here are amazing and you will also find siphons and an abundance of brightly colored tropical fish swimming happily around your feet.

To enter the lagoon you have to pass through a small corridor between two cliffs that act as a doorway or secret passage. The cliffs surround the lagoon completely except for this relatively narrow opening and protects it from the waves of the sea. As a result the lagoon water is almost completely still and crystal clear. Mangroves line the edges of the lagoon near the cliff walls while trees and bush hang down on and around the walls themselves. The lagoon itself was worth the 20 minute boat ride but the beach that followed absolutely made Hong Island a must visit in my mind.

Pelay beach boasts powder white sand and wonderful coral and fish. I spent much of the time on this beach feeding and swimming with the fishes, who were just as curious about me as I was about them. The beach is almost enclosed by cliffs and rocks and has very calm and clear waters which is perfect for snorkeling. Many of the tourists on the beach spent their time sunbathing or feeding the hundreds of tropical fish that swam close to shore. The fishes were certainly not shy and became pretty aggressive once you started feeding them.

After a few hours on the beach we decided to head back to the resort to spend the rest of the afternoon lounging near the pool. The sun had taken its toll and it was time to relax in the shade.

As always, I'll leave you with a few more pictures from my trip to Hong island. Enjoy.

Falling In Love With Krabi, Thailand

noreply@blogger.com (webmaster) — Mon, 02 May 2011 04:37:00 +0000

Thailand can be many things to many people. Bangkok, for example, is a world of excitement and access to all things elicit for those looking for some red light action and nightlife. Head out of Bangkok and south towards the beautiful coastline and Thailand becomes a tropical paradise unparalleled in beauty to any other place on earth. After spending some time in Thailand I can say unequivocally that it is the most beautiful place that I've ever traveled to, and I've done my share of traveling.

Most people who travel to Thailand in search of a tropical getaway head straight to one of the more popular tourist destinations like Phuket island or Phi Phi island. These destinations, while as beautiful as any other on the Thailand coast, are often packed with tourist year round and may not afford you any seclusion, if that's what you're looking for. However, if you're hoping to avoid the massive crowds and still lounge in paradise one often overlooked destination on the Thailand coast is Krabi.

Krabi is a town on the west coast of southern Thailand at the mouth of the Krabi River where it empties in Phangnga Bay. As of 2005 the town had a population of 24,986 people. The town is the capital of Krabi Province and Krabi district. You'll find many beautiful, secluded resorts in the Krabi province including the Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Sofitel Krabi, and the Sheraton Krabi Beach Resort to name a few. Recently I had the pleasure of traveling to Thailand and staying at the Sheraton Krabi for 10 days and absolutely fell head over heels in love with it.

The Sheraton far exceeded my expectations. The property is clean, beautifully landscaped and meticulously well kept. It is one of the top rated hotels on Tripadvisor for the Krabi region, which I think sums it all up. From the hotel location in Krabi I ventured daily by boat to the surrounding islands like Hong island, Four island, and Phi Phi islands. The snorkeling in Thailand is the best I've seen, having snorkeled in most of the Caribbean islands, Mexico, and South East Asia Thailand stands out. The islands off the coast of Krabi are the epitome of tropical paradise. There were also a few nameless (to me anyway) islands that we stopped and explored on the way that would give many of the Caribbean islands a run for their money.

In the next few posts I'll get into more detail about the beautiful islands off the coast of Thailand and blog about some other adventures we had inland. For now though, let me leave you with a few shots of Krabi and the Sheraton.

Hanami in Tokyo

noreply@blogger.com (webmaster) — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 14:06:00 +0000

Hanami is the Japanese traditional custom of enjoying the beauty of flowers, "flower" in this case almost always means cherry blossoms or ume blossoms. From the end of March to early May, Sakura bloom all over Japan, and around the first of February on the island of Okinawa. This is a huge event for the Japanese and there are even blossom forecasts that describe the upcoming cherry blossom front so the public knows the optimal time for viewing.

This year I was fortunate enough to be in Japan for some parts of the Hanami season and got to take part in the viewing. It's difficult to miss the cherry blossom season once you're in town as cherry blossom trees are all over the city, on the sidewalks, and in every park. At the height of the bloom parts of the city are covered in white, pink, and shades of red from the blooms of the various trees. Looking out my window I couldn't help to be impressed by how many trees there are in the landscape and how much care is put into maintaining the beauty of the landscape.

Many Japanese camp out under the best Sakura trees to ensure that they keep their spot for them and their friends. Some arrive as early as daybreak, spread a tarp under the tree of their choice, then wait for the friends to arrive with drinks, food, and music. The scene in some parks is absolutely chaotic, not unlike a huge outdoor concert. There is tons of drinking and consequently drunk people, but it's all done in good clean fun.

There are numerous places in Japan where people gather for Hanami parties and it's certainly not centralized. I managed to visit 3 different parks and each had a different, unique feel. As always I will leave you with a few pics to get a better feel for Hanami in Tokyo.

Diving in Bali

noreply@blogger.com (webmaster) — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 02:43:00 +0000

The American USS Liberty shipwreck in Tulamben is Bali's most famous and accessible dive site and one of the safest wreck dives in the world. This large war victim is just meters from the shore and can be easy reached from a beach dive. The armed cargo ship was built in 1918 and served as a supply vessel during World War II. It was torpedoed by Japanese submarine I-166 in 1942 while in the strait approx. 10 nautical miles south-west of Lombok. The ship was rescued and towed towards Bali by a Dutch destroyer the HNLMS Van Ghent. However, damage done to the ship was so great that the attempt to reach Singaraja failed, the crew was evacuated and the ship was beached in Tulamben.

The intact ship sat beached on the Tulamben coast until Bali's volcano Gunung Agung erupted in 1963. The Liberty crashed beneath the water during this violent eruption and now sits on a black sand shelf that slopes from about 6-30m. The Wreck lies parallel to the beach with her bow pointing north. The Liberty has become one of Indonesia most beautiful artificial reefs.

A couple of coworkers and I decided to venture off on our own and do some diving while in Bali. The Liberty shipwreck was the recommended site as it's easily accessible and safe. The dive started with a 2 hour bus ride to Tulamben across the Bali countryside. On the way we passed some very beautiful scenery of rice fields and volcanic mountains.

Once we arrived in Tulamben it as time to suit up and go in. The dive company provided all of the equipment as always, though there lacked a full HD underwater camera. That was rather disappointing considering how stunning this dive was. They made it up by providing some delicious local food at a restaurant yards from our dive point.

Our dives, we did two, launched from the beach which was a first for me. Beach diving is incredibly convenient and much less intimidating than diving off a boat in deep water. For the most part you don't even notice how deep you're going until you look up at the surface. The wreck took about 10 minutes to get to under water and was truly vast. The amount of sea life and interesting formations were more than enough to keep us amazed for the two 30 minute dives.

On my second dive I tightened my mask a bit too much above water. Once I started descending the mask got tighter and tighter until it was excruciatingly painful and I had to adjust it under water. Which meant taking it off, adjusting the straps while blind, putting it back on and then clearing the mask of water. Besides that the dives were uneventful and easily the highlight of my 4 day trip to Bali.

Meanwhile, in Bali...

noreply@blogger.com (webmaster) — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 16:11:00 +0000

It's not everyday that you get offered a free trip to Bali for a few days. So whenever that day comes there is only one right answer, hell yeah! That's right, by some stroke of the gods I was part of a large group of people at work who were presented with a very nice award. As part of that award and for recognition of significant hard work the group was flown to Bali for a 4 night all expense paid trip complete with private villas, private pools, and a muddy river to raft in. Bali was such an incredible and fabulous, I never use that word but it's highly appropriate, place that I'll have to cover it over a few posts. However in this post I'll like to talk about the great accommodations we stayed in during the trip.

Our hotel was called The Villas Bali Hotel & Spa and to be honest it wasn't a hotel but a series of villas all completely fenced with everything you could possibly need inside. We rented a few villas as the group was quite large. I was in a 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom villa with a full kitchen, pool (all had pools), and comfortable living space. The villas were extremely well kept, clean and had most of the trappings of a 4 star hotel.

We spent a lot of time in the pools, actually the pool parties were some of the best parts of the trip. The rest of the time was spent roaming around the island looking for interesting things, and there were a lot of interesting things to do. Bali is a place where you can experience whatever vacation you like. If you like lounging at a pool and sun bathing you can do that. If you prefer to go on adventure treks there is diving, snorkeling, rafting, Kayaking, and a host of other activities to keep you buys. Or if you prefer seaside bars or a party scene there are certainly lots of those. In short, I found Bali to have lovely tropical weather, the opulence of hollywood, and the tact and service of Asia. It's a perfect combination.

Bali has some of the best beachside bars that I've been to and that's where things really got fun. I'll save those adventures for another post, for now enjoy these pics from the villa.

I never travel without my rubber ducky