Entering Yosemite National Park, 200 miles (322 kms) east of San Francisco, it doesn’t take long to realize how appropriate the remarks of John Muir, the eminent Scottish-born, American environmentalist, writer, scientist and champion of Yosemite, were.

There’s something very special about Yosemite. With its towering peaks of granite, cascading waterfalls and streams, Giant Sequoia trees and biological diversity, few who ever visit the park, leave without being overwhelmed by its magnificence.

The focal points for any first-time visit to Yosemite are the granite monoliths of El Capitan and Half Dome. Once considered impossible to scale, El Capitan is now a mecca for rock climbers, rising to 7,569 feet. But the spiritual centerpiece of the park is the toothed Half Dome, which stands majestically at 8,842 feet. (Want to climb it? The Half Dome Cables Route hike, which runs from the valley floor to the top of the dome in 8.2 miles – 13 kms – has become a popular way to scale Yosemite’s most famous rock formation, attracting thousands of hikers every year.)

Always popular, and thus sometimes crammed with onlookers, Tunnel View (on Highway 41) offers the classic ‘postcard’ view of El Capitan and Half Dome. As great as the vista from Tunnel View is though, better views (for those with enough time and energy) can be found from Inspiration Point Trail, a 2.6-mile (4.2 km) round-trip trek starting from near the tunnel.

Cut by Merced River, Yosemite Valley easily attracts the lion’s share of visitors to the park. Home to beautiful meadows, stately pines, glistening pools and cascading white water ribbons, it is easy to see why the majority of visitors while away their time within its seven square mile (18 km) border.

In Yosemite Valley, and arguably the biggest draw card for sightseers to the park, is Yosemite Falls. Dropping 2,245 feet in three tiers, Yosemite Falls are North America’s tallest. For those fortunate enough to make the 7.2-mile (11.6 km) hike to its summit, a stunning panorama of the valley awaits. But for the majority of tourists, the views from the base of the falls prove spectacular enough.

Nearby Bridalveil Fall is another standout attraction of the park. Flowing all year round at a drop of 617 feet, Bridalveil’s waterfall will appear to be falling sideways when the wind blows briskly enough. For this reason, the Native Americans called the waterfall Pohono, meaning Spirit of the Puffing Wind.

Muir, who on one visit spent two years in a small cabin alongside Yosemite Creek, said Yosemite was big and rich enough for “a whole life of study and aesthetic enjoyment”. And he was right. Visiting Yosemite once, twice or even three times just isn’t enough.

“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul alike,” he said.

That’s Yosemite.

Co-ordinates: 37°51′00″N, 119°34′04″W

Author: Mark Harada

“You can see the traffic is crazy now,” our driver guide from Villa del Palmar Loreto, Jose, jokes.

“That is one of the parts I love most about Loreto: you can walk on the streets wherever you want.”

Like Jose, who has moved to Loreto to raise a family, I find that there is plenty to love about this hamlet of around 12,000 warm and welcoming people.

Besides being a town where “everybody knows everybody else”, there is a quiet and unassuming charm about the place. Where many larger Mexican resort towns take satisfaction in their oversized hotels, overpopulated beaches and noisy nightclubs, Loreto prides itself on its tranquility, on its ability to seduce the visitor with its intimacy.

Unlike in Cabo San Lucas (a short flight away), there is no Walmart here, no Costco – but instead local markets, cute souvenir shops and art galleries, most of which lie on the pretty, partially tree-lined, La Salvatierra.

At the centre of the cobbled road stands arguably Loreto’s main attraction: the Church of Lady of Loreto. With Loreto being the oldest Spanish settlement in Baja California – founded by Jesuit missionaries in 1697 – and the starting point of the California Mission Trail (‘El Camino Real’) – which runs some 600 miles to Sonoma, CA – the Lady of Loreto takes on special cultural significance. And although an earthquake destroyed the original tower in 1877, (subsequently reconstructed in 1957) the building is a fine example of the colonial architecture that peppers the town.

Adjacent to the church is the excellent Jesuit Missions Museum, which houses a collection of religious art, weaponry and tools from the early Spanish missions in Baja California. For under US$3, the museum is a must-see. Nearby City Hall, another classically beautiful building is also worth a look-in.

As the site of the first European (and reportedly, first human) settlement in Baja California, it is little wonder the city has been flagged as one of Mexico’s “Magic Towns”. But for all its history, Loreto is probably most well known for its watersports. Boasting world-class fishing, scuba diving, sailing and kayaking, aided by the warm, blue waters of the Sea of Cortez, it doesn’t take long to discover why Loreto is commonly referred to as the watersports capital of Baja.

And after a long day at sea, restaurants like Las Cascadas will prepare and serve you your own freshly caught fish. “You hook it, we cook it”, says local eatery, Augie’s Bar.

Its quiet roads may suggest otherwise, but there is a lot going on in Loreto. Let it surprise you.

Co-ordinates: 26°00′46″N, 111°20′36″W

Author: Mark Harada

But in Rod Laver Arena that night it didn’t matter where someone was from or whether they supported Collingwood or St Kilda, followed tennis or Australian Football; what mattered was that you were sharing a moment of athletic prowess with some 10,000 other like-minded folk.

Because in Australia, and Melbourne in particular, sport matters.

Hosting the Australian Open, the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix and a plethora of other high-profile sporting events, Melbourne is widely considered the sporting capital of the world.

And Melbournians take that honor seriously; a stroll through the city on any given weekend between April and September will attest to this, when you’re likely to cross paths with any number of vocal Australian Football fans (a tourist tip: avoid attempting a debate about football codes in a country where there are more types of football than there are major political parties).

But it’s not just the local football teams that garner the passionate support of Melbournians. These folk will watch anything (including synchronized swimming).

At the center of sporting life in Melbourne, or Australia for that matter, is the world famous Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). It was from within this arena that Melbourne hosted the first Southern Hemisphere Olympic Games (in 1956), the first ever Cricket Test Match (between Australia and England in 1877) and annually hosts the nation’s largest sporting event, the Australian Football League (AFL) Grand Final.

Throw in the Melbourne Cup (one of the world’s most prestigious horse races), regular international rugby and soccer matches, high-profile golf tournaments like the Australian Masters and the President’s Cup, and the Australian MotoGP (a short drive away) and you begin to understand why, in 2010, the city was named the ‘World’s Ultimate Sports City’ for the third year in a row by SportBusiness Group.

Yes, Baghdatis may have lost the Grand Slam final to somebody by the name of Roger Federer, but on that night, true to the age-old sporting cliché, tennis and the unifying power of sport were the real winners. And as usual, Melbourne didn’t too badly out of it either.

Co-ordinates: 37°48′49″S, 144°57′47″E

Image courtesy of World Tennis Magazine

Author: Mark Harada

Often thought to be nocturnal, the Celebritus Americanus, drawn by hunger (or Valentino), will occasionally make the dangerous journey into daylight. Harangued by paparazzi, they have adapted camouflage techniques (the covering of faces with open fingers, dating a Kardashian) in the hope of going about their everyday lives (dating a Kardashian) undetected.

Like avid bird watchers the paparazzi stalk their prey and have, at the ready, a steady slew of celebrity-spotting tools. Join In my tin can on the TMZ Hollywood Tour to learn their secrets.

Preparing for the hunt
Nothing scares away the Celebritus Americanus like an empty room, so try and travel in packs. The TMZ Hollywood Tour is the perfect rent-a-crowd, drawing the D-Z list Celebritus Americanus’ to its bright red doors. Shaq, I’m talking to you.

Safari suit up
It’s important to blend into your surrounds; in the case of celebrity-ridden Hollywood this means showing some skin (preferably professionally bronzed at Sunset Tan). Add some heels (because the only walking done is from the valet to your Hummer) and you’re set.

Feeding times
Contrary to popular opinion, the Celebritus Americanus does eat. The TMZ Hollywood Tour takes you past their preferred watering holes and expensive eateries so that should you not see a celebrity while on the TMZ Tour you can always stalk them later.

The Big Five
Those Celebritus Americanus bred in captivity (Kardashians and those dating them) are perhaps the easiest to spot. Tick them off your list in order of popularity for extra points.

Co-ordinates: 34°6′0″N, 118°20′0″W

Image courtesy of Starline Tours.

Author: Gaya Avery

Lights! Camera! Action!

Universal Studios Hollywood is an LA icon. Since it first opened as a studio (complete with tours for just 25 cents) in 1915, and then as a theme park in 1964, USH has grown to become a legend as large as the films it showcases.

With millions each year drawn to Universal, In my tin can decides to jump the queue – one of the benefits of the park’s VIP Experience tickets – to sample some of the park’s finest offerings.

Transformers The Ride-3D: ‘Autobots, roll out!’

Opened in May 2012 in the park’s Lower Lot, the Transformers ride utilizes the latest in ‘virtual ride’ technology, fusing 3D-HD media and flight simulation machinery with original action sequences and a new storyline.

During the ride, 14 oversized front projection, rear projection, flat and compound curved screens assault the senses as you experience an adventure worthy of the park’s ‘most ambitious ride ever’ moniker. As we are told, the fate of the world depends on us, so this is a ride definitely not to be missed.

Revenge of the Mummy-The Ride: ‘He took my eyes!‘ 

As mind-blowingly good as the Transformers ride is though, I find myself walking (not unlike an Egyptian) over to the neighboring Mummy ride for a dose of ‘real action’.

Like the ‘Mummy’ films, which grossed nearly $1 billion worldwide, the Mummy ride is a romp of an adventure. More than just an indoor rollercoaster, the Mummy is an all-encompassing experience fusing very (very) high-speed action with CGI and other special effects storytelling techniques.

Dark, fast and a whole lot of fun, the Mummy ride is not for the fainthearted. Oh, and look out for the bugs.

Jurassic Park: ‘You think they’ll have that on the tour?’ 

You may not be chased by an actual T-Rex though its winding river, but Jurassic Park-The Ride is still an awesome experience. Before the hair-raising (and sometimes drenching) 84-foot plunge at its climax, journeyers are brought face-to-face with a 50-foot T-Rex, Velociraptors and even Brontosauruses as they wend their way through tranquil rainforests.

Despite its relatively old age (opened in 1996), the Jurassic Park ride remains one of the park’s most popular attractions.

The Simpsons Ride: ‘Take me, take me, take me, take me now!’

A must for Simpsons fans, the Simpsons ride brings to life – in extreme fast-forward – the action of the world’s most popular animated series through state-of-the-art digital projectors which cover a massive 80-foot diameter dome. And like the Transformers ride, you won’t even feel yourself not moving.

The experience may prove dizzying for some, but as a motion-simulated 3D romp it is tough too beat. Springfield, Oregon? Forget it. The real Springfield is in California.

Waterworld: ‘I’ve had a vision so great, as it came to me I wept.’

Okay, so the movie may have had its shortcomings, but Waterworld at Universal Studios is hard to fault. With an original storyline, a rocking soundtrack, death-defying stunts and huge explosions, Waterworld will have you on the edge of your seats for 20 minutes of heart-stopping action – and interaction.

Word of warning: those looking to get up close to the excitement will get wet. But hey, it isn’t called Waterworld for nothing.

The Studio Tour. And beyond.

The signature experience of USH, the Studio Tour allows visitors to explore Hollywood’s most famous back lot in the world’s largest working movie studio.

For most, this remains the biggest draw card of the park as guests leave behind the rides and candy floss to learn about the serious business of moviemaking.

Highlights of the Studio Tour include: a simulated (but very real) San Francisco earthquake, the site of theWar of the Worlds plane crash, Wisteria Lane from Desperate Housewives, special effects scenes fromFast and the Furious: Extreme Close-Up, the Bates Motel and home from Psycho, and of course, the famous Jaws attack (hokey, but still fun). And be prepared to take a lot of photos.

Added to the Studio Tour in 2010, the award-winning King Kong 360 3-D ride has quickly become one of the standout attractions on the back lot tour. The world’s largest 3-D experience features two curved screens, each measuring a massive 187 feet wide by 40 feet high – the equivalent of 16 movie theatre screens. Now that’s intense.

For the avid film buff (or even occasional cinemagoer), the VIP Experience ticket allows you to go where the general public can’t. With a personal guide, VIP guests are walked through working sets and soundstages (today the current television series Parenthood) as well as told inside stories about the production of famous movies and shows. This is as close to being in front of the camera as you can get, so smile.

The VIP ticket also includes a tour of the Archive and Collections Department (housing nearly a century’s worth of props), Front of Line access to all rides and attractions, special reserved seating at shows and VIP lounge and dining room access.

Bonus features and (un) deleted scenes

From the unpredictable House of Horrors to the Adventures of Curious George playground; the educational Special Effects Stage to Universal’s Animal Actors – Universal Studios Hollywood truly does offer everything for everyone.

And with visitors from across the globe still flocking through its famous red carpet entrance, ‘The Entertainment Capital of LA’ looks set to be a box-office hit for some time to come.

Don’t roll the credits.

Co-ordinates: 34.136518°N, 118.356051°W

Author: Mark Harada

But the late, great journalist also coined the phrase ‘Buy the ticket, take the ride’. And so I have (albeit with seatbelt firmly secured).

You don’t really arrive in Las Vegas – you’re suddenly there. One minute you’re driving along Route 15 from LA, and the next, you’re in LV, awash in noisy coin cups and loud neon signs.

For a town that’s in the middle of nowhere, Vegas feels strangely like it’s at the centre of everything – or at least it does for the 40 million or so pilgrims who make the journey to the city every year. It is a land of the brave (and sometimes reckless), for the Americans and out-of-towners that have at their disposal a seemingly endless supply of greenback.

But Vegas is not just a city for those with money to burn; there is more to this place than scantily clad waitresses, oversized cocktails and purple poker tables. Simply put, visitors to ‘Sin City’ are transported to a place where even the most sceptical of cynics cannot avoid having fun. (I tried). Free shows, dollar beers, dirt cheap buffets and hokey, but still very cool, replicas of some of the world’s most famous landmarks see to that.

If you’re lucky enough, you’ll score a ticket to David Copperfield, Cher or (gasp …) Barry Manilow. Otherwise, you’ll have to make do with partygoers on the sidewalks, who at 2am are doing their best (or worst – I can’t tell) impressions of whomever they see fit deserving of such punishment.

Fast moving bulldozers disguised as cars rush up and down the main thoroughfare known as ‘the Strip’, these days the focal point of the city. Here, gigantic casinos like Caesar’s Palace, MGM Grand, The Mirage and the Palazzo strut their stuff, attempting to entice your patronage. Although for many the most rewarding experience remains the pedestrian mall of Fremont Street, whose old ‘carpet joints’ offer the sounds and sights of frontier Vegas.

As one of America’s fastest growing metropolises, driven by a thriving local economy, Las Vegas has seen a nearly 30% rise in its population since 2000. It isn’t all good news for the city however, with the consensus being Vegas is growing too quickly for its water supply, which comes primarily from Lake Mead (courtesy of the Colorado River); money may come effortlessly to this city, but water won’t flow quite as easily. A US$3 billion pipeline to bring aquifer water from a remote part of Nevada has been proposed and will hopefully go some way to solving the city’s water concerns.

Meanwhile, visitors to Vegas will keep coming and going. You can bet on that.

Co-ordinates: 36°10′30″N, 115°08′11″W

Image courtesy of Las Vegas News Bureau

Author: Mark Harada

]]> http://inmytincan.com/2012/11/30/las-vegas-enjoy-it-but-not-too-much/feed/ 0 inmytincan Fremont http://inmytincan.com/2012/11/08/mt-mitake-tokyos-best-kept-secret/ http://inmytincan.com/2012/11/08/mt-mitake-tokyos-best-kept-secret/#comments Fri, 09 Nov 2012 03:17:00 +0000 inmytincan http://inmytincan.com/?p=944 Continue reading →]]> If you’re looking for a quiet escape from the frenzy of downtown Tokyo, Mt Mitake is the perfect place. And it probably isn’t even in your guidebook.

Located in Chichibu Tama National Park, in the western most part of Tokyo prefecture, Mt Mitake is just 90 minutes by local train from the centre of the city.

But few foreign tourists make it this far. It is a part of ‘Tokyo’ only locals visit. My father came here as a college student in the sixties; and although a lot of things in the Japanese capital have changed since that time, Mt Mitake remains as beautiful now as it was then.

There are two ways up the mountain: if time’s of no concern, the hike to the top is a scenic, albeit steep, climb. Or, for just 1,000 yen ($US12 for a return trip), you can ride the even steeper cable car – a wonderful fifteen-minute journey that moves slowly up through the hillside forest. Needless to say, most visitors opt for the cable car.

(Tip: before boarding, stock up on some local snacks – like the pressed sweet potato – at the lower terminal shop.)

At the top of the ride, enjoy your refreshing time (my best Japlish) and gorge yourself on postcard views of the surrounding area. On a clear day, you can even catch glimpses of the skyscrapers of Shinjuku in downtown Tokyo.

But the real fun begins on the walk from the upper terminal to the peak (929 metres). At thirty minutes, the hike can be a little demanding. But the trail is well maintained and provides plenty of shade  – and the surrounding woods are spectacular, particularly in autumn.

(Tip: in between the mountain’s monasteries and lodges, try spotting birds amongst the foliage: the forest is said to be a birdwatcher’s paradise.)

When you finally reach the summit, you’ll arrive at the beautiful Musashi-Mitake Shrine, one of Japan’s oldest. A place of mountain worship for a reputed 2,000 years, Mt Mitake was once praised by the samurai, who prayed for prosperity and protection from evil spirits. Feel free to do likewise.

For those willing and able, a hike through the neighbouring peaks and valleys awaits. Otherwise, make a U-turn and enjoy the walk back, safe in the knowledge that you’ve just experienced something very special – and all within a stone’s throw of one of the world’s largest metropolises.

Co-ordinates: 35°47′N, 139°09′E

Author: Mark Harada

Unless you immigrate to Japan (and dedicate your life to food, and little else), you’re never going to know, let alone taste, every dish the Japanese have created – after all, this is the land that, according to my Japanese father, encourages the consumption of thirty different types of food a day. But there are ways of fast tracking your education.

The best way to experience Japanese cuisine is to visit Japan. Simple. Forget Paris and New York; Tokyo has more Michelin-starred restaurants then those two gastronomic powerhouses combined (247 in 2012, to be precise). And if ‘haute cuisine’ isn’t your thing (and it ain’t really mine), there are curry houses, soba and udon stalls, and tempura joints ready to feed your appetite for 800 yen (around ten bucks) or less. The idea that Japan is an expensive place to visit doesn’t hold much water when it comes to eating.

But the nation’s legendary love of seafood certainly does. Cooked, raw, whole, finely sliced: in Japan, you’ll find fish of all shapes, sizes and flavours. And thanks to the country’s position on the fringe of the Pacific, Japan’s seafood is always top notch. To sample of some of the world’s finest fish, set the alarm early and get to the world’s largest fish market, Tsujiki, in Tokyo.

While it’s true that most meals in Japan revolve around food from the sea, there’s still plenty on offer for those who prefer their turf to their surf. Unsure of uni (sea urchin) and unagi (eel)? With dishes like yakitori (chicken skewers), sukiyaki (beef hotpot), katsudon (pork cutlets and egg on rice) and karaage (fried chicken, or JFC), Japan has you comfortably covered.

And for those looking for something a little stronger than sensha (green tea) to wash it all down, the nearest ‘izakaya’ (bar/restaurant hybrid) is never too far away. Perfect for a nightcap or late-night snack, izakayas offer tapas-sized dishes with Japanese beverages like sake, shochu, or Kirin lager (Japan’s oldest beer).

So you think you can eat? Head to Japan and find out.

Co-ordinates: 35°41′N, 139°46′E

Image courtesy of WN/Mervin

Author: Mark Harada

This is how Manila resident and close friend, Wynn, described Taal Volcano and its surroundings on a recent visit to the Philippines. Needless to say, curiosity got the better of me. And so the following day we were on our way to the volcano and the neighbouring picturesque town of Tagaytay. Considered the world’s smallest active volcano, Taal is located just 60 kilometres south of Metro Manila, so is an easy day trip from the capital. Though not as large as Mount Pinatubo, or as dramatic as Mount Mayon, Taal is equally stunning. And with views from above the mountain to boot, courtesy of high-altitude Tagaytay, Taal presents something slightly different to its more well known ‘siblings’. In fact, most visitors to the region come just for the panorama from Tagaytay, which overlooks Manila Bay to the north, Laguna Bay to the east and Taal Volcano and Lake to the south.

Thanks to its location on top of the Tagaytay Ridge (part of the massive and prehistoric outer volcano), the resort town offers a cooler climate than nearby Manila, thus attracting visitors from near and afar to its fine selection of vacation spots and restaurants.

The People’s Park in the Sky, a blend of natural and man-made attractions commissioned by Imelda Marcos, is arguably the biggest drawcard to the area. But much more appealing is the tucked away Sonya’s Gardens and the scenic Tagaytay Picnic Grove.

Commanding outstanding views of Taal, we find Leslie’s Restaurant the perfect place for us to fuel up for what lies ahead: a mission to the rim of the volcano.

After negotiating our way down to the edge of Taal Lake, we cross the outer caldera on a ‘banca’ (traditional Filipino boat). On route, we even take the opportunity to cool down in the lake’s warm fresh water, which we are assured is swimmable.

Once across, there’s a relatively short, but challenging trek to the crater rim, where an uninterrupted vista of the volcano and its inner lake, as well as views of the outer lake and surrounding countryside, await. With the sight of fractured volcanic rock and gushing steam before us, not even the unappealing scent of sulphur is enough to dull our feeling of euphoria.

Intrepid hikers can venture further still down to the inner caldera, which itself is swimmable, albeit a little sulphurous and smelly. But having finally seen enough, we turn around and make the easier hike down the outside of the volcano.

Heading home, we drop in on the famous Mushroom Burger restaurant in Tagaytay.

‘We have no mushrooms,’ they tell us.

But we don’t care. We know we’ll be back this way again soon.

Co-ordinates: 14°0′7″N, 120°59′34″E

Author: Mark Harada

If anywhere could market its coconut production as a tourist attraction, it would be this archipelago nation. The largest coconut producing country in the world, the Philippines is responsible for around a third of the world’s total production, and hence holds a special place in the hearts of Filipinos. In fact, in the Phils the coconut is commonly referred to as the ‘Tree of Life’, so vital is it to the population.

Ubiquitously used in cooking, the coconut appears in many forms throughout mealtimes in the Philippines. But while its milk, known as gata, and grated coconut flakes feature in savoury dishes like laing (a spicy taro leaf-based dish), it’s during dessert that this versatile fruit really shines.

Bibingka (a type of rice cake) , ube halaya (a taro-based dessert) and buko pie (young coconut pie) are just a few of the sweets that feature coconut, while the white-fleshed fruit is also turned into ‘coco jam’ and most importantly, macapuno (young coconut slices). Even the leaves of coconuts are used for cooking, with puso (a sweet rice dish) wrapped and stored within the leaves.

Young coconut juice (or coconut water) is a tasty and healthy drink which can be bought all over the Philippine Islands. Also used to produce coconut vinegar and fermented to produce alcohol, coconut water is usually served within the massive whole fruit (almost the size – and weight – of a bowling ball). Alternatively, sap from unopened coconut flowers is made into coconut vodka, known locally as lambanog.

A testament to the diversity of the coconut is in its non-culinary usages.

While coconut oil, soap and shampoo are widely produced throughout the country, the fruit’s husks and leaves can be used as material to make a variety of products for furnishing and decorating. Additionally, dried half coconut shells with husks (bunot) can be used to buff floors and are even used as a music instrument in a folk dance called maglalatik.

The coconut even has religious significance in the Philippines. In the northern part of the country, in an offering to the deceased and one’s ancestors, the Ilocano people fill two halved coconut shells with diket (cooked sweet rice), placing halved boiled eggs on top. Accompanying this is a prayer to the dead.

Certainly the biggest homage to the coconut in the Philippines (and the world) is Manila’s Coconut Palace. Commissioned by Imelda Marcos for the visit of Pope John Paul in 1981, this estate is made from several types of Philippine hardwood, coconut shells, and a special coconut lumber. And although the pontiff dismissed the residence as too ostentatious, one can’t help but admire what this single fruit is capable of producing.

Forget Almond Joys and Cherry Ripes. In the Philippines you get so much more.

Co-ordinates: 14°35′N, 121°0′E

Image courtesy of Left Eye Images

Author: Mark Harada