10 latest experiences http://www.hereorthere.com/members/erik en-us Kobe, Japan: I have heard it referred to as more of a suburb to Osaka, the much larger city about half an hour’s train ride away, but it is certainly a veritable city on its own. There is a memorable evening to be had here, but it will cost you. Why? Well, for one thing, Kobe Beef. If you haven’t heard of it, it’s pretty much the most highly-reputed steak on the planet, finely marbled meat from cows who are fed beer and massaged regularly, and tastes like heaven on earth. After they finished cooking it on a fiery hibachi in front of me, I found myself enjoying every part of it; even the fat was as good as a regular steak. The problem is, a 6-oz cut will put out out around 5,000 yen. I assure you, it is worth it. Just convince yourself that this is the only time you will ever get to have Kobe Beef, in the home of Kobe Beef. And then there is the signature experience of a Westerner’s night in Japan: karaoke. Almost everyone has their reservations about it at first, but ... Kōbe, Japan Erik Mon, 09 Jul 2007 03:49:06 +0100 http://www.hereorthere.com/members/erik/experience/447 http://www.hereorthere.com/experiences/447 One quote constantly attributed to Mao Zedong goes as follows: “You're not a hero if you haven't climbed the Great Wall.” I suppose that makes me a hero, then. As part of package tour deal, we were taken to a particularly popular area on the wall where a fairly steep, steadily uphill trek to one of the Wall’s high points begins. Not everyone can make this journey, but, if you pace yourself, most can. Like the reckless young fool I am, I did not pace myself. If you travel with friends, you may find yourself unconsciously in competition to get to the top first, as is human nature, but whether you take it fast or slow, be prepared for some of the most majestic, epic views you have ever seen. And the higher you go, the better it gets. This is indeed a somewhat popular part of the Wall to visit for tourists, but, the higher you get, the fewer you will see. This is yet another piece of motivation to get up there. The altitude and winds make it a bit chilly any season outside... Beijing, China Erik Sun, 01 Jul 2007 14:14:25 +0100 http://www.hereorthere.com/members/erik/experience/350 http://www.hereorthere.com/experiences/350 Near Phnom Penh, Cambodia are several sites with significance to one of the more recent, and yet less well-known genocides. Upon arrival we were taken by bus to the site of a former high school, which was converted into a torture facility by the Khmer Rouge hardly 30 years ago. Certainly this isn’t for just anyone, and especially not the faint of heart or someone seeking a pleasant vacation, but it was truly a powerful experience for me. On the self guided tour through the site, called Tuol Sleng, you could see the bullet holes and blood stains, still mostly intact on the walls. In one of the larger rooms they have on display pictures taken of every prisoner upon their entry to the complex. The looks of abject apprehension and terror on their faces further adds to the intensity of vising Tuol Sleng. Next, we were taken by our tour operator to one of the infamous “Killing Fields.” It is, indeed, just a field. But as one steps on to this particular field, an eerie feel... Phnom Penh, Cambodia Erik Thu, 28 Jun 2007 23:55:34 +0100 http://www.hereorthere.com/members/erik/experience/320 http://www.hereorthere.com/experiences/320 Waking up before the sun? In summer time? Being forced to sit in a van all day under the threat of a hefty fine if you step outside of it? Yes, it was honestly absolutely fantastic. We were picked up just outside of Johannesburg by two seasoned guides who drove us the several hours to Kruger National Park, all the while answering our every query with their awesome library of knowledge about South African wildlife, political affairs, history and economics. By the time we arrived at the camp site, I had seen my first wild zebra, hyaena, gazelle, wildebeest and hippo. I presume we would have seen more were it not getting dark. The guides then cooked us a dinner of their own choosing (which turned out to be quite tasty), and we enjoyed the most star-covered sky I had ever seen. It didn’t hurt that there happened to be a total lunar eclipse that night, which didn’t happen until about 1 AM or so. This was unfortunate because we were up and going at 4:15, just before the sun,... Kruger national park, south africa, South Africa Erik Tue, 26 Jun 2007 22:14:43 +0100 http://www.hereorthere.com/members/erik/experience/291 http://www.hereorthere.com/experiences/291 Salvador, Brazil in mid-late February: the night lasts until 8 AM, the day begins at 3 PM, and you’d better wear a pair of sneakers you can afford to get filthy. This is Carnaval at its craziest. After taking the huge lift from the lower, quieter part of the city (free during the week of festivities), you will immediately see the signs of revelry coming from every direction, turning on virtually every sense. You will be sprayed by small children with aerosol cans of soap, out way past their bedtime. Your shirt will be stained with mud, beer, and sweat. But most importantly, you will start moving even if you have never danced in your life. The persistent drum beats from any of several constantly moving parades or bands-on-wheels are like the soundtrack of some sort of huge nightclub if you stay in one place, with the rhythms building in volume as they approach, then fading as they are replaced by the next group of musicians, following closely behind. You wo... Salvador, Brazil Erik Mon, 25 Jun 2007 20:24:00 +0100 http://www.hereorthere.com/members/erik/experience/282 http://www.hereorthere.com/experiences/282