Lonely Planet's Best In Travel 2016

Above, the Kinkaku-ji "Golden Pavilion" in Kyoto. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Fortune.com has posted an article of the top ten countries to visit in 2016 by travel guide company Lonely Planet.

Japan made the list, it is number two, and you'd be surprised at what country is number one on their list.

The article begins with:

Lonely Planet just released its 11th annual Best in Travel rankings, forecasting the top travel destinations for 2016, and this year’s lists spotlight a number of not-yet-on-the-radar winners. To make their decisions, the Melbourne, Australia-based travel guide publisher’s team of experts looks ahead to consider upcoming aspects like a major sporting event or anniversary, updates to infrastructure, and timely “it” factors. 

What follows is a countdown of the top ten countries to visit in 2016.

To see what countries Lonely Planet put on their list, go here. 

10 Things That May Surprise You When Visiting Japan

Above, how one enjoys a "sento" or "onsen" in Japan will surprise foreigners. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

People around the world may have read about some of the quirky (or what we may consider quirky) customs of the Japanese people, but are still surprised to see them in-person when visiting Japan for the first time.

RocketNews 24 has an article on the "10 things that might surprise you when you visit Japan."

They begin it with:

When traveling to a foreign country for the first time, no matter how well-prepared you are, there’s sure to be a lot you’ll be surprised by! Let’s take a look at 10 things in Japan that might surprise you when you first hop off the plane. 

With these in mind, you can enjoy your first trip to Japan even more!

To see what the ten things are, go here. 

JFK Limousine License Plates To Be Auctioned

Above, the JFK limousine durng the assassination. 

Sometimes, one finds the oddest things in Japanese news websites.

The Mainichi Shimbun has an article (from the Associated Press) stating that the license plates that were on the limousine (SS-100-X) President John F. Kennedy was riding in when assassinated are to be auctioned.

The article states:

DALLAS (AP) -- The license plates that were on the limousine carrying President John F. Kennedy when he was assassinated in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963 -- saved from the trash more than half a century ago -- are going up for auction. 

The opening bid for the plates being offered by Heritage Auctions on Saturday in Dallas is $40,000.

The limousine was retrofitted in 1964 with armor and other modifications by the builder, Hess & Eisenhardt of Cincinnati, Ohio. During this process, new license plates were installed and the old plates were tossed into the trash.

However, company owner Willard Hess retrieved them and kept them.

To read more, go here.

2016 Vacation Up The California Coast

Above, Morro Bay."Usa edcp location map" by Uwe Dedering - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons. 

During dinner last night with my daughter Amber, I asked her where she would like to go on vacation next year in The Beast. Almost immediately, she said, "Monterey!" Specifically, she wants to go to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

She had been there before, but that was when she was still a baby. The Monterey Bay Aquarium was used in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986).

Since our dinner, I've been thinking about what sort of itinerary we should follow. I am leaning towards a 9-day trip up the California coast on Highway 1. It has been ages since I've driven on that route.

I am leaning towards making short drives, with the first night (or two) in Morro Bay, which was a favorite place to fish of my grandfather. There's great seafood to be had in Morro Bay.

Then going further north to Big Sur for a night or two there.

Next, we head into Carmel, which is next door to Monterey. Carmel is one of my favorite California towns to visit. Clint Eastwood was once the mayor of Carmel and had a restaurant there, The Hog's Breath Inn.

From there, Monterey!

We will have to discuss it further. I like the idea!

My Congressman Hard At Work?

Public figures have publicly nodded off over the years. Some from jet-lag. Some from indulging in too much "adult beverages". And some (shockingly) from a lack of sleep. They ranged from President Reagan, Senator S. I. Hayakawa and, a few months ago, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Now, a little closer to home, my congressman, Brad Sherman, was recently caught napping at a banquet:

All I can say is: "Get that man some coffee!"

TSA To Tighten Security In Aftermath of Russian Plane Crash

The downing of the Russian passenger jet over the Sinai Peninsula last week is leading the TSA to tighten up security measures in the U.S.

According to the Washington Post:

As investigators search for the cause of a plane crash that killed 224 people over the Sinai Peninsula on Saturday and Russia suspends all flights to Egypt, U.S. officials said they are taking unspecified precautionary measures to enhance the security of flights from the Middle East.

ISIS is claiming responsibility for the downing of the jet, but the exact cause of the crash is either not determined or the Russian aren't disclosing it.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Plans To Raise Tourist Target To 30 Million

Above, the Tokyo Skytree ticket counters. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan's efforts to boost its annual foreign tourism numbers has been so successful that they are planning to up the goal to 30 million annual foreign visitors.

The Japan Times reported:

The government will raise its annual target for the number of foreign visitors to Japan to 30 million, as the current target of 20 million by 2020 is likely to be attained soon, government officials said Friday. 

A new panel will also be launched — and hold its first meeting Monday — to compile a set of measures by year-end to achieve the new goal, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a news conference. 

About 19.5 million foreign tourists are expected to visit Japan this year, Suga said in a speech last month, as a tally by the Japan National Tourism Organization showed the number topped 15 million as of Oct. 9, growing steadily from a record 13.41 million in 2014.

The surge in foreign tourists to Japan is already straining the supply of accommodations in Japan. They would have to build a lot more if they come anywhere close to 30 million foreign visitors.

To read more, go here. 

Mount St. Helens May Erupt Again

Above, ash from the 1980 eruption. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is hard to believe that 35 years has elapsed since Mount St. Helens in Washington state erupted.

The May 18, 1980 eruption was so explosive that it changed the geography of the mountain and killed 57 people. Insurance companies had massive claims and catastrophe teams were sent to handle them. One of my co-workers was sent up as and she brought back some ash from the eruption. My portion of it is pictured above in an airline vodka bottle.

Now, the possibility of another eruption is looming.

The U.K.'s Daily Mail reported:

Its scarred and jagged crater is a reminder of the terrible devastation that Mount St Helens wrought over the Washington countryside 35 years ago. 

Now a new study of the volcanic plumbing lurking beneath the 8,363ft (2,459 metre) summit suggests the volcano could yet again blow its top in an explosive eruption. 

Geologists studying the volcano, which is responsible for the most deadly eruption in US history, have discovered a second enormous magma chamber buried far beneath the surface. 

This giant pool of molten rock, which lies between seven to 25 miles (40km) below the surface, is connected to a slightly smaller chamber that lies directly beneath the mountain.

This is something we should keep a close watch on.

To read more, go here.

Renovation Work At Kiyomizu-Dera

Above, renovation work at Kiyomizu-dera last month. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in 2013, I reported that several of Kiyomizu-dera's pillars beneath the main hall were going to be replaced. The work was expected to be completed by September of that year.

When we visited Kiyomizu-dera last month in Kyoto, we noticed some renovation work topside (photo above) was taking place. Fortunately, the work did not mar the beauty of the temple from the most famous vista point. While there, I did not see any evidence of ongoing work on the pillars.

It seems that the temple is constantly in some form of renovation. In 2004, G-TOUR visited Kiyomizu-dera while the tour group was in Kyoto. It was featured in the 1993 feature, Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II.

At that time, the most famous view of the main hall looked like this:

Above, Kiyomizu-dera in 2004. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last month, the same view:

Above, Kiyomizu-dera in 2015. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Dollar At ¥121.80 In Tokyo Trading

There's good news for U.S. travelers to Japan.

The U.S. dollar has risen against the yen in Tokyo trading.

According to an article posted in The Japan Times:

The dollar rose to levels around ¥121.80 in Tokyo late Thursday, backed by growing hopes for an early U.S. interest rate increase. 

At 5 p.m., the dollar stood at ¥121.79-80, up from ¥121.10-10 at the same time Wednesday. The euro was at $1.0836-0836, down from $1.0939-0939, and at ¥131.97-98, down from ¥132.48-49.

Although travelers to Japan won't be getting the full ¥121.80 rate (high-rollers get that), the rate they will be getting will be a little higher. I received  ¥116 during my recent Japan trip while the dollar was at ¥120.

To read more, go here.

6 "Must-Have" Souvenirs From Japan

Above, a Bandai Godzilla 1968 toy I picked up in Asakusa. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Okay, the above Godzilla toy is not on JNTO's "Only In Japan" list, but they do have six "must-have" souvenirs that foreign visitors should buy (for themselves, family or friends) while in Japan.

They start off with:

From New Year’s surprises, to matcha flavored munchies, tax-free bargains and more, Japan is a shopper’s paradise! To help create your shopping list, check out our tips for “must have” souvenirs from Japan.

We bought a couple of yukatas which are included in the list's Japanese Traditional Goods (item number 3) category.

To see their tips on what to get, go here. 

Was Hillary Thinking of Bill When She Said That?

Democrat presidential candidate Hillary Clinton made a funny Freudian slip on Friday.

National Review reported:

Slate notices Hillary Clinton made a funny Freudian slip in a speech at an NAACP banquet in South Carolina Friday, declaring, “As president, I will take steps to ‘ban the box’ so former presidents won’t have to declare their criminal history at the start of the hiring process. That way, they’ll have a chance to be seen as someone who has done more than serve time.”

Was she thinking of her husband Bill when she said that? Or was she channeling the gaffe-prone Vice President Joe Biden?

Read more and see the video at: http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/426582/hillary-stands-rights-criminal-former-presidents-jim-geraghty

60 Years Ago Today...

On this day in history...

Jim Nolt (The Adventures Continue):

November 4, 1955: George Reeves appeared as Superman at the Arizona State Fair and appeared on KOAL-TV, Phoenix, Arizona.

Thanks to Jim Nolt and Randy Garrett for coming up with this photo:

Mount Fuji Cocktail Glasses

Whether or not you enjoy an after-dinner cocktail or even climbed Mount Fuji in Japan, there's a new product that may still catch your fancy.

Edomono Style is offering cocktail glasses and tumblers featuring Japan's volcanic symbol in several different styles.

They cost ¥5,400 (roughly $44.60) each and would be an eye-catcher at your next New Year's Eve party.

To order, go here (the website is in Japanese).

Pop-Up Camping Trailers

Above, a 1985 Starcraft Starlite 17. Mine was a 16, with a shorter back bunk end.

Yesterday, I was at the Valencia Camping World doing some shopping and browsing while waiting for Denise to get off from work nearby as her Explorer was in the shop.

During my browsing, I wandered over to Camping World's RV sales lot and spotted three Starcraft pop-up camping trailers (tent trailers) for sale.

My first RV was a 1985 Starcraft Starlite 16 pop-up camping trailer. It was a fun trailer to camp in and I traded it in for a 1990 Gulfstream Conquest Micro-Mini Motorhome (on a Toyota chassis). I used to tow it with a 1980 Toyota Pick-up and attended many E Clampus Vitus "Clamp-outs" around the state with it.

As I recall, the trailer cost me around $3,400 new in 1985.

As I was looking at the new Starcrafts, a sales lady came by. I told her I was just looking and said I started out with a tent trailer. I asked her how much are these going for these days. She replied, "About $15,000."

I was amazed at the price. Granted, the ones I was looking at were big, had slide-outs, bath facilities and other amenities that my old tent trailer didn't have. Back in the old days of 1985, I could have bought a top model travel trailer (hard-sided) for under $15,000.

Amazing!

Matt Bevin Wins Kentucky Governorship In A Rout!

Despite next-to-nothing support by the GOP establishment (well, that's no surprise), Republican Matt Bevin won the Kentucky governorship.

The Democrat, Jack Conway, ran a dirty, mud-slinging campaign. He had his ass handed to him by the voters.

According to Politico:

Republican Matt Bevin easily won Kentucky’s governorship on Tuesday, as the GOP made major inroads in a state that had stubbornly resisted the party at the state level even as it voted reliably Republican in federal contests in recent years. 

Bevin, a self-funding investment manager, rode a late surge of outside support from national Republicans to defeat Democrat Jack Conway, 53 percent to 44 percent, according to The Associated Press. Bevin will become just the second Republican to inhabit the governor’s mansion in Frankfort in more than four decades.

In the interests of full disclosure, I was a contributor to Bevin's campaign.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2015/11/kentucky-governor-race-matt-bevin-wins-215502#ixzz3qUY30wvq

LONELY PLANET LAUNCHES NEW TRAVEL MAGAZINE

Source: Lonely Planet Press Release

Lonely Planet – the world’s leading travel media company – introduced the first issue of Lonely Planet today, a new quarterly travel magazine in the U.S.

Created by an in-house team based out of Lonely Planet offices near Nashville, Tennessee, the magazine provides inspiration and insider information to help readers take informed and memorable trips.

Lonely Planet magazine encourages readers to explore and seek new experiences wherever they go, whether it’s their own backyard or a far-flung corner of the world. Every issue offers fresh travel ideas, practical tips and advice, essential information, travel gear, technology, inspiring photography, pullout pocket guides to key destinations and more.
 

The Winter issue – which hits newsstands November 3, 2015 – features an island-hopping 'Great Escape' itinerary through Hawaii, a ‘Need to know’ guide to traveling to Cuba, ‘5 spots to talk about right now,’ ‘10 new ways to fall in love with Rome’ and ‘What to eat in Nashville.’ It also highlights the top places named in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2016, the highly-anticipated annual collection of the most significant travel trends, destinations and experiences in the year ahead.

“Launching a magazine in the U.S. is an incredibly exciting venture for us,” said Lonely Planet CEO Daniel Houghton. “We want Lonely Planet content to be available on every platform where travelers are – that includes in guidebooks, gift books, digital, video, mobile, and now, a magazine.”

“We know magazines play a significant role in inspiring travel, and we want to be – and often are – the first place consumers turn when they are looking for new travel ideas,” Houghton continued. “While the publication is particularly appealing to those with an inclination to travel, it is also a wonderful opportunity to influence people to learn about the world around them, whether they are travelers or not.”

 

“Lonely Planet magazine is proof of our continued commitment to print activity and it allows us to further build our ecosystem for travelers to access our content. This is in addition to our re entry to television in 2016 which we are very excited about,” Houghton said. 

The launch of Lonely Planet marks the global multimedia brand’s biggest magazine launch in its 40-plus year history. With the addition of the U.S. magazine, Lonely Planet now publishes magazines in 12 countries around the world. 

Print copies sell for $5.99 and can be found at retailers across the country, including Barnes & Noble, Hudson Booksellers and Whole Foods Market. The digital edition will soon be available for Kindle and Nook, on iTunes and Google Play at the same price.  

To subscribe visit www.lonelyplanet.com/usmagazine.

 

Positive Role Model: "Supergirl" Honors Al Plastino

Above, Supergirl gave a nod to the late Superman artist and Supergirl co-creator Al Plastino.

Last night's 2nd episode of Supergirl was another good episode. I think CBS has a hit on their hands.

Many fans are lauding the show as featuring a heroine who wants to be a hero, instead of an angst-ridden psychopath in a costume. Some even go so far as to say that Supergirl is everything the movie Man of Steel should have been, but wasn't.

An interesting article on Supergirl has been posted by Atlanta's CBS 46 (an affiliate of CBS).

It starts with:

ATLANTA (CBS46) -Many watched the series premiere of Supergirl -- already winning praise for a hero who is faster than a speeding bullet, leaps tall buildings in a single bound and empowers young women everywhere.      

CBS46 contributor Kimberley Kennedy used her powers to locate the daughter of Supergirl's co-creator, Maryann Charles, right here in the South. 

Supergirl landed in living rooms across America, but her journey from the doomed planet Krypton actually began over half a century ago, launched by DC Comics as a female counterpart to the man of steel.

Another nice thing about last night's episode, it gave a big nod to Supergirl's co-creator Al Plastino (Maryann Charles's father), Al Plastino.

Read more: http://www.cbs46.com/story/30355078/supergirl-interest-for-positive-role-model-soars#ixzz3qR1OfyWE

Osaka Allowing Apartments To Be Rented As Hotel Rooms

Above, an Osaka Castle moat. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since the rise in foreign tourism during the past several years, there have been shortages of available hotel and ryokan accommodations, particularly in the major cities. The pressure has caused room rates to rise as well.

The city of Osaka has taken a step to help alleviate this problem.

The Asahi Shimbun reported:

OSAKA--With the sharp rise in the number of foreign tourists, particularly from China, vying for increasingly scarce accommodations, apartment building operators will soon be allowed to rent out vacant rooms on a short-stay basis. 

The Osaka prefectural assembly on Oct. 27 approved for the first time in Japan a bill allowing vacant apartments to be rented out as hotel rooms. 

The approval was granted with the support of Osaka Ishin no Kai, the Liberal Democratic Party, Komeito and the Japanese Communist Party.

To read more, go here.

November L.A. To Tokyo Airfare Check

Above, Shibuya, Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Now that we're in a new month, it is time to check on airfares for Los Angeles to Tokyo round-trip flights.

Yesterday's Los Angeles Times Travel section has airfares at $512.00 on the low end and $621.00 on the high end. These are before any taxes and fees are added in. Still, these are pretty cheap!

Next, I checked with my favorite source for Japan flights, GatewayLAX and this is the lowest they came up with for a direct round-trip ticket with a November 14 departure and November 22 return:

This price is before any taxes or fees are added. There were fares as low as $300, but they involved one or more stops.

As usual, the next report will be next month, unless there's a drastic change in fares.

RV Good Times

Above, The Beast at the Yellowstone Park/West Entrance KOA last June. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

With lower gas prices and retiring baby-boomers, the RV industry is seeing good times.

According to an article in iRV2:

If you think you’re seeing more RVs on the road and filling up campgrounds this year, that’s because you are. 

Low gas prices, low interest rates and low inflation have all helped boost RV sales to record highs in the second quarter of 2015. Today, more than nine million households call themselves “RVers” (or at least own one) – the highest level ever recorded and a 16% increase since 2001, says the RV Industry Association (RVIA).

In RV sales, travel trailers and Class C motorhomes are the biggest sellers. Keystone leads in sales of travel trailers, followed by Jayco and Winnebago leads in sales of Class C motorhomes, followed by Coachman. I have no doubts about that. Back last July, I posted that the RVs we saw the most on our Yellowstone trip were Winnebago and Coachman Class C motorhomes.

11,000 baby-boomers are turning 65 (full retirement age) everyday and this will be the case up to the year 2029, according to the article.

To read more, go here.

Former Senator Fred Thompson Dies At 73

It has been announced that former U.S. Senator Fred Thompson, R-Tenn. has passed away.

NewsChannel 5 reported:

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The family of Fred Thompson, a well-known U.S. Senator, actor, and attorney, has confirmed the politician has passed away. 

According to reports, Thompson died after a recurrence of lymphoma.

Thompson ran, unsuccessfully, for the GOP presidential nomination in 2008. He was my initial choice that year.

He was 73.

To read more, go here.

What Visitors Should Know Before Visiting Japan

Above, a model in traditionl kimono at Sensoji in Asakusa, Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When visiting another country, it is important that visitors do not make any etiquette gaffes when interacting with the locals. 

Mashable.com has posted an article on what visitors should know before visiting Japan. The article will tell the reader the difference between "gifting" and "tipping" in Japan.

They wrote, in part:

In many cases, people appreciate even just the effort of trying to understand their different cultural tendencies, whether or not you get everything absolutely right. 

To that end, I spoke to Grotts and Rochelle Kopp, managing principal at Japan Intercultural Consulting, for their suggestions on what to do and say (and perhaps more importantly, what not to do and say) when visiting Japan.

To read more, go here. 

RVs Don't Float

A friend sent the above photo. It is a shot of some recreational vehicles being swept away by recent flood waters from severe storms that hit New Braunfels, Texas under the Interstate 35 bridge.

The one RV in the foreground still has its slide-out in the open position.

Foreign Visitors Will Be Able To Purchase Travel Insurance In Japan

Above, the Tokyo Skytree as seen from Mori Tower in Roppongi. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Foreign visitors to Japan will soon be able to purchase travel insurance while in Japan under a new plan put forth by the Japan Tourism Agency. And, they will be able to purchase it on the Internet.

The Yomiuri Shimbun reported:

The Japan Tourism Agency and a private nonlife insurance company have jointly developed the first travel insurance for foreign visitors to Japan that allows them to subscribe through the Internet after arriving in the country. 

The insurance will be on sale from February next year. 

The insurance has been developed because, with the sharp increase of foreign tourists, an increasing number of foreigners who did not subscribe to travel insurance before arriving in Japan became sick or suffered injuries, causing problems when they were unable to pay for their treatment.

To read more, go here. 

Gamera's 50th Feted At Tokyo International Film Festival

Above, a shot from Gamera, The Guardian of the Universe. 

The Tokyo International Film Festival is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Gamera.

According to the Tokyo Reporter:

TOKYO (TR) – A special event held on Saturday in conjunction with the Tokyo International Film Festival paid tribute to the 50th anniversary of one of Japan’s rubber-suit legends: Gamera. 

Before a few hundred spectators, the turtle-like creature waddled down a red carpet laid down in front of JR Shinjuku Station. A veteran of 12 films, the star was showing his age, requiring some assistance from TIFF staff at certain points to navigate the rug.

The film festival will be screening four Gamera movies, including all three of the Shusuke Kaneko-directed Gamera movies of the 1990s.

To read more, go here. 

Time Is Running Out For Tsukiji Fish Market

Above, vendor stalls at the Tsukiji Fish Market. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Japan Times has an article on the "ticking clock" of the impending closure of the famed Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo.

It is slated to close one year from tomorrow and the new fish market in the Toyosu district of Tokyo’s Koto Ward will open November 7, 2016.

The current fish market was built in 1935 and is now considered too old for today's demands. Visitors to Tsukiji can generally wander around the facilities at will. I visited the facility in 2010.

Unfortunately, this will not be the case at the Koto Ward facility. It will consist of three main buildings and public access will be strictly regulated.

If you want to visit the historic Tsukiji Fish Market before it closes, now is the time to do so.

To read The Japan Times article, go here.

November Already?

Above, yours truly at Osaka Castle last month.

What the hell?!

Where did October go? It seems like only yesterday that September ended (albeit on a sad note as my cat Siren passed away). October is one of the longest months of the year at 31 days. But it is now November 1.

Actually, it seems like the summer zipped by and it was only in early August that Amber and I went to see the last show of Rush's R40 tour at the Forum. Then, Denise Santos and I went to a Dodger game in early September.

Well, October was a bit busy. The early part was getting prepared for the Japan trip that took nine days during the middle of the month and then decompressing after we came back in the latter part of the month.

Before we all know it, it will be Thanksgiving Day and then Christmas and New Year's.

Time flies when you're having fun.

Speaking of having fun, I decided to give my two-week notice to my employer of my "parachute job". I was going to hold out to next year, when I begin drawing Social Security, but I am just tired of the graveyard shift hours. I have enough cash on hand to last to February, when I begin drawing Social Security.

There are four reasons for resigning:

• Devoting full time to working on the updated edition of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.
• Travel. Specifically, camping!
• Since Denise has a new full-time job, if I stayed on at my current hours, we'd never see each other.
• Family. I have family members who are elderly and this year's calendar would have me working through Christmas and New Year's and I would not have any chance to see them.

I am planning on taking a fast trip to Chiriaco Summit the day after my last work day to the Gen. George S. Patton Memorial Museum. I bought a memorial brick for my dad there 15 years ago and I thought it was about time I go there to locate it. They have a dry-camp campground behind the museum. I may stay there or at the Cottonwood Campground at the nearby Joshua Tree National Park. We'll see what works.

Well, here's to November!