Originally built in 730 AD, one of Tokyo’s most colorful Shinto shrines is Kanda Myojin, in the quiet Chiyoda neighborhood. We walked there from the nearby non-stop action part of town called “Electric City”, and it was quite a different atmosphere. It is still a very active religious center, and the temple was bustling with locals going in and out to complete prayer rituals at different stations throughout the large shrine complex. Kanda Myojin houses three major Shinto gods, two of which belong to the Seven Gods of Fortune, so it is a popular location for business people and entrepreneurs to pray for success and prosperity.

A visit to the shrine makes for a great photo collection:

Kanda Myojin Shrine in Tokyo (photo by Kim Mance)

Man praying at Kanda Myojin Shrine in Tokyo (photo by Kim Mance)

Omikuji fortunes tied to a tree at Kanda Myojin Shrine in Tokyo (photo by Kim Mance)

Unique architecture at Kanda Myojin Shrine in Tokyo (photo by Kim Mance)

A wall of hanging lanterns at Kanda Myojin Shrine in Tokyo (photo by Kim Mance)

Main gate to Kanda Myojin Shrine in Tokyo (photo by Kim Mance)

Colorful carving on Kanda Myojin Shrine's main gate in Tokyo (photo by Kim Mance)

Fountain where Shinto worshippers begin rituals at Kanda Myojin Shrine in Tokyo (photo by Kim Mance)

Unassuming entry from the street to Kanda Myojin Shrine in Tokyo (photo by Kim Mance)

Photos may be used for non-commercial purposes, provided attribution to Kim Mance and a linkback to galavanting.tv is given, and any derivative works must also be share-alike.

Call me morbid, but I really love to visit cemeteries when traveling. They are often such a unique marker which reminds of us lives lived in places far from our own homes, but also of the humanity that connects us.

Yanaka Cemetary in north-central Tokyo did just that this morning for me. A walk through the graveyard photographing it and thinking about the people who are remembered there, and even those who are long forgotten, was quite a world away from the hustle and bustle of one of the world’s largest cities.

Many thanks to Shane Sakata of Nihon Sun for showing us around today and tipping us off to this unique excursion.

Headstones & monuments in Tokyo’s Yanaka Cemetary (photo by Kim Mance)

Wooden grave markers called “sotoba” are provided by the Buddhist temple that conducts a funeral (photo by Kim Mance)

Stone lantern in Tokyo’s Yanaka Cemetary (photo by Kim Mance)

Ishidoro stone lanterns in Tokyo’s Yanaka Cemetary (photo by Kim Mance)

Small stone statue on a headstone in Tokyo’s Yanaka Cemetary (photo by Kim Mance)

Headstones & other grave markers in Tokyo’s Yanaka Cemetary (photo by Kim Mance)

Photos may be used for non-commercial purposes, provided attribution to Kim Mance and a linkback to galavanting.tv is given, and any derivative works must also be share-alike.

posted by Maren

Ahhh, Las Vegas. I first visited this city– which I thought I would HATE over a year ago. The searing heat, the focus on gambling, the slew of women way hotter than me. None of it seemed like my bag.

However, I realized that there’s more than skin and slot machines in Sin City and it’s the perfect place to spend a few days with girlfriends, just getting your groove back.

I decided we should shoot a Galavanting.tv episode there to highlight what even the most travel savvy of us may have missed amongst the glitz and glitter. I’ll give you the scoop on some highlights here, but be sure and stay tuned for the episode coming soon to see what we found!

Courtesy of MGM MIRAGE

We stayed at the amazing Mirage Hotel, which not only has a fantastic pool area but is home to award winning restaurant Japonais and the Revolution nightclub. Normally, Revolution is simply a fun bar but on the night we came there was a (seemingly) impromptu and very authentic African mating dance. The entire club sat down to watch this impressive display and even sophisticated club-goers seemed struck with fascination and awe when the performance was over. Staying at the Mirage was a great move because the room was large, clean and well-lit and the hotel was in a great central location, so we didn’t spend a lot on cab fare or public transportation.

Lessons in the Hard Rock Vegas Poker Lounge

Galavanting co-host Courtney and I aren’t really big on gambling but it’s good for a girl to know what she’s talking about at the poker tables. That why we asked Erica Shoenberg to meet us at The Hard Rock Poker Lounge, the most unique poker room in the city.

Shoenberg taught us the ins-and-outs of playing with the big boys of poker (she’s won several tournaments and loads of money). We tried not to be jealous as this former MODEL, who loves to snack on cheesburgers, told us how to make our way to a winning hand. And even if we didn’t get to her level, we did learn how to bluff pretty well, which always comes in handy for a Galavanting Gal.

Daytime in Vegas is underrated. Armed with granola bars and water bottles, Courtney and I hit some of the more exciting and (gasp!) historic exhibits along the Strip. First, we stepped out of the blazing sunshine into the icy, realistic Titanic exhibit Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, which showcases authentic artifacts recovered from two and one-half miles below the surface of the North Atlantic. Unique to the exhibition at Luxor Hotel & Casino is the crown jewel of artifacts, a 30-ton section of the Titanic’s starboard hull, appropriately called the ‘Big Piece.’ Courtney and I were each assigned a name of a passenger on the actual ship and at the end, got to see if we survived. We saw the famed staircase, passenger rooms and walked the deck. We even got to hear stories of those who should have been on the ship but weren’t.

Courtesy of MGM MIRAGE

After the Titanic, we headed over to Mandalay Bay to “pretend” we were at the beach. Nobody does make believe like Las Vegas and this was no different. First we went through a rain forest, with a real live kimodo dragon, which I pretended to appreciate but was in actuality, completely creeped out by. The Shark Reef Aquarium was not only beautiful and informative (we got stuck behind some school kids so I know more about sharks than ANYONE) but also does its part to help sustain ecosystems in the oceans.

To fill our longing for the ocean, all we had to do was walk out to the “Beach” a sandy paradise where Mandalay Bay frequently has concerts in the middle of the pool. If you’re looking for something a little more private, rent one of the private cabanas. They come well-equipped with a kitchen, a balcony, bathroom and…a stripper pole? Hee, I’m not judging.

Nine Fine Irishmen

Vegas Cuisine is nothing to sneeze at either. While it’s possible to visit the city and spend very little on food (they have Starbucks, McDonald’s and Denny’s) there are some amazing restaurants for both lunch and dinner. We tried to find places without that classic Vegas feel and none is more unique than Nine Fine Irishmen. Before you even taste a morsel of food, you’re transported to a classic Irish pub by the authenticity of the decoration. The entire pub was shipped over from Ireland and put together within New York, New York Hotel and Casino. But the best part of Nine Fine Irishmen is the food. and the Guinness. and the food. It’s kind of a leap to think of a comfort food Mecca in the heart of one of Vegas’ busiest casinos, but that’s exactly what Nine Fine Irishmen is. If you go, try the mac ‘n cheese. Just do it.

Courtney & Maren enjoying the high life at Del Frisco's

Of course, you can’t be in Vegas without trying at least a taste of the high life.

For this, we turned to Del Frisco’s, the highest grossing restaurant in the country. Not only is the service unlike anything we’d ever experienced, the USDA prime grade, wet-aged steaks which were hand-cut at the time of order, made us absolutely swoon. That’s not to say the lobster tail, chopped salad and asparagus were not amazing either. But the highlight of Del Frisco’s was the unbelievably fantastic hostess and general manager Kim Owens, who ensured our stay was not only memorable but even helped to celebrate our camera gal’s 30th birthday with some sage words of wisdom (and cheesecake obviously). I can say with complete authority that Del Frisco’s is absolutely the BEST restaurant I have ever eaten in. If you ever have a chance to visit one of their 8 establishments, try the pineapple infused vodka. It’s amazing.

Courtney & the gals

Las Vegas is known for its nightlife and we wanted to see if the reality lived up the legend. Here’s what we learned:

1. If you are in Vegas with more than three women, you will never purchase your own drink. Ever.
2. If you are in a dead casino in Vegas, buy two pitchers of beer and start a game of tippy cup. You will be Strip legends by morning.
3. If you’re in Coyote Ugly and the emcee (mistress with the mic) asks you to dance on the bar, you DO it.
4. Want to start the night with all eyes on you? Head on over to the center bar in the middle of New York, New York Casino. You can see the action from all angles.
5. Plan to finish your night off at the nightclub located in your hotel, this makes the “suddenly sleepy” syndrome much easier to bear.
6. In Vegas, it’s totally cool to lay outside and count the stars, just check out where you’re planning to lay down first.

Be on the lookout for our Galavanting in Las Vegas episode, coming soon!

Thought I’d share a photo taken yesterday. Paris, such a charmed city, it even makes a rain cloud look romantic. (Taken while crossing Pont Alexandre III toward the right bank of the river Seine.)

I’m having a fantastic time galavanting in Paris, trying to capture the essence of its monuments, but also highlighting some of its petites adresses (lesser-known, ‘best kept secrets’…well for tourists at least). There will be a lot to share in the Galavanting in Paris episode. …From former male strippers/horsejumpers who now make the most amazing crepes in the city, to “Madame Chocolate” who quite literally sells the best chocolates in the world. Many thanks to Pamela Poole founder of Francophilia.com, and contributor to GoGalavanting.com’s worldwide blog for those two gems in particular.

We recently got back from filming an episode in Taos, NM. We were there to check out the Taos Summer of Love 2009, and it was quite a lot of fun.

The tourism office brought us down so we could experience everything Taos had to offer. I’ve gotta say, I was surprised at just how much there was to do in the area. Taos turned out to be a great combination of history, art, adventure, and outdoor activities. In fact, it’s such a unique spot, we really felt like we traveled abroad–just without the long plane ride.

Another fun thing was getting to meet Dennis Hopper who was helping the city celebrate the 40th anniversary of the cult classic film Easy Rider. In honor of the landmark year, he’s curated an art exhibit at the Harwood Museum downtown.

The exhibit was outstanding, and we also got to meet Hopper’s good friend, Dean Stockwell. You may know him as the actor who played quirky “Al” in the old TV series Quantum Leap. And who didn’t love Al? But the collection of his work was actually quite stunning.

Maren and I got so into the Easy Rider mood, we even took a ride on a Harley…

Here are a few more quick highlights from our trip featured on the episode:

1,000 Year-old Taos Pueblo
The Taos Pueblo is both a National Historic Landmark and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Pueblo Indians built it between 1000 and 1450 A.D., and about 150 full-time residents still make it their home today. Guided tours are free (donations suggsted) once you pay the $10 per person entry fee to get into the Pueblo. (Cameras cost an extra $5.)

Taos Historic District & Its Art Scene
The entire downtown historic area of Taos is filled with delightful art galleries, shops and studios. You literally can’t go fifty steps and not see another gallery. Taos is known for its history with the arts, and has long been considered an artist colony. It’s the perfect place to go for an inspirational retreat. And of course don’t miss the “Hopper at the Harwood” exhibit running from May through September 2009 at the Harwood Museum of Art.

Hot Air Balloon Ride
Another highlight (no pun intened) of our Taos trip was a hot air balloon ride over the Rio Grande Gorge. Sweeping views of the spectacular landscape provide a memorable experience definitely worth the splurge. The fun and hospitable owner of the Pueblo Balloon Company will even give you a thrill by dropping down and dipping the basket into the river if you’re feeling adventurous.

Earth Ships
Another fun and inspirational way to spend some time is visiting the EarthShip Biotecture community, about 15 miles outside Taos. It is a planned community of completely sustainable homes, built entirely from recycled materials, as designed by Michael Reynolds. The idea has caught on and EarthShips are built all over the world, but Taos has the largest community of the unique homes. The visitor’s center allows you to learn all about these houses that provide their own electricity, heating/cooling systems, and even grow food in greenhouses watered by processed gray water used by the homeowners. $5 for a self-guided tour.

They recently set up EarthShip nightly rentals so visitors can actually stay in one and try it out for themselves. The interiors are beautiful, and the “Phoenix” model boasts a fireplace/flat-screen TV/waterfall combo. Rates are $110-$190 per night.

A Quaint B&B Stay
The Adobe Pines B&B where we stayed was an unexpectedly delightful oasis. Every square inch is so perfectly decorated in a high-end Southwest theme, it makes you feel like you’re living in another time. It has a very interesting history as well, and used to be entirely inhabited by artists, including Georgia O’Keefe.The room with a working fireplace and morning breakfast were fantastic, and the proprietors were charming and helpful.

All in all, Taos is a great place to visit to get a lot out of a vacation within the United States. Be sure to check out the Galavanting Taos episode!

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Kim Mance is host and co-creator of Galavanting.tv. and editor-in-chief of GoGalavanting.com. She’s based in Chicago, IL and some of her other writing can be found at MarieClaire.com, The Huffington Post, and Babble. She has lived abroad, loves traveling, has three kids and is always up for an adventure. Follow Kim on Twitter >>

We had a great time waterfall rappelling in Costa Rica with the lively and professional
staff of Pure Trek Canyoning.
Watch the full Costa Rica episode >>

A fun time had by all at Witch’s Rock Surf Camp in Tamarindo, Costa Rica.
Watch the full Costa Rica episode >>

We rented our car from Rent a 4×4 in Costa Rica. They were timely, efficient and the vehicle was in good order. No surprise charges was also a pleasant surprise.
Watch the full Costa Rica episode >>

We’re so excited to be heading to Rome next week. Katy and I will be exploring the gorgeous Eternal City and staying at a cute B&B in the Trastevere neighborhood.

Not only are we planning some great stuff for the episode, we’ve got local experts and travel bloggers on board too…

As soon as we land, we’re meeting up with inspiring expat writer Christine of Miss Expatria, fabulous photog Jessica of Rome Photo Blog, and the illustrious Katie Parla.

We’ve had a shared google doc going back and forth between everyone about all the of fantabulous things planned for the trip…and I just can’t wait!

After Rome, I’ll be headed on a solo excursion to the Tuscan cities of Cortona and Florence, before hiking the Cinque Terre trail.

It’s a rough life.

Destination Episodes

coming this week! budget nyc weekend waterfalls to volcanoes

Maren & Kim in San Juan + Michal the amazing Joggler

We had a fabulous time in Puerto Rico and got some stunning footage. Working on putting it all together now…but it’s going to be awesome.

Here’s a 12-second preview of the soon-to-be-finished episode!

From easy (passport-less) entry, to perfect weather, to being plied with drinks the whole time, there was no low point on our trip. We were hosted by the San Juan Marriott Stellaris, which was an excellent experience. Kind of a cross between hip local joint (because of their extensive involvement in local community) and the big comfy international Marriott brand.

Thanks so much to the fab bloggers and travel writers the world over who gave excellent recommendations. You guys left comments here on the blog, on Twitter and sent us emails about things to do and see…great advice! We hiked a rainforest, swam under a waterfall, frolicked on the beach, explored Old San Juan by night — and by day.

Oh, and one more thing: Kim finished the World’s Best 10k!! Yes, seriously.

The best part of participating in the race was being surrounded by an exuberant crowd of about ten thousand as well as some spunky other writers and journalists on the trip. One of which was none-other than Michal Kapral, the Guinness World Record holder for running a marathon while joggling…what’s joggling you ask? It’s nothing short of awesome is what it is. He runs races while juggling three bean bags the ENTIRE time.

He and his wife Diane were super fun and we shot some footage of him blowing Kim’s time away in the race…while juggling. You’ll see it in the episode .