The world’s tourist traps and how to avoid them

by Catherine Bodry on

What constitutes a tourist trap? Forbes Traveler’s Chris Colin argues that it’s a place that eclipses the genuine article. Postcard racks block the actual view, and prices are considerably higher than they might be a few miles (or blocks) away. They leave you drained financially, asking yourself, “Why did I do this?”

How do you spot a tourist trap? Colin suggests that anywhere a cruise ship docks is a good indicator. Also, double-decker buses tend to deposit large numbers of camera-toting tourists. Fisherman’s Wharf and sections of China’s Great Wall are good examples of tourist traps. I also think of Koh San Road in Bangkok, Thailand, a backpacker’s trap (although I love it, I’m sort of ashamed to admit) filled with bootlegged-CD stalls, bland pad thai, and restaurants showing the latest bootlegged DVD.

But you shouldn’t avoid all places overrun with tourists. Sometimes it’s a matter of wandering a bit further, or coming at a different time of year. I know the pad thai gets a lot better just a few blocks away from Koh San Road, and that the Grand Canyon is less crowded on weekdays.

Thanks to Mamabrarian on Flickr for the photo she titled “Existential Tourist Trap.”

Big in Japan: The best butts in East Asia

by Matthew Firestone on

Are you ready for this one?

Just when you thought news stories from Japan couldn’t get any weirder, here are scenes from the country’s best bottom competition.

Hoping to dispel the myth that Japanese girls aren’t endowed with ample rumps, the organizers of the ‘Show Me Your Sloggi’ contest paraded the sultriest curves you’ve ever seen on this side of the Pacific.

Sloggi, a popular line of underwear produced by the Swiss company Triumph International, is aiming to increase its market share in Japan.

Compared with women in the United States, Japanese women spend considerably larger sums of money on lingerie. While thongs are all the rage in the West, expensive silk and lace panties are the height of fashion here in Japan.

The winner of Japan’s best bottom: the beautiful baby doll that is 18-year old Kaho Watanabe, who overcame incredible adversity to win the competition.

“I always take care of my bottom, but I’m embarrassed to show it today because I burned it by sitting on a hair iron the other day,” said Watanabe, who was looking particularly pretty in purple.

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The competition was organized by Triumph International, who had the incredibly difficult job of scanning thousands of photos of underwear clad backsides for the Tokyo-based event. After what must have been days upon days of grueling work, the best photos were posted on their web site, and users were asked to vote on the best posteriors.

Much like other great beauty contests of the world, the ‘Show Me Your Sloggi’ event wasn’t just about who had the greatest butt. On the contrary, Japan’s future ‘Best Bottom’ needed to prove to the judges and to the audience that she was well-rounded in more ways than one.

The ten contestants started off the night by giving their most sensual poses in Sloggi bras and panties. As the night progressed however, they had to show off their other skills, such as dancing or playing a musical instrument.

The undisputed highlight of the night was one when contestant proceeded to sing traditional Japanese country ballads while parading around the stage in full S&M gear.

Classic.

In the end, no one could best the bubbly Kaho Watanabe, who is now heading off to Germany for the world finals in Munich. The organizers of the Tokyo-based event hope to prove to the world that Japanese girls got back, and they’re not afraid to show it off.

Watanabe is optimistic about her chances. “I can’t believe I was named ‘Japan’s best bottom’ with my burned bum. I promise I will recover before going to Germany, and I will be in full form.”

Of course, the stakes at the world finals are no laughing matter.

In addition to bringing home the gold to their country, the winner will also be awarded 10,000 euro, as well as a fully comprehensive one year insurance policy to protect their, um, best asset.

I for one would like to wish Kaho Watanabe the best of luck in the world finals – we at Gadling salute you!

The “Other Galapagos” Island

by Iva Skoch on

Two-hundred-and-fifty miles off the coast of Yemen, in the Indian Ocean, in an area pointed at by the Horn of Africa, is a rugged island called Socotra.

The number 250 has special significance in another respect: the island has been geologically separated from the mainland for 250 million years. This isolation means that there are over 600 species of plants and animals there that exist nowhere else on earth (a feat beaten only by the Galapagos and Hawaii).

It also means that human development has been slow: roughly the size of Long Island, and with a population of only 40,000, the first paved roads were built there only within the last few years. And don’t expect a ton of new development: 70% of the island has been designated as national parkland. Be sure to plan your trip well in advance, and plan to stay awhile: there are only two flights in and out per week.

Pictures from the island blew me away: dragon’s blood trees (like the one pictured from Harf Zimmermann), frankincense trees on lonely vistas, desert roses, rocky shorelines. (BTW, be sure to check out his other awesome pics on his Web site and the NYT’s piece, and, of course, on Flickr.)

India: Now at The Newark Museum

by Kelly Amabile on

There’s a really unique look at India on exhibit at the Newark Museum right now. India: Public Places/Private Spaces is devoted to contemporary art and photography from 28 Indian artists. A cornerstone program running in conjunction with the exhibit is a two-day symposium taking place Oct. 27-28: India: Changing the Way We See will include lectures, readings and film screenings by a select group of internationally renowned scholars, writers and artists as they explore the impact of a rapidly changing India on the global art scene. There will also be an art workshop about Bollywood on November 17 and a family Thanksgiving program celebrating the arts and culture of India on November 23. The art exhibit runs through January 6, 2008.

The Newark Museum has over 80 galleries, including African, American and Asian collections. They have a really nice museum shop too. The Museum is located in the downtown arts district, not far from the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.

Big in Japan: The Most Perfect Bowl of Ramen

by Matthew Firestone on

Today, ‘Big in Japan’ brings you an update on one noodle lover’s countrywide search for Japan’s most perfect bowl of ramen.

I love ramen.

For some, it’s the heady aroma and subtle flavor of wild mushrooms. For others, it’s the enticing sizzle and juicy goodness of a rack of lamb.

For me, it’s gotta be ramen – Nature’s most perfect food.

Since first coming to Japan several years ago, I have been engaged in a tireless quest to find the most perfect bowl of ramen. Like finely aged wine, matured cheese or sun-ripened fruit, good ramen must be appreciated, savored and at all times revered.

Of course, no two bowls of ramen are created equal. From the consistency and flavor of the broth to the texture and style of the noodles, clearly a bowl of ramen is greater than the sum of its parts. But fear not – though the road has been long, I may have finally found the perfect bowl of ramen.

Allow me to introduce you to the newfound subject of my affection, the spicy ramen bowl at Two Guy’s Ramen, a neighborhood landmark here in the Nakameguro ward of Tokyo.

To the untrained eye, the spicy ramen bowl at Two Guy’s Ramen looks like any other bowl of noodles you might come across here in Japan. With that said, let’s dissect the various elements that make this particular bowl of ramen such a superior snack.

For starters, let’s inspect the broth.

Note the rich hues resulting from the flawless blend of miso paste, soup stock and spicy sesame oil. Fix your eye on the perfectly chopped scallions floating effortlessly on the globules of rich, salty pork fat.

Next, check out the noodles.

Note the dense mass of curled egg noodles hiding beneath the toppings, waiting to be discovered by probing chopsticks. Fix your eyes on the perfect ratio of soup to noodles, which ensures balance and consistency in every slurp.

Finally, appreciate the chosen toppings.

Note the plumpness of the yellow kernels of corn, the translucent goodness of the bean sprouts and the zesty freshness of the spring onions. Admire the immaculate slice of slow-roasted pork, which hovers above the noodles with zen-like grace.

Although a picture speaks a thousand words, in this case I am at a loss to describe the medley of flavors that dart across your tongue with each slurp of this delectable dish. The richness of the miso mellows the burn of the spicy oil while the zest of the spring onions awakens the starches of the noodles.

With every bite, the stomach screams out for more while the head spins in a MSG-fueled orgy of delight…

Two Guy’s Ramen – I salute you. Although my quest for the most perfect bowl of ramen is far from over, the bar has been raised, and my hunger has been vanquished (at least for the time being).

For more on Nature’s most perfect of foods, check out An Ode to Ramen, a four-part series on the history and culture of this heaven-sent dish.

** This article is dedicated to Will-san, my long absent partner in crime. May our future hold within it more drunken afternoon trips to the Mecca that is Two Guy’s Ramen. **