De los lugares señalados abajo, tan sólo me
quedan 2 por visitar: Sunrise at Stonehenge, Reino Unido y Sabah en Malasia, en
éste país estuve hace varios años pero no fui a Sabah (Borneo), habrá que ir
pensando en volver...
You snooze, you lose – if you’re a traveller, that is. Set your alarm
clock for one of these unforgettable early-morning experiences.
Morning rush hour at Tsukiji Fish Market, Japan
Tokyo’s most famous market reaches fever pitch in the early morning.
You’ll be deafened as buyers holler for the best catches at the tuna auction,
and you’ll see frozen fish the size of grown men being hauled around with
astonishing ease. If the sight of Nemo on the executioner’s block hasn’t
tweaked your conscience, the sushi you’ll enjoy nearby is among the best in
Tokyo – queues for breakfast at the famous Daiwa Sushi will be snaking around
the corner by 8am so head straight there after your visit to the wholesale
market.
Make it happen: Register before 5am to be in with a chance of seeing the
auction (check here). Consider staying in the Chuo area, as public transport only begins from
5am. Wear covered shoes, unless you want your exposed toes to be trickled with
fish guts. And go easy on the sake the night before: you’ll pass a number of
signs warning against tipsy tourists, and you’ll need your wits about you to
dodge the transit vehicles on site.
Spiritual silence at the Vatican, Italy
Ask most travellers about their memories of Vatican City, and legendary
queues are likely to feature. This micro-nation in Italy’s ‘Eternal City’ draws
crowds for good reasons: the Renaissance dome of St Peter’s Basilica is an icon
of Rome’s skyline, and the interior elicits gasps with its ornate reliefs and
soaring columns. Inside the basilica, the bronze toes of St Peter have been
worn smooth by centuries of pilgrims’ hands. Around the corner, the Vatican
Museums overflow with riches, the highlight being the Sistine Chapel’s famous
ceiling. But many travellers will only experience these sights by trudging
slowly in a tidal wave of other visitors. A destination as mythic as the
Vatican deserves to be experienced tranquilly, before the camera-toting hordes
arrive.
Make it happen: arrive at 7am to walk the square without fighting for
space, and be one of the first to climb the cupola of St Peter’s Basilica (open
at 8am) for views of Rome in the morning light. For the Vatican Museums, arrive
ahead of the 9am opening time to bypass the inevitable queues (or if you must
sleep in, book your ticket ahead of time to skip the queue).
Wildlife-watching in Sabah, Malaysia
You’ve crossed the globe to spot incredible animals, so time your
wildlife-watching for when they’re most active. The early morning is one of
your best chances to see animals preening, feeding and making their way towards
water. Borneo, a haven of unique fauna, is the perfect region for a dawn wildlife
tour or a cruise along the Kinabatangan River to see proboscis monkeys,
hornbills and crocodiles.
Make it happen: you aren’t Bear Grylls, you’ll need a guide. A number of
wildlife tours from Sandakan bundle in a dawn cruise or wildlife-spotting excursion;
try Sukau Rainforest Lodge, which has strong eco credentials. For a longer
trip, check out Lonely Planet’s recommended wildlife tours here.
Sunrise at Stonehenge, England
Photography sages say that sublime lighting is half the battle, and the
shimmer of dawn will certainly make your travel pictures pop. But more
crucially, seeing sights in a golden glow gives them a different context. Take
Stonehenge in England: this iconic stone circle can be underwhelming to
first-time visitors due to its size and location (‘is that it?’ ‘What do you
mean it’s roped off?’) The 4500-year history of these stones – mysteriously
erected, and drawing worship from neo-druids to this day – can be hard to
appreciate. But at first light, as a ray of sunshine glints between the stones,
their history, rituals and silent grandeur need no explanation.
Make it happen: official visits don’t start until 9.30am but tours will
take you to see Stonehenge at dawn (try
www.britishtours.com/stonehenge-inner-circle-tour – book ahead and bring plenty
of friends to keep the costs down).
Dawn call to prayer in Fès, Morocco
Early mornings aren’t all about serenity. The haunting sound of the
first of the day’s Muslim calls to prayer
can be spine-tingling. From a high vantage point in medieval Fès, you
can watch the city wake up, and listen for calls radiating out from mosques
across the city. After this rousing start, wander around the labyrinthine souks
and breathe in a whiff of Fès’ famous tanneries, before the day’s mayhem
begins.
Make it happen: you need to get high. On a rooftop, that is. Staying in
a traditional riad is a memorable way to experience Moroccan architecture; opt
for one that has an accessible roof terrace with a view of the city. Try tiny
Riad Numero 9 or the sumptuous Riad Maison Bleue.
