Minnesota: Long-time friends Chris Bruno ’04, M ’06 and James Robilotta M ’07 reunited in Minneapolis just after the first big snow in October 2020. They toured the University of Minnesota campus and snapped a picture in front of the Golden Gophers stadium with their Tiger Rag — the day before the first Minnesota football game.
Aloha, and welcome to Maui!
My name is Alex Urban, class of 2011. I majored in political science and minored in communications studies at Clemson and now work in professional golf as the executive director for the Sentry Tournament of Champions played at Kapalua each year on the PGA Tour. I have been living on Maui for more than two years, and the beauty and spirit of the island has captivated me since day one — let me show you around the Valley Isle!
1 | The Plantation Course at Kapalua
Of course, I am biased, but there is no better place to kick off the new year than the Plantation Course at Kapalua during the Sentry Tournament of Champions in January each year. Located on West Maui, Kapalua hosts the winners of the PGA Tour, and if you make it to the tournament, you can be just feet from the stars of professional golf. If you aren’t on Maui in January, make your way to the Plantation Course for a world-class round of golf.
2 | Honolua Bay
For the surfers out there, Honolua Bay is one of the most legendary surf spots on the planet. When the waves are pumping, it is common to see hundreds of surfers in the water, including the world’s top professionals.
3 | Lahaina
Just down the road from Kapalua is the town of Lahaina, a former capital of Hawaii and whaling town that is now a hotspot of restaurants, shops and culture. Grab a drink and some food from Down the Hatch, and if you’re a music lover, try Fleetwood’s on Front Street. Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac calls Maui home, and his restaurant is a great place for rooftop cocktails at sunset. If you’re up for an adventure, you can take a sunset or snorkel cruise out of Lahaina Harbor.
4 | Kapalua and Napili Bays
These two bays are right next to each other and feature two of the best beaches in the world. Maui beaches boast crystal clear water, soft sand, great snorkeling, water sports and easy access. When you have finished up a day on one of these pristine beaches, head over to Merriman’s for a sunset mai tai on their lanai.
5 | Haleakalā and the Upcountry
Haleakalā National Park is home to the tallest mountain on Maui and is known for its spectacular sunrises (don’t forget to make a reservation in advance!). The park has numerous trails and lookout points, and you can even rent bikes and take a guided ride on the twisty road to its summit. On your way down from the peak, Kula Lodge is the perfect stop if you get hungry. Don’t worry about any eruptions; Haleakalā is dormant — the largest dormant volcano in the world, in fact.
Interested in sharing the best eats and secret spots of your own city with fellow Tigers? Email shutto@clemson.edu for more information.
Welcome to Leiden, Netherlands! My name is Katie Sweeney, and I graduated from Clemson in 2000 with a marketing degree. Now, I’m a freelance advertising copywriter living in Leiden. A university town and the birthplace of Rembrandt, Leiden is located near the coast between Amsterdam and The Hague. Let me show you around:
1 | Pieterskerk
President George H.W. Bush visited Leiden in 1989 and gave a speech at the Pieterskerk, a stunning church that served as the Pilgrims’ original house of worship. Visit Leiden’s quaint and quirky Leiden American Pilgrim Museum (pictured) to learn more about the Dutch connection to the Pilgrims who arrived in America on the Mayflower.
2 | The Burcht
Just around the corner from the Pilgrim museum is another important remnant of Leiden history. Look for the iron gates with Leiden’s lion and keys symbol. Straight ahead and up the stairs, you’ll discover the remains of an 11th-century castle.
3 | Naturalis Biodiversity Center
This stunning natural history museum reopened in 2019 and is a short walk from the train station. Its nine floors are divided into different themes, covering the varied eras and stages of life on Earth. The dinosaur exhibit never gets old, and my daughter loves the activity rooms, where she can look through microscopes and identify bones.
4 | Outdoor Market
Wednesday and Saturday are outdoor market days in Leiden. Walk along De Rijn canal and pick out fresh meats, cheeses, fish, fruits, veggies and souvenirs from the vendors. During tulip season, I can grab two bunches (10 purple, 10 orange) for 5€.
5 | Canal Tour
If it’s sunny, the Dutch will be outdoors soaking up vitamin D. Whether you rent a boat on your own or take a guided tour, seeing Leiden from the water is a great experience.
Interested in sharing the best eats and secret spots of your own city with fellow Tigers? Email shutto@clemson.edu for more information.
Welcome to Dallas, home of the Mavericks, Stars, Rangers and Cowboys. My name is Cooper Shannon, class of 2009.
Welcome to Tokyo! I’m Justin Prescott, class of 2009. I majored in economics and minored in Japanese at Clemson. I work at EY Japan in strategy consulting and lead Clemson’s (still unofficial) alumni group in Japan. I’ve spent my professional career in Japan, Indonesia and Singapore, but I’ve spent the most time in Tokyo, so let me show you around.
1| Tokyo Station
Located on the eastern side of the city, Tokyo Station is a popular attraction as it was recently renovated with its iconic brick façade preserved. The surrounding area has a number of buildings famous for their mixture of new and old architecture, like the Kitte building. For food and drink, I recommend the ninth floor of the Shin-Maru building, which has a terrace overlooking Tokyo Station.
PRO TIP: Compared to Shibuya and west Tokyo, the crowd around here is more mature, making this area great for date night.
2| The Imperial Palace
Just a short walk away from Tokyo Station, the Imperial Palace grounds are beautiful — perfect for a jog to cure your jet lag. Although the central area of the palace is only accessible on rare occasions, there is still plenty to see, especially if you’re able to visit when the cherry trees are in bloom.
3| Kichijoji/Inokashira Park
Photo by Alex Queen
Located a bit outside of the city, Kichijoji is a neighborhood escape from the busy central Tokyo atmosphere. Inokashira Park is home to the Ghibli Museum, a must for Studio Ghibli fans, and Kichijoji has good shopping options with both high brands and quirky secondhand clothiers.
4| Shibuya
One of Tokyo’s most famous areas and the site of the world’s busiest pedestrian intersection (the Shibuya Scramble), Shibuya is a great place to visit, especially for the younger crowd looking for solid night life, food that you probably should only eat while you’re still young and all-night karaoke.
PRO TIP: Check out Dogenzaka for a picture with the iconic Hachiko statue.
5| Ebisu
Although Ebisu is just one stop from Shibuya by train, the vibe is totally different. Home to the headquarters of Sapporo and Ebisu beer, Ebisu claims some great upscale restaurants, including M House for western-style brunch, Day & Night Café — one of the only places in Tokyo to get a real pulled pork barbecue sandwich, y’all — and the famous Afuri Ramen shop.
PRO TIP: For a more daring culinary experience, go to Niku-Zushi, which serves sushi using nearly raw beef.
William Dietrich ’04 was sent on a temporary duty assignment to work at the VA Medical Center in Tuscaloosa, Ala. “What else would a Tiger do while behind enemy lines?”
Phil ’83, Ann ’87, Gracie ’19 and Wilson ’13 Scott found a Clemson-colored beach hut among many others on Brighton Beach in Melbourne. “I had a presentation I was giving in Melbourne, Australia, at the Sigma Theta Tau International Research Congress (Nursing Honor Society),” Ann says. “We turned it into a family vacation.”
![South Korea: Gina Gennaro ’16 traveled to Seoul to visit her friend who teaches English there. “During the week, while [my friend] was at work, I solo traveled around the city to visit all the palaces and temples and shrines. [Gyeongbokgung] Palace was the biggest and my favorite.”](https://clemsonworld.wpenginepowered.com/archive/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/05/Gennaro_18.jpeg "Gennaro_18")
![England: Todd Hayden ’84 participated in the Brompton World Championship bicycle race with his son: “[The race is] in commuter business attire on folding bikes, handmade in London, with a Le Mans style start.”](https://clemsonworld.wpenginepowered.com/archive/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/Hayden_10-1030x773.jpg "Hayden")
![Maine: Amanda Hrubresh ’13 and Collin ’16 Clemons hiked Beehive Trail in Acadia National Park. “[Beehive Trail] is only 1.4 miles long, but you gain 488 feet in elevation and often climb up vertically on iron rungs, bridges, and hand and foot holds,” Amanda wrote.](https://clemsonworld.wpenginepowered.com/archive/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/Clemons_9-1030x773.jpg "Clemons_9")
