One and a half hours to the west of Osaka by Shinkansen (bullet train), you’ll bump into Hiroshima. Known for the historical drop of the atomic bomb by the U.S. during World War II, friends had warned me to prepare for an emotional experience. Hiroshima is a major city. There is a high population, a major … More A Snapshot of Hiroshima
Open Water Diving Part of the Ko Samui–Ko Pha-Ngan–Ko Tao trio, Ko Tao may be the smallest in size, but makes up for that fact with arguably the best beginner scuba diving in the world. Although I grew up in South Florida, I am embarrassed to admit that I never seriously considered getting scuba certified. … More Learning to Dive in Ko Tao, Thailand.
The island with no cars nor public transportation. To get around, one must rely on his own two legs or occasionally, a bicycle. Lamma Island is Hong Kong’s third largest island. But don’t let that fool you. Only 4.3 miles long, with an area of 5.23 miles, Lamma is actually pretty small! Sadly, there are … More Hong Kong (Part 2) – Lamma Island
I had heard the hype, but it wasn’t until I stepped off the subway that I actually understood. Hanshin Tigers pride. Fans decked out in yellow and black gleaming from head to toe. Some wear jerseys, others wear lions (lion costumes, that is)… If your loyalty to the Tigers isn’t glaring obvious, you aren’t doing it right. … More Hanshin Tigers – My 1st Baseball Game in Japan!
While in Tokyo with my boyfriend, Nick, we decided to join a group tour and do something naturey for a day. Prior to leaving Osaka, Nick did some research online and stumbled upon a tour group called Tokyo Gaijins. They had a high customer rating and happened to have a trek scheduled that coincided perfectly with … More Trekking through Oze National Park
Japan has an annual vacation period called Golden Week. It’s actually four different holidays that have been rolled into a week-long vacation instead of celebrating each day separately. The great thing about Golden Week – international travel is cheap! Why? Since nearly the entire Japanese population has off of work this week, travel within Japan is expensive! … More Hong Kong (Part 1) – Kowloon Peninsula
I had been anticipating it for as long as I can remember. I’m not saying it was the reason I moved to Japan, buttttttt I will say it probably influenced my decision more than it should! The Japanese take their cherry blossoms seriously. Shop windows are decorated in the appropriate theme. Sweets are made with … More Cherry Blossom Season
My time in Japan is flying by faster than I could have imagined. Today, I chose to decompress, reflect, and write this post while indulging in a latte from a newly explored neighborhood, Taisho. Two months. It’s already been over two months since I moved to Osaka, Japan. Didn’t I just arrive to Kansai International Airport yesterday, … More Reflection. 2 months living in Japan.
The crowds. The costumes. Makeup, wigs, props. The poses. The dedication. It’s Halloween on steroids. Dress up if you dare, but be prepared to go all out. And if your costume makes the cut, you win your very own paparazzi club! I present to you…. The Nippombashi Street Festa! Here’s a short video from the parade. There … More Nippombashi Street Festa.
Sometimes I forget that I’m living in Japan. As I’m getting to know the in’s and out’s of Osaka, I find myself naturally building my routine. Work, grocery shopping and errands on my days off, hanging out with friends a few evenings each week. All of the things I’d do in the U.S., guess what, I do them here, … More My 1st Sumo Experience!
When You Wander 