Last year, I posted about my first cherry blossom season in Japan. I was disappointed in the weather, as well as myself for not making more of an effort to see the blossoms as many days as possible, at as many locations as possible! I vowed to do better this year, and I’m happy to … More Mount Yoshino – Why You NEED to Visit During Cherry Blossom Season.
In my opinion, Japan has a fairly conservative culture. It’s a rare sight to see someone in short-shorts, bright colors, or a crop top. That’s just how it is. So when I first learned how popular it was to go to onsens (hot springs), an activity where you are, well, naked, I was pretty surprised. … More Kinosaki Onsen – The hot spring capital of Japan?
Northern Thailand takes the cake as my favorite part of my Thailand trip last summer. I wish we had more than two weeks to explore the amazing country, but I’m thankful we were able to spend four days in Chiang Mai. I found Chiang Mai to be wonderful in the simplest ways. Like Koh Tao, life … More Chiang Mai, Thailand: Land of Cheap Eats & Temples Galore
One of the best parts about living in Osaka is how central it is to other wonderful places. Within an hour, I can make a day trip to cosmopolitan Kobe, peaceful Nara, or traditional Kyoto. Kyoto is arguably the most visited tourist spot in Japan. One can take in the beautiful scenery, rent a kimono or … More Why You Should Visit Japan in the Fall: Kyoto Edition
I have been dreaming of fall for 27 years. Growing up in South Florida, I never had the opportunity to witness a true fall (autumn) season. Florida doesn’t have the same four seasons as most places do. In fact, let’s call Florida’s seasons….. Hot, Sweltering, Warm, and Somewhat Cool. With the exception of a few scarf-and-boot-wearing … More Why You Should Visit Japan in the Fall: Koyasan Edition
In my last post, I gave my impressions of Hiroshima. Visiting Hiroshima was actually day two of a 2-day trip to the region. Our first day of exploration was reserved for Miyajima Island! Since the bullet train only goes to Hiroshima, we first found our hotel so we could store our bags while we were out for … More Miyajima Island
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!
When You Wander 