I was lucky to have arrived in Ubud in time to see a most holy and mystical event. That of the creation, procession and cremation ceremony of the eldest son of the late king of Bali, Tjokorda Bagus Santaka. Being here during this time has cast a spell of magic into the air. My witness …
Driving from the airport in Denpasar and arriving at my Airbnb in Ubud was a huge shock to the system. Especially after being in Japan for the past month. Could I have picked a more different place? Here are my first impressions of Bali Indonesia. Chaos From the moment I left the airport in my …
Facing another long travel day, I gathered my wits and dove straight in. This one was a doozy, with a nine hour, middle of the night layover. Yuck. Travel day Osaka to Bali on Scoot via SIN was upon me. Lets go. This is a loooong door to door post. Osaka Airport KIX Having to …
When I was initially deciding what countries to visit on this first taste of Asia, and I arrived at planning April, I knew it had to be Japan. If there is one thing I have heard over and over in my life, it is to experience spring here. Seeing the beautiful Sakura cherry blossoms in …
I had no idea what to expect when I arrived in Osaka. Not being a ‘city girl’, I did find it very overwhelming. It took me a few days to get my groove on and feel comfortable walking around these unique streets and districts. With so much to keep me occupied, here are my top …
If there is a beach to be found in any destination, I will be the one to find it. 😁 I feel my absolute best at the beach, near the water, exposed to the big sky and horizon. Beside this beach is another attraction though, so a two or even three in one! A visit …
I came for the cherry blossoms, I will admit. That was the planned highlight of my trip. What I found even more beautiful, were the gorgeous spring flowers of Japan. I was not expecting to see so many, bright and exquisite blooms as I did. Pink Camellias! My gosh, I have never seen as many …
I have just had an amazing, short, first time visit to Kyoto, and am astounded at all of the things to see and do here. Dubbed as Japan’s cultural and traditional centre, I can tell you that you will have no shortage of activities to keep yourself busy. Here are my top 5 free things …
I have been blowing my budget in Japan, my food budget that is. There are so many delicious things to try here, and almost everything I taste is marvellous! While in Osaka, I was heavily influenced by social media, and ate things I had seen or heard of before. The best Japanese food I ate …
A long time ago, I read ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’ by Arthur Golden. It is an historical fiction novel, perhaps my favourite genre, and moved me so deeply. I never thought I would ever have the opportunity to see a geisha in person. Whilst visiting Kyoto, I did. The exquisite geisha & maiko of Gion …
Having seen a photo of an unusual mound located in a shrine in Kyoto, my curiosity was peaked. I knew I must travel here to see this with my own eyes. The unique & beautiful Yasui Konpiragu Shrine is nothing short of fascinating. Getting There This little treasure is tucked into the Gion District in …
A must for me while travelling to a new destination is always to visit a market. Having been in Osaka and seeing all that was available there, I was curious as to what I could find here. The bountiful Nishiki market in Kyoto was even better! Brief History As early as the year 782, fish …
Wanting to see what old Kyoto, and old Japan might have looked like, I researched areas to visit within the city, that might offer me a glimpse into the past. What I discovered were a few spots I might find what I was searching for. I explored the beautiful Gion District in Kyoto one day, …
On my first full day in Kyoto, and the only one that was forecast to be sunny, I decided exploring the famous Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine would be a good plan. I had done very little research, but knew that the earlier I arrived, the less crowds I would encounter. Social Media I have seen pictures, …
Oh how fun! I had no idea when I booked this trip that I would be travelling on such a decorated and adorable train. There are two main train options for this route and I chose this one. Taking the Haruka Hello Kitty Train from Osaka to Kyoto was easy and cute. Online Booking Try …
Oh man, I knew without a doubt, I was going to blow my budget once I arrived in Japan. Not only do I have to replenish my wardrobe and toiletries, that have been with me for the past 16 months, but there are so many things I want to eat! Tasting Japanese street food for …
On a day trip to Nara from Osaka, my first stop was to visit with the beautiful sika deer at the park. But after that, I went on an exploratory mission inside the neighbouring temple. Here are 5 things not to be missed at Todai-ji temple in Nara. The Great Buddha Hall It would be …
I decided on a day trip from Osaka and it was going to be on a single sunny day in the forecast. For my trip, I was taking two trains, and heading out towards Nara. This ancient city is located between Osaka and Kyoto. Having fun at the Nara Deer Park was how I spent …
Wanting to explore the city to a wider extent, I walked to this fun and vibrant district. Here visitors will find the Japanese youth culture threaded through a multitude of tiny streets. Looking for boutique shopping and some amazing eateries? The wonderful world of Amerika-Mura in Osaka is not to be missed. Thrift Shops If …
I have experienced such a mixed bag of weather since my arrival into the city. The first few days were met with freezing temperatures, and in fact a risk of snow one night. I quickly scurried out to find a few warmer pieces of clothing to wear. 😂 But the forecast has changed, and I …