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 …
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 …
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, …
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 …
Who doesn’t love a castle? There was no way I was going to miss having a look at my first ever Japanese castle. Occupying 15 acres right in the middle of the city and complete with moats and turrets this was a splendid way to spend a morning. Want to find out what to see …
Of the little research and photo’s that I had looked at before arriving in Osaka, I knew there was one place I was going to visit for certain. Generally, I don’t like touristy places, can’t stand the crowds and oftentimes find them over-hyped. But this, I needed to see. The magic of Dotonbori Osaka by …
Wow! I cannot tell you how excited I am to be here visiting Japan for the very first time in my life! It is a place that, for some reason, I never thought I would get to see in person. I have not done very much research; I want this trip to be as virgin …
I fully expected to love the food here in Thailand. Coming from Vietnam, where I couldn’t get enough of the local dishes, I was of a similar mindset when I entered this country. However, I have really struggled here. This is why I have not enjoyed Thai food as much as I expected to. My …
Of course, I found a market! In fact, there are quite a few in this little haven on the island of Phuket. The biggest seems to be the vibrant Friday Night market at Kamala Beach, the one towards the north end of the main road. Location The two largest markets are situated at either end …
I have left the Old Town and travelled for 40 minutes to reach the coastline of Phuket. There are any number of beaches that I could have chosen to explore, however I was looking for a less crowded, less touristy place to sink my toes into the sand. At beautiful Kamala Beach on the Island …
After exploring the mountain location of Chiang Mai, I was ready for a change of scenery and pace. I decided a beach destination was in store. Flying down south, on Nok Air, I landed on a tropical island. Here are my first impressions of Phuket Thailand. Big Phuket is much larger than I had envisioned …
For many passport holders, a 30 day tourist visa is given upon arrival into the country. If you would like to stay for a longer duration, it is possible to extend this one time for a fee. Here is a detailed post of the process I went through in Chiang Mai, and how to extend …
We all know how much I love markets at this point. 😂 If there is one to be found, rest assured I will find it. Here in this beautiful Thai city, I have a huge selection of markets to choose from. The best night market in Chiang Mai OT or Old Town, is the Walking …
As soon as I saw pictures from this village, I knew I had to see it if I was ever close by. Turns out I was closer than I thought! A quick Grab ride and I was in the beautiful Hue incense village of Thuy Xuan and was it ever amazing! Thuy Xuan This was …
One of the reasons for visiting Hue for me, was to experience culture and history, something that is lacking in the young city of Da Nang. From prior research I knew there was a vast ancient city here and I was eager to explore it. A day at the beautiful Hue Imperial City was just …
I didn’t know what to expect when I booked to stay here, but I have been totally captivated by this young Vietnamese city. Here are 5 free things to do in Da Nang that you should not miss on your next visit. Dragon Bridge Without a doubt, this is a must see. The unique bridge …
Wow did I ever find a great market in Da Nang. There are many here in the city, but this one is the largest and most vibrant of the lot. The authentic Con Market in Da Nang Vietnam will brighten and enlighten all of your senses, guaranteed. Where to Go Da Nang is divided into …