Now onto my third coastal destination while visiting this Indonesian island this year. Previously I have explored the Seminyak and Canggu areas. The beautiful golden sand beaches in Sanur Bali are surprisingly busy, mostly with locals enjoying the sea. Sindhu Beach This is a gorgeous gold sand beach just south of Segara & Sanur. Here …
A lover of both of these forms of public art, I look for, and document it where ever I travel. Excited was I, when discovering a steady stream, as I travelled my way around four different parts of the island. The amazing street art & graffiti in Bali has been a fun discovery. Ubud My …
Exploring further up the coast of the island, I have arrived at another diverse area of coastline. Always happiest with my toes in the sand, I was interested to see what this location offered. I found the beautiful black sand beaches at Canggu Bali to be full of life. Canggu Beach At the town is …
Always on the lookout for a good market, I have found one in Bali that is a complete vibe. While I have certainly struggled to find an authentic local market, there have been numerous tourist ones. This one tops the cake though, the Sunday market at La Brisa Bali is fantastic! Getting There Located at …
One of the reasons I travel, one of the biggest reasons, is to experience, see and learn about different cultures around the world. Bali has been a disappointment in that regard. I fear, after speaking with older locals as well, that much of the precious culture is gone. What little remains is not easy to …
My mode of transport to navigate this tropical island has been Grab. For several reasons I feel the safest as a solo female traveller, using this ride App rather than any other method. Here are some of the adventures of riding Grab around Bali. Expense It definitely has not been cheap, unlike Thailand, and definitely …
I didn’t have the best time in Ubud to be honest. Its just not my vibe. Waayyy too touristy for me, missing just about all of its authenticity and generally not pleasant. If you are headed that way though, here are 4 free things to do in Ubud Bali that might be of interest. Campuhan …
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 …