Azamara Pursuit: A Ship Inspection
There are two types of people. Those who love to cruise and those who, despite never having been on an ocean cruise say that “cruising isn’t my thing.” I confess. I was one of them although a couple of years…
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Japan’s Tokaido Trail
Japan’s Tokaido Trail, like the more well-known Nakasendo Route, was a well-trodden path between Edo (modern-day Tokyo) and Kyoto during the Edo period (1603-1868). Unlike the Nakasendo, which passed through mountainous areas and had 69 staging-post towns, it was a…
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A Street Art Tour in Astana, Kazakhstan
Arriving in Kazakhstan a couple of days early for a tour of Central Asia, I signed up to a street art tour in Astana, the capital. I find that street art often provides an insight into the life and culture…
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A Walking Tour of Johannesburg
A walking tour of Johannesburg isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. The city has a bad reputation. People say it’s not safe, and locals may even warn you not to go. When I stumbled across a photo on Instagram of a…
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I didn’t love Japan at first
Many people fall in love with Japan. I didn’t. At least not immediately. I found it challenging. Yet as time passes, and I scroll through my photographs, the challenges fade into the background. A first time visitor to Japan As…
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How I got to watch Sumo in Japan
It’s not easy to watch Sumo in Japan. For one thing, Sumo tournaments only occur during odd months. If you’re in Japan on an even month, the only way to watch Sumo is to attend a training session. And even…
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Finding Rooftop Gardens in Tokyo
Rooftop gardens in Tokyo are a welcome respite from the busy bustling streets. But many people don’t know about them. When I had a day to myself, with my hubby was sick in bed, I recalled a friend telling me…
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Wearing a kimono in Japan
Coming across someone wearing a kimono in Japan isn’t as uncommon as you’d think. When in Japan recently, I saw lots of young women and couples wearing kimonos. While many were international visitors, I also met local students who had…
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Discovering Vending Machines in Japan
Perfect Days, the movie, inspired me to check out vending machines in Japan. In the movie, the protagonist leaves his Tokyo home each morning and buys himself a can of coffee from a vending machine. I often drink from a…
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Cruise from Cambodia to Vietnam
Our cruise through Cambodia and Vietnam begins with a bus trip. Being the dry season, the water level in Tonle Sap Lake and River is low. Although our ship, the Toum Tiou 2 is small, it cannot ford the junction…
