“Did you kill Gaddafi?” was the first question asked of me as I stumbled upon a casual yet organised meeting of men on the side of a dirt village road on the outskirts of Ubud, Bali. “Gaddafi’s dead?” was my first response. Obviously the first time I had heard this news, the man explained. “Yes, […]
Asia/Oceania
Mount Kinabalu climb experience – what to expect
When there’s a mountain there, we just have to climb it, and Mount Kinabalu in Malaysian Borneo was one of those accessible peaks that we had been keen to conquer for some time. So when we once again found ourselves in Southeast Asia it seemed like the perfect time to check the Mt Kinabalu climb […]
Climbing Mt. Kinabalu on a Budget 2020-2021 (and what happens if your trip is canceled)
If you’re planning on going to Sabah (Malaysian Borneo) and have already done some research on climbing Mt. Kinabalu, you’ve probably quickly realized that it’s not exactly cheap to sign yourself up for physical duress. Many prices quoted on the Internet are quite steep and have many travelers wondering whether it’s worth forking out their […]
10 Interesting Things to do in Oita, Japan (that aren’t the Hells)
Oita Prefecture in Kyushu is just one and a half hours by plane from Tokyo and is the perfect addition to a trip to the capital or as a side trip from Fukuoka. Think hot springs, the outdoors, mountains and meditation, which all meld together in a kind of harmony between nature and man. Beppu […]
Kyoto Hidden Gems: 7 Top Things to do in Kyoto You’ve Never Heard Of
Kyoto is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Japan. Often seen as the perfect counterbalance to modern and futuristic Tokyo, Kyoto is the go-to city for all things “traditional Japan” – temples, shrines, geisha, kimono and green tea. Allbethey exquisite, most people limit their Kyoto exploration to a circuit of the most famous […]
How a bottomless water ladle aids your safe childbirth in Japan
Japanese water ladles, known as hishaku, are a common sight in Japan. Traditionally made of bamboo, you can find them at the entrance of shrines to cleanse your hands and mouth before entering (temizu), as well as being used as part of Japanese tea ceremony. But one relatively unknown usage of Japanese water ladles is […]
12 Incredible and Interesting Things to do in Ibaraki, Japan
While many people spend the majority of their Japan holiday time in Tokyo, most don’t realize that there are a whole host of amazing attractions they’ve never heard of just a train ride away. Ibaraki is only around two hours north-east of Tokyo and it’s packed with culture and nature, and some incredible spots that […]
Homestay Sapa: The Most Authentic Homestay in Sapa, Vietnam
This post is a special personal essay on our homestay in Sapa, Vietnam with a Black Hmong family. Here you will see a completely different side to Vietnam – a place where two legs or four are the main modes of transportation, where the air is fresh and skies go on forever, and where there […]
Saying goodbye to the Heisei era – what happened and why it’s significant
Today marks the final day of the Heisei era in Japan. It’s a rainy day here in Tokyo, which some might say is a shame, but in a way it’s the perfect ending – a nice excuse to slow down, stay indoors and reflect on the occasion. Era names assigned to periods of time have […]