New Zealand South Island brims with dramatic alpine scenery from Milford Sound’s mountains to the Canterbury Plains’ emerald wineries. Yet few locales captivate quite like Mount Aspiring National Park with its plethora of hiking trails, glaciers, and the dynamic Dart River flowing through ice-carved valleys. On day 7 of my South Island road trip, I […]
South Island, New Zealand Day 7 (Dart River Safari) Read More »
In the winter of 2014, I embarked on an epic journey through central Japan and Tokyo solely relying on the country’s renowned public transportation systems. As snow delicately fell and temperatures plunged below freezing, trains and buses remained my trusty conduits to majestic winter vistas juxtaposed with fascinating modern cityscapes. From famed heritage sites like
Winter 2014 Central Japan & Tokyo by Trains & Buses, Day Read More »
Our arctic journey through Japan began with our arrival at Chubu Centrair International Airport in Nagoya during the Winter 2014 Central Japan & Tokyo. We arrived at the core of Nagoya via the Meitetsu -SKY limited express train in less than thirty minutes, after boarding the train and completing the customs process. The Meitetsu Nagoya
Winter 2014 Central Japan & Tokyo by Trains & Buses, Day … Read More »
After the sheer immensity and audacity of Xi’an’s Terracotta Warriors captivated me on Day 1, I yearned to delve deeper into the storied history and relics of this ancient imperial city. What grander place to continue my initiation into China’s resplendent past than the mausoleum and tomb museum dedicated to the very dynasty behind yesterday’s
Tales of Two Ancient Capitals, Day 2 (Xi’an – Han Yang Ling Read More »
With my crisp summer tan barely faded, the time had arrived to trade Singapore’s glittering skyscrapers and copper-tinged colonial grandeur for an ancient and fabled realm – rural China’s imperial heartlands. I had arrived in the city of Xi’an to commence an epic 10-day immersion into two of the Middle Kingdom’s most historically significant capitals:
Tales of Two Ancient Capitals, Day 1 (Xi’an – Terracotta Read More »
With its captivating blend of ancient wonders and modern marvels, the central Chinese city of Xi’an had been firmly planted atop my travel bucket list. This former imperial capital promises entrée into the Middle Kingdom’s most iconic sites, from the life-size Terracotta Warriors to the massive Ming-era city walls. But first, I needed to carefully
Pre-trip Planning & Angsana Xi’an Lintong Read More »
Before embarking on our highly anticipated Iberian Peninsula cruise, we had one more item locked onto our Spanish bucket list: the ancient city of Toledo. With its storied history as a melting pot of Muslim, Christian and Jewish cultures, Toledo offered the perfect primer on Spain’s diverse heritage and architectural treasures. In this post I
Spain & Portugal Day 3 – Pre-Cruise in Spain (Toledo) Read More »
Our sun-dappled journey through the Iberian peninsula continued as we boarded a sleek river cruise ship for a leisurely voyage along the legendary Douro River. After immersing ourselves in the cosmopolitan cultures of Lisbon and Porto, it was time to explore the rural heart of Portugal and the lush vineyard-blanketed Douro Valley. In this post
Spain & Portugal Day 5 – Cruising the Douro (Pinhao) Read More »
After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrived to embark on our Australian adventure starting in the island state of Tasmania. As I secured my window seat on the 7:40am flight from Singapore to Melbourne, the Pacific Ocean shimmering in the early morning light below, I could hardly contain my excitement for the experiences
Day 1 (Singapore – Melbourne – Hobart) Read More »
Shinjuku is one of Tokyo’s most iconic, frenetic, and delicious neighborhoods. This bustling district is an intoxicating blend of serene parks and shrines nestled between towering skyscrapers, atmospheric back alleys, and neon-drenched entertainment districts. Eating in Shinjuku (I) – Breakfast, Coffee & Dessert. With so many culinary delights packed into Shinjuku’s relatively small footprint, it
Eating in Shinjuku (I) – Breakfast, Coffee & Dessert Read More »
