Christmas in a Temple (Part 2)
We pick up the story a few days into my new temple temple life. The Vital Task We volunteers only had one task relating to the temple itself, and a vital one it was. Without exception, it had to be done daily. One of us would have to ring the bell outside each day at…
Christmas in a Temple (Part 1)
Months before I had arrived in Japan, I began the process of planning where I wanted to go and what exactly I wanted to do. The destinations practically chose themselves. However, there was one aspect of travelling that I was very keen on undertaking. It was something I had already tried years prior, and anticipated…
Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park
What brought me to this quiet little mountain town of Yudanaka? What was the reason for taking the 5-hour bus journey from Tokyo to this little-known town on the outskirts of a ski resort? It wasn’t for the slopes, rather it was to visit the world-famous inhabitants of those mountains which could only be found…
Tokyo (Part 2)
We pick up the story after a few days of sushi, gambling and temples. Now to continue where we left off… Business is Booming A new day, and time to focus on another area on the vast map of Tokyo. I returned to where I had been the first day to explore the temple which…
Tokyo (Part 1)
After bidding a farewell to the nation I have called home for over 2 years, it was time to begin my adventure with a fresh new country; Japan. A country I’ve been dreaming of visiting ever since I was a teenager, another world of spirituality, utter chaos and beautiful harmony. Where better to start my…
Shanghai
Two years ago I was faced with a decision; where would I like to live? Beijing or Shanghai. Quite the decision to make, particularly when you’re on the other side of the world and with no real knowledge of either of them. Throughout that time I’ve always wondered if I made the right decision, whether…
Zhangjiajie
This must be the most world recognized natural phenomenon China has to offer, a true natural wonder of the world. An image of another primeval world, a time of long forgotten mystery. A location which has been forever immortalized in the blockbuster movie Avatar. Somewhere which humbles anyone lucky enough to roam amongst its sandstone…
Top 10 Highlights: Busan
South Korea is very much an underestimated country when it comes to travel, and is not mentioned as often as it should. Busan must then be considered one of the most underrated cities in the whole of Asia. Without doubt its on my personal list of all time favourite cities. This is a list…
Prague (In One Day)
For travellers on a time-limit, Prague is the perfect city. Fortunately all the highlights line-up along an almost perfectly straight line through the city, all within a comfortable 3 mile or so wander along a gorgeous route. A city with a fantastic public transport system as well as a fantastic sense of tourism, it’s everything…
Mongolia – Part 2
We left off after a 250km drive from the capital Ulaanbaatar deep into central Mongolia. We pick up the story on the outskirts of Khogno Khan National Park after spending the night with a local nomad family in our own ger. Catch-up with part 1 here! Day 3 Up bright and early, with…