Kichijyoji is a neighborhood on the west side of Tokyo, It’s a pretty commercial area. Crispy fried chicken curry for lunch Harmonica Alley Once a post-war flea market, this narrow network of alleys located across from the train stationRead more
Walk to Old Town I grab some of these fried street pancakes (filled with ground pork and spices) and head on a walk from the hotel to the Old Street and Yuyuan Gardens. I’ve been there before (in 2011) and it was too packed to be enjoyable, but that was at night and a differentRead more
A bit jet-lagged, I take it easy in Shanghai my second day. I meet up with Pete for lunch and we head to Nanjing Street. Pete Pete treats me to a nice meal at a place we find in a mall. Delicious fried mashed potato balls. Amazing stewed pork We also had dumplings,Read more
A new friend, Pete, picked me up at the airport and helped me locate my place. I had booked this on AirBnB, and while the location was great, and the photos made the place look amazing, in reality it was a pretty run-down building. A former hotel (the Salvo Hotel), it was now under aRead more
Chengdu Panda Rescue Base For my last day in China, I head to the panda park with Jing. Fuzzy panda butt Watching pandas eat is highly enjoyable. When they aren’t eating, they are sleeping Red Pandas are always doing something cute, that isRead more
The Fuqin Comprehensive Market is located in the northwest side of Chengdu. Often referred to as a “Open Air Market,” or more frequently, a “Wet Market” it features both wet and dry goods from all around the region. A handful of butchers sell out of the market. Not theRead more
My remaining hours in Old Lijiang were spent hopping from shop to shop, snacking and buying some last-minute gifts. I can see why, through all the Chinese people I have met over the years, why Lijiang Old Town is often mentioned as a favorite travel spot. Its endless maze of unique and character-rich shops, streetsRead more
I don’t recall what this is… It’s the design above the doorway of a restaurant, I think. My first experience with the “Open Air Market” (Ancient City Zhongyi Market) in Lijiang was frustrating. I couldn’t find my hotel, and I wandered into the opening of an alley from which market vendors expanded out fromRead more