We decided we didn’t get enough of Arashiyama, especially the hillside. A quick snack was a beef flavored hashbrown. Seiko had this soy soup thing. I had Cherry Blossom flavored ice cream We visited the bamboo grove. Jōjakkōji Temple 常寂光寺 This temple was constructed in 1596 and is wellRead more
The title sums it all up. We went to Tokyo Disneyland, which is located on Tokyo Bay. It was Easter season. I found the park to be pretty much the same as the Magic Kingdom in the US. Almost too much the same. I last visited the MK in 2003 andRead more
We take the train to Kokubunji on the west side of Tokyo to visit the Architectural Museum, a preservation of historic urban structures from the region. Founded in 1993, the complex houses buildings and artifacts generally from the Edo period (1868-1912) and beyond. There is a Musashino Folklore Museum within that does have some older artifactsRead more
A beautiful morning in Lijiang old town. This is the view from the hotel. Looking down on the courtyard of the hotel. This is where the owners play cards all night and keep me awake. The street in front of the hotel. Heading into old town This canal comes from theRead more
I had a green JR rail pass, which allowed me unlimited travel on trains, including the shinkansen (high speed) trains. I took one to Osaka to meet up with another penpal. Osaka is about an hour way by high speed rail. The ride is comfortable, smooth, and blazing fast. The scenery just flows by. IfRead more
Having always read about Japan, corresponding with several pen pals that live there, and reading about it since I was a child, when I had the opportunity to go, I took the chance. Originally planning to travel with an old high school friend, I hastily booked the flight, only to find out that I wouldRead more
Somewhere in Shanghai We head out from my hotel to a supermarket, because I want to buy candy. My guess is that this is the Huangpujiang River. Here’s the CarreFour Supermarket. Jingan Temple We then go to Jingan Temple, which is in the heart of the city. it was originally built in 247 AD,Read more
Here’s a candid shot of me stocking up on drinks. I also picked up some buckwheat tea that I liked. Beef Noodles Craving some beef noodles, we stopped into a chain devoted to it. Expensive by Chinese standards, the food was good, but still not as great as the beef noodles I had inRead more
Japanese Food in China We head to a Japanese chain restaurant. This is beef ramen. Beef teriyaki kabobs. I have had teriyaki meats many times in the USA… this one really rocked my world. Authentic teriyaki is less sweet, more salty, potent. It coated the beef and transformed its flavor into a whole new experienceRead more
Joni arrives Half Japanese, half Chinese Joni is an interesting character. On one hand she is independent and tough (maybe a little mean), and on the other she embraces the Japanese Kawaii style, often dressing as if she were attending a tea party in the garden. In the evening we all go to Yummy TangoRead more
Off to Jinli Street A bit jet-lagged and culture-shocked, my first morning starts out by being picked up in a cab by my guide and new friend Jing (English name Catherina). We head to Jinli Ancient Street, one of the restored commercial neighborhoods dating back to the Shu Kingdom (221-263). It’s a bit of a popularRead more