From mainland Taiwan I’m taking a break for a few days to hop on the ferry to Xiaoliuqiu (pronounced: she-ao lee-o chee-o). A small coral island on the southwest of Taiwan. The island is known for its giant sea turtles swimming close to the shore, and I wanted to witness these magnificent creatures myself. You…
Chishang is probably the most scenic spot in Taiwan to watch the rice fields. The area is absolutely stunning, especially in spring and autumn when the fields are vibrant green and you don’t have the humidity and typhoons from the summer months. The best way to explore the Chishang rice paddies The rice fields are…
Hualien is the starting point and main hub of the east coast of Taiwan. Although the city itself isn’t that interesting with viewpoints, it’s the perfect base to explore the beautiful surroundings. Getting to Hualien From Taipei I took the direct train to Hualien. The express train only takes a bit over 2 hours, but…
Arriving in Taipei Taipei is the starting point and gateway to the rest of Taiwan. The journey starts at Taoyuan International Airport, just 40 minutes East from Taipei. To easily pass through immigration it’s mandatory to fill out the online arrival card 3 days before arrival. After picking up my luggage my first visit is…
Are you planning to visit Sri Lanka but not sure where to start? Here is my 2 week itinerary which includes beaches, natural parks and a bit of culture. At some places I included a hotel tip; which are places I stayed at and was especially fond of. NEGOMBO // 1 day // When…
From local and ambient places we finally arrived in Tokyo. A neon-light filled city that is matched by no other. Where we first had the pleasure of meeting friendly Japanese locals we now came to a place which was a lot less personal. Nonetheless this hectic place cannot be ignored and a city lover like…
Although Tokyo is a great place to stay, during my stay I took 3 day trips from Tokyo to explore some of the surrounding sights. Day trip #1: Mt. Fuji (Lake Kawaguchiko) To see Fujisan you should visit one of the Fuji Five Lakes, the most popular and easiest to reach is Lake Kawaguchiko. This…
Kamikochi Our trip to the Japanese Alps started in Matsumoto. Although Matsumoto itself isn’t a city you must see, the Matsumoto castle is an impressive sight. After visiting the castle in the morning we took the train and bus to Kamikochi Natural Park. A park in the center of the Japanese Alps, because of its…
The Nakasendo trail is the old postal route between Kyoto and Tokyo. The part in the Kiso Valley between Magome and Tsumago has been preserved. This 7.8 kilometer hike has been one of the most rewarding experiences during my visit to Japan. The best place to start is Magome, since you’ll be mostly walking downhill…
We started our trip in the old capital of Japan, Kyoto. When visiting Japan this is a place you must not skip; the ambience, the culture and the amazing sights makes Kyoto a #1 place on any itinerary. DAY #1 We started in South Higashiyama. The streets around the Kiyomizu-dera temple are absolutely mesmerizing. On…