Singapore Part 2 - By Night
How can a tree be super? Does it put on a cape, and a ‘S’ to change into a hero? Or is it something more - a monument that shines like a beacon at night. Whatever you call it, these sculptures are definitely the main attraction of Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay, and they were mesmerizing at night with the backdrop of the Marina Bay Sands hotel.
Singapore Part 1 - By Day
Nothing can truly prepare you for your first visit to Singapore. No amount of guidebook reading, or Formula 1 fandom can even come close to the reality of this city state. It is architecturally beautiful and lush, with a new fixture rising around every cover.
Shinjuku Gyoen In Spring
Some photo excursions start out one way, and end another. The cherry blossoms were foretold to bloom in mid-March, brought earlier and earlier by the advent of Global Warming. Yet, as I strode through Shinjuku’s National Garden in search of that coveted Japanese subject, there was little to be found, so inspiration was sought elsewhere in the trees.
Taiwanese Tea from Farm to Cup
Where does tea come from? That all depends on the type of tea, and the country of origin. For Taiwan, a country that is about two-thirds mountainous, the answer lies on the slopes. Here farmers cultivate soil that is rich, and harvest from bushes that are breathing in clear, humid air from a higher altitude.
Taipei 101 Observatory
Not only is the Taipei 101 building the central jewel of its metropolis - featuring a grand mall, restaurants, and offices - it also hosts multiple observation levels to look out over the city. There is an unobstructed walking path that allows for 360-degree views, and the organizers didn’t stop there in providing things for visitors to do and see.
Yamanakako Ice Candles Festival
Ice molds are, both literally and figuratively, cool. Put a couple thousand of these in a field with candles inside, and you’ve got the makings of a great winter festival. This was the scene at Lake Yamanaka, one of the most scenic areas that surrounds Mt. Fuji.
Kusatsu Onsen
Strikingly simple, strikingly charming, and with a natural musk that my sinuses will never forget. Yes, this town is graced with an overwhelming presence of sulfur from the volcanic outflow that the water draws its heat from. And it was here, at the town’s center called the Yubatake, that all the action happened.
Kyoto’s Kinkaku-ji Temple
Kyoto is an incredible city, filled with culture, heritage, and beauty. Many of the experiences are interactive, walking through a pathway of gates or washing your hands in purified water. Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, is all about the eyes. It is stunning in every sense of the word, and holds its allure year after year without ever aging or decaying.
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Arashiyama is one of those gems, like many in Kyoto, that is forever stuck in time. Natural and historic, the bamboo trees stretch up for what seems like miles, obscuring the rest of society from your mind. While the grove is much smaller than the forest name might suggest, it is always worth the visit.
Sensoji Temple & Asakusa
It was cold, and warm, and fragrant on the December afternoon that I visited this wonderful temple and its surrounding district. For all the bustling, modern, developed metropolis that Tokyo is, there are still pockets of history that feel untouched. This one remains a gem in that sense, and its atmosphere was something to behold even as COVID’s shadow lingered in the background.