Hiking the Inca Trail- What to Expect on the 4 Day Trek to Machu Picchu
Of all the things we did and places we saw during our 3 weeks in South America, hiking the Inca Trail in Peru is our favourite memory. It even climbed…
Visiting Machu Picchu- Peru’s Hilltop Inca Citadel
Machu Picchu- just hearing the name conjures up classic images of this hilltop Inca city, high in a tropical forest of the Peruvian Andes. These ruins, once concealed by the…
Photo of the Week: Strasbourg’s Astronomical Clock
The astronomical clock in Strasbourg Cathedral is a fine example of what can be achieved when art and science come together. Statuettes and paintings embellish a case housing clock dials…
Orongo- Ceremonial Village of the Birdman Cult
Set between the sprawling crater of Rano Kau and the plunging cliffs of Easter Island’s southwest coast, is the small ceremonial village of Orongo. Orongo is a much different site…
Rano Raraku- Carving Site of Easter Island’s Moai
Scattered across the slope of a volcano are hundreds of stone heads, their serious facial expressions gazing out over Easter Island’s barren landscape. These are moai- idolized by the original…
4 Days in Easter Island- Itinerary for a Self-Guided Tour of Rapa Nui
“We’re most looking forward to spending 4 days in Easter Island,” I’d say when friends asked about our upcoming trip to South America. “What’s Easter Island?” some would ask, a…
3 Weeks in South America- Our Itinerary’s Hits and Misses
South America has been a place I’ve wanted to visit for 10 years, but for some reason it has always taken a back seat to other destinations. I am happy…
Visiting the Edo-Tokyo Museum
UPDATE: The Edo-Tokyo Museum will be temporarily closed for renovations from April 1, 2022 until 2025 or early 2026. The entire facility will be renovated including displays, equipment and more….
The Tottori Sand Museum- Around the World in Sand
Walking into the Tottori Sand Museum I was dripping with sweat, having spent the last hour or so across the street exploring Japan’s largest sand dunes. I was eager to…
The Tottori Sand Dunes- Enjoying Japan’s Largest Dunes
Wait a minute…I’m still in Japan, right? I scan the scenery surrounding me- it’s all sun, sand and sea. This looks nothing like what I saw on my first trip…
Climbing Mount Mitoku- The Trek to Nageiredo
Walking up a smooth, well-worn stone staircase to Sanbutsuji Temple, I instantly hoped the whole trail up Japan’s Mount Mitoku wasn’t going to be this steep. Looking back now, that…
How to Spend 3 Days in Tottori, Japan- My Itinerary
Stretching along the Sea of Japan, in the Chugoku region of Western Honshu, is a coastal prefecture that’s largely untouched by foreign visitors, at least for now. But once the…
Photo of the Week: Sylvan Lake, Custer State Park
When we first arrived at Sylvan Lake, in South Dakota’s Custer State Park, I was shocked (in a good way) by its unique appearance. Rising up from the shore line,…
Boat Tour of Islamorada- Visiting Bloodline Filming Locations
Islamorada was a place I wasn’t familiar with until I became hooked on the Netflix original series Bloodline. This gripping family drama and thriller is set in the Florida Keys,…
Feeding Deer in Nara Park, Japan
Entering into the heart of Nara Park we are greeted by a small, friendly deer wandering freely throughout the grounds. Approaching us, the deer bows its head down, as if…
Exploring Nara Park- Temples, Shrines and Deer!
Our one day in Nara was spent almost exclusively at Nara Park. I usually like to explore as much of a city as possible, but there were so many places…
Photo of the Week: Cologne Cathedral’s North Portal
Cologne Cathedral is a fine example of German Gothic architecture, famous for its extravagant architectural details. The exterior of Cologne Cathedral is heavily decorated with stone statues and delicate tracery….
Visiting Mount Rushmore National Memorial- An American Cultural Icon
Gazing over the Black Hills of South Dakota are the faces of four American presidents, sculpted in stone on the face of Mount Rushmore. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt…
Nikko Toshogu Shrine- Japan’s Most Lavish Shrine
When I hear a place described using the words “best” or “most”, I become skeptical of the claim. Sometimes I’m even disappointed upon visiting, since not every place warrants such…
A Day Trip to Nikko, Japan
For our last day in Japan, we decided to ditch the hustle and bustle of modern Tokyo, and head to the forested area of Nikko for one last opportunity to…