As I stepped into the dimly lit museum, I was filled with a sense of anticipation. I was caught in a burst of bright colors. The exhibits in the hall were breath-taking, the eye-catching floats were bigger than I had imagined. The walls were also adorned with striking tapestries and paintings, each depicting a vibrant and dynamic scene. It is not hard to […]
Do not miss this place on any visit to Kyoto – it is not on any tourist maps – even our private local guide did not know of this place. And yet – it is more traditional Japanese than any place you will visit. I came across it by good luck when researching Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. Nestled away amongst maple […]
The day had started poorly. It was gloomy and we tried to avoid puddles as the rain pelted our umbrellas. I was beginning to wonder if we should have changed our plans. But then we entered the magnificent gates of Seiryu-Ji temple, and we were taken by the beauty of the lush surroundings, the massive lotus pond, the freshly-raked Zen garden […]
Our cruise ship was planning on an overnight stay in Osaka, which is the closest port to Kyoto. This meant we had the opporunity to spend an entire day in Kyoto plus have time for dinner at one of the best restaurants in Japan. Kyoto is the cultural home of Japan, with the old Nijo Castle, hundreds of Buddhist temples […]
Hungry? Want a quick lunch or dinner? Want the freshest of the fresh seafood? Going to a Japanese fish market is the way go. When you are in Aomori Japan, you definitely should stop by the Gyosai Center (fish market). If you are on a cruise, the ships will stop within walking distance of several attractions and the fish market. […]
Sapporo is a new city by japanese standards. It was rested in its current form in the late 1800’s, with the downtown city plan done by an aAmerican city planner at the invitation of the local government. So the city doesn’t have the much in the way of traditional Japan. It is a new city, very clean and well-maintained. In […]
Day 1 – Settling into Cape Town We’d had a tiring 37-hour journey from San Diego to Cape Town and all I could think of was ‘I hope the hotel room will be ready so I can take a rest.’ I did not truly appreciate the location where the Marriot Hotel was until late afternoon when my husband, John, decided we […]
Located on the west end of Patong Beach is an unassuming building overlooking the Andaman Sea. From the outside it looks like a large house or small commercial building. Even the signage is subdued. Yet walk inside and you are transported to the world of fine dining, with innovative creations, stellar service and magnificent views of the sea and setting […]
Isn’t it wonderful when you stumble across a small restaurant that just blows your mind? We’ve done it a few times, and the last time we were in Phuket, Thailand, we had such an experience. Tucked away on a street a few blocks from Patong Beach, without the drunken hordes, was a newly opened restaurant called Bon Pan-Asian Tapas Bar. […]
We were going to be in Cape Town for four nights before our safari and I had just read the list of 50 best restaurants in the world – and low-and-behold, Cape Town was home to the 37th best. And the best in Africa! A restaurant called FYN. So one night had to be there. As luck would have it, […]
© 2024 · US Design Dynamics Inc.
