-
USAT Liberty Shipwreck Dive: One of Bali’s Best Dive Sites
Are you looking to go diving in Bali but feel overwhelmed on where to dive or what dive site in Bali best suites your interests and skill level? I highly recommend looking into the USAT Liberty Shipwreck dive. Located off the coast of Bali near the village of Amed is one of Bali’s most iconic dive sites. The USAT Liberty was a United States Army cargo ship that was hit by a Japanese torpedo during WWII. This once mighty vessel now sits at shallow depths off the coast of Bali. The USAT Liberty Shipwreck dive is perfect for both beginners and advance divers. As you descend beneath the water, you…
-
Bedugul Tour: Sightseeing and Outdoor Activities
Bedugul is a picturesque region in Central Bali that offers an escape from the traffic and high volume of tourists in other popular destinations around Bali. From the serene lakeside temple of Ulun Danu Bratan to the famous rice terraces of Jatiluwih, Bedugul is a beautiful place to explore for those seeking cultural sites and tunning landscapes. Through our hotel, we booked a Bedugul Tour and explored several sites in the Bedugul region of Bali. We started with a brief stop at Handara Gate before making our way to the famous lake temple of Ulun Danu Bratan. Afterwards we hiked through the rice terraces at Jatiluwih and finished our day…
-
Jatiluwih Rice Terrace: Bali’s UNESCO World Heritage Site
Jatiluwih Rice Terrace, located in Bali, Indonesia is a breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its vibrant green rice patties, beautiful natural setting, and traditional Balinese rice cultivation. Situated in a beautiful valley area surrounded by hills, Jatiluwih Rice Terrace stretches across 600 hectares. Jatiluwih is one of Bali’s hidden gems but it is quickly becoming a must-visit destination in Bali for travelers. By visiting Jatiluwih, visitors can walk the many trails within the rice fields, sample local fruits, and learn more about rice cultivation and Bali’s history. **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or banners throughout the page, whether it be…
-
Visiting Ubud’s Sacred Monkey Forest: All You Need to Know
Ubud Monkey Forest is a sanctuary nestled in Ubud, Bali’s cultural hub. Home to over 1,000 Balinese Long Tailed Macaques, this Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Bali. Ubud’s Monkey Forest is a must-visit nature escape in Bali that is perfect for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Besides the curious, cute, and sometimes terrifying monkeys here, there are ancient temples, stunning trees, and a beautiful bridge that extends over the parks river. This post details all you need to know about visiting the monkey forest in Ubud from the entrance fees to monkey characteristics and so much more. **This post contains affiliate links.…
-
Visiting Kouri Island: A Must Visit Destination in Okinawa
This is post 17 of 18 in the series “Discover Okinawa” Discover Okinawa is a series of posts that has everything to do with all things Okinawa. Join us on our journey as we bike around islands, explore Okinawa’s wildlife, eat amazing food, and everything in between! Visiting Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium: From Coral Reefs to Whale Sharks Okinawa Battle Sites Tour Day Trip To Cape Hedo, Okinawa Zamami Island, Okinawa Hiji Falls Hike, Okinawa Tsuken Island Okinawa, aka “Carrot Island” Iriomote Island, Japan – Beaches, Jungles, and Wild Cats Okinawa World Heritage Sites Indiana Jones Trail, Okinawa Exploring Ie Shima, Okinawa Tunnel Rats, Exploring Okinawa’s WWII Caves Okinawa Night Hike,…
-
Hiraizumi: Visiting its Historic Monuments and Sites
Hiraizumi – Temples, Gardens, and Archaeological Sites Representing the Buddhist Pure Land, is the official name given to five historic sites in Hiraizumi, by UNESCO. Hiraizumi is a town located in Japan’s Iwate Prefecture. Hiraizumi is home to five sites that have been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During the 11th and 12th centuries, Hiraizumi was a cultural and political center among practicing Buddhists. Today, visitors can see the Historic Monuments and Sites of Hiraizumi by visiting Chuson-ji, Motsu-ji, Kanjizaio-in Ato, Muryoko-in Ato, Mt. Kinkeisan, and the historic and unique temple of Takkoku-no-Iwaya. **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or banners…
-
Exploring Sendai: Top Things to See and Do
Located in northeastern Japan, Sendai is an evolving city with a nice blend of historical attractions and modern features. Being the largest city in the Japanese region of Tohoku, there are countless things to see and do in Sendai that cater to all types of visitors from exploring temples and castle ruins to shopping and dining. Whether you are looking for things to do in Sendai at night, in winter, or just on a quick visit, this guide to Sendai has some of the top activities and attractions that are a must when visiting Sendai. **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or banners…
-
A Day in Aizuwakamatsu: Exploring Castles, Temples, and Gardens
Aizuwakamatsu, a city located near Lake Inawashiro in Fukushima Prefecture, is an underrated city in Japan that no one talks about. Aizuwakamatsu has a rich samurai culture and history that is sure to peak the interest of any visitor. Aizuwakamatsu offers plenty of attractions to include the stunning Tsuruga Castle, beautiful Oyakuen Garden, and unique Sazaedo Temple. A day in Aizuwakamatsu offers enough time to see these magnificent sites, grab lunch, and discover more of the surrounding area. **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or banners throughout the page, whether it be TripAdvisor, Booking.com. Agoda.com, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission…
-
Hiking to Risshaku-ji: Yamagata’s Yamadera Temple
Risshaku-ji, more commonly known as Yamadera Temple or Japan’s “Mountain Temple,” is a scenic Buddhist temple located in the the beautiful mountains of Yamagata Prefecture. With a history dating back over a thousand years, Yamadera Temple remains a popular destination for pilgrims and is quite popular among tourists due to the breathtaking views, scenic hike, and ancient temples. With more then 1,000 stone steps to reach Risshaku-ji, hiking to Yamadera Temple is no easy task but the reward is worth every step, trust me the views are worth it! **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or banners throughout the page, whether it be…
-
Tokyo Tower vs Tokyo Skytree: Which is Right for You?
Tokyo, Japan’s capital city is known as the largest city by metropolitan area. Tokyo is also known for iconic landmarks and its impressive skyline. Dominating Tokyo’s skyline are two iconic structures, Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree. As these two towers compete for attention many visitors are torn between deciding whether to visit Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Skytree, or both. I recently visited the observation decks for both the Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree and had a completely different experience at each attraction. In this post, I’ll dive into my experience and thoughts of visiting each tower and compare and contrast Tokyo Tower vs Tokyo Skytree, so you can decide which attraction…
