-
Best Things to do in Ise, Japan
Ise is not really on anyone’s radar when visiting the country of Japan. Ise is isolated and does take some effort and planning to get to. With all of the other beautiful towns throughout Japan, why should visitors go to Ise? Simple, Ise is home to the most sacred Shinto Shrines in all of Japan. The Ise Grand Shrine consists…
-
Train Travel in Japan – General Information and Tips
Train travel in Japan🚊🇯🇵 is perhaps the best way to explore this beautiful country. Japan is well connected by rail and traveling by train in Japan is relatively stress free. The Shinkansen or “Bullet Train” is regarded as one of the world’s fastest trains and is a remarkable experience. There are many other modes of train transportation throughout Japan that…
-
5 Lesser-Known Temples in Kyoto
Kyoto is one of Japan’s most beautiful cities. Kyoto is historical, cultural, and the most popular city to visit within Japan after Tokyo. But what makes Kyoto so popular amongst the tourists both within and beyond Japan? Is it the food? The nature? Or the temples and historical buildings such as Nijo Castle and Kyoto Imperial Palace. My guess is…
-
Visiting Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama
If you are interested in seeing the Japanese Macaques but don’t have the time to wander around the wilderness looking for them, then I’d recommend visiting Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama in Kyoto. Everyone is familiar with the famous snow monkeys soaking it up in the hot springs in Nagano Prefecture. But visiting the snow monkeys there can be time consuming and…
-
Visiting the Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area
Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area is a name given to Japan’s first World Cultural Heritage Site. These sites were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. The Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area consists of several temples and sites at Horyu-ji and Hokki-ji in the town of Ikaruga in Nara Prefecture. Some of the buildings and structures…
-
Places to Visit in Wiesbaden, Germany – My Hometown
Wiesbaden, Germany is very dear to me. Not because I love the Marktplatz and Marktkirche or the many parks and restaurants. But I was born here and have fond memories of this beautiful city. With obvious reasons, I don’t remember much of Wiesbaden in my younger years but I’ve traveled to Wiesbaden many times growing up and in recent years.…
-
Oldenburg, Germany – How we Spent a Day Here
Oldenburg is a German city located in the state of Lower Saxony. Less then an hours drive from Bremen, Oldenburg is about half way between Bremen and the Dutch border. Oldenburg has a rich history, with evidence of activity in the area from the 8th century. Oldenburg at one point was a Duchy, Grand Duchy, and Free State. Today, visitors can…
-
Laowa Lens Review – 60mm f/2.8 2X Ultra-Macro
I am fairly new to macro photography 📷 and never expected to write a Laowa Lens Review. I’ve always enjoyed macro photography but have never had the proper equipment to create those beautiful images seen online. You know, those images of tiny insects with water droplets covering their eyes or the picture perfect mushrooms in the forest. I wanted to…
-
Places to Visit Around the North Sea Region of Germany
Moin! There are no Alps, medieval castles, or gigantic gothic churches here. In fact, The North Sea region of Germany feels more Dutch then German. The landscape is flat, fairly wooded, but agriculture and wind turbines dominate the landscape in this area of Germany 🇩🇪 . Visiting coastal areas and port towns in the North Sea region actually feel more Nordic then…
-
Visiting Jever, Germany: Known for Beer and Tea
Jever is the capital of Friesland in Lower Saxony and is not well known outside of Germany. In fact, most Germans only know Jever because of the Jever Pilsener that is produced here and sold throughout the country. Don’t worry, if visiting Jever, there is much more to do and see here then just drink beer. Jever has a lot…
