It’s been a great trip. But all trips must come to an end, and this one is no exception. We woke up around 7:00 and got ourselves organized for the day and the long journey home. We had one stop, like on the way here as we were going from Tokyo to Seoul, then from Seoul to Vancouver.
Read MoreA Last Day in Kyoto, then Back to Tokyo
A final half-day in Kyoto included a pre-dawn climb up Fushimi Inari Taisha's iconic torii gates and a visit to Uji's spectacular Byodo-in temple. After a fun chat with local scouts, it was time for a final matcha, then a ride on the Shinkansen back to Tokyo for a last ramen before heading to the airport.
Read MoreA Trio of Temples on Our Last Full Day in Kyoto
To beat the crowds, we started at the quiet Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple, filled with unique statues. After enjoying the serene memorial statues at Adashino Nenbutsuji and a mini bamboo grove, we sampled delicious Wagyu beef for lunch. We then braved the insane crowds at the beautiful Kinkaku-ji before retreating. Our final night included shopping for luggage and a superb shabu-shabu Wagyu dinner.
Read MoreExploring Kyoto
Our first full day in Kyoto started early at Kiyomizu Temple, beautiful despite the crowds. We explored the traditional streets before visiting Nanzen-ji Temple, which featured an impressive aqueduct. We then strolled the busy Philosopher's Path. After street food at Nishiki Market, the evening was spent exploring Gion, capped by sushi and a few stops at local craft beer & whiskey bars.
Read MoreA Last Glorious Day in Kamikochi
A relaxed last day in Kamikochi after two huge hikes! We enjoyed the best weather of the trip, with clear views of the Hokta Range and Mt. Yakedake. After a final French toast breakfast, we explored the north path, spotting a rare Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker. The highlight was encountering a troop of macaques near the village center. A slice of apple pie later, we boarded the bus to Kyoto.
Read MoreOff to Kamikochi
Today we made our way from Tokyo to Kamikochi in the Japanese Alps. It was a 5-hour bus ride that took us from the urban chaos of Tokyo to what may well be one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen.
Read MoreOne Last Day in Tokyo (for a While)
Our last Tokyo day mixed rain-kissed city views from the Government Building with bohemian vibes in Shimokitazawa and Akihabara's electronic allure. We navigated massive crowds at stores, savored ramen, and indulged in fish-shaped treats before a memorable yakitori dinner in Omoide Yokocho and a perfect Japanese whiskey experience, capping off an unforgettable week.
Read MoreOur Trip to Japan!
The first post (of many) on our two-week Japan adventure! Follow our long journey from Vancouver to Tokyo, including a stop in Seoul. An easy Narita airport arrival, and the first impressions of a high-rise hotel near the massive Tokyo Station. After 17 hours of travel, it's straight to bed for a 4:15 AM start—the world-famous Tuna Auction awaits! Get ready for Tokyo, Kamikochi, and Kyoto.
Read MoreA Weekend in Halifax
After the excitement of graduation day, we still had a couple of days to explore Halifax before we were heading out of the city. We had Saturday with the Harrisons and then Sunday we were meeting Mitchell to explore the Citadel. The weather was not looking promising, but we’d make the best of it and see as much as we could!
Read MoreA Quick Trip to North Carolina
The week after getting home from India I needed to turn around and go to North Carolina for a meeting with a Partner and a Customer. There isn’t a lot to this post, but mostly it’s about me fincally making ti to Duke University to see the campus.
Read More