Have you ever heard of “beginner’s luck”?  It is a common belief that those who gamble for the first time would always be extra lucky on their first bet.  I have no idea if this is true but I guess there is no harm in believing.  This is why I have made a conscious effort [...]

For thousands of years the seaport at Kobe has been a major epicenter, regulating trade between Japan and China, Okinawa, and several other countries. Kobe, at one point over 8 centuries ago, once even served as the capital of Japan.
Because of the major port, Kobe was usually amongst the first areas in Japan to be [...]

Okinawa Prefecture is Japan’s southernmost prefecture and is comprised of hundreds of islands that stretch beyond 1,000 kilometers from the main island Kyushu to Taiwan. The islands are divided into three main groups: Yaeyama, Miyako, and Okinawa. What most people know about Okinawa is that it is the site of the terrible battle during World [...]

Have you ever watched the Amazing Race?  Well, I’ve watched the show a couple of times and chanced upon the show’s stopover in dazzling Macau.  Interestingly, the challenge usually revolves around the impressive Macau Tower, one of the observation decks in Asia. While watching those episodes on the television, I’ve always wondered when I’ll get [...]

Thailand is a country full of culture and diversity, but what most people don’t realize is that pride in one’s culture often means celebration – and that’s exactly what the residents of Isan in Thailand love to do. Not only do they have a hopping night life, but they throw festivals celebrating various events almost [...]

Osaka once served as Japan’s capital back in the 9th century when it was called Naniwa. If Edo was the military center of the country and Kyoto was home to the imperial court, then Osaka became “The Nation’s Kitchen”, serving as the distribution point for rice, Japan’s most important commodity and the primary measurement of [...]

Travelers have different objectives when they travel.  Itineraries will always be different and people would have different preferences:  a) mode of transportation – by air or by land  b) level of luxury – first class, business class or
economy class c) food choices –  conventional or exotic d) type of activities – slow paced or extreme [...]

Singapore River was important to the former British colony from the very beginning, when it served as a trade route to the inner parts of the island. By the late 20th century, it became polluted, and efforts were made to clean up the waters. Today, the river has given up its value in trade to [...]

Esala Perahera is one of Asia’s most spectacular festivals, with all the colors and dressings of Mardi Gras but without the drinking and sex. Held for 10 days during late summer’s full moon (around July to August), this Sri Lankan Buddhist tradition attracts a major portion of Sri Lanka’s population to the lakeside capital of [...]

Prague from 12.50 PP, Amsterdam from 20 PP, and Paris from 28.75 PP.