The third installment of my Islands of Japan series! I'm an island girl at heart, so this country is perfect for me to explore all the islands that make up Japan (did you know there are 6,852 of them? I've got my work cut out for me).We visited Ogijima after spending the morning on Megijima. Just a short 20 minute ferry ride away, Ogijima has a similar yet different vibe than Megijima. It's much smaller, and the community seemed more traditional than Megijima, whose main focus seemed to be ...
Life
Month 52 Roundup – November 2016
I've been in Japan for four months now, and I'm definitely starting to hit my groove. Things are sailing along in my classes and the teachers and students seem to like me, so that's good! I'm now a pro at the grocery store, the self-serve gas station and ordering at restaurants. I am still a small disaster at the post office, full-serve gas stations, and I haven't even bothered to try going to a doctor or dentist. (Baby steps!)I feel like I've had a luxurious time here, but I think a lot of ...
Islands of Japan: Megijima
The latest in the Islands of Japan series!Right now, I'm all about exploring my corner of Japan. The island that I live on, Shikoku, is big enough to have lots of geographic variety but small enough to visit different places on day trips or a weekend trip if I wanted to go all the way to the other end. I'm trying to save all my vacation days for next summer - they kinda frown on us taking days off while school is in session so I'm saving them up to take a month-long trip next August - so I'm ...
Langkawi: Sail, Parasail, Lose Yourself in Paradise
Langkawi: Sail, Parasail, Lose Yourself in ParadiseHere’s a challenge. Name a renowned sailing destination that isn’t beautiful. Name a destination where the food is terrible, the people are unfriendly, and the beaches are dull. Having trouble? Yeah, well that’s because sailing is fantastic and yacht charters take you to some of the most incredible places in the world; steer your own vessel on a bareboat charter and you might even see some wonders that only a handful of others have ever laid ...
Enjoy London’s December Event Line-up at a Luxury Apartment
London’s December Event Line-upThe holidays are right around the corner and that means vacation time. You’ve spent the past few months working your tail off and now it’s time to make the most out of your free time. The only question that remains is where to go? Considering the grand spectacles that will be taking place for the New Year, why not head to the capital? Warm yourself up with the lights and festive ethos of London this winter vacation.Royal Living One of the best things about ...
Islands of Japan: Miyajima
After a couple months of having to spend all my extra money on furniture and my car, I was finally able to do a little traveling around Japan and start to explore all the amazing places this country has to offer. This is the first in my series exploring Japan's islands.First stop: Miyajima Island in Hiroshima Prefecture!(Fun fact - Miyajima just means 'shrine island' and the island is referred to as that because of the famous giant orange torii gate located there. It's a UNESCO World ...
Dreaming of Indonesia
One of the next big trips I'll be taking in 2017 is to Indonesia! I've been waiting and waiting to visit this country, and now that I'm finally living in a close area of the world, I'm going to go.Indonesia is such a varied country, so it's tricky to choose where to go - I want to see all of it! Scuba diving in Nusa Lembongan and Labuan Bajo, enjoying chill beach life in the Gili islands, embracing my yogi side in Ubud... Indonesia has so much to offer for all kinds of travelers.By ...
Annapolis Bay Sailing Charters: Discover the Chesapeake
The Rise, Fall, and Rise of the Blue Crab The blue crab is the creature perhaps most associated with the Chesapeake Bay. It’s everywhere, from menus to signs to waterways to, in the end, our plates. Its life in the bay has been anything but easy, but thanks to the efforts of many people and organizations, the blue crab’s future seems brighter than it once did. Summer visitors to the area spend much of their time on the water – a yacht charter from Annapolis Bay is a spectacular way to explore ...
You Shook Me All Night Long
One thing I kind of forgot about when I got all excited about moving to Japan was earthquakes.Japan has A LOT of earthquakes. Actually, 6% of all the earthquakes in the whole damn world happen here. We get about 1500 a year.Our disaster preparation seminar at orientation was comprised of 30 minutes of showing footage from the 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster, a short remembrance of a JET Programme participant who died in the disaster, and a card to put in our wallets with emergency info ...
Charter a Bareboat to Witness Renowned Caribbean Carnivals
Experience Island Life by Taking in a Caribbean FestivalMost people who visit the Caribbean only ever get acquainted with its extensive beaches and pristine water. But once you travel inland a-ways you open yourself up to a whole new side of the Caribbean. Islanders are a product of their environment, meaning that they’re full of mirth and never turn down an opportunity to party. To experience the people of the Caribbean at the height of their celebrations, head south via your ...