Catedral de San Ildefonso or the Catedral de Merida is a beautiful Cathedral on the East side of the Plaza Principal de Merida. We had walked by the cathedral several times, but it had been closed – it’s open in the mornings until mid-afternoon. I was determined to go inside. We saw the cathedral's front …
Entering Hokkaido – Japan’s Northern Island
Hakodate to Kuromatsunai to Otaru I am always anxious when I go back to a place I lived. I worry that over the years, I've remembered and polished memories so often that subsequent visits can't possibly compete. I fear that the people who I knew won't remember me or remember me fondly. You see, our memories …
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A Tale of Two Cities
Hiroshima truly is a tale of two cities. The Hiroshima we visited was a beautiful, modern, vibrant city full of life and energy. There is, however, another Hiroshima-- the city that was and might have been. No number of parks, pretty streets, or beautiful buildings will entirely change this for me-- the spectre of war, …
Kyoto, Japan… More Temples? Yes, please!
30 years ago, after I 'blew off' Osaka, I went straight to Kyoto. I remember it was a rainy April night when I arrived at the youth hostel pulling a suitcase and a carrying a large backpack (I planned to stay for a year). Upon checking in, I realized that I left my camera bag …
Osaka, Do We Deserve a Second Chance?
Oh, Japan, how I've missed you. Okay, I need to preface this trip to Osaka. Osaka and I attempted a relationship many years ago. It was mid April in 1988 or '89 and I'd just flown into Osaka International Airport from Hong Kong. I remember peering out the window of the airplane into the darkness …
If We had One More Day in Taiwan…
We were in Taiwan for only four days, and frankly, it wasn't long enough-- if I had another day, I would have visited Tainan City and visited the port of Kaohsiung City if my schedule allowed six days. Next time in Taipei I'd like to visit the National Taiwan Museum and National Museum of History …
Keelung to Taipei- Chemistry Class Coffee and 60 minute Dumplings
It was a sunny day in Keelung-- the first we had in Taiwan-- Typhoon Tamri, after all that suspense, left it's perch off North East Taiwan and headed towards Japan over night. I was hoping it wouldn't cause any damage as it careened across Okinawa and Southern Japan and hoping our flight to Kansai International …
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Jiufen, Taiwan – ‘Spirited Away’ Tea House and much more
'Let's hike up Mount Keelung' he said... 'it will be fun' he said... 'it will be easy even with our backpacks' he said... Ok, thanks son-- good call. That was one nasty hill. I mean, 685 meters, much of it straight up. I switched between humming 'Stairway to Heaven' and 'Highway to Hell'. It certainly …
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Taipei, Taiwan – Historical Site Homage and Jumping Puddles…
Our Second day in Taipei was the day I put aside to see some of the important historical locations in Taipei-- monuments, museums and temples defining the birth of modern day Taiwan. In the mid-1990's I graduated from the University of Victoria with a double major in Japanese and English, and a minor in Pacific …
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Taipei, Taiwan- First Night Market
After a long 12 hour flight from Vancouver-- made better by being in a swank new Air Canada Boeing 787 Dreamliner-- we are here-- our first day in Taipei! Our day started at the Nanaimo International airport-- the best little airport ever-- a quick check in, quick security, and a quick flight over to YVR. …
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