Kōraku-en is gorgeous Japanese garden located near Okayama Castle in Okayama City, Japan. It is considered one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens, alongside Kenroku-en in Kanazawa and Kairaku-en in Mito. It is a place where visitors can enjoy the timeless beauty of traditional Japanese garden design, offering a very peaceful retreat near the heart of Okayama. Kōraku-en Okayama was designed during the Edo period and was originally a place for the lords of the domain to relax and entertain guests. The gardens have a beautiful, expansive landscape with ponds, walking paths, rolling hills,carefully designed plantings,…
Exploring Okayama’s Crow Castle: A Journey Through Time and Culture
While in Okayama, a visit to its castle was a must. The castle’s exterior, made of wooden panels painted with black lacquer, earned it the nickname “Crow Castle.” Built in 1597, it survived centuries of history before being taken over by the Ministry of War in 1869, when many of its structures were dismantled and the moats filled in as part of modernisation efforts. In 1945, during World War II, it was heavily damaged by Allied air raids, and restoration followed in 1966. The historic six-level structure narrows as it rises, with each level featuring…
Exploring Wales/Cymru: A Journey Through all its Amazing Heritage Railways
When I was a young teen, I read an article about the preserved railways of Wales, and it sparked a lifelong fascination. Since then, I’ve been determined to visit every heritage railway in the country—a goal I’ve steadily worked on. Here are the Welsh heritage railways and how you can ride them. See the table after this article for a complete summary list of them. Aberystwyth Cliff RailwayI’ve always been fascinated by this 237mt (778ft) railway, one of the longest funicular railways in the UK. When I arrived in Aberystwyth, I ran to see this…
A Very Modern Map of Britain’s Ancient Roman Roads – Atlas Obscura
Let’s take the VII from Londinium to Letocetum. Source: A Very Modern Map of Britain’s Ancient Roman Roads – Atlas Obscura
Thirty Three Years On: A Rediscovery of San Salvador
Background I first arrived in San Salvador in 1991 as a humanitarian during the civil war. San Salvador served as a centre for Spain until its independence in 1821. Its history has endured many challenges, including devastating earthquakes, political upheaval, and periods of intense violence. Amidst the visible conflict, I fell in love with this crazy capital. The war pitted the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN) against the government and military forces. Horrific human rights abuses and civilian disappearances characterised this war. I narrowly escaped my death in this city, a chilling reminder of…
No More Currency Confusion: The iPhone Calculator Hack I Love
My life is spent juggling currencies. I have clients who pay me in four currencies, I bank in two, and I spend money in 22 currencies. I can do many transactions in my head, but I’m always frustrated by existing currency app options. Changes- and that’s where my iPhone has become a lifesaver. With Apple’s latest iOS 18 update, the Calculator app had a built-in currency converter! Now that I have started using it, I can’t imagine managing currency conversions any other way. How to enable Currency Conversion on the iPhone Calculator You can use…
Exploring Yala, Thailand’s Least-Visited City
Thailand is renowned for its well-organised tourism industry, offering diverse options from backpacker hostels to luxury resorts. The country attracts visitors with its rich culture, friendly locals, stunning beaches, lush forests, and numerous adventure activities. In 2024, Thailand welcomed approximately 36 million foreign tourists. However, most visit a select few of the country’s 77 provinces. Four provinces get the lion’s share of overseas guests: Bangkok, Phuket, Chonburi (Pattaya), and Chiang Mai. I have been to 45 of the 77 now and can attest that many receive very few overseas tourists and feel much more isolated.…
Mind-blowing Experience on Thailand’s most Perilous Rail Route
I have always had a passion for trains and train travel. Over the years, I’ve ridden trains in 76 of the 90 countries I’ve visited, from Finland to Morocco to the USA, Chile, and New Zealand. A few years ago, I made it my mission to ride every rail line in Thailand, leading to incredible adventures—from bustling Bangkok to cities like Chiang Mai, and serene rural stations. However, the southernmost railway line had eluded me for a long time. This line connects the border town of Sungai Kolok to one of the most isolated cities…
Crossing a Border Few Dare to Walk—What Happened Next
“Bpai nai krub?” The immigration officer asked robotically as I handed over my passport. (Where are you going?) “Klap bahn krub,” I replied. “Bpai tee Krung Thep.” (I am going home, sir. To Bangkok.) My accent, coupled with my Australian passport, caught his attention. He looked up at me, momentarily surprised. Clearly, I was an anomaly—utterly different from the usual processing of Thai and Malaysian passports or border passes. I was the only non-Thai or non-Malay in the immigration hall. “Klap bahn, bpai tee Krung Thep?” he repeated, flipping through my passport.“Yes,” I confirmed in…
Malaysia’s Jungle Railway: From the Heart of the Country to the Sea
The Jungle Line (Malaysian East Coast Railway) was one of the most stunning and enjoyable train rides ever! Time flew by, and I got off the train feeling like I had completed an adventure. Summary Yesterday, I outlined how to ride Malaysia’s rail system. The country has two main rail corridors, in addition to the rail network around Kuala Lumpur.The first, the West Coast railway (red line), connects most major Malaysian cities along the country’s western side. The other is the far less busy, much more remote “East Coast Railway” (blue line), which connects the…
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