Life is a patchwork of experiences
Mount Mitake National Park is not far from the hustle and bustle of central Tokyo, but with its peaceful setting, it feels a world away. I enjoyed a Tokyo day trip for a Mount Mitake hike and discovered that in Japan nature and religion come together on top of a mountain.
Mount Mitake in Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park was a green and peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of nearby Tokyo. Only 90 minutes away, it was easily accessible and provided a non touristy cultural experience as I hiked with the locals past shrines, waterfalls, and a natural moss covered rock garden.
Continue reading “A Day Trip From Tokyo For a Mount Mitake Hike – Where Nature and Religion Meet”
I’ve been to Miyajima, Japan twice in the last few years and am sharing my experiences on how I spent one day in Miyajima.
Miyajima, Japan is most famous for the photos of its floating torii gate. But this lovely little island offers up lots of gorgeous scenery, both man made and natural. I visited Miyajima twice on recent trips to Japan and this is how I spent my day on Miyajima exploring its photogenic treasures.
Continue reading “A Visit to Japan’s Most Sacred Island – One Day In Miyajima”
A visit to the Hiroshima Memorial Peace Park should be on all Japan travel itineraries. I’ve been fortunate in that I had the opportunity to visit twice, most recently during my small ship cruise with Heritage Expeditions.
The original version of this story was recognized with an Honorable Mention in the 2018 North American Travel Journalists Association Competition in the Historical Travel-Online category.
As a teenager, I learned about the devastating effects of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. On my visits to the Hiroshima Memorial Peace Park as an adult many years later, I encountered present day Japanese teenagers learning their history in this living classroom for peace.
Continue reading “My Visit To The Hiroshima Memorial Peace Park – A Continuing Classroom for Peace”
After four trips to Japan, these are some of my favorite unique Japanese experiences and photos from one of my favorite destinations.
Japan is one of my favorite travel destinations. I’ve visited four times in the last few years and could easily go back again and again. The unique mix of east and west in this culturally rich country continues to fascinate me.
I am happy to be recognized with four more NATJA awards (North American Travel Journalists Association) for my photography for the seventh year in a row.
Thank you NATJA.
My annual recap after an incredible year of travel all over the globe.
“….changes in latitude, changes in attitude….”
This was certainly a year for the record books for me as I travelled across latitudes from the Antarctic all the way up to the Arctic. I can’t believe how many bucket list trips I was fortunate to indulge in. I have become very spoiled by all my travels this year, and I am very appreciative of the many opportunities I’ve had to see so many special places around the world.
As a huge Harry Potter fan, visiting Hogwarts in the Snow at the Warner Brothers Studios in London was magical. This is my Harry Potter Studio Tour review with lots and lots of photos and tips for experiencing this magical place.
Some days I wish I had a magic wand. Or that I also had received a letter on my eleventh birthday saying I was accepted into the Hogwarts School of Wizarding and Witchcraft. Of course the Sorting Hat would put me in the Gryffindor house and I also would have a beautiful white owl as my companion. For one day, I was able to be part of this magical world during my Wizarding World of Harry Potter London experience.
I am thrilled to have received two Lowell Thomas awards this year from the SATW (Society of American Travel Writers) Foundation. This is THE premier competition in North America for Travel Journalism.
Continue reading “2 SATW Foundation Lowell Thomas Awards for Quiltripping and Rose Palmer”
Once again, IFWTWA has honored me with five awards in their 2023 photography contest.
As I toured the land of fire and ice, I discovered a wide variety of of beautiful churches in Iceland. In this photo essay, I share images of the many different church designs I saw during my travels.
During my visits to Iceland, I became infatuated (obsessed?) with looking for and photographing the many unique churches that I came across as I traveled around the land of fire and ice.
Continue reading “Discovering the Many Beautiful Churches in Iceland – A Photo Journey”
