Here comes March. The days have started getting longer, yet it is still a tad breezy and rainy. You wonder if it is even spring, as season changes are typically not obvious in most parts of California. At least not until you see the hills—no longer a drab of yellow, but a carpet of lush … Continue reading Del Valle: Rolling in the greens
Nothing is more Kyoto-esque than strolling along the streets of Gion and Higashiyama, the historic districts in Kyoto featuring well-preserved wooden buildings dating back to the feudal era of Japan. The streets here exude a unique charm, where one can easily get lost for a few hours at each turn around the corner just to … Continue reading Gion and Higashiyama: Those timeliness streets
Fresh blossoms and rolling hills flaunt a refreshing color palette at this time of year. Inspirations abound, especially for shutterbugs like me. With sunny days being a scarcity in recent months, a little break from the rain became that perfect window of opportunity to venture out and enjoy the great outdoors. I’m glad that I … Continue reading Blossoms, in-between the unrelenting rain
Literally translated as “Storm Mountain”, the name Arashiyama is inspired by the wind that blows down Mount Atago and sweeps away cherry blossoms and maple leaves in the region. A trip to Arashiyama, however, involves less turbulence but more tranquility. In fact, it is such an idyllic getaway that in just 30 minutes’ time, you … Continue reading Arashiyama: A meditative escape
On the foothills of Mount Otowa stands a magnificent wooden structure overlooking the city of Kyoto. This wooden structure, perched over 13 meters high from its foundation and supported by wooden pillars over 400 years old, was built solely from interlocking wooden joints without a single piece of nail. The large veranda on the front … Continue reading Kiyomizu-dera: A perfect vantage point
A golden silhouette reflected on the still water, against the backdrop of lush greenery—the image is simple, yet peacefully zen. This is the world-renowned Kinkaku-ji, or “Golden Pavilion”, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in northwestern Kyoto. Officially named Rokuon-ji, the structure used to be the retirement residence for the military leader Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. After his … Continue reading Kinkaku-ji: All that glitters is indeed, gold
Torii gates are a common feature at the entrance of Shinto shrines in Japan, symbolizing passage into the sacred ground. When these vermilion gates line up in thousands, they also embody wishes for prosperity and success, each representing a donation with the donor’s name inscribed on the back. This is the torii-studded pathway at Fushimi … Continue reading Fushimi Inari Taisha: A vermilion tunnel
Buildings with rustic brick walls are a rare find nowadays, especially in a concrete jungle like Taipei. This is why Bopiliao, a block of historic buildings dating back to the Qing era, is such a hidden gem. At the height of its day, this area used to be a commercial trading center given its proximity … Continue reading Bopiliao Old Street: When time stands still
When residents of Eucalyptus Ave in San Carlos put up holiday lights each December, they mean business. The result? This might be one of the most over-the-top Christmas displays you will ever see. First started by the Liner Family as a holiday tradition, the dazzling lights and festive decorations are now an annual community affair. … Continue reading Eucalyptus Ave: Holiday lights, uninterrupted!
You are surrounded by glistening white sands against the clear blue sky, but there is no ocean in sight. You see footprints on the wave-like sand dunes, even though you cannot seem to find visible traces of life. You can touch the baby-powder-like sands beneath your feet, yet everything feels surreal at the same time. … Continue reading White Sands National Park: A sand-capped purity
Promise and despair—these are not uncommon themes throughout California’s history and the establishment of Spanish missions across the state. Of the 21 missions founded from San Diego to Sonoma, perhaps no other mission stands witness to such intricate tales better than Carmel Mission. At the height of its time, the mission once served as headquarters … Continue reading Carmel Mission: An enterprising quest
Do not let its quirky name nor heavy masonry exterior walls deceive you. Upon entering the lobby, you will find a stark contrast in the interior: a well-lit atrium interwoven with cast iron framing, glass skylight, and moorish-inspired marble patterns. Even on an overcast day, the world just brightens up with the amount of natural … Continue reading The Rookery: Under the glass skylight
