Two Years Off Photos from a backpacking journey around the world
Archive for November, 2012
Off The Beaten Path In Shikoku
Often forgotten by most tourists, we ended our Japan stay on the smaller island of Shikoku, exploring the city of Takamatsu and nearby Iya Valley.
A Nature Lover’s Paradise: Hokkaido
Undoubtedly the reason we returned to Japan was to experience the massive wilderness and natural beauty of Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido.
Mainland Japan: Tokyo & Nara
Moving on to the island of Honshu in Japan, we met up with Kevin’s Mom who joined us for 3 weeks, starting in lively Tokyo and also exploring the historic city of Nara.
Into The Bush: Papua, West New Guinea
Over 3,500km away from Jakarta, we ventured by propeller plane deep into the Baliem Valley of Papua to experience tribal life with the remote Dani & Lani people.
Indonesian Java: Jakarta & Yogyakarta
Venturing into the Indonesian island of Java, we spent time in chaotic Jakarta before settling down afterwards in historic Yogyakarta.
A Fortnight in Korea: Seoul & Sokcho
After roughing it in Mongolia, we slowed down & relaxed in South Korea, splitting our time between the bustling capital Seoul and the laid-back, seaside town of Sokcho.
Mongolian Naadam Festival
Naadam is a traditional Mongolian festival consisting of wrestling, horse racing and archery. While the largest annual naadam is held in July in Ulaanbaatar, we were lucky to have participated in a smaller, local naadam!
Weeklong Trek Thru The Gobi Desert
We hired a translator/guide and 4X4 to off-road over 900 miles, trekking & camping along the way for a week through Altai Mountains and the massive Gobi Desert.
Mongolian Blue Sky: Nomadic Life
Out of the dusty city, we ventured into the open spaces of Mongolia to experience nomadic life and discovered why the country is called “land of the blue sky.”
Mongol Days: Ulaanbaatar & Terelj
Aboard the scenic 14-hour journey on the Trans-Siberian Railway, we crossed the border into Mongolia, where we stayed in Ulaanbaatar and explored Terelj National Park.
High Up in Shangri-La
High up in the mountains at 12,000 feet elevation, the mystical city of Shangri-La sits at the heart of Dêqên Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture.
Along The Yunnan Trail: Lijiang
Onward by train into Yunnan province, we arrived in Lijiang, a small town known for its traditional tea houses, stone-lined canals, street food and natural beauty.
Western China: Xi’an and Chengdu
Heading westward, we spent a week exploring the wonders of Xi’an, home of the Terracotta army, and Chengdu, the heart of Sichuan province.
Tracing Roots in Canton: Guangzhou
From the Chinese border crossing at Zhuhai, we arrived in the metropolis of Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province and ancestral home of Kevin’s grandfather.
High-Rolling in Macau
A short flight from Taiwan, we spent a few sleepless nights gambling and exploring the former Portuguese colony-turn-Chinese tourism mecca of Macau.
Dragon Boat Festival in Taiwan
Coinciding with one of Asia’s biggest annual festivals, we spent a few weeks exploring Taiwan, including bustling Taipei and quietly pleasant Hualien.
The Ancient Buddhist City of Bagan
The ancient capital of the Kingdom of Pagan during the 9th century, Bagan today is a sleepy rural town that is home to a massive archaeological park.
Discovering Myanmar (Burma)
With all the recent socio-political changes in Myanmar, we arrived eagerly in Yangon & Mandalay, quietly busting in one of the world’s most isolated countries.
Adventures in the Cameron Highlands
We journeyed through tea plantations, bee farms and leech-infested jungles of the Cameron Highlands in search of the elusive rafflesia–the world’s largest flower.
Sarawak and Malaysian Borneo
Across the sea, located on the island of Borneo, is Sarawak: a Malaysian state with 40+ ethnic groups and a distinct culture versus its peninsular counterparts.
City Life on the Malaysian Peninsula
Malaysia offered a very pleasant mix of cultures, religions, delicious cuisine, as well as tons of places to explore from beautiful beaches to bustling food stalls.