one hour trip from kyoto by train. we visited the city of nara with its huge temple, the tallest buddha statue in japan, and its lovely tame deer which roam freely in town and in its parks.... read more

a day trip to kamakura from tokyo. we travelled by train, about one hour. then a long pleasant walk from kita kamakura station to see temples and shrines.... read more

we really loved to stay in Jimbocho, which is conveniently close to the imperial palace, 15 minutes walking. we stayed at sakura hotel, which is more like a hostel than a hotel, rooms are clean and common bathrooms and showers are immaculated as you would expect in Japan. staff is friendly and helpful. location perfect. 100 m from underground station and from cheap restaurants, eateries and shops. we moved around by the incredible system of trains and underground, easy to navigate. we visited major sights such as shintoist shrines and buddhist temples in asakusa and of course the modern city of Jimbocho. don't miss the free admission on tokyo metropolitan government office and the great views from the observation floor. we were lucky and saw the fuji covered with snow.... read more

after one night at the squalid Kencana Lodge in kota Bahru we went by car to kuala besut to boat to the beautiful island of perhentian besar. after a few days we moved to kecil.... read more

at sunset the sky of the city of sibu swarmed of thousands of swallows. we travelled by boat for about three hours upstream the river Rejang to the village of Kapit surrounded by the forest. we stayed only two nights in the village and then moved to a longhouse about two hours deep in the jungle. we were guest of a nice family who prepared our meals and we walked in the forest and swam in crystal clear streams.... read more