Siewch's Guestbook

13th July 2019

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Life is short so live it to the fullest! Love those pouring rains. Hellish mountain roads, harping turns, .... sometimes you get what you pay for.... but I will read the book. Thanks for the recommendation.

From Blog: The 50 Year Old Backpacker

11th July 2019

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Nice blog
The reason we travel is to understand life, family and rituals around the world. It is great you got to be a part of this.

From Blog: Living Your Best Death

11th July 2019

Siewch
Siewch

The reason we travel
You nailed it. Thanks for reading my blog entry.

From Blog: Living Your Best Death

10th July 2019

A Small Swede in the Big World
Per-Olof Persson

Very Fascinating
This is far removed from anything I can remember experiencing, It would be interesting to go there and see this for myself one day, even though I might ethically disagree with some of what's happening at least it's more honest than what we do here in the west. Thank you for this write-up, when/if I do this myself I'll use this post as a reference point. =)

From Blog: Living Your Best Death

10th July 2019

Siewch
Siewch

Life and Death Laid Bare
As westerners, much of what I saw and experienced is hard to fathom. It is hard not to judge. I was mildly surprised how few likes my video got when I posted it on social media. I thought more of my friends would welcome this insight into a unique culture, but maybe it was simply too much. Tana Toraja is amazing. It showcases death - and through that it showcases life as well - unadulterated, uncurated. Not in neat little packages like the meat we get at home. Go if you have the chance.

From Blog: Living Your Best Death

21st May 2019

alex waring
Alexander Waring

Japan
No worries :) Indeed, lol, no bad thing having to put up with all those layovers in Tokyo :D I'm sure you put up with them nicely :D

From Blog: The Possibility of Endless Fascination

2nd December 2018

alex waring
Alexander Waring

Japan!
Yay! Great to see you travelling again Siewch! And this time as I read your blog on Japan, I can relate completely to my own experiences in this magical country! I visited the Meiji Shrine, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building also for those awesome (free!) views. Great to hear you were also able to fit in a relaxing onsen experience too ?

From Blog: The Possibility of Endless Fascination

21st May 2019

Siewch
Siewch

Japan!
Hey Alex. Pardon the delayed response. I'm pretty much a slave to the OneWorld Alliance, and so I happily accept my fate of having to layover in Tokyo. In fact, I have three(!) Tokyo layovers coming up this year. I love that city.

From Blog: The Possibility of Endless Fascination

12th April 2018

alex waring
Alexander Waring

Ghibli Museum
Thank you for this recommendation Siewch - I am indeed a fan and have been considering a visit to the Museum during my time in Tokyo. Thank you for the heads up on the advance ticket purchase, I will see how my travel planning works out and whether time will allow.

From Blog: Get Thee To A Monastery

12th April 2018

alex waring
Alexander Waring

Sakura
Yay! I'm glad you got to see the cherry blossoms in bloom during your time in Japan. What an unusual gathering of people indeed in Hibiya Park! I too would probably have gone for the strawberry ice cream!

From Blog: Springtime in Tokyo

11th April 2018

alex waring
Alexander Waring

Temple Stay
What a unique travel experience, great to read about. I think my own trip will not allow me such a retreat this time, but I'm already thinking that Japan may be one of those countries which will warrant a second trip for me. I love the picture with your neighbour, Totoro :)

From Blog: Get Thee To A Monastery

11th April 2018

Siewch
Siewch

My Neighbor Totoro
Pity you might not be able to fit Koyasan into your upcoming itinerary. Japan is definitely worth multiple visits. If you're going to Tokyo, and you like My Neighbor Totoro, consider visiting the Ghibli Museum. You'll have to purchase your tickets in advance; they only sell limited tickets at the door.

From Blog: Get Thee To A Monastery

10th April 2018

alex waring
Alexander Waring

Kyoto
A wonderful and very inspiring read. I'm planning to visit a number of the temples and sights you mention here. Great to have a heads up on the more and less touristy ones, as well as the bus routes between them. Thank you :) Shame about the rain (and hail!) for you guys, but it seems you didn't let it spoil your visit there. I look forward to reading about your trip to Koyasan as you mention :)

From Blog: "Kyoto" and "Tokyo" are Anagrams...

8th April 2018

alex waring
Alexander Waring

Kitty Island!
Aw, how cute! All the cats look very much at peace in your presence :) I loved reading this entry, about off-the-beaten track travel in Japan. I was thinking about visiting Lake Biwa on my own trip, but I think time will not allow it for me this time. It was great to read about your visit there though :)

From Blog: Isle of Neko

9th April 2018

Siewch
Siewch

It’s Worth A Diversion...
But if there is one place I went to this trip that you really shouldn’t miss when you go on your trip, it is Koyasan. Check out my blog on my stay there...

From Blog: Isle of Neko

3rd April 2018

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Japan is on our list
We always enjoy following your blogs. Love sushi breakfast. Sorry you were to early to see the full blooms. Mother Nature does not always cooperate.

From Blog: Springtime in Tokyo

3rd April 2018

Siewch
Siewch

Go!
Japan is one of my favorite places. There is so much history and culture, the people are great, and the food is amazing. For a non-English speaking country, it is shockingly easy to get around... easier than some English speaking countries even.

From Blog: Springtime in Tokyo

30th March 2018

RENanDREW
Ren & Andrew

Koyasan and Jokiin
When I think of a trip to Japan, I picture experiences very much like this one! I had assumed that monasteries that offer lodging had historically done so, but you've made me rethink that assumption. We had a vegan lunch at a nunnery in Vietnam almost 10 years ago and we still talk about that meal... but the cold tempura makes me agree with you that the food was most likely brought in. Love this post :)

From Blog: Get Thee To A Monastery

30th March 2018

Siewch
Siewch

It was a neat experience!
I’ll need to find out the name and location of that nunnery next time I go to Vietnam!

From Blog: Get Thee To A Monastery

30th March 2018

A Small Swede in the Big World
Per-Olof Persson

I'm going there in August
I'm going to Koyasan in Augst before I go on my Kumano Kodo Pilgrimmage. :)

From Blog: Get Thee To A Monastery

30th March 2018

Siewch
Siewch

It’s an amazing experience!
I loved it so much there. It seemed to attract a different demographic, and it was refreshing to not have to deal with crowds.

From Blog: Get Thee To A Monastery

29th March 2018

RENanDREW
Ren & Andrew

Fat cat?
I thought that was a cute fat cat with tiny paws... until I read your caption and looked again at the statue. Not a cat. Not paws. I've always thought of Kyoto as a small tranquil old-world place too, had no idea it was so large. Hope the temple stay had more comfortable beds, but I doubt it :)

From Blog: "Kyoto" and "Tokyo" are Anagrams...

29th March 2018

Siewch
Siewch

Nope, not a fat cat
If you haven’t already, watch Pom Poko. It’s a charming, yet sad tale about tanuki trying to adapt to a their physical environment as humans encroach.

From Blog: "Kyoto" and "Tokyo" are Anagrams...