Eastern Hokkaido is amazingly gorgeous with its breathtaking flower parks and gardens. One of the flowers that can be frequently seen in the ground is the moss or creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) called shibazakura in Japanese. Its simple flowers are not only pretty but remarkably plentiful, densely populating the field. There are 2 parks in Hokkaido dedicated for shibazakura: Higashimokoto and Takinoue.
Say Hokkaido With Flowers!
Hokkaido is a must-see place for nature lovers. I can say that I was really lucky to have lived in this part of Japan. Hokkaido is famous for its harsh and snowy winters, thus it’s a perfect spot for skiing and snow festivals. However, Hokkaido has still a lot to offer during spring, summer and autumn. May it be the tulips in spring, or the lavender fields in summer, or the cosmos in autumn, Hokkaido will surely be a beautiful destination with its floral landscape.
Spotting The Great Spotted Woodpecker In Obihiro
The great spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) is a medium-sized woodpecker with pied black and white plumage with a red patch on its lower belly. Males and young birds also have red markings on the neck or head. So I was so happy when I finally got an upclose photo of the woodpecker days before I leave Japan for good.
Puerto Princesa Underground River
The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park features a stunning limestone karst mountain landscape. Within the cave, there are remarkable formations of stalactites and stalagmites, as well as several spacious chambers. In recognition of its exceptional value, UNESCO designated the site as a World Heritage Site in 1999. It was also voted as one of the new seven wonders of nature in 2012.
The Floating Village of Kompong Phluk
In Tonle Sap, we went to a village built on stilts called Kampong Phluk which means “Harbor of the Tusks”. Kompong Phluk and the greater Tonle Sap lake is a UNESCO Biosphere reserve. Kompong Phluk is actually a collection of three floating villages totaling somewhere between 2000 to 3000 residents.
Meeting Kumamon
Kumamon is a mascot created by the local government of Kumamoto Prefecture in 2010 as a campaign drive by the region to draw more tourist when the bullet train Kyushu Shinkansen opened. He is a bear, about 1.5 metres (5ft) tall, with black glossy fur, circular red cheeks and wide, staring eyes. Kumamon was voted the most popular yuru-kyara in 2011.
Shoushan Monkeys
Only endemic in Taiwan, the Taiwanese macaques or Formosan rock macaques (Macaca cyclopis) are the only native primates living in the island. One family usually consists of an average of 45 individuals. Unfortunately, the species is considered vulnerable due to habitat loss and hunting. They were hunted down because of the damage they were causing to agricultural crops and their use in experimental evaluation of new drugs.
Meet Me In Saint-Louis
Saint-Louis is actually a commune in the Haut-Rhin department of Alsace in north-eastern France. I really don’t have time to visit any place in France. But on the day of my flight back to Japan via Frankfurt, I decided to have a short walk from my hotel about 2 hours before going to the airport.
Gone in Geneva
Situated in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, Geneva is renowned for its breathtaking scenery, cultural variety, and notable historical sites. This picturesque city boasts a wealth of famous landmarks that captivate tourists from around the globe.
Bits & Pieces: Who is Albrecht von Haller?
During my walking tour around Bern, Switzerland, I ran into a statue in front of the University of Bern. It was a statue of Swiss anatomist, physiologist, naturalist, encyclopedist, bibliographer and poet, Albrecht von Haller.
Das Wunder von Bern
Bern is famous for its quaint old city which was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. Bern used to be a medieval city center built on a narrow hill surrounded by the river Aare whose compact layout has remained unchanged since its construction during the 12th to the 15th century.
Darkhan: A Soviet Echo on the Mongolian Steppe
Darkhan feels less like a traditional Mongolian city and more like a fading Soviet echo transplanted onto the open steppe. It is the capital of Darkhan-Uul Province in northern Mongolia and the second-largest city in the country, yet it carries itself with a quiet heaviness shaped by concrete, factories, and the long shadow of socialist industrial ambition. On October 17, 1961, Darkhan was built with extensive economic assistance from the Comecon as a deliberate industrial project for Mongolia’s northern territory. True to its name, which means “blacksmith” or “forged,” the city was conceived as a manufacturing heart for the north.
Amoj In Wanderland 