Early in the trip, I found my heart aching for the lost fishing village in Hong Kong. Although I understand the adage, “things change,” it seemed like a remarkable loss. Small villages and communities are the backbone of any nation, and diversity is strength. Relishing the vibrancy of the industrial section of Mongkok and its main market, I realized that this Hong Kong history also appeared fragile. Many shop owners and vendors were elderly, and seemed to struggle. Most areas of Hong Kong were filled with young people, completely glued to their phones.

In Japan, I did not know many things. I went without studying beforehand, yet I stepped forward with both a sensation and an openness.

Each gate is donated by a business person

I knew that Shinto and Buddhist shrines were important, but how so? I did not know. 

Homage to the Art of Tea 

Continuing on my tours near Taipei, I thank you for sticking with me on this journey!

The art of serving tea is quite a formal affair in Asia, and my education continues… 

Thousand Island Lake–a river winding

Okay, so a note about transportation services in Asia. The subways are clean and efficient. A train appears approximately every 37 seconds, always. The bullet trains are pristine, orderly, quiet, and punctual. That is an understatement. But now, I’d just like to share a little tidbit about a short international flight from Hong Kong to Taipei.

With this series, we re-introduce our Soulful Travel Guide, Becky Burns. It’s been awhile since her words have tickled our pages, but she’s back! Becky retired in 2017, lives in Florida, and continues to travel widely. Join her on this insightful and heartfelt review of a trip to Asia. You’ll love it!

Imagine opening a book so filled with peace that you long to jump in and revel in it. Such is the case with the new book by author Rob Goss and photographer Akihiko Seki, entitled Japanese Inns and Hot Springs: A Guide to Japan's Best Ryokan and Onsen. Reading this book offers both travel inspiration and peacefulness. 

"Something there is that doesn't love a wall," wrote Robert Frost in his well known poem "Mending Wall." And indeed there are many walls, past and present, in places like Berlin and Bethlehem, that are difficult to love.

But this is not so with bridges.  Bridges connect instead of divide.  They invite us to venture to the other side and see what is there, and allow others to visit us where we are too.  They have style, architecturally at least, and they carry life.  And so to borrow from Frost's line of thinking: something there is that loves a bridge!