Osaka Castle is one of the most significant castles in Japan’s history. The magnificent structure witnessed the tumultuous transition of the Japanese warring era into the Tokugawa Shogunate, and it held an important role during that period. I felt a sadness knowing that the original castle, first built in 1583,…
Japan
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Osaka Sunday Travel: Crowds, Namba Station, & Umeda Shopping
Forget the airport crowds—if you thought Osaka’s Kansai Airport was busy, you hadn’t seen the real city yet. Stepping out of the train station on a Sunday afternoon, the energy of Osaka hit us like a tidal wave. After one night layover in Taiwan, the sheer volume of humanity was…
Benten and West Java
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Amateur Radio Adventures: Our QO-100 Expedition in Anyer
The hum of a single-cylinder engine and the rush of wind against my helmet are the familiar sounds of a solo journey. But on this trip to Anyer, the soundtrack of the road is punctuated by something else entirely: the crackle of a two-way radio connecting me not just with…
East Nusa Tenggara
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Exploring the Beauty of Pink Beach and Underwater Wonders
The boat cruised to our next destination after our encounter with Komodo. A familiar buzz of the boat’s engine filled the air as we chatted, traded photos, and animatedly relived every thrilling moment. Our next stop: the renowned Pink Beach. You’ve likely seen its breathtaking hue in countless photographs of…
East Nusa Tenggara
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Komodo Liveaboard: Encounter with Locals
The next morning, I opted to skip the hike to Pulau Padar. As an early riser with a deep fondness for sunrises in general, the allure of witnessing the dawn break over the open sea was simply too strong to resist. First, the sky began to awaken with a gentle,…