Article last updated: April 30, 2025 Recently, while searching for flights on Google Flights as usual, I noticed something unusual. A ticket that normally costs around 40,000-50,000 yen was displayed for an incredible 23,600 yen. I couldn’t believe my eyes and had to look at the screen twice. The displayed booking site was “Flight Network,” […]
Driving Taiwan’s most scenic Suhua Highway! The Suhua Highway (Route 9) is the main artery connecting eastern Taiwan from north to south. This road, running between the Pacific Ocean and towering cliffs, was once called “Taiwan’s most dangerous road.” While the opening of new sections and safety improvements have made it popular as a scenic
After completing our tour of Jabal Al-Banat, the bus takes us to the main dish of the Hegra ruins complex – the famous massive tomb structure featured in many tourist photos and postcards. Today, I’ll focus on our visit to the Tomb of Lihyan, son of Kuza, and Jabal Al-Ahmar. Tomb of Lihyan, Son of
In the previous report, I covered up to the departure of the Hegra ruins tour. This time, I’ll report on the experience after finally stepping into the archaeological complex. The ruins enveloped in the soft light of dusk were truly breathtakingly beautiful. Travel by Bus View from the bus window. Hegra ruins pass by one
I’d like to share my experience visiting the Hegra archaeological site in AlUla, Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia began issuing tourist visas in 2019, gradually gaining attention as a tourist destination. Today, I’ll report on everything from booking the Hegra ruins tour to the day of the visit in this first part! What is Hegra? Let
View this post on Instagram In Hualien City, eastern Taiwan, there’s a Starbucks store that stands out as a special presence among the thousands of Starbucks locations worldwide. This is the “Starbucks Hualien Bay Gate Store” (洄瀾門市店) in Hualien County, eastern Taiwan. Built from 29 shipping containers, this store opened in 2019 as Asia’s first
Join the Arab community just by wearing one? An introduction to the kufiya (shemagh) While traveling through the Arabian Peninsula in midsummer, I became captivated by the charm of the traditional headcloth called “kufiya” (also known as shemagh or shmagh). What started as a souvenir I somewhat reluctantly purchased gradually became an essential travel item.
Mysterious bagged fruits frequently seen while driving along the Hualien-Taitung Valley Highway While driving through eastern Taiwan, I noticed unfamiliar orchards spreading along the roadside. Trees covered with nets bore green fruits about the size of soccer balls. Upon investigation, I discovered these were “shakatou” (釈迦頭), a famous fruit from eastern Taiwan. Known as Sugar
Xiaomijiu (millet wine) that I introduced in a previous article. This time, I’ll be sharing creative cocktails made with this traditional wine. “Xiaomijiu” (小米酒) is a traditional wine brewed by Taiwan’s indigenous people. Made from millet, this alcoholic beverage features a distinctive sweetness and richness, representing Taiwan’s traditional culture. The brewing methods, passed down through
If you’re planning a trip to London, one of your main concerns is likely to be travel costs. London, the capital of the UK, is known as a world-famous tourist destination, but it’s also famous for its high cost of living. Entrance fees to major tourist attractions are by no means cheap, and it’s not