After observing Yaku Macaques and Sika Deer mingling on Yakushima, and subsequently doing some light research, I’m still having a hard time pinpointing what exactly this relationship is all about (#whatarewe?). If I put on my science hat then I … Continue reading Yaku Monkeys + Sika Deer: What Are We?
Yakushima is there to remind you how close Japan is to Hawaii. It’s not quite as warm, but it has monkeys, so… even-Steven? Yakushima is also closer to mainland Japan than Hawaii is to mainland US, but everyone that we … Continue reading Yakushima: If New Zealand and Hawaii Had an Island Baby
Continued from Monkeys and Noodles. After obsessing over their pictures on the internet and in text books for years, I finally met the famous Snow Monkey, in Snow Monkey Park in Shibu Onsen, Japan. LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT IT! Are … Continue reading Sea Monkeys (Almost)
If you’ve read my other posts, you might be wondering why I traveled to Japan when I don’t like sushi (or green tea, or mushrooms…. I know, I’m a monster). The main reason was that I wanted to go where … Continue reading Monkeys & Noodles
My experience in the cat café was very much the opposite of my experience in the fish market. While the cat café was tiny, warm, and relaxing, the fish market was giant, cold, and jarring. Japan is expert-level at these … Continue reading One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Haiku Fish
Remember those old cartoons where someone is making a decision, and there’s a devil whispering in one ear, and an angel in the other? That’s how I feel every time I’m presented with the opportunity for an up-close animal experience. … Continue reading Visiting One of Japan’s Cat Cafés
In 2014, a snowstorm took out power in parts of New England on Thanksgiving. Specifically, the part I was in. The innocent appearing snow globs that looked so pretty outside our windows in the morning had plopped their fat selves … Continue reading OptOutside on Thanksgiving
I acknowledged food poisoning as a price some people pay to eat outlandish food, just not me people. I don’t eat weird food, and no one ever got spaghetti-poisoning right? (If they did, don’t tell me). I figured I would … Continue reading Surviving Food Poisoning in Bangkok
If you think homestays and/or cultural immersion are not for you because you’re an awkward human creature, or you just don’t know what to expect, I’m here to tell you that homestays are cool. I, too, am an awkward human … Continue reading Homestay in Thailand
PSA: This post is heavier and longer than my other posts, because elephants are heavier and longer than other animals. Actually it’s because it’s about a tough subject, and I tried to do my best to present a well thought … Continue reading An Elephantine Elephant Time
Kate and I were very excited to find out that Angkor Wat had surprise monkeys lurking in it. I somehow forgot that monkeys do whatever they want and can be found outside of designated monkey habitats. Seeing monkeys when I’m … Continue reading Monkey Etiquette
One of my favorite activities during my trip to Asia was a sunset rice paddy ATV tour in Cambodia. Surprisingly, it wasn’t something I was particularly looking forward to before the trip started. I’d never driven an ATV or been … Continue reading Patties on Paddies on ATVs
