Well this is my first blog post from my phone so I apologize for typos and the short nature of this one. Althought the shortness is probably welcome. My wife and I are in the US Virgin Islands on St. Croix and I wanted to give you some thoughts as we go. So far the thing that I thought would be the hardest has proven to be quite easy. Driving on the left side of the road has become almost comfortable and we have not had any problems getting around due to this. We have however had a problem finding roads. They are rarely marked and many that show up on the maps are not actually there. Honestly that is the only negative so far.
The people here are as nice as any where and it is about as laid back as you can get. We have met wonderful locals and friendly travelers along the way. The scenery is nice with great architecture and the food has been good as well there are not a lot of must see destinations but everything is nice and peaceful.
We did have an amazing dinner tonight at the Cultured Pelican. If you like Italian it is a must. The boardwalk in Christiansted is nice and so is the waterfront in Fredricksted. The beaches are excellent and we are going snorkeling later in the trip.
I will post more when we return. So far so good from St. Croix!
Posted in Caribbean, Tropical | Tagged st. croix, caribbean, island, virgin islands | Leave a Comment »
March 29, 2010 by letter 10
Quick Bites of Japan
Japan offers a lot to see and even more to eat. Here is a quick guide of things to try in Japan:
- In Hiroshima, try the Hiroshima style okonomiyaki. Close by at Miyajima Island, definitely try the seasonal Momeji manju.
- You can’t go wrong with food in Osaka. At the very least, you must try the Kansai style okonomiyaki
- In the Chubu area (Kanazawa, Takayama, Toyama, etc.), try the zaru soba
- In Kyoto, try the koshi katsu in the Gion district
- In Tokyo, you must have the fresh sushi early in the morning near the Tsukiji market
In addition to these, you can try the other well known dishes like yakisoba, tempura, taco yaki, and katsu pretty much in any place in the country. I am a foodie and one of the reasons why I like Japan so much is because of all the great food options that provide us! Happy eating!
by Adnan Mahmud
Posted in International | Tagged Cuisine, Dining, Food, Japan, Tokyo | Leave a Comment »
March 29, 2010 by letter 10
Going through Tokyo Part 2
Here is the second part of my list of my favorite activities in Tokyo:
Watching Cherry Blossoms
Japan is famous for its Cherry Blossoms. If you are lucky to be in Tokyo during the blossoms, make sure you take in as much of it as possible. Check out the blossoms at Chidorigafuchi, Ueno Park, and Nakameguro. If you are Chidorigafuchi, take the boat ride. The evenings at Ueno Park are a lot of fun. During the blossoms (called sakura), Japenese people go out to the parks in groups. They set up picnic like hangouts called “hanamis” where they hang out, drink, and enjoy the blossoms with friends and loved ones.
Shibuya
World’s busiest intersection is thought to be right outside the Hachiko exit in the Shibuya station. The best view of it could be had from a higher position – lots of those options around the intersection.
Take a day trip
If you are not going to get out of Tokyo for your trip, take a day trip to at least one of these locations – Hakone, Nikko, or Kamakura. These will get you out of the fast-paced Tokyo life and give you a glimpse into another side of Japan.
by Adnan Mahmud
Posted in International | Tagged asia, Japan, Tokyo, Vacation | Leave a Comment »
letter 10
