In this post, we will explore the two largest and most populated islands of Matsu: Nangan and Beigan. If you have very limited time, these islands are the most accessible and should be a must on your itinerary. You can delve into their rich history and enjoy Matsu’s famous seafood. At night, you might also experience the natural wonder of Blue Tears.
(more…)
Taiwan
Matsu Archipelago: 4-Day Itinerary as an Addition to your Trip in Taiwan (Part 2 – First Half of Itinerary)
Highlights: Ferry, Blue Tears, Min Dong style architecture
Basically, each island in Matsu is small enough to be fully explored in one day. Therefore, the total number of days you decide to spend in Matsu depends on how many islands you would like to explore. The more days you stay, the better your chances of seeing the Blue Tears, similar to the Northern Lights or other weather-dependent natural wonders. Of the five main islets, I only visited three, but the other two are worth visiting if you have plenty of time.
(more…)
Taiwan
Matsu Archipelago: 4-Day Itinerary as an Addition to your Trip in Taiwan (Part 1 – General Information)
Highlights: Blue Tears, Min Dong style architecture, civil war heritage sites, seafood
I took a trip to Matsu in June 2024, primarily to witness the blue tears phenomenon. However, it turned out to be so much more. This was my first trip since buying a DSLR, so I was still getting familiar with it. Unfortunately, I only figured out how to capture the blue tears properly on the last day, by which time they were no longer visible. For those who wish to see some fascinating photos, you can simply google “Blue Tears Matsu” to find a bunch of stunning images.
(more…)
Taiwan
Penghu Archipelago: 5-Day Itinerary as an Addition to your Trip in Taiwan
Highlights: Fireworks Festival, basaltic terrain, uninhabited island camping, lavender coral reefs
I’m excited to share about my home country for the first time! Although the recent devastating earthquake near Hualien City has significantly impacted Taroko Gorge, one of Taiwan’s most famous natural landscapes, which may now take decades to restore, Taiwan still boasts many other beautiful places that are worth visiting. The Penghu Archipelago, with their stunning beaches and unique culture, are definitely among these treasures.
(more…)
USA
Wyoming: 8-Day Itinerary for the Autumn Months
I planned a trip for my parents during their visit to my sister in Seattle in September, 2023. I wasn’t able to join them myself. While some of the photos they took might not be of the best quality, their feedback about the trip was positive. The weather was generally pleasant, typical of autumn, with no snow and slightly chilly evenings.
(more…)
Iceland
Iceland: 9-Day Itinerary for the Winter Months (Part 3 of 3)
In the last part of this trip, we were heading back to Keflavík Airport. The advantage of doing a return trip rather than a round trip is that you get a second chance to see the sites you missed during the outbound journey, especially in places with fast-changing weather like Iceland.
(more…)
Iceland
Iceland: 9-Day Itinerary for the Winter Months (Part 2 of 3)
This part included the area from the Golden Circle all the way to Vestrahorn. I did not complete the full circle of the Ring Road due to limited time and the possibility of harsher weather in northern Iceland during winter.
(more…)
Iceland
Iceland: 9-Day Itinerary for the Winter Months (Part 1 of 3)
I took this trip with my family in March 2024. Before this trip, I was somewhat worried because I hadn’t driven in snowy conditions before. Additionally, the recent intense volcanic activity in Iceland was a concern. However, although it rained a lot, there was neither a snowstorm nor a volcanic eruption during the trip. The photos may not reflect how much rain actually occurred, which is fortunate 🙂
(more…)
Japan
Japan (Kansai Fall Foliage) – Uji and Nara
Uji (宇治) and Nara (奈良) are small cities in Japan with great historic depth. The intercity transportation systems are relatively straightforward and simple, facilitating easy exploration of these culturally rich destinations.
(more…)
Japan
Japan (Kansai Fall Foliage) – Kyoto
Kyoto is an amazing city and definitely a favorite destination for many people visiting Japan. It’s the highlight of this trip to the Kansai region. Most travel blogs list all the attractions and things to do in the area. However, in a big city or a city with numerous attractions, it might be better to plan the order of your visits instead of buying a pass and visiting sites randomly. I tend to visit places as if it’s the last time I’ll be there. So, this post is going to be a relatively extensive one. I won’t bother you with detailed descriptions or histories of the attractions. There are numerous people more qualified to do so.
(more…)