East Asia

Japan, Travel Words

Stoic Japan

Stoic Japan Traveling in Japan was fun, but far different from “third world” Asia in so many ways. Tokyo was cool, but I didn’t love the place, and it was super expensive.  The countryside near Sendai, where Matt lives, was cool but I really only spent like 36 hours there […]

China, Photo Blogs

Trail to TaiShan (R)

Before ever climbing Mt Tai, it is inevitable that one will pass through the town of Tai’An at the foot of the mountain. Though not much of a destination in its own right, there are a few interesting spots that make a wander through the city pretty bearable while waiting […]

China, Photo Blogs

Climbing Taishan (R)

Hiking Mount Tai Even if sunrise at TaiShan wasn’t the most incredible experience, the hike up is still a bit of fun and rewards with pretty nice views over the mountains of Shandong province. Even if you haven’t been training to be a warrior monk at the Shaolin Temple in […]