Sketches from Japan • Autumn 2013

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November 20th -November 27th

Packed pretty light—just the Tom Bihn Smart Alec and the Co-Pilot.

Tokyo>Osaka>Kyoto>Nara>Hiroshima>Miyajima>Tokyo

Going in style—on United. This is my view for 10+ hrs.

Oh, but "Grown Ups 2" should keep me entertained.

Nori was kind enough to let me charge my phone at the counter.

Time to check in to my capsule hotel and call it a night after a long day.

Good Morning! I better get down to the showers before it gets too busy.

GOOD NEWS: There's a shower open.  BAD NEWS: See "Good News"

Tokyo's version of okonomiyaki.

GOOD NEWS: I didn't lose the second JR pass.

At 8:15AM the atomic bomb "Little Boy" detonated over Hiroshima.

Miyajima

Time to go home— at least I'm flying ANA on the way back. All in all, a great trip. I saw the koyo (fall colors) at their peak while covering a lot of ground in a short amount of time. Yet I didn't feel too rushed. It was too bad about losing the JR pass, but I didn't let that get in the way of enjoying my trip.

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Sketches from Italy

I've arrived! Nunzio the driver is waiting for me at the airport.

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This guy is something of a local celebrity, having been in an indie movie about Roman Slackers or something.

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The Isle of Ischia. I stayed on the West coast at Forio.  You could probably stay anywhere and just hop around to the other towns on the bus.

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Some notes and suggestions from the patrons of Pietratorcia.

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Great B&B close to the ferry in Forio. Very convenient location.

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The nice, simple, convinient  B&B where I stayed in Rome.

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Segrio from Mordi & Vai Gastronomia "Romanesca"

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This conductor accused us of improperly validating our tickets. He called the police, who simply scoffed at the conductor.

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Ahh, time to head back. What a trip!

If you're thinking of visiting Rome, please check out Rome Like A Local, a great way to discover the hidden gems in Rome!

Western Flyer and Co-Pilot

Christmas 2012

Smart Alec @ The Social Study

My backpack, The Smart Alec, at The Social Study.

Sketches from Nambodea

A scrapbook of sketches and miscellaneous memorabilia from Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An, Saigon, Siem Reap—and a little Seoul, too.

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Good food on Asiana Airlines!

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Stopover • Incheon, Korea

Friendly staff and great breakfasts.

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Vietnamese folk tales reenacted with puppets on water, traditional Vietnamese orchestra provides background music.

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Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi—from Cafe Pho Co.

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My favorite meal in Hanoi! Now on to Halong Bay...

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I spent two nights in this cozy little cabin.

Good food, good kayaking, too.

Hue, Vietnam 

Hue, Vietnam—I discover I've lost my credit card. I imagine I left it back on the Dragon Pearl. I find it two days later in my carry-on bag.

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It looked like a cafe. A great example of Vietnamese hospitality.

This was the place I was looking for. Bun thit nu'ong was a little too spicy for me.

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Torrential downpour. Refuge under a tented stall with some pho. Hoi An tomorrow.

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Hoi An, Vietnam— I've got my sights set on a banh mi. (I will have three in as many days.)

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 Once again, a really nice hotel with a helpful staff.

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Q-Bar, Hoi An

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Next stop: Saigon.

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Wasn't enough space for that guy.

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Saigon, Vietnam—A lot hotter down here in the south.

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A great museum.

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Had a really nice lunch here.

Day trip to the Mekong Delta. Now on to Cambodia...

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Siem Reap, Cambodia—Angkor Wat

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Angkor Thom, Bayond Temple

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The pilgrims of Angkor Wat.

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Ta Prum

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Beng Mealia—My favorite temple.

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Siem Reap, Cambodia—Frangipani Hotel

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Wonderful hotel!

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Loved the coconut shakes!

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The trip is almost over. Now the long journey home.

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But first a nine hour layover in Korea.

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Seoul, Korea—It was nice to get out of the airport for a few hours. Ok...one last flight now!

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What a great trip!

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I packed very lightly for this trip—carry on only. I would wash my clothes in the hotel sink and they would dry in a couple hours.

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I brought more Tom Bihn bags with me than underwear. The Tri-Star, Smart Alec, the Field Journal and Cafe bag all were put to good use.

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