Author: Anja

10 Great Places to Eat in Venice

10 Great Places to Eat in Venice

My 2021 Venice trip was my first respite not just after nearly ten months of lockdown, but also after an intense period where I worked a lot, mixed in with fear of picking up the virus. I had a little bit of money spare and 

Rishton Ceramics: Beauty and Tradition in the Fergana Valley

Rishton Ceramics: Beauty and Tradition in the Fergana Valley

What’s in Rishton? Firstly, it is the centre of ceramics in Uzbekistan. Rishton Ceramics are famous all over Uzbekistan. Moreover, of the ceramics you can buy in many of the tourist places all over Uzbekistan, many are produced in Rishton. The reason for this is 

Hotel Review: Swan Bed and Breakfast, London – Stylish Affordable Suburban Wonder

Hotel Review: Swan Bed and Breakfast, London – Stylish Affordable Suburban Wonder

Where in London will you find a well appointed, private, stylish room for to two just shy of 100 Euro? Impossible? It’s not impossible. Let me tell you. There is the Swan Bed and Breakfast.  Since very few people are reading here and this blog 

Xiva Blues and Whites:  A two-day Xiva travel guide

Xiva Blues and Whites: A two-day Xiva travel guide

My trip to Xiva started off rather inauspiciously, with me as a solo traveller rather than in a group of four. So, if I couldn’t “guide” my nearest and dearest, I will at least write this Xiva travel guide… I had arrived in Tashkent just 

Night Trains in Uzbekistan – sustainable, safe and fun

Night Trains in Uzbekistan – sustainable, safe and fun

Last year, I planned to take several night trains in Uzbekistan.   I wanted to maximise sightseeing time and since I don’t like flying, I booked  four longer journeys by train. The first two journeys on night trains in Uzbekistan would take me from Tashkent to 

On finding Vegetarian food in Uzbekistan – I should be so lucky

On finding Vegetarian food in Uzbekistan – I should be so lucky

Can you find Vegetarian food in Uzbekistan in easily? I would say it is one of the harder countries for me, but then, I have never been to South America or elsewhere Central Asia. So, the answer is, Vegetarian food in Uzbekistan in relatively easily 

The Tasty Tea of Sonogi on Kyushu Island

The Tasty Tea of Sonogi on Kyushu Island

Now that I successfully made it to the University of Nagasaki, I spent my first two weeks there studying, venturing out on trips inside the city only. Then my husband came to visit, so we hired a car and went to explore the countryside. One 

Kumtepe Bazaar Marghilon –  heaven for fabric shopping

Kumtepe Bazaar Marghilon – heaven for fabric shopping

After a jolly Sunday at Urgut Market, I was really excited about visiting the other famous Uzbek Bazaar the Kumtepe Bazaar of Marghilon. I hadn’t found much about it online, especially not whether it would be good for purchasing some quality locally made silk and 

Shu Matsubara Knives – the perfect Kyushu Souvenir

Shu Matsubara Knives – the perfect Kyushu Souvenir

Shu Matsubara Knives were my first Nagasaki souvenir and remain one of my favourite souvenirs. After I successfully made it to Japan, I spent two weeks studying, venturing out on trips inside the city only. Then my husband came to visit, so we hired a 

Fun Taipei Layover: Vegetarian Food,  Traditional Massage and Shops

Fun Taipei Layover: Vegetarian Food, Traditional Massage and Shops

I have just returned from six weeks of study at Nagasaki University and before I attempt several blog post about graduate study and my time in Kyushu, let’s do the somewhat easier posts – how I got there, and my very entertaining Taipei layover, compressed 

Flying China Airlines: What is it like?

Flying China Airlines: What is it like?

Recently I did my first long-haul flight in over five years, from Europe to Japan. And from what I heard and read, flying long-haul hasn’t exactly become better, unless you have the funds to pay for extra space and direct connections. I was flying China 

10 Hour Taipei Stopover: Short and sweet Temple and Relaxation visit

10 Hour Taipei Stopover: Short and sweet Temple and Relaxation visit

Is it worth leaving the airport if you have a Taipei stopover? Absolutely! On my recent trip to  Japan, I flew China Airlines and had a 10-hour stopover both ways. The first one was from 6.00 to about 16.00 on a Sunday. The second one 

Urgut Market – the best place for Suzani shopping in Uzbekistan?

Urgut Market – the best place for Suzani shopping in Uzbekistan?

Oh, the fabled Urgut Market. For years, I read internet forums and  guide books, wishing to visit this bazaar south of Samarkand. This time, I was going to visit Urgut Market, and please, if you are interested in textiles, let me share my Sunday shopping 

My lovely Koyasan Trip

My lovely Koyasan Trip

On my third trip to Japan, I was in a pensive state of mind. Koyasan would be just the right place to visit. Freshly dumped, having a difficult time at work. For a week, I just wanted to see temples, shrines and enjoy some quiet 

Shopping in Venice: More than Glass and Masks:

Shopping in Venice: More than Glass and Masks:

Italy is a great place to shop for quality food and fabulous style.  And shopping in Venice is no exception. But this time in Venice, on my first trip for nearly a year, I wanted to see sights, visit restaurants, and shop things that cannot