Author: Anja

The Tasty Tea of Sonogi on Kyushu Island

The Tasty Tea of Sonogi on Kyushu Island

Now that I had 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. 

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 

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 

Diving in Aqaba, Jordan as new diver

Diving in Aqaba, Jordan as new diver

A few weeks ago, I returned from a repeat trip to Aqaba in Jordan, and this time, I was diving in Aqaba.  I highly recommend it as a friendly, affordable diving destination. What makes Aqaba great for diving? Aqaba is essentially a small port city 

Learning to dive as an Older Diver is cool!

Learning to dive as an Older Diver is cool!

Why I was waiting until I was an “older diver”?  I love the water, love to snorkel.  But I  have never had the guts to learn to scuba dive. I was  thinking it is for the fit, for those with regular access to tropical waters 

My 2023 Travel Plans: Inspiring, Ambitious or Pie in the Sky?

My 2023 Travel Plans: Inspiring, Ambitious or Pie in the Sky?

Hot on the heels of my 2022 travel year comes the 2023 travel plans, or intentions, as the hip ones like to say now. If my speed of writing this blog is anything to go by, I might have finished it in a week or 

Its Alright: My 2022 Travel Year

Its Alright: My 2022 Travel Year

And so here goes nothing, with about 138 drafts on file, my heads full of plans. Not a great year for travel blogging here, my 2022 travel year but a good year otherwise. Mainly dominated by work. Work first, or what… But that’s okay, because 

Holiday Golightly’s Gift Guide 2022 or: give the gift of travel!

Holiday Golightly’s Gift Guide 2022 or: give the gift of travel!

Here it comes, the season to… shop and shop, and the publication of endless gift guides on the internets. And, with just a tiny bit of delay, but ready for the (s)hopping madness here in Europe comes Holiday Golightly’s Gift Guide 2022. In 2019, I 

Afternoon Strolls: a lovely Berlin Reuterkiez walk

Afternoon Strolls: a lovely Berlin Reuterkiez walk

I spent my summer working and strolling Berlin’s lovely streets. So, my Berlin Reuterkiez walk is all I have to offer in terms of “fresh” travel right now. In response to the fuel shortages in 2022, the German government issued a public transport ticket for 

How to  book train tickets in Uzbekistan

How to book train tickets in Uzbekistan

Due to f ew people asking if you need an agent, this post guides you how to book train tickets in Uzbekistan. I just booked myself three journeys by train in Uzbekistan quite easily through the Uzbekistan train booking website and it couldn’t have been