Somewhat arbitrarily, I’ve selected one Micropost from each month of 2022.
Author: Tom Wilson
Temple Plumbing 2022
I hiked to two temples of an 88-temple pilgrimage and photographed the plumbing.
Japan 2022 Itinerary
I’m home from a solo three-week trip to Japan. As usual, I made it up as I went along based on research, past experience, and whim.
I visited three of Japan’s main islands: Honshu, Kyushu, and Shikoku. Hokkaido didn’t make the list this time because winter was setting in there and I didn’t want to carry winter clothes.
Bullet Train vs. Plane
This evening I flew 700 miles from Sendai (Miyagi) to Fukuoka rather than taking three bullet trains. At the time of booking I was happy to pay $66 extra to fly. Current wisdom says flying has advantages over high-speed rail for journeys over about 500 miles (about 800 km). Source: The Geography of Transport Systems.…… Continue reading Bullet Train vs. Plane
A Hiking Theme for Each of Japan’s Main Islands
Japan has four main islands: Honshu is the most populous, followed by Kyushu, Hokkaido, and Shikoku. Hiking doesn’t need to have purpose apart from the obvious act of putting one foot in front of the other while staying upright. Sometimes, though, I like to have a theme underpinning a hike. Here’s a hiking theme for…… Continue reading A Hiking Theme for Each of Japan’s Main Islands
Iterative Travel
I don’t do bucket lists. If a place intriques me, I want to return. I reduce the pressure to do and see everything on a trip by telling myself it’s only a prototype. It’s sufficient to experience enough to whet my appetite for the next iteration, er, I mean visit. Just as well I held…… Continue reading Iterative Travel
Asia Beckons
The maneki-neko, Tori 44, Minneapolis, May 2019. Sometimes, when I need a little Japan fix, I walk to neighborhood Zen Box Izakaya or cycle to Moto-I or Tori 44. As I walk in to any of these establishments, the maneki-neko (beckoning cat) always beckons. Although the maneki-neko is a Japanese creation, it has been adopted…… Continue reading Asia Beckons
Spain and Portugal Vacation Pix
July 2022, we had a family vacation in Southern Spain and Portugal: my partner and me, our two teenage nephews, and their parents. We’ve traveled many times together, so this was an easy, mostly relaxed trip. You can find further trip posts, including daily microposts, here. 1. Nerja,Spain We arrived Nerja, Andalucia, on-schedule after an…… Continue reading Spain and Portugal Vacation Pix
An Unplanned Flight
When flying to Europe I favor flying through Amsterdam Schiphol AMS, a generally efficient port of entry to Europe. Having two to four daily nonstops by Delta and partner KLM helps. Dwight and I, our nephews and their parents, are currently in-flight with KLM from Minneapolis MSP to Amsterdam Schiphol AMS. It’s not how we…… Continue reading An Unplanned Flight
Backpacking in Southern Spain and Portugal
On Monday we’ll meet our nephews, now 13 and 14, along with their mom and dad, at the Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport. We’ll take off on a backpacking adventure in Southern Spain and Portugal. The areas we’re visiting are familiar to me; dare I say they’re curated for this family trip. We’re traveling much as we’ve…… Continue reading Backpacking in Southern Spain and Portugal