Sean Hampson

As a kid I always loved martial arts. I began training in Pai Lum Tao Kung Fu around the age of 14 and did some some San Shou in my late 20s, so it wasn’t much of a surprise that I jumped at the opportunity to join my Kung Fu teacher Glenn C. Wilson and some of my fellow students when the chance to visit China and train at the Shaolin temple became available.

First thing, the visa process is a pain in the ass and the pollution in Beijing was a bitch.

I personally don’t like my passport leaving my side, let alone mailing it into an embassy, but if you want to go to China it’s a necessity. As for the pollution, I was stuffed up with an hour of my arrival, so bring decongestants and nasal spray for good measure. You will thank me later.

We flew to Beijing on Hainan air via Chicago and thirteen and a half hours later, we had arrived. The Chinese customs weren’t as rough as I thought they would be, however they will take your backup cell batteries, so leave them at home and save your money.

We exited the terminal and were greeted by Yin our amazing tour guide who was really informative and also saved the day on multiple occasions.

I’m not one who typically enjoys group trips. Single day excursions I love, but for me, being shoved in a bus feels like I’m cattle being led to the slaughter. I’m more at ease when I find my chance to roam the streets to satisfy my wanderlust and get a few local beers at night.

But some trips have a purpose.

Our first day after arrival was spent checking out the Great Wall. The section we visited had steps varied in size from inches to a few feet and the air was harsh. I injured my knee from a training mishap, so not only was I walking like the worlds oldest 33 year old, it took a lot out of me to climb. At some points I lifted myself up some of the stairs until reaching the highest point, before hobbling my way back to the bus in a hurry. I was miserable, my friends laughed, but I was successful and the view was well worth the effort.

The next day we were off to the Forbidden City. This is one of those places where I didn’t think I would be impressed due to the sea of tourists with cameras in hand, but I was amazed. The stone work and beautiful colors were visually stunning and it’s rich history was pretty impressive as well.

We spent the rest of the day hitting the streets, and I was introduced to one of my favorite pastimes, haggling.

In China, nearly everything is up for debate in terms of price. So have fun with it.

The following day was spent touring the Summer Palace and the Temple of heaven. Both were beautiful, but insanely busy. I would have spent more time at the Summer Palace given the option, but had to go because the tour was moving on.

 

That night I packed my things and in the morning we took the train to Zhengzhou.

We then boarded the slowest and shittiest bus known to man through Dengfeng towards old Shaolin. The ride took well over twice the estimated arrival time and after what seemed like an eternity we arrived at the TaGou Kung fu academy.

The accommodations were very meager, the showers were cold, and the food was mostly vegetarian, but the experience was legendary.

We woke before the sun for a jog at sunrise and an all day training session with one of their coaches. The mist settled heavy and saturated our clothes, while the trainer sized us up to see the skill level of each guest.

After a few hours of our assessment we were given a lunch break and told to meet in the training hall where we worked out all day, until finally being dismissed for dinner.

I will tell you I left it all on the floor.

If you want to get the most out of your experience as a student, there is no choice. You have to be one of the hardest workers to get further instruction.

On that note, the students here are seriously impressive.

Some are orphans who are on the path to becoming monks and others are ultra rich kids sent to learn the value of humility and hard work. Regardless of their standing in life, these kids live poor, and they work.

At one point I watched two kids roughly 7 or 8 years of age carrying sacks of potatoes up a set of about twenty stairs. They dropped it half way up and with one look from their teacher immediately ran down the stairs to start over.

I believe their regimen was 6 hours of academics and 8 hours of martial arts training a day, 6 days a week, chores all 7. If they slack on their grades or training, they have to put in overtime later in the day. They wash their clothes by hand, brush their teeth, as well as bath, all with the same bucket of water.

They love to practice English and call out foreigners to show their Kung Fu too.

As a warning, if you are brave enough to do so, they are not shy to tell you whether you pass or fail. Keep that in mind.

Our second day in Shaolin was spent touring the monastery and the surrounding local area, then later hiking up into the Songshan mountain range to see Damo Cave and the massive statue of Bodhidharma that sits at the top.

After some more haggling in Dengfeng that night, I crashed early and were on our way back to Zengzhou train station to return to Beijing. Thanks to Yin it was via a much less shitty bus.

Our final day in Beijing was in a different part of town and much more conveniently located to some some shops and locals bars. Many of my friends shopped for souvenirs most of the day. I got bored with shopping and went to the bar for some balance.

I already felt like a monk anyways.

All in all China for me was an interesting adventure. It weirded me out that random strangers wanted to take pictures of us and that I never knew when I was ordering chicken heads, but I learned some amazing history, picked up some new Kung fu, and got some chances to haggle my way to some great deals.

“You got to know when to hold ’em, 
know when to fold ’em, know when to walk away, know when to run. You never count your money when you’re sittin’ at the table.
There’ll be time enough for countin’
when the dealin’s done.” -Kenny Rogers

This is gospel when it comes to gambling and it’s pretty damn handy when haggling too. Keep reading and I’ll explain why.

The basics

The basics to haggling are to set your price obnoxiously low, feel the environment out and slowly work to an agreement. If they say the cost is 200, you say you will pay 20 and build from there. The shop keeper will usually tell you that’s too cheap, they will offer their “special price”, which will be around 150 and you should retort around 25-30.

If you set the bar too high and the shop keeper accepts, you made a deal and backing out is considered poor etiquette and just plain rude. I’ve seen shop keepers yell and even go as far as to throw things at people who go back on their agreed lowest price.

Start low, build slowly, and always beware of the “special price”, you can usually get it much cheaper.

Always beware of the “special price”

Here are a few examples of why I’ve been offered the “special price” for the sake of entertainment.

I’m so handsome, because I’m so nice, I’m a good guy, because I’m like their brother, because I like Kung Fu, I’m the first sale of the day so I deserve a special price, because I’m not Australian, my Mom will love it, they will make their parents proud, I must have a girlfriend and a special lady deserves a special price, because America, in addition to many other bullshit reasons why somebody tried to sweet talk me and rip me off. You get the point?

If you want something bad enough you will need to invest time negotiating and making small talk, followed by the most important part of all.

Never get too attached to something you may want to buy. Great shopkeepers can smell weakness like a shark to blood and if you can’t control yourself, they will get the kill.

Be aware of the exchange rate when haggling.

Numbers get fuzzy quick and you can forget their value. Know what your dollar is worth, but don’t be a dick to someone trying to make a living in a place where that money makes a difference.

Don’t fight over peanuts.

You don’t have to be so nice that you get ripped off, but remember, you have enough money to fly to the other side of the world and they probably do not.

Being too stubborn can screw up a really good deal over what adds up a few cents and desire can can get you ripped off.

There’s an ebb and flow to it all.

I’ve been thrown out of a few shops in the process, but I’ve also gotten some amazing deals.

Knowing when to walk away

Now, there is one ace up you should keep up your sleeve that has led many shop keepers to chase a potential customer down the street to make a sale.

Know when to walk away.

It’s the most powerful way to show you are serious about your bottom line lowest price and it’s pretty damn fun when done right. Plus if you get good enough, you might get what you want even cheaper if you play your hand right.

Don’t keep all of your cash in one place

A fun trick I like to use when haggling is to spread my money in my pockets and put about half of what I want to pay in my wallet.

Therefore, in addition to the contents of my wallet, I conveniently have something around twenty more dollars in my right pocket, ten in my left, five in my back pocket and a few more in my bag, etc. If you keep all of your money in your wallet it can screw up a good negotiation.

Being able to pull your wallet out and show what you have inside is a strong leverage point in a sale where haggling is involved. Then, you conveniently reach in your pockets accordingly.

If you still can’t get the deal you want, just leave or go next door.

Conclusion

Have fun when shopping in countries where negotiation over price is an option and don’t rush. Haggling is considered considerate shopping in some places and the ability to make small talk can take you far.

Another tip is that some countries consider the first sale of the day to be good luck.

Use this.

In conclusion, be respectful of the shop keeper, don’t be a pushover, and remember, if the shop keeper is smiling when you leave, you lost.

Happy hunting my friends.

The average person thinks they know the world from text books, their friends, and what they see on television. They unknowingly carry these stereotypes with them and believe that they are truly informed as to what the world and its many cultures are like, where in reality it is just the impression of education.

First hand experience provides a much different perspective. When you immerse yourself in an atmosphere that is completely foreign, it teaches you a priceless life lesson.

If you haven’t seen it, done it, or been there first hand. You know nothing.

Riding a motor bike in Laos can be terrifying, but not as much as riding a bicycle in Cambodia. Too bad the latter happened first.

In these times we begin our growth.

It’s called experience and from here I take a tangent.

In a time where Islamophobia is running rampant, I chose to go to Morocco. People at home who “know the world” warned me and told me to be careful.

Fortunately for me, I know better than to define and judge people based on the actions of another.

As for these people, they will never know the kindness and hospitality of the Morrocan people. It’s a shame people let the T.V. tell them how to live their lives. Funny it doesn’t mention a Muslim country was the first to recognize us a free nation.

Too many people stay in their comfort zone. Clinging to their beliefs, while leaving their mind, body, and spirit unchallenged and stagnant. How are we to evolve as people if always hide at home where it’s safe?

Screw your comfort zone. Be uncomfortable. It’s beautiful.

If you were to close you eyes and see the most exotic, intriguing, and awe inspiring place imaginable, where would it be?

Listen to your soul and go.

The movie title Planes, Trains and Automobiles does a really good job of summing up my month jet setting through Europe.

I found a cheap round trip flight direct from Orlando to Copenhagen on Norwegian for about $600, so I decided I would stay a few nights and start from there.

My plane landed in Copenhagen and immediately I hopped onto the light rail. It’s convenient and takes you from the airport directly into the city.

I got lost for a few hours due to poor directions to my hostel and walked in circles until giving up and finding the nearest pub to get some help. I didn’t really mind the mix up, but bartenders always seem to get you where you need to go and I was right around the corner the whole damn time.

Most of my time in Copenhagen was spent wandering the city aimlessly and taking in what I could. I walked through Tivoli gardens and eventually stopped into nearby bars where I chatted with some friendly locals.

Copenhagen is a beautiful city which a lot of travelers seem to overlook and I always enjoy my time there.

The Danes were great to me and I would love to see more of their beautiful country in the future, but it was time to go to Berlin via the longest walkway through an international terminal ever, followed by a quick flight.

The amount off beer I consumed while in Germany is frightening.

With a booming night life scene that can go well into the next day and alcohol availability that is reminiscent of Las Vegas or New Orleans, Berlin can get wild.

Fortunately, Currywurst and Döner Kebab shops are everywhere. My personal favorite was Mustafa’s Gemüse Kebap and it’s well worth the usual 30 minute wait in line.

Berlin also has plenty to see for History and Architecture aficionados as well.

With sights like Charlottenburg, the Berlin Cathedral, Checkpoint Charlie, Brandenburg Gate, the Victory Column and the Berlin Wall, this city has plenty to keep your schedule full.

I jumped on the train and headed to Hamburg to meet up with a friend who was studying abroad in Bremen for a night of drinking on the Reeperbahn for my next stop.

The Port of Hamburg and the Church of St. Nicholas proved to be interesting sights to buy me some time until she showed up. Afterwards, I knocked back a few Astras and awaited her arrival at the nearby train station.

The sun was coming up as we parted ways from of one of the many bars where we consumed copious amounts of alcohol throughout the evening and the reality that my train to Amsterdam left in a few hours started to set in.

She apparently never went to sleep after leaving the bar, took the train to Berlin, and successfully navigated a college field trip the next day. Rockstar Chick.

I passed out for 30 minutes at my hostel, then ran to my train still moderately impaired.

My connecting train was delayed somewhere just outside of the Netherlands where I was stuck on an open platform in the fierce winds while it rained sideways. Hungover, soaked and shivering like a wet dog, I miserably awaited my connection.

Amsterdam was a three day whirlwind. There is something for everybody in this city, so you definitely won’t get bored.

The Red Light District, coffee shops and bars are the most popular attractions. The people have a very “when in Rome attitude” and you can see some really funny shit.

I once watched a German mom negotiate a hooker for her early teenaged son as a birthday present. Think about that.

Sometimes when you are walking down the road, you overhear things. In these times some people may want to object their morality and tell others how to live their lives. Others may just lean against a wall and pretend to text in order to see what happens next. In this situation, I was the latter. Don’t judge me.

You can’t make a story like that up, so why pass up the laugh.

Cultural must sees are the Van Gogh museum, Reijksmuseum, the Anne Frank house and the tulip fields. I personally found the Reijksmuseum to be far more impressive than the Van Gogh museum. Most of the people I know seemed to skip it though and I have no clue why.

Next up, I headed from Amsterdam to Bruges via train with a connection in Brussels Midi-or so I thought.

The train rumbled as I left Brussels station.

I realized I had fallen asleep and hurled myself out of my seat frantically looking for the train conductor to find out where I was headed. She laughed at me in they way a southern woman would say “oh bless your little heart” and informed me I was bound for Paris whether I like it or not.

She told me she was in charge of a return train a few hours after our arrival and offered me a free ride back to Brussels if I met her on the platform 20 minutes before departure. I gladly accepted.

Lunch and an afternoon in Paris, followed by a free ride back. Pretty damn good mistake. That is despite my stuff being stripped apart by customs on the platform immediately after stepping off the train and having to repack my bag while the onlookers judgingly stared.

Still better than a minimum €60 return ticket.

I returned to Brussels, thanked the conductor for a great afternoon in Paris and headed for my original destination, Bruges.

My three days in Bruges were amazing. This small city has a relaxing pace and is a popular travel destination for many European couples. There are many great sights, but my favorites would be the Belfry of Bruges, and the Church of Our Lady, which is also home to the Madonna of Bruges.

From Bruges I returned to Brussels for a night with the intent of flying to Stuttgart the next day.

I wasn’t much of a fan of Brussels.

All in all, the city was beautiful and the beer was amazing. However, I was unaware many of the locals speak French and due to my ill preparation, found the people I interacted with to be more rude than any Parisian stereotype.

I know I just probably had a bad roll of the dice and I’ll probably go back someday to give Brussels another chance, but I’m not in a rush.

Happily I flew to Stuttgart, which was recommended to me by a friend who had been there many times for Oktoberfest, so I figured I would give it a chance for Frühlingsfest.

I eventually was allowed into a beer tent and after an hour of wandering, befriended a table of Germans. I decided to keep up with them and go round for round. This was great for a good time, but was not a good idea.

Judgement is the first thing impaired by drinking and alcohol poisoning can sometimes be the result of its absence.

7+ liters later, I was bedridden for the rest of my time in Stuttgart, barely mustering enough strength to get to on my train to Munich.

Most of my time in Munich was spent suffering the remaining consequences of my previous alcoholic endeavors. My hostel mates helped nurse me to good enough health where I could leave bed and finally see the doctor. I don’t remember their names, but I appreciate their good deeds to this day.

If you ever read this, thank you again.

I didn’t see much of Munich due to my illness, but managed to rough out one day to see Marienplatz, the English Gardens, and the Hofbräuhaus. My time was brief, but my desire to return to Munich still remains.

My final train ride was to one of my favorite European cities. Prague, Czech Republic.

The second leg of the 5 hour train ride was cramped. My compartment was filled with a combination of people and baggage, but the experience was unique and I had a great conversation with a local woman about why I should visit Čheský Krumlov.

Now I wish I would have.

After a few days in Prague, I made friends with a really cool Korean girl who was on holiday from her job in Sydney. Our hostel was located just outside of Old Town Square, so we saw a lot of the sights rather quickly.

Since I was on the final leg of my trip, I didn’t plan out Prague very thoroughly. She was planning on seeing an orchestra and asked if I wanted to go. After all, I had nothing to do anyway.

What music lover could say no?

After a few drinks at Czech Beer Museum and dinner at one of the local restaurants. The night had come to a close and we had to part ways in the morning.

I spent a few lazy days in Copenhagen recovering from the month long rampage on my liver and headed home.

Doing it over again, I would have slowed down. I would have spent more time in less cities and really enjoyed the pace of Europe. Trying to fit too much into your itinerary can really make you miss certain elements to the local culture.

I wouldn’t change the experience for the world, but it’s food for thought.

“We are very good at preparing to live, but not very good at living. We know how to sacrifice ten years for a diploma, and we are willing to work very hard to get a job, a car, a house, and so on. But we have difficulty remembering that we are alive in this present moment, the only moment there is for us to be alive.”
-Thich Nhat Hanh

I’ve been that guy.

At 19, I graduated culinary school and was ready to change the world. I worked many long nights and early mornings, I held down 2 jobs at a time, and by 23 I landed my first job as a Sous Chef for a local resort making more than I knew what to do with at that age.

I had a great career and a beautiful girlfriend, but what I didn’t have was happiness.

One day it all clicked. I walked into my bosses office and turned in my 3 week notice, explaining my last day would be on my birthday. Slightly puzzled, he asked why I wouldn’t work 2 weeks and just enjoy the week of my birthday.

I told him my respect for him, my hatred for the place, and that my leaving was the best gift I could give myself.

He laughed his ass off and told me if I ever needed a recommendation, I had it. That extra weeks pay came in handy in the long run too.

In my first week off, I went to Puerto Rico with my friends Jodrick and Jessica, owners of Chefs on the Run. This man is a culinary juggernaut, check him out at #theruggedchef.

They showed me Aguadilla, Rincon, and Mayaguez, where I met more family members than I could keep up with, was fed like a king, and got obnoxiously drunk one night and pissed off a tripleta cart owner almost causing a brawl.

I don’t remember it, but the story that remains is still hard to live down today.

From there, I returned home for a day, then headed to Costa Rica for my first trip by myself.

I planed the trip with a cook who worked with me, but he bailed somewhere along the lines. Many people would have backed out and cut their losses, but I didn’t.

Some of the most beautiful moments in your life can happen when you don’t know what’s around the corner or where you next meal will come from.

I went insanely over budget and had to talk the airline into flying me home a little over half way into a 3 week trip.

What did I take from this?

Ferris Bueller was right.

“Life moves pretty fast, if you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you might miss it.”-Ferris Bueller

This life was meant to be experienced to its fullest. When you are young, you have time and energy, but you lack money. When you are middle aged, you have money and energy, but lack time. When you get old, you have time and money, but lack the energy to enjoy things to the fullest.

If you are young enough where you can throw caution to the wind and/or potentially fuck up your career a bit, do it now.

If you are middle aged, don’t count on retirement to experience the things you want to see in life. Instead, budget frequent experiences throughout your life.

You know, work to live, not live to work.

Hell, maybe we can build a life doing what we love.

If you are retired, you have contributed your piece to society. If your kids truly love you they will want you to live life to the fullest, not leave a large inheritance.

Don’t guilt yourself out of the life you deserve.

If I’ve learned anything in my time behind the bar, it’s that nothing’s guaranteed and you might not make it as long as you plan.

Enjoy life now, no regrets.

When it comes to planning a vacation, everyone is well aware that they need to save money. This is the gasoline that gets the vacation motor running so to speak. We set ourselves a number we are aiming for, and away we go.

The one thing I rarely see others doing however, is living frugally.

I know, I probably sound like your grandpa, but bear with me.

Living within your means involves discipline, hard work and dedication. The average person struggles with finances from day to day, going pay check to paycheck living the cliche of keeping up with the Jonses.

This quote from financial guru Dave Ramsey’s book The Total Money Makeover sums it up best.

“We buy things we don’t need with money we don’t have to impress people we don’t like”.

Let that sink in.

Now, with that being said, living under your means feels impossible. Right? Hopefully, this is where I can help.

Going out, the right way

It’s not how much you go out, but how you do so. The common misconception is if you go out every night you will spend more than doing so once a week.

This is where I say, maybe.

Discipline yourself to $10-$20 cash on a night out alone, leave the cards at home, and budget in costly nights out with your friends. That’s 1-3 beers and a tip for the bartender if you are by yourself.

If you don’t have enough to tip your bartender, stay home or drink less.

I am promoting being frugal, not stiffing the people who take care of you, so don’t be that guy. He pounds $2 PBRs until he’s broke, leaves you a dollar and tells you, “sorry, this is all I have”.

Well, to you not so good sir or madam, you are an asshole and the bartender hates you.

Get a hobby

A monthly hobby is one of the best means of controlling your expenses on leisure activities. I personally study martial arts and have a 24 hour gym membership.

At around $170 a month I have something to do or somewhere to go everyday, at least twice a day.

$170/30 days = $5.67 a day

Remember, cabin fever is the enemy and idle hands will get you in trouble.

If you become a shut in, you risk the pitfalls of splurging and shopping out of boredom. These 2 things will destroy any budget.

Read

A book is a great grounding tool.

Having something good to read will keep you home and can also provide assistance towards your next adventure.

Reading books about financial management or travel destinations are great for keeping your mind on the task at hand and serve as a daily reminder to stay the course.

Get rid of car payments and debt

Paying off debt is just a good life goal.

If you don’t owe others money, then it can start working for you and not against you. While some debt can’t be helped, such as student loans or a mortgage, at least they are assets which provide equity or opportunity.

A $400 car payment does not.

So the point here is to purchase things that are affordable, not outside of our means, and more importantly, to know the difference. Especially if you wish to travel for extended periods of time.

Watch where you shop

Where you purchase groceries and other items can be just as important as what you buy. Search deals, use coupons, and find buy one get one deals to purchase non perishable items in bulk.

There are also a lot of savings apps available on the internet such as Ibotta, which can provide cash back to an account that can later be redeemed as cash or a choice of different gift cards.

Living

This one can be hard to help depending on many factors, your location, family, etc.

“If you will live like no one else, later you will live like no one else”, once again quoting Dave Ramsey.

Pretty smart guy right?

If possible, find a cheaper place to live, get a roommate, or move in with family if it’s an option. This will help you save much faster and achieve your travel dreams.

Safe travels!

Australia always fascinated me.

Early in life I had two dream trips and Oz was one of them. I’m not sure if it was the culture, the accents, beaches full of good looking women, Paul Hogan, or just the promise to go on the piss for a few weeks and chill with a koala for once, but finally, I had arrived in Oceana.

I started in New Zealand, solely on the recommendation of friends and found that Auckland was a really interesting city with plenty to do.

As a foreigner who decided to show up without doing any research whatsoever, I found a great restaurant/bar scene, plenty of shopping, a museum full of Māori history and artifacts, a volcano, and a beautiful nearby island full of vineyards.

I jumped on my plane bound for Queenstown after 45 minutes of unconsciousness from a heavy night of after hours drinking with some bartenders I befriended a few hours before.

Upon our descent, the weather didn’t permit our landing and I found myself on a detour to Christchurch and later on a bus back to my original destination.

The 7 hour bus trip was awe inspiring.

Having to repress my desire to vomit profusely, was not.

After arriving in Queenstown, I checked into my hostel, ate the complimentary pea soup and debated to drink again or go to sleep…

Subject my liver to further abuse, heard.

I can sleep when I get home, right?

Judge me if you will, but this night set the course for my entire experience in Queenstown.

Good company makes any amazing experience better and this is where I met two of my favorite people in my adventures, Dorotka and Mary.

We bungee jumped the Nevis together, ate Fergburger, and unwillingly met an Italian kid who gave a kiwi a dead fish hand shake which almost started a brawl. Good times.

Queenstown is home to a booming adventure sport scene for those who enjoy a thrill. The majestic mountains and glacier fed lakes are a scenery that could intrigue the greatest outdoor enthusiast.

My time in New Zealand was brief. Shorter than I wished it had been. The islands are breathtaking, the people were great to me, and the food was delicious, and drinking with the New Eland Warriorsbut it was time to move on to the next stop.

I spent my first 4 days in Australia in Melbourne.

Home to the Melbourne Cricket Ground, I immediately headed to watch an Aussie rules football match. I knew nothing about the sport, but made friends at the bar who helped me along with the rules.

Melbourne is an upbeat city with plenty of graffiti style murals and a top class restaurant scene that will fulfill any foodies dreams.

Plenty of day trips are possible from Melbourne to nearby locations like Great Ocean Road, Bells Beach and Phillip Island if you get tired of the hustle of the city.

After a few days in Melbourne I decided it was time to carry on and headed to Brisbane for a few days.

I didn’t get much accomplished since most of the 2 days are an alcoholic blur.

Hey, these things happen.

This is with the exception of an afternoon around the town and a day trip to the Gold Coast. At least I found a Mos Burger, a fast food joint I tried in Japan.

Everyone loves a tasty piece of nostalgia.

I boarded my flight in the usual state and wedged myself between the 2 Herculean figures in seats A and C . They not only took the arm rests, but most of my seat as well.

Bastards, no wonder I drink so much when I travel, it’s broken seats, crying babies, and these assholes.

We were headed for Sydney, and I couldn’t get there fast enough.

My week in Sydney was my favorite time in Australia and well worth the shit flight.

From watching Madame Butterfly in the Opera house, climbing the Sydney harbor bridge, drinking in the rocks, or hanging out in Bondi and Manley beach, Sydney proved to be very entertaining.

I loved both countries, but wish I could have spent more than 1 week in New Zealand. All in all my trip was a success and my time came to and end.

Time to go home and start planning again.

The land of the rising sun.

I had waited my whole life to visit Japan. I dreamed of the culture, the food, the landscapes. Everything.

Video games, movies and martial arts were my only early exposure to their culture, but something told me that I loved this place before I ever stepped off of the plane.

I was right.

As I arrived at Narita, I was terrified, alone and absolutely clueless. The language barrier was immediately obvious and I was lost as soon as I landed.

As I asked what felt like every stranger in sight if they speak English, eventually a nice woman told me she knew where I was going and that Asakusa was two stops after hers.

I followed her like a puppy until she got off the train. The doors closed, we smiled and waved goodbye and the overwhelming feeling returned.

I was on my own.

Tokyo is a sensory overload for any first time visitor. I wandered the streets in awe, utterly confused, curious and eating everything in sight.

Not much, but this sums up my first few days pretty well.

The sushi, ramen shops and Japanese pubs should be an obvious must see. I also found Mos Burger to be a pleasant surprise if you want to try a Japanese fast food joint.

After drinking most of the night in Roppongi, I woke up at 6 AM immensely hungover and headed for Fuji Kawaguchiko with my roommate Kat on an astounding 2 hours of sleep.

She spent the bus ride rather amused at my state of impairment and tried to convince me to climb Mt. Fuji with her. I persistently declined, insisting that I had indeed come to see Fuji, just not the top of it.

Her resolve was unwavering, she won.

We decided we would climb overnight with our new friends Eric and Vanessa and summit for the sunrise. I already committed to the hike in jeans and sneakers, with little sleep and a hangover, so why not, right..?

After Fuji, I parted ways with everyone and made my way to Kyoto.

 

Some of my favorite sights were the Golden Pavilion, Fushimi Inari Taisha and the many gardens and walkways the city has to offer.

For relaxation, I also recommend taking the train to Kurama Onsen if you are curious to check out a traditional style Japanese bath.

After Kyoto, I hopped on the Shinkansen to Hiroshima and in 2 hours time I arrived, hungover again and slightly ready to go.

I didn’t find my time in Hiroshima to be as eventful it proved to be a more relaxed pace than the other cities I had visited. I walked around the city for 2 days exploring its bars and historical sights.

From here, I took a day trip to Itsukushima, also known as Miyajima.

Miyajima is a mysteriously beautiful island, with delicious black bean maple cookies, savory grilled oysters, thousands of stone statues and the famous floating torii gate.

From there, I completed my trip by returning to Tokyo for my last 3 days, exploring the Ueno Zoo and shopping district, clubbing in Shibuya and taking another look at the Asakusa streets.

Tokyo is much easier to navigate once you have a better understanding of PASSMO and how the culture in general.

While Japan is still the greatest culture shock I have had as a solo traveler, it remains my favorite trip to this day.