TANKS Travel Tales - a travelogue.......

Japan,  Tokyo This article was first published on my other blog, Monde des Stylos . This other bloc entered on anything and everything related to Pens and Stationery. Since I started using fountain pens a few years ago, I have always wanted to attend the Tokyo International Pen Show (TIPS). Thus, being able to be at TIPS 2024 is definitely an unlocking of one of my Travel Bucket List items. And to be able to attend TIPS with my Japanese friend, who is a fellow fountain pen user, certainly made the event even more meaningful for me. ****************** This was my very first time attending a pen show. I did not actually planned to attend this event. But somehow, my travel dates to Japan in autumn of 2024 coincided with the show. Realising this, I gladly took the opportunity to include the show into my travel itinerary and through social media, managed to get in touch with a kind gentleman based in Tokyo who helped me with my event ticket booking. Thus, on 3 November 2024, I attended ...

Japan,  Iwakuni A beautiful wooden arch bridge, the Kintai-kyo in Japan's western prefecture of Yamaguchi was originally built around 1673. With a history dating more than 350 years, the bridge spans over the Nishiki River, overlook by the Iwakuni Castle on top of Mount Yokoyama.  The original article was first posted in this blog on 4 July 2021. ****************** When I travel, I typically do not have a fixed itinerary or a list of sights to experience. My preference being to wander around without any fixed plans while hoping to serendipitously chance upon local gems not listed in any travel guide books. But occasionally, I did have an item on my to-do-to-visit list which I usually picked up while browsing magazines or watching travel shows on TV. The  Kintai-kyo  is one such item. Having been "introduced" to this historical wooden arch bridge while watching a travel documentary on Japan's NHK channel, I decided that when the opportunity presented itself, I will tr...

Japan,  Nagaoka The Hanabi Matsuri in Nagaoka is arguably one the best in Japan, a country renowned for its many Hanabi Matsuri held annually all over the country in the summer months of July and August. I had the rare opportunity to fulfil a personal Travel Bucket List item when I attended both days of the Nagaoka  Hanabi Matsuri in August 2023. ****************** Attending the Nagaoka Hanabi Matsuri (Fireworks Festival) has always been a travel bucket list item for me. This year, I finally managed to check this item on my list. I attended the event on both days, on the 2nd and 3rd of August 2023. With an estimated 20,000 rounds of fireworks launched into the summer night sky of Nagaoka, this is arguably one of the best fireworks display not just in Japan but probably in the world. Held along the Shinano River, this is truly the mother of all Fireworks Display for me. Here, I am sharing a couple of photos and a short 12-seconds video of part of the fireworks display. I have a...

UK,  Scotland, Glasgow Time do fly indeed. This article was originally posted in this blog on 17th September 2014 describing my trip to Glasgow even further back by another 3 years, in 2011. This was my one and only trip to Glasgow.  During the trip, I had spent time exploring the city on foot, alone. Without any digital GPS-assisted map to guide me. Why? Because I was neither looking for anything nor going anywhere in particular. Thus, began my love for uncharted and unplanned walking trips around cities I travelled to. I often will spent a day or so, diving straight into parts of a city; walking, sightseeing, discovering and enjoying what the city has to offer. And hopefully, serendipitously chance upon a minor adventure or two that I can translate into a travel tale after the trip. And while on my little "adventures", maybe to tick off an item or two on my travel bucket list. ⛰ ****************** Glasgow..... The name of this famous city i...

Japan,  Yokohama Chancing upon an event featuring one's favourite franchise characters of all time definitely qualifies as a Travel Bucket List item. At least in my opinion! This was what happened to me when I arrived in Yokohama in August 2023 to discover myself in the midst of the  Pokémon World Championship 2023. Needless to say, I quickly immersed myself into the  festival-like atmosphere of the event. It was such a joy joining leagues of Pokémon fans worldwide to celebrate  Pokémon World Championship. The original article was posted on this blog in November 2023. ⛰ ****************** How often does anyone chanced upon a major event featuring one's personal hobby while traveling? I did, in August 2023. Sandshrews! Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan (2023) Arriving at Yokohama two days early to rest and relax before boarding my cruise to the Kyushu region and other parts of Asia, I found myself in the midst of the Pokémon...