Mashiko Sunflower Fields: More Than Just a Summer Attraction
Every year in August, approximately a million sunflowers bloom across the vast fields in Japan. The sunflower signals the arrival of summer. Luckily, I can easily view sunflower fields here in Mashiko, a 2-hour car drive from Tokyo. It attracts hundreds of visitors every year making it one of the largest sunflower gardens in Japan. PAST EVENTS As a resident of Mashiko, I'm always looking forward to visiting this sunflower field every year. In the landlocked prefecture of Tochigi where Mashiko is located, it lacks access to Japan's beaches. Instead of having that tropical beach vibe in summer, I want to explore more sunflower gardens and experience fireworks festivals. The past sunflower festivals were not really a crowd drawer. Most…
Mico’s Eco Park, Ormoc City: A Break from City Life
Eco parks are now gaining popularity in Southeast Asia, especially in the rural areas of the Philippines. And in Ormoc City, you can find it at Brgy. Milagro, a place known for its cooler temperature and high altitude. The place is developed yet it is not highly modernized and luxurious. Eco parks are meant to be natural and raw and use methods that reduce maintenance and promote sustainability. Little Bali in Ormoc City We paid the entrance fee at the little cafe at the roadside that serves refreshing drinks like bubble tea and iced coffee. It has breathtaking views of the verdant rolling hills with coconut trees everywhere. It just gives me that Bali vibes, so relaxing and rustic, just…
88 Cafe Ormoc City – Coffee Time in the Mountains
If you are like me who loves cafes and coffee, you definitely agree with my choice when it comes to cafe hopping. This time, when I visited Ormoc City, my family recommended the hippest cafe in town. And it's not just some trendy Korean-like cafe in the city but this is somewhat different. Situated in the highlands of barangay Milagro in Ormoc City, I fell in love with the place immediately. And what's even more exciting? They really look gorgeous and glossy on Instagram and it's dubbed one of Ormoc's Instagrammable cafes! The location I can never say no to 88 Cafe's location - surrounded by lush trees and ornamental plants. The climate is excellent, although still warm but without…
SALS Pineapple Plantation in Ormoc City
My first destination to visit in Ormoc City in The Philippines during my vacation was SALS Pineapple Plantation. I was really looking forward to this place because of the beautiful images that I saw on social media. The place has greatly changed from the past, and many people can easily access this farm. I still remember the time when this farm was greatly remote and isolated because of dirt roads and poor infrastructure. Fast forward to the present, the roads leading to this plantation are concreted and spacious, and it has become a tourist area frequently visited by people from other regions and countries. SALS Queen Pineapple The queen pineapples, known for their distinctive sweet taste are different from the…
What It’s Like to Travel After the Pandemic
It's air travel season once again and this time, it was something different from my past travels. I had anticipated this so much after the pandemic. After three long years of waiting, I finally got my air ticket, packed my bags, and traveled. What has changed? I was looking forward to the day when everything will be normal once again pre-pandemic level. It was like an impossible dream to achieve. But 2023 was indeed a great time to travel. All coronavirus restrictions are lifted, from the two-week hotel quarantine to the wearing of masks. What a joyful news to hear! Imagine if I had not waited, I have had to endure quarantines, swab tests, countless vaccine boosters, and certificates. I…
We Started a Beehive in our Garden. Here’s What You Need to Know
Just this year, me and my husband were thinking of another side hustle. It doesn't need to be urgent but something long-term and enjoyable. And he thinks about selling honey. It may sound profitable and easy but you need to have basic knowledge in beekeeping. And we started from scratch by studying from the very beginning. Beekeeping equipment We purchased the essential equipment online and from a garden shop. These tools are new to avoid problems in the future. Equipment includes brood box, hive parts, smoker, and hive tool. And lastly, we purchased a beekeeping suit and gloves to protect us from the bee stings. Where we get the bees We contact the local bee supplier from the nearby town…
5 Popular Japanese Traditional Activities in Summer
June is finally here and it's officially summer in Japan! Did you know that there are a lot of traditional activities here which you can’t find anywhere in the world? Yes and interestingly if it’s your first time or still planning to visit, you will be amazed by the richness of Japanese culture. So here are 6 popular Japanese traditional activities that you enjoy whether you live in the countryside or in the metropolis. 1. Marvel at the fireworks display Image by Tuan Hung Nguyen from Pixabay Japan's cities and towns host an annual fireworks festival in summer, around the month of July to August. This spectacular event is much-awaited by both locals and foreign tourists. The night skies become…
Green Tea Smoothie
The month of May is ending soon and while I enjoy every bit of this late spring season, I can't deny that hot humid summer days are just around the corner. To prepare for the hot season, I'm planning a list of cold beverages to fight the hotness of summer. And one of the best cold beverages here in Japan is the green tea smoothie. I love fruit shakes and smoothies but green tea gives a different twist. I'm not really a fan of super sweet shakes so the bitterness of green tea is a good accent to tone down any sweet desserts and drinks. It might taste a bit grassy to people who are not used to drinking green…
Quick and Simple Coffee Jelly Recipe
It's been a long time since I've been away from blogging!... After Golden Week here in Japan, things get back to the normal routine. The season slowly changed to summer and I've got my winter clothes washed and kept for the next cold season. I drink my warm beverages still during the early morning but as noon approaches, I love to indulge in cold drinks and desserts. As a coffee lover, I want to try all kinds of coffee and I think I should make a dessert with it. Luckily, I was able to declutter my cupboard and found leftover packets of gelatin powder with a recipe written on the small slip of paper. And I thought, wow I should…
Japan’s Golden Week Celebration
After enjoying Japan's cherry blossom period, there is another holiday to be celebrated on the last week of April to the first week of May. It's called Golden Week. But what is Golden Week? What is the origin of this holiday? How do we celebrate it? Read on to have an insight into this long holiday season. What is Golden Week? Golden Week is the period between April 29th to May 5th. That's exactly 7 days! Let me tell you the names of each non-working holiday. First is Showa Day (Showa no Hi), followed by Constitution Memorial Day (Kenpo Kinenbi), Greenery Day (Midori no Hi), and finally Children's Day (Kodomo no Hi). Showa Day (April 29th) Showa Day celebrates the…