Travel Is My Sport

Where to Stay Nara is about an hour by train from Osaka. For this trip, we decided it would be best to stay some nights in Osaka and then transfer to Kyoto for our Kyoto leg.  I came across For Leaves Inn Uehonmachi when I was looking for a place to stay in Osaka. The inn is on a convenient and quiet location. From Kansai airport, I would recommend taking the limousine bus which drops you right at Uehommachi station. From there, the inn is just walking distance. Nara How to get there: There are 2 train station serving Nara. JR Nara and Kintetsu Nara. The latter is closer to the tourist spots. You can also purchase a bus pass if you are visiting lots of places in Nara. For this trip, we visited Kofukuji and Todaiji temples and the surrounding Nara Park. These attractions are just walking distance from Kintetsu Nara station. Nara Park Kofukuji Todaiji Osaka After spending half a day in Nara, we decided to go back to Osaka. It was rainy...

Maokong Gondola Directions: Take the Taipei Metro to Taipei Zoo station and follow the signs going to Maokong Gondola. What's special here: Compared to Ngong Ping 360 (Hong Kong), I can consider the price for a ride at Maokong Gondala as quite cheap. There's also no price difference between the regular cabin versus the crystal cabin. If you're brave enough, I highly recommend taking the crystal cabin. Round trip ticket costs TWD 120. Taipei Zoo Directions: If you're coming back from the gondolas, trace your back to the Taipei Zoo metro station and then follow the signs for the Zoo. What's special here: Well, it's a huuuge zoo! I suggest going here on a weekday though as this is a very popular destination among locals. The entrance fee is very cheap at TWD 60 for adults and TWD 30 for children. I would also suggest that you bring your own food as the stores inside are not able to keep up if there's a huge number of visitors. I wis...

Longshan Temple Directions: Take the Taipei metro to Longshan Temple Station (blue line) and follow the signs. It's hard to miss the temple with its distinct looks. Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Directions: Take the Taipei Metro to the CKS Memorial Hall Station (green line). What to do here: Explore the grounds of Liberty Square and be in awe of the National Theater Hall, National Concert Hall. You can also watch the hourly changing of the guards inside the memorial dedicated to koumintang leader Chiang Kai Shek. National Taiwan University Directions: Take the taipei Metro and alight at Guangguan Station (green line) What to do here: If you're a Meteor Garden fan, then no need for explanations. Jiufen Directions: By Public Bus: First, take the Taipei Metro to Zhongxiao Fuxing interchange station on the blue/brown line. Then find the bus stop for bus # 1062. Here's a google maps view . Be wary though that it can be packed with tou...

Tian Wai Tian Hotpot Directions: Go to Ximending by taking the metro to Ximen Station. Use Exit 6 and follow this walking directions from Google Maps . What's special here: Bang-for-the-buck steamboat buffet that includes unlimited serving of Haagen Dazs ice cream and drinks (including beer!). The price varies depending on the the time of your visit. (Adults: from TWD 439 to TWD 519; Children: TWD 219) Yehliu Geopark Directions: From Taipei Main Station, find the Taipei West Bus Terminal Station A . It was hard to find the terminal if it's your first time so what we did is ask a station personnel. Once in the bus terminal, board bus 1815. Again, it's safer to tell the driver that you be going to Yehliu. There's 34 stops between Taipei and Yehliu so goodluck counting the number of stops. Once you alight at the bus stop, follow this walking directions. ( Google maps ) What's special here: Rock formations in different shapes! Entr...