Author: Nina Fuentes

  • Snapshot Japan: Snowy Sapporo

    Snapshot Japan: Snowy Sapporo, a photo by nina_theevilone on Flickr. I left Tokyo early yesterday morning to embark on what became a 12-hour journey to Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido. Just as I was getting used to the cool climes of the Kanto region, I braced myself for even colder weather. While the southern half…

  • Snapshot Japan: Nekobukuro

    Snapshot Japan: Nekobukuro, a photo by nina_theevilone on Flickr. Everyone has their must-do list in any place they visit. Those who have seen the movie would probably want to head to the Hachiko statue in Shibuya, while those into Japanese Fashion might head to Harakuju. My list only has one item: visit a cat cafe.…

  • Snapshot Japan: Oh Tokyo!

    Snapshot Japan: Oh Tokyo!, a photo by nina_theevilone on Flickr. We arrive in Tokyo today via the shinkansen (bullet train). Getting off at Tokyo Station, I immediately get a feel of just how fast everybody (and I guess everything) move in this city. It’s rather overwhelming if you’re a first time visitor, and I am…

  • Snapshot Japan: Enchanting Kyoto

    Snapshot Japan: Enchanting Kyoto, a photo by nina_theevilone on Flickr. Kyoto, Japan’s old capital, is a Unesco World Heritage city. All the guidebooks and travelers recommend stopping by the city when they’re in Japan. Just three hours out of Tokyo via shinkansen (bullet train), the major sites can be seen in a day, but if…

  • Snapshot Japan: Just keep walking

    Snapshot Japan: Just keep walking, a photo by nina_theevilone on Flickr. Like many fans of Japanese manga, anime, and dramas, Japan ranks high in my dream destination list. Plans have been made a couple of times, but things have a bad habit of popping up, and the Japan 2010 became a Japan whenever. I pretty…

  • Wandering with Muji to GO

    This is an advertorial I’ve been a fan of Muji since I discovered the brand, and have been to many places with their travel items. The hanging toiletries case served me well, specially in hostel bathrooms that have very limited space, and the neck cushion helped make those long bus and train rides comfortable. First…

  • Marrakech

    When Morocco is mentioned, people always think of Marrakech. This vibrant city is the most popular destination in the country, thanks to budget carriers that have direct flights from various cities in Europe. After Fez, we were ready to face the touts at Djemma El Fna Square and the souks. Orange cart at Drjemma El…

  • Ouarzazate and Aït Benhaddou

    We claimed our bags from the bus’ hold and had to stop to stretch our stiff bodies. The trip from Merzouga covered a good part of the day; it was already 4pm when we arrived in Ouarzazate. This small town was added to our itinerary primarily for Aït Benhaddou and we had no idea what…

  • Hassi Labied and Erg Chebbi

    Once again we woke up inside a bus, but the landscape outside is quite different. There seemed to be a seemingly endless nothingness, broken only by small clusters of buildings every once in a while. Slowly, the bus empties, until only half a dozen tourists remain. The driver pulls up to a small town in…