The secret to travelling light

Of all the inane things to be wasting my time googling in preparation for our upcoming holiday to the UK, I’ve fallen down the rabbit hole of travel and fashion bloggers’ packing tips. Somebody. Kill me.

Tips for running in Tokyo – Part 2

This is the much delayed second part to my earlier post where I promised to give some tips on where to go running if you’re visiting Tokyo. Even thought it’s been several months since I was there, the runs have stayed with me as some of the most enjoyable I’ve done.

As I mentioned in my other post, even though I was only in Japan a short time, having a ‘regular’ running route can make you feel more at home and something like a local as you start to recognise smaller landmarks and fall into the daily rhythm of an area. Now I’m home I miss passing the policemen sitting behind desks in the Koban stations on my way down to the Sumida River, and seeing the dogs dressed up for their walks around Shinobazu Pond.

Tips for running in Tokyo

Going for a run while you’re on holiday in another city or country is a great thing to do. You can fool yourself, for a short time at least, that you’re a local. You can also get to things you might not otherwise be able to reach at walking pace and have experiences beyond those normally associated with the usual business of travel.

Capital contrasts: Tokyo and Canberra – Part 2

Following on from Capital contrasts – Part 1, since returning home from a month-long holiday in Japan, I’ve been thinking about the differences I’ve noticed between life in Australia’s capital, Canberra, and Japan’s capital, Tokyo. These differences are by no means definitive, nor supported by any evidence other than my own observations as a resident of one city, and as a visitor to the other.

Capital contrasts: Tokyo and Canberra – Part 1

Recently I was lucky enough to spend a month pretending to live in Tokyo. Now that I’m home and settled back in Canberra, Australia, I’ve been thinking about the differences and similarities between these two great capital cities.