Western Red Cedar's Journal

[2Birds1Stone]

What a year man. Congratulations on realizing your dream of taking this time for yourselves. Meeting you and DW and getting to spend a couple months around Asia together on two separate occasions was a big highlight of 2024 for us.

I'm really interested to follow along on your next chapter........what will WRC do upon returning to the USA =D

Not to rush your remaining adventures on this side of the Pacific away.

[Western Red Cedar]

What a year man. Congratulations on realizing your dream of taking this time for yourselves. Meeting you and DW and getting to spend a couple months around Asia together on two separate occasions was a big highlight of 2024 for us.

Thank you! Spending a couple months with you both bumped our trip from great to excellent. It was really nice to add some variety and socialization to our standard routines. DW is a heavy introvert, so it was lovely seeing how well our respective partners connected. Almost unbelievable seeing how much we all had in common.

One of the big elements missing during some of our travels was a sense of community. It is inspiring seeing how the two of you have created that with a nomadic lifestyle in Europe, Asia and North America. I'm guessing the Christmas meal we shared in Thailand was larger and more jovial than what many of us may have experienced back home.

[Western Red Cedar]

We have now been on the road for a full year. We spent $30,166 for the year (*eta - I forgot to account for the physical cash we have on hand, so our number for two was 29,836 or 14,918 per person.) That is slightly higher than my projected budget, but I consider it money well spent. I have now spent almost 10% of my life in Asia, and never would have predicted that when I was younger.

Our shared priorities for the trip are:

Build memories and strengthen our relationship
Explore world class cities and natural areas
Spend time near the water
Examine if this is a sustainable lifestyle

Some of my personal priorities and goals include:

Improve Spanish
Document Street Art
General Photography
Workout Routine (bodyweight, bands, gyms?)
Daily Meditation
Yoga
Gratitude Practice
Writing & Journaling
Hiking/Trekking/Flaneuring
Leisure Reading (Focused Reading?)
Sit Spot/Observation/People Watching
Improve Drawing/Art Skills
Experiment with Filmmaking
Try out WWOOFing
Guitar/Music

We accomplished our shared goals, which were fairly broad. I was relatively successful in my personal goals for the trip, but dropped quite a few as well. I could have pushed myself more, but was consciously embracing the notion of decompression and the art of doing nothing. I leaned heavily into general photography, and got really into documenting street art after visiting the Dream Space Gallery in Chiang Mai in June. In one sense, simply giving myself time to travel, hang out with DW, and take lots of pictures was/is a success in my mind. I was relatively consistent with workouts, but took a few weeks off here and there where it didn't make sense to lift weights due to cost or proximity to a gym. I enjoyed getting monthly memberships at a gym when we had longer stays, or staying in Airbnbs with nice gyms in the building, which probably represented 3/4 of the trip.

I've been very consistent with a daily gratitude practice. I use an app and it is one of the only notifications I allow on my phone. I filled up an analog journal throughout the year, and just started another one which is a beautiful handmade journal that lies flat, which I picked up in Dalat. I've done some basic stretching throughout the year, but I didn't really do much yoga. I didn't bring a mat with me which was probably a major variable.

I would have liked to do more hiking this year, but it was often a bit difficult getting to trailheads without a scooter. Nonetheless, I got out when I could, and kept a pretty high step count throughout the year. I definitely embraced the flaneur lifestyle, which allowed for some great people watching.

I experimented with filming periodically, but didn't do anything with the footage yet. My plans to edit the documentary on the shire slipped through the cracks as my laptop is now ten years old and doesn't support iMovie anymore. I also realized a couple months into the trip that I didn't need to take on a major project on the road to find purpose, so I was happy putting that project on the back burner.

We thought seriously about WWOOFing in Australia or New Zealand this year, but I realized that arrangement is actually pretty draining for DW as she is masking full time in those situations. Maybe I'll make it there one day, maybe not. DW lived there briefly when she was younger so didn't have the same desire to spend extended time there.

In terms of guitar, I opted not to bring one with me or buy one abroad, in order to travel lightly. Yet, I regularly picked up guitars in coffee shops or restaurants when they had one available and played for a while. On multiple occasions, I played for an hour or so with locals. I'll call this one a success, even though I didn't really progress much musically. I just got comfortable playing in front of others.

We've ultimately decided that, for us, this isn't necessarily a sustainable lifestyle. Perhaps we'd feel differently if we were settled into one or two locations. But, we have strong roots back in the US and that feels like where we should focus on in the future. I'm curious to see how I feel after a few months back in the states though.

Reflections on a year of the nomadic lifestyle:

• This will likely feel like the best year of my life (thus far) as I reflect on it down the road

• Certain types of trips and experiences are better and more appropriate at particular stages of life. Our preferences and style of travel is quite different than it was in our 20's. I'm glad we spent time in Asia now though. There are a lot of spots in Europe we haven't visited, but I think we could do that a little later in life.

• Living in Asia has further illuminated the social and cultural problems I've observed in the US. The contrast is stark.

• Finding a balance between structure/routine and novelty remained a challenge. We could have stayed longer in some places, but many of our favorite memories resulted from moving around and exploring new destinations. I'm still not sure what the appropriate balance is, but monthly rental make a lot of sense from a logistical, psychological, and financial perspective.

• Time moves slower when nomadic. It felt like multiple years packed into one. We are not only fortunate in terms of finances, but even more so in terms of time wealth. This is the result of more than a decade of deliberate lifestyle choices, but I feel incredibly blessed.

• I enjoyed the leisurely, bohemian lifestyle with lots of time in cafes, museums, and public spaces; but would have enjoyed more physical or adventurous pursuits. I also felt at times, the lifestyle was too self-indulgent. No regrets about spending a year focused on my own pleasure and my relationship with DW, but I'll look forward to focusing on and supporting other people in my life when I return.

• We found a nice balance between following an itinerary and staying flexible. The second half of the trip unfolded with a good deal of spontaneity.This is one of my favorite things about travel, and where I've experienced some of my favorite memories.

• The forces of the global, industrial machine are massive and the environmental crisis will only be addressed through larger collective action. I have less faith that individual action can affect change than I did when starting the trip.

• My experiences have strengthened my resolve to practice gratitude every day. This seems like a key to maintaining some perspective in my life and feeling content with my life's trajectory.

• I haven't had any issues with a lack of purpose in a year without work. The bigger challenge was the lack of community.

• Nothing is guaranteed If you want something in life, you must go out and get it. Make it a reality. Circumstances change and doors can close.

*Edited to elaborate

[Sabaka]

I've been doing a binge of your entries for 2024. I must admit, mainly for the photography! Absolutely beautiful, almost feel as if I am there! Provides an amazing window into such different lives It also gave me significant travel envy!

Lack of community whilst scratching the travel bug is a difficult one to solve. Community usually requires an extended stay in a single location in order for "roots" to be established. I believe you mentioned at some point the possibility of purchasing a plot of land. Potentially a homebase where you can spend a large portion of the year establishing community, whilst fulfilling the travel bug for the other part?

Whatever you do, I'm excited to see more pictures!

[Western Red Cedar]

I believe you mentioned at some point the possibility of purchasing a plot of land. Potentially a homebase where you can spend a large portion of the year establishing community, whilst fulfilling the travel bug for the other part?

Whatever you do, I'm excited to see more pictures!

I'll probably be writing more about this in the near future. We have less than a month before we move back home. I've been brainstorming how I want to approach the next phase of life. A couple professional opportunities popped up that would fit into my WOG, but I also like the idea of pursuing adventures closer to home. At least for a few more months or into the summer.

Maybe I'll do a photo drop of some of my favorite photographs throughout the trip to close out this chapter of the journal. Sometimes I get a little self-conscious about uploading too many photos into the journal, but I've always enjoyed the way it adds context to other journals I read.

Anyway, there will be more on the way. We just wrapped up our first two weeks in Naha, Okinawa and moved up to the mountains outside a small village yesterday.

[sodatrain]

Sounds amazing... and yes please!! Post a bunch of pics - they are always beautiful and interesting!

Re land.... Have you been to Fairbanks?!

[Western Red Cedar]

Re land.... Have you been to Fairbanks?!

Nice plug for the burgeoning ERE community . I've actually never been to Alaska, but I think it would be a hard sell for DW considering the temperatures up there. Guatemala would be a more likely option than Alaska for us

The land I mentioned earlier in the journal was actually adjacent to my family's homestead. Collectively, we have 75 acres. My parents have 40 acres that will need additional stewardship as my dad gets older, so it probably doesn't necessarily make sense to buy my own plot. The recent discussion on wildfires has given me further pause about making any large financial investments in the wildland urban interface:

viewtopic.php?p=297400#p297400

[Western Red Cedar]

January Update:

Life on the Road:

This month felt like I packed multiple months into one. It started with a lovely meetup for a new years day brunch with the ego and 2b1s families. A final ERE soiree before we parted ways with Mr. and Mrs. ego on the banana pancake trail in SE Asia. DW and I had another ten days in Chiang Mai with @2b1s and his wife, enjoying the amenities of Chiang Mai, spending a few afternoons by their swimming pool, and getting back to our regular lifting routine.

DW and I spent a couple days wandering through a variety of Chiang Mai thrift shops - some with bargain basement prices and some with a heavily curated collection - in order to prepare for colder weather in Japan. She scored some great deals. I found what I was looking for, but had to pay more - but the shoes and jacket I picked up definitely have swag.

Vagabonding in Naha:

We had a quick stopover in Bangkok then flew to Naha, Okinawa for what will be one of the last legs of the trip. The cleanliness, order, infrastructure and air quality immediately contrasted with what we've experienced in SE Asia throughout the year. I can't tell you how nice it is to simply drink water from the tap, or walk around a well-designed studio apartment with a comfortable pair of slippers, or have access to clean bathrooms throughout the city with heated toilet seats and bidets. We had 15 days booked in Naha, and left things relatively unplanned. Aside from a couple days of heavy rain, we got out, wandered around, walked until our days became interesting, took loads of pictures, spent time by the water, and sampled some of the unusual Okinawa dishes such as taco rice.

Most of the time we didn't need to spend any money, as there was so much to see and do. Japan is the perfect place for flaneuring. Even though Naha isn't a particularly large city, it offers so many unique streets, storefronts and pockets to explore. So many quirky, charismatic stores. I suspect this is just a sample of what mid-size cities in Japan have to offer. I didn't really have much time to explore in the same fashion on my short trip to Fukuoka and Nagasaki many years ago, so I don't really have a good baseline of comparison other than what I see and read. The City definitely has a tropical vibe and caters to tourists, perhaps similar to parts of Hawaii. The vegetation and ecology here is fascinating, as is the amalgamation of US culture, Japanese craftsmanship and Okinawa culture (which differs from mainland Japan).

DW thrifted a designer jacket at this massive DIY-themed store which included functional workshops and a massive assortment of handmade items. There is a large network of vintage and thrift stores here. Most have their own style and design.

Japanese vintage and thrift shops:



This was a higher-end thrift store with designer brands. There is definitely a strong cat culture here, where they are well cared for and hanging out both inside and outside:



One evening I was walking over to the port and the waterfront to catch the sunset. I probably saw at least a dozen cats just hanging out on the streets and sitting on the sidewalks, almost as if they were congregating, in a way I haven't really seen before. The parks and gardens often have water dishes out for the cats.



One of DWs favorite days was completely unplanned. I picked a coffee shop on a whim that had great reviews and was a 30 minute walk away, in a neighborhood we hadn't visited yet. We enjoyed the walk, and got coffee, tea, and freshly baked doughnuts for less than $5. The whole shop, and the gardens in particular, felt like a scene from a Studio Ghibli movie. We spent a couple hours enjoying our drinks, soaking in the garden, and playing with their cats. The fluffy one is named Ruchan and he was oozing personality. I went up to say hello, which he allowed for a minute, then he nipped at me. A few minutes later, he wandered over to snag a gentleman's slice of pizza, before settling back into the sun. Then, five minutes later he wandered over to our table and snuggled up in my lap for a good 15-20 minutes. I eventually shuffled him over to DW, and she was ecstatic as he nuzzled up with her for the next 15-20 minutes. There was a young girl, probably 2-3, eating with her mom inside. After they finished she wanted to come say hi to the cat, so we shuffled him to the table and let her do that, before he ultimately found his way back into our laps. I have a collection of great photos of DW in pure ecstasy in her new coat as this giant cat tries to make himself comfortable.





After the coffee shop, we stopped at a conveyor belt sushi restaurant that DW noticed on the walk over. We feasted on 20 pieces of Nigiri, of surprisingly good quality, for less than $8. This was one of those days, which seemed to be happening over and over in Japan, that felt like one of the best days of the last year, and unfolded completely organically.

I really love that notion of stumbling on something interesting, without over-planning. One evening, after experiencing that a half-dozen times, I walked by a dojo just down the street from my AirBnb. I watched a group of men spanning multiple generations practicing and sparring, on the island where Karate originated from:



Another evening I saw this pop-up kitchen near our apartment:



Another day we found ourselves near the traditional pottery street. An art form practiced for centuries on the Ryuku islands. There were lovely little plazas to relax, that made for great people watching, and amazing storefronts. On these outings, we'd literally stop to smell the flowers each day - roses, hibiscus, cherry blossoms, chamomile, and more.

This is a culture that places immense value on craftsmanship and attention to detail. Two artisans engaged in their chosen craft:





I spent a couple hours in this Japanese garden one evening after a long, solo walk by the waterfront. I went back with DW the following week and we spent another few hours there. Less than $2 for entry:





Managing burnout and staying present:

I was in an unusual headspace the first week in Naha. I was mentally ready to go home after DW got pretty sick in Luang Prabang and we had to scramble and change plans to get her to a hospital in Chiang Mai. The ERE meetups and socialization in N. Thailand was great, but I had dealt with too much stress and uncertainty over the last six months and was feeling a bit burnt out. The first ten days in Naha I was confronted with exactly what I love about travel and exploring new places. Slapped in the face with amazing experiences multiple times per day. Knowing that we will probably never return to Okinawa, particularly during the winter, I proactively tried to stay present throughout the day and appreciate the collection of amazing experiences. I'm still looking forward to returning home, but feel like I'm ending things on a high note, creating new memories, and solidifying our identities as adventurers.

A few other photos from Naha. I took a lot here!

Saturday Night at the Izakaya:



Gate at shuri Castle - Center of the Ryuku Kingdom:



Kokusaidori Street:





One of our highlights during our time in Naha was a day trip out to Zamami Island and the Kerama Shoto National Park. That deserves a separate trip report though. To be continued...

[2Birds1Stone]

Lovely write up and pictures! These will be memories for a lifetime and I am so happy that your year+ of adventure and exploration is ending on such a high note. It's fun to go back to the first few pages of your journal vs. the last page or two........you did it man!! Whatever comes next, you have fresh perspective and an updated world view.

[Western Red Cedar]

It's fun to go back to the first few pages of your journal vs. the last page or two........you did it man!! Whatever comes next, you have fresh perspective and an updated world view.

Sometimes I feel lucky when I reflect on the last year, and I suppose I am. After reading Deep Response this week, I realized I was pretty fortunate that I only briefly got sucked into a consumer lifestyle after landing my first professional job. I stumbled on the FIRE community pretty early in my career, which helped me avoid some of the common consumer traps (mortgages, car loans, expensive vacations, etc...). I was always frugal, but at that point I only thought one could buy a year or two of freedom, not a lifetime of it.

I also have to remind myself that the position we are in is the result of more than a decade of hard work, diligent investing and conscious, frugal lifestyle choices. We could have chosen a more comfortable and orthodox path at many points over the last ten years. DW and I prioritized optionality with our lifestyle design. We've been reaping the rewards over the last year.

It feels great accomplishing some of our shared goals and dreams in 2024. The next year is much more open-ended, so I'm curious what the future holds. It definitely seems like we've started 2025 out on the right foot though. I've spent the last ten days hiking in the mountains in the morning, afternoon and evening, taking trails into the jungle, sitting on a floor of ferns next to mountain streams, walking along beaches, visiting ancient ruins, listening to and watching the birds, taking photographs, reading, cooking, taking naps, listening to fascinating interviews, watching indie films, and appreciating a mountainside of cherry blossoms.

[Western Red Cedar]

Savoring the Sweet Sakura:

The Cherry blossom, or Sakura in Japanese, is DW’s favorite flower. We designed our wedding invitations with cherry blossoms. We’ve sought them out where we could in North America. We stumbled upon rows of them along the Puget Sound in Vancouver, BC a few years ago, which added a special flavor to that trip. Experiencing cherry blossoms in Japan was on our bucket list, but the cost and chaos of travel in Japan in the Spring made that feel like a distant dream. When a month in Okinawa popped onto our radar in December, and we realized that we would be here during cherry blossom season, I crafted an itinerary to optimize access to the sakura.

The Sakura is the national flower of Japan. Hanami, or cherry blossom viewing, is a popular pastime in Japan - encouraging families to spend time appreciating life’s simple pleasures. It is significant in Japanese Buddhism, as it offers an opportunity to reflect on the transitory nature of life. It represents the optimism of Spring. The most common variety of cherry tree in Okinawa is the hikanzakura, which is darker than those in other areas of Japan and has a bell-shaped blossom. This variety loses full flowers as they fall off the trees, rather than single petals of the Yoshini blossoms.

Instead of getting a monthly rental in Naha, we opted to spend ten days in the foothills of Mt. Yae just outside the small village of Motobu. DW initially flagged a villa that was within our budget, but it looked a bit remote considering we don’t have access to a vehicle and Japanese taxis can quickly blow up a budget. After doing more research on Northern Okinawa and looking more closely at the distance to the closest grocery store, I realized we could make it work. A 45 minute round trip walk up and down the mountain to the nearest grocery store was a worthy trade for access to a mountain with more than 7,000 cherry trees in bloom. A 45 minute walk to an express bus stop allowed us to access other spots on the north end of the island. Giving ourselves more than a week on the Motobu peninsula would also heighten the chance to actually see them in bloom, as the exact timing shifts year to year based on weather conditions.

The stop was a great opportunity to experience rural Japan. The mountain was often heavily flooded with tourists, particularly on the weekends. I’m grateful that we had ample time to hike around in early mornings, late afternoons, and in the sun, the rain and the mist. We were one of the only people walking around, as most people drive to a couple of the main sites and pose for photos. As a result, I had a background of birdsong to serenade me as I went up and down the mountain. While I mostly stuck to rural roads, I found a few side trails and was quickly able to escape into the quiet and solitude of the jungle. Some portions were completely covered in ferns, with a sprinkling of hikanzakura. I was also able to check out a couple dozen small farms, watch the sunset along the bay each night, and catch up on some reading in the evenings. There were so many simple pleasures packed into those walks. Watching the rain drip off orange trees, seeing local residents work in their gardens, watching the clouds move across the mountains and waiting for sunbeams to break through, appreciating the wide variety of flowers in bloom, listening to the wind, and stumbling onto mountain streams in the forest.

We made a couple day trips to the ruins of the Nakijin Castle, the aquarium and some local beaches. But we were generally content to have leisurely mornings and enjoy the mountains. The experience offered a nice contrast to life in the city. It continually made us grateful for the opportunity to experience Okinawa at this time of year and solidified the notion that it was worth it to spend a little more money to make that happen. Our first day hiking to the top of Mt. Yea will definitely be a highlight of 2025.

Sakura near the top of Mt. Yea:



Nakijin Castle:





Forest floor of ferns and cherry blossoms:



Evening hike in the mist and rain:





Motobu Peninsula:

[delay]

Thanks for sharing the beautiful pictures. Enjoying travel for so long is a rare gift. Several friends went on a one year "sabatical" holiday and came back to home and work after a few weeks.

It took me some time to locate Mount Yae, I kept writing "yea". Yeah yeah!

[Western Red Cedar]

@delay - You're welcome. I'm definitely looking at the last year as a gift. We are coming up on 13 months of life on the road but will be heading home soon. I'm looking forward to a new routine and lifestyle, but grateful for everything I've seen and experienced.

We are back in Taipei for the last stop of the trip before heading back. Flights home were about half the price from Taipei versus Japan. We are loving and enjoying the food, architecture, public transit, vegetation, and local life here.

[Western Red Cedar]

Trip Report - Keramashoto National Park

One of the highlights during our time in Japan was a long day trip to Zamami Island and the Keramashoto National Park. There were lodging options on the island, but the choices didn't look great in our budget and we didn't plan the best for an extended stay there before booking our initial accommodation in Naha so we opted for a long day trip. The faster ferry was slightly more expensive, but gave us a few extra hours to explore the island.

Our visit coincided with the Humpback Whale migrations and breeding. They migrate to the waters outside the islands for a few months every year from December to April. We decided against booking a whale watching tour considering the timeframe and the fact that DW gets motion sick. We hoped we might spot some from the ferry, but the ride was fast and wild so I quickly realized it wasn't going to happen shortly into the journey. We stayed out on the top deck for the hour long journey there and back enjoying the wind, fresh air, and scenery (but not so much the massive waves and uneasy footing).

Views from the Ferry:



The main options for day trips included Tokashiki, Zamami and Aka islands. We opted for Zamami because we could explore easily without a car. There were two beautiful beaches, each a 20-30 minute walk in opposite directions from the small village and Ferry port. There are less than 1,000 locals permanently living on the island, but it felt like there were plenty of options for food, bicycle rentals, and other basic amenities. I enjoyed checking out the different gardens throughout the island as we walked around.

The leisurely walk to Ama beach was ideal after the rocky morning ferry ride. There were a few other groups from the ferry, but the scenery was stunning and the island largely undeveloped. The water in the national park has a beautiful turquoise hue, and is know as "Kerama Blue" based on its distinct color. We felt lucky to be visiting in the off-season as there were hardly any tourists around and we could just relax, soaking up the stunning natural environment. DW immediately noticed the rock cliffs, which were Phylitte and differed than the sandstone we saw everywhere in Okinawa.

Phyllite Outcropping:



The beach had a buffer of morning glory next to the forest. There were a few trumpet flowers popping up here and there. The seeds can float through the ocean for a long time and germinate on other islands. The vegetation protect the beach by providing stability against the sea winds and keeping sand down during typhoons. I wandered back into the woods to check out the forest and do some birdwatching, while also aware I was venturing into a tropical jungle with venomous snakes. Ama beach has sites for tent camping, so I wasn't too worried.

Morning Glory Beach Cover:



After a couple hours of lounging, reading, talking and snacking, we headed back to the village to grab lunch. I ordered a rice bowl set topped with karaage which was actually one of my favorite meals in Japan. They pay so much attention to cuisine here, that you can find shockingly delicious meals in the most unpretentious locations.

From there we headed to Furuzamami Beach. Believe it or not, the Michelin Guide does ratings for beaches. This beach has two out of three Michelin stars. DW opted to take a nap shortly after arriving, so I wandered down the long beach to explore and take some photos. I hung out for a while to check out a local fisherman and someone else kitesurfing, then simply entertained myself appreciating the geology, vegetation, and scrambling around on rocks to try to get to another beach and find some interesting angles for photographs.

Nice Place for a Nap:



Beach Walks:



Catching Some Wind:



We walked back, waited for the ferry, and I enjoyed the last hour on top checking out all of the other islands as the sun started dropping in the horizon. We were thoroughly knackered after getting back, and slept well that night. They were probably the nicest beaches we visited on the whole trip, with East and West Railay Beach in Krabi, Thailand coming in second place. It was really refreshing witnessing the level of respect for the natural environment on both a national and community level, and the focus on prioritizing the local ecological systems.

It was also interesting reflecting on the historical role of these islands, and Okinawa more broadly, in regards to the military battles and WWII history. How different my experience was versus those who were in some of the very same locations 80 years ago.

[IlliniDave]

Those are some great photos, WRC. I'm not sure if you've put a bow on it yet, but I'm really happy that you were able to enjoy the achievement of a number of your goals. Also jealous in a friendly way that you got to meet with Ego and 2B1S recently. Enjoyed the perspectives and thoughts you shared with the photos. You should add yourself to the list of forum authors!

[C40]

Japan really is amazing. It's all so clean. It feels like they really respect their land and environment and natural resources - a very different mindset than many other places/people

[Sabaka]

Those pictures of the coast in Japan really caused me a double take - Idk why but in my mind I had implicitly accepted Japan just to be one sprawling city mass. To see such beautiful coastline kinda surprised me, but when one stops to think about it ofc Japan is not just Tokyo That beach almost looks like it could be from the Mediterranean.

Beautiful photos as always, I especially enjoyed the photo of morning glory beach cover. Glad you've had such an awesome year, and I hope you're enjoying the well earned rest!

[Laura Ingalls]

Travel does involve quite a bit of learning about yourself.

When people hear about our life they tend to envision being on vacation full time. They don’t think about being at the pharmacy with Google translate trying to get the right medication or waiting for the very scenic but not always reliable Portuguese train to roll up (or not).

We joke that we are just finding new places to go for a walk.

[Stasher]

Sighhhhhh I would love to explore the history of the cities and architecture of Europe but Japan is truly the magical bucket list place I want to visit. Thanks for sharing your photos and the recap that goes along with them WRC. I think if I go it will be on a bike, after watching this youtube video last month I was pretty convinced this is the way for me to visit.

https://youtu.be/RpH8vt5WLV0?si=U9CWLXSmAmhBLMyV

C40, this is what I admire and wish we did better in NA. A lot to do with the culture but also maybe the finiteness of being an island nation?

[Western Red Cedar]

Enjoyed the perspectives and thoughts you shared with the photos. You should add yourself to the list of forum authors!

Thanks so much! I consider that a great compliment. Writing a book is a bit of a distant dream I like to keep in my back pocket. I'm not quite sure how I'd approach it or what I would write about. I suppose the strategy in the meantime is to live my life in such a manner that I actually have something worthwhile to say if or when I finally sit down to write.

We have put a bow on the trip and are back stateside now. Life is moving faster than I have the time to document it here.

@C40 - Japan offers a really fascinating contrast to SE Asia. Ending the trip in Japan and Taipei gave me a little more hope for humanity to solve big problems after experiencing the air pollution, gridlock, litter, and other environmental concerns in SE Asia. I'm not sure if you've been to Okinawa, but you'd probably really enjoy the abundance of plants everywhere - both cultivated and wild. People had all kinds of amazing houseplants, and we would often see orchids propagated on random street trees throughout Naha.

I probably would have experienced some serious angst about the budget had I started the trip in Japan, but I'm really glad we finished there. I'm trying to get over a mental hangup on spending money and dwelling too much in a scarcity mindset.

DW and I were scouting potential places we could imagine relocating. After a few days in Japan, it jumped to the top of the list. Budget be damned. A couple weeks later I started to see some of the flaws, and realized it would probably be a particularly hard culture to integrate into, as opposed to a place like Thailand. Nonetheless, a fascinating place and culture. Rich in history and beauty. I look forward to exploring mainland Japan at some point in the future.