One of the perks of living in Hong Kong is the easy access to pristine, rustic nature. Recently, we hiked up to Jardine’s Lookout and Mount Butler and were greeted by breathtaking views of the territory.
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Onsen in the sky
At 1,280 metres above sea level, Ryounkaku Tokachidake Onsen (十勝岳温泉 凌雲閣 ) is the highest onsen, in Hokkaido. Soaking in this hot spring is one of my favorite memories from my recent trip to Japan. The hot spring opened to the public in 1958 and is renowned for its “cloud sea”. Because of its lofty location…
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Vignettes of Japan #4: Staying Alive
Driving through the mountains between Furano and Sapporo after sunset was harrowing. For more than an hour – it felt like eternity – I sat tense and upright on the edge of the seat with my hands gripping the wheel. Whenever I spotted the faint outline of a yellow board in the distance, I would…
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Vignettes of Japan #3: Mountain Dreams
“Are we there yet?” Panting with arms akimbo, I squinted at the rock path snaking through the alpine green ahead. Another ridge to cross. More loose rocks to scramble over. We continued trudging to the peak of Mount Furano, stopping occasionally to take photos of the beautiful lush surrounds. “Hey, I think we’re finally there!”…
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Vignettes of Japan #2: Hot mountain magic
“Is it left over right or the other way round?” I wondered as I wrapped my yukata tightly around my body. It has been a few years since I last visited an onsen (hot spring). Barefoot in our yukatas with towels in hand, we made our way to the basement of Ryounkaku Tokachidake. Then we…
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1998: Remembering Nepal
After learning about the major earthquake that recently struck Nepal, I looked through the digital scans of negatives from the rolls of film that I shot in 1998. As I counted the years on my fingers, I realised that it was about half a lifetime ago when I visited Nepal. I didn’t take many travel notes back then,…
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Remembering Paradise
What is your favourite travel memory? I have several but there’s one that always comes to mind. Like a gentle lullaby, it calms my mind and makes me smile as I indulge in a little daydream. The year was 2008. I had just been promoted and work was a constant avalanche. I was barely able to keep…
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Mt. Furano, Daisetsuzan National Park in Hokkaido // 富良野岳, 大雪山国立公園, 北海道
One of the things I love about Hokkaido is its abundant natural landscape and within this, the varied hiking trails and treks. During the summer trip with my family to Hokkaido, we spent the first few days in the Furano-Kamifurano-Biei area which is near to the immense Daisetsuzan National Park 大雪山国立公園. Aside from visiting flower farms and eating…
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Going Places
“I got this photograph in an email and it is one of those pictures that you wonder where in god’s name is that…” This is the opening line in a video made by Robin Esrock. He was hiking in Mount Hua 华山 in a quest to reach a lofty teahouse located on one of the southern peaks. Previously, the…
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Angelina Hue 