Category Archives: Travel

Terminal Report: Narita International Airport (NRT) T2, Japan

Tōkyō’s main international airport and I go back a long way. I flew in through here a decade ago, at the start of my very first visit to Japan – a visit that sparked an enduring interest in this country, its history, its culture and unique way of life. Even though I’ve used other entryContinue reading “Terminal Report: Narita International Airport (NRT) T2, Japan”

Flight Report: NRT-MNL on Cebu Pacific Flight 5J 5057 (06 October 2019)

As my favourite destination – my own little happy place – Japan exerts such a strong hold on my imagination that I’ve come to dread every homeward flight. Painful though this 20th in a long line of partings might be, let’s see if my chosen airline can still end the holiday on a high noteContinue reading “Flight Report: NRT-MNL on Cebu Pacific Flight 5J 5057 (06 October 2019)”

Flight Report: MNL-NRT on Cebu Pacific Flight 5J 5054 (28 September 2019)

For my 20th trip to Japan, I gave serious thought to flying with a full-service airline (instead of my usual LCCs) to make the milestone feel more special. Amongst the many carriers serving the busy Manila-Tōkyō market, Japan Airlines quickly became a key contender – not least because they transported me there on my veryContinue reading “Flight Report: MNL-NRT on Cebu Pacific Flight 5J 5054 (28 September 2019)”

Flight Report: TPE-MNL on Cebu Pacific Flight 5J 313 (15 September 2019)

Budget airline Cebu Pacific (5J) did a splendid job – at least by LCC standards – on our outbound flight from Manila to Taipei. In today’s post, we’ll see if they managed to deliver the same level of performance on our homeward joruney. Welcome aboard Cebu Pacific flight 5J 313.

Flight Report: MNL-TPE on Cebu Pacific Flight 5J 312 (12 September 2019)

No less than five airlines compete for market share on the busy route between Manila and Taipei – a popular (and conveniently short) regional hop for business-people and holidaymakers alike. In today’s post, we’ll look at one LCC option for travelling between these bustling cities: a morning flight operated by the Philippines’ largest budget carrier.Continue reading “Flight Report: MNL-TPE on Cebu Pacific Flight 5J 312 (12 September 2019)”

Field Report: The Northwestern Walls of Namhansanseong Fortress, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea (24 March 2019)

Despite the size and grandeur of their royal capital Hanseong – modern-day Seoul – the kings of Joseon were only too happy to sprinkle secondary “capitals” across the realm for special or emergency use. The fortified city of Hwaseong in Suwon is probably the best-developed example, with a full circuit of walls and a sprawlingContinue reading “Field Report: The Northwestern Walls of Namhansanseong Fortress, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea (24 March 2019)”

Field Report:  Deoksugung Stone Wall Road, Seoul, South Korea (23 March 2019)

After exploring the old royal palace of Deoksugung, I left by way of the main gate – but didn’t stray far. There’s quite a bit of history to discover in the neighbourhood if one can spare the time for a leisurely walk.

Field Report:  The Seokjojeon Hall of Deoksugung, Seoul, South Korea (23 March 2019)

In some ways, Deoksugung (덕수궁) is the odd man out amongst the former royal palaces of Seoul. With its eclectic mix of Eastern and Western architecture, this walled compound offers an interesting contrast to the rigidly traditional forms employed in Gyeongbokgung just up the road. Today, we’ll take a close look at one of Deoksugung’sContinue reading “Field Report:  The Seokjojeon Hall of Deoksugung, Seoul, South Korea (23 March 2019)”

Field Snapshots: Seoul’s National Museum of Korea and Yongsan Family Park (23 March 2019)

I gave myself a nice, easy, relaxed start to my holiday in Seoul this past spring. So relaxed, in fact, that there isn’t much to say about those first few hours. I paid my old friend the National Museum of Korea a visit – as is my habit whenever I’m in Seoul – and, sinceContinue reading “Field Snapshots: Seoul’s National Museum of Korea and Yongsan Family Park (23 March 2019)”