Prisoner of Hopes

Category: Perspectives

  • The Black Crow of Matsumoto: Travel Goals Japan

    The Black Crow of Matsumoto: Travel Goals Japan

    After almost two weeks exploring Tokyo and surrounding areas, we decide to travel farther afield. The bullet train will take us to Nagano province (about a three hour trip one way). Our destination is the mountain town of Matsumoto. I am excited to see the “Black Crow”, also known as Matsumoto Castle. Built in the…

  • Zaandam: Travel Goals Canada

    Zaandam: Travel Goals Canada

    We arrive on the Zaandam excited to begin our journey to the Yukon. It will be our temporary home for the next four days, until we reach Skagway, Alaska. We are overjoyed to see that we have been upgraded to a balcony suite, complete with a deep whirlpool tub. What was meant to be a…

  • Food Frenzy: Travel Goals Japan

    Food Frenzy: Travel Goals Japan

    One of the unknowns when we venture into another culture is what we will eat. We have never starved. But sometimes, the cultural norm is outside our Midwest American foodscape. I tend to be a more adventurous eater, but I don’t like meat. My husband is a meat and potatoes guy, but is easier to…

  • All Aboard At Canada Place: Travel Goals Canada

    All Aboard At Canada Place: Travel Goals Canada

    Today we leave our rental in Marpole and head to the Canada Place cruise terminal in downtown Vancouver. It is Canada Day (it is a 4th of July-like Independence Day celebration). The Canadian holiday celebration is sure to mean bigger crowds at the docks. We are also advised by the cruise line to get to…

  • The Art Of War: Travel Goals Japan

    The Art Of War: Travel Goals Japan

    At the National Museum, the Edo-Tokyo Museum, and a number of smaller palace museums there are displays of Japanese armor. Japanese armor first appeared in the 4th century, but during the 1000’s the unique Japanese  armour ō-yoroi and dō-maru appeared. I know next to nothing about Japanese armor. But “o” and “do” make me giggle. In fact, most of the suits…

  • Vancouver In View: Travel Goals Canada

    Vancouver In View: Travel Goals Canada

    Vancouver is grittier in person than the travel photos would lead us to believe. It is hard to explain because the city is clean. It just seems tired, like my first look in the mirror after I wake up. Older but not ancient. Capable of looking better with a little makeup and accessories. Good bones…

  • Aquarium: Travel Goals Canada

    Aquarium: Travel Goals Canada

    Stanley Park is quite large. We are dedicating the whole day to the experience. There is plenty to keep us busy. In fact, we are weighing our options. The current diversion is the Vancouver Aquarium. We walk from the bus stop at the edge of the park around Brockton Park and its Totem Park to…

  • False Creek Ferry

    False Creek Ferry

    Today we take bus 10 to Granville Island. The bus lets us off at an overpass and we try to follow Google Maps down under the elevated main thoroughfare and onto an underpass walkway that leads to the market and the docks. It isn’t as straightforward as we think it should be, but we manage.…

  • Timeless Temples: Travel Goals Japan

    Timeless Temples: Travel Goals Japan

    In Kyoto, it seems there are temples at every turn. We are actually looking for something to eat when we stumble on the Higashi Hongan Ji Temple. We think we are walking toward food trucks, but the tents and trucks are part of a tea festival and we don’t have tickets. It is a bust.…

  • First Look Vancouver: Travel Goals Canada

    First Look Vancouver: Travel Goals Canada

    I may have mentioned in an earlier post that we like to take a big red bus tour of new cities on the day of arrival. Why, you ask? Well, we are usually tired after a long plane ride and struggling to stay awake to avoid jet lag. The bus driver does all the navigation.…