I drove Super Mario Kart in Tokyo in September 2016
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I don’t think I ever have been more photographed in my life. Everyone we passed were waving at us, smiling. Many of them taking pictures. When we stopped at a red light parents would run out into the street with their kids, put them down next to us. Run back to take a picture, then run to get their kids. We were waving left and right, posing for pictures. Trying to keep up with traffic.
I visited Lungshan Temple in Taipei in September 2016
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Lungshan Temple was only a few hundred meters from the metro station. Just walk past a park and you were there. The park was full of old men sitting around, playing games between themselves, or just talking. I walked past them. Towards the temple. It was easy to spot. A huge crowd was gathered in front of it, people passing through the gates constantly. And a massive neon sign was flashing above the entrance. I crossed the road and passed through its gates.
I visited the National Revolutionary Martyrs’ Shrine in Taipei in September 2016
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The rain was pouring down as I approached the shrine. Rain like we never have in Norway, never downpours like this. A deluge of water coming from the skies, not a dry spot to be found. Except under my umbrella. Under here it was still nice and warm. The rain did not make the temperatures drop, it was still just over 30 degrees. The trepidation only increased the humidity, making it feel even warmer. I wasn’t 100% dry under my umbrella. I was sweating heavily.
I visited Tamsui outside Taipei in September 2016
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One of the most popular things to do whe visiting Tamsui just north of Taipei is to watch the sunset. It is supposed to be very beautiful here, setting over New Taipei, the light creating a spectacular horizon. The day I was visiting had been a rainy day, massive rain showers all day followed by some minutes of sun and blue skies. The last hour it seemed as the rain had quieted down a bit. Quicker showers, not so intense. As the sunset approached I seriously thought it would clear up. Not just for some minutes but for the rest of the evening. As the sun started falling towards the horizon there was hardly a cloud in sight. But that would all change. Just as the sun touched the horizon you could not see it anymore, dark clouds were in the way. A few seconds later the rain started pouring again. I missed seeing the sunset in Tamsui.
I visited ‘s-Hertogenbosch in May, 2016
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The train should have taken about an hour and a half, but due to construction on the line we had to change for a bus from Utrecht to Geldermalsen. We arrived in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, also called Den Bosch, a little over two hours after leaving Amsterdam. Apart from having to take the bus for a while, the journey went without incident.
I visited the monastery Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv in January 2017
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I had to crouch down as we walked through the caves. My guide walking in front of me, I was following with a small candle in my hand for light. My guide would usually walk at a speed fast enough to extinguish my candle if I tried to follow. I would shield the tiny flame with my hand, trying to keep up as best I could. Many other people were exploring the caves as well, a few with guides, most people on their own. I was glad I chose to hire a guide, the information she provided was worth the few Euros I paid many times over.
I visited Kyiv and tried Kiev Private Tours in January 2017
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I had not chosen the best time to come to Kyiv. It was the first weekend in January, it was cold, the temperature was creeping down to -20 degrees Celsius. Even with a thick jacket, a beanie, scarf and gloves I always felt cold. My phone and GoPro would stop working at times, they simply got too cold, I needed to keep both close to my body to warm them up. Made it hard to take pictures. It was also Orthodox Christmas and many museums and bars were closed. Still I had a great time in this wonderful city and would love to return in the spring or summer.
I went sightseeing in Rome in April, 2008
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I didn’t quite see what the thing with the Spanish Steps was. They were steps. Maybe more beautiful than other steps, I don’t know. I just did not see it. Tourists filled the steps taking pictures, selfies, blocking the way. We did the same ourselves. Have to document that we had been here.
I visited Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Taipei in September 2016
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I had seen the building from the Observation Deck at Taipei 101. A large, traditional Taiwanese building. A shrine or a museum or memorial to something I guessed. It was not far from the tower, it was still early in the day. I had plenty of time to go and see what it was and decided to do so. I love to travel without plans, just do what I feel inspired to do in the moment. This time my inspiration took me to the Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
I visited Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei in September 2016
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It was hard to miss the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. A massive building towering over the park around, clad in shining white stone that sparkled in the sun shine. The Memorial Hall shone like a beacon, beckoning me to come closer, come inside. It would be cooler there as well. The heat was almost unbearable by now. Way too hot for a Norwegian.