• Day 2 in Japan: Shrines, Street Food, and a Very Random Karaoke Night

    Day 2 in Japan: Shrines, Street Food, and a Very Random Karaoke Night

    Posted on
    0 Comments

    Okay, so itโ€™s officially our second day in Japan, and the pregnant lady is still exhausted. ๐Ÿ˜… But honestly, the day couldnโ€™t go to waste. We woke up early for breakfast and decided that instead of pushing ourselves all the way to Kyoto (which wouldโ€™ve been a whole production with our schedule), weโ€™d visit Nezu Shrine instead. Nezu Shrine is like a little Kyoto tucked inside Tokyo. Quiet, traditional, and surrounded by those iconic red torii gates. Itโ€™s one of the oldest shrines in the city, and itโ€™s dedicated to Inari, the deity of prosperity and good harvest. Japan has shrines everywhere because Shintoism is deeply woven into everyday life. People visit to give thanks, pray for good fortune, or simply reconnect with nature. At…

  • First time in Tokyo, Japan

    First time in Tokyo, Japan

    Posted on
    2 Comments

    This trip to Japan was so unexpected. Me, my husband, my mom, my uncle, and my auntie all ended up going together. Thereโ€™s been a lot of drama with my mom lately, and I just wanted to take her somewhere new, somewhere she could breathe for a bit. I also havenโ€™t seen my cousin in years, so I thought, why not visit her in Tokyo? Then I invited my uncle and auntie too, hoping we could all have a happy, peaceful vacation as a family. I only had three weeks of vacation left for the year. I already used one week in Jamaica back in May and another week in Manila, so this basically gives me one week in Japan and one week in Korea…

  • Coming back home

    Coming back home

    Posted on
    0 Comments

    The first stop in our four-country, three-week vacation was the Philippines. We wanted to spend time with family and do some shopping before heading to our next destination. With some recent life changes, I know I might not be able to visit home as often, so I wanted to make the most of this trip. It was raining when we landed. A typhoon had just hit, so the weather was pretty gloomy and wet. That same day, the news was full of stories about a huge rally on the infamous flood control project. It was on the radio, TV, and social media. The whole country was talking about it. Even with all that going on, I noticed how much the Philippines has changed. There were…

  • Ocho Rios Day 3: Dunn’s River Falls; Montego Bay, and Holland Bamboo

    Ocho Rios Day 3: Dunn’s River Falls; Montego Bay, and Holland Bamboo

    Posted on
    0 Comments

    We woke up bright and earlyโ€”againโ€”to pack up for the day. First stop: Dunnโ€™s River Falls in Ocho Rios, then off to Montego Bay! Even though our legs were still recovering from yesterdayโ€™s Mystic Mountain adventure, there was no way we were skipping this iconic Jamaican gem. Dunnโ€™s River Falls is one of Jamaicaโ€™s most famous natural attractionsโ€”think cascading limestone terraces and cool mountain spring water rushing all the way down to the beach. Itโ€™s not just pretty to look at; people actually climb up the falls, making it part adventure, part nature therapy. ๐ŸŒฟ Seeing the falls in person was a bit surprising. Photos online make it look huge, and while itโ€™s definitely not Niagara-level tall, itโ€™s still a breathtaking sight. The sound of…

  • Ocho Rios Day 2: Mystic Mountain

    Ocho Rios Day 2: Mystic Mountain

    Posted on
    0 Comments

    We woke up to a stunning view of Ocho Rios beachโ€”clear skies, calm water, the kind of morning that makes you just pause and stare for a minute. We had breakfast at Almond Tree Restaurant, which sits right by the water. Naturally, we had to order ackee and saltfish with dumpling (because when in Jamaica, right?). The food was as good as the view. Quick Tips if Youโ€™re Planning to Visit Mystic Mountain: Originally, I wanted to pack the day with activities, but then I had a moment. Iโ€™m on vacation. Iโ€™m on an island. Why rush? As someone used to time-sensitive work, itโ€™s surprisingly hard to not plan everything by the hour. So instead of rushing, I took a nap at 11 a.m. (lol…

  • Ocho Rios Day 1: Fern Gully, Rio Cobre, Mahogany Beach

    Ocho Rios Day 1: Fern Gully, Rio Cobre, Mahogany Beach

    Posted on
    0 Comments

    Ahh, where do I even begin? Maybe with this: I think I have to come to terms with the fact that now that Iโ€™m older, I get tired so easily. Like, why does waking up early feel like a personal attack on my energy levels? ๐Ÿ˜‚ Anyway, we were up bright and early to pack and start the drive from Clarendon to Ocho Rios. If you didnโ€™t know, Ocho Rios is one of Jamaicaโ€™s most famous tourist spotsโ€”known for its waterfalls, lush greenery, and beach-meets-jungle vibe. Think tropical getaway, but with more culture and spice. My brother-in-law suggested we take the Spanish Town bypass instead of the usual route because of the potholes (seriously, Jamaicaโ€™s roads can humble even the best shock absorbers!). And honestly?…