I miss Japan so much ever since traveling there back in November (those posts are coming up next) that I was so excited to find a piece of Japan in Sonoma over the holidays. Gaige House + Ryokan is the most perfect getaway hidden in Glen Ellen deep in the Sonoma Valley. Upon arriving, we walked pass a mini bamboo forest that reminded me of Arashiyama to our ryokan suite. Our suite was so incredible! I loved every corner of it, from the vaulted ceiling to the stone bathtub to the zen garden to the river being in our backyard... There were even sake (nigori is my favorite) and cookies waiting for us! We enjoyed wine tasting in the lobby during happy hour each evening as well as the endless amount of homemade cookies available (they were sooo delicious). If you love Japan or Japanese lifestyle, than you'd love Gaige House + Ryokan. This might be the closest thing to Japan you can find in California! Thank you Gaige House + Ryokan for hosting us!
Gaige House + Ryokan, Sonoma
January 17, 2020
I miss Japan so much ever since traveling there back in November (those posts are coming up next) that I was so excited to find a piece of Japan in Sonoma over the holidays. Gaige House + Ryokan is the most perfect getaway hidden in Glen Ellen deep in the Sonoma Valley. Upon arriving, we walked pass a mini bamboo forest that reminded me of Arashiyama to our ryokan suite. Our suite was so incredible! I loved every corner of it, from the vaulted ceiling to the stone bathtub to the zen garden to the river being in our backyard... There were even sake (nigori is my favorite) and cookies waiting for us! We enjoyed wine tasting in the lobby during happy hour each evening as well as the endless amount of homemade cookies available (they were sooo delicious). If you love Japan or Japanese lifestyle, than you'd love Gaige House + Ryokan. This might be the closest thing to Japan you can find in California! Thank you Gaige House + Ryokan for hosting us!
Visiting Hong Kong for the first time in nearly 11 years was emotional and I never imagined I would return to a place I once called home in such a state (the aftermath of all the pro-democracy protests). I had booked this trip months ago but things got more heated as it got closer to my departure date, at one point it was so bad that I thought about cancelling the trip. In the end, I went over there as planned and I am so glad I did. I saw a different HK than the one I knew but I got to experience this piece of history first hand.
HK is unlike anywhere else and I highly recommend visiting. It's bilingual (English remains one of the primary languages even after Britain handed HK back to China in 1997) meaning getting around is a piece of cake, the public transportation system will get you anywhere, shopping is great (no sales tax) and the food is even better! I recommend doing HK in a week but 5 days could work too if you pack everything in. I've shared with you the most time-efficient itinerary below grouping by location...
Day 1
Lantau Island
Causeway Bay
Wan Chai
If your flight arrives in HK earlier in the day, I suggest heading to the Tin Tan Buddha straight from the airport. The airport, Tin Tan Buddha, Po Lin Monastery and Tai O Fishing Village are all on Lantau Island and it is outside of the city so why not get those things out of the way! And don't you worry about your luggages, there will be lockers for you store them once you get to Ngong Ping. Ngong Ping is where the 360 cable cars are and going over the mountains to the Buddha is quite beautiful. Climb up to see the Buddha up close, enjoy a vegetarian meal at Po Lin Monastery and then catch a bus over to Tai O. Known as the Venice of Hong Kong, Tai O is a fishing village with the infamous stilt houses built on water. While you are there, make sure you try out all the yummy seafood snacks like curry fishballs, pet plenty of cats, and enjoy the nature before surrounding yourself with high rises in the city. Grab dinner and shop around Causeway Bay and then end the night with some drinks at Wooloomooloo Rooftop Lounge in Wan Chai. This secret gem is low key and has a beautiful view!
Travel Guide: 5 Days in Hong Kong
January 7, 2020
Visiting Hong Kong for the first time in nearly 11 years was emotional and I never imagined I would return to a place I once called home in such a state (the aftermath of all the pro-democracy protests). I had booked this trip months ago but things got more heated as it got closer to my departure date, at one point it was so bad that I thought about cancelling the trip. In the end, I went over there as planned and I am so glad I did. I saw a different HK than the one I knew but I got to experience this piece of history first hand.
HK is unlike anywhere else and I highly recommend visiting. It's bilingual (English remains one of the primary languages even after Britain handed HK back to China in 1997) meaning getting around is a piece of cake, the public transportation system will get you anywhere, shopping is great (no sales tax) and the food is even better! I recommend doing HK in a week but 5 days could work too if you pack everything in. I've shared with you the most time-efficient itinerary below grouping by location...
Day 1
Lantau Island
Causeway Bay
Wan Chai
If your flight arrives in HK earlier in the day, I suggest heading to the Tin Tan Buddha straight from the airport. The airport, Tin Tan Buddha, Po Lin Monastery and Tai O Fishing Village are all on Lantau Island and it is outside of the city so why not get those things out of the way! And don't you worry about your luggages, there will be lockers for you store them once you get to Ngong Ping. Ngong Ping is where the 360 cable cars are and going over the mountains to the Buddha is quite beautiful. Climb up to see the Buddha up close, enjoy a vegetarian meal at Po Lin Monastery and then catch a bus over to Tai O. Known as the Venice of Hong Kong, Tai O is a fishing village with the infamous stilt houses built on water. While you are there, make sure you try out all the yummy seafood snacks like curry fishballs, pet plenty of cats, and enjoy the nature before surrounding yourself with high rises in the city. Grab dinner and shop around Causeway Bay and then end the night with some drinks at Wooloomooloo Rooftop Lounge in Wan Chai. This secret gem is low key and has a beautiful view!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
