Trust me when I say that there is no place in the world like Nara. Known worldwide for its freely roaming deer, I enjoyed every minute of our trip there!

The first thing on anyone's Nara agenda should be to visit Nara Park and feed the deer because it really is the best, most fun experience. Food for the deer is easily purchased around the park. While the deer are cute and friendly once you get there, they tend to get rough when they realize that you have food with you. Sometimes they bite you just for you to give them food, but the experience is unique nonetheless! And of course, I would never give up the opportunity to take a selfie with the deer.

We also visited Todai-ji, a Buddhist temple where you can find a giant Buddha. Not to worry, as the temple is beside Nara Park so visitors will not be far from the cute deer. A visit to the temple surely should not be missed because the structures inside are astounding. One will stand in awe just staring and taking in the majesty of the Giant Buddha. The exteriors of Todai-ji are also very inspiring.

There is so much to do in Nara - the list definitely isn't restricted to these two. I highly suggest a trip to Nara from Osaka ASAP!

A Day in Kyoto

Once the capital of Japan, Kyoto is undeniably a city that has kept close touch with its roots. Kyoto has such a distinct culture - there, geishas walking around in traditional kimonos is not an uncommon sight. Kyoto is also a fun-filled day trip from nearby Osaka, which is exactly what we did. As such, here are some photos from our day trip to Kyoto!

Kinkaku-ji

One of Kyoto's main attractions is Kinkaku-ji, a golden Zen temple which once served as the retirement home of a known Japanese shogun. It is also surrounded by a lush garden, making it the perfect location for a midday stroll. One can also light a candle for themselves.

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

Chances are, if you're like me who follows tonnes of travel accounts on Instagram, you've seen an image of this place whilst scrolling through your feed. Trust me, it is as idyllic as it looks. There is no way to take a bad photo of this place. Admission is free, too!

Fushimi Inari Taisha

More commonly known for its torii gates! Another iconic symbol of Kyoto, it even has its own emoji. You will be surrounded by orange torii gates and orange temples. Nonetheless, it is undoubtedly a sight to behold.

It's safe to say I've only skimmed the surface of Kyoto. I'm so ready to go back!

Dotonburi & the Kuromon Market, Osaka: A Photo Diary

Having recently hopped on a plane bound for Osaka, Japan with two of my closest friends, there is lots to show and talk about. Upon arriving, the first thing in our itinerary was to go to the Kuromon Market to find our first dose of Japanese food.

Greeted by the invigorating sights and smells of the market, our eyes instantly gravitated towards the takoyaki stand. I'd never tried takoyaki before, but I was pleasantly surprised by the creamy batter, soft octopus and tangy ginger.

We then made our way to nearby Dotonburi - a riverside eating and shopping district and one of the city's main tourist attractions. There was an overwhelming amount of people, but of course that was to be expected. The area was bursting with character and it was difficult to choose what to eat and where to go next!

Needless to say, Osaka is teeming with character.

What To Do in Brisbane CBD

Brisbane isn't on the top of most of people's "places to go in Australia" list, but it should be. As the capital of Queensland, it doesn't get as much publicity as it should. The [Really] Great Barrier Reef is accessible from here: it's around a seven-hour drive without any pitstops. One can also make side trips to Gold Coast and Surfer's Paradise, however don't skip out on the beautiful quaintness and serenity of Brisbane.

Brisbane doesn't carry many tourists, which is why it is quintessentially Australian. It isn't exactly the melting pot that is Sydney or Melbourne, but its quietness and tranquility will reel you in just like it was one of Australia's top destinations. It's the perfect stop to to wind down and relax without missing any of the city life that Australia does so impeccably. There are loads of things to do here, so let me name a few.