After some hours at the casino I wondered what to do except gambling in Macau.  I decided to check out the historic center of Macau. On many of my journeys around the world this list have been a good way to learn more about the history of the place I visit. Macao, a lucrative port of strategic importance in the development of international trade, was under Portuguese administration from the mid-16th century until 1999, when it came under Chinese sovereignty. With its historic street, residential, religious and public Portuguese and Chinese buildings, the historic centre of Macao provides a unique testimony to the meeting of aesthetic, cultural, architectural and technological influences from East and West. The site also contains a fortress and a lighthouse, the oldest in China. It bears witness to one of the earliest and longest-lasting encounters between China and the West, based on the vibrancy of international trade. UNESCO The A-Ma Temple is a temple to the Chinese sea-goddess Mazu located in São Lourenço, Macau, China. Built in 1488, the temple is one of the oldest in Macau and thought to be the settlement’s namesake. Wikipedia The temple is open to visitors and ranked as one of […]

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Megacity Life in Tokyo After driving to Nikko, then Kawazaki, returning to Tokyo is relaxing. The festival mentioned in my last post was out of this world. When I spend some days in Tokyo everything outside is boring and too slow. This megacity does something with me, life here is so different from what I am used to from Norway and I find it inspiring to be a part of, even just for a few days.  Now I have to visit a Cat cafe, go to a Magician club and see the Robot cafe, enjoy the photos. Levis provides me with a new bag Tokyo fashion, among 20+ million people it`s not easy to stand out One happy guy that got more than just some change Business lunch JR line view Joker magic Ginza Tokyo, this is just mind blowing How did the card end up inside a lemon?! And how did my card end up signed, with date, inside a sealed bottle?! 24 hour bookstore VHS and DVD rental If you’re in the market for a new pen Tokyo roads on different levels A common sight is guys reading “magazines” in the shops Sakura Ueno Zoo Eating norwegian salomon […]

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If you are visiting Tokyo and want to get out of the mega city to see a historic site visiting Toshugo Shrine and temple in Nikko is a good idea. Here you can see a UNESCO heritage site and experience countryside Japan. You can do this as a one day event or stay a night in a hotel in Nikko. The most easy and affordable way to get from Tokyo to Nikko is by train, Shinkansen and Nikko line. I have rented a car and will drive there, it takes around two hours from central Tokyo. The shrines and temples of Nikko, together with their natural surroundings, have for centuries been a sacred site known for its architectural and decorative masterpieces. They are closely associated with the history of the Tokugawa Shoguns. UNESCO   Located in beautiful surroundings this is the pathway to the Nikko temple and shrines.   Toshogu Shrine (東照宮, Tōshōgū) is the final resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate that ruled Japan for over 250 years until 1868. Ieyasu is enshrined at Toshogu as the deity Tosho Daigongen, “Great Deity of the East Shining Light”. Initially a relatively simple mausoleum, Toshogu was […]

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To get away from hectic Tokyo there is several destinations not too far from the city. This weekend I have booked a wonderful hotel in Nikko Japan. From Tokyo you can either take the train or drive. I am driving, a small Suzuki is ready at Nippon Rent a car in Sangenjaya. First stop is the town of Nikko and Nikko Hanabusa Hotel. Suzuki Rental from Nippon Rent a car in Sangenjaya. Entrance of the Nikko Hanabusa hotel where rooms are included breakfast and dinner. Room key….. this is a serious place. Spacious small house with a private garden and outside jacuzzi. The private garden, not for playing around in, just for relaxing, peace and quiet. Wonderful place. After days in Tokyo in hotel rooms not much larger than my suitcase having a large bathroom like this is luxury. From the bath there is a door giving access to the jacuzzi and garden. Perfect for a relaxing evening with the garden next to a river, no sound of traffic, just the calming sound of the water. Getting supplies at the local supermarket, clean, tidy and well organized as you would expect being here in Japan. There`s nothing more Norwegian than […]

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