A Mountain of Orange

The Fushimi Inari shrine is probably one of the most photographed shrines in all of Japan. And by looking below, it's easy to see why. At times, it was hard not to look at it through my lens. But after hiking about half way up the mountain, I just sat for a while overlooking Kyoto. This was probably one of the most peaceful moments I have had since starting my travels, and a nice escape from the hustle and bustle of the city below. I hiked up at the end of the day, as to avoid the crowds and to catch the sunset from the top. Good move on my part! My only wish was that I had packed bug repellent, but that's neither here nor there. 

A pleasant little surprise were all the kittens running around different parts of the shrine. Some of them were a bit skittish, but these two guys below hung out for a while; guarding their portion of the shrine, I suppose.

The last little bit of the hike was my favorite. The sun started to go down and it lit up the shrine perfectly. Definitely one of the best sunsets I have seen since being in Japan. 

This picture reminded me ever so slightly of the view from Sacre-Coeur 

After getting back into Kyoto, I took a brief detour and hung out around Kyoto Station. Upon exiting, you have prime viewing of Kyoto Tower, which is best seen at night.

Tonight, I am in Tokyo for one final night and then it is off to Seoul tomorrow!

Get the Look: Shirt, James Perse // Shorts, J Crew // Scarf, Anthropologie // Purse, Marc by Marc Jacobs

Pop of Plaid

It hardly feels like I have been in Japan for four days! Tokyo is so big I feel like I adventure into a new city every day. On the to-do list today, was to see Tokyo Station, the Imperial Palace and Shibuya crossing. This morning I started my day at a pretty leisurely pace. There were a lot of 'stop and smell the tempura' moments as I moseyed my way to Shinjuku station, rocking my plaid Rugby shirt around my waist. It was on the warmer side of things, so I wore my trusty jean shorts, and because of all of the walking planned for the day, I opted for my sneakers as opposed to my usual sandals.

I snagged this ring from my mother's jewelry box years ago and decided to string it up on a gold chain.
The other necklace is a sovereign gold coin (1925), gifted to me by my dad for my college graduation.

At Shinjuku station, I had to activate my JR Pass by turning in my exchange order, which if you remember from one of my previous posts, I had to purchase in the States. Once I received my pass, I hopped on the Chuo Line, which is an express to Tokyo Station. Before even going outside, I decided to grab lunch at one of the restaurants, or better known as a shokudo, in the station. One thing that distinguishes a shokudo from another type of restaurant is that they display their food in a case outside of their restaurant. I ordered a ranchi setto (lunch set), which had sashimi, tempura, soup, eel and rice, steamed vegetables, and Japanese pickles, or tsukemono, which I have really grown to like in particular. The whole thing came out to 2,700 yen. Apparently, that is on the more expensive side, and you can get something similar for around 1,000 yen.

After lunch, I found my way outside. There are about 20 exits to the station, so be strategic in which one you pick. I chose the Marunouchi North exit as it is closest to the Imperial Palace. The station doesn't look like anything you would expect to see in Japan. The brick walls and Western style is an interesting juxtaposition to the modern background. Some have rumored that it is supposed to be modeled after the main station in Amsterdam, but I'm pretty sure that's just a rumor.

Before reaching the Imperial Palace, I stumbled upon the Wadakura Fountain Park, which was a nice reprieve from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo Station.

This little girl was so adorable. When she saw me taking pictures, she insisted on a photo shoot.

After some time in the water park I took the ten minute walk to the entrance of the Imperial Palace. There is no charge to get in, but remember to grab a token before you head in, which needs to be returned when you leave. 

While the actual palace isn't open to the public (it's only open two days out of the year), the most popular places that people go to are the East Gardens, which is a collection of several different types of landscapes. Tourists and locals alike come here to escape the flurry of activity in the city, either to enjoy lunch or just hang out.

I decided this would be a perfect time to break out my book. Note: if you feel like coming here for a late lunch and to read, remember the park closes at 4:30pm. The last thing you want is to feel rushed in a place like this, so give yourself plenty of time.

For those wondering, I'm reading Without Reservations by Alice Steinbach. 

After relaxing for a while, I hopped back on the Yamanote line to Shibuya Station. From there it's a quick walk to Shibuya Crossing, which is famous for people constantly pouring across the street every day. All of the traffic lights turn red at once, so it is a bit of a free for all when the 'walk' signs light up. 

Tomorrow, I am heading to the Toray Pan Pacific Open to watch some tennis, and then packing to get ready for my short trip down to Kyoto.

xoxo

Get the Look: Plaid Shirt, Rugby Ralph Lauren // Tee, H&M // Shorts, Hudson // Sneakers, Jimmy Choo // Blue Bag, 3.1 Phillip Lim // Red Bag, Marc by Marc Jacobs // Watch, Michael Kors // Sunglasses, Ray Ban // Necklaces, vintage

Don't Fail to Prepare: Part 3

Tomorrow is the big day. I will be hopping on my first international flight of my three month long Asia adventure. So, instead of playing tourist in California today, I am wrapping up some last minute details. Here are the last few steps in order to finalize your preparations for your big trip:

Grab any last minute necessities. After a few days in California, I noticed a few things I was missing: socks, converters for my electronics, and I also needed to pick up an exchange order for a Japanese Rail Pass. First stop, I snagged some climatecool socks from Adidas that are odor resistant; they will be perfect for those hot days hiking around Thailand and Vietnam, and Bali. Next, I went to RadioShack where I picked up a pack of travel adapters that hopefully work in every country I am going to over in Asia. Fingers crossed that I have them all covered. The Japanese Rail Pass exchange order is very important. As a U.S. Citizen you cannot purchase an exchange order overseas, so it must be procured in the U.S. I bought mine on http://www.jrpass.com. They deliver it Priority Overnight via FedEx, so you get it quick and easy.

Make copies. One of the next things to do is to make copies of your passport photo page and all of your visas. Obviously, you aren't planning on losing your passport, but storing copies of your passport and visas through your luggage is helpful just in case. I also left a copy with my friend Malcolm. It is also important to take digital copies on your phone, and keep them on your computer as well. The more places you have them, and the more people who have access to them, the better off you are.

Call your cell provider. If you're like me, you'll want to make sure you can stay connected to friends and family to check in on the road. In addition to my dummy phone that I can insert different SIM cards into, I am bringing my iPhone. Even though you have a phone that works internationally, you still need to call your provider to tell them to activate your international antenna. Without doing so, you could be disconnected a little longer than you would like. Try to do this three days in advance of your trip.

Purchase Travel Insurance. Even if you are perfectly healthy and in good physical shape, travel insurance is a necessity. It's important to note that travel insurance is far beyond just medical coverage, it also covers cancellations, lost or stolen goods, legal expenses, and emergencies beyond medical emergencies, such as military conflict in the country you are in. The insurance provider I chose to go with is World Nomads. The great thing about World Nomads is that you can purchase your policy online in less than 5 minutes. Seriously! My 3-month coverage plan only cost me $187, and that covers up to $100,000 in medical expenses. Trust me when I say, this will be the best money you have spent on your trip. You never know what can happen, and it's always better to be prepared for the worst case scenario.

Can't wait to start posting abroad soon.
See you on the flip side, xoxo.

Rome Meets Malibu

Today, we departed Santa Barbara and headed south to beautiful Malibu. Aside from having jaw-dropping scenery, Malibu is also known to host one of two locations of the J. Paul Getty Museum, which houses more than 44,000 Greek and Roman antiquities on a gorgeous 64-acre compound.

The Prometheus Wheel

Ancient Roman jewlery

Tank: AllSaints

Jacket: ecote

Skirt: H&M

Sandals: H&M

Sunglasses: Chanel

Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim

Watch: Michael Kors

Bracelet: Handmade in Kenya

Don't Fail to Prepare: Part 2

Tomorrow, I will start my trip! First stop will be in L.A. to visit my dear friend Malcolm for a few days before he drops me off at the airport to head to Narita Airport in Tokyo. I've been running around today to take care of some of the last minute details. So here's the skinny on what you should be taking care the last few days before your trip.

Call your bank. I have three bank accounts, and one credit card. What do they all have in common? They need to know you are going out of the country. Make sure you have your itinerary all set, as some banks or credit card companies want to know exact dates. For some of the countries I'm going to (Vietnam and India in particular), it took over two weeks to get the holds released on more than one of my accounts, so make sure you plan in advance for certain countries. You don't want to be stuck without any way to pay for your delicious Pho in Hanoi, or fabulous salwar kameez in Delhi.

Pack pack pack. I thought packing for three months would be difficult. I was wrong. Picking out outfits for 90 days was the easy part. The tough part was fitting it into one piece of checked luggage, one carry and a personal item (aka, the biggest bag I could imagine would fit underneath the seat in front of me). I had to do a lot of editing. Apparently, four pairs of heels was a little too much. While some people can live off of 20 articles of clothing for 3 months, I choose not to, and I have no problem paying for a checked bag for a little more comfort. One of the big problems I faced was packing for multiple climates. Within the same three months I will be facing 40 degree weather at night in Beijing and 90 degree heat in Phuket. Layers were definitely the key! While I don't want to get into the specifics of my checked luggage, I will touch on the important stuff that should be going with you to your seat on the flight. 

All of my electronics I'm bringing with me. I'm packing my MacBook Air, Kindle, Canon DSLR camera, iPhone 4S, iTouch, Nokia dummy phone, electric toothbrush (not pictured), and all of the chargers to go along with it.

My carry-on bag holds all of my essentials to make me comfortable god forbid my luggage gets lost. This includes: all of my medications needed for the trip (which has everything you might need just in case), a small bag of my liquid toiletries, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, hairspray, body wash, lotion, face wash, shaving cream, and sunscreen. Tampons, which are hard to find in some countries in Asia. Peptobismol and Immodium (definitely needed for India!), protein bars for travel snacks, neutrogena face wipes, a baseball cap, Kate Spade sunglasses, my favorite 3.1 Philip Lim crossbody bag (in it's dust cover), a pair of blue jeans, shorts (not pictured), and a couple tank tops (not pictured), a bathing suit, bra, sports bra, couple pairs of underwear, sandals, and flats.

The all important personal item! This Lulelemon bag is great for all of your essentials that you don't feel comfortable putting in the overhead compartment. It is filled with all of my electronics, a couple extra protein bars, my passport (with visas), my wallet, my Chanel sungalsses, kleenex, hand wipes, face wipes, a pen (to fill out forms on the plane), a scarf, Nyquil (to help me sleep on the plane). I'm wearing my Jimmy Choo sneakers on the plane with a sweater, pair of jean shorts, and a jacket in case I get cold. Also packed in here are the few pieces of jewlery I won't already be wearing. 

Double check! Go through your packing list. Make sure you have everything you need. Worse comes to worse, you can pick it up in another country, but some things you just can't get anywhere else. Medications, passport, and visas are all a giant pain in the butt to get elsewhere. Make copies of your prescriptions, passport photo page and all of your visas just in case. 

Say thank you. If you're like me, there are a lot of people who helped you get ready for this trip. Show them your appreciation with a fun card! I still love getting snail mail, and I know my friends and family will be grateful for my effort. As Oscar Wilde says, "The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention."

Until next time! xoxo

Dont' Fail to Prepare: Part 1

Coming up very soon, I will be jetting off to Asia for three whole months. I've always wanted to journey to the far east for the legendary cuisine, fashion, and to see what kind of trouble I can get into (in moderation, of course). But, there are a few things that you absolutely need to take care of before you go, not just to Asia, but anywhere.

Get your vaccines. As much fun as you plan on having, your trip can quickly turn south with a bad virus or infection. Some countries won't even let you in without certain vaccines. I went to my local travel clinic at Mass General Hospital. Remember to bring your itinerary and let your doctor know of any pertinent medical history. If you have medications that you are currently taking, remember to get them filled in advance so you have enough for your trip. Once you have all of the vaccines that you need, you will be given a certificate from the World Heath Organization, like the one below. Remember to give yourself enough time, shots can take up to 2-3 weeks to be effective. 

Make sure you have all your visas. Applying for travel visas is one of the most time consuming parts of your preparation. One wrong move and your visa will be denied, which could mean up to two weeks before being able to apply for a visa again. My best advice, hire a professional. Navigating the complicated paperwork from some countries can be daunting and those who work at travel agencies will be able to spot even the smallest blemish that could cause your application to be sent back. On top of that, travel agents usually have couriers who can bring your passport around to every embassy that you need, which saves you a ton of time especially if you don't live in the city that the embassy is in.

Register with the State Department. While you never expect disaster to strike, you can never be too careful. Did you know that the state department actively tries to find U.S. citizens in the event of a disaster? While they won't swoop in if your maid service is sub-par, they are required to extract you from the country under certain circumstances, whether they be political or environmental. You can register with the State Department here. In addition to letting them know where you will be, you can also specify the people who are allowed to know about your whereabouts, such as family members or business associates. This is a relatively quick and painless process and could save you more than a headache in a sticky situation.

Give a friend or family member the necessities. Leaving a copy of your passport, itinerary, and visas with a family member or friend back home can save you a lot of trouble if you lose any of them. It wouldn't hurt to carry a copy on you as well. You never know what might happen, and if you lose your passport, you could be stranded while the consulate works to figure out who you are. Having someone you trust with your itinerary is a good plan as well. Let them know how often you should be checking in, and if they don't hear from you, they will have a rough idea of how to get a hold of you. 

More to come! xoxo