We also ended the day with the beautiful panoramic view from Yukemuri Observation Deck, watching steam rise across the entire city as the sun slowly set.
After a full day exploring Beppu, it was finally time to continue our road trip deeper into Kyushu.

Our next destination was Yufuin, a place we had been really looking forward to visiting.
It was highly recommended by our friends, who are very familiar with Japan and travel here almost every year.
In fact, Fukuoka was already their third time visiting, so we trusted their recommendations quite a lot.
They told us that Yufuin has a completely different atmosphere compared to the bigger cities, much quieter, surrounded by mountains, and known for its relaxing countryside charm.
After hearing so many good things about it, we were honestly very excited to finally see it for ourselves.
We arrived in Yufuin quite late at night after having dinner in Beppu.
The drive from Beppu to Yufuin goes through mountain roads, and along the journey it was very dark, which honestly felt a little scary for us at times.
Some parts of the road were also quite narrow, so we had to drive extra carefully.
Because of that, I would definitely recommend starting the journey earlier in the day if you’re planning to drive to Yufuin.
The drive itself is actually beautiful, but it would probably be much nicer, and less nerve-wracking if you could enjoy the mountain scenery during daylight instead of navigating the roads in the dark. 

I’m so excited to share the next part of our Sapa, Vietnam adventure with you!
If you’ve already read my first post, where I talked about our hotel stay and transportation tips, you’ll know that our journey up to this peaceful mountain town was smooth and scenic.Now it’s time to dive into the part I’ve been looking forward to sharing the most, the real magic of Sapa: the breathtaking landscapes, quiet mountain villages, rich cultural experiences, and the peaceful vibe that makes this destination so unique.
Sapa surprised me in so many ways; from the cool, foggy mountain air to the colorful villages in the valleys, it felt like we were in a picture.
Everywhere we went, there was something nice to see, whether it was a waterfall hidden in the trees, a quiet spot with mountain views, or a local market full of bright fabrics and handmade things. 

The peaceful feeling and unique culture in Sapa made this part of the trip very special.
This post is all about the places we explored in and around Sapa, I’ll also share what stood out to us and why this destination should definitely be on your Vietnam itinerary, especially if you're someone who loves nature, photography, or a bit of adventure.

This blog post has been long overdue, one that I’ve been meaning to write for quite some time now.
Life moves fast, and sometimes it's easy to delay documenting the beautiful moments.
But some memories are too precious to keep to ourselves, and this trip to Sapa, Vietnam, is one of them.

Back in February, right after the Lunar New Year holiday, I went on a short but unforgettable getaway with my two dear girlfriends, Wan and Kay.
We had planned this trip for about six months, counting down the days with excitement and anticipation, and finally, it came true.

But this wasn’t just any trip; it was a celebration of our 25 years of friendship, a quarter of a century of growing up, laughing, supporting each other, and creating a lifetime of memories.
Time really flies. It feels like just yesterday we met in the US, figuring out our way in a foreign country, sharing the same house and even the same room.
We studied together, cooked together, stressed over exams, and found joy in the little things. We also worked hard, juggling part-time jobs and saving every dollar of pocket money just to make ends meet. Looking back, those days were tough but filled with warmth, determination, and genuine joy.
They were the kind of moments that shape you, and they remain some of the most treasured times in my life.

For this trip, we spent 4 days and 3 nights in the beautiful highlands of Sapa, followed by 3 days and 2 nights in the vibrant streets of Hanoi.

In this post, I’ll be sharing how we traveled from Kuala Lumpur to Sapa by sleeper bus, returned to Hanoi by sleeper train, and a review of the hotel we stayed at.

Since this is quite a long post, I’ll be covering all the places we visited and the food we tried in a separate one. And then the Hanoi adventures will be saved for another new post!

So if you’re thinking of planning your own Sapa journey, or just want a cozy read, stay with me.

Hey everyone!
Can you believe it’s already been a month since my last post here?
Time really flies, somehow it’s already end of April and the first quarter of 2025 has come and gone!
I hope you’re all doing well and that the year has been treating you kindly so far.
It honestly feels like forever since I last updated my travel blog.
Ever since I started sharing more actively on XiaoHongShu (XHS), I’ve been pouring a lot of my travel content over there, everything from hotel reviews and trip itineraries to food adventures and must-visit spots.
If you’ve been following along, you might have caught my recent posts about Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Vietnam, there’s been quite a bit to share!
If you’re curious and want to see more detailed updates, definitely check out my XHS page https://www.xiaohongshu.com/user/profile/5fb724510000000001002d80.
I’d love to have you join me over there too.
But for today, let’s get back to where it all started, my journey to New Zealand.
I figured it’s finally time to wrap up my New Zealand travel series.
Can you believe it’s been almost a year since that trip? Time really does slip away...lol
Thank you so much for sticking around and being a part of this journey with me.
And yes, I have to finish this post because… guess what? Another road trip is just around the corner—I'm heading to the UK next month!

I believe it's going to be another fun road trip—probably the most exciting one of the year.
I seriously can't wait!
But before that, I just need to wrap up the final chapter of my New Zealand adventure! :)

It’s time to embrace the city vibe! Jia En, in particular, is thrilled for this part of the trip. As a true city lover, she’s been exicted awaiting the chance to leave behind the quiet, peaceful towns and embrace the vibrant energy of urban life.

If you’re new to my blog, be sure to check out my previous posts where I’ve shared all the details of my journey across New Zealand’s South Island. 

Hello guys! Welcome to Part 2 of my unforgettable campervan road trip through New Zealand!
In my last post, I shared all the details about the campervan we rented from MAUI Motorhomes, which made traveling through this stunning country not only easy but also super comfortable. It was the perfect way to explore New Zealand’s most iconic spots.
Our journey kicked off in Queenstown, where we immersed ourselves in the vibrant atmosphere and breathtaking scenery. From there, we ventured through the charming town of Te Anau, experienced the awe-inspiring Milford Sound, explored the historic Arrowtown, and by Day 5, we had made our way to the picture-perfect Wanaka. If you haven’t read about it yet, make sure to check out my first update HERE; you won’t want to miss it! :)
Now, let’s dive into the next part of the adventure!
We kicked things off in Wanaka, a stunning spot surrounded by mountains and lakes, and then made our way halfway along the Haast Pass, one of the most breathtaking stretches in New Zealand. After Wanaka, we made our way to Twizel, a small but charming town tucked away amidst nature's beauty. From there, we drove to the majestic Mt. Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. The drive was absolutely incredible; snow-capped mountains, rolling hills, and crystal-clear lakes lining the way. Reaching Mt. Cook in person was something I’ll never forget, it’s even more impressive up close!
Finally, we arrived at Lake Pukaki, where the water was the most vibrant blue I’ve ever seen. It was like something out of a dream, and I couldn’t resist taking a million photos. We also treated ourselves to some incredibly fresh raw salmon, which was the perfect addition to the day.
Curious to see more of the breathtaking views and hear about the next chapter of our road trip? Keep reading to find out what happened next! You won’t want to miss it!

Hey there! Welcome back to my travel blog! Can you believe it’s already November? We’ve got less than two months left to say goodbye to 2024!

The fourth quarter is always a whirlwind for me because I love taking time off to travel. 

At the end of October, I took a week off to visit Shenzhen with my family for a short getaway filled with food hunting and shopping. It was a fun trip, especially since I had the chance to show my parents around places I’m familiar with, and of course, treat them to some delicious food and great shopping. I think they really enjoyed the week and had a wonderful time.

Before I shared my Shenzhen trip, I thought it would be the perfect time to kick off my first post about my incredible 3-weeks New Zealand adventure from May. I’ve been promising to update you all on my New Zealand itinerary for months, and I’m finally ready to share it with you!

We spent 15 unforgettable days traveling New Zealand's South Island in a campervan, starting in Queenstown and ending in Christchurch. Along the way, we discovered towering mountaions, peaceful lakes and charming towns, each stop prividing its own distint experiences. Afterward, we spent 4 days in Christchurch, exploring the city and its surroundings by car. And finally, we flew to Auckland to begin our North Island adventure, discovced its cultural sites and unique experiences. 

For me, this journey was about fulfilling a dream: taking my parents to New Zealand. While they’ve traveled to many places in Europe, the U.S., China and Australia, New Zealand was the one major destination they hadn’t visited, so checking this off my bucket list was truly a special moment.

Of course, the trip wasn’t without its challenges. Traveling with my parents, both of whom are 80 years old and hadn’t traveled in over 4 years, required a lot of planning. A long journey could be tough for them, and driving around in a campervan added some extra challenges. Still, we were excited to make this dream trip a reality.

The month we spent together created memories I’ll always treasure. It was a blessing to see my parents enjoying the breathtaking sights of New Zealand, and I feel so fortunate to have shared those special moments with them. This adventure not only brought us closer but also gave us memories that will last a lifetime.

I’ll be sharing the itinerary in four parts, each highlighting the key destinations and memorable experiences along the way. Be sure to stay tuned for all the details about our campervan adventure!