The Fun of Travel

Merge & Al's Excellent Adventures

6 min read

Living to 100 in Okinawa

Naha is the capital of Okinawa Prefecture, the tropical island group south of mainland Japan. I was told by some Okinawans that they consider their…

4 min read

Mother Nature vs. Miyako

Miyako, a small coastal city (population approx. 50,000) in northeast Japan’s Iwate Prefecture, was known mainly for its pristine shores and Japanese charm. That is…

4 min read

Yokohama CupNoodles museum — it’s a thing. Really.

In mid-October, I (Merge) had a ½-day in Yokohama, Japan as I waited to board the MS Westerdam that afternoon. Not one to let grass…

4 min read

Nordkapp – 71′ 10′ 21″ – Land of the midnight sun

North of the Arctic Circle, the sun barely sets for most of the summer. It’s why it’s called the land of the midnight sun. I…

9 min read

One day in Tromso (is not enough!)

In early August, I (Merge) was on the Island Princess which stopped in Tromso, Norway for just one day. As I was researching the city…

7 min read

North of the Arctic Circle – the Lofoten islands archipelago

Lofoten Islands, located at the 68th and 69th parallels north of the Arctic Circle in Norway, are renowned for their striking natural beauty, characterized by…

4 min read

Trondheim – in the footsteps of Norway’s kings

Trondheim, located in central Norway, is the country’s third-largest city and a vibrant cultural and historical hub. With a population of around 200,000, it marries…