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GO BIG IN JAPAN
I'd been in the whirlwind of Tokyo for days, and now I was looking for a hole in the ground (literally), a restaurant offering respite from the heat of the day. This city is as intoxicating as they come, billowing charm and mystique in a fume of freneticism. But at some point, everyone here seeks a low-fi break. When I found a grubby noodle bar, I wasn't surprised it sported a logo of an animated mole wearing a baseball cap. For years, the strength of the Japanese yen meant most travellers couldn't afford to visit the island chain bordering the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan. However, its currency began to lose value, and my wife and I were among the many who made up for lost time by…
48 HOURS IN… Padua
If you’ve railed around northern Italy, you’ve probably passed through Padova (Padua, in its anglicised form), or changed train there. And for many people, that’s all Padua will ever be: a place to gulp down an espresso on their way somewhere else, be it Verona, Milan, Bologna or Venice. Though Shakespeare used it as a location (see Taming of the Shrew, or its modern-day version, Ten Things I Hate about You), it’s a place that passed people by, until last year, when a direct bus route was opened between the city and Venice Marco Polo airport (www.fsbusitalia.it). Get off that train or bus, and come with me, following the line of trams and taxis along the busy thoroughfare towards the historical centre. As we pass over the river, I point…
THE WORLD’S BRIGHTEST BIOLUMINESCENT TIDES
Puerto Rico, Caribbean There’s no denying that Puerto Rico’s Mosquito Bay is the world’s brightest bioluminescent bay — it was recognised as such by Guinness World Records in 2006. And its mangrove-fed abundance of dinoflagellates — phytoplankton that emit a sparkling cold light when agitated — doubled in 2017, following Hurricane Maria. With its ideal low-light conditions, the bay is a sight to behold and hosts the breathtaking underwater show year-round. Equally captivating are Fajardo’s canal-like Laguna Grande, close to the capital San Juan; and La Parguera in Lajas, the only Puerto Rican bio bay where motorboats and swimming are allowed. Krabi, Thailand When it comes to dazzling shorelines, the province of Krabi in the southwest of Thailand is another great destination to visit. Home to shallow waters, mangrove forests…
