Hi, my name is Maxime. I grew up living in 5 different countries, studied in 2 others
and visited many more. I love to travel and discover new cultures and places. I'm now
traveling the world as a freelance programmer.
about me ·
where I've been
-
Crazy Osaka
Japan
Osaka was my second big city in Japan. I was surprised how different it was from Tokyo. The city center is also something to witness as it is fascinating. To reach Osaka, I took the Shinkansen from Tokyo, Japan’s bullet train. Compared to Europe, the way of using it seems closer to a suburban train than a classic high speed train. You get the same ticket as other suburban train, go through th... read more »
Visited: June 2013 Posted: 18/07/2013 Japan
-
Feeling Zen in Kamakura's Bamboo Forest
Japan
Not far from Tokyo’s center, Kamakura can be visited as a day trip. It was, for a short time, the capital of Japan some centuries ago. The city has a busy tourist street full of restaurants and lots of temples. One of them, Hokokuji, has a bamboo forest hidden in the back of the temple, between the building and a cliff. The place is incredibly peaceful and zen. My mind naturally relaxed and th... read more »
Visited: June 2013 Posted: 16/07/2013 Japan
-
Hard to Get a Glance at The Shy Mt Fuji
Japan
I really wanted to have a look at the iconic mountain. Famous for being shy, I could only catch a glimpse of Mt Fuji while I stayed at Kawaguchi-ko for a night. Kawaguchi-ko is one of the five lakes which surround the mountain and is a common tourist stop in the area. There is a view point which you can reach with a cable car to get the best view of the Mt Fuji. Unfortunately, climbing season... read more »
Visited: June 2013 Posted: 14/07/2013 Japan
-
Surrounded by Blinking Lights and Ads in Tokyo
Japan
I left one of the most densely populated city for another one, Tokyo, the starting place of my two weeks trip in Japan. I experienced Tokyo a bit differently than other cities because I stayed at a friend’s place. Cool travel story by the way: I met her in Italy last year, she visited me in the Southwest of France where I was at the time and now she showed me around Tokyo! (Did I ever tell yo... read more »
Visited: June 2013 Posted: 12/07/2013 Japan
-
The Incredible Skyline of Hong Kong
China
After four months in Southeast Asia, time for me to fly away and meet another tiger: Hong Kong. If you know me or have been reading the blog, you may have noticed that I love big cities. I know this is not a very common view (people usually prefer quiet and less crowded places) but I like feeling the life around me and to know that I always have the opportunity to do many things almost whenev... read more »
Visited: June 2013 Posted: 10/07/2013 China
-
Busy Hanoi
Vietnam
Last stop in Vietnam in the capital city of Hanoi. Although I spent a few days there, I’m a bit ashamed to say that I didn’t do much visiting. I mostly walk around the Old Quarter. The town is very busy with the usual crazy Vietnam traffic. The Old Quarter is a maze of small streets packed with shops, restaurants and bars. Life only seems to slow down late at night. You can clearly feel the ... read more »
Visited: June 2013 Posted: 08/07/2013 Vietnam
-
Six Months On The Road
Last week was the end of my sixth month on the road! Half-way around my plan to go around the world in one year. The trip is going better than I could imagine and I’m having the time of my life! I have seen amazing places, meet interesting people from many origins and discovered fascinating cultures. I must say that all my fears about long-term traveling (mainly that I would get fed up with t... read more »
Posted: 07/07/2013
-
A Beautiful Two Hours Boat Ride in Trang An
Vietnam
I had a great time in Hanoi, mainly due to making some very nice local friends. On my last day there, we all went together on a day trip. I had agreed on it without even checking where we were going. I was there for the good time but I got to enjoy a beautiful boat ride in Trang An. Trang An is like Halong Bay on the land. The region is made of karst mountains with rivers flowing in between. T... read more »
Visited: June 2013 Posted: 02/07/2013 Vietnam
-
One Night in Halong Bay
Vietnam
I don’t think Halong Bay needs any presentation. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, the bay is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. Unfortunately for me, the weather was not very good which always makes it harder to really enjoy a new place. I can however imagine how with a blue sky the bay can be beautiful. I went on a 2 days / 1... read more »
Visited: June 2013 Posted: 29/06/2013 Vietnam
-
Getting Some Fresh Air in Sapa
Vietnam
Sapa is one of the most famous tourist spot in Vietnam and it was always recommended by every traveler I met. Up in the North of Vietnam, Sapa is located in the mountains, surrounded by rice paddies. From Hanoi, every hotel and travel agencies in town can sell you a number of tours for three or more nights. It is of course reachable by yourself but as I was short on time, I opted for a three n... read more »
Visited: June 2013 Posted: 26/06/2013 Vietnam