9 Gifts for the Traveller at Home in 2020

9 Gifts for the Traveller at Home in 2020

There’s nothing quite like a bit of retail therapy, and if there was any year we deserve to do some therapy and treat our loved ones (and, let’s face it, ourselves) 2020 would be it! And for all of us travellers, 2020 has presented the additional heartbreak of cancelled travel plans. So if you’re wanting to cheer up a fellow traveller (or yourself), we’ve put together some great gift ideas for the silly season that can be used at home (and for future travels). 

Tesalate Towels

Tesalate make eye-catching and colourful beach towels, with the bonus features of being sand free. These towels are also light-weight and quick drying, making them perfect to take on the road. You can check out our review.

Tesalate have also recently expanded into gym towels, which are not only lightweight and quick drying, these workout towels have the added feature of zinc in the fabric that acts as an antibacterial agent, making them effective against bacteria and odour-free. With many people working out more these days (working off those covid curves!), these towels would make a great gift. You can see the full range of beach and workout towels here. And for 10% off a first-time purchase, use the code THANKS10 at the checkout.

Tesalate beach towels
Tesalate gym towels

Tropicfeel Shoes & Gear

Tropicfeel are the team behind two record-breaking Kickstarter campaigns for their all-terrain travel shoes. Their shoes are not only great for everywhere and everyday adventures, they are good for the environment too, being made from recycled plastic bottles. And if their sustainable, all-terrain shoes don’t excite you, Tropicfeel have expanded their range to clothing and backpacks. Personally, I’m super excited for their new project, Shell (which is still live on Kickstarter and hopefully due for release in March 2021). If you want to find our more about Tropicfeel shoes, check out our recent post.

Tropicfeel Monsoon Range

Cooking classes

One thing many travellers (us included) love about travelling is the food. Just because we can’t eat delicious pasta in Italy, tapas in Spain or sushi in Japan doesn’t mean we have to miss out on those culinary delights altogether. Gifting cooking classes is a great way to bring one of the best aspects about travelling back home and you can ‘travel’ to a new destination each night in the kitchen. 

Kindle Paperwhite

There’s nothing like settling in with a good book during a long journey, but lugging around books is not practical most of the time. And with many people reviewing their clutter during lockdown, it’s a good opportunity to ‘Marie Kondo’ the book collection, and instead store thousands of books on the popular portable e-reader, Kindle. The Kindle Paperwhite is also waterproof, making it even more traveller-friendly, and perfect for poolside retreats.

Sudio earphones

Podcasts, playlists or phonecalls… we are all spending more time connected to our phones and computers. Sudio have a range of earphones for all wants and needs. With great aesthetics, sound quality and different features, there is a model for everyone, and the perfect accessory for travelling. They also have attractive speakers that make a great visual and audible feature for the home.

A mini-vacation

While international travel may be off the cards for a while, Aussie interstate borders are slowly opening, so why not send your loved ones on a mini-vacation? There are some ah-mazing places to visit in Australia, like this tiny house with a mirrored bathhouse.

Travel Jewellery

Jewellery often tells a story and represents a happy memory, so why not get your loved one a piece of jewellery that will remind them of an epic holiday they’ve had (or one they hope to embark on)? Cityscape rings or pendants are sure to catch the eye and bring out some stories. Or why not turn the map of your favourite place into a piece of wearable art? 

Language classes

When international borders reopen (fingers crossed sooner, rather than later), wouldn’t it be great to say more than just ‘hello’, ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ in another language? In fact, now is a great time to start learning another language for that future dream holiday. Give the gift of a language class so your loved one not only has a new hobby to pass the time until they can travel again, but also gain the confidence to try a few phrases while they are abroad. 

Photo Prints

Know someone with a phone/camera full of travel photos? Why not let them proudly display some of their favourites by printing them out with a photo printer? Or go big, and order them a large canvas print from an online printing store for them to display some of their favourite travel memories (this one might take some sneaky work to get said photo off their phone/sd card to order it without their knowledge, otherwise a gift voucher might be the best bet!).

Photo wall

Hopefully these gifts will soften the blow 2020 has hit us travellers with and they can be  enjoyed now and when travelling afar starts up again! Which of the above gift ideas are your favourite? Can you think of any others we’ve missed? Drop your suggestions below!

This post contains some affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission when you purchase through these links. As an Amazon Associate and an Airbnb Associate, we earn from qualified purchases and bookings. Where we’ve received products to review, our views and opinions are entirely our own.

Title image by Kira auf der Heide on Unsplash

Tropicfeel Shoes – The Travel Shoe for Everywhere, Every Day

Tropicfeel Shoes – The Travel Shoe for Everywhere, Every Day

I am the first to admit, I have a shoe problem. Like, a too many shoes, and not enough storage space problem. And yet, in my collection of 100+ pairs (I told you I had a problem!) I didn’t have a pair of comfy travel shoes! Enter Tropicfeel.

I first came across Tropicfeel shoes when I found them on Kickstarter. I really liked their campaign and the fact that they were a Barcelona company (my love for all things Spanish continues to lead my decisions!). I ended up purchasing their original release, the Tropicfeel Monsoon. These sneakers looked great, were quite comfortable for day-to-day wear and versatile for all travels, with their all-terrain sole and quick-dry materials.

Tropicfeel Monsoon Range

Tropicfeel Canyon

When they released their follow-up, the Tropicfeel Canyon, I was intrigued. So of course I couldn’t say no when I was offered a pair to try and review (storage space be damned!). Personally, I prefer the Canyons, as they’ve taken the best elements of the Monsoon and improved on the other features. I also preferred the rounder, ‘chunkier’ look of the Canyon. The slip resistance of the sole is noticeably better, and the Canyons feel a bit thicker and sturdier. And to keep with their water-friendly features, the drainage holes are a welcome addition. 

Tropicfeel Canyon side view

Features: What’s so good about them?

Regardless of which Tropicfeel shoe you prefer, both the Monsoon and the Canyon pride themselves on being the ‘all terrain’ shoe. Both feature:

  • the quick-drying benefits of an aqua shoe
  • light-weight construction, barely making a dent in your luggage weight limits
  • technical outsole materials of mountain hiking shoes
  • slip on sprint laces so you can get out and moving fast
  • odorless and breathable materials, so you can leave your socks at home
  • modern, stylish designs and a variety of colours for everyday wear

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Tropicfeel Features
Tropicfeel Canyon

Sustainable

For my fellow eco-warriors, the Tropicfeel team are passionate about responsible travel and sustainability, embarking on the journey to become a carbon neutral company. Their shoes are made from sustainable materials, even using recycled plastic bottles as part of the make up. And 1% of their sales are also donated to organisations that aim to protect wildlife and keep natural wonders alive.

Tropicfeel Monsoons by the water
Tropicfeel Shoes

 

Travel Shoes for Every day, Everywhere

Ok, so you probably wouldn’t see me rocking these babies to a fancy restaurant or red-carpet event (like I got to many of those anyway!), but the Tropicfeel Canyon shoes are my go-to everyday, everywhere shoes. I’ve worn them on my short walks to the local cafe, slipped them on with a pair of jeans to catch up with friends and even taken them on longer walks through national parks. I haven’t worn them swimming yet, but will be sure to pack them when we head off on our next beach holiday. 

So my verdict? These shoes are so light and comfortable, you barely feel like you are wearing anything, but the sturdy sole is great for those longer, multi-terrain walks. With the slip-on shoelaces and structure, they are also the only shoes that I’ve been able to continue wearing throughout my pregnancy, and that is saying something, as my feet have swollen A LOT (to the point where most of my other shoes don’t fit at all!). The Tropicfeel Canyons are great and definitely a shoe to take on all travels due to their versatility, light weight and comfort. And if you are a Tropicfeel convert like myself, they have also recently started crowdfunding the Cala – which looks just as promising as their other styles, but less like a sporty sneaker, and more like a casual canvas shoe, with the additional benefit of a foldable heel to convert into a slip-on.

If you are after a travel sneaker that is light weight, comfortable and versatile for a variety of travels, closer to home or further afield, then checkout the Tropicfeel range.

What are the features you look for in a travel shoe? Do you have a favourite travel shoe? Tell us your faves below.

I received a complimentary pair of the Tropicfeel Canyons to review, however was already a fan after purchasing their Monsoons and my opinions remain my own.

 

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Light to Light Camps – The best way to do the Light to Light Walk

Light to Light Camps – The best way to do the Light to Light Walk

Australia is a magnificent place. We have some of the most incredible and diverse landscapes filled with unspoilt beauty. It’s no wonder hiking and camping are a favourite past time for many of us. I love the outdoors, and even camping (to some degree), however I’ve never done an overnight hike to truly appreciate it. Why? Well, to be honest, the idea of lugging around heavy backpacks and tents for 30 kilometres only having to set up the tent after a day of walking is about as appealing as watching cricket and changing nappies.

Say hello to Light to Light Camps. Where you can enjoy the best of the Light to Light Walk on the Sapphire Coast, and have all the heavy work done for you. It’s pampered camping, or as I like to call it, Pamping.

Light to Light Walk, Sapphire Coast, NSW

What is the Light to Light Walk?

The Light to Light walk is a stunning 30km hike on the southern east coast of New South Wales, covering a diverse range of scenery, landscapes and nature. It’s often listed in the Top 10 Walks in Australia, and rightfully so, with pristine beaches, rugged bushland, open plains and rock formations estimated to be over 360 million years old! 

The walk starts from Boyds Tower, overlooking the Eden coast. It is a brilliant spot for whale watching between September and November. In fact, if you are a fan of whale watching, Australian Geographic named Eden as the best whale watching destination in Australia. The hike is a great intro hike, with fairly light to moderate sections. Don’t get me wrong, 30kms is still 30kms (and my feet certainly felt it by the end!), but overall, it was a pretty carefree hike. The walk then ends at Green Cape Lighthouse, which was a sight for sore eyes, or more accurately, sore feet!

Green Cape Lighthouse in the distance

How long does does the Light to Light walk take?

The answer really is, how fast can you walk? The Light to Light walk is best done over a few days, so you can truly enjoy the scenery, and there are a number of campsites spotted along the journey to stop along the way. With Light to Light Camps, you can opt to do a 1, 2 or 3 night package, even with the option to stay at the Green Cape Lighthouse! Due to work commitments, we opted for the ‘Quickie’ tour, meaning we could knock the hike out in a weekend and not need to take time off work. The ‘Quickie’ tour is certainly doable, but if you like to stop for photos, take your time and look after your feet, then a 3-day option might be more suitable.

As we did stop to enjoy the scenery, have lunch breaks and take loads of photos, we were probably (most definitely!) a little slower than others. Here’s how our hikes went:

Day 1: 12.4kms = 6.5 hours
We made the mistake of thinking we were ahead of time (we weren’t) and stopped for longer breaks… oops! It pays to read the map!

Day 2: 17.6 kms = 6.25 hours
Paranoid we would have a repeat of Day 1, we walked a lot faster this day and took less breaks!

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Light to Light Camps, Sapphire Coast, Australia
The best way to do the Light to Light Walk

What do you get with Light to Light Camps?

Ok, back to the Pamping. Whilst the Light to Light walk is relatively easy, it’s even more so when you don’t have to carry tents and camping gear like chumps. You simply carry the day pack provided by Jenny and Arthur from Light to Light Camps, filled with all the walking essentials, including an emergency beacon, maps with detailed notes, food and first aid kits. 

Light to Light Camps inclusions
Packed lunch with Light to Light Camps

Our trip starts off nice and early at Jenny & Arthur’s beautiful property, where we leave our car, hand over our overnight bags and get briefed in for the day. Jenny and Arthur are avid walkers and provide everything you need for the hike. We’re then driven to the starting point of the hike and given a great history lesson on Ben Boyd and Eden. Jenny and Arthur are passionate about sharing their love for the region and will happily share stories and local tips about what to see and do in the area. After some last-minute checks to make sure our gear is fitted properly, we say our goodbyes and off we go. 

Words can’t accurately describe how impressive the scenery of this walk is, so we will rely on photos and videos

As we made our way to the camp and meeting point (admittedly a couple of hours late!), we see Arther walking up towards us, walkie talkie in hand reassuring Jenny that we are, in fact, alive. That’s the thing about this couple, they genuinely care about their walkers and will do everything to make sure they are safe and have a great time. We sheepishly rock up to the campsite, and are welcomed with what every weary walker wants to see – comfy camp seats around a roaring fire, sturdy built tents and a platter of tasty nibblies from local suppliers, Sprout Eden and Eden Smokehouse. We stop for a pre-dinner snack, accompanied by drinks and good conversation before heading to the beach for some spectacular sunset shots. One of the things that is striking about this area is that it is untouched. We practically had the beach to ourselves, and it was as good as any Australian beach.

We returned to the campsite and had hot showers waiting for us, followed by a delicious dinner of salads and barbequed meat. To this day, Guy and I still go on about how it was the most tender chicken we’ve ever had and how nice the meal was – definitely the best camp meal we’ve ever had! We spent the rest of the evening chatting and laughing with Jenny and Arthur around the campsite. It felt like we were all old friends catching up. Like us, they are keen travellers and had plenty of stories to share. After a night full of travel tales and laughter, we retired to bed, ready for the big day ahead. Thankfully, breakfast and freshly brewed coffee was ready for us first thing!

Camp all set up

How much does it cost?

The Light to Light Camps start from $650pp, which includes EVERYTHING you need (just bring your clothes, shoes and PJs!), including food, drinks and the campsite set-up. It’s the perfect option if you enjoy camping, but don’t have the gear, or prefer to travel light and have everything done for you.

So to recap, this is what you get with Light to Light Camps:

  • Day packs, filled with essentials, and then some
  • Walking poles
  • Breathtaking scenery
  • Maps with plenty of guided notes
  • Drinks and nibblies on arrival
  • Roaring campfire
  • A HOT SHOWER!
  • Pre-erected tents with comfy stretchers
  • Home-cooked dinner & dessert
  • Breakfast and freshly brewed coffee
  • Transport back to your car
  • Friends for life

Spending time at the campsite with Jenny and Arthur felt like spending time with family and friends. Not only were they great company, they were wonderful and gracious hosts, leaving us not wanting for anything. If you are thinking about doing the Light to Light walk, but don’t want the hassle of carrying and setting up tents and food, we highly recommend getting pampered by Jenny and Arthur from Light to Light Camps.

It’s a great weekend getaway for people located in Canberra who like to lead an active lifestyle and enjoy the outdoors. It’s less than a three hour drive to Eden, and if you are looking for somewhere to stay in Eden the night before, we recommend staying at Heritage House Eden, making the early start on Saturday easy. The location is great, offering stunning views of the ocean, the rooms are spacious and Michelle is a lovely and accommodating host.

Heritage House, Eden

If you are thinking of doing the Light to Light Walk and take on the ‘Pamping’ option, get in touch with Light to Light Camps. If you are after a trusty guide who knows all about the local wildlife and attractions, Jenny and Arther are the ones to see. They take groups of 2 – 4 people and also offer scenic kayak tours in the region. They will also be offering a special Light to Light Camp Whale Watch Walk during whale watching season, which will make the walk even more breathtaking. 

The impressive coastline of NSW

Reckon ‘Pamping’ is the way to go, or do you prefer to ‘rough it’ and do the Light to Light on your own? Give us your hiking tips below!

We were spoilt guests of Light to Light Camps, but all opinions remain our own.

 

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Why Tesalate beach towels are the best towels for travellers

Why Tesalate beach towels are the best towels for travellers

Why Tesalate beach towels are the best towels for travellers

Facebook has been reading my mind.

Granted, my search history probably gave it away but they clearly know that I’ve been dreaming of future travels and trips to the beach. For quite some time now, I’ve been seeing ads for what I can only describe as the traveller’s dream towel – bright and colourful designs and, wait for it, the promise of being sand free, and you know what, that’s ok with me. If you haven’t seen or heard of Tesalate towels before, then prepare to have your mind blown.

Tesalate towels are revolutionary beach towels that are made from a special microfibre that allows sand to brush right off, allowing you to travel to and from the beach, without worrying about taking all of its sand with you. But these towels are not only the best for beach goers, but Tesalate towels are the best towels for travellers too.

As a self-appointed mermaid and perpetual traveller, the promise of a lightweight, sand-free towel is hard to ignore, so when we were recently invited to review these towels from Tesalate, I was pretty excited. And after some thorough ‘research and testing’ by the beach and pool during our recent travels (it’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it), we’ve made a list of 5 reasons why the Tesalate beach towels are the best towels for travellers.

1. Light and compact

This one is for the travellers. The Tesalate towels weigh less-than 600g when dry and fit into a cute, compact case no bigger than the size of a tissue box. And yet, you still get a standard sized beach towel (160cm x 80cm) when unfolded and laid out. This makes it easy to carry around in a beach bag, backpack or cabin luggage, and is the perfect towel to pack for an upcoming beach holiday.

2. Sand-free (aka ‘I got 99 problems, but sand ain’t one’)

The main selling point from Tesalate, is that their towels allow you to leave the beach and the sand behind. There is nothing worse than finding buckets of sand in the beach bag, car and house after a trip to the beach. I mean, it doesn’t seem to matter how many times you shake that towel out, the stuff seems to find its way everywhere. With Tesalate, their exclusive AbsorbLite™ microfiber makes it easy to brush or shake the sand right off the towels. We tested it with dry and wet sand and in both cases, the sand easily shook right off (the wet sand was a little more stubborn, but still came off) and was left behind.

3. Quick dry

One of THE worst things when travelling is hoping that damp beach/bathroom towel that you hastily packed into your luggage as you scurry from hostel, hotel or AirBnB apartment to the next will be dry by the next time you need it. But it rarely is. Until now.

Tesalate state that their towels are “engineered to dry in half the time than a regular towel”. To be honest, I wasn’t standing there with a timer to compare drying times, however I did notice that the towels dried pretty quickly between swims. As they are a lightweight microfiber, they definitely don’t carry the weight of a regular beach towel when wet, so it’s pretty easy to find a spot to hang them up and allow them to dry.

4. Stylish designs

I’m not going to lie, the bright and colourful eye-catching designs is what really got me obsessing over these towels. They’ve got over 40 vibrant patterns and designs that will turn heads and are also double-sided with a cool black and white geometric pattern. The range of designs, from simple to bold, will appeal to every individual.

5. Absorbent

These towels really are absorbent and are stated to retain up to a litre of water. Between swims I was able to go from sopping wet to fairly dry pretty quick with the Tesalate beach towel. I don’t know how the fabric does it, but it retains a lot of water, without feeling like they’ve been soaked themselves. The closest comparison I can make is like a chamois cloth – absorbent and fairly quick to dry.

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What else makes them awesome?

So, this doesn’t necessarily make them better for travellers, but their returns policy is pretty awesome. They offer free returns for those who are unhappy with their towel, even if it’s been used. Their shipping was super-fast too, arriving within a couple of days from ordering. And personally, we love that they are from an Australian company.

The towels retail at $79AUD, which admittedly cost more than a standard beach towel,  however these towels are hardy and I can’t see myself ever needing to purchase another beach towel again. If you are an avid traveller or beach goer who likes to travel light and hates bringing sand home, it is worth it.

Fellow travellers and beach lovers from around the world can purchase these towels from Tesalate.

Disclaimer: We were gifted these Tesalate towels to do a review. It just so happens that we love them and the opinions above are true, regardless.

Japan’s Most Instagrammable Food

Japan’s Most Instagrammable Food

Japan’s Most Instagrammable Food

If you love food, then Japan is THE destination for you! Think flavoursome ramen, fresh seafood and hearty curries, but beyond the delicious tastes, Japan has some very ‘Insta-worthy’ food. If you want to bring some #foodporn into your feeds, check out some of Japan’s most Instagrammable food below!

3D Latte Art

Where: Reissue Coffee 3D Lattes, Harajuku, Tokyo Thoughts: It’s definitely cute and Insta-worthy, but at the end of the day, it tastes like any regular coffee/hot chocolate. The latte art costs extra on top of the coffee itself, so it’s not cheap!

3d latte art in Japan

Matcha Ice-cream

Where: All over Japan Thoughts: So it turns out, we are not fans of matcha (there, we said it). But despite our distaste for this green tea treat, it’s very instagrammable and if you do like the flavour, this ice-cream can be quite refreshing.

Matcha Ice-Cream

Feeling hungry? Why not learn how to make Udon Noodles and read about our Buddha Bellies experience!

Taiyaki

Where: all over Japan Thoughts: I find it amusing that a ‘fish’ was the chosen shape for a sweet snack, but their popularity speaks for themselves. These pancake-like pastries filled with sweet red bean paste, or white sweet potato, which “all the women love” (according to the menu).

Taiyaki - sweet pastry in Japan

Colourful Rainbow Pasta & Extreme Colourful Poison Parfait

Where: Monster Café – Harajuku, Tokyo Thoughts: Rainbow pasta, served on an artist’s palette, what could be more Insta-worthy? To top it off, each blob of ‘paint’ is actually a different flavoured sauce, including blue cheese, cheddar, pesto, cream and tomato. This dish (and cafe) really brings out the inner child, and lets it run rampant.

Colourful Rainbow Pasta, Monster Cafe Tokyo
Extreme Colourful Poison Parfait, Monster Cafe Tokyo

There’s a reason why this parfait is nicknamed the Extreme, with decadent layers of cream, ice-cream, berry sauce, waffle cones, cake, chocolate, and the most exciting part of all…. individually flavoured coloured cream frosting. Not only is this rainbow dessert an Insta-worthy dessert, the sheer delight and surprise at tasting each colour and guessing the flavour brings out the big kid in anyone.

Heading to Tokyo, Japan soon? Check out our Ultimate Itinerary – for Big Kids for epic ideas!

Takoyaki

Where: These are popular in the Osaka region, but you can find them throughout Japan. Thoughts: I’m not a fan of the rubberiness of octopus in general, so it wasn’t my thing. But, if you do like octopus, these guys are a popular bite-sized streetfood snack.

Takoyaki, octopus snack, Japan

Animal Donuts

Where: Florista Donuts Thoughts: These donuts are almost too cute to eat… Almost… Unlike donuts we are used to back home, these are quite dense, but equally as delicious. You can get cats, pigs and dogs, and the ears are little pieces of almond!

Instagrammable food in Japan

Wagashi

Where: Tea Houses and specialty dessert places such as Toraya Cafe. Thoughts: Wagashi is a traditional Japanese sweet, made from sweet bean paste. There are many types of wagashi, but my favourites are the ones that are similar to marzipan and are beautifully constructed to look like works of art. A popular tradition is to create and decorate the wagashi to reflect the Japanese seasons. These are typically served in Japanese tea houses, along with carefully prepared tea.

Wagashi - Japanese sweet treats

Zaku Zaku’s Croquant Chou

Where: Zaku Zaku have three stores in Tokyo: Harajuku, Kamata and Tobo Ikebukuro Thoughts: It’s essentially a long, crunchy cream puff, and it’s delicious. These are so popular that there are often long lines of customers queuing outside the door, but the staff are pretty fast, so the wait to get your hands on one of these delicious pastries isn’t long (but eating them is even faster!).

ZakuZaku croquant chou

Mr Donut

Where: These stores are found all over Asia, but have really flourished in Japan, being one of the favourite fast-food chains in the country. Thoughts: If you like donuts, you’ll like these. They are light and fluffy, and the perfect on-the go treat. But their biggest selling factor that makes them instagrammable, is the cute ‘bubble-shape’. Hold these up against a neon Japanese street, and you’ve got yourself an Instagram #foodporn pic!

Mr Donut donuts

Anything ‘Hello Kitty’

Where: Everywhere in Japan

Thoughts: Hello Kitty is a national icon, and you can find all kinds of foods and drinks dedicated to the popular character. The food may not taste any better than others, but there’s no doubt it’s cute, memorable and Instagrammable!

Hello Kitty Pancakes

Anything from Janice Wong’s Dessert Bar

Where: Janice Wong Dessert Bar, Shinjuku Station, Tokyo

Thoughts: Janice Wong is a famous pastry chef from Singapore who creates pieces of edible art, so when we came across her restaurant dedicated to desserts, we had to visit! You can purchase individual desserts, or treat yourself to a dessert degustation (but be warned – not for those on a budget!). The menu changes with the season, but you can be guaranteed that whatever you order will be immaculately presented and perfect for Instagram! Some dishes were maybe a little too experimental for our taste (asparagus in a dessert didn’t quite work for us), but everything looked beautiful and the experience was memorable!

Asparagus Garden at Janice Wong Dessert Bar, Tokyo
Janice Wong 'Purple' dessert

Are you following @travel_ling on Instagram?

What are some other Instagrammabe foods have you seen on your travels? Comment below!

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