Japan had always felt inevitable. From the neon overload of Tokyo to the quiet reflection of Hiroshima, it’s a country that overwhelms and grounds you in equal measure. Arriving straight into Tokyo’s sensory chaos, there’s no gentle introduction - just bright lights, bullet trains, and a culture that moves at its own perfectly ordered pace. Travelling independently by Shinkansen made the journey part of the experience, revealing cities rich in history, food, and quiet respect. Whether sharing skewers in smoky alleyways, singing karaoke with locals, or watching Mount Fuji emerge from the clouds, Japan doesn’t just meet expectations - it quietly rewrites them.

Winding through misty mountains between Đà Nẵng and Huế, the Hải Vân Pass has long captured the imagination of road-trippers worldwide. Its dramatic cliffs, dense jungle, and sweeping ocean views were made famous after featuring in Top Gear’s Vietnam Special, earning its reputation as one of the world’s greatest coastal roads. After years of watching that episode, finally riding the pass felt like turning a long-held dream into reality. On a hired motorbike we climbed higher, traffic slowly falling away as the road opened up to unforgettable panoramas and the pure sense of freedom that only travelling on two wheels can bring.

Our Asia trip had taken us many places, but nothing compared to The Road to Sapa. After a surreal overnight train from Hanoi to Lao Cai, we picked up a motorbike and began the climb into northern Vietnam’s misty mountains. Rain-soaked roads and landslides turned the journey into a raw adventure, yet each challenge seemed to heighten the sense of anticipation. Riding through slick bends and rocky tracks, we felt both small and alive against the vast landscape. When dawn broke over tiered rice terraces and drifting clouds, we knew the struggle was worth every moment.

During a private day trip to Cambodia’s Tonle Sap Lake, the author and his partner first encountered a raw, bustling local market where fish, frogs, and even snakes were sold amid chaotic scenes of daily life. Along the way they saw crocodile heads for sale - a stark glimpse into local farming practices. A scrappy, retrofitted boat carried them out onto the lake where floating vendors sold coconuts and bananas. Touring the floating village of Kompong Phluk revealed homes on tall stilts, children playing in the water, and life shaped by the lake’s seasonal rhythms - an unforgettable, eye-opening experience.