Japan

Arashiyama

% ARABICA Kyoto Arashiyama

Walden Woods, Kyoto

Weekenders Coffee, Kyoto

Nara Park

Fushimi Inari Taisha

Mori Art Museum

National Art Center, Tokyo

Sensō-ji Temple

Yoyogi Park

Golden Gai, Shinjuku

Recommendations for Kyoto

Coffee:
Walden Woods
% ARABICA Kyoto Arashiyama
Weekenders Coffee

Food:
Otsuka
Breakfast Kishin

Sightseeing:
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Gion
Fushimi Inari Taisha

Recommendations for Tokyo

Coffee:
Onibus Coffee Nakameguro
Koffee Mameya

Food:
Shin Udon
Savoy Azabu-Juban
Tsukiji Fish Market

Sightseeing:
teamLab Borderless
National Art Center, Tokyo
Mori Art Museum
Sensō-ji Temple
Yoyogi Park

Tips

• Purchase a JR Pass if you’re traveling between cities to save tons of money.

• Purchase a PASMO card for easy travel on trains, subways, and buses.

• Renting portable wifi (like Pupuru) is super affordable and easy to pick up/return at the airport.

Big Bend, Marfa, and the Proposal

Big Bend National Park

This past Labor Day weekend, Brian planned a trip to Big Bend National Park and Marfa for us. Originally, we were supposed to spend the night in Austin and then explore Big Bend with Huong and Andrew. But Marfa was so close (2 hours away), and I'd always wanted to see the Prada Marfa installation, so I asked if we could go! He said, "We'll see."

When Labor Day weekend came, Brian said that we would go to Marfa. YAY! Except I was a little concerned and almost wanted to cancel the road trip because there was a gas shortage scare throughout Texas. We were convinced people were overhyping it, but it was real... throughout the main cities, there was no gas to be found. We had to constantly use the GasBuddy app to see where we could fill up. It was definitely a concern, and we even bought a gas canister as an emergency! 

We left Austin at 4 in the morning since Big Bend was almost a 7 hour drive away. It was amazing seeing the landscape turn into hills and then mountains. I've NEVER seen mountains in Texas before! I was so excited. When we got into Big Bend, we immediately did the Lost Mine hike. The views were amazing. I definitely appreciate Texas a lot more now.

Marfa

That night, we stayed in Marfa so that we could explore the city next morning. The first thing Brian wanted to see was Prada Marfa at sunrise. Of course I was down! So we woke up at 6AM the next day to make the 30 minute drive to the art installation.

When we got there, I took a couple of photos of Huong and Andrew in front of Prada Marfa. And naturally, I asked them to take photos of Brian and me too. Brian and I walked up to the storefont, and we posed for a photo, but then he turned to me, and said, "Hey..."

HE CAUGHT ME OFF GUARD!! We were just supposed to take a photo! Everything was happening so naturally, so this moment was entirely unexpected. He asked me to marry him, and the rest is history!

Thank you so much to Huong and Andrew for being a part of the surprise!! What a happy, happy weekend!

Vans US Open of Surfing with Michelob ULTRA

This past weekend, I was flown out to California with the Michelob ULTRA ambassador crew to attend events at the Vans US Open of Surfing 2017! We got to take surf lessons, hung out at the ULTRA Surf Deck, did yoga on the beach, and then cooled down with some beers at happy hour!

Bright and early on Saturday morning, we headed straight to Huntington Beach for some surfing. It was my very first time, but the instructors were so helpful! I caught a few waves before I was too beat up to continue haha.

Afterward, we showered and got ready for lunch at the Vans US Open of Surfing. The ULTRA Surf Deck looked out over all the festivities on the beach. It was perfect weather to drink and mingle. 

I loved that there was a fun Fit Crawl in front of our deck! A few of the ambassadors even showed off their athletic prowess!

As the sun started to set, we got ready for yoga! I definitely needed the stretching after an eventful day. Even though the beach was crowded, it felt so peaceful to be in the warmth and sand.

Afterward, we headed to Sandy's for happy hour with Michelob ULTRA's and bites! I'm so thankful to have spent my weekend at the beach with some of the best people!