June 24, 2026
Picture of Japanese monkeys in a natural steam bath on someone's solo trip to Japan. TEXT: Of Shoes, Snow, and Monkeys in a Hot Tub - Travel Reflections - C. Alokita
Published by C. Alokita at June 24, 2026
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Of Shoes, Snow, and Monkeys in a Hot Tub

I was on my first solo trip in Japan. I had arrived in the country as a researcher, full of ambition, and had spent several months being systematically humbled by both the language and the experiments. Nagano felt like a necessary exhale; somewhere to exist without obligation…
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March 16, 2026
Beautiful, vivid blue and green scenery of mountains surrounding a lake in Japan. View is from the peak of Shizugatake - TEXT: Echoes of WAr; Shizugatake of Japan - C. Alokita - Creative Travel
Published by C. Alokita at March 16, 2026
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Echoes of War: Shizugatake of Japan

A mountain peak with a weighty past stands on a ridge connecting two beautiful lakes of Japan: Shizugatake. From a distance it appears peaceful like any other green slope in rural Japan. But as you climb, you can feel the lingering silence of a decisive battle that took place here centuries ago.
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February 25, 2026
A black-and-white photograph shows a large domed government building with ornate stone architecture dominating the background. In the foreground, a city bus passes across the frame, slightly blurred to convey motion and everyday urban life. The contrast between the historic structure and modern traffic creates a sense of movement through time. Calcutta TEXT: Kipling Said to Stay Away – But Can I; Literary Travel Series; Melanie Corbett
Published by Melanie Corbett at February 25, 2026
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Kipling Said to Stay Away — But Can I?

As I look forward to this trip, I caution myself that Kolkata may be in many ways similar to Delhi, with the same grime, dirt, and chaos of any large, old city. But, I also hope that it will be more relaxed…
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February 15, 2026
Side Roads and Detours issue cover - Light sky blue as main background, with cover of the magazine issue to the right with bold blue sky with vibrant white clouds over a well-traveled road, with mountains to the left. TEXT: Standard Issue - Volume 6, Issue 1: Side Roads and Detours - the MockingOwl Roost contributors and staff
Published by The MockingOwls at February 15, 2026
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Side Roads and Detours

Life is like a meandering path through a fantasy world forest. Amid the trees wildlife, monsters, and new directors could come at you, detouring your life plan, your hopes, your dreams. But not all side roads are bad things. Some could be wondrous moments that lead to delights and growth, others may simply bring you path to your truest road after a bit of wandering. After all, as our beloved Tolkien once put it, “Not all those who wander are lost.”
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