It’s always fun to explore a new place, especially if that place has an interesting history or community, or is shrouded in mystery.

And it is even better if you were to go without reading up too much on the destination prior to your visit. Just get basic information like how to get there and where to stay.

Of course, there are many types of travellers: Some would want to know and plan for everything beforehand, while others – like myself – prefer to just… wing it. Fortunately for me, I usually end up getting the best experiences from travelling this way.

One example is when I walked through the Sea Of Trees or Aokigahara in the Yamanashi Prefecture in Japan. I was in Tokyo a few days earlier for work, and had extended my stay. From the city, I took a bus to Lake Kawaguchi or Kawaguchiko, which is about two hours away.

Kawaguchiko is near Mount Fuji, and even though I wasn’t going to climb the mountain, I thought it would be a nice place to explore and hike. It was only when I got to the train station at Kawaguchiko, and ruffled through the tourist brochure, that I realised just how close I was to the infamous Aokigahara forest.

OK, cool.

The brochure was very useful and it gave me all the details I needed about hiking to Aokigahara. (Many of us now would just Google or check an app for information, but don’t dismiss the value of a physical tourist brochure, especially if there is no WiFi available in the area!)

I got on the tourist bus that would take me to the starting point of the Aokigahara walking trail, or so I thought. I must have missed the stop because when we got to the end of the route, it did not look like the picture in the brochure. I was the only one left on the bus so I asked the driver, “Aokigahara?”

He looked at me, nodded and pointed at the door.

OK.

There was a visitors’ centre or something at the place, but when I went into the building there was no one around I could speak to.

OK.

I found a trail behind the building that led into the forest. There was a sign in Japanese which I could not read, but since it did not have the “No Entry” symbol on it, I figured it was safe to enter the forest.

The trail was clear and looked like it had been properly built for walking or hiking purposes; it was also big enough for a whole horse carriage to go through.

As I was trying to decide which direction to go, an elderly man and a teenage boy suddenly appeared and the former cheerily said “Ohayo!” (good morning). “Tourist?”

“Yes.”

“OK, enjoy!”

I took another path, one that had a little more light than where the men went. It was a wonderful trail and very easy to navigate, as long as you stayed on the path. Every now and then I came across distance and direction markers, but none were in English. No big deal, I thought, because I seemed to be going the right way… until I came to a section that… felt different.

Suddenly the beautiful forest was all quiet, and I could no longer hear the insects, bugs and small animals. The air also felt… it felt like there was no air, no breeze. Had I accidentally walk over to the “forbidden” part of the forest?

(The forbidden zone is clearly marked, although there is no large barrier – just a rope – that would prevent anyone from walking in.)

I started to get a little paranoid and looked around, but then I didn’t want to “see” anything so I stopped and kept walking instead.

There was more vegetation in this part of the woods, and the tree roots grew everywhere so the path was no longer clear. I had to stop every few meters to make sure I was moving straight forward and not to the left or right.

It was a little eerie but I was mostly afraid of getting lost than anything, as my phone signal was also very weak.

About 20 minutes later, I finally came across a sign nailed to the root of an interesting-looking tree with a pinkish bark. Again, I had no idea what the sign said, but it was a welcome sight nonetheless.

There was a bench nearby so I sat down and took a lunch break. As I was eating, I heard some children laughing in the distance… it was a group of schoolboys and their teachers having a field trip in the forest.

“Konnichi wa!” some of them said as they walked past me, a few bowing their heads.

“Hello!” I replied.

One of the boys stopped, smiled and said, “Good afternoon.”

I continued my walk, all the way to the Saiko Bat Cave Information Centre, which is the actual starting point of the Aokigahara walking trail. I had missed the Bat Cave tour (yes, there are some caves you can explore here), so I went back into the forest to see how much further the trail would take me.

As it turns out, it took me back to where I started. Perfect.

For a pictorial guide on how to get to the Aokigahara walking trail, check out the Yamanashi Prefecture tourist website (shorturl.at/awAJP).

It isn’t any black magic, nor there is any secret.
There is a direct correlation between physical fitness levels & lesser risk of lung or colorectal cancers. Even though it is advisable to take anti-cancer news with a pinch of salt, a tweet from the University of Alabama stated a plain fact that simply higher levels of physical fitness may sometimes act as a shield against certain varieties of cancer. The levels of data found through research show how outstanding levels of differences staying physically fit can make.

A fairly recent cancer-related tweet from the University of Alabama stated an unsurprising fact, which is high-physical fitness can act as a shield against certain kinds of cancers. What might catch someone’s attention is that there are tonnes of data to back up the fact that physical fitness can ward off a few types of cancer.

Henry Ford Health System, alongside John Hopkins University, based in Michigan launched a new study fueled by the tweet. The Henry Ford Group has the data of close to 70,000 people who were asked to appear for a treadmill test by their doctors in the years 1991 till 2009, which gave them a somewhat accurate grasp on the cardiorespiratory fitness of the subjects.

By tracking the ensuing health condition of the recorded patients from within the Henry Ford Group, as well as other external databases, the researchers could conclude how the fitness levels of the subjects affected their health later on in the future. In the experiment, it was found that the fitter the subject was, their lifespan lengthened.

Even though the idea of exercising to ward off cancer may seem a bit far-fetched to the average individual, it all comes down to improving the fitness to reduce the overall risk of being diagnosed with cancer.
Adding to that, the easiest ways to stay fit are exercising & eating healthy.

This very moment, scientists around the world are trying to decipher the process behind cancer formation in bodies & how to avoid getting cancer. But until a breakthrough is achieved, the sure-fire way to stay above cancer is to stay as fit as can.

Here’s how you can curb motion sickness!

Long car rides make you nauseous? Well, then motion sickness can be a great hurdle when you have to travel. It can upset the stomach, and you may feel nauseous and woozy. Long car rides are not suitable for some people and do result in the feeling of nausea. But you need not be afraid anymore while travelling as we have come up with some lifesaving foods that you can eat to avoid sickness and vomiting. Have a look!

Ginger

Ginger has qualities that might help curb nausea. It can ease the irritation of the stomach and bring instant relief. Try having ginger tea, ginger ale or candy or you can crush a tbsp of ginger, mix it in hot water and drink which will help you get past that queasy feeling effectively.

Peppermint

Peppermint is another traditional remedy used to treat motion sickness. Both its leaves and its oil help deal with indigestion and irritable bowel syndrome, according to the NCCIH, and a small study published in February 2014 in the Journal of Peri Anesthesia Nursing suggests that the scent of peppermint oil can ease nausea. You can have it in the form of tea for good taste and results.

Crackers

Foods that are high in starch helps to settle a queasy stomach. The bland taste of crackers with high starch helps to avoid motion sickness. It’s also a good idea to keep a handful of crackers with yourself while you are travelling and eat whenever you feel hungry. Also, nibble those crackers with some cold water for best results.

Cardamom

Cardamom is an effective remedy for motion sickness. Chew 1 or two cardamom seeds as it will change the taste that will help soothe the vomiting sensation. Black cardamom subdues Kapha, pitta, vata, while green cardamom stimulates pitta and soothes Vata and Kapha.

Nuts

Nuts are protein-packed and will replenish your depleted energy, keeping nausea at bay. However, you should have it in small amounts. A low-fat, lower protein meal plan rich in starchy foods is the best solution when you’re struggling with nausea.

Banana

Snack on a banana if you feel dehydrated and nauseous. Bananas can help restore potassium, which is often depleted as a result of diarrhea and vomiting. It also has a good amount of starch in it.

Water

Water keeps you hydrated. Taking small sips of plain water will do the same and avoid the headaches that often accompany nausea. Start by slowly drinking tiny amounts and don’t drink too much as it will make the condition worse.

Visit one of Brazil’s most popular beaches, but not before reading these tips first.

Copacabana Beach is known to be one of the best beaches in Brazil. However, it is also a target for tourists and a common place to get scammed or robbed. While it’s absolutely possible to have a safe and enjoyable experience at this beach, beach-goers should consider these tips before visiting not only Brazil but Copacabana Beach in general.

10. Don’t Bring A Large Bag

Unfortunately, because Copacabana is known to be a place for theft, bringing a large bag can make visitors an easy target. Play it safe, and keep the beach gear minimal. Bring only the bare minimum since large bags can often make for becoming an easy target.

9. Don’t Use A Towel From The Hotel

Hotel towels make one thing very clear: you are a tourist, a.k.a. a great target for scams. While many travelers will want to, and should, consider a beachfront hotel in Brazil, avoid the mistake of bringing one of the hotel towels. Purchase one of the thin wraps that are sold all over the streets of Rio de Janeiro. This is what the locals use, and plus, they’re super colorful and cute.

8. Don’t Bring Anything Super Valuable

Leave the passport, wallet, keys, and even fancy cameras and jewelry at home. Sure, bringing money is still essential, but it’s always advisable to leave at least one spare credit card and even a little bit of extra cashback in the room in the case, god forbid, you become a victim of personal theft.

7. Leave A Spare Credit Card In Your Room

As mentioned above, this is a crucial tip. Leave one spare card back in the hotel room. That way, just in case the worst happens, visitors won’t have to spend the rest of their time in Brazil worrying about finding a replacement card. It’s always recommended to travel with at least two cards: at least one debit and one credit card.

6. Buy Some Snacks From The Vendors

It’s not all terrifying at Copacabana Beach! While there, vendors of all types will be walking around selling anything from freshly grilled seafood skewers to açai bowls to empanadas to fresh fruit. Take advantage of the plethora of options, and purchase a few different snacks to try. They’re pretty affordable and all extremely delicious.

5. Get A Beach Caipirinha

Not only should visitors invest in some snacks, but ordering a caipirinha on Copacabana Beach is crucial. As the late and great Anthony Bourdain once said, “If you’re on this beach, sipping a caipirinha, and you can’t find a way to be happy, you never will be.”

4. Stay Vigilant

While traveling, it is always wise to be aware of one’s surroundings. While in Copacabana Beach, however, it is required. Beachgoers should keep a lookout for anyone who seems to be lurking, keep personal belongings extremely close (put them under the towel and lay on top of them, if able), and do their best to remain undistracted.

3. Get Off Of Your Phone

Don’t make the mistake of visiting this beach only to scroll through Instagram and take 2,000 photos. While visitors will want to take some photos, put the phone down for two primary reasons: one: to not draw attention (a common way to get scammed), and two: to sign off and relax!

2. Forgot Something? It Can Likely Be Purchased

Vendors walk around Copacabana Beach selling anything under the sun. Need a towel? It can be purchased. Need a sand bucket and shovel for your kid? Not to worry, they sell that too. Need an umbrella? A swimsuit? Something to drink? Something to eat? You name it; they’ve got it. Almost anything imaginable can be purchased on this lovely Brazilian beach.

1. Relax & Have Fun!

Above all, while many people advise being safe while visiting Copacabana, the experience can be fun and relaxing so long as visitors follow all of these guidelines. Copacabana Beach is really a trip where local kids can be seen playing soccer (or football), adults can be seen laughing and frolicking through the water, and listening to the sound of the waves crashing on one of the world’s best beaches can provide all vacationers with the ultimate sense of therapy.