FRONTLINE
sharon thompson owner, Thompson Travel, Portadown, Northern Ireland
I haven’t really seen much of the UK
since early March, having led a number of group tours in Asia. Travelling has served as a
time to relax, distract from the norm and refresh the mind after a challenging start to the year. My business thrived under the watchful eye of my son Jason while I was away, freeing me up to explore some incredible destinations with our customers. Following the trend of clients seeking “authenticity, local immersion and cultural experiences”, my past few weeks have focused on Vietnam and Japan. It’s amazing to see demand for the Far East return. Hopefully, some day Ukraine, Israel and Russia will allow us once again to immerse ourselves in their amazing cultures. There are a few things common to both Vietnam and Japan. First, the people are amazing. The two cultures are worlds apart but the humbleness, generosity and courtesy of the people were evident in both, from north to south.
STAGGERING BEAUTY They are also compelling lands of staggering natural beauty. Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi are contrasting cities, as Tokyo and Osaka are, and the places in between are breathtaking. It’s hard to decide which place intrigues me more, because they truly both tick every box.
22 22 MAY 2025 AGENT
I’m back from leading tours of Vietnam and Japan – it’s amazing to see demand for the Far East return
Food was one of the highlights of Vietnam. We enjoyed a trip to an organic farm, with a cookery lesson followed by an amazing four-course meal and a trip in a longboat along the Mekong Delta. Making sweets from coconut in the jungle was also memorable. Hoi An was amazing too. The
Unesco World Heritage Site has narrow streets with lanterns that lead to a stunning bridge. It crosses a river where lantern boats glide slowly by. The town’s bustling nature doesn’t detract from the sense of serenity. When I think of Japan, I think of modern, spotless streets with modest and courteous people –
and that is exactly what it was like. Hiroshima, Kyoto and Mount Fuji were my personal favourites. In fact, Kyoto was a true highlight for everyone. As the group wandered the Gion district, trying to catch a glimpse of a Maiko girl, they sampled the local street food. A surprise awaited them when we were escorted to a restaurant for dinner and were joined by some Maiko girls. Some of the group members shed a tear of joy when they discovered they would get to see and chat to the humble ladies they had read so much about.
COLOURFUL PALATE Food was also one of the highlights of Japan. Raw fish and miso soup are the local choices, but candy- glazed strawberries and wagyu beef are also common offerings. You can eat absolutely anywhere and not worry about hygiene. Witnessing a tea ceremony is a must. Uji matcha tea, the good stuff, was properly made, and the hospitality was a lesson to us all. Seeing the cherry blossom
– sakura – is another essential. The scenery is so beautiful. It was hard to find any type of tree that hadn’t been pruned to perfection, regardless of what species it was. Travel never ceases to fascinate me.
THE PUBLIC FACE OF JAPAN
In Japan, I noticed most shops sold face flannels of every colour and design. At home, I associate flannels only with the bathroom, but that’s not the case in Japan. On sitting down for a meal, the host will offer a small towel to be used before eating. There are very few paper towels in Japan; people instead carry their own washable flannel to dry their hands. There are no public bins either, and yet no gum on the streets or litter of any kind. Children are taught the importance of cleanliness early in life and everyone takes their rubbish home to be disposed of properly – not least because there are strict laws against littering. There are a lot of good lessons to be learnt!
Towels: big in Japan
travelweekly.co.uk
AndreaJenniferColin Clare Helen AndreaJenniferColin Clare Helen diary diary
Sharon Sharon
PICTURE: Shutterstock/Africa Studio
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