Hello readers! Welcome back to our “Home in One Frame” series. Last month, we asked a few of our Intensive English students to share their favorite places in their home countries, and today, we have a few more responses to share.
Like the first story in this series, each student’s response includes a picture of their favorite place, as well as their own description telling us what they love about it. Get ready for another spin around the globe by reading on!
Nanami: Kamogawa Riverside, Kyoto, Japan
One of Japan’s most famous cities - and its former capital - Kyoto remains a very popular destination for locals and tourists alike. Nanami, who lived in the city for a few years, told us her favorite place is the Kamogawa Riverside. “There are a lot of [cherry blossom] trees at the riverside,” Nanami said. “We [would] eat some food or read books at the riverside while looking at the cherry blossoms.”
Kyoto is also famous for its temples and shrines, and perhaps the most famous is Kinkaku-ji. While living in Kyoto, Nanami said, she “visited various temples and shrines with [her] friends.” Japan’s cherry blossom season usually occurs in early spring (around late March to early April) and is a sight to behold. Walking among the cobbled streets and gilded temples while the vivid pink hues of the flowers take over the trees overhead is surely an experience not to be missed!
Daniela: Los Roques Archipelago, Venezuela
Just off the South American mainland and east of the Dutch Caribbean islands (Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire) lies the Los Roques Archipelago. This secluded collection of islands, part of Venezuela, has been the perfect spot for many of Daniela’s summer getaways. “In this place there are many beautiful beaches with crystal clear water,” Daniela said. “The sand doesn’t burn my feet, and the weather is always very sunny.”
A typical day on one of Los Roques’ many beaches might include paddleboarding, snorkeling, and swimming in the crystal clear Caribbean Sea. For dinner, seafood lovers will find that “you can eat a lot of fresh seafood because the people living there will fish for you every day if you want,” Daniela said. Once the day has worn away, there are several lodges, villas, and posadas in Gran Roque (the area’s largest town) to get some sleep before the next day’s adventure.
Mahmoud: Red Sea Mall, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Jeddah, located along the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia, is considered by some as a gateway city to the two Islamic holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. To Mahmoud, however, Jeddah also has a lot to offer, including his favorite place - the Red Sea Mall.
The Red Sea Mall stands out as one of the largest in Jeddah. “I love this place because it is one of the most famous malls in Jeddah,” Mahmoud said. “[It] contains a lot of shops, restaurants and amusement parks, and is close to the sea.” After a bit of shopping, grab a bite to eat and stroll along the Jeddah corniche, pictured above, for tranquil views of the Red Sea.
Ariel: Iguazu Falls, Argentina & Brazil
Perhaps one of the most majestic waterfalls anywhere in the world, Iguazu Falls wraps around a small section of the border between Brazil and Argentina, with both countries claiming a share of the falls. “The location is on the Parana River,” Ariel said about her favorite place. “It has many excellent tourist attractions…[like] activities that you can do in the water or in nature.”
Avid wildlife enthusiasts might even spot the coati, a small animal similar to a raccoon, which makes its home in the rainforests surrounding the falls. Along with nature, there are also three cities near the falls in each country: Foz do Iguaçu in Brazil, Puerto Iguazú in Argentina, and Ciudad del Este in Paraguay. “In addition, you can go to the Itaipu Dam,” Ariel said. “[This is] one of the greatest hydroelectric dams in the world, near Iguazu Falls.”
For Ariel, the majesty of these falls is unrivaled. “All in all, I have seen many waterfalls around the world, but nothing compares with the Iguazu Falls.”
Rio: Kurokawa Hot Springs, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan
Kurokawa Hot Springs, located about 30 miles northeast of the city of Kumamoto in southern Japan, is Rio’s favorite place in his home country. The hot spring, also known as onsen in Japanese, boasts “many [different] kinds of hot springs, beautiful places, and delicious food,” Rio said.
The area around Kurokawa Hot Springs is known for its thermal activity. In the nearby Aso-Kuju National Park, a sprawling active caldera is the likely source of all the thermal heat. You can even grab a bus or car and visit the caldera on good days - but sometimes, it remains closed due to toxic fumes. After a long day, “It is fun to walk around the hot spring resort area at night,” Rio said. “[It] is lit up and shines brightly!”
If you enjoyed reading about these diverse places favored by our Intensive English students, stay tuned here on our blog for the next part in this series. We will feature five more students and their favorite destinations, sharing with us all an important slice of their home countries.
by Hadrian Barbosa