[Klaus]

I was quite burned out to be honest - my primary job PLUS OL can be a bit much at times.

Shikoku was nice, but the cities that we visited (Hiroshima & Kanazawa) were packed with tourists. Quite a difference compared to 2y ago.

I considered taking test gear, but then taking my own stuff once in a while felt the right thing to do this time.

A Z9, but then only an adapted lens for it? ;-)

It does seem like the post covid travel boom is still on the rise. Getting into museums can be hard now. Some are booked out farther than I ever planned ahead for a vacation! Their standby lists are a km long to boot.

You seem to go to Japan quite a bit. Is there a reason you like going back as opposed to exploring other countries? I've been twice. While I wouldn't mind going back, there are other countries in that part of the world I haven't been to and would like to explore.

Well, I do have a bucket list with other destinations, but I also do have constraints - namely, my girlfriend. LOL

It has been our 3rd vacation trip to JP. While we also visit the usual suspects, these trips are primarily centered around multi-day walks - and they combine culture, great food, and still an exotic touch or two - while still having the comforts and security of a 1st world country - in the same timezone basically. Could be worse, really. ;-)

FWIW, I'm keen on visiting Madagascar, Palau, Taiwan, and Raja Ampat at would be nice.