Zephyr Bloom
@zephyrbloom.bsky.social
A 50ish retired Japanese national. Love birds, nature, slow-travel.
When I entered Thailand from #Cambodia in mid-December, my wife, who went through immigration before me, was questioned and asked to show an onward flight ticket. No complaint, but surprised cause it has been almost always no questioned since 2000.
January 1, 2026 at 9:15 AM
When I entered Thailand from #Cambodia in mid-December, my wife, who went through immigration before me, was questioned and asked to show an onward flight ticket. No complaint, but surprised cause it has been almost always no questioned since 2000.
My first time staying in #PhnomPenh for a month was wonderful. The traffic was not as crazy as in Vietnam(esp. sound of the honk). People -both the staff of the service industry and random people- were calm and kind.
What I suprised was that even the staff of the supermarket were kind. #Cambodia
What I suprised was that even the staff of the supermarket were kind. #Cambodia
December 21, 2025 at 11:43 AM
My first time staying in #PhnomPenh for a month was wonderful. The traffic was not as crazy as in Vietnam(esp. sound of the honk). People -both the staff of the service industry and random people- were calm and kind.
What I suprised was that even the staff of the supermarket were kind. #Cambodia
What I suprised was that even the staff of the supermarket were kind. #Cambodia
We experienced "Ni Hao" microaggression in Portugal several times from mid-year men during a month stay(zero in Greece). I don't know the best way to tackle it, but I think we need to memorise how to say "We're not Chinese" in the local language in addition to the basic greetings and phrases.
November 1, 2025 at 1:56 AM
We experienced "Ni Hao" microaggression in Portugal several times from mid-year men during a month stay(zero in Greece). I don't know the best way to tackle it, but I think we need to memorise how to say "We're not Chinese" in the local language in addition to the basic greetings and phrases.
I recognise I'm back in East Asia when I hear annoying sounds made by middle-aged men, like burping, slurping and chewing outside their home. I don't know why they do, also I don't even know why I hate the sounds.
October 5, 2025 at 8:35 PM
I recognise I'm back in East Asia when I hear annoying sounds made by middle-aged men, like burping, slurping and chewing outside their home. I don't know why they do, also I don't even know why I hate the sounds.
Our month-long stay in #Thessaloniki, #Greece, is wrapping up! It’s been our first time staying Europe, and we’ve made some amazing memories. Want to come back next year if possible.
August 24, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Our month-long stay in #Thessaloniki, #Greece, is wrapping up! It’s been our first time staying Europe, and we’ve made some amazing memories. Want to come back next year if possible.
There is less than a week left until we leave #Thessaloniki, #Greece, but still have longer days than sprint-type tourists.
My wife is recently aggressively searching for restaurants here, but it's for next year's stay since we only have 1 chance left this time. Yeah, we want to be back again.
My wife is recently aggressively searching for restaurants here, but it's for next year's stay since we only have 1 chance left this time. Yeah, we want to be back again.
August 19, 2025 at 3:45 PM
There is less than a week left until we leave #Thessaloniki, #Greece, but still have longer days than sprint-type tourists.
My wife is recently aggressively searching for restaurants here, but it's for next year's stay since we only have 1 chance left this time. Yeah, we want to be back again.
My wife is recently aggressively searching for restaurants here, but it's for next year's stay since we only have 1 chance left this time. Yeah, we want to be back again.
Our self-catering menu in #Thessaloniki for 2ppl in August so far. (6 days left)
BF: watermelon(1/4 of 4kg mini), boiled beans
Lunch: Parboiled brown rice Risotto
Snacks: Grape, peach, nectarine
Dinner: Greek salad and boiled beans
BF: watermelon(1/4 of 4kg mini), boiled beans
Lunch: Parboiled brown rice Risotto
Snacks: Grape, peach, nectarine
Dinner: Greek salad and boiled beans
August 18, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Our self-catering menu in #Thessaloniki for 2ppl in August so far. (6 days left)
BF: watermelon(1/4 of 4kg mini), boiled beans
Lunch: Parboiled brown rice Risotto
Snacks: Grape, peach, nectarine
Dinner: Greek salad and boiled beans
BF: watermelon(1/4 of 4kg mini), boiled beans
Lunch: Parboiled brown rice Risotto
Snacks: Grape, peach, nectarine
Dinner: Greek salad and boiled beans
People here in #Thessaloniki, whom we talked to, were nice. Although we only speak a little Greek, they appreciate our efforts. This encourages us to learn more.
August 14, 2025 at 3:25 PM
People here in #Thessaloniki, whom we talked to, were nice. Although we only speak a little Greek, they appreciate our efforts. This encourages us to learn more.
Enjoyed late lunch/early dinner in #Thessaloniki. Today is once a week's opportunity for eating out. Impressed by the nice food as well as the nice service.
August 8, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Enjoyed late lunch/early dinner in #Thessaloniki. Today is once a week's opportunity for eating out. Impressed by the nice food as well as the nice service.
I think the salads I make here are better than what I make at home, thanks to the high-quality olives and feta cheese.
#Thessaloniki #Greece
#Thessaloniki #Greece
July 27, 2025 at 12:49 PM
I think the salads I make here are better than what I make at home, thanks to the high-quality olives and feta cheese.
#Thessaloniki #Greece
#Thessaloniki #Greece
My wife usually buys 豆大福(Mochi) and おはぎ back which are my favorite snacks when she flies to #Osaka from #Fukuoka to see a dentist. The former was known as a favorite snack of Steve Jobs.
My favorite store is Futaba in #Kyoto but Tanbaya is good enough, also cheaper and convenient.
My favorite store is Futaba in #Kyoto but Tanbaya is good enough, also cheaper and convenient.
December 4, 2024 at 12:20 AM
Climbed up Mt. Aburayama in #fuluoka for the first time. Almost no scenery and there were almost planted needle leaves trees. What I expected was a great view and a nice color of leaves but it was just an exercise. Also, the peak was too cold to be. It's too late.
November 23, 2024 at 1:14 AM
Climbed up Mt. Aburayama in #fuluoka for the first time. Almost no scenery and there were almost planted needle leaves trees. What I expected was a great view and a nice color of leaves but it was just an exercise. Also, the peak was too cold to be. It's too late.
I bought a bunch of leafy greens, but they were only labeled “Italian Vegetables”. They were supposed to be puntarelle or cervatica, but you never know until you try them.
November 18, 2024 at 7:25 AM
I bought a bunch of leafy greens, but they were only labeled “Italian Vegetables”. They were supposed to be puntarelle or cervatica, but you never know until you try them.
We much prefer to use CC over prepaid IC(ICOCA) for transportation payments. We hope JR West and Osaka City Bus to adopt CC payment by the time we move to Osaka in 2025 or 2026.
Oh, I guess we can avoid using JR at all in greater Osaka, so hope Osaka City Bus adopts it at least.
Oh, I guess we can avoid using JR at all in greater Osaka, so hope Osaka City Bus adopts it at least.
November 14, 2024 at 11:59 PM
We much prefer to use CC over prepaid IC(ICOCA) for transportation payments. We hope JR West and Osaka City Bus to adopt CC payment by the time we move to Osaka in 2025 or 2026.
Oh, I guess we can avoid using JR at all in greater Osaka, so hope Osaka City Bus adopts it at least.
Oh, I guess we can avoid using JR at all in greater Osaka, so hope Osaka City Bus adopts it at least.
Encountered a Ptanga japonica in a planter on the 4th-floor balcony. I don't know if the grasshopper eats the calendar we planted. He/she jumped out when my wife exclaimed in astonishment and then I took this photo. #fukuoka
November 13, 2024 at 7:12 AM
Encountered a Ptanga japonica in a planter on the 4th-floor balcony. I don't know if the grasshopper eats the calendar we planted. He/she jumped out when my wife exclaimed in astonishment and then I took this photo. #fukuoka
Went to Odo Park by bicycle and enjoyed the nice autumn weather. Not hot, not cold, modest sun, calm wind. I think one of the best days today. #fukuoka
November 12, 2024 at 7:12 AM
Went to Odo Park by bicycle and enjoyed the nice autumn weather. Not hot, not cold, modest sun, calm wind. I think one of the best days today. #fukuoka