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You know I’m always going to keep it 100% real with you!
My original plan today was to film a real-time, 13-hour layover vlog taking you along with me step-by-step. But here is a major travel lesson: Always check local cultural hours! Since today is Friday (a holy day of prayer in the UAE), the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque doesn't open for tourist visits until 4:00 PM. With my flight departing at 2:00 PM, my live layover challenge got cut short! However, as someone who knows Abu Dhabi inside and out, I wasn't going to leave you hanging. If you ever land at Zayed International Airport (AUH) overnight with a day layover ahead of you, here is the EXACT blueprint on how to spend 12 to 16 epic hours in the city!
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Brisket, Harry Potter Magic, and "We Outside!" in Tokyo: The Grand Finale (Tokyo Part 2 of 2)8/14/2026 
And just like that, we have reached the grand finale of our epic Japan takeover!
After showing our incredible group the high-energy sights of Tokyo, it was time to give everyone some freedom. We split up so everyone could explore at their own pace, and Mike and I set off on our own adventure! Bullet Trains, Giant Lanterns, and Skillet Cheese Burgers: Welcome to Tokyo! (Tokyo Part 1 of 2)8/7/2026  We made it to the final leg of our epic Japan takeover: Tokyo!
We all decided to send our heavy luggage ahead to Tokyo so we could travel light and easy. We boarded the Shinkansen (bullet train) from Shin-Osaka Station, bound for Shinagawa Station in Tokyo. Our group is going to be exploring right alongside us here in Tokyo until they head home. After they depart, Mike and I have a couple of extra days to wrap up our own adventures before we fly out. But of course, you can't board a bullet train without the ultimate Japanese rail tradition:grabbing delicious bento boxes at the station to eat on the way! 
Hey, Unique Insiders! I am actually writing this post to you right now while riding the lightning-fast bullet train. My feet are currently throbbing, my heart is incredibly full, and I have a mountain of amazing stories (and major pro-tips) to share with you from our time in Japan's culinary capital: Osaka.
Moai Statues, Sake, & Sky-High Views: The Sapporo Finale (Part 3 of 3 of the Sapporo Series)7/24/2026 
Welcome to the third and final chapter of our Hokkaido adventures! Our last full day in Sapporo was hands-down one of our most memorable, filled with deep history, towering views, and a massive reminder that Japan requires some serious foot endurance.
 Welcome back to part two of our Sapporo adventures! If part one was all about the city's neon lights and our arrival, this leg was a whirlwind of artisan towns, accidental detours, and some serious culinary surprises.
 How I feel knowing travel is on the horizon! And also a shameless plug to post a picture of my newest nephew!
School is officially out, the early morning alarms are off, and a massive new adventure is on the horizon!
Up first on our summer journey: Sapporo, Japan. We actually boarded our flight the literal day after school wrapped up. Trading the intense July Abu Dhabi heat for the cool, breezy northern climate of Hokkaido was the exact reset we needed. The moment we arrived at the airport in Abu Dhabi, we checked in, dropped our bags, cleared security, and headed straight to the lounge to soak up the relaxation and mentally prepare for the journey ahead. 
The last time I really sat down to check in here, the world was rewriting itself. 2020 came in like whoa, and let’s be completely honest—the years that followed were just life straight-up life-ing.
Between shifting landscapes, navigating the beautiful chaos of the education world, and finding my footing in a completely new chapter here in the UAE, the silence on this blog wasn't planned. It was survival. But if there is one thing you should know about me by now, it’s that I am a survivor—and I don’t just handle the plot twists; I use them to build something bigger. I’m back. And this time? I actually have a plan. Here we are, already in February! I said I was going to do better and here's the proof. LOL!
Oops, I did it again!
It's not like I didn' t have anything to write and talk about. We did so much in 2022! Cruising, Paris, Amsterdam, hosting 19 people in Dubai! Life was great and busy! I'm going to do better. Stay with me. |
Hey there, I’m Janelle! Welcome to my corner of the world. I’m an international educator by day, and a massive, do-life-big lover of travel, creative sewing, and bold cooking by night. Currently based in the beautiful UAE, I believe the world is too huge to stay limited by what society says about you, and I'm convinced that creating a life you love is the ultimate way to realize we are not defined by anyone else's expectations. From ziplining in Ras Al Khaimah and hot air ballooning in Cappadocia to conquering 6 out of 7 Disneys worldwide, I’m on a mission to see it all (and probably fabric-shopping or food-tasting along the way!). Want big travel experiences but hate the stress of the unknown, the planning, and the endless logistics? You’re in the right place. I share global inspiration here to show you exactly how to break boundaries and explore—and when you’re ready, I can design the perfect custom travel package for you over at Unique Does Travel. CategoriesArchives
July 2026
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