Tag: royal origin explore

  • Tokyo Living | RO Explore

    Tokyo Living | RO Explore

    I don’t know how, but here we are again with another Japan trip. I seriously love this country and have been here more times than I’ve visited my own home country of Vietnam. The friendly culture, the food, the convenience stores and the efficient train systems keep me coming back every year. Our goal this year was try to just enjoy living in Japan instead of having a bunch of things on the agenda to hit. We stayed in Tokyo for about two weeks and did some exploring around the country.

    First things first, we had to get some convenience store food.

    Julia had to have the waffle ice cream sandwich before we headed to our Airbnb.

    On the first day, we decided to take a shinkansen down to Kyoto and Osaka, so we can get some Kobe beef for Keith’s birthday. Our first stop was the Nijo Castle in Kyoto where amazingly enough was still well preserved.

    For lunch, we went to Nishiki Market where there was a line of street food vendors that had all of the exotic Japanese food.

    This egg sandwich was so light and fluffy!

    At the end of the market was a Mameshiba cafe, which is a chain of dog cafes that features Shibas! We dropped all the plans we had for the day just for an hour with these pups.

    Keith was the chosen one. You’re not allowed to pick up the dogs here, so when one crawls up in your lap to nap, you are now a dog bed. Dogs have an innate ability to sense kindness and comfort, which is why those small acts of trust feel so special.

    Whether it’s a Shiba curling up in your lap at a cafe or your own dog resting their head on your knee after a long day, the bond between humans and dogs is one of the most rewarding relationships.

    Taking care of that bond means providing your dog with the best possible care, not only in terms of love and attention but also when it comes to their health and well-being. That’s where a service like Mobile Vet in Sydney can make a real difference. Instead of stressing your dog with a trip to the clinic, you can have a professional vet come to your home, where your pet feels safe and secure.

    For ongoing comfort and calm, especially during changes in routine or environment, Holistapet cbd for dogs can also be a gentle way to support their well-being. This approach ensures that your dog gets the care they need without the added anxiety of leaving familiar surroundings.

    The last thing to see in Kyoto was the Inari Shrine.

    Whole lotta gang shit.

    Time is the only enemy.

    It was Keith’s birthday, so we celebrated with some A5 Wagyu Kobe beef!

    The next morning, we ventured out to Odaiba to check out Team Lab to check out the art installations.

    It’s seriously an amazing place with so many installations. Perfect for the gram.

    We got dinner afterwards at one of my favorite things to eat in Japan, gyukatsu which is basically a deep fried steak.

    Delicious!

    Always so cool to see some JDM cars, like this Chaser with Work VS-KFs.

    Me and Julia were hungry for some late night food, so we decided to check out this ramen spot near our Airbnb. It’s one of the top 10 in Tokyo!

    Seriously, so good.

    Gotta have ice cream after every meal.

    If you want to get some sick ass neon dirty street style photos, check out Kawasaki Warehouse.

    It’s a replica of the Kowloon Walled City in Hong Kong which used to be like a black market.

    Finding some cafes to take breaks and the food here is so aesthetically pleasing.

    Had to take the wife to a fancy dinner for dealing with all of the car stuff we’ve been doing.

    We ate the Sky Restaurant at Sky Tree which had a beautiful view.

    Came home to these drunk beauties photos by Tanya.

    More adventures to come! Check back for more and if you have any questions leave a comment!

    -NGUMINH

     

     

  • Alabama Hills to Coyote Flats | RO Explore

    Alabama Hills to Coyote Flats | RO Explore

    After so many years of going camping with Chivas and Angelo, I finally convinced myself to buy a SUV to build for overlanding. I recently purchased a 2007 Lexus GX470 and after Angelo’s bad influence I bought some Bilsteins 5100 with Toytec springs, a M60 GOFSR tent and some Falken AT3Ws. We’ve been planning this trip to Coyote Flats for months and I wanted to be prepared for whatever we were going to face. Shout out to Steve from Falken and the boys at 714 Tires for helping me get everything installed!

    Now that I’ve fully committed to overlanding, I’m realizing how important it is to make sure every aspect of my vehicle is in top shape for the journey ahead. Whether you’re out on an adventurous off-road trek or preparing for a long drive, it’s crucial to ensure your SUV or truck is properly maintained.

    Regular automotive diagnostics are essential for preventing unexpected breakdowns, especially when you’re relying on your vehicle to take you through rugged terrain. From checking the suspension system to monitoring the engine performance, there are many components that need attention to ensure everything runs smoothly. This is where a reliable repair service comes into play, giving you peace of mind that your vehicle is prepared for the road ahead.

    One service I trust for all my diesel-related needs is RUSH Diesel. They specialize in high-performance diagnostics and repair, focusing on everything from routine engine checks to more complex mechanical issues. RUSH Diesel offers expert solutions to keep your vehicle running at its best, even when faced with the demands of off-roading and overlanding. Whether it’s ensuring the transmission is working properly or diagnosing fuel system issues, their experienced technicians provide accurate, efficient service.

    The rigs. We have Tim’s Jeep, Justin’s LX470, my GX470, Dayne’s GX470, Derrick’s Montero and Angelo’s 4runner.

    On the way up to Coyote Flats, we thought it would be a good idea to camp at Alabama Hills for a night since it was only an hour away from our meet up spot. We literally had to drive the whole area for a spot because most of the cool spots were taken.

    We finally setup camp and everyone was excited to get the party started.

    Apparently it was shot o’clock every 5 minutes, so things started to get blurry.

    It’s been a while since I’ve seen the stars this bright, it feels good to be out with nature once in a while.

    I started going around to get some cool star photos with our rigs. Dayne’s GX with his SUV tent.

    Derrick’s Montero.

    My GX470 and my GOFSR tent fully setup. Man I love this tent and it makes camping so much more enjoyable! After upgrading my GX470 with the essentials, I started realizing just how important it is to tailor your rig to the kind of adventures you want to take. From suspension to tires and a solid rooftop tent, each piece I added felt like an investment in a better experience.

    Of course, outfitting your vehicle goes beyond just slapping on a few accessories. It’s about creating a reliable setup that can handle any terrain while keeping you safe and comfortable out there. I found that baseline overland offers a solid foundation for building a capable overland vehicle without going overboard. Their approach to customizing rigs gives you a practical starting point and helps you upgrade from there, step by step. Now that my GX470 is ready for the trails, I can’t wait to tackle more remote spots with the confidence that I’ve built something that can handle whatever Mother Nature throws my way.

    Find the ghost of Kiki.

    Angelo’s 4runner with his Tepui tent.

    Such a sick view of our camp setup.

    Woke up to Yuki wanting to play while Dayne was passed out.

    Julia and Derrick making breakfast for everyone.

     

    Me and Derrick had to flex on em.

    We finally arrived to the trail to get to Coyote Flats, but we were having some overheating issues and had to stop.

    What a view. Our first attempt up the mountain was deterred because Derrick’s Montero had some overheating tranny issues. So, we decided to go back into town and get a tranny cooler, install it in the parking lot and try to climb the mountain again at night when it’s a lot cooler.

    We made it up at night with no problem and found a sick camping spot by a stream.

    The stars felt even closer because we were at 10,000 feet elevation. I would have taken more photos, but it was so cold at night.

    The next morning I woke up to this.. Dayne wanted to see if his GX could make it over the stream and got stuck in some mud patches..

    We eventually got it out of the stream because of Angelo’s manliness and his winch, but Dayne’s GX wasn’t able to move on it’s own. We had to leave it there and find someone to help tow it down the mountain.

    Angelo’s rescue vehicle.

    Wish Dayne’s GX made it in this shot.

    Thanks Angelo for planning this trip and being our guide! It’s amazing the things you get to see when you go overlanding and how much fun it is to experience it with friends. I can’t wait for the next trip!