While doing research for places to see and things to do while out there, this was a definite “must do” on my list. Not only did the pictures and video I watched leading up to the trip intrigue me, knowing I’d have the chance to venture around this place was something I knew I’d never forget. Just like a lot of the other places we’d seen, Fushimi Inari Shrine was beyond incredible in person. The sheer size of the place and the amount of work that went into this place makes you wonder how they were able to complete something like this so many hundred years ago without the aide of modern machinery. Completely awe-inspiring!

Be sure to click the images below for larger versions!

Fushimi Inari Shrine – Google Images
Fushimi Inari Shrine – Lonely Planet
Fushimi Inari Shrine – Japan Guide

Once we arrived, we entered the hall and were instantly overwhelmed by the sheer number of statues. Even though we had read about the temple and had seen some images online, seeing this in person was truly breathtaking. Although you weren’t allowed to take pictures inside, we spent a good hour or so walking the hall and appreciating the amount of work that went into not just building the hall but also the time and energy that went into each and every single one of the statues.

Besides we saw on the inside, the grounds that the temple was built on had some other great sights that made for great pictures as well.

Be sure to click the images below for larger versions!

If you want some more information on the Sanjusangendo Temple check out the links below:

Sanjusangendo Temple – Google Images
Sanjusangendo Temple – Lonely Planet
Sanjusangendo Temple – Japan Guide
Sanjusangendo Temple – Tale of Genji
Sanjusangendo Temple – Far Strider

Having the chance to cover the event for AutoGuide.com last year, I was able to go into this year’s event with a slightly better game plan to get all of the images taken and uploaded to the site before most, if not all other sites were able to.

Since most of my coverage is up on AutoGuide.com, I’ll spare you the overload and just share some of what I found appealing at the show.

Be sure to click the images below for larger versions!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Also, in case you missed it earlier, here’s Asia 2012, Warren’s take on our recent trip to Asia!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Since the main reason why we made the trip out fell right in the middle of the scheduled trip, our time in Cambodia and Vietnam was really cut down much more than we all would have liked. With that, we were only able to spend a little over two days in Vietnam. After hitting a little snag with my visa at the airport, we finally made our way outside and were greeted at the airport by my mother and father in law, the older (but just as awesome) Kim and her husband Nick. After the short (and ridiculously cheap) cab ride from the airport to our hotel, we checked in, cleaned up and headed out to roam the streets of Ho Chi Minh City. After grabbing a quick dinner and some drinks at some restaurant that I obviously don’t remember name of, we were off to roam the streets once more.

Be sure to click the images below for larger versions!

The following morning was an early one as we’d planned to make a little day trip out to Vung Tau. On the way out, I was able to capture some pictures (and video, which will be done in a couple of days… or whenever I get to it) of just how insane the traffic around Ho Chi Minh really is. Hundreds, if not thousands of people on scooters at every corner, some piled two, three and even four people high all! Some would say it’s controlled chaos but once you’re sitting in the middle of the street surrounded on every side with people coming at you from every direction, you’re glad someone else is doing the driving.

After a two or three hour drive, we finally reached Vung Tau and stopped to check out a couple of beaches before stopping for yet another incredible meal at a beachfront restaurant. We ventured to Front Beach, White Villa and a few other places around the city before making our way back to our hotel.

With a midnight departure on schedule, we figured we’d spend our final day around Ho Chi Minh City and the local market for a few hours before heading back to the hotel to shower and get ready for our flight out.

On our way to Japan, I was too busy dominating blackjack on our Korean Air flight that I lost track of time and we were at our next destination, Tokyo!