Gear Up

Over the years, I've come to appreciate the importance of quality luggage. Seriously, picking out that perfect suitcase or camera bag can be really time consuming. I don't think the perfect bag really exists, it's all a matter of compromise. For myself, I prefer soft-sided luggage with recessed wheels which seems to give the maximum packing space while being light and efficient. None of that hard shell nonsense. There have been a couple occasions where a spinner would've been helpful, but you're trading off some space to have those wheels on the outside. If you travel a lot or just want to have some of the best luggage out there, I've been really happy ever since I upgraded to using Briggs & Riley luggage. Pretty hard to beat their amazing warranty too. Be forewarned though: the best doesn't come cheap.

Today's Photo - The Canal of Reflections

I went on one of those whirlwind type trips through China, where every night you're in a different city/hotel. Traveling light definitely helps when you have to repack your suitcase everyday, and in this case managed off a single carry on suitcase for my clothes and another carry on for my camera gear for a two week trip in total across China & North Korea.

Suzhou bills itself as the "Venice of the East". There's more than one city that lays claim to that title, and it's not the first one I've visited. Having never been to Venice, I can't really compare, but I didn't get the impression anyone is going to mistake Suzhou for Venice. Several different water towns exist in Suzhou, but the one I ended up visiting was Mudu ( 木渎/木瀆). There are covered gondolas where the gondoliers sing as they transport you down the canals as well as plenty of picturesque settings.

The serene reflections in one of the Mudu water town canals.