Japan: Explore the Orients soul

Hearing the word 'Japan' always fills the mind with a plethora of images of ages-old temples, a futuristic metropolis, bullet trains that seem to transcend the speed of sound, mountain-tops covered in mist, businessmen and geisha clad in suits and kimonos (respectively), and so on. If ever there was an award for a country that is many countries, it would certainly go to Japan, for there are so many different identities that it is easy to get confused regarding what is the true identity of the country – but it is all here! However, Japan also has its share of myths, one of the most popular ones being that it is an extremely expensive country, which is false, since it is much more economical to travel in Japan than Western Europe, North America, and some parts of Oceania. Another myth is that it is extremely difficult to travel in Japan. That too, is as farther from the truth as can be, since the country is among the easiest one can travel to and within. Cities like Kyoto and Nara are the best ones to spend most of the time if one is into culture and traditions, whereas spellbinding technology obviously exists in every nook and cranny. Natural beauty is another one of nature's gifts to Japan, with Okinawa's coral reefs and the Niseko ski-resort being just a couple of the many eventful examples. Coming to the food, there's the irresistible sushi and the sumptuous tempura that top the list.

Kyoto: Aptly nicknamed the 'storehouse of Japan's culture', Kyoto is a city that has played host to most of the Japanese history; a fact evident with the existence of 1600 Buddhist temples, 17 UNESCO world heritage sites and more than 400 Shintō shrines. Going deeper, there are poets' huts nestled among bamboo groves, pebble gardens, golden temples sitting atop water bodies and vermilion shrine gates. However, it's not all history and culture here, as one would experience just after stepping out of the station, with oodles of neon lights an concrete structures all around.

Nara: Many consider Nara to be Japan's first real capital, and the city is also one of the most interesting destinations in Japan, with a cluster of historical sites of paramount importance. Alike Kyoto, Nara also might seem extremely mundane at first glance, but that is only because there is so much of an overdose of history and culture here that it seems to blend into the city's very atmosphere. Talking of Japan's cultural history, Nara is second only to Kyoto, with eight UNESCO world heritage sites. However, the best part is that since the city is so small, one can visit all the prominent places in a single day, although spending a couple of days is highly recommended.

While on a trip to Japan, it is very important to constantly stay in contact with one's friends and family, so that all the special moments can be relived. Matrix international SIM cards give that opportunity to be in touch with exciting international calling rates and quality network coverage.

Matrix – The best way to stay in touch overseas

Staying connected with one's friends, family and acquaintances while he/she is on a foreign trip is certainly one of the most essential 'needs', since all the special experiences can be shared. It is also a great way to stay in touch, and in the know of things happening back home. Till about a decade ago, this was a fairly expensive proposition, as not many choices were available. However, with the passage of time, new and better technologies came into being, and today, there are more options than one could even fathom! But with choice comes confusion, and that is precisely the reason why there are so many consumers who took to the wrong means to communicate and ended up paying more than they should have, for service that was not half as good as was charged for.

The first, and most likely option, is obviously to use a pay phone. However, not only is it extremely expensive, there is also a problem of availability. One the upside, the calling quality is fantastic, and there are rarely any dropped calls, so one might choose to go for this if money is not a concern and searching for a pay phone also isn't considered as a travesty! Coming to the next choice, one can take the domestic SIM card across international borders to be used as a mode of communication. However, here again, the problem comes regarding the calling charges, as they are bound to shoot through the roof! But that is not the end of it, for there is also a considerable amount of voice clarity lost, which just adds on to the amount of problems such a step would cause; and the reason is that the domestic network provider might not have an alliance with any of the leading network providers in a foreign land. Also, there is trouble regarding whether or not the handset would work in another country or not. Sure, the latest ones can be used anywhere in the world, but in case one is not having a new handset, it would mean an additional expense of buying a mobile phone that works in the foreign country.

Voice over Internet Protocol, VoIP for short, is another great way of staying in touch, and also offers video conferencing, if there is a camera available on both sides. However, the problem is the same as in case of a pay phone – availability. Also, even if one is at a place where internet is available, the speed is almost always a problem, which not only distorts the quality of voice, but also results in dropped calls, and consequently, lot of irritation. In this regard, subscribing to a Matrix international SIM card is the perfect choice for a person looking to get fantastic savings and great network coverage on every call, as they offer up to 80% discount on every international call from major destinations across countries and continents, basically giving all the pros of the aforementioned options, minus any cons.

Holland: The European sojourn story

Holland is one of the most exotic European countries, and also the one that is visited the most by tourists from all parts of the world.

Amsterdam: It isn't unusual for one to see really unusual sights in Amsterdam, albeit these 'unusual' sights are going to be extremely unique and pleasing. After a hiatus of quite a few years, the city is back in action and its true self all at once. As creative and open minded as one could imagine, Amsterdam is not all about the glitz and glamour, as there is quite a substantial amount of intellect and substance hidden beneath, which is revealed from time to time. After a period of extensive immigration crackdowns and religious freedom, the city has once again started walking on the path of liberalism, keeping their core values intact. Also, the sights and sounds of the city are as amazing as they have always been, with the old merchants' villas being absolutely magnanimous, and the Jordaan's lanes still revelling in the magic they have held for so many years. The cafés are perpetually full and the museums have art from the Golden Age. However, for those who do not prefer the cultural scene, parties are still on at full blaze. The craze gets many notches higher on Queen's Day, the world’s biggest party-cum–garage sale. During summers, there are constant festivals and events like the Holland Festival, the Roots Music Festival and many more, not to mention fantastic concerts on canal stages.

Delft: The town of Delft is as relaxed and charming as one would want, but that doesn't take away its credentials as being one of the most sought after and popular tourist destinations in Europe as well as the world. The canal lined streets are explored extensively by day trippers, who admire the splendid buildings while gaining knowledge about the famous Golden Age painter Johannes Vermeer, who was born and lived in Delft, leaving his most famous work, View of Delft, here. Delftware is another unique gift the town has bestowed the world with, as the blue and white pottery is admired by one and all. Going back in time, the town was founded somewhere around the late 11^th century, earning a major portion of its income from trade and weaving in the 13^th and 14^th centuries. A canal was dug here in the 15^th century, with Delfshaven, a small port near the canal, being later absorbed by Rotterdam.

Maastricht: There is no denying the fact that Maastricht is an extremely beautiful city, which is also known as the Crown Jewel of the Souther part of the country. And the most interesting aspect is that it is not comprising (or maybe sparsely comprising) of windmills and tulips. The city is inside Holland without exactly being there, as the look and feel is distinct from the other cities, there are Spanish and Roman ruins, cosmopolitan food and influences of the French and Belgians in the architecture as well. All in all, it's a refreshing experience.

Matrix international calling cards are the best communication solution in foreign countries like Holland, since they offer fantastic network coverage and savings up to 80% on every call.