Fushimi Kyoto - the Red Arches

Fushimi, south east Kyoto a long way down the river and you get to one of the most famous shrines going. A very pleasant walk especially with the sunshine make criss cross dampled patterns along the path, with some amazing views of Kyoto at the top.




oh and a wee pond

Kyoto in Bloom

Late March and early April are Cherry Blossom (sakura) time. In Kyoto they light up temples and streets at night.

During the day a cycle along the riverside under the cherry trees is a pleasant thing to do.

No More Pictures: Kyoto

I really doubt it, here for your viewing pleasure are a few more photos:

More Kyoto

Northwest Kyoto a short bicycle trip south from the Golden Pavilion is one of Kyotos many temples Ninnaji. The grounds are nice and the buildings impressive, but pay the 500Yen and get into the Palace grounds.

The buildings are linked by many wooden walkways, allowing you to wander around between the ornamental gardens. The feel of wooden boards through your socked feet.



A nearby lake is a pleasant place to sit and read, or just sit. The last photo is included just because it looks cool.

Golden Pavilion and Night Temple Kyoto

The Golden Pavilion is short but very sweet. Head down to Gion at night and wander around a temple lit up beautifully.

Kyoto and the toilet sink combo

A criss cross of old streets and new houses, packed with more shrines and temples than an illustrated guide to budhism, Kyoto sits somewhere in the Centre of Japan feeling old yet trendy.

I will be here for another two weeks, so expect a lot more on Kyoto and an explanation of the toilet sink combo... tune in next time.

Below are some photos from Nijo Castle or Nijojo

5 Star Stay - Hiroshima

A reason to put Hiroshima onto your plan in Japan is Miyajima, one of the three best scenic spots in the country (the previous view expressed is not that of the blogger, just the tourist guide map you get at the door). It is good, an island with superlative views from the top of the hills, shrines, monkeys and more.

Another is if you have Japanese friend`s in Hiroshima that meet you on arrival at the airport and let you stay over - not for just one night but the whole time you are there. Top class accomodation and hospitality, sleep in a traditional room on the 15th and also top floor of an appartment block.

I have become used to eating some slightly strange food while I have been travelling. Jelly fish, duck neck (nibbled rather than eaten) "a" chicken foot and now from Miyajima some raw oysters. Okonomyaky (spelling maybe inaccurate and should be confirmed before copying) tastes delicious and is a speciality of Hiroshima.

My Japanese hosts, Miki and Masao, also sampled some famous "Sheppard`s Pie" cooked by my own simple self for a small dinner party they had. A highlight of my trip as it was enjoyed.

thanks M+M

Hiroshima

If you haven`t heard of Hiroshima then you fell asleep during every history lesson you ever took. The Atomic Bomb Dome is a building that was almost directly under the blast back in 1945 and survived; seriously scared but intact. Take a scene from any apocolyptic film, freeze frame and drop it into the middle of a modern day.

The Museum nearby has a lot to see. Touch a roof tile where the intence heat caused the surface to melt and reform bobbled and rough. Run your fingers from a shielded smooth "before" to the rough "after".

Watches stopped at the moment of detentation.

Suits You Sir*

It will certainly suit your wallet if you are in need of a new suit, to make your purchase in Seoul's Itaewon area. Here a tailor made suit costs less than a decent off the shelf suit back home.

Give them a little time to do their magic with a couple of fittings to make fine adjustments. Don't be affraid to bargain a little (bag yourself an extra pair of trousers and a tie) and then all you have to do is decide which of the many shops around deserves your money. Dynasty Tailors gets my approval, say hi to Bruce for me.


(myself appropriately photographed in backpacker fashion wearing my new suit, walking shoes, tshirt and Philippine bought shark's touth necklace)

*For those of you British and old enough to remember the fast show

I Got Seoul

So I am in Korea, hold on one second I have to say a fond farewell to China so zaijian! Anyway yes, I am in Seoul in South Korea, half way between Shanghai and Hiroshima.

Unlike China, you really have to pay attention here to avoid spending all your money in one go. Cheap places to stay can be found, 9 pounds a night with breakfast and all the time wasting on the internet you can managed thrown in for free. There is also something called a washing machine that can be used for free as well, I will have to investigate that later.

Got to the War memorial and Museum and learn about a lot of history that may have passed you by. Korea was split in a similar fashion to Germany when the USA and Russia took charge after the Japanese surrender at the end of WW2. North Korea later attacked the south and the border between the two shifted up and down as the UN and then China joined in the struggle. Officially the war has never ended a truce having been signed.

war memorial - Seoul

Shanghai Sights

Shanghai Shanghai, fought over more than twice. Read over the history of China in the last century and Shanghai will come up again and again. A huge city enjoying plenty of business and trying to forget the opium business of the passed. It's had people from just about everywhere staying and building into its skyline.

Today it is busy as ever, jam packed and crammed full of people, trade and the immovably movable bicycle.

Huangshan - China at it's Peak

Huangshan (yellow mountain)is the best of the best mountains as far as the chinese are concerned. Four hours bus ride from Hangzhou takes you to the base of this multipeaked range, reaching over 1800m high. A cable car up is worth the money as you will be doing plenty of climbing up and down steps at the top anyway.

The mountain is pricey, especially if you just miss the half priced low season ticket in winter.. but you can judge from the pictures if its worth the 200yuan. People have spent months up on the top, painting and writing to the beauty and sheer magnitude of the place. However, if you can't do a month then a night is worth the expensive hotel beds.

Get up early and go watch the sunrise, even if its cloudy or wet (which it sadly was) then it is still worth heading to refreshing terrace to see if the clouds are rolling around some of the mountain peaks, an ocean of mist with rock islands disappearing and reappearing.

Culture-Vulture And Gourmet Drives On 4 Continents has some nice sunrise over a sea of cloud photos if you are interested. If I wanted a reason to go back to China these photos are just that.