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