Today I took an organized day tour to PingAn - in an area known as the Dragon's Backbone. It is an extremely hilly area - mountainous really - that is quite remote and where the rice fields are terraced into the side of the mountains. Extraordinary. The excursion was by van, with 6 paying clients and about an equal number of lcoals along for the ride:). It is a 3 hour trip one way, and about half way there wwe stopped at the side of the road so that the locals could have a feed of noodles from a stree tvendor - have I mentioned the chinese and their relationship with food? ALWAYS eating. Eventually made it there and what a day. I had researched this place on line and seen photos, but really - this ... read more

Today I hired a local guide, a university student named Sally, to accompany me on a bike tour of the countryside around Yangshuo. We had a blast - even included a short bamboo rafting excursion - and I am running out of adjectives to describe this place. I have taken over 100 photos in 24 hours and do not think I have captured what is really here. I will add some photos and video clips as soon as I possibly can so you can see what I am ranting about. But even though it rained and was sooooo humid and hot, the day was absolutely perfect. Sally took me to a local family run um......restaurant. For local food. Now when you order a chicken dish here it is not quite the same as at home. After ... read more

It is so hard to believe that my time in Japan is coming to an end. I am here in Tokyo and have been since late on Friday. I have used the time here to visit some areas I didn't get to last time, sleep in and do some housekeeping in prep for China (re-confirming my flights, my first China accommodation etc). It's been, of course, perfect - even considering the two pretty strong tremors felt yesterday and today:). Japan is an incredible place. Full of contrasts - it is totally unacceptable to cough in public, but it is ok to sit at a table in a restaurant and apply all of your makeup (including false eyelashes). Everyone has been unfailingly polite and kind, but you know it is a high pressure society where there is ... read more

A gorgeous sunny and warm day - so a perfect day to head out on an excursion to Nara. We headed out on the train at 9 for the hour trip. Nara is not that far from Kyoto, and is a much smaller town. It is known for...wait for it...it's temple! Todaiji Temple is noteworthy though - it is HUGE! I took pictures but the scale doesn't come through until I got someone in one of the pictures. They say that this is the largest wooden structure standing, and I believe it. Again with the deer who look much too mangy and tired. Some nice streets to stroll and window shop. And home on the 4pm train. I am really struggling to beat this cold, but am on the back side of it now I think. ... read more

Waaaay too many pictures taken the past few days. Three castles and a trip to Inari to ramble around the sacred mountain there. Lucky enough to snag some standing room only tickets to see the Dance of the Cherry Blossoms performed by Maiko (geishas in training) and then spent the rest of an afternoon walking along the Philosophers Path with all its greenery. The last night of the tour we headed for drinks at the Westin and then off to dinner followed by karaoke. Now here in Japan, karaoke is done in private - as in, you rent a room to accomodate your crew by the hour. They charge per person but drinks are unlimited....and it seems the whole objective is to make goood use of that unlimited bit within your purchased time. Note to self: ... read more