We arrived by train from Kyoto and had a real struggle to find our hotel despite the assistance of one kind local. We were staying in Dotombori, not far from the subway, but our poor reading of Japanese maps and some very scant instructions from the Internet led us a little astray before we found our last Ryokan. Our rooms were large, with 12 tatami each and our first private bathroom in Japan (not much of a luxury as it turned out and we never got used to Japanese wc's with all their gadgets). Internet access was by means of one [View Full Entry]

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Our departure from Tokyo and arrival in Kyoto by 'Shinkansen' - the Bullet Train was amazing - more akin to travelling by aeroplane than a train. The (relatively) new train station is a fabulous structure and prepared us well for what we were to see in this beautiful city. Historically the ancient capital of Japan, Kyoto retains much of its' grace and stature in addition to its' spirituality. Home to many of the nations most important shrines and temples, we were bowled over by its' atmosphere, phyiscal and natural beauty. The Philosopher's Walk starts just north-east of the city at th [View Full Entry]

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Tokyo is a vast urban metropolis and home to nearly 13million people (most of whom were on the subway at the same time as us on our first day in the city). The wider city houses 30 million people (almost 25% of the entire population of Japan) but notwithstanding the density, everywhere is immaculately clean. Our Ryokan was wonderful and we loved the hot communal steam baths as an invigorating start (and calming finish) to the day. Sleeping in unheated rooms on Tatami with a hard rice pillow in traditional Japanese dress under bedcovers weighing about 20kg was an interesting experience, [View Full Entry]

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Poor Anne had to get up at 6am to drive me to Brisbane airport in our new car on the first leg of my journey as I set off to meet Hilary & the boys for an overdue rendezvous and our long-awaited tour of Japan and China. After 16 weeks of separation, a lonely 8hr flight from Brisbane for me and a very lengthy flight from LA for Hilary, Tritan, Seb and Dominic, we were finally reunited in the baggage reclaim hall at Narita airport in Tokyo. Who says romance is dead? The flight from Brisbane had arrived on schedule and [View Full Entry]

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Whilst travelling around touring the National Parks and Cities we talked about the most memorable parts of the trip and after further discussion we came up with our Top Ten Highlights.... [View Full Entry]

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Up early today to face the throngs of people making their way to the biggest Theme Park in LA, the boys have been very good at getting up in the mornings I wonder how long it will last? I found myself negoticating six traffic lanes again to cross to the correct intersection to exit for thre studios and with breath held and determination I focused on the exit and edged my way over, not an enjoyable experience. I had all the boys looking out for me in every direction. Having managed that I then had to find the entrance and park [View Full Entry]

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Having set off in beautiful sunshine and almost a heat wave we found ourselves driving into a huge cloud that clung to the mountain range as we drove into California again and into LA. Convinced it was going to improve we kept looking for the sunshine to reappear and brighten the way to the sunshine coast but it never happened. Instaed we were plunged into a 5 lane motor way with traffic converging from all directions. I was sent into a mild panic not only with the density of the traffic but also we had no idea exactly where we going [View Full Entry]

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What a welcome sight to have a swim in the hotel pool at the end of our long drive through Monument Valley. We were very tired and it was a great way to relax and unwind after so many miles on the road. We also found a pc with internet connection a real treat it has been so frustrating not being able to update our travel blog and send some emails. So the next morning with the car pointing in a southerly direction we headed for the east entrance to the Grand Canyon and the last National Park on our hit [View Full Entry]

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An early start on the road got us on our way to Bryce Canyon. More motorways and winding roads took us the 170 miles into the National Park through mountains and snow drifts and fir tree lined forests. The lodge was just inside the park and we settled down to eat an all you can eat buffet for supper and double whipped ice creams with assorted toppings, just up the boys street. There is always hope that they wont be too hungry later, it seems to be a constant cry! Tristan and Seb even managed some washing in the laundry whilst [View Full Entry]

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The approach into the Canyonlands National Park was not very interesting and took about 45minutes to arrive at the entrance to the park. Well I guess the views were being saved for when you had paid your entrance fee and you were then allowed to stand dumbfounded in front of the most enormous expanse of 'moon landscape' you have ever seen! The colours of the rocks varied from pale and rose pink to deep purple and shades of olive green and grey. Wow! non of us were expecting this it was vast and you could see for miles across the Colorado [View Full Entry]

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