Day 4-6 (March 17-19) We set off about lunch time via a local train to the border. Here we passed through customs leaving Hong Kong and then walked through a no-mans land to the Chinese border in Shenzhen. We experienced no problems at the border and proceeded on to the station. We were to catch an overnight sleeper to Guilin, so of course the staples for the journey had to be purchased (two minute noodles, but real Chinese flavours & chilli). We waited in a pretty comfy lounge until boarding time. The train was comfortable and smooth, with firm beds. We [View Full Entry]

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Day 1-2 (March 14-16) Arriving in Hong Kong after a five hour very comfortable flight and a one hour time zone change, I was met the airport as this trip had a transfer included. Getting into a fairly plush car and being driven to the hotel was great. I was able to see all the lights of Hong Kong along the way. The high rise buildings didn’t seem to have an end. My Hotel was on the Kowloon side in Tsim Sha Tsui. After a good nights sleep I set out to explore. The harbour front had a great boardwalk looking [View Full Entry]

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Day 12-14 (March 11-13) From Hiroshima it was on to Kyoto via Shinkansen of course (just love them). On the way making a stop at the famous Himiji Castle. We were met there by an English speaking guide who was able to share the secrets of the castle. The castle was designed as a fortress to protect the Shogun in time of attack. There were many gates to pass through to even get to the castle proper and the paths were designed to lead you in the wrong direction. What looked welcoming and going up often led you to dead ends, [View Full Entry]

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Day 9-11 Leaving Takayama by local train, then two Shinkansen to Hiroshima. The local train was running late so instead of 10 minutes to navigate between platforms we only had 4. Quite a sight to see us running down the steps with fully laden packs on backs. The Japanese must think those westerners are a strange crowd. We made it with 1 minute to spare. Hiroshima is quite a large city, and it has trams. We caught a tram to our hotel which being in the city was smaller but still in ryokan style. The owners made us very welcome. We [View Full Entry]

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Day 7/8 The next morning I had a spa in the Onsen (opting for the indoor one due to my cold) the outdoor one would have been an experience with all the snow around. Having a cold in Japan was a bit difficult as culturally blowing your nose is not polite. You sort of have to go to a corner or hide behind you hand. Many Japanese wear face masks when they are unwell to prevent spreading germs I think. Then a change of plans was made as the sun was shining and our leader Tatsuya had seen that Mt Fuji [View Full Entry]

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Day 5/6 The next day after another great breakfast there was time to walk through the town before catching the local train and two shinkansen to at a town where we were to catch the bus to Hakone. Upon arrival our leader advised us that it was snowing up at Hakone for only the third time this winter. This was not the small patches of snow that we had seen in Nikko. The town was covered and we walked carefully to our new ryokan (Fuji Hakone Guest House). We had a warm welcome and once settled made our way into the [View Full Entry]

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Day 3 We spent the morning in Tokyo. First was a visit to the Imperial Palace gardens, the actual Palace itself is not open to the public often. A quick trip on the city loop to the Sony building in the Ginza area (expensive shops like top of Collins). Here were the latest on offer from Sony, including a new organic screen which will likely replace LCD. Only available in 10 inch so far. Then off to the Takeshita Dori (Street) famous for outfits and trinkets for young and trendy Japanese. A little shopping back in Ueno (travel alarm) and then [View Full Entry]

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Day 1 Arrival Leaving Melbourne my head still spinning and my heart a little sad as the realisation that I would be away from the family sunk in. A magnificent sunrise as I left and a similar sunset as I approached Japan! Finding my way around the Gold Coast airport, small though it is, proved more difficult than Narita. It is all in the signage. The Gold Coast left room for confusion, and I took it. Mostly though it was fine and I had plenty of time. A small scare when the check in person asked me for proof of my [View Full Entry]

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Sorting out the house is progressing...bins are full and piles are ready for filling them up again once cleared. The quotes for the backyard are coming in. And the trees are down! See the "before and after" shots. The tree was becoming a nuisance (dropping leaves and also dead birds in all the hot weather) and I'm sure it was nowhere near finished growing, however I will miss the view out the kitchen window (especially when it had rained and all the needles sparkled with the drops). I've compiled a daily weather spreadsheet so now I'm ready to purchase some warm [View Full Entry]

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Preparation I've finished work and now I'm busy preparing to leave on my year away. I've decided to also do some of the things that I've not gotten around to for some time (years!). Things such as my Tax, landscaping my backyard and general clean out activities. I've been busier than I expected to be and so haven't been focusing as much on my trip as I expected in these last weeks. I did visit Terry & Keri and spent a great two weeks with them and Michaela & Liam. The first week we also had Jody, Emma and Cassie with [View Full Entry]

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