Celine and Scott

Left Ise, hugged the coast. Nice rocky cliffs, on which we stopped for sashimi picnic Shingu, dusktime temple visit of Hayatama Taisha NachiKatsuura: Nachi no taki sacred waterfall, 3 storey pagoda. One missing (Hongu shrine) of the Kumano sanzan Beauty beyond words. Tanabe udon good food.80 year old house, wood pannelling in the shape of Fujisan.... read more

Saturday morning was much brighter and left us free to visit 2 temples in the vicinity of our accommodation: Kinkajuji and Ryoanji, both very different from each other. It was all about bling, grandeur and crowds in the former and calmer more muted ambiance in the latter. Both have to be experienced! We then headed off to Osaka, the main reason for our trip, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the creation of Shodokan Aikido. Food on Saturday night was local delicacies takoyaki (grilled dumplings with octopus) and okonomiyaki (Japanese omelette with cabbage and other toppings) in lively dotombori area, Namba. Sunday was a great event with seminar from Nariyama Shihan, lots of friends from Japan and abroad, inspiring demonstrations from primary school children, secondary school, University, general aikidoka, aikidoka from abroad, Shodokan instructors and Nariyama ... read more

After a Japanese style Breakfast for Celine & Scott, we went on a boat trip on Kawaguchi lake on the "ensoleillé" boat, aptly-named since the sun came out while onboard. Fuji-san also made an appearance, a scarf of clouds around her neck. We return to the traditional village one last time for Jerry to pick up a print signed by the artist. We're on the road again, leaving Fujisan and the beautiful 5 lakes area. We're crossing the mountains on a slower road before joining the Chuo expressway westwards towards Gifu prefecture, Minakamo town for the next stage of our road trip; this time, we're staying in a ryokan! Jerry's at the helm today. Travelling by car offers a different perspective; for instance, the speed limit is 80km/h ie about 50ml ph(unlike France 110); like France ... read more

Night became day, Hong Kong became Japan! We picked up the hire car for our road trip , only to find ourselves without a working gps! Celine brilliant ly negociated crossing Tokyo east to west, landing on course on the chuo expressway, reading a map until we finally worked out the gps and safely got to kawaguchiko in 4h, before enjoying our first Japanese lunch of our holiday (and of Jerry's life!). We are staying in a nice Japanese inn and traditional room with tatami and futon and free tea, and hot baths and views of fujisan, well done Scott! Fuji was shrouded in clouds but has now completely cleared up. ... read more

Ok, so this is not how we had planned our excursion to victoria peak! We were going to catch the funicular and enjoy the ride up in all comfort and laziness. But so were 2 other million people. after a fun ride by vintage tram and bus, the view of the queue at the funicular discouraged us from waiting. And we set on upwards. And up the slope and the paths we went, in the dusk and then the moonlight. What an eclectic mix is Hong Kong! It's all metropolis and then you find yourself in a semi jungle, with the chirps of exotic birds and insects and the sweet smell of the forest... After a few wrong turns and very sweaty clothes, we got back to civilisation at the top. And a drink! We are ... read more