Day 12 - Himeji Castle Himeji Castle is about half way between Kyoto and Tokyo. So we got off the train, threw our backpacks in a locker and headed up the road. Also know as the White Heron, this magnificent castle is built on top of a big hill and the main tower is 6 stories high. The complex is made up of 83 buildings. It was blowing a gale when we were there but the sky was blue and the air was clear. The stairs going up into the castle were super steep and a bit slippery, but it was so worth it, with all the hidden doors, paintings and views from the top. Popular culture Himeji Castle frequently appears on Japanese television. Edo Castle (the present Tokyo) does not have a keep, so when ... read more

Day 8 - Temples, Shrines, Temples, Shrines... Last night we checked into K's House Kyoto which is close to the train station in the south side of Kyoto. We dropped our bags off and headed to down town Kyoto and walked millions of miles up and down streets of restaurants, stalls and shops. Up early as usual with a big day planned. We first headed down to Kyoto station and got a train to Fushimi Inari-taisha Shire with their 4km of red tori gates. "The magical, seemingly unending path of over 5000 vibrant orange torii gates that wind through hills behind Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine makes it one of the most popular shrines in Japan. The walk around the upper precincts is a pleasant day hike. It also makes for a delightfully eerie stroll in the late ... read more

DAY 1/2 So, we've had our first full day in Japan and I think we've walked a million kms! Last night we landed at Narita airport at 8pm local time after 7 hours flying. We got the local Keise line into to aoto station then got the subway to Kuramae station. We had to check in by 10pm and we made it just in the nick of time. Our hostel K's House was about 5min walk from there. Our little 8 bed dorm was full so we decided to go for a walk up the road to find some dinner. We ended up at this cool place where you use like a ticket machine to order your food then they bring you the raw ingredients and you cook it at your own station. So fun...and so ... read more

East side vs. West side ... learning the story We stayed at the St Christopher's Inn hostel where we drank 2 euro jagaers, beer from steins and dined on curry weaners! We went on a free walking tour of Berlin. Our guide was a young lady, and she was really good and told some interesting stories: We start off at the symbol of Germany: the Brandenburg Gate. From there we follow the line of the Wall, through the former Nazi Government District to Checkpoint Charlie. After a coffee break, we head through the 1920s Cabaret Mile and over Berlin’s grandest square – Gendarmenmarkt – to Museum Island. The tour concludes in the beautiful surroundings of the Lustgarten – the old royal gardens – in the heart of the city, a stone’s throw from some of the ... read more

Christmas at Club Hollybush was a success filled with load of homecooked goodness, including rumballs. English people do not know what rumballs are...we've decided Aussies have rumballs and Pomms have Mince (fruit) pies. Leah and our Indian friend Karan and his mate Shitij came round. A pancakes and champagne breakfast was followed by present opening. Then we made chicken roulades and a vegetarian strudle for lunch. The afternoon was spend drinking mulled wine, smoking the sheesha and picking at a cheese platter with homemade cheese sticks. Dinner was a gigantic beef wellington with roasted vegetables and red wine, which Chris accidently spilled into the serving dish!! At this point we were too full to move so we watched the movie 'Elf' with Will Farrell and then had a bit of Christmas pudding! On the 29th we ... read more