Tokyo

Hi again

We're in Tokyo now and still having a good time. Since we last posted we have visited Kinkakuji temple in Kyoto, before we headed out into the Kiso Valley, we're we stayed in Tsumago. From there we walked along the Nasakendo trail to Magome.

Both towns are really pretty to walk around, looking much as they would have a hundred years or so ago. During the day, they become small tourist towns, with busloads of Japanese tourists and schoolchildren going around a small number of shops and restaurants and then by 4:30\5pm everything is shut again and we were virtually the only people walking around.

While we were there we stayed in a Ryokan and ate "traditional" Japanese food, mostly unreconisable to us, except for the crickets, which were crunchy and tasty!!

Now we are in Tokyo and spent yesterday and last night walking around the bright lights and we'll have a look at a few other things today.

Bye for now.

Shane and Megan

Kyoto

ohaiyo

Having a great time in Japan. We visited mountains near Tokyo called Hakone. Its a tourist mecca for Japanese, but was fairly quiet when we were there due to the unrelenting torrential rain. Turns out June is the wet season here. As you can imagine, a little bit of torrential rain did not stop us going hiking to see the volcanic gas vents that are around that area.

We are currently in Kyoto where there are temples everywhere. Temples do not get in the way of shopping malls however, they just build around them.

The Japanese have an electronic solution for everything. The toilet seats are something to behold, they warm up for you, wash your bottom, and even play running water sounds to help you along. You can also get almost anything in vending machines (see pic).

Bye

Love Megan and Shane

Going to Japan

Ok - so we're not in Vietnam anymore, but I don't know how to change the heading . . .

Anyway - here's our itinerary for Japan.

21 June 2008 - Arrive Tokyo and travel to Hakone
22 June 2008 - Explore Hakone and travel to Kyoto
23 and 24 June 2008 - Explore Kyoto and day trip to Nara
25 and 26 June 2008 - Travel to Tsumago and possibly walk to Magome
27 and 28 June 2008 - Back in Tokyo
29 June 2008 - Depart for London or Canberra

Hope to provide more along the way!

Shane