1) Wakaland Cruise, Bali
2) Red Centre, Australia
3) Great Barrier Reef, Australia
4) Solway Lass, Australia
5) Fraser Island, Australia
6) Blue Mountains, Australia
7) Otago Peninsula, New Zealand
8) Milford & Doubtful Sounds, New Zealand
9) Waitomo Caves, New Zealand
10) Kiyomitzu Temple & Gion, Kyoto
Wednesday, 19 March 2008
Highlights (in no particular order)
* Wakaland Cruise, Bali
* Darwin Walking Tour
* Litchfield National Park incl. the 'jumping crocodiles'
* Camping in the Red Centre- Uluru, Kings Canyon, the Olgas...
* Snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef
* Seeing the play 'The Sins of Ellen Thompson', Port Douglas
* Paronella Park, QLD
* Surviving Mission Beach! Meeting Jules, Charlotte and Brian
* Champagne Breakfast, Magnetic Island
* Achieving the bay walks, Magnetic Island
* Sailing on the 'Solway Lass' tall ship, Whitsunday Islands incl. Whitehaven Beach
* James
* Scooteroos, Town of 1770
* Fraser Island
* Seeing the Australian National Ballet Co. perform in Brisbane
* The 'Nimbin Experience'
* Dorrigo National Park
* Sandboarding, Newcastle
* Blue Mountains (everything!)
* Ben
* Australian War Memorial, Canberra
* Melbourne tours- the Grampians, the Great Ocean Road & Philip Island
* Rottnest Island, WA
* Ascot Race Course, Perth
* Lake Tekapo, Lake Pukakai & Mount Cook, South Island NZ
* Otago Peninsula, South Island NZ
* Milford & Doubtful Sounds, South Island NZ
* Fox & Franz Josef glaciers, South Island NZ
* Abel Tasman National Park
* Mount Taranaki, North Island NZ
* Waitomo Caving Tours, North Island NZ
* Waipoua Kauri Forest, North Island NZ
* Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb
* Bondi to Coogee walk, Sydney
* Senso-Ji Temple, Tokyo
* Edo-Tokyo Museum
* Travelling on the bullet train (shinkansen), Tokyo/Kyoto
* Kiyomitzu Temple & Gion, Kyoto
* Darwin Walking Tour
* Litchfield National Park incl. the 'jumping crocodiles'
* Camping in the Red Centre- Uluru, Kings Canyon, the Olgas...
* Snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef
* Seeing the play 'The Sins of Ellen Thompson', Port Douglas
* Paronella Park, QLD
* Surviving Mission Beach! Meeting Jules, Charlotte and Brian
* Champagne Breakfast, Magnetic Island
* Achieving the bay walks, Magnetic Island
* Sailing on the 'Solway Lass' tall ship, Whitsunday Islands incl. Whitehaven Beach
* James
* Scooteroos, Town of 1770
* Fraser Island
* Seeing the Australian National Ballet Co. perform in Brisbane
* The 'Nimbin Experience'
* Dorrigo National Park
* Sandboarding, Newcastle
* Blue Mountains (everything!)
* Ben
* Australian War Memorial, Canberra
* Melbourne tours- the Grampians, the Great Ocean Road & Philip Island
* Rottnest Island, WA
* Ascot Race Course, Perth
* Lake Tekapo, Lake Pukakai & Mount Cook, South Island NZ
* Otago Peninsula, South Island NZ
* Milford & Doubtful Sounds, South Island NZ
* Fox & Franz Josef glaciers, South Island NZ
* Abel Tasman National Park
* Mount Taranaki, North Island NZ
* Waitomo Caving Tours, North Island NZ
* Waipoua Kauri Forest, North Island NZ
* Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb
* Bondi to Coogee walk, Sydney
* Senso-Ji Temple, Tokyo
* Edo-Tokyo Museum
* Travelling on the bullet train (shinkansen), Tokyo/Kyoto
* Kiyomitzu Temple & Gion, Kyoto
Tuesday, 18 March 2008
The final day of our Journey of Discovery
Can't believe it's our last day in Japan and our last day of our journey.
The last 7 months have gone incredibly quickly. But, it has been a wonderful journey. We have both learnt so much and we've got hundreds of photos to bore our family and friends with!
After checking out of the hotel in Kyoto we got the bullet train back to Tokyo. A good journey. Caught a glimpse of Mount Fuji on the way.
Arrived back in Tokyo at about 2.30pm. After settling into our room we then walked a short disctance to the Zojoji Temple.
We then made our way to Ginza to the theatre- Kabuki. Watched one act of a Japanese play. It was a really good. Fabulous costumes.
In the evening we enjoyed our final Japanese meal accompanied by a glass (or two!) of Sake. Wonderful.
A fantastic end to a great day.
We fly home early tomorrow morning. Should touch down at Heathrow at about 3pm on Sunday 16th March.
I will endeavour to up-date the blog within the next couple of days with our final two sections-
1) Highlights of our journey
2) Our Top Ten
Many thanks to our families and friends who have checked out our blog and left messages and comments.
See you all soon!!!
Lucy and Ruth xxx
The last 7 months have gone incredibly quickly. But, it has been a wonderful journey. We have both learnt so much and we've got hundreds of photos to bore our family and friends with!
After checking out of the hotel in Kyoto we got the bullet train back to Tokyo. A good journey. Caught a glimpse of Mount Fuji on the way.
Arrived back in Tokyo at about 2.30pm. After settling into our room we then walked a short disctance to the Zojoji Temple.
We then made our way to Ginza to the theatre- Kabuki. Watched one act of a Japanese play. It was a really good. Fabulous costumes.
In the evening we enjoyed our final Japanese meal accompanied by a glass (or two!) of Sake. Wonderful.
A fantastic end to a great day.
We fly home early tomorrow morning. Should touch down at Heathrow at about 3pm on Sunday 16th March.
I will endeavour to up-date the blog within the next couple of days with our final two sections-
1) Highlights of our journey
2) Our Top Ten
Many thanks to our families and friends who have checked out our blog and left messages and comments.
See you all soon!!!
Lucy and Ruth xxx
Friday, 14 March 2008
Kyoto 3
Friday 14th March: Our last day in Kyoto. :-(
Unfortunately the weather wasn't so good but that didn't dampen our spirits or spoil our plans.
In the morning we got the bus to the 'Kinkakuji Temple' (Golden Pavillion) which was given world cultural heritage status in 1994. A beautiful temple set in peaceful gardens.
After stopping for a coffee/hot choc we walked to the 'Ninnaji Temple'. This was an impressive pagoda-type temple set in extensive grounds. Had our lunch before getting the train back to Kyoto Station.
L & R x
Unfortunately the weather wasn't so good but that didn't dampen our spirits or spoil our plans.
In the morning we got the bus to the 'Kinkakuji Temple' (Golden Pavillion) which was given world cultural heritage status in 1994. A beautiful temple set in peaceful gardens.
After stopping for a coffee/hot choc we walked to the 'Ninnaji Temple'. This was an impressive pagoda-type temple set in extensive grounds. Had our lunch before getting the train back to Kyoto Station.
L & R x
Kyoto 2
Thursday 13th March
Another busy day.
First of all we got the train to 'Nijo Castle'. Originally built in 1603 as the official Kyoto residence of the 1st Tokugawa Shogun. Quite an impressive place, particularly the Ninomaru Palace which we were able to walk inside and look around.
We then continued on to the Kyoto Imperial Palace where we enjoyed our lunch and watched the world go by.
We then walked for what seemed like miles (!) to the 'Heian Shrine'. Another magnificent shrine.
Finally we walked back through Gion and got a bus back to our hotel.
L & R x
Another busy day.
First of all we got the train to 'Nijo Castle'. Originally built in 1603 as the official Kyoto residence of the 1st Tokugawa Shogun. Quite an impressive place, particularly the Ninomaru Palace which we were able to walk inside and look around.
We then continued on to the Kyoto Imperial Palace where we enjoyed our lunch and watched the world go by.
We then walked for what seemed like miles (!) to the 'Heian Shrine'. Another magnificent shrine.
Finally we walked back through Gion and got a bus back to our hotel.
L & R x
Thursday, 13 March 2008
Kyoto 1
Got up early the morning Wednesday 13th March and checked out of hotel.
We then made our way to Tokyo station to get the bullet train (shinkansen) to Kyoto.
A good journey. The train was great. Spent most of the time learning some more Japanese words.
We can now count to over 1000, say hello, goodbye, please, thank you...etc We also know the days of the week and months of the year. Most importantly- I can order a glass of red wine!
Enjoyed our lunch on the train before arriving in Kyoto at about 1.30pm.
A great afternoon.
Decided to walk to the Kiyomizu Temple. On the way we stopped at the Higashi Honganji Temple- a Mausoleum of Shinran Shonin, the founder of Shin Buddhism. An impressive temple.
The Kiyomizu Temple was fantastic. This temple was founded by Yenchin, the great priest, in the 8th century.
Amazing. Here we were lucky enough to see Geisha.
Brilliant.
We then walked through the old Geisha disctrict of Gion before catching a bus back to our hotel.
L & R x
We then made our way to Tokyo station to get the bullet train (shinkansen) to Kyoto.
A good journey. The train was great. Spent most of the time learning some more Japanese words.
We can now count to over 1000, say hello, goodbye, please, thank you...etc We also know the days of the week and months of the year. Most importantly- I can order a glass of red wine!
Enjoyed our lunch on the train before arriving in Kyoto at about 1.30pm.
A great afternoon.
Decided to walk to the Kiyomizu Temple. On the way we stopped at the Higashi Honganji Temple- a Mausoleum of Shinran Shonin, the founder of Shin Buddhism. An impressive temple.
The Kiyomizu Temple was fantastic. This temple was founded by Yenchin, the great priest, in the 8th century.
Amazing. Here we were lucky enough to see Geisha.
Brilliant.
We then walked through the old Geisha disctrict of Gion before catching a bus back to our hotel.
L & R x
Tokyo 3
Monday 10th March; Another good day.
After sorting out all our tickets for Kyoto we then got the train to Meiji-Jingu.
Meiji-Jingu is one of Tokyo's, if not Japan's, most splendid Shinto Shrines. We passed underneath the majestic shrine gates (torii) to the shrine. Awesome.
We enjoyed our lunch here before heading to 'Takeshita Street' to see Tokyo's flamboyant and outrageously-clad teens jostling their way through the street to buy teenybopper accessories. A great atmosphere.
In the evening we were again adventurous and tried out another Japanese restaurant. The food was delicious and the atmosphere electric. Unfortunately, Japan has yet to embrace the health benefits of not smoking- particularly in restaurants. So, after eating, we made a hasty retreat back to our smoke-free hotel room and then tried to steam clean our clothes in the bathroom!
Tuesday 11th March
A great day.
First of all we made our way to the Edo-Tokyo Museum and the Sumo Museum. Both were very good.
Simple Sumo Facts:
The rikishi (wrestler) who causes any part of his opponent's body other than his feet to touch the ground inside the doyo (arena) or pushes him outside the doyo wins.
We had a very informative and personal tour around the Edo-Tokyo Museum enabling us to gain a further insight into Japanese culture and history.
After enjoying lunch at the museum we then made our way to the Imperial Palace East Garden. Spent a couple of hours here before heading back to our hotel.
Kyoto awaits......
L & R x
After sorting out all our tickets for Kyoto we then got the train to Meiji-Jingu.
Meiji-Jingu is one of Tokyo's, if not Japan's, most splendid Shinto Shrines. We passed underneath the majestic shrine gates (torii) to the shrine. Awesome.
We enjoyed our lunch here before heading to 'Takeshita Street' to see Tokyo's flamboyant and outrageously-clad teens jostling their way through the street to buy teenybopper accessories. A great atmosphere.
In the evening we were again adventurous and tried out another Japanese restaurant. The food was delicious and the atmosphere electric. Unfortunately, Japan has yet to embrace the health benefits of not smoking- particularly in restaurants. So, after eating, we made a hasty retreat back to our smoke-free hotel room and then tried to steam clean our clothes in the bathroom!
Tuesday 11th March
A great day.
First of all we made our way to the Edo-Tokyo Museum and the Sumo Museum. Both were very good.
Simple Sumo Facts:
The rikishi (wrestler) who causes any part of his opponent's body other than his feet to touch the ground inside the doyo (arena) or pushes him outside the doyo wins.
We had a very informative and personal tour around the Edo-Tokyo Museum enabling us to gain a further insight into Japanese culture and history.
After enjoying lunch at the museum we then made our way to the Imperial Palace East Garden. Spent a couple of hours here before heading back to our hotel.
Kyoto awaits......
L & R x
Sunday, 9 March 2008
Tokyo 2
Sunday 9th March
After breakfast we walked to the Hamarikyu Gardens. These gardens are a typical example of the famous gardens of the Edo Period. Again, we were lucky enough to see blossom on some of the trees.
Making the most of the sunny, but cold, weather we then got the Suijo- water bus- from the gardens to Asakusa. Travelling down the Sumida River was a great way to see some of Tokyo's riverborne heritage.
Arrived in Asakusa and enjoyed our lunch near the Sensi-Jo Temple. Found some more backstreets to wander around- seeing more of the 'real Japan' rather than all of the tourist areas. Ended up spending a bit more yen.
My Mastercard is quickly becoming my very flexible friend!
L & R x
After breakfast we walked to the Hamarikyu Gardens. These gardens are a typical example of the famous gardens of the Edo Period. Again, we were lucky enough to see blossom on some of the trees.
Making the most of the sunny, but cold, weather we then got the Suijo- water bus- from the gardens to Asakusa. Travelling down the Sumida River was a great way to see some of Tokyo's riverborne heritage.
Arrived in Asakusa and enjoyed our lunch near the Sensi-Jo Temple. Found some more backstreets to wander around- seeing more of the 'real Japan' rather than all of the tourist areas. Ended up spending a bit more yen.
My Mastercard is quickly becoming my very flexible friend!
L & R x
Friday, 7 March 2008
Tokyo 1
The guide book said 'balmy'.
Balmy? It's freezing here! About the same as the UK. Great for polar bears but not so great for 2 travellers with backpacks full of t-shirts!
Anyway, 'Konichiwa' from Tokyo.
Arrived here on Thurs 6th March after a 10 hour flight from Sydney and a 3 hour train/underground journey from the airport to our hotel. It took us 10 mins to work out how to buy a train ticket. Strangely- everything here is written in Japanese!
Hotel- lovely.
After an afternoon power nap we ventured out for dinner. Found a great Japanese restaurant. We weren't quite sure what we were ordering from the menu but the waiter helped us out and we managed to eat with chopsticks without injuring anyone. Brilliant.
A great day.
First of all we made our way on the train to Ueno and Ueno Park- a huge park housing the zoo, various museums and an array of temples and shrines.
We decided to hire a paddle boat and go out onto the Shinobazu Lake. Great fun.
Found a nice cafe to have a coffee/hot choc. Here we also giggled at using the ultra-modern toilets with heated seats!
We then got the train to Asakusa to visit the Sensi-Jo Temple.
Beautiful.
Infront of the temple we fanned ourselves with the smoke from the large incense cauldron which is said to bestow good health. We also had our fortunes told. Interesting....
We then walked around the markets where we could have spent our entire budget!
I got up early on Saturday and went for a short run. After breakfast we got the train to Kichijoji and then walked to Inokashira Park. Weather cold but sunny.
We walked around the park and enjoyed our lunch overlooking the lake. Lovely. Some of the cherry blossom trees were just coming into bloom. They are so pretty.
We then got the train back to Tokyo and walked through the very trendy shopping district of Ginza.
A good day.
L & R x
Balmy? It's freezing here! About the same as the UK. Great for polar bears but not so great for 2 travellers with backpacks full of t-shirts!
Anyway, 'Konichiwa' from Tokyo.
Arrived here on Thurs 6th March after a 10 hour flight from Sydney and a 3 hour train/underground journey from the airport to our hotel. It took us 10 mins to work out how to buy a train ticket. Strangely- everything here is written in Japanese!
Hotel- lovely.
After an afternoon power nap we ventured out for dinner. Found a great Japanese restaurant. We weren't quite sure what we were ordering from the menu but the waiter helped us out and we managed to eat with chopsticks without injuring anyone. Brilliant.
A great day.
First of all we made our way on the train to Ueno and Ueno Park- a huge park housing the zoo, various museums and an array of temples and shrines.
We decided to hire a paddle boat and go out onto the Shinobazu Lake. Great fun.
Found a nice cafe to have a coffee/hot choc. Here we also giggled at using the ultra-modern toilets with heated seats!
We then got the train to Asakusa to visit the Sensi-Jo Temple.
Beautiful.
Infront of the temple we fanned ourselves with the smoke from the large incense cauldron which is said to bestow good health. We also had our fortunes told. Interesting....
We then walked around the markets where we could have spent our entire budget!
I got up early on Saturday and went for a short run. After breakfast we got the train to Kichijoji and then walked to Inokashira Park. Weather cold but sunny.
We walked around the park and enjoyed our lunch overlooking the lake. Lovely. Some of the cherry blossom trees were just coming into bloom. They are so pretty.
We then got the train back to Tokyo and walked through the very trendy shopping district of Ginza.
A good day.
L & R x
Wednesday, 5 March 2008
Sunday, 2 March 2008
Sydney 2
G'day!
A very busy few days!
On Friday I did my Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb and it was fantastic!!!
I arrived at the centre early (8am) and got 'kitted out'. I felt apprehensive and excited as we stepped out onto the bridge. A brilliant climb to the top. Our tour guide was excellent and told us lots of facts about the bridge. It was a really exhilarating experience. One I'll never forget. :-)
In the afternoon we met up with Ruth's Aunt and Uncle and had a wander around Paddy's Markets. We enjoyed a nice meal out together in the evening.
On Saturday we met up with Ruth's parents and enjoyed a morning coffee in the Opera Bar before walking around the Rocks and the markets. In the afternoon we continued to make the most of the gorgeous weather and visited the beautiful Chinese Gardens. I managed to squeeze in a quick gym session whilst Ruth and her family enjoyed tea in the gardens.
In the evening Ruth and I went to Oxford Street to see the annual Mardi Gras Parade. It was brilliant.
Vibrant, colourful and certainly very entertaining! :-)
We were lucky enough to jostle our way to the front of the barriers for great views of the parade.
This morning we all went on a tour of the inside of the Opera House. An interesting tour. Learnt about the architecture, the different theatres and got a chance to see back stage.
Tomorrow we're off to Manly.... 
L & R x
A very busy few days!
On Friday I did my Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb and it was fantastic!!!
I arrived at the centre early (8am) and got 'kitted out'. I felt apprehensive and excited as we stepped out onto the bridge. A brilliant climb to the top. Our tour guide was excellent and told us lots of facts about the bridge. It was a really exhilarating experience. One I'll never forget. :-)
In the afternoon we met up with Ruth's Aunt and Uncle and had a wander around Paddy's Markets. We enjoyed a nice meal out together in the evening.
On Saturday we met up with Ruth's parents and enjoyed a morning coffee in the Opera Bar before walking around the Rocks and the markets. In the afternoon we continued to make the most of the gorgeous weather and visited the beautiful Chinese Gardens. I managed to squeeze in a quick gym session whilst Ruth and her family enjoyed tea in the gardens.
In the evening Ruth and I went to Oxford Street to see the annual Mardi Gras Parade. It was brilliant.
Vibrant, colourful and certainly very entertaining! :-)
We were lucky enough to jostle our way to the front of the barriers for great views of the parade.
This morning we all went on a tour of the inside of the Opera House. An interesting tour. Learnt about the architecture, the different theatres and got a chance to see back stage.
Tomorrow we're off to Manly....
L & R x
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