After the emotional visit to the peace park in Hiroshima we headed by train and ferry to Myajima Is to see the floating tory gate which is famous and if i could post a pic you would know it, it is big and orange... so we landed on the island and I opted to climb to the top of the mountain to see the view rather than take a cable car. Myself and 3 others painfully climbed up steep steps for 45 mins to see a wonderful view of all of Japan bathed in glorious sunshine and then had to walk down again,. Wild sacred deer roam the streets among pilgrims and tourists and look cute. The island is beautiful and we watched the sunset thru the tori gate before we set sail for Hiroshima.
The following day we had to leave again to catch a train to Kyoto where we did not waste any time and went to a site of 1000 tori gates. I think I have seen enough of them to keep me happy for the rest of my life. We returned to town and had sushi at a sushi train and there were several chefs moulding rice and slicing fish to keep the conveyor belt full at every point. There was so much variety it was delicious. After we ate our fill we split up and I headed to the Nishiki food markets, a long undercover stretch of interesting dried and fresh foods and other random stuff and then the Kyoto Manga museum which was fascinating, I went onto the Gion area for dinner and spot geisha, which I didnt. Poor girls have people waiting with cameras and tripods set up to catch them flitting around, like papparazzi, and I have heard people literally stampede towards them when they are spotted with flash bulbs flashing. eek what a life!
From there we had japanese bbq and went to an all you can eat and drink place for 1.5 hours where you have to stop and leave after your time is up. You get to cook it all yourself over a scorching grill in the centre of the table and there was a vast array of meats and seafoods, salads and drinks. then we hit the sodden streets of Kyoto with umbrellas in hand and got back to the hotel in the pouring rain.
Man the rain did not stop and has been relentless since yesterday. It is not fun being soggy and siteseeing in the grey, cloudy atmosphere totally wet thru. However we managed to see the a shogun castle, Nijo with nightingale floors... they squeak when you walk over them and warn of intruders... then we went to the famous Golden temple but it was literally pouring so hard to get the classic photo we all wanted, so we trod along the path to the gardens and tried to keep ourselves dry along with several hundred other people trudging along. There are many Japanese tourists and pilgrims as well as the other bloody tourists. Another bus ride took us to a zen garden where we were told it represented birth to death by placement of stones, raked gravel and trees... we were let loose after that huddling under umbrellas not sure what to do as it was not a day to stay outdoors. I opted to go to Kyoto station and it is so big，like a mini city, with many floors of shops and food that I got lost and the maze of underground arcades disorientated me completely, so was in a bad mood after I finally found my way out and back to the hotel. Sake and dinner followed and another nite trip to the Gion area for a last wander up the narrow streets Geisha spotting, but my score is still 0.
Early start tomorrow to head to Mt Fuji and an onsen, a public japanese bath... hmmmmm....but it is still raining and the famous mountain may hide from us which will be really bad news... then onto Tokyo
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
on tour
Hi again, from electric Osaka we took a tube, train and cable car up the mountains to a famous monastary Koya-san which a bhuddist saint established. It is a tranquil place with temples and forest so green, with tall towering trees and moss covered rocks and gravestones. Stayed with the monks who gave us a vegetarian dinner with many tastes and textures and colours to devour. I walked thru the cemetary at dusk and saw some beautiful ancient and modern monuments to the dead, it stretches for about a km in the woods. Pilgrims come to pay their respects and the town is considered holy. After the worst nites sleep on a futon with a tiny pillow filled with dried peas, I spent the night trying to sleep but was up every hour too hot, too uncomfortable, too tired. The sleeping mat and bag on the Inca trail was more comfortable let me tell you. I awoke looking less than rested and we headed back to Osaka the same way we came and boarded a bullet train bound for Hiroshima.
On arrival at Hiroshima we were set loose to explore and I got myself and another girl lost as the maps were not that clear and I was still in a sleep depraved state. Anyway we got to the contemporary art museum and the manga library and met the rest of the crew for okonomayki Hiroshima style which is quite different to the style we are used to. It is cooked in layers with the addition of udon or chinese noodles. I washed mine down with a glass of saki... then I had to go to bed as I was dead on my feet.
This morning we took a tram to the Abomb site which was such a moving experience. We had a guide whose motherwitnessed the explosion and an in utero survivor and went to the peace museum. It was horrific reading about the events that led to the bomb and the devastation and utter suffering the victims endured. I cried, I could not help it. Truly shocking and everyone should come to see the museum and strive for nuclear free world. Some images were stomach churning, men women children disfigured and burnt, the accounts and drawings from survivors, I cannot imagine going through such Hell, and that is what it must have been. The town is dedicated to peace and preservation now. We soon head to Myajima Is to see some beautiful scenery and deer, a relief from a harrowing morning.
On arrival at Hiroshima we were set loose to explore and I got myself and another girl lost as the maps were not that clear and I was still in a sleep depraved state. Anyway we got to the contemporary art museum and the manga library and met the rest of the crew for okonomayki Hiroshima style which is quite different to the style we are used to. It is cooked in layers with the addition of udon or chinese noodles. I washed mine down with a glass of saki... then I had to go to bed as I was dead on my feet.
This morning we took a tram to the Abomb site which was such a moving experience. We had a guide whose motherwitnessed the explosion and an in utero survivor and went to the peace museum. It was horrific reading about the events that led to the bomb and the devastation and utter suffering the victims endured. I cried, I could not help it. Truly shocking and everyone should come to see the museum and strive for nuclear free world. Some images were stomach churning, men women children disfigured and burnt, the accounts and drawings from survivors, I cannot imagine going through such Hell, and that is what it must have been. The town is dedicated to peace and preservation now. We soon head to Myajima Is to see some beautiful scenery and deer, a relief from a harrowing morning.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Osaka
Hi from Japan. After an awfully boring flight from Singapore to Shanghai I was dog tired as did not sleep on the basic plane but thank goodness no engine fires after take off from Changi. After clearing immigration and customs even while in transit, i snoozed in the lounge of the hotel til the next flight to Osaka. Arrived to dreary grey skies and rain. Alighted the city bound train for Namba and caught a subway to the hotel. Now the heavens decided to open and me and my luggage were out walking the streets, soggy map in hand, no shelter at all, grappling with finding my wee umbrella in my very full bag...and finally entered the lobby of the hotel leaving a river of water in my wake.
I stumbled into bed as had been travelling for 15 hours or more with no sleep and very little food in my belly. The plane food was kinda grey looking chicken on a bed of dry noodles so I politely declined. After a snooze, showered and headed outside where it was comparitively dry now. It is humid but not as hot as Singers thankgoodness. I ventured down Dotombori street brightly lit and pedestrians all looking for food or slot machines. I headed to the nearest Okonomiyaki restaurant and indulged in a yummy seafood one cooked in front of me and a glass of plum wine on the rocks. After i ate my fill i ventured out into the night and explored the bustling alleyways and streets like a neon extravaganza. I was planning to find some green tea ice cream but failed in my quest. All TV in Japanese so hard to watch.
The following morning I awoke early and was out by 8.30am planning to head to the Kuromon Markets and walk til my legs stopped working. A great disappointment as by 9am not much had opened except a few fish and vegie stalls but most things were shut. So i walked into the shopping district, most things were still shut, nothing opens til 10am or 11am. So I walked the entire length of Ebisubashi street, one long under cover shopping mall that goes for kilometres. I found a great Loft, cool department store and a store with a giant kit kat atop. I raced in to find my elusive green tea kit kat but still cannot find any. BooHoo! People cycle here on the footpaths and malls and there are bikes everywhere, my kinda town. Old ladies and kids alike peddle and park.
My legs needed a break to sushi train for lunch with the freshest sushi being made and plonked onto the conveyor belt. Now am going to rest as I meet my group at 6pm and then want to go on the giant ferris wheel which operates at nite just like everything else here. Tomorrow we leave for Kyoto early I am told, so my next report will be there. So tonite I hit the bright lights of Osaka for the last time. Over and out...
I stumbled into bed as had been travelling for 15 hours or more with no sleep and very little food in my belly. The plane food was kinda grey looking chicken on a bed of dry noodles so I politely declined. After a snooze, showered and headed outside where it was comparitively dry now. It is humid but not as hot as Singers thankgoodness. I ventured down Dotombori street brightly lit and pedestrians all looking for food or slot machines. I headed to the nearest Okonomiyaki restaurant and indulged in a yummy seafood one cooked in front of me and a glass of plum wine on the rocks. After i ate my fill i ventured out into the night and explored the bustling alleyways and streets like a neon extravaganza. I was planning to find some green tea ice cream but failed in my quest. All TV in Japanese so hard to watch.
The following morning I awoke early and was out by 8.30am planning to head to the Kuromon Markets and walk til my legs stopped working. A great disappointment as by 9am not much had opened except a few fish and vegie stalls but most things were shut. So i walked into the shopping district, most things were still shut, nothing opens til 10am or 11am. So I walked the entire length of Ebisubashi street, one long under cover shopping mall that goes for kilometres. I found a great Loft, cool department store and a store with a giant kit kat atop. I raced in to find my elusive green tea kit kat but still cannot find any. BooHoo! People cycle here on the footpaths and malls and there are bikes everywhere, my kinda town. Old ladies and kids alike peddle and park.
My legs needed a break to sushi train for lunch with the freshest sushi being made and plonked onto the conveyor belt. Now am going to rest as I meet my group at 6pm and then want to go on the giant ferris wheel which operates at nite just like everything else here. Tomorrow we leave for Kyoto early I am told, so my next report will be there. So tonite I hit the bright lights of Osaka for the last time. Over and out...
Friday, October 1, 2010
farewell Singapore
So today is my final day in Singers and it is raining. Not planning on doing too much as long flight ahead overnight with transfer in Shanghai. Still not looking forward to getting on a plane. But today will head out to eat more interesting food and take it easy tonite. I got my dates wrong and actually thought i had another day here but luckily looked at my ticket this morning and realised my flight leaves in the wee hours of tomorrow, so tonight to Changi.
Eaten some great foods here and hope to share some photos soon. Not sure where i will get internet access in Osaka so cannot promise. There is such a mixture of authentic Asian cuisines here and so hard to choose. It is a clean and organized city. A great place to visit and the lifestyle is good if you can afford to live here. This was my relaxing part of the trip so it will be pretty full on from now on and the adventure will really begin.
Eaten some great foods here and hope to share some photos soon. Not sure where i will get internet access in Osaka so cannot promise. There is such a mixture of authentic Asian cuisines here and so hard to choose. It is a clean and organized city. A great place to visit and the lifestyle is good if you can afford to live here. This was my relaxing part of the trip so it will be pretty full on from now on and the adventure will really begin.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
singapore sling
Hi all, Singapore is hot, humid and happening! I arrived in the evening to the loud whine of the F1 Grand Prix virtually outside Kim's appartment window. You could not hear yourself think let alone talk, but the view from the penthouse balcony was pretty damn good. The humidity is not working for me. Yes, as usual I have been ill for the past 3 days and even fainted in the lift and had to see a doctor... holidays hey! But am on the road to recovery and acclimatizing slowly. Went to see my grandfather's grave or memorial in Singapore. It was dedicated to all the Anzacs and other troops who sacrificed their lives for their country and was very neat and well kept. I have also been on a lovely bike ride along the east coast with tankers lining the horizon as far as the eye can see, so amazing that they rely on the outside world for all their produce and material goods. The beach looked pristine but was told it was not suitable for swimming at all. The whole place is high rise with not a lot of colonial architecture surviving the massive ongoing development. Will visit Raffles as it is a landmark, High Tea anyone?
The food here looks glorious, so much variety and colour and the cakes are to die for. But i have yet to sample any as been living on boiled rice, toast and dry bikkies but am heading out today to give my taste buds a real good workout. Green tea cake, ice cream everything, chilli crab, indian food, chinese dim sum, Arab street all yet to be explored. Been to a great shop which sells all sorts of baking goods and cake decorating stuff. The shopping malls are cool in both ways, chic and air conditioned... am trying not to buy as will have to lug my bags around Japan and don't want to weigh myself down. Maybe should have stopped off on the way home instead... anyway too late now.
My friends have been fantastic and lucky me to be taken care of so well. My flight to Osaka leaves Sunday on East China Airways so am not looking forward to flying again via Shanghai. I guess my next installment will be from Osaka if I can find a computer to tap away on, so until then, I will have a Singapore Sling or 2 and shelter from the heat in the airconditioned malls and cinemas and restaurants... what a hard life hey? Take care all.
The food here looks glorious, so much variety and colour and the cakes are to die for. But i have yet to sample any as been living on boiled rice, toast and dry bikkies but am heading out today to give my taste buds a real good workout. Green tea cake, ice cream everything, chilli crab, indian food, chinese dim sum, Arab street all yet to be explored. Been to a great shop which sells all sorts of baking goods and cake decorating stuff. The shopping malls are cool in both ways, chic and air conditioned... am trying not to buy as will have to lug my bags around Japan and don't want to weigh myself down. Maybe should have stopped off on the way home instead... anyway too late now.
My friends have been fantastic and lucky me to be taken care of so well. My flight to Osaka leaves Sunday on East China Airways so am not looking forward to flying again via Shanghai. I guess my next installment will be from Osaka if I can find a computer to tap away on, so until then, I will have a Singapore Sling or 2 and shelter from the heat in the airconditioned malls and cinemas and restaurants... what a hard life hey? Take care all.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Getting ready for the Asian Invasion
Hi friends, so I am taking off again for another adventure, this time with an Asian accent rather than Espanole... and it will be another cultural highlight in my life. I am firstly heading to steamy Singapore to visit Kim and KJ and Philip and eat some awesome food and visit the war memorial where my grandfather has a plaque as he is buried somewhere there as he was a war casuality. Then onto awesome Japan arriving in Osaka via Shanghai on some possibly scary Chinese airline and then will wind my way to Tokyo via Kyoto, Mt Fuji, Hiroshima and more wonderful places with some new friends. In Tokyo I will spend 5 hectic days in the frantic city on my own and with a couple of old friends and my neighbour Totoro!
So I expect I will find some computers to report on my new experiences and hopefully be able to post images here as well as on Facebook.
I hope some of you follow me and comment as I won't feel so far away then.
the travelling pegzberry
So I expect I will find some computers to report on my new experiences and hopefully be able to post images here as well as on Facebook.
I hope some of you follow me and comment as I won't feel so far away then.
the travelling pegzberry
Monday, October 12, 2009
After Machu Picchu
How can you top the hike to the City in the clouds? We were in Ollytantambo after the train took us back from Aguas Callientes, our hostel had a lovely leafy courtyard and a crazy puppy. Most were resting after the gruelling trek and I was the only taker to see some Inka ruins just in the town in the dark and drizzle, up more stairs, my sore legs not thanking me at all. I was not missing out on anything this trip. We left the next day back to Cusco to catch up on some rest and shopping.
After our final meal in Cuzco which have all been excellent, we got a bus to Lake Titikaka and we stayed in Puno. The lake was soooo large and apparently in the shape of a puma catching a rabbit, and is 270m deep and the second highest navagable lake in the world. We pottered around Puno and had dinner and the next day were taken by cyclos to the dock where we got into a boat to take us to Uros floating reed islands to meet the people who live on the lake. Appárently they fled from the Spanish or the Inkas and built these floating islands, boats and huts made out of the plentiful reeds, with small fish farms attached, which can be added onto of chopped if families have a bone to pick with each other... flexible lifestyles... but the youth are going to uni in town and do not return so a uniqe way of life is coming to a halt and all that will be left is for tourists... how sad. They have small solar panels to watch tv and for some lighting but build clay ovens to cook outdoors and make handicrafts to sell, they bartyr with townsfolk with fish for fruit and vegies etc... so simple, and females dress in very colourful clothing with their dark black hair cascading down in 2 thick plaits tied with colourful pom poms, the bigger and brighter the pom pom the more available the girl, dark and small are for married ladies.
From there we went to another island where we had to climb over and across to lunch, our highest lunch spot at around 3700m, with a view of the lake. The men there knit as the women spin the wool and the designs are just fantastic, wish i could have bought some stuff to bring home but did not take much cash. Then back to puno.
The next day we got another coach for a long ride to Bolivia around the lake, we had a windy road to contend with after crossing the border and my stomach went out of kilter and I felt so sick... but we got to bustling La Paz which was nestled in among mountains and glaciers with hoardes of people and skinny cobbled streets crammed with vendors. We went to the Witches market where they sell all sorts of dried foetuses of llamas, herbs, potions, charms, talismans etc... all very weird, and then to the touristy craft shops before dinner.
The next day we went out of town to another ruin, pre inka and we were by then all tired, unable to take in the information the guide was gushing, and must have looked a bit sheepish. We had lunch and returned to the hotel as it was our last night. So there you have it... all over, and now I am in Argentina after a long wait in Lima for my connecting flight and have walked my legs off exploring the colourful, clean European like city, which is very large. I went to the zoo which was great and saw the animals i did not see in the Amazon, and the botanical gardens full of cats, they are everywhere... what is with that? Then I hit La Boca with its colourful tin houses and tango spontaniously happening everywhere in the tourist zone, and i walked for 5 hours through to the trendy shops and malls which was a huge contrast... my legs were so sore i got a cab back and went for a lovely swim in the hotel pool... the night life here goes on and people are everywhere, dining and drinking and dancing... it is a very cool and sophisticated city and is very European in feel. Great food, from all corners of the globe, wine, beers, cakes, chocolates.... a gourmet´s delight. They do a great caramel sauce which is in and on everything, and you can buy it in big buckets... hmmmm.....
Tomorrow is my last day and i have booked in a massage in the day spa downstairs in anticipation of my very long flight home... cannot believe this trip is over, but i have had an absolute amazing experience here and will definately recommend it and hope to return soon. Thanks for reading my blog, hope it was interesting... c u back home... P
After our final meal in Cuzco which have all been excellent, we got a bus to Lake Titikaka and we stayed in Puno. The lake was soooo large and apparently in the shape of a puma catching a rabbit, and is 270m deep and the second highest navagable lake in the world. We pottered around Puno and had dinner and the next day were taken by cyclos to the dock where we got into a boat to take us to Uros floating reed islands to meet the people who live on the lake. Appárently they fled from the Spanish or the Inkas and built these floating islands, boats and huts made out of the plentiful reeds, with small fish farms attached, which can be added onto of chopped if families have a bone to pick with each other... flexible lifestyles... but the youth are going to uni in town and do not return so a uniqe way of life is coming to a halt and all that will be left is for tourists... how sad. They have small solar panels to watch tv and for some lighting but build clay ovens to cook outdoors and make handicrafts to sell, they bartyr with townsfolk with fish for fruit and vegies etc... so simple, and females dress in very colourful clothing with their dark black hair cascading down in 2 thick plaits tied with colourful pom poms, the bigger and brighter the pom pom the more available the girl, dark and small are for married ladies.
From there we went to another island where we had to climb over and across to lunch, our highest lunch spot at around 3700m, with a view of the lake. The men there knit as the women spin the wool and the designs are just fantastic, wish i could have bought some stuff to bring home but did not take much cash. Then back to puno.
The next day we got another coach for a long ride to Bolivia around the lake, we had a windy road to contend with after crossing the border and my stomach went out of kilter and I felt so sick... but we got to bustling La Paz which was nestled in among mountains and glaciers with hoardes of people and skinny cobbled streets crammed with vendors. We went to the Witches market where they sell all sorts of dried foetuses of llamas, herbs, potions, charms, talismans etc... all very weird, and then to the touristy craft shops before dinner.
The next day we went out of town to another ruin, pre inka and we were by then all tired, unable to take in the information the guide was gushing, and must have looked a bit sheepish. We had lunch and returned to the hotel as it was our last night. So there you have it... all over, and now I am in Argentina after a long wait in Lima for my connecting flight and have walked my legs off exploring the colourful, clean European like city, which is very large. I went to the zoo which was great and saw the animals i did not see in the Amazon, and the botanical gardens full of cats, they are everywhere... what is with that? Then I hit La Boca with its colourful tin houses and tango spontaniously happening everywhere in the tourist zone, and i walked for 5 hours through to the trendy shops and malls which was a huge contrast... my legs were so sore i got a cab back and went for a lovely swim in the hotel pool... the night life here goes on and people are everywhere, dining and drinking and dancing... it is a very cool and sophisticated city and is very European in feel. Great food, from all corners of the globe, wine, beers, cakes, chocolates.... a gourmet´s delight. They do a great caramel sauce which is in and on everything, and you can buy it in big buckets... hmmmm.....
Tomorrow is my last day and i have booked in a massage in the day spa downstairs in anticipation of my very long flight home... cannot believe this trip is over, but i have had an absolute amazing experience here and will definately recommend it and hope to return soon. Thanks for reading my blog, hope it was interesting... c u back home... P
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