Brunei Durassalam was part of Borneo until it became independent in 1984. The huge wealth generated by their oil is reflected in the sumptuous buildings seen around the capital city of Bandar Seri Begewan.
Many people have said there is not a lot to do here....but we certainly found plenty to fill a couple of days and and an extra day would have been welcome.
Here are some of the attractions and activities I would suggest you would find worth doing.
Kampong Ayer Water Village
Probably the most well known sight in Bandar Seri Begewan, this village has been in existence for over 1,00 years. In stark contrast to the opulent architecture of some of the buildings in the city it is well worth taking either an organised tour or negotiating a water taxi to take you around the village.
Brunei River Proboscis Monkeys
If you haven't already seen these unusual creatures in Malaysian Borneo, this would be a fascinating look at these rare and very strange monkeys who live in the mangrove swamps on the edge of the river.Their long prominent noses are so comical.
Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque
There are two wonderful mosques to see in Bandar Seri Begewan and I suggest you try and see both....at least from the outside. Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque is right in the town and walking distance from the water taxis.It is a beautiful building...so take the time to wander around.
Jame'Asr Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque
This is a little out of town...but even if you take a taxi and view it from the outside you will be impressed. Bigger than the other mospque it is equally impressive and quite different.
The Royal Regalia Museum
This is a very different museum to the usual. Another central attraction, you can spend time looking around the labyrinth of galleries featuring display cases and life size models of the Coronation. The history of Brueni is well documented with several exhibitions to enjoy.
Shopping - Yayasan Shopping Mall
This is the only shopping mall in the town centre. There is a supermarket in the basement and a department store on the top level.
More Shopping - The Mall
This is a new complex out near Jame'Asr Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque and worth looking at for the exclusive shops and architecture.
These are just some of the interesting things to see and do around Bandar Seri Begewan...the capital of Brunei. Go to http://www.fascinating-travel-destinations.com/brunei.html for more detailed information on this interesting stopover.,
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Christmas Around the World
Where and how do you celebrate your Christmas? I have celebrated Christmas in numerous countries around the world......each with lasting memories.
While many countries celebrate Christmas........ each has their own cultural festivities to mark the occasion . Traditionally people think of Christmas as a winter celebration.But for those of us in the Southern Hemisphere we celebrate Christmas in the heat of summer.....while dreaming of a White Christmas and sending each other cards that have snow scenes!
Christmas in New Caledonia
My first international Christmas was in New Caledonia where I was staying with a French expatriate family for six weeks. They had a very delicious celebratory meal....I remember couscous chicken, and a delicious dessert with brandied fruit in a mousse type mixture contained inside a sponge cake exterior.
However....they didn't have gift giving around a tree as we were used to.Early evening I pulled my gifts out and distributed them to my host family realising the bottle of lavender water we 4 girls had been given when we were still in bed was it.
Christmas in Australia
My next Christmas was in Australia....where the traditional Christmas originates from England...but for many immigrant families also from Europe.
My cousin and I stayed with friends for Christmas Eve. The father was a band conductor........ so we toured the streets with the band as they played their carols to the last minute shoppers hurrying through the crowded streets.Our first experience of carolling!
The week had been hot and the crowd in Sydney's main street was so bad you had to
decide well in advance which shop you wanted to enter....... then start manouvering across the footpath.... hoping you weren't swept past the door before you could get there.Coming from a smaller population it was a new experience for me to be in such a crowd.
Christmas morning we all got up and after breakfast..... sat around the tree as gifts were exchanged between the family members. I still have my treasured gold souvenir teaspoon with an opal inset tucked away.My cousin and I then spent the day on the beach and had Christmas dinner in a restaurant.
Christmas in New York...New York!
My dream of a white Christmas has never happened despite being in the right place at the right time on two or three occasions. My USA Christmas in New York should have been a definite date for a white Christmas! But being a late winter........ the snow arrived a week later!
However..... I was entranced by the beautiful lights displayed on all the houses, the front yards and in the streets and department stores. At that time 1972 ....New Zealand had little in the way of exterior Christmas displays. We now have some lovely streets where the neighbours all co-operate to make a display for the community to share.But certainly not as wide spread as in the States.
I enjoyed a family Christmas with my aunt and uncle in New York and it was fascinating for me to accompany them in the cold to Midnight Church.... then tour around the various neighbours homes sharing eggnog before heading home to turkey and a traditional New Zealand style Christmas dinner....which originates from an English Christmas - turkey and roast vegetables, Christmas Pudding with brandy sauce, trifle, mince pies.....nuts....sweets....
Christmas in England - Pontin's Holiday Camp
Living in England where I was teaching.... I had been intrigued by my children disappearing for a week at a time throughout summer to go to either a Butlin's or Pontin's Holiday camp for their summer holidays.
I applied to waitress in a Pontin's Holiday Camp in Bournemouth.....thinking I could explore the town in my time off.
We took the train down from London, were given uniforms on arrival and the work began. It was the longest days you could imagine.....breakfast....lunch...and there was rarely more than an hour of time off each afternoon before we were back serving dinners.
Christmas dinner consisted of 7....yes seven courses! The cutlery had to be spaced with thumb knuckle measurements. And the clientele were demanding!I remember one of us being sent off into the bowels of the building to find one triangle of blue cheese.This man would not rest till it arrived!
Evenings....and the holiday makers played games, got dressed up,participated in competitions and generally had a similar experience to that of being on a cruise.Hi De Hi was a very apt depiction of the experience! I caught the train home exhausted!
Christmas in the Sahara - Algeria
Next came my Christmas in the Sahara Stuck in the Sahara desert while our driver flew to London to get Algerian visas for we New Zealanders and an Austrian couple..... we were camping on the outskirts of Tammanrasset.
Click the link to read the story. It was a Christmas to remember....... although the differences in Christmas cuisine was experienced as the Europeans in our group tasted the English Christmas puddings our driver had hidden away in anticipation. They couln't eat them! Very rich with dried fruit, brandy and served with custard they could not understand why we... for whom it was a tradition... were drooling with anticipation.
Christmas in New Zealand
Then came a few family Christmases in New Zealand. Our extended family got together with grandparents, aunts, uncles and an ever increasing swag of children.
First the gifts were given out from under the Christmas tree.A BBQ lunch outside would follow. While the others enjoyed their new treasures... the ladies set to to cook a full Christmas dinner with turkey, baked ham, roast vegetables followed by Christmas pudding with custard, trifle, fruits salad, strawberries, ice cream, jelly.Sweets, muscatels, chocolates.........After the presents it was a lot about food! Mostly once a year treats to be savoured
Christmas in Samoa
Christmas in Samoa is much more the traditional Christian festival.Children's Day in October is when they receive gifts and have a special meal.
We returned to New Zealand for Christmas, but in the lead up I was aware there was little for all the young expatriates living there in the way of decorations, Santa and carol singing that they would have experienced at home. So I organised a Christmas party for more than a 100 parents and children.
We pulled out the piano and sang carols...while Santa....a friend suitably attired in his full Santa suit.... was driven throuugh the streets of Apia by my husband....perspiration pouring off him being around 34+degrees celsius!.
Leaning out the window of the truck with a Vailima beer in his hand to cool off... he had the local children transfixed.They had never seen the like before!
The decorated Norfolk pine outside the kitchen caused a moment of terror as three young boys decided to light the paper decorations! Fortunately, we managed to put the fire out before too much damage ensued....the tinder dry wooden house only a meter away would have gone up pretty quickly!
Christmas in Fiji
We had two Christmases in Fiji.The first was within weeks of us arriving and I spent the day cooking the traditional fare for the four of us.
The next year I was keen to relax myself.Others expressed a similar desire.So I organised Christmas dinner for 40 in a local hotel in Nadi. It was just lovely.The children with their little friends were all sat down to their special Christmas dinner.
Dinner over..... some staff whisked them off in a van to tour around the countryside.... entertaining them as they went. There was an audible sigh of relief as they filed out the door and the adults took their place at the tables to enjoy a traditional meal.....waited on hand and foot by the ever friendly smiling Fijian staff!
Christmas since have mostly been at home...our Czech exchange student was intrigued with the whole turkey and huge ham which we enjoyed under sun umbrellas, outside on our deck with extended family.It was a little different to his traditional fare of carp and potato salad.
Our children continue the tradition with Christmas celebrated in other parts and bringing partners from other parts to celebrate New Zealand style. This year one in his home in Japan....the other on Jeju Island South Korea.
Share Your Christmas Stories HERE
While many countries celebrate Christmas........ each has their own cultural festivities to mark the occasion . Traditionally people think of Christmas as a winter celebration.But for those of us in the Southern Hemisphere we celebrate Christmas in the heat of summer.....while dreaming of a White Christmas and sending each other cards that have snow scenes!
Christmas in New Caledonia
My first international Christmas was in New Caledonia where I was staying with a French expatriate family for six weeks. They had a very delicious celebratory meal....I remember couscous chicken, and a delicious dessert with brandied fruit in a mousse type mixture contained inside a sponge cake exterior.
However....they didn't have gift giving around a tree as we were used to.Early evening I pulled my gifts out and distributed them to my host family realising the bottle of lavender water we 4 girls had been given when we were still in bed was it.
Christmas in Australia
My next Christmas was in Australia....where the traditional Christmas originates from England...but for many immigrant families also from Europe.
My cousin and I stayed with friends for Christmas Eve. The father was a band conductor........ so we toured the streets with the band as they played their carols to the last minute shoppers hurrying through the crowded streets.Our first experience of carolling!
The week had been hot and the crowd in Sydney's main street was so bad you had to
decide well in advance which shop you wanted to enter....... then start manouvering across the footpath.... hoping you weren't swept past the door before you could get there.Coming from a smaller population it was a new experience for me to be in such a crowd.
Christmas morning we all got up and after breakfast..... sat around the tree as gifts were exchanged between the family members. I still have my treasured gold souvenir teaspoon with an opal inset tucked away.My cousin and I then spent the day on the beach and had Christmas dinner in a restaurant.
Christmas in New York...New York!
My dream of a white Christmas has never happened despite being in the right place at the right time on two or three occasions. My USA Christmas in New York should have been a definite date for a white Christmas! But being a late winter........ the snow arrived a week later!
However..... I was entranced by the beautiful lights displayed on all the houses, the front yards and in the streets and department stores. At that time 1972 ....New Zealand had little in the way of exterior Christmas displays. We now have some lovely streets where the neighbours all co-operate to make a display for the community to share.But certainly not as wide spread as in the States.
I enjoyed a family Christmas with my aunt and uncle in New York and it was fascinating for me to accompany them in the cold to Midnight Church.... then tour around the various neighbours homes sharing eggnog before heading home to turkey and a traditional New Zealand style Christmas dinner....which originates from an English Christmas - turkey and roast vegetables, Christmas Pudding with brandy sauce, trifle, mince pies.....nuts....sweets....
Christmas in England - Pontin's Holiday Camp
Living in England where I was teaching.... I had been intrigued by my children disappearing for a week at a time throughout summer to go to either a Butlin's or Pontin's Holiday camp for their summer holidays.
I applied to waitress in a Pontin's Holiday Camp in Bournemouth.....thinking I could explore the town in my time off.
We took the train down from London, were given uniforms on arrival and the work began. It was the longest days you could imagine.....breakfast....lunch...and there was rarely more than an hour of time off each afternoon before we were back serving dinners.
Christmas dinner consisted of 7....yes seven courses! The cutlery had to be spaced with thumb knuckle measurements. And the clientele were demanding!I remember one of us being sent off into the bowels of the building to find one triangle of blue cheese.This man would not rest till it arrived!
Evenings....and the holiday makers played games, got dressed up,participated in competitions and generally had a similar experience to that of being on a cruise.Hi De Hi was a very apt depiction of the experience! I caught the train home exhausted!
Christmas in the Sahara - Algeria
Next came my Christmas in the Sahara Stuck in the Sahara desert while our driver flew to London to get Algerian visas for we New Zealanders and an Austrian couple..... we were camping on the outskirts of Tammanrasset.
Click the link to read the story. It was a Christmas to remember....... although the differences in Christmas cuisine was experienced as the Europeans in our group tasted the English Christmas puddings our driver had hidden away in anticipation. They couln't eat them! Very rich with dried fruit, brandy and served with custard they could not understand why we... for whom it was a tradition... were drooling with anticipation.
Christmas in New Zealand
Then came a few family Christmases in New Zealand. Our extended family got together with grandparents, aunts, uncles and an ever increasing swag of children.
First the gifts were given out from under the Christmas tree.A BBQ lunch outside would follow. While the others enjoyed their new treasures... the ladies set to to cook a full Christmas dinner with turkey, baked ham, roast vegetables followed by Christmas pudding with custard, trifle, fruits salad, strawberries, ice cream, jelly.Sweets, muscatels, chocolates.........After the presents it was a lot about food! Mostly once a year treats to be savoured
Christmas in Samoa
Christmas in Samoa is much more the traditional Christian festival.Children's Day in October is when they receive gifts and have a special meal.
We returned to New Zealand for Christmas, but in the lead up I was aware there was little for all the young expatriates living there in the way of decorations, Santa and carol singing that they would have experienced at home. So I organised a Christmas party for more than a 100 parents and children.
We pulled out the piano and sang carols...while Santa....a friend suitably attired in his full Santa suit.... was driven throuugh the streets of Apia by my husband....perspiration pouring off him being around 34+degrees celsius!.
Leaning out the window of the truck with a Vailima beer in his hand to cool off... he had the local children transfixed.They had never seen the like before!
The decorated Norfolk pine outside the kitchen caused a moment of terror as three young boys decided to light the paper decorations! Fortunately, we managed to put the fire out before too much damage ensued....the tinder dry wooden house only a meter away would have gone up pretty quickly!
Christmas in Fiji
We had two Christmases in Fiji.The first was within weeks of us arriving and I spent the day cooking the traditional fare for the four of us.
The next year I was keen to relax myself.Others expressed a similar desire.So I organised Christmas dinner for 40 in a local hotel in Nadi. It was just lovely.The children with their little friends were all sat down to their special Christmas dinner.
Dinner over..... some staff whisked them off in a van to tour around the countryside.... entertaining them as they went. There was an audible sigh of relief as they filed out the door and the adults took their place at the tables to enjoy a traditional meal.....waited on hand and foot by the ever friendly smiling Fijian staff!
Christmas since have mostly been at home...our Czech exchange student was intrigued with the whole turkey and huge ham which we enjoyed under sun umbrellas, outside on our deck with extended family.It was a little different to his traditional fare of carp and potato salad.
Our children continue the tradition with Christmas celebrated in other parts and bringing partners from other parts to celebrate New Zealand style. This year one in his home in Japan....the other on Jeju Island South Korea.
Share Your Christmas Stories HERE
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Nagasaki - Ten Attractions for Tourists
Nagasaki on the island of Kyushu, Japan, is most famous for the Atomic Bomb dropped at the end of World War 2, causing total devastation. The city is now intent on promoting world peace with their huge Peace statue in the Nagasaki Peace Park, and museums promoting world peace.
The Atomic Bomb Museum is very well presented with the history displayed in photos, reconstructed settings, artifact retrieved, videos etc.Their hope is that no other city will ever suffer as they did.
This fascinating city with a strong Portuguese and Dutch influence, is nestled into the surrounding hills, overlooking the busy harbour.
For tourists there is much to see, and you can easily fill three days sightseeing around Nagasaki.Below I have listed ten attractions for tourists that you should try and include in your sightseeing programme.
Ten Attractions for Tourists to visit in Nagasaki
For more detailed information on these attractions go to Nagasaki Sightseeing.
Getting around the city is very easy with a good tram system and buses running regularly.You can walk between many of the attractions, if you plan your route carefully.
The harbour is the centre and if you can find accommodation near the Dejima Wharf area you will be very centrally located.Here you can enjoy a choice of restaurants, and there are department stores and shopping.
The Atomic Bomb Museum is very well presented with the history displayed in photos, reconstructed settings, artifact retrieved, videos etc.Their hope is that no other city will ever suffer as they did.
This fascinating city with a strong Portuguese and Dutch influence, is nestled into the surrounding hills, overlooking the busy harbour.
For tourists there is much to see, and you can easily fill three days sightseeing around Nagasaki.Below I have listed ten attractions for tourists that you should try and include in your sightseeing programme.
Ten Attractions for Tourists to visit in Nagasaki
- 1) Atomic Bomb Museum
- 2) Nagasaki Peace Park
- 3)Kofukuji Temple
- 5) Spectacle Bridge
- 6) Dejima Dutch Village
- 7) Glover Garden
- 8) Mt Inasa Ropeway and Lookout
- 9) Oura Catholic Church
- 10)China Town
For more detailed information on these attractions go to Nagasaki Sightseeing.
Getting around the city is very easy with a good tram system and buses running regularly.You can walk between many of the attractions, if you plan your route carefully.
The harbour is the centre and if you can find accommodation near the Dejima Wharf area you will be very centrally located.Here you can enjoy a choice of restaurants, and there are department stores and shopping.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Jeju Island - A Beautiful Destination BUT Very Expensive to Fly To!
We are about to take a trip to Jeju Island. A small island off the coast between mainland South Korea and Japan,it has been geared for Conventions and Sporting Events .When South Korea hosted the Soccer World Cup it was on Jeju Island that it was held.The latest ASEAN meeting was recently convened there also.
Known as Honeymoon Island by Koreans,it is one of the main destinations for honeymoon couples from South Korea, and is also very popular with Japanese honeymooners. A World Heritage Site with lava tubes, good diving in the beautifully clear waters off lovely beaches, and very scenic ..........this is an island for tourists as well as those there for work or sporting events.
Few Direct Flights and Very Expensive
Getting to Jeju is proving a headache! We are finding that booking flights is not simple.There are many flights every day............but they are VERY expensive.Flying from Fukuoka to Jeju is going to cost us almost as much as from New Zealand to Fukuoka.Perhaps a package deal would have been more cost effective.
As we plan to meet up with our son and daughter-in-law in Fukuoka it was logical to fly there. Our daughter is living on Jeju which is why we originally planned this trip.If you plan to take this trip I suggest you do it all together so you can co ordinate your flights. Unfortunately we booked the New Zealand Fukuoka leg separately.
Few flights are direct, which turns a one hour flight into anything from 3-8 hours depending on the stopover times.Cheaper fares become available only a month prior.......but may be booked out at the higher prices quoted.Asiana, Japan Air, Korea Air all fly from Japan most days while Jeju Air.......probably the cheapest option is only available to those who can speak Korean! We have struggled to find an affordable option......there are plenty of expensive ones!
I will update on Jeju Island once we return.......... first hand information on the island, accommodation, airfares etc Meanwhile I will continue to look for an affordable fare!
Known as Honeymoon Island by Koreans,it is one of the main destinations for honeymoon couples from South Korea, and is also very popular with Japanese honeymooners. A World Heritage Site with lava tubes, good diving in the beautifully clear waters off lovely beaches, and very scenic ..........this is an island for tourists as well as those there for work or sporting events.
Few Direct Flights and Very Expensive
Getting to Jeju is proving a headache! We are finding that booking flights is not simple.There are many flights every day............but they are VERY expensive.Flying from Fukuoka to Jeju is going to cost us almost as much as from New Zealand to Fukuoka.Perhaps a package deal would have been more cost effective.
As we plan to meet up with our son and daughter-in-law in Fukuoka it was logical to fly there. Our daughter is living on Jeju which is why we originally planned this trip.If you plan to take this trip I suggest you do it all together so you can co ordinate your flights. Unfortunately we booked the New Zealand Fukuoka leg separately.
Few flights are direct, which turns a one hour flight into anything from 3-8 hours depending on the stopover times.Cheaper fares become available only a month prior.......but may be booked out at the higher prices quoted.Asiana, Japan Air, Korea Air all fly from Japan most days while Jeju Air.......probably the cheapest option is only available to those who can speak Korean! We have struggled to find an affordable option......there are plenty of expensive ones!
I will update on Jeju Island once we return.......... first hand information on the island, accommodation, airfares etc Meanwhile I will continue to look for an affordable fare!
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Thailand Holiday Activities
Thailand holiday activities are many and varied. Whether you want to lie on the pristine white sandy beaches soaking up the warm and the sun...... swimming in the crystal clear water by day,experience the culture and traditions in the cities, have a close encounter with some fascinating wild animals - tigers and elephants in particular, observe the many wonderful craft centres or take a Thai cooking class.......it is all here.
If you plan carefully you can enjoy some of all these Thailand holiday activities. Most tourists pass through Bangkok and you will want to spend a couple of days here if you do.If you are looking for a Thai beach vacation
Chiang Mai in the north is a fascinating city.....the craft centre of Thailand and offering many different cultural experiences.
Kanchanaburi is so near to Bangkok............yet so different.You can visit this city........the home of the famous Bridge on the River Kwai as a day tour or take two or three days to really enjoy the area.
Thai culture includes may beautiful temples and interaction with the Thai people as they go about their daily lives.Visit their markets,temples,canal areas and craft centres to see how they live.
Shopping is another reason for visiting Thailand. Here you can buy beautiful handmade crafts...wood ware, silk clothing and home decor items,umbrellas, hand embroidered linen, silverware, and fake anything.........enjoy the hunt and bargain for a good deal.
Thai food whether from out door stalls or the huge choice of restaurants and nightlife for those who seek it........ will make for a full and fantastic holiday.
You really are spoilt for choice when it comes to Thailand Holiday Activities.
If you plan carefully you can enjoy some of all these Thailand holiday activities. Most tourists pass through Bangkok and you will want to spend a couple of days here if you do.If you are looking for a Thai beach vacation
- Phuket
- Koh Chang
- Koh Samui
- Krabi
- Pattaya
Chiang Mai in the north is a fascinating city.....the craft centre of Thailand and offering many different cultural experiences.
Kanchanaburi is so near to Bangkok............yet so different.You can visit this city........the home of the famous Bridge on the River Kwai as a day tour or take two or three days to really enjoy the area.
Thai culture includes may beautiful temples and interaction with the Thai people as they go about their daily lives.Visit their markets,temples,canal areas and craft centres to see how they live.
Shopping is another reason for visiting Thailand. Here you can buy beautiful handmade crafts...wood ware, silk clothing and home decor items,umbrellas, hand embroidered linen, silverware, and fake anything.........enjoy the hunt and bargain for a good deal.
Thai food whether from out door stalls or the huge choice of restaurants and nightlife for those who seek it........ will make for a full and fantastic holiday.
You really are spoilt for choice when it comes to Thailand Holiday Activities.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
A Tiger Temple and an Elephant Sanctuary in Thailand
I have just put up pages on two animal oriented Day Trips which are a fascinating look at magnificent jungle creatures at close quarters.
The Tiger Temple - Kanchanaburi
Run by monks this is a wonderful experience. The temple has been somewhat controversial lately as the Tiger Island planned for the tigers to be let to run free has not eventuated.However, bear in mind these lovely animals would not have lived had they not been rescued by locals and brought to the Temple. Here they may be used to satisfy the curiosity of tourists, but they are well feed and looked after....and they have a lovely relationship with the monks who with the help of volunteers , care for them.You can read more at http://www.fascinating-travel-destinations.com/tiger-temple.html
Elephant Sanctuary - Chiang Mai
This was a wonderful day tour and you experienced the elephants in different guises. They put on a show displaying their talents, you have a ride for an hour, and see them in the water having a load of fun with their mahouts.Set in the midst of a village it is interesting to experience somehting of the village and surrounding farming lifestyle.
Both these activities are part of tours that include other sights and experiences and come highly recommended.
Read more here at http://www.fascinating-travel-destinations.com/elephant-sanctuary.html
The Tiger Temple - Kanchanaburi
Run by monks this is a wonderful experience. The temple has been somewhat controversial lately as the Tiger Island planned for the tigers to be let to run free has not eventuated.However, bear in mind these lovely animals would not have lived had they not been rescued by locals and brought to the Temple. Here they may be used to satisfy the curiosity of tourists, but they are well feed and looked after....and they have a lovely relationship with the monks who with the help of volunteers , care for them.You can read more at http://www.fascinating-travel-destinations.com/tiger-temple.html
Elephant Sanctuary - Chiang Mai
This was a wonderful day tour and you experienced the elephants in different guises. They put on a show displaying their talents, you have a ride for an hour, and see them in the water having a load of fun with their mahouts.Set in the midst of a village it is interesting to experience somehting of the village and surrounding farming lifestyle.
Both these activities are part of tours that include other sights and experiences and come highly recommended.
Read more here at http://www.fascinating-travel-destinations.com/elephant-sanctuary.html
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Planning Our Trip To Japan
I have just finished a Skype call to my son in Japan. He lives in Tokyo, and called for Mother's Day. It is celebrated in Japan today as well. Last year was lovely. We were actually in Okayama - famous for it's Korakuen garden at his Mother-in-law's place ............ so the two Mum's were together on Mother's Day.
Some of conversation was about where we want to go when we visit Kyushuin September. He and our daughter-in-law will join us and we will share a rented car to travel around.
I know I want to see Nagasaki. This city has a European background and apparently this is reflected in the architecture.There is much promoting peace after having rebuilt after the atomic bomb.
This whole island has many thermal areas with hot springs a feature in many areas. Beppo with it's thermal area and monkeys bathing in steaming pools always seems very exotic !
Pottery towns are also famous so I imagine we will be wanting to visit some of these traditional potteries as we tour the island.
Kumamoto looks a lovely city. The Shakain Koya Temple, Kumamoto Castle and Suizenji Jojuen Park all sound like places I will definitely be wanting to visit.
Fukuoka is of course also a city we will want to spend some time in! Already I can see some serious planning will be needed to fit it all in! As one week will be a little like Golden week and a public holiday we will need to book early.
I love Japan. There is just so much variety in the architecture and landscapes in the different islands.
Some of conversation was about where we want to go when we visit Kyushuin September. He and our daughter-in-law will join us and we will share a rented car to travel around.
I know I want to see Nagasaki. This city has a European background and apparently this is reflected in the architecture.There is much promoting peace after having rebuilt after the atomic bomb.
This whole island has many thermal areas with hot springs a feature in many areas. Beppo with it's thermal area and monkeys bathing in steaming pools always seems very exotic !
Pottery towns are also famous so I imagine we will be wanting to visit some of these traditional potteries as we tour the island.
Kumamoto looks a lovely city. The Shakain Koya Temple, Kumamoto Castle and Suizenji Jojuen Park all sound like places I will definitely be wanting to visit.
Fukuoka is of course also a city we will want to spend some time in! Already I can see some serious planning will be needed to fit it all in! As one week will be a little like Golden week and a public holiday we will need to book early.
I love Japan. There is just so much variety in the architecture and landscapes in the different islands.
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