Hi everyone,

So this is it, the last time you will hear from me in japan sniff sniff...Lost in Japan is now officially closed. Its been great here, even though sure, I did stay  for 2 years longer than I intended to but I will surely miss Japan as much as I am missing Oz right now.

So enjoy the last batch of photos, and for those back home in Australia, I will be seeing you all very soon!

Bye for now,
Anna

Farewell parties with teachers and students

Im all grown up - Staying overnight in Takayama and travelling solo. This is the old merchant house district

Takayama`s Hida Folk Village. An open museum displaying old homes that have been moved to this site from the Hida area

Archery festival in Sanjusangendo Temple, Kyoto

Doya Doya festival or my preferred name, the naked man festival, in shitennoji temple in Osaka

Hi everyone! I hope you all had a great Christmas and New Year. So with Dominic back home in England for the holidays, no job and far too much time on my hands its been sightseeing overload. I`ve finally conquered something I have never attempted before, travelling solo. And its not so bad afterall, so here`s what I have been up to to fill you in...

End of an era!
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Last day at the Kids school: Saying goodbye to the students I teach ranging from the ages of 2 to 12. Was one of the hardest goodbyes I had to make. Arent they sooooo adorable??? Makes you want to have kids, almost...

Last day of work: with two of my favourite students, Hiroko and Keiichi

Dominic`s work farewell: with Shiho and Liam (getting hitched in Hawaii in March) and his other Osaka work crew

In denial: Could this be my last bit of yakiniku or the final shabu shabuing I`ll be doing? EVER?

See you in a month Dominic: As a warning when you see us together in a few weeks time, we are a VERY cheesy couple to the point of being cringe worthy!....

Happy New Year: All you need is good friends (like Chihiro and Stuart), booze and a cross dresser to make it a great start to the new year

The sightseeing
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A girl gotta keep busy while the fella not around so first stop....

City skyscrapers: The view from Umeda Sky building in Osaka

Another temple to cross off the list: Isyiyama-dera in Shiga

Heian Shrine and gardens: In Kyoto, you might recognise it from the Last Samurai and Memoirs of a Geisha

Back to the old faves: Kyoto`s Kiyomizu temple

Its a bell: I know. But did you know its the BIGGEST bell in Japan? Choi-in`s bell, located behind Kiyomizu took about 16 monks just to strike the thing

Amanohashidate: Claimed to be one of the top 3 views of Japan. Best seen through your legs as its mean to look as if its floating to heaven. Tried it. Didnt work

Another top 3: In gardens now that is, and deservingly so. Introducing Kenrokuen in Kanazawa



Ninja dera in Kanazawa: It may look harmless but (sorry photos werent allowed inside) this building is full of booby traps such as hidden stairscases and floor traps



Samurai houses in Kanazawa


Kanazawa Castle

Linuing up to pray for good fortune in the new year at Kanazawa`s Oyama Shrine
 

Toji Market

Toji Temple

Sanzen-in Temple in Ohara, rural Kyoto

Hello everyone! Well sad to say that my asian adventures are coming to an end now. Looks like my trip to China more than a month back was the last big trip for me before heading home. So enjoy the photos from that and I will see all you guys very shortly.

Lots of Love
Anna

View from our hotel window - Taichi at the early hours of the morning in the drum tower square  

Terracotta Army

Then to Beijing....

Chairman Mao watching over in the Gate of Heavenly Peace

Tiananmen square

Forbidden Palace

The Great Wall

The Summer Palace

Dongyue Taoist Temple

Temple of Heaven Park

Kung Fu Show

And finishing up in Shanghai...

Riverside park along the Bund

Yuyuan Gardens and Bazaar

The Venice of China, Zhouzhuang, a two hour bus journey from Shanghai

Photographic evidence of why I came back the 3kgs heavier

The Shopping...

This is what we saw when we lugged our bags down the shopping strip of Myeungdong on our way to our hotel. Dominic thought it was a coincidence how I managed to find a hotel right in the heart of the main shopping district of Seoul. hehe...little did he know...

The Northerners...

After emptying our wallets from a night of shopping, we hopped onto a taxi the next morning to be at the USO office at 7am to start our DMZ tour. The demilitrized zone, 4km wide and 24km long, surrounded by tank traps, watchtowers, mines and electical fences, seperates the North and South. Our tour group was taken to Camp Kim where we had a 30 minute briefing and signed an agreement waiving any responsiblity to the USA in case we become shooting targets for the North Koreans. Before we were taken to the JSA, the only site within the DMZ that you are allowed in,  we went by a few noteable sights within the DMZ including the most dangerous golf course (above) as it once was surrounded by land mines and the bridge of no return, the only bridge connecting north and south korea. Guided by a UN and SK soldiers they made sure that we were always within their sight and didnt have any intentions of sneaking over to the other side.

We reached the JSA (joint security area), the blue building on the left, neutral grounds for the north, south and the UN to have discussions.  

In the room itself we were able to freely cross from the north and korean side with only one SK soldier blocking the door to North Korean soil!

From the observatory point you could see North Korea in the distance, but even photos were prohibited past the yellow line. Our tour ended with us wearing hard hats and going down through the third tunnel of Agression found under the DMZ. It was dug by North Koreans to launch surprise attacks but when discovered the NK claimed it was an old coal mine. Four tunnels have been found so far, the most recent one in 1990!

The sightseeing...

Gyeonbok Palace: It was the main palace until it was invaded by the Japanese in 1952 but then rebuilt in 1865 and is still undergoing restoration

Girls in the palace dressed up in in the traditional korean dress

Jogyesa Shrine: Largest buddhist shrine in Seoul

Insadong: An area full of galleries, traditional resturants and craft shops

The food...

The good...

and the very very bad....

The Culture...

Korean Folk Performance at Korea House

The Views...

Day view from Seoul Tower and Night View from Top Cloud Bar on the top floor of Jongno Tower

Hello! Heres another quick photo recap of the last few months before I head off to Seoul on Monday! It was another trip to Tokyo, squeezing in the last few sights, Mount Koya for some temple lodging and vegetarian cuisine and the relaxing along the the shore of Shirahama. All this before joining in the festivities in my yukata wear at Gion festival!

Love Anna

XXX

NIKKO
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View of Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji

Toshogu Shrine, with more than a dozen shinto and buddhist shrines and home to the hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil monkey carvings

TSUKIJI FISH MARKET
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One of the largest fish markets in the world, so your best bet for the freshest sushi around. If the lines long, its gotta be good!

AKASAKA NINJA RESTAURANT
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Bonsai icecream cake looking too good to eat

What is more japanese than a ninja performing magic tricks like...ahem...rubber band and card tricks

MOUNT KOYA
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Cable car going up to Mount Koya, the headquarters to Shingon Buddhism. This small town has over 100 temples!

Kongobuji, head temple of the shingon sect

BURP!! Feeling very full from a temple vegetarian meal. Gotta admire those monks, its a tough life eating like them and waking up wee early morning hours (6AM!) for the morning prayer service

Feeling a little spooked at Okunoin graveyard, stretching along a 2km path, it has more than 2000 grave stones

SHIRAHAMA
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Senjo-jiki, said to resemble layers of tatami mats

Sandan-haki cliff

Shirahama beach, remind you of somewere? The sand is imported from Australia! Australian made, only the best!

Our japanese style room, complete with outdoor onsen bath, lobster and a personal maid

KYOTO GION FESTIVAL
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One of the three biggest festivals in Japan, and also one of the oldest. Held since 970 the festivities last for almost an entire month, but the major event on its calender would be the float procession on the streets of Kyoto

Hi everyone,

 I hope everyone is doing great! Have been back from our 10 day trip (not long enough at all!) to Thailand for a few weeks now but still keeping myself busy. Going to Tokyo for the third time this weekend, a trip down to the coast of Japan next month and Seoul in July. But Im sure you are more interested in Thailand so starting off in Bangkok...

But one thing we couldnt mis out on was the mother of all temples, Wat Phra Kaew and seeing the King living it up in style at the Grand Palace

After going from one temple to another we were eager to sample some of the local food. Even if it meant buying overpriced lychee at Damnoen Saduak Floating market because its being served to you on a boat (flies included)

As part of the floating market day tour, we stopped by the Samphran Elephant Ground and Zoo, a nightmare for any animal lover. But who cannot be entertained by elephants playing soccer!?! Cool!! Maybe the crocs will get their revenge one of these days...

The tour ended with a cultural show at the Rose Garden withThai boxing, dancing and sword fighting

But Bangkok is simply not bangkok without the sleaziness, and there was plenty of that in the red light district of Patpong where you had people screaming in your ear `you want fucky fucky?` or `ping pong show, look for free!` Patpong had something for everyone, even men seeking men. But it certainly did give me a new found respect for Thai women and their use of razor blades, darts and coke bottles the unconventional way...

Leaving the busy streets of Bangkok behind we stayed a night at the quiet and mellowed out Ayuthaya, the old capital famous for its ruins and ermm packs of agressive dogs

The next night we stayed at Kanchanburi. Starting the day off with a tour, the first being Kanchanaburi Allied War Cemetary containing the remains of the allied POWs who died during WWII

and serving as a another reminder of the war, the death Railway Bridge (Bridge on the River Kwai)

But the day ended on a much lighter note with some elephant trekking and bathing. However, judging from the photo, the elephant did a much better job of it

The last half of the trip at Koh Samui island was pure R&R. I read my dan brown book while soaking up the sun, drinking out of cocunuts and pineapples.  We stayed at a gorgeous beach resort, Bandara Resort & Spa at Bophut beach and recieved the 5 star treatment there. I got a lovely tan but Dominic got badly sunburned the second day there spelling the end of his thai massages unfortunately...

One of the nights out in Koh Samui we caught a cabaret show, with the most convincing cross dressors I have ever seen!

Our last night in Koh Samui, we stayed at the main beach Chaweng, before saying goodbye to Koh Samui Airport, Bangkok and sniff! sniff! Thailand

Lots of Love  Anna

XXXX

Hi everyone,

Apart from the spot of sightseeing when Khiem came over when he visited me in Kyoto for a few days, havent done much at all besides trying to find ways to feel in the time on rainy days ahem...But promise to make it all up to you when I come back from Thailand! Leaving on the 23rd, where it will be 5 star beach resorts for 11 days! so til then, take lots of care.

And of course, missing you all lots, love Anna

Khiems Visit
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Sightseeing with Khiem: Taken at the main gate of Nanzen-ji temple the starting point of the philsophers path (named after a university professor who would take this walk everyday and ponder about life) and ending at Ginkaku-ji temple

Ginkak-ji temple: Gorgeous. Particulary the zen garden, you can tell that such great care is taken into maintaining it. Although you can help but think what it would feel like to just jump in and make yourself a sandcastle

Arashiyama: We took the `romantic train` although a more approriate name for it would be `hold onto your seats, this train will be your death!` Starting from Kamoeka, a small town outside of Kyoto going all the way to Arashiyama, an easy way to enjoy the mountain views

Khiem demonstrating the fine art of eating inari sushi

Love Hotel Gang Snowman
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If I have never explained the idea of love hotels before here you have it. Only in Japan can you pay for a hotel room, a lot of them themed, per hour to share with your loved one or to a newly acquired friend. Rooms are fully equipped for plenty of fun and tailored to all kinds of tastes.

In the lobby you can choose which room you would like to stay in, the lighted up ones are the rooms currently available and has a description of what to expect in the rooms. To select a room, simply push the green button and a ticket is dispensed to you with your room number

Some rooms are quite inventive and may include a jail cell where you can chain your loved one up and lock them up if thats what your heart desires

To ease those sore wrists and ankles of yours after being locked up you can always soak in a spa afterwards

...or have a little snooze in the sauna room

but of course nothing beats lying in bed and watching your favourite TV show

Beginner skiing slope. Be warned, those who dare go down never go up again!

Views from the highest mountain in the ski resort area

The monkeys bathing at the monkey park

Zenkoji Temple

Matsumoto Castle

Bahh I can easily make a bigger snowman than that!

Hello! Back from a great winter vacation to Nagano a few weeks ago. With no broken bones bones either, not even any scratches, only a bruise on my arse from trying to recreate a scene from WHAM`s videoclip, `last christmas.`

Day 1

A 7 hour journey later and we were dropped of Ryoo bus terminal in kita shiga (north of Nagano prefecture) at a very early time of 6:30AM. But with no ATM around and hotel check in not being til 3, it meant that we had no choice but to go skiing. My first skiing experience didnt look too promising from the very start. We didnt get started til 11 as Dominic had to wait outside my changing room as I refused to come out wearing something that would have only been barely acceptable 20 years ago. But it wouldnt be the pant suspenders or the oversized lime green skiing jacket that would be blocked from memory but the first 5 seconds of skiing. After somehow making it to the chairlift (getting the skiis on was difficult enough!) but not having a vague idea of what to do, once I was thrown off the chair lift I plumpted down the slope, crashing and knocking over a group of girls in a skiing class. Of course, doing it in style by screaming all the way. At least I gave a lot of people heads up that way but the poor things, including a very unlucky 9 year old, they did not see what was coming! It was a great laugh, you had to find your sense of humor in it otherwise you would just find yourself getting annoyed and frustrated very quickly from falling over every few seconds. Although Domnic doesnt have a real excuse, at least it snows in England. By lunch we had already gotten the hang of it, meaning we could slow down and stop and I even got the spray of snow going from my skiis with the very sharp turning stops.

Day 2

11AM and already lost from trying to decipher a very badly drawn map given to us by the hotel receptionist. We had been walking for 30 minutes in thick snow trying to find an ATM until a local felt sorry for us and gave us a lift to seven 11. With wads of cash in hand, we took a 30 minute taxi ride to Jigokudani, but I prefer its other name, hell valley onsen, to visit yaen-koen (wild monkey park) and soak in an outdoor onsen. It was a 1.6km hike to the wild monkey park but it was a little further for us as the taxi driver dropped us off at the wrong (now abandoned) trail. He came back running and shouting at us after a local told him of his mistake. Back on the right trail, we arrived at the wild monkey park where monkeys bathe freely in the hot spring so they were by far the cleanest and most mellowed out monkeys I have seen. They were so fluffy that you just wanted to grab one and cuddle it! Not at all like the smelly monkeys in Kyoto that dont hesitate to bite you if you even made eye contact. Along the river, not far from the monkey park was an onsen open to the public. Japanese baths are always segreated, apart from the really rural areas but the owner on seeing us went into a frenzied state of panic and pushed us through a door leading to the female outdoor bath. He must of wanted to keep us out of sight from the locals, perhaps thinking Dominics paleness wouuld have been the new tourist attraction. We had the bath completely to ourselves and it was amazing to bathe in the hot spring water with the view of the snowy mountains and monkeys swinging over our heads. Good thing none of them decided to take a dip in.

The Rest

Off to the prefecture capital, surely enough named Nagano, to do some sightseeing. Visited Zenkoji temple, no different from the other temples I have visited but for an underground pitch black tunnel, symbolising rebirth and death. When walking through the tunnel, if you feel around the right side of the walls and if you find a heavy metalic door you have found yourself the key to salvation. Which I did, and only for the price of the admission ticket! Next, a two hour train ride to the castle town of Matsumoto, one of the four castles declared as a national treasure (only one more to visit). Distinctly different, nicknamed crow castle, it had a hidden level and is one of the three castles in japan to have a moon viewing room (fancy talk for a balcany). Feeling a bit peckish we sampled Naganos speciality of soba noodles served cold but gave the fried bees a miss.