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