Home sweet home

Our airport welcoming committee was amazing. We arrived on a domestic flight, so people were wondering why we got such a big welcome...

So, now we are at home happy and warm with the Mando. Our housesitter looked after the house and cat beautifully, it's like time stood still. Thanks Amy!

Unpacking the boxes of goodies we sent home has been fun. It is amazing how small souvenirs can bring back so many memories; places and moments that already seem far away.

First home cooked meal was tacos- yuuuummmm! After rice three meals a day this was perfect. Bacon and eggs for breakfast hit the spot.

Family reunion/ we missed the beach/ 6 months of magnets and tea towels/ Too much excitement...

Next stop Sydney...

Spent our last day OS seeking out a few faves...

Rach smashed her second Haagen-Daas crepe in 24hrs (strawberry cheesecake) while Trav finally was in the mood for a sugar high when near a Mello Yello.

Trav also scored a Japanese 4pen with a mechanical pencil built in. We lost all sense of being while on the Diamaru stationery floor.

We have been really surprised by Japan, Tokyo in particular. It is such a huge city, people and infrastructure, but it has a real chilled out feeling. Almost melancholic.

There are exciting parts of Tokyo, but by and large people just get on with things, on their own, without fuss. Local religion and living on one of the worlds most active faults probably contribute to this.

We will really miss the tempura, the Japanese chocolate, the vending machine culture and the respect that is universal. It is so calm here, and this rubs off on you the minute you hit the ground.

Europe and US was new and exciting, but kind of expected. Japan was a real eye opener, where we had to throw all the usual rules out of the window to fit in.

New and old in Tokyo/ vending machines/ still traveling light and saving 60 bucks by catching the subway to the airport (later spent on excess baggage fee...)/ about to board our flight to Australia

Final full day

Got up early to try and get in to see the Sumo training. They are amazingly quick, have thighs like trees and remain quiet throughout. It is a bit like cricket in that they wait for each other to be ready. When sparing went too far members of each team stood in. Seems to be an unwritten rule that you go easy on the skinny kids but occasionally they win with quick feet.

They collide with a slap and a thud- like elephants running head on. It makes a rugby scrum look polite.

Went to a traditional part of Tokyo, Asakusa. Tourist city, but an amazing street market full of Japanese tourists, school kids, and religious folk.

Tempura dinner at a swanky restaurant with geisha style waitresses was a great last meal. We watched the locals walk, drive and train over 4 levels of the city, labyrinth style. What a view.

Waiting for the other to give the all clear/ the Japanese photo pose @ Asakusa/ Matt you are falling behind!

Fuji hunting

A day of old v new. Visited the ultra modern Roppongi, shopping skyscrapers full of people on every level reminded us why the streets seem so quiet for a city of 37m.

Shinjuku, known for its skyscrapers and guiness world record for busiest station, was awe inspiring with its buildings that do not fit in a single camera shot. The station was like an ant farm- and we were not even at peak. Everyone finds their way- no rushing, no pushing, everyone keeps their distance.

Caught a little rattly electric tourist tram near Mt Fuji hoping that the clouds would clear for the mountain but we couldn't see anything.

We hopped off and a lovely lady worked out what we were looking for (after much mountain and view charades) and walked us out of her way to the coast.

Conversation only included 'we from Australia' and the soccer draw. When we got to the viewing point she screwed her nose up and said 'cloudy' - bugger!!!

Fuji nowhere to be seen but had a walk along the black volcanic sand beach before returning on the journey, this time with some of the commuters heading home. Some of them travel a long way everyday!

Pics- goretex nerds/ a small skyscraper/ view from the government building/ Fuji is there somewhere....

A lot like New York

At first Tokyo was a real culture shock. No English, money with too many zeros (we feel for dyslexic locals with 10000s and 1000s in their wallet- however no one would rip you off here, everyone is very nice and polite) and jet-lagged like mad.

Respect is a big part of the local culture. Kids on the bus fight over who will stand. Shop assistants must have the final bow as you leave the store. People keep their conversations quiet, waiters do not press you to buy a drink. It is a little too much, but being able to pack some of it and take it back home would be great.

We have spent the last couple of days touring Tokyo with non jet lagged eyes. We visited Shibuya to see the busy part of Tokyo- we were wondering where all the people were for days but we quickly found them all. The intersection outside of Shibuya train station is like times square. Like ants going to war.

Today we visited the reclaimed land at Tokyo Bay, and went to the bath (called Onsen). Very traditional, not as good as Baden Baden but much better than Bath. The outside rock pools are the height of relaxation but we don't know how people sit in the 85degree sauna. Side note, when Rach says 'I can't believe how tiny all the Japanese ladies were (nude bath)' Trav's answer shouldn't be 'yes, they probably think you are rich' (there is a link to the larger peeps being rich/regal here). Yes, keep digging that hole Trav.

A movie at Tokyo beach (MIB3 in 3D) was better than expected, and the monorail over Tokyo bay at night was a fantastic way to end the day. The bay area looks a lot like the main river in New York, but the Tokyo faux Eiffel tower gives it away.

Pics- just like in lost in translation/ refreshed after the Onsen/ can't swim at the local beach, liners nearby/ beautiful view of the city

Sad to leave ...

Our last day in Kyoto greeted us with some rain. During the day the gentle shower which made everything twinkle turned in to a downpour at night with passing cars saturating us like in the movies.

A big day of local culture. We visited the Fushimi Inari-taisha shrine, thousands of orange gates winding through the forest, it was pretty special. At night we took in a traditional kabuki show- ornate costumes, a lot of very different music and a male lead playing the part of the leading female. The crowd clapped for every actors entrance and anytime something of note happened.. i.e. a lot.

Fushimi Inari-taisha shrine/ Trav's special seat at the kabuki show/ wet hair, pants, socks etc.

New friends

We are far more novel in Kyoto compared to its bigger sister Tokyo. School kids are amazed at Rachel's blond hair and figure while many 'wows' and giggles are had over Trav's size.

The local school kids, especially those on school excursion, are encouraged to start conversation with people that look like they speak english. For many it starts and ends at 'hello', and then they discuss what was meant by 'have a nice day'.

Went to the famous Nishiki food markets. They are never ending and every kind of Japanese ingredient is on show.

Based on a recommendation we found a very old school knife maker. They used to make samurai swords, and the craftsmen do not finish the knife until it is bought- making a sharp edge and engraving your Japanese name.

The geisha show in Gion was interesting, but the highlight was the traditional 3 man puppet. One for each of the arms and one for the head and body.

Gold leaf @ Kinkaku-ji/ Rach made some new friends/ Kimono fashion show/ 3 man puppet