from Edo to Disneyland

Well it was another torrential rain day today but I had a great time. I met up with Satomi - the best tour a guide a girl could ask for who showed me all over Tokyo. We started at the famous Tsukiji fish markets which were interesting and had some of the best sushi ever. Then we strolled through Ginza to look at a few shops. Next it was Akihabara to buy a replacement camera for my broken one which I got a great deal on a canon powershot so am happy snapping again soon once I figure out how to use it.

We then went to Edo-Tokyo Museum definately one of the best museums I have ever been to. Edo is the period of the last shogun and samurai before the emperor came back to power moved to Edo and renamed it Tokyo. The museum has amazing minature models of everything some even move and have shows. also lots of life size replicas. I also got to see an exhibition of wood block prints from such famous names as Hokusai all very interesting and beautiful.

By now it was around 5pm so we hopped on the train to Disneyland to brave the fun in the cold wind and rain. It was actually great no ques, still very happy because of the music and the rides were fun. I went on the famous Big thunder mountain and Space mountain. My favourite was a ride made based on the movie The nightmare before Christmas only being October it was themed as halloween and it was visually amazing.

So home now very wet and cold but happy it was a succesful day. tomorrow a morning of shopping then off to Kyoto.

Dynamic Tokyo in the rain

A huge thankyou (Domo Arigato Gozaimasu) to Yoshi and Ritsuko who have been amazing since I arrived yesterday. I feel like a queen. Today they booked me on a Hato bus tour of Tokyo which was great I did everything from tea ceremonies and BBQs to temples, shrines and shopping. A highlight was walking through Asakusa - one of the older districts. The shops were very tempting but I have sworn to myself that I am not going to buy 10 kilos of stuff like my last trip to Japan.

I was also treated to absolutely Oiishi yummy sushi at their daughter Nao's best friends family restaurant. I am now a lover of fresh tuna belly and flounder. Oh and I had sworn to go on a diet once I left Europe but oh well too much good food to eat in Japan.

Unfortunately the weather has decided to bucket down with rain but luckily I was born and bred in Auckland so don't let a little rain stop me from seeing everything. Not doing too bad only about 4 days of rain all up now in 6 weeks.

Meeting the Takeuchi's and Harajuku

Ok so arrived in Tokyo and found Nao's family house very easily thanks to a great hand drawn map. I am very jet lagged but trying to stay up and adjust. Went to Harajuku quickly tonight and saw some of the famed dress up girls and guys unfortunately my camera is getting worse so very few unfuzzy photos. All fun though. Naos parents are fabulous and have made me feel like a queen I basically have my own house and a very nice one.

Enjoying speaking English

well am in London for a night before I fly to Japan and I am really enjoying being able to speak english freely. Although have been so programmed to walk on the right I am now driving all the english mad.

Can't wait to get to Japan hopefully I can make it round within budget as Europe proved to be much more expensive than I had predicted.

Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast

A quick Hi to Nancy and Cindy as to say thanks for recommending an amazing restaurant in the main square in Sorrento I ate and drank so much my tummy almost popped and the waiters were amazing.

So I left rome and am now in Sorrento via Naples. I am learning to take life like the Italians - Cruisy - as if you don't over here things like cars trying to run you down, ciggarette smoke in your face, stray cats and dogs that jump on you, trains that are cancelled for no apparent reason and paying for everything from shitting to moving might start to drive you mad but I actually find it hillarious.

I am loving seeing all these italions who think they are bronzed gods strutt the streets and a few fabulous poofy hairdoos.

Sorrento and the whole of the Amalfi coast is spectacular kinda the medditeraneun version of the Great Ocean Road or the Coromandel only their beaches are tiny and some lack sand but the cuteness of being at the base of a great big cliff and with turqoise waters makes up for it.

Tomorrow I leave for London and that makes for the end of my Europe league. I am a little sad as am just starting to get my accents right and know the low down on what to do, where to eat and who its safe to talk to. But atleast I have a wealth of places I now know I will come back to.

Rome

Well I left the lovely security of the family in Germany and am now back to going it alone in Rome, Italy. I have to say I love this city as dirty and chaotic as it is. There is just so much to see and do and so much craziness to even make the long walks between sites exciting.

I have to say I must have a nack with taxi drivers as I have been proposed to by pakistanis, fijians, somalians and now italians. If only non taxi drivers were as in love with me.

Also bumoed into my contiki guide whilst queing in the sistine line (a mere 5km) so that was nice to catch up after about 2 weeks break.

Now as I am seeing christmas stuff starting to appear in shops everywhere please don't forget me as you all know what a nut I am at Christmas and this year I will be in a buddhist country by myself so a bit miserable to say the least so all emails will be welcome.

meat, schnapps, cake, cheese, chocolate

Well I am still having a great time in Germany only I think I have gained ten kilos from eating so much meat and sweets and schnapps and bread and cheese. It is very nice(so I can't stop eating it) but so heavy and filling.

I visited a monastery yesterday which was very old and very interesting and I was lucky as we knew a guy who works there so got to peek in places that most of the public don't get to see.

Today I went shopping in one of the big cities of Baden Wurtenburg called Karlsruhe. It was fun saw lots of lovely clothes and shoes and Jewellery and gifts but tried not to buy too much as no room in my rucksack.

Anyway have to say that everyone should visit Germany in Autumn as the trees are so beautiful and there are so many every where.

Pforzheim Germany

Well I am now being spoilt rotten in Germany staying with a family I met way back in the 90s when I was playing the piano accordion. They have given me my own room and it makes a nice change not to have to pack my bags in the morning. I don,t have to think much either as Angelika has planned a full schedule of exciting things for me to do.

Today I went for an orientation walk of Huchenfeld with their dog Teddy it was fun and now I can say I have walked a dog something a person growing up in a cat family rarely does.

Tonight a family friend is coming round to cook dinner that she started preparing 2 days ago as it is a special dish made in southern Germany. Sounds devine and you know me never turn good food away. I am also getting used to drinking beer. very strange.

Cesky Krumlov

Ok so I am now in a little town called Cesky Krumlov. I would compare it to the size of St Kilda or Devonport. It is really pretty with lots of terracotta roofs and church and castle spires. The only problem is I am so used to seeing everything in hyperdrive that for the first time on my trip I have run out of things to do and am actually a little bored as you can see all the museums, the galleries, the castle and wander all the main streets in less than a day so with 2 here I am at a loss for what to do.

So I brought a book and am trying to get in holiday mode. Its called the golem and is set pre WW1 in the Jewish Ghetto in Prague.

My room last night was much better than the first night as lacked the swamp smell had a toilet that flushed, a bed that doesnt break the back and heated floor tiles. Oh the luxury.

black light theatre

well I have survived my second day in prague alone. today I continued my them of piled bones with a visit to the ossuary in Kutna Hora. they used the bones of 40,000 people to create pyramids and patterns in the chapel so comical and arty looking you couldn't really get creeped out - unlike the catacombes in Paris which are 20m underground in dark wet tunnels and just pile after pile of bones much more scary.

I also had goulash and beer and I have to say it was a slight variation on irish stew and beer which is one of my favourites.

I also saw a performance at laterna magika which was very different to anything I have seen before. A mix between cinema, black light theatre, ballet, circus and acting. they pre film a movie that the actors interact with its amazing but hard to explain. If anyone is in Prague in the future they should consider a visit.

I also got to go to the Alfons Mucha museum which re-established my love of his work. Not that I ever had much of a choice with mum and uncle Peter both teaching me about him from a young age. his skill as a draughtsman also was pretty amazing - i know how hard it is to freehand a perfect cicle but he could.

Anyway am off to czecky krumlov today for two days - can't wait as the castle is meant to be like sleeping beauties.

missing you all.

Prague

Well after spending my first day in prague locked in my room recovering from a long non stop travel buzz and a bit of a cold I got out today to see the sights and my feet are now well aquainted with the cobblestones. It is a great city with delicious food, incredible history and some very interesting architecture. I think I am finally starting to get a grips with the jewish traditions and history as learnt alot more today. I will upload some pics hopefully when I get back to london in a few days.

Paris

Well contiki is almost over - we only have 2 nights in paris left. On arrival we did the usual tour of the city and I was impressed how many things I could remember from january. I have to say though Paris is much nicer in sep than in jan as there is so much life out and about and shops open gardens green and full of flowers so it was great to be able to compare(although the snow was kinda magical). I have well and truely caught the contiki coach cold. but am hoping I can kick it fast as being sick was not on my list of things to do.

missing everyone heaps now - 3 weeks seems like a lifetime.

Went to Nouvelle eve the competing caberet to Moulin Rouge but unhappy to report no where near as glamorous or spectacular but it had a nicer venue and the food was yummy. the boys were funny to watch as they were expecting lots of tit action but this show only had two dance routines with them bared so those two had all the boys eyes glued to the stage.