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Wow!
Last post was a long time ago so lots to catch up on. But must be brief about it...
My last two days in Kyoto were spent cleaning up on some of the sights I didn't see the last time. So I went to Arashiyama and saw a wonderful bamboo grove and nice garden, Fushimi-Inari to see the famous red torii gates that wind in tight corridors up a hill (as featured in Memoirs of a Geisha) and were completely beautiful even in the pouring rain, more time in Gion markets and wandering around Kyoto station. I don't feel like I got a great feel for the city in the 6 nights I've spent there but certainly enjoyed what I saw. Geisha spotting in Gion and dawdling along the banks of the Kamo River were definitely highlights.
Then back to Tokyo, trying in vain to spot Mount Fuji on the way. I was getting really ready to be in warm, sunny Australia by this point and wasn't mad keen to see all that much in Tokyo. But I got up at 4am and went to the Tsukiji Fish Market, which I wouldn't have missed at all. It's a huge market area with all sorts of fish, octopus, squid and most famously tuna. We're talking fat fish as big as a pear-shaped human being, and tens of them laying in rows being auctioned. I saw the frozen ones and also some mammoths being cut up by hand into neat chunks for consumption nearby. I duly went and had the day's catch as a tuna sushi breakfast around the corner - at 7am! Then I think I went to the Tokyo National Museum, which was really nice. Lots of artwork to enjoy and also a chance to finally learn a bit about the history of Japan over the last 10,000 years. Enjoyed locking my umbrella up outside the entrance and retrieving it with my key later on! Was fairly fed up in the rain again so went to the famous Shibuya crossing, bought myself a 'Sakura Steamer' from Starbucks (supposedly flavoured like Cherry Blossom but more like strawberry custard - yum!) and watched the umbrella people fill the intersection every two minutes while listening to some jazz and then Mozart. Later checked into my last night in Japan, a capsule hotel! It was big enough to sit up in and had a TV, radio, light and pillow. It actually started snowing gently when I went out for my dinner nearby but the sludge wasn't as romantic as it sounds and I curled up in the capsule for an early night, having wrongly accused another tenant of smoking in his one.
My last day in Tokyo was spent looking around the Ginza area, where all the posh shops are and enjoyed their twisty shapes and over the top design ideas. Managed to find a grand piano in the Yamaha shop and made myself very happy indeed. Also went and did some souvenir shopping near Senso-ji Temple, where I'd seen before. Then got my long flight to Perth, where I am now, to stay with one of mum's school friends, Kath. I arrived with the reddish sunrise into a totally different country and am still getting used to the reverse culture shock and some of the most beautiful scenery I've witnessed. I've been really keen to do as little as possible so have been down the coast to Fremantle to swim in the Indian Ocean and cool off from 39 degrees, and today into Perth city centre to see the small shopping bit and gaze at the swan river from a pub with a pint of James Squire's amber ale, one of the many great tastes of beer in Oz already! Also met up with dad in the wonderful Kings Park that overlooks the city and river from a very dramatic perspective, with lush green grass and potentially upside-down boab trees.
Have had a great time relaxing and, literally, chilling out here, and am off to Ayers Rock tomorrow for a few days. Will miss Perth a lot as it's laid back feel and beautiful surrounds are exactly what I've needed after a lot of busy sightseeing. The best moment here was last night, going with Kath to Floreat Beach for sunrise with fish, chips and cheescake. Seriously the most spectacular sunset I've ever seen, with clouds getting involved and all sorts of colours losing themselves directly behind the ocean. It really looked like Paradise.
So nothing to make you all jealous. I'll update you all again soon and hope you're well. Happy Birthdays due to Isey, Grandma, Mum, Jamie and Danny B, in that order over the next few days!
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