Around the World: Day 46 - 53

The week that I have spent here has gone by really quickly! Now it is almost time to leave and I realize that I never shared my story that I was going to. 

I’ve come to the conclusion that Japan and I have an interesting relationship…the first time  I came it took 3 days to arrive, and then I arrived without any luggage. This time I arrived on-time with my luggage, but they pulled me out at customs and searched my bag. I was taken into a room where everything was pulled out onto the table, and searched. I didn’t have anything to hide so I didn’t mind, but that is the first time that I have ever been singled out and searched. 

 After I was given the all clear and repacked my bags, I made my way to my friends house taking public transport. It really wasn’t that hard…then again, I already knew where I was going and how the transport system works here. 

I didn’t do much the day I arrived because I was so exhausted. 

The next day I took the super express train to Hiroshima and walked around the Peace Park. For lunch, I found myself at an outdoor cafe where I started talking to a waiter. His English was excellent, I found out that he had been working in Australia for the last 2 years and just returned to Japan a month ago. After I was finished walking around in Hiroshima, I took the ferry out to Miyajima Island before heading back to Kobe. 

A-Bomb Dome

There are several water fountains around the Peace Park

Some of the many paper cranes

The Peace Flame

The famous gate on Miyajima Island (it's completely made out of wood and this is the 8th one)

The following day (Friday), I went to Nara and saw the deer. It was a quick trip because I had to make it back in time to meet up with my friend for dinner. While I was waiting for the train in Nara I overheard some other people talking behind me in English and so eventually I joined in on the conversation. 

A girl from China had her map eaten by the deer (who will eat anything) and so she asked another tourist (who was from Spain) if she could follow him back to the train station. That is where I meet them. Anyway, we started talking and the girl from China and I really hit it off and decided that we should meet up on Monday to hang out and sightsee together. 

Deer in Nara Park

More deer!!!

Saturday, my friend and I decided to stay in the Kobe area and went to the Herb Garden. It was something that I did 3 years ago, but really enjoyed and so I went again. We took the cable cars up to the top of the mountain and then walked all the way down. It was a leisurely day, we soaked our feet in the herbal foot bath, and enjoyed some delicious treats. My favorite was the lavender ice cream (I had it 3 years ago and never forgot it!!!) So,  Yummy!!!!

Flower in the herb garden

There were lots of different types of flowers and herbs

The colors were amazing

It's a field of lilies

On the way down we passed several different waterfalls

Sunday morning we went to church, and then went out for coffee with some other people from church. After coffee, we came back played a game then read books and just lounged around for the afternoon. It was fabulous!

Monday morning I went to Kyoto and meet up with my new Chinese friend and checked out some temples and local sights in Kyoto. It was fun to hang out with someone else for the day, I really enjoyed our conversation and time together. 

At the pagoda in Kyoto

The river

Today, I found a place to stay in Singapore (which is where I’m headed tomorrow), before meeting up with my friend and going out to eat. We went to this place where you buy a ticket for the buffet for 2 hours and eat all you want in that time. The best part, they have some salads meats and healthy stuff but most of it is desserts! Ice cream, chocolate fountain, cakes, and so many other options. It’s very filling and absolutely amazing! 

Now it’s time that I start the packing process, again. As much as I love all this traveling I’m ready to stop unpacking and packing all the time. Soon I will be home again, for a little while.