Corin's Travels

22/03/2024

After walking in the garden we went to a Cafe with delicious cakes. I had one with cherry blossom and green tea flavour. Then we visited a temple in the forest and ended our day with some Vietnamese food.

22/03/2024

Visited a lovely traditional restaurant and beautiful gardens. Second view of Fuji-san on this trip.

22/03/2024

Lunch with my friend, Doria, in Shinjuku.

22/03/2024

Yesterday I was lying in bed when it started to shake. It was a familiar feeling but after so many years of not having quakes or tremors, I did wonder how long it would last. All was fine. ☺️

19/03/2024

My very first stay in a capsule hotel. It was actually very cosy and comfortable and only £34 for a night including PJs, towels and a toothbrush. It also analyses your sleep. Look forward to that result.

19/03/2024

Famous sushi shop in Ginza. We took a ticket - number 205 and had to wait 90 minutes till a table was free!

19/03/2024

Sakura mochi 🌸

19/03/2024

Traditional macha tea

19/03/2024

Boat trip from Asakusa and walk round Hamarikyu gardens

19/03/2024

Stayed in Henn na hotel which means strange/peculiar hotel. Androids check you in!

19/03/2024

Akihabara used to be famous for buying electronic goods and cameras. Now it is famous for “maid cafés”, anime characters and other weird stuff.

19/03/2024

Okonomiyaki

19/03/2024

More reunions! It has been wonderful to reconnect with people. Some of them I haven’t seen for 35 years!

19/03/2024

More environmentally conscious.

19/03/2024

Great to meet old friends in Tokyo.

16/03/2024

16/03/2024

Okinawan specialities. Sea grapes. Shrimp bowl and Awamori (sake)

16/03/2024

Sunset ride on another beautiful horse. If you go here in summer, you can also swim with the horses

16/03/2024

Some old houses and traditional graves.
A marker to show how far above sea level in case of a tsunami. The houses are often guarded by two shisa which are mythical beasts in Ryukyu kingdom and are a cross between a lion and a dog.

16/03/2024

On my second day I planned to go scuba diving but it was cancelled due to strong wind so I explored the island and walked around 13km.

16/03/2024

I enjoyed horseriding on Kumejima. I’ve learnt that Japan has lots of native breeds of horse. One is called Yonaguni. They were comfortable to ride. Got a lift back to the hotel in the trailer with the horses.

11/03/2024

Visited Shuri castle which was the most important castle in the Ryukyu Kingdom. Sadly destroyed again by fire in 2019 but now being painstakingly restored.

11/03/2024

I love Japanese trains! Now the names are written in Japanese (hiragana and kanji), English (romaji), Mandarin, Cantonese and Hangul/Korean. When I moved to Japan in 1989 the platform sign at my local station and the map of the lines was only in kanji and hiragana. It was tough but a good motivation to learn hiragana as quickly as possible so I know which station to get out at 😂

10/03/2024

I love cheetahs. When I was in Namibia, I stroked some and they licked my hand. They are affectionate big cats but I don’t think this ranger got much sleep!

09/03/2024

Went to visit Ryukyu Mura. Okinawa used to be the Ryukyu kingdom until Japan annexed the islands in 1879 and this open air museum shared some of the traditional culture.

09/03/2024

I am back in Japan for the first time in 9 years. First time in Okinawa. Some
Of the things I love about this country.
The hotels provide everything you might need - something to sleep in, toothbrush and toothpaste, coffee etc There is a 7-11 nearby but actually open 24/7 and I got some of the snacks I enjoyed when I lived here.
Plastic models of food to help you order.
Boy at bus stop offers to walk me to the station to make sure I really do the right way!
People smile and politely and helpful.
My adaptor didn’t work so the hotel lent nae gave me one to keep!
Things that are different from my last visit. The majority of people are wearing masks and 100% of people in service industries - shop assistants, waiters, taxi drivers.
I haven’t seen anyone smoking. It is banned just about everywhere in all public places even in the street.
You don’t hand cash to the assistant in 7-11 but put it in a machine so no contact with assistant. I was told that this started pre-Covid.
I am very happy to be “home”.

09/03/2024

Heading through Frankfurt airport felt like going back to Covid times. Actually very pleasant but not for the thousands whose flights were cancelled. I’m grateful I got put on ANA as Lufthansa was striking again.

19/02/2024

Last night we were reunited…. Sadly Daddy is no longer with us but we are joined by the beautiful Margarita, Julian’s daughter.
I was so happy to spend time with my Argentinian family and can’t wait to come back.

19/02/2024

On 1998 the final 5 members of the Doregger clan met in Buenos Aires.

18/02/2024

Some of the scenery reminds me a bit of Cumbria and Troutbeck Moor. I miss my home which has now gone but I think I could come here as a substitute. Actually more beautiful and no tourists.