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November 22, 2013

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Christchurch

We arrived in Christchurch not knowing what to expect. Its our first visit to the city so we have no real idea of what it used to be. All we know is that the CBD in particular was devastated by the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes and as a result some 70% of the buildings were destroyed or badly damaged and many are still being demolished. As you walk through the city there are vast empty blocks that have become temporary carparks, and there are lots of cranes not just showing that demolition is underway, but also, thankfully, re-construction. Despite the somewhat gloomy surrounds, there is a buzz in Christchurch. Obviously the residents aren't just sitting back and waiting for things to happen. The city is littered with fantastic sculptures and murals and this week alone there is a Busking Festival spread across a number of venues. People are out and about, and there are musicians, acrobats, comedians, markets and food vans wherever we go. Yesterd...

Kyoto to Kanazawa

We are now experts on the Kyoto subway. But we also know how to use buses and found ourselves at the Kinkaku-ji Temple complex where we strolled the beautiful gardens and saw the most amazing golden pavilion, the Rokuon-ji. We also spent some time wandering through the Daitoku-ji Temple complex. Jim's feet were crying out for new walking shoes so we later shoe-shopped at the enormous Daimaru store downtown. Happily able to procure an appropriate pair of ASICS, we continued on. The Museum of Kyoto is one of many in the city, but as it specialises in history we headed there. What we didn't realise was that an Egyptian exhibition was currently touring the museum with over 100 ancient artefacts from the Cairo Museum on show. What a bonus! On the way, we couldn't walk past a hobby shop without going in... Daitoku-ji Temple complex The Imperial Palace in Kyoto is unfortunately not open to the public, but ...

Kon-nichi-wa (hello) from Japan!

After a lengthy journey – 9.5 hours flying from Melbourne to Singapore, 3.5 hours spent lounging in Singapore airport and 6.5 hours flying from Singapore to Osaka – we arrived on Japanese soil at 9am on a Sunday. And now, our adventure began. Day 1: At Osaka airport we exchanged our pre-booked Japan Rail vouchers for tickets and booked seats on the next train to Kyoto, our first destination and home for the next six days. Three trains, three hours and multiple requests for information later, we found ourselves at the stylish Kyoto Royal Park Hotel in downtown Kyoto; as it turned out, a great location from which to experience this wonderful city and its culture. Later that afternoon we wandered a few blocks to the Gael Irish Pub for an arrival drink and live viewing of the 2016 Australian NRL Grand Final between my beloved Melbourne Storm and the Cronulla Sharks. Disappointed at the loss, we followed one of Kyoto’s crystal clear canals down backstreets and I...

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