Sydney

I made it to Sydney, we flew in over the harbour which was amazing! Had a nightmare at the airport when my coach didn't arrive for an hour and half after I landed and then took an hour to get me to my hostel! The first hostel was errm interesting. I thought a bomb had hit my room, there was stuff everywhere! There were girls there who were living in the hostel so they'd spread out a bit!

So I didn't spend much time in the hostel. But I went to the harbour and saw the Bridge and the Opera House. It was amazing to have finally made it to Australia! I went back there in the evening too and watched the sun set and the bats fly over the harbour, it was amazing.

On Saturday I spent the morning at the market in Paddington which was really cool, just a shame I couldn't buy anything. In the afternoon I headed to Bondi beach. I felt so pale compared to all the beautiful people on the beach! It's so hot here and I burnt my feet :(

On Sunday I got the ferry across the harbour, which was an amazing view, to Manly beach. Managed to venture into the sun for a bit!

Tokyo and Nara

Not had chance to update for a while but before I tell you about Oz, just a few more Japanese adventures.

I caught the bullet train to Tokyo, it was amazing and got me there in 3 hours. I didn't have long in Tokyo but it was so hectic I needed a rest after! The first place I went to was Harajuku where all the cool kids hang out..and me! There were really cool shops but I didn't see any real Harajuku girls! I then went to the Meiji shrine. It's set in a huge park, I couldn't believe I was in the middle of Tokyo! I then headed up the Government tower to get a view of the city which was cool but I couldn't see Mt Fuji, it was too cloudy! I then had a wander round the designer shops in Ginza, one day I will be able to shop in them!! I was pretty tired after my day in Tokyo!

The next day was a bit more chilled as I went to Nara park. It was my favourite place in Japan. It's a massive park with shrines and temples everywhere you look and deer that just wander round everywhere! The temple houses a huge statue of Buddha-the photos just don't do it justice! I was in awe! The whole place is really pretty, like old style Japan. I think I preferred it to Kyoto, but then the weather was much better!

My final day in Japan soon came around. I went back to Tokyo and this time I did the fish market, which was cool, but smelly! And I went to the Sony building and tried out their 3D TV's. I then had to catch my flight which all went ok. I saw Taylor Swift at the airport-she was wearing massive high heels, not v good for travelling!

Kyoto

I'm feeling pretty pleased that I got myself to and from Kyoto on my own! Yes I read a map and even used my compass successfully! Admittedly I did go round in a few circles but I got there in the end!!

Kyoto was amazing, apart from the rain. I got a bullet train there, so fast! In amongst the modern city there are parts which are untouched and traditional. I visited the largest temple made of wood, and it's pretty big and impressive as it's stood for such a long time! Then I went to a shrine full of hundreds of statues of Buddha, each has a slightly different face! The main Buddha was huge! Although sadly couldn't take any pictures so you will have to take my word that it was impressive! I went round Gion, the Geisha district, but sadly I didn't catch a glimpse of any. There was so much to see so I'm pretty tired now!

Had a nightmare bus ride back from the station as my Romanian 'friend' from followed me back all the way, he just won't get the hint. It was pretty scary, but I'm safe now don't worry!

It I can survive that, I'm sure I will be fine in Tokyo tomorrow!
xxx

Karaoke

So I've had a pretty busy couple of days. Friday morning we went to Minoh national park to see the waterfall and managed to see some monkeys (throwing rocks!) and in the afternoon Seb's tutor gave us a tour road Osaka to see a couple of shrines etc. I tried some real Japanese sushi in a sushi bar for dinner. It was erm...interesting!

Friday night was karaoke night!! It began with a bit of a pre-lash in the dorm where I was hit on by this creepy Bulgarian guy-not cool! So I was glad to escape to karaoke!! It was so much fun! We spent a good four hours just singing, drinking and eating chips! Nearly lost Seb at the end of the night as for reasons unknown he left the karaoke all alone and went to McDonald's, thinking we were all there. When we rang him to see where he was he had no idea. He eventually returned and we eventually got back at 5am.

So that Saturday wasn't entirely wasted we decided to walk up to a temple in the hills above Osaka. Bad idea! The road was steep and winding and there were huge lorries coming down! When we finally reached the top, we didn't have enough money to get in so it could have been a wasted trip, but the guy felt sorry for us silly Western tourists and let us in!! I'm glad he did, it was a really amazing Buddhist temple set in the mountains and was really peaceful. There were Doruma (little red men) everywhere. They are good luck charms that people leave to bring them good luck.

On Sunday we went to Kobe for Chinese New Year. It was absolutely packed with people so we couldn't really see the Lion dance though but a good atmosphere.

I'm off to Kyoto on my own tomorrow, wish me luck!!
xxx

Japan

I've arrived in Japan! Pretty much spent yesterday sleeping off the 24 hour travelling of the day before. But today finally got to see some of Japan.

Seb and I went into Osaka today. Went to see Osaka Castle and it's grounds which was pretty cool from the outside but the inside was a little disappointing and all in Japanese so I didn't really get what was going on. The English explanations of the displays in the museum wasn't that great, everything seemed to be 'according to legend!' so who knows if it was true! But managed to get a glimpse of some cherry blossom in the gardens.

I've been trying to sample local cuisine so lunch was noddle curry, which was yummy but quite hard to eat with chopsticks, all my practice in noodle bar has not paid off!

We then wandered round the shops in Osaka, my favourite being the Hello Kitty store! It's pretty manic in Osaka, I though Oxford on a Saturday was full of people! But it was absolutely pouring with rain so everyone had dived into the shops. Seems like I've brought the bad English weather with me!

Went for dinner in this really cool place where all your food is served onto a hot plate in the middle of the table so keeps it nice and warm! Noodles for me again, though I'm getting better with the chopsticks!

So that was my first day, I'm pretty shattered know though! More Osaka tomorrow I think.

Love xxx