Miyajima with a stopover at Himeji Castle

October 19, 2025October 19, 2025 / brisbanefrannie / 3 Comments

I love luggage forwarding. It means the day we leave we just have hand luggage! So easy especially when you see people lugging big bags on buses and trains. What on earth do they pack to need a really large bag? Hint ….. take things out and pack lighter.

Down to Kyoto station. We are all over the public transport now.

In plenty of time for the 9.05 train to Himeji. We want to stop and see the castle.

Into Himeji in 45 mins. Hand luggage into lockers and onto the loop bus for the short trip up the castle. It’s 20 mins walk and we decided to save our feet.

The sun was out and looked in awe at this amazing sight.

We stopped for coffee at a cafe across the road and were welcomed by the sweetest little old lady. She had the worst back….

We bought a combined ticket. Castle and gardens. 1050 yen which is around $10. The prices to all these shrines, temples etc seems to be very low and fairly consistent. All around 500-1000 yen.

Only Steve and Elizabeth decided up climb the steep steps up to the 6th floor. The rest of us went to the first floor. Inside is dark and there is no furniture. It’s all about the views out.

As we walked back out toward the moat we saw a lovely young couple with two little boys. She had a sign saying ‘we are English learners. Can we ask you a few questions’ We stopped and met the most delightful young couple with 2 and 4 year old boys – they were such fun. They asked us a few questions ‘ where do you come from’ what Japanese food do you like’ we had a great chat and then as we farewelled them they gave us a little gift.

Further along the path we met another mother and child. This boy was 7. They explained that talking with visitors helped the children learn English. This little boy had good English. He was very keen for us to take a gift each. This time a little Japanese fabric purse with tissues. And a beautifully folded star. He then asked could we have a photo with him. He told us to put up or 2 fingers as a sign of peace.

What a really special thing to do.

We made our way to the Kokoen gardens.

I was keen to find a seat in a shady stop near some water and just sit. Unfortunately that is lacking in Japan. There are very few seats around.

We caught the loop bus back to the station after a little sightseeing trip around the castle past the museum and art gallery.

The food hall at the station was great. We all bought various food items. Salads, spring rolls and scallops ( but they weren’t hot)

Then the train to Hiroshima and a swap to a more local train to Miyajima and a quick 10 min ferry ride to the island.

Our hotel the Hotel Miyajima Villa was a two minute walk. It’s lovely. Modern but Japanese modern. Futons on a platform, a shower room, separate toilet and basin opening windows! A massage chair, pjs and toiletries you collect down stairs in a little red bag.

Tonight we are having the hotel buffet with an acclaimed chef. It is $99 and includes drinks. Let’s hope it great.

The view from our room is lovely across the water.

I’m sure we’ll love it here. It’s downtime for us after a fairly cracking pace in Kyoto.

Dinner was good! So good we needed a walk after it to walk off the desert we didn’t need.

We walked along the water front. There are lots of children around everywhere we go. It turns out this month is excursion time. Schools all over the country take their students away on trips.

And they were out tonight – being chased by a few deer. Yes it seems they have made it here as well!

The Tori gate was lit up so beautifully it was worth the walk in the rain to get there and back.

Visiting Arashiyama and the Iconic Bamboo Grove

October 18, 2025 / brisbanefrannie / 1 Comment

Today was time to send our luggage to Miyajima. We have one more night here in Kyoto so just need an overnight bag for our trip to Hiroshima and Miyajima where we’re staying.

With luggage stored we headed out to Arashiyama at 8 am to beat the crowds. We caught a JR train and changed onto a tram like train for the final 4 stops. It took about 40 mins.

The station has great shops and services but we headed straight out to start the walk. We were there before 9 am so even though the main walk was open it was obvious that some paths were still closed while workmen were cleaning and putting finishing touches to decorations – all made from bamboo. It seems there’s a festival tomorrow which will be lovely especially in the evening. There will be lights all along the path.

Taking a side path we arrived at the Sogenchi garden – very much a zen garden designed by a monk, it has a pond, rock garden , trees planted to provide asymmetry and it is subtle but natural. I loved it. The Tenryuji temple was quite a let down compared to the garden.

We enjoyed a great coffee from a van in the Main Street before catching a bus up the hill to the Adashino Nembutsuji, a temple formed as a burial site.

We walked up more steps through the bamboo …..

We almost had this area to ourselves.

Riding the bus up was a great idea in the rain so we wandered down through the preserved streets.

Torimoto has a wonderfully quiet atmosphere. We found a small cafe run by two little stooped women. Freshly made sandwiches in an old world cafe. Perfect.

Okochi Sanso is a villa with gardens so well laid out that you could wander and not be aware of others following another path. Owned by an actor Okochi Denjiro (1898-1962), this property is now open to the public. It’s just beautiful.

Our time was running out so we headed to the river – no time for the famed river walk.

We got another Romance train ‘ this one not quite as luxurious as the one yesterday! but fun!

Beautiful views of the river from the train

Back in Kyoto I decided to walk in the Gion area. I wanted to see the bridge that featured in the movie Memoirs of a Geisha.

The area didn’t disappoint.

I wandered the streets until my feet objected!

22,000 steps today.

We had a great dinner out before calling it a night. We’re leaving Kyoto tomorrow. It’s been great

Time now for a quieter time in Miyajima Island. And harrowing Hiroshima.

Day Trip to Nara

October 18, 2025 / brisbanefrannie / 1 Comment

A day trip to Nara is a good idea. Saves packing and moving. The train system is so good it’s easy to do.

Leaving from Kyoto main station at 10 we were in Nara in warm conditions by 10.50.

I found a great day trip guide to Nara which proved to be just what we needed.

https://thenavigatio.com/nara-itinerary-one-day-trip/

It included a coffee stop at the start of the loop. It was a great suggestion for a nice coffee and we all added a croissant- to help with the walking.

We headed up the Main Street and it wasn’t long before we saw the roaming deer. They really wanted to be fed the water thin crackers. They pursue you hoping to get a cracker. And they have learned to bow to in a very Japanese way.

We detoured to the Yoshikien gardens. They were free to enter and though small were perfect. So tranquil and beautiful.

We left by the back gate which got us to the Todai ji Temple. It’s one of the more famous temples and was impressive because it was entirely constructed with wood using no nails. It also has a 500 ton bronze Buddha sitting inside. It was hard to work out if he was made there or made and moved to his home in the temple. Either way it is impressive.

We saw the tree with the hollow which children were scrambling through. Legend has it that if you can squeeze through it you will be granted enlightenment in the next life. The children’s teacher nearly didn’t make it!

We continued on around the park passing many deers. Its mating season and the cries from the big males was pathetic !

We walked the long tree and deer lined path to Kasugataisha shrine. Walking towards it we passed hundred of small shrines placed by families for their deceased relatives.

There are 2,000 of these lining the paths.

Time was moving on and we had tickets on the Romance train back to Kyoto. We arrived and found our beautiful green seats which were so comfortable after a long day of walking in the heat!

Now was the time to tackle the ticket purchases for the remaining journeys on this trip.

Steve and Elizabeth spent at least 30 minutes with a young girl who looked like she was still at school. But she was all over the complicated ticket arrangements. The McGregors are going on a different place for a few days cycling after Hiroshima and we are going to Naoshima , the Art Island. Then we meet up to go to Hida.

After a freshen up we headed out to an Asian fusion restaurant which had the most delicious , spring roles and beef! yum. Pity the wine wasn’t good!

What a great day.

Fushimi Inari (but let’s talk Toilets)

October 17, 2025 / brisbanefrannie / Leave a comment

Started the day quite early with a train to the very well known orange gates of Fushimi inari We tried to the beat the crowds and probably did but it was still busy.

It’s interesting to observe the rituals before a visit. There were many school students all very quiet and respectful. They all washed their hands before climbing the stairs to the temple.

There are a series of small temples and lots of stairs. I’m pleased we’re not here in warmer months.

Like everywhere it’s a little commercialised with little shops manned by more elderly Japanese men and women selling miniature Tori gates, trinkets, charms , fans all that you can write on and left as offerings.

We climbed up to the start of the walk and slowed a little to allow space around us. People are mostly respectful but some dominate and take space posing for Instagram photos.

We walked along the path. No steps at this early stage.

We turned at the first gap in the gates and returned. This time there was writing on the orange posts.

A coffee stop on the way back to the train for our next stop Sanjusangen-do the Buddhist temple with 1,000 statues for Kannen the goddess of compassion with her many arms.

It had beautiful gardens surrounding the temple. the gardens of Japan are planned serene spots.

By now it was lightly raining so we got a very crowded bus to Sannenzaka and Ninen zaka two narrow sloping roads with flagstone and stone steps leading to Kiyomizudera temple.

The streets are traditional with old shopfronts now occupied by shops selling all types of food and souvenirs to the many people walking towards the temple.

Video shows the mallet throwing onto the dough to make a ball of dough filled with red bean.

Dressing in traditional kimono seems to be the way to go when visiting these temples and walking the traditional streets. There were many kimono hire shops in the main streets leading up towards the temple. not just young Japanese girls took the opportunity to wear them. Many western couples were dressed as well. Steve was not interested!

Looking back up to the temple. It’s all wooden with no nails used in construction

We wound down the rather steep path past mossy statues and headed for the main road.

Steve caught a bus to the National museum, the Wilsons headed to the Golden pavilion they missed yesterday, and I caught a bus to the main area of Kyoto to check out the other temple – the big Japanese department store devoted to shopping. It’s called Takashimaya

It’s beautiful. And super expensive!

I checked out the bookshop, the stationary, clothes and spent time in the food hall.

The wrapping on the boxed goods is a work of art. Just beautiful.

I wandered through the lanes to get home including popping into Uniqlo. It’s the same …… but different! Lots of tourist style t shirts. I might be tempted!!!

After a shower and freshen up we made our way to Tominojo restaurant in the Gion area.

What a great fun night we had. It’s a shabu shabu style restaurant. The young staff on one side of the long counter provided a ‘show’ – the young Nepalese woman explained how it would operate. We chose the Kobe beef and the style of hot pot and away we went. It was delicious and fun.

This shows how the nest is sliced and celebrated!

And so ended another great day.

Except I did mention toilets.

They are amazing! Everyone I’ve been to in stations, restaurants, hotels, department store, temple , shrines ……. They are clean and functional and all have multiple buttons.

They even have a chair to sit your baby while you go. They have child’s seat hanging ready for use.

They all have a panel on the wall. You can wash front and back , choose the water pressure , then dry . Wow. You could spend a long time in there!

I did promise to tell you about them. If you have questions just pop them in the comments.

Temples, Shrines and Castles.

October 16, 2025 / brisbanefrannie / Leave a comment

A mix up with tour bookings led to the three couples going in different directions.

The Wilsons wandered locally , the McGregors did the Palace and Castle tour and Steve and I headed to two shrines

We caught the number 59 bus for lots of stops which gave us a good look at the suburbs our yo the east side of the city.

We started with Ryoanji temple. This is home to the most famous zen rock garden. It’s simple and it’s quiet and quite mesmerising.

Photo taken as a panorama shot. It’s rectangle garden.

This garden has sand which is raked meticulously. There are 15 rocks in the space.

We moved from this space into the gardens and loved the lake walk and the bamboo poles holding up the trees.

There are little corners with running water and statues of Buddha. I loved it.

We moved on to the Golden Temple. It’s probably the most famous of the temples here in Kyoto. Truely beautiful.

A quick taxi ride took us to the tour we were doing if the Imperial Palace and Castle. On arrival we found that the palace and gardens were closed as the Royal family were in town.

Our guide Jasmine was young and had the biggest eyes! And long blond hair well it really was black like all the other Japanese girls we’ve seen but she had dyed it blonde!

She broke the news that as it was closed we would instead go to the art gallery in the castle grounds.

We had a good tour of the castle and Jasmine explained the history of the shogans and their relationship to the Emperor.

The painted panels were beautiful especially the peony room.

We finished the evening with a tea ceremony. A young 19 year maiko explained her world as a trainee geisha. Very strange life in this day and age.

Heading to Hakone

October 12, 2025October 12, 2025 / brisbanefrannie / 3 Comments

Travel in Japan is a treat. Things work! Everyone is polite and so helpful and their systems make sense.

We were able to take our bags down to the foyer this morning and have them measured and then forward them onto Kyoto where we arrive in two days. Paid in cash by the size. how fabulous.

We were able to travel to Shinjuku station in a maxi taxi with hand luggage holding our two days of clothes and toiletries. It makes travel easy.

We were on the Romance train for a 90 minute trip to Hakone where in a good day you can view Mt Fuji. We found our way through this giant of a station because the signs were simple to follow – lots of easy English signs everywhere.

I thought with a name like Romance we might have violins play us aboard. But no! It was the usual efficient lining up and boarding in an orderly manner. And no it wasn’t pink with red love hearts ♥️ but straightforward comfortable seats.

We left on the crack if 10! And glided out of Tokyo past the neat and tidy suburbs, with no graffiti tags to be seen. Just plenty of potted plants and tidy houses.

Arriving in Hakone Yamato was different. On to a more tourist type train, crowded, so we had no seat and swung from the hanging handles for nearly 40 minutes.

Not fun! Especially with no coffee.

Then into a local bus to our hotel.

We found reception after entering through an adjacent building which had an October beer festival starting.

Or rooms weren’t quite ready. It was only 1 PM. So we headed back to the beer feast and had lunch and a beer before walking down hill to the Harkone Open Air Art Museum What a gorgeous place.

Spread around a park like area of rolling slopes were the most amazing sculptures, a maze, separate small galleries featuring world famous sculptures, bronzes and even a gallery dedicated to the work of Picasso. He was one very busy artist with work in galleries world wide.

A free bus saved us from walking 19 mins uphill which gave us time to get to our very comfortable rooms and be ready to go to dinner at 5. Yes very early but we decided it suits us after big days and also gives plenty of time to relax in our lovely room with a private onsen on our verandah.

It seems we are encouraged to wear the traditional pyjamas to dinner. So just the girls embraced it. It took the decision of what to wear away and we felt fabulous.

Most people wore either the pjs or the yakata.

Dinner is included in the cost at our hotel the Hakone Kowakien Tenyu. It’s a buffet- but a beautifully presented one and we were given a private room to sit and enjoy.

After dinner we thought we were heading to our room but got distracted in the foyer.

There are machines with free ice creams. Drumsticks , icey blocks as well as biscuits, lollies teas and sparkling wine. Then a jazz band started so we sat and enjoyed the music with some of our group eating ice cream ( guess who) and some having a last drink.

Then the end if the day treat. A beautiful soak in the private onsen in the open air. It was gorgeous so I stayed in for at least an hour.

Now can hardly keep my eyes open to finish this blog. Excuse mistakes.

Day 3 Tokyo

October 11, 2025 / brisbanefrannie / 4 Comments

An early start – 7am and in the train to our appointment at The Sumo wrestling. We booked a practice session starting at 8am.

Our guides Moana and Aya met us in a park nearby and explained the session to us.

It’s very formal. No talking or distracting the wrestlers. They are not the higher ranking wrestlers but are training with Master.

It as fascinating to watch the drills they practiced. It all happens within a small ring and each game can take just a minute! If they wrestle them out of the ring or onto the ground they win.

With the session over we had some question time and found out they have to train twice a day, do their own cooking and cleaning and the lower ranks don’t earn a lot of money! We learned some of the nuances of the sport.

Wrestlers here wear black loin clothes but strive to white – that means they are professional. They wore loin cloths in history as they couldn’t conceal weapons.

The throw salt in the ring before starting……. a ritual of respect and they stamp to scare off evil spirits. They grow their hair long to wear a top knot , can’t drive or wear normal street clothes. They eat twice a day and sleep after a meal to allow the weight to increase! Something I don’t want to do especially in this holiday!

They always finish with a prayer and then move around the circle in a line.

Play this video. I hope it works.

Lower ranked samurai cook lunch for the seniors after training

We walked back through the rain towards Tokyo tower but it was shrouded by clouds so we didn’t go up. Instead, we had bad coffee and delicious pastries!

Twenty minute walk later we arrived at the Senso-ji temple. It was super crowded. Not the experience of yesterday’s peaceful shrine.

What was fascinating was the number of people dressed in kimonos. Obviously Saturday is dress up day.

Deciding it was too crowded we made our way to the Samurai Ninja museum.

Spread over 4 floors we got to dress up, had a lesson in the history of samurai, learned to throw the shuriken – a star shaped weapon.

Samurai existed from the late 16th century until around 1867. They came from the upper classes. Woman were samurai ! They had different swords. but were quick and dangerous. It was a fascinating visit.

It was still raining so we walked through the covered lanes and side streets. Everyone was out today. Fashion is as big thing in Japan and many of the young girls were out to impress.

There were lots of food stalls. I’d like uk try a few of these food items. But another day !

Tokyo trains Get a workout

October 10, 2025October 10, 2025 / brisbanefrannie / 5 Comments

We all passed out last night. After a great night sleep we were up doing our exercises and met in the reception at 9.

Off to TeamLab Borderless. There are two TeamLab Centres. We decided on this one and once again the underground got us there in great time. We ( particularly Jill) is great at google maps and can tell us how to enter the underground, which train, where to stand and most importantly how to get out of the station.

The area it’s in is like everything – spotless. There are women dressed like they are going to the office with sashes, and little white sticks for picking up rubbish. But what rubbish! The street are spotless.

We stowed our bags in lockers and entered TeamLab Borderless. What an immersive experience. A maze of rooms. Technology at its creative best. I loved getting lost, & feeling I’d lost perspective.

One of the best experiences was the tea ceremony. You pay a bit extra – the cost of a matcha tea ( or sorbet) then get ushered into a dark room with long tables seating 5 each side of a narrow galley. A lady with a cart emerged from behind a curtain and the tea ceremony began.

We were given a bowl and tea is poured and a light show begins on the top of the cup and spreads across the table. It continues until the tea has finished. Then goes black.

Finishing after an nearly two hours we stopped outside for a sweet treat

The bakeries here are exquisite.

We made our way to Toyosu Fish markets. They weren’t what I was expecting. Very modern buildings, clean as a whistle and I couldn’t even smell the fish!

But the food stalls and little restaurants offered wonderful food. We opted for a tempura style meal – though I had the seafood sashimi bowl. It was delicious!

I had to try the matcha ice cream after!

Matcha is huge here. Made from crushed up green tea leaves it has the health benefits of green tea.

Back on the train system we travelled across to the Meiji Shrine. One if the most famous shrines in Japan it is dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. It’s set in vast gardens just near Shibuya.

The straw covered sake barrels at the entrance to the Shrine

It’s a special place. Quite spiritual and moving. Jill and I wrote prayers or blessings to be displayed and also chose a stick to give us access to a poetry drawer where a poem waited for us.

We walked back through the quiet forest gardens and made our way to the not so peaceful Shibuya Crossing. One of the most photographed traffic crossings in the world we found a great place to view it. We didn’t pay to get in. Just the cost of a drink saw us enter the viewing deck.

The calm crossing before the lights changed!

Fashion statements!
On the ground floor of the Magnet where we traveled to the 10th floor to see the crossing come alive.

Back to the hotel in the train we did a bit of people watching and photo swapping.

The Wilson’s called it a day but the McGregors joined us for a drink and a light bite to eat. We’d had such a beautiful lunch we didn’t need much!

I can’t believe it’s only day 2!

More adventures tomorrow with an early start to see the Sumo wrestlers!

Japan : A Discovery

October 9, 2025October 9, 2025 / brisbanefrannie / 4 Comments

We’ve always wanted to go to Japan but kept putting it off thinking it was so close we could go anytime!

Now’s the time. We rounded up friends Peter & Elizabeth from Crescent Head and Jill & Chris from Brisbane and started planning.

For some reason it seemed quite daunting. So different in so many ways to our previous holidays. But after talking to a travel company we decided we could do it ourselves. Especially with help from friend Aimee, a friend of our sons, who lived here for 6 years Let’s see!

We travelled to Sydney at 5.15. Which didn’t leave much time before boarding. No lounge for us. Pete & Elizabeth were at the gate. So lots of smiles and hugs. They nearly didn’t come. Both have been quite sick. But there they were!

The flight was good. We got the Qantas pjs always a treat. Especially seeing people disappear into the small toilets to wrestle into them.

Arrival into Tokyo was smooth. It was 5.40 when we landed and we were ushered through the priority lane. I’d like to think it’s because we looked important but I think it was our age.

A quick trip to the toilet. The toilets deserve a whole post of their own. They are big, spotless and well appointed. You could be in there for ages.

Note the buttons. Rear cleaning , front cleaning, off, on and flush.
Heated seats.

We met up with the Wilsons who arrived last night. Across the road to a coffee shop and some planning.

A visit to Lawsons kept us entertained. It’s another store like 7- eleven. Lots of everything. I bought an umbrella as it’s overcast and cooler than expected!

Now heading to Tokyo station to book a bunch of train tickets for the longer journeys over the next few weeks.

We navigated the underground quite well. Google maps helped. I’m not sure 6 people giving an opinion is helpful so a few of us butted out!!!

Next up was a 2 hr walking tour of the Imperial palace and gardens. You don’t get into any Palace but the other buildings and gardens were lovely. Our guide was an Australian from Wollongong. He’s lived here for 8 years and clearly explained the hierarchy involving the emperor , the shoguns ( they really welded the power) and the samurai.

We walked and listened and after 2 hours needed lunch! so it was back to Tokyo station and searching for a restaurant. We found a good one serving salad bowls of salmon , sushi sets and beer!

The weather has been overcast and blowy but no rain. Not hot like I thought it might be.

Back to the hotel to check in at 3 and finally shower. The hardy Jill, Chris and Steve headed straight out to visit a shrine The rest of us are showering, unpacking and resting.

Dinner tonight is at a Yakitori restaurant. Hopefully with a drink on a nearby rooftop.

A great first day.

Holidays: It’s a Wrap .

July 3, 2025July 3, 2025 / brisbanefrannie / 7 Comments

Our last days.

Palermo and Cefalu. We packed an overnight bag and stored our bags to travel to the beachside town of Cefalu.

It’s the seaside playground for many Italians. It has a long seaside promenade, an old town , lots of churches, heaps of restaurants views to die for, a castle on a high hill behind the town and is only 52 mins by fast train from Palermo.

I booked Stella Vi a BnB there are mostly BnBs and not many hotels. And not many lifts. I tried. I really did.

80 steps up ! Lucky we left our bags in Palermo.

Arriving for lunch we headed from the train to the seaside. We’re like seagulls. An 8 min walk. yet another caprese salad. I love this simple salad.

We plan our activities around the heat …. And the stairs.

We checked in and Rosalia welcomed us. The room is beautifully done – all shiny tiles and Italian features. And 80 steps up!

After a siesta we headed to the hugely crowded beach.

Italians on holiday. At the public beach it was wall to wall umbrellas, almost nowhere to leave our clothes. We didn’t take phones, bags etc – beware of thieves!

There was sand! And a few little waves. But Italians don’t catch waves. But they do embrace the beach play. There were water sports. Shuttle cock & waterpolo balls everywhere. People standing in the shallows chatting.

Once again I was totally over dressed in my 1 piece swimming costume ! Everyone is in a bikini. The bottomless ones for all shapes and sizes. And 1 elderly granny in a 1 piece. And me.

Steve stunned them by going out the back and swimming!

We didn’t stay too long. It was very hot out of the water and we had to prepare for our evening passeggiata. And dinner on a seaside deck.

Dressing ready to slow walk through the old town it was such a scene. Everyone who wasn’t still on the beach were walking. Slowly. Looking tanned or burnt.

The cathedral had evening Mass on so we sat and observed. And fanned. Those fans aren’t just for show. Everyone uses them.

The shops were doing a great trade. Late shopping suits beach holiday makers.

We stopped for an apertivo. A light drink and snack is meant o stimulate the appetite! And it’s a great chance to observe the holiday makers.

At 8pm we headed to Liska. We had a beautiful table on the deck by the water. We sat and enjoyed mussels and Grillo my new favourite Italian white wine and recounted our holiday.

Steve did a huge walk – climb up the big hill or rock behind the town. it was very hot and took him nearly 2 hours to go up and back. He got some great photos.

Favourite experiences; for me Choir Blast with friend Ros and swimming 6km ( can I have two ?)

Favourite hotel : apart from our friends Bill and Marie France’ beautiful flat and niece Bertie’s BnB probably Favingnana. A week in one spot that had all we needed was great.

Best English experience: picnic and Opera at Glyndebourne.

Best meal : Rick Steins Seafood Padstow. And Pizza party at Bertie’s …. And Marie France’ great cooking and hospitality.

Best bed ; Bertie’s! Comfy and beautiful fresh air!

Best Hotel overall : maybe Palermo.

So many ‘bests’ it’s hard to narrow it down. My accomodation skills didn’t let me down.

Choir seems ages ago. But it was so memorable- sharing with our friends Ros and David. Bonding with the choir friends.

Swim trek with Francesco and meeting Guila. Shared swimming with the Americans and the Aussies. Glorious swims. Fantastic sunsets.

Our last night was in a BnB 10 minutes from Palermo airport. We herded somewhere close. It was perfect. Big grounds with a swimming pool and every detail covered. A walk to a pizza restaurant with views.

And so the sunsets on our holiday are over.

Except for the 10 hr layover in Singapore. I booked a hotel by the hour. It was great and decided that’s all we wanted. Air con, wifi, bed shower restaurant. We got it.

And as we take off in Singapore one row from a choir buddy , her family and her mum who I met on tour I think how lucky I am. Family here we come.

frans travel tales

come along with me

Australians on holiday