I just returned from visiting my sister in Japan. The 16-day trip through the island country was my first overseas trip and it was done at a break-neck speed. I love my sister, but we definitely have very different traveling style.
While she's about attacking a list of places to see in a specific time frame, I'm all about taking my time, hanging out with the company I'm with, and enjoying the adventure of getting to the destination and not necessary the destination itself. While we had our differences, we survived each other. Much thanks to our buffers - my husband, and friends, Lorie, Nghi and Teresa, who met up with us midway through in Kyoto.
While we got to sample the food, culture and sights of a good number of cities in Japan, I'll admit my dream vacation is sipping tropical drinks next to a pool under the warm sun with English-speaking staff, western-style toilets and with a tentative itinerary.
I found Japan being an interesting combination of cultural traditions and western influences. While Bonnie's towns of Kenkai and Nagasaki reflect the pace of the Northwest and Tokyo is full of extremes in style, technology, and commericialism, my favorite city is Kyoto. Kyoto is a perfect blend and pace of many cultures, lifestyles, modern convenience and western influences. The highlight, surprisingly, was being up close with the deers that roamed free in Nara.
It was a good trip overall, and much thanks to Bonnie for being our tour guide, interpreting those Japanese and their funny ways, and navigating the sophisticated transportation system. (Seattle can learn from Japan!)
I'll post photos soon on Facebook, as soon as I get better from the bronchitis I brought back with me from the trip. In the mean time, I'm wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year!
While she's about attacking a list of places to see in a specific time frame, I'm all about taking my time, hanging out with the company I'm with, and enjoying the adventure of getting to the destination and not necessary the destination itself. While we had our differences, we survived each other. Much thanks to our buffers - my husband, and friends, Lorie, Nghi and Teresa, who met up with us midway through in Kyoto.
While we got to sample the food, culture and sights of a good number of cities in Japan, I'll admit my dream vacation is sipping tropical drinks next to a pool under the warm sun with English-speaking staff, western-style toilets and with a tentative itinerary.
I found Japan being an interesting combination of cultural traditions and western influences. While Bonnie's towns of Kenkai and Nagasaki reflect the pace of the Northwest and Tokyo is full of extremes in style, technology, and commericialism, my favorite city is Kyoto. Kyoto is a perfect blend and pace of many cultures, lifestyles, modern convenience and western influences. The highlight, surprisingly, was being up close with the deers that roamed free in Nara.
It was a good trip overall, and much thanks to Bonnie for being our tour guide, interpreting those Japanese and their funny ways, and navigating the sophisticated transportation system. (Seattle can learn from Japan!)
I'll post photos soon on Facebook, as soon as I get better from the bronchitis I brought back with me from the trip. In the mean time, I'm wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year!
Comments