Author: awaywiththebirds
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nakasendo 2024
Day 2: Tsumago to Nojiri Started with a very fulsome breakfast at our ryokan We got up early because we were going to walk 19 km to our next destination. But because we had to arrive in time to get a train, I was worried we wouldn’t make it (because I am a much slower…
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nakasendo 2024
Day 1: Our 1st day on the trail: Magome to Tsumago Here’s how ChatGPT describes the Nakasendo trail, with humour.… “Alright, strap on your virtual hiking boots! Imagine this: the Nakasendo Trail is a majestic, scenic route stretching from Kyoto to Tokyo. But it’s not just a walk in the park; it’s like time traveling through 17th-century Japan. You’ll pass through post towns where the innkeepers still wonder if electricity is just a phase. The trail is a…
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nakasendo 2024
Tokyo Day 2 Well I will have to take Lesley on holidays with me more often….she knocked on my door first thing to deliver me a coffee! That’s service! (Robyn, James, Warren ….are you paying attention?) We got the train to Tokyo station to check out where the bullet train departs from (so we know…
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nakasendo 2024
Tokyo We arrived at 5.30 am and managed to get an early check in for one of our rooms so we could freshen up for the day ahead. Then we needed a real coffee so we reluctantly ventured to Starbucks, the nearest coffee shop and were instantly reminded about the courtesy of the Japanese This…
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nakasendo 2024
Jaunting in Japan with Lesley and Sara Day Minus 21: Preparation and anticipation There’s a lot of paperwork when you do a self-guided walk: 56 pages of the walking guidebook; 16 pages summarising the day-to-day itinerary and transport options; and 12 pages giving information about the trail. So Lesley and i thought this was a…
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Bonus blog: the sights and sounds of Aspen
Apart from the magnificent scenery, glorious flowers, dramatic landscapes and fabulous hiking, Aspen is a haven for dogs. Dogs have all sorts of rights here (that they don’t get in Australia). Custom-made dog drinking bowls! Like their owners, most of the dogs are well groomed, smartly dressed and there is a preponderance of the “oodle”…
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Hello from the Northern Hemisphere
Day 17-18: Reykjavik The ship docked at around 6 am, and we all had to be off by 9 am. Fortunately my hotel was within walking distance and I got an early check in. Everyone says the Opera House is a “must” so that was my first destination, and I got there just in time…
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Hello from the Northern Hemisphere
Day 16: Vigur island A 30 minute ferry ride from Isafjordur took us to the enchanting Vigur Island. It is a privately owned island, with a population of 3 (2 parents and their 7 year old son ). One of the owners Felicity Aston ( the one below in a green raincoat) guided us around…
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Hello from the Northern Hemisphere
Day 15: At sea Well we’ve hit rough seas on our way to Iceland. 4 metre swell. One wave crashed against the windows of the lounge on Deck 4 and one quick passenger managed to capture it. A bit of excitement….one of the crew had a medical emergency, so the ship speeded up in the…
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Hello from the Northern Hemisphere
Day 14: Little Island in Scoresbysund This was my view when I lifted my blockout blind this morning (Dina, I left the blockout blind up one night but didn’t see anything while asleep!) Today we did a zodiac landing on Little Island. This island was inhabited by the Tunumiit, one of the Inuit tribes from…