Golden week holidays

Been a while since I last blogged on. Been a lot happening over here. Firstly, Japan has what is known as Golden Week holidays (three days off in a row at the start of May). This worked out to be 9 days off work this year (including weekends and the extra days the company was closed!) Were rather lucky as the weather was fantastic and warm and managed to get out most days in Tokyo and explore the shops (mainly Diesel), and other funky places. One of my close friends, M, was able to also hang out with us and we went to some amazing restaurants and cafes.

Incidentally, the girl that I am quite friendly with N, the girl that manages the wonderful bakery (healthy and natural), kindly invited us to her tradtional Japanese wedding ceremony, which was held in a temple in a very funky area of Tokyo. It was quite small and initimate, but very relaxed and not too stiff. So many Japanese weddings are very formalised and can't wait to leave them. I always feel very impressed with the level of tradition and the amazing clothes they wear. I wonder if I ever get married (to a Japanese?) if I would go through the traditional ceremony or just have a western wedding? Or if I am to escape to a tropical island and tie the knot there?... I guess you will just have to keep on reading if I am ever to get married or not.
At this stage, I can't see it happening for quite some time, but hey, things can happen?!
on...

The week has gone by quickly and the most exciting news is that Mom and I are off to Kyoto on Friday for 2 nights and 3 whole days! This will be an amazing trip with our accommodation being the Hyatt. (Just opened in March!) I think it will be Mom's first time to stay at a 5 star hotel. Have booked for a tour at the Kyoto Palace (these tickets go quickly, so we are quite lucky to get in and the tour is in English!). Will also visit Kinkaku-ji (golden temple), Ryoan-ji (zen gardens), Kiyomizu amongst the others. There is also a very impressive moss garden/temple that sounds amazing. Just hope the weather doesn't rain too much. It is forecasted for 50% rain, so just hoping that the other 50% will be what we will get.. sunny weather! Fingers crossed!

Here are some photos that I took...

Ryoanji Zen Garden

Kiyomizu Temple




Ginkakuji Zen Sand Garden

Happiness is as a butterfly which,
when pursued, is always beyond our grasp,
but which if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.
Nathaniel Hawthorne