Imperial Palace, Kyoto. The day started off nice enough, but halfway through the tour, the skies opened up and doused us in a shower that rivaled anything I've experienced in Ireland or Wales (I'm an expert in these matters, it rains in these places constantly). Everyone was diving for cover but we didn't mind because being Irish we 1. are tough and 2. we're well used to water falling from the sky! It was strange though - it was really warm. Kinkaju-ji (The Golden Pavilion) Kyoto. The day we visited, it was really dull and grey and overcast. After we got off the bus, we had to walk up a hill for what seemed like forever. I was getting a bit tired and grumpy until we finally reached the top and turned the corner and saw this sight. It was so beautiful, and all of a sudden the day didn't seem to grey and depressing. This is so beautiful -it was so radiant it was like sunshine, and was totally worth the uphill trek. It's a Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto. It's
The OH and I went for a short visit to Maastricht to visit a friend of mine. While we were there, we made the 1 hour bus journey to Aachen. What a wonderful city! It's dominated by the huge cathedral (like a lot of cities) and there was a Christmas Market in full swing. My new boyfriend. He's sweet, he's silent and if he gives me any attitude I can bite his head off This meant - Gl眉hwein, yay! Also, it seems that very other shop is a bakery selling the Aachen speciality - Aachener Printen. These are a type of lebkuchen (a kind of ginger bread) that is particular to Aachen. The window displays were amazing: Gingerbread reindeer - how cute is that? It seems that I am as distracted by nicely-presented baked goods as I am by shiny baubles - I had to stop at each and every window and ogle the goodies. I want live in Aachen! However, maybe it's just as well I don't. I'd be as big as a house with all that gingerbread. Here are some more sights from the
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