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Kyoto Tower the newer side of Kyoto....

Miyanima O-Torii meaning Grand Gate The most noted symbol of Miyajima, a 40 minute ferry ride from Hiroshima.

Himeji Castle

Also known as the White Egret Castle for good reason.

The tourist brochures describe it as ” Himeji Castle, Japan’s preeminent wooden structure is a building of unparalleled beauty.” Also a Unesco World Heritage Site, the castle is less than an hour away from Kyoto by train. As soon as you walk out of the station the castle is immediately within view. Directions not required.

Built in 1333,…

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10,000 Torii

The Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

The Shrine, at the foot of Mt. Inari is a place of worship for the guardian god of abundant crops, businesses, prosperity and family safety, Inari Okami. A rather impressive entrance especially when the sky is deep blue as it was when I was there.

There are approximately 10,000 toriis or shrine gates on Mt. Imari that have been offered by worshippers as a…

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The Golden Pavilion

A Zen moment……

…….shared with many!

The Golden Pavilion is on the “must see” list of things to do in Kyoto. And with good reason. Crowds notwithstanding, it is very impressive.

The pavilion is part of a temple called Kinkaku-ji or Temple of the Golden Pavilion. The area was originally the site of a villa purchased by a statesman or shogun in 1397 and converted to a temple on his death.…

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Nishiki Market

Some rather interesting things to try!

I just couldn’t pick one out.

Some things we take for granted. A single garlic bulb runs about $5+CAD. So think about it the next time you let one dry out in the fridge.

Or, when you let that apple shrivel up at over $1CAD a slice.

And nobs of ginger often don’t get used up.

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#Japan #Kyoto

Kyoto, Japan

Kyoto, the old Imperial City

Wanting to experience Kyoto in a more leisurely way, I rented an apartment in the old Gion district. Pint size but cute, and within easy access to public transportation with a great cafe around the corner. The Swiss espresso machine makes great lattes but no cappuccino – still don’t get that!

It’s late September and on the eve of the high tourist season for the…

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Ghent Magic

A happening place after sundown!

Just returned from a quick night shoot of the Old Harbour and wanted to share these shots. The sun doesn’t set until after 9 but it’s worth the wait.

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Ghent

From the breast to the beer bottle….

I’m sure every boat guide adds this bit of colour to their commentary. But the roots of economy were built very much on the basis of grain and textiles. I’m sure the grain was used for other than beer, although the vast quantity consumed makes you wonder. The typical lowland spring weather did not overly dampen my enthusiasm but certainly made the periods…

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#Belgium #Ghent

Bruges

Step gables, chocolate shops and tea houses.

I thought by coming to Bruges at the end of April I’d leave the cool weather of Toronto behind and catch a bit of real spring in Europe. I haven’t shopped for warmer clothes but I’m wearing everything I have …all at once. All the while seeing 21 degree temps and sunny skies in Toronto. Bruges is a charming little place …bit of a Flemish / English…

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#Belgium #Bruges

La Dolce Vita in Lucca

Fabulous way to start the new year. A seven coarse meal in the rolling hills of Tuscany outside the charming town of Lucca.

This is Puccini country so it is apt that we go to a restaurant called Butterfly to celebrate the New Year with a lunch of the chef’s choice. No hard decisions to make, just eat and drink, course after course after course. Here is the group of artisans who turned out one…

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#Italy #lucca

Pebbles to Pixels

Mosaic derives from the Greek word “Mouseios” meaning “Belonging to the muses, hence artistic”.

For several thousand years mosaics have been decorative and functional architectural elements. In hot mediterranean climates wet pebble mosaics served to keep homes cool. The earliest mosaics were geometric designs and gradually evolved to depictions of household lives and mythological tales. …

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I want to be a Spetsiot

Could be a character from a sci-fi movie. There are about 4,000 Spetsiots; locals of the little speck of an island called Spétses that is part of the Argo-Saronic Islands. About 10 square miles and covered in pine trees, historically Spétses punched well above its weight in terms of fearlessness in the face of invaders. Today, Spétses boasts some of the most expensive real estate in…

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Magic of the Acropolis

When the sun shines take advantage of it. Wednesday was the last day the sun shone before the weather turned; grey skies and rain. The end of the tourist season can be a great time to visit but risky weatherwise.

Parthenon

The Erechtheion with the famous Caryatids

Caryatids; figures of the maidens

Significant ongoing restoration

Athens sprawls beneath the Acropolis

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#Athens #Greece

Perfectly Trimmed Sail

What is Hydra?

[metaslider id=2778]

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#Greece #Hydra

Symi

Torturous decision between sitting on a boat for two hours to get to Symi, a small island north of Rhodes or a 90 minute bus trip to Lindos to see the acropolis. Symi won with its beautiful neoclassical houses; totally charming blend of greek and italian. At one time diving for sponge was a main source of revenue for the island No regrets on this choice. Might put this on my list of places…

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#Greece #Symi

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Clara Arnold