Mister and I have returned to New Zealand after a visit to Japan. Such a beautiful country and a much needed vacation which has given me inspiration to continue writing.
I have been absent since my last post on December 20, 2012. It drained so much of me to be vulnerable about what has hurt for so long, my infertility. The past few months have enabled me to embrace the beauty that surrounds me. This has always been the foundation of Thursday Treats.
1. The Japanese are extremely polite and respectful. Such honorable traits should be emulated by other cultures, we could learn so much from these beautiful people and their captivating country. Mister and I spent most of our time in Kobe.
We met lovely locals and and visitors from Australia, Germany and the UK. Mister looks very happy to meet the locals, or maybe he had too much Sake?
2. Be prepared to be bombarded with a whole lot of delectable delights!
- The food in Japan is absolutely divine. The Sashimi and Kobe beef were my favourite. Prior to our visit my chop stick skills left a lot to be desired. Now, I am a pro!
- Mister and I fell in love with Japanese food. One of my favourite meals was a Hot Pot mix. I wasn’t sure what the actual meal was until I asked the chef after I had consumed every last bit. The Hot Pot consisted of cabbage, pak choy, mung beans, offal and pig intestines. I was taken aback with the offal and intestines, however glad that I tried the delicious delicacy. Lesson learned, don’t knock it ’til you try it.
- Mister and I still managed to squeeze in a few coffee dates at Vie De France. What I loved most about Kobe was being able to hop on a train with Mister late at night to grab coffee and treats. Stores and restaurants closed well after midnight. In New Zealand most stores close at 6pm. Kobe, the city that never sleeps.
3. Our visit to Hiroshima was a humbling experience.
Mister in front of the Genbaku Dome.
The only structure left standing in the area where the first atomic bomb exploded on 6 August 1945.
This photo sums up how I felt after going through the museum, utter sadness. However, I was overwhelmed with the beauty and serenity of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.
4. Kyoto, a beautiful city of temples and geisha.
5. It has always been a dream of mine to see Sakura in Japan, to touch and smell the blossoms. I found the most beautiful Sakura in Kyoto.
So much beauty surrounds us. We just have to open our eyes to see.
Check out the Thursday Treats category for more treats.
Love & Laughter,
Curly Miri
Curly Miri 