Kyoto, Japan

Today was a pretty awesome day for me. There have been a couple of times while I am shooting photos that I have been in absolute awe of the beauty that I am seeing. The Taj Mahal and Machu Picchu were perfect examples. In this country that is so packed with people there are many places of quiet beauty and today I experienced a couple…. I went to Kyoto from Kobe, leaving about 0800 this morning. It was almost a two hour trip to get to our first destination the Kinkaku-ji temple that is referred to as the “Golden Pavilion” because of being covered in gold leaf. As I was taking my first photo of the Golden Pavilion with the pond in front showing a perfect reflection I thought, this is incredibility beautiful. Then I noticed a Heron on a rock again with a perfect reflection and I thought “Wow”. The Heron was so still that I began to think that it was a statue and then it moved…. I continued to walk the grounds and gardens and continued to marvel at the beauty. Our next stop was the Nijo Castle and yes…. the floors do squeak not matter how lightly you walk. Again this was a beautiful spot and once again the Japanese gardens were amazing. Then it was off to lunch and once again (twice in three stops) I was served scallops which I am really allergic to….. fortunately I figured it out before I ate. When I get off the ship in China for four days I am really going to have to watch it. I certainly won’t be able to read the menu. Anyway, they made accommodations and I had a great lunch. The, once again, it was off to a magical place, the Heian Shinto Shrine. One again the Shrine and its surrounding gardens were absolutely beautiful. The covered Chinese bridge was pretty cool as well. It is amazing how well the Japanese cultivate and use these gardens which go along way to counteract the hectic pace of day to day life. Our final stop was at a craft center when they had lots of Stuff, you know how I like to buy stuff….. Tomorrow, a day at Sea and some relaxation.