Arashiyama station
We didn’t know this when we came her for a lunch break, but Arashiyama station has a peculiar little point of interest called the Kimono forest: a few hundred poles which showcase Kimono designs. It...
View ArticleNijō castle
From Sagaarashimaya we made our way to Nijō castle, another interesting place to visit in Kyoto. Now, this glorious gate suggests indeed this is a castle, but it is certainly a very different castle or...
View ArticleSomeone peeing into your ass crack
I have mused about Japanese toilets before. And for the record, also about bidets. Now here’s the toilet we have in our room at the Westin: A very typical Japanese toilet, which means it looks like it...
View ArticleKinkaku-ji: The Golden Pavilion
Kinkaku-ji is a magnificent garden that features one of the most stunning temple buildings I have ever seen: the Golden Pavilion. This time I tried to pick a better photographer for the family photo...
View ArticleRyōan-ji
Ryōan-ji, or Temple of the Dragon at Peace, was next on our list of sights for the day. Ryōan-ji features lush green gardens, beautifully set around a lake. See the little bridge in the background? It...
View ArticleGinkaku-ji: The Silver Pavilion
The last visit of the day took us to Ginkaku-ji, the Silver Pavilion. Naturally I was wondering: after the Golden Pavilion that in fact is golden, would the Silver Pavilion be actually silver? Nope....
View ArticleFever update
Looks like things get finally better, indeed: Oskar’s morning temperature is back to a normal 37 ºC. The rash has also disappeared. Instead, he has now developed a really mean and highly liquid...
View ArticleTōdai-ji
Nara is the old capital of Japan and famous for more amazing sights and parks. It’s only a 45 minutes train ride from Kyoto but somehow I yet expected that we would likely face a funky diarrhea party...
View ArticleKasuga-taisha
After Tōdai-ji we walked to Kasuga-taisha, a shrine which seems to be located in an enchanted forest. These stone lanterns make for great photos… … especially when a model is standing right inbetween...
View ArticleAnd the shuttle bus even left on time…
We returned to Kyoto and by now you might have rightfully asked yourself: didn’t he tell us Oskar had the diarrhea of the century? And that they brought lots of replacement pants to Nara for when...
View ArticleNo pizza at the Westin!
We arrived at the Westin hotel and decided we did not want to go out anymore for food. We had had dinner at the hotel already a few times as well, and my wife was craving something definitely...
View ArticleThat’s what they’ve done for you lately
Tomorrow our new helper will start with us. Her name is Agnes. Tess will return to the Philippines on Monday, May 11, so there will be one week of overlap. This is a little stressful: how will Oskar...
View ArticleAnother big question gets answered in a different way
If you have been following this blog closely and really read through all my recent entries about Japan (like my buddy Francisco did), then you know that we are expecting again! … it makes me smile just...
View ArticleTess’s farewell
In two days Tess will board a plane back to the Philippines and start a new phase in her life. We’re happy for her, but it’s hard to see her go. Tess started to work for us and live with us in January...
View ArticleMira and Zuhreen are singing Happy Birthday for me…
Sajal was buying me coffee for my birthday and I got this unexpected serenade. Thanks a lot, girls! And yes: I am buying a lot of coffee there…
View ArticleThe cap I’ve had before already…
Another belated birthday present – this time from Nagi and Fely. A shirt and a very nice photo book. Thank you! :)
View ArticleParcel Ping Pong
I had shipped out my iPhone 5s to Germany with DHL on Thursday. It’s a present for my mom, and I sort of had hoped it would arrive on time for Mother’s Day on May 10, but I knew it would likely not...
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