#worldwaits

Phong Nha part 2...after a delicious lunch, the group split up and Libby, Heitha and me went to the Phong Nha cave. We had an amazing boat ride along the river and into the cave which was so amazing! After the boat ride, u jump off in the cave and walk a little bit in the cave and out of the cave back to the boat. While the boat was bringing us back to the village, we enjoyed some coconut, to which Libby invited us. Later on we met again at a restaurant to have some dinner together. Heitha also brought Chip, an adventurous guy from America. It was really a nice evening and just a great day! The next day Heitha and I hired a motorbike and drove to the Oxalis Adventure Cafe, where we enjoyed some good vietnamese coffee with a great view at the river and we also spotted some water buffaloes enjoying themselves ion the little island. Phong Nha is just a must do, when u are in Vietnam, and there is so much more to do and to see, just incredible!

Phong Nha...I also stopped for a couple of days at the Phong Nha National park, which is really beautiful! I booked a day tour to the 8 Lady Cave, Paradise Cave and Phong Nha cave, which is quite expensive, but totally worth it! First we drove to the 8 Lady cave, where u have to cover yourself and where u can visit a temple, cause some men died in there, cause they got trapped, a long time ago. After that we drove to the Paradise cave, where we had to walk quite a bit up and in the cave again down the mountain. It’s just beautiful in there and u can walk a long way into the cave. On the trip I met Libby and Heitha, which joined me later for the Phong Nha cave. 

Hoi An part 2...Hoi An at night is just soooo beautiful! They light up all the lanterns and if u walk along the river u can buy some and place them into the river. As I walked along, I also saw some people doing wedding pictures, which was really amazing. It looked just perfect. I was really happy, that I was able to see Hoi An by night. If u ever happen to be in Vietnam, go to Hoi An, stay there for couple of days and also walk along the river at night! Just breathtaking!

Fujiyoshida...the next day was cloudy...very cloudy and there was fog everywhere...u couldn’t see anything at all for the whole day! I was really sad and couldn’t believe, that I’m so lucky again (not). I just walked around a little in the town and enjoyed a quiet relaxing day. The day after I had to travel back to Tokyo. But when I woke up, first thing I did, was looking out of the window and I saw, that it’s a perfect day and that u were able to see Mount Fuji. So I walked up again all the way to the view point with the Pagoda and enjoyed the incredible view for hours. It was so beautiful!

Fujiyoshida...Finally, I made it to the area, where I can see Mount Fuji! A dream comes true. First I walked to the Fujisengen-Jinja Shrine. That’s also the area, where the hiking trail to Mount Fuji starts. The area is really nice, but of course, u can’t see Mt Fuji from there....it’s too close and there are too many trees. I decided to go the other way then and walked all the way back and up to the Shiogama shrine, where u have the famous view of Fuji with the Pagoda. Unfortunately the mountain was hiding behind clouds this day. Nevertheless I enjoyed the view and sat there for a long time!

Kyoto part 4...On my last day in Kyoto I walked to the Nijo-jo Castle. It was a little bit disappointing from the outside, cause it was under construction, but when u walk inside the area, it's really impressive and beautiful. U are allowed to go inside the castle and u can see, how the emperor lived there and how he welcomed guests. It's very interesting, but the sad thing was, that most of the original paintings weren't in there. They've been moved to a museum. One of the details, I liked the most in there, was the floor. It was a special wooden construction and when u walk on it, it sounds like birds are singing. It was a beautiful day and as I walked along the park around the castle, I found a nice spot, where I sat down and enjoyed the beautiful area...very peaceful. A perfect last day to say good-bye from Kyoto.

Kyoto...I went back to Kyoto for a couple of days, cause there was still loads to see and to do. When I arrived at the Tour Club Hostel, one of the staff members showed me how to do calligraphy. It was really interesting and not easy to learn. The next day I took the Nara Line to Fushimi Inari Taisha. It's for free and it's a place with lots of shrines and red gates along the way to the top! But it's a really long way with lots of stairs, so take ur time. The area is huge and if u walk into the forest, u can even see bamboo trees. At the evening I took a bus to Kiyomiu-dera temple, cause it was the last night, the spring illumination took place. It was very crowded but it didn't feel so bad. The view was amazing. At one point, u were able to see the temple and the skyline of Kyoto! They did a really good job and the illumination was just incredibly beautiful. I stayed there for a long time and just enjoyed the views and the lights and what it did to this place! If u have the chance to see an illumination at this place, please go there!!

Okayama...my next destination was Okayama. I stayed there only for two nights and visited the beautiful Korakuen Garden. Unfortunately it was, of course, raining! But it was still so beautiful. They have many different areas and I could have walked along the paths for hours. So much to see and explore. From the garden u can also see the Okayama Castle, which is not far away, u just have to cross a bridge and u are there. I’m glad I came to Okayama and saw this, cause there is not much else to do! But this garden was worth it to go there!