JAPAN APRIL 2014-COUNTRY 53-THE GIANT BUDDHA AND TOKYO AT DAY AND NIGHT

We took a short trip from Tokyo to Hakone to see the Giant Buddha statue.

It is a really easy trip-on overland then electric train.

You can even pay an entrance to go around the back of the statue.

Hakone is a beautiful area to walk and famous for its beetroot ice-cream.

On our return we decided to visit the busiest road crossing in the world.

Tokyo is an amazing and very safe city to see by night. Neon Lit.

And with surprises! We found a British pub to enjoy a pint of English beer.

Cheers! Even inside it was like a pub!

  

We hung out at Starbucks watching the people and the famous crossing.

We think we even found the lift from the film Lost in Translation. 

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It is in a private hotel but we managed to creep in. Imagine our surprise when half way up we saw a football match taking place on TOP of a skyscraper. AMAZING!

What has surprised and amazed you on your travels-near or far?

Sft x

JAPAN APRIL 2014- CHERRY BLOSSOM AND VIEWS OVER TOKYO

We enjoyed exploring the cherry blossom in the parks of Tokyo.

This couple visited the park after getting married. What an amazing kimono the lady is wearing. The man is also in traditional dress. Look at their shoes!

Friendly Japanese having lunch in the park. Note the tower blocks behind.

Couldn't resist having my photo taken here.

I caught the sunset through the blossom on this photo!

The boys!

The Metropolitan City Tower. We took the lift to the top.

For views over Tokyo. Unfortunately it was a bit misty. On clear days you can see Mount Fuji from here.

Our first view of the Cocoon Tower.

Closer view.

 And view from the ground too.

Which photos did you enjoy most? 

The cherry blossom or the architecture?

It definitely was a day of contrasts.

Sft x

PHOTOS OF JAPAN-IT'S GOT TO BE ONE OF MY FAVOURITE COUNTRIES!

Country 53-Japan-April 2014

Japan is a country that has been on Mr Sft's wish list for a while. 

It wasn't really on mine. But wow, what an incredible country! Am I glad he persuaded me to go.

Our first destination was Tokyo! 

Taxi drivers wear white gloves and have lace in their very clean taxis.

As you can see everyone was using technology or having a sleep on the underground.

Our first dinner was all immaculately presented. I kept to vegetarian and fish. Mr Sft tried horse :(

Everyone tried the Japanese lager beer. It would be rude not to.

We visited the oldest temple in Tokyo

I loved the lanterns.

People were burning incense sticks and waving the smoke onto themselves.

Beautiful statue of the Buddha

And these children were celebrating the Cherry Blossom Festival. I loved their head dresses. Gorgeous!

More photos to come!

Do you have a favourite? And why?

Sft x

WHAT'S COMING UP-100 COUNTRIES BEFORE I'M 50 CHALLENGE

What's coming up in the Challenge???

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This challenge actually came about after my trip to Japan. Whilst there I met 2 people who had been to over 100 countries and I thought that sounded like absolute bliss to me.

When I returned from Japan I put together a provisional plan. I also started to look at what would fit in with my school holidays and which countries Mr Sft and I wanted to visit together. I will post about that another day.

I got busy and booked my next country: Malta and went to Malta and Gozo (the nearby island) in May for a week. A fantastic country, rich in History and beautiful scenery in Gozo.



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Then I finally booked my trip to Russia! It had been on my mind to visit for a number of years. And I didn't regret it.



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I will blog about my trips to both Malta and Russia another day. There is so much to share. Also I will blog about Japan one of the most amazing countries ever. I loved, loved, loved it there! Not cheap but worth every penny.



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SO what is coming up??-the key to my challenge is to make sure I get a good flavour of each country I visit. To at least have a memorable travel experience.

October 2014-Morocco!



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The reason I'm going? 

1. Well Morocco is in North Africa and I love the feel of this part of the continent. I have been to Egypt twice and loved it.

2. Next I will get to travel in public transport. I would always chose a bus or train over riding around in a mini-bus. I love getting out with the locals. It certainly is exhilarating!

3. Also I want to see the cities of Tangier, Fes, Rabat-exploring Tangier's port, Fes' Medina and the history of Rabat.

4. And spend time in the mountains at Chefchaouen-enjoying beautiful scenery.

5. Finally visiting Marrakech-spending time in Diemma-el-Fna Square has to be done! Souks and shopping galore!

• Have you ever been to Morocco or North Africa?
• Is it on or off your dream list?

Sft x

100 COUNTRIES BEFORE I'M 50 CHALLENGE-WHAT COUNTS AS A COUNTRY IN THIS CHALLENGE? AND WHAT DOESN'T?

WHAT COUNTS AS A COUNTRY IN THIS CHALLENGE AND WHAT DOESN'T?

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Ruth from www.travelwithkevinandruth.com

(soon to be spending time in South Korea-Oh I wish...) asked the following question in her comment. 

What is your criteria for visiting a country? Some people consider just setting foot in a country as being in a country! For us we at least have to spend a few hours in a country and a meal, and doing that at an airport doesn't count. We have only done this twice with the countries of Sweden and Spain. Last winter we stepped on to the banks of Angola across the river from Namibia, we don't count that.

I thought it would be fun to share my answer in a post:

I think Ruth/Kevin and I are on the same page travel-wise. I know that some people are so country-hungry they do count staying on a plane as it refuels as a country. Or spending time in transit. Or travelling through a country on a train.


I don't however.....


For example:
I have spent time in Bahrain, Abu Dhabi and Singapore airports. I do not believe I have visited those countries. The airports were very entertaining and well resourced but I didn't actually 'see' any of those places. Infact I confess I didn't even know that Bahrain was an island until I saw our landing on the plane screen (I was much younger then :)

I do have one regret however. We spent 7 hours in Singapore airport on the way back from New Zealand. Apparently it is possible to take a bus tour around Singapore even in transit. I wish I had, instead we felt so tired that we had showers and spent time in the airport cinema. But even if we had the fact that I hadn't put foot in Singapore would mean it wouldn't count in my country challenge.

I would count spending a few hours in a country. I have done a day visit to Switzerland and Liechtenstein. We did lots in our time there but did not spend a night. Of course the ideal situation would be to spend a nice amount of time in any country. That's what the soul of a true traveller craves. Sometimes life just doesn't make that possible. I think my criteria would be to have a quality travel experience in each country I visit. That certainly is what is driving my present travel plans.

What about you?
What counts as a country?

Sft x

TRAVEL COSTS..SAVE NOT SPEND

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TRAVEL COSTS... 

Absolutely! 

So we have returned to many of our old frugal ways.

One of our best ways is saving what we have not had to spend.

E.g. My dear Mum gave us some runner beans from her garden. We don't have to buy veggies for our dinners this week. So the saving goes in a small tin which we add up at the end of the week.

These savings add together towards something more substantial such as...

At the moment we are saving up our spending money for a trip we are taking next year.

We need £1500 for the 2 of us. 

We want to be able to afford all the excursions-we will only be there once. Those are the most important thing.

We find planning well ahead and saving hard is so worth it. This trip is in March 2015. Will write about it in a future post.

Sft x

MY INSPIRATION TO TRAVEL TO 100 COUNTRIES BEFORE I AM 50

My Inspiration

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A couple of years ago I would not have considered this challenge. We (my other half and I) were dedicated to paying off our mortgage early.  

We finally reached our goal and I achieved the challenge by paying off my mortgage by the time I was 40. It was a close thing-I was approaching 41! :)

Now when I say dedicated I mean dedicated-overpaying became our mantra: meal planning to save pennies, buying 2nd hand clothes and trying to live as frugally as possible. 

Except for one thing-we weren't giving up travel!

We just didn't do as much-maximum of a worldwide trip a year. That was saved for alongside our overpayments.

During that time I also had a love affair with Southern Africa-returning to South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Swaziland twice.

Amazing times but it didn't boost my country count.

In fact I've always been a bit wary of people who 'count countries'. And I suppose I still am if that is the sole aim of what they are doing.

So how did I come to this challenge:

1. In April we went to Japan and met 3 people who have been to 100+ countries. I knew that at present there are 183 countries in the world but I really didn't think anyone really travelled to so many. These were just ordinary passionate travelllers. 

2. Since finishing our 'paying off the mortgage' challenge I finally had more money to dedicate to our travel plans. One of the whole points of paying off the mortgage early was to create such freedom. 

3. Life is short. Of course we all know that, but this year I have had this drummed into me due to sad family circumstances. People I love can't do what I'm doing. I can't put things off. Now is the time.

So there is my inspiration...

Reaching 100 countries isn't about a number, it's about dedicating my life to my biggest passion (outside of my family) and living my life now. It's about being in the moment.

Of course upon deciding this challenge.. the reality struck. Could it be possible to travel to 45 more countries in 7 and a half years. Financially, could it work? Time wise could it work? Planning was definitely needed.

Sft x