s a n n a: Japan, intence & full of beauty

JAPAN, what a Lovely country!

What is there to say about Japan, It was a difficult start alone again and so far from home already for 6 months. Yes, the first days of missing home where there when I was wondering around the streets of Tokyo. Tokyo is such a big and impressive city, to me it felt like being on a different planet. But because of the kindness of the people, the stunning countrysides and all the culture aspects this feeling of being lost in a new world faded away quite quickly!

After a week Tokyo I traveled for 4 beautiful weeks in the rest of Japan, temples with snow, staying with Buddhist monks in a temple high up in the mountains, learning Japanese calligraphy, walking for days a long the ocean, fisherman's villages and geisha paths up in to the mountains. Where the tears came in my eyes when reaching the top and seeing this beautiful red temple over looking the ocean with it's waterfall on the background.

People that surprise me every day with there kindness. That is when you realize the world is not such a bad place after all! It is a magic land full of comfort. A culture that is based on respect, with concentration, patience and gratitude for each other and there surrounding. Which makes me say: Thank you 'Arigato' with a deep bow!! Japan was intense

fish market

sleeping in a Capsule hotel :)

lovely food and working on my travel book....

while sitting in the sun followed by a nice night out.

Tavel begins; Nara

Tea ceremony with my lovely friend Dessy, thank you!

she teached me belly dancing, yes everything is possible in japan ;)!

Transformed in to the world of a 'Geisha', a memory never to forget

with thanks to my dear friends for sharing there culture with me and having this real Japanese experience.

Now, Life Is Living Us

Lovely far far away family members, whom I was able to meet for the first time and who welcomed me so warm in to there house.

My beautiful way up in to the Mountains of Kii Peninsula

this is why I do it :)

the comfort of a sweet cat that kept me warm all night, during a stormy night with tsunami alert

a beautiful temple full of thousands of lanterns which keeps the memories of those who past away

my home stay with the Buddhist monks, high up in the secret mountains. Learning about there believes, rituals and calligraphy until deep in the night and early mornings.