As I write this we are just reversing out of Osaka port with the help of a tug. Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day and we left the ship at 9 am to go to Kyoto. Although we were supposed to go on the bullet train to get there the itinerary had been changed and we went by coach instead.

The first stop was at the Kyomizu temple. This weekend was the end of Golden Week - a major holiday in Japan - and therefore everywhere was heaving. Many of the young Japanese were dressed in traditional kimonos which we think they rent from local shops!

The temple is a very large 3 storey pagoda with other buildings around it set on top of a hill - up many steps! Although we didn't actually enter the temple we were able to walk all around and, of course, there were wonderful views across wooded hillsides.

We were then given time to shop in the many traditional shops that lined the narrow street up to the temple. We managed to buy a souvenir for Freya and one for Lin, the latter wrapped by an extremely ancient Japanese lady!

After that we re-boarded the coach and were taken to a restaurant for lunch. Mainly unremarkable except we sat at a table with a guy who lives between Farnborough and Fleet! Small world! As an aside, he used to work for BA and later in the day helped me to book our seats on the Japan Airlines flight home - which you can't do on the BA site in spite of the fact that it is a code share! Go figure (as some of our new American friends would say!

Then onto the Golden Palace built in the 16th century of wood covered in gold leaf. Of course, it got burnt down but was rebuilt in the exact way. It stands on a beautiful lake with irises and trees all around.

Then we were taken to catch the bullet train back to Osaka. There was a 40 minute coach journey to the station, an hour wait for the train and then, yes, a 15 minute trip on the train!! And then a half hour coach trip back to the ship. Was it worth it? I'm still trying to decide!

Last night we shared a table at dinner with a retired lawyer and his wife from Mexico and 2 ladies from Vancouver, Canada. It was very entertaining!

This morning we ventured off the ship on our own by train to Osaka Castle - actually a museum in an 8 storey pagoda. With an audio guide it was very interesting. Lin had decided that as it was Chdrens' Day it would be very busy so we ate an early breakfast (we are still waking up around 6am) and then got the train for the 15 minute journey. We arrived at 9am and there was only a short queue to get in. She was right (as always)!

We are now sitting on our balcony as we leave Osaka. It's rather a grey day but we are promised better weather tomorrow when we arrive in Hiroshima. Here's hoping!

A&L xx