An American/Israeli tour guide with thoughts, comments and insights from Israel
Sorry about the focus but the boat wouldn't hold still. They took us in a taxi to a pier on a river in Tokyo and put our luggage on a boat while inviting us to go for a ride. It was another Japanese experience. This time, it was a river cruise with Japanese dinner served on the boat. The river was lovely at night and there were dozens of other boats all around us. I just want to say that this is a great idea for future business meetings.
Speaking of gardens, this one is located on the grounds of the Shinto shrine called the Heian Shrine of Kyoto. Located on precious land near the center of the city, you would never know you were not on an isolated hilltop in the countryside.
Today was a day for visiting many shrines. This is the Golden Shrine in Kyoto, Japan. It is probably the most popular tourist site in Kyoto. I liked the mirror pool, the wonderful tree on this island and forested hill behind the shrine.
It isn't my intention to offend any Buddists so I won't say too much about this. These are supposed to be Budda's footprints. If it's true, he had really big feet!
Tourists! They are everywhere and come in all sizes, shapes and nationalities. There I was, quietly walking through the gardens of one of the incredible Japanese gardens that surrounds a shrine. There were six of them! They jumped me! It was a desperate struggle and under great duress, I answered their questions. They wanted to know if I wanted to make a statement! They told me that my answers would be studied and that their English teacher would grade them according to what I wrote. What could I do? They were completely charming and I couldn't help but answer. (They think they captured a giant but I escaped.)
I know, I know...But I'm a tour guide, after all. This is what a luxury Japanese tour bus looks like. The visibility was good, the ride was smooth and the microphone worked. The guide was charming too but aren't we all?
Our elegant tea mistress at the tea ceremony. She is wearing a kimono which is probably worth upwards of $10,000.00! The bitter green tea was a delight to my palate as was the extravagant ceremony. One of the best parts was watching the unruly children being asked to leave. I don't think that is a normal feature of a tea ceremony but it made ours much more enjoyable.
These two ancient Bansai trees have been tended for generations by the families that own them. They are displayed with great pride an one of the most famous tea gardens in Tokyo.
This is the first modern ship built in Japan using all Japanese labor and technology. It is the barque named the Nippon Maru and it was used as a trainer for the Japanese navy.
We went to the top of the tallest building in Japan this afternoon. It is called the Landmark Tower and this is the view from the 67th floor, looking down at a nearby sky scraper.
The huge ferris wheel in Tokyo bay looks even larger by daylight. That is a full sized roller coaster at the base. We went for a ride on the wheel this evening and we now know that you get on the ride on the third floor of the mall, the ride takes about 15 minutes and it costs 700 yen per adult.
It has been one of the longest days I've ever experienced. I got up at 5:30 AM and travelled from CapeTown, South Africa to Tokyo, Japan. That would be nearly 20 hours flying through 7 time zones, layovers in Johanasburg and Hong Kong and an additional journey through Tokyo traffic to the hotel. The hotel, now, this is something to make up for the travel. We are on the 16th floor, have a balcony and the view is just stunning. Here, take a look at the night time scene from our balcony.
On the shore on the southern tip of Africa, not all that far from the antartic circle. We had seen some penguins at Robben Island but here, they were out in the open and not even a little bit shy.
This is Cape Point, pointing at the Antartic. This is about as far south as you can go on dry land. I think there is another point further south but this is very close to the southernmost point. I saw a list of 22 ship wrecks in the area. There are two major currents which meet off shore. One is from the Indian Ocean and the other from the Pacific. We were on the cool, Atlantic side.
African scenery can be amazing and this tree really caught my eye. The Aloe to the right of the tree is about 12 feet tall and much nearer than the tree.
This is Josh, Head of the Christian Allies Causus of the Israeli Parliment (Knesset), standing at the door to the prison cell where Nelson Mandela was held at the Robben Island Prison.
CapeTown harbor has seals. It's a little difficult to see her but she's there sunning herself on the tire bumpers. The Island called Robben Island got its name from the Dutch word for seals.
We're on our way to Robben Island, the prison island where Nelson Mandela was held as a political prisoner. The prison has been declared a world Heritage site and we knew we needed to make a visit. Some have compared the treatment of the political prisoners of Robben Island to the treatment of the Jews at the hands of the Nazis. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is an example of the evils of prejudice and many lessons should be learned from a visit to the famous prison but it should not be compared to a Nazi prison.
I couldn't resist! The colorful boats...Lion's head mountain behind...CapeTown harbor is so very beautiful!
The South African scenery continues to amaze me. This is Lion's Head mountain and it just cries out to be climbed. The view from there would be incredible. Shall we mount an expedition tomorrow?
I saw this sign outside of the church we visited this morning. The background is Table Mountain. The speaker, Itimar Marcus, was so taken with this sign that he wants to include it in future presentations. His point was that the Palestinian suicide killers are trying to enter heaven by banging on the doors of heaven with the skulls of their Jewish victims. (Their words, not his or mine.)
I don't know of anyone who has visited Cape Town that doesn't have a picture of Table Mountain so, here's my contribution. I'll admit it right here though. It is awesome and Cape Town is an incredible sight nestled up next to the mountain.
Well, I suppose this is sort of sudden but I'm visiting Cape Town, South Africa, today. This is a wonderful and beautiful place! You can find odd mixes everywhere though. I found this house that has a thatched roof on a modern house. Strangely, it doesn't seem odd to the local folks.
You've heard of standing on Holy Ground? How about floating on Holy Water? That's right, these folks are rafting on the Jordan river.
We are standing on the top of Mount Carmel. This is where Elijah confronted Ahab and the prophet of the foreign gods, Baal and Ashtorah. In the valley we can see an air strip that stretches across the Armegeddon Valley. This is a place of decisions. Will you follow the gods that are all around or the God who causes the fire to fall. Will you trust in the might of men and armies or will you choose the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Elijah?
Did you ever wonder how I get those teens to stand still for a picture? No problem...Just have the pastor take a picture. I usually don't show the other photograpers but this one was just irristable.
Ein Gedi is awesome anytime. Add a bunch of youth full of energy and it's incredible. We had belly floops, flips, cannon balls and other less gracious entrances.
Its a little hard to see from here but we began our descent into the Ramon Crater right were you see the tip of her finger.
In Hebrew we say snappling. In American terms we say Rappelling. Those from the British side say absailing. Here we go, off the cliff, one at a time, including the 12 year old and our driver who is 60 something.
Our dinner on the ground really was served on the ground this evening... In a Bedouin tent, in the Negev. The food was incredible or at least it seemed that way after a long day of fun.
This is the entrance to one of the caves and catacombs at Beit Guvrin. You can see the pigeon holes in the wall. There are places for over 2,000 pigeons in this man made cave that was carved not long after Alexander the Great conquered this region.
