Suneel & Melinda - Round The World Trip

Home Sweet Home

2007-03-19T22:53:00.000-05:00

As most of you have figured out by now, we have made it back to Atlanta safe and sound, where there is no snow and we can only dream of skiing. It's hard to believe we are home already! In the next few days, we will be posting some final thoughts about the trip, hopefully answering some of the questions that we have been asked quite often like, "what was your favorite place" and "did you really take your blog pictures with a cameraphone" (we did not!). Unfortunately, after that, the automatic email updates will stop and you will all have to start working again instead of checking our blog (of course, we are accepting donations for our next trip). Also, we have over 12,000 pictures from our trip, which we will be happy to share with you. We have posted more on Flickr and hopefully will have the rest up soon.

Final Leg: Seattle

2007-03-19T22:37:00.000-05:00

After Whistler, it was time to return to the States, heading down the coast to Seattle for the last stop of our trip. Much like the start of our trip in Ireland, we got lucky with the weather -- sunshine for two of our three days there. With the nice weather, we saw the space needle, checked out Pike's Market, relaxed in Myrtle Edwards Park, took the ferry across Pugent Sound to explore Bainbridge Island, and checked out the neighborhood of Capitol Hill.

While in Seattle, we also were able to catch up with some friends. We enjoyed a great Italian dinner with friends, John and Katie Busby. On our last day, we caught up with one of Sunny's fraternity brothers, Eiji, for lunch just before we caught our flight back to Atlanta -- a great ending to our trip.

Catching Up with Friends

2007-03-09T17:16:00.000-05:00

Catching Up with Friends
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

Our ski trip was made even better by several friends who joined us in Whistler. Josh, an ultimate friend from Atlanta (far right), joined us for some snowboarding. Sunny's roommate from Germany, Ryan, and his wife Toyin (front left) joined us from New Jersey. Sunny taught Ryan how to ski in Germany, clearly passing along his love of speed and jumps. Ryan has now taken up snowboarding, but spent one day on skis with Sunny. Thad, another former Andersen/Accenture friend whom Sunny had not seen in 8 years (next to Ryan above), plotted with Ryan to surprise Sunny. Thad is currently working in Vancouver, so it was an easy drive up for him. Thad's friend Brady (middle with hat) also added to our snowboard contingent. We had a blast skiing with these guys - even Mel ventured into the terrain park and hit a few jumps.

- Taken at 5:04 PM on March 05, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Whistler - Blackcomb

2007-03-09T17:00:00.000-05:00

Whistler - Blackcomb
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

Almost 2 years to the day, we returned to the site of our honeymoon. Thankfully, this year Whistler Blackcomb has record snow, something we did not experience 2 years ago. We explored both mountains over four days, retrying some favorites like the Blackcomb Glacier and Dave Murray (the men's Olympic Downhill run). We had small amounts of fresh powder each day but unusual cloud cover, as seen in the picture. The fog made it difficult to differentiate the slope from the horizon and, at some points on the lift, you could not see the ground. Nevertheless, the skiing was great.

- Taken at 12:10 AM on March 05, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Exploring Downtown

2007-03-08T20:20:00.000-05:00

Exploring Downtown
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

During our second day in Vancouver, we headed for Granville Island Market, seen above in the lower left corner. The market was filled with fresh fish, meat, cheese, and produce. After wandering around for over 2 hours, we filled up on fresh food to take with us to Whistler. After the market trip, we picked up a rental car and drove north with our friend Josh to Whistler Village. The drive was entertaining as it was the first time in months that we had to drive on the right side of the road.

- Taken at 8:22 PM on March 02, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Olympic Spirit

2007-03-08T20:19:00.000-05:00

Olympic Spirit
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

The streets of Vancouver were lined with banners for the 2010 Winter Olympics, which will be held in Vancouver and Whistler. Both Vancouver and Whistler are fantastic cities - the 2010 games should be a blast.

- Taken at 8:22 PM on March 02, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Vancouver

2007-03-08T20:17:00.000-05:00

Vancouver
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

The day that we flew from Fiji to Vancouver was the longest day of our lives, literally. We departed at 9 in the morning, arriving in Seoul Korea at 7 pm the same day. After a few-hour layover, we departed for Vancouver. We arrived at just before noon on the same day because we crossed the international date line. With our extra day, we explored Vancouver and had one of the best meals of our trip with friends from Atlanta, Dylan, Charlottle and Zoe.

- Taken at 3:10 AM on March 02, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Top of the Island

2007-03-05T22:39:00.000-05:00

Top of the Island
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

From the top of Wayasewa Island, you can see both Wayalailai resort and over to Kuata, another island in the Yasawa chain. On the far side of Kuata, we did some great snorkeling.

- Taken at 7:01 AM on February 26, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Quiet: Sleep in Progress

2007-03-05T22:29:00.000-05:00

Quiet: Sleep in Progress
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

Each afternoon, our resort served tea around 2:30 pm. The first 2 days on the island, we missed tea because we were napping in various hammocks. As you can see, life is good.

- Taken at 9:42 PM on February 24, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Bula!

2007-03-05T22:00:00.000-05:00

Bula!
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

Finished with our New Zealand adventure, we flew from Auckland to Nadi, Fiji. From there, we hopped a boat to the southern tip of Wayasewa island, which is part of the Yasawa islands. We spent 5 days at Wayalailai Resort, rotating between the beach, hammocks, and the front porch of our bure (thatched hut). The resort we stayed at is owned and operated by the local village, with all profits going to village. As a result, we met many of the villagers, eating dinner and hanging out with them nightly. The people of Wayasewa are incredibly laidback and friendly, making it the perfect place to completely unwind.

- Taken at 12:00 AM on February 28, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Auckland

2007-02-27T04:26:00.000-05:00

Auckland
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

Our final stop in New Zealand was Auckland, the largest city on either island. We dropped of our beloved campervan and returned to the backpacker lifestyle. We relaxed for a couple of days and explored the city, wandering around the shops, eating burgers from the White Lady, and finding the local casino. We also were treated to the hospitality of the Leung family again, joining Richard (the cousin of Sunny's friend Kevin) and his family for dinner in Newmarket. Richard then took us on a great tour of some of the neighborhoods of Auckland and showed us the beautiful view from Mt. Eden at night.

- Taken at 2:02 AM on February 23, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Waipoua Kauri Forest

2007-02-25T19:12:00.000-05:00

Waipoua Kauri Forest
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

After a couple of days on the beach, we headed into the Waipoua Forest, located on the northern section of the west coast. The forest contains the largest kauri trees in New Zealand, reminiscent of the redwoods in California. The second largest tree, known as Te Matua (Father of the Forest, shown above), is over 5 meters in diameter.

- Taken at 1:40 AM on February 20, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Karikari Peninsula

2007-02-25T18:10:00.000-05:00

Karikari Peninsula
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

After the Coromandel Peninsula, we drove north first to the Bay of Islands and then to the Karikari Peninsula. We stopped for a swim at Maitai Bay and then camped at a nearby bay and beach. During dinner, we were treated to a large pod of dolphins passing through the bay. The next day, we sought out the hidden Karikari beach, above, where we relaxed for most of the day.

- Taken at 2:23 AM on February 19, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Coromandel Peninsula

2007-02-25T17:38:00.000-05:00

Coromandel Peninsula
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

After being on the road for so long, it was time for the beach, specifically Opoutere Beach. The far side of the beach was a protected reserve for Oyster Catcher bird nesting. We relaxed on this beach before heading further north up the coast.

- Taken at 12:33 AM on February 17, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Kayaking On Kaituna River

2007-02-25T17:37:00.000-05:00

Kayaking On Kaituna River
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

In Rotorura, Suneel had the opportunity to use the kayaking skills that he learned in Africa. Suneel was able to roll easily but found the rough parts still above his ability. The river included multiple waterfalls dropping several meters and multiple category 4 rapids. Suneel did proceed down the falls, but in a double kayak with his very experienced guide.

- Taken at 9:40 PM on February 15, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Tongariro National Park

2007-02-25T17:36:00.000-05:00

Tongariro National Park
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

As we headed north towards Lake Taupo and Rotorua, we passed through Tongariro National Park. The park is home to three volcanos - Ruapehu, Tongariro, and Ngauruhoe. This park was used as the location for Mordor in the LOTR.

- Taken at 11:58 PM on February 14, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Wineries - South & North

2007-02-22T18:13:00.000-05:00

Wineries - South & North
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

After sea kayaking, we headed over to Blenheim, which is part of the Marlborough region, known for its white wines. We spent the day tasting wines and eating cheese while enjoying a fine afternoon.  We proceed to Picton and took the interislander car ferry to the North Island. We arrived in Wellington, where we experienced the generous hospitality of the Leung's - the family of one of Suneel's college friends. After a wonderful dinner in Wellingon, we visited the Leung Vineyard, Ma Maison, which is located in the wine region of Martinborough. We thoroughly enjoyed the Leung's Pinot Noir.  For those interested in the Lord Of the Rings sites, our drive to Martinborough included a side trip to the location of Rivendell.

- Taken at 2:10 AM on February 14, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Seals Ahoy!

2007-02-22T17:48:00.000-05:00

Seals Ahoy!
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

On our second day, we headed north from Barks Bay up and back to Shag Harbour. The trip took us passed a large gathering of seals. The curious ones would come close to our kayak for a look while the others cooled and cleaned themselves or played around the area.

- Taken at 11:39 PM on February 09, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Pup Season

2007-02-22T17:47:00.000-05:00

Pup Season
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

On our kayaking trip, we passed two islands that are home to seal colonies. We were lucky to find out that it is seal pup season. The cute pups would play in the coves under the watchful eyes and ears of their mothers.

- Taken at 2:42 AM on February 09, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Sea Kayaking

2007-02-22T17:44:00.000-05:00

Sea Kayaking
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

In Abel Tasman National Park, we rented a double sea kayak for a 3 day / 2 night trip. Food, clothes and camping gear were packed into the nearly water-tight hull.  We kayaked up to Barks Bay and made camp for two days. From there, we explored the coastline, including Shag Harbour and Tonga Island. The first two days we had calm seas, but the third taught us that the sea was in charge with 1 to 1.5 meter swells. The swells made for an interesting trip home, including some wave surfing.

- Taken at 10:29 PM on February 08, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Meet Bessie

2007-02-22T13:34:00.000-05:00

Meet Bessie
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

We named our campervan Bessie soon after we took her over our first mountain - slow and steady wins the race. With room to sleep two and a mini kitchen, the campervan made it easy for us to see as much of New Zealand as possible. Pictured above is Suneel cooking up a storm.

- Taken at 7:41 AM on February 05, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Goodbye West Coast

2007-02-22T13:32:00.000-05:00

Goodbye West Coast
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

We finished our trip up the west coast of the South Island by stopping in Punakai to see the pancake rocks. Later, we caught this sunset as we finished dinner and settled in for the night.

- Taken at 8:44 AM on February 06, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Danger!

2007-02-20T06:56:00.000-05:00

Danger!
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

More great signs. We found these on the fairly tame path leading up to the Franz Josef Glacier.

- Taken at 9:53 PM on February 04, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Blue Ice

2007-02-20T06:55:00.000-05:00

Blue Ice
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

One of the many walls of blue ice on Franz Josef Glacier.

- Taken at 1:24 AM on February 05, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Exploring Franz Josef Glacier

2007-02-20T06:54:00.000-05:00

Exploring Franz Josef Glacier
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

- Taken at 12:56 AM on February 05, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Ice Peaks on Franz Josef Glacier

2007-02-20T06:53:00.000-05:00

Ice Peaks on Franz Josef Glacier
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

- Taken at 12:52 AM on February 05, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Franz Josef Glacier

2007-02-20T06:50:00.000-05:00

Franz Josef Glacier
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

We spent a day hiking/climbing Franz Josef Glacier. Our guide took us up into various cracks and crevices of the glacier, where we saw plenty of ice formations and beautiful blue ice.

- Taken at 12:44 AM on February 05, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Fox Glacier

2007-02-20T05:51:00.000-05:00

Fox Glacier
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

New Zealand is home to Fox and Franz Josef glaciers. These glaciers are unique because they descend to 200 meters above sea level, terminating in a temperate rainforest area. Glaciers typically terminate at much higher altitudes. Fox Glacier is pictured above.

- Taken at 9:42 PM on February 03, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Look Out!

2007-02-18T23:19:00.000-05:00

Look Out!
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

We love the incredibly detailed road signs that you find all over New Zealand. This sign is one of Sunny's favorites.

- Taken at 3:24 AM on February 03, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Fantail Falls

2007-02-18T23:13:00.000-05:00

Fantail Falls
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

Further along Haast Pass, we checked out Fantail Falls.

- Taken at 1:25 AM on February 03, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Blue Pools

2007-02-18T23:04:00.000-05:00

Blue Pools
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

The road from Lake Wanaka to the West Coast (known as Haast Pass) has spectacular scenery, which was created by the glaciers that covered the area thousands of years ago. Above are the Blue Pools, where you can find perfect skipping stones.

- Taken at 12:45 AM on February 03, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Lots of Cows

2007-02-18T22:23:00.000-05:00

Lots of Cows
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

In addition to sheep, New Zealand also has its fair share of cows. In the distance you can see the mountains of Mt Aspiring National Park.

- Taken at 10:49 PM on February 02, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

View of Glendhu Bay

2007-02-18T21:48:00.000-05:00

View of Glendhu Bay
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

The view of Glendhu Bay from Roy's Peak.

- Taken at 3:32 AM on February 02, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

View from Roy's Peak

2007-02-18T21:11:00.000-05:00

View from Roy's Peak
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

We spent an afternoon hiking up the steady incline of Mt Roy. We were rewarded for our efforts with 270 degree views of Lake Wanaka, including Roy's Bay and Glendhu Bay. This view looks north, up Lake Wanaka.

- Taken at 3:30 AM on February 02, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Sheep, Sheep and More Sheep

2007-02-16T20:34:00.000-05:00

Sheep, Sheep and More Sheep
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

The start of the trail to Mt Roy's peak cut through private land, where hundreds of sheep, including these two fellows, were grazing. We heard that there are 10 sheep for every person in New Zealand. Although the population of New Zealand is only 4 million, that's a lot of sheep - the Scottish boys would be impressed.

- Taken at 4:45 AM on February 02, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Lake Wanaka

2007-02-16T20:20:00.000-05:00

Lake Wanaka
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

North of Queenstown, Wanaka is a popular resort town situated on a picturesque lake with the same name. We captured this view of the lake and town while hiking up Mt Roy.

- Taken at 2:09 AM on February 02, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Melinda's Jump

2007-02-15T23:01:00.000-05:00

Melinda's Jump
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

Diving off the bridge isn't scary. It's the second or two after when you start to freefall that's crazy. You have the option of touching the water at the bottom of your jump. Despite the cold, I opted for the splash. However, they can't guarantee it, and I didn't get wet. Still, the jump was a blast!

- Taken at 9:56 PM on February 01, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Bungy!

2007-02-15T22:58:00.000-05:00

Bungy!
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

Queenstown, known as the adventure capital of the South Island, is the site of the world's first commercial bungy site, pictured above. Situated on the Kawaru River, the jump site is a bridge 43 meters above the water. Sunny was not interested in jumping, but Melinda decided to give it a try. Although the above picture is not Melinda, it's a good view of the site.

- Taken at 9:49 PM on February 01, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Queenstown

2007-02-15T02:57:00.000-05:00

Queenstown
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

As the rain started to fall by the Mavora Lakes, we headed to Queenstown to take care of the little things, like laundry, grocery shopping, and charging our electronics. As the day progressed, the skies cleared, giving us great views of Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains as well as a nice night for camping.

- Taken at 7:47 AM on February 01, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

The Mavora Lakes

2007-02-15T02:29:00.000-05:00

The Mavora Lakes
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

We camped on the bank of the river connecting South and North Mavora Lakes. To date, this campsite has been our favorite. The picture above is the view from our campervan - spectacular!  LOTR sidenote: the Mavora Lakes were the location for Nen Hithoel, the river Anduin, and a few other places.

- Taken at 12:29 PM on January 30, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Southeastern New Zealand

2007-02-15T02:22:00.000-05:00

Southeastern New Zealand
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

We headed west across the southern section of the island, passing through towns such as Clinton and Gore (sweet, they must be democrats here). We landed in Te Anau ready to explore Fjordland National Park and Milford Sound. The plan was to spend two nights camping in the park, checking out the Sound, and hiking to the Key Summit to see the surrounding mountains.  We trekked up to the Sound just as the clouds were rolling in. Unfortunately, we deleted our pictures of the Sound and the surrounding waterfalls (it was bound to happen at some point on the trip). After camping at Cascade Creek, we headed over to the start of the Key Summit trail. The Fjordland area averages 200 days of rain per year. True to form, the skies opened up just as we hit the carpark. With heavy rain in the forecast for the next few days, we cut our losses and headed over to the Mavora Lakes on the other side of the mountains.  Just below South Mavora Lake, we stopped to hike in this beautiful forest full of ferns and moss. Fans of the Lord of the Rings trilogy may reconize the forest - it was the location of Fangorn Forest.

- Taken at 10:30 AM on January 30, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Another Dinnertime View

2007-02-15T01:45:00.000-05:00

Another Dinnertime View
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

New Zealand's landscape is incredibly diverse. It's fairly easy to see snow-capped mountains and the beach in one day. Heading out of Dunedin, we stopped along the southeastern coast to camp. Again, we had a fantastic view for dinner.

- Taken at 2:40 PM on January 28, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

The Otaga Penisula

2007-02-13T21:37:00.000-05:00

The Otaga Penisula
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

From Moeraki, we headed south to the university town of Dunedin. Our first stop was Cadbury World, where the fine Cadbury folks plied us with chocolate while filling us in on Cadbury's history in New Zealand. Interestingly, we learned that Americans consume the most chocolate per person per year (of course, it's not Cadbury chocolate as Hershey has the market share). We later headed out on the Otago Penisula, known for its albatross colony, penguins, and sea lions. The view above looks into the Victoria Channel from the penisula.

- Taken at 12:16 PM on January 28, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Island Hopping

2007-02-13T21:19:00.000-05:00

Island Hopping
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

Sunny decided to have a little fun at the Moeraki Boulders. It took a few tries but we finally got a good picture.

- Taken at 8:46 AM on January 28, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Moeraki Boulders

2007-02-13T21:14:00.000-05:00

Moeraki Boulders
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

We stopped to see the Moeraki Boulders off the southeastern coast near Dunedin. These boulders are huge spherical stones formed millions of years ago in the sea bed. Soft mudstone containing the boulders was raised to sea level, and the boulders are gradually being exposed by sea erosion.

- Taken at 8:45 AM on January 28, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Danseys Pass

2007-02-13T00:27:00.000-05:00

Danseys Pass
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

From Mt Cook, we headed southeast, stopping to camp at Lake Aviemore. We then took a detour off the main roads to experience Danseys Pass. As the name indicates, Danseys Pass took us over the Kakanui Mountains, passing deep valleys, streams, and plenty of sheep.

- Taken at 5:59 AM on January 28, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Hooker Valley

2007-02-13T00:12:00.000-05:00

Hooker Valley
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

Another view of Hooker Valley and Mt Cook.

- Taken at 9:10 AM on January 27, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Mt Cook via the Hooker Valley

2007-02-13T00:00:00.000-05:00

Mt Cook via the Hooker Valley
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

To get a better view of Mt Cook and take advantage of the great weather, we hiked up the Hooker Valley to the terminus of the Hooker Glacier. For most of the hike, we enjoyed breathtaking views of Mt Cook as well as the surrounding peaks and several glaciers. New Zealand is home to over 3,000 glaciers, several of which we have been able to experience up close.

- Taken at 8:20 AM on January 27, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Mount Cook

2007-02-12T23:12:00.000-05:00

Mount Cook
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

We caught our first glimpse of Mount Cook as we drove up the western shore of Lake Pukaki. Although Mt Cook often is covered with clouds, we were lucky enough to enjoy clear views of the peak all day.

- Taken at 6:33 AM on January 27, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Dinner with a View

2007-02-11T03:26:00.000-05:00

Dinner with a View
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

We broke in the campervan at our first campsite on the southern shore of Lake Pukaki. We enjoyed our first "home-cooked" dinner (green currry with chicken) while taking in this view at sunset. Not a bad place to camp.

- Taken at 5:52 AM on January 27, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Lake Pukaki

2007-02-11T01:43:00.000-05:00

Lake Pukaki
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

From Lake Tekapo, we drove a short distance to Lake Pukaki, situated just south of Mt. Cook National Park. Lake Pukaki has the same bright turquoise water as Lake Tekapo.

- Taken at 12:51 PM on January 26, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Lake Tekapo

2007-02-11T01:23:00.000-05:00

Lake Tekapo
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

We headed south and west from Christchurch to Lake Tekapo. The water of this lake is bright turquoise, a result of ground up rock particles in the water that were deposited by the glacier that created the lake. These particles refract the sunlight, creating the brilliant color.

- Taken at 12:17 PM on January 26, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Christchurch, New Zealand

2007-02-11T01:04:00.000-05:00

Christchurch, New Zealand
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

As some of you already know, we have been camping our way around the South Island of New Zealand for almost 3 weeks. We are a bit behind on the blog - chalk it up to a lot to see and do here and not a lot of data service where we have been travelling. We are doing our best to catch up and show you the beauty of New Zealand.  We started our New Zealand adventure by flying from Melbourne to Christchurch, the largest town on the South Island. Christchurch is very similar to a small town in England or Scotland. We found this jester on our walk through town. After checking out the town, we picked up the campervan that we rented (pictures to come), bought some groceries, and headed out on the open road.

- Taken at 8:18 AM on January 25, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Melbourne at Night

2007-02-10T17:20:00.000-05:00

Melbourne at Night
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

Melbourne easily became our favorite city in Australia. In some ways, the size of it reminded us of Atlanta. During our last two days there, we shopped at Queen Victoria Market, had a picnic lunch in Carlton Gardens, visited the National Gallery of Victoria and the Melbourne Museum, shopped in the neighborhood of Fitzroy, and wandered through Fitzroy Gardens. With so much to do, easy public transportation, and a laid-back atmosphere, we highly recommend a visit to Melbourne.

- Taken at 7:51 PM on January 23, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Koala Alert

2007-02-10T17:05:00.000-05:00

Koala Alert
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

One of the highlights of our drive on the Great Ocean Road was our Koala sightings. We caught sight of these adorable critters while driving through the Otway National Park. This guy was happily enjoying his lunch on a tree branch over the road.

- Taken at 10:54 AM on January 22, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Caution!

2007-02-10T16:26:00.000-05:00

Caution!
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

Some of the street signs in Australia were quite entertaining. Whenever we saw this one, we immediately started looking for kangaroos. Melinda saw a field full of them on an early morning bus ride, but we never saw any more.

- Taken at 10:22 AM on January 22, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

The Twelve Apostles

2007-02-06T20:40:00.000-05:00

The Twelve Apostles
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

Probably the most famous site along the Great Ocean Road is the Twelve Apostles, a group of rock stacks tumbling into the ocean. Of course, you can't actually see 12 of them (there are only 7), but they are interesting nevertheless.

- Taken at 9:06 AM on January 22, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Erskine Falls

2007-02-06T20:37:00.000-05:00

Erskine Falls
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

Rain or no rain, we trekked down a short hill to see Erskine Falls near the start of Great Ocean Road.

- Taken at 11:06 AM on January 21, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

The Great Ocean Road

2007-02-06T20:27:00.000-05:00

The Great Ocean Road
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

We rented a car for two days to head down the Great Ocean Road, a stretch of road east of Melbourne known for its rock formations, cliffs, and shipwrecks. Unfortunately, the rain followed us on the first day with huge gusts of wind along the coast. We did, however, have a little fun with the wind.

- Taken at 2:30 PM on January 21, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Yarra Valley Wineries

2007-02-05T22:33:00.000-05:00

Yarra Valley Wineries
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

During our trip, we have been fortunate to meet many great people. In Melbourne, we were able to catch up with our friend Josh, whom we met in Japan. Josh lives in Melbourne and graciously agreed to show us around the Yarra Valley wineries. We had a fantastic day trying the wines at Yering Station, Roundtree, and De Bortoli. As it started to rain, we ended the day by driving through the Dandenong Ranges to the small town of Sassafrass, where we stopped at a favorite cafe of Josh's to munch on some delicious snacks and enjoy amazing hot chocolate made with Lindt chocolate. Thanks for a great day Josh!

- Taken at 11:55 AM on January 20, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Into The Night

2007-01-30T18:50:00.000-05:00

Into The Night
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

After the rain passed, we ventured outside to catch up with some German friends that we met on Fraser Island and watch as much tennis as possible. We watched both men's and women's doubles, caught Mauresmo practicing , and also managed to find Andy Roddick (with coach Jimmy Connors) warming up for his match with Safin.   After finding our friends, we headed back to Vodafone Arena to watch French sensation Gael Monfils, who won an exciting match against Baghdatis two nights before. Unfortunately, erratic play by Monfils allowed fellow Frenchman Gasquet to advance to the fourth round. We then headed back outside to watch Roddick play on the big screen by Laver arena. We ended the night with some men's doubles set against the backdrop of the Melbourne skyline at night.

- Taken at 8:13 PM on January 19, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

The Australian Open

2007-01-30T18:38:00.000-05:00

The Australian Open
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

We specifically placed Melbourne at the end of our Australian itinerary so that we could attend the Australian Open. Ground passes allowed us to explore all of the courts, except the main arena (Rod Laver Arena) - not a bad deal for people on a budget.   Despite the fact that Melbourne is experiencing one of the worst droughts in years, it started to rain just after we arrived. However, we had access to the number 2 court, Vodafone Arena, which has a roof, so we grabbed seats to wait out the rain. After some men's singles (featuring some boisterous Serbian fans), we watched Mauresmo win her third round match. Soon after, the rain stopped and we headed outside.

- Taken at 11:36 AM on January 19, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Melbourne

2007-01-30T17:23:00.000-05:00

Melbourne
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

Although our bus passes served us well up the east coast, we were glad to catch a flight from Cairns to Melbourne, where we would spend our last week in Australia. We took up temporary residence on the south side of town in a quiet neighborhood off of Domain Road, near the Botanical Gardens. As is our custom, on our first afternoon, we wandered around to get our bearings. In a neighboring park, we found the Shrine of Remembrance, a WWI memorial set atop a small hill. From the memorial, we had this wonderful view of the skyline.

- Taken at 1:52 PM on January 17, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

We Want More Diving

2007-01-28T16:30:00.000-05:00

We Want More Diving
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

Our original scuba diving plan was a two-day, one-night trip. However, we enjoyed the diving so much that we decided to stay out on the reef another day and night. Over the three days, we completed 10 dives, including two night dives - a first for both of us.   On our first night dive, we saw the late night hunters. Throughout the dive, we were followed by giant trevally. These large fish would use our lights to hunt smaller fish. It was quite surreal to feel the water rush by you as a giant trevally darted in and out of our beams of light. Melinda saw a reef shark early on in the dive, and at the end of the dive, we saw a larger group of reef sharks lurking below us in the deep water.   Our second night dive featured incredible crustaceans such as lobster, crab, and cray fish, all with glowing red eyes. We also saw a variety of beautiful, bright coral; the color of coral often is much deeper when seen by flashlight. Our second night dive was quite different than our first, although equally breathtaking.

- Taken at 8:31 AM on January 15, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

We Found Nemo

2007-01-26T18:06:00.000-05:00

We Found Nemo
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

Several of our dives took place on Hastings Reef, at sites such as Coral Garden and Twin Peaks. These sites were full of bright coral and a plethora of fish. On our first dive, we spotted a family of clown fish, including a tiny baby, hidden in this anemone. Throughout our diving, we were on the lookout for these "Nemo" fish, who were often hidden amongst the swaying anemone.

- Taken at 1:48 PM on January 14, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

The Great Barrier Reef

2007-01-25T21:40:00.000-05:00

The Great Barrier Reef
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

After Airlie Beach, our final destination on the northeastern coast of Australia was Cairns. Although Cairns is not an exciting town, it is the main jumping-off point for scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef. We had been eagerly waiting to dive since arriving in Australia and were not disappointed by 3 great days of diving at various sites on Hastings and Saxon reefs.

- Taken at 1:56 PM on January 14, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

No Wind = Flat Seas

2007-01-23T19:09:00.000-05:00

No Wind = Flat Seas
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

During one stretch of our return trip through the Whitsundays to Airlie Beach, we had almost no wind, creating an incredible, reflective surface and smooth sailing. If we did not know better, we would have thought we were on a lake.

- Taken at 9:28 AM on January 12, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Tommy The Turtle

2007-01-22T16:52:00.000-05:00

Tommy The Turtle
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

Our tour of the Whitsundays took us to Whitehaven Beach, a beautiful beach with crystal clear waters and white sand beaches as soft as powder. We spent the afternoon snorkelling and relaxing in the sun. One of our snorkelling trips put us in pursuit of this turtle. We watched him eat for a while before he grew bored of our company. We later found out that this longtime resident of the area was named Tommy.

- Taken at 11:07 AM on January 11, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

The Whitsundays

2007-01-20T08:01:00.000-05:00

The Whitsundays
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

Our theme of night bus rides continued as we left Hervey Bay for Airlie Beach. After arriving early in the morning, we registered and checked in multiple times for our boat, the Pride of Airlie.  We spent the next three days on a catamaran sailing through the Whitsunday Islands. During the evenings, we stayed on South Molle Island enjoying some creature comforts. Suneel even managed to enjoy a 9-hole round of golf each evening while on shore.

- Taken at 8:38 AM on January 11, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Lake McKenzie

2007-01-19T07:54:00.000-05:00

Lake McKenzie
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

Our final day on Fraser Island was spent relaxing on the beach of Lake McKenzie. This natural freshwater lake is filled with crystal-clear, warm water, surrounded by white sand beaches.

- Taken at 9:13 AM on January 09, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Shipwrecked on Fraser

2007-01-18T09:20:00.000-05:00

Shipwrecked on Fraser
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

Driving along the coast of Fraser island provided a close-up view of the shipwreck Maheno. We stopped for a couple of minutes to investigate the massive structure rusting in the saltwater waves.

- Taken at 11:29 AM on January 08, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Champagne Pools

2007-01-17T07:08:00.000-05:00

Champagne Pools
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

After Indian Head, we trekked over to the Champagne Pools. This naturally-formed pool of ocean water was invaded by waves every couple of seconds. The waves crashing over the rocks into the pool created a wave pool and bubbly water effect. We spent most of the afternoon enjoying the waves before heading south to our next camp site.

- Taken at 9:03 AM on January 08, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Indian Head

2007-01-16T06:42:00.000-05:00

Indian Head
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

Indian Head Peninsula provided a bird's eye view of Fraser Island as well as the Pacific Ocean. Although the water and waves were tempting, we could only stand in the very shallow water because the area is a breeding ground for tiger sharks. From Indian Head, we could see schools of fish and the several tiger sharks lurking below.

- Taken at 6:58 AM on January 08, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Fraser Island

2007-01-16T00:16:00.000-05:00

Fraser Island
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

From Byron Bay, we headed north on the night bus to Hervey Bay. From our hostel, we rented 4WD trucks to go off-roading on neighboring Fraser Island, a beautiful all-sand island.  Our trip felt like the tryouts for the amazing race. Our hostel organized four groups going to Fraser Island for 3 days and 2 nights. Armed with maps, camping equipment, and a general itinerary, the groups generally met up at various locations on the island as well as to camp each night. At first, without really trying, our group, group 1 (seen above), stayed true our number - first out of the grocery store, first to many of the sites, and of course fastest group on the road (safely, of course). Much to the delight of the other groups, we ended up in 4th position, FIFO, when we left the ferry to drive home. However, with some fancy navigation by Suneel and driving by our Irish friend, we beat the other groups home with time to spare. The look on their faces when we took a different turn off the roundabout was priceless.  Group One Rules!

- Taken at 11:19 AM on January 09, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Cheers

2007-01-11T06:16:00.001-05:00

Cheers
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

While staying in Byron Bay, we had a great time hanging out with the Johnston's, three brothers from Edinburgh, Scotland. In addition to learning how to properly pronounce Edinburgh, the guys explained to us why Scotland is better than Wales and shared our love of the movie Old School.

- Taken at 7:50 PM on January 04, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Byron Bay

2007-01-11T06:16:00.000-05:00

Byron Bay
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

Our first three days on the Sunshine Coast were spent at Byron Bay. We spent two days learning how to surf on Flat Rock Beach, just south of Byron Bay. After getting thrashed by the waves, we spent our last day relaxing on Byron Bay Beach.

- Taken at 11:42 AM on January 05, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Bondi Beach

2007-01-11T06:15:00.000-05:00

Bondi Beach
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

On our last day in Sydney, we headed to the City's most popular beach, Bondi Beach. From there, we walked along the cliff path to the beach at Bronte.  Sydney has been a relaxing stop on our world tour, but it's time to head out. With bus passes in hand, we're heading up the east coast, known as the Sunshine Coast, to visit places like Byron Bay, Frazer Island, and the Great Barrier Reef. We're looking forward to more sun and plenty of beaches.

- Taken at 12:55 PM on January 02, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

A Perfect Afternoon

2007-01-09T06:52:00.001-05:00

A Perfect Afternoon
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

Our stroll through the botanical gardens took us to the far end of the park by the harbour. Under perfect blue skies, we relaxed on the grass, reminding us of Saturday afternoon ultimate frisbee games and our favorite park near our home in Atlanta, Memorial Park.

- Taken at 12:54 PM on January 01, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Sydney Botanical Gardens

2007-01-09T06:52:00.000-05:00

Sydney Botanical Gardens
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

The new year started off bright and sunny, making it the perfect day to visit the Sydney Botanical Gardens. The park is home to some larger-than-life bats, parrots, and beautiful flowers. Our walk around the park also took us into the New South Wales art museum.

- Taken at 1:05 PM on January 01, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Happy New Year!

2007-01-09T06:51:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year!
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

We rang in 2007 with this spectacular view of the fireworks over Sydney Harbour and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, known as the "Old Coat Hanger.

- Taken at 9:00 PM on December 31, 2006 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Manly Beach

2007-01-03T20:47:00.000-05:00

Manly Beach
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

Our first night in Sydney was actually spent in Jason's flat in Manly, a beach town on the north side of Sydney. We managed to be on the Manly beach not even 6 hours after we landed in Sydney - not bad. After soaking up the sun, we hit the local stores for provisions for an Aussie barbecue and then hit the town.

- Taken at 10:03 AM on December 30, 2006 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Heaps of Thanks to Jason!

2007-01-03T20:46:00.000-05:00

Heaps of Thanks to Jason!
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

While in Sydney, we were fortunate to be able to stay with a college friend of Suneel's, Jason Baglin. Jason and his roommate, Ross, allowed us to crash at their place, showed us the town, and found us a great spot to watch the fireworks over the Sydney Harbour on New Year's Eve. We could not have been luckier. Thanks mates!  

- Taken at 9:42 AM on December 30, 2006 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Hello from Down Under

2007-01-03T20:44:00.000-05:00

Hello from Down Under
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

G'day Mate! We have made it back to the southern hemisphere to enjoy the new year Aussie style. Our first stop in Oz should be obvious from the picture. Although a little cooler than usual for Sydney this time of year (around 23 degrees celcius), it has been sunny everyday despite weather forecasts calling for rain.

- Taken at 9:06 AM on December 29, 2006 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Shibuya

2007-01-03T20:42:00.001-05:00

Shibuya
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

We continued our exploration of Tokyo by heading over to Shibuya, one of Tokyo's famous, diagonal intersections. It was amazing to watch several thousand people cross the street at all angles every few minutes. We also managaed to find a huge underground food market below the nearby subway station, where we picked up several different things to snack on, including tempura and cucumber rolls.  The next day, we planned on exploring Tokyo more until we realized that our flight to Sydney actually left that day (oops!). So, we threw our stuff in our packs and hightailed it to the airport (which is well outside Toyko). We made our flight with 45 minutes to spare. Australia here we come!

- Taken at 4:14 PM on December 27, 2006 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Tokyo

2007-01-03T20:42:00.000-05:00

Tokyo
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

From Kyoto, we braved the rain and headed back to Tokyo by bullet train. Thankfully, the weather cleared up overnight, allowing us to explore the city in the sunshine. We visited the Senso-ji temple, which was located in the Asakusa neighborhood where we were staying, and then headed over to the Imperial Palace East Garden, pictured above.

- Taken at 1:31 PM on December 27, 2006 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Sanjusangen-Do

2007-01-02T03:24:00.000-05:00

Sanjusangen-Do
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

Suneel discovered this gorgeous view while exploring the temples and shrines of southeast Kyoto with Chris and Mike. The adjoining temple housed 1001 statues and 28 guardians. Interestingly, part of the temple was used in archer contests. The narrow, very long, and not very tall corridor still showed marks from arrows that did not make the full journey.

- Taken at 10:33 AM on December 26, 2006 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Traditional Attire

2007-01-02T00:47:00.000-05:00

Traditional Attire
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

In Kyoto, we were fortunate to see several women dressed in traditional kimono and even a young geisha. Suneel managed to snap this photo right as this woman exited a store.

- Taken at 1:18 PM on December 26, 2006 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Fushimi-Inari Taisha (cont.)

2007-01-02T00:42:00.000-05:00

Fushimi-Inari Taisha (cont.)
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

Another view of the hillside pathway created by the hundreds of gates at this shrine.

- Taken at 8:59 AM on December 26, 2006 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Heian-Jingu

2007-01-02T00:40:00.001-05:00

Heian-Jingu
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

On our last day in Kyoto, we divided and conquered. Suneel explored various temples and shrines with 2 friends from our hostel, Mike and Chris, while Melinda visited 2 shrines and did some shopping. Melinda found this pathway in the garden surrounding the shrine of Heian-Jingu.

- Taken at 11:32 AM on December 25, 2006 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Fushimi-Inari Taisha

2007-01-02T00:40:00.000-05:00

Fushimi-Inari Taisha
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

Located on the southeastern edge of Kyoto, this shrine is a maze of brilliant orange gates, known as torii, that wind their way up the Inari-yama mountain.

- Taken at 9:08 AM on December 25, 2006 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Rooftop Guardian

2007-01-02T00:36:00.001-05:00

Rooftop Guardian
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

Although the sloped rooftops of houses and temples in Japan look similar from a distance, each roof is decorated with customized designs and sculptures. This critter was found guarding a rooftop on the grounds of the Jojakko-Ji temple in the Sagano area of northwest Kyoto.

- Taken at 12:29 PM on December 25, 2006 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Japanese Lanterns

2007-01-02T00:36:00.000-05:00

Japanese Lanterns
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

Beautiful lanterns, such as the ones above, are synonymous with Japan. They can be spotted everywhere from temples to shops and restaurants, lighting up the streets at nighttime.

- Taken at 5:39 PM on December 24, 2006 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Christmas in Kyoto

2006-12-28T03:21:00.000-05:00

Christmas in Kyoto
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Kyoto, a city rich in Japanese history. Christmas Day was a beautiful, sunny day, perfect for wandering around the Northwest part of town. For Christmas dinner, we enjoyed tempura and sushi at a crowded neighborhood restaurant.

- Taken at 1:30 PM on December 24, 2006 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Kyoto Garden

2006-12-28T03:16:00.000-05:00

Kyoto Garden
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

From Nara, we took another speedy train to Kyoto, where we enjoyed several days wandering through the City's beautiful gardens and temples.

- Taken at 12:57 PM on December 24, 2006 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Walking through Nara

2006-12-28T02:57:00.000-05:00

Walking through Nara
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

These pedastal lanterns can be seen throughoutt the parks, shrines, and temples of Japan. We found this row while walking between temples in Nara.

- Taken at 2:59 PM on December 23, 2006 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Nara

2006-12-28T02:41:00.000-05:00

Nara
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

A grim-looking town when you first arrive by train, Nara actually is a lovely small town rich in history that is perfect to visit for a non-city taste of Japan. Nara was Japan's first real capital before the capital moved to Kyoto. The Kofuku-Ji pagodas (3 and 5 stories; the 5-story one shown) were transfered from Kyoto to Nara for the Fujiwara family. The pictured tower is the second tallest in Japan, just a few centimeters shorter than one in Kyoto (not that we could tell).

- Taken at 1:29 PM on December 23, 2006 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Osaka-Jo Castle

2006-12-28T02:40:00.001-05:00

Osaka-Jo Castle
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

Quickly learning that Osaka was not too exciting (the hazard of no guide book), we opted for a casual day in the park followed by a quick train ride to the town of Nara.  This castle, originally constructed of granite, was built as a display of power to help unify Japan. The castle took 300 years to complete and was finished in 1583.

- Taken at 9:51 AM on December 23, 2006 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Osaka Castle Courtyard

2006-12-28T02:40:00.000-05:00

Osaka Castle Courtyard
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

With the first day of warmer weather in several weeks, we spent the morning exploring the grounds surrounding the Osaka castle. It felt great to be wearing less layers of clothes (only one pair of long underwear instead of two),and to have sun on our faces and warmth in the air.  After our stroll in the park we took a short couple of train rides to the neighbooring town of Nara.

- Taken at 9:46 AM on December 23, 2006 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Order By Number

2006-12-28T02:39:00.000-05:00

Order By Number
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

You know you are getting comfortable with travelling when you arrive in a country with no guide book and no place to stay. After landing in Tokyo, we hopped a bullet train to Osaka and found a hostel with the help of a nice woman at the tourist information center. Once we settled into our hostel and finally purchased a Japan guide, we went in search of dinner.   We found a unique dining experience in the Umeda Sky building. As seen above, you slide your money into a machine and start selecting the dishes that you would like to eat. The machine pops out a ticket, which you turn in at the counter, and your food magically arrives a few minutes later. If only it were this easy to order a burrito at home. We have since discovered that this type of restaurant is all over the place, often near Japan's numerous train stations. For dinner, we continued our noodle bowl comparison of Asia and filled our bellies with potstickers.

- Taken at 8:23 PM on December 22, 2006 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Japan Rail Pass

2006-12-28T02:37:00.000-05:00

Japan Rail Pass
Originally uploaded by Sunny & Mel RTW Trip.

The night before heading to the Great Wall, we realized we needed to purchase our Japan Rail passes, which would allow us unlimited travel on most trains in Japan, including the famous bullet trains. The passes can only be purchased outside of Japan. Our hostel, Downtown Backpackers, was very helpful in making the necessary phone calls and being available to receive our tickets while we trekked the Great Wall. Upon arriving in Japan, our passes proved to be invaluable!

- Taken at 7:44 AM on December 26, 2006 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu