Monkey

One of my favorite pictures from our travels, this picture was taken on Observatory Hill in Darjeeling, India.
(Also, one of our favorite places in India.)

Takayama, Japan

Written on 24 August, 2010 - decided to post it today...

Per the Lonely Planet, the train-ride from Nagoya to Takayama is "gorge-ous". LP, we strongly second that statement. Over the river, through the woods / mountains....to Takayama we go (or went...back on August 14th, 2010). The misty opaque-hued river that cuts a gorge through the surrounding elevations is dubbed the 'Japanese Rhine' and was dotted with fly-fisherman; the train ached and groaned at every ascent / descent / tunnel. The ride alone was worth the visit.

We arrived at our hostel - our first dormitory stay... Devin with 7 strangers (boys and girls), Emily with 5 (girls only). Each bunk had curtains for privacy. which was nice...and the crowd was very 'Japanese' (that is to say: respectful).


Takayama itself is a small-ish city on the doorstep of the Japanese Alps... While there, we wandered, saw a couple shrines, hit a morning market...and had our first Japenese toast. It is normal bread, but ~ 2 inches thick...perfectly toasted...with butter and an option of honey...

Again, a place worth spending more time... But the beat goes on.

(Awesome magazine cover.)