Madrid Words!

I was in Madrid this past weekend, my sister came from Scotland and we had a great 4 days exploring Madrid. It has been a while since I have done a post like this, I really liked the street names they looked very nice made with ceramic tiles. Seeing all the photos now on the computer, I should have taken much more!!

Photo of the Week - Kyoto Tower

Kyoto Tower is an observation tower at 131m, the tallest structure in Kyoto and the observation deck is at 100m. I did not go up, but you have 360 degree view of Kyoto and the surrounding areas. It is situated opposite Kyoto station and stands on top of a commercial building.

Baden Baden Postcards

Back in February I went to Baden Baden with a friend Arlene, it was only for a weekend. Baden Baden is a famous spa town in Baden-Württemberg on the banks of the Oos river. It is such a small town in which all the major sites are in walkable distances.

Once settled into our hotel we walked into the town centre, we wondered around the streets taking in the sites. We wanted to visit the Roman bathes, but they only were opened from March onwards. It is very popular still in regards to spa and people coming to recuperate their health, as it has been since the Roman times.

We climbed up to the New Castle and got some fabulous views, then we walked along the river back to our hotel. The walk along the banks of the river Oos was very nice and we could see all the fancy hotels, then we walked through a very nice park, just before we reached our hotel.

Later in the evening we dined in a German restaurant which was good enough, the next day the weather had changed completely to rain and clouds. We decided to go up the MerkurBergbahn, which I already posted about.

For a weekend trip to Baden Baden it is enough, but there are certainly lots of places to visit in the surrounding area to it a longer trip.

Kimono Time!

This lovely lady helped us to find Shinjuku!

During our time in Japan we saw quite a lot of people wearing Kimonos, and to us it was really fascinating to see. I was not really sure if they were wearing the Kimono for a celebration or just some people like to wear them. It did seem like it would be difficult to walk wearing one, as they are tied quite tight and the shoes have that bit like in flip flops for the toes. Having said that presumably they are used to wearing a Kimono and know how to walk properly.

The last five photos were taken at the Meiji-ji Shrine, there seemed to be a few weddings on. I guess they must be used to tourists being at this shrine and taking photos of the many weddings that take place here. This wedding passed like a procession and of course I like many took lots of photos, but the bride did look really amazing.

Photo of the Week - Hello Monkey!

Going a little back in time to Easter Monday to be precise, while my parents were visiting us from Scotland we took a trip to Basel. The main focus of our trip was to visit the Vitra Design Museum, which I already posted about that. Once we did that we went back into Basel for Lunch, then we just wondered around. I even saw a part of Basel that I had never been too, which was a bonus for me! This was a wonderful courtyard surrounded by lovely buildings and this chap too.

Tokyo Skytree Tower

One of the many things we did in Tokyo was to go up the Skytree tower! At 634m it is the tallest tower in Japan and the second tallest tower in the world, the first being the Burj Khalifa in Dubai at 828m. I went alone as Arlene does not like heights at all.

There are two observation decks at 350m and 450m, I went just to the first one, which as you can imagine gives some fantastic views of Tokyo and the mountains in the distance. If the weather had been clearer I am should I could have seen Mt. Fuji. To get to the second observation decks you can only buy a ticket from the second observation deck.

It was very busy, I went round a few times just talking in the view and sights. I also stopped and had a delicious ice cream too.

It is well worth visiting, of course you must like heights though!!