KYOTO, JAPAN

Our ship docked in Osaka, Japan this morning.  I woke up to the SWEETEST BIRTHDAY videos from August and Jonah!!!   And a call from Jonathan and Shallie!  (Made my day!)

We left the ship early to join an all day tour to Kyoto,

and saw this poster going through the terminal.  (Duly noted!)

After about an hour and a half drive, we arrived in Kyoto to the NIJO-JO CASTLE.

After walking through the palace (no photos allowed), we walked around the grounds which were beautiful.  The day was supposed to be in the forty’s, however, it turned out to be warm enough in the sun that several layers could be taken off!

We stopped off at the SHOZAN RESORT for a “box” lunch!  It was SO GOOD!

My yoga buddy, T, joined us for lunch!

The final stop of the day was to the KINKABUJI TEMPLE.  We couldn’t go inside, but it was beautiful!  The castle was gold leafed, inside and out!

It was a walking tour all around the temple grounds, and we loved it.  It was a beautiful day to be walking a beautiful property!

We loved what we saw on the tour, however, it wasn’t the Kyoto we expected from one of John’s favorite programs, Feed Phil.  Phil showed us a part of Kyoto that appeared to be a small, quaint village-like area with shops and restaurants.  The Kyoto we saw was a bustling city.  Oh well, we can try again next time!

When we got back on the boat, High Tea was happening.  It’s a daily event that Dave and Michelle have taken advantage of, but a first for John and me! It had gotten chilly by the afternoon, so the coffee and tea warmed us right up!  (I would be lying if I said that’s all we had!)

Boogie was playing the piano and (somehow) knew it was my birthday.  So he played, “Happy Birthday To You” for everyone to hear!  (Yea!)  (Patte, you would have LOVED IT!)

Back in our room was yet another birthday surprise!

A bit later we enjoyed Boogie and Kasia’s music,

while watching our favorite bartenders performing their magic.

They even brought out a drink called the “Birthday Candle” for me!  After the flame went out, they had me stir it up and drink it quickly through a straw!  It was MAGNIFICO!  Thank you, Alvi and Jonahtan!)

After a wonderful Asian Buffet (I think all four of us chose the sushimi and sushi), we totally enjoyed a local group,The Taiko Center Drummers, perform. They were outstanding….but exhausting!  How they did what they did we’ll never know, but their show totally wore us out! 

It was a memorable birthday, to be sure!  I heard from Jason and Chloe and many friends and relatives throughout the day!  Than you from the bottom of my heart, everyone!  You made the day very special!