Autumn colours in Japan + coughtails by the pool in Fiji

[Matt_01]

Despite having lived in Japan earlier this century, I visited Kanazawa for the first time earlier this year. The cherry blossoms were out which added to the appeal of the city. ..... I had a couple of decent coffees at a place called Sway Coffee which is amongst the touristy shops on the northern approach to Kenroku-en.

We must have been in Kanazawa around the same time (this year) as the cherry blossoms were still in bloom and just starting to fall. As for Sway Coffee Mrs&MissM found that place and some photo's they prepared earlier

@Drakecula Kanazawa also has a thing for Gold leaf ice-cream.

 

[drron]

We were also in Kanazawa in cherry blossom time this year. We really lucked out being in Kenrokuen at peak viewing time. Loved Kanazawa and have had several visits there.

 

[Matt_01]

.....The higashi chaya area is just near the ninja museum and less crowders than the main one.....

I think you mean the Nishi Chayagai?

@Drakecula If you have limited time in Kanazawa and plan to visit the castle, gardens and one of the old towns near by either Higashi Chaya or Nishi Chaya they are similar and within about the same walking distance, Higashi Chaya is north, Nishi Chaya is south.

 

[Seat0B]

I also struggle with left and right, as well as east and west. You're not alone

So glad to know I’m not alone. Mr Seat 0A always says “no, the other right” when inviting me to look at something as we pass!

 

[Drakecula]

One sleep til Sydney! We're packed and ready to roll.

First stop tomorrow will be the Canberra bus station for our bus up to Sydney Central.

We'll be staying at the Sebel Sydney Martin Place. I'm an Accor Plus member (signed up during a sale earlier this year) which has been handy for this trip and I'm using my extra night for this stay. It looks like a nice hotel and not a bad location to explore Sydney from.

 

[DejaBrew]

We'll be staying at the Sebel Sydney Martin Place

Will be interested to hear your take on that one. Have considered staying previously, but not gotten around to trying it out. Enjoy!

 

[Drakecula]

After a bus trip up to Sydney and a short train ride, we were checked in. The Sebel Martin Place is right near Martin Place station so easy to get there by train. It's in a spot that you might blink and miss, not a big grand foyer type hotel.

It's got an art deco vibe which is nice. The room is good, with Nespresso pods for coffee. If that's a good thing? I don't drink coffee so I don't know.

We dropped our bags and went straight out to find lunch. Ended up at a Mexican joint called Esteban which had a giant list of tequila. Food was great, and if we were there for dinner, I'd have had a coughtail or two.

After lunch we wandered down to the Rocks to see the markets and wander under the bridge and round to Circular Quay. The Royal Princess Hamilton was docked.

We then wandered back to the hotel to enjoy our welcome drink (we got prosecco) and relax before dinner.

Dinner tonight is at Mjolner. It's a great place, Viking themed where you can get served drinks in drinking horns! We've been before and loved it. I like when they roll out a selection of unique knives and you get to choose your weapon for dinner