Homeward Bound
03.12.2025
19 °C
Our eleven-week journey through Japan, Korea, and southern China became a fascinating lesson in history, culture, and beauty woven into daily life. The highlights began with a peaceful visit to Nikko, where the shrines dedicated to the Tokugawa shoguns, the architects of more than 250 years of Edo-period stability, stood quietly among towering cedars and moss-covered stone lanterns…
From ancient tranquillity we moved south to the intense heat of Osaka, joining the crowds at Expo 2025 before finding peace in the mountains of Hokkaido, arriving just in time for the island’s spectacular autumn colours…
Our first time in Korea added new historical layers to our journey. In Seoul, we explored the grand Joseon palaces, whose kings shaped Korea’s cultural foundations for more than five centuries, while the striking modern skyline of Jongno rose around them.
Busan’s Gamcheon Culture Village, built by refugees from the brutal civil war that ripped Korea apart, offered a moving sense of resilience and determination despite the odds…
Gyeongju, the former capital of the Silla Kingdom, greeted us with its ancient royal burial mounds preserving more than a thousand years of history...
Southern China brought us the timeless karst landscapes of Guangxi, long celebrated in classical poetry and ink paintings. We drifted along the Yulong and Li Rivers, explored ancient markets and climbed the soaring walkways of Peak Ruyi, a dramatic piece of modern engineering set amid mountains that feel eternal…
…and we stayed in the amazing Tea Cozy Hotel in Xiatangzhai – a solid 10 and our most favourite hotel in the world.
Returning to Tokyo to meet up with old friends and celebrate a special birthday was the perfect finale to a journey rich in history, landscapes, and warm connections across three remarkable countries. Here we are with the birthday girl, Sumiko, (on the left) along with Tom, Taiko, and Melanie from Vancouver…
With just a few days left in Tokyo, we visited Rikugien Gardens, where there were reminders of the amazing colours that have been a key feature of this trip…
As if the natural colours were not enough, in the evening we watched an extraordinary light show at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku …
We called this trip From Fuji to Everest without intending to climb either. While we didn’t get to see the Himalayas, we enjoyed a beautiful early-morning view of Fuji from the top of the Government Building …
While there have been so many amazing experiences on this journey, perhaps most notable has been the weather. We’ve had weeks of gloriously warm days with almost endless sunshine and only one wet day – Sheila’s birthday!
So that is it, another journey complete as we fly home for Christmas with our minds full of fabulous memories. A huge thank you to all the people who helped us along the way, many whose names we will never know, and especially big hugs to the wonderful friends and “relatives” in China and Japan who made this trip so memorable. And thank you, dear reader, for following along and giving us a reason to keep writing.
Bye for now. We look forward to seeing you on our next Blissful Adventure.
What a finale! This has certainly been one of my favourite trips of your many amazing journeys. How perfect that you got to celebrate Sumiko’s birthday. And now your Canadian island paradise is awaiting your homecoming. May your trip home be uncomplicated and enjoyable. Love, Trudy PS I Love your final photo. ❤️
by Trudy