A - Z Challenge - J is for Japan

Due to the devestating earthquake and tsunami, I couldn't go past Japan for my J challenge. I'm not showing any disaster photos. We've all seen enough of those. I'm showing the beautiful Japan known to the Japanese and visitors alike. Enjoy the trip with me.

Majestic Mt Fuji

Japanese Macaques or Snow Monkeys at Jigokudani hot spring in Nagano. How weird are they? Has anyone seen them?

A tea plantation at the foot of Mount Fuji west of Tokyo. Woo, all that green tea! Yum!

Neon signs in Shinjuku commercial center in Tokyo. Apparently it's a bit quieter these days.

Skyline of Nagasaki at night. Hard to believe it was once nearly annhilated.

The Matsumoto Castle during Cherry Blossom in Nagano

Japanese lantern and Maple tree in Kyoto park

Maple trees in Kyoto park. As someone said, the most beautiful poem can never beat a tree.

Calm Zen lake and bonsai trees in Tokyo garden.

Giant Buddha monument in Kamakura near Tokyo. I imagine a sad look of the face at the devestation that hit Japan recently.

All I can say is what a gorgeous country. Let's visit and help get their economy back on track. Go here to look at more of these wonderful pictures courtesy of Japan Vacations.

A - Z Challenge - I for Ibiza

Woops! My post came early. This was supposed to be Mondays and I hadn't even finished it. Looks like you're enjoying it anyhow, so have fun! I'll leave it as it is...

Today I feel like a stroll through Ibiza. I'll be in Spain in a couple of months. Maybe I should take a quick flight here?

Where is this fabulous holiday playground? Just south of the island of Majorca.

Rather lovely beach

Port of Evassa Town

Sitting at a typewriter and opening veins...

There's nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and open a vein.                -Red Smith

That's what I'm doing for the next month, opening veins. Sorry, I won't be posting, but I will visit occasionally. I'll be back on April 1 for the A - Z Challenge where I will be posting about a country or a travel-related tip every day except Sunday.

I have a lot of writing to do before I embark on my month-long sojourn in mid-June to Paris, the Dordogne, S.W. France, Andorra, San Sebastian Spain, Bordeaux, Morocco, Paris...

Townsville, North Queensland before the cyclone

Townsville in North Queensland didn't bear the brunt of Cyclone Yasi, but it was pummelled badly with rain and gale-force winds for days. These are photos I took of Townsville on a recent trip before CycloneYasi blew in, destroying many towns north of Townsville.

Setting off sailing from one of the bays close to the city.

The Coffee Club on The Strand was newly-opened when we visited. The Strand was all but destroyed by high tides. It looks nothing like this now. See how close to the sea it is!

On Magnetic Island (Maggie) as the locals call it. An idyllic paradise which first felt the wrath of Cyclone Yasi.

On Maggie the locals are creative with their decorations. Lots of found art!

A view of one of the inlets on Maggie.

Yes, old fella, it was a hot day! Sorry to disturb your nap!

Back in Townsville, a view from Castle Hill over one of Townsville's beautiful bays.

Nothing like taking the dogs for a swim at the end of a hot day - and it's ALWAYS hot in Townsville.