JAPAN, YOU ARE AMAZING.

4 years ago was a bucket list time for me.

I want to share my fantastic travel experiences.

For my 60th birthday, I wanted to explore Japan. In particular, I wanted to explore

The Kumano Kodō trail.

The Kumano Kudo is a series of ancient pilgrimage routes that crisscross the Kii Hantō, the largest peninsula of Japan. These trails were used by pilgrims to "Kumano Sanzan" or the Three Grand Shrines of Kumano: Kumano Hongū Taisha, Kumano Nachi Taisha, and Kumano Hayatama Taisha. We were to see 1,000 shrines and temples and stay with authentic Japanese families who would spoil us and host us along the way. We were treated to the most delicious home-cooked Japanese food. We were treated to very humble lodging with very traditional families for 1 week while we explored this 1200-year-old UNESCO world heritage listed trail.

We experienced that most amazing trip for 2 and a half weeks in Japan.

We have experienced many different sides of Japan.

We have experienced the city,

We experienced the country,

We experienced the mountains and the sea.

We have eaten a huge variety of Japanese food but more rice, noodles, fish and eggs in 2 and a half weeks than ever before.

The Japanese people could not do enough for us and it was the cleanest and safest place we have ever visited overseas.

When they don't understand what you are saying they apologise profusely as if it is their fault.

Highly highly recommend a holiday in Japan.

We will be back one day when I get through a few more places on my bucket list.

Some fabulous photos just to give you a taste of this beautiful part of the world.