August 25, 2025

Kyoto - Day 2 Continued - This was a Long & Hot day!!

Japan just published a report that the number of dogs, is now greater than the number of children. They carry and bring their dogs everywhere. And so excited to have them photographed. I was wondering why I have only seen one pregnant woman, in all the time we have been here!

Our next stop was the Silver Temple  or GINKAKUJI TEMPLE  dating back to 1482. Built by Yoshimasa Ashikaga and inspired by his  grandfather's Golden Pavilion. He was building as his retirement villa but he passed away before it was completed in 1490 and at his request, it then became a Temple.

The next stop was Nanzen Ji Temple and Aqueducts. We stopped for a quick bit on the go - picking up water and sandwiches at Seven Eleven and ate while driving here. This is when the heat was just oppressive and we started to lose momentum. Only Bosco & I walked the aqueducts. The others waited in the shade.

Next stop was the Yasaka Pagoda and only I paid the entrance fee to go inside, while Bosco did the grounds surrounding the property the others went for ice cream. I was curious what the inside structure of the pagoda looked like and wanted to see the Buddha statues on the lowest level. You had to climb up narrow ladders to see upper level and you could only go to third level and look out small window.

Our final stop was the show stopper for me. The Fushimi Inari - Taisha Shrine is one of Kyoto's most iconic Shinto shrines, dedicated to Inari, the deity of rice, prosperity and business.Founded in 711 A.D. it is famous for its thousands of vibrant red torii gates that form tunnels along the trails leading up Mt. Inari. These gates, donated by individuals and businesses, symbolize gratitude and prayers for success. The shrine is anchored by Fox statues, believed to be Inari's messengers.

ENTERING HONG KONG HARBOR

By Pat Patrick • September 1, 2026
On Saturday August 29, 2026 we achieved another historic milestone on this circumnavigation of the World , we cruised into Hong Kong Harbor. Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China. The land encompassed by Hong Kong is confusing. It includes part of the southern coast of mainland China, just below Shenzhen, Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories . Looking at a map helps, but the rules changed so many times! I asked my buddy Chat several times, to tell me if what I was looking at was the Hong Kong that the British had owned for years. The answer was never straight forward!

HA LONG BAY, VIETNAM

By Pat Patrick • August 31, 2026
Ha Long Bay in Vietnam is one of those bucket list places I have had in my sights for years. It's the iconic picture in my mind's eye, whenever I think of Vietnam . We had made plans to go with 8 others on a brand new, swanky Red Dragon Junk boat for a harbor cruise and overnight stay, but sadly the weather did not cooperate the whole 4 days we were in port. No ships were permitted to sail, per the local government. Many of us were bummed! This is typhoon session and there was a lot of rain and high winds our first couple of days - we were hoping it would blow out the last day and we could at least do a day trip but no luck! 

HAI VAN PASS to HUE, VIETNAM

By Pat Patrick • August 30, 2026
To get to the final stop on our Vietnam FUN Tour in Hue, we had our driver take us on the scenic route called the Hai Van Pass. This 3 hour drive took us back through Da Nang and then into mountains and along coast for what is generally a very scenic route. Unfortunately for us, it was mainly covered in clouds and fog.