Tag Archives: Chaput foot prints

Japan

Wandering Dotonbori District, A Perfect Afternoon

We spent an afternoon wandering through the Dotonbori area of Osaka Japan. It is a vibrant area with food and restaurant shops and it actually felt like we were stepping into a living postcard. The shops and stores all had unique signs and vibrant colours.

Shelley and I set out without much of a plan, we just wandered the narrow streets of the district.  The streets were vibrant with bright creative signs overhead, lots of locals and tourist weaving past one another.

The vendors shouting and calling out trying to entice you to buy their food. We took our time, letting ourselves get pleasantly lost among the narrow side streets and bustling main paths. Of course, it wasn’t long before we decided to sample one of the local foods called Takoyaki.

They make different types of Takoyaki which is a popular Japanese street food. It is generally made of small, round balls of batter filled with diced pieces of octopus or other fish. We bought the traditional Takoyaki with octopus to try.

Shelley having some Takoyaki

We continued exploring and looking at all the different signs and advertising. Some of the signs were three-dimensional and very creative. There were everything from dragons, octopus and crabs to other unique signs.


At one point, needing a bit of a break, we found a small outside bar tucked away along the Tonbori River.

Tonbori River in Osaka

It was the perfect spot for us, we could relax but still watch all the people and excitement of the area.

We grabbed a couple of drinks and sat for a while, watching the tour boats go by on the water.

One of the many different tour boats on the Tonbori  River

Each tour boat was unique and everyone would wave to all the people on the banks of the river.  After resting up we slowly made our way back towards our hotel.  The Dotonbori district was more than we expected  and we had a great afternoon exploring the culture and foods. 

私たちの人生のあらゆる瞬間は、無視するのではなく、楽しむべき奇跡なのです。

Japan

Our first day In Japan

Shelley and I landed in Tokyo after our 15 hour flight with a mix of excitement and also tired from our flight. We made our way to the hotel and checked into our room. We unpacked, freshened up, and took a moment to look out over the city. Tokyo stretched endlessly before us, below near our hotel was a Japanese Garden.

View from our hotel room in Tokyo
View of Japanese Gardeon from our Hotel.

Even after the long journey, we felt an energy in the air that made it impossible to feel tired for long. 

We decided to spend our first day exploring the traditional Japanese garden near our hotel.  The noise of the city softened into the background. The water falls and beautiful Koi fish made it peaceful and relaxing.

Shelley in the Japanese Garden in Tokyo


We wandered without any real plan, stopping often just to admire the details in everything around us.

That evening, we kept things simple, choosing a nice meal at the hotel and rest over rushing into more sightseeing.

It gave us time to reflect on the day and build anticipation for what was to come. 

We enjoyed some Japan beer, a nice meal then headed off to get some well deserved rest before the start of our adventures in Japan.

“その瞬間は二度と繰り返されないのだから、一つひとつを大切にしましょう。”

Germany

Nuremberg Trials

Located in the Palace of Justice, The Nuremberg Trials Museum, also known as the Memorium Nuremberg Trials, preserves the very place where the Nuremberg Trials were held, and where the world first attempted to hold leaders accountable for crimes against humanity.
Nuremberg Palace of Justice
When we arrived at the front of the building, we were surprised at just how ordinary it appeared. It looked like a typical government building. There was nothing about the exterior that hinted at the gravity of what had taken place inside. However from the moment we entered the building, there was a quiet weight in the air. This was not a museum meant for casual wandering, it was a place of Justice and for reflection.
Courtroom 600 where the Nuremberg Trials took place
We began by going into Courtroom 600 and we sat on one of the courtroom benches.  We looked at the layout of the courtroom and imagines how the court process that would have taken place.  It felt  surreal sitting in the actual courtroom on the actual bench. A few minutes later there was a semi transparent screen which lowered slowly down and the curtains closed and lights dimmed.
Courtroom 600 location of the Nuremberg Trials
The screen covered the whole front of the courtroom although we could see through the screen to the courtroom. There was a hush  and then original footage from the actual Nuremberg Trials began to play. Seeing the real defendants, hearing their voices, and watching the proceedings unfold in the very room where we were seated made the experience deeply personal. What was truly unique was that the courtroom layout was visible through the screen and if gave a sense that we were witnesses there in real time.  After about 20 minutes the screen lifted and we continued onto the next section which contained different displays. We gained a deeper understanding of the complexity of the trials, the legal challenges, the moral questions, and the lasting impact on international law and human rights. The Museum did not shy away from difficult truths, nor did it sensationalize them. Instead, it presented history with honesty and respect. It took us about two hours to slowly go through the different displays and read, watch historic video clips and see the entire displays.
window on the second floor where news cameras were located during the trials
By the end of our visit, we felt emotionally drained and it was a somber experience. While “enjoyable” may seem like an unusual word for such a place, it fits in the sense that the visit was enriching, educational, and deeply moving. “Bis zur Nistzeit”
Australia

A Day in the Ancient Heart of the Daintree Rain Forest

Shelley and I spent the day exploring Mossman Gorge, a spectacular corner of the Daintree National Park in Australia and a treasured UNESCO World Heritage site.

From the moment we stepped onto the trail, we were surrounded by the deep, living green of a wet tropical rainforest, which is one of the oldest in the world and home to rare and endangered species found nowhere else.


As we walked, the forest felt almost ancient, as if we had slipped back in time. Towering trees arched overhead, their trunks wrapped in vines and moss.

 

Every turn revealed something new: ferns the size of umbrellas, delicate orchids clinging to branches, and plants so unique and some deadly that they seemed like something out of a Jurassic Park movie.  


The trails led us alongside crystal-clear streams and we paused often, to catch our breath, and to admire the sheer beauty of it all.

 

It truly felt like walking through a prehistoric world, untouched and undamaged by man. For us it was a reminder of the beauty and fragility of the natural world, and a treasure worth protecting.

“Take only Memories and leave only footprints.”

Australia

10 Days of Sunrises, Sunsets, and Serenity: Cruising the Coast of Australia

After three unforgettable and admittedly exhausting weeks of exploring Australia, Shelley and I decided we needed a different kind of adventure. One that involved a balcony, an ocean breeze, and absolutely no need to pack and move or rush anywhere. So we boarded a 10-day cruise departing from Sydney and sailing up the coast toward Cairns. It turned out to be one of the best decisions of our trip.

Our balcony room quickly became our favourite place on the ship. Every evening, like clockwork, we found ourselves leaning on the railing, watching the sun melt into the horizon while we savoured a glass of wine.

There’s something magical about the way the Pacific glows at sunset with gold, pink, orange colours and each night a little different than the last.

And the morning sunrises were just as beautiful. We would rise early, often before the ship fully woke, step outside with a hot cup of coffee, and watch the first light of day spread across the ocean.

The quiet, the breeze, the soft sound of waves, it was the perfect way to reset after weeks of nonstop travel. One of the highlights of our time on board was sailing through the Coral Sea.

As if the scenery itself weren’t spectacular enough, we were lucky enough to spot whales. Watching them surface and glide through the water felt like a gift. It is one of those travel moments you don’t plan for but never forget.

At every stop along the coast, we took full advantage of the day trips offered.

Each port had its own unique personality, from coastal towns with laid-back charm to tropical pockets filled with wildlife, beaches, and local culture. Stepping off the ship each day felt like opening a new chapter of the same adventure.

Shelley taking in the beauty of the coast of Northern Queensland

By the time we reached Cairns, we felt like we had experienced Australia from an entirely new perspective, one that was slower, calmer, and with a relaxed feel.  It was a  perfect addition to our Australian adventure.

This cruise wasn’t just a break; it was the perfect complement to our journey across Australia. After all the hustle of traveling, driving, sightseeing, and exploring, those ten days on the water gave us the rest we didn’t even realize how badly we needed. Sunrises with coffee. Sunsets with wine. Whales in the Coral Sea. New ports at every turn. Peace, quiet, and adventure all wrapped into one.

It was, without question, a beautiful chapter in our Australian adventure and one we’ll treasure for a long time.

“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” — Gustave Flaubert