Beautiful Kyoto City

Arrived in a very cold Kyoto City yesterday from Tokyo by Shikansen - bullet train - which was a very speedy experience to say the least! Took a little bit of a breather yesterday evening with some great sushi and good music.

This morning we headed to Northern Kyoto where we strolled along the famous Philosopher's Path along the old canal which joins several temples and gardens. The beautiful gardens are incredibly tranquil and the temples are simply magnificent. The route got its name from the students and professors who would take this route to the University and take the time for contemplation. Kyoto is a fascinating city, bound by mountains on three sides, and packed with historical wanders in between. Also bloody freezing, snowed again today and I think losing the feeling in my extremities was the easiest - the getting there was the painful part! Otherwise, just gorgeous.

Niigata City

Took a trip out with some good friends from Switzerland last year who were at the Summit as well with Yu, who lives in Tokyo, as our guide to Niigata City on the west coast of Japan. We passed through a mountain range to the west coast which is covered in beautiful white snow! It was really amazing travelling into a part of Japan which is still incredibly traditional and quite isolated. Up in the mountains it was really really cold though! We went to a festival in the small village above Niigata City where Yu`s girlfriend Amity was dancing, which was beautiful to watch. We laughed our way all the four hours there and the four hours back, much to the thanks of Pepe and Hessam!













In a snow dome with Karl, Pepe and Yu.

















Some of the dancing at the festival!

Student Summit for Sustainability

Attended the Student Summit for Sustainability for the past week, which was held in Itako City just outside of Tokyo. Had the most incredible time learning a lot, meeting some incredible people and getting to catch up with friends from last year as well. It was really an amazing experience and tons of fun. Had a great field trip out to Lake Itako and got an insight into the fishing communities and rice paddies of the area. Everyone really enjoyed the Amarula which I brought with, and it seemed to go down incredibly well with all the Sake and Tequila!

More sightseeing ...

Today we took the river cruise boat down Sumida river to Tokyo Central, got a little lost in this very big city but found our way to the Hama-rikyu gardens, quite awesome to have such tranquil place in the middle of Tokyo and there were the first of the blossoms out (see photos).

Strolled through the city, some fantastic architecture, and took a trip to the Ameyoko market, one of the largest in Asia, that sells everything from clothes to food. Lots of fresh fish, food I have never seen before and a lot of nori (seaweed)! Very cool experience. Had the welcome for the conference this evening, looks to be an exciting week.

Karl & his All-Stars

In Tokyo!

Arrived in Toyko yesterday evening and have been having an incredible time!　Å completely fascinating city, really friendly people and unbelievably clean. We spent today around Asakusa (the district we are staying in) which is busy enough but still has a lot of old world charm. We are right near to the Senso-ji temple, one of the busiest in Tokyo, and it was really interesting watching all the traditions taking place. So much shopping as well, enough to drive a girl like me crazy! Karl and I went through to the electronics district this afternoon and got him a very cool camera. Otherwise, we both having an amazing time, trying to pick up the cultural do`s and dont`s as we go along and having tons of fun along the way. I will try and say more with some photos, as everything here is in Japanese and Im not really sure what Im doing! Photos of (1) Karl at Senso-ji Temple, (2) (1) Karl at Senso-ji Temple, (2) Gardens near the temple (3) Stores lining the streets etc

YES 2006

Two week course in Braunwald, Switzerland, on sustainability with an amazing group of people - lots of fun and unbelievably beautiful setting!


Our hike on the first day in the Swiss Alps, where we were staying.


The YES July 2006 Group :)


Yu, Jaqui, Aimee and Aat on the cycling day.


The beautiful lake after a visit to a cheese farm.

The infamous 'hike' with the crazy Austrian, Wolfgang. Awesome day!

Hessam after sliding down the glacier, on his ass!

Well-deserved rest after a full day hiking through the Alps!

We did do lots of work as well, I promise! Such an incredible experience and really fantastic people.

Famdamily Roadtrip!

What a beautiful country we live in! Two weeks of non-stop fun with Mom, Karl and Liesl and some breath-taking sights. Also, larger than life sized fruits! Only in South Africa.

Bourke's Luck Potholes

Blyde River Canyon

Mapungubwe Hill

Viewpoint where South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe meet,

also the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers