go away for the weekend

from a night away on Awaji Island. It was B’s birthday and we decided that something relaxing was in order. We stayed at a place with its own onsen (hot springs). The rooms had views of the seto inland sea and the baths were glorious – there were indoor and outdoor baths, again with a view out over the sea. Between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 5:00 am you could reserve the baths for your own use – we lucked out and got bumped forward to a 12:30 slot (from 2:30). Wonderful.

Have come back from Nara with all batteries recharged! It was fabulous just getting out of the city and relaxing for two days. On the Friday B and I hired bikes and rode out to the Nara Museum of Photography. They had a new exhibition on and afterwards we made ourselves comfortable in their tiny library and flipped through a few photography books. Also discovered a great cafe on the ride back. We grabbed dinner at the shops and ate by sarusawa pond, in the company of turtles and koi. This morning took out the camera and went walking around the historic naramachi district. The highlight for me was wandering into the precincts of a shrine and witnessing two grandparents showing their little granddaughter the ritual of how to pray.

_{+ I put a few photos up on Flickr}

Haven’t taken a weekend break since the beginning of the year and desperately in need of one! Heading off to Nara for the weekend. Looking forward to just taking it easy and being out of the city. :)

We managed to get a weekend off together and went to Vermont, in the woods, in the middle of nowhere. No TV (well, there was a TV but no channels), no chain stores… nobody wearing makeup. It was so relaxing and so laidback and peaceful. I’d definitely do it again. It was only for one night and I felt so refreshed afterward.