Medjugorje reflections on the hills .

It was early meeting up on the airport . We were in May already, which is perfect month for starting holidays. Some people from that group I knew already. 

We flew  to Dubrovnik with Aer Lingus from the new second terminal. Flights to US and Canada are operated  from there .

Our guide was just waiting for us . And bus too .

She decided to change our program and start from sightseeing Dubrovnik  She began talk a lot about basic things as how is a living in Croatia .It was cheaper before but prices gone up . I don't like even think what is happening currently from the time when they switched off  for Euro .

.Gorgeous Mediterranean city with beautiful  Old Town and lovely sea view attracts many tourists. They must limit number of  boats welcomed in the port. We who arrived by flight could take a walk without any limits surrounded by beautiful buildings and enjoy lovely sea point .  Guide was assisting .She brought us to cathedral dated in thirteen century . I always enjoy this kind of preciouses. Photo shut when I was eating ice -creams  You still may see on Instagram Dear Reader. 

During another ride on the bus we got more useful information about life style there like a food for example. They eat simple and natural; homemade. Every single spare piece of land is used for plantation.

We arrived to Medjugorje and loaded to hotel .

What is interesting about location . I wasn't sure where is Medjugorje located . Medjugorje is a village  located in 
Bosnia and Hercegovina . yes .But is inhabited by  Croatians . 

Bosnia is Muslim but Croatians are Catholic .

Sadly its has been a source of conflict and terrible war twenty years ago . 

So we checked in hotel . Dinner was simple but delicious and vine extra 

What has been so great it was location ; just a few min walk from church . Church looks typically and is  not specious .I  may say that's  is small. Is square out created for crowd of pilgrims coming over in summer time. 

It may  be sometimes a few thousands in summer time. 

We were well established for evening's prayers.

That says how Misja Travel organise our missions .down ma

Afternoons were reserved for events which were taking place in church . Eventually You would have a free time. But in the mornings our guide was organising local attractions for us. 

So we went to waterfalls . They have natural resort with beautifully located lakes. My photos from there make impression as I would been in Peru or Amazon Jungle . 

I was glad noticed that even in this place toilets however toilets were brand new and clean .

After break it came a  time to go on the top Cross Stations Hill . Well . This is not suppose be easy tour . It must be hard . Although that's only eight hundreds meters stones are on the all way long what makes walk so hard .I was thankful to God for idea of buying new shoes . My super Fila brand new shoes went well  through that trial.

 On the next day we have  stayed Medjugorje .We took a ride around .We had another guide authorised for Medjugorje .She told us incredible story of this place. We had usual for program for them who are visiting here . Is place where addicted guys recover from addiction, We bought souvenirs which they made , We met Patrick and heard inspirational story how religious believes  changed his family. 

Holy Mary is over there because favorited this village .

Is impossible avoid Her presence. All village is devoted to Holy Mary what creates specific atmosphere of this place. Shops with devotionals are al over there . Priest may  buy all equipment needed to celebrate   holy mass .

Rosary is mandatory souvenir to buy there . 

But what I like about Misja Travel is fact that they are more opened minded than others with traditional perspective of conservative religious or who proclaim them as religious .

As I mentioned Bosnia is  inhibited by Muslim community  is just thirty kilometers away from Medjugorje . 

So we went to Mostar which is in half Muslim . Sadly it has been source of conflict . 

River is the most characteristic place there . 

Guys offer jump into river from the bridge if You pay for.

Something about seventy Euro should be enough .

We have got this opportunity visit mask . It was another guide .In Croatia this is strictly regulated . Every guide needs be accredited in particular place. 

We have made this effort and climbed the tower .We had to take a many steps. But as always it was worth to do so.

Some participants  in our excursion refused entrance there .

They didn't want go on bazar too .

Turkish coffee was served. Interestingly Hawaii pizza didn't content ham . 

After lunch we went for a shopping . Pens were on a good sale . I of course had to get another pieces to my magnetic collection . Bag attracted my attention . It was on offer with ear rings so I went for . 

Friday was dedicated for fasting and reflection . 

So we didn't go anywhere . 

We were leaving on Saturday . But because we had late return the whole day has been planed and full oft the last attractions.

We went to Split . Oh Gosh . Another guide showed town perfectly. I would never expect Diocletian' s Palace dated for the fourth of century, relict of the  Roman Empire  glory . Sightseeing  around has been incredible .I was trying imagine crowd yelling Ave Cesar .

 The last place which we saw during our mission was Trogir  , beautiful town in Renaissance ,Baroque and Romanesque style which made amazing match . Cathedral of st Lawrence and Renaissance Chapel of st John sea side view showed all the beauty of Dalmatia  and Adriatic Sea . We would have a chat about basic living issues there with our guide .

When we were going back I grabbed magnetic with Kairos Greek boy and neckless with coral made cross.

Full of astonishing experience we returned in the night .

what 

My Japanese  Memories .

My dream was to go to China and stand on the Chinese Wall .

When representant of Misja Travel mentioned that they plan pilgrimage to China and in the term when  I had my holidays booked already I just could not get away with temptation to go . 

And there is an important truth about our life . I  still wasn't  unsure whether my decision was right. 

After many years abroad would be a better idea think about own place for living instead lose money on travelling again.

From the time passed perspective I bless God for that I decided to go .Some things are priceless . Memories and experience as this journey definitely are included . When You go so max on the  East that what You may discover over there is a totally different from that what You know already.

A lots to learn . 

Idea of going to China didn't become reality . Because something went wrong with organizing that trip travel office offered me pilgrimage to Japan in the same price.  

Japan is more expensive so it was a good discount .

I am happy with this swap . Japan is an incredible country and we may learn a lot from . 

But all started from Amsterdam .

I was travelling with KLM .( Royal Dutch Airlines )'It has been my first intercontinental flight . Be honest I was expecting for example more specious seats. But economy class is I guess about the same seats size and it doesn't matter how long  the flight is.  The only one difference is that You are getting headsets and blanket . Screen on the front and entertainment helps manage with this so long distance as I went on the East so far as  max   possible . 

 

Stewardess were in  a very good condition elder lads . It was something such impressive .Meals were served regularly .I may say even tasty as catering on the aeroplane board .  It was difficult to have some sleep , but anyway we landed in Tokyo .

We got declarations to fill up . I haven't got information where we are going to stay , for

how long, where we will move from  Tokyo .

All of this was needed if I wanted get visa to Japan .

So I had conversation over the custom desk which was such challenging in cause of language barrier . That girl showed me book with questions translated on many languages . I just could not find them in English .Finally she let me across Japanese border. During our trip I realised how lucky I was . Japanese are rarely break up rules as they are very stipulate about regulations . When You book hotel and checking up time is about 2 or 3 pm they dislike welcome You there earlier .

So I came out to the meeting point so nervous because I was sure that group waits. But when I came over meeting point I haven't seen anybody there . I thought that they had been gone already . But I decided don't panic . I called to our guide mobile ph provided . All my 10 euro credit disappeared . I felt nervous . What I told that at least I had some cash on me . I would eventually survive in cause if I didn't meet them . Critical situations makes You creative .So I got idea to connect to wi fi on airport and write email to Misja Travel . It worked out successfully. They informed me that guide with group will arrive later and asked me wait. So I was waiting . After some time passed I needed use a bathroom . So I went .

Meantime they arrived . I would recognise our guide with named Misja Travel  flag .

Happy then we went to cantor exchange our cash .It was unbelievable how much complicated it was  perhaps they needed all personal details. I think they don't obey RODO policy . 

I must be of fact that I used exactly that amount which I had . Typical for somebody from Poznan . We moved to hotel. Likely they agreed  for check in earlier . 

We were worn that in Tokyo space is limited so rooms there are in fact capsules . Rooms -especially bathrooms are tiny but You may find there whatever You need , ever razors . Toilets are incredible . There are so many buttons . You need be probably be master if You want to now how to use this stuff . 

Many of toilets models are offered with different type of music playing , because Japanese don't like disturb their neighbors. You may choose many of water falls options . My roommate Renia was close to reaching orgasms whilst she was using 

Despite this long trip we could not count for lazy ,resting time in hotel .We went to see Buddhism Temple and  Tv Tower - two significant figures ,which are a symbol of Tokyo . In Japan tradition is mixed with modern technology. Unfortunately Japan facing economic regression. Previously China is more ahead with new technology . This is never ending competition between these two countries . Despite fact that Japanese want deny influence of Chinese culture evidently this impact is obvious from thousands years . 

I must admit that visiting temple has been fascinating experience . We came on prayer time . Bells and incenses create unique atmosphere . Although our guide was proving that Japanese are atheists and just tradition is strong in that culture I do not agree with this theory.

Tower is a much   better than Eiffel Tower in Paris. In fact that travelling to France became complicated this is a nice option.

After that we got surprised . Jacek our guide said that he needs to go on the airport collect another group from England , so he asked us to return to hotel . We were lucky have one guy who was very familiar with Google maps. He led us back to hotel . On our way we visited restaurant . It was the first try of Japanese cuisine . Communication in English is kind of difficult but customer service simple exceptional .

I have never met modest , humble and polite society like Japanese .

It was dinner in restaurant in plan but because the rest of  got so late Jacek ordered take away . I definitely love Japanese taste. What is interesting sushi is more popular out of Japan than in Japan . 

But they serve in hotels just from the morning. 

I didn't have a clue that we meant have two small suitcases . I had one large . But we were asked to take  just  what we needed for a two days and rest was sent to Kyoto. I didn't so crazy schedule but I loved it. 

Likely somebody lend me one spare. 

After very full breakfast with continental and local options we left for Nagasaki . 

We bought train pass . This is a much cheaper than single journey which is very expensive . 

We arrived to Nagasaki and bus brought us to resort where we have stayed for a two nights. 

We stayed in "Unzen Hell" which is still a resort located down to volcano . We would feel steam coming out from the boiling springs, This hidden mountain village was witnessing torture and killing Christians in 17th age. 

There we had our first  holy mass .

We had a great experience of  Japanese traditional  accommodation .

If You never lived in typical Japanese flat just do it. 

I love idea about minimalism coming from that country . Table and tea set is a central point. It was just one small painting  there . No chairs . Cushions on the floor . And mattresses instead of bed. We got traditional dress . But no sorry . It was yukata . Kimono is very expensive and costs no less than a five thousands dollars  or even over dozen if is a good quality . It is still designed and hand sawed in Edo . I haven't seen many of them dressed in kimono perhaps is so expensive .

We would enjoy traditional Japanese sauna too . Males and females are separated because You are not allowed wear anything on You when You come in there. Jacuzzi in Japanese style which I love . However Renia wanted me go on the next day I didn't feel like. 

We had another intensive day as we went visit Niepokalanow near to Nagasaki . It was a main our destination. Sant Maksymilian Kolbe founded this church in thirties of nineteen of century which still exists  ;copy of the same place in Poland.It was unique occasion to see place where he was working ; printing house whwre he was publishing Catholic magazine "Rycerze Niepokalanej ". We also would found a copy of cave from Laundrette where Holy Mary appeared.

What was interesting this location on the other side of hill saved monastery during a atomic bomb attack . 

We went to the memory park where we stood exactly in that place where bomb erupted . It has been a special feeling . We went to catholic cathedral which some pieces from stayed after this explosion . Is museum of memory this event and many peace actions which are happening over there .

We would not forget go to museum dedicated Christian's prohibition . 

We moved to Kyoto which was the next our stop . Likely Americans wisely saved this city from bombarding . Is hard to believe that Japanese generals anted still continue  war ,but Emperor Hirohito made a peace with America.  This is a still place where You may explore traditional Japan . We need to remember that Japan has been seriously destroyed after the war so in most parts is very modern . But times of a massive economic progress is a history and actually Japan is  facing  regress. Another issue is still ageing society what makes Japan more friendly for emigrants. But language barrier is a  difficult barrier to do it so .

What is a pearl of architecture it's a Gold Pavilion . What is interesting it wasn't destroyed by natural disaster or war, but burnt by someone who got mad about that place . Japan experienced poverty after the war but they rebuilt and refurnished building later.  Because its has been done so well UNESCO put them on the list . They have even putted more gold on the roof than had been on before. I enjoyed seeing a first tea house , which was adorable . What is fascinating traditionally in Japan household was correlated  with nature. Garden was a part  the rest of house . Room is naturally extended to outdoors . And again . Is never too much in the garden . It may be just stone sometimes . 

I love idea about  subtle activities such as looking at rain falling . Japanese are especially fascinated in watching cherry blossoms. May is the most wanted month to going there .if You want adore  blossoming cherry . Alternatively going in March is a good idea . You may enjoy earlier type of. We had another dinner in restaurant. Jacek instructed us how to use sticks . Obviously as it was classic pilgrimage it was sake for a better mood . Sake is not a vodka by the way but beer. In Japanese sake means alcohol. 

Kyoto is famous from tea houses . We were lucky to see geisha . Their number is decreasing sadly as this is very demanding profession . Most of them open their own tea houses perhaps they know this business . Japanese dislike Memories of Geisha movie. The fist reason is that they disagree with what is showed . Geisha is respectful and job and they are artists , no prostitutes. Personally I think that is not a full truth. I believe that it would happen . Another thing is that the main role plays popular Chinese actress . For Japanese is an insult as they do not like China because Mandarins have done a lot of bad things for  Japan during a war. Anyway they try to deny this fact all culture is based and adopted on Chinese . 

Actually is competition  between China and Japan. This is a race of technology . Previously China went ahead and focus on new technology . The middle class is formed  and which is about a more demanding needs . We may remind Japanese tourists taking photos in whole the World but actually Chinese are travelling more and West countries are more friendly for Chinese emigrants than before in fact China invests everywhere . Actually they work towards faster train . The goal is reach a five hundreds per hour speed . That's unbelievable. This is almost aeroplane speed . We made one thousand and four hundred km just in one day during trip to Nagasaki . Travelling with fast train over there is a different story . You would not experience so brilliant service as there . Can You imagine conductor who comes check tickets or lady serving tea or coffee  bowing ? There are bowing rules settled and cod . Basically they have different type of bowing depended from hierarchy . 

It must to be absolutely quiet . We got remark when we were too loud. 

Before we left on the next day we went to Shinto temple to see famous pink gates .We all remember this scene from Geishsa  movie .  And again . Thanks to Misja Travel . We would enjoy that place which is fascinating and taste full Japanese culture .  

We moved to Akita . 

It's hard to believe that in country which is not Christian ,we however would visit sanctuary devoted st Mary .

I guess it must be only one Catholic church in whole the World where You are suppose take off shoes  before coming in. After liturgy with local community conducted by bishop we headed off to Tokyo . 

Before we ended our excursion we went for the last  sightseeing .

Cesar 's Palace was only one place in Tokyo where we would notice any park . Forget about any picnic and  on the meadow. It's forbidden. 

 Famous Shibuya crossing is a cool example ,how Japanese are great organised . It was Starbucks  coffee shop there .Oh Gosh . After all these days I would have cappuccino. 

This coffee is not popular in Japan .  You may have coffee with milk  in hotel . Ice coffee is very popular and easy to get from machine. But cappuccino is not widely served. They are crazy about machines on the street with drinks and sometimes with meals .Statistically they have the highest number of these machines . You may have access in every corner .

We stayed in the city until very late . Finally we could enjoy spectacular view from the highest building terrace . We came for the last view at 10.30 pm .

It was around half ten in the night when we arrived to hotel. It was the same where we slept  at the  first night.

 

Likely our luggage which had been sent from Kyoto   arrived too . 

Quick for pack up and some sleep . We had to wake up at 5.30 am .

In hotel they didn't agree serve breakfast at that early time. 

Well ,Breakfast on aeroplane . My flight was from another terminal. It was a time say goodbye .

I however caught up cappuccino and cake on the airport . I wanted spend the rest of mine Japanese cash. Flight to Amsterdam took eleven hours perhaps via different air corridor. After one day of rest I went to Malaga .

It has been a last trip before pandemic.