A MONTH-LONG GET-AWAY

I can't believe it went by so quickly

It ended just like that as if it was only yesterday

Time to shake it off and back to reality

But I want to share some highlights from this month-long holiday.

Let us start with Japan, first stop - TOKYO - fascinating

We walked and watched people cross the famous Shibuya Crossing

How can I forget we missed the Mt. Fuji sightseeing

The simulation we did the day before was not helping

Navigating their subway system was kind of challenging

We entered the wrong platform and took the wrong train kind of confusing

We were lost so we were running

Hoping to see our bus in the designated parking still waiting

We got there panting, our bus left us, we tried to get in the next one

But Mr. driver shooed us away didn't even want to listen

Disappointed we accepted our defeat and settled with a consolation

We managed to get a refund for our return trip after a long discussion

KYOTO, our second destination

We are more than happy with our accommodation

The hotel provided a free pick-up from and to the train station

Which was convenient in bad weather like pouring rain

Another feature of the hotel which we love is their ONSEN

My first experience of being naked in a public bath, it was so freeing

Calming, relaxing and soothing

The hotel's general vibe was welcoming

That leaves you a happy feeling

The best part of this stop, was meeting my friends

In flesh and blood for the first time in 13 years

Of chatting and only seeing online, those were magical moments

Short but sweet and heartwarming meet ups

And the funniest thing that added color to these meetings

Their husbands curios and amazed by this kind of friendships

Also came to join and meet us

We exchanged stories, went back memory lane, until we said our goodbyes and part ways

Our third stop, OSAKA known as "the kitchen of Japan"

This time I was suffering from bad cough which was not part of the plan

We did not make it to our Shirakawa-go Tour

We mis-calculated and overlooked the distance, time and transportation factor

You can say what a waste of money

But more than anything else our health is a priority

Moving on, who would have thought we will see Cyndi Lauper

In her Farewell Concert

When we already missed her in Perth

I didn't realize she has an equal following

Of both men and women, young and old dancing

And singing to timeless hits

"Girls Just Want To Have Fun", "Time After Time" and "True Colors" among others

And the last but not the least was the WORLD EXPO series

Which takes place every 5 years

And for 2025 to be held in Osaka, what are the odds

And what a blessing and coincidence

With a fitting theme of "Designing Future Society For Our Lives"

It was open to the public to witness

The creativity and human ingenuity

As each participating country

Displayed and shared their inventions and innovations

On how to address their country's pressing issues and problems

And for me to be a part of the WORLD EXPO history

This is the highlight of my OSAKA story

And also meeting Mary a co-worker in Brunei and Edward, her husband

Should be worth mentioning too and not be omitted

And this is where my Japan adventure ended and punctuated.