Steamy Gora

It would be a pity not to see the volcanoes, so we went to Gora to bathe in hot springs and climb a volcano. Sadly, the volcano of Hakone was shooting ash, so they decided to close the rope way, and no one could see it. I was really looking forward to it, even though I was sad to leave never sleeping Tokyo. Just the thought of having my body soaked in a water gushing from a volcano got me super relaxed. 

Once we got off of the super train (all of the trains in Japan are so fast, clean, organized, that they have my love), we got to a little mountain train that zig-zagged to Gora in Hakone region. You could really smell the ashes in the air once we got off of it. The volcano was waking up. We wanted to see it, but sadly, they closed the rope way because of the risk and offered us the lake visit instead. The boat was pirate like and very fast. The clouds were hiding the Mount Fuji, considered the home by the Japaneese. Nevertheless, the experience was a blast. We went for a quick hike once we got across and entered this bakery that I had to suggest for #thefairtraveller, you can see it on www.thefairtraveller.org. The restaurant on the third floor with that view was accompanied with great dishes (the kings of sandwiches). I think the original Lord of SANDWICH would be proud and stopped that poker game of his (see: Wikipedia). 

Pancake at Bakery and Table Hakona.

Going home to Gora from Moto-Hakone-ko.

By now, I got very well adjusted to the Japaneese ethiquete and respectfulness. Just about when you feel yourself wondering around and looking confused, somebody is there to help you to find your way. Or if you have a question about the rules and how one should behave, you can just look around and find them written all over. So, the sightseeing magazin we were given at the train station with the extravagant places to be visited, also contained different set of rules one is advised to follow while at the hot springs site. It is amazing how everything is detailed in explanation and you can picture everything working perfectly in an almost theatrical, respectful manner. Also, we were given yukatas to be worn around comfortably at the hotel (I ignorantly thought it was kimono at first), also to go downstairs to enjoy hot springs and when using our terrace bathtub (the best part). 

Downstairs, the water was steaming. It was 56 degrees Celsius and I could just enjoy it for 10 minutes, but a perfect experience. Everyone is naked in the joint bath, and I was a bit surprised, but soon enough got over it. What to say, it was a perfect end for a perfect day. I fell asleep at 9 PM, and got up early enough to have the famous Japaneese breakfast including soup, fish, rice, boiled tofu, and more at exactly 8 o'clock in the morning. Ready for yet another fast train, this time to Kyoto favorite. I will make a short YouTube film there, for my dearest friend.

Witty London

We spent just a couple of days ni London, unfortunately. It is a beautiful city, and it is not constantly raining (at least considering January). Streets are packed with people shopping, hoping of double deckers and into Harrods, Selfridges area, with only making a little pause to recover in a nearby pub, eating oversize delicious pub food. 

Of course, we blended in right away, tasting the famous fish and chips, disregarding the fact that it was only 11 AM.

Look at the deliciousness:

After visiting the Birmingham palace, it was time for the theatre. Les miserables at the Queens theatre. This was the first time I ever saw it live, but from the distant upper balcony. I have to say the actors were extraordinary, bringing tears to my eyes, and surrounding audience was cheering them. I've come to conclusion that this is the way I want to spend my weekends. In the theatre.

And during the pause enjoying some red wine:

Next stop: the Big English breakfast.

We could call it breakfast, lunch and dinner, all in one. It makes the hungriness go away for a longer time. Filled with energy, we went to the Hide Park corner where we saw this bunch:

The sight so much reminded me of the past times which I read of in all my Victorian era books. Walking towards Trafalgar Square I saw a blue hen, actually a blue rooster in the distance. It was standing on a bronze lion, at least it seemed so. Right in front of the National gallery, with the bluey mountains, the rooster was singing its morning song in his blue way. It even has its own fb page, the big blue cock:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Big-Blue-Cock-Trafalgar-Square/518715508198749, with the most interesting name.

Ah, yes, the famous London Eye. I wasn't very convinced. It gave me an opportunity to take couple of pictures, but next time I would rather climb the Shard building, the tallest one in London. Anyways, here we have some pictures:

There we were, on our last day, taking the boat trip to see the sights up close and soak up the rest of London. We took the local line, payed with our Oyster card ( http://www.tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payments/oyster?cid=fs076 ), the easiest way to travel around.

With the beautiful graffiti war ship, off we were to the final Indian meal (which was extremely not tasty, really different from the super one we had last time, the Roti Chai, recommended by friends 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Roti-Chai-Indian-Street-Kitchen/140020139423196, go visit it when in London!!!

Kisses and goodbyes to all the travellers out there. See you soon.

Yummi Casablanca

Staying in a hotel next to a fish restaurant has it's advantages and its flaws. The unbelievable smell that emerges from it can be overwhelming, but also soothing at times when you are hungry.

Riad decoration

Recommendation is to stay in a little riad(a pension house), or the small family hotel inside the wall

of Medina(old city).

Sure it gets a little crowded, noisy and smelly, but it guarantees an amazing adventure because its closeness to the streets or simply visiting the market.

Streets of Medina (the older part of the city)

Morroco has many hidden beautiful corners. While you visit all the little shops where the local masters make everything by themselves, it is hard to resist the desire to buy everything and take it home. Amazing ceiling lamps, weeded carpets with a Sahara motive, leather in all sorts of varieties, and many more. So, don't resist and buy as much as possible, don't forget to bargain hard, and you can be sure that you will have some amazing souvenirs and presents that you will never regret buying.

Wonderful colors everywhere you go.












Food in Casablanca is delicious, I don't know if we've been lucky, but it was amazing. The opportunity of having a fish restaurant just next to the hotel is wonderful(those fishy smells are quite appealing during evening times). And ofcourse, experiencing other restaurants in Medina was quite an amazing experience. 

Pastilla with milk

Goath cheese salad

Sights visiting came down to visiting the mosque. It is the only one that lets non-Muslims enter, and it is an amazing site. You could easily get lost inside, while it is 200 meters long and 100 meters wide. Inside it is covered with hand works of all kinds: floor is consisted of beautiful marble in different colors brought to the mosque from all over the Morroco, wals with beautiful carvings in wood and stone, carpets with an amazing patterns. Guarantees a unique experience of the East.

Casablanca's cathedral is something to see. It is all white, and the way vitrages are placed, give you the experience of a different geographical position you have found yourself into. The sun coming from behind the colorful windows makes the white inside blossom with colours. The cathedral is not functional, it serves as a museum. You can also climb the bell tower to have an amazing view on the city, you pay 20 Dirhams to the lovely gentlemen at the door. The tower climbing is a bit scary, don't let the pigeons discourage you.

There is so much Casablanca has to offer, I am sure if we took two weeks for it, it wouldn't be enough, but unfortunately we just had three days. Keeping our wonderful memories and beautiful pictures, we are taking the afternoon train to Fes.

Raclette in Switzerland

To know the country, you have to get to know its food. That is the most important thing (at least for me).

This dish is amazing...

Raclette. Cheese, boiled potatoes, little cherry tomatoes, onions, garlic, pepper..

RULES:

You basically need this oven, 

put it in the centre of the table, 

light it up until the temperature is right (the temperature should be really high).

Put the whole potatoes in the water and let it boil on the stove.

get your metal plate, 

put cheese on,

add your favorite toppings,

put it in the raclette oven in the middle of the table.

Take your own personal metal plate out of the oven, pour it over your boiled potatoe (mmmmmm), and

BON APETIT.