Our 6th day in Japan, but our first full (and only) day in Nara began with an extremely important Facetime. Little ol’ Emily turned the big 3-0 and I wanted to do a virtual tequila shot with her. As she took a shot of tequila in Tulum, I took a shot of mouthwash. Time difference, people.

After getting to chat with all the Tulum folk, we packed up our bags and went upstairs for breakfast. It was a traditional Japanese breakfast so, again, rice and soy sauce was where it was at. I feel pretty awful – like I’m offending the hosts when I don’t take part in the eating and enjoyment of the food.

But they didn’t seem to be too upset with me. They were the cutest.

Once we said goodbye to the staff, we packed our bags into the van and went off on a private tour of Nara. Our guide took us to a viewpoint that looked out over the entire city.

Photos do NOT do justice.

The combination of the beautiful view, the roaming deer, and the cherry blossoms made it feel like I was in some sort of fairy tale. I didn’t want to leave. I wanted to park my butt on a bench and stay there for the remainder of the day. But then it got cold and rainy so I changed my mind.

The next stop was Ukimido Park which is apparently a very popular tourist spot because of the incredible photo opportunities.

They have a “floating” gazebo over the pond and, with the cherry blossoms bordering the entire park, it really is an excellent place to take pictures.

  

Again, I could have stayed there for hours. I even brought my Kindle with me in hopes that I could sit on a bench and read there. But, we’ve got places to go and things to do and adventures to go on.

Next on our list was Todai-ji Temple.

Right outside the temple, we purchased some cracker-like things to feed the deer. And the deer just know. 

It’s like they’re just watching all the tourists to see who’s going to pull out their wallets and feed you. They surround you even before you offer them the crackers.

The Todai-ji Temple is famous for the world’s largest bronze statue of Buddha. The statue is MASSIVE. I tried to take a picture of the statue with other people in the picture to give some perspective on how HUGE it is, but, again, you just can’t capture it in a photo.

After the temple, I was STARVING. Rice and soy sauce can only hold you over for so long. So, as embarrassing as it is, I requested to go to Subway.

  

Don’t judge me. I just like to try all the Subways in all the different countries. Because they all have their own take on sauces and toppings. [For example, the Subway in Turkey has corn as a topping!] I think I preferred the Subway here than the Subway in America. The meat is way more fresh tasting! [Also, they don’t have footlongs. Or really large portions of ANYTHING!]

 

It was purely COINCIDENTAL that there was a Starbucks right across from the Subway. So I just happened to pop in there too.

The soy latte tasted less sweet. And less strong. But, I liked it.

And since we were clearly on an American kick, we followed it up with some froyo before checking in to our hotel.

They had a Milk Tea flavor that I was really excited about. But it didn’t taste like milk tea. So, I stuck to my tart.

I varied up my toppings in hopes that it would make me look more adventurous. But it’s only because they don’t have the toppings I’m used to. Not because I’m actually, truly adventurous.  

Subway. Starbucks. And Fro-yo.

The three words that summarize my food preferences.

If I threw in “wine,” it’d be the most ideal day of eats.

I can be adventurous tomorrow. Today, I’m happy and full.

Question of the Day:

• If you had to summarize your ideal day of eats in five words, what would they be?