Day #7.

It had the potential to be REALLY good.

But, all it did was remind me how much I despise group tours. Japan is already a crowded place – especially at this time of year – so being rushed around just to check off a list of sights was not really my cup of tea.

Tour guides are talking over one another. They rush by beautiful architecture and paintings without taking the time to explain them thoroughly. So, half the time I had no idea what I was looking at. And we were being herded like cows from one place to another. And squished. I hate being squished.

Moral of the story: If you come to Japan, just do all the things on your own. Group tours are silly.

Eventually, I gave up and stopped trying to be in the front of the group to hear what the guide was saying. Instead, I lingered in the back and hung out with my Mom. Who told me fun stories about her childhood. And showed me fun games she played as a kid.

Way more entertaining.

At the last and final stop, it was raining pretty hard. So a few people ended up staying in the bus.

Sister and I trekked the 10 minutes uphill and I’m really glad we did.

Kiyomizu Temple is a Buddhist temple located on top of a hill. Beneath the main hall is a waterfall where people were lined up to drink the “holy water” and make wishes.   

The architecture of the main hall is what’s most stunning. There was not a single nail used in the entire structure!

  

 And, best of all, we were given the freedom to explore it on our own. No tour guides. No herding like cows. Just the ability to pace ourselves and explore what was of interest to us. The best way to travel!

Question of the Day:

• Do you prefer to travel in a group or solo?