Sneak peak into the pilgrimage

Resting! that always puts a big smile on my face. What a view.

This man was soooooooo funny, he just loves life. He carved me a little jizo statue (in my left hand) out of cherry blossom wood - such a treasure.

The ever faithful tent, my home that`s always with me. People can`t believe I`m camping by myself. Guess they don`t have any comparison with other countries to realise just how safe Japan is.

Of course there has to be a token blister. It just kept growing and growing. Luckily this day I was able to bathe it in sea water.

The ever faithful markers that guide me along the way.

Climbing mountains with a fellow pilgrim.

A cold morning in the mountains, gratefully enjoying the free hot tea.

I want their job..... What a perfect lifestyle.

The dreaded tunnels. Note no footpath. I seriously hold my breath as I go through them. The longest so far has been 1.7km, about 20mins of breath holding terror as cars speed by. Luckily this is a baby one, that`s only single laned.

Hideko so nicely invited me in and let me sleep in her house for the night. EVEN when she couldn`t speak English and I can`t speak Japanese. She`s such a sweety. The next morning she made me pose for all these "in action" photos with my pack on - such fun.

The coolest place I`ve slept.

My humble beginnings.

The Pilgrimage starts

So it's finally here, tomorrow I hit the road in my pilgrime whites and with a totem stick.

You have to check out this site to see how I'll be dressed.....

http://pamnjeff.com/shikoku/?page_id=257

My lucky charm

I just couldn't resist giving him a kiss. Then I walked around the corner and found another one proclaiming he was "Billiken" the God-of-things-as-they-ought-to-be. A potent message for me at this time. I'll be tucking his wisdom into my pocket on my walk.

Night-time Osaka

First I had to understand the Kanji to get myself anywhere. I'd completely forgotten how nothing is familiar or straight forward and you need to be a decipherer of codes/people to do/understand anything. Cute octopus

Check out floor 701......

The company's called "Deep Thanks". I want more companies with that intention in OZ. I tracked them down in the Organic House. An office block growing a vertical garden on the front of the building.

Quirky Osaka

I've decided to stay a few more days in Osaka and enjoy everything Japanesey.

How awesome a bag that turns into a coat.

Bag or Puff jacket?

Pet shop in heart of Osaka. Immaculately clean but all so wrong. They also had a galah and these tiny rat size monkeys for sale.

I thought these dogs were wearing leg warmers but it's their real fur. Don't they look so happy!

Ive landed and cant remember 1 word of Japanese - please come back quickly. Luckily I missed white gloved peak hour on the trains. Went and bought myself a cute little face washer/sweat dabber just so I could fit in with all the locals. Tomorrow morning I'm off, heading to the beginning of my 88 Temple pilgrimage. I can't wait to start, camping and walking through forest is definitely pulling me right now...

Sunny Queensland

Ari and I had a brillant 2 days hitching from Bendigo to Gold Coast. Wasn't sure how it'd go hitching in a girl/guy combo instead of by myself. Everything was awesome we didn't wait longer than 20mins - thank you universe.

Meant had heaps more time with Brucey and Jess, who beautifully went with the flow after 30mins warning of my arrival. What a send off from Oz, they definitely filled me up with that warm and fuzzy taken cared of and loved feeling, perfect for diving into the big scarey unknown with.

Finally it's arrived, time to say goodbye to Benders. What fun I had with my Bendigo family...