Travelogue, Post-Card Home, & Curio

The goal of this blog is to serve as a scrapbook of sights, thoughts and experiences that arise on the Barlow's travels. This is the 3rd in the series of "Spike & Maria's Excellent Travels" - the 1st being a record of their move from Canberra to Brisbane in 1991, and the 2nd being a record of their life in Japan between 1994 and 1996.

Our Itinerary

  • Till 8 March: Preparing (Australia)
  • 8 March - 2 April: Japan (Tokyo)
  • 3 April - 25 April: Greece (Santorini, Athens)
  • 25 April - 1 May: France (Paris)
  • 1 May - 3 June: USA (West Coast)
  • June 5 Onwards: Recovery!

1/4 - Last Day (in Japan) and thankyou


Today is our last full day in Japan. There are things to write about – our trip to Sunshine city and Manja Town on Thursday with Yoko and Mari; seeing the Sakura with Yoshida-san, and making dinner for Yoriko and her family in the house on Friday; Maria’s trip to the post-office to send home our first lot of (excess) baggage, a visit from Keiko and her supervisor for lunch and conversation, and dinner with the Yamamotos (Maria’s other host family) on Saturday. However, there just isn’t time.

That is how this portion of the trip has been for us. Full of activities, long days in which we saw many of the people we love and did so many different things. We have been so proud of the kids and how they have handled the challenges of long days, an unknown language and culture, and hard deadlines that must be met. Speaking for Maria and I, it is like we have come home again – we both wonder why it has been so long since we were last here and are already discussing vague (at the moment) plans for when and how we shall return.


Japan is a great and fascinating place; but this trip has been so extraordinarily special for us because of the wonderful friends who have done so much for us and made us so welcome. Thankyou is not sufficient, but I will say it anyway: (mina-san, osewa ni narimashita. Domo arigato gozaimashita) thankyou all! Finally its not sayonara, but matta ne – we will see you all again soon.

1 comment:

gavin & arthur said...

Hi guys.

Glad you're having such a wonderful time. It's been absolutely fascinating reading about your adventures and seeing some of your photos. I can't believe you're managing to do such much! Have a safe trip to Greece. Take care.

Gavin and Arthur