Monday 25th April

2 sleeps to go!!! We left the hotel at 8.30 and we are on our way to Meiji Shrine about 20 minutes away. It was a lovely shrine where we couldn't take photos of the inside of the shrine but could take the park on the outside. We were just in time to see a ceremony with the monks and 'lady monks'. I think they are called monks also but not sure. I took some photos of their ceremony and it was quite amazing.
Back on the bus at 9.40 and off to shopping in Akihabara.

We drove past Olympic Stadium and they had Circus de Soliel on. There were tents everywhere (which I think were for food etc).

We also drove past the Royal Palace which is surrounded by a moat (except where their driveway is but not for the public).

There wasn't much traffic there as peak hour traffic is between 5 - 7 each night.

We arrived at the electrical store consisting of about 7 floors. They have anything that you want in electrics. Sandy bought some ear phones for his iPod . We said good bye to Steve and Kim as they were staying in Tokyo for another 2 days on their own.

We got an email address for Ayumi as we leave her this afternoon.

We got to Tokyo airport and said good bye to Ayumi. She was a good Tour Guide and this, she said, is going to be her last tour and she will have to find another job. She was very knowledgeable and tried to let us see as much as she could fit in.

Our flight to Taipei was due to arrive at 5.15.

We boarded at 2.10 and there is an hour difference between Tokyo and Taipei.

I should imagine the trees changing colour in Autumn would be amazing. You could see there were orange and red trees everywhere.

On arriving at Taipei, we were met by our Tour Guide, Ruth for the rest of the day and tomorrow.

We were staying for the night at Howard Plaza hotel in Taipei (where we had stayed before).

We walked up to the Sogo Department store and Helen bought a pair of shoes. Sandy and Wally had a coffee at Starbucks and waited for us to come back for them.

We passed Le & Lien going for their tea. Le said to wait a minute and he bought 2 more beers and gave them to us to take back. He said he would be back soon.

After about 9, he hadn't arrived so we drank his beers and as Wally & Helen were going to their room, our phone rang and it was Le asking if it wasn't too late (10pm) he would come to our room and have a drink. Sorry Le, we had drank it.

Re-packed our bags and were in bed by 10.30 as we had an 8.30 start tomorrow.