Different World of Luray Caverns

Luray Cavern's is a fantastic Caverns to go to. It has drawn people from all over since it's discovery in 1878, and one of it's most notable piece is the Great Stalacpipe Organ. How they did this is find the right size of Stalactites and solenoid stickers hit them to create a tone. The caverns (Once called Luray Cave) is located very close to downtown Luray which is fantastic. We stayed at Mimslynn Inn, check out the post here!

I hope you enjoy the pictures  my girlfriend and I really enjoyed our time in the caverns. It was us, and two other couples on the tour, it was so quiet! Enjoy the photographs.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto

Hey everyone!
Probably on of the most popular visits in Kyoto for tourists is Kinnkaku-ji, Ginkaku-ji, Gion and of course Kiyomizu-dera Temple. This temple is marvelous  The "wooden stage" stands with a grand view of the Kyoto to the West and it seams like you are on top of the trees.
Kiyomizu-dera literally means pure water temple, and founded in 780 at the Otowa Waterfall. You can see the Otowa Waterfall and it is split into three streams below the temples stage where you can drink it's pure water, post here. The present buildings were constructed in 1633 by the order of the Tokugawa Iemitsu. Some interesting bit of information is the fact that there was not a single nail used in the building of the structure. It use to be from the Hosso sect of Buddhism but in 1965 changed to Kitahosso sect. The Wooden stage is 13 meters above the ground and it is said that if you make the jump and survived a wish will be granted. There are 134 documented cases in the Edo period of it and only a little over 85% survived. do not know if their wishes were granted. The view can grant you great views of the Maples and Cherry trees in the area for perfection in Fall and Spring times.

Mimslynn Inn in Luray, Virginia

So I got this crazy deal through livingsocial that I can stay at the Mimslynn Inn, get two souvenir wine glasses and two tickets to Luray Caverns! It was a great weekend for my girlfriend and I and the Mimslynn Inn made us feel fancy! We stayed at a standard room that is below and it was really nice. the nicer rooms have in room fireplaces. Downstairs was very formal and shows that it has a certain tradition. The bell hope boy was dressed to impress ready to get your bags and the piano player looked the part. We felt very special while we were there. We didn't eat at the Circa restaurant on the Lobby floor but the Speakeasy downstairs was nice. If I had more $ I would have tried the Circa since they can pair your food choice with wine. The Shenandoah Valley is some what a Nappa Valley here with many small local wineries and if you go to any of the local shops in Luray you can find tones of local/Virginia wines. If you can take your love somewhere in Virginia  the Mimslynn Inn was a pleasant stay. Oh and it lightly snowed almost the entire time we stayed in Luray, it was wonderful. 

Can you spy my girl friend peaking over the bed? heheh

Otowa Waterfall at Kiomizu-Dera in Kyoto, Japan

This waterfall is located below the wooden stage of Kiomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto, Japan. The waters are divided into three streams that you can see below and people come around to get a drink from one of them. Having a drink from all three is considered greedy. One stream helps with longevity, one for success in school and the last is for the fortune of love. You use a long pole with a cup attached to the end to reach for them. There was a long line for it and I didn't wait and I didn't know which stream was which haha.
Also check out the Kiomizu-dera post and also the Jishu Shrine that is located there. 

 

Heian Jingu Shrine Gardens - Kyoto

So I went to the Heian Jingu Shrine in Kyoto a second time the second to last day I was in Japan. I went with a girl that I had met in Tokyo and we went to the gardens because that is a place that we never went too yet and she had been in Kyoto for  looong time. Anyways here is the link to the original time that I went.
There are four gardens; the west, south, center and east gardens. Anyways check out the pictures and enjoy them!

 

Obento lunch

So one of my first nights there I decided to pick up some pre-made obento boxes at the grocery market right next door to home. I got this deep fried octopus, and then another box with noodles and rice. Was really good and I spent I guess about 500 Yen on it. Also came with some egg. The convenience of Japan...I tell ya...

Safety Travel Charm

So while I was in Kyoto I visited the Kiyomizu-dera Temple and the small Jishu Shrine on the complex. I happened to finally pick a charm for myself that I wanted and it was the Safety Travel one and in my favorite color! I got it since I was traveling and didn't really need one for my studies since I had finished school. I had it on my at all times and I still do and it has kept me well protected and safe where ever I go!

Kitty of Ditoku-ji Temple

I saw that this pretty kitty was walking around the side walks of Ditoku-ji Temple grounds one day. He was laying down in front of me a lot rolling around. There are more cats that hang around the grounds. You will sometimes see them wander on the walls or in the bushes of the streets. The monks sometimes leave cat food on the pavement for them to eat!

Meooooow!