Connecting spiritually with Japan at Ise Jingu

Entering Geku, the center of the path must be left empty for the gods.

Absorbing natures energy aids with the spiritual renewal.

After 20 years, this shrine was dismantled as par of the Shikinen Sengu ceremony

The new shrine, simple but beautiful.

Pilgrims make their way to Geku to pay their respects.

Geku Shrine nestled in the ancient forests of Ise.

New Year’s renewal.

The simpleness and beauty of wood.

One of the many small shrines that make part of Ise Jingu

If one pays attention to the details, a heart might be found.

Walking into the Naiku shrine.

A little cleansing of the hands to clear your soul.

Thousands of pilgrims make their way to Naiku Shrine as part of the New Year’s celebrations.

Pilgrims paying their respects to the shinto gods.

Pilgrims paying their respects to the shinto gods.

Pilgrims paying their respects to the shinto gods.

Welcome to the Ise Grand Shrine, also know as Jingu.  Without planning it, the visit to this very spiritual place ended up being one of the best highlights of a recent trip to Japan.

Jingu is located in the city of Ise, in Mie prefecture.  This is a massive complex of shrines spread out over 5500 hectares of land filled with the calming greenery of ancient forests.  Geku and Naiku are the two main shrines and the principal reason thousands of japanese make the pilgrimage to Ise.

I was fortunate to visit during the Shikinen Sengu (Year of Renewal) ceremony which occurs every 20 years and in which the old shrine is dismantled only to be build on an adjacent site.  It was wonderful to see the simpleness and humbleness of the japanese devotion to Shinto.  No matter what religious belief one might have, Ise Jingu is the perfect place to connect with your spiritual side while getting in touch with nature and its greatness.

If you are planning a visit to Japan please add this to your list…I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

For more information on the Shinto religion and Ise Jingu please visit http://www.isejingu.or.jp/shosai/english/index.htm

Mata ne!

The Barn in the Field

Driving along Highway 10 in Ontario, Canada, one is sure to come across some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. During the summer as the sun sets, the bright colours of the fields come alive and create the perfect backdrop for nature photography.

Summer days in the Land of Green Gables

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After 15 years of living in Canada, I figured it was finally time to grab my backpack and my camera and head out to the East Coast of this vast and beautiful land.    For some time now, I have been determined to get out of the comfort zone – Ontario and explore the many other to-be-discovered places that the land of the Maple Leaf and the Moose has to offer.

With the car all packed-up and ready to go, my girlfriend (traveling confidant) and I embarked on a week-long road trip to the east coast…final destination, Prince Edward Island (PEI).  With our expectations high, our minds imagining dishes full of oysters and fresh lobsters, and our butts unprepared for 2 days of driving, we were set to experience the PEI way of life.

From the moment we got on the Confederation Bridge, I knew we were in for quite a treat.  Crossing the Abegweit Passage onto the Island, felt like entering a faraway and imaginary place.  But there was nothing imaginary about were we had arrived…PEI was now real.  I loved the freshness in the air and all the greenery that surrounded us.  You read correctly…GREENERY!  Not only is PEI surrounded by water but it is also full of hilly fields and lots of agriculture.

On the first day on the Island we headed straight to the beach at Rice Point to check off “clam digging” from our to-do list.  At Rice Point we confirmed why PEI is recognized for its red sand and long beaches.  As the tide pulled back, it gave way to the best spot on the beach to catch dinner.  A dip in salty waters and a couple of hours later….a dozen clams ready for dinner!  The tide started to rise and we had just enough time to head back to safety as the red sand disappeared back into the ocean.  The day activities also included a quick visit around  Charlottetown to get a refresher on canadian history and the first settlements back in the day, and a drive around 9-mile Creek where we discovered that life as an Islander has a lot to do with working on the land and being self-sustainable.

For the second day, our friend and local tour guide, Natalie took us to the Penderosa Cottages (www.penderosacottages.ca) for a glimpse of the North Shore way of life.  On the way to the North Shore we had to stop at the birth place of Anne of Green Gables and visit L.M’s Montgomery’s home.  You definitely feel like you are a part of the story when driving through the hills and creeks.  At the cottages we had the pleasure of meeting the Pendergasts, a very sweet couple and the proud Islanders who have made the Penderosa land what it is today.   We couldn’t leave this land without some apple picking, swimming in the Atlantic ocean, and cooking up fresh lobster and oysters bought straight from a local fisherman near by.

As our stay on PEI came to an end, I could not help it and felt a bit nostalgic.   This is definitely one of the most beautiful places I have visited in the world and one to which I will go back.  If you are thinking about making this trip I highly recommend taking more time off then we did and stay for at least a full week.  Two days was not enough to see everything this island has to offer.

Until next time PEI!

A Day in the County

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Ever had a moment where you sat and wondered…”what the heck am I gonna do on my day off work?”? Several ideas might have come up in your head; tackle the pile of laundry colonizing your bedroom, finally clean the bathtub, pay some past due bills and eventually go shopping, head down to the nearest swimming pool and work on the tan, or simply sit on the couch and catch up on some reruns.  I recently found myself in this exact situation and, after thinking it over, I decided I was going to take full advantage of my day off by making a 1-day road trip.  Destination:  Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada.

I heard from friends about the beauty that P.E.C. has to offer; so I had some good expectations set in my mind.  With my girlfriend, we planned to checkout some wineries, go for a dip at the Sand Banks Provincial Park, and take a some photos along the way.  The trip was not exactly as we planned but it definitely exceeded our expectations.

We started at the Norman Hardie Winery where we stumbled upon some delicious and very refreshing white-Chardonnay and Riesling,  and a very friendly sommelier named Lucie.  As per Lucie’s suggestion we skipped the dip at the Sand Banks and, instead, headed over to a public yet secluded beach…such a great call!  We had the whole beach pretty much to ourselves and enjoyed a dip in warm, clear blue water for as long as our fingers began to wrinkle!  And yes, believe it or not,  you can find amazing swimming spots in Lake Ontario.  For the rest of the day we drove around the County, enjoying the landscapes, exploring the hidden roads, and discovering the magic that this land has to offer.  Great wine, beautiful beaches, colourful and lively agriculture, and amazing people.

I now have a new place on my list of favourite destinations in Ontario.  I also have a new alternative for my next day off.  So if you are ever in the area, do take the time and visit Prince Edward County, you will not be dissapointed!