^{Fairly soon I will return to Japan for my sixth holiday there – all self planned trips taken over the past 22 years.}

^{I have had a camera in my hand since I was given one for Christmas when I was about nine, and one has been with me on all my travels since – sometimes two of them! It’s always a dilemma packing – what can I leave behind to make way for my cameras and lenses!}

^{Over the last five decades, I have travelled extensively around the world, experienced remarkable places, and met amazing people. I know what it’s like to stay in a five star hotel and to be kindly invited to tea in the courtyard of a mud brick two room home with dirt floors that housed two families – the mud brick hospitality was memorable – the five star not so much.}

^{In late life, Japan has become my favourite destination. I’ve pondered if I would have enjoyed it so much when I was first embarking on international travel in the 1970’s when I was in my early twenties. I have concluded that perhaps I would not have, as it was a lot more difficult for young foreigners on a tight budget to travel within Japan at that time. No cheap youth hostels, which I favoured in Europe. I’m told that Japanese back then were more wary of foreigners, and that very little english was available. On both sides, there was a lot less understanding of cultural differences than there is today.}

^{I did, in fact, consider visiting Japan in the 1970’s. But researching a trip then was a lot more difficult, with no internet. Travel agencies offered tours, but nothing for a young traveller on a minimalist budget. And I had no contacts there. For an Aussie girl, with limited funds, and mostly travelling alone, those difficulties seemed insurmountable. So I explored Australia, headed across to New Zealand, and later moved onto Europe instead.}

^{As my travelling prowess improved, so did my sense of adventure that eventually landed me in places such as Afghanistan and India. Perhaps Japan, after all, would have been a breeze in the 1970s?}

^{It wasn’t until 2002 that I first sighted Mt Fuji when I organised a self guided trip in Japan for myself and my sons on three weeks notice. Lonely Planet was my principal guide, and by then, I was able to research on the Internet. We mainly stayed at family friendly ryokans, using the Japanese JAPAN RYOKAN & HOTEL ASSOCIATION as a guide. The Association still operates today, and I highly recommend it.}

^{It helped that my youngest son spoke some limited Japanese, and had already been to Japan on a high school trip. Although I did have to show him the old fashioned benefits of pointing to a map and improvised sign language to get directions!}

^{My husband had work commitments, so missed out on that first Japan trip. But on retirement, he suggested I organise another Japan visit for us. Luckily, he loved it! So, three weeks in 2017, three weeks in 2019, and a three week trip planned for 2020, but torpedoed by Covid.}

^{In May 2022, we were finally back in Japan, followed by an autumn visit the same year, and another autumn visit in 2023. Autumn is a brilliant time to visit Japan! My camera goes a little crazy capturing the colours! Both spring and autumn also are wonderful times for birdwatching in Japan.}

^{Plans for a 2024 trip is in hand, where we hope to move more beyond the well trodden tourist track – there may even be two visits there this year, along with more travel explorations within Australia. At our late age, with knees and other joints weakening, we are accelerating our travels before time runs out! Already, a failed knee replacement early last year has slowed me down – so there is not likely to be any more trekking. But we still hope to get into some of Japan’s choice nature areas for the scenery and bird life – and, of course, to meet more people. We will be equipped with our bear bells. I would love to see them from afar, but not too close!}

^{Looking back on my travels over the last half century, it hasn’t necessarily been the sights or the array of wonderful food and culture along the way that have enthralled me. Or the sense of achievement in meeting the challenges of travel both within Australia and overseas.}

^{It’s been the people I’ve met. Kind, generous, interesting, wonderful people. The amazing rich quilt of humanity that I’ve been so privileged to experience.}