This giant ferris wheel in London holds multiple people per capsul and takes an hour to get all the way around. Our budget didn't allow us to ride it though.

Big Tan in front of Big Ben.

London isn't immune to the political protests that plague George Bush back home, but despite some obvious antiwar sentiment Tony Blair re-won his position as prime minister while we were in England.

After an excruciatingly long trip on Cathay Pacific airlines (their seats are obviously made for Asian sized people not fat Americans) we made it to London. We thought that Japan would be the most expensive place we would encounter on our trip. We were wrong, the pound is so strong right now (about double the Amercian dollar) that we went way over budget during this leg of the trip. We stayed in England for quite a while though because Joy wanted to see a ceramic show that was to feature one of the artists that inspire her, Kate Malone. Anyway, here I am in front of Buckingham Palace.

The gardens of the castle were equally well developed. I was continually amazed at the beauty all around us. Kyoto, and truly the Japanese themselves, are quite a wonder.

This picture is taken from the wall of a very old Japanese castle in Kyoto. It is amazing how well built it is. It looks brand new.

Very peaceful.

I believe this is a Shinto sactuary.

Japanese structures are beautiful, functional, and precise.

Beauty is to be found often in Kyoto.

More women in kimono's.

Traditional clothing is still often seen in Japan. It is not out of place at all for this woman in the subway to carry a cell phone and wear a Kimono.

Hmm, which way?

The structures were built well back into the woods and into the hills.

They are built as a symbol of devotion, these people must be very devoted.

Remember what I said about the Gateway!

This statue seems quite imposing!

Here I am reading about the temple.

There were many of these dog statues, but the gateway thing is especially significant to this temple.

We happened upon this temple dedicated to a Goddess esteemed by the agricultural people of the area. The popularity of the temple was established long ago when a drought broke after a ceremony held here.