World Peace Flame

Peace in the world begins in our own heart …. you can imagine how big my surprise was, to find a World Peace Flame in little Cadzand Dorp and without a friend’s hint I would hardly have thought of it. I had been here countless times and hadn’t known about it. Today I was here and left a wish. This country, which I have loved since childhood, had to endure terrible things from the war that started in Germany. I wish so much that something like this never happens again. I feel so close to the people here, with whom I can laugh and cry as with brothers and sisters. I hope so much that the generations to come will overcome the deep injuries and live in eternal peace and respect for one another.

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Osaka Castle

What to do on this one day I had left for Osaka. I had long since made friends with this city during my walks the day before. The choice was huge.   Osaka is famous on the one hand as a trading city, but also for its culinary delicacies. Since in my case there was no basis for trade and I had already approached the city’s culinary offer and would continue to devote myself to it during my meals, I decided to trace the historical background a little bit. I visited Osaka Castle, which is considered one of the most famous castles in Japan, and which also had an important and preparatory role in the unification of Japan due to the work of its builder Toyotomi Hideyoshi.   The approach was easy. I was even able to use my JR passport and take the loop line, which was already used by the airport, almost to the entrance gate. A wonderful walk in the sunshine along the outer moat of the castle led me steadily towards the entrance at the main tower.   (Bild 1 und 2)   This tower, which was originally built in 1586 from wood and which was

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Arriving in Japan

Japan, Osaka to be precise, welcomed me with bright sunshine. The airport, for which an artificial island had to be created in the bay of Osaka, I quickly walked through to the luggage conveyor belt, which was soon set in motion. The short waiting time in the apron was also made entertaining by two young officials, each with dog. Again and again, they trained the dogs, as it seemed, and walked with them through the passengers standing behind a marked line. In spite of a serious and frightening tone of voice, which made one fear the worst, their laughing faces spoke a different language, both the officers and the dogs seemed to have a lot of fun. I didn’t have to wait long, when the black rubberized snake started to move and as one of the first cases my turquoise 28 kg trundled in and wanted to be moved. It is not really an art to push 28 kg on rolls through a well tiled airport, it rolls almost by itself. But in a toilet you can get along a little bit worse, but that worked out great, too.   t is no secret that visiting a toilet in Japan

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Dancing to the beat of the waves, the wind and the “hipshaking drums”….

Like a red thread, the search for traditional music and traditional dances ran through my daily travel routine.  Just like here on Rarotonga. The ladies at the reception recommended the “Cultural Village Tour” in the nearby Te Vara Nui Village. Sceptically I looked into the beaming eyes of the two of them, who wanted to tell me that this was a wonderful program. I had the choice between the two options to book only the Over Water Nightshow with buffet and dinner or a complete program including a visit to the traditional Cook Island Maori village. There I would be able to learn about the history, lifestyle, traditional medical knowledge, navigation techniques, crafts and art of the Maori people. I was insecure. “Night show with buffet dinner” sounded too much like a coffee cruise to me. Alternatively, all they could offer me was dance shows in the various hotels on the island. What did I have to lose? In the worst case I would have to put up with a world choreography designed for tourists and eat an unlovingly prepared meal with tons of other tourists. I took a deep breath, risked it and gave my Go to booking. In

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