A MINIMALIST'S DIARY #2

After my first steps in the “decluttering world”, it all went well and was a very fast process! 

Well! Not really… Maybe in an ideal world where you are not bounded by your belonging… Maybe…

But in the world I was living at this time, I was relying on everything I owned or will own, making it one of my main purpose of happiness: Buying things make you happy, buying more things even more and so on… Thinking of what you could buy by having that much money would be the next goal to achieve.     

You see, when you stayed in a flat during one year you accumulate a lot. I mean look around to the “useful” stuff you bought so far this year, we are end of January already and I guess, being honest, you could count at least ten things you bought or received as a present! 

I’m not saying that is bad but while decluttering my place it helped me realized how often I was buying things which I wasn't using at all or maybe no more than one or two times.

That was a long process at start, I had to choose what to keep, what to throw away, what to give, what to sell. Looking around at first, I saw nothing I wanted to let go.

I already cleaned these shelves so why not having a look inside the closets.

That was time to open my wardrobe. I knew deep inside me that in there a lot of clothes were waiting to know there faith.  

First the really really old and loose t-shirts, socks, shirts, underwears, pants went there way to the trash. I wondered “Why the hell I'm keeping it? No one would want to wear it, including me!”

In case! In case of what? I’ll never know! There is always an ideal and magic place in our mind where it could be use… I was a keeper… an “in case” keeper dude. 

 Most of the things you keep-let’s be honest again-whatever good reasons you have to, you’ll never use it.

Ask you the question “Will I really really really use it one day?”

You know the answer: “Never, Never, Never…. will use it…” or a “Well...humm… maybe...” 

If the answer is not a prompt “YES” in the first two minutes, well you know that you won’t (use it anymore)! 

That would probably be a second ground rule that I apply to me quite often : “Do I really need to keep this object? If yes, when will I use it again? Tomorrow? Next month? Next year?”

If it's not tomorrow or this week, then I know what I have to do: get rid of it by giving it, selling it or throwing it. 

it’s really easy now to deal with it: I’m not having any closet to fill anymore and only my 38L backpack as container for my belonging. Even with one bag and living in a very small room, I ask myself quite often :

“Am I using it often enough to keep it?”

Being a minimalist doesn’t mean that you stop owning things or you are not buying things anymore. You simply buy less things and are really aware of what you buy. Not all your objects have to be useful, but you know that you’ll use them often and you’ll be happy to own it. 

If I decide to buy or change one of my belonging (cloth, device, etc...), I’m not going to the store straight away and will never buy the first time I see it. First, I ask myself: Do I really need it? Will I use it that often? How will I store it in my bag, do I have to let go another of my belonging to own a new one.  

These are simple questions to ask yourself and that saved a lot of time and sometimes money. 

We often buy things on the go, thinking we need it straight away. When, maybe, if given a second thought we would have never buy this thing.

Have you ever experienced buying an amazing cloth or a device you absolutely needed and when back home this feeling disappeared quite quickly? The cloth you planned to wear everyday and was looking amazing in the shop, doesn't seem as Amazing now. The small useful and cheap device is not really useful after all… and so on… These are most of the things which are filling our closets and gathering the dust on our shelves.

I did it and many times. I never really payed attention to it. I was buying what I wanted to. After all that's why we are working for? Isn't it!?

When I buy something now, I’m going for a better quality of the product to make sure it will last longer. 

I recently changed my socks, they were getting old. Since I became a Minimalist, I’m owning four pairs of socks. I took my time to find a good brand which I felt could be a good match.  Here in Japan they have these amazing fingers socks which I totally felt in love with. They are so comfy! I found some which I love to wear, they are not cheap, it’s about 15euros each. 

Owning less mean that I love all the objects I’m owning.

Yes, you might think:  these are only socks, come on! And that’s the all point! I love all the objects I'm owning now because I'm not owning thousands and I choosed them carefully.

If you are not loving what you own, why owning it?

After doing piles of “What I’ll want to keep” – the biggest and tallest one of course – “What I’ll keep maybe” and “What I will give”, I realized that it will take several try to end up with an honest amount of clothes to keep. 

I put the ‘What I’ll give’ in a bag and went outside. Luckily in London, there is a lot of way of donating. The first and easy one, are the big Clothes Donation Boxes up the street!  

This mix feeling when the giant black box was swallowing my belonging was quite strange: some uncertainess and happiness. 

We are so connected and bounded to our belonging that even the smallest we have to let go it’s difficult. 

Having access to these donation boxes changed everything for me. I realized that it wasn’t that difficult after all and that even if it was only some small clothing, there were a chance that it helped someone. After that the black donation box and I became good friends, I payed her a visit every day.  

More I was giving, selling or throwing away, easier it became.

We are Habit’s animals after all.  

The next Sunday I found a small backpack in my closet.  Of course, I had forgot about it, like most of the objects hidden in our closets. I could say now “THE BACKPACK”. I bought it while living in New-Zealand, small, 38L with an opening on the top, very convenient. I didn’t know by this time that it will become my life container, my portable house. I’m still using it today and is getting lighter and lighter.  At start, I wanted to buy a way bigger one to go on the trip, but why not give a try to this one, just for fun. Let’s see how much I can put in it! And that wasn't much! Haha!

Of course the bag was full very quickly, that was a dumb idea. Impossible to live with this few! How could I? I putted it back where it belong and forgot it. I’ll have to buy a new one later, anyway. 

Decluttering my apartment became a fun activity. There were always stuff to give, to sell or to throw away.

Day after day my belonging was disappearing and that was weird, I mean really weird:

Instead of feeling empty with all these objects going away I was feeling quite happy indeed.

That was like I had a clearer way of thinking. Less to worry about. Here the things, there is quite a fair amount of belonging that are hidden in our closet, on our shelves, in our cupboards, crying silently waiting for us to pay attention to. They are part of our daily lives without even being noticed by us. They are here because we were happy to buy them, we kept them in ‘case’, they look good on the shelves.

But honestly how many objects are we using daily? 

You can try it if you want: Take a box, put few things -you are not using daily- in it. Close the box, wait… keep on living… 

You’ll probably be surprised that none of these objects were missing to your daily life and that you cannot remember all the objects that are in the box after less than two weeks…

If that so, well maybe you don’t need these objects after all, maybe you can give it, sell it or throw it?   

I sold my computer, my beautiful collection of collectables – yeah, I know – my blender and other kitchen devices and gave to a charity mostly all of my furnitures including my bed, my dear and loved tatami, futon bed! Yes! That was one of the most difficult to say goodbye to.!

The last night before leaving, sitting there, looking around at the emptyness! Nothing was there anymore. Nothing, except the little bag -that I finally convinced myself to use- and me.

I realized that nothing was missing.

I had now everything I needed.

I had let go…

A MINIMALIST'S DIARY #1

It's been almost 3 years that I started a new life and I thought it would be great to catch-up!

.

Even today I can remember how a scary jump it was.

Becoming a “minimalist” in a month, getting rid of most of my possessions : books, clothes, furnitures, ect…

Ending up with only a 38 liters backpack wasn't the most easiest thing to do but if I had to do it again I will enjoy it even more.

One of the best decision I took in my life : Becoming a minimalist by reducing drastically my possessions.

Is it easy to be a minimalist: not alway but after years I can relate that I enjoyed more being the minimalist version of me now that the one I used to be.

That started a long time ago, or maybe yesterday. One thing I’m sure now is that I am a minimalist.

I mean what is a minimalist, really? These days browsing the internet you could find the best way to fold your underwears or how to pack your suitcase for your next holidays and boom you’re tagged as a minimalist.

Well maybe it’s that or maybe there is more, I don’t know, I guess anyone find is own way to be one if he wants to. By this time I didn't really know what it meant to be one.

I found myself entering in the so called “Minimalist world” by leaving my flat, selling, giving and throwing away maybe 95 percent of my belongings.

When I say simple, well not as simple. I’m still wondering today why I choosed to change my way of living in such a short time.

I was renting a flat in London, paying my bills, working, spending a fair monthly money buying stuff that would probably end up on a cupboard or in my closet ready to gather the dust for the next decade.

These books I will certainly read, this coat which look amazing on me that I wore one time, these very nice pair of snickers which I putted on only occasionally, the all set of glasses, plates an so on to invite friend at home – Dude in London you invite friends at the Pub- That’s it! – and well few regularly pints of beers but that legit, isn’t it!

You probably think that I’m talking about the money I spent every months filling my need of buying to exist, to be a better me? Well you are right that was all about buying to exist, books to look smarter, clothes to looks more awesome and so on …

But you know what that wasn’t really about? Money.

That was about happiness.

Was I happy at this time buying thing? Well, I certainly was sometime. I can remember coming home with a new book or news clothes the happiness I felt, was it really happiness? I don’t know! But it disappeared as fast as it came.

Most of the time after 10-15 minutes that will end up by an : “Awesome, I will read it later, I will wear it later”.

Most of the time “Later” became “Never”.

I was happy with that way of living and not one time I questioned myself about it.

I mean why should I ?

One year later, I took a big decision: to go on a trip to Japan for three months.

Again why? I had and have even no idea now. As I did a lot of time before I followed an instinct or maybe I was bored and wanted a change. Either way I did it!

Three months on a trip sounded awesome and yet impossible to most peoples, including me.

I mean three months really? Without any income to pay your rent, your bills and so on?

Well that exactly the questions I asked myself. How will I do that?

The answer was quite simple : not having any flat and any bills to pay sounded more efficient to me and you know what? It really was!

I can tick that as a first rule that I’m following now since I went on this trip and became a minimalist. The rule would be,  I guess : Never rent a flat and go on a travel at the same time where you will stay at a hotel or such. That’s sound silly I know, but that’s a really good way not spending money on things you’re not using at this time.

When you think about it, renting a flat is all about to find a place to keep the stuff you own or you are planning to buy.

I hear you and I agree : what's about the feeling to come back to a place you like, you decorated, you like to relax in. That was something I enjoyed, that's true but being nomad is also an experience I'm enjoying daily, of course you cannot live as you were before! You need to adjust yourself, change your habits regularly! So far I love it!

When I decided to go on this trip my one year lease was ending, so naturally I thought not to renew it and use the money I would have put in my rent to travel. I let you do the math!

Ok but what will I do with my furnitures, all my precious Items, possessions. My 85 T-Shirts collections that I was never wearing. By the way yes to be honest I was probably wearing 5 of them regularly but I had no problem to buy some more every month. You know the feeling!

Where will I put all my stuff! Rent a storage container in town and put everything I owns in there so I could dispose of it when I come back?

Yes that crossed my mind, I looked on the internet until I realize that not renting a flat anymore was one good thing but renting a storage box was an other one! I thought yes well, I should be able to get rid of the things I don’t need anymore to reduce the size I will rent.

And that how it started… Decluttering…

Let start with these shelves I told myself, throwing away magazines you keep because you’ll read it later, the extra tupperware in the kitchen or the old books you already red, sound easy… but well even that wasn’t as easy!

At first you never want to get rid of the stuff you own, because you know! You bought it, you own it, it is yours!  Here come in your mind the value of the object you own in a way, you told yourself “I’m not gonna throw this, I could have a great use of it later!” Year sure thing… Been there sitting in your living room for more than a year but yes you’ll use it…one day…

I can easily remember the stress it has been to start to separate the things I wanted to throw away from the one I wanted to keep…

But eventually I did it. First I put everything I thought I could let go in a box and I’ll deal with it later while packing. Doing that, I found some stuff which obviously I didn’t want to wear or use anymore and thrown it away.

Later that day when I looked at the empty and clean shelves, I had this weird feeling. A feeling of satisfaction, maybe…

These empty shelves were telling me that I was going on a three months trip around Japan and won't come back in this flat.

And that was it.

Yes shelves talk sometime. These one smiled at me gently:

“Hey this is starting now, you’re going on a new adventure!”

When I looked at the boxes I filled with the “supposed object to let go” I knew that yes I have to let them go.

Yes …That’s how it started.

A friendly empty cupboard which made me feel happy!

Stay tuned for the next Episode of

‘A MINIMALIST'S DIARY#2’

More cupboards to talk to, more decluttering, tears and cry!

The perfect packed suitcase...

There is no perfect packed suitcase or backpack, small or big!

That's only you who decided how much weight you will carry during your travel and how big it should be! We all have different needs.

Three months ago, when I took my first airplane with my 38L / 12kg backpack to Japan, I saw some people with 2, 3 even 4 big suitcases waiting in line to check-in their luggages.

Ok that seem a bit exagerate! You are certainly thinking : this is not me he's talking about, I only have one suitcase...

I could remember me weeks ago struggling to choose what to bring to travel. That was hard! When you're packing you need to bring everything in your suitcase! You know, just in case ...

That's stressful, indeed, when you should enjoy the preparation of you holidays, instead you are stress about what you will forget! That was always like that for me!

But even if you forget something most of the time you'll be able to buy it in a supermarket or a convenient store or a gas station like in Iceland! You might end up just to make it without what you forget and what you thought was so important to bring with you! :) Who knows? 

Watching the queue of people with their suitcases, I thought! Oh god maybe I forgot something... I took my bag as carry-on and boarded the plane.

did I forgot something ?

Yes! I forgot to give or throw away a lot of stuff which was in my bag, but at this time, that was the perfect packed bag for me! Everything I needed was in !

How effective that was at the airport not to have to check-in and check out a suitcase or even a backpack! 

You can check-in yourself and avoid the queue to check-in your luggage.

You are buying time to yourself and a peaceful mind!

How many times I had to wait for my luggages after a flight and found it a bit damaged. While waiting, I always had a thought about how maybe it was lost or delay until I could see it! Now everything is fitting in my carry-on and that's really really a big step for me!

I'm travelling with a light backpack and mind.

Few weeks ago I was talking to a friend who was travelling to Japan for two weeks with his girlfriend. They wanted to make the best of their trip and planned to change locations every two days to see a lot of Japan! Each of them had 1 big suitcase plus you know, the little bag to hike or put whatever you need when sightseeing. After two weeks of walking, taking train, check-in/check-out hotel, my friend told me he was exhausted!

Why I asked? The suitcases he told me :

Never again!!!

I don't know, I could be wrong but my guess is that they probably used 50% or less that what they had in their suitcases. 

After more than 3 months of travel, moving every day or evey two days to a new location in Japan, I can say that I didn't use half of what was in my bag! Not kidding! I actually looking forward to minimalize, optimize my bag and made it a 7kg! Hopefully! 

Of course, computer, camera, go pro are a big part of the weight in the 12kg! I had a look yesterday and thought that for a long travel like that I didn't use the computer a lot, only to transfer my photos/videos to a hard drive, next step will be to store everything online!

That's at least a 3kg weight gain. I'm doing everything on my phone! Editing photos or videos and even writing this article now while I'm in the plane back to Kansai/Kyoto from Ishigaki/Okinawa.

The new technology are a big part in minizing your belonging, now everything is so small and portable, at the end one device is enough to do everything, watch movies, read books, listen to some music, take some nice photos and videos.

There is no rules every one is different! I can't remembered how many time I struggled with my big suitcases at airport or in a train before! That was a real pain!

It's so enjoyable to walk around and even not feeling the bag on my back now! That really made my trip way more easier and challenging at the same time! Yes that was a challenge at start to have not much choice in the T-shirt I will wear every morning! I only got 3 black T-shirt and 2 with some graphics on it! 

When you got less you think : efficiency!

For example I had to bought a new T-shirt, one was really too old! I bought a nice and warm one! Was it expensive: yes! Way more expensive that the one I throw away! But I guess the price of four good quality T-shirt will never compet with the 60 midlle quality fun T-shirt I had!

Same goes for all the clothes I'm wearing now, I'm actually about to renew some of my underwear in Kyoto, I really like MUJI shop, very affordable, simple and good quality!

Also, one think I'm missing is my essential oil vaporizer. Muji is doing a travel version which is very small and can be charge by usb! Been a while I saw it and thought that maybe I'll buy it!

Being minimalist to me doesn't mean : stop buying!

It's more about not buying everything like I used to.

Before I was buying stuff for many reasons : that was compulsive buying, I was always feeling the need to buy things, maybe in a way that was to feel a gap. Clothes, books, camera, electronic devices... Decluttering helped me to understand who I was! Precisely who I wasn't! I wasn't these objects! I could be myself without them.

Now I want to buy things if I really need it or if I really want it! I'm asking myself this question "why do you want to buy it?" I saw this Items several time the last months and I'm still asking myself, I think that would be cool to have one as part of my meditation, relaxing accessories. Of course, if I buy it, I'll need to get rid of one item, to make sure everything is fitting in my bag.

In a way by reducing my space, I'm reducing my numbers of items and my general consumption. 

In my backpack I tried to put clothes for two seasons : summer and winter. That means that you need versatile clothing. I bought a nice combo T-shirt/underwear which are made for this purpose. More expensive yes, but again : one underwear and one T-shirt. Quality over quantity! 

I got a windcoat and a separate hoodie, which I can combine depending on the weather! I got it from years and really like-it! It's usually fold over the back of my bagpack wich leave more space for others belongings. 

Before I went on travel a friend of mine gave me a nice tips to organize my bag : why not using some freezing bags with zipper to store T-Shirt, swimsuit, underwear, etc ... And that was brilliant! 

Doing that it litteraly take me 5-6 minutes to pack  my bag! Not kidding!

At the end of this trip, I realized that my travel bag became my life bag and that was all I needed !

After all these time with my small backpack which contains almost everything I own now. (Still have to declutter few very old boxes at my parents place), I got this strange feeling of freedom! I said strange because as far as I remember I always had something to worry about and most of it was related, connected to possession and belonging.

Yes I could go everywhere after all without being bound by a flat, a rent, furnitures, taxes, belonging and so on... 

How I started my minimalist journey...

It's been almost 6 months now, that I started my minimalist journey.

This morning I woke up in a guest house on Ishigaki Island -Okinawa- where I choosed to stay for a while to end my trip by meditating, reading, resting, relaxing. This is almost the end of my trip in Japan, time goes fast when you travel.

I woke up and asked myself why and how did I started this minimalist Journey?

I couldn't really remember. That was quite blurry, indeed. This is funny because it's something I experienced the last 6 months and especially the last 4 months travelling around Japan with my small backpack and so far I missed none of my past belonging. I actually really enjoy travelling around with such a small backpack. It's synonym to "nothing to worry about"! 

Finally I could remember that it started when I was getting ready for my trip. I surfed the web randomly about travelling light, about how to pack an effective suitcase when I found a very small articles about minimalism, explaining that some peoples were living with way less belonging than me. I thought ha yes that's funny. I was intrigued but forgot really quickly about it! 

I found other articles about peoples travelling with a small bag, that was more what I was looking for. How to be effective to pack my suitcase. And they were all saying something like oh 10kg it's too heavy, I'll reduced it to 7kg for the next trip! Oh yeah really!!! Yeah right!!! When I saw the size and the weight they were using, I thought, well let's try the in between! I'll definitely won't be able to survive with so little! Not for me!

Then the time came to start to pack, packed my things. I was leaving my flat to be able to afford the 3 months break, no rent, no bills! Thinking about where I could stock all my belongings as I wasn't moving in a new flat : rent some storage space, ask friends and family if they got space? But here the thing, I already did that.

For those who don't know me it's been 7 years now that I left France to work oversea and to move every year or two in differents locations.

Initially I was supposed to go to work in London for 2 months and put all my belongings, furnitures, everything I had in a attic and left to Uk with a big suitcases and a backpack- yes you heard well - for two months. Guess what??Everthing is still in the same Attic since 7 years and Im planning to get rid of everything as soon as I'm going back to France. That's a good exemple how I had accumulate thing I don't need over the year... Yes but if??? If I come back? If I need it? If... 7 years... That's a good proof that I dont need anymore all these items. No?

After reading this article on minimalism I didn't think about that much. But in a way that was a starting point. A clic.

I really enjoyed to go in a Hampstead cafe which is also a library - yes I used to live in a fancy area - I went there every weekend to enjoy a cafe and I have to admit to talk to the waitress who I found attractive, to browse some books.

Everytime I went there, I bought a book! Tea history, travel books, polaroid books, photography books. One day that was a book speaking about cleaning written by a monk, yes cleaning. Why not I thought if it can help me a bit to tidy my flat. It's a small book it won't take that long to read, funny reading. And yes it wasn't that long, but, after reading this book I started to do 10 minutes of cleaning everyday. I don't have to mention I think, that I'm a single male, so let's say cleaning wasn't my first priority! My flat wasnt dirty or a big mess but you know...

Everyday, before going to work, before my shower and my meditation, I started to clean and tidy a tiny part of my flat, a shelf, a cupboard and it gave me happyness. I could feel it really and I didn't know why. In this process I started to throw away some Items I didn't want anymore. That was hard and I started slowly to put some unused items in a box to throw it away. 

That's how it start really! Day after day, I felt happy. Cleaner and more tidy was my flat and happyier I was. I know that sound a bit weird, but decluttering my things was as well synonym for me going on travel soon I guess that's why. 

Anyway, one weekend I had a look to my wardrobe and thought well, that might be a good time to start my travel bag. Maybe I could give it a try with a small bag I thought! 

First find a bag. I went to have a look in some outdoors stores and tried some beautiful 40L, that seem a decent ones to start, more I was looking and more I was thinking : well, I also got a 38L which I like!  It might do the trick just to try! 

Back home I pull out all my close from my wardrobe and start to put on the side what I really needed for my travel, started to pack everything in my 38L! That was quick and I was to able to put in my bag maybe 10% of what I was planning to. Haha!!! Let's start again! After more than an hour I finally succeeded to close the bag by reducing drastically my belonging! The vital, thst was just to try, just to test what I'll be able to pack in this one. The minimum! At this time I wasn't really convince that I could do it with only theses belonging. I put the backpack on the side in a closet for a while. 

And it hit me! Looking at the pile of closes on my bed!

Why not get rid of of what I'm not wearing before putting everything back in my wardrobe because really! I love most of them but... I'm not wearing it!

Let's be honest! We all have some clothes we love but we are not wearing! 

After locating some clothes and shoes charity box not far from my place, it took me a week to slowly put everything in some bags and give it away. I did maybe three bigs bags from the thing I wanted to give to the things I'd liked to keep. I ended up to give everything to charity using the donations boxes.

That was really a big move for me. All the clothes I had now were on me and in my small backpack! And that wasn't much! 

After that, I realized that I could give or sell more, my furnitures, my books, my collectibles... That was as well a slow and hard process, luckily in London you are never too far from a charity shop.

But wait... I missed something, something who happen to me all along this decluttering, giving or selling away my things... Eventually days after days my flat started to empty, and I had this weird feeling, happyness? Something close to freedom? I don't know, I felt more and more in peace maybe, yes maybe something like that. I started to realize that in a way looking at all this space around me, this emptyness, I could see more clearly what I wanted to do and who I wanted to be.

 And it happen... Every day I was selling or giving away one of my belonging. I ended up with two suitcases and one small box which I asked a friend to keep until my return. That was at this time how far I could go. 

After this trip I don't know what's in the suitcases and the box. I could say, my polaroid, few tea bowls and few books, my tent, a pant .... That's mean to me that everything else I couldn't remembered will need to go when I'll pass by London to my next destination.

During this trip I realized that minimalist is only a word and it's not only reducing your belonging. It's way more than that.

Reducing my belonging was a starting point which lead me somewhere I would have never expect 6 months ago...

 And that's how I started my minimalist journey...

To go up the hill... Onomichi - Imabari

After leaving Hiroshima and Miyajima I cycled one day on the island Imabari where I stayed at a very nice guest house.

The owner teached me to play Majong and gave me a lot of tips about Shikoku Island. That was really nice to cycle again, hot and sunny day. The ocean in between the islands is really interesting, the tide is creating some currents which I never seen before.

The day after, I made my way back to Onomichi by bus. The bus is going through all the islands and you can enjoy the view on the ocean bridge after bridge.

This small city is fascinating. I had the chance to book a Japenese style room on top of the hill where I could watch the sunset and the lights of the city. 

To go up the hill you can walk or take a rope car. 

There is plenty of temples to visit and few nice Cafes around to relax, there is one entirely dedicate to Oals . When I passed by a temple a lot of peoples were sitting in front working on making the rope you can see sometime hanging in front of the door. 

Onimichi is the starting point to cycle to Shikoku Island. I found this city quite refreshing and relaxing. Everyone is smiling here! That was nice to walk in the main market cover street and enjoy some coffee.

I decided to stay one more day, hotel was a very nice deal and I could use time to relax and chill enjoying a second day walking the temples.  Walking back to my hotel at the end of the day I watched a sunset which I'll never forget!

It's been more than a month that I'm traveling and I can feel that I'm getting tired! I know it sound silly! I'm in holidays after all! Who get tired during holidays? Moving from one place to another, staying one or two nights then move again is challenging sometime. I really enjoy the flexibility of it and the fact that everything is new every day. I can jump in a train and be on the other side of Japan in few hours, or I can decide to stay more, that's perfect! Maybe it's because I'm alone and not interacting and speaking much which get me tired, I don't know. Maybe only because I'm walking a lot. Luckily I have a small backpack and I'm starting to get rid of some items I don't need anymore. I thought it was already quite minimalist but there is many things I didn't use this months. 

I promised myself to come back to Onomichi to cycle all the small Islands to go to Shikoku. I like the freedom of cycling, especially in Japan, where everything is ready and convenient for you. They got a baggage service to drop your luggages at each stop you'll make for the night, so you can cycle all day light and find your luggage every night in your room. And that way that's a very affordable deal! That is Japan! Normality here is almost luxury for us. And I won't speak again about how clean public toilet are in Japan! But you know already! 

Like always I'm not quite sure where to go now, there is so many places I want to check. I decided to go to Kobe and then few days in Kyoto.

I already been to Kyoto but I'm looking forward to it! I had good memories there and some more to discover! Especially the golden temple that I didn't see last time. 

I will write peace on your wings ... Hiroshima/Miyajima

I will write peace on your wings and you will fly all over the world. Sadako Sasaki

Hiroshima is a big city! Time to go back to the traditional capsule hotel which is very convenient, very cheap for a solo traveller and very minimalist indeed.

I've planned to spend 2 nights there, one day in Hiroshima and an other on Miyajima Island.

After dropping my bag at the hotel I went to visit the memorial, walking around I could feel  the cold while standing on the bridge. Travelling from one district to an other the weather is totally different, even in the mountains of Kyushu it wasn't so cold. I walked around, a lot of tourists, a lot of schools are there as well to visit and pay respect. This is a very special place. Everything has been rebuild of course, but there is this building which is kept as it is. To remember and never forget what happen. It's hard to imagine what happen here years ago. Hiroshima is a nice city, while coming to the memorial I noticed some nice cafes along the river. 

There is a child peace memorial there about Sadako Sasaki and for all the child who suffer from war. I was lucky to assist to a school giving a senbazuru (1000 cranes origami) and ringing the bell and singing. During the war Sadako Sasaki was 2 years old and was 2km from the center of the impact of the Bomb on the 6 of August 1945 at 8h15.  

This day she wasn't hurt and she grown up normally. In 1954 when she was 12, she was diagnosed a Leucemia. Her best friend told her the story of the 1000 cranes. If you could fold a thousand cranes you'll have a wish granted by the gods. At the hospital Sadako fold 644 cranes and died from leucemia. His school finish the remaining cranes for Sadako. Now from all around the world crane is a symbol of peace. And many schools are folding thousands cranes for peace.

Then it was night very quickly and I went back to my capsule. When you are traveling alone most of the evening are very quiet, quick diner, walk the city by night and then time to sleep.

I woke up early to take the ferry to Miyajima , It's a very quick one, 15 minutes and it work with JR pass. Perfect!

This Island is really cool to walk around, you got a nice 2h30 walk in the mountains where you can see some Temples. And of course the main attraction is the Big Tori laying in the ocean which you can walk to if you wait for the good time of the tide. I was lucky and early enough to see both.  You can meet some deers on this island like in Nara, but a bit less.

That was a super sunny day. Watching the ocean and walking around was very relaxing, one of these day where you want to stay there watching the ocean line and the clouds, feel the small wind on your skin just enough to get refresh, end of summer maybe... 

Sometime some questions come back to me : what's next? Job? Next adventure? Next year? Where to go tomorrow?  

Before I left UK, I red an interesting book about Ikigai. The purpose of your life which make you help people, be happy, live... Etc... All together should connect to become your Ikigai.

All these questions which we think we had replied to, very early in our life. I mean which I thought I found answer to. Thing is that I didn't! I thought I did, but no. I still didn't find, what to do, what will make me happy, what is my purpose, how to help peoples around. It came to my mind that's maybe why I'm doing this trip. To find few answers while enjoying new landscapes view and changing my way of life. Who Knows? For now I'm watching a deer eating some grass and should I turn left or right is the only question I have in mind! Because, yes, I didn't tell you! I'm lost again... Haha :)

Mountain Yufu ... These mountains that you are carrying...

These mountains that you are carrying, you were only supposed to climb.

I arrived yesterday in the city of Beppu well known for hotsprings and mudholes. This city is in between the ocean and the mountains. 

After one night in a standard room I took a bus high in the mountains to see some hotspring. Of course I missed my stop and and ended up far away from where I planned. Walking back to the right bus station stop I've noticed a smoke coming out some trees.

That was a hotspring with mudholes. I stayed there sitting , watching the mud  and the steam. I could have stay all day I think. An old gardener was gardening, some dragonflies were playing around, the sun was high in the blue sky. Thst was perfect and simple. O like simplicity more and more. 

After walking a fair amount of time around I found a place where you could have a nice and hot bath. This outdoor onsen was amazingly relaxing. I loved it! 

The day after I took a very funny train ride from Beppu to Yufuin! This is an old train with only two wagons and most of the time there is only 1 track. This is not a fast train, that is perfect to enjoy the vue. What an adventure! Simple but magic!!! Listening to the sound of the train and discovering a new landscape after every tunnel.

I'm sitting now next to the river watching the Mt Yufu and enjoying a small lunch I bought at 7eleven the convenient store. The weather is beautiful today and I decided to walk around to the two shrines 30 minutes away from the center.

I'm planning to walk to Mount Yufu tomorrow let see if it goes at plan. There is only one track open the other ones have been close because an earthquake apparently.

I spent my first night in a ryokan where the onsen was very relaxing. When I arrived there that was lunch time and I could hear people singing! That was a karaoke for elders!

Finally the day after the weather was misty and rainy, so I decided to go to check on the little lake and to check-in early in the next place I will stay. That was totally different that the first one which was more an hotel ryokan. This one was a typical Japenese guest house. I was welcome by a very nice old lady who only speak Japenese and that was perfect! With a smile everyone can understand each other.

I decided to enjoy my tatami room and the onsen with the vue on mt yufu. Yes this is the third time I'm taking onsen bath in this post haha!!! I really love it!!! And this one was a private outdoor onsen! So far the best I had in Japan!

Onsen are very good to wash and relax your body but your mind as well. Going in and out the bath enjoying the cold and the hotness of the water. Sometime on long travel like that you feel a bit tired of moving everyday in a different place. I know that taking some time like that look like holidays and it is indeed, but it's a bit different than staying at the same place during two weeks enjoying the sun, coktails and relax.

Theses two days have been amazing here, that's definitely a place I'll come back in the future! The landscapes are fantastic.

Today it's time to leave the beautiful people and mountains of Kyushu! I wanted to stay more to be honest but it's time to travel north, otherwise I'll be a bit on the late side to arrived in Hokkaido.

I choosed to do a big jump and I'm in the train to Hiroshima to spend two days there.

The 500 ...

My second day in Kumamoto. The weather is quite windy and a bit rainy. I wanted to go to the mountains today, a bit far from the city center but possible.

Few research and I found that by tram and bus I could go to visit a temple in a cave, it's a 1h30 journey. After a nice coffee at the 7 eleven in front of the bus stop, luckily the number 6 arrived. While riding to the hill, I realized that the driver wasn't speaking English and all the announcements were in Japenese! Only 3 peoples in the bus. I asked the man in front of me, he told me that he was a swordsmith working in the mountain and he kindly asked the driver to let me know when I should stop.

It was very windy up there, I really like to watch the wind bending the trees tops.

While walking to the Temple in the mountain through a narrow road, I realize that bamboos surrounded me. A beautiful bamboos forest playing with the wind and making an incredible sound. On my left a river cascading. After about 1 miles I arrived in a small village, quite traditional and very quiet! Alone on the road I continued straight up. I finally arrived in front of two old statues, far away I could see an entrance looking like a gate.

That was there. Thought the window I saw an old man smoking a cigarette. 

I walked in... They were there waiting still, sitting on the slop of the mountain, the 500 boudha disciples. Cover by moss, eyes closed meditating.

I walked a bit and sat to watch them, listening to the sound of the wind in the tree, some small birds are singing, sometime I can feel few drops of rain blow by the win ending there journey on my skin. 

they all have a differents expressions and postures, they all feel in peace and one with the nature, they are one with the slop of the mountain. They are the mountain.

The color of the moss is incredibly green. 

After a while I realize that no one was there, I could stay as long as I want here, just hearing, watching, breathing.  

The sky is white, the wind is bigger. Its raining, a small rain. 

I'm spending a lot of time taking, pictures and videos since I start my trip. This is cool but looking life through a camera is not really the best. Its good to keep record of memories but before that you need to live your memory. Now, I'm not leaving a place without staying at least 30min looking around, enjoying the pace and the quietness. And I really feel the difference.

That's really incredible to be alone in this place.  

The 500 are still peaceful and still, whatever rain, win, moss, snow or sun, they are the mountain. 

There is some place on Earth that give you inner peace only by being there and looking around, that is what nature and stillness can give you. It was hard not to stay, after almost 3hours I decided to leave and go back to the real world.

Walking back to the bus stop it start to rain quite intensively. I found my way back but no sign of bus stop in the other direction, I decided to wait at the same bus stop.  Under the rain like totoro I was waiting for the bus. A car came and a lady told me in Japenese that I should wait on the other side of the small road and the next bus to kamamoto was in 30min. The choice not to have internet all the time didn't make it easier but I like it better like that. Instead of browsing and browsing while waiting I'm watching the bending trees.

When I jumped in the bus , the same old lady was sitting at the same room in the bus. Like the 500 she was still and peaceful watching the landscape through the bus windows.

I watched it as well in silence ans could see the rice field and the mountains.

On my way to Kumamoto...

Back from the feeric Yakushima Island to Kagoshima starting my train journey in Japan from south to north, Kagoshima-Sapporo with multiple stops and detours on my way.

I have two months and an half to get there and so many places to see.

My first stop will be in Kumamoto, very close to some volcano mountains and lakes, I have booked a cheep but nice capsule hotel there. 

Yesterday when I woke up in Yakushima for my usual breakfast before going for a hike, I was planning to go to a beautiful beach, Nagata. But that didn't go as plan. The weather wasn't that good I thought. Seing other peoples leaving quite in an hurry, I asked. An other typhoon was aiming to Japan and the slow ferry was close. My host adviced me to take the fast ferry today which was still able to sail and booked a room for me! (Otherwise I could get stuck on the island during the typhoon) In less than an hour I was in the bus to the port and could see huges waves hitting the shores and the wind bending smalls trees.

when I arrived at the ferry terminal there were a massive queue of people trying to exchange there ticket to leave early. Luckily I had a reservation number thanks to my host and I could get in the ferry, I was the last one getting on board!!!

The ferry Journey was quite jumpy!!! But after two hours I made it to Kagoshima!  I had no idea what direction to go : Miyazaki or Kumamoto, finally I made my mind and activated my 21 days JR pass to start my train journey.

I think it should be good enough to go to Mt Fuji with it before heading to Tokyo with of course multiples stop in between.

Im planning maybe 7 stops before being there, Which mean 2 or 3 days stop max. But it's still quite blurry where to go next and I like that. 

The first afternoon in Kumamoto I've decided to visit a garden, weather was alright, I thought, but not awesome. 

I had to go on a ride on the tram and end up on the other side of the city. When I entered the garden I saw this magnificent pond reflecting perfectly the clouds in the sky. That was stunning, this light when it's oscillates in between blue sky and rainy mood. Really dramatico-romantic.

I stayed maybe 3 hours there walking around in this zen garden. The shapes of the trees and the perfect green of the grass, the city in the background!

Don't miss this garden if you're going to Kumamoto! 

It's raining under the trees...

Today I woke up early around 7am to catch a bus to the forest.

I arrived yesterday on Yakushima Island. Straight from the ferry I had an hour ride bus to where I'll stay the next 3 nights, a very lovely place witha fantastic view on the mountains and the ocean. 

Here you need to have a car or to take the bus, this is a big Island! Like all Island there is a main road going around. there is two bus to go there, one to go and one to come back! This forest is up the mountain. 

In the bus, driving along this narrow and tortuous road, you can already feel the nature surrounding you... Your leaving the civilization. It start to rain! While watching the rain pattern on the bus windows, I'm remembering my host telling me that it will rain haha and offering me an umbrella which I declined because I thought I had a good raincoat!!! Haha what a mistake! Always listen to Island peoples...always...they knows!

I like these ride on the bus, this is quite jumpy and funny, im thinking about the bus driver taking this road twice a day, certainly very used to this magnificent forest! Does he still enjoy it?

The bus is stopping! This is here!  

Under the rain, I'm entering the fog of the forest following the track.  

The good think with this weather conditions is that not much people like to hike under the rain. I choosed the long track 2h30 and very quickly while entering the forest the voice of the other stopped. I'm alone listening to the sound of the water hitting the tree leaves anf dripping. Ploc ploc ploc ... Then a very loud water noise...

A river ? Deeper I go in this forest and more I'm attracted to it! These old gigantic trees, the unique shape of every of it... The young tree which hopefully will become as tall as the old one. 

It's raining more and more but the trees are offering me a shelter... Keep walking I arrived to the river! There is a suspended bridge that you need to cross. 

The mist is everywhere now, I can distinguish some very unusual shapes, big shapes of the olders, still and imposing, there are wispering to each other. Certainly used to see some humans quite often but always surprise.  

The track is changing, it's made of tree roots, I'm really feeling alone in this forest, surrounded by nature and mist. I'm soak now, haha !  Really miss this umbrella! 

I'm thinking about the time when humans didn't have any bus or car, what trip it should have been going through this forest, climbing this mountain! They certainly didn't forget the umbrella!  

Every step, every look at this forest is a unique one. Every tree got an unusual shape, somehow still and alive. Some look dead laying on there side, but you can see young trees growing in it! Like the old one were rejuvenating. This is incredible. I keep walking climbing, Ive lost track of time now, surrounded by this majestic world. Now that I think about it, I didn't cross the path of any animals, except a monkey, no birds, no squirrel, even no insects and no totoro... 

There were an empty trunk which was a good shelter for a while when it rain very hard, I sat inside and watch the sky thought the hole. Maybe a cousin of totoro tree.  

Here and now... In a wild forest with elder trees, I feel happy, I'm thinking that so far I didn't care that much about nature, don't get me wrong I like it and always respect it, of course, but I never felt that connected.

Being here is putting things in a different perspective. Maybe this trip is putting things in different perspective too.

Yakushima forest is an untouched capsule of time... Without realizing I found myself back at the entrance of the track, one step and I'll be back to reality...

Learn to be... Kagoshima

After a late and turbulent flight from Seoul, I arrived at Kagoshima airport around 5pm.

From there you have to take bus number 2 to go to the city center, it take approximately 1 hour. When I arrived there yesterday it was quite rainy, the tail of Trami Typhoon certainly. Surprisingly I couldn't find any pocket wifi at the airport and decided to give it a try with only free wifi spot, like in Seoul there is not a lot in Japan, so back to the basic paper map and it works! Well it almost work I've missed my hotel from 2 road ahead and it was night! Haha ...

While I was trying to figure out where I was on the map, in the night, it's raining...very dramatic ! A lady with is little boy ask me if I needed help and after having a look at my map offered to walk me to my hotel!!! Welcome back to Japan! She shown me the directions and I told her that I would be ok to find it! After thanking her I walked straight to my hotel! Looking behind me she was watching and waving at me to make sure I was at the good hotel! That was my first interaction with someone at Kagoshima! What a nice welcome!  

For this first night I booked a simple hotel but with onsen. It was cheap and a bit behind the town center, I had the great surprise to find that they upgraded me to a Tatami room, I loved it! Again a very good way to feel welcome, I guess the room was available, I'm a foreigner and they thought that I would enjoy the experience! And I did! 

I spent the following day walking around, enjoying some coffee, a nice croissant-omelette in a very nice cafe and I found out where and when I could take a ferry to Yakushima a not so far Island.

What? An Island again!!! You already been to zamami! Yes but this one got a giant and antic Forest with olds trees that I want to meet! Full story short, yes this is the forest who inspired mister Miyazaki for "princess Mononoke"!

I've decided to wake up early around five in the morning to watch the sunrise, with a view like that, that would have been a shame not to! 

Mother earth offered me a special welcome too : the sun was rising and the volcano was smoking when I woke up. During the night I felt some earthquakes like vibrations, I thought I was dreaming but it appears that that was real! Nothing to worry about, apparently this volcano is in activity sometime. That's remembered me my good old wellington, New-zealand back in the days. The sunrise was beautiful! That's always a thing when you see the nature and a city waking up at the same time! 

Im in the ferry to Yakushima now, enjoying a coffee, waiting for the boat to sail! Four hours trip.

It's 8:13am, an old man just sit next to me opening an Asahi can, apparently enjoying the refreshing beverage. Maybe he had a long night at work and going home or maybe a long night with friends.

Who knows? 

it's a curious feeling to find myself on a ferry sailing to an island. Exactly a month ago I was behind my computer working. A lot of people ask me but I have not plan much what's coming next. I'm thinking about it sometime, but I really don't know. When people ask me I have the feeling that it's always about what work is coming next. When you put yourself on the side of the busy world you realize that 'next' can be a lot of thing and not only the next job! Next trip to Bali or to Tibet? Maybe!?

Starting my minimalist life teach me few things so far, including that less you have and less you will worried about the next day or the next week. Yes travelling cost money, but as minimalist your are able to tight your budget. Of course you still need a budget but when you choose to travel like that you won't keep any flat to pay the rent for or any bills. Luckily this part of your monthly expense can go on your trip, at least the first month.

In Japenese ferry, there is an extra features that other ferry doesn't have : a tatami area usually used by family with kids or by traveler who want to take a nap like me. And guess what this is nap time! 

When I'll arrived to the Island I'll have to catch a bus to where I'll stay for few days. This is about one hour bus along the coast. Again a trip in a trip is very exciting. I've heard a lot about this Island...

Bye Bye Seoul...

After a week in Seoul, it's time to say goodbye. The typhoon Trami has been through Okinawa during the night and is aiming to Kagoshima at the moment.

I'm in the train to the airport and I just received an alert email from Korean airline, but no internet in the Tube! Let's wait for the big surprise at the airport!

I can remember the change of mood when I arrived in Seoul after being in Okinawa and zamami, the quietness of an island and the busyness of a big city facing each other.

I honestly like both but that was an abrupt feeling haha!

After an hour of train to arrive at the city center my friends Cecile and Arnaud were waiting for me at the tube station, they kindly offer me to stay at there place and that was amazing.  

The weekend I arrived was a long Holiday week-end and I had the pleasure to discover some part of the old city, some temples, some gardens with them.

Seoul is a surprising city surrounded by mountains, walking it make you go up and down the hill all the time, you need to be ready for a bit of a hiking. One day I took the bus number two, a fabulous small green bus with not that much room inside, very enjoyable to discovers some small streets of Seoul and go up the hill.

So I took this bus and walked to the Seoul tower to enjoy the view, and what a view, the mountains are fabulous and you can see all the city! A mix of modern building and old houses.

Talking about the view, luckily the flat of my friends had a terrace with a fantastic one where I was able to do some timelapse and photos enjoying a nice local beer.

The weather (after being hit by the sun during two weeks, yes I can still feel the sunburnts, this is the time when the snake is changing skin... Yes... Haha ...) Well the weather in Seoul was very different at this time of the year. Just hot as you wish with a small wind to refresh you, at the end of the day you even wonder or not if you'll take your jacket to go out! 

Temples and palace are very impressives, very colorful, I never seen that before, the ones we went were very big and you could walk around a full day contemplating the beauty of the architecture.

People around like to wear traditionals clothes, certainly to celebrate. Sometime when you walk around that give you this feeling that you are back in time. 

Day after day, Sunny day after sunny day, walking, biking the city, taking bus or metro I enjoyed it every minutes! I didn't get the time to go the mountains but that will certainly be on my list if I come back to Seoul. 

I, of course visited the busy town center with his high modern towers and new monuments, statues dedicate to the Olympics. You might call me 'classic' I still prefer the architecture of a temple or a gigantic palace full of history every step you walk.

My train is arriving at the airport now, my flight has been delay by 2h, enough time to check-in, grab a snack and continue to tell you my Seoul adventure.

That was something to wake up myself socially after being alone this last two weeks, interesting to see how somehow we all need to express ourself, I was happy to talk again in french! Haha...

Travelling alone is something I really like, there is a lot of fun part and the most important to me it's that's is all on you, good or bad decisions this is you, which is quite a good exercise to face yourself truely.  A lot of to discover ...

They are calling for boarding, bye bye Seoul that was a pleasure! Next stop Kagoshima!

Sayōnara Okinawa...

You know this feeling when you come back from holiday and you're happy to be back home?

Back to Naha town in my favorite Capsule hotel after 2 hours of Ferry from zamami Islands, I've jumped straight in the onsen.

Very relaxing after this small travel. Thats really something I enjoy in Japan : the onsen. I've been told that on my way from Kagoshima to Tokyo there is some good ones.

It's already diner time and what's best that some nice Soba! It didn't take long for me to fell asleep.

The following day Ive checked-in for my last night in a nice guest house close to the center, traditional tatami room with shared facilities, shower, small kitchen. This is like flat sharing again. For those who think Japan is expensive it cost me £20.

The floor is all tatamis and you got a foldable futon mattress with a sheet and a blanket. It's up to you to make your bed in the fashion and orientation you want. I love it! Really comfy! I slept like a baby. I really recommend it for anyone who wants to visit Japan, at least one night for tge experience.

Today I'm flying to Seoul to meet a couple of Friends there : Cecile and Arnaud. I'm looking forward to see them and to discover Seoul. That will be my first time there!

It's gonna be a social event in my solo traveller life! I didn't speak that much to peoples the last two weeks. But that's true that when you are traveling alone people talk to you more. 

Since I'm traveling all my landmarks have changed, from one place to another every 2-3 days. Unpacking, packing again. Im adapting myself to this new life and even after two weeks I can see that I didn't use half of what's in my bag. That make me think that you don't need much to live as an itinerant traveler : some good resistants and clean clothes, a jacket, a hat, sunglasses, some good shoes, a small toilet kit, few electronics devices to communicate and stay connected to the world. Up to you to turn it off! And thats it!

That's all I need! Less you have, less you carry, less you worry! 

My camera, my GoPro and my laptop are taking a fair amount of space in my bag, maybe more than half of it. I also have my travel yoga mat which I didn't use yet.

I'm trying to re-organize my small backpack for the next part of my adventures and I'll need to make some hard choices haha!

Since I arrived I bought only 3 things : an umbrella (then I lost an umbrella and I bought a new one, this is the umbrella chain...), my hearplugs and a small Muji toilet kit, mine was too big. 

Before leaving I found a garden on the map which was quite far, that was almost one hour of walk and of course I got lost! Haha!

I ended up walking/climbing a hill under a hot sun. I noticed that the houses there were very simple in the way they were made... No windows...

Well that was the cemetery!

I've finally arrived to the garden and again thought. : All that for that! A parking lot, few cars, few taxi. After buying some refreshing water I entered the garden, that wasn't only a garden!

I was happy to discover there some pieces of Okinawa history! Traditionals houses and a zen garden. Quiet and peaceful... With many paths and bridges to walk around.

There is two traditionals houses you can enter and visit. I was so happy that I spent my entire afternoon walking around and chilling.

Again, I felt like I was the only one in the garden. Where are the people!

That's a true pearl! A small gem in the city! When you sit and look around you can imagine kings and queens walking in kimonos, sandals and fan. Sometimes architecture and nature are speaking to you to remind you a past that you never knew. These gardens are the memories of the city, the latest witnesses of the old Japan.

Here I am, having my last breakfast/brunch in Okinawa! I honestly loved my time here! It's hot!  I was always sweaty, chasing the shadows on my long walks in the city and inevitably got sunburn!

I've discovered some fantastic gardens, some curious traditions, some indescriptibles Islands and some very welcoming peoples. I've watched my first sunset in the rising country sun! I met a turtle! I had one of the best Soba in my life! I tried to be and not to do and I'll keep going. I learnt that there is so many way to communicate and to be understand, no need for a specific language. A simple smile sometime is a good start.

I'm still looking to find some questions to start to find some answers. 

During these two weeks I realized that travelling is really something I want to do as much as possible and that is totally different that "long holiday".

I want to witness unknown cultures and meet differents peoples. There is a lot of to learn from difference.

Okinawa is a mix of  the welcoming traditions of a tropicals Island and the legendary japenese hospitality.

That's a part of Japan you don't want to miss if you are traveling Japan! 

I'm sitting now at the airport of Naha finishing this article and looking at the sky and the ocean, time to go gate 42 to a new adventure!

Sayōnara Okinawa... You've been good to me!

Make an Island of yourself...

This morning I get up early to take the ferry to zamami Island.

Theres is something magic to jump on a boat when you are traveling, this is like a travel in the travel. It took two hours to arrived at Zamami. After checking in my new room, I walked straight to the beach to jump in the ocean. The water is green blue and 30°c.

When I arrived I was suprised by the simplicity of zamami town, I was expecting big hotels resorts all along the cost with thousand of tourists swimming around. No, that's not what you'll find in Zamami, you'll find the opposite : simplicity and authenticity.

After almost a week in Naha town, you need some time to adapt yourself to the pace of Zamami. Just sit and relax and don't forget your hat and some sun cream!

There is two beaches 20 minutes walk from the small city, they are both beautiful and perfect for a morning bath or sun bathing, the blue emeraude ocean is singing to you a peace song to help you to be in the present moment. Luckily I found not much peoples there, that was like the ocean was mine! Alone with nature enjoying the sound of the wave, clean, clear water...   

A small paradise, an unknown destination? I found myself almost being the only occidental walking around, which increased the feeling of immersion.

The first day there I choosed to take my time and to chill around, stop doing,start being...

An immaculate sand beach is perfect for that. Leave all your electronics devices in your room and enjoy!

Put fins and mask on and go for some snorkeling to see some beautiful fishes, coral and if you are lucky you'll meet one of the local stars : The turtles!

There is a lot of scuba diving shops around, I went to see one and we agreed to meet the following day for two dives, where I was able to meet turtles, shark and an octopus.

Dive were shallow, but no need to go deep to see amazing fishes and coral diversity.

During the first dive we went through some narrow caves with open roof letting some godrays coming in, that was stunning. Unfortunately on the second dive, a part of my equipment failed (out of the water) and I decided that I will snorkel the following days. I was lucky to spend almost 20 minutes with this beautiful turtle and I saw some magnificents school of fishes.

After few days in zamami, I felt really chill, peoples here are very nice and welcoming.

Close to my room there is a nice cafe where you can sit in the garden, coffee is awesome and sandwiches are really tasty! Yummy! That was perfect for lunch break, you know the break in between the bath in the ocean and the nap;) haha...and then bath again ...

This town/village really kept a sens of simplicity which I really like. There is 500 peoples living on the island and even less during off peak.

One night, I was walking in the street looking for diner, and I couldn't really find some restaurants, when I saw two peoples looking at a wall and opening the door which looked like a simple house to me. That was a restaurant! I pushed the door as well and was welcome to sit in the living room on some tatami, tv was on, open kitchen, the couple leaving here was cooking diner for the guests. I had some very nice Soba!

It remenbered me my first experience when I arrived in Japan last year, I was walking around looking for a restaurant but everything seemed to be close and hidden behind a curtain, as a shy European you need to open the door and to ask, most of the time you'll be welcome to enter to have awesome food.

when writing about Naha, I told you that music was everywhere in the street. This is the same in Zamami, regularly I can here some music and announcement while walking in the city. Every hour there is a gentle music, and sometime someone is announcing something I can't understand. Haha!

After a day snorkeling in the water I got sunburn, so no beaches for me today, maybe tonight to watch the sunset...

Sunset time was around 6:30pm, I Walked to tbe beach and found a nice spot to enjoy it! Quiet time watching the sun going down and listening to the ocean song.​

I've spent 5 days on Zamami Island and could have stay longer. I really felt in love with the rythm here, the time to be, to look at birds, ocean, fishes, clouds. That was a good time not to think, just to be one with myself. I know now almost every streets, every small hidden restaurants, where to find the turtles, when the tide is the best, I wonder if I'll come back one day...

Here you just have to let it go and everything will follow... Time will stop... and everything will be up to you...

A Horn is ringing, this is the ferry calling us to go back to civilization. Good bye Zamami! And thanks you!!!

Are you ready to be an island?

To plant a garden...

To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.

There is this curious thing happening when you stay fews days in a row at the same place when you travel. You start to know every streets and shops around, you got news habits, peoples recognize you at the cafe and some restaurants you already been.

This morning I went to the Ferry office to buy a ticket for my trip to zamami island. A fair walk under the sun made me discover an other part of the city. The less touristic Okinawa. Like many cities in Japan, concrete imposed his style but I'm always surprise to cross a garden here and there which break the concrete monotony. I won't call that the perfect balance but the contrast is very surprising. It's like finding some small glimpses of a forgotten past.

I've localized one of these garden on the map and decided to have a look to it. After all I don't have much to do, I'm waiting the day I'll take the ferry for my next adventure. By the way, im receiving some "big waves weather notification" from japan weather center, i hope they won't cancel it. 

First I found what I thought was the garden and I have to admit that I was quite disappointed as it was looking like a normal garden square to me. After walking a bit through it I've noticed a beautiful wall and a gate! Ha! That's the garden I was looking for!

I've crossed the gate and wah... That was like stepping in a other world, in an other time! A peaceful place where you could stay forever.

What is the most remarkable is that even surrounded by the city the garden is keeping is authenticity. From the garden watching through the window is like beiing able to see from the other side. It's a strange feeling to watch the busy city from their.

I've stayed quite a while walking around and chilling, watching the fishes in the pond, the turtles. This garden is like a beating heart for the city but you need to find it. It's not that far from the city center but it's almost like it need to find you more than you will find it. For a long time I was by myself walking around, some gardeners working.

I was hungry and thirsty, time to eat something, walking back to the entrance gate I've noticed a other path I didnt follow. Ok 5 minutes just to make sure I saw everything, and I didn't. There was a garden hidden in the garden with 2 big pagodes dedicated to Budha.

The 5 minutes became an hour. Time to jump back to reality, really need to eat something, i went for a burger... But a Japenese burger, not very typical Japenese food, but that was good.

I had to change capsule style, that was a very comfy one, I really enjoyed it! Thihs one was big as a king size, just close by a curtain.

​later that night before going for diner I heard sone noise in the streets some people were singing. Let's have a look!

I honestly have no idea of what it was, if you have any hints, please let me know!

Stop doing, start being.

So where is the Ocean, where are all these fabulous beaches I saw on googles pictures ? 

The Ocean is definitely surrounding the beautiful city of Naha but after checking yesterday at the tourism center it seem that the closest beach is 40min away by bus. The tourist officer recommended me a trip to the kerama island which I'm planning to do next week! Scuba diving Ya!!!

I've heard that a typhoon was coming in the next days. Let see how it goes!

Today, I've decided to take a day off! Haha Yeah..

I mean not visiting much, walking randomly in the city as I like to do. Behind the market I found few typicals streets with a lot of pottery shops, workshops.

The sun was high and no one was in the street, my guess : everyone is taking a nap!!! The cats were taking a naps.

It's been almost a week that I arrived in Okinawa. The weather is good as the people always smiling and welcoming. Chilling around when you are in holiday is the best. No stress of what you should or shouldn't visit. By trying making the most of our time we sometime miss the most important, the now. 

 Stop doing, start being...

 When I red this sentence few days ago it seems so simple and obvious. We are all busy doing things, working, acting socially, chating, walking, always trying to find something to be busy with. When I say "we" I should say "I".

Since I've start working years ago, focusing on my career, I stopped being. I got busy over the years and I missed something essential "Being". I forgot what I really like to do. I was always aiming for better, more and better. When you think about it there is alway better somewhere and we can always get more. But that's like chasing something you will never aim.

Recently I was writing about how I've discovered meditation, in a way that make me realize that I should stop doing and start being.

That's not an easy one to recenter oneself. This might be why I choosed to travel alone, to feel and to be again in the present moment.

Being by myself force me to think silently, to look around and to be more aware of my surrounding,  to notice small things in my daily life. Travelling a new country is a way for me to shake up my cue, my habits. It's a way to meet me again, a way to be.

On my way back, I've walked by a square garden with a giant rope.

Walking around I found few workshops, that was the Naha craft center with craft shop and workshops. I could stay hours to watch them worked. A glass-blower(not sure if its the right name in English) and a craft potter... You can book some time with them and learn how to...

If you are wondering what are these small/big statues half lion/dog you can find in front of all houses In Okinawa, they are called Shi-sa.

A protection against some evils.

You can learn to make one with the craft potter. 

Would you try one of these workshops?

The high Castle ...

Wake up early... No not yet, still feeling the jetlag but this is way better...

God thanks to my new earplugs I could rest last night! After saying hello to the cleaning team and a good shower it's time to visit! I've heard that there is a nice castle to visit, not far.

First, I thought that I could do the 55min walk there. After 20 minutes under the sun and 10 liters of myself evaporated somewhere, I crossed the path of the monorail! Thanks god of the monorail!!! Cheap and efficient!

Still 15min of walk to the high Castle, going up, going up! I'm calling it like that because is up a hill. You can actually see it from the monorail when you get off.

A castle is a castle beautiful piece of history, big wall!!! Nice garden. 

Unfortunately the castle was under renovation, but I could visit inside.  As a good French who used to live in Fontainebleau, I'm used to castle stuff, yes we got one there and it's a beautiful one, fully furnished. I think it might be the most furnish in France. No kidding.

Anyway I highly recommend!

This is the second castle I'm visiting in Japan (I've visited one in Kyoto last year) and I've noticed that they are not really what we can call furnished. Instead you walk on the path of the king and queen in beautiful rooms withs Tatamis(for who knows me, you know that I truly love tatami and futon bed), most of them open windows to a very nice garden and some bonsai, some funny old dready tree. Beautiful and peaceful.  On your way some rooms are exhibiting old kimonos and furnitures, the tea set used to celebrate new year eve. 

While walking outside the castle a guard called me. He wanted to make sure that I won't miss the dragon fountain where the king used to drink and explain me that I could visit as well this beautiful garden, on the left other there, few staircases... 

After thanking him, I went to the left, few staircases and discover a beautiful garden with a point of view of the city. 

Did i mention that it was damn hot!!! Yes? It was damn hot! like my hat was melting with my hair. 

Anyway, walking in this garden, alone, meeting only some (a lot indeed) dragonflys was so relaxing and peaceful.

Oh of course, I never found the dragon king fountain...haha... Classic! 

Some Archaeological excavations ☝️☝️☝️ (when someone lost his wallet in Japan this is serious stuff 😀)

Back in town center with my favorite Okinawa transportation (yes the monorail), I'm enjoying a nice moka writing this article.

 But wait I was about to forgot my "interaction of the day" : while coming back a blind man was waiting at the crossway where a car was waiting to let him pass. The 2 girls in the car point to me and to the guy apparently asking me to tell him that the way was safe! Luckily he was speaking English haha! I think I scared him with my big voice... But he crossed the road safely! The two girls wave at me with a big smile to say thank you! 

Time to speak about food.

So far I've been lucky finding random restaurants. I'm snacking at lunch time, which is breakfast for me (you know the jetlag).

Tonight That was really good! I loved it! Good peoples, good food!!! Sometimes walking randomly give you a very nice meal! ;) The place is called 'Mahobora'. I highly recommend it if you like noodles!

Later this night, I was at the onsen while my dirty clothes were in the washing machine. There is two baths, one is a 41°c and the other one is about 15°c. I usually only go in the 41°c which is quite relaxing. But this time I tried the 15°c, oh my god!!! So cold, slowly but surely I made it and immerse me a long five minutes in it! Victory!!! 

 Did you ever tried Japenese Onsen?

Let sea ...Okinawa ...

This time I've set my alarm clock to 8am...

And ... I woke up at 12am, hearing the cleaning team working outside my capsule. "Housekeeping, housekeeping ...."  A cleaner is singing.

It's seem that here in Okinawa everything is related to music.

Every morning there is a very organise team cleaning and changing the sheets of every cabins/capsules. We are suppose to be out by 10am to let them work peacefully... Well, I'll try again tomorrow...

The jetlag is there and it was really difficult to sleep last night. I've forgot that sometime it can be noisy, people going in and out all night despite the tiny thin curtain you can hear everything...it remembered me to buy some earplugs...   

Today, I went to see the Ocean ... That's what I thought... 

On my way to the Ocean I cross a fabulous small garden with some really nice intricate trees... Some old peoples were playing tennis, some cats were taking a break... A cat break ... 

Then I arrived to what I thought was the Ocean, the blue part on google map I was aiming for! You know... Well that was more a highway to the Ocean... A lot of highways indeed...

But from far I could see a rock, a big rock and on this big rock, something looking like a shrine! 

When I arrived there I found a small beach, under the highway bridge, few peoples having fun swimming in the water and playing volleyball.

I finally made it to the shrine after taking few staircases. When I enter it, not much tourists.

A couple was waiting on the side. After few minutes a priest came with some encens and start to pray with them. 

He's holding a bell and sometime he's ringing it. 

And again, and again, faster and faster, like a crescendo.

He started to sing and pray and ring the bell again...

Time is suspended, I'm thinking for whom is this prayer ? A son, a daughter ? A father, a mother...

After maybe 10 minutes the bell is not ringing anymore, the priest is quiet... 

Time is back to normal. 

A day like that, under the sun, walking around, there is always something to look at. I really enjoy looking at people daily life and taking pictures.

It's been almost a year that I'm not taking that much pictures of peoples. I did some nice polaroid experiments but my Fuji XE-2 was on the shelf lonely. 

Today I took few shots, slowly trying to tame my 35mm and my eyes again. I really like this focale because you need to be in the action and you need to be close to your subject, to interact and take some risk in a way. Taming the wild animal. This year was a year of reading and I red some interviews about photography with Cartier-Bresson, he was saying something like :

"It is an illusion that photos are made with the camera... they are made with the eye, heart and head."

 Yes that is true, for me there is always a story I can remember behind a photography I take. This is the moment and the now. Im not saying it's always a good story. But this moment is one shot, one clic, one story.

I ended up my day walking around in the center of the town, this is alway a special time when the sun start to go to sleep, the sky is becoming pink, the road is crowded of people looking for a place to eat.

You're wondering what this man is doing on this video.... No kidding, me too! I'll find out soon by testing these yummy cookies.

On my way back to my hotel, I found this nice and friendly restaurant. I have to say indeed that they found me haha! Most of the restaurant have a Japenese menu so it's always hard to know what will be serve, but walking by this one a friendly waiter invite me to have a look to an English menu version. A beer, some chicken and this very nice rice/eggs/pork/tofu, that was a delicious diner, eating in front of the cook at the bar doing giants flames while grilling some chicken!

 Tell me what's your favorite Japenese food?

And yes I bought some professionals earplugs! 

Good morning Okinawa ...

Good morning Okinawa! It's 2pm.

After a comfortable long night in my capsule and postponing ten time my alarm clock initially set to 8am, time to wake up and explore Naha Okinawa. 

Shower, put some adequate clothes and go! 

Wait ... 

It's raining!

Damned!  Hopefully everything is ready in Japan and I could buy an umbrella at the hotel lobby. A nice transparent umbrella! 

 Ok where to go? I'm right in the middle of the city. Maybe let's have a look to the Ocean. 

A step outside... Wooow that's hot and humide, it remember Hong-kong in a way... it's around 3pm and there is no one in the city, where are the people... Certainly inside enjoying the aircon, ha wait... Working maybe !

While walking under the rain in small streets, I always choose to walk the smalls streets and I always got lost...haha... So I got lost... But while walking in the street I realize that a lot of cars were behind waiting patiently walking at my pace, so I put myself to the side to let them keep going. That's might sound nothing but for me that what I like in Japan, call that as you like, I call that Japenese courtesy. No horn, no sad face... Just wait... There is so many countries where even one car would have used his horn to warn me that I was on his way. Not here! 

That make me smile. Welcome to Japan I thought.

 After few minutes chasing for a coffee place I found a Starbucks. I know, not really typic Japenese but they have coffee and I needed my daily americano !

Originally while planning my time in Okinawa, no I'm kidding, I didn't plan a thing! Haha ...

I've finally choosed to stay around and to have a long walk in the city center. I've discover a very nice cover market which remember be a lot one I visited in kyoto, but this one seem to be way bigger with more small corner and dead ends, you can find a lot of variety of food and a lot of shop for everything. I've crossed the road of an old lady who was selling some complex origamis Tupi.

I really like the mix of colors of the building under a shiny sun on a rainy day . From every shop you cross on the main street and under the market you can here some music wich are quite different along the walk, that give you this really funny feeling.

From afar, I see a man, salary man dancing in front of a small LCD Tv, trying to mimic the dance of a Japenese Boys band. Thay look to be a quite serious business and he's doing well haha!!!

back in the Starbucks to write this articles while looking at thr windows, the main street is crowded now, it's around 6pm and the sun is on his way to go to sleep. Through few clouds i can see the end of the light day.

This is time to find a place to eat diner. Along the street waiters are waiting to show you some menu but today I've choose to go back to eat at the hotel and enjoy a nice onsen bath.  

 Good night Okinawa...

The day I left ...

Time to put the hat back on.

Good bye London !!!

After a year living in this beautiful flat in London, I'm waking up in the couch. The flat is empty, next to the fire place my 38L backpack and my scuba gear... Ready to go... 

The last few days were weird, I don't know how to explain that. I guess this is always like that when you live somewhere for a year. You want to go but you got this nostalgic feeling, maybe you don't want to stay, maybe you're only scare to go somewhere else. 

After handling the keys of my flat to the inventory clerck, last good by to Belsize park by having a nice breakfast at Gail and I jumped in the tube direction airport! I'm sitting now next to the duty free enjoying a glass of champagne to celebrate my first day of traveling :)

Not bad especially after I realize that by mistake my family name and name were inverted on my flight booking :) Finally it wasn't an issue.

After 11 hours sitting in between the airplane windows and a chatty grandma going for the first time in Korea to meet his grandson, I made it to Seoul airport. One hour after I was in a plane direction Okinawa and arrived there around 6pm, grabbed a pocket wifi(a bit expensive to hire but honestly worth it), asked for direction, jumped in the monorail while realizing that I didn't really know where I was going... finally made it to my capsule hotel, shower, something to eat ... Meditation .... Good night!  

First night in my capsule.

Let's grab some food.