The Ryokan we stayed at on Wednesday night looked out over Higashi Hongan-ji which is considered one of the largest wooden buildings in the world.  Established as a temple in 1321, Higashi Hongan-ji is also the name for the Buddhist Sect which is based there.  It means 'The Eastern Temple of the Original Vow' and is one of the dominant sub-sects of Shin Buddhism in Japan and abroad.

After visiting the temple, we jumped on a train and went to Arashiyama, about 20 minutes out of Kyoto Station.  

This morning we started with a wonderful breakfast at our Ryokan.  

Then we met some geisha along the way.  Actually, they looked too young to be geisha and they were probably apprentices called maiko ("dance child") or hangyoku  ("half-jewel"), meaning that they are paid half of the wage of a full geisha.

The Kiyomizu-dera Temple was founded in the early Heian period, around 798.  Its present buildings were constructed in 1633.  There is not a single nail used in the entire structure.  

It takes its name from the waterfall within the complex, which runs off the nearby hills.  Kiyomizu means clear water, or pure water.

After leaving, we saw some road work fencing we thought you'd like Meggy.  We also saw another lucky dog going for a 'stand'.  I don't think Ella could stay still this long.

Later that afternoon, we went to visit Ginkaku-ji, which means "silver pavilion".

Ginkaku-ji was originally built to serve as a place of rest and solitude for Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa who had inspired a new outpouring of traditional culture.  Having retired to the villa, it is said Yoshimasa sat in the pavilion, contemplating the calm and beauty of the gardens as the Ōnin War worsened and Kyoto was burned to the ground.

In addition to the temple's famous building, the property features wooded grounds covered with a variety of mosses. The Japanese garden was designed by the great landscape artist Sōami.  The sand garden of Ginkaku-ji has become particularly well known - the carefully formed pile of sand which is said to symbolise Mount Fuji is an essential element in the garden.

On our first day in Kyoto we visited Kinkaku-ji - the Golden Pavilion.  It floats like an apparition over the surrounding pond.  

Originally built in 1397 as a retirement villa for shogun Ashikaga Yoshi-mitsu.  It was burnt down in 1950 by an obsessed monk and reconstructed shortly after.  
It is covered in gold leaf and features a phoenix on the top of the roof.  It is considered the second most famous sight in Japan after Mt Fuji. Even dogs come to see it !

We then visited Ryoan-ji, most famous for its rock garden.  The garden was arranged some time between 1333 - 1576.   It is called a hira-niwa, a flat garden void of hills or ponds.  It is said to reveal the simplicity and harmony of Zen meditation.

Later on we visited the Kyoto Imperial Palace.  Then we went out for dinner. 

Yesterday it was my birthday party.  It was a cup cake party.  A cup cake party is when you do a lot of stuff with cup cakes, like having candles on cup cakes for your cake.  

These are some of the cup cakes that my friends made and you can see that there are some boys at the top and theres one at the bottom.  There are the candles on those cup cakes in the middle.  As you can see at the bottom right hand side, there is my sister Meggy.  

On the left hand side there is Mira.  On the right hand side you can see there is me and Ben.  On the side that Mira is there is another girl, that is Amilie.  And on the right hand side with me and Ben there is Annalise's arm.  

I had a good time at my birthday party and we didn't make any mess at all.  And that's the end of the story at my party.

I'm doing my morning routine and this is what I have to do .... 

At the start of this year at school a notice came around that said - I am very sorry any hockey players but I am unable to coach this term.  I felt very sad but mummy said her friend said they needed more soccer players for their team.  

So I went to try out & it went pretty well but 2 days after mummy got a text to say they now had too many players.  Mummy said how about we make our own soccer team and get all the others who didn't get in to the first soccer team. 

Now we have won 4 games because we versed the Juniors of Island bay, but then today meaning the 8/6/14 we won both games. First score-  4.0.  Second score-1.0. First we versed I think that we versed Brooklyn and then I'm pretty sure we versed the "West".  

I always have fun and its my new favourite sport.  SOCCER IS AWESOME!!  

Today was my triathlon.  When I first got there, I saw Saraphine with Maddy.  Then I saw Saskia walk past, then I shouted "Saskia", she turned around and said "Hi Meg". She took me to where her bike was and I put my bags and stuff near to hers.  We found Mia and had to line up for swimming.

When we were waiting I saw Jessica Jackson and said "Go Jessica".  She ran past and then it was my turn.  We swam and as I was running to my bag I took off my swim suit and goggles.  I met Saskia at our bags and got our bikes.  Then we had to run.

When I got to the finish line, this man said "on 3 we've got to put our hands in the air".  I did as he said and put my hands up in the air and they took a photo.  After that they gave me some water, a drink bottle and a drink of water.  I found Saskia and Mia then we went to the finish line to Isla and Eve.  Next we went to some stalls, we got slushies and then we went to City Fitness.  We got T-shirts.  Mine was extra large so I gave it to Daddy.   

As we were walking a lady came up to us and asked "could I take a photo of you guys to put on our classic hits website". (I really should check that out). We all said "yes" and got our picture taken.  

Boy, that was a nice day (but I wish I got a prize).