Seiryo-ji Temple

This Buddhist temple was set in quiet grounds in Kyoto’s Arashiyama district. The site was once a mountain villa, but was later converted into Seiryo-ji Temple.

Wellington Point’s hidden trail

Around the other side of Wellington Point’s long spit, was a cement pathway that most people ignored, including me. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve visited this thin strip of land stretching out into Moreton Bay. But on my last visit, I wanted to see part of the bay from a different location and noticed the trail.

UBC’s First Nation building

The last building I revisited on UBC’s campus was the First Nation building. I passed over sx whek’wmet (that which is used to remember) or Memorial Drive and walked down the steps and into a different world once I entered the building.

Arashiyama’s finest old houses

Away from the temples and the Bamboo Forest, was Arashiyama’s preserved area. It was the best laneway to spy some of Kyoto’s finest old style houses. Some even had the traditional thatched roofs. Even more surprising was that not one of the hoards of tourists who stepped into the Bamboo Forest, was here.

Return to a childhood haunt

Personally King Island had a completely different history from the one I wrote in my last Auz post. To me it was a fascinating island because it could be reached on foot at low tide. Originally called Yerra-bin by the Aboriginal people of Quandamooka (Moreton Bay), the name was later changed to King.

UBC’s Asian Centre

Behind the Asian Research building was the Asian centre — a secluded hideaway amongst maples and Douglas firs. I stepped behind Tagore’s statue, and felt like I was back in Japan.

An Arashiyama potter

There were several ceramic shops where exquisite pottery was on display that I passed while wandering the back lanes of Kyoto’s Arashiyama. One that caught my eye however, didn’t have a name, at least not in writing that I could read.