My Mum and I have taken advantage of super cheap tickets with Jetstar (along with the rest of Cairns it seems) - return tickets Cairns to Osaka only $250! Could NOT resist! We were even successful in getting tickets during prime cherry blossom season time of the start of April! So we're doing a dedicated cherry blossom viewing trip, while also taking in the history, culture and traditions of Japanese people and eat as much of their good food as we can. I also have the sneaky ambition to find some unique wildlife endemic to the country - which I won't reveal until I find what I'm looking for, so I don't jinx it :) But 5 days in to our trip, I've learnt a few things already:

1 . I fully miss my Canon S95 digital point-and-shoot camera - so many shots would have worked a whole lot better than my mediocre Asus mini tablet or my hand-me-down Samsung 4S, but I'm making do with what I've got. Since my Canon died on my last big trip, I haven't replaced it as I'm still umming and ahhing over if I should upgrade to a better land camera, or get another S95 to continue my underwater capabilities since I have 2 dive rated housings and 5 spare batteries dedicated to an S95 already..... any useful advice appreciated!!

2. You don't need the dated 3 pronged adapter for Japan. Just bring the straight 2 prong adapter. Most houses now only have the plug for 2 prongs, unless the building is quite old. I brought one of each and that means I'm now only capable of using one suitable adapter to charge 3 items I need to charge every night prior to a full day of sight seeing.

3. A portable battery pack charger thingo is essential to keep all your gadgets working during the day when you're on the move ...... especially if you take as many photos as me on my phone (because of Point 1).

4. Signage in Japan sucks! A sign will point you in a certain direction but then you get to the end of that direction and then.....nothing! No follow sign to then point you further in the right direction! Extremely frustrating! Much time spent being lost in Osaka!

5. Wheels on a bag suck, when they don't go round and round (sung to tune of "The wheels on the bus"). I normally travel with a big backpack on my back. MUM talked me into sharing her big roller suitcase with her. Seemed like a good idea at the time, as I do always watch those roller people with envy as I lug 20kgs on my back while they meander comfortably pushing or pulling their luggage along.... however, on Day 3, the wheels start to deteriorate as I push the case along the paved side walk from train station to subway, etc. And it progressively gets worse until Day 5, the wheels are all broken and I'm pushing a case with no wheels, just mere stumps of where they used to be . And I'm getting a good workout lifting the stupid thing up and down stairs when elevators and escalators are lacking!

6. Most of the Asian people wearing kimono having their photos taken with cherry blossoms are actually Chinese NOT Japanese!

7. Japanese toilet technology is amazing! The automatic seat warmer is pure genius! I think the sound of running water that plays while you do your business is just classic! And the water tap above the cistern that runs when you flush so you can wash your hands in the water that fills the cistern for the next flush, is innovative!

8. My Mum is a LOT more adaptable and flexible when traveling, than she is at home - and I am plesantly surprised and I love it! I couldn't believe she came to the onsen (hot spring) with me! She didn't expect it to be fully naked, but once there, when in Rome (after telling her repeatedly she couldn't wear her bathers or wrap herself in a towel)! It was funny to watch but great to see her inhibitions melt away with the hot water . Although it was a once only experience, I'm still proud she at least tried it! My Mum is also now an official Couch Surfer :)

9. My Mum still treats me like her baby girl, and probably always will, no matter how old I am. When in the onsen there is a pre-washing area where they provide shampoo, conditioner and body wash so you are clean before you start onsen-ing. There are open cubicle spaces with stools, mirror and shower hose and we are in opposite ones with our backs to each other. As I'm washing the conditioner out of my hair, I feel a spray of water on my back! Yep, my Mum is hosing off my back from across the way! "MUM! I can do it myself!" "But you missed a spot and I'm just helping". Thanks Mum!!

10. By the 3rd day of me stopping to admire and photograph every cherry blossom tree I see - which is easy to find, they are actually quite common - my Mum is now sick of looking at these iconic flowers! I've cherry blossomed her out already!

Having a ball in Japan so far, learning not only about Japanese people, culture and traditions, but also about my relationship between my Mum and I. I'm really lucky that I have a Mum who likes to spend so much time with me and that we get along enough that we don't kill each other in the process! Stay tuned for more learnings :)