Our bus drove us deep into the forest and left us at twin waterfalls at the bottom of a mountain. A steep climb, but it was cool and immensely peaceful.
We don't know when we'll be back again!! Japan - to walk the Nakasendo Way ( ten days between Kyoto and Tokyo. A couple of days in Kyoto and Tokyo then Finland - hiring a car and driving the southern coast. then ferry to Estonia - hiring a car and exploring for five days then plane to Oslo and connecting flight to Svalbard. Staying on board a big boat (200 ish people) and cruising the islands for 12 days. Meeting bears whales walruses and otters. I'll post when I can and add a few photos Got to go now, our flight is boarding Ross and Clare
We got help again! Forget walking onwards ever onwards, no matter what! We bused it again! Large sections of the historic Nakasendo Way are now city or in private hands. Our tour company has picked the best 135kms to walk. Nice! This was a great day! Forest, lunch, mountain views, variety and a luxurious inn with beer and plum wine. We were all craving wheat. Lunch was in a family home right on the path. We had been told it was special. The couple in their seventies, have a large verandah overlooking a glorious mountain and surrounded by a model train track with Thomas the tank engine. They served us freshly baked pumpkin bread and home made pizzas - Wow! Then they played local songs for us. They were smiling the whole time. After lunch we watched Thomas do his stuff whilst we sprayed the air with a bubble gun. Thankfully some people stay young at heart always! Our evening stop was in a resort town for Tokyo's rich and famous. Bars, cafes and designer clothes shops everywher...
We caught the bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto. The train way amazingly quick and quiet. The exact opposite of Tokyo Train station. Luckily we had an hour to find the right entrance platform and seat. We needed it!! Kyoto is a large grey city which seems to go on for ever in both directions along the coast. Inland it quickly changes to rolling wooded hills with no buildings at all. The food is very very different. Seafood, meat and fried food abounds in the cafes, many of which are one table wide heading deep into the building. In the more traditional eating places fungi, meat, tofu, rice, tempura, miso and pickled vegetables.
Enjoying following your travels! Looks great..
ReplyDeleteThat looks very calming. Gentle green. 🙂
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