A day of discoveries and temples

(Note:  you can click on the photos for larger versions of the smaller ones.)

The hotel offers a Japanese breakfast, a great opportunity to taste new things while getting a solid food foundation for the day.

Catching a bus

I headed for the Bus station thinking I'd get Kyoto's version of a  hop-on hop off bus to orientate myself. Unfortunately it only runs on weekends and this was Monday. Not a disaster because organisation at the bus station was another example of Japanese efficiency and consideration.  It seems that in Kyoto at least, the Japanese recognise the value of a real person and don't skimp on manpower.  (Yay!!!)  Not only does the bus timetable screen include information in English (and Japanese) on what buses to catch for the main tourist attractions and where to catch them, there are  also English speaking attendants to make sure you understand. I hadn't worked out which sight to visit, but I bought a day's bus pass (500 yen - or about$5.50) and headed off towards Kinkaku-ju Temple. The bus signage was clear so  I followed others on via the back door and scored a seat, which was great as it got very crowded.  Announcements in Japanese and English tell you about the bus and the next stop and the information's also on a screen at the front. When you're getting close, they tell you where you are.  It was great looking out the window and realising there were interesting places other than the station near my hotel.

Kinkaku-ju Temple

On the way I got chatting to a friendly young tourist. Inbal was headed for the same temple.  I had been imagining chilling in a Zen garden.  Instead we joined a long line of Japanese tourists and school parties.  It didn't make for a spiritual atmosphere. I was amazed by the equipment for selfies and Inbal said they were everywhere in Korea. 

 She offered to take a photo of me so I gate-crashed these school children's photo.

Kikaku-ji Temple.  Japanese irises as they should be seen.

We did a quick whizz around and then parted company as I fancied a sit-down and there was a tea garden.  

Getting home again

The bus was a lot less crowded on the way back and I hopped on and off whenever I saw something I thought might be interesting.

There are smokers' areas everywhere.  This was in a park near the aquarium (which I didn't visit).

I hope to make it inside some time!

The mausoleum of Shinran Shonin (1173 - 1262), 

I  spotted a heap of monks heading my way and headed for a construction site to see what it held.

It was open and turned out to be the mausoleum of  the founder of Shin Buddhism and also the the mother temple of one of the largest Buddhist denominations in Japan. Far fewer people and most of them prayed when they got into the main building.  The tatami maps felt like a sprung floor, the wood was redolent of age and all in all it was a much more atmospheric and satisfying experience. Let that be a lesson to me!

Now that's what I call a drum! It was high overhead and had a battering ram to sound it.

Man feeding pigeons.

I decided to walk back to the hotel via the railway area and got lost.

Traditional Japanese guest house (ryokan)?  If I come back, I'll try to stay in one. They're mainly full as far as I can tell.

I was completely knackered when I ended up back at the place where I ate yesterday. I focussed a bit more on the menu.   Squid footware?  Horse hormone salt slack?  The mind boggles.  (I'm told hormones meams intestines.)

The hotel provides a map of recommended eateries. I went to Dining Mison, a two minute walk away, and ate a delicious meal of pork yakiniku, grilled veg and salad.  

 

Japan

Narita, Tokyo
Spending the first night in a hotel (Nikko Narita)  near the airport was a stroke of genius for a novice arriving in Japan after a long flight.  It was a great stress remover. Straight onto a shuttle bus, a  pleasant room with internet, a shop stocking the required connectors (for European to Japanese plugs) and a sumptuous breakfast went a long way towards setting me up for my journey to Kyoto.

One has to wonder why.

View from the breakfast room

Collection of the pocket wifi  was painless.  It's a shame that it keeps reverting to "out of range".  I can get it back but it takes about 10 minutes each time so I've decided that I'll abandon it.  It would be an expensive mistake if the process hadn't been worth its weight in gold for making me discover before I left home that the bank had blocked international transactions on all my cards!  

Validating the Japan rail pass was a little more time-consuming but still efficiently done.  They also reserved my seats to Kyoto.  Instead of changing at Tokyo for the Kyoto Bullet train, a lovely lady booked me to change at Shinagawa, the first or second stop on the Narita Express after Tokyo. She said that would be less hectic and it was very easy so she was right!  Half the train continued to Shinagawa from Tokyo and the other half went somewhere else so it was good to have someone who knew what they were doing.

Arrival in Kyoto
Continuing on my 'make it easy on yourself'' journey, I took a taxi to the hotel because I read somewhere it was a bit tricky to find.  Taxi ranks are somewhat different outside stations here!  Whoops! 

 I could understand why the taxi driver was not a happy chappy.  I don't know how long it takes them to get a turn!  I'm not entirely sorry for being so selfish all the same.  When you don't know where you're going, a short walk can turn into a long nightmare!  My room at the Almont Hotel overlooks the rooftops and has a nice Japanese feel to it.Should I go downstairs for a Japanese bath? Nah, not tonight.  Go out and explore a bit instead.  I'm definitely somewhere different.  I love the bird sounds the pedestrian crossings make. And they differentiate between north-south (kyu kyu) and east-west (cuckoo, cuckoo) (or vice versa).  (Sorry about layout.  Don't like this blog tool!)

From my window.

In the 'trip to the bath' gear.

Out in the world:reference point so I don't get lost .

Waipu Cove

Well, I'm really just using this as a web page to test what happens when it updates.  So.....

Have discovered a great new place for short breaks away from Auckland.  It's Waipu Cove Cottages  and Camping.  We stay in one of the two cottages on the rise that have panoramic views out over Bream Bay and a pontoon to take you over the creek to a wonderful dune wilderness and fabulous empty beach.

It's always tricky finding places that a disabled person can handle.  These Cottages and Camping do have one disabled cottage but so far it has always been booked.  (I think it has the most panoramic view of all).  That's not a complaint. We're last minute artists.However, since the stairs are plentiful but solid and not too steep and there's a sturdy handrail, my disabled one can get in and out.  Once inside, it's really easy access about the cottage (though the wider corridors etc of the disabled unit would make it easier with the walker) and it's a doddle to get out on to the covered deck to luxuriate in the view and the fresh air.

Sunday afternoon

Sunday sunday
What an up-and-down day
Best to stay up I reckon.

A good night out.

Last night I went with a friend to one of the "Late" nights at the Auckland museum. The night included a panel discussion in the dome with splendiferous views, a jazz band, another band, a fashion show, and access to the whole museum.

Started off with yakatori at Ken's. (The link goes to a different restaurant but it's much the same). Unfortunately their wine selection by the glass wasn't huge so we ended up sharing a bottle between two before we even started. Then when we finally arrived at the museum, they had this great system where you could buy a drink but then you couldn't go anywhere with it so you had to knock it back double quick to get to the next event. Fortunately by that stage my glass was having difficulty finding my mouth which prevented me imbibing too much more which could have led to worse incidents. Nevertheless, it was wonderful to be in that beautiful building at night and wandering dazedly among the exhibits. Afterwards we WALKED back to K Road through the domain in the dark. By then we needed sugar, liquid and a sit-down. Ended up at the Wine Cellar in St Kevin's Arcade ... a fabulous and different sort of a place.... obviously somebody else has also very much enjoyed a drink there because although I didn't think this lampshade was that exciting, I like the state of mind I think the photo represents . (Personally I was a bit blotto to take many photos and am too hungover to face the complications of seeing whether I took any and how they worked out.) It was a good night!

Walks

It's brilliant to be able to go for evening walks without too much pain. I don't know why I don't do it all the time. First of all this hibiscus popped out and said hello as it lounged around a letterbox.



It's inorganic rubbish time and the weather's great. It's fun looking at people's rubbish. So far I've scored Victorian garden tiles (poozled from the inorganic by sharp-eyed friends), some wood to help fix the mess down the side path, and a giant pot.




I discovered a beautiful mural opposite the Red Baron motor bike shop. I'm having a bit of bother getting the photos up. Maybe later.

Mamaku Project

We love the Mamaku Project's music. I really wanted to see them at the Spiegeltent (which I also love) but 11.30 pm is just too late for a school night. Found that they were playing at the Titirangi Music Festival so we headed out west. Parking was easy and there were loads of seats so it was great for Jim who could move around, have a smoke and find a good vantage point.

This is the band. There was an electric bass too.

As if that wasn't exciting enough, along came some stilt walkers.

They were very good!

Check out those boots!

the kids loved them

Danced through a St Clements arch and ran between their legs.

And it wasn't just the kids that loved them!!!