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| Kyoto Station |
We found eggs benedict at the "Lipton" Cafe - surprise!!! then explored the Kyoto Train Station while Mark slept in. It is quite magnificent and Jason picked up on it's beauty as well riding all eleven levels of elevator in the massive open main hall.
Mark woke up and we caught the train to Arashiyama District about 11 where we rented bikes and took off for the bamboo forest. At one of the turns we met a very lively and friendly old artist selling beautiful post cards of his work. He wanted to know where we were from and marked it on his map. He fussed over Richard and how tall he was and we took this group shot.
The forest was simply a cathedral of natural beauty. We were all so enthralled. Then we biked down to the Togetsukyo Bridge and the river where we paid to park our bikes and bought some delicious beef buns from a vendor and sat on the edge of the river.
We walked the bridge and headed up, up, up the hill to the Monkey park where we found beautiful views of Kyoto and of course the monkeys. Jason took the monkey slide down the hill. The rest of us walked respectfully . . .
Headed back to our bikes and decided we had to ride through the bamboo forest again. This time we noticed many beautiful women in kimonos and one lovely bride and groom having their pictures taken. Many couples riding through the groves in rickshaws and wearing traditional kimonos. The feeling in those trees was hard to describe but very awe inspiring. We all agreed that it was the favorite part of the trip so far. (Except for those of us who were lucky enough to see Fujisan). Turned in the bikes and Jason found a coffee shop where we ate the most delicious cinnamon toast, cheesecake and blueberry tarts . . . . and coffee, all while playing dirty bridge. Sweet old couple running the shop. He was wearing a bow tie, she was very helpful.
Caught the train back to Kyoto and headed for our rooms. April ate in the room. I had a terrible headache and had to take the migraine cure of Excedrin and Coke. I know it was getting bad because April's kimchi really got to me. Richard, Mark, Jason and Jenny went off to dinner. After I layed down for a bit my headache eased up and I headed back over to my favorite train station in the world and found a bowl of soba (buckwheat) noodles with tiny shrimp and oysters - YUM. Thought of Mom and how much we loved those little smoked oysters. Then the coke kicked in and so I enjoyed riding up, up, and up the elevators at night. Wonderful lighting and I noticed when I got to the south end of the station that the massive stairs at the north end were lit up. So I rode down, down, down and around and up eleven floors again grinning all the way and stood watching the light show on the stairs for quite some time. Love KYOTO!
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| Jason on the station steps |
Mark woke up and we caught the train to Arashiyama District about 11 where we rented bikes and took off for the bamboo forest. At one of the turns we met a very lively and friendly old artist selling beautiful post cards of his work. He wanted to know where we were from and marked it on his map. He fussed over Richard and how tall he was and we took this group shot.
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| Friendly Local Vendor |
The forest was simply a cathedral of natural beauty. We were all so enthralled. Then we biked down to the Togetsukyo Bridge and the river where we paid to park our bikes and bought some delicious beef buns from a vendor and sat on the edge of the river.
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| Biking the Bamboo Forest of Arashiyam |
We walked the bridge and headed up, up, up the hill to the Monkey park where we found beautiful views of Kyoto and of course the monkeys. Jason took the monkey slide down the hill. The rest of us walked respectfully . . .
Headed back to our bikes and decided we had to ride through the bamboo forest again. This time we noticed many beautiful women in kimonos and one lovely bride and groom having their pictures taken. Many couples riding through the groves in rickshaws and wearing traditional kimonos. The feeling in those trees was hard to describe but very awe inspiring. We all agreed that it was the favorite part of the trip so far. (Except for those of us who were lucky enough to see Fujisan). Turned in the bikes and Jason found a coffee shop where we ate the most delicious cinnamon toast, cheesecake and blueberry tarts . . . . and coffee, all while playing dirty bridge. Sweet old couple running the shop. He was wearing a bow tie, she was very helpful.
Caught the train back to Kyoto and headed for our rooms. April ate in the room. I had a terrible headache and had to take the migraine cure of Excedrin and Coke. I know it was getting bad because April's kimchi really got to me. Richard, Mark, Jason and Jenny went off to dinner. After I layed down for a bit my headache eased up and I headed back over to my favorite train station in the world and found a bowl of soba (buckwheat) noodles with tiny shrimp and oysters - YUM. Thought of Mom and how much we loved those little smoked oysters. Then the coke kicked in and so I enjoyed riding up, up, and up the elevators at night. Wonderful lighting and I noticed when I got to the south end of the station that the massive stairs at the north end were lit up. So I rode down, down, down and around and up eleven floors again grinning all the way and stood watching the light show on the stairs for quite some time. Love KYOTO!
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| Kyoto Station steps at night |
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| Light show on the steps |
