-== Bernie's brain backup of April 2009 ==
+== Bernie's brain dump as of April 2009 ==
-=== Arpril 24th -- 1 megameter by train ====
+**UPDATE**: the report for [[blog/2009/April#kyoto-higashiyama|April 21st]] is now available!
+
+=== Aplil 24th -- over 1 [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megametre|megameter]] by train ====
We left our comfortable hostel in Kyoto early in the morning for a second Shinkansen
ride of 360Km, this time on the faster [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nozomi_%28train%29|Nozomi]].
Also check the story behind the [[http://www.city.hiroshima.jp/shimin/heiwa/crane.html|millions of paper cranes]]
sent from all over the world in memory of the little Sadako.
-=== April 23rd -- Kyoto last day ===
+=== Aplil 23rd -- Last day in Kyoto ===
+
+==== Morning: Arashiyama by bike ====
-==== Last day in Kyoto: Arashiyama ====
+In the morning of this sunny day, we biked to a few locations on the
+east side of Kyoto:
- * Hmmm...
+ * [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Dakakuji|Dakakuji]], an active Shingon Buddhist temple
+ * [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Tenryuji|Tenryuji]], another beautiful Buddhist temple with a beautiful Zen garden, next to a bamboo forest
+ * [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Monkey_Park|Monkey Park]], a place where you can closely observe and interact with [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macaque|Japanese macaques]].
-==== A city I did not like ====
+{{Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Monkey_Park/00028.jpg|see no evil, hear no evil, speak no English|maxwidth=800}}
+
+==== Evening: a city I did not like ====
At last, I've found a place I actually didn't like much in Japan!
The first impression of Osaka's central station was that it was old and
Just above average, imho, and certainly not worth the time and the price of the
train ticket. Unless you're a moth, perhaps.
+{{http://www.codewiz.org/wiki/Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Osaka/00003.jpg|The Osaka central station|maxwidth=800}}
+
We granted our guide a second chance and choosing their highest rated
restaurant in Dotombori, one specialized in [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Udon|udon]].
There was no English menu and the only food I could order was a chest of cold
spaghetti on a bamboo crate with no sauce but a cup of soy sauce, also cold of course,
in which one could dip them separately. Or so I understood: the waiters were extremely
-kind but wouldn't speak English, which created even more confusion. Dulcis in fundo,
+kind but wouldn't speak English, which created even more confusion. //Dulcis in fundo//,
the bill was much higher than usual and they wouldn't take credit cards.
-No, it didn't rain.
+We rushed back to the metro to Shin-Osaka, JR train to Kyoto, local train to
+Arashiyama, where our bikes were still waiting for us for the ride back home.
+
+
+=== Aplil 22nd ===
+
+==== Kyoto Higashiyama ====
+
+Today we walked along the east side of Kyoto, north to south:
+ * [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Ginkakuji|Ginkakuji]] -- rock garden with a view point;
+ * [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Eikando|Eikando]] ([[http://www.eikando.or.jp/English/index_eng.htm|home page]]) -- an active Buddhist temple
+ * [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Chion-in|Chion-in]] -- huge temple with the largest bell in Japan
+ * [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Sennen-zaka|Sennen-zaka]] -- a trendy touristic way with maikos (aka geishas);
+ * [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Jishu-jinja|Jishu-jinja]] -- a temple hanging on a cliff with an impressive scaffolding;
+ * [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Fushimiinari-taisha|Fushimiinari-taisha]] -- The multi-torii tunnel. My #1 favorite shrine!!!
-=== April 22nd ===
+{{Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Chion-in/00056.jpg|The huge bell of Chion-in|maxwidth=800}}
==== Food ====
* the [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Ninnaji|Ninnaji temple]];
* the [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Ryoanji|Ryoanji temple]], with its puzzling rock zen garden;
* the [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Kinkakuji|Kinkakuji temple]] (aka golden temple);
- * the [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/NijojoCastle|Nijojo castle]], which is actually two castles for the price of one;
- * a quick tour of the [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/KyotoDowntown|Kyoto downtown]];
+ * the [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Nijojo_Castle|Nijojo castle]], which is actually two castles for the price of one;
+ * a quick tour of the [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Kyoto_downtown|Kyoto downtown]];
* the [[http://www.kyotomm.com/international/english/|International Manga Museum]] was closed already. Grrr....
{{Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Kinkakuji/00012.jpg|the golden temple of Kinkakuji|maxwidth=800}}
==== Best hostel ever ====
-The [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/UtanoHostel|Utano hostel]] in Kyoto would rival many
+The [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Utano_Hostel|Utano hostel]] in Kyoto would rival many
five star hotels I've seen. Sorry I couldn't take any photos in the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onsen | Onsen]].
-{{Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/UtanoHostel/00005.jpg|the hostel provides a traditional goan too|maxwidth=800}}
+{{Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Utano_Hostel/00005.jpg|the hostel provides a traditional goan too|maxwidth=800}}
==== Impressive station ====
-The [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/ShinKyoto|Kyoto station]] is an impressive modern building,
+The [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Shin_Kyoto|Kyoto station]] is an impressive modern building,
worth a visit by itself.
-{{Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/ShinKyoto/00015.jpg|Anime characters by Osamu Tezuka|maxwidth=640}}
+{{Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Shin_Kyoto/00015.jpg|Anime characters by Osamu Tezuka|maxwidth=640}}
==== Shinkansen tour ====