Edit page blog/2009/April

[wiki.git] / blog / 2009 / April

diff --git a/blog/2009/April b/blog/2009/April
index dcac063adf7477cc586a68138ca337fa1269b10a..593d08565539af679112fb09413d6c65d2b16a20 100644 (file)
--- a/blog/2009/April
+++ b/blog/2009/April
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
-== 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 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]].
 
 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]].


@@ -33,7 +35,7 @@ in due time.  Don't miss the next amazing episode of Bernie's Adventures!
 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.
 
 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 ===

 
 ==== Morking: Arashiyama by bike ====
 
 
 ==== Morking: Arashiyama by bike ====
 


@@ -42,7 +44,9 @@ east side of Kyoto:
 
  * [[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/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 Japanese macaques.
+ * [[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]].
+
+{{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 ====
 
 
 ==== Evening: a city I did not like ====
 


@@ -61,6 +65,8 @@ Dotonbori was a narrow street sided by neon signs of restaurants and pachinkos.
 Just above average, imho, and certainly not worth the time and the price of the
 train ticket.  Unless you're a moth, perhaps.
 
 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
 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


@@ -73,8 +79,20 @@ 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.
 
 
 Arashiyama, where our bikes were still waiting for us for the ride back home.
 
 

-=== April 22nd ===
+=== 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!!!

 
 

+{{Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Chion-in/00056.jpg|}}

 ==== Food ====
 
 Eating in japan can a challenge for a vegetarian who also happens to dislike fish and crustaceans.
 ==== Food ====
 
 Eating in japan can a challenge for a vegetarian who also happens to dislike fish and crustaceans.


@@ -113,8 +131,8 @@ Yesterday was rainy, but it didn't stop us from biking around and visiting quite
  * 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/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}}
  * 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}}


@@ -129,17 +147,17 @@ Firefox 3.1/3.5 still doesn't grok it with the ##video## tag, but I didn't have
 
 ==== Best hostel ever ====
 
 
 ==== 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]].
 
 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 ====
 
 
 ==== 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.
 
 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 ====
 
 
 ==== Shinkansen tour ====