X-Git-Url: https://codewiz.org/gitweb?p=wiki.git;a=blobdiff_plain;f=blog%2F2009%2FApril;h=962c47b249b97564b689369225c03f30b793cb39;hp=dcac063adf7477cc586a68138ca337fa1269b10a;hb=86a3d1c4311d14e71d4f3e9fde00230f857123ae;hpb=e4203133b1bd3a00781fea89f61787bac680178a diff --git a/blog/2009/April b/blog/2009/April index dcac063..962c47b 100644 --- a/blog/2009/April +++ b/blog/2009/April @@ -1,6 +1,36 @@ -== Bernie's brain backup of April 2009 == +== Bernie's brain dump as of April 2009 == -=== Arpril 24th -- 1 megameter by train ==== +=== April 27th === + +==== Zenko-ji ==== + +In the morning, + + +=== April 26th: Matsumoto again === + +==== Back to Matsumoto ==== + +We went back to Matsumoto to visit [[http://localhost/wiki/Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Matsumoto/Castle|Matsumoto Castle]], +one of Japan's top 3 castles ([[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Matsumoto/Castle|photos]]). The adjacent +museum was also great ([[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Matsumoto/Museum|photos]]). + + +=== April 25th: Matsumoto === + +Yesterday, we arrived on a rainy night to the mountain town of Matsumoto, where a lady with a car +took us from the station to a cozy [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Matsumoto/family_hostel|family held hostell]]. +The next day was rainy, so instead of going right to the famous [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matsumoto_Castle|Matsumoto Castle]], +we spent the best part of the day at the [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Matsumoto/Station|station]] and +with some dumb [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Matsumoto/Shopping|shopping]]. + +In the evening, we headed to [[http://wikitravel.org/en/Nagano]], a city famous for the +1998 winter olimpics and for an ancient [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zenk%C5%8D-ji|buddhist temple]]. + + +**UPDATE**: the report for [[blog/2009/April#kyoto-higashiyama|April 21st]] is now available! + +=== April 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]]. @@ -33,16 +63,18 @@ 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. -=== April 23rd -- Kyoto last day === +=== April 23rd -- Last day in Kyoto === -==== Morking: Arashiyama by bike ==== +==== Morning: Arashiyama by bike ==== In the morning of this sunny day, we biked to a few locations on the 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/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 ==== @@ -61,6 +93,8 @@ 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. +{{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 @@ -75,6 +109,19 @@ Arashiyama, where our bikes were still waiting for us for the ride back home. === April 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|The huge bell of Chion-in|maxwidth=800}} + ==== Food ==== Eating in japan can a challenge for a vegetarian who also happens to dislike fish and crustaceans. @@ -113,8 +160,8 @@ 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/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}} @@ -129,17 +176,17 @@ Firefox 3.1/3.5 still doesn't grok it with the ##video## tag, but I didn't have ==== 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 ====