Outdoor adventures Japan (or Part b of Blog 2)

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Sunrise at Izukyu Shimoda (an omen for the weather to come)

 

Sea kayaking.

Getting ready to kayak
Getting ready to kayak

Initial on land instructions, safety briefing, kitted out and out into the sea to practice paddling, and use of the rudder. Only one unscheduled swim from yours truly, unreal sensation. Paddled for about 2 hours to nearby cove (couldn’t call it a beach). Snorkelled, lucky enough to see some pretty little fish, a couple of larger ones that I tried to pursue but they could swim faster than me. Lunch on the rocks and headed back to starting point, Bruce, Kris and Ewen seemed to be quite proficient. As far as I was concerned steering the kayak was not second nature and invariably became unstuck at a critical moment. Arrived back at our starting point just as the afternoon storm broke. Almost didn’t need a shower to wash off the salt.

Transported back to Shimoda station, with just enough time to book tickets for the train to Tokyo. We journeyed together for part of the way. The last we saw of Bruce and Kris, was them scurrying along the platform to catch their connection in 4 minutes.

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Prepared with our skirts
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Setting out
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Kayak1
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Kayak 2
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Kayak 3
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Preparing lunch
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Guide
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Beached!!
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Quick escape
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Prelunch swim !
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Prelunch swim 2
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Preparing lunch
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Preparing lunch 2
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Worth the wait
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After lunch stroll 1
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After lunch stroll 2
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Something in the rocks 1
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Something in the rocks 2
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Beach

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Friday in Tokyo, Ewen and Jenelle took a bike tour. Very exhilarating riding on the streets of Tokyo, not for the faint hearted.

 

 

Island built on refuse
Island built on refuse.
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Green building with Rice paddy inside
Tokyo Railway Station DSC_0282 (Medium)
Tokyo Railway Station
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View of the entrance to the Imperial Palace
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Oeno Park
Water Lily at Oeno Park
Lotus flower at Oeno Park
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I found a bear!!
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Bear and riding companions
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Our shelter from the afternoon storm
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Good karma
Shinto Shrine DSC_0331 (Medium)
Shinto Shrine
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The safe way to cross the street
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Riding through Akihabara – not for the faint hearted
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One beautiful temple along the way

 

 

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Tokyo tower – the communication engineers temple
Kiyosumi Gardens - this was the highlight for me
Kiyosumi Gardens – this was the highlight for me
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Kiyosumi Gardens 2
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Kiyosumi Gardens 3

 

 

 

 

 

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Kiyosumi Gardens 4

 

Saturday trip to Mt Fuji

It took about 40 minutes longer than expected to get to Mt Fuji, bus travel is not the way to go in Japan. Passed an amazing fun park on the way.

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Fun park Fuji Q

Ewen, Mark and Jenelle joined Jack for a tour. We eventually got to Fuji 5th station (where the climb starts) about midday. The traffic was very heavy and crowds of people. Fuji was being coy, and only managed a fleeting glimpse as the fog rolled in.

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First glimpse of Fuji
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Mark at entrance to the climb at 5th station
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Weekend crowds at 5th station
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Selfie

Visited the lava forest, Shiraito Falls and Lakes and garden.

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Lava forest
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Lava forest 2
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Enchanted forest from the Magic Faraway tree.
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Maybe some goblin is hiding underneath
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Some interesting vegetation
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Down to the cave
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Some of us were more cautious
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A really cool place in more ways than one.
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Shiraito no Taki Falls 1
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Shiraito no Taki Falls 2
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Final glimpses of Fuji 1
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Final glimpses of Fuji 2
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Manicured Gardens
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Walled Gardens

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Look who was waiting for us a the railway station. It is a pity we had booked the bus. We could have done with a really useful engine.

PS

These activities seem quite tame after more recent events!!

Photos of Himeji castle  from previous blog

Himeji castle
Himeji castle