Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Marty's Adventures
So I will start this post letting you know that I am full out cold/flu sickness. Not fun when traveling and thankfully I brought some cold meds with me! So I woke up this morning to find I was actually in a magical place and the nice guy at the train station sent me the most direct route to the hotel which happened to be scary dark alley! My sleep on the mat on the floor was good and I actually slept a long time. Woke up and had breakfast. No western breakfast at this place and tables were the short ones you sit on the floor at. It was a very traditional place. I did not go to the Onsen as I ran out of time with my big sleep in! I took the shuttle up to the path that leads to the snow monkeys. It is a 2km hike in. It was a beautiful hike in. It is just the end of the fall colors. There was ************e there when I got there and the monkeys were out and playing around. Only a couple went in the hot springs briefly. It was so fun, I hung out there sitting on the rocks just hanging out with them. Lots of babies, I lost track at around 30. There were families and couples, it was very cute. Fights over the ladies and over protective parents. Lots of monkey screams!! There was one bigger male that did not like me and once gave me the go away look with and then another time when I was walking past he actually made a move and screamed at me.... all a bluff but still scared the **** out of me! Insert Marty squeal! Was a very magical morning! I hiked back out and made my way to the train station. My shuttle driver was an ex ski racer who had skied many times in Canada and she told me the way I spoke English was lovely! I found my train back to Nagano and then hopped a train Nagayo where I got on a bullet train to Kyoto. The train ride was beautiful, small villages along the river and the fall colors in the mountains. I didn't take any pictures as I was moving to fast and the windows were dirty but believe me when I say it was beautiful! I arrived in Kyoto. I took a taxi to my hotel. Got all checked in and off I went and walked to the Gion district. Very cool! I walked all the way to Gion Corner. There is a traditional show there that I will go to tomorrow at 7 as I forgot my passport and it is cheaper with the passport. I also didn't bring my camera because I just wanted to walk and enjoy. I am pretty sure I saw a Geisha as when I walked by a place two men hurried a lady into an awaiting car and off she went and they stayed behind. I am finding the many many many eating options over whelming. I found a place that had written in English, "smiles are welcome" so I went in. I was happy to not have noodles! I had the best miso soup and a chicken dish with rice. Now off to sleep with some cold meds with hopes of feeling better tomorrow!
- comments
Mel Love reading the entries. Such an amazing experience... Even with the cranky snow monkey. Lol!! Hope you feel better.