Back on the bullet train this morning, currently writing this travelling to Shin-Kobe before changing for Kyoto. This train wasn’t until 10.54am so we were able to relax this morning and not go down for breakfast until 9.30am. Same as yesterday so that was fine, finished packing and then of to the station after checking out of the hotel.
As great and posh as the hotel was I have to say I was disappointed that they charged for the use of the pool, about £14.00, which I feel is taking the piss!
Anyway, couldn’t board the train without a bit of drama, Lewis somehow got a cup of coffee poured over his leg and scalded which upset him. He’s in a different car to me so not sure how he is, but got him a drink to cool it down and Mum’s with him so he’s in safe hands!!
Apparently there’s a shedload of things to do here at Kyoto...as if we’ve not done enough already. We have signed up for a tea ceremony and a cycle tour of the city, both in really awkward places to get to and both really expensive for what I think they will offer...but I can worry about that when I get home and not now!! Signing off for 30 mins. We have an 18 minute window for our transfer which I hate this rushing around and not knowing the platforms, that’s when I get stressed in this holiday!!
Our train this morning wasn’t early so there was no rush in the morning and we took our time with getting up and having our last breakfast. No issues with travelling, we had plenty of time and the one change we had we didn’t even have to change platforms!! I Kyoto the station was huge but we found our way and got to the hotel with no problem, it was hot here again as well but it looked a nice area where we were.
We had a walk around for a bit after freshening up and then made our way to where we were going to have the tea ceremony. Before we got there we got off the bus at a couple of stops early and went looking for a market that was near a temple. Very hot walking round and we were soaking but we found it, and the temple grounds were amazing, could have walked round them for ages but we were on a time limit, we left after watching a bit of a monkey show, it wasn’t very good or animal friendly so we weren’t particularly impressed!!
Found the tea room and went in, the girls were led upstairs and us boys led into the room downstairs where we got to choose the colour of the kimonos we were going to get changed into and a young lady dressed us up in the full gear. Took some photos and then the girls came down fully dressed up and looked good, cue more photos and laughter!
The girl doing the ceremony came in and introduced herself and went through the process of explaining the history of the ceremony and it was really interesting. We then had to participate as she gave out tea and we had to bow and say things like “I will join you” and “sorry for going before you” which you can imagine made Jack and Charlotte giggle!! We then made our own, it was powdered tea, Mitcha, I think it was called, it was fine and I’d drink it again if offered to me. It was very interesting and we learned a number of things so I’m glad we did it and then it was over and we left, crossing over the road to get the bus, train and subway home. Same again tomorrow as the bike place was near here too.
Back at the hotel we slept for a bit and then went out and stayed in the downtown area. We walked through the fish market that was all closed and more of a mall and got distracted with all the shops offering so much, it was good walking through here. Went down so back alleys where it was all old stuff and shops and cane out them and into a glare of bright lights and modern shops, it was amazing the contrast and we walked through for a bit. By now there’s a bit of hunger going on so we went to the bridge which was nice and you could see people eating on terraces overlooking the river so we decided to find one of hem and we did really well with our choice. It was unsurprisingly expensive along here but we seemed to find a reasonable one and went in and they were so accommodating. What was also nice was the waiter was from America so we were able to pick his brains on where to go and that was invaluable. Stayed quite late and it was a really nice evening. Next door was a bar that we fancied so we went inside there up the stairs and it was a tiny little place with about 5 people in there quite drunk and loud, all young including the barman. We just got some drinks and took in the scenes for a while and they were having a laugh, the tv was being controlled using YouTube videos and after a while we asked for control and put some on and started singing and joining in. It all got quite drunk and hazy from there on in! We had a great time and didn’t really want to leave, obviously we did and staggered home to the hotel only to be greeted by the main staff saying we’d left our key at the bar...no idea how the bar knew we were staying at that hotel but we had to wait for one of the staff members to go and collect our key for us, cost me £10.00 for him to do it!!
Very lucky as I guess they’d charge a lot for lost keys. Thankfully it didn’t ruin a really great night. We do join in with things so easily and quickly.
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