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Published: September 17th 2013
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Up at 6AM to ensure the departure and make the first leg of our way to Nikko from Sado Island. Our travel was like this:
Bus,Bus,Bus,Jetfoil,Taxi,Bullet Train,Bullet Train, Train, Taxi, all before 5PM.
Ready to go and we waited for the bus at 7:40 AM Sunday. 7:42 AM No bus. Panic... because we have 20 minutes to catch the next bus. We rush back to the Ryokan and sure enough the lady there knew exactly what to do. We hopped into her minivan and off we went to the next bus.
We made it with 3 minutes to spare. This bus arrived. Whew. The rest of the travel was punctual by all modes of transportation and we arrived at our last leg by 4PM and were about to get into the Taxi when a bus turned the corner as the Taxi driver got out to help us with our luggage and hit the Taxi drivers door. BANG!!!!! Lots of glass from the buses side signals and embarassment all around. We felt bad and were able to proceed to our Ryokan without further incident. No injuries but bruised egos. lol
That night we strolled to the famous Shinkyo
Sacred Bridge to take pictures before the storm.
We awoke the next day Monday to a raging Typhoon. We did not know it was coming until it arrived since we did not follow the news much. We had scheduled a guide for the day and he called us to let us know that he would not arrive because it was to dangerous. We agreed. Instead we hit the spa that morning and soaked up the minerals, the steam sauna, and used the massage chair.
By 2PM we decided to brave the outdoors since the Typhoon looked to be subsiding. Sure enough the sun came out. We took a path by the raging river and discovered a beautiful area called Stone Statues of Jizu, along the Daiya River. They are little stone statues with red hats and bibs. It was a peaceful stroll where the sunlight was casting shadows and creating interesting contrasts.
After getting back, we setup to eat supper in our room. it was a delightful selection of small dishes which included fishes, seafood, and various veggies. What a life!
Tuesday started out with (you guessed it) breakfast western style in our room. Our guide
showed up at 8:50AM ad we said that I had to get some shoes first. He drove into the next town and I was able to get my shoes!!! They were the right size and they were comfortable. Now I can walk without a limp. No longer looking like a cripple.
We then headed off on our tour of the Nikko Sannai Area (World heritage site) Shrines and temples. We meandered around and met the most incredible looking dog we have ever seen. It had dyed fur and was dressed up and looked like a cartoon poodle. Not culture but what the heck! I could not stop laughing, it looked so cool. Our guide was also a sweet gentleman whose wife packed us up a welcome goodie basket for the day. We did not meet her.Our guide Mr.Oto-san who was semi-retired really gave us an enlivened tour regaling us in stories about the Shoguns and the traditions of the era.
We finished off the day with a coffee and said our goodbyes and promptly hit the spas before supper. Supper was again Japanese style seafood and sashimi, and various veggies and Miso soups and of course Saki!
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Blaine
non-member comment
The Socks are the best part!
It's great that you got a kimono or yukata that fit! Looks good on you.