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Published: April 16th 2015
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Shirakawago
Mountain mists gently
Roll over the thatched rooves
Shirakawago Mountain mists gently
Roll over the thatched rooves
Shirakawago
We weren't expecting snow this trip..neither were we expecting so much rain. The snow and mist at Shirakawago created an eerily beautiful landscape. We had lunch in a small inn sitting on the floor. The owner farmed his own salmon and sweet fish and grew the rice and vegetables and as we ate as we looked out to his farm, his house and the storehouse. No English was spoken but we communicated well with this lovely old man and his wife.
Grey,Mist, rain and ice
Lone heritage thatched house
Welcoming and warm
The last week of the Probus trip continued to delight the senses with a variety of experiences. Whilst some people battled colds and others aching limbs we found that a soak in a hot onsen, some wine or sake for dinner and a sleep on a futon was more relaxing than imagined. Getting up from the futon was another story!!
The blossoms continued to fall as we went from place to place
Blossoms falling down, Making a carpet of pink down. Winds sweeping away.
A gentle wind blows Cherry blossom
drifts around. Smiles, laughter surround.
TAKAYAMA- so much was hoped for and whilst there was disappointment that bad weather forced the parade to be cancelled so much was achieved. Plenty of shopping made for smiles on the women's faces and holes in wallets. We saw the Yatai (floats) displayed in their houses with their teams getting them ready for the festivities and we took over a sake shop and tasted as many types as we could. Some we had to try again ..and again.. to see which was the best. Lots of fun and a hot onsen bath plus massage sessions softened our disappointment.
From Takayama back to Tokyo was a long day through the Japanese Alps with a little falling snow, very cold temps and majestic scenery. A wasabi farm and lunch in Narai post town broke the bus journey until it drpped us off at a station to board a fast train back to Tokyo and our Ginza hotel. The experience of getting 28 of us, in peak hour crowds, across Tokyo subway trains onto and off two different lines, dragging small bags and keeping up with Hide -san and his little flag will remain in
our memories forever. The tale will be retold a 100 times when we get home I''m sure.
Black suits, all the same
Off from work, happy, they go
All crowded on the train
In Tokyo the spring blossoms are well past their peak or have fallen. We have seen the full season in various places from first buds in Takayama, coming into bloom in Gujo, at their peak in Tokyo, beginning to fall in Himeji and few flowers on fresh green trees in Nagoya.
For three trips Hide has explained Haiku for us and finally this trip he contributed one to our collection.
Light pink and blue sky
That's all I can see
Picnic under the cherry blossom.
Thank you Hide -san, for this and all your help on the trip. Thank you also to the 26 wonderful Probus members who took this adventure with Col and I. We couldn't have wished for better travelling companions. Sayonara.
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