Last Day in Kobe

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We jumped off to an early start to see Kinkakuji Temple and gardens (the Golden Pavilion) before heading south to Kobe to meet the ship. The bus station that we needed to use after using the subway was right next to the subway station at Kitaoji - that was a real break for us. Kinkakuji was amazing as was the entry ticket, which was an impressive work of Japanese art in itself. Kinkakuji Temple was originally the home of the 3rd Shogun in the late 1300s. He built it when he abdicated after three years! In his will, he had arranged for it to became a temple after he died. So, this place was stunning. You walk along a long path of beautifully manicured pine trees where the gardeners broom away the fallen pine needles so you can see the pale green moss, and suddenly around a corner, in the full sunshine, there it is. A large three storey house of gold set at the back of a massive pond complete with its own islands with Japanese trees draping over the water - a very visually impressive sight. If you could put a frame around it, you could be looking at a picture of heaven.
We left there suitably impressed and made our way to catch the Shinkansen south to Shin Kobe to find our ship. The trip lasted 30mins at some 150mph +. When we got there, it was another story. We had to catch a subway and then a monorail to the ship. The subway was easy to do but finding the monorail, was trickier. We were just about stumped out in the crowded street when luckily for us, two very kind hearted Japanese ladies, an elderly mother and her grown up daughter, neither whom could speak a word of English came to the rescue. They literally went out of their way, guiding us for about 15 minutes through the streets, into the last station, up the lift onto the platform, just so we could continue on our journey. We didn’t know who those people were, but it just goes to show how kind some people can be, and after all, we were foreigners.
We soon caught up with Bernadine & Ross at the ship and we then went out into the town. Maurs found her quilt store called Yuzawaya, and she and Bernadine found their bargains - authentic second hand Kimonos for sale at ¥1050 ($13) - a ridiculous price for the real things. The boat left port at 11.00pm bound for Nagasaki in two days time - so what a day - Kinkakuji - the Japanese lady helpers and the Kimonos.

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Photos

Kinkakuji Temple
What a surprise aka The Golden Pavilion

Skinkansen
our bullet train

Volendam at Kobe
All aboard

Room 3315 on the Volendam
Relaxing after unpacking