Laforet Gora Hakone

... br>While we were out Wendy had been in touch with JAL and Maria's luggage was finally on its way to Tokyo. We were told it had been unable to leave Beijing due to the bad weather brought on by a faux pas from the Beijing Weather Modification Office (although we discovered later it had inadvertently been sent to Kuala Lumpur - thanks Air China!). So, only two days late - it arrived by courier at around 11pm. Yay.

... weird, but once you crack them they just look a regular old hard boiled egg. They give you some salt but no pepper!
After that we took a cruise on Lake Ashi which is a lake made by a volcanic eruption thousands of years ago. It was a little rough on the lake due to a windy day so we rode in the enlosed part of the boat.
Lunch was at a local restaurant and we tried some interesting foods ...

... which consisted of a variety of small soups, fish, sushi and rice dishes all with unique tastes, textures and colours, a great place to experience some traditional eats and relaxation.

Only there for a short time but it was definitely one of the highlights of the trip and a key souvenir spot! I've never seen so many cartoon fuji-chan souvenirs! Endless!

... to miejsce gdzie można przekonać się, że wulkan wciąż tętni życiem. Właśnie stąd wypływają gorące źródła. Odór jest niesamowity, w powietrzu wyraźnie czuć zapach siarki. U ujścia źródeł, w scenerii spowitej parującym gorącym powietrzem wydobywającym się gór wulkanicznych, można skosztować gotowanego jajka. Okazuje się, że jest to ogromna ...

... the day’s adventures we just chilled out in the evening.


Rising early the next day, we were able to see the stunning Hakone in day light. After a breakfast of croissants, we caught the local train up the zigzag railway, which took us past the breath-taking scenery of the national park and up into the huge mountains. We then caught a cable-car over the serene Lake Ashi, the part of the journey where, if you are lucky you can see mount Fuji. Unfortunately ...

... is that the guests wear their traditional yukatas (or kimino) to dinner and although I felt very tourist-y doing so, it was part of the experience and I just followed through with it. (Next time I must remember to wear shorts underneath because at times the robe can be quite ...

... and sure enough, there was a Japanese guy dressed up like a pirate walking around and taking pictures with tourists. He was wearing a ridiculous costume complete with sunglasses, and was good for a few laughs. The ryokan experience In Hakone, we got to stay at a traditional Japanese inn, called a ryokan. Beds were once again futons on tatami mats, and meals were served also on tatami mats in an eating room. The ryokan ...

... br>13:30pm: Departed the 5th station, began climbing.
18:00pm: Arrived at the “goraiko-kan” , the last and highest mountain hut on the 8.5th station (along the yoshidaguchi trail).
19:00pm: Dinner (curry and rice)
20:00pm: Went to bed.

The Folloing Day

2:30am : Woke up
3 am: Left the mountain hut and began climbing to the top
5:30 am: Arrived at the top, wait for the ...

... wall. As we went up the stair uncertaintly and opened the door, it lead to the shoulder to the one side of the two-way multi lane roads and had a little shelter, kind of looked like a bus stop. I looked around to find the clue of whether we were the right place or the right side of road (the south bound to the Fuji 5 ...

... your hands to ensure you are clean to pay your respects. Up a reasonable amount of stairs and I caught my first glimpse of this place that is probable the oldest buildings I have ev** seen (unfortunately it had just been repainted so I feel a bit jipped on the history side of it). I wand**ed around a bit taking pictures h**e and th**e and was told that you can go to the centre of the doorway, throw in 1-Yen, say a pray** to one of the many Gods that ...