Temples, Temples, Temples, Temples and Taxis!

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Trip Start Jun 08, 2007 Previous
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  Kyoto, Japan
Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Well, what can I say? The room draw resulted in Carl having the absolute pleasure of sharing a room with Mark for the next three nights. We all wanted to do it but Carl was the fortunate one. Mark's snoring is virtually non existent now with the nose patches working a treat. He is a most polite, entertaining and a perfect room partner. The spacious bedroom and shower room are more than adequate for our needs albeit compact and bijou. 
 
F!*% Off Danvers, leave that computer alone................
 
 
Right then, it is back to me now - some portly squat non-Englishman hijacked the laptop!
 
Temples, temples and more temples has been the order of the day

English Abroad....Queen and Country........

. We started at the Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) Temple after a short taxi ride out of town. Not worth the hassle (or potential blisters) walking since the taxis are less than the price of a pint at home! The temple itself was quite a sight, covered from top to bottom in gold foil and the photos really can't do it justice. An hour or so spent there busily clicking away in good Japanese fashion and then onto Niji-jo Castle - one of the old Shogun fortresses right in the middle of the city. Again, some incredible architecture was enjoyed.
 
And so off to Ginkakuji (Silver Temple) in the far North East of the city boundaries. The temple is set at the foot of a mountain, surrounded by pine trees and offered many opportunities for team photos. A real day of culture in Kyoto - a must see for any visit to Japan and in particular a massive contrast to the big city and flashing lights of downtown Tokyo.
 
We've just sat and had a lovely meal in the downtown area - 2 pint pitchers of beer and friendly banter with the locals. Tonight's sightseeing features the Kyoto Tower and then inevitably, copious amounts of Asahi lager. All in preparation for a train journey after breakfast tomorrow to Osaka in the southern prefecture of Kansai.

Kinkakuji Temple closer

 
On a final note - Chris and I have been giggling to ourselves most of the day (in Carl's absence) after the very successful Shinkansen Room draw which pitched us together in our shoe box sized room here at the Dai-Ni Tower. Although according to Chris, apparently I snore?????? Not having any of it!!!!!!
 
More from Osaka tomorrow!
 CCC & M

PS 1.50am Thursday 14th June
For the record, Kyoto Tower ticked this evening but the highlight of the entire trip to date (save for temples and Tokyo of course!) was a young Japanese man in a very cosy bar next to Ponto-cho with his amazing card tricks......well worth 10 quid each! Goodnight, god bless!

Post your own travel photos for friends and family More Pictures

Kinkakuji Temple, Kyoto	Niji-jo Castle (Directors cut!)	Niji-jo Castle, Kyoto	Saki with Kendo Nagasaki!
SIlver Temple, Kyoto (oh, and lager)	The Golden Temple again....

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