A View To A Kirill
Trip Start
Oct 03, 2008
1
16
18
Trip End
Oct 19, 2008
Fuji,
Chubu,
Japan
Friday, October 17, 2008
After arriving at the excellent hostel (they even picked us up from the station for free) and fixing the broken patio door (which, incidentally, was not broken until Kirill used it) we headed out for a short walk around Kawaguchi lake to get the cable car, James Bond style, up to the top of Mount Tenjo.
Mount Tenjo is a smaller mountain to the north-east of Fuji that provides a (far) quicker journey for those with less time on their hands than those who tackle the significantly higher Fuji. It also provides an excellent view of Fuji (pictures to follow).
The cable car didn't actually carry us all the way though and we stopped off at a viewing platform about half way and had some mountain beers. We also were surrounded by some very disturbing models of a rabbit and a beaver frolicking in, shall we say, strange ways. The best part of the viewing platform though, apart from arguably the outstanding view, was the hot food vending machine that produced magical hot noodles after just 90 seconds of waiting, just like something out of Back To The Future 2. So good I used it twice!
We then walked up the remainder of Tenjo in what felt like an extended episode of Lost before discovering the reason why they have a viewing platform half way - you can't see anything from the top due to all the trees. It probably said something on the Japanese signs dotted around to this effect but we still can't read Japanese (I know, disgusting) so we were effectively mugged.
Still, we managed to make it back down to the viewing platform in time to see the sun set over Fuji area. Unfortunately the angle was not right to see it set over the mountain itself but the red sky was still impressive. Even if my camera doesn't do it justice. And Kirill made us wait til the last cable car to get a better picture.
Tomorrow we're going to get a bus to a place about half way up the mountain to get a closer view. A Japanese man we met today told us it wasn't so difficult to walk up but unfortunately time is an issue so we'll have to make do with gawking at it from a distance.
Comments
Review
In true evaluation mode I thought I would look back to your mission statement and see whether you are still meeting your objectives. Looks like you are still on target to me with only 2 more days to go. Shame you didn't negotiate a bonus for achieving your goals. Still, at least you will get personal satisfaction from your achievement if you can remain focused for another 48 hours!
Heroes return
Just so you don't get too depressed about the idea of coming home and going back to work, just remember 'Heroes' is waiting for you!!!
Hang on a second
For someone who claims to be struggling through the pop-culture references, you're not doing too bad yourself.
Not only have you brought up Heroes but you also name checked Eddie Murphy/Nick Nolte 'classic' Another 48 Hours.