Saturday, February 16, 2013
12 days ago. . . (sorry for the delay and sorry it's me, Alex, writing).
Ron and Sally, a missionary couple, kindly took us to Hakone To see of Mount Fuji, 5 surrounding lakes, Sulphur Mountain and it's Hot Springs.
That morning we looked out of our window and saw Mount Fuji. We were looking forward to getting a close-up view.
As we headed to our destination, it appeared to be a beautiful, clear day.
But when we arrived . . .
. . . no Mount Fuji.
Just clouds and falling snow!
Oh we'll, we have a beautiful view of Lake Ashi anyway.
Roof tile and clay wall
Hakone used to be an important checkpoint to control traffic along the highway which linked Tokyo and Kyoto during the feudal Endo Period. A reconstruction of the checkpoint is located along the shore of Lake Ashi. It including gates, fence, housing for officers and foot soldiers, a prison chamber and a lookout tower. There is also a small museum with various related exhibits.
Traditional lunch with sake.
What a surprise! At the meeting the night before, a couple from Bethel said that they were also going to Hakone the next day. Of course, we didn't expect that we would meet up with them.
On the other side of Lake Ashi.
The red structure is called a torii gate. A path leads from the torii gate up a series of steps through the forest to a shrine.
No these are not low lying clouds.
This is Ōwakudani, literally "Great Boiling Valley," or Sulphur Mountain. It is a volcanic valley with active sulphur vents and hot springs.
Hold your nose it STINKS!
What are all these people eating?
Kuro-tamago (lit. "black egg" ) — a local specialty of regular chicken eggs hard-boiled in the hot springs. The boiled eggs turn black and smell slightly sulphuric; consuming the eggs is said to increase longevity. According to Wikipedia: "Eating one is said to add seven years to your life. You may eat up to two and a half for up to seventeen and a half years, but eating a whole third is said to be highly unadvised."
As we were walking down Sulphur Mountain a view of another mountain appeared. . .
I took these last three photos and am paricularly proud of this last one!
Fujiyama Hotel, Is one of the oldest hotels in Japan, founded in 1878
Our intention was bravely finish the day with a dip in an onsen, a hot spring public bath. The Japanese LOVE their bath.
However, I was beginning to feel unwell and decided to try that another day.
I am happy to sign off now having had to do this blog twice. It took over three hours the first time. As I was about to publish it just disappeared before my eyes. Not happy Jan.
Sayonara,
Lloydnalex
Goodness Alexandra, never apologise for your writing. It's delightful to read and I hear your voice and see your personality in your words. We all appeal to a different audience and I actually really enjoy your posts, sorry Lloyd not that I dont enjoy yours too, but Lloyds probably appeals more to the male architect audience with explanations of architecture and history of designers and thats okay too, but your feminine personal touch is like a breath of fresh air in this blog and its lovely to see you both enjoying your travels, so please don't stop taking turns. I hope that came out right. Love and hugs.
ReplyDeleteSo many of us would like to go on these adventures, but unfortunately we don't have the time or resources. So thank you for sharing in your travels. I'm just so amazed at the beauty in all parts of the world. No wonder Jehovah don't see boundaries, he just see people. A lesson well learned. I'm grateful someone forwarded this info to me. I look forward to reading and taking my time, and let my mind's eye see all the beauty that you describe so vividly, and the not so beautiful. Thank you for sharing. Warm love from your sister in the Carolinas.
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