Golden Week Trip Day 2: Kyoto

Sunday was a day of temple hopping. First up: Kinkakuji.

I thought it looked yellow at first, but it's actually gold plated.

And, of course, we had to commemorate the visit with a yummy bowl of shaved ice! It was a warm day, okay? :D

Next: Ginkakuji - the silver version. There was a really cool sand set-up at the entrance.

Doesn't it look like concrete?! But it's all sand! So smooth!

Finally our last stop was Kyomizudera. After a long bus ride and long hike, we were pretty pooped but happy tourists.

 

 The best way to spread germs: everyone shares the same cups and drinks from the falling water. 

 

But were re-energized after food! Lesson of the day: eat before 7pm because all of the restaurants close early! Unless you want to be stuck with 24/7 conbini food...

Double spoon wielding!

Next post: reunion with former camper and Osaka adventures!

Golden Week Trip Day 1: Nara

The night bus. It was hard to sleep but somehow I felt energetic enough when we got there. 10:40pm-7:00am (but it turned out to be 10:00am).

Bunny waiting with Anna.

We ended up getting to Osaka 3 hours later than excepted. D: But it was okay because we were able to check into our hostel right away. We then set out for Nara - the land of deer, giant Daibutsu, and crazy mascot combining the two Sento-kun!

After wandering somewhat aimlessly and lost, we stumbled upon a garden that Elizabeth had looked up. What luck!

Yoshikien entrance

After lots of snacking and walking around, Anna and Elizabeth played with the deer. I stayed away due to past allergy experience.

Cheese!

Shika sembei were a hit.

They turned out to be pervs because one of them kicked Anna on the thigh. Elizabeth has an epic video of them - stay tuned to see it later.

 

A snack for us! Okonomiyaki. It looks gross here but it was huge and yummy!

5 story pagoda!

On our way back to the hostel, we jumped on the first train we saw on the platform assuming it was on the right train line. We were wrong. The result: stranded at a ghetto station in the middle of nowhere. Little lighting, no one regulating tickets, not a soul in sight. After some candy condolences and a long time waiting, a train finally came to rescue us from our miseries. One certain doors on the train opened to let us on and off. Never again.

 Lost! D:

Today we're going to Kyoto! Shrines and tourist galore!