Moves update

Posted on by kymdt

It is true that we have been eating a lot, but I should let you know about our “output” so that you can make your own judgement whether the our input is in balance… Or not.

Friday, 20.6 km walking
Saturday 15.1 km walking
Sunday 13.0 km walking
Monday 13.4 km walking
Tuesday 13.9 km walking and 11.4 km cycling
Wednesday 14.8 km walking and 7.3 km cycling
Thursday 15.7 km walking
Today … We’ve already done. 13.3 km and we’re not finished yet.

At this rate, in a little over a week, we will have walked more than 150km and ridden nearly 20km as I relax in my comfortable Shinkansen seat going @ 250 or so km/h back to Tokyo. We do have a rather fine dinner booked!

I’ll drink a Suntory Premium Malts to that achievement.

20140425-153631.jpg

Gunzels unite!

Posted on by helenhmk

After arriving in Nagoya and dumping suitcases at the hotel (because in Japan you can not check-in before 3), we jumped on the train and headed out to Kinji-foto where we visited the SCMAGLEV and railway park.

From the start it is a very impressive museum devoted to the history of train travel and Shinkansen. It contains aversion of all 39 Tokadio Shinkansen, conventional and maglev rolling stock on display. There are a lot of exhibits explaining how the technology works. A number of the trains you can walk on and look at the interior, as well as around. A large number of the information panels featured English, in addition to options to press buttons and turn handles :). According to the exhibit, the maglev should be operational by 2027…. Something to come back and experience!

There were a number of people and school groups visiting – and popular with people. We certainly had a good time – it’s worth going.

20140424-152513.jpg

20140424-152529.jpg

20140424-152539.jpg

20140424-152551.jpg

20140424-152602.jpg

20140424-152615.jpg

It is located in an industrial part of Nagoya, where you have fabulous view of the port and harbour. Adelaide pales into comparison!

20140424-152847.jpg

20140424-152907.jpg

20140424-152947.jpg

20140424-153007.jpg

Goodbye Kyoto

Posted on by helenhmk

We had a great time in Kyoto… Lots of walking, cycling, boat riding, climbing steep hills, and eating. Now traveling to Nagoya – less than an hour away.

20140424-094603.jpg

20140424-094611.jpg

20140424-094638.jpg

20140424-094645.jpg

20140424-094658.jpg

20140424-094706.jpg

These are fantastic! Coffee version of cinnamon cookies, traditional sweet of Kyoto. Company has been around since 1689.

20140424-094946.jpg

We have learnt…

Posted on by helenhmk

Today being Wednesday, the Scenic romance train doesn’t run. However, we hired bikes instead and cycled around Arashiyama. We’ve seen some monkeys, eaten an icecream, visited a temple which is 1200 years old. Now it’s time for lunch!

20140423-135124.jpg

20140423-135145.jpg

20140423-135156.jpg

20140423-135205.jpg

20140423-135309.jpg

After a long day

Posted on by helenhmk

On our first visit to Kyoto (2008), we were desperate for dinner and didn’t want junk food, so we tempted fate and opened the door to a small bar – which served yakitori. It’s a great little bar which does really good food. Locals come here after work, and it appears to be run by a family (mother daughter and a couple of sons). I can highly recommend it – however we have no idea what it is called because there is no Japanese translation!

I can navigate from Adelaide without a map, it’s imprinted on the brain. This time the only noticeable change a combined Japanese & English menu. Otherwise it’s still the same, and food is still fab.

20140421-211028.jpg

20140421-211111.jpg

20140421-211128.jpg