A very good day

Today we decided to join pretty much everyone else in Kyoto and we hired bikes. Cyclists seem to have priority here and they almost always cycle on the pavements often holding umbrella `s (especially when it`s sunny), talking on mobile phones and taking dogs for walks.

We cycled from our hostel near Kyoto Tower to our first World Heritage Site of the day the Fushimiinaritaisha Shrine. That`s a mouthful to go at when you are trying to ask for directions from a man who doesn`t speak a word of English and doesn`t have his glasses with him to read the map! We found it, it was amazing! We climbed a lot of steps before we found the right page in the guide book and discovered there were 4km of steps to go at. We did about 1.5-2km we think before we decided there was more we wanted to do with our day. Strong for the thighs but good for the thighs!

For lunch we headed to Kyoto Station and picked up a bento box and some kind of really large steamed dumpling which was nice. I was plesently surprised by the bento box, either my tastes for wierd foods are improving or I got lucky. We got notices put on our bikes for parking illegally...

Next was the silver pavilion also know as Ginkakuji Temple which has one of the worlds best zen gardens. Fantastic and perfectly made sand sculptures surrounded by bamboo lined paths and miniature maple trees showing the first hints of autumn sited next to a traditional wooden temple.

This photo was taken on the way down from the temple. In Kyoto it is quite normal for a group of female friends to dress up their best Kimono`s and go into town shopping for the day. This group had just visited the temple.

From there we found the Philosopher`s walk which is a cherry tree lined path. In spring when the blossom is out it attracts thousands of visitors. Today it was lovely, the sun was setting and light was streaming through the trees.

A very good day.