Sling-bag girls did it again !!!

After our first Kyoto-Hanami adventure, we decided to do it again.
We just could not get enough of Kyoto.

Shiera and I were planning how to maximize our time and avoid the traffic in
Kawaramachi area. And hope that our map orientation would not be distorted.

First Destination: Toji Temple

Our first visit to Toji was a disappointment. The temple was already close so we could not get a closer look at the Pagoda. I had already visited this temples twice, during my AOTS training and when NEC friends visited Osaka last 2004. Shiera and Kagz have not had the experience of seeing the Pagoda up-close and personal so we decided to have a short stop for pics.

From Hankyu Kawaramachi Station , take bus 206 bound for Toji Temple.

The 3 of us were discussing about getting back to Kawaramachi avenue to catch our bus for the Botanical Garden when an old man approached us and tried to help us. See the pattern? there is always an old man/woman in this trip :D. Anyways, he was directing us to which bus stop to take. When we crossed the street, he tried to warn us that it was not the right bus stop to take as it take longer, and pass Kyomizudera area where traffic is a nightmare. Did we listen? NO. We just went on after we thanked him. See
you should listen to older people, they know things

From Shijo Kawaramachi, take bus 4 bound for Kamigamo

Second Destination: Kyoto Botanical Garden

The place was big and spacious, the entrance was only 200yen, lots of sakura and tulips in Mankai mode… PERFECT.

After we exhausted ourselves, we finally decided to proceed to our next destination.. Kamigamo.. again.

From Kyoto Botanical Garden take Bus no 4 bound for Kamigamo.

Third Destination: Kamigamo Temple

Disappointed as we saw “Droppy” not in Mankai mode. But fortunately, there was girl in wearing or portraying a Heain Princess and a White Horse , dunno if it was Stallion or mare, and we name the horse Shadowfax, just like Gandalf’s horse in LOTR.

Finally we decided to hurry up and proceed to Arashiyama, and catch the glimpse of its beauty. The bus stop was crowded with people, fortunately they were not waiting for our bus.

Refer to my previous post on how to get to Arashiyama.

Fourth Stop: Arashiyama

 

Our trip would not be complete, if we don’t get lost. But this time we were happy to get lost. A very nice area, with lake and mountains and sakura greeted us. It was so calm and peaceful. And the pathwalk was filled with Sakura. Not bad for getting lost.

We reached Arashiyama, and then my camera’s battery gave up on us. We have to search for batteries first before we could proceed. Armed with new battery we proceed to climb the mountain, it was already late so lots of the people where starting to go home and so we have the view all to ourselves. PERFECT.

Fifth Stop: Yasaka Shrine / Maruyama Park

The park was just behind the Shrine. It was already around 830pm and still the place was jam-packed. Drunks were everywhere. But what caught our attention was the very big Shidarezakura ( weeping cherry tree ) in the middle of the park. It was so enchanting. Again.. perfect…

Fifth Stop: Gion

Our trip to Kyoto would not be complete without taking a glance at this mysterious ladies.

Then finally HOME.. tired, feet aching but satisfied..

Till the next Sling bag girls adventure..ciao.

This entry was posted on Saturday, April 7th, 2007 at 1:23 am and is filed under Outdoor. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.