October 2016

 Visit to China, Tibet and Japan  

Ohio!!   That is how you say hello in the Japanese language!   Japan surprised us in many ways.    Our drive through the densely wooded areas, the crowded suburbs where homes were very neat but nevertheless close together, sometimes with small patches of rice fields in between.   The cities were impressive too with their high rise towers, but none too pretentious.

Mount Fuji Viewing Station

Mt. Fuji had been a sight that everyone had looked forward to and we drove by coach there as we also did to many other locations.   With the frequent stops and the good company we had, it did not seem too much.  It sure beat waiting at airports and catching flights.   The symmetry of the mountain itself was undisputable,  most people have seen pictures or paintings of Mt. Fuji with a snow cap.  The snow melts by July.   With these dreams in our head, we drove to the 5^th station viewing point.  The last eruption had taken place in 1707, so fear was not on the cards for us!   Ashes, it is reported reached Tokyo a hundred kilometers away.   It was said that the volcano erupted 13 times with a 300-400 year gaps!   The locals considered it very sacred.     At the 5^th station the highway came to an end.  Those wishing to go further had to come prepared for the hike which could be a good 5-6 hours.

In the four seasons, Mt. Fuji is said to have  different looks.   Unfortunately we hit the cloudy season and could not see the top two thirds where it narrows.   We were told that a clear view was possible only about a 100 days in the year!  It is a solitary mountain that stands at a height of 12,388 feet.  There are eight small “peaks” (more like bumps) circling the rim of the crater.  The 5^th station was a mere 8,000 feet.  As we drove, our driver and guide alerted us to a hum coming from the road, almost musical.   This was due to ground vibrations in that stretch. Once we reached, we did have fun going up to the built up viewing gallery and taking pictures of what we would have to claim was Mt. Fuji.   Our proof was the picture by the 5^th station sign!   The crater had a lake  and several underground water channels.   Later though, on another day, as we travelled in the vicinity to a different destination, we did see the sunset around Mt. Fuji with the entire elusive mount visible in the skyline!  We scrambled to take pics from the moving bus and get a good glimpse.

Lake Ashi, Black Eggs at Owakudani Boiling Valley

Our luggage had been sent ahead to Tokyo, so we were happy to manage just our small cabin bags.   This is because the fast trains do not have the facility to accommodate big bags for big groups.  The next destination on the bus was Lake Ashi  but the rainy, cloudy weather did not make the visit conducive and our boat trip was cancelled.   The scenery did look like a lovely Japanese  painting though, the lake surrounded by mountains shrouded in clouds.  More interesting that day was the visit to the  Owakudani Boiling Valley where eggs are literally boiled in the hot  springs and turn totally black in their outer shells.   The locals make the pilgrimage here, eat the eggs which, as legend has it, gives a 7 year extension to their lives!   We also learn that Japanese ladies prefer to hand wash dishes and dry clothes outside in the sun!

Sky Tree Observatory

Upon reaching Tokyo, after a night’s rest, we were ready for the city tour.    As in numerous other cities, we had the opportunity to go to the top of a tall tower – the Sky Tree Observatory.   This tower had been visible to us close at hand from our hotel itself and was a pretty sight lighted up blue and white  at night.  Inside, at the base, we had a chance to get a group photo with a mural of a simulated skyline which also included Mt. Fuji!   The town and surrounding views from the top was nice too. We then took in some of the famous sights of Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines in the area.   The Asakusa Kannon temple was on the itinerary.   This was quite a famous one.     The difference was that it was located in a very busy shopping center leading up to it and being a holiday, the crowds were milling around.  The street was decked with large red Japanese lanterns, making it festive.  We passed through the shopping area, nothing unique to buy,  just the usual Knick knacks.  In the edible department, the small nut balls in sugar were crunchy, light and tasty.  Outside this famous temple in a small garden we found statues of Buddha’s followers.   One of them looked like Adi Shankara!   Coincidence, or a fact that holy men bear resemblance to each other!

Shogun Shrine, Turtles in a Lake

We saw another shrine (frankly, the names have become a confusion in my mind in spite of the itinerary, which we may not have always followed in sequence.  My memory fixed it as the Shogun shrine with the three monkeys, colorfully carved on a doorway!  Many visitors had left wish notes, including one that mentioned Trump!  It also had many gifts from other countries like a huge bell.  The ancient architecture was remarkable too.  Perhaps, this was the Toshogu Shogun shrine.  It had some wall carvings of imaginary elephants never seen by the artist, Kano Tanyu.  On the following day,  we visited another lovely shrine .  It had extensive gardens around it including a pleasing Japanese bridge over a stream.   We spent quite a bit of time here, main reason being turtles!!   If I am not mistaken, it was at this place where at the other end of the garden was a lovely lily pond with a man there feeding what looked like baby turtles.  He was kind enough to let each of us use a spoon to feed the turtles as they came out of the water and up the rocks for a bite.   Quite a few large hungry fish also populated the pond and it was a pleasant change for us from being in and out of Buddha and Shinto shrines

The Majestic Kamakura Buddha

  The next big destination was the visit to the Kamakura open air Buddha, housed in the same complex as the turtle pond.   This Buddha had an aura and a history.   This was one that was memorable for us.   It was huge and made of bronze and copper that had attained green hues like the Statue of Liberty.   Though built over seven and a half centuries ago , it had used great technology.   Those who went inside the hollow statue for a glimpse could attest to this.   There was also a good description sign.  It had been cast in 30 stages with special welding being done from base upwards.   Even the techniques had been explained in sketches.  It had been renovated in 1963 after some damage.   But it was not the technicality, but the serenity that won us over.

We could not stop taking pictures.  As with many outdoor Buddhas, the size was magnificent, 44 feet high, weighing in at 274,000 lbs. and a simple altar had an offering of flowers and fruits, no fuss, no mess!

Glitzy Ginza and the Illuminated Sky Tree

             Not going in any specific order, let me mention here some other sights we saw in and around Tokyo.   Some of us went on a small walk across manicured gardens with impressive trees to see the outside of the Imperial Palace which was quite secluded, we just got to see the moat and wall.  Then there was the two part “mad rush” to do shopping in the Ginza.  This is a beautiful street in Tokyo with bright lights and fancy shops.   Best for window shopping, unless you want to lighten your bank balance!   Some in our group did go for the famous Mikimoto pearls (these have been well known for so long, I remember my father bringing a string home for my mother in the 1960s!).   This set off the second spree the following day for those who missed out and had opted to go to the hotel for a rest. Luggage stores attracted some also (our group tradition has been known to ditch old suitcases in favor of new ones on any given trip!).   Uni Qlo which occupies seven stories, was a favorite for the clothes shoppers.

      

Toyota showroom and mega hub mall was another visit.   Most of us did not find much there.   The car area did have some newer models (photo op!) and a movie/show did interest us.   I think we ate at an Indian restaurant in the mall.  Next,  went over the famous rainbow bridge and Nantai mountains.  On another long drive, we saw Lake Chuzenji with a touch of fall colors in the trees, again it was cloudy and pretty.  A part of the Nikko national park, we also saw  the Kegon, a  tall waterfall.  In visiting these nature sights, we also drove along a very hilly road with maximum of 48 hairpin bends, the Iroha Zaka.   In short, we did it all!  Again our travel group leaders spent their own money in giving us a taste of local fare like the persimmon fruit and matcha tea flavored ice cream, not to mention a non stop supply of packets of salty snacks from India!   One more place, Yokohama, which is a sister city to Mumbai.   It had a nice memorial plaque and benches by a beautiful lake.  We all sat down and finally found time to be relaxed, if only for a moment!!  And so we bid sayonara to a beautiful country and  the next day as some of us headed for Hong Kong.    Very memorable three country  tour of China, Tibet and Japan for some of us.

 

Hong Kong:

Riding a Sampan,  the golden lotus at Macau

This was our  bonus, three days to see this bustling city.   Many from our group had to return home due to time limitations.   Anyway our final flight back home was from here so it made sense.   But on the very first day, after an early start and many hours of travel, we ended up waiting for a very crowded tram to go up a hill to Victoria Peak to see Hong Kong by night.  They wanted us to have the “experience” but it was more than we bargained as it was worse than India getting on and off that crowded tram.  But the night view was worth it from that height.   There was an extensive wax museum included but  we did not have the time nor patience to truly appreciate it.   Just took a quick run through.   Luckily the bus came to the top to pick us up!

Earlier we visited some pleasant parts of town and some of the co-travelers took  a ride on a local sampan in Aberdeen Bay.   We saw thousands of container ships, ready with their “made in China” goods to be delivered world wide!    Repulse Bay was nice too.  But the highlight of the day was dinner at a dosa place.  Finally, south Indian food!   We found two nice places close to our hotel and made the most of it during our stay as we were on our own for food.

         The next day we had  gorgeous weather and went up to another high peak but this time the experience was very pleasant.  Known as Lantau Island, it afforded spectacular views as we went up for a good amount of time on a steep cable car.   It was not scary, just very relaxing.   The view of the bay below with blue waters under sunny skies was indeed a pleasant sight.   Later we passed through the wooded hillside with small pathways and steps for those who wished to hike.   We saw an open air Buddha (no, we were not tired of seeing Buddhas!) and this one had been put up as recently as 1990.  Known as the Nong Ping 360.   We could climb all the way unto the lotus base and get a close up view.   In a slightly lower platform all around, there were statues of what I would like to call “apsaras” (beautiful celestial women).  The view of the surrounding hills was spectacular too.   There was also a lovely monastery, nearby, which we almost missed.   In it were golden statues that evoked our wonder and amazement.

              

That just leaves our trip to Macau Island by boat.   Almost everyone who visits Hong Kong goes here.   Of course most of our group had already been to at least one casino in the US or elsewhere.   So that was not the attraction.   Although, I must admit the slot machines were so cute with dancing panda bears going “Yoshie Yoshie” whenever there was a small win!   They also said other things in the local language.  The indoor casino with a Venetian  flavor was quite exquisite with artificial skies, clouds and a waterway with bridges and gondolas which authentically dressed youth were rowing!  Nice to walk around.   Macau island itself was good to drive around, it is a special administrative region of China and reportedly the casinos pull  in more revenue than Las Vegas.   In the Lotus Square we saw a lovely large golden lotus which made for a photo op.  We visited the ruins of an old church and the Kwan Yam temple.

The next day saw a familiar scene at the airport, checking in our luggage.   A monumental trip had come to an end with many many unforgettable memories thanks to Aditi and the staff of Thomas Cook.  Farewell to the East and back to the West,  to home sweet home!