We set off single file along paved roadways in small villages and through rice fields. There is an intricate system of paved roads and paths for many kilometres. It is a popular route for cyclists, walkers and joggers. We had three planned stops for sightseeing.
The first was at a Shinto temple. We headed up many stairs along with lots of Japanese families.
Our guide had given us a map and told us we could go ahead if we wanted. But the map was not easy to follow so I stayed as close to her as possible. Sometimes the path was very narrow and we had to ride beside traffic which I did not like at all. I managed all right for the day, but I had my backpack with my SLR camera in the basket which made steering a bit more challenging.
Soon our guide began to get lost and asked for directions whenever we stopped. We did a fair amount of backtracking which lengthened the journey considerably. We had a bit of rain but for the most part the weather was comfortable. After the heat on the first train, I was sweating profusely and didn't think I would be able to handle the ride. Thank goodness it cooled down and the fresh air felt good.
Our second stop was at the burial site of some
famous Japanese person, haha! It was at the top of a very big hill and we
parked our bikes at the bottom.
Along the way up, the buildings were very
interesting. The rooftops were quite decorative and made out of some special
type of material. Many of the houses had wood siding which had been partly
burned. Apparently this was to provide added strength.
The views from the top
of the hill were great.
We stopped at a 7-Eleven for a break and snacks and after that, things didn't go well. Our guide took off while most of the group was still finishing their snacks. I always try to be aware of where the leader is so I and one other fellow followed her. We went a long ways in a straight line uphill. The roadway was narrow and I was scared to look behind me because I wouldn't be able to keep my bike straight. After we had gone quite a distance, she turned a sharp corner and didn't even look behind her. I couldn't see anyone behind me at that point and was worried for the group but I kept up with her. Suddenly her phone rang and she realized she had left eight people behind.
Simon and I stayed put while she went to get the rest of the group. A man in a white vehicle pulled over and started asking us questions in Japanese. I thought maybe he was lost and was trying to ask for directions but it was the other way around, he was worried for us! How kind of him! Eventually the group joined us but it took a good half an hour of waiting.
After that, our guide said 'let's stay together'. I was flabbergasted
that she had told us at the beginning of our ride to 'just follow the map' when
she had such difficulty doing so herself.
The rice fields are done for the season although we met one fellow who was cutting his small field. We stopped and I asked him many farm related questions. He is an organic farmer and his English was quite good.
Our third stop for sightseeing was at a five story pagoda. We weren't able to go inside which is just as well. My knees couldn't have taken the stairs if it was anything like the castle at Matsumoto!
The countryside was quite beautiful and it was a nice day other than getting lost so many times. I tried to take pictures with my iPhone as I was pedaling but I didn't take as many as I would have liked to. I had to decide between safety and photography.
Even at the end of the ride we went back-and-forth and back-and-forth because she had no idea where the station was. Finally, some school girls led us there, bless their hearts! We were supposed to be done by noon-ish but we were done by 4 PM instead. Many of us had plans for the afternoon which didn't come to fruition due to all the delays.
I had wanted to take a boat ride down the canal but it was solidly booked for the rest of the day. I stopped at a street vendor who had his wares displayed on the sidewalk and bought a beautiful handmade copper leaf necklace.
I did have time to visit most of the Ohara Museum of Art.
We stopped at a 7-Eleven for a break and snacks and after that, things didn't go well. Our guide took off while most of the group was still finishing their snacks. I always try to be aware of where the leader is so I and one other fellow followed her. We went a long ways in a straight line uphill. The roadway was narrow and I was scared to look behind me because I wouldn't be able to keep my bike straight. After we had gone quite a distance, she turned a sharp corner and didn't even look behind her. I couldn't see anyone behind me at that point and was worried for the group but I kept up with her. Suddenly her phone rang and she realized she had left eight people behind.
Simon and I stayed put while she went to get the rest of the group. A man in a white vehicle pulled over and started asking us questions in Japanese. I thought maybe he was lost and was trying to ask for directions but it was the other way around, he was worried for us! How kind of him! Eventually the group joined us but it took a good half an hour of waiting.
The rice fields are done for the season although we met one fellow who was cutting his small field. We stopped and I asked him many farm related questions. He is an organic farmer and his English was quite good.
Our third stop for sightseeing was at a five story pagoda. We weren't able to go inside which is just as well. My knees couldn't have taken the stairs if it was anything like the castle at Matsumoto!
The countryside was quite beautiful and it was a nice day other than getting lost so many times. I tried to take pictures with my iPhone as I was pedaling but I didn't take as many as I would have liked to. I had to decide between safety and photography.
Even at the end of the ride we went back-and-forth and back-and-forth because she had no idea where the station was. Finally, some school girls led us there, bless their hearts! We were supposed to be done by noon-ish but we were done by 4 PM instead. Many of us had plans for the afternoon which didn't come to fruition due to all the delays.
I had wanted to take a boat ride down the canal but it was solidly booked for the rest of the day. I stopped at a street vendor who had his wares displayed on the sidewalk and bought a beautiful handmade copper leaf necklace.
It is housed in four different buildings and the collection includes some very
fine artists such as Renoir, Monet and Picasso as well as many famous Japanese
artists. My favourite section was the abstract art. Times have changed, haha!
After that, I sat down and enjoyed a mango ice cream cone. That bit of relaxation and refreshment gave me the energy to carry on. It was dark by then and I browsed in the few stores that were open as well as stopped to take photos of the beautiful buildings lit up at night.
This
area is famous for its textiles, particularly denim, and I found a cute little
bag to add to my collection.
I decided not to join the group for supper as I was tired and didn't want to get back late. I explored many different options and ended up back on the main street. I was looking for something in English and reasonably priced. I was determined not to have to buy supper from a 7-Eleven store and eat in my hotel room!
For a tourist area, I am quite surprised at how little English is spoken. But I found a small place and it looked good from the outside. When I went in, I was faced with a great big vending machine.
Although there was a waitress and tables like a regular restaurant, the way you
order is to put in your money, select what you want, press a button for your
change, take the ticket and give it to the waitress by the kitchen. Some nice
people were sitting near the machine, spoke English and helped me navigate the
strange process.
My meal was wonderful! I had breaded pork on top of a bed of shredded cabbage and rice with sauce. I also had a huge bowl of udon noodles in a delicious broth. I tried eating it with chopsticks with little success so I asked for a spoon. I am getting better at using chopsticks although I don't hold them the 'proper' way. I also ordered a 'highball' which I now know is whiskey. The only other choice was beer, no wine. And my meal was under 1,000 yen to boot.
I had a shower back at the room, packed things away for tomorrow. My step counter says I've done over 20,000 steps today but some of that is biking. When I asked how far we biked today, the answer was 16 km but it was probably more like 20+ with the detours. I need some Tylenol!
After that, I sat down and enjoyed a mango ice cream cone. That bit of relaxation and refreshment gave me the energy to carry on. It was dark by then and I browsed in the few stores that were open as well as stopped to take photos of the beautiful buildings lit up at night.
I decided not to join the group for supper as I was tired and didn't want to get back late. I explored many different options and ended up back on the main street. I was looking for something in English and reasonably priced. I was determined not to have to buy supper from a 7-Eleven store and eat in my hotel room!
For a tourist area, I am quite surprised at how little English is spoken. But I found a small place and it looked good from the outside. When I went in, I was faced with a great big vending machine.
My meal was wonderful! I had breaded pork on top of a bed of shredded cabbage and rice with sauce. I also had a huge bowl of udon noodles in a delicious broth. I tried eating it with chopsticks with little success so I asked for a spoon. I am getting better at using chopsticks although I don't hold them the 'proper' way. I also ordered a 'highball' which I now know is whiskey. The only other choice was beer, no wine. And my meal was under 1,000 yen to boot.
I had a shower back at the room, packed things away for tomorrow. My step counter says I've done over 20,000 steps today but some of that is biking. When I asked how far we biked today, the answer was 16 km but it was probably more like 20+ with the detours. I need some Tylenol!
