Japan exceeded 40 years worth of expectations - we had a great trip. On a basic level, everything was perfect; the weather (!!!), the logistics, the places we stayed, what I packed, etc. No one got sick and the long plane ride didn't kill us. Did I mention the sunny/cool weather? Traveling is a funny game of combining a lot of little things and you have to celebrate when you pull it off.... through good planning or luck.
Anyway, on to the details..... Well, first off, remember that moss garden temple that I wrote to and got a ticket for? Yeah, well I left that ticket right at home. Which I was ok with because as it turned out, there was moss everywhere. And also, that temple was about a 40 minute trip on the western edge of Kyoto and we ended up not making that trip after all. We were having too much fun just enjoying Kyoto and leaving for an excursion, just didn't seem necessary. Besides, good to save some stuff for next time.
Truly, the seven days we spend in Kyoto on our bikes was a luxury. Kyoto is enough of a big city but still easily navigated by bikes (which we did lots of). They have a big, tasty fish market (went there 3 times I think) and plenty of shopping. And with the Kamo river running through it and the temples, you also get a big sense of nature here. It's an ideal combination of elements if you ask me and we had enough time to get a taste of it all.
I guess it's good to be back but a bit sad too. Riding bikes everyday, exploring a city and always turning a corner to something you've never seen before -- that's really living. I'll be posting more pictures soon as I savor the aftermath of an amazing experience -- food and things we bought are foremost in my mind.
