The Adventures of The Poxons Cont...

Well, we've been very busy lately, so I apologize for the lateness of the rest of Jack and Carole's trip.

So where were we....AH, yes...dinner at the Zen Tempura place.

It was pretty good. We all had something that we didn't like, so we traded a bit. After dinner, we were escorted to the another area. They had us wait in this little room for a couple of minutes then a guy came in and started to explain the reason for the room and some of the interesting trinkets that they have, like these old dolls:

After that, we were taken to another room to wait for the tea ceremony. We met a nice family visiting from Hawaii, who were going to be in the room with us. We talked for about 15 minutes until it was our turn in the tea house. We were taken into this little garden area to an authentic tea house, which came with a small door and everything!

Verrrrry Interesting!

Once inside, there was a lady that explained everything about the house and the ceremony. She said that the reason that everyone had to go through the little door was because it made everyone one the same level, Shoguns to peasants. No weapons were allowed inside either, so it made everyone equal.

All that tea in me makes me want to pose!

Right after the ceremony, we were rushed to the Gion Corner to the same theater presentation that we went to with the last bunch of visitors. This time, we were a little smarter and decided to go up CLOSER to the stage to take some pics.

We took a cab home, and pretty much crashed...it was a LONG day. I mean...it took 2 posts just to talk about it all!!

Day 7

Since Karleen had to work, Jack, Carole and I went to Osaka to check out the Aquarium. On the way, Carole gave some Canadian Flag crafts to some of the kids on the JR. They ate it up! They talked with her, correction: TRIED to talk with her, for the whole trip. It was hilarious.


We spent almost 3 hours at the Aquarium. Both Jack and Carole said at one point, "I forgot how relaxing aquariums can be without children". I wonder when the last time they had that feeling!

After the aquarium, we were hungry, and I remembered The Bizuks and Cynarc saying that there was a great Okonomiyaki place very close by, so I searched for it...not very hard because I found it the first place I looked. YAH!!!! Jack and I had Okonomiyaki, and Jack ate it up! It was dulish!!!

The Aftermath...

We headed home, and met Karleen at the house, and got them ready for the next day.

Day 8-9

We had booked a Hiroshima package for them a couple weeks in advanced, so all we needed to do was to bring them to the Station, and give them our Japan guide book...and they were on their own. In Hiroshima they went to the Peace Park and the Museum.

The next day their hotel had a western style buffet breakfast so they ate a big breakfast before heading out to Miyajima Island. I think they saw everything in Miyajima. They headed up the ropeway which gets you almost to the top of the mountain then you have to walk the rest of the way. They started walking but Dad never made it he had to stop part way. Mom on the other hand went right to the Top. WOO HOO!!

Largest rice paddle in the world!

Wow! Look at those cherry blossoms

These are barrels of sake for the Gods

Does this mean they're lucky?

Dad stopping!!

Mom at the Top

Day 10

We headed for Nikko, which is 2 hours from Tokyo, which is 2 hours from Kyoto...so we had a lot of traveling to do.

When we arrived at our hotel...or Lodge, I guess, we were exhausted, but we wanted to at least do something today, so it didn't feel like a waste. So we talked with Ken, the manager/owner (I don't know) and he said that he can get someone to drive us into town.

He sent the cook to help us, which it turns out, he was a Buddist Monk! Really cool guy. He took us to a Hot Spring, and he told Jack and I all about the area, the type of wood used (Japanese Cypris) and the traditional way of entering the springs. After our nice soak, it was pouring outside. So the Monk asked if we wanted a ride somewhere to get something to eat, so he drove us to a Family Restaurant. We took a cab back then played Quiddler for the rest of the night. Good day.

Day 11

We woke up early to have some breakfast and get information on how to get to our destination today. Ken told us that he would drive us to the place, because it gave him a reason to go and pick up some pamflets and maps. The place that I'm talking about is Edo Wonderland (Edo Mura) It's basically Fort Edmonton but for the Edo period. Everyone is in costume and there are shows and Edo period buildings. Ken also stopped at the train station so we could put our luggage in a locker so we didn't have to have it with us all day. (his idea) The people at this Lodge were amazing to us. When we got to the place he said if you wait here I can get you discount tickets. $7 off each ticket. Wow.
Then we had a great day earlier in the week we were a little worried about going to Nikko because the weather said it had been snowing. Gross. But the weather was Beautiful. Most of the time we didn't even need a jacket. We saw a ninja show and a play and a parade. We walked through all the very cool Edo buildings. Then we headed back to Kyoto. It was a great weekend. More Later. I promise!! Oh on the way home Karleen started to get the dreaded cold. . .

Feed Me !!!

Look at Mom's crazy Geisha shoe!!