Andre and Wendy: Himeji Castle

This morning started off with an early wake up, what we thought were blinds certainly did not contain any black out at all. No need for our alarm clock.

Prayers started at 7am in the temple in a beautiful sanctuary. Lanterns were all along the ceiling. 2 monks started with chants that lasted about 20 minutes, then what I can only describe as what we thought was a kind of sermon went on for about another 20 minutes. The only thing we understood was the word Arigato, or thank you repeated many times at the end. I guess we are to be more thankful, which is true.

After prayer time it was then breakfast time. We sat in the same spot as last night, still without chairs. I was so relieved when we went to prayer that we sat in chairs, it would have been rough to spend that time of the floor as well. Like supper last night it was all vegetarian. Again didn't know what much of it was. Can't say it was the best meals we have ever had, nothing like vegetarian at home.

After breakfast we decided to pack up and head to our next stop in Himeji. This was a long process as first we caught the local bus to the cable car, then the cable car down to a train, then 2 transfers to other trains. We actually didn't travel a huge distance, it is just not a direct route. Slow travel days and one stop had a very very packed train but about 4.5 hours later we are in our next city for 2 days. I was so thrilled to get off the last train and see it is just a tiny station. Some of these stations are absolutely crazy, they are so big and so crowded. When we exited the train a woman was so excited to talk to us and hear what our plans were. They have someone working tourist information right at the exit to the train station, nice touch. So off we go with a little paper map to our hotel. Our hotel is an easy 8 minute walk from the train station.

Heather is waiting for us at the hotel lobby when we arrive. She was staying on the other side of the mountain from us so much quicker for her to get going. Rooms are not ready so we check our luggage and off for some visiting.

First off we are all very hungry, we have a great lunch at a little hole in the wall where a lovely man served us. I am not so convinced that he was even open, but when we said we were 3 he said come in. Fantastic shrimp meal, comes with miso soup, a salad, rice, some pickles (something pickled seems to come with every meal), and tea, all for around $9 canadian.

Next we are off to view the Himeji Castle. We are quite late in the day so no time to visit the Castle or the Gardens, but a nice walk all around the outside of the castle. We came across a lovely cherry tree with about 5 people there taking pictures. 2 of the women were local and told us this is the tree that always blooms first. She wasn't sure what kind of cherry tree it was, it was not nearly as pink as the ones we have seen so far.

On the way back to our hotel we stop at a grocery store to pick up something for supper and for breakfast tomorrow.

Back at the hotel, rest up for a bit, then out again for pictures of the castle lit up at night. It was raining out so we all got a little bit wet, but should be dry for tomorrow.

A couple of options for tomorrow, will see what the weather brings, but I do see an inside castle visit coming up in the very near future.

Our vegetarian breakfast at the shrine, only knew rice, tufu and miso soup, the rest not sure what it was

Our first train going down the mountain after the cable car

Beautiful mountain views

a couple of small villages going down

Chopsticks for lunch

Our yummy lunch

This mall goes on for a few blocks

on the mall floor, a few various painting

Our first view of the castle

making what looks like Tim bits

For $20 Canadian you can circle the castle

The girls all dressed up

Crazy grass growing on the tree

Castle with reflection in the canal

The castle with the first blooming cherry tree in the city. Some locals were visiting this spot as well and told us it is always the first tree to bloom