Tokyo to Gotemba for Mt Fuji views
The sun was out, clear skies were predicted all day and the visibility for #Fuji was rated as 10 out of 10. We were "Thunderbirds go!"
Just a minor detour - we had to pack up the room and checkout. Our #Inspiring Vacations booking had finished, and we needed to relocate- same hotel - different room. Left our luggage at the checkout desk, followed this with a quick breakfast and mission accomplished, we joined forces with @Mrs_L_d and @Mr_P and plotted a course chasing views of #Mt Fuji. Those tickets had been elusive online last night and we had our fingers crossed for luck at the ticket office.
Of course, #Tokyo Station was even more massive than our #Shiodome homebase and we had a few false starts in finding the #South Gate but eventually popped out at the right exit. Those last four seats on the 8.30 bus were gone (to be expected) but we did secure spots on the 9.30 and filled in that extra hour with a very leisurely coffee stop at, can you believe it, #McDonalds! But there were seats, toilets and only two flights of stairs- a win all round.
The sky was a mass of grey low-lying clouds - which the weatherman had definitely not included in the outlook, but worst case was that we could just wander and browse the shops at the #GotembaPremium Outlet.
Very pleasantly surprised when we boarded because somehow we had scored the front row seats on the upper level of the bus. What a view we had - @Mac even had a "bat phone" right next to him so he could call down to the driver with navigational advice as necessary. Had the translator on so that we could get the gist of any announcements over the PA system. We settled in for a very comfortable 2 hour drive with panoramic views.
There were dramatic changes in the landscape. This 80 kph drive gave us a totally different views from those from the 280 kph #Shinkansen. Moved from the skyscrapers to the suburbs, to the farmlands and then to the mountains, rivers and gorges.
If there were any traffic delays, the driver would announce the reason and how many minutes were added to the journey. And I kid you not, at one stage when he explained how the air con vents worked, the driver pulled the bus over into a weighbridge stations, abandoned his seat, scaled the internal stairs and came to the obviously non Japnese speaking passengers in the front row seat and gave us a personal demo to male sure we were comfortable and cool. Unbelievable.
We were on constant alert for any glimpse of #Mt Fuji and the clouds persisted but there were breaks every now and then. With just 10 minutes to our destination - she peaked through and we were so excited to see that crystal white snow-capped peak. Thirty minutes in the trains and walking in the subway - and two hours on the bus - with just that glimpse, we felt validated and rewarded.
Just a bit excited to spot it from the #Good Hope Bridge
Shops were no distraction - we just wanted any view of the mountain
Rewarded with glimpses through constantly changing clouds
We were kept smiling and entertained throughout our 4 hour stay. We traversed the three tiers of the hillside and loved the lottery of views associated with the moving and ever changing cloud cover. Took what felt like a million pictures from different heights and angles and enjoyed the easy conversation and great company in our shared adventures. That four hours just disappeared and with our only "premium outlet" purchase being from the #Lindt chocolate shop, we were back on board for the reverse journey.
This outlet was impressive - all the "brands" were there and in the lead up to #Golden Week there were plenty of specials. And wow, everyone who was here seemed to be shopping! According to the brochures, there were 200 shops here - that's a lot of #Jimmy Choo and #Gucci. For us, the Premier Brands were no competition for mother nature and #Mt Fuji and we could keep it all under a watchful eye from the terrace food court.
A quick turnaround at the hotel, punctuated with a drink or two at the #Happy Hour (this is a complimentary 2-hour wine and spirit open bar for guests) and we had to re check in and were pleased with our new room on the 10th floor. Best news of all, was that the hotel staff had already delivered our gear to the room - a small gesture but greatly appreciated.
Regrouped and it was another couple of trains back to the # Meiji Shrine in search of a seat at the #Robotic Sushi Restaurant. Thursday night 7.30 pm, you'd think we could get a booth. Not a chance. Punched in our details to get a number in the queue and wait time was two and a half hours. We could be back at #Mt Fuji in that time so abandoned our tickets and started to wander the back streets (just a reminder, we are in the area of Japanese subcultures so saw some interesting people) in search of a venue with table space. Probably a good 30 minutes before we found one and actually encountered our first ever "not happy Jan" employee. Non-English restaurant but the translator APP and pictures helped and, as the last customers served for the evening we did OK. Loved my creamy seafood soup that even included a crab claw and everyone was grateful that there was no mention of "chicken cartilage" on the menu.
Made our way back to #Shiodome and that's well and truly it now for our #Inspiring Vacation adventure. Eight of the group left for their flights this morning and that was a last hug in the subway for @Mrs_L_d and @Mr_P who take off tomorrow for their solo extra week a little further south in #Japan
Not a bad day's work.
PS Travellers from the group who flew out for #Australia today sent this picture from their flight - nice view.
Weather: 27 in Tokyo (it was hot in the subway) and 24 at Gotemba
Steps: 18 525
KEEP CALM THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Old age is like everything else. To make a success of it it you've got to start young. Fred Astaire
No comments:
Post a Comment