Sendai - Matsushima - Sendai
Another day, another breakfast venue, another train and lots to see and do. Assembled in the lobby ready for the 40 minute local train journey to enjoy what was billed as "one of Japan's three most scenic views." You do have to smile over this ranking - given that the list was prepared in 1643.
Today's explorations
MATSUSHIMA - Queued in all the hustle and bustle of the early morning crowds in order to board for the train ride to #Matsushima and were grateful to secure a seat. We were entertained with the "spot the cherry blossoms" on the ride to the coast and in this neck of the woods they were in flower everywhere.
Arrived at at the Bay in plenty of time for checkin at the dock to learn that we had been allocated our own boat for the tour of the islands. Lots of advantages here including not having to listen to the commentary in four languages!
A blessing, because the cruise took us by some of the 200 plus islands that dot the bay. Every rocky outcrop had a name and a story and we got them all. The favourite had to be the cigar smoking, beret wearing, concrete necked (to protect fit from collapse from earthquakes and retain its "natural" look) modern deity #Nioujiima Island. This rocky outcrop stood at the head of the bay, protecting the area from the dangers of the sea. The tsunami stories were prolific, recent and devastating (especially the devastation of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami) but the islands do provide a natural barrier to reduce the force of the surging cliffs of water as they make landfall.
Zuiganji Temple - One of the most famous Rinzai Buddhist Temples in northern Japan, it was originally founded in 828 but was rebuilt in 1609 by the samurai ruler and founder of #Senndai City, Date Masamune as his family temple. We toured the grounds and caves where the monks made their pilgrimages to pray and dutifully removed shoes for the visit to the inside of the temple.
Definitely no photos inside, but it was permitted to take any photos facing out of the temple. The temple had plenty of special features - ornate gold leaf adorned walls, precious art pieces featuring lions and peacocks, a watch tower and even "chirping" nightingale alarm floors. The life-sized carved statues of the one-eyed Date Masamune portrayed a very short yet powerful leader who was of course adorned in decorative armour.
Fukuurabashi Island - a short walk along the foreshore of the Bay, with regularly displayed tsunami warnings, gave us access to the red bridge. For the princely sum of ¥200 we were able to cross the bridge and access the walking paths and parks and take advantage of this vantage point for more views of the islands that dotted the Bay. Our first highlight had to be the central park with its blossoming display. We were excited to at last walk through a "mini avenue" of delicately flowered trees before venturing along the trails to follow the shoreline of the island to gain those additional Bay views. What a stunning day and some beautiful photo opportunities which our professional photographer on tour, and walking companion, Mr_L was able to capture.
Encountered my first squat toilet here and panicked for half a second because #Sheewena was safely in my luggage en route from #Sendai. Thankfully, the wheelchair access toilet had a western seat. Relieved ... in more ways than one.
Oysters All You Can Eat - what a feast and what a great time we had sharing this meal with Mr_L Definitely the highlight of the day. A grand total of the equivalent of $10 AUD, set you up in one of the oyster shacks. Nothing fancy about the decor here. A rickety folding table, a couple of stools plonked in a corner behind a bit of shade cloth set the tone for the restaurant ambience. The table setting was a tin tray, a protective glove, a pair of tongs and a shucking knife. The cooking pot was a basket of hot coals and its accessory was a three minute egg time. A crate was conveniently placed under the table for empty shells and two large Styrofoam foam boxes held the oysters.
Literally on your marks, get set and go. Forty minutes to do your best. With three shuckers and cookers in our group, we had a production line going with batch after batch grilled, opened and consumed. The oysters were huge and were just as delectable cold - but the grill added something extra. It was a timed 40 minute gorge festival and @Mac and @Mr_L consumed 3 dozen EACH. I was no match for their pace, but still managed 18! Highly recommend this and pleased to report that our stomachs have in no way objected to this veritable pig out.
Rounded out the day with the best Australian coffee in Japan - this coffee roaster has taken creating a single cup of coffee to an art form and it was worth the wait.
Joined @Zac back at the station for the ride back into #Sendai and were content to take it very low key and avoid any more eating. Squeezed in a load of washing before the 7 pm hand over of guides.
Very sad to say that we had to wave goodbye to @Zac who will rejoin his wife and two-week-old baby back on the island of #Hokkaido. He was an absolute gem - so organised and professional, loads of laughs, constantly had his finger on the pulse of the group, was never phased and endlessly shared his wide ranging knowledge. He had that knack of making every member of the group feel special and sought out particular points of interest of significance for each group member. I keep saying, we are having a private tour within a group tour. Think we "lucked out!" No saving the best for last here - perhaps, we've had the best from the start.
We were introduced to our new group leader @Tomoko who had just arrived from completing another tour. She shared that she had spent two nights in the Emergency Department with guests from the last group so hopefully, this tour will be more relaxed and less dramatic! We are incredibly compliant, always on time and according to @Zac, "fast walkers." Where @Zac was tall and an easy to spot Caucasian, think we are going to be a little challenged with our dark haired, diminutive native Japanese leader. Fingers crossed we don't get lost.
PS Have included this pic as a reminder of the high finance transactions on the platform this morning. @Mac could have made a huge profit on this one - but his honesty prevented him from taking advantage of a "mere maths mortal."
Things we've noticed:
Public urination is not a crime in #Japan .. haven't needed to resort to that yet - but, "good to know"
All power sockets we have encountered in hotels so far do not have an earth - therefore we can only use the two-pronged plug as our adaptor
The is no consistency in relation to the side of the footpath you take - train stations have their own rules - sometimes left, sometimes right- just follow the crowd
When you take bus/tram you usually pay or show ticket as you alight - at the end of the ride
Definitely need to press the button to indicate you need the bus/tram to stop
Weather: 21 degrees - perfect
Steps: 13 891
KEEP CALM THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
A diplomat is a man who always remembers a woman's birthday but never remembers her age. Robert Frost
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