A later start today. Raining again, but not as cold or windy as it was in Tokyo. Found a place at Kyoto station for breakfast, not much on the breakfast menu other than toast, so I had a cheese cake from the cake menu. At Kyoto station we bought an all day bus pass for about $5. We took the 101 bus which circles Kyoto and stops at the major tourist attractions, of which there are many.
First stop was the "Golden Pavilion" or Kinkakuji in Japanese. Its formal name is Rokuonji and its a Zen temple. This is a world heritage site, originally built in 1394, it burnt down in 1950 and was rebuilt. In 1987 the gold leaf was re-attached. We spent approx. 1 hour walking around the site taking photos and videos. We had to leave as Emma wanted to use the toilet and the ones at the site stunk, which she refused to use (and I don't honestly blame her) . Travel tip : There is a McDonalds less than 1km away with perfectly clean facilitates.
Had lunch at McDonalds and got back on the bus to go to the "Silver Temple". Walking to the temple, we walked down the most gorgeous cherry tree lined street in full bloom with a stream running through it with a couple of large carp swimming up and down. Didn't spend long at the silver temple as it started to rain heavily, so we went back to the bus stop.
The bus system is quite good in Kyoto, at each stop there is an indicator that tells you if a bus is approaching. With the busses you enter via the rear door and exit the front. You don't pay (or show your pass) till you leave. The bus also has a button on the back of the bus, so if the door shuts before you get on you can push it to signal the driver to open the door for you.
Sharon was very happy as she found stacks of shops selling every possible Japanese souvenir you could imagine.
On the trip home, we had the quintessential Japanese transport sardine experience, with everyone trying to crowd onto the bus to escape the rain and get back to the train station. Emma was quite upset as she was with Sue and couldn't get to Sharon who was stuck at the back of the bus. We got the "express" bus that only stops at the major tourist attractions. When your in a city with literally hundreds of attractions, express this does not make !
Tonight we are heading back to Kyoto station to check out the shops there and find something for dinner.
Todays Pictures :-
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sg_harrison/sets/72157604470580255/
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