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| Kagawa |
| Date: August 14, 2008 10:29 PM
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We scratched our heads, shook hands, and with a nudge and a wink were off in different directions. As i returned to my flat, i reached into my bag and felt a long wooden staff with bells, i smiled and thought, yes!, i will be returning again, sometime soon.
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...the wizard of Japan Quest Central Command, Morita-chan, appeared at the entrance of Hiroshima station, "Welcome back boys and thankyou!, sorry i must rush, i'm going to Tokushima!!", ....had it all been a dream!?....
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Ray on his way
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During the~Obon~holiday period in Japan, when departed spirits return home, travel is so busy . Reserve your seats in advance if you want to sit next to your friends...
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From Takamatsu to Okayama, island hopping over the beautiful ~Seto Nakai~ is the ~Seto Ohashi~. Meaning 'big bridge', it's a whopper!!. At 12.3 km long!, including six bridges and four viaducts, two train tracks and a four lane motorway, it is an incredible feat of engineering and architectural wonder. I have in fact mistakenly tried to cycle across before, but you won't get very far as it's all motorway!!. I suggest catching a local train, one stop, then back. The view, especially at sunset is simply breathtaking. The Inland Sea has thousands upon thousands of islands, pristine and secluded, most too small to be inhabited...a huge natural zen garden!.
Anyway next stop, (as i dab my eyes), is Okayama and then the end of our Quest, boo! hoo!.
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Takamatsu's Ritsurin park is a classic example of ~daimyo style~ Edo era beauty. One of Japan's top three together with ~Korakuen~ in Okayama and ~Kenrokoen~ in Kannazawa. It's like an oasis of tranquility and calm, a classical and spacious example of 400 year old botanical brains. As you escape the summer heat and just simply switch off from the outside world, a peaceful presence radiates through your body and permeates you head. The pond wildlife so abundant, a cool breeze brushing your face, the rustle of leaves and movement of the lily's, the ciccada's so chirpy,
You feel totally refreshed and slip into a natural meditative state. You can clearly imagine a Samurai pushing his boat out with his female companion or giggling noble ladies picnicing in the shade. The tall pines ~takai matsu~ hold a regal and saintly status as you stare up and sip cool green tea ~Omatcha~..
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Ritsurin Park
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We have now arrived in Takamatsu on Shikoku's north coast.
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With hundreds hungry patiently in line, the open Udon kitchen is a frenzy of activity. Ghostly white flour covered dough kneaders, rollers, slicers, boilers, servers and slurpers.
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...and he has beaten me again!!. At our first stop at the riverside restaurant~Tanikawa~ we had plain Udon with spicy green chilli sauce, the taste really lip lingering. Our second stop ~sowewhere over the mountain~ at ~Yamagoe~, we ate ~kamatama~ Udon, believe it or not, yummy raw egg!.. Originating here, this flavour is now famous throughout Japan, highly recommended.
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| NO WHERE |
| Ray Date:
August 13, 2008 12:15 PM
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YAMAGOE Udon is in the middle of no where its worth the time and effort |
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