Lake Ashi

Hi all,

We had our included breakfast at the hotel this morning, which was much more edible for me than dinner. It was one of the stranger breakfasts I've had though as it included cooked fish, steamed broccoli, pumpkin and chicken and some other small appetisers. Nevertheless, it filled us up and I was grateful to be able to eat more than dinner.

After breakfast, we boarded a local bus just outside the hotel which dropped us off a ten minute walk from Gora. However, despite Google Maps describing the walk as "mostly flat".... it was not! We ascended 88m, and it was lucky my hip was in a good mood today! But once we were up the top, it wasn't far to Gora Station at all. We found it interesting in the nearby residential side streets that there were even vending machines near to peoples' houses in the middle of nowhere. They certainly love a vending machine here!

We boarded the cable car, and then the ropeway as we did yesterday. But today we continued and caught a second ropeway down to Lake Ashi. Unfortunately crossing our fingers for Fuji views didn't work today, and the cloud was grey and thick. But despite this being a little disappointing, it was actually a good thing. It meant the weather today was just perfect for walking around. 24 degrees and cloudy - lovely!

Once by the lakefront of Lake Ashi, we boarded the sightseeing cruise that was also included with our Hakone Free Pass that we picked up yesterday. Oddly, the boats that service the lake for these cruises are all pirate ship boats. Why not!? Ours was called the Royal II, and I was very disappointed that the music playing inside wasn't 'He's A Pirate' from 'Pirates of the Caribbean'!! We exited the boat at Hakonemachi and then walked leisurely from there to Motohakone via a cedar lined track, seeing the old Hakone Checkpoint port on the way. There were lots of beautiful bird noises along the pathway. In Motohakone we found a lovely bakery with nice views on the lakefront. We could see the Hakone Shrine and torii gate, and where Mt Fuji would be if there were no clouds. We hadn't had much luck finding a bakery as yet, so it was great to enjoy some tasty treats and some nice rolls, as well as an iced coffee. Where we sat out front, there were footbaths you could soak your feet into while you ate. I used them very briefly as that's another pregnancy no no, but Mum and Dad enjoyed them for a while. It's really good for your muscles so it's a shame I couldn't!!

After our lunch, we walked around to the shrine and gate. The queue to take a photo in front of the gate in the water was absolutely ridiculous, so we stepped off to the side and took one that way instead. An American couple that had been in our cable car carriage this morning were halfway in the queue, and 40 minutes later when we boarded the sightseeing boat for our journey back, we could see them only just having their photo taken. How ridiculous to wait that long!

We caught the same boat back, and the two ropeways again. Once back in Gora, we again used our Hakone Free Pass and visited Gora Park. The pass has been excellent value - approximately $63 each for three days and including all of our trains, cable cars, ropeways, boats, buses and even some attractions like this one. Inside the park we enjoyed some craft shops and workshops where kids were learning glass blowing, pottery and bead making. Mum had a rose soft serve and I had a butterfly pea iced tea, and we sat and enjoyed it by a pretty fountain. We also liked the rose garden and the greenhouses that contained the most beautiful hydrangeas I had ever seen. We were lucky to catch the exhibit, as it ends in three more days.

Tonight we are again having the included dinner at our hotel. Mum and Dad have gone to enjoy the onsen (hot springs/bath) here whilst I do my blog. In the morning we catch a bus to Odawara before boarding another Shinkansen to Kyoto. I've been most excited for Kyoto out of all the destinations we visit, so I'm really looking forward to it. It's meant to rain 82mm tomorrow though so let's hope we don't drown...!

Love to all
Claire
Xoxox