Our visit to Nara started with an 1.5 hour train ride. It was pretty pleasant though. Once we got to Nara, I showed my parents the only vending machine I've seen with Mtn. Dew. However, it has been confirmed that Mtn. Dew is also available closer to where I live. Also via Amazon Japan.
Anyways, we ate lunch at a very delicious tempura restaurant. As we were leaving, I told the waitress, "Gochisosamadeshita", which means "That was a good meal". She smiled at me and said thanks.
The first stop was Kofukuji Temple, which includes the Five Story Pagoda, Gojunoto. Please note the brutal rain clouds rolling in.
Mom checks a map beside a new construction site.
... and then I noticed the rain clouds / blue sky behind her. Strange.
Mom and Dad in front of the Five Story Pagoda, Gojunoto.
Dad and I in front of the Three Story Pagoda.
Dad loves deer.
I don't remember how this happened, but I took a photo of Mom where I pinched her head. Mom says, "... pinch your little head off" sometimes.
Anyway, it made Dad laugh very hard, so I did the same to him.
My family in front of the Eastern Golden Hall, called
Tokondo.
What are you looking at?
Mom and Dad in front of
Todai-ji Temple in Nara. This is the largest wooden structure in the world. Inside is a Daibutsu, Japanese for "giant Buddha".
Dad and I at Todai-ji.
Dad and I resting in the cool of the building.
Dad in front of one of the huge wooden carvings.
A few sample heads. They definitely have "b face" going on.
Mom and Dad in front of a small shrine at Todai-ji. If you rub the shrine, and then rub what hurts on you, it's supposed to help.
I opted to pinch his head, instead.
On the train ride home, I got Mom and Dad to try this great drink I have all the time. This one's grape flavored. It's like a jelly, with chunks of fruit in it. I admit, it's bizarre. That's why I like it.
"Oh that's different." - Dad
"Gross." - Mom
At least they tried it!
Thursday was a relaxing day, as we had been traveling quite a bit, and walking a lot. We Spent the first half of the day at the Shin Kobe Ropeway and Herb Park. Right next door to the hotel my parents were staying in, there's a cable car up to the top of Mt. Maya. We spent a few hours getting baked in the sun (and I mean baked! I had a pretty wicked sunburn on my shoulders!), then headed into Sannomiya to meet up with my coworker, Vince! He showed us around Ikuta Shrine, and explained various things to my parents. Very interesting stuff! That's why he's the best :)
Mom and I in the cable car on the way up.
Dad and the view of Kobe behind him.
The Shin Kobe Crowne Plaza, where my parents stayed. You can see the Shin Kobe Shinkansen stop at the bottom left, beside the trees.
Pinch pinch!
Me and Dad.
Mom and Dad at the top of Mt. Maya.
Family portrait, minus my bruffy!!! I know it looks really strange, because the left side of the photo was the beginning of a ramp, so it's crooked.
Awww.
More photos in the Herb Garden.
Pretty pruned trees. I have no idea what the sculpture in the background is supposed to be, however.
Moth or butterfly, in the greenhouse.
Greenhouse flowers.
A real pineapple plants. Apparently, if they are left to grow on their own, they can become enormous! But they take a long time to grow, like, 20 years.
Playing with a function on my little point and shoot.
Playing with functions. Sunflower garden.
hahaha Dad.
Dad had to feel the grass to see how soft it was.
My Mom and Dad are the cutest people ever.
The Shin Kobe Crowne Plaza.
We stopped in Brugges to have a beer. I ordered a Hoegaarden, and Vince had to order a bigger one.
Mom and Dad
Kanpai! Vince and I.
Dad ordered a beer called Satan. It's a high gravity beer, at 8%. We just liked the name.
Dad pouring his Satan.
The bottle. I saved the label.
Vince explaining stuff to my Mom at Ikuta Shrine in Sannomiya.
Leaving the Shrine because it's very dark.
