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We finally made it to Nara posted Thursday, May 13, 2004
So, after a three week wait for suitable travelling weather, we finally made it to Nara - Japan's first real capital.
Jonas, Allan, Gareth and I met at the silver ball (refer to 1st hurrah) and took the Kintetsu Line through the hills to Nara.
A short walk East took us to Kofukuji temple. It's 3 and 5 storey pagodas are awe inspiring. Apparently the 5-storey is one of the few of it's kind in all of Japan. They were transplanted in 710 A.D. (wow that's a long time ago).
We then sauntered through the 'sacred' deer filled streets towards Todaiji Temple. The streets were filled with school children all colour coded with matching hats. They asked us to fill out English surveys about our home land and our impressions of Japan. The only special events we could think of in Canada were Canada Day and the Stanley Cup (sad I know, but we may have also mentioned something about the spring thaw - who can remember).
Todaiji Temple is absolutely amazing. It is the largest wooden structure in the world and it's only 2/3 it's original size. It houses the Daibutsu (great buddha) which is truly beautiful. The great bronze buddha is the largest of it's kind in the world at 15+ meters in height. The buddha sits among lotus leaves, in lotus, and is said to spread enlightenment to all surrounds. It made of 500 tons of copper, 8.5 tons of tin, 2.5 tons of mercury, and 440 kilos of gold. (oh my buddha)
After that we scaled Wakakusa-yama Hill (felt more like a mountain) and down again towards Kasuga-taisha Shrine (Shinto) which housed many silver and gold lanterns. Quite a sight.
After a meander through the surrounding forest, we headed through a beautiful Naranese? neighbourhood and towards Sarusawaike Pond - or turtle pond as we like to call it.
The pond is filled with many turtles swimming around the edges checking out the passers by. What was neat was to look closely at the surface of the water at all of the tiny turtle heads across the giant pond, poking up for air, along with the occasional multi-coloured carp jumping.
It was a great day. We took the train home feeling tired, enriched with some more amazing Japanese culture.
Until next time, take care...
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 6 current comments...
Mumsy - 7/4/2004 Another wonderful collection of pictures. Its hard to imagine walking around that sort of picturesque views. I hope they have good insurance, if that building is all wood..
Alyce - Christopher & Dwayne's Mother
Chris - 5/21/2004 Wow, what's up with the deer! They have no fear! i wish I could walk up to strange humans like that. The pics are AMAZING! Keep up the awesome journal guys. Hope teaching is working well for you and that your digestive systems are adapting well to the different cuisine! Have a Sapporo for me.
the "bushwackers" - 5/17/2004 Laura,
love the site, once I teach the others how to "pass", I'll show them this site.
Take care and thank you for sharing with us all some of your sights and thoughts.
jon.
Maddie - 5/17/2004 Thank you for the pictures. I liked to see the deers and the pagoda. What's a Buddha? I hope you're having fun. ijn,kmm,/(Maddie's own typing)
Bridget - 5/16/2004 Hi guys,
Your trip looks beautiful. How is school going? Spring like weather seems to have finally hit here although it was snowing a lot out west last week. Both Sophie and Jacquie are doing gymnastics and Sophie starts soccer this week. She is playing on "Hooper's Trophies". Kathleen is eating pablum and veggies now. She is a real cutie.
It is great to read about and to see a glimpse of your adventures.
You are often in our thoughts:).
We'll write to you later.
Love,
Bridget, Mike, Sophie, Jacquie and Katie xoxox
Mom - 5/14/2004 Hi. If you get a short unfinished message, I tried to send one earlier. I just saw this new addition and enjoyed your message.
Nonetheless, here I am again to say it's great to read of your Nara adventure. Especially the "deer"(??really), fllled streets, and then your description of all the kids in colour-coded hats.
Where do you plan to visit next? Can you ever get out to the country, or is that not so easy?
Hope you pick this little note up and know we really like keeping in touch in all these fantastic electronic ways. Talk with you tomorrow (Sunday, your time). Much love,
Dad, Mom, Perry (who is on a diet) and Z00.
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