Our easy day turned out to not be so easy.
It started well, nice quiet roads, even the ones which had a number 3206 which seemed like our A roads were no problem cycling down.
Leaving Kanchanaburi
Chom Bueng eventually Friday 7th December
Cycling in Japan
River Kwai Kanchanaburi Thursday 6th December
The breakfast here is much better than our Bangkok hotel, the location looking at the “Bridge Over The River Kwai” helps as well!
The Bridge Over The River Kwai from our breakfast table
Bridge over the River Kwai Wednesday 5th December
After our late night last night, we had a later breakfast then took a stroll out to try and find a bookstore not far from the hotel. Sadly once again Google failed us, no bookstore at all. Back to the hotel for a final pack up as we have a taxi booked to take us and our still boxed bicycles to Kanchanburi better known as the location of The Bridge Over The River Kwai.
The show ends (see later)
Bangkok like proper tourists Tuesday 4th December
Today is going to be a touristy day, probably the most touristy day of our trip. After our breakfast we walked to the end of the street where the Bangkok Sky Train station is (Nana), we purchased two day tickets (120 bhat) as we are using it later as well.
Who can resist a picture of a bicycle on Bankok’s Champes Elysees (Ratchadamneon Avenue)
Osaka – Kansai Airport – Don Mueang Airport Bangkok Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd December
After looking at all the options we decided to head down to the airport today. Our flight to Bangkok which for all PE teachers out there is in Thailand leaves tomorrow at 9:50 am but to get a train to the airport with our bicycles would mean catching the 5:45 am train.
This is what you look like after 2 day travelling and you get a cold beer
Still in Kyoto Friday 30th November
Today was one of those days when you feel rushed off your feet all day but then wonder what you actually did.
It took a while but we decided that it was time to move on from Japan, we have really loved it here but temperatures are dropping to near zero most of next week combined with expensive accommodation helped push us into this decision.
A lovely old street in Kyoto
Kyoto staying around Shimogyo Ward in a guesthouse Thursday 29th November
Last night’s rain continued for 6 hours, stopping around 10:00 pm, if you have never been in a tent at night listening to the sound of falling rain then you have missed out, go do it.
We were ready to go at 8:00 am when, as promised Hi Ya Mo To Hidesi turned up to see if we survived the rain last night. He did say Route 43 was the one to follow, so a wave and a shake of hands later we set off.
Our friend Hi Ya Mo To Hidesi
Osaka, camping near Hyogo Prefectural Amagasaki Forest Wednesday 28th November
It was indeed a very noisy night, a busy dual carriageway and two train lines, even with this we had no problem sleeping.
Finishing a cold breakfast, we have run out of porridge; gasp! And have not been able to locate any here, yet. So instead there is a muesli type cereal which is quite nice, but not the same as hot porridge.
Looking towards the centre of Kobe
Almost in Kobe, camping in Hiraiso Ryokuchi Park, Tuesday 27th November
A rather leisurely get up today before wandering down to the 1st floor for our “included in the expensive room price” breakfast. This time there was cereal, fruit, rolls and jam as well as the full Japanese breakfast. Not too bad to start the day with.
A bright boat in an otherwise drab looking day
Himeji by ferry Monday 26th November
It was a lot warmer last night, no risk of frost.
Today was easy cycling, around 15 km to Fukuda Port on Shodoshima Island the a ferry to Himeji and a 6 km cycle to our hotel.
A view down to a sheltered bay
