june-12

06/12/2013 

Woke up around 3:30am and took a quick "where am I" screenshot on my iphone.   Went back to sleep and work again at 4:30 to do the same.   Eventually got up and beat the crowds to the restroom and bathing.   Went forward afterwards and took a nice set of shots as we sailed into the sunrise and eventually into Osaka port.

Breakfast was an option, but I wasn't feeling all that hungry so skipped it...

Got off at Osaka port and took a series of subway rides back to Namba station.   Decided to lock up my luggage (except for my little day bag) at the base of the Nankai line escalator.  Then re-navigated the subway lines to take an express to Nara to check out the deer and the giant buddah statue. 

On the way I saw this guy working on his english homework -- he was pretty focused on it so I didn't talk to him, but I thought it was interesting to see him working so hard at his A-B-C's---  probably just as funny if he'd seen me working on the kanjii equivalent!

Got off at Nara station for the line I used and walked a few blocks to a 5 story pagoda...

Headed from there into a 'treasures" museum (which means "I needed a run so I went to a museum").   no photos allowed, but it had some interesting statues of buddah, various warrier daemons and deciples...   I can't spell!

Walked a bit further and found the way to the giant buddah temple...  Here are the various gates I went through to get to this popular site:

I decided that I'd had enough and that it was time to walk back to the station and head back to Nanba for lunch...   Along the way I saw many deer, most of who begged for food (but no luck with me!).   So took the train back to Nanba -- about 38 minutes -- and hit the station around noon.

Still had a few hours to spend before the Ryokan would be ready for me so I hopped another subway back to SpaWorld -- can't take pictures inside but here's the outside statue.   Since I'd been there before it was pretty easy for me to find.

Since its now June I now had access to the "European" (vs Asian) Onsens.   Most of them were hot baths of marble -- some actually marble chairs that had water flowing slowly over them.    Lots of steam rooms and saunas too, but I wasn't too interested in those.   There was one bath that was really good -- I soaked in it for about 25 minutes!   It was individual tubs with small bubbles (not really jets, just some tiny bubbles) that came up from the bottom of the tub all over.   Kind of like being in a fizzy drink (minus the sugar).   Warm water too (not overly hot).    Anyway, I spent about an hour bathing and then put on the "spa clothes" they supply and found a "resting area" I hadn't realized was there last time.   This was basically a huge warehouse like area that had leather cushions (like a sofa in length, but futon style) on the floor -- probably about 100 of them.    They gave you a blanket and you could literally take a nap, or watch the big screen (but not very loud) TV they had on the wall.    I dozed off a bit and was very comfortable. 

Woke up about 3pm, which was the start of check-in time at my Ryokan (no hurry, just didn't want to try before then).   So I changed back to street cloths and 'checked out' (easier since I'd been there before - I understood the system!).    Headed back to Nanba station and picked up my luggage (ugh!) and then walked it to the Ryokan.      Checked in without a problem and setup my room for "sleeping" (moved the table to the side and pulled out the futon  from the closet they keep it in).    Rested a bit more and updated this blog...

Got the email from United and have "checked in" (boarding pass has to be gotten at the airport, but I've confirmed tomorrow afternoons flight).     Going to take it easy and eventually (when I get hungry) hit Dotonbori street and grab something for dinner.   

By the way here is a picture of my room (this time on the 5th floor)

Here's the patio area, a shot out the window across Dotonbori "waterway" and a shot to the side which shows the entrance to Dotonbori Street where all the good food is!

I headed out to dinner -- was going to do the crab place and get some of that yummy crab-au-gratin but they were booked and there was an hour wait.   Made a reservation for lunch at 11am tomorrow and instead had some BBQ'ed crab just outside for a quick crab-fix:

But that wasn't enough for dinner, so I hunted around and decided on a nice "conveyor belt" sushi place.    Here's what I got:

The folks next to me were from Malaysia -- were here to shop (or she was - -he was probably along to carry the bags!).   Her english was good and she helped me figure out the "tea" (powered tea added to cup, then hot water right at spiggot at table).   We exchanged photos:

Headed out and walked around some more -- here are some photos:

Walked all the way to the station for tomorrow so I could judge the walk/timing back and found a shop that makes creme brulee.    Not my dessert of choice, but when in rome (or in Japan!) what can I say (certainly not "no"):

But in Japan you have to take such things home, so I walked back to my Ryokan.   Here's how crazy busy the shopping street was at night (and there was more room for more crazy--)

Once back in my room I could eat the creme brûlée.   I unboxed it, took this photo and wolfed it down. Even though not my dessert of choice it was very good.     I then took a picture of the box it came in -- kind of interesting that they have all these special boxes that desserts (delicate ones) go into on one section, another section holds a "cold pack" so it can get home without temperature issues, and still another zone has a spoon and napkin.   All wrapped up like a gift box in a nice bag.   Amazing (and hard for those of us who just want to eat it on the spot!)

That was pretty much a wrap for the night!    Had a drink (I had bought a 'sweet lemon tea' in one of the vending machines -- cold and nice).    Then passed out for the night!