That's right. It's those haphazard moments in life that sway those small decisions such as turning left to going right, that feeling that overrides reason for a split second cup of ice cream, it's the effect that turns a look around a strange corner into a tale telling memory. Stopping off route produces spontaneity; stopaneity.
Firsts things first. We are very gracious to Hyro who although perhaps was a little embarrassed to welcome us into his humble home, greeted us with open armed enthusiasm and good conversation none the less. We spent the next morning eating breakfast over a wide range of conversations as we waited for the laundry cycle to do its thing.
This has got to be me at one of my finest moments. Mountain hiking boots, California swimming trunks, a cycling jearsy under a windbreaker, snow gloves, and a south-American lama wool beanie. In the timeless words of Attell, "he's either retarded, or ready for everything."
Gabi and Hyro over breakfast.
After we said our goodbyes and thank you's, I snapped a few last minute plant shots from his garden.
On the road again. We followed highway 2 for a long while, cycling up and down steep inclines through the mountains. Here you can sort of make out the elevated garden over the village.
We also came across this underused bike pathway to cross the express ramps. Helps to think of these things like a VIP entrance.
Im getting good at spotting these different manhole covers as we move towards Hotoshima. Picked up a four today!
They're all really cool to look at. Recently, as you can see, more color appears on them.
Okonomoyaki with two eggs for a snack =) the fish flakes on the bottom left shrunk and crackled against the heat =)
I stopped a lot along the way today because we are starting to really see the cherry blossoms bloom. Almost every other mile we see a patch of these unmistakable pink flowers. This one caught my eye against a feral bamboo forest.
Hard to capture my sis with anything pink, this one turned out great =)
Believe me when I say sometimes eating sushi is cheaper than eating out for other Japanese food restaurants. So eat up!
So around this time, we arrived in quiet town that, we immediay noticed, had many temples in its hill tops. We passed a few up because of their unadvertised entrances, their many steps to the top. We did however stop for orange-vanilla swirl soft serve ice creame because, you know, you have to.
It was here, as we ate cold ice creame in cold weather, that Gabi noticed yet another temple. "Leave the bikes, bring the ice creame." We stoped off to do a little on-foot exploration. We never expected to see what we saw: a gondola taking people up to the top of the highest peak for the most incredible views of Onomichi.
Lock up them bikes. Not that there is much need here. Our bikes have never felt the threat of being stolen.
Here we are riding the gondola!
Yeah....this is awesome. The ride took a long while too. In the background here you can begin to see some of the other islands that this city plays port to.
Who knew that stopping for ice cream would lead to some of the best views.
Islands all around to the South.
After taking in all the beauty, we headed for a stairy walk back down to the sea level. Not before sis paid respect to the cat statue that blesses travelers.
A few rocks and boulders to pass on the way back down.
Yes. The cherry blossoms have bloomed with pink maturity.
Back on the level, we had to make haste to the next town for a place to sleep. Not so fast as to miss a few pictures like these however.
And that was that. An unexpected day that started because we stopped for ice cream.
That's all for now friends. I woke up way to early today, need to sleep. Hope that you are all well. Don't forget to stop off sometime in your day and treat yourself to an ice cream you've never had before.
Love,
-A
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