No Return Flight : Japan Days 18 & 19

The morning already feels special.

With an awe-inspiring view just a peek behind our hotel room curtain, I woke up behind sleepy eyes to record the sunrise with the desideratum of touring the famous shimanami kaidō (what? You've never heard of it?) and a promise to take lots of pictures.

Cycling the Shimanami Kaidō isint a challenge, it's an experience. The Kaidō route is a six island, seven bridge trail of country grounds and metal beams connecting the templed town of Onomichi to the coastal roads of Imabari. It also holds the record for the longest chain of suspension bridges in the World, the last one measuring a lengthy 6.4 km (4 miles!). Crossing the islands and suspension bridges is worth the time and the ¥50 toll fees. We've seen many cyclist along the route too. Some, I believe, take it as their weekend ride. And really, not much can beat cycling next to and across beautiful orange grooved and cherry blossoming islands; interjected only by even the more fantastical sight of seeing them fifty meters high as you cross the towering silver behemoths that link the chain of islands together.

But first things first. We begin the day in Onomichi; it is such a place that one can enjoy both sun rises and sets from the same balcony with ease.

Like all good things however, we must depart. Modesty is earned when you are able to let go of luxury in exchange for another shot at the unknown. From fancy nights in grand hotels to clandestine camping corners under moonlit wilderness, and back up to high society again, the variety of traveling day to unknown day is unforgettable, and makes kindling for great stories.

Top of the mornin' to ya. The morning sun shines light onto the water that divides the first two islands; the one I shot this pic from and Mukaishima.

I'll revival one card in my hand to you. I can drink coffee everyday and never tire of its unsweetened flavor. Yet, tea I have to switch around consistently. Sick and tired of the complimentary green tea offered at hotels and restaurants, sister and I took matters into our own hands.

Like a great spiritual being, Gabi's bike meditates at east three times a day under a shade providing tree.

You can see here, at sea level, our hotel (top right) and the conjoined castle (top left).

Here you can see our mission across the chain of islands heading south torwards Imabari.

Many cyclists complete this circuit of islands, I believe there is even an annual race in May, so we find many beaches and public toilets to rest at. Or take funny pictures in. Note: the warmer weather allows us to switch to shorts a few days a week, making toilet breaks much much simpler once after zippers, buttons, and belts are removed from the equation.

A panoramic of just one of many docks and sea side paths we cruise along.

King Kong loves his whi.....beer, apparently.

Sophia asks to stop and take photos too.

We took this picture just after a curbside lunch. Not far into the route, only two bridges at this point I believe.

Bikes that move us. Or are we moving them?

Along the Kaidō are very private paths used only by the keen cyclists who travel across them. The unmistakable blue line leads the way up to the appropriate entry and exit point.

What the bridge number three looks like from the inside.

You might be wondering, what's on these islands? Are they inhabited? Are the Japanese conducting obscure science experiments on the wildlife? We couldn't find any answers. Even this giant brontosaurus didn't offer any clues.

Island flora.

This is one of the cooler looking bridges in my opinion. Simple and stylish.

From beneath the behemoth.

The roads up and down the entry ramps are all curvey and twisted. Makes for excellent, exciting climbs and even better descents.

Snapped this picture on accident. What came out turned into one of my favorites (you can catch me taking the photo in the mirror).

Bridge by bridge we cross.

Looking back from my seat post.

Ah, along the way we were tipped off by a women I struck up conversations with at the tollbooth that there is a famous ice cream parlor to keep an eye out along the left hand side of the road. We did. This combo of savory iced dairy is lemon (yum) and cherry blossom (!? Double yum).

Sis order the green tea and chocate chip.

As Phil would say: the robust udon, lol. Yes, and they are quite tasty in this region of Japan too!

And not short on the hospitality either. The udon restaurant cafe placed on our table two complementary warm face towels to wipe away all the grime of smog and dirt accompanying any traveler.

Along the way up to this bridge, we decided to call it a day. We didn't want to, we wanted to keep going. Dwindling daylight and reason, however, had us cornered. And so we pitched tent for the night. It should go with saying that we did not find many places to eat. We are well equipped, fortunately, in the snack and fruit department and did not go hungry that night =)

Day 19

Can you make out our tent? It was a quiet night save for the wild boars rustling the nearby orange grooves late at night looking for something to calm their late night munchies.

Can't wait to cross this bridge!

Some fish in an oversized aquarium just on the other side.

A very pink cherry blossom tree. Most are rose-pink, some are white, all are beautiful.

Crazy cranes! To see them all moving at once is a spectacle.

Stopping off for a bite to eat, sister found this nifty bike rack.

I am unsure of what the custom is here in Japan, but when someone lends their hand behind them like this where I'm from, you slap it =)

Can you see bridge number six in the background? Not to overlook the palm trees, I feel right at home.

I had been eyeing this stone fish for a while, curiously.

This bridge, number seven, is a total distance of 6.4km! That's a lot of crossed water. By comparison, my Golden Gate is only 2.7 km =)

Ok! So that was a long two days! =) to wrap up, here are the pictures we took before and after completing each of the steal feats of intra island engineering.