Wednesday 5 September 2012

Akiu Falls, without the rain

I've mentioned Akiu Great Falls before, in this post about our very soggy bike ride. But, since we were exhausted and soaking wet, I'm not sure we got the most out of that visit! So when our friend Shoko suggested a day trip by car, we jumped at the chance! It was a gorgeously summery day, so we packed our swimming things and had a lovely time playing around outside!

Lunch of somen, with konnyaku and pickles

Dipping our toes in the river

Getting a bit deeper! We did go all the way in and had a lovely little swim in the waterfall pool, but no photos of that, for obvious reasons! 
(Also, clock the elegant lady with the parasol in the background...)

Me and the waterfall

Remember that lady? Well, you can just make her out on the left of the photo. I had to scramble on all fours to get up there, but she managed to make it look like a promenade! 

Bye waterfall! 

On the walk back to the car, we saw this monkey by the side of the road. I'm guessing from the red thing round his neck that he's a pet, but I don't know why he was sitting here by himself.

Monday 3 September 2012

Matsushima and Yamadera, revisited in the sunshine

I've posted before about previous trips to Matsushima and Yamadera, but when we revisited with John's parents, the weather was a bit sunnier, especially at Yamadera. At Matsushima, we did a couple of different things to last time: we took a boat trip round the islands and watched a bit of the "Miyagi International Hero Summit" (don't ask) that we happened upon. 

Although the boat trip is supposed to all about the pretty islands, it's really about feeding the seagulls that flock around the boat! 


Everyone got very excited at this particular island. No idea why.

Nothing says Miyagi Summertime like ice-creams decorated as Date Masamune. 

Date Masamujohn.

I love sunshine through the trees

He's a bit sunnier than last time we met! 

Miyagi International Hero's Summit. Don't ask me what it was for or why. It baffled my brain too.

Crocodiles with platform shoes, scary fish men and a power ranger wielding a large phallic object. What more do you want from a Sunday day trip?!

View from the top of Yamadera in the sunshine. Gorgeous!

Very hot, but we made it!

Quintessential Yamadera shot