Kyoto

Three days in Kyoto is not enough.  There are 1600 temples and 400 shrines to see - I havent quite done them all....  but the few I have been to have been super... and very orange.  They are literally everywhere, walk down a street and there are temples that have been converted to homes. I have wandered around, and got myself lost (of course)   Hidden away behind the street are giant temple complexes.  It must have been amazing 200 years ago, it is wonderful.
Yesterday I went to the Imperial Palace (had to get a special invite), it was so unlike the Beijing experience.  In Beijing there were a million people in the Forbidden City, in Kyoto there were 40 of us on a personal English guided tour.  And it cost nothing.  The Imperial Palace site and surrounding parkland are not regarded as a favourite tourist attraction here.

My guest house, IchiEnSue is just like being a guest in someones home; it is sweet.  Its situated in the gion district and there are lots of ladies wearing beautiful kimonos around.  And Ive seen two geisha girls (in the street, that is).
Now I am leaving tomorrow I have just about cracked the transport; the bus system (400Y for a day pass 2.70) is excellent.  The metro is complicated, like the rail, different sections are owned by different companies.

This evening 8 of us went out for a beer. We ended up sitting on the bank of the river with a bottle looking at the lights and talking, near to us a Japanese boy band set up and sung some Beatles songs... so surreal.  I just had to go over to them when they were finished and ask why the Beatles..

I did all my washing last night.  All my socks, underwear, shirts in a local launderette.  Took my carrier bag full and a book with me. 800Y (5.00) for 50 minutes.  Was easy to operate, the instructions were in English, chucked the whole lot in, book and all.  Oops!