Hiking

Before I begin, I'd just like to mention that baguettes do not keep well.  The one I'm currently trying to eat is hard, like unto a rock.

But anyway, I went hiking on Mt. Rokko on Monday.  I thought it would be nice and easy, just following some beginner type trails behind Shin-Kobe station.  Well, it was.  The paths were all paved and apparently they were even roads that people drive their cars on.  Here's some pictures:

This is a really pretty waterfall, whose name I forget.  Apparently it's a well know spot to go visit.

So, I didn't bring enough water with me on this little excursion.  I had planned to stop at the convenience store and get a giant bottle of water, but I forgot.  Typical.  However, being a person living in Japan, I said to myself "I bet I'll fine a vending machine and I can get water there."  And, since this is Japan, I did indeed find a vending machine to get water from.

 

This is the reservoir where my drinking water comes from.

 Now the problem with just following the paths and not having a clear idea where your going or even an idea of where you want to go, is that sometimes you may end up a bit lost.  And by a bit lost I mean: off the easy walking trails onto an actual hiking trail that apparently stretches from mountain top to mountain top.  Lots of very steep ups and downs.  Mostly up.  It didn't help that all my fellow hikers that I met insisted that  I really needed to go to Mt. Maya.  I thought that sounded fine.  Until I came to a way post that said it was another 3km.  Up hill all the way.  At that point, I turned around and went back, taking another trail that lead me to the Rokko Herb Gardens.  (On a separate note: Does "habu" sound anything like "herb" to you?  Cause it doesn't to me, and I didn't know what I would find at the end of the trail marked "habu" until I got there)

The gardens were really lovely.  Very relaxing.  I had lunch there-herb burger and sparkling grape juice.  Very tasty, and it included this view:

 Now, to get down from the herb garden, you can either walk or take the ropeway.  The ropeway=you, in this little tiny pod, sliding down the mountain on a rope.  Neither of these are very good choices for someone who has been climbing mountains for the last three hours and is terrified of heights.  Eventually my aching feet and knees win and I decide to take the chance of the rope breaking and me falling to my doom.  \

Here's me

As I prepare to go over this ledge

 It was slightly less terrifying than being on a roller-coaster and there were some nice views of the city.

Thus ended my day in the mountains.  During the parts where I wasn't being lost or exhausted, I seriously loved it.   I mean, the waterfall and reservoir were gorgeous and next time I think it'd be fun to take a lunch and have a picnic and then in the mountains you get views like this:

Maybe I should move to the mountains and become a hermit monk.

Next, I'm going on the school trip to Hokkaido (which is not the same as Okinawa, no matter what my mother thinks), where it will be chilly and very interesting.  I'll probably have a post about it next weekend.