Monday July 23

Monday July 23
Tokyo

It was a long day today and I have to admit that I was pretty crabby. We were headed to a full day tour of Hakone including Mount Fuji and Lake Ashi. It started out poorly because Ms. Becker and I could not find a good breakfast place. I don't do well when I don't eat properly as my friends and family will attest.

We met our tour group bright and early, 7:45am, and the tour ended at 7pm. We were really annoyed when we found out that it did not drop us back at our starting point.

We had a long ride on a twisting winding road on a very foggy and cloudy day. I knew we were in trouble when the tour guide said " I asked Mount Fuji not to be shy today." Well shy was not the word for Fuji! She was a down right recluse and never showed her face or just about any part!! Poor Ms. Becker. I was already crabby because I had not eaten, then I bought some rice crackers to eat and they were super hot with some kind of spice, but I ate it anyway, and then felt sick and then I was really upset that we were not going to see the mountain. Plus, it was chilly out and I had shorts on and spaghetti straps. Oh my. Let's just say I was not pleasant to be around. Luckily, Ms. Becker said we should at least buy a picture of of the mountain.

Here are the "no Mount Fuji" shots:



Cute hiker:



Rice fields on the way to our destination:






Twenty minutes later we headed to the Hakone rope way, which is a cable car that goes up the side of a mountain looking over Lake Ashi. It was okay, again. The 7 minute ride provided views of the mountains but it was extremely cloudy and I was starving and having serious tummy trouble. Then we took a pirate boat cruise on Lake Ashi that was very peaceful and serene and I enjoyed it in spite of myself.












Tori gate at Lake Ashi:






My problem also with the day is that we spent soooo much time on the bus going to each place and then we really did not stay very long. I am still glad we went, it was not perfect (nor is anything ever) but we got to see more remote areas of Japan.

Then around 5:30 pm on the way to the train station, trouble hit. When I don't eat enough, I get really sick. I mean migraine, vomiting and hospital. Mr. Bisconti and my family have been there for that. It is not pretty. I knew I needed food and I needed it ASAP. I was just about ready to start asking random people when Ms. Becker woke out of her sleep. Luckily she found out we would be at the train station in 5 minutes. So I flew into a bakery to get a croissant (oh, sheer heaven) and Ms.Becker went to figure out where we were going. We lucked out because our train was leaving in 2 minutes and we ran and made it (Or I should say we were pretty sure it was the right train; we just jumped on and hoped). I felt so much better and less crabby at this point. We were able to figure out the subway and get back to Shinjuku section of Tokyo.






When we got off at our station, we noticed that this was where Tokyo Time Square is located and as such, this station had amazing stores. We both were feeling rejuvenated. As we walked out of the station I looked to my left. I squealed and stopped dead in my tracks and grabbed Ms. Becker's arm. "That is Laduree!" She looked at me clearly not understanding. "They are from Paris and they have THE most amazing French macaroons!" I said, dragging her into the store. She still did not understand. So I went to the counter, bought us each a chocolate one, shoved it in her hand and said, "Here we need this after this day. Wait until you taste this." I watched her put the cookie up to her mouth curiously and bite. Then I thoroughly enjoyed watching the transformation of her face and the twinkle in her eye as she tasted one of the most amazing chocolate treats you will ever eat. That made my day.








Here they are in all their glory:-)


We walked on and I told her I was treating her to dinner. We went to an Italian place called "Maguro 5" and had an incredible personal pizza and an awesome chicken Caesar salad. It's funny, there are pizza places and other western food everywhere. Our tour guide told us that the older Japanese generations still eat traditional food but that the younger ones are turning more and more to western food. That explains why there are so many Western style restaurants and why they are packed with twenty something's.

Ms. Becker and I left there and went back to Time square and walked around. Then we went back and I feel fast asleep. We were out from 7am until 10:30pm, we were beat.

There isn't really anything I can add that Ms. Bisconti didn't already write about. I will say that although Mt. Fuji never showed herself for our visit and most of the time was spent on the bus, there were really nice moments. At the top of the Hakone ropeway were some nice mountain views and I loved the boat ride. Anytime I have the opportunity to be near water and mountains, I am happy. (Me too, which is why Mr. Bisconti and I want to retire to Taormina in Sicily- mountains 3 km above sea level and the ocean. Heaven).

I can also attest to the fact that Ms. Bisconti was not in the best mood all day until she finally got some food in her system. Believe me we both had our days during this trip. I snapped a photo of her while she slept on the bus, and just so you know she said I should upload it.


Evidence of Ms. Bisconti's most peaceful moment during our tour.


Oh and one last thing. If you like chocolate you MUST try the macaroons from Laduree. Omg, I have no words. I hold Ms. Bisconti responsible for my newest addiction.



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