Part Three Nikko Trip -Kinugawa River

The last part of the trip entailed a river boat ride down the Kinugawa River. Above is a map that marks out where all the "famous" rock formations will be as you head down river. We were to see Tate-iwa (shield rock), Zou-iwa (elephant rock), Gorira-iwa (gorilla rock), Gunkan-iwa (battleship rock) and Tsumiki-iwa (block rock). By this time are you guessing you know the Japanese word for rock - iwa? Maybe you are right maybe not I have no idea but that would be my guess as well.





Here is what we saw as we waited - a truck coming up the road with the boats! I was expecting a ferry boat type ride. Anyone want to hope on and "fly" down to the river? We decided to take the 100 steps down instead.





Our chariots await:)

Again Dylan had the opportunity be a boy playing with rocks as we waited.

We are about to push off.

Again my frame of reference really tripped me up. Expect the Unexpected when it comes to living in a foreign country!

When signing up for this trip I thought Dylan would love a ferry boat ride - uhmm note to self don't assume!!!Remember this is a FOREIGN country/culture.
Oh yes so river boat rides in Japan include no seats you sit on the bottom of the boat...

two oarsman - one in the bow the other in the stern...

and a plastic sheet to hold up to keep you dry as your river boat takes the white water areas at a slightly faster clip. :)

This rock formation wasn't listed but it looks like a Japanese bear-iwa to me:) Ok work with me the giant bear is laying down and all you can see is his head.

Gorira-iwa

Zou-iwa

End of the line. This boat ride was fabulous when it came to the views of God's creation. Not much in the way of a comfortable ride but nevertheless splendid!

Another lovely time investigating our host country! At the end of the day when I was rocking my sweet son I cried. Tears of gratitude ran down my cheeks as I held Dylan close. The pictures that I have posted and chosen to share with you all don't capture the best part of my day. Out of the hard times, kinks and a tired one year old came the true beauty of our trip.

As I mentioned before we left the base at 4am, we had to be out of the house by 3:45am to arrive in time. I thought surely my dear son would fall asleep with the sweet vibrations of the bus especially since it was dark inside and out. No Dylan had other plans. Thankfully since his plans including being awake they also included being sweet and relatively quiet. Two hours into the ride Dylan had barely drifted off to sleep when the sweet vibrations stopped, we were at the rest stop and Dylan was ready to go. As you can see I am laying the ground work for the tired one year old portion of the trip.

We arrived at Tosho-gu shrine and began to take in all the architectural beauty. Being a little camera happy I was snapping picture after picture. I truly love digital cameras because I feel free to take tons of pictures without wasting money on the development. I had even packed an extra set of batteries in my bag but alas when I went to change the batteries at the Shrine I realized my error. I had picked up the rechargeable batteries from my bag which had not been charged. Oh my - I had not even taken pictures from the Parade yet. At this point everyone was venturing off on their own. I spotted a fellow tourist from our bus and asked if he has seen our guide. He had not but offered the use of his cell phone for me to call her. This was something new our guide gave us her cell number. On our Mt Fuji trip we weren't given contact information. Upon speaking with the guide, sharing my problem and explaining I thought I had extra batteries on the bus, she contacted the bus driver. The driver would meet me at the bus in 15 minutes allowing me to get my batteries. Dylan and I started the hike back to the bus - have I mentioned before that space and parking is a commodity in Japan. We made it back to the bus, got new batteries and made it back to the parade grounds before it started.

Dylan was not impressed with the parade and slightly out of sorts by lunch time. I have realized that Japanese restaurants do not have high chairs. This time our guide said lets see and if they don't I will go back to the bus and get your stroller. Of course they don't have a chair for Dylan and I know better than to try and have him sit in a adult chair without a belt. See Daddy we need you for more than one reason - you always wear a belt mom doesn't:) Dylan who is full of raisins from the parade, sick of being held or restrained (he was in his stroller for the parade) starts to act up. With the thrashing legs there goes the soy sauce all over someone else's table that we were standing by waiting on the stroller. A few ladies from our tour bus helped to clean up the mess and mommy kept smiling because my Lord give me the grace:)

On to the river boat ride, It is around 3pm and Dylan has only slept 20-30 minutes since 3:45am. Understandably he is tired - hey I was even tired! It was also nap time. Ok parents I know you are hearing the recipe for disaster. Yes the recipe was there but thank the Lord there was no oven or flame to get the end result. One of our guides helped me change Dylan from the front to the back to the front in our snugli. She was so precious to help! Anything to try and get sweet Dylan to be content. This dear lady even took off my shoes and put them back on me since you can't wear them in the boat!!!! Oh boy what a servants heart she has - I didn't want to accept that help. It was then I reminded myself she would be blessed for her kindness to a child of the King.

Back in the bus the day is over and sleep should come easily. No my dear friends and family we are talking about a pre-toddler - when you are over tired you can't sleep. Dylan stayed an ornery sort of needing entertainment awake for 3 hours of our bus ride home. There were episodes of screaming due to a nasty diaper rash and a couple stinkies. Yours truly who bit the bullet and sang Amazing Grace to her son since it helps calm him. If you know how tune deaf I am you realize why I said bit the bullet - rather humiliating to sing in public. I tried whisper singing though so the windows would not blow out of the bus:) A few rows back a boy became very ill so I passed our wipes back to help clean up the mess. Finally my dear son fell asleep as we watched Baby Einstein's orchestra on his portable DVD player. About an hour of rest for the weary then we were back to the base.

Once we arrived back it was raining why every time after a MWR trip is it raining? Not a big deal unless you realize a few things. I have no car. I have to bring Dylan's car seat for the bus. I also have to bring diapering essentials, the camera, items to entertain my son and a few things for mom. When I say a few I am serious - wallet, lip gloss and hand sanitizer. Oh yeah and don't forget the snugli carrier and stroller. Needless to say I am loaded down. As I started to pull my gear together - I do have a system, a couple who sat diagonally behind Dylan and I offered us a ride home. What a blessing. Not only did we make it home dry and fast but I was encouraged. The lady who has two grown sons of her own said she wished more parents had the patience I did. I was then able to tell her it was not my patience but the Lord providing the patience I needed in every situation along with tons of prayer. Once at the tower instead of dropping me off in front, these two angels carried all of my "stuff" up to our home and all I had to carry was a very sleepy Dylan.

My tears of gratitude came not because of our guide and bus driver who helped me get my batteries, the soy sauce cleaning ladies, our guide with the precious servant attitude who helped me with my shoes or even the couple who helped me home but because I have a Heavenly Father who cares. Where does good/good actions come from? The Bible says that only God is good thus all good comes from Him. I love what C.S. Lewis has to say about this in his book Mere Christianity. "You may say 'I've never had the sense of being helped by an invisible Christ, but I have often been helped by other human beings.' That is rather like the woman in the first war who said that if there were a bread shortage it would not bother her house because they always ate toast. If there is no bread there will be no toast. If there were no help from Christ, there would be no help from other human beings. He works on us in all sorts of ways: not only through what we think our 'religious life' "

Part Two Nikko Trip - Samurai Costume Parade

This was touted as a must see for those interested in Japanese culture - The Nikko Samurai Costume Parade Festival.

Frame of Reference we all have one - mine lead me astray. I was thinking of American Parades and knew Dylan would just be fascinated! Below you see his favorite part of the parade:) Mom let him be a boy and play with rocks and dirt - cringe. Ok give me a break I am just learning that it will be ok if my baby boy has dirt under his nails and inevitable in his mouth as well as stains on his clothes. We have had a stain free closet up until this point, but I know it is down hill from here. I will think positive - my son is investigating the Lord's creation plus a little dirt even Japanese dirt never hurt anyone. Also it the child that makes the clothes cute not vice versa.

Boy did he have a time in the dirt! He was loving it and so were the Japanese. Multiple people came and asked to take his picture while he played. I also just noticed people taking his picture without asking - no parental waivers needed here:). He may be famous over here before we leave yet we will never know:)

It is amazing to me how Asians can sit crouched down like this for so long. I know my knees would blow out for sure! Have you tried it - not comfortable and as a trainer I would not recommend it for your joint health!

This man just patiently squatted here waiting for the parade. Do you see the branch in his hand? Part of the ceremonial cleansing tree. I made up that term but essentially that is what the tree did for the parade as you will see later. My guestimation would be the branch is now considered good luck. Many many people were carrying their branches, pieces of branches and leaves around with them.

Dylan had a parade buddy. This little boy was very interested in Dylan and even helped him eat his raisins. I was trying to be nice and friendly speaking to him in the little Japanese I know. Only to find out.... He is Korean:) I did feel slightly stupid at that point but God gives grace to the humble!

Also I tend to think people will just know I am from the US - false. I have had a couple people actually ask. When this little boy asked and I said the US. He just stared at me for a moment then it sunk in and he said oh the United States of America. Interesting perspective - do other people not call it the US??


Below is the parade route. As you can see we were surrounded by mountains. Nikko is located 4 hours (by bus) north and inland from Yokosuka and so beautiful.
Here is a picture of priests getting the parade route ready - the cleansing tree I mentioned earlierWe have begun! First there were fireworks that I heard but could not see and the parade began. It wasn't too long there after I realized the major error in my frame of reference. This parade wasn't anything like an American parade. Dylan was board to tears - thank goodness for raisins. There was silence...
stately walking...
(check out the hanes socks with the Edo period rope sandals)

silent walking...

The silence was broken for the occasional bong...

straight back (good posture a must with those headdresses) silent walking and

not the Samurai of Hollywood

A portable shrine was carried along the parade route. The belief is that a deity is inside. Do you see the white wads flying through the air towards the mikoshi (portable shrine)? The parade watchers were throwing tissues at the shrine?????????? I of course had to ask our guide when the parade was all over what was that about? Inside the tissue is money. She then told me that they wrap it in tissue to make it go farther - uhmmm. A little faulty I would think. I know I can throw coins farther than a tissue. If it was paper money wow the smallest bill is equivalent to our $10. Still wouldn't it go farther without the tissue? I will leave it - I know I am a foreigner and don't understand

The little boys in khaki are the designated tissue picker-uppersThe main event the shogun - top Samurai of the time
So the parade was more of a procession. Giving us a glimpse into what travel was like for a shogun. Talk about baggage!:) I did find the costumes fascinating and enjoyed my cultural experience. Just sorry that my little man wasn't entertained but he made it through like mommy's little champ always does!

Back to the bus where Dylan walked up and down the aisles as we waited for everyone to return. He enjoyed placing his cups in everyones cup holders:) It is so amazing to see his mind working

Had to add a picture of my lunch. It was delicious even the strange pickled orange and black things. Sorry I can't use a more descriptive word than things but once again I have no idea what it was - pickles? ginger?

There is a part three coming when this mommy finds time:)

Part One Nikko Trip- Toshogu Shrine

On October 17th Dylan and I arose too early to even get the worm. Our bus took off at 4:00am for Nikko, Japan. Most everyone else was wise and went back to sleep. Oh how easy and splendid that would have been the lights were out in the bus and the sun was not yet up. But our sweet Dylan was up and didn't go back to sleep with the soothing vibrations of the bus.

There was a Samurai Costume Parade taking place at the Toshogu Shrine. The Toshogu Shrine is comprised of 42 structures many with portions overlaid in gold. As always the shrine and surrounding buildings were covered in intricate embellishments and carvings.

These two pictures show you the Goju-no-To which is the shrine's 5 story pagoda that stands near the entrance to the grounds
As you can imagine with this area being comprised of 42 two structures I could have gone picture crazy. After awhile though you can get way too many neat shots of the architecture. I have included only a few highlights of our time here.
Below you can barely see Dylan and I under the Torii gate. The main attraction is the gate directly behind us up the steps. This is considered an architectural wonder of the world and is a Japanese national treasure. The two-story Yomeimon Gate was dedicated to the first Shogun of the Tokugawa regime. A shogun is the most power Samurai of the time.

Here is a closer picture of the Yomeimon Gate which only the highest ranking Samurai could pass into the inner sanctum of the shrine and then only after laying aside their swords.

This masterpiece is technically a 12 column, two story structure with hip-gable ends on right and left and with cusped gables on four sides. Nearly every surface of the gate is ornamented with carvings of every kind - children at play, clouds, trees, birds, Chinese lions, symbols of regal power - dragons and much more The picture below I thought was interesting - I wonder where the idea of the 3 monkeys came from. We have all seen or heard of the speak no evil, see no evil and hear no evil monkeys well here they are again. The horse stable was adorned with countless carvings of monkeys. Monkeys were thought to protect the sacred horses.

A store house full of sake

Our guides loved Dylan and our sweet Dylan loved them.

He also loved the attention and the opportunity to "lead the group" with our Yokosuka flag

Do you see the symbol at the end of the posts? This is the symbol or crest of the Tokugawa Shogun. The emperor's crest and this crest are the only two in all of Japan that are not allowed to be used or incorporated into any other families crest.

There was another aspect to the grounds which gave you a wonderful view and nice cardio session. There were 218 steps leading up to the Shogun's tomb.

This area was sacred thus the shrine workers had to remove their shoes - I found it culturally fascinating seeing the slipper shoes all lined up


Here are the steps or part of them. Strangely enough my legs burn more climbing the 7 stories here at the tower when returning from taking out the trash than on this trip. Is this proof of mind over matter? I was focused on my beautiful green surroundings and didn't feel the muscle fatigue?


How about this guy - he is getting a good workout with boxes on his back. I wonder if he has to do this daily to keep something in the top shrine filled?

There were many fascinating aspects to this shrine area. One such area was the weeping dragon. You were not allowed to take pictures because once again this was a sacred area but I did "experience" the weeping dragon -(naku-ryu). I can see where if you are a nature worshiper you could think it was real or hope so though it is the acoustics in the building. Ok on the ceiling of the of the structures is a large painted dragon. If a "priest" stands in a certain spot and bangs two special pieces of wood together you can hear the dragon weeping. Originally when worshipers would stand underneath the dragon and clap their hands in prayer they could hear the dragon utter a long agonised groan. The significance of this was never recorded but is still considered special.

I do hope to take Rory back to Nikko because the surrounding area also has so much to offer including a Samurai/Ninja theme park - uhmm that could be interesting.

I will post about the Samurai Parade next so stay tuned:)