Kamakura, Japan

July 16, 2015 -- Yokohama to Kamakura

I thought I had slept for a long time and was surprised to find out that it was actually 3:00AM when I woke up. Couldn't go back to sleep, just listening to the heavy rain outside. When I finally got up at 5, I looked out the window and saw that it was very cloudy and rainy. I suppose we will have to cancel our trip to Kamakura today.

We had an early breakfast down on the second floor lounge/breakfast room, because we all woke up before 4. Breakfast was fine, no Japanese menu, to my surprise, but everything was fresh and healthy. Bread that was warm and soft, hot soup, colorful salad, creamy scrambled eggs, all very fresh for a good start of a day. A coffee maker that serves fresh ground coffee one cup at a time, nice!

healthy salad

yogurt with peaches

After breakfast, the rain stopped. We decided that we should just try our luck and go ahead with our original plan which was to go to Kamakura to see the great buddha. We had to take the metro (Minato Mirai Line) to Yokohama Station, then take the JR train (Yokosuka Line) to Kamakura, then take the local Enoden Line from Kamakura Station to Hase, where the Great Buddha is. Since we will be using public transportation quite a lot on this trip we planned on getting the Suica card for everyone so we won't have to purchase tickets every time at each station. Suica is one of the pre-paid e-money cards for transportation and shopping in Japan. Works like the octopus or oyster card in London, much easier, less hassle and the card is valid for ten years if you don't want to turn it back in for the 500 yen deposit at the end of your trip. (Use up the balance before turning in the card for the 500 yen refund because there is a 220 yen handling fee taken from the remaining balance on your card. Buy snacks, drinks, etc. at the convenience store will work.)

The Bashamichi Station for Minato Mirai Metro Line is right beneath our hotel. They did not sell Suica card there so we had to buy tickets one at a time. With the help of a nice employee, we got it done even though it took us longer than it should.

The walls of the station was nicely decorated.

Minato Mirai trains.

Inside the train.

We got our Suica cards at the Yokohama station using the machines there. The card proved to be a convenient asset on this trip.

From Yokohama Station, we took the Yokosuka Line to Kamakura. We got on a train that stopped somewhere before Kamakura and we were told that we had to get off. The locals knew what they were doing but all the foreigners were looking at each others not understanding what was going on. Fortunately,we were able to catch the next train to Kamakura without any problem.

After getting off the JR train at Kamakura station, we took a little walk to the connected Enoden Line station for a short ride to Hase.

So cute!

Arrived at the Enoden Line Hase Station.

As we walked out of the Hase station, it started to rain again but there's no return now. 

Fortunately, the walk to the Great Buddha was not that far.

By the time we reached the temple, the rain stopped.

I have heard that there's a hike up to the Great Buddha, but I did not find the 'hike'. It was just an easy, flat walk. Unless we have used a different entrance or route, which did not seem likely.

Map of the temple (Kotokuin Temple), better known as Kamakura Daibutsu, belongs to the Jodo Buddhist sect.

The Great Buddha was not as big as I thought. 

This 11,31 meter tall, gilt bronze seated statue was commenced in 1252, originally covered with gold leaf. The building that used to house this statue was destroyed by repeated disasters. Now it's sitting outdoors.

The pine tree that was planted by a prince from Siam.

The temple in the back.

Entrance fees and opening hours posted.

We figured that we were there already we might as well walk to the Hasedera Temple (Great Kannon) on our way back to the train station. This is where we turned on the main street.

This clock was right by the street.

A building on the right side of the temple.

It looked like there's a climb up and we all decided not to take the challenge. 

Hasedera Temple is famous for its statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, the statue of Kannon with eleven heads.

We just sat there for a while admiring the buildings and used the clean, public restrooms outside before heading back to the Hase station.

We could have spent more time in the city of Kamakura itself, but I thought it might be too much for our elderly members. There seems to be so much to see in Kamakura which I would love to explore more of. But, we have other plans for the afternoon still, so we went back to the Hase station and took the Enoden Line and JR back to Yokohama. Then from Yokohama we took another train to Shin Yokohama station. Next adventure--Ramen Museum in Shin Yokohama.

Amtrak Coast Starlight - Seattle to Los Angeles

Amtrak Coast Starlight 36-Hour Train Ride in Coach from Seattle to Los Angeles, May 8 & 9, 2015

After staying with family in Seattle for a week, it was time to go home. I thought it would be nice to take another train ride home. Our last train trip was 15 years ago and we had a private roommette that included all the meals in the dining car. It was certainly an enjoyable ride! This time we booked coach seats for the long ride home. We had spent enough money on this trip already, got to watch our budget. This train ride cost us about the same as plane tickets, $200 for both of us. If we book a roommette it will cost us $700. I think with the Amtrak tickets, the earlier you book the cheaper they are. So booking early is the way to go.

We planned on taking the commuter train from Everett to Seattle King Street Station but Jonny got up early and drove us there instead. This poor new dad didn't even have enough sleep himself but still graciously took care of us. Thanks, Jonny, for making our lives much easier!

Beautiful King Street Station in Seattle

                           

                           

We were a bit early and the train station was quite empty at that hour.

I had time to go around and admire this gorgeous station.

There was no signs or anything to tell people what to do. I found out that we need to check our bags inside the ticket office when I was walking around the station. I even talked to that same person earlier and he did not mention about the baggage check. Maybe I scared him when I walked in the first time while he was concentrating on his computer. He did not show any courtesy at all. Somehow, this was what my impression of most of the Amtrak staff. Cold, care less, and sometimes rude. I wonder why? We are the paying customers, it's not a free ride!

Even though we were first in line, when they started checking in, people just cut in shamelessly. Maybe because there's a big gap between the start of the line and the check-in counter. People just rushed toward the counter ignoring that big old line that was already formed. And the staff, of course, they couldn't care less. Oh well, I guess there's always some DYKWIA (Do you know who I am?) kind of people!

We found our seats in the last car. Spacious seats for the next 36 hours and off we went!

Lakeland, where we spent a few nights earlier at ET/AT's house.

One of the reasons that I wanted a train ride was to 'see things' along the route. It's much more interesting than flying on a plane. 

There must be some history behind this one.

And the scenery...

just gorgeous!

Small cabin on the lower deck, mainly for disabled and families with small children.

Restrooms are all located on the lower deck, right outside of the small cabin.

A small station along the way.

First stop where we were able to get off for a stretch--Portland Union Station.

Most people were off the train either to get food, smoke, or just walk around a little. 

Later on that evening, we were way up on the mountain tops in southern Oregon, and I must say that it was just gorgeous! 

We brought food with us this time since we were not planning to eat in the dining car. After a simple dinner of PB sandwiches we were ready for bed. I thought it would be OK sleeping in those seats, but it turned out that it was a painful night. Several times I woke up with either neck or back pain, very uncomfortable! I promised myself that I will never take another overnight train ride again unless I can have a bed.

By early morning we arrived Sacramento, California.

I remember that building.

After our simple breakfast, we figured that it was time for us to try out the lounge car which was 3 cars up front. We had stayed in our seats the whole first day and the lounge car was so much better in sight seeing. The views were incredible and most of the time not crowded. We practically stayed here the whole second day until after Simi Valley, when they had to close that part of the train.

I believe this was Oakland Station.

Prison

Arrived at San Luis Obispo Station

After the stop at San Luis Obispo, the train route went along the California coastal region. Here is the sand dunes area near Oceano. We camped here in our RV a few years back and had a great time.

We did not see any whales on our week-long cruise, but on this day we had a few whale sightings near the coast. Just incredible!

Being in the lounge car really made this ride along the coast amazing.

Near Santa Barbara

After leaving Simi Valley station, we were told that we had to go back to our seats because they were closing down the lounge car. By then it was dark anyway and it was about time to get ready to leave the train. After confirming that no one will be getting off at the Burbank station, the train went straight to Union Station and we arrived before the schedule time of 9:00PM.

Taking the long walk through the 'tunnel'. They also had some golf carts transporting passengers from the train to the station.

Baggage Claim is to the right of this area.

After getting our bags, which they checked the claim tickets carefully, we walked through the waiting hall to the front of the station. We were in a hurry to meet MOR who was already waiting outside, barely had time to just snapped a few quick pictures.

The end of our two-week vacation!