Kyoto - Geisha land!!!

After a sad goodbye to Tom (who is now somewhere in Russia having also taken the amazing Fushiki ferry and Trans-Siberian back). We caught the train to Kyoto. Again we seemed to land another wicked cheap hotel (who needs hostels?) near the impressive Nijo castle.
Kyoto was fantastic! I know I have already been quite excitedly raving about Japan, but Kyoto really was cool.
We got bikes free from our hotel and cycled round to the castle and to Kinkakuji (The famous Golden Pavillion) and Rioanji (The most famous rock garden in the world apparently). My personal best part (Hannah - and I wrote the last two posts as well) has to have been going to the Gion distric of Kyoto where we went Geisha (or rather Maiko) spotting along Hanamachi-Dori (not sure if thats the right spelling)!!
It was amazing, the streets are really old-style and feel like a film set even more than Matsumoto, they are dimly lit and full of screen doors. Round each corner will be a couple of tourists with cameras at the ready and when you hear a door slide, or some wooden shoes clopping then you quickly head there to take a picture. Its a bit strange really, and I felt so bad for the Geishas, especially as the first Maiko we saw looked so tranquil and lovely, and me and Liam just stood there in wonderment as she walked past us , and then two american girls spotted her and pounced and ran after har flashing her with their cameras and shouting at her. I couldnt help taking a few pictures too though after I got over the shock and I think they`re used to is anyway, they probably like it, they cant really dress that way and not expect attention! Anyway, it was magical!
Later on we wandered down an alley that turned out to house a `love hotel`, look it up! It was really seedy and we saw loads of couples coming out and going in, and they say they`re supposed to be for married couples, but they are certainly not! It was very bizarre as so far we had only seen the happy, smiley sweet saide of Japan!

Anyway, Kyoto was amazing, it was just the right mix of new and trendy and old and traditonal. I`m sure I`ve missed so much out, but those we`re the memorable parts!
We`ve also been to Osaka and Himeji and are now in Nagasaki, but we must eat now!
xxx