A Day Trip To Mount Fuji

Arrgh.　I am absolutely bored at work. To think I bothered to come to work at all! Imagine everyone else is having fun somewhere out there. Haiz. Should have taken leave today, and gone on a trip again. =p

Just came back from a trip to Mt Fuji on Saturday by myself. It was pretty fun to travel without being told what to do, or people just fighting to guide. I was able to do a lot of stuff I wouldn’t have chance to do if I was in a group. For starters, I was able to write mails right in front of the majestic mountain. Of course, this blog wasn’t written there. Hee. I’m sorry, but by the time I got to writing my blog, I was already behind schedule. The bus services there end like 5.12pm. Anyway, I could also pop in and out of any restaurant I wanted to, with no budget concerns. (okay, there was, but its higher than normal. Hehe)

Actually, I didn’t want to go visit Mr Fuji. I did plan the night before, but after knowing I have a chance to meet people I dun want to see, and it’s a cloudy day, just not possible. When I woke up the next morning, I took a look at the webcam featuring Mr F, and it sort of confirmed the weather forecast by Mapion. It was dark and the sky was not blue. But, I was very tempted at the thought that it might just clear up for a little while during the day. After all, the sakuras are blooming over there. And I wanted some to go with my shots. Yes, I have been to Mt Fuji like 2 weeks before, with Calvin, Tshush and Mr cockanathan, Jeffrey. HEHEHE. The weather at that time was perfect. Rich blue skies, nice exposure, sun shining at the western side of Fuji, and COLD weather. Just no sakuras. Picture perfect minus one.

Then I thought to myself, this is the last chance to do what I always wanted to do. To travel alone. (Yar, I needed to get a haircut at BEES first. Hehe) I hardly got a picture with normal looking hair. In all the 1.5 years, I have been trying out new types of hairstyles, from Bruce Lee, to spunky to simply kinds. Finally settled on this current one. The final version. =p

Oops strayed from the topic. Ya. Decided to Just Do It. Since I don’t feel like cooping myself up in the dorm and I wanna enjoy the last of “3 degrees celcius” weather. (Jeffrey, u took my GAP jacket away at the wrong time. Never knew Fuji would be so cold that day! )

So I dragged myself out of bed again, put on my winter warfare fashion, put on Lucido’s (Its found in the girls section, but no one can tell.) Took my barang barang, and left the dorm. Traveled by train from Musashikosugi, and headed for Shinjuku transiting at Shibuya. It was a 1 1/2 hour journey including my slow walk to the station. After asking for some directions, I was up at the bus terminal. (When I was taking the train at Yamanote Line, the LCD display warned of an accident and construction work on the Chuo Line. The one I was supposed to take. Anyway, if I take bus it would be cheaper and I get my own seat.) So 1700 yen poorer, I was on the bus, to Kawaguchiko, the main lake next to Mt Fuji.

On the bus, which finally left at 12.40pm I think, I sat beside this lady. 30-ish and reading her book. Wanted to start a conversation with her, but I realized that I left my dictionary at home. Bummer. So I sat there, looking out the window, listening to my ipod, napping and writing emails to my friend. I wanted to do a pseudo real-time travelogue kinda stuff. Anyway, I have abt 2hrs to entertain myself. The scenery out of the bus was pathetic. I see walls, walls and more walls. Because of the noise barrier things. Until when I reached close to Fuji, then the walls are replaced by mountain views and some sakuras trees sprinkled here and there. There is this pipeline being camouflaged by sakura trees. Somehow it brought more attention to the pipes than intended I guess. As we neared, Mr F came into sight. I guess no matter how cloudy, I can’t disappear when I am so close. The bus stops at Fuji Q along the way. That’s where the most thrilling roller coaster rides in Japan can be found. Naturally, u won’t see me there. =p Finally, the announcement system called out “Kawaguchiko Eki degozaimasu”. Whee.

First thing was to check out the tourist information counter. Lots of information can be gathered there. Plus, there are the discount coupons we can use. Inquired about a thousand things later, I took a time check and decided there is time for lunch. I purposely chose the restaurant with a big glass window facing Fuji. He was pretty big and visible too. The sun was penetrating the cloud onto his surface. Nice, I thot. When I walked up the stairs to the restaurant, sat down next to the glass window, and looked out, my view of Fuji was blocked by cables. Dang. Wished they learn from SG and put cables BELOW the ground for goodness sake. There goes my photo opportunity. But I took one nevertheless. Lunch was cheap. 580 yen. For a bowl of Niku Soba. (Meat slices with soba). On a cold day like this, it tasted heavenly. While waiting for my food, I saw the Omikuji dispenser(Paper with good fortune, so-so fortune, bad fortune etc.) I paid 100yen for it. Twisted the top to correspond to my Horoscope, and pulled a lever. Out came a small ball. In there, curled up, was a piece of paper saying “Big Fortune“ (good fortune lah), along with detailed description from your health, to your love life. I guess it’s a standard message. Like “The person you are waiting for will come”, “The things you lost will be found”. Never read it as I needed to go plan my route.

Decided to go opposite the river, the same place I went the other time with Calvin they all. When the tour guide told me that it will take 2 hours to walk there, I decided to pay for the bus ride. 480yen gurai(around). It was a funny looking bus (Retro bus = retro-looking bus?) In there sat 2 European ladies. Their luggage blocked the aisle. Had to sit behind driver-san, who is so ever helpful. The ladies were speaking a little French(I think) and some English. Mixing languages here and there, so that I won’t understand them. Driver-san kept talking to them in English. Very friendly and responsible. He used his intercom with the command centre to get the answers. To which, I overheard saying “wakaranai”. Meaning. “I don’t know”. Haha. In the end, the ladies dug up a phone number, and driver-san went to call up the place. (They overshot the place anyway.) Why I didn’t help? Cuz when a Hong Kong family came up the bus, they had to clear the aisle. What did the 2 ladies do? Put the luggage on my chair next to me. Its okay. But they leaned it against me. What a bummer. It must have weighed 30kg. So all the way, I was stuck in my corner. When the bus is turning, I felt a push. Yes, she was afraid the luggage will drop. Oh well, at the same time, I was being entertained by the Cantonese speaking group behind. Only caught a little of what they said. I know nuts about my dialect, let alone Canto.

At the terminal stop, I got off. Glad I did. Cuz I found a monument of sorts stating Mt Fuji something something something. There was this mini-car gang posing their cars at the carpark with Fuji behind. They were taking pictures as though that whole place was booked by them. So I went to the shop next to it, and checked it out. There is a jam making session over there. Tempted, but time was not on my side. When I came out, they were still there. But I didn’t care. I just walked behind their cars, set up my tripod and took my own picture until its perfect. My back was probably in their picture anyway. Hehe. Finally Mt Fuji conquered. Again.

Along the way, I saw the spot which I went 2 weeks ago. Decided to go there again and take a bus back to the starting point. On the way, I saw sakura trees, and tried to take pictures, but the sky is really too cloudy. The photos did not turn out as nice as last time. Sigh. The walk back was freezing, but relaxing. My worries are miles away, my thoughts are clear, and it felt peaceful. Of course there is the occasional car passing by, else, it was nice. The lalang looking plants made it seem even more. When I reached the bus stop, I realized that I almost missed the last bus. (actually, I did intentionally take my time. I had the time table in my jacket, but it was so relaxing out there. Plus, I was contemplating a sun-rise photo the next morning. Hehe. Luckily, the weather was bad.) That would really basically mean I am stuck at Fuji till the next day. The Keio Highway Bus only operates until 8pm. And I am standing here at the north part of the lake at 5.10pm. (The last Retro bus comes at 5.12pm.Oops.) Whats more, I haven’t bought my tickets, as I wanted to be flexible. Bad mistake. Later on that.

I took the Retro bus back to somewhere closer, got off when I saw human activities. There were shops of Omiyage (souvenirs) and lots of cars. I went to this herb museum of sorts and ended buying a cute glass figurine (duh). There really isn’t much in there anyway. Then next to the herb museum, is a batting centre. Baseball. With Fuji on the left side of the court. I thought, what the heck. Maybe I will score a homerun into the volcano. 200yen later, I picked up the bat, and started batting. This was my second time anyway, so it shouldn’t be that hard, afterall, there were girls outside looking, usually I will be more alert. Haha. ZOOM! The first ball went past. ZOOM! The second. Etc. etc. I hit the 5th, 12th, and 15th ball perhaps. All just touched a little. No homerun. When I got out, I realized why. I was in the 105km/h cage. There was 70km/h to 110km/h if I remember correctly. Bummer. No wonder it was empty. Then I proceeded to walk towards a spot where I could see Mr F. I stood there, at what I thought was a carpark or empty land, looking at Fuji, and continued my travelogue for my friend. (Hey, if you are reading this, I better get my treats!). I thought about blogging too, but I think I needed time to walk back to the station. So I left instead. Hehe..sorry readers.

I overshot a junction when I was walking back. Good thing I went to ask around for directions. Because, when I got to the station, it was starting to get dark. At the ticketing counter, the lady asked if I wanted the next bus. (The second last one) I said I wanted the last bus. And she showed me the seating. FULL. Oh boy. Looks like I have to take the next one anyway. And guess what. It was the last ticket. I had to sit at the back of the bus, at the centre. Aiyoh. What if the bus e-brake?! Haha. Looks like no dinner for me, I have 30 min left, so I went to get some souvenirs back for my family and a keychain for myself. Its to keep track of where I have been to. That guy gave me a little discount when I bought like 45 bucks of stuff. Nice. (Probably marked up anyway. hehe)

Then came the most boring wait for the bus. It was cold, so I wasn’t venturing out there. Occasionally switching places from the tourist centre, to the train station, to the heated waiting area, to the outside, to the bus stop. It was just boring. Of course I could have taken out my PDA and type away, while Fuji disappears into the background, but it was cold. I was shivering. (Yar, my fashion jacket really just is a fashion jacket. The wools are useless.) Decided to wait in the tourism centre afterall. But they close at 7pm. Bus comes at 7.07pm. I sat at the newly built train station’s bench for 7 min in the cold, writing my email again, only to hear that my bus was late. I went to the heated waiting area again. This time, there were seats. The bus finally came at 7.24pm. So much for punctuality. Hehe.

Anyway, I am back on board the middle of the back seat. The guy next to me, who boarded at the same station, decided to put the handrest down between us. Scared of me? The next 2 hours in the bus, was dedicated to the travelogue and email. (I want Haagen Daaz please. =)).

By the time I reach Shinjuku, it was 9-ish pm, time for dinner. Hungry manz. I walked around and found a nice steak house. It’s a small shop. The narrow aisle made me stand up and down while people are getting out of the shop. The waiting area is also just outside the toilet. But the decors were authentic, European look. So it was okay. Anyway, sirloin at 1100yen is cheap bah? It comes with RICE. Japanese rice no less. Its funny, since I was only given a fork and a steak knife. No chopsticks, no spoon. Oh bother. When I saw the lady next to me eating from the knife, I thought, ah, heck the manners.
BTW, I ate from the fork, wouldn’t want an earthquake to give me a make over. Hee.

Ja. That was the end of the trip. Took the same trains back home. With my ipod screaming out “Sakura” by Kobukoro, and seeing some cute Japanese girls along the way, it was a perfect day. Felt so much better, about time to put Japan behind me. For good.