Well, I can see what all the fuss is about!

After facing Tokyo peak hour traffic at 7am this morning, I got to the bus station and hoped on our 'luxury coach' that had less leg room than a darn plane. Our tour guide was nice, Michio, but kept talking away from the microphone. The drive out of Tokyo made me realise I had swapped tall trees for towering skyscrapers, everywhere. I miss the trees! Then suddendly, Mt Fuji showed up in the distance and I forgot about being city striken. We arrived at the Komagatake lake, which was a big lake surrounded by mountains before catching a stuffed cable car to the top of Komagatake Mountain where we could see panoramic views of the lake and then beautiful Fuji (see the picture), it's just a shame that cloud didn't move, but it didn't take away any of the awe it left in its wake.

After we saw Fuji, we head down and split for lunch (I didn't select the lunch option so bought my own). After a month of Japanese food, I had bought some sushi and a sandwich for lunch, but somehow lost my sandwich. I was devastated, I still kind of am. Lucky the sushi was good. Anyway, I chose to sit in the sun om the furthest out part of the lake to eat and meditate for a while - it was very calming and warm. Walking the half hour to Tokyo station at 7am this morning had me sweating, I wasn't impressed but it was just the right temperature so high up. Then we got told we were going up to the 5th station on Fuji! That's more than halfway up. After a winding road to the station through forest with views here, there and everywhere we got out and could see a) the peak of Fuji just a few scores of metres up, and then down across the valley - we were literally above the clouds, it was the most amazing view! I also got a free good luck charm bell, might hold on to that, but after my trip - I don't need much more good luck, I'm already so blessed!

By this stage, I had met an Aussie girl and here mother from Brisbane - they reminded me a lot of travelling with Mum - bickering all the time, the girl getting embarrassed by her Mum, oh the memories! They were great to talk to, and good company. After a sad goodbye to Fuji as the clouds rolled over, you could feel the cooler temperature in the wind and see the clouds swirling - it was surreal! We went down to the nearby Hakone, my butt hurts from so much sitting down! We then got on a short cruise of Lake Ashi, a crater lake, which was lovely (mostly cause it was nice and cool!). Then we did a bit of shopping, I bought a peace pipe. Despite being written in english, it's made in Japan and makes the most beautiful sounds, I plan to learn some stuff on it! Maybe it was help me lead meditation when I get around to that.

Then we got on the bus, got to the station and rode the Shinkansen back to Tokyo where it was much cooler and sunset was looming. It was a lovely walk home. I bought some weird food to bring back as presents for people to try: green tea Kit Kats, "soft" oreos, blueberry oreos and of course, Pokkie!

It's hard to believe tomorrow is my last day - where has the time gone? I'm glad I get to see Nikko tomorrow. While I like being on a tour, having everything planned and someone else organising - I definitely prefer the touch and go plans I've been following since I got here. There were a lot of places I wanted to stop and visit that looked like my kind of place, but we just drove past. I guess this is the cheapest way to see Fuji and Nikko though. Oh well, I've done a lot of sightseeings by myself! I'll do a full rundown of my feelings and summary of my trip and what I've learnt tomorrow night or at Singapore when I arrive. Tonight is more sleep as I'm up at 6.30am again!

Until tomorrow

xo Rach