Around the World II

Day 14 - Thr 15 Apr 2004

Kobe, Japan

Out of my hotel by 8am, and walked down to Phil's hotel, it took me about three quarters of an hour. His room is about twice the size of mine, but about twice the cost! It does have free Internet access. Got some breakfast from the local bakery. Found a Temple, had a look around, and then ate breakfast on the seat outside.

Cherry blossom in Kobe

Fought and won with the ticket machine and eventually got to Rokko station, and then caught the bus to the bottom of the cable car. Got some great views of Kobe from the top of the surrounding hills. Caught the bus over to the next hill, and took the ropeway down.

Back in Kobe, found a place to change a travellers cheque, and Phil sorted out his Japanese Rail Pass. Then wandered down to the port area of the city via City Hall (got to the 24th floor with a panoramic view of Kobe) weird to think that back in 1995 most of what I saw had been flattened by the Kobe earthquake.

Back at Phil's hotel I checked my e-mails, and found out:

a) Barry is going to Hawaii to have emergency surgery on his cracked skull, so Charlie is flying out with him - that means that I won't be able to meet up with them.

b) Emerald wants me to pop into the US office to give her some help/advice, so I might be staying longer in Washington after all! Now that would be cool.

Phil and I are off to Kyoto tomorrow, so he's meeting me at my hotel at 8:30. I'm going to plan want I want to see tomorrow. The sun was so bright today I managed to get a sunburnt nose! I've also got to work out what I'm going to do now that I'm not going to see Charlie.