Owlicious: 2017 - 18 days Japan - day 8 Juniko- Aoike pond

11/10/2017, Wednesday

Juniko - Aoike Pond

This is another top in my bucket ! I don't drive, planning train schedule is very crucial here.

why?

I always use HyperDia.com . For this case, it was a little bit tricky. It just doesn't show a good timing leaving from Hon-Hachinohe , but with Trip Advisor's advice I understand there is this Resort Shirakami 2 that goes to Juniko twice a day. Yet, when I tried departing from Shin-Aomori, it clearly stated the 0816 schedule. After a few tries, I did a reverse calculation to arrive Shin-Aomori before 0816.

(While I was typing this, I tried the same schedule again, it works! it show the schedule from Hon-Hachinohe to Juniko. )wonder what went wrong the last time???)

This is a wonderful apps to help planning. I could choose the shortest or the my preferred route. With my Japan Rail Pass, I could book ahead to ensure a seat. It's so easy.

train is coming.

There was a performance on board the train too. very romatic

Our train stopped at Senjojiki station for abour 10 or 15 mins. The announcement was made in Japanese only, I think. I don't remember an English version or may be I was too excited. I noticed a Japanese preparing his camera earlier but was wondering why. He alighted first, many followed. Someone told me the train will stopped for a while, be back quick. I doubled check the timing at the station.

The view is beautiful but too many people to take a photo with scenery only.

Here, I met 3 new friends and we spent an exciting day together at Juniko.

We had quite a bit of adventure in our first expediture together! Wuulala . . !

The bus stop is just opposite the station. (bus to Aoike pond starting point)

We started well . . .

chatting happily and enjoying our photography.

Lovely Cyan Aoike pond.

The route is quite direct and easy . . .

Then . . . at some point, we all agreed to do a different route from the crowd. Our new adventure started here. As we walked deeper, the air seem more crisp and fresher. The route seem to become narrower and grass beside were much taller. Yicirene was very observant . "something seem not right, do u notice the route vanishing.? In a popular place like this, this route seem too small, isn't it?" She was right, we seem very far away from the crowd, and may be from the right route too. Nobody's wifi seem to work well. Mine was weak too. We had so many spilt route to choose, Each time, we stopped, map.. wifi... to decide which path to take. many times it was pure guessing. We walked to the base of the a antenna tower........ I was heading at this moment. When I stand on top and shouted back "no route here!!! need to turn back!!" "unless we want to climb up the there ...."

I turned only to realised we hike so high up. The walking down was more difficult as the ground was wet and slippery at some point. Yicirene was very king to hold me. Thank you, Yicirene.

Anyhow, many wrongs did made a right route for us. We were so happy when we heard some talking and know we are safe!!! He was loud but we love it. (hee...)

I turned to Yicirene " Aiya, I thought we were going to spent the night here so I could meet the beast and kiss him to become a my prince" " hahaha"

We were indeed relieved,

Seriously, in a difficult situation like this, a new place, wet (raining) , cold, poor wifi and limited bus, we got pretty nervous at a certain point. It's here we could read our inner character. One friend was nagging all the way, the other stay too quiet. Well, they balanced up. hahaha!!! Luckily the other 2 stay positive and cool. I "kissed" with the ground twice but was alright. Still holding my camera tight and close to me