Another Day in Kamakura

On their first weekend in Japan we decided to take our alien visitors to Kamakura. Kamakura was one of the first places we visited when we arrived and is the location of the Great Buddha. On this occasion we did not get around to seeing any temples or shrines, instead it was a day spent roaming along the beach observing the preparations being made for the opening of the Summer season and having a swim. We then continued along past the main beach and came across another little bay with a very large high rise tourist resort close by. We had lunch in this area which, even though it was raining at this stage, had a bit of a Florida feel about it.

Further on around the bay we found a little beachside area which, in a Japanese way, had a bit of a Greek Isles feel to it. The pebbly little beach was crowded with fishing boats.


We continued to meander around the back streets and enjoy the different sights which this area offered. Like many places in Japan, depending on which gate you exit the station from, you see quite different things. This trip back to Kamakura gave us quite a different perspective. The addition of a few rain showers also altered the visual impact. One thing that continues to intrigue us is the simplicity of the housing and the quite inferior materials which are used. Housing and living conditions are still very 'Asian' for want of a better word with minimal exterior sophistication.
Without a doubt, a highlight of the visit was a swim in the sea, finally!! Sophie loved splashing in the waves and joined Steve for a nice swim.

Each Summer season is heralded by the sudden construction of masses of temporary eating places along the entire length of every swimming beach. A beach is suddenly transformed into a place teeming with human traffic. It's quite an amazing transformation. At the end of the season every building is once again removed.

Power poles such as this one provide an interesting insight into the electrical standards....very similar to our insights into Balinese electrical standards...what standards???

I'd like to see this happen on an Australian beach. Smoking booths are placed at regular intervals along the beaches. Smoking is restricted to these booths...a rule which appears to be adhered to by all!!

Our day was finished off with a walk through the streets near the station, a different set of streets to those we walked along on our first visit. It was very busy and the boys were not interested in window shopping...so what's new? They found a different variety of beer to sample...obviously Bek and I weren't thirsty because we didn't get a drink...then we headed off home.

This posting is out of order but is one I started a while back and failed to complete. Life in the household is not quite as orderly since the arrival of the aliens. Other postings may also be out of order but I like to have a diary for my records.