Frank and Robyn Visit Japan in 2014: Terror and awe

Early start with substantial breakfast and then it is time for the ridge walk. There are aspects of this trip that Ben has been hiding from us: climbing up steep cliff faces and narrow rough tracks with precipitous drops on either side-we are reassured by Ben who tells us a fall would not mean instant death but death after 3 or 4 seconds. Most members of the group take all this in their stride however this is not a section for those with acrophobia( your blogger included with these) Anyway, somehow we make it down with the assistance of backup guide Shin who traipses on vertiginous precipices in slippers. Incidentally, every 8 years a group of about 40 elderly Buddhist monks run this route as part of a pilgrimage-they do not use the chains and wear wooden sandals.

We have elaborate Bento box lunch and then by bus to ferry to the island of Himeshima. Despite the offer of Ben to take us up the local mountain top we decide to go the local bar for hot sake.

Solitary Japanese bath is followed by another humungous dinner on the tatami mat. The hostess here tells everybody that I look like Sean Connery-how observant of her!