Aki to Konan, 28 km
Another coastal day, but a step up in the quality of the pathway and the economic activity and prosperity adjoining the pathway. Sam and Max took the opportunity to utilize the public transit system as their battered feet might not get too much rest over the next few days. Today there was a “train” station about 400m from one end and about 2,000m at the other. Train is in inverted commas as it’s mostly a single carriage of the variety that is a glorified bus on tracks. You can also hear it changing gears! Ridership appears very low, so I’m not sure how they justified the cost of building a single track in the sky. My walking route was in parts the old ground level railway line, complete with tunnels and embankments. Maybe it’s all part if the tsunami preparations. They are also raising highway 55, so there’s no shortage of money for infrastructure projects. Talking of tsunami preparations….. I observed that the tsunami evacuation platforms are locked. Hopefully the key holder lives in an earthquake proof house and is a fast runner!
Lots of critter photos today. Some are a bit fuzzy, likely because there was sweat on the lens and my outfit was devoid of dry patches to wipe the phone!
Also some curious statues:
Along the coast there were a number of newly built houses, often of non-traditional Japanese design (if you wanted traditional, there’s no shortage of handyman specials along the coast). This waterfront home was particularly intriguing. I would love to know what the other/ocean front side looked like.
I took the scenic route up the steep hill and was rewarded with a great view over the flatlands of the greater Kochi area. Lots of economic activity here with rice paddies that looked lived, and greenhouses that weren’t derelict. I even saw a sign for Holstein cows, so there is a dairy industry here. The barns were quite small – almost a hobby farm in other countries. Perhaps it’s a cottage industry…. making cottage cheese no doubt.
I rendezvoused with the boys at Temple 28, Dainichi-Ji. A smaller temple complex, but very tranquil and a great place to relax and contemplate while waiting for them. After 28 km I was happy to ring the big bell to announce my arrival! The next couple of days could be very interesting. It’s a four day weekend and the city is booked out, so we’re staying beyond Kochi city and will have to master the transportation system to get there and back into the city on Sunday. Grom where we’re staying tonight to Tosa is about 57 km – a bit too far for one day!
2saunter 