Kobe and Kyoto -

We came into the port of Kobe in the daytime, which was nice, as there was
a welcoming committee!  The reason was that we were docked 
beside a hotel, literally looking into the hotel, so they had a good look at us, 
and we 
 had a good look at them!

Also receiving us was a lovely school band.  Very up tempo,
 very un-Japanese
but it made the arrival all the more exciting!

This is the Kobe Merikan Oriental hotel which we docked beside.  You can see someone
holding the 
Japanese flag on the balcony, waving away to us!

The ship on the dock.  I am living (for the moment) on the second deck
down, just beside the little cabin protruding at the end of the ship. 
 That is 
the little bird's nest look- out which is part of the "bridge".

The view of Kobe from the apartment.  The wonderful "arty"
looking structure is the marine museum.

I couldn't help myself!  Took a picture of some people on the balcony of
 the hotel next door.
Nosy parker looking at nosy parkers!

The city of Kobe is squeezed into the land available between the mountains and 
the sea.
There are about 1.4 million people in the city,and there are two cities of size close by. 

Kyoto which is about 1 1/2 hours by bus, and Osaka which is about 20 minutes away. 
 Kobe is more modern, and was rebuilt after an earthquake.  
Kyoto is the more charming 
city, and famous for
the "geisha" district of Gion, where there are still ladies who entertain
 men
 ( though not in the way we tend to think).  They learn to sing and dance, 
and the area is full of little clubs for men to go and be entertained by the 
traditional geisha, which they now call "maiko" and "gaiko".

This is one of the "Geisha" places where men go to be entertained by women. 
 It is quite rare to see "geiko" as they hurrying along the narrow streets.
  The architecture is mainly traditional, and  the neighborhoods are dotted with
 teahouses and old townhouses which are well-preserved and very attractive. 
 The alleys are very narrow between the houses.

One of the old temples.  Quiet, well kept, and very zen like.

One of the traditional houses in the Gion district.

As I was walking behind Alison I saw two "maiko's" coming along.
I wanted to take their picture, so I just waited in the doorway until they
came along.

 It is a great treat to see a "geisha" ( maiko), and I did not want to be
rude and take a picture of this one, so just took it as she was hurrying away.

This was a young woman that we talked to in our stroll
around the city.  She is an art curator and going to Brisbane in Australia soon
to do some work there, so Alison taught her to say "G'day mate"!

I was lucky enough to get these two to stop while I took a picture. 
 The one on the left is in training as she has no make-up on,whilst the one on the right
 is a "maiko" who is still pure, as she only has the lipstick on the bottom lip.  
They were very obliging, and I felt very honoured to have them stop for a picture.

Kobe had a big festival, I think more of a competition, where dance 
groups from every region in Japan sent a group to do a dance in 
their traditional costume.  The dances went on all day, and 
were judged by a group of judges that seemed very severe.  Not 
sure who won, but they were all fabulous!

My beautiful "maiko's".  The one on the left has the more elaborate kimono,
 and the face
paint, so she is established.  The kimono and lack of face paint on the girl
on the right shows she is in training.

Lots of practice went into the performances.

Another of the many adorable little cuties!  I am sucker for "kid pics".

Oooops. Should have turned left.  Can't watch you if I'm turned around!

This little girl was so precious.  So was the whole group.  So feminine and pretty.

The costumes on this group were so colourful, and the women were very pretty with  
little patterns on their faces.  Loved it.

Another one of the group.  They were great dancers.

Another group,and they sang the whole time!

This group had three guys in wheelchairs that were moved in time with the music. Pretty touching.

Fierce and beautiful! 

My favorite group.

Too bad I couldn't vote.  They would have won hands down.

These girls asked me to take this "woman power" picture!

Butterfly hunter!

One of the shrines had this little place to take one of the pieces of paper
and then put your wish on it and hang it up.  The gods
are supposed to read and grant the wish.

The temple and shrine where you 
could leave your prayers and wishes.

One more
pic of my favorite costume!

A river runs through Kyoto, and along the river, there were little groups
of people fishing or just thinking.  I think this lady was either selling
goods, or contemplating life (or both!)

This was our last view of Kobe at night from the ship!

Ali and I took a little cable car up to the mountain top on the last
night to see the city at night.  Bye Bye Kobe
Next stop Takamatsu!