28/04/07

MOUNT TAKOA

The big expedition. we planned, dont know why;to climb this big fuckoff mountain. halfway up it didnt seem like such a good idea, it was sweltering hot. Just as well we chose the difficult route up from the 5. Mmm. after an hour or so, might of been hallucinating or maybe it was the mountain airup; we reached a monkey park, strange but very true. There were a few japanese tourists there. very scabby looking things the monkeys too.

2 hours later the top after a couple of plasticy shrines and temples and statues and gift shops. we were at the top. And the worst possible thing happened, no marie didnt throw herself of the top. The heavens opened, lightning storm. it was raining so hard, it looked like the rain was coming up from the ground.

So after a 2 hour trek, to see the view, we could see nothing for the mist. we being sensible as ever, had climed the mountain in normal clothes: I had my plimsoles on and a 120 quid pair of jeans. my feet were soaked through. Every japanese person over 40 was prepared for Armageddon, they had equipment for every eventulality in their bags. Us and a handful of younger japanese hid under a temple thing, till it stopped. What a great idea that was.