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Well we've had a busy few days in Hakone so far. We're staying at the Hakone hotel which is in a great location right on the edge of lake Ashi looking out towards the mountains. On a clear day the hotel has a prime view of Mt Fuji but so far it's been too cloudy. The tops of the mountains have been covered in fog meaning no Fuji, nevertheless there's been plenty to do and we've been having a great time. We bought the Hakone free pass whilst in Tokyo which gives is unlimited free use of boats busses and cable cars in addition to free entry to a number of museums and gardens. Because we're on the edge of the lake, we're only a very short walk from where you can catch the sightseeing ships which take you across the lake to Togendai port. The ships that you catch are modelled on famous 16th century ships like HMS Victory and the Vasa and you're treated to fantastic views of the surrounding mountains on your journey across. 

Whilst here we've completed a loop starting from the hotel in Hakone Machi travelling across the lake by ship and up into the mountains by cable car. Up in the mountains was particularly cloudy on the first day with the cable cars seeming to disappear into the clouds. At the top of the mountain in Ōwakudani visibility was quite poor. The area is an active volcanic valley with sulphur vents and is well known for its black eggs which apparently add 7 years to your life so of course we bought 5 (followed by another 5 the next day).

We bought a few souvenirs before continuing the loop back down the mountain by funicular railway stopping at a at Goes Gyoen (garden) which was fantastic. We particularly enjoyed the glass craft shop and workshop which was giving demonstrations and appears to run classes. The loop finishes with a bus ride back to the hotel, though we stopped at Moto Hakone which is a port around the bay from the hotel for a few supplies from the seven eleven shop. We walked back on the first day discovering a park which lies between our hotel in Hakone Machi and Moto Hakone. Seemed worth a visit so we went back there today.

The park we had discovered and visited today Onshi Hakone park was fantastic. There were some great viewing points for looking at Mt Fuji which was sadly still missing in action (summer is the worst time to see Mt Fuji and statistically the most unlikely time to see it) There was also a range of topiary trees mossy pathways and huge stalks of Lillie's. To explore. The park was very quiet and seemed so etching of a hidden gem. We leave here for Kyoto tomorrow catching the bullet train from Odawara station it should only take about 2 hours and we can use our Japan Rail passes. Have a look at the photos, let us know what you think.

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UPDATE

On the day we were leaving we had the best table for breakfast overlooking the lake. Quite typically the weather was was looking much clearer and as we sat there eating breakfast, the clouds quite literally parted and there was Mt Fuji. Amazing, what a superb end to our time here!

We were up a bit later today, but had decided already to go to the botanical gardens. We went to Starbucks on route for some breakfast before getting the Metro across town - the gardens are quite a bit further away than we've been so too far to walk. The botanical gardens are the same stop as the olympic park on the metro so you walk past the stadium on the way in. The gardens as it turned out, are huge. We started off walking through the greenhouses which were much too warm and so we quickly raced through them back to the outside. The gardens are broken into lots of smaller gardens which we walked through intermittently sitting on benches in the shade. 

The gardens were really well organised but the highlight had to be the Japanese and Chinese gardens. On the walk around we did see a bit of wildlife including a chipmunk and a number of different types of birds. Whilst walking through the Japanese garden I saw a large bird of prey fly quite low overhead, and then as we walked between the Japanese and Chinese gardens we could hear the cry of a large bird. As we looked up through the trees we could see a pair of what we later found out to be juvenile Cooper's Hawks. We were able to get some good photos with the big lens on the camera! 

After stopping for a cold drink at the cafe, we a bit more of a walk in the Chinese garden. I think this is perhaps the most impressive of the gardens that we saw, with a number of Chinese style buildings, a small waterfall and lakes. After another long day, we headed back to the hotel for a break before getting some tea at another restaurant nearby. On our first day here we had heard fireworks and after a bit of a search online, Dani had found that it was linked to a fireworks competition with the next and final show on this evening, so at 10pm we headed up to the roof terrace to watch the fireworks, not a bad way to end our time here! Afterwards we packed up ready for the journey to Quebec City, our destination tomorrow!   

Got up a bit late, after our late-night pizza! I went down Starbucks to get tea and, despite having to relay my order several times to different people, managed to get two teas and chocolatines. They still seem incapable of leaving any room for milk, despite being asked!

Got all of our stuff packed up, and toddled down to check out. Had a two dollar bill for the local phone calls (the pizza) - last of the big spenders! Made our way down to the car park to retrieve the hire car - a fairly easy-going walk downhill from Van Ness Avenue to O’Farrell. A friendly parking attendant helped us out, with the pay machine and indicated where the lifts were, and we were away! As we drove out of San Francisco, we happened to pass the car rental offices and, low and behold - a massive queue. No surprise there really! Poor things.

Left San Francisco via the Bay Bridge, which has some intermittent views, but the walls were too high to see over most of the time. The route east was painless and we reached Berkeley easily. Used the SatNav to locate some parking, but found one on our own, just opposite the US Post Office. It was $2.50 for the first two hours, which seems reasonable. Interestingly, there was the ongoing protest outside the post office, to say no to the privatisation of the post office. Quite interesting, given the same question being raised back home. It turns out that the building is being sold, rather than the actual service, but people want to preserve the historic building.

We began to have a little wander, nipping into the post office to buy some stamps. We then found the high street, almost immediately stopping to buy an ice cream from Papa John’s Ice-Creams - we thought we’d start lunch with dessert. Tempted by the promise of a scoop for a dollar, we both had one! Ben had choc’ chip and chocolate, in a chocolate-dipped waffle cone and I had avocado and ube (sweet potato and yam apparently) in a small cone - I’ll be honest; I picked mine for the colours! As the ice cream dripped down our hands, we pottered on. Went in a couple of bookshops, looking for an American Atlas and eventually happened upon a deli, where we bought some huge sandwiches - roast chicken and cheese, which we kept to eat a bit later.

Having returned to the car, we drove out of Berkeley, passing through the University. We were trying to find a renowned beauty spot called Grizzly Peak, but it turned out to be elusive. We drove around for at least an hour, suffering from the distinct lack of British brown signposts to send us in the right direction. Eventually, happened upon Lakeview car park. Sounded promising… But not a real view of the lake, more of a car park. Sat and ate our sandwiches in view of a very symmetrical portaloo! The sandwiches were very nice, however!

Drove on, seeing some spectacular scenery. Ironically, all the places you can stop along the way have views of nothing but trees, whereas you can only drive past the fantastic panoramas! They need a bit of National Trust input!

Travelled on towards Yosemite and our motel in Mariposa. As we went, we couldn’t help but stop along one of the straight, seemingly never-ending roads, with barely any cars. There was nothing to see for miles, apart from pistachio trees and wheat. Stood in the road for photos! The whole journey didn’t take as long as we might have expected and we arrived in Mariposa. Check-in was easy and we had ourselves a room with two queen beds - room for a party! Had a little sloth around and then headed to the Miner’s Inn restaurant. An hour later and we were stuffed. We shared potato skins as a starter, although there were four, which was quite vast, and then I had meatloaf and Ben had southern fried chicken. We were baffled as to why the main courses came with either soup or salad and opted for salad, as a lighter choice! Nevertheless, the portions were massive and we didn’t eat it all. Good value at $45, but huge! How do American people manage this?