Dad and I got up early on Friday and packed up our luggage, preparing to check out of the ryokan early. We left our bags at the lobby, cracked into the box of bite-sized chocolate-covered ice-cream balls we'd bought the night before and by 9am we were on a train to Nara (about 30 minutes from Kyoto).
When we arrived in Nara we made our way to the information desk to grab a map of the local area, and have a short chinwag with the rather enthusiastic old guys behind the counter, and then we set off for Nara Park in search of these famous deer. It didn't take long to find (out of the station and just keep walking) and pretty soon we were cracking Bambi jokes and stopping to take pictures. Some of the deer were very small and very cute, while others brandished huge sets of antlers and were altogether scary!
The cute Nara deer!
The scary Nara deer!
Our first real encounter was with one cheeky deer who snatched the map from Dad's pocket and promptly started trying to eat it. We played tug of war with him for a bit but it was a losing battle and in the end we had to go mapless. After this we really should've known better, but we bought a couple of packets of wafer biscuits (meant only for the deer) from a street-side vendor anyway and were suddenly descended upon by hordes of the hungry bullies. I had deer biting my waist and tearing at my skirt, nudging me with their antlers and stomping their hoofs, all trying to get one of the biscuits I was wielding. And here I had thought that they would be friendly and kind! I can't remember who told me the story about the Nara deer bowing to you before you feed them, but I can say from experience now that such stories are complete poppycock! Giving up on a friendly encounter with the deer we settled for watching other tourists make the same mistake, giggling quietly to ourselves over a coffee.
Bullying a tourist into giving up the biscuits!
With time against us (due to an unmissable flight to Tokyo at 4.30pm) we decided to forgo the entire Nara Park walk and just head straight to Todai-ji (Eastern Temple Complex) to see the Daibutsu-den (Great Buddha Hall). One of the largest wooden structures in the world, Daibutsu-den is also home to a 420-tonne bronze and gold Buddha. It was an amazing sight to behold. Dad and I were mesmerised by the sheer size of the building and the statue ensconced within.
Daibutsu-den
The Giant Buddha
The experience got even better on the way out though as we were afforded the opportunity to donate a roof tile to the Todai-ji Restoration Project. For a mere 1000yen (approx 12AUD) we bought a roof tile and was able to write our names, address and a wish or message on the underside. Dad wished for the health and well-being of the family, while I asked for peace. It was the perfect end to a whirlwind Nara trip.
Our donated roof tile.
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