Kyoto [Part II - Kiyomizudera 清水寺]

Just a few photos of Kiyomizudera on the 5th April. There was a definite one way flow of people entering the temple from one side and leaving from the other (after doing the tour of the temple)

After a few minutes of trying to go against to flow, we gave up and followed everyone else. The good weather and full bloom of the sakura had brought people out in force.

　　

The pagoda, engulfed in sakura...

Typical of the Japanese lady, fashion over function, dictated that the best footwear for walking around a temple on a saturday afternoon was to have a slender heel of at least 3 inches... presumably to help them view the sights from a slightly less disadvantaged height.

Always wear sensible foot wear when visiting temples...

We very quickly got to the viewing platform, which was already packed with all the other tourists. The sheer volume of people did detract from the beauty of the temple somewhat...which was a little sad, but it was still an impressive structure none the less. It was a long way down to the ground when you stood on the platform. On the second platform, there was a definite slant of the floor towards the ground which wasn't very encouraging...

　　　
The wooden stilts of the temple...& the MASS of people it supported.

Temple of Luuuuurve...and relationships...
(Greg has a supreme photo from here...will try and steal it from him :D)

more later.... maybe, maybe not...