BEE Japan

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6 Islands, 5 Ice cream flavors: The Shimanami Kaido

Written by Salem on Sep 20th, 2009 and posted in On the Road

Today we rode from Shikoku to Hiroshima back on Japan’s main island, Honshu. We had parted ways back when we took the ferry from Wakayama to Tokushima, from where we rode lengthways across Shikoku. The Simanami Kaido is a series of 7 bridges that connect 6 islands between Shikoku and Honshu across the Seto Sea that stands between. The ride was absolutely gorgeous; the deep, clear blue skies and 25~27 degree temperature gave us the feeling that we were riding in the Mediterranean and I was expecting to find olive trees around every corner (actually, there is supposedly an island somewhere in the Seto Sea that grows olives–good thing I didn’t know which one because I would have probably swam off in pursuit!).

So not only was today’s ride full of magnificent ocean views, but it was a day for a new personal record on this trip: 5 flavors of ice cream in one day.
1) mikan (mandarin orange) & vanilla swirl on Oshima
2) salt flavor on Hakata
3) A double of Setoda lemon &
4) Onomichi peach sherbert
5) chocolate & vanilla swirl (my first chocolate on the trip

Throughout the ride I’ve been keeping a diary of all the interesting flavors of ice cream I’ve encountered, ranging from everything from green pepper to melon to green tea. But today was by far beyond sensible–my stomach is reminding me as I type. I hope I can still ride tomorrow…

2 Responses »

  1. emi and nicholas on September 21st, 2009 at 7:08 am:

    Hope you were able to soak in all the beautiful views from the bridges- it all goes by so quickly doesn’t it?! (Last year, we didn’t get started until after lunch because of tsunami like rains).
    We both miss Japan a lot, and it’s been great browsing through the website and reading your blog posts. Natsukashii!
    Sending lots of love and tailwinds from California,
    emi and nicholas

  2. Salem on September 23rd, 2009 at 12:58 am:

    Thanks for the support guys! Good luck with your Grab a Bike ride as well! I’ve been telling people about your trip recently!
    As for the ice cream, I almost outdid myself today–I followed up my 5 flavor day with 4 today–all at Miyajima: 1) momiji manjuu, 2) strawberry, 3) honey, 4) nama caramel
    Add 2 okomiyaki, onion rings, a veggie burger, a salad, and half a pot of coffee–feel surprisingly genki after all of it though!
    keep on truckin and good luck in California!
    Peace,
    Salem

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