Nara

The Deer

Nara is the place where the deer runs freely without fear of man. Yes, it is a free frolicking and and life is easy for it. You wonder at its easy going ways and wish you were like it; life without worries. All it wanted was to be fed.

...Home, home on the range,
Where the deer and the antelope play,
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word,
And the skies are not cloudy all day...

Presented with clear instructions of 'dos' and 'don'ts', visitors to this deer park have to adhere to them or they may be chased by the deer. It's the deer's world and we have to first respect it.

Hundreds of them move and play together. They seem to find companionship among mankind. On a sunny afternoon like this. we were even happy to be under the hot sun just to be with them. Many locals too visited the park.

It is no wonder that I was not afraid to go near them; harmless and docile. It was an experience of a lifetime for as far as my memory can stretch, the deer always run away from onlookers and seldom want to be near anyone. So, this Nara Deer Park was surely worth a visit. Little children will truly be thrilled to pieces. I can imagine my Emily here. She will be in tandem with them.

Behind us is a typical village hut with a thatched roof. They offered all kinds of sweets and of course the macha tea ice cream is the all time favourite among us.

Dad sometimes spoils fun by refusing to indulge in them. I looked with interest the green tea concoction of nuts, beans and milk but it was not easy to persuade him. I now confess my regret. I should not have given in to him. 

Next time, I will definitely insist and get it.

The deer congregated at the sound of a whistle for food and bawled with a loud 'baa'. They are so well trained towards the instruction of mankind and it is indeed a strange experience to see them respond in this way. Well, it is best not to be in their way where it is meal time. You may be trampled.

At Nara, we also had our first Japanese local treat. 

Rich rice with cold dishes to go with accompanied by the miso soup of course. 

First treat in Japan, the simple meal seemed good. 

Leaving the restaurant, we were introduced to a variety of local products ranging from art and craft to goodies both sweet and salty and finally of course souvenirs. The products are finely made and the prices are in sync with the standard. The Yen has gone up against the Ringgit and it was expensive when converted. When you travel, we must try to avoid conversion or we might land up with nothing to eat and buy. Agree? But my dear husband has only to look at me for me to comprehend his stand.

So immaculately sewn, the purses and wallets are an eye catcher. We asked the tour guide if it was wise to purchase it here or elsewhere and he intelligently replied that the products are indigenous to the place and we may not get them in another place. So, the decision was on us again. As Nara was our first stop, none of us thought it was wise to purchase anything here without giving a chance to other spots. So no business concluded.

After the bento lunch and the deer park walk, Clement, the Malaysian tourist guide who had his tertiary education in Tokyo before gathered us for a look at the cradle of one of the oldest civilization in Japan.
It was the Kasuga Temple of a thousand temples.

To the cradle of civilization.