Day10 Fri 22/6 - Beautiful Sunny Ride and A Lovely Campsite in Shiraino Taki ,Toon

Today Distance :67.9km    Total: 433.3km
Today weather : 25 - 34c   Sunny blue sky
Time on Bike : 5 hr 27min
Ave speed : 12.4kmh       Max : 54.5
Ave Climb : 3%                Max :16%
Trip Altitude : 817m            Max :448m
Today spend : 1221 yen     Total :25059 yen


Lovely weather as we woke up as early as 5 am and after a quick breakfast,we are on our way by 6.30am but we wasted nearly one hour as i took the wrong turn into the expressway and some hills that lead to no way.So frustrated and we almost wanted to gate crash the toll,luckily we didn't as one of the toll woman told us in japanese,we managed to get the message,that bicycle not allow on the toll and you had to go back ,the entrance for bike is down there. So we went back to where we started,and began to realize that the bike entrance is about 200m before our camp last night. There is a beautiful circular bike lane leading to cross the 1st Kurashimakaikyo Bridge with 963m long,follow by the 2nd with even longer at 1515m.We stop a few times to take pictures of the sea and numerous islands,then came the toll gate,this time no more honesty as there is a man manning the gate which cost us 200 yen each.Now we entered the mainland in Shikoku of Ehime Prefecture.Imabari is the next big town as we follow Route 317.Sherco bought a new free standing double layer dome tent at the Home Center store for a very cheap price of only 3980 yen equivalent to Rm160.Sherco's Seahawk A tent couldn't setup on the cement floor and took long time to pitch.He was frustrated each time he saw me pitched my MSR tent and last night he had to sleep in my tent.He was a happy man now.After lunch in Toyo,we searched on Google map and decided to take the prefecture route 48 rather than the national route of 317 but there are some climbs to tackle,I am not so worried as Sherco is a strong climber even with 2 tents now.The climb wasn't too steep,but too many trucks are pilling this road to Matsuyama.We turn into an even smaller route 494 which we passed many farmers villages,and lots of paddies fields,real countryside and we LOVE it !!!!.By 5pm, just the right time we came to this wonderful Shiraino Taki Park which has a 5m tall waterfall and all the facilities for camping.Sherco was extremely delighted and started yelling"I Love Japan Already"

Going up here is all went wrong

Noticed the blue line is missing

Thanks to the toll woman,we found the bike lane to cross the bridge

Kurashima Kaikyo Bridge

Circular bike lane leading to the Bridge

The broad smile say it all

Sure we will not do it

Scenic view from the bridge

Happy to pay the toll for 200 yen

The toll man make sure you pay before passing

Sherco couldn't find a present for his grandson

One of the Onsen at the rest station

Make your selection n finger point it to the waitress 

Name of the restaurant

Scene inside the restaurant

This is what i ordered for 630 yen

Going into the mountains on route 48, too many trucks for comfort

A better route 494,more countryside

Paddies fields and the farmers village

Our expression on finding a good campsite

This place is called Shiraino Taki

With full facilities of power point,lighting,toilet,wash basin,water taps,hut with table

And a marked camping spot for free

Staircase down to the waterfall where we bathed

Detail map of the park

These hills are for tomorrow

The mandarin say white boar,hope they don't attack us tonight