Steps: 37.228 (32,4km)
Temples: 65
With a little help from google-sensei we found our way across (or more accurately below) the interstate this morning and back to the trail. First part of the day was a climb to temple 65, which lies roughly 300 meters above sea level.
On the way back down the mountain we met Koichi-san, who told us he was 80 years old and walking the pilgrimage for the 13th time!
What an absolute badass! Now I know what I want to be when I’m 80!
The rest of the day was spent walking (surprise!) and listening to audiobooks – the soles of our feet are aching but we are still in good spirits and grateful for the weather which was neither too cold nor too warm.
By 4pm we arrived at guesthouse Tabibitoyado, which actually lies in Tokushima Prefecture (the one we started out in). It is from here that we cross the border into Kagawa prefecture tomorrow, officially entering the last stage of the pilgrimage.
We are the only guests here tonight but that didn’t stop our host from lighting up the table grill and cooking us a delicious dinner of freash meats and vegetables.
When we excused our quietness and told him we were just tired from walking, he even offered to drive us the 7km back to the trailhead tomorrow morning, which we very happily accepted.
