福島ー五色沼 (Fukushima - Goshikinuma)

Although plans for a sat trekking trip had to be canceled due to horrible weather (windy, cold, raining all day!!!) it was a lovely day on sunday and i had the privilege to travel with Hiromi and her husband Toku-san, as well as Kouta-kun (her 5yr old) to Fukushima to see the KOUYOU 紅葉 = which literally means 'red leaves'. this spectacular change in colours only occurs in a window period of 2 weeks, once a year. so it was really lovely that i got to go to fukushima's goshikinuma!

Family photo of Hiromi, Toku-san, and Kouta! :)


Hiromi and Kouta riding a red 'dinosaur' into the depths of a secret lake.....


don't think just becuase kouta is small he cannot make it ok. this little tyke has probably climbed more mountains than i have ok. these are only some of the badges on his cap.... u only get to buy the badges at shops on the summit of the mountain. Kouta has summited numerous mountains (incl some 3000 over metre ones!) which is more than what we can say for kiddies in flatland singapore.




Well basically 五色沼 refers to a series of lakes that each have different colours, explaining the literal translation of the 'five coloured lakes'.

this is the map of the route we took. all in all, it took us about 1.5hrs from one end to the other... a nice slow calm walk... no sweat man!!! there were a number of jap gals in kitten heels doing the walk as well, though i'm sure they gave up 1/2 way la. the ground was a little muddy in places because of the sheer amount of rain that fell the day before...


this is the 1st of the 5 lakes....

its the biggest one, and they offered boat rides around the lake, which Kouta really wanted to go on.. well in the end, he had to settle for a red dinosaur adventure in the different lake, with 2 unfit women peddling!

this is the 2nd lake we saw - and its name is actually 'red lake' but hiromi and i can't figure otu why on earth it looks so green?!! in the end, we decided to blame it on the bad weather the day before. ho ho.


some of the other lakes we passed...



Ok. some people pictures.... a friend of mine mentioned that this photo looks photoshopped.... for the record: its NOT. if its good its because i'm good. if u dont' like it, there's something wrong with u... look again!



these are photos of some of my favourite places on the walk.... :)

the most honest way to describe this is really that it is a nice coloured swamp. but i love it.


loved the randomness and mix of greens yellows blues and reds here!


the tranquility of the lake (but who knows wat secrets it holds?)


since its really autumn here, i have got to insert some yellow pics right :)


people pics!! the same people all over and over again!! yippeee!




well this was the end of the short walk along Goshikinuma! :) loved it!!! Thanks Hiromi for inviting me!