I went to take a bus from Kii-Tanabe station to Takijiri bus stop.

Buses run approximately once every hour so I had to wait a bit.

There are two companies which buses I could use. One is JR Bus and second Ryujin bus. I waited for JR bus.

It takes around 45 minutes to get to Takijiri, which is the gate to Kumano forest and Wakayama mountains.

My plan of the day was simple. I wanted to walk from Takijiri-oji to Chikatsuyu-oji and stay there overnight. Next day I shall continue my walk to Hongu.

These mountains are difficult to climb on. Even if there are steps which make climbing easier. My light luggage started to be heavier and heavier and I could hardly breathe. Day was very sunny and warm and I got sweaty soon.

But I kept moving up and I enjoyed this strange, old forest. It looks so different comparing to European one. Trees and aroma is different, new, unknown.

I have seen giant butterflies floating gracefully and so slowly.

Climbing up is hard work, going down is fun but I had to be careful, because of roots and stones. My physical condition was not so good and I felt a bit ashamed, s Japanese, even older people, were faster than me. At first, because in time it was easier to climb and also there was more parts which led by tops of mountains. Much easier and I could enjoy fantastic view.

Wakayama is really wild, in sense still looks like in old days, almost. I was there in 2003 so before it became World�s Heritage. I was the only European and Caucasian among Japanese. They looked astonished. I looked happy even if a bit tired.

There are streams and springs in Kumano forest. Kumano means forest of bears, but thankfully I did not meet any bear. Instead I have seen deer. Magnificent male was standing near waterfall, so romantic. I was lucky.

But what surprised me most were hundreds of small brown and orange crabs which live near streams in Kumano. I had no idea they can live so far from sea, in sweet water and in forest.