Japan report, part 2
Part 2 of my trip to Japan:
After Hiroshima I arrive at Hakata station in Fukuoka, which is the city nearest to
losyark, who let me eat her food and sleep in her bed for a week and a half ^_______^ We had Indian and beer and it was good.
The next day we headed to Kumamoto where our hostel was. Then we travelled to see Mt. Aso, an active volcano. We had been at the caldera for about five minutes before the wind shifted and the sulphuric gases headed our way and they shooed everyone off. It was a weird teal-ish colour - not sure what combo of chemicals made it that way. We also visited Kumamoto castle and I (stealthily) climbed some of its fortification walls.
During the week I amused myself (in no particular order) by:
- Going to Huis Ten Bosch. Dudes, I totally had an awesome time here. Sad though, really, because it's a Dutch themepark and made me feel like I was actually in Europe. They had cheese and beer and cool interactive rides that put your face on an animated character! I know, I know... just like the Netherlands, right?
- Hanging out with
losyark's English Club. We played Zombies and drank Canada Dry and ate these very good cheese cracker thingies. Her students are cute, and speak English better than I can French.
- Seing a giant reclining Buddha (after getting totally lost in the woods).
- Visiting a Persia exhibit at the Fukuoka City Museum, which was great going with Losy because we could actually comment on things and undertand what the other was saying!
- Going to a Fukuoka Hawks baseball game! This was a surprise birthday present and it totally kicked ass. I don't really know what happened game-wise, but beer and fun and phallic balloons was had by all. And THEN she took me to the Hard Rock cafe (my first!) for dinner.
losyark, you rock.
- Karaoke! Also a first for me. I totally sucked.
- Visiting Tenman-gu (twice), the local shine dedicated to scholars and learning and the such. I muchly enjoyed it. Losy even bought me a wish board *hugs*
- Shopping and an evening at the local Onsen (hot spring), which was a total treat and I loved it. Only thing was, you're kinda nakkid and the locals like to stare. Probably because I actually have boobs *zing*
- Watching three new episodes of Doctor Who and various other Who-related videos.
I think that's mainly it. Is that it? Tell me if I've missed something.
And then I flew out of Fukuoka to Haneda in Tokyo. Slept on the comfy ride from Haneda to Narita. Flew out of Narita to Chicago. Got special treatment by security because the buttons on my pants kept setting off the alarms. Had a four hour layover, ate some Quiznos, then flew into Toronto after sitting on the tarmac at O'Hare for an hour.
I gotta say, the 10 or so hours on a plan wasn't that bad. Maybe I'm just getting used to it? Last year to and fro Heathrow was almost unbearable, and that's only 6/7 hours O_o; Although, this time, I had my iPod with me and the Top Gear boys to keep me sane.
So there you go, that's my Japan trip! I will post photos later - photos are at home.
After Hiroshima I arrive at Hakata station in Fukuoka, which is the city nearest to
losyark, who let me eat her food and sleep in her bed for a week and a half ^_______^ We had Indian and beer and it was good.
The next day we headed to Kumamoto where our hostel was. Then we travelled to see Mt. Aso, an active volcano. We had been at the caldera for about five minutes before the wind shifted and the sulphuric gases headed our way and they shooed everyone off. It was a weird teal-ish colour - not sure what combo of chemicals made it that way. We also visited Kumamoto castle and I (stealthily) climbed some of its fortification walls.
During the week I amused myself (in no particular order) by:
- Going to Huis Ten Bosch. Dudes, I totally had an awesome time here. Sad though, really, because it's a Dutch themepark and made me feel like I was actually in Europe. They had cheese and beer and cool interactive rides that put your face on an animated character! I know, I know... just like the Netherlands, right?
- Hanging out with
losyark's English Club. We played Zombies and drank Canada Dry and ate these very good cheese cracker thingies. Her students are cute, and speak English better than I can French.
- Seing a giant reclining Buddha (after getting totally lost in the woods).
- Visiting a Persia exhibit at the Fukuoka City Museum, which was great going with Losy because we could actually comment on things and undertand what the other was saying!
- Going to a Fukuoka Hawks baseball game! This was a surprise birthday present and it totally kicked ass. I don't really know what happened game-wise, but beer and fun and phallic balloons was had by all. And THEN she took me to the Hard Rock cafe (my first!) for dinner.
losyark, you rock.
- Karaoke! Also a first for me. I totally sucked.
- Visiting Tenman-gu (twice), the local shine dedicated to scholars and learning and the such. I muchly enjoyed it. Losy even bought me a wish board *hugs*
- Shopping and an evening at the local Onsen (hot spring), which was a total treat and I loved it. Only thing was, you're kinda nakkid and the locals like to stare. Probably because I actually have boobs *zing*
- Watching three new episodes of Doctor Who and various other Who-related videos.
I think that's mainly it. Is that it? Tell me if I've missed something.
And then I flew out of Fukuoka to Haneda in Tokyo. Slept on the comfy ride from Haneda to Narita. Flew out of Narita to Chicago. Got special treatment by security because the buttons on my pants kept setting off the alarms. Had a four hour layover, ate some Quiznos, then flew into Toronto after sitting on the tarmac at O'Hare for an hour.
I gotta say, the 10 or so hours on a plan wasn't that bad. Maybe I'm just getting used to it? Last year to and fro Heathrow was almost unbearable, and that's only 6/7 hours O_o; Although, this time, I had my iPod with me and the Top Gear boys to keep me sane.
So there you go, that's my Japan trip! I will post photos later - photos are at home.