Konnichiwaaaaaa from Japan!!!!!

Hellooo everyone!

I have finally found the time to sit down at tinternet for more than 15 mins to organise my photo sharing better. I hope you enjoy!

Fishies in pond waiting to be fed in Glover Gardens

First of all, I’d like to say that I’m doing great. The people I am on the tour with are wicked. There are 3 Australians, 1 Kiwi, 1 canadian, 1 Columbian, 2 Americans and 1 English…

Felipe, the guide looking through torn umbrella near the Devil Hells in Matsuyama

Japan has truely been amazing. I landed in Tokyo nearly 10 days ago and got myself on the first train to Electric Town. Its mad, the trains seats all turn automatically so that groups can be facing each other and single’ns can sit in the direction the train is moving in.

Tokyo was crazy. After a mere four hours in town I got to try some blowfish (fuku in Japanes). It tastes well nice and luckily there was no poisoning involved! We went out for a few drinks at night to Shibuja (where all the lights are), the roads are cut off so people can walk freely and the light emanating from the advertising boards makes it seem like its constantly daytime.

Shibuya at night

We left Tokyo for Kamakura on the afternoon of day 2. Kamakura is a small town by the sea about an hour away from Tokyo. Kamakura was well nice.

These little statues are kept in temples to prevent children who dies young from going to hell for making their parents suffer… how dark!

After a long days trek we got to stay on this island where you could watch people surfing. I never thought I would see people driving around on mopeds carrying a longboard in Japan.

This suspension bridge was pretty awesome

On the 26th we left for Iya Valley. It took a long days travel by bus and train but we finally made it and it was well worth it!!! We stayed 2 nights in a Ryokan with the most beautiful family. As soon as we arrived Haru-San welcomed us with open arms and took us by bus to his remote village in the Iya Kei Gorge. Before going to his Ryokan we stopped over at one of his neighbours house.

Potato Lady in her garden

This little old lady came giggling towards us and offered the whole group some boiled sweet potatoes…. it was so sweet of her (although some of us could have done with some water to help wash down the potat).

Haru-San in his Ryokan

The Ryokan was lovely. I got to try the onsen for the very first time. I’m not sure if they are really my thing. They are hot baths where everyone goes to shower, 1 for the men and 1 for the ladies. The heat is lovely and relaxing but the thought of washing myself on a small wooden stool thats been sat on by hundreds of women is not quite my cup of tea!!!!

Haru-San’s family cooked us a gorgeous feast of a meal… sushi, grilled fish, rice, miso soup, stew, veg….. each with their own set meal placed neatly infront of them we scoffed down our food in our kimonos. Sitting on the floor is not as bad as I thought and you quickly get used to the pins and needles in your legs!

I’m lovin the chopsticks!

The Gorge was really beautiful. We went right to the top of the mountains by bus on these really narrow and steep roads and ended up in this 400 year old farmhouse which is being looked after by a young english couple who want to preserve the traditional aspect of the Iya Valley villages.

The Chiori House from the back

The only people that still live here are old couples who have owned the same house for generations. They are all practically self-sufficient apart from having access to the internet and cable in a year. On the other side of the gorge there is a statue of a little boy weeing like the one on brussels… its so random.

Piss boy overlooking the gorge

haru played a good trick on us. He asked us if we wanted to go see the town Ninja cause one of the girls is all Nunjitsu. We all got excited and agreed to go. It turns out its just a Ninja doll climbing some random wall. He was hilarious he just wouldn’t stop giggling and saying “haha Ninja haha”.

2 nights ago we were in Matsuyama. The main attraction here was this impressive 400 year old castle above the town. We all had to go round in these green rubber slippers… I wish I’d warn socks it felt well nasty and squigey but it was worth the yuckiness. The walls outside are amazing and it looks like the castle has just been placed on top of the walls like a playmobile toy.

Sea Hell in Beppu

We are now in Nagasaki. It was a mission getting here but its such a cute town that it merits the detour. The ferry was awesome. Instead of seats they just have compartments where about 50 people can sleep. Luckily we had most of the room to ourselves and got some proper beauty sleep.

Yesterday was lovely. I had a well good giggle with three of the guys. We all went walking round town and walked into this colonial park called Glover Gardens.

Me and the escalator

I rented a period dress to walk around the gardens… hence the photo! It was hilarious I felt well out of place and all these American tourists were trying to take photos of me, they probably thought I worked there.

Barry, James, Mike and Me with some random girl in the gardens

James too is a laaaayyydeeeee

And last night we went to this rrrrrock an rrrrrroolllleeee bar as they call it and met loads of locals. One group was celebrating there marriage there with everyone in snazzy suits and their hair all spiked up. We also met a dude who is in a punk rock band and drew some crappy cartoon of me… although it does resemble me quite a lot.

Me with statue on whale near the spectacles bridge in Nagasaki

Tomorrow we are off to Ojika. Its a little fisherman’s village on a random little island. I cant even find it on the Lonely planet so its bound to be wicked!

Well, I guess thats all from me at the moment. I hope you have’nt got absolutely bored by now and I’ll be sharing some more in a few days.

Toodooloo and Sayonara!

Me with mister piggy