Day 4: Kumamotojyo, Takajou, Kirishmajingu, Miyazakichiho Boku

Things I’m leaning on the road related to Tour Groups:

1. Japanese tour groups LOVE taking the group photo. They sit in rows, looking like a graduating class photo or something aka – Graduates of Stone Castle Museum 2008! Woo-Hoo!

2. It’s possible to be anyone you want to be in a tour group. For instance, my folks are pretending that I’m a recent High School Graduate. The group bought it, so now they ask me where I’ve applied to. I don’t know how long I can keep the ruse up.

3. Sometimes it’s better not to know too much about your travel companions’ relationship. The older gentleman and his young “partner” would rather keep it quiet to the group that the gentleman is taking his mistress out on holiday. It’s the elephant in the room, and we all don’t mind the squeeze.

Morning in Yamaga.

The outer wall of Kumamoto Castle.

The castle itself, after passing through two layers.

Yeah, trying talking to THAT hand.

View from the top.

Combus tible? At least the translations are better than
the Chinese.

Yep, Meg Ryan herself selling coffee too!

Suizenji Jojuen Garden. The little boy is teasing the fish.

Night view of Miyazaki.

Dinner was French Cuisine, as done by Japanese
chefs. That's Steve the Tour Guide
near the bottom right.

It seemed that we were in for a bit of trickery.

As objects may appear larger, but are actually
not.

Mmmm, mid-sized?

Yeah, in my dreams!

Day 5 and whatever comes next on the way, depending on
internet availability as always... ;)

Day 3 cont.: Yufuinn, Kusasenri, Aso (volcano), and Yamaga...

Sorry for the late update, but it turns out the place last night was the first time there was no internet available. Ah, to be disconnected…

Anyway, I didn’t scale a mountain like I stated previously. We did, however, manage to visit an active volcano. I think I’ve had my fair share of breathing in large amounts of sulfur this time around. There were four warning systems – Good, Fair, Mildy Dangerous, and Good-God-You-Shouldn’t-Be-Here. Though it was kind of foggy with high winds, we lucked out and just sneaked in right under the wire. The alternative was to visit the volcano museum, but we weren’t having any of that. No way did we travel so far and NOT risk our lives to witness nature at it’s most relaxed state.

Things I’m learning on the road:

1. Sitting at low tables cross-legged, even with chair backs, is a workout. I’m having to do crunches and sit-ups just to stay “relaxed”. I’m sure in 30 years time, I’d get used to it.

2. The Japanese here continue to speak Japanese even though you have no clue as to what they’re saying. They keep saying the same phrase over and over, but slower, as if by some miracle you’ll say something intelligible back. Ah, the perks of being an Asian foreigner.

3. Shop keepers don’t get upset when you don’t buy anything. They have none of the passive-aggressiveness of Chinese shop keepers. Like the difference between Vulcans and Romulans.

Morning view from my window in Beppu.

Just because someone asked about it, here's what a typical
American Breakfast looks like. They all vary, but it's like this.
I know, why am I eating this instead of Japanese food? Guy
needs a little break, that's why!

Another cool idea -- squeeze strawberry jam and butter.
They combine at the end without using a knife.

Ah, the Japanese Group Photo. A staple of common
tourism.

Cool, huh? It's a dog made of stone. It's a
"Stoned Dog".

Lunch, in complete minimalism. Most of the lunches
are in perpetual appetizer mode.

So, who wants to see a volcano (in Aso).

As you can see, the ride up is Ewok friendly.

The lip of the volcano, in the far distance. I'm trying
not to breathe it all in.

Deja Vu? Indeed. At least the tables were slightly higher.

The Japanese toilet/bidet. They all vary a little, but they
function the same way.

All controls are in Japanese, but you get the gist of
what does what, or at least I try to every time I
have to use the facilities. You just never know when
it'll go off...

Dinner, in Japanese style (eating and seating).

See the red meat with the flower? That's
Raw Horse Meat. Yeah, I ate it. I have the video
to prove it.


Day 4 up next!... ;)

Day 3: Beppu Onsen - Like Indoor Camping...

Hey ya'll!

Just a quick note before I get back on the road today. Might be scaling a mountain. Not really sure. Anyway, I'll bring back the photos later.

If you caught the last blog, I said that I was sleeping on the floor. Well, let's just say that my back isn't as sore as I thought it would be, though it was a real pain to get up this morning. Getting the morning call with the phone 3 feet away, I crawled out of my floor-mat cocoon only to be greeted by a garbled Japanese Automated Alarm message. Yeah, TOTALLY worth it.

Well, I better get going before Steve the tour guide worries about me.

Stay tuned... ;)

Day 2: Mojiko, Mekari Tenboutai, and Beppu Onsen...

Things I'm learning on the road here:
1. The rest stops here are totally awesome. Vending machines that spit out beer and fast food is something we are sorely lacking in America. Okay, maybe not.

2. The more we head out into the boonies, the more everything seems cleaner and more efficient. You wouldn't expect that from places that aren't even on the map, but they make it work here.

3. Japanese tourists that tour their own country carry very few cameras. Go figure.

All righty, here's what I shot today. Oh yeah, I don't think I'll have time to do video while on the road, so once I get back to Hong Kong, I'll have time to do some edits and uploads when I'm on a steadier schedule. Yeah, I know what you're thinking: Get on with it already!

Kinda like Golden Gate was my first thought.

Pretty common around these parts, cemeteries exist around housing in dense
pockets. I'm surprised there's not Japanese horror flick about ghosts
that haunt residents from their own backyard. Hmmm...

There's that blue guy again.

The entrance to some hot springs that had names such as Blue Hell, and
Red Hell.

Here's Blue Hell.

And that's Tommy Lee Jones selling coffee drinks.

Looks like Red Hell is super-serious about being "edgy".



Most dangerous thing I ate today? Fugu omelete aka omelete and Blowfish.
Yeah, THAT fish. I've got more video on this, but suffice it to say, I can't think
of a more needless way to risk my life for the sake of culinary delicacy.
My lips were a bit numb afterwards, but they say that's normal...


Coolest thing I ate today, pardon the pun? Waffle-ized Ice Cream!


It's basically ice cream injected into a waffle layer.
High concept, big flavor, and portable. Tastebuds approve.

This is where I crash for the night, notice something missing?

Ding! Magically, Housekeeping pulls out the floor-mat futon!
It should be an interesting sleep...

Stay tuned for more on the road... ;)