I suppose in life there ain't a perfect moment to embark on something and I've been putting this back for quite some time. So now as I am queuing for transfer back to Singapore (the line's formed since half hour ago), I shall let the fingers ramble away!
To provide a little context, I've just concluded a Kyushu Trip with llb and making my way back to Singapore. Had wanted to pen down the trip all these while but were too busy sleeping on long train rides, hiking when not on train, taking photos when not hiking, asking for directions when not taking photos, so I think you get the drift. I am too busy doing every other thing except blogging. XD
Initially I've intended to do a chronological order of what ever happened, and decided that was too boring, so much so as the write I would have dozed off writing. So I suppose I'd feature my 10 experiences which were quite memorable to me. And the are not ranked according to any preference. Whichever comes to mind first. :)
#1 Taking special trains in Japan
Thanks to Llb meticulous planning, we took 4 special trains to get around our destinations. Allow me to digress, Llb has planned for our overall itinerary and it was awesome! And of course, I played a crucial and downright indispensable role of executing them with my limited crappy Japanese and honing my atrocious sense of direction.
Back to the special train.
The above is Umisachi Yamasachi which brought us from Kagoshima to Nango.
This one is Ibutama which brought us from Mizayaki to Ibusuki.
Finally this is trans Kyushu train.
Other than the unique exterior and and interior of the train, these JR train are mainly for sightseeing purposes bring us though some of Kyoshu's scenic sites. Beside that, there's also a touristy fringe activities, like taking photos with props, story telling aboard and getting stamps on postcards. There are about 10 or so special train and we're pretty lucky to go on four!
#2 Home Visit
Ok, this is a very unflattering photo. Owell, it's the experience that counts. We went for an arranged dinner to a host family's place. It was booked though Nagomi visit and a fee of 3000 yen per person, for preparation of dinner. It's a cozy little place tucked in a central area in Kumamoto. By Singapore's standard it's a one room flat, basically all in one with a small tatami area for sleeping, central area for dining and others.
She's a curious lady taking up English and holding English conversion through call with her US tutor daily for about 5 mins. They've also hosted a group of Canadians and Alaskan before us. Of course there were some moments of silences, sometimes awarkard for i'm not very good a conversationalist and I suppose Japanese are fiercely private people who don't divulge much. And our topics were safely surrounding travels, weather, Japanese lives, food.
#3 Being very close to volcanos.
We're threading around and on volcanos for most part of our trip.
Volcano on Sakurajima...
Mount Aso and this volcano is pretty spectacular, it erupted just recently this year.
We could stand near the crater where it's still spilling ashes daily.
Take a tourist jumpshot.
It's so hot at the crater that I am fuming!!
And after lunch, it's pooping time!
Ok, enough of my indulgence in retardarness which Llb very willing succumb to on a daily basis on the trip.
I promise I am normal most of the time. This is another touristy town called Yufuin where we wind down with very scenic sights towards the end of the trip. It's got a lot of seismic activities going on under ground. Which leads to my next point.
#3 Hotsprings!!!
Don't worry, I'm not going to show u pictures of myself butt naked. I've figured I should save u from a possible nosebleed or imminent blindness.
Yar, that's bloody hell hotspring with Ferrite contents. And no, that's not the hotspring I bathed in.
This one I don't know what goes inside but it's burning hot and in cobalt blue.
We took loads of foot spring baths along the way, this one's in Kagoshima. And there are endless footspring bathes in Beppu to drive the chills away.
And feet steaming too. If you're in Beppu it's help a great deal to wear an easily removable shoes and make sure your socks are fresh and doesn't sink up the place. :p
Oh! And we did a sand bath in Ibusuki being buried in the sand. Hmm... What does it feels like? I can only say, now I know what it is to be dead and buried in the soil.
#4 Taking public bath
It's pretty awkward for me, and I am reminded again of my Turkish public bath experience. It's a huge psychological barrier to be naked in front of other women and share the same tub, so that's quite an experience. Well, when in Japan, do as the Japanese do.
Disclaimer: Nope, we didn't see each other naked!! Llb and I bathed separately at all times! 😝
#5 Kayaking at Tachochiho Gorge
We went kayaking at the Gorge and no picture with me here, because I was busy kayaking with us taking turns. What would I make of the experience? It's confusing in the beginning steering the boat is sort of complicated until one gets the hang of it. And the scenery is ok, I would think Taroko gorge in Taiwan is more spectacular. but but but! The waygu beef was... No words could describe its goodness...
It looks really humble but it was awesome beyond words!!!! (Hmm... Doesn't this sound like yours truly?)
#6 Trying to pretend we're starring in Korean Dramas
Kumamoto castle and just love the autumn yellow!
Tsuzenji Park at Kumamoto and Llb suggested we take some photos at this spot. When some hongkongers spotted us, they kinda copied our tradmarked poses. Lol...
The original...
The copy cats!
Ok we failed big time with our stints as Korean imposters, but derived great joy from all the silliness.
#7 Half the price, twice the freshness!!
Half the price is exerggerated, but they are indeed much cheaper and much fresher.
Kawaii right?! Volcano with the lava!
At Kagoshima 台屋村。It's a funny episode of ordering the food.
#8 Practicing survival Japanese
I actually think it's fun to blend in. Saves us a lot of trouble getting to our destinations with some survival Japanese. I like the fact of blending in. In Korea, one has to look like a porcelain doll to blend in. In Japan, one only needs to wear black, keep quiet and look like a woman to blend in. Ha! Anyway Japanese only speak Jap most of the time hence directional Japanese phrases are really useful on a daily basis.
And there was this once we went for a meal at izakaya. We could not read the menu and they don't have pictures nor English menu, so the waiter actually brought a whole plate of uncooked 串烧 to explain to us what is what on the menu, because I kept asking "Kore wa nan desu ka?" (What is this?)
#9 Interaction with the kind and interesting Japanese we met along the way.
On our way to Nango we met an 84 year old lady who was traveling round Kyushu island in 2 days. We marveled at the kinda independence she had and many times we see old people traveling around Kyushu sometimes a pair, sometimes alone. we concluded that Japan is a safe country to do something like this. And perhaps it's a kinda mindset, that their old age isn't wasted away grumble about death or staying at home as a couch potato. I thought this comes from much training to be independent since young, especially with a culture where children are supposed to keep their own evironment clean and be considerate about others using a common space.
Along the way there are also helpful people who helped us find our way, going the extra mile to walk us to our destinations, direct us when we were running late for our trains. I appreciate their kindness and many times wondered about their curious culture. Like how Japanese can be drop pin quiet in public transport and extremely rowdy in an izakaya. It amazes me to observe them in their day-to-day rountines.
#10 The ryokan experience
For a moment, one forgets the hustle and bustle of a busy city. An interesting variation from the usual hotel room.
#11 Winding down at Yufuin
It's a really lovely place for as the last stop in Kyushu before heading back to Hakata.
Can you imagine waking up to this scenery as you are lying on your mattress? And then proceeding to a hotspring bath?
A little walk to the lake and we see a scenery of lingering calm.
Greeted by the rainbow...
The misty volcanos (?)
Awwww... It was a lovely town to make it our last stop.
I am falling in love with Japan once again! And not forgetting my awesome travel partner for 10 days! 4th traveling trip and 1st one with just the 2 of us. We made it through without quarreling even once!!!! And the itinerary were really thoughtfully laid out for such a varied experience! 谢谢老板～
Already Looking forward to the next Japan trip! 😍
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