Kyoumachi Kankou Hotel Ebino

Hi Everyone, Man has it been crazy week. I attended the Rotary Kyushu District Conference in Nobeoka, Japan. The schedule hasn't been to hectic even though we leave at 8:00 am and return to our host families between 6 pm and midnight. Mostly its been been a good mix of sightseeing and vocational tours. Today we are visiting the local Coke bottling plant. Yesterday, we finally hit our first Onzen (Hot Springs). Don't have much time. More Later

I spent my final day in Kagoshima being lazy - I needed a break from the perils associated with active volcanoes. Instead I just parked myself on a bench for a few hours and finished The Da Vinci Code, probably a couple of years after most people, but better late than never. Soon afterwards, it started raining and didn`t stop for the rest of the day, not that I minded as I`d already done my sightseeing...I just had a quiet evening at the ryokan ...

My legs were as stiff as a board when I woke up on Saturday morning, and the last thing I needed was another hike uphill, particularly as it was absolutely scorching outside. However, the prospect of seeing Sakurajima, the active volcano across the water from Kagoshima, from a superb vantage point was too good an opportunity to miss. Besides, after all the hiking that I`d done in the previous few days, a twenty minute climb was something of a doddle in comparison ...

The train journey south to Kagoshima ended up taking about seven hours, but it flew by because I was in a good mood having seen all the volcanic scenery covered in snow, and also because I started reading a fairly well known book along the way...The Da Vinci Code. I`d previously avoided reading it whilst on my travels to avoid looking like a stereotypical backpacker, as about three quarters of people in New Zealand had a copy laying on their bunk bed. However ...

From the hectic lifestyle of Tokyo to the tranquility of the countryside in Kumamoto Prefecture on the island of Kyushu. It was a change of pace, but the heat followed, a whopping 40-45 degrees in the daytime! I spent a few days with the Goto family, the in-laws of my friend Jeff. First night was spent in their country house near ...

Yufuin, June 19 Miles travelled: 81810 We are on the home stretch of the trip. After some hectic travel and fairly intense cultural sightseeing, we are in more relaxed and scenic areas, showing another side of Japan. Yufuin is known for its hot springs resorts, as the area is volcanic. We stayed in a cute (almost sickeningly cute) guesthouse with lots of Precious Moments decorations and pastoral scenes painted on the walls (including one of Jesus, children ...

... few days that I'm there. Although decided running was to much effort so Id'd take my chances and stick around. Think if I was going to live in Japan for a year like Roz and Emma I would prefer to be in Emma's position than on Roz's island simply because she has more to do in Kagoshima. Didn't really get to see Emma very much as she had to go to work in the day although went out with her and her two JET (the teaching program that Roz and Emma are on over ...

This place is in the mountains. We came here to hunt VOLCANOES and camp out. We hiked up 3 volcanoes and all three of them had lakes in the middle of it. The hike lasted 3 hours and afterward we were tired and hungry. I made ramen in my Nalgene bottle and ate noodles before we headed for the Spring ...

We last left you in Takayama, from there we headed to Kyoto for a few days- lots of temple exploring with very pretty Japanese gardens. In Japan gardening is an art form. We have now arrived in Nagasati, its historical significance has been overshadowed by the fact that the second A bomb was dropped here, we have been to the exact spot to see the site. Very sad museum which graphically displayed the full consequences of the bomb, showing ...

Again, another guess at the date but I think it must have been about this time, after I had graduated from Uni. A few of us (Marc, Macca and Paddy?) got our motorbikes out and spent a good week or so travelling and camping all around Kyushu. Fantastic memories!