Karishma
Trip Start
Feb 13, 2006
1
43
75
Trip End
Aug 29, 2006
8 O'clock we got up, packed and headed for the train station. Hakata station was a bit of a maze, with 3 different buildings for Shinkansen and regular trains. Our packs were heavy and moving about was a bit annoying. We tried every Shinkansen entrance before finding out it wasn't a Shinkansen but a limited express. The train was nice enough though and fast. I was impressed how it banked into the corners. The train supposedly terminated at Kagoshima. However everyone got off way before Kagoshima, we were the only ones left. Even though it said terminates at Kagoshima it turns out that you have to change trains, this time on to a super express Shinkansen. The train was more impressive than the last. There was tons of space, reclining chairs and a waitress service. The acceleration of the train was impressive. At Kagoshima we made the change to our final destination. Karashima Jingu station appear to be in the middle of no where. Not knowing where we were going we got a taxi. The hostel appeared even more in the middle of no where than the station. I realised the chance of getting out money round here was fairly low. Not having much money left between us we would have to be careful. The first 2 hours were spent walking around trying to find a place selling an international phone card, we walked miles without luck. It was mother's day so I was keen to phone home. We put all the change we had together and managed to phone both sets of parents. The hostel was right next to Karashima Shrine so we took a look and drunk some of the volcanic filtered water. We checked out a near by water fall then headed back. The village was complete shut town at night so we got some noodles from the only open shop and went to bed.
