ASH: Kyushu Trip

Trip Start Jan 25, 2006
1
60
106
Trip End Ongoing


Loading Map
Map your own trip!
Map Options
Show trip route
Hide lines
shadow

Flag of Japan  ,
Saturday, July 22, 2006

It's amazing to me, when I really think about it, that this school actually takes 100 or so 5-year-old kids on a two-night trip, no parents, only about 30 teachers to look after them. But the even more amazing part? It works!!! This is probably the first time these kids have been away from their parents overnight, so, sure, there are some tears as the ferry pulls away from the dock, but really no more than when sixth graders back in California leave for camp! And they all come back alive. I swear!

Actually, it was a lot of fun, for just about everyone involved. We took a ferry from Matsuyama over to Oita on the neighboring island of Kyushu, where two big tour buses met us. The first day was spent at the African Safari (cool kangaroos, really lame dog show) before heading to our sweet hotel for the night. The next day, it was Mt Aso, a huge volcanic crater, where, sadly, the rain forced us to spend all our time in a really boring museum rather than taking a gondola up the mountain. The last day, we rushed through three rides at Kijima Amusement Park, then on to Umitamago Aquarium, which is easily on par with Monterey Bay's.

My favorite part of the trip? Sitting in our hotel's beautiful outdoor onsen (traditional Japanese bath) under the stars, with a very light rain falling. It was lovely!
Print this entry Aso hotels