Sushi for beginners
Trip Start
Sep 10, 2008
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23
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Trip End
Sep 03, 2009
Nagasaki,
Kyushu-Okinawa,
Japan
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Nagasaki itself is a very long and thin city. With money-saving in mind, for some very bizarre reason, I decided it would be a good idea to walk everywhere, rather than pay to get the tram
Spectacles bridge
. This was perhaps a slightly misguided decision. It took me a good hour to walk to the Peace Park and museum, with trams crawling past me, mocking me. At least it was a lovely sunny day, even if it was a bit chilly. It was good exercise at least.The next day, I spent even longer walking to Glover Gardens, perhaps because I got lost. In fairness, the place wasn't actually on my map, which in retrospect, would have been useful. After walking around in a circle a few times, following signposts, I found some more signposts. Both pointed towards Glover Gardens. Both pointed at each other. Hmmm. After walking up the steep hill, following the line of shops (if everything else fails, shops always surround tourist attractions!) I eventually found the entrance. The gardens turned out to be an area that had once been a British post, containing many British houses, causing me to feel like I was in an episode of Pride and Prejudice, not quite what I'd expected, although I really enjoyed it. I was very excited by the escalators that took you up through the garden, and quite relived after the amount of walking I had done. Returning back to the hostel, reluctantly leaving what I had decided was my dream home, I was wondering what I could have for tea. I got back to find that, as it was one of the guests birthdays, another of the guests had prepared dinner for us all. Not only that, but it was sushi, and so we all got a go at rolling our own
Nagasaki 3
. Mine turned out fairly well, and it all tasted delicious (apart from maybe the octopus!). Never will shop-bought sushi be as good or the same. And then it was on to Fukuoka. Yes, you read right, that is the name of the city, although its actually pronounced more like Fu-coke-a, perhaps disappointingly for some! There wasn't too much to report here, just another Japanese city, they all look the same after a while! It's famous for its traditional little noodle bars, that cluster round the canal, only a few people can squeeze into the plastic covered stalls at a time to have their fill of noodles. I like the idea little restaurants and bars, they are very cosy and sociable, with only 4 or 5 people being able to squeeze in at any one time, you get to know your neighbours. The only downside is, with seating at a premium, you have to gobble your food as fast as possible, to let the people waiting in.
Whilst in Fukuoka, I had a look round some of the temples. One of them was meant to be the oldest temple in Japan, or something equivalent, and it was the first time I realised that people use the temple grounds as a break for lunch. Its a lovely place to sit, eat and relax. All the relaxation must of gone to my head, as I managed to slip off a small curb, and fall flat onto my face when walking to the next temple. Thankfully, nobody saw! The next temple I visited had almost a theme park/festival atmosphere to it with colourful sculptures. I spent the rest of my time in the mall, admiring the elaborate Christmas decorations, and dreaming of a day when I can walk into a shop and actually buy things.
