OHIYO GOZAIMAS!
It’s been long since I last went on a trip with my family. I am really glad I went with them this time.
This trip to Japan was entirely in the southern areas, starting from Fukuoka, to Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Kagashima, then Oita, before finally returning back to Fukuoka. Lots of traveling on the road but overall it was a very relaxing trip. Fantastic way of replenishing energy and enjoying the more ‘rural’ areas of Japan.
My sister here, is my roommate/bus mate and whatever who tolerated all my .com nonsense.
Xmas Season!
The weather was about 12-18 degrees Celsius, but overall, it wasn’t really cold unless there was wind, which was quite rare. The only really cold time I remembered was the day we went up Aso Volcano. Oh and this trip allowed me many ‘firsts’!! Shall talk about that later.
Our group was made up of a total of 29 people, including Mr Quek, who was the Singapore representative tour guide, and Arima-san, who was the main tour guide for the trip. Arima-san is a Japanese, but he knows Chinese and Hokkien and the way he describes each thing is very interesting. I will remember his laughter for a long long time cos each time when he tells a joke, his laughter will linger for 2-3 seconds after. Quite distinctive. Too bad some of his stuff were told in Hokkien, which I don’t understand as much as I like. The rest of the people were made up of 17 people from the same company. Apparently, this was their company trip. Damn good welfare la! And the remaining 2 were couples.
Visited many scenic places, saw lots of swans and seagulls and kois and ducks. Saw some red leaves tree too which were awesome!
The meals we had were all fantastic. I lovvveee Japanese food la… and the portion we got were damn big la. I think I gained a few kgs over there. =) Check them out man…
Anyway, some ‘firsts’… sandbath at Ibusuki Hotel! We were buried inside black sand which was quite hot and honestly, the feeling of steam rising out and making you perspired was damn shiok.
Us in our robes!
And hot springs! Trust me, I think after all the hot springs, everyone was very comfortable with showing their bodies to others. Too bad I didn’t take any photos, not that I want to also, but as what Arima-san said, after all these years of looking at your own parts, why not take a look at others? Haha… Yup everyone got stark naked, bathed and soaked in the hot spring and showered naked in the open. By my 2nd time, I was walking around proudly as though nobody’s business. =p
Volcano! I love my geography and this was the closest I could get to a volcano. Initially on the cable car up, we were not allowed into one of the zones which would allow us to look into the crater due to excessive level of sulphuric gases. But due to good luck, the level dropped and the zone was opened… damn heng la… everyone ran and quickly took photos.
Talking about good luck, as Arima-san pointed out, our tour really had lots of good luck. Good weather meaning we got to see lots of things. No traffic problems thus arriving on time. Everyone was very cooperative and all early birds la. First day I wasn’t late, but everyone was already on the bus.
Other than that, we had one foot massage by fishes which we didn’t manage to enjoy. Why? Cos the staff closed it down for washing and maintenance. And guess what, they only do that once a year. How lucky can we get sia?
Hmmm… the hotel rooms. Most of the time, we got fabulous view looking out into the sea. The only problem we got was the channels. ALMOST zero English. Nothing we can absolutely understand so what resulted was me “translating” to my sis whatever they said with my nonsense.
Land of the rising sun ...
By the way, no one guessed my age correctly. =)) The average age guessed was 18!! Haahaha… and I think I realized more about myself already. The kind of people I am attracting and the way I dress and behave… it’s all connected.
Anyway, we visited Hello Kitty Land! Jialin will love it here lor… haha and the adults got suck a ‘kick’ riding the ‘fastest’ roller coaster. =p And Hello Kitty was acting cute with all those cutesy moves. Took a video of the carnival and my mum and sis were pulled in to join the dance. Damn funny la…
Hello Kitty Carnival!
More photos!!
Peace square for the War ...
Yahoo Dome!
Sis taking photo!
Before entering the temple, we had to wash our hands.
Apparently their "Shen Ma"
Lots of tablets hanging around displaying their wishes ...
Sis' craze =p
At Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum ...
At Kumamoto Castle!!
Bigggg SUMO!
BIGGGG radish!!
Smaller-than-life oranges!
Jump jump jump!
Mum and Dad
I think this photo rocks!
Qing with Arima-san
Last min shopping!
