The girls will be leaving by regular train to Tokyo at 2.30pm. I would be taking the 8pm plus shinkansen to Tokyo. We’ll be meeting at the train station near the place we’ll be staying in.

Tips on going to Eigamura

We have one last place to visit in Kyoto. The Kyoto Studio Park (eigamura). It is the Japanese version of Universal Studios. no no no, not the one in Osaka, but the Japanese period drama version of USJ.

Kei who went to Kyoto on her own during the weekend said it was the best place she went. So we must must must go. If you know a bit of Japanese and are interested in period drama stuff, go!

To reach the Eigamura fast, don’t take the bus. They have a direct bus but it is so so so so sloooow. Instead, take the JR train to Hanazono and take the bus there. Saves loads of time.

—

Everyone woke up on time this morning because we have a schedule to follow. I left with my luggage to the Shinkansen gates to put them in the locker. My bag was heavy, it was hot and there were a lot of people crowding around the entrance to the Shinkansen gates.

I had to push and be pushed. I carried my bag upstairs because we leave from there but was told that lockers are downstairs. FINE! so I stuffed my things in the 400 yen locker and went to Lawson to find the girls.

We reached Hanazono on time and took the bus to two stops away. Then it was a short walk to Kyoto Studio Park

I used their Kansai thru pass to get a bit of discount off the entrance fee. Yeah!

The theme park has old Japanese houses around. Fun to take pictures with but most you can’t go in.

They also shoot real movies and films here though I did not see any filming when I was there.

 

Archery

Watch it!

There were people in costumes around. I suspect that it’s a Monday so there’s a lot less dessed up people around.

Shinsengumi’s HQ

Bad people

Classes make us sleepy

Some little girl

The fun part of Eigamura was the performances they have. The first that we went to was a boring show about some toy during the Edo period. The lady sang and threw her toy around. It’s like a tube but if you flick it, there’s something spiral coming out.

The second show was Secrets and Lies of Movie Making. We had a screened off area and there are three guys playing the roles of the director, actor playing Shinsengumi and actor playing a ninja.

They showed how sound effects is added and how action scenes are choreaographed. At the end, they “filmed” part of a film with very comical ending. You would understand, even if you don’t know much Japanese.

Then the last was a performance on stage. They invited the audience to go up and play the role of a good samurai. Also comedic effects when little girls who are smaller than the sword tries to slash the bad guy. Ha ha

 Ghost exhibition 

House of horrors (free version)

 

New movie out soon by Toei: Cha Cha. Looks good

 

Then a room full of power rangers stuff. ha ha

Power rangers! plural!!!

We left earlier than scheduled but was satisfied with our tour. Then to the train station we went. A train came but I told the girls not to go on board, but it turned out to be the right train. Opps!

So we went down to the convenience store to buy lunch.

Lunch from Konbini  

Potato and cheese

We reached Kyoto station with much time to spare. The girls went to get their luggage and we parted.

I couldn’t really decide on where to go in Kyoto by myself. Shall I go to the National Museum? Nah, it’ll take up too much time. Shall I go onsen? Good idea but 5 hours of onsen is too much.

In the end, I followed my instinct and went to Uji. Finally! My wish came true. Uji is one of the direct stops and I took the fast train there.

It was super sunny when I arrived. Uji is famous for Byodo-in and Uji tea. And also being the location for the last ten chapters of The tale of Genji. They have a Genji Museum but it was under renovation while I was there. Will go next time.

I didn’t want to pay the entrance fee for Byodo-in, I’m sick of paying for stuff like that. So I decided to just be spontaneous and stroll around. I armed myself with a walking map of Uji and off I went snapping photos.

The town of Uji tea

Genji stuff on the top of the gate

First stop was Hashihime shrine. “The Bridge Princess”, pardon my crude translation.

Then a photo with Murasaki Shikibu (author of The tale of Genji) sculpture. (Like taking photo with Shakespeare’s bust)

The bridge of Uji

Cool river water.

Photos of summer holidays are lovely, the sky is the perfect shade of blue and stuff like that. But in reality, it is very very very hot. Your sweat runs down none stop and you feel your sunblock dripping off your skin. 

Uji Jinja

characters from The tale og Genji (sorry, don’t know who!)

  

 

I’ve read from a book about Uji teaand decided to try out the Town’s teahouse. I didn’t know it was the formal sort of tea ceremony, I thought it was a cup of tea with sweet stuff. 500 yen, the place is opposite the tourist info place near Byodo-in.

My feet ached. and I asked the lady to teach me how to turn my bowl and stuff. Being a foreigner, you’re pardoned if you’re rude. (I think!)

So after the tea ceremony, I walked with wobble feet, peeked at Byodo-in from behind trees and decided to leave. But the rapid train has just passed. So I thought I’d take the private train and subway back to Kyoto.

Terrible decision, even though I had extra stamps for my collection, the trip was super long. But thanks to PY’s Kansai thru pass, I was able to ride free.

On my long train ride, I found out abuot Kyoto Cultural Museum, sounds cool so I decided to check it out.

Bad thing is, the map’s so vague that even I cannot read it. Plus I have the tendancy to walk in different direction of the place I’ve never been to. Still, I reached it in the end after long long walks and an unfruitful direction asking session.

Even more unfortunately, the niec Genji exhibition had ended and I was left with boring pottery. Sob sob.

Then I tried walking my way out to the city centre but got sort of lost and ended up in a shopping area.

Arashi

Found a I love Kyoto shirt at (guess where) Girodano! Ha ha. Bought it, will wear later.

After finding my way out, I decided to take a bath at the bathhouse under Kyoto Tower. It was written in tiny print on my guidebook. I also get 150 yen off with the Kansai thru pass and book.

The bathhouse was very simple. Some sitting showers, a very hot tub, a sauna and a cold water area. still, a bath is a bath and I like boiling myself red. ha ha

Before my train ride, I ate at Yoshinoya. It’s said that girls do not go there alone, but who cares, I need food!

anna sui advert

Train station

I debated whether to take the 15 minutes earlier train which I do not have a reserve ticket for. It came and seemed too crowded so I had to kick my bag to my platform.

Train to Tokyo was lousy, no plug for my computer and the writing desk was tiny.

Reached Tokyo around 11:26pm. Took train to Yotsuya and found the girls.

When we reached the hotel, M.was sleeping and HY bravely entered the hotel with a random person and woke M for us.

Thanks everyone!

had been travelling since saturaday. always come back to hostel late so no energy to write my blog. will probably write a few updates on the shinkansen to tokyo tomorrow (Aug 12). Will reach tokyo before midnight then to akasaka to meet with the others

Kyoto Tower

 Our first stop was the Fushimi Inari Shrine. It’s famous for having thousands of torii lining one after the other.

Good thing it was arranged as the first destination of the day because it takes lots of energy to go up the hill.

We took the JR train to Inari station and started our hill climbing.

 There were so many torii that it feels very shaded (or is it because of the trees).

View from rest area

 

I walked really really slow because I was lazy. The girls stopped along the way for me. How nice, but I told them to go first because I walk as slow as a tortoise and was OK with not reaching the mountain top.

So I walked slowly, taking pictures along the way and eavesdropping on other people. I walked, rested then walked. I came to a fork road and took the road on the right, my instinct telling me so.

I took out my breakfast halfway up. Then I realised. Uh oh. Inari in Japanese means “fox”. This is a shrine for the fox god. Does that mean I am eating the fox. What would happen to me?!!!

So I apologized to the fox god for eating inari sushi, saying that I’m so hungry I have to eat something. And, it helped. I was resting and eating sushi and decided to go up a bit.

There was a closed store and I sat at its benches and finished my breakfast. I wondered if the girls had reached the mountain top. I sat for a long time, debating whether to climb up or just wait for them to come down. And then I heard their voices, coming from below.

It turned out that they took the left fork when I took the right and they had to climb back up when they realised it wasn’t the right way.

Then all of us went up the hill. We reached the top but didn’t realised it until they went to ask an uncle there. Ha!

Yeah! Station 1.

 

 

The main shrine down at ground level.

 

Guy miko in purple pants. Usually guys wear blue and girls wear red. Maybe he’s a senior

The foxes

And off we went to Nara! We switched to the faster train to get there.

On the way, we passed Uji station. I had wanted to go to Uji really badly because it’s the setting for the last 10 chapters of The Tale of Genji. But it wasn’t on our itinerary.

 

I had to be satisfied with a photo of me and the station.

 

Soon we reached Nara. The lady at the info counter gave us details of how to get to the temple and even recommended where to go for hot springs. Thanks

She recommended a sushi place for lunch. But! I’ve read that Kyoto is far from the sea so it isn’t the best place for sushi.

So we went to a shop selling rice and noodles. It tasted good, especially after the long climb

My soba. nice summer food. The noodles are cold and you dip them into the soy sauce that comes along and slurp

Then we were off to Todaiji Temple. Turns out Nara Park is right next to it. The park is famous for its deers. They are everywhere!

baby drinking milk

He’s showing V with his antlers

Todaiji’s entrance

 

After the temple, MC and I separated with the others. We were going to the onsen place to soak off our tiredness. This will be (only) the second time I’ve been in onsen since in Japan. Last time at the onsen resort, my bloody (literally!!!) period came. Why oh why.

ON our way out, we saw a deer drinking out of a drain.

And Attack of the deers

Off MC and I went to Yurara no yu. It’s a sort of posh onsen bathing house and has very nice pools.

 

They had a pool of blueberry onsen. Don’t know what they add in but the water was purplish and had faint fragrance of blueberries.

Then back we went to the city area to meet up with the others.

The lights festival is where they line up lines of candles. That’s all I can say

Then back to the same place for dinner. Ordered two bowl coz extra hungry.

Our train back was a slow train but we had seats so it was ok.

Kyoto Tower at night.

Souvenirs from before

And we had to pack for tomorrow’s Tokyo trip. See you in the next entry!

Highlight of the day

Too many photos, you might skip my writing, so will write here. We saw a geisha in the afternoon. We were at Hanami street, walking in the alleys for twenty minutes then I turned into one of the lanes. MC was with me and we waited for PY and HY.

Then they came and we strolle down, I always walk a bit faster and I reached the end of the street. I heard a wooden door open and saw a woman with kimono and geisha hair.

I was speechless. I backed away and waved my arms wildly at the others. “I see a! I see a…!” and whispered, “GEISHA!” I was too afraid to take a photo of her.

The others looked. A taxi speed to her door and she was off. HY said she felt that the geisha gave us a cold stare before going off.

Amazing experience.

Back to boring details of travelling

First day of real travelling and everyone slept a bit later. Travelling is about relaxing, sleeping in never hurt any one. We’re staying in Tomato Guesthouse. It’s an ok place since we only need it for sleeping. The bathroom is shared. But the best thing is, they have FREE wireless. It’s also relatively near the train station. A short walk if you are not carrying any luggage.

For our whole Kyoto trip, we buy breakfast from Lawson’s. HY loves the strawberry milk. I love the convenience stores in Japan. Unlike rumours, they don’t really have *everything*. They have “everything but not that thing you are so desperately looking for.” But no fear, there’s another convenience store just around the corner, they might have it.

After buying breakfast, I went to buy the one day pass for both subway and bus, 1,200 yen. My advice, skip the subway and bus one day pass. It’s really not worth the money. Instead, get the 500 yen bus pass. Buses in Kyoto work well enough. And you don’t really ride so much of the subway anyway. Just pay as you ride for subway.

The bus pass comes with a VERY VERY useful map with buses stops and bus numbers listed on it. I don’t know if they have those in English though.

We chose our destination based on japan-guide.com. Our first stop was Sanjusangendo. It was near our place. Opposite is the Kyoto National Museum (which I did not go and will leave for future trips )

Sanjusangendo has lots of statues. That’s all I can say about it. I now realise I’m not that much of a fan of statues.

Breakfast

 

 

No entrance

 

Kikyo, Chinese Bellflower. The name of 2nd leading lady of Inuyasha.

No photo taking allowed in the hall, these are photos of postcards

Kyoto national museum at background

Next stop, Kiyomizudera. Be prepared to walk really really far! It’s on a hill and you have to climb uphill for a long time, pass shops selling ice that calls out to you to buy it at its 3 times more expensive price.

Lost PY and MC when HY and I stopped at a shop. After searching, we went into the temple. I tell you, we’ve been very lucky all this while during the trip. All four of us met up in the temple grounds soon after we went in.

Kiyomizudera’s entrance’s pagoda

 

Kiyomizudera’s grounds consists of other temples and I saw a famous shrine in it. Jishu Shrine has two rocks about 5 metres away from each other. It is said that if you can manage to walk from one rock to the other without opening your eyes, you wish will come true.

 

HY helped me with reaching the other stone.

Hmm… I don’t remember what wish I made. But maybe it involves (jokingly) Toma and it came true. What a miracle! But what a waste of wishes, seeing an idol isn’t as good as getting a first class honours (which will not happen, but please at least give me a second class. Please!)

 

Then off to the main temple. Japan has lots of tourists but it’s not as crowded as it is in China. So it’s a lot more pleasant travelling in Japan.

Cute guy drawing

After Kiyomizudera, we went down for souvenirs. In the souvenir shop, HY asked for directions to the Golden Pavillion. We walked downhill and to the bus stop. First bus came and we jumped on then at Gion, we alighted.

We saw Bus 12 on the other side of the road. I thought we would not be able to catch it if it goes straight, so I strolled leisurely. But then it stopped at the traffic lights, oh no! it’s going to turn. So we ran as fast as we could to the other bus stop. And luckily, we caught the bus.

The ride to the Golden Pavillion was very very long. We passed Hanami street famous for geisha spotting and Nijo Castle on the way.

We reached the place and have to buy a ticket. The ticket itself was impressive, like a “fu”.

 Perhaps it was too hot, the GOlden Pavillion didn’t look too impressive. But it was shiny, so that’s a plus.

By the time we finished there, we were hungry and we decided to eat at the interchange to Arashiyama. But when we got there, there was no food at the interchange. NOOOO! we had to wait for the bus to Arashiyama.

We reached there not too long afterwards and finally settles in a shop with old ladies as waitresses.

We drank so much water that they didn’t have enough time to refill.

Our destination at the-place-near-Arashiyama was the bamboo walkway. We accidentally went to Tenryuji while looking for it. There was a shortcut in the grounds but we had to pay. Us being students on a budget, we walked the long way instead.

Lots of bamboo.

Bamboo path: Front

Back:

and (what luck!) we arrived at the shrine where Murasaki Shikibu was honored (some sort). It had a brown torii, unlike the usual red ones. And the place was good to pray for good grades. I asked for divine intervention. Please please please

Brown torii!

 

famous Kyoto shop selling beauty products. No money to buy, but posing with the sign is free

Back to Kyoto on a loooong bus ride. I remembered that a large French man sat next to me on the bus.

We stopped at DAISO and went to Fujiya for ice cream puffs that almost took my front teeth.

 

Saw this Maou ad at Lawson’s.

Our destination was Hanami street. From a movie, I learnt that this is where there are lots of tea houses. Tea housese = geisha and maiko (geisha apprentice). We were going to Kobe later for the night scenery so the only time we have for geisha spotting is now.

Lots of foreigners who looked like they were abandoned by their tour guides were there. There was even otaku-looking people with huge cameras.

cute non-geisha

Geisha

PM’s poster

 

We took the small lanes and just when we were about to give up, we saw one going out. It’s the same geisha as the one I mentioned above. How lucky!

The duck river, where stalls are set up during summer. Romantic but too many people.

 

 

Then we took the train to Kobe. The girls helped with my fare coz I didn’t have a Kansai thru pass. THanks.

Arrived at Kobe in late evening and sky was dark. I like how Kobe looked at night, it has just the right amount of business (busy-ness) unlike Osaka with too much.

 

We went to CHinatown, at that time I was grouchy. Yes, I have a bad temper. Sorry about that

I felt weird that we’re eating Chinese food in Japan. But did anyway and the chicken was good. I love chicken!

 

After dinner, we walked to Kobe tower. The girls went to ask a girl selling buns, they spoke to her in Japanese. In the end, I went up and asked if she spoke Chinese. She did (sorry, being mean here, but obviously it’s CHINATOWN!)

Kobe Tower’s nice at night. Even nicer than Kyoto. But when you look up, the clouds move so quickly, you feel that the ground is shaking.

 

I didn’t have the strength to walk around. SO I sat at the edge of the pier.

 

My poor feet.

 

group photo!

Then we took the train back. We were in time for all connecting trains. Phew!

Met a Taiwanese couple who was there for five days and did not understand a bit of Japanese. I admire their braveness and their obvious full wallets.

Reached Kyoto really late. But was fun day

Destinations:
Fukuoka -> Himeji -> Osaka -> Kyoto

Last day in Fukuoka, had breakfast with the whole family. The family sent me off at the nearest JR station and I started my journey on the Shinkansen.

Written on the train ride:

on the Shinkansen to Himeji

9:46am
The train is so fast that I felt dizzy trying to look out at the scenery. Not that there’s much scenery, because of the tunnels we are in.

First day of my Japan travel journey. Am glad that I will be travelling and that there are others who are travelling with me too. :D

9:57am
Train stopping at Kokura, lots of other people coming in. Off again before I even have time to finish this sentence! Will I have enought time to drag all my four luggage out when I get to Himeji???!!

10:16am
Train going very very fast. They have food trolleys on the train and the trolley people are like air steward(ess)s. Also very polite: bowing before coming in and going out.

10:49am Stopping at Hiroshima. May get to come back next year if I can get that internship. Ceiling cat, please help! Wow, it only takes 1 hour and 10 minutes from Fukuoka to Hiroshima, our bus ride was about four hours.

11:15am Fukuyama stop. Lovely gothic cathedral and Japanese castle outside the station. :D Have to start preparing in 15 minutes.

Sitting next to the smoking carriage so smell of tabacco floats in. YUCK!

Balding man in glasses sat next to me. He drank a can of beer. It’s only morning man!

==

Reached Himeji just on time. Had to take my super huge luggage from the rack and carry the damn thing around.

Will be meeting with HY, PY and MC in front of Himeji Station’s tourist info booth at 12:00 noon. If we couldn’t meet at that time, we will go to the North gate. But my luggage is so bleeping heavy I DO NOT want to bring it to the North gate.

I waited till 12:15pm but they weren’t there so I decided to put my luggage in the locker near the Shinkansen gates and go off exploring. I didn’t put my bag in there when I came down coz I thought I could share lockers with the others.

As I walked towards the gates (my JR pass is so helpful with walking into stations) I saw the three of them. Such luck!!! Felt like crying in happiness.

I gave my carry on to MC and then put my things into the locker. When I went out, I decided to breeze pass without showing my pass coz it was with MC.

But the guy at the station said, “Miss Customer, miss customer, you can’t go out without showing your ticket.” Oh please! Asked MC to pass me my bag to him. And he had the nerve to check the date. Hello! How did I get in in the first place?

Himeji was a small place and we decided to walk to the castle instead of taking the 100 yen.

I read from google travels about a small restaurant selling cheap food. Sakura Saku. We asked a school boy if he knew but he didn’t.

THen a very helpful uncle asked if he could help. He didn’t knew the place either and we pestered him for a cheap restaurant. He drew on our map and went off.

But actually, we didn’t really want to go to where he was talking about, so we walked a bit aimlessly around. We decided to turn into a street. And what luck! There was a sign right in front of us with the words SAKURA SAKU.

I tell you, we’ve been really lucky during this week long trip– we always find each other in the end, we always take the right turns, we always get on the bus in time and all other miracles. I thank the Shinto gods for taking care of us during that time.

At Sakura Saku, we had set lunch at 1,050 yen. I misheard the lady saying 1,500 yen and was so embarassed that I took them to the wrong shop.

Hamburger meal

Fish meal (too salty, they say)

With our tummies filled, we walked to Himeji castle. It was very very hot and I think my sunglasses aren’t that good, my eyes felt a bit stuffy wearing them.

Himeji Castle is a nice big white castle with two basement levels.

Nice stamps along the way. I’ve collected a lot of these on postcards.

Postcard writinh

Himeji station

OSAKA

We made plans to meet at Osaka. And I stopped at Shin-Osaka for a long time before I realised I was at the wrong place. Then I took a train to Osaka. and with LUCK! we found each other. 

Takoyaki

Okonomiyaki

Then we split up to get to Kyoto. I took the Shinkansen so I arrived earlier. I went to the info counter and the man there helped me call the hostel for directions. Thanks

Waited a bit and the others arrived too. All four of us were given one room and it was just the right amount of cosiness. They also have FREE wireless!!! Yes!

Had to make plans for the next day. Lots of book flipping and net searching.

By the end of the night, I became the official tour guide of our trip. But actually, everyone helped with the data gathering and shared concerns about walking too much and stuff like that. This trip would never work without everybody’s help. Thanks! It’s the most memorable trip I’ve had.

-Sorry for super long update! have a bit of time now for updating-

messy packing

Last day in school. Class will only start at 10:30am, so could stay back home a bit later.

Turns out, Meri had been awake since 5am, so okaasan and oba-chan didn’t have much sleep. Okaasan was also having a bad stomache ache, I guess it’s gastric, but not sure.

Asked okaasan to help me post my books and my suitcase. At first I had planned to cycle to the post office with my books, but then okaasan said she’ll help me post. She even cut a box to fit all my books. Now they are in a neat box. Thanks.

Off to school on the bike. THe back wheel felt funny, every four seconds there would be a bump. I didn’t know then that it was a flat tyre because it looked alright when I checked.

I cycled to DAISO to buy sunglasses cases and a fan. It was bloody hot. And the bumpy bike made the journey a whole lot worse. To my horror, DAISO only opens at 10am! And it was about 9:20 when I got there. FINE! I’ll cycle to the supermarket to get a drink.

Oh good, the doors are open. But why is it so dark? Oh no! It’s the cashiers preparing for the day. THe shop will only open at 10 too.

So in the hot weather, I cycled my bumpy bike back to the station. At least I caught the 9:31am train to school.

It felt funny that this will be the last time I’m riding the train to school. It didn’t felt like it was too long ago that okaasan brought me on the train and told me what stops are on the way.

Once I got to the stop, I decided to take the subway to class.

The classroom we have our non-language class is near a subway station one sop away. I wanted to use up my transportation pre-paid card. It still has 450 yen, no point bringing back a card worth RM15 that I can’t use. And for one-stop stations, it’s 100 yen. RM3 is not cheap for one stop but it’s very very cheap in Japan.

I arrived in class in time to catch my breath and cool down. Wawa showed me ARASHI’s video on her (new!) iPod. Now I feel like getting and mp4 player. Oh no, materialism. Will stop thinking of mp4s.

Then it was the finals. After 3 years of university, I’ve started to think that I can’t write good stuff. Yes, NM3219 is the best class to give you a punch in the stomach to tell you that: YOUR WRITING SUCKS!

that’s the feeling I get each time I go to tutorials. Good thing that’s history now. Bye bye!!

Back to life in Fukuoka. Wawa and I finished at around 11:30 and we went for lunch. Yesterday and today and probably tomorrow is the open school for Kyushu University. So we see lots of high school student in cute uniforms: sailor outfits, checkered skirts and very nice shirt and pants. Ha ha

At the canteen, the queue for noodles is so long. It was full of visiting high school students. In the end we did get our meals. I got beef udon, my favourite dish. Egg tofu is second to beef udon.

Then it was off to the school library. Wawa didn’t bring her library card, but luckily as it was open school, there was temporary cards for students to scan themselves in.

After that, it was evaluation time at the international hall. Lots and lots of paper to write our comments and stuff. As usual, I wrote in my own statistical numbers. Starting to think that I’m much more meaner than Aso.

After evaluation, it was the closing ceremony, which was really short. Shin gave a funny speech and Angelie a cute one. Then group photo and munch time.

Munch time involved keropok, soft drinks, photo taking, address writing, and some hugging and crying.

When I took my photos with the teachers, they were very encouraging. I didn’t have the courage to tell them that I’ll not be studying Japanese when I get back.

Toilet seat functions

Halfway throught the party, the rain poured. It only rained lightly on Sunday, but this rain was so heavy and the wind so strong that kids might be blown away.

I left at 5 plus. Rain was still pouring, I decided to go to Yume town before going back, to see if I can buy anything for the family and to use up my transportation card (350 yen to go!) 180 yen to Yume town and another 180 to get back. yeah!

At Yume town, I didn’t buy anything (because I’m a cheapo). And I took the bus back. TUrns out, it’s only 100 yen to get back, maybe cause I was stil in the time limit for bus changing. Oh no, now I have 70 yen in my bus card. Ha ha ha. what to do?

It was still raining, though not heavily when I got back. I wanted to go to Daiso but balancing a flat tyre bike and an umbrella is just too hard. I gave up and went back.

I will remember my last day in Fukuoka. Pushing my bike upslope, stepping in puddles in my holey slipper and balancing my umbrella on my shoulder. It’s funny that things like this happens just when you’re about to leave. It’s as if it’s a memory souvenir that Ceiling Cat wants me to have. Thanks!

Before dinner, okaasan helped me call the delivery company. The Black Cat delivery company has a cute logo of a mommy cat biting on a kitten’s neck. Wawa keeps on saying the delivery guys for the company are hot. But all I’ve seen are old uncles and an occasional hottie.

Okaasan called at 7:20pm and the guy came at 8:00pm. Such efficiency. And, yes, the one that came is kind of hot. (Look what you made me write! My parents will see this. ha ha) The guy that came wore a cap and looked sweaty (come to think of it, it’s probably rain, not sweat.) WHat else better than a man who can carry your heavy luggage? ha ha ha. enough stupid talk.

DInner was at the floor table. Very tricky because my feet has not gotten used to sitting on the floor. Dinner was taupok with tofu-chicken filling, fried stuff, and a thing that looked like fired eggplant but is not. :D

Took my last bath with lavendar bath soaking thing. I’ve come to like baths, even though it takes up a lot of time.

After bath, I was a bit sleepy. I went downstairs and Zathura (a bad version of Jumanji was on). I was hoping they would remember that Maou’s on today. They didn’t so I went up for a final packing.

I didn’t realise it, but my hand carry stuff is a lot. What the hell do I have? Ok, clothes (for seven days, a bit too much maybe.), some reading material (ok, three reading materials including my peeling GOne with the wind), toilettries and my laptop. THat’s all, but it takes up four bags! Oh no!!! What happened to the 10 days 4kg bag me??!

Didn’t sleep too late.

COnclusion:

ATW is definitely a very fun program to join. You’ll learn Japanese, take sleepy classes after lunch and make friends. I’ll miss the semi vacation I have here. Fukuoka is also a good place to stay: just the right amount of development (good public transport) and just the right amount of kampung.

TO think that I didn’t even know such a place in Japan existed until I saw it in my sister’s magazine. Definitely will come back here, as a platform for travelling in other parts of Kyushu.

[FINALLY! internet using my computer!!! can cry in happiness!]

Have no memory of what happened today if it were not for the photos. Long live digital cameras!!! And laptops, of course.

Tonight’s the farewell dinner with the family. Have to be back by 7:30pm.

Today’s the day of our Japanese language course presentation. Every level has to give a speech at the end of the program. Topic’s up to you and the length is only about 3 minutes.

I didn’t start writing the script until the last day we had to hand in for correction. There wasn’t much inspiration, and like always, inspiration did come at the end of desperation.

My topic is: The Real Japanese Culture. The theme is that I’m (stupidly) surprised to find that the real Japan is different from the things I’ve read about in comics and watched in dramas. Then I gave some examples (which I hope were funny).

Of course, I couldn’t memorize my script. I do not have the ability to do so. Making stuff up as you go is much more fun, don’t you think?

And, we have to have some sort of powerpoint presentation. I decided to stuff in pictures of comics and dramas and stuff. But I couldn’t get internet at home and didn’t find anything nice while I was in the school lib, I decided to wait until last minute to create my powerpoint slide.

I did just so when I got to school, but the computers there were so so so so slow. I was the last to go in before the presentations started.

I was the 12th so there was still time before my turn. Glad that I was able to understand the others’ speeches. There was a short break around the 9th person, off I went to the computer room next door and put in photos of the pets.

My turn came. It wasn’t too bad, at least some of the people were smiling. Sort of got the effect I want.

Then it was lunch time. Last lunch with Naomi and Sakiko. Sakiko’s bus back to her hometown is in the afternoon and she so kindly met us for lunch. Thanks lots

I had the daily’s special and finish the shredded cabbage. I dislike raw vegetable!

TOday, the SMAP standup board that was at the entrance of the canteen was opened up. I look like a pervert in this photo. ha ha

The class after lunch was sleepy. Perhaps there wasn’t any shocking 18SX stuff that he likes showing.

After class, Wawa and I waited for Naomi outside the classroom. Naomi thought that I would be back after traveliing in Tokyo, when she realised I wasn’t she got me a gift and wrote me a card as fast as she could. So sweet! Thanks!

Then off Wawa and I went for karaoke (again!) we bought a litre of wheat tea at 99 yen. The shop has a box of change! It’s like a 1 sen box and you can use it to pay the last bit of cents that you need.

Then we signed up for the all-you-can-sing package at 800 yen. The mean person at the counter said that we can’t go in the room where HY, PY, MC and QH were in. >3<

We sang and sang. Most of what I sang were English and some Mandarin songs. We sang from 2:55pm to about 5:45pm. Wawa had to go back to post her stuff and for TV.

The walk from karaoke to the train station was about half an hour loooong.

Got back a bit after 7pm, waited for otousan to cycle back from work. Cycling!!! to work!! can’t imagine my dad doing that. Well, Sabah is a bit too hot for that too.

The restaurant that we went to was a sort of fancy Japanese restaurant. Lovely meal with lots of raw fish. And for the last dish, it was squid sashimi.

The squid was still sort of wriggling and the eyes stared at me. Oh well, you’re tasty, I don’t care. Raw squid is chewy like cooked but slightly more slippery. The tentacles were made into tempura.

 

The name of the restaurant was funny. It had the numbers 3 and 8. These two in Chinese is meant a nosy person (mostly a woman) sampat, or samba. ha ha ha

Went back and did final packing for my large suitcase. Took it down.

Cat came in at night.     

I had been spending more time out these days, so very tired when I get back.

will try to post update on the Shinkansen ride from Fukuoka to Kyoto on Saturday.

 

oh no, class has started, got to run

Didn’t update this with text. Since I’m procrastinating, I shall write some.

Wawa went to the broadcast station yesterday after I told her about the big MAOU posters. And she chatted up with one of the employees there, and when she learnt that Wawa

Ohno, she went to get her this folder.

This folder is not sold in shops and they were only given away in special occasions. (Like fan thanking on Aug 15 in Tokyo) V glad for her

 

Then went to sing karaoke with C and YT. We were slightly overtime. but it was fun.

 

The karaoke song choosing thingy.

Then Wawa and I went for sushi!

spin spin spin

 

raw squid (I love!)

poo-like sushi

I happily put a whole packet of wasabi onto my plate. I forgot that it was A LOT of wasabi and duipped my sushi in it. When I ate it, my whole mouth started stinging.

Too much wasabi!

Once I got over it, I was happy. Sushi is nice~

 

Find mr sushi

 Tamaki Hiroshi and unknown person’s phone poster

went home and did nothing

Udon for lunch, and my eco friendly chopsticks

Today, I went out with M and YT to Halata station. YT wanted to find the Gintama series at the BOOK OFF next to the station.

We got there and had to walk a lot before reaching the store. THere were already a lot of people standing-reading. Tachiyomi (literally stand read) is when you go into a shop selling books and start reading it from the cover to the back without the shop attendant breathing down your neck.

It’s cool that they’re not afraid of people messing up their books or things like that. But it’s annoying when the book rack that you want to read already has a batallion of salarymen reading the shonen manga (teenage boy comic) that you want to read.

Of course, in other countries, there are standing-reading, but then Japan’s the only place you see a row of people reading at the book rack.

Then we went to the Hakata station building. M went off to buy food souvenirs while YT and I went to the DAISO and the bookstore there. She bought a magazine. And at Daiso, we shopped like mad.

Then we took a 100 yen bus to Canal City. And YT brought me to the JUMP Shop.

What a nice place. But of course, the one in Tokyo’s much bigger.

I got an USOPP at the egg machine.

What parents dress their kids like this???!

Then we visited the ramen stadium, which is just a tiny space with lots of ramen stalls. I called back to say that I won’t be having dinner.

We decided to eat at a roadside stall — the famous Fukuoka yatai. I remembered reading that they have the most concentrated yatai at Nakasu-Kawabata.

We were quite near there so we walked. We passed the yamakasa temple. The souvenir shop was closed.

When we got to Nakasu-Kawabata, there was one lonely yatai. The price was crazy. And since it was still a bit too early for dinner, we could afford to look. We decided to go to Tenjin coz there confirm got yatai. (wow, my hybrid English)

Then we walked a long long way before taking the bus. I’m Girl on a Budget, you know!

We passed a pachinko. Never been in one, coz it’s freaking loud even from the outside. We waited at the bus stop and saw heavily made up ladies walking into lanes. Hostesses???

Found a book on Hosts at Nakasu-Kawabata. Super eww

WHen we got to Tenjin, we found a nice looking yatai and sat there.

N told me that no girl would eat at yatai alone, good thing YT was with me, or I would never get to eat at a yatai.

Ramen was at 500 yen. Not the cheapest meal in Japan. But we’re paying for the experience.

Then we decided to go to youme town because YT needed shoes. We stopped one stop earlier so we won’t be charge extra for just that stop. Ha ha

I love UNIQLO, bring it to Singapore!!!

YT bought a KFC slurpee. ha ha

Caught a bus back just in time. :D