Kumomoto ken, Kofun, Aso at night

Hmm, my wireless internet connection isn't working. Could it be that I'm near the edge of a volcanic crater? Nah.

It's been a wonderful day. I woke up before my alarm and read the first volume of the Chronicles of Chrestomanci which continues to be engaging though I have no idea where it's going. I jumped on the internet and took advantage of the free printer to print a nice map to the National Kyuushu museum which I will be going to after New Years (on account to it being closed until then). I then jetted off and had a quick breakfast at McDonalds (hmm, sausage mcmuffins taste as tasteless as I remember them being). I was slightly worried that one or both the museums I wanted to visit today would be closed but luck was with me and even though I was the only one there, they were open *L*( This is long. It contains much archaeological squeeage. You have been warned. )

And I'm currently watching someone hunt an octopus and stingray on tv. These guys have been stranded on an island and have to build their own house and catch their own food and cook it and I think they're comedians cause they're having a lot more fun than I would have doing it. Tomorrow, I'll head up to have a look at Aso, though I'm not so hot on the idea of hiking in the snow. I'm toying with spending the night at a Kurosawa onsen but I'm not sure how much money I'm willing to spend. Good night, m'dears!

Kumomoto ken, Kofun, Aso at night

Hmm, my wireless internet connection isn't working. Could it be that I'm near the edge of a volcanic crater? Nah.

It's been a wonderful day. I woke up before my alarm and read the first volume of the Chronicles of Chrestomanci which continues to be engaging though I have no idea where it's going. I jumped on the internet and took advantage of the free printer to print a nice map to the National Kyuushu museum which I will be going to after New Years (on account to it being closed until then). I then jetted off and had a quick breakfast at McDonalds (hmm, sausage mcmuffins taste as tasteless as I remember them being). I was slightly worried that one or both the museums I wanted to visit today would be closed but luck was with me and even though I was the only one there, they were open *L*( This is long. It contains much archaeological squeeage. You have been warned. )

And I'm currently watching someone hunt an octopus and stingray on tv. These guys have been stranded on an island and have to build their own house and catch their own food and cook it and I think they're comedians cause they're having a lot more fun than I would have doing it. Tomorrow, I'll head up to have a look at Aso, though I'm not so hot on the idea of hiking in the snow. I'm toying with spending the night at a Kurosawa onsen but I'm not sure how much money I'm willing to spend. Good night, m'dears!

Aso and Kurokawa Onsen

I'm now sitting in a youth hostel near Kurokawa onsen area, eating the little sweet potato buns that are supposed to be omake but which I bought as a snack for tonight since hostels have ridiculously early curfews (10 o'clock in this case) even though we're on top of a mountain and there's nothing to do out here. It's also -10 degrees C outside. I don't intend to find out how cold that is in farenheit until I get home, for my own peace of mind (wah, 14 degrees?!). I paid for my own room so I'm huddled in front of the gas heater typing. I'm sure it will be warm enough for me to sleep in a few hours. *knock on wood, or tatami in this case*

( Volcanos and Onsen )

I'm going to watch Hogfather part 2 now and I'm debating whether to go back and do another three onsen tomorrow before I head to Beppu, or if that would be overkill... Ja ne!

Aso and Kurokawa Onsen

I'm now sitting in a youth hostel near Kurokawa onsen area, eating the little sweet potato buns that are supposed to be omake but which I bought as a snack for tonight since hostels have ridiculously early curfews (10 o'clock in this case) even though we're on top of a mountain and there's nothing to do out here. It's also -10 degrees C outside. I don't intend to find out how cold that is in farenheit until I get home, for my own peace of mind (wah, 14 degrees?!). I paid for my own room so I'm huddled in front of the gas heater typing. I'm sure it will be warm enough for me to sleep in a few hours. *knock on wood, or tatami in this case*

( Volcanos and Onsen )

I'm going to watch Hogfather part 2 now and I'm debating whether to go back and do another three onsen tomorrow before I head to Beppu, or if that would be overkill... Ja ne!

Kurokawa Onsen Part 2 and Takatsuka Atago Jizoson Temple

I'm home in Yamaguchi-ken atm. More on that later.

First, I awakened around 6am while at the hostel above Kurokawa to discover that my gas heater had run out of gas. This is something of a disturbing prospect when it's -10 outside, but I was going to awaken in two hours anyway, so I gamely huddled under several layers of blankets (stolen from other beds) and eventually curled up into a ball to conserve warmth before falling back asleep. I changed as fast as I could in the morning then bundled into all my winter gear (which was required to go to the toilet since there was absolutely no heating in the halls). I munched on a bun I had bought the night before for breakfast and had a cup of rooibos tea (I brought it with me for just such a situation) while chatting with a random guy who was there to help the main guy with the hostel. It only occurs to me now that I spent the night alone on a mountain top with three men in freezing cold weather. I really am a bit insane, aren't I?

I headed off to Kurokawa, intent on finding out if the onsen that were closed the day before were open. I figured if they were, I'd pay for another medallion and visit three of them again since I needed to warm up anyway. If not, I'd just wander around and take a few pics before going. They were all open again so I bought a medallion and took my camera with me to the first one. ( Ryokan and Beppu - pics of course )

I feel a hell of a lot better now that I've had a full night of sleep in the quiet of my own home. I didn't wake up until 11am and had a nice breakfast of rolls and tea and yogurt and fruit. I think I'll spend the rest of the day relaxing and catching up on Yuletide stories now that this journal is finally caught up.

Some last things:
I saw four different animal crossing signs while on the various expressways around Kyuushu - deer, tanuki (badger/racoon), rabbit and boar. Yes, you read that right.

One of the coolest things about driving around Kagoshima were the little signs on Route 10 telling you you were 400 something kilometres from Moji.

A few things anyone should know about youth hostels in Japan
-there are no locks on the doors
-they will happily rent to you even if you don't have a card
-all the pillows are invariably buckwheat (unless you like that sort of thing, you'll have to bring your own or improvise)
-they have early curfews 10 or 11 at the latest
-outside of a city, they almost always have parking. Inside? Good luck.
-the toilets usually have hand soap oddly enough, but there are no towels

The men of Sakurajima all know the name Edinburgh because it's the name of a nearby love hotel.

I'm very happy to be home and plan on spending new years watching tv and toasting the new year in while listening to the temple bells. G'day all!

Kurokawa Onsen Part 2 and Takatsuka Atago Jizoson Temple

I'm home in Yamaguchi-ken atm. More on that later.

First, I awakened around 6am while at the hostel above Kurokawa to discover that my gas heater had run out of gas. This is something of a disturbing prospect when it's -10 outside, but I was going to awaken in two hours anyway, so I gamely huddled under several layers of blankets (stolen from other beds) and eventually curled up into a ball to conserve warmth before falling back asleep. I changed as fast as I could in the morning then bundled into all my winter gear (which was required to go to the toilet since there was absolutely no heating in the halls). I munched on a bun I had bought the night before for breakfast and had a cup of rooibos tea (I brought it with me for just such a situation) while chatting with a random guy who was there to help the main guy with the hostel. It only occurs to me now that I spent the night alone on a mountain top with three men in freezing cold weather. I really am a bit insane, aren't I?

I headed off to Kurokawa, intent on finding out if the onsen that were closed the day before were open. I figured if they were, I'd pay for another medallion and visit three of them again since I needed to warm up anyway. If not, I'd just wander around and take a few pics before going. They were all open again so I bought a medallion and took my camera with me to the first one. ( Ryokan and Beppu - pics of course )

I feel a hell of a lot better now that I've had a full night of sleep in the quiet of my own home. I didn't wake up until 11am and had a nice breakfast of rolls and tea and yogurt and fruit. I think I'll spend the rest of the day relaxing and catching up on Yuletide stories now that this journal is finally caught up.

Some last things:
I saw four different animal crossing signs while on the various expressways around Kyuushu - deer, tanuki (badger/racoon), rabbit and boar. Yes, you read that right.

One of the coolest things about driving around Kagoshima were the little signs on Route 10 telling you you were 400 something kilometres from Moji.

A few things anyone should know about youth hostels in Japan
-there are no locks on the doors
-they will happily rent to you even if you don't have a card
-all the pillows are invariably buckwheat (unless you like that sort of thing, you'll have to bring your own or improvise)
-they have early curfews 10 or 11 at the latest
-outside of a city, they almost always have parking. Inside? Good luck.
-the toilets usually have hand soap oddly enough, but there are no towels

The men of Sakurajima all know the name Edinburgh because it's the name of a nearby love hotel.

I'm very happy to be home and plan on spending new years watching tv and toasting the new year in while listening to the temple bells. G'day all!