Akiyoshidai Caves 秋吉台

After just 5 hours sleep (another late night karaoke session!) I was picked up by my fellow teachers Junko sensei and Yukie sensei. We drove across town to Kaoru sensei's house. Kaoru sensei teaches history at one of my schools, her English is very good. There I met her 2 children Daichi and Mau. Daichi is a hyperactive 5 year old boy who was very excited to see me. He was eager to show me his pet beetle and some other insects that he collects in boxes left by the front door. By the time he'd finished chasing them around the floor and picking them up, they appeared to be dead or missing several limbs!

Mau (7) was also excited to see me. As soon as I arrived she practiced her perfect English.... It was far better than my level of Japanese and this kid teaches herself??!! I was amazed at her perfect pronouciation. They couldnt wait to show me around their house and play with me.

After coffee and cakes we left for Akiyoshidai - a mountain town famous for it's limestone caves - (the biggest in Japan). An hour later we arrived..

My new friends Daichi and Mau...

My fellow English teachers Junko sensei and Yukie sensei

My House 山陽小野田市山口県私のアパート

My humble abode in downtown Sanyo Onoda City, Yamaguchi prefecture...

The Japanese style living room...

The dining area...

And my bedroom - lacking any pictures on the wall at the moment...

Hakata Visit 博多に行きました

Kushida Shrine 櫛田神社　in the centre of Hakata city...

With cool Torii Gates:

Japan Dance Festival near Hakata Station

My accommodation for 2 nights... The same capsule hotel that I stayed at last year. Amazingly one of the staff remembered me. Probably because I committed the ultimate act of bad manners in Japan - I didnt take my shoes off at the door and walked across the carpet! Hooray for cheap capsule hotels. This one had a nice sauna, jacuzzi rooms, relaxation suite and massage rooms. Bed and an average breakfast for less than £20!

カプセルホテル 。。。。。

去年僕はこのホテルに泊まりました。　安くて機能的です。　お勧めです。　僕は好きです。

Oumine High School Sports Festival 大嶺

My first experience of a Japanese School Sports Festival...

After running 100m, then spinning around on a baseball bat, the students become human tractors.

Before covering themselves in flour and running to the finish line...

The teachers run around with baskets on their backs... the students chase them and try to throw balls in their basket. One teacher was ambushed by all the kids... It's looked great fun, if not a bit mad!

Tug of war competition. As with all sports - they take this SO seriously...

All the girls want their picture with me!

My First Japanese Calligraphy Lesson 書道初めての経験

First rub the inkstone .... This is very serious - you're meant to be in a deep state of relaxation! Myself and Stephanie are very hung over from a late night karaoke session the night before.


Then attempt a Japanese Kanji character - not without lots of instruction and careful preperation. I chose the kanji that means 'nothing' (no really - it means NOTHING!)... Stephanie from Oz who speaks perfect Japanese chose horse racing (nice!)

And the master Mr Hiyashi at work.... (this guy has won national competitions - I am not worthy!) Check out his brush collection - that's a lot of dead animals...

Then enjoy the most amazing fish barbecue I have ever eaten with lots of beer and sake. The fish was fresh from the morning catch. The crabs were killed at the scene and boiled still kicking! Great company, great food - a successful eveing had by all. Respect to Mr Hiyashi and his lovely family...