So I'm not sure how the weather is there, but today it was awful. It was cold,and rainy, and miserable. Of course, that didn't stop us from seeing what there is to see in Hong Kong!
We were woken up this morning by one of the boys' (the people we're staying with, my parents' old friends, have two adorable little four-year-old sons) talking truck. Not the best way to wake up. Anyways, after breakfast we went out to another island that was an hour ferry ride from where we are. The plans were to go bike riding (there aren't any cars) in the mountains, but it was ruined by the weather. However, we did have a delicious meal and see a beautiful temple.
On the contrary, the past couple days have been boiling. We even had to buy more clothes it was so hot out. I am so hoping for a white Christmas. On that note, everyone have a great holiday season! I'll see you all in the new year!
-Georgie ;D
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Almost There!
Hello everyone!
At the end of our trip we went to Beppu, which is a big city that's right at the base of Mt. Unzen and Mt. Aso, the two largest active volcanoes in the world. Because of the volcanoes, there are many hot springs, which allows Beppu its wonderful onsens.We also got a hot black sand bath on the beach. Wonderful!
Then we got to Tokyo, where we finally met up with my mom and sister. It was nice to see them after so long. We went shopping in Harajuku and Shibuya and visited Asakasa temple. Then it was off to airport to Hong Kong! My first time in China!We think we might go to a pub to watch the Club World Cup finals, which was hosted in Tokyo. The city was absolutely packed with soccer fans. Go Corinthians!
-Georgie
At the end of our trip we went to Beppu, which is a big city that's right at the base of Mt. Unzen and Mt. Aso, the two largest active volcanoes in the world. Because of the volcanoes, there are many hot springs, which allows Beppu its wonderful onsens.We also got a hot black sand bath on the beach. Wonderful!
Then we got to Tokyo, where we finally met up with my mom and sister. It was nice to see them after so long. We went shopping in Harajuku and Shibuya and visited Asakasa temple. Then it was off to airport to Hong Kong! My first time in China!We think we might go to a pub to watch the Club World Cup finals, which was hosted in Tokyo. The city was absolutely packed with soccer fans. Go Corinthians!
-Georgie
Monday, December 10, 2012
More Travels
Sorry for the delay, our schedule has been jam packed for the past couple days!
Dec. 7
We had a pretty uneventful day. In the morning we did almost nothing but traveling and the planned museum was closed. We ended up just hanging out around Kitakyusyu which wasn't so bad. Our hotel was in Sasebo, where the hamburger was introduced in Japan by American sailors. Sasebo burgers are famous all over Japan and we got treated to them for dinner at the hotel. DELICIOUS!
Dec. 8
In the morning we did more train riding to Arita, which is a small city famous for their pottery and ceramics (pretty much everywhere is famous for something in Japan). There we visited the ceramic museum and also looked around old Arita town for some shopping. We viewed some exquisite pieces and had a great time.
Dec. 9
Another slow day. There were plans to go on a short cruise to a little island off the coast, but it actually SNOWED and some of us were sick (including me) which pretty much ruled it out.
Dec. 10 (today)
First we rode EVEN MORE TRAINS to get to Nagasaki, which is where we are now. In the afternoon we visited a beautiful garden called Susenji.
And one more thing:
I have tried both strawberry and sweet-potato flavored Kit-Kats. Yum (and I'm not being sarcastic).
-Georgie ;)
Dec. 7
We had a pretty uneventful day. In the morning we did almost nothing but traveling and the planned museum was closed. We ended up just hanging out around Kitakyusyu which wasn't so bad. Our hotel was in Sasebo, where the hamburger was introduced in Japan by American sailors. Sasebo burgers are famous all over Japan and we got treated to them for dinner at the hotel. DELICIOUS!
Dec. 8
In the morning we did more train riding to Arita, which is a small city famous for their pottery and ceramics (pretty much everywhere is famous for something in Japan). There we visited the ceramic museum and also looked around old Arita town for some shopping. We viewed some exquisite pieces and had a great time.
Dec. 9
Another slow day. There were plans to go on a short cruise to a little island off the coast, but it actually SNOWED and some of us were sick (including me) which pretty much ruled it out.
Dec. 10 (today)
First we rode EVEN MORE TRAINS to get to Nagasaki, which is where we are now. In the afternoon we visited a beautiful garden called Susenji.
And one more thing:
I have tried both strawberry and sweet-potato flavored Kit-Kats. Yum (and I'm not being sarcastic).
-Georgie ;)
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Miyajima
Konnichiwa!
On the second day of the trip we went to the island of Miyajima, which has a complete shrine that sits on stilts in the ocean. It includes a giant tori gate sitting in the inland sea, or Setonaikai. We took a cable car partly up a small mountain but hiked up to the peak. The view was amazing, with a 360 degree view of the ocean. And what's more, it snowed! Just some little flurries however. Today we have lots of traveling to get to Sasebo, our next destination. Super exited to come home!
See ya
-Georgie ;)
On the second day of the trip we went to the island of Miyajima, which has a complete shrine that sits on stilts in the ocean. It includes a giant tori gate sitting in the inland sea, or Setonaikai. We took a cable car partly up a small mountain but hiked up to the peak. The view was amazing, with a 360 degree view of the ocean. And what's more, it snowed! Just some little flurries however. Today we have lots of traveling to get to Sasebo, our next destination. Super exited to come home!
See ya
-Georgie ;)
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Hello once again!
I'm back at it again! Traveling, that is.
We've left Kyoto for good (wahhhhh!) and now I'm on the road with my dad and the students. Right now we're in Hiroshima, which is the city where the US dropped the first A-bomb during WW2. Sorry for the short post, but it's sort of a hard place to describe. Everything is rebuilt now except for the A-bomb dome, an old exhibition hall that was the one thing left standing after the bombing. It has been restored to its exact condition in the bombing but reinforced to stay standing as a monument and memorial of that day. We had a lecture from an actual survivor who was in the womb when it took place. He gave us his blog address, and I'm sure he would be happy to know that you checked it out too.
http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/mitokosei/26522134.html
The above is a link to his mother's translated memoirs of that day. Please enjoy.
-Georgie
We've left Kyoto for good (wahhhhh!) and now I'm on the road with my dad and the students. Right now we're in Hiroshima, which is the city where the US dropped the first A-bomb during WW2. Sorry for the short post, but it's sort of a hard place to describe. Everything is rebuilt now except for the A-bomb dome, an old exhibition hall that was the one thing left standing after the bombing. It has been restored to its exact condition in the bombing but reinforced to stay standing as a monument and memorial of that day. We had a lecture from an actual survivor who was in the womb when it took place. He gave us his blog address, and I'm sure he would be happy to know that you checked it out too.
http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/mitokosei/26522134.html
The above is a link to his mother's translated memoirs of that day. Please enjoy.
-Georgie
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Trip Continued
Sup again.
Monday we took a ferry (making me miss summer!) to Inujima (this island is named after a dog, so that's why inu (dog) is in the name). The island used to be a copper smelting factory, and the ruins have been made into an art project that takes you through the factory. One of the installations included a hallway that looked as though you were going to a drop off, but was actually lined with mirrors that created the illusion. I was creeped out by the whole thing, especially the falling-down smoke towers and didapilated refinery. But it was beautiful in a way, especially the black slag (residual material from the smelting process) sand and bricks. I would love to show you pictures, but for the art peices they weren't allowed. I do have some of the ruins, however.
Yesterday was also pretty full. From Uno Port we took another ferry to Naoshima. We got some famous udon (thick noodles) from a little shop as we waited for the ferry to Teshima, where we would spend the day. Luckily there were sixteen electric assist bikes at the rental store. And those things are cool- we spent most of the afternoon riding them in the mountains. Basically you turn the battery on and it gives you an extra push with every pedal. I know- I sound like a commercial. But they are seriously awesome. On the way was the Teshima Art Museum, a big white dome tucked next to bright green rice terraces on the side of a mountain. The installation was done by Rei Naito and Nishizawa. You go in and see something moving across the floor like little bugs, but when you get closer you realize it's water. Inching along the white floor, leaving no wet marks or any trace at all. At first it's weird but after awhile it feels sort of soothing. That was one of my favorite parts of the trip. The next museum was The Archives of the Heart by Christian Boltanski, and I registered my heart beat with the installation. Afterwards you can go into a room and hear it played on a speaker as a hanging light bulb flashes to the beat. That was also pretty fun and a little weird too. I got a CD of the recording, so if anyone wants to hear how my heart sounds through a stethescope, just ask! After the bike ride was finished we stopped for matcha (green tea) ice cream and visited some art houses on the island. Next we took YET ANOTHER FERRY(!) back to Naoshima. Everyone got dressed up for the fancy dinner, a seven-course French meal that included Amuse Bouche (like an appetizer) and a pre-dessert hibiscus palette cleanser. Delicious. Well that's all for today, got to go get ready for the Japanese dinner tonight. I hear it's getting cold there, but today it was about 90 for us! Missing you!
-Georgie (^.^)
Monday we took a ferry (making me miss summer!) to Inujima (this island is named after a dog, so that's why inu (dog) is in the name). The island used to be a copper smelting factory, and the ruins have been made into an art project that takes you through the factory. One of the installations included a hallway that looked as though you were going to a drop off, but was actually lined with mirrors that created the illusion. I was creeped out by the whole thing, especially the falling-down smoke towers and didapilated refinery. But it was beautiful in a way, especially the black slag (residual material from the smelting process) sand and bricks. I would love to show you pictures, but for the art peices they weren't allowed. I do have some of the ruins, however.
Yesterday was also pretty full. From Uno Port we took another ferry to Naoshima. We got some famous udon (thick noodles) from a little shop as we waited for the ferry to Teshima, where we would spend the day. Luckily there were sixteen electric assist bikes at the rental store. And those things are cool- we spent most of the afternoon riding them in the mountains. Basically you turn the battery on and it gives you an extra push with every pedal. I know- I sound like a commercial. But they are seriously awesome. On the way was the Teshima Art Museum, a big white dome tucked next to bright green rice terraces on the side of a mountain. The installation was done by Rei Naito and Nishizawa. You go in and see something moving across the floor like little bugs, but when you get closer you realize it's water. Inching along the white floor, leaving no wet marks or any trace at all. At first it's weird but after awhile it feels sort of soothing. That was one of my favorite parts of the trip. The next museum was The Archives of the Heart by Christian Boltanski, and I registered my heart beat with the installation. Afterwards you can go into a room and hear it played on a speaker as a hanging light bulb flashes to the beat. That was also pretty fun and a little weird too. I got a CD of the recording, so if anyone wants to hear how my heart sounds through a stethescope, just ask! After the bike ride was finished we stopped for matcha (green tea) ice cream and visited some art houses on the island. Next we took YET ANOTHER FERRY(!) back to Naoshima. Everyone got dressed up for the fancy dinner, a seven-course French meal that included Amuse Bouche (like an appetizer) and a pre-dessert hibiscus palette cleanser. Delicious. Well that's all for today, got to go get ready for the Japanese dinner tonight. I hear it's getting cold there, but today it was about 90 for us! Missing you!
-Georgie (^.^)
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
The Big Trip
Sup.
So, as you may or may not know, this week is a big trip for the group. We're going all over to visit different things and living in hotels (L-O-V-E LOVE it!). And there's traveling to be done. Lots and lots of traveling.
Anyway, it started off on Sunday when we got up at seven to catch a Shinkansen (Bullet Train as they're more commonly known as in America). It was about an hour's ride to Okayama, the land of Momotaro (peach boy). We dropped our luggage at the hotel and headed out. Everyone was super hungry, and we happened upon an outdoor food festival. We got the best steak on a stick (like a kebob) and it was so good I stole my dad's. After our snack we continued on to Korakuen stroll garden. The group spread out, and my dad and I explored around too. We bought some fish food for the coy, which here are about 30 inches long and weigh around twenty pounds. They're also beautifully colored-- red, yellow, orange and gold. My favorite are the bluish-gray, which you can only see when the light hits the water just right. Of course I got hungry too, so we stopped for homemade peach ice cream at a little shop in the garden. I collected a fuzzy little peach charm for my cell phone. Once we got back to the hotel we were exhausted from the morning, so it was nice to finally have some time to rest. After a little power nap it was time to go again, this time for dinner in Kurashiki. We ate at an unagi (eel) resturant. I didn't try any, but the gyoza (dumplings) and yakitori (fried chicken) I did eat was delicious.
I have to go get ready for the day, a museum visit and beach hangout (yay!). I'm feeling industrious, and since today is special, I'll try to blog this afternoon too. Missing everyone bunches!
-Georgie @:)
So, as you may or may not know, this week is a big trip for the group. We're going all over to visit different things and living in hotels (L-O-V-E LOVE it!). And there's traveling to be done. Lots and lots of traveling.
Anyway, it started off on Sunday when we got up at seven to catch a Shinkansen (Bullet Train as they're more commonly known as in America). It was about an hour's ride to Okayama, the land of Momotaro (peach boy). We dropped our luggage at the hotel and headed out. Everyone was super hungry, and we happened upon an outdoor food festival. We got the best steak on a stick (like a kebob) and it was so good I stole my dad's. After our snack we continued on to Korakuen stroll garden. The group spread out, and my dad and I explored around too. We bought some fish food for the coy, which here are about 30 inches long and weigh around twenty pounds. They're also beautifully colored-- red, yellow, orange and gold. My favorite are the bluish-gray, which you can only see when the light hits the water just right. Of course I got hungry too, so we stopped for homemade peach ice cream at a little shop in the garden. I collected a fuzzy little peach charm for my cell phone. Once we got back to the hotel we were exhausted from the morning, so it was nice to finally have some time to rest. After a little power nap it was time to go again, this time for dinner in Kurashiki. We ate at an unagi (eel) resturant. I didn't try any, but the gyoza (dumplings) and yakitori (fried chicken) I did eat was delicious.
I have to go get ready for the day, a museum visit and beach hangout (yay!). I'm feeling industrious, and since today is special, I'll try to blog this afternoon too. Missing everyone bunches!
-Georgie @:)
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