Oita, Kyushu-Okinawa, Japan
This should be a short entry, as today was predominantly a travel day. After breakfast and checking out, we rushed to the nearby bus stop just in time to catch the earlier bus back to the station. Despite having calculated that the bus due 25 minutes later would get us there with half an hour to spare, Michael's anxiety was too great to allow him to relax in the comfort of the hotel lobby! And so we ended up waiting in much less salubrious conditions, but at least we were able to access the free wifi network.
Our train departed on the dot of 12:27am, as per the timetable -- the Japanese railway network is certainly very reliable, although the second train (we had to change along the way) did come in a minute late. With over 2 hours of travel time, I had a chance to finish a book on my Kindle app, glancing out of the window from time to time. The housing became a lot less dense, and we noticed quite a number of larger houses with gardens. There were also more open areas, most of which were planted with rice, or so it appeared from the train window.
The train pulled in to Oita at about 3pm. The large, modern railway station building also contains many flash looking shops, including a bakery that lured us in to buy a few buns (these turned out to be less appetising than their appearances had suggested!). It was only a short (10-minute) walk to our hotel, apparently he top hotel in Oita. Along the way, we passed through another very long covered street lined with shops and restaurants. There would be no problem finding somewhere to have dinner.
After checking in to our room (a decent-sized room on the 17th floor), we logged on to the Internet -- usually the first thing we do when we arrive anywhere! Actually, we had to go down to the lobby to ask how to connect, as neither of us could pick up a signal. It turned out that we had to first turn on our TV and then enter the TV's wifi information on to our iPads. As it was still so hot outside (29C with 86% humidity), we were happy to stay inside in the cool for a while. We caught up with Dad, Alisha & Oaki, and Gretl in separate video calls.
Apparently, Oaki heard Alisha's phone 'ring' and piped up with, "Phone! Nini!". Of course, my heart melted! It was great to learn a bit more about Gretl's 6-week trip to Europe from which she and Sean returned last weekend. (She doesn't blog like her mother, and so we hadn't heard too much about it!) Oh, yes -- we also shared the buns we had bought at the station. :-)
Late afternoon, we ventured outside again. Not far from the hotel, the remains of the old castle stand. There is a small garden in one corner, but most of the area appears to be used as a car park. As we wandered back across the bridge over the moat, I noticed a large group of people 'dancing' to music in a courtyard, and so I stopped to watch them for a while (see video clip). We then meandered our way back to the railway station area where a group of performers dressed in kimonos were 'dancing' to music and singing. Young and old made their way slowly around in a large circle, their movements reminding me of people doing Tai Chi. Michael went off to explore the shops whilst I watched for a while.
An older Japanese man, who appeared to be an official photographer (at least he was using a professional-looking camera) approached me and tried to communicate something to me. I finally figured that he was offering to take a photo of me with my camera! I knew it probably wouldn't work very well, as it was getting dark and the flash was turned off...and sorry, Lynette, but I didn't have time to figure out how to change the ISO!
When Michael returned, we bought some fried chicken pieces from one of the nearby stalls and then proceeded upstairs inside the shopping centre to a food hall. I was impressed to find that there were a couple of 'stations' in the food hall where you could wash your hands and help yourself to cups of water to have with your meal! I wish they would have these in Australia, instead of forcing people to either buy bottled drinks (contributing to more waste) or go thirsty.
After eating our meals -- some sort of soupy noodle dish -- we explored different sections of the department store, curious to see what sort of items they sell. You can certainly get a huge range of weird implements to clean your skin, nose and ears!Our stroll back across the grounds in front of the station was interesting -- the huge cartoon-like inflated structures on display that we'd seen on our arrival were now all lit up. We have no idea what they represent, but they photograph well! Then we came across a circular grid on the ground through which water vapour was regularly expelled -- it looked like the mist effect used in stage productions. Very clever.
Back to the hotel, last check of iPads, and then off to bed.
ian.watson
2016-08-04
Day 12 was clearly focused on replenishments for your bodies, which for the time you have been in Japan have been very active in exploring gardens, shrines and temples. Both your report and photos on Day 12 reflect this view.
That looks to be a very interesting video clip, but unfortunately could only be played for an odd second or two before stopping over and over again. Yesterday's videos also suffered from the same problem. This one at Oita is interesting and reflects the interest of the Japanese lecturers at the Japan Institute on Special Education on the subject of positions of the body in space, when we were guests in 1980. You may recall that they asked Mum to provide them with a lecture for their students, when they heard from her about the teaching techniques she was using in teaching physical education to children and young adults with special needs. Unfortunately the video you sent only provides intermittent and jerky bodily movements.
You needed a relatively less bodily taxing day in order to regain your energies for the rest of your busy tour. Keep well.
melandmic
2016-08-04
I'm sorry the video playback quality is so bad. I may need to compress the recordings...later!
Unfortunately, today has seen another flare-up of my rash. I didn't think I pushed myself that hard, but clearly I did. I will endeavour to ease off tomorrow, whatever it is we end up doing.
xxx
Tracy Neldner
2016-08-11
Nice pjs Merrilly