Shikoku Island - Day Three

Tuesday was another early morning, and we took the Courtesy Car to the station. We headed to Naruto Straights to see the whirlpools before taking the train to Takamatsu.

Me waiting at a super rural station for our connection.

A map of the Tokushima area.

Small island and lighthouse viewed from the bridge.

Whirpools!

Cheese!

Yes! Cut out photo op!

Jen and I in front of the bridge.

The bridge had many chances to see through to the whirlpools below.

This looked like Rocky Mount to me. On the train from Naruto to Takamatsu.

Ritsurin Garden.

GIANT koi.

We got there a little late in the day. If we had been there maybe an hour earlier, the light would have been perfect.

Tea house.

Funky bridge. I could see my Mom asking my Dad to build one of these at their house hahaha.

Me in the garden!

UDON! Shikoku Island is famous for udon, so of course we ate that for dinner.

Tallest building in Takamatsu.

Me on the rented bike (for only 100 yen!) next to the Ogre statue.

Shikoku Island - Day Two

Monday Jen and I woke up early, and went to the JR Tokushima Eki-Mae (station) to get tickets and figure out how to get to Oboke. We spent about $40 on tickets out to Awa-Ikeda on a Limited Express, then picked up a local to Oboke. Oboke and Koboke are known for their gorges. It was BEAUTIFUL! However, Shikoku Island has the worst public transportation ever hahaha. It was so inconvenient.

JR Train drivers stretching at 7am. This is why they're so efficient.

On our local train from Awa-Ikeda to Oboke, we rode the Anpanman train!

Ceiling of the Anpanman train.

Anpanman!

Anpanman train at Oboke station.

Jen and the model vine bridge!

Oboke station. The middle of NOWHERE.

The water was so clear.

Rural Japan.

OH MY GOD! RUN! IT'S GODZILLAAAAAA!

First lunch. Salted trout on a stick!

Kiss kiss.

Nom nom nom. Potato, tofu, and konjak (devil's tounge) in miso paste. Konjak isn't bad, but this huge chunk was tough and disgusting.

Iya Vine Bridge. Straight up Indiana Jones style!

Slats with so much space, you could easily fit your foot through.

800 year old vine bridge? Check. Big camera out? Check. Windy as hell? Double check. Terrified? Oh yea....

Phew! Made it across in one piece!

Reminds me of Boone.

Biwa waterfall.

Second lunch. Soba!

Me and the fake station attendant.

Jen sleeping on the train.

Duck face. We were exhausted.

Shikoku Island - Day One

Tuesday November 3rd is a National Holiday (Culture Day!), so we didn't have work. Hooray! Jen and I took a three day backpacking trip through Shikoku Island. We met at Meiko Station, and took a bus across Awaji Island to Tokushima. The weather was rainy and much colder than we expected, but we had a great trip!


Jen and I on the bus at Meiko Station. Super early. We're tired. Keep in mind the previous night was Halloween...

The bus stop at Meiko was on the side of the highway. Amazing.

On the bus! Crossing the Awaji-Kaikyo Bridge, the world's longest suspension bridge.

We stayed at a Toyoko Inn. Jen is a member and gets a nice discount! We stayed in one in Tokyo too. I like them :)

Random shop sign. Hitler likes mah jong?

Once we put our bags in the hotel, we set off in Tokushima to find some food. We found a festival. With raccoons. I have no idea, but I immediately got a hat, a balloon, and took a photo with one of many giant raccoons.

And with a guy supporting the Tokushima soccer team.

Yay! We love cut out photo ops!

We also love stage shows. This is similar to Power Rangers, and it was super funny, especially since we didn't understand the Japanese voice-over.

OH NO! KING KONG!

Accidental vegetarian

Sorry not many posts lately. I've not been doing anything worth writing about! The weather's turning colder, and I'm staying inside more, which is sad. When the weather gets cloudy, so does your mood...

I recently discovered that I'm pretty much a vegetarian now. For no apparent reason, I decided to start eating healthier, and after a while I actually craved healthy food. I mean, I still salivate when I walk past McDonald's, but no more Saturday morning Mister Doughtnuts for me! :(

I ate salmon today for the first time in like, two weeks. It was strange. I have a three day weekend coming up, and Jen and I are trying to plan a trip so we don't just sit in the house.

I've been thinking lately about what I would like to do next in my life... New Zealand? Australia? Ideas are welcome.

I can't brain today, I have the dumb.

Last night, Jen and I bolted from work to go to Takatsuki for Luke's going away party. He's having another one next weekend for friends, but this one was not only a school event with students, it was also a welcome party for the new teacher! He's a nice guy. We stayed out pretty late, dancing and drinking with Lamika's students! I had a blast.

Today, Jen and I went window shopping, and then went to see "Fast and Furious 4". It was pretty ridiculous, I laughed out loud a lot (keep in mind, this movie isn't a comedy). The best part was about halfway through, when I leaned over to Jen, and asked "So how long until they go to Tokyo? This movie is almost halfway over and they're not even in Japan".

Apparently, I was thinking of F&F 3: Tokyo Drift. Whoops....

Anyways, movies are quite an experience in Japan. The ticket costs 1200 yen, and that was a good price. The concessions though.... AMAZING. Cheap beer, great popcorn, and it cost less than my ticket. The seats are large and plush, and you choose your seat when you buy your ticket. Great.