7th August – Narita
2130hrs.
Wow what a day, was picked up at 9 by Masa and taken sight seeing all over Narita. Firstly went to Samurai house where these houses where built during 1603 -1837. These were Samurai houses, for Samurai lords, they were just amazing, the architecture forward thinking was very clever, and the higher rank you were the bigger the house. We came across one lady who was lighting a fire in a cooking urn, inside the house, not for food but to keep the thatched roof free of birds. Spent about two hours at Samurai house just sitting under the banzai trees, which were huge. It reminded me of home in the back yard sitting under the Puriri tree watching those very tasty wood pigeons. Was very pleasant and quite relaxing. Took some photo’s next to Samurai and then off to theNationalMuseumwhere there were so many things to get around and see. One thing for sure is that the history and culture of the Japanese in some ways mirrors that of Maori. It was a very big museum to get around and on every corner was someone to help with directions. You wonder how they make their money as it was only about 260 yen to get in, which in NZ dollars is around three bucks, shear volume of people would quickly increase the dollars. Had quite a good time at the museum and Masa started to get hungry so off to the museum food court. Had mesu noodle soup with fried prawns, followed by boiled peanuts in their shell. Now that was an eye opener, the fried prawns etc was great, but getting used to the taste of boiled peanut was a challenge, but I gave it a go. After that off to Shinshoji temple, I can only say that when I first saw this place it was unbelievable, I can not describe this place so hope the pictures tell more stories than I can. It just seems to climb up into the clouds, what I thought was the temple only lead further up the hill to another one and then the great pagoda of peace. You have to see this place to believe it so I’ll put up as many photos as I can. I only spent a short time here as I had to get ready to go to dinner with Masa and a number of other IPA members. So back to the hotel by 1530hrs, a shower and shave, get dressed and then meet Ryoji in the main hall at 1700hrs. I forgot to mention that through out the day, Masa was under instructions to pay for all the entry fees by Ryoji. They also were taking me out to dinner, all on the IPA pay cheque. It was quite embarrassing, but I demanded to pay for lunch for Masa and he grudgingly accepted as he said he would get in trouble with Ryoji. Not to worry I’ll deal with Ryoji later. I was met in my hotel lobby by Ryjoi, Mr Tenakawa, Mr Takahashi, Mr Fujise, and Masa. After some very quick Konnichiwa’s we were on a train to another part of Narita. I must say the trains are huge and very clean. As we got on the train there where three workers sweeping and mopping the floors, the seats where unmarked and very clean, no graffiti anywhere and air conditioning, did I mention it was 36 degrees today, I was sweating all day when walking around, so the train was a good way to cool down. The train payment systems here would not work inNew Zealandas we would need a total culture change and that’s just not going to happen. After about 7 minutes we arrived at another station where I meet Mr Yamada, Mr Suzuki and Mr Nozaki. The restaurant was an old Japanese style with the matron of the house meeting us in full Japanese komodo and we all sat around a Japanese style table. Now I don’t drink and it was difficult for me in explaining why I didn’t as this seems to be a pass time for the Japanese male. But I was also given a present by the members, a bottle of a very good sake, an IPA hat which I’m told is the first one to be given out so I was number one, and a set of porcelain chop sticks. I in return handed out Police key rings, pens, little fluffy kiwis, police plaques and to Ryoji a present that my cousin Leonie had made especially for him for all his help. They were all so pleased with the gifts that I was getting hand shakes all night long. And after each gift a photo had to be taken so it was real fun. Now the food was outstanding, raw fish, tempura, tuna, sushi, mesu, unbelievable, I cannot complain about the service the Madame of the house came and sat with us and also photos were taken. Back to the sake, in the end I could not say no, so I had a glass given to me, well I had two glasses given to me and when I tasted the first one, I knew it was very strong and I’d not last the first glass if I drank it. So over the next few hours my Japanese friends got plastered, and I watched and waited and sipped my sake about three times. They were really funny, the more sake, the more the noise came and the more photos took place. They were very good people and so respectful and kind. I only hope if and when they come toNew Zealandthat I can show them the same great time. Dinner was fantastic and we returned back to Narita via train, but not before we all had another photo on the steps of the train station. Today has been a great day, tomorrow will bring more things for me to experience and if they are like today, then I’m going to be very tired, but enlightened. I’m getting up early to go to the temple tomorrow before I leave. I want to spend some time there just sitting in one spot and taking in the photograph the temple will leave in my mind. I am looking forward to tomorrow. Until then, East Coast Maori.