Well, I’ve a few things to tell, but will put the photos up first so you can all have a look, Fuji was fantastic, this mountain is one in a million and full of history, you all enjoy. ECM
Just starting – Fuji provided a very nice day
Hey just letting you know I won’t be around on here until I hit Nagoya on the 12th or there abouts….talk soon.
6th August:
Well the trip has started and it’s off to a good start. I was actually dreading checking in as all I had was this electronic ticket, which I was sure was a scam. I’d checked it a couple of times over night to see if it was a scam, but once I got to the check in it all seemed legit. So right now I’m on my plane heading toTokyo. It’s not very full, but there are a lot of Japanese on here, go figure. Just been told that when we land inTokyowe all have to have our fingerprints taken, and your very own personal photo snapped at the entry gate. Something new to me as I’ve travelled a lot beyond here and never had to have my prints taken. I’m in seat 20k half way up the plan and next to the window, started off with a Japanese lady next to me, who quickly got up and shifted to the seats in front when she realised, I was a Maori and cannibalism was still very much part of our culture. No not true, the plane is quite empty so we can stretch out all over the place. Just had brekkie on the plane as well, and it was pretty good, some green tea, followed with a couple of OJ’s and I’m sort of ready for a moi. I’ve watched two movies already, Thor and the Avengers, and the flight plan states we are still 8 hours and 44 minutes until touch down inTokyo. I’ve my Japanese phrase book out and just going over the basics, but even the basics are a bit rough. My steward is Japanese so I did try asking for an OJ in Japanese but realised very quickly when the steward brought me an extra pillow [makura] that I probably stuffed that up. It was most probably to smother me with to stop me butchering their language. Anyways, the test will be when they bring me dinner as I’m going to tell them a joke in Japanese…..hahahaha I do love a challenge. Will talk soon. Sayonara East Coast Maori….
7th August Narita Japan.
0500hrs and I’m wide awake, and it is a beautiful day her in Narita Tokyo. Yesterday was a full on was meet by Ryoji and three others who had come to pick me up. Ryoji is a retired Superintendent with the Tokyo Police and so were the other two guys all retired but high ranking. Anyways, all the konichicwas you could do where quickly put to the side as I got my JR rail pass sorted, and then off in the car to the Mercure hotel. Nice wee place, its all I need with a little room like a shoe cupboard, but there was more than enough room for my bags and it had everything I wanted. Now the bathroom was an eye opener. It had one of those toilets that doubled as a bedai bloody funniest thing I’ve ever tried. Boys and their toys, but I’ll be honest, it was quite blissful, warm hot water running over your nut sack, and then you realise you have the wrong setting and that one is for the women Dahh, but it felt so good. When you sit down you have to wait until the light illuminated before pushing the squirt box otherwise you got cold water, I found that out rather quickly, so won’t do that again. Read the instructions mate. So, the IPA guys is picking me up today and we are off site seeing all over Narita, Old Samurai village is first on the list, but need a run before hand. Talk soon. East Coast Maori.
Had some bad news from home about a good friend of Sarah and mine passing away a few hours ago. Rest in peaceLynnI do hope Peter will be all right, as I’m so far away I’ll just have to send my spirit to her tangi when I sleep. Kia kaha Pete. Shawn
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.
Enjoy
Hi all, sorry about the lack of writings and pictures but who would of known that Tokyo or Japan has an internet problem, and also, my camera decided to buggar up so I’ve been out today getting a new one, so I’m up and running again. Now over the next few days maybe even four I won’t be anywhere near the internet. I’ve a big couple of days with travelling and climbing but I’m so looking forward to seeing Fuji. I can tick that box now and get on with the rest of the tick list. I’ve a book that I brought which I’ve just been putting little notes in next to pages and I’ll see if Ican tell you how the sun looks when I’m up there, watching it rise. Well I’ve a few writings so enjoy. I’ll see if I can put some photos up now, but they are not very good quality. take care talk soon.
All good here, but the house is a bomb site. I’ve gear all over the lounge, but I’m ready to fly. Had a packet of mellow puffs this morning as its my way of getting my choc fix before its sushi and rice for the next three weeks. Anyway, only hrs. before I fly and the Schroedinger’s’ cat theory is taking its hold, love that Big Bang theory. talk soon.
Morning all,
I’ve been hitting the japanese phrase book and utube for anything that will help me get to know the culture when I hit the floor running in Narita. And to be honest, the language is not that difficult. I’m all ready and have not had a chance to sit around doing nothing. All the hotels are booked, the Fuji climb is on, and my Sumo camp in Hanamaki is all go. Looking forward to mixing it with the big guys, I’ll adopt an Ali strategy of hit and run, or just run and hopefully they will fall over before they get their hands on me. Not too excited at the moment, as my time table right up to the day I go is full on. Ok, well, I’d best get on and do some work, siarnara.
East Coast Maori….
Hi guys,
Well about to head off and do another tour and to be frank this one will not be like the others. I’ve Asia in my sights and I’m right near the end of its planning. I’ll be back on this site again sending out messages and photos to family and friends and all who may want to have a quick look at what I’m up to. talk soon. East Coast Maori.