My Sayonara

The time must come for everyone.  I guess mine seemed a little earlier than it should of been, but hey ho, I can always come back n pay my "gaijin tax".  Was a good turnout and thanks guys for making it a special night.  First there was "Shabu Shabu" my fav, then off to "The Hub", which was nextdoor and thanks to Sarah we got our own party room!  Then "Kasuga" - Kouji's new haunt - let the karaoke live on.  Highlights - "Leaving on a Jet plane" - although it was very sad and the great turnout, I will miss you all, especially Karaoke Queen and Dick Tang, Yuko, Chiharu and Kouji and with his "broken" GPS - Sakamoto.

Seiha JT v FT karaoke

In my last week in Japan, I was quite lucky that Aiko decided to arrange a karaoke session, with the teachers.  In attendance - Fumi, Yuka, Marie, Michael, Makiko, Arleen and Aiko. Everyone was shy, which meant I was the 1st to sing a song.  After 2 hours most people left to go home or carry on partying elsewhere, but me, Arleen n Aiko decided to rock out n go crazy for another hour, jumping around n dancing, was a definate change, but lots of fun.

Kasagi

My last hike with Rich n Naoyuki tagged along, turns out he likes hiking n will take over my role now im gone.  It was my only day off in a very busy week, so I was very tired n Rich insisted on going early.  It was a nice day out, I took a little too much water, so my bag 
was heavy.  Turns out Rich's mapreading skills were a little off that day n after 12km we hit a road, 
which confirmed what we feared.  We tried hitchhiking to the train station n when that didn't work we found a bus that went to Nara.  I think the boys would have made it back hiking, but I was thankful for the sleep on the bus.  After we headed to Shabu shabu.  Hikes are no fun if things go to plan!  Thanks Rich, for all the long suspenseful, intriguing hikes.

Yaki niku at Makis house with kayoko

17th Sept, just so you know where we are at, me n Scott went to Kayokos friends to have all-u-can-eat Yaki Niku with the 4 kids.  Too much food n too many laughs watching the boys have fun.

koyasan 2007

Just before scott left we went to Koyasan again, it was a holiday weekend, so the last temple we stayed at was fully booked.  This one was OK, Scott wasn't overly impressed, but I thought it was quite nice eating in our room, complete with sake and the freedom to slob after in our yukata.  There was quite a lot of napping actually.  We went for a walk around the graveyard, we took a detour off the path and got attacked by mozzys.  After our bath, the futons were all out ready, Scott decided it wasn't enough and took all the spare bedding n used that too.
Next day we got up early to listen to the prayers, I think the head monk was 92, he talked for ages
but thats ok cos he met the pope!  Later I went and threw water on the buddhas (and myself), a little bit of gift shopping and then we went home.  Not such a bad trip in the end.