So, last June the community group Sandy and Hisako started went to Akiyoshido. And two weeks ago they had their second trip to the Kuju area over in Oita-ken.
Kuju, in brief, via the wondrous - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
"Kujū is a beautiful town, with tourism, beef, strawberries, rice and mushrooms all being produced by local small scale farmers. Mount Kujū is a popular local destination for hiking and in the spring, there are abundant pink flowering shrubs (miayama kirishima) which make the mountain look spectacular. The surrounding areas have many onsen or natural hot springs, and it is fun to go for a soak after a day of hiking. Kujū also has a Flower park, which sells lavendar ice cream and some great restaurants, including Kawano Tofu Restaurant and Izumiya cafe, which has great pasta and black sesame ice cream (which is delicious)."
[btw, most of the pics posted here are mine, but I gleefully stole a few from fellow bus trip member Anton, as his group shots were superior to mine.]
So after our bus ride, first bit on the agenda was a bit of a hike. This was actually much steeper than it looks. And this being Japan, our woodland hike was - part of the way, anyways - paved with concrete.
Nice view, though.
Antagonizing the former Marine with heckling about failing the 3 mile run. "27:55... 56...57... pick it up!" I'm clearly insufferable.
I've never actually seen a perfectly circular rainbow. I'm simple.
Group shot midway up the hike.
Beginning part two of the hike.
Sandy being Sandy.
Badly posed Spider-man wannabe pic.
PIC. OF. THE. DAY. [As Mike accepts the accolades of the universe.]
I have... issues.
After the hike we took the bus over to the Kuju Kogen Brewery, where we indulged in the hamburger steak set and beer.
You could say the beer made them do this, but they didn't have that much to drink. They're just that damn naturally genki.
At the brewery I had to pick up an "Alt beer" to take home. I've no idea what it actually stands for, but given I'm an ALT [assistant language teacher] and it's Alt beer, it was a purchasing must. I'm easily amused. Shut up.
Finally, there was shopping and onsen-ing for some folks... as for me, I took the opportunity to train in the long lost art of child-balancing. Oh, it's real.
Rest of my pics from the day are here.
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| 2008-05-31 |
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