A Remarkable Trip

Last week we took a remarkable trip to the Sea of Japan.  We've been here for three years, and after seeing how beautiful the west coast of Japan is, I can't believe we waited so long to get out there. 

Our in-house travel planner, Lyana, organized a three-day excursion to the west coast and convinced two other families to join us.

We have had many remarkable experiences in Japan, and this trip was no exception.  Allow me to share with you some of our "remarkable" moments from this memorable vacation.

It's remarkable . . .

. . . that they can get away with slides like this in Japan.  I mean, look at the vertical drop on this thing?  Would you allow your kids to go on this?  Yes.  I personally dropped them one by one -- though Katya finally braved it herself.  Keep your elbows off the slide as you fall or prepare for slide-burn!!

It's remarkable . . .

. . . that I'm pedaling a pink car.  Seriously, though, it's fun to do weird things (like take you family for ride in a pink pedal-car).  Three hundred yen for half an hour goes a long way -- mostly in the way of tired legs.  You ever try pedaling a car for 30 minutes?  I feel bad for the Flintstones.

It's remarkable (you get the idea now so I can stop typing this part) . . .

. . .  that we didn't get attacked by territory-protecting wild monkeys!!  Yeah, you think this is just a harmless roller slide, but what you don't see are the gangs of wild monkeys lurking in the trees.  So we didn't actually see any monkeys either, but we smelled them, or at least we got the scent that we were playing in their territory.  Evidence was all around us -- on the stairs, on the ground, on the pads, even on the rollers.  They couldn't have been too far away.

. . . that we still got to see the 4th of July parade, albeit it consisted of 4 unruly children waving American flags as they marched down the gravel road singing "Your a Grand Ole Flag."  It's also remarkable that they knew the words to that song. 

. . . that our camping stoves worked.  This was the first time for each of us to our new camping stoves - mine was butane powered (single burner), his was propane (double burner) AND he had the griddle/grill .  So he got the American Dad privilege of grilling hamburgers on the 4th of July.  I got the second most important job though -- heating up the canned beans.  Ironically, there were stoves in the cabin, but that just didn't seem right.  By the way, the beans were terrific.

. . . that these two pipsqueaks are so adorable.  These guys are just a couple of picture-loving hams.

. . . that these two were caught on camera sitting still.  Sugar has nothing compared to what the great outdoors can do to rev up a young boy's energy.  One of the first things they did after we arrived at the cabins was find the nearest creek and catch a tadpole.  With some convincing, they returned safely (I think) to the creek where it will undoubtedly grow into a big frog for some other curious lad to discover.

. . . that half the marshmallows ended up as black, bubbling, gooey balls of fire.  Wait, that's not remarkable at all.  It's no surprise to me that no fewer than 47 marshmallows met their fate IN the fire.  We had a few Japanese friends join us in making S'mores that night too.  They were the guy from the receptionist desk and some of his friends.  They did pretty well, though one guy's marshmallows kept lighting on fire, too.

. . . that we didn't start a forest fire.  We didn't light any fireworks that night, but we had plenty of Japanese sparklers -- at least a hundred, for sure (thanks to Jeana).  Instant hit.  And thanks to our new Japanese friends, we knew which ends to lit -- really, it was not that obvious -- and how to hold them. Not your typical American-swing-your-arms-around sparklers (though we had some of those too).  Of course the lighter stopped working, so what did we do?  Oh, kids, just go light them in the campfire. 

It's remarkable (in case you forgot the theme of this post) . . .

. . .  that Lyana found these great cabins.  We stayed here the first night.  Microwave, refrigerator (took a while to figure out it wasn't turned up enough), stove (didn't use it of course), dining table and chairs, upstairs loft, big bathroom, and TWO beds!!  That's the remarkable part, the beds.  I didn't realize how remarkable those beds were until we got to the next cabin.  Tell you about that later.

. . . that places like this exist.  We visited this area in Senjojiki (meaning thousand tatami mats) that was created by an earthquake hundreds of years ago.  Of note, the emperors of old used to have picnics there.  We didn't meet any emperors, but we had a fantastic time walking ("stop running") around the inlets ("don't fall in") and tide pools ("do those crabs bite?") created in the rocks.

. . . that I have such a good looking family. 

. . . that we found this place.  We had good idea where this beach was, or at least what city it was in, but it's not easy to find where to turn when there's no sign in English.  We knew when we had gone too far, somehow, so we backtracked (one of many, MANY U-turns) and stopped at a gas station for directions.  Then we witnessed another great moment in Japanese friendship.  When Lyana asked the gas station attendant for directions, he just started walking down the street, followed by a rather bemused Lyana, and then three cars (occupants of which were also somewhat confused).  He crossed the street,then the tracks and walked a good 100 yards just to show us where to turn (we were that close).   

. . . that we weren't kicked out.  Okay, it's not like this place was actually closed or anything.  But when we showed up and it was completely deserted (and the restrooms were locked up) I was a little hesitant to get in the water (just a little).  I'd heard that it was illegal to swim at a swimming area in the ocean (or in this case the sea) if there wasn't a lifeguard present.  Honestly, though, we didn't waste too much time getting in, but I did keep looking over my shoulder.  The kids, on the other hand, didn't have a care in the world.

 

. . . that places like this exist.  I've been to many diffent beaches, and usually it's just sand and ocean.  This "beach", however, is a concrete beach.  No sand.  the "islands" you see just off shore are concrete blocks with steps leading to them.  And around the perimeter of the entire swimming area is a concrete sidewalk 2 feet below the surface.

. . . to be here.  This Shinto shrine on top of a rock outcropping afforded a fantastic view of the Sea of Japan and an adjacent harbor.  There was even a bit of a small reef visible from up high. 

. . . that no one got hit with a rock (how do you think I got the scar on the back of my head?  thanks sis.)  Body of water + Mark + unlimited supply of rocks = heaven.

. . . that my little girl is 9 years old (actually, she was only 8 and 364 days when this picture was taken, not counting for time zones).  She's a cutie.

. . . that I got any sleepp at all in this cabin.  Oh, looking at it from the outside, you'd have no idea what I'm talking about.  And if you grew up sleeping on wooden floors, you'd think I'm nuts.  First, let me tell you that this cabin was actually really cool.  Not quite as big as the previous one, but it was still a great place to stay.  The shower room (yes, room not stall) was superb -- like your own personal sauna, really -- and the W.C., well, let's just say the toilet had lots of nice buttons (I want one).

Unlike the previous cabin with a bedroom and 2 actual beds, this one had wooden boxes to sleep in.  Here you see the "bunk beds", which were just big cubby holes that you crawled into, then laid out a pad to sleep on.  Alex and Katya slept together in the top bunk and Lyana was on the bottom.  I would have slept there, but I slept in the loft with Mark.  I didn't want him up there without an adult for safety reaons (only a ladder to get there).

Here's the loft.  Four wooden boxes on the floor.  I put down one pad and three blankets.  Still felt like I was sleeping on a rock.  Didn't help that I couldn't lay down completely straight.  Either I'm too spoiled or I'm old.  I was never so glad for morning to come.

Okay, back to the theme.  It's remarkable . . .

. . .  that we ever figure out how to get un-lost in Japan.  It never fails (at least when I drive) that we get lost, miss a turn, or can't find something along the road.  We've developed a few tactics for asking directions of the natives.  First, find someone younger than 50.  We have discovered, through trial and error, that those who are nearer to our own generation tend to know more English, even if just a few words, like "where", "help me", and "say that again, a little slower".  For example, yesterday we went to a festival in Nanbu town.  We parked in what we hoped was the right place, then I got out to ask the parking attendant where the festival grounds were. 

Me: "Festival?"
Him: "Festival?"
Me: "Hi"  (that means 'yes' in Japanese)
Him: "通りを行くには、ライトをオンにし、左と祭は公園を通り、取るを下る"
Me, not catching a word of that and pointing to his map: "Map."
Him: "Oh, map."
Then through a series of hand gestures and repeating "map" and "that way" I finally figured out how to get there.
Me: "Arigato."
Him, laughing: "がんばって"

Which brings me to my next tactic: send Lyana out to ask for directions.  Works every time -- probably because she's much better looking than me.  In this case (in the picture below) I sent out Lyana, then the wives from the other two families went out with her and they ganged up outside the ATM machine waiting for the Japanese lady to finish getting her cash. 

. . . that we finally found this place.  See, the whole reason we were asking directions from the ATM lady was to find this particular beach so that we could watch the sunset over the Japanese Sea.  We barely made it before the sun set, at least we think we did.  It was so overcast, we never saw the sun -- the sky just got darker and darker.  The experience was salvaged, though, when Dustin, one of the dads, busted out the Japanese fireworks he had conveniently stashed in his car.  At first we thought all was lost again because he didn't have a way to light them, but then Rachel, one of the moms, in true superhero style, came to the rescue and whipped a cigarette lighter out of her purse (however, when we asked why she had a lighter in her purse, she was unable to produce a credible story).

 

. . . that every one (and I mean EVERYONE, including the babies) is looking at the camera!!!  I put the camera on top of the Rice Krispy treats, sitting on the hood of the nearest car and took this picture with the timer.  Yeah, go ahead, I know you want to say it.  Robert, you're awesome.  Thank you kindly.

. . . that I won't say anything about this picture.

. . . that we got away with no cake on Katya's birthday.  Sad but true.  She said she didn't want cake, so I didn't make one.  Worked out great because we were camping.  I had made the Rice Krispy treats for her birthday, but we ate them the night before.  This day, however, was her actual birthday.  So what should we put the candle in?  Oh, wait, here's a Morning Star veggie sausage.  Let's use that.  Happy Birthday Katya!!

. . . that this kid is so photogenic. "Mark, sit here so I can take a picture, please." and then he says, "Okay," in his adorable 3-year old voice.

. . . that these lake were so still (unlike our kids).  Yes, Katya's pretty photogenic herself.  And Alex can be too, except the shutter is too slow to catch his poses.  Back to the lakes now.  Juniko is a huge forested mountainous area with 33 lakes and ponds and is a UNESCO World Heritage site (that means it's famous). 

. . . to see a pond as blue as this one.  Aoike pond was more than just blue.  The clear water afforded a view of the fallen trees under the surface, and with the sunlight shining through the canopy, it was almost holographic -- the reflection of the forest on the water, combined with the view of the underwater trees and the glare from the sun on the pristine surface.

. . . that no one sank.  Each family rented a rowboat for 500 yen, and we ventured out onto this lake.  We thought it was bigger, but that distant shore where it looks like the lake continues around a bend, well, that's where it stops.  So we got to the end and I proposed we turn around and race back, and everyone agreed. We lined up -- Dustin's boat, Brett's boat, and my boat -- and then "Ready, set, GO!!"  2 seconds, then Crash!  Dustin (the navy guy) crashed into Brett, knocking his four-year old off her seat into the bottom of the boat, then of course in the commotion I collide with Brett as well (his boat was in the middle).  After a few minutes, everyone (surprisingly) is ready for another try.  This time we set some rules.  #1: no crashing.  That's all.  GO!!  This time Dustin remembers he's in the navy and he rows straight and true (and fast, as my wife recollected as she watched from the shore.  "How come you didn't go that fast?" she asked.  "Cuz I'm in the Air Force.")  Brett and I . . well . . . not so straight or true, or fast.  The three boys in my boat were very disappointed in me.  Sorry guys.  But, I did make up for not rowing fast by steering the boat through the lily pads.  The boats' owner wasn't very impressed, though.  Gomen-asai!!! 

. . . that we made it out alive.  After two strikes -- strike #1: we crashed all three boats into each other; strike #2: I drove over the guy's lily pad garden -- I was already nervous the boats' owner hated us Americans.  I forgot that strikes come in threes.  So, we weren't done yet.  Brett started splashing the rest of us with his oars.  Well, not to be outdone, I sent a couple his way.  On the second attempt, there was a crack and, yup, the third strike.  There in the water was the paddle from my oar.  The first thing I did was look toward shore to see if the guy saw what happened.  I didn't see him.  Phew.  But then I started wondering how much these oars cost.  What if the boat and oars were a package deal?  Were they antiques?  If so, does that make them worth more?  It was long ride back to shore, and not just because I was paddling in circles.  To my relief, he said "don't worry about it," or something like that, and didn't charge me any extra.  Not only that, he gave the kids a bag of treats to feed to the huge Japanese carp in the lake -- you know, the ones that open their mouths wide enough to swallow a tennis ball.

. . . that I've never been to the Grand Canyon in the states (I almost made it in college once, but we got snowed-in in Flagstaff during a men's chorus trip).  So, I got the chance to see the Japanese Grand Canyon (or "canion" as the sign said).  This white cliff.  Yup, that's it.

. . . that we almost went to this onsen.  Truthfully, we were all really looking forward to a warm dip in an onsen with a view.  Took a while to find it (couple of wrong turns on the way).  We finally found it though -- yup, that's it.  Lyana went in to inquire (yup, that's right) and came back with some interesting news.  There were only two onsens -- one was women only, the other was co-ed.  Hmmmmm.  We were really tempted to go, but Alex's ankle was completely swollen and covered in blisters (sorry, that's another story) so we said no and moved on.  Probably a smart thing.

. . . that we missed this view all this time.  Three years and we never went to the west coast.  At least we made it this one time.  One of the best parts of the trip was the drive along the coastal highway.  Beautiful.

. . . that this is the end of the post.  So I'll leave you with this image of a giant snorkeling squid.  And may all your adventures be remarkable.

Rob