Living the journey

Well its been a while 15 March 09

roxyfish — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 12:01:00 GMT

Brian, Chie and I headed to Kobe to partake in Kobe beef for the 4th time and do a few things that Brian had been wanting to do before he returned to America.

Kobe beef was (as expected) delicious. My favourite chef cooked for us - Mr Matsushita (he also teaches me Japanese while he cooks when he's not busy).

After that tasty experience we went to Mt Rokko. We took two cable cars up to the top. At the change point we all looked out n Kobe. To me it looked like vomit - 'city spew' was my term to be exact!

At the top we walked around, tried out the FREEZING cold stone 'seats' and played on some playground equipment (ok, only I did that!)

Unfortunately Chie was wearing heels so she really wasn't into walking very far. So Brian and I went off to find the temple. On the way we found a really cool playground. It had various things to climb on, a huge rollar slide and a flying fox (in American its called a zip line and in Japanese a slider). This time it wasn't only me that played!

At the temple, there was actually a complete dragon which I found VERY unusual. After climbing many stairs and both Brian and I swearing that we needed to regain our fitness, we found the temple was closed! Oh well, the playground sure was fun!

We returned to find a chilly Chie. Our bus, train and ferry trip back were a quiet affair. Both Chie and I passed out while Brian rested his eyes!

Gallery: 21-23 Sep 2008

roxyfish — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 09:39:00 GMT

Hiroshima and Miyajima

Gallery: Australia 10-15 Aug 2008

roxyfish — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:15:00 GMT

a big catch up

Australia

roxyfish — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:05:00 GMT

Hmm, well for all those that don't know I had a flying visit to Australia and flying it was too! Basically I went to Australia. Visited a very good friend of mine in Tassie and then headed to Victoria to catch up with more friends and family.

In Tassie I experienced snow (very different to the Japanese temperatures of 29 - 30 degrees plus humidity), got to throw a couple of snow balls (ok so my aim wasn't fantastic, it was LOTS of fun though!). Cradle mountain hid behind the clouds generally but I still managed to see what it looked like. Also went to Devonport where we froze but saw some crazy people paddling out in the water - brrrrr! But then I can't say much - have been known to do similar!　The next day I was inside playing on the computer - no not playing games, playing with photos! All in all it was quite a relaxing time, got to have lots of sleep and still saw lots of things too. Andrew was the perfect host.

Melbourne/Victoria, I got to catch up with many friends (which was AWESOME and not long enough) at both a dinner at pancake parlour and a wedding (Fraser and Dee's and it was beautiful). It was great to see Mum (thanks for having me), Dad (thank you for being my taxi) my brother and his girlfriend (the roast was awesome thanks guys) and I really enjoyed surprising everyone at the wedding. Thanks for the invite Dee and Frase, you guys are awesome and it was a privilege to be able to come to your wedding.

Fireworks festivan, Mt Koya and organic farming...

roxyfish — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:52:00 GMT

After a lazy day of not much it was time to dress in suitable attire for an evening of fireworks and meet my friends at Wakayama city station. All I can say is WOW, there were so many people doing exactly the same thing I was...yukata's (summer kimono's) everywhere and kids and families all over the shop. Acting as the contact point I managed to gather a group of 15 people together to watch the fireworks at Wakayama port. They started and finished on time and boy were they spectacular. A whole hours worth of explosions and colour!

This morning it was an early rise to get up and head to Koyasan (otherwise known as Mt Koya) with a group from Wakayama university and other ring ins like me. The students (two of which were mine that I teach at Aeon!) were giving us a tour of Koyasan in English and lets just say I took copious notes and thoroughly enjoyed myself. My favourite bits were the legends of how Koyasan came to be, learning more about Buddhism, the nightingale floor and the biggest rock garden in Japan. Also managed to talk to a chap who is over here learning organic farming - quite a few things to look up on the internet now! Am very willing to bore anyone with history and legends of the area as heard through my ears! This was my second visit to the large buddhist area and just as enjoyable as the first. Many new people met including an Aussie. If interested just ask.

fire festival and alternative energy

roxyfish — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:16:00 GMT

Yes, another update - going for a record!

Saturday night found me at the movies watching a chick flick (yes, I'm sorry world but it had to be done - I had been hanging out for Kungfu Panda for too long so I chose a movie that had Western actors in it hoping for English and it was in English. It was also a chick flick 'Made of Honour'.) All in all not a bad show, predictable but the scenery was beautiful. I want to go to Scotland!

Sunday I managed to hang out at a good friend's place for most of the day. We walked the dog, watched a movie and chatted about both the important and mundane. If you have any interest in sustainable energy google the following...'earthships' to do with making houses out of recycled material - similar to rammed earth houses and 'solar towers alternative energy' which just happens to be an Australian initiative that I hope will get off the ground. They built one in Spain that works a treat and highly economical so maybe! Sunday arvo was beach bumming time and I went to Wakaura. There is this awesome little restaurant that is on the alternative side. Talk about delicious guacamole and chai tea. Definately becoming a regular! The water was beautiful and warm and the beach was in the shade (due to it being afternoon) so plenty of fun and relaxation had.

Yesterday found me getting up at a rediculous hour of 5.15 am to head to Nachi Falls (the highest waterfall in Japan). A group of us went on a bus tour to Nachi falls for the fire festival. The trip there was very scenic and the falls beautiful. The fire festival is apparently related to rice growing. How running around with fire on your shoulder (hard to describe but basically lots of thin strips of wood bundled up into a 50 cm diameter bundle attached to a handle that is set alight) is related to growing rice I'm not sure but would really like to find out.

While waiting for the fire to appear I started talking to a random foreigner and it turns out he might be staying at my friends house while travelling around Japan - couch surfing is an awesome thing! Talk about random and aint the world small! Anyway, after viewing the people in white costumes running up and down the stairs with the fire (along with many, many, many other people) it was time to head back to the bus. After checking my watch I decided to explore further...and found the buddhist temples. WOW! I really wish I had had more time to explore. Since missing the bus was not an option I took as many photos as I could, vowing to return. Note to those thinking of seeing the fire festival. Give yourself the day. They have other displays as well - the running up and down the stairs with the fire is not the only part to it!

The trip home meant that they will find an indent in the glass of the window where my nose was pushed up against it taking in the views. If you know what the area just north of Sydney on the way to Gosford looks like and Wilson's prom mix those together and you will get the picture. We travelled back along the coast which was spectacular and I definately have to go back and take more time to see it. Let's just say a train trip is being planned to celebrate my 30th birthday! (I have to do something memorable!)

As you no doubt have figured out - another successful weekend in Roxy's life! Take care everyone and will see/speak/communicate in someway soon.

bowling, beach bumming and sailing!

roxyfish — Wed, 9 Jul 2008 09:48:00 GMT

Life in Wakayama has definately steamed up - whew. The temperature is now hitting the 30s and there is humidity to match. All that aside - it is definately now beach weather and I am totally living it up!

The last 3 weekends have seen me doing some more flower arranging (one more attempt which involved pretty pink roses), improving on my bowling score (I have now hit the 100 mark! The secret was finding a heavier ball!), getting a sunburnt face (it was fun getting it though) and sailing and dancing through life. Details, details I hear you scream.

Well bowling kinda explains itself so lets move onto the beach weekends. Went to go hiking on the 2９th on June only thing was...wind was a strong 42 km an hour so the ferry (to where we were planning on hiking) was cancelled. Instead, the day found us in Kada, looking at the doll temple (I found a HUGE pile of phallic symbols and they truly were made to be penises, there were veins and EVERYTHING!) so that was an eye opener! The doll temple is for fertility and children's health so I shouldn't have been surprised I guess! Then is was off to Isonoura beach for some 'body-surfing!'. It was pretty chopped up but fun anyway. Then it decided to rain - lets just say, the poor guy on the beach who had been dry - wasn't so dry by the end of it! I spent the day with a fellow Melbournian and 2 Japanese folks.

That evening I had a dinner invite at my teacher's house (flower arranging and tea ceremony). It was a fun filled evening filled with LOTS of food, great company (Japanese, American, French and Chinese people all in the same room - including 2 very friendly Mormans!) and a bit of embarrassment. When you are used to hanging around with poeple that aren't native English or fluent English speakers and are polite, you tend to say things that can have a double dodgy meaning!! One should not say 'are you tasty' to a French guy! Not wise! (I was talking about mosquitoes but he only heard the are you tasty bit - I was the colour of my red shorts after that little episode!).

To finish that weekend off, I ended up at another beach on the Monday - Wakaura beach. There is an awesome little cafe there called Bagus (pronounced Bargoose) that makes delicious chai lattes. Yumm and then we went to a restaurant called Colours. Talk about a food stuffing weekend!

Last weekend I went on a yacht cruise. This was organised through the volunteer people in city hall for foreigners and Japanese to meet and have fun together. There were about 10 yachts in total. My friends and I all ended up on different yachts which actually was kinda good. We all met and made new friends. I ended up on a yacht with a high school student and the skipper. We had fun talking in broken English and Japanese. The skipper was lovely - he has even invited my friends and I back to have another cruise. Yeh, I love the friendly Japanese over here! I got to steer and we managed to put out the main sail and the jib. Very relaxing. The bbq afterwards was great. Everyone met up again and we all chatted with each other. I managed to meet the Indonesian boys that had been heckling me (it is kinda nice to be told 'I love you' as you are riding to work), they were quite nice and lets just say young males - wanting to find any female... and to educate my Japanese friends on the meaning of horny.

We then ran around and did some Awaodori dancing. I managed to drag a few people up and so we all danced around in the hot sun and yes, I managed to get sunburnt for the second weekend in a row. I did reapply the sunscreen too. Anyway - hoping for no further repeats of sunburn - its painful!

That evening we all went to my Canadian friends house, went out for delicious sushi and then played frisby until it got too dark to see. I then got to watch a Miyazaki film called Kiki's delivery service which was lovely. I like his films.

Monday, I rode to the beach, went swimming, went walking with a Japanese mate (female for all those wondering!) and then found a nice cafe to sit and chat (beside the beach of course!). She left and then I hung out at the cafe a little longer (its attached to a surf shop) and chatted with some of the people there for a little bit. Then is was swimming time and then back to my house for a snooze and some study.

So lots of fun had!

visitor,hiking,surfing,Nara,flower arranging and Kayaking!

roxyfish — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 23:27:00 GMT

Well so many exciting things have happened since I last wrote on this page. It is hard to know where to start!

Well lets start in May...

My Mum came over and visited me for 12 days. It was lovely to see her and catch up. We did a lot of going to the local craft store (the ladies almost knew us by first name by the time Mum left!) While Mum was in Japan I had planned a two day hike in the south of Wakayama - Kumano Kodo is the name of the place. Beautiful is the best way to describe it and also very interesting. The group comprised of 7 people - 2 guys and 5 girls. Mum and I were the only foreigners! We had an awesome time - trust me - the walk is tough, but it was very rewarding to finish what we set out to do.

Next walk was on an island off Kada called Tomoga. An easy relaxing walk was had and a game of dodge ball was had with a group of scouts. Those kids can throw - you definately know when you are hit that is for sure!

Three weekends ago I finally got into the water for a surf. It was great. Waves were very gentle but a decent size. I caught 3 and I wasn't half excited, still need to practise my steering as there are many more people out in the water over here! One of my fellow teachers let me know the waves were coming in. Thank you!

Two weekends ago was my co-worker (mate) birthday. I learnt all about American food (no wonder they are known to be a largely over weight nation - their food is GOOD and plenty of it - apple cobbler is AWESOME!) We also went to Nara (yeh!) and it reminded me a bit of Australia. There was actually flat land that were fields with trees and no houses! We saw the biggest Budda statue and trust me it is HUGE! We managed to meet up with someone who had trained with us too and ate together. I had delicious mountain vegetable soba - I had two servings it was so good!

Now for last weekend. I had planned a cultural experience of learning Japanese style flower arranging. While arranging I was invited to go kayaking down Kinokawa river. Can you see me saying no?! Anyway, I had my first experience in a river kayak (yes, quite a few circles were paddled!), managed to get through some very baby rapids (FUN!) and didn't fall out! That evening I learnt how to do one handed pushups. I can just (I mean just too) do one if I stretch the truth a tiny bit! I need to get in some more practise!

So that is the latest. I hope everyone is doing well and hope to hear from you soon.

Ooops, I've been a tad slack!

roxyfish — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 12:13:00 GMT

Ok, I have done many, many things since I last updated this journal so here goes. Let's see if I can remember it all! Where is my diary of daily adventures.

February 24th
First thing. I went hiking to ... Nyutsuhime Shrine. To get there we took a train that headed in the north easterly direction. We got off and walked through a small town and then got onto the trail. It was a fairly steep walk and quite chilly. The weather in an attempt to encourage us stayed cool (to the point of snow!) The walk took around 5 hours (I think) and was fairly steep. We got to walk through citrus orchards and a forest. Very beautiful and I was a little unsure as to how many people would volunteer to go walking with me again after the exertions I put them all through! That evening we had a dinner party at one of the hikers, great company and good times.

March 2nd
This was another diving weekend. This time I went to Shirahama and did two dives with two people from the dive shop. One was a wreck dive (the boat had been scuttled about 3 years ago to make a home for fish.) I saw some amazing cat fish schools, an eel, some nudibrancs, the same fish I had for dinner last time I went diving, a fish that was apparently pretty rare and many other fish (what a surprise!). Lunch was bountiful and delicious. We were given a citrus fruit for desert that was a little on the tangy side. All I could think of was 'mum would really love this!'. Second dive was like London bridge (on the great ocean road) only an under water version. There were so many different types of nudibrancs, soft corals, fish, holothurians (sea cucumbers) and we even found an octopus so that was exciting.

March 3rd
This was children's day. I went with Felicity and Nori to Kada to the slightly scary doll temple. Watched dolls go for a swim and get burnt. All in the aim for getting good health for children in the coming year.

9,10th March
This weekend Christine visited (a fellow Aeon teacher based in Kyoto) came to visit to do Japanese tea ceremony. We ended up doing a lot of walking around Wakayama. I discovered how the buses work (Christine apparently had no idea that I was a novice so I covered well!). We went to Kimiidera temple and visited Wakayama castle the first weekend. As well as a bit of karaoke and dinner with friends.

16th,17th March
This weekend was also tea ceremony and we actually got dressed up in kimono and were on TV! Very international crew at the tea ceremony - Russian, Chinese, Korean, American (Christine), Australian (me) and Phillipino/Japanese (Kei). On the Monday Kei and I went for a walk around Wakayama castle and went to the free zoo.

29th,30th March
Whew, almost up to date! Ok, this was meant to be a diving weekend however that didn't quite happen. Instead it found me attending a takoyaki and okinomiyaki party on Saturday night - yummo! Sunday I saw a festival at the castle/another temple that I can't remember the name of. There were lots of people dressed up in costume, either very traditional or cosplay (think manga comics and that is who they were). I ate some delicious nabe (type traditional to the area) and got to dress up in a samarai helmet. Then I got to eat these pancakes shaped as fish filled with delicious custard. They were GOOD! Last night I went to a taco party at my tea ceremony teacher's house. Japanese people are so friendly and hospitable it is AWESOME.

Diving 10th Feb

roxyfish — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 20:12:00 GMT

Well I finally did it. I finally jumped back in the water again as a scuba diver after 3 years and 4 months of staying 'dry'. Why have I wasted so much time?! Scuba diving is fantastic and I love it and well lets just say I caught the diving bug once more! So details...

I dived at a place called Minabe. Now the temperature was a warm 15-16 degrees (this is winter temperature which is why I call it warm!) so think Solitary Island flora and fauna style (for those divers who are reading this and have been there!) They have these really cool nudibranchs that look a bit like Pikachu (a Pokemon creature for those not in the know!) - very cute. Heaps of Lion fish, we found a sea horse and ... this really rare type of shrimp. It was really awesome and well I could keep rabbiting on about it but I'll quit now and move on!

After the dive (yes, there are pictures included, I'm organised for once!) we got fed a DELICIOUS meal - known as o.bento (called this because what it is served in), tasty sashimi (raw fish which I saw alive and kicking - it was a MASSIVE flounder, sorry, didn't take a picture of it alive. It was tasty though!), miso soup and rice. After writing up our dive logs it was off to the onsen with us all. What is an onsen you ask. Basically hot baths where you get naked (sexes are seperated) and get in a steaming hot bath that was lovely and very relaxing after you scrub yourself clean.

That was what I did yesterday. So what else have I been up to. Well, I finally signed up for the internet so I might be a little more contactable now (yeh, we'll see, I haven't got it yet!). Was going to go hiking last weekend however a cold and threatening ice rain convinced me otherwise!

Check out the pictures from the last hike! Work is still happening and so are Japanese lessons

Gallery: Hiking in Kada

roxyfish — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 20:09:00 GMT

Gallery: Diving!

roxyfish — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 20:06:00 GMT

It's snowing!

roxyfish — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 21:33:00 GMT

Well, I can't believe how many layers I'm wearing - I've been told I'm like a Grandma! Especially when I'm told about the heat back in Melbourne Australia! Anyway, it is snowing in the hills over here - I can see the snow from my house! Can't play in it though (thankfully as otherwise getting to work would be fun!). So what have I been up to. Couple of farewell parties and study this weekend. It is amazing how suddenly signs are beginning to make sense - finding this exciting! Plan hatching too so there should be something more interesting happening in the future - hiking and scuba diving - yes, in the middle of winter - why not!

hiking and potential scuba diving!

roxyfish — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 01:04:00 GMT

Well to everyone reading my online journal - Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. This year is Chinese year of the rat. So all you rats out there aren't you the lucky ones!

Adventures since I last wrote. Christmas was a work day over here in Japan and overall weather is a little on the refreshing side (read freezing here!) so Christmas/New Years no not really! I did get into the swing of things though and wore a Chrismassy elf hat on Christmas day at work! I had 8 days of R and R where I didn't grace the doors of my school once! So what did I do? Well... New Years Day I spent with a very friendly and welcoming family. I was fed to within an inch of my life (very lucky I didn't explode!) very tasty food (mostly of the fishy variety) and taken to a Shinto temple to pray for good fortune for the rest of the year. I learnt that NY day is like Christmas day in Australia and Christmas is like NY day in Australia. So that was fun to find out. Studies LOTS of Japanese. Explored Wakayama further - went to Marina city and rode a dinosaur - yes I will attach a picture eventually - I promise! It played music and everything! Found the diving store and yes, I know it is expensive but have been hooked again so will be doing a refresher course in February where I am wearing a dry suit for 15 degree water! Yes, I am beginning to whimp out in my old age by the sounds of things. Met another foreigner living in Wakayama. Went hiking in Kada which was beautiful - I might even attach a photo! Nope just kidding!

Gallery: Kyoto

roxyfish — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 00:43:00 GMT

23rd November 2007

Gallery: Koyasan

roxyfish — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 00:35:00 GMT

18th November 2007

Gallery: discovering Wakayama (+my first visitor!)

roxyfish — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 00:18:00 GMT

24th September 2007

Gallery: My 'house' in Japan

roxyfish — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 00:06:00 GMT

Gallery: first week in Japan

roxyfish — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 23:44:00 GMT

Osaka castle and karaoke

Koyasun and Kyoto

roxyfish — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 00:44:00 GMT

Well the last 2 weeks have been pretty hectic both within my social life and work. Turns out I won't be returning to Australia in January - I have to be back at work the day after my friend gets married and I can't get flights let alone get back in time! So boo hoo, I will catch up with all those who were thinking about seeing me another time.

Koyasun (spelling is not correct - sorry everyone). Well this place was spectacular with all the leaves changing colour and a little on the chilly side. This is a very well known old Buddist area and seriously I found it very peaceful. I want to go back and stay in a monastry (or what ever you call it) for a couple of days. My most magical moment there was walking in a temple with my shoes off, walking over the tatami mats and looking at the statues when all of a sudden chanting starts revirburating around the temple. I couldn't for the life of me figure out what was happening initially and it was the MOST amazing sound. It turned out monks were standing and chanting just outside the temple and it was echoing. Awesome experience. The temperature dropped to a lovely warm 3.5 degrees (it was at high altitude) and I felt decidedly ill travelling up the windy roads to get there. It was worth it though.

Who did I go with. Well 8 others. A whole heap of GEOS teachers (and no I'm not working for GEOS, I work for AEON and I would recommend them to anyone - they really look after you!) however I met them all through a friend I met at Japanese language school - Flick.

I spent my birthday in Kyoto where we (Flick, her husband, and a fellow Aeon teacher - Log) all went and saw the Gold pavilion and the silver Pavilion. The leaves were spectacular and so were the crowds! Log and I went up the Kyoto tour and saw the most amazing 'sandpit'. The top of a building had several bulldozers and shovellers on top of it making it look like a sand pit - amazing is all I can say!