Yes, I am crap at updating.

Earlier in April Clare and I took a weekend trip to Yamaguchi prefecture with Nobuaki, a surgeon who works in Yawatahama. Nobuaki (also known to some by the affectionate nickname: the drunk doctor) is quite the character so it promised to be a fun weekend. After leaving my house at 3am (!!!) we took the ferry over to Kyushu and then drove for about 3hrs to Nobuaki's hometown.

When we arrived at the house, Nobuaki introduces us to Jim Cable, resident gaikokujin. Jim has lived in Japan for 13 years and is an expert on Yamaguchi and its history. Jim is always full of interesting facts and funny anecdotes - just the type of person who you want to show you around for the day!

Jim-san

Jim took Clare and I on a whirlwind tour of the local sites of interest. Our first stop was this beautiful park. Clare and I went a bit picture crazy. I have decided that I can never ever critisize or roll my eyes at Japanese tourists when they take loads of photos.....as I am just as guilty myself.

Said park and pagoda. Kirei ne!

We saw way more sites than I have patience to upload photos. In the evening, we met up with Nobuaki and his family at the 'other' house. The father and 3 sons are all doctors... The 'other' house is also affectionatly called the 'old' house. This house is not old, rather it was bought from another family and as such is no longer 'new'! It was beautiful and had a stunning garden! The house was huge too, full of funky art. Clare and I felt like we were in a ryokan, spoilt rotten. Someone had been working very hard in the kitchen - the dinner was great as was the conversation and company. I have never met a family in Japan in which everyone speaks great English. Good times.

Clare, Nobuaki's father, Nobuaki, Nobuaki's mother and me in the garden. :)

The next morning we headed back towards Ehime, not before stopping at a beautiful temple and a park full of crazy swans. In Beppu we also visited 'the hells' - - boiling water or mud heated by natural geothermal energy. The same stuff that heats the onsens, but I wouldn't want to bathe in these. Yooucch! Itai!

Holy hell that looks hot!

emma found her way @ 3:01 p.m.