Sunday 20 April 2008

Island Hopping

We've had a ball in Fukui and the sun has started to shine.
Last night we went and sang out hearts out in a local karaoke bar where we had our own cubical and the beer was on tap.

Today we drove a few miles out of town with a few of Dave's friends to the small village of Mikani with its Tojinbo Cliffs which are sort of like our Beachy Head(!) but absolutely magnificent and then walked over to Oshima Island where there is a festival today (they have a lot of festivals in Japan it seems). The place was full of doll-faced children and food stalls and the bridge leading to the island was strewn with enormous, brightly painted, wind inflated carp flags, each one representing the boys of the village apparently. We wandered right round the small island, battered by the wind but invigorated by the sea air. Ric ate a whole barbecued squid (see pictures). Give me candy floss any day!

As we scrambled along the craggy rocks searching for fresh water pools and up the steep stony steps around the island we felt like The Famous Five though none of us experienced an epiphany as it is believed one does here. Would be a great place to propse to someone...if you ignore the occasional body washed up on the beach.

We ate the most incredible lunch of fried pancakes stuffed with meat, fish, noodles, veg and eggs. Tasted a bit like pizza. Sounds ominous but proved delicious and very comforting. Made a welcome change from the usual fair of noodle soup.

Last night in Fukui tonight before we head south to Kyoto.

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