…yes it has been a long time. During which I have got my visa, got my re-entry permit, left Japan (for a short vacation to Hong Kong), returned to Japan, completed my training and then started working for Nova at their Koshien branch. I also have moved from the Orange House to Shinsaibashi, whch is right in the heart of Osaka. Not a bad place, but virtually unfurnished and a little small. So I have been spending a small fortune (well having not been paid yet, it feels like a large fortune) in kitting the place out. Can’t wait to get ADSL here. Though I have been having a few problems getting the NTT line…
Treasure-hunting in Kobe
I went geocaching last night in Kobe. I took the subway to Umeda, then got the Special Rapid Train from Osaka to Kobe. I wasn’t sure of the station I should get off at (Sannomiya) so I asked the girl that was sitting beside me. She was getting off at the same stop and was so kind because she showed me where to get the subway to get to Shin-Kobe even though she wasn’t getting the subway. From there I proceeded in the wrong direction up the mountain (photos to follow). I could have got the cable car, but that wouldn’t have been as fun. I did get to see a wonderful night-view of Kobe and even some fireworks!
After consulting the map that I came across I headed back down the mountain and then up again on a different route. On that route I again got to see the night view of Kobe as well as a wonderful waterfall. I have made up my mind to return for the sake of photographing both the night view and the waterfall. I should have plenty of chances if I live in Kobe.
Continuing the climb I reached the Herb Garden, which was unfotunately closed. I did reach within 113ft of the cache (with an accuracy reading of 23ft) and as I said I will return again one day. I think however I will go in the daytime. And before I return I will go geocaching in Kyoto.
All in all, a very worthwhile experience!
From the other end of Japan
Well it has been a while since I have updated the blog. I think I have updated the photo gallery a number of times since my last blog entry. Just for kicks, I waited until I was at the other end of Japan to make this entry. Yup, I’ve left Okinawa behind, I am in Sapporo, Hokkaido.
I came here to visit a couple of friends that I didn’t get to meet the last time I was travelling. It is a lot cooler here, around 20C during the day and 14C at night. Not exactly cold but it is a 10-12C difference to Okinawa.
Good news on the job front today, Nova have accepted me as an English instructor. All I have to do is wait, probably for a month or so. Going to be using the time to do a little Japanese language study, and get this web site more in order.
Okinawa International University visit
I visited the Okinawa International Univeristy earlier in the day. I participated in a talk to some freshers who are learning English. It was kinda free-form but we talked about using English, Ireland and various other topics. I enjoyed it immensely and hopefully I will be able to see or talk to them again.
Since my last blog entry (almost two weeks ago) we have had 3 more typhoons, 1 hit Okinawa smack on. Another might be on its way this weekend…
I have also updated this site to use CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) and I am fairly happy with how it looks. I am even happier with the html code underneath, it is so much cleaner and simpler to maintain.
Typhoons, Cheesecake and special thanks
Experienced a couple of ‘firsts’ this morning. One was the first typhoon experience in Japan which wasn’t that bad as the centre didn’t hit Okinawa. The other was Cheesecake flavoured cornflakes! I was a little apprehensive but actually they taste good!
Special note of thanks to Rael Dornfest who not only wrote the blosxom script that drives this blog but also helped me get it to display the times of the blog entries in JST (Japanese Standard Time) instead of the server time. How cool is that?
