The Spillers in Japan - The Finale

For their last night in Japan, the Spiller and Ballantyne clan joined forces along with Hagi ALTs in a Yakiniku and Karaoke extravaganza. It was great fun but I had to ruin it didn't I? Unable to leave a party where there is still fun and booze to be had I let my prents return hime without me. Well, let's just say I don't remember much except for waking up under Christine's kotatsu (heated table) wih numerous missed calls, only 20minutes before my parents had to leave. Idiot! At least my parents are comforted in the fact that I haven't changed and that I still do stupid things from time to time.Ginny - she loves a good piece of meat!

The next Osmonds?

Now this reminded me of a photo taken at festivus. At least Meagn's smiling in this one but I can still see the pain of being dropped on her head in her eyes.

The Spillers at school

I tried to sneak my parents and sister quietly into my base school so that they could have a quick look around. They were immediately ushered into the Priciple's room and then whisked off to have the brass band play for them. Not quite the discrete look around I was expecting. My sister was given a baseball by the baseball boys and loads of hugs from the girls. I don't get any hugs :( Then they came to my elementary school for a day. I had been moaning about the teacher there the whole 2 weeks building up to it - but the bloody cow was on her best behaviour and was normal for once!!!! Typical.

My parents were amazed by the school and finally agreed that Japanese kids are exceptionally cute, despite claiming that all kids are the same wherever you go. My mother is a governor of an elementary school at home so she was fascinated by the similarities and difference between the two schools and wants to set up a link in the name internationalisation.

Male bonding

I thought that my father needed to experience a night out on the town with me in Hagi so I took him to a local snack bar. For those of you that don't know, a snack bar is a bar where mainly men go to enjoy the company of the barmaids and to avoid their wives waiting at home with the kids . I don't think I should have taken him to one where they know me by name. ooops.

He spent the whole night saying "this is weird" but I'm sure he loved the company of Tomo-chan and Ai-chan!!

Tsuwano

Perfect timing - just as we got to Hagi there was an archery festival in Tsuwano. The aim of the festival: hurtle down a track as fast as you can on horseback whilst trying to hit wooden targets along the way. Easy!




That night Dan, Pete and one of my teachers came around for nabe. Apparently we were noisy and pissed of the neighbors. waheeeey!

Kyoto

What can I say? I LOVE KYOTO!!! We had a great time. We did some hanami, some karaoke (despite their reluctance they loved it!!) and the usual temple and shrine visits. My mum and sister dressed up as Maiko-sans and they looked awesome. I'll post the professional pictures when I receive them. My sister almost blew chunks when she did tea ceremony in Nijo castle. My mum told her off and said not to be a wimp. She later admitted to almost puking too.


The Maiko-sans were impossible to photograph. Despite their tall wooden clog type footwear, they were nifty little buggers!!

Apprently this is a very famous sakura tree. It was very impressive but I was more interested in the beer on sale nearby. We bumpd into the one and only Justin on our travels. He was able to take this photo for us. He was on top form and my parents thought he was hilarious.

We stumbled across some major hanami at Yasaka shrine. It was so much fun. I could have stayed drinking there all night. This mash up nutter was trying to sell me Yakisoba in English. I think he was on something. It took him a whole five minutes into the conversation before he realised that I was replying in Japanese.
The golden temple at Kinkakuji.
The red gates at Fushimi-Inari Taisha

Mount Fuji

Before leaving for Mount Fuji, we decided to visit Tsukiji fish market. Whilst we were too late to see most of the action we did almost get flattened by these contraptions. I wanted one so I stole one.After blagging myself a rail pass we made it to Mount Fuji and was greeted by this view from my bedroom window in the ryokan (traditional Japanese Inn).


I'm definitely climbing it in July!! Who's with me?

The rest of Tokyo - IN A DAY!!

With one day left in Tokyo we managed to fit in people watching in Harajuku, shopping in Shinjuku, a Japanese wedding, Arcade Taiko Drumming (my sister is addicted), the world's busiest crossing in Shibuya, some very expensive but very potent cocktails in Roppongi and a night view of the city from the Mori Tower. Not bad in one day.

My father was so embarassing in Harajuku. He kept walking around with his mouth wide open, taking photos and pointing at everyone.Charenji - spot the weirdo!! (clue - she's the short one on the right!) The Mori Tower
The bright lights of Shibuya.

Tokyo Disneyland

Next we headed for Tokyo Disneyland. Some would say that this wasn't really experiencing Japanese culture. I reckon it's a good introduction to Japan - more kawaii's and sugoi's (cute and great) than bottles of Mon Frere ever drunk by Steph. Also, teenage boys and fully grown men mincing around, adorned with disney hairclips.

The trip also enlightened me on the reason behind Japan's non existent knowledge of Wales. Whilst enjoying the musical and visual feast that is "It's a Small World" we travelled through England, Scotland, Ireland, Greece... wait a minute... Where the fuck is Wales?!? The children in front of us missed the entire ride as they were more interested in the weird foreigners sitting behind them.

Sorry - compulsory cherry blossom picture.




The Haunted House just got a bit too much!!