The view from across the barrage. Eric and me at the Marina barrageCentral business district in the background.On a bridge with the Merlion behind
It was 7.45 am. We folded the two bikes, one a Tern Link, the other a Cronus Earl 3.0 onto the Daihatsu. The back seat had to be folded to put the two foldies in. My neighbour drove to Marina Barrage. From there we rode off all around the Marina Barrage and the reservoir in front of the city skyline. It was a stunning, beautiful and pleasant ride. It was a sunny day but a light breeze made it pleasant and I got so caught up with the panoramic views and ease of biking around that I forgot about the sun. At the end of it all we ate roti prata at the hawker center near the barrage. It had been a good three hours and a half. What a stimulating day! For this reason, I bought foldable bicycles.
View of CDBMet other Christians and tried out a Brompton owned by one of them
On November 25th,2014 we took a train to Ogata station. From there we took a taxi to the Harajiri Falls. These waterfalls are known more to locals in the region. They are not a major tourist attraction, but Japanese people would be aware of it. Near the falls are restaurants and supermarkets and shops. There were no lockers so we rolled our luggage a hundred metres to the site. Susan volunteered to look after the luggage and it became picture taking galore at the falls. Lunch was tender and delicious beef at a reasonable price which I cannot recall.
Beautiful Harajiri waterfallsThe view from further awayCross over to the other sideA closer view from the west after crossing the bridgeLovely autumn foliage along the slopes and cliffsFather and daughter combo. Photo by KhoonBeef lunch. Photo by Khoon
We then had to return by taxi to the train station to Beppu, to Sun Valley Hotel. Dinner there was a 100 yen sushi restaurant that was again so cheap and good. The Singapore dollar has strengthened against (SGD$1 – 97yen) at that time and we rejoiced in it. You pay less there for better quality Japanese food than what you pay for in Singapore.
Filling up the tank, piling up the plates. Photo by KhoonNever ate so much delicious eel before
Volcanic sand baths and ponds
The next morning we went to the famous sand baths. We wanted to lie buried in the enriched volcanic sands and arise a few years younger and with smoother skin. However it was not to be. When we arrived at the place it was closed. They were soaking the sands for maintenance. So with time to spare we stumbled into a large second hand shop along the road on the way back. Everybody bought something: shoes, bags, jackets, handbags, belts, etc. Japanese people love to conform to the latest fashion. Their fashion changes so quickly that before their stuff were more than six months old they were already into the next new thing and they sold their still new “out-of-fashion stuff”, which landed in places like the one we entered.
Waiting for the second hand shop to open. Photo by Khoon.Routine security check. Photo by Khoon.
Then we used a one day bus pass to travel to Kannawa and Chinoike vocanic ponds. Nothing exciting in particular. Interesting but it was a wet day and we were beginning to feel tired. We later headed for the Yufuin hostel to retire for the night.
It was wet at the volcanic ponds - reddish brown hot water and mudNearer the bloody and steaming pondSoaking the feet in hot spring waterThe rainbow after the gentle rainThe night view from the homely hostelDaniel and Jacob relaxing before dinnerDinner at the hostelOutside the hostel in the morning
Dry market with a few food storesLunch in the open - cool air and fabulous Mt Aso milkThe active Mt Aso - we couldn't get any closerZoomed in shot - Photo by KhoonThe autumn grassland was dry and browned.Mt Aso from afar.
From Kumamoto city, we took a 2 hour bus-ride to Sanko Bus Station . There we put our luggage in the lockers. We looked for lunch at the market and waited to take the bus to the Mt Aso Geopark. I must say the fresh milk of the Aso bred cow was fabulous, with a richer flavour, unlike what we have in our supermarkets back home. Later the bus brought us to the Aso Museum but we skipped that and went straight up a gradual climb to take photos of Mt Aso. We were disappointed that we were not allowed up Aso because of some dangerous activity in the volcano. Before this trip we had read about an active volcano that erupted in Japan and killed some climbers. So we were disappointed that we couldn’t get near Mt Aso but grateful there were early warning systems in place. In fact the next day or so there was a small eruption at Mt Aso. Later we went back to the bus station and were picked up by the guest house to the place we stayed overnight. The guys enjoyed the indoor onsen.
Building where we waited for the bus back.While waiting for the bus, have fun! Photo by KhoonLooking out and up. Photo by KhoonKhoon took a pic of me taking a pic of my wife. Photo by KhoonThe pic of my wife.The Asobi Gokoro Guest Inn 5 mins drive from the station - Photo by KhoonThe room in the guest houseGuys in the onsen of a hotel next door. Photo by Khoon.Breakfast before we leave - all 17 of us.
