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Just quickly

Three minutes of internet time left… Am in Kyoto now, all by myself, which does make things more interesting, to say the least. Even more so after tomorrow, when I will move north, to Hokkaido, where things are a bit more rustic, as far as I can tell. But I am looking forward to this, after spending most of this week looking at impressive temple after beautiful park and pretty shrine… If I can get the hostels booked, that is. 🙂

Hope all of you are doing well, too. Thinking of you and missing you lots! Big hugs.

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Kumamoto

Still with Sabine and having a great time. We went to Mt. Aso yesterday, a volcano, which was pretty impressive, as I'd never been at a volcano crater before.

It's really nice here in Kumamoto – Sabine is looking after me nicely and we cycle into town every day, on sightly rickety Japanese bikes, which makes it feel more like everyday life than traveling. It's fun, too, and I'll miss it when I move on tomorrow morning. I'll take the Shinkansen (the fast 'bullet train') up to Osaka, making a stop-over for a couple of hours in Hiroshima on the way. I'll stay in Osaka until Wednesday, making a couple of daytrips to the historic towns of Nara and Himeiji, then I'll move on to Kyoto.

As you can see, my plans are slowly taking shape – I'm planning ahead a little, so I can take advantage of the internet connection here. Missing you guys as well as many things from home, but Japan is very exciting and I'm looking very much forward to seeing more of it!

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Finally – Japan!

Today I left Denise (), who had the doubtful pleasure of giving me my first introduction to Japan.

I was definitely grateful to have her around, because I had already gotten the first taste of the vast language gap that exists between Japanese and non-Japanese on the train ride from Osaka airport to Kurosaki, where Denise picked me up. It's really astonishing, how difficult even the simplest conversation becomes!

Other than that I'm having a great time – Japan is definitely different from anything I've ever experienced, not only from Europe but also from Singapore. Some things will take a while to get used to (like not being able to read the maps and street signs and the ever-present noise level), others I took to like a duck to the water. For example I've already been to several onsen (traditional hot spring baths) with Denise, which was absolutely fantastic for a spa-fan like me. 🙂

Now I'm in Kumamoto with Sabine () and am looking very much forward to learning and discovering more about this country!

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In transit – Singapore/Osaka

Amy here updating for Eva! She should have reached Osaka by now, and on her way to Fukuoka by train. Internet accessibility might be intermittent, and she's probably out of contact by phone, seeing that the telcom system is different in Japan. Let's hope we can still hear from her soon though 🙂

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Health update

Just quickly, because I mentioned it to some people without going into details: The day before yesterday I was bitten by something, and since then developed an allergic reaction of some sort, which caused my right ankle to swell and turn red.

After I could hardly walk anymore yesterday (btw, a wonderful day on the recreational island of Sentosa, including real tropical beach time!) I went to see a doctor this morning. He gave me antibiotic and anti-inflammatory pills and a cream, which are already starting to work. I can move much more easily now, which was very nice today at the Singapore Zoo, although the ankle still looks quite bad. I keep it bandaged most of the time, to stabilize, and will try not to walk too much on my last day here tomorrow… Promise! 🙂

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Singapore live!

Amy's been showing me the Singapore lifestyle, together with some friends of hers. The heat and humidity are still getting to me, but luckily a lot of things happen in air-conditioned environments here. 🙂

In one of the malls (in Bugis, which is cheaper than the city center malls) I even found the first two 'Serenity' comics, which excited me to no end! Now I've a question: Could one of you lovely American people buy me the third issue (with River, if possible, else Wash) and mail it to me? That'd be fantastic – and I'd of course pay you back…

Singapore is a bit like I read on the websites beforehand – the main things to do here are shopping and eating. But it's all an experience, with so many different impressions, sounds, smells and tastes to take in. I'm proving to be a bit of a fussy eater, but I'm trying my best, although I'm an utter failure with chopsticks. *g* I was actually quite exhausted from all the new things I'd seen yesterday when we left Chinatown with its many lanterns – but today I'm rested and looking forward to some more. *smile*

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In Singapore

The plane ride went quite well, despite some turbulences and hardly any sleep. In Singapore airport Amy and her father picked me up. On first glance, things didn't seem so very different, but looking a bit closer it is clear that I'm not in Europe anymore… 🙂

We didn't do much yesterday, because I'm not used to the humid heat and was feeling the lack of sleep, but Amy showed me around the neighbourhood a bit. Food definitely is a big thing here, and I'm looking forward to trying new things while I'm here.

Today, after 12 hours sleep (or rather, 12 hours in bed – I kept waking up), we'll go visit the Botanical Gardens and have a look around the city. If the heat doesn't kill me, that is – we'll just have to make many airconditioned stops during the day… *g*

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Off to see the world again

Tomorrow morning I'll be off to Zurich airport with my parents, who'll see me off. First one week in Singapore, visit my friend Amy (), then on to Japan, where I'll meet Denise () and Sabine () as well as travel around the country by train. I've been very excited all week – and incredibly busy. But now I'm mostly ready and can't wait to get started!

My mobile won't work in Japan, so don't text or call me after the first week. But you can also always reach me via email, as I'll try to check it at least semi-regularly. As always, this travel log will be the place to keep up to date with what I'm doing as well as see my photos, once I'm back home.

Satellite view of Japan

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Tentative Japan itinerary

Only a bit more than a month until I leave. Slowly I'm getting a better idea of where to go in the four weeks I'll be in Japan. I have to decide some things before I leave, because things like the Japan RailPass and air passes have to be purchased before entering the country.

One thing is clear: It will be insanely expensive, but I just don't want to miss anything. After all, who knows when/if I'll be back.

Tentative itinerary:
Zurich – Singapore – Osaka – Okinawa – Fukuoka – Kumamoto – Hiroshima (Miyajima) – Himeiji – Nara – Ise – Kyoto – Hiraizumi – Tono – Kakunodate – Hakodate – Noboribetsu (Poroto Kotan) – Nibutani – Sounkyo Onsen – Sapporo – Tokyo – Nikko – Fuji – Tokyo – Zurich

I might have to skip some of these destinations for time reasons, but this is what I have in mind so far.

Random useful notes:
Currency conversion: 1000 JPY = ~12 CHF
Time: Sept 10 – Oct 17 (Singapore: Sept 11 – Sept 16)
Railpass 21 days: 57 700 JPY (650 CHF)
Star Alliance Japan Airpass: 11 550 JPY/flight (130 CHF)
Flights: Osaka – Okinawa; Okinawa – Fukuoka; Sapporo – Tokyo
People to visit: (Kitakyushu city), (Kumamoto)