Wakayama - Day 1

Since we arrived we've been treated like royalty- it's incredible. 

We got to the airport and we were picked up in a nice mini bus- we drove for around a hour to a beautiful temple where we left the bus and took smaller cars up 'Mikan Yama' (orange mountain!) I've never seen so many orange trees in my life- they were so cool!! 

We pick over 200 Mikan and eat lots too! We had to check each tree before we decided we liked those Mikan! 

The view from Mikan mountain. 

This was a good tree. The small Mikan are the best. 

After this we went back to the temple where we ate lunch, for a fish bento it wasn't that bad! 

And considering it was called 'Matsubayashi' it can't be bad eh ;) 

This was where we had lunch. Those trees are just amazing. 

This was lunch. It's a fish, but a Matsubayashi fish, can't be bad, right? Let's see inside.... 

We've got rice and sashimi and tempura and some other unknown items. Rice is good. Tempuras good. Miso shio is good. This might be okay. :) 

After lunch we get back in the car and start the drive to wakayama where Sensei's  brother lives.

We stopped on the way at 'Yaho' point. Not sure why it's here but I can research! 

This picture doesn't do it any justice! The mountains lined with trees in all the colours were amazing!! 

We get to the hotel and there's a onsen! It's my first time in a onsen- after you get past the whole naked thing it's great! 

Sitting outside in this natural hot water and looking up at the stars is something I won't forget in a long long time. 

Then we go for dinner. This could be difficult! It appears we just have lots of raw things! :/ 

However there is a Mikan and they give us lots of shochu (Japanese sake) - never drunk it before, it's not my favourite but it's better than the raw fish. 

There were snails too. Right there at the front. 

After eating rice we go to the massage chairs and use the two best vending machines I've seen here yet! The ice cream one and the alcohol one!! 

We decide to sit in the massage chair and drink some 'Slats' (what a name eh!) and eat ice cream. 

I think James liked his slat ;) 

Eventually we make it to our rooms and bed. I drank too much alcohol. But it was fun. 

This day has been amazing. A day of new experiences, and learning! 

The people here and the kindness they have shown us already is just so touching. It makes me emotional because I've never met these people and yet they have been so kind and welcoming. I suppose it's humans at their best, something so rare but so special when you are a part of it.