Camping as a lifestyle Since Taipei camping was becoming a lifestyle. The rough weather conditions were pretty bad: rain, humidity, wind and cold. Sunny days were still rare. Waking up with the crows and falling asleep with the owls´s call! As campers, it made our life difficult. Being in a car was becoming a real pleasure! We enjoyed the warm and the comfortable seats!!! We made it! Food in Japanese life Any occasion is good to eat, drink and celebrate! We had often breakfast, lunch or dinner but every day tea time at 4 pm and beer time at 5:30! Combined with everything especially during sightseeings. Food is very delicious but the portions are very small :) ! In general, the quality of the products is as bad or as good as in Westerns countries. Bananas are imported from Ecuador, oranges from the US and so on…Fruits and vegs are so expensive. We cannot find good fruits and vegs like in South East Asia, we can buy food only in supermarkets (suupaa), we can forget local markets where we could bargain! We loved the Okinawan cuisine! Hospitality Japanese hospitality has nothing to compare to what we experienced so far. The first days in Naha gave us good impressions; it continued in Oppa Dake. The locals were friendly, helpful, welcoming and willing to speak with us. People, we became friends with, rolled out the red carpet. Pikachu and Kazu did so much for us and with us…Who are Pikachu and Kazu?
To do sightseeings and to go hiking Motobu Fuji It was our first day out with Pikachu and his friends Tetsu and Nozomi. Motobu Fuji (218m) is the little brother of Mt Fuji! The view on the top is remarkable but the trail is challenging. In 30 minutes we were on the top of the Fuji. After we had lunch at Yumenoya (hand made noodles) and we had a VIP tour to secret places. Cape Hedo On a rainy day we went to Yanbaru, the last large surviving tracts of subtropical rainforest with many endemic species: woodpeckers, Okinawan rails, frogs, geckos, turtles, beetles etc. We watched a movie about it. We reached the northern point of the Island: Cape Hedo. On our way back we stopped to eat an ice cream and to eat sweet potatoes cakes! Kouri Island It was on a sunny and windy day when we went to Kouri Island. The seawater was so clear. We walked two km and more! Kazu took us to the brown sugar factory where he worked three months. We also tasted the syrup. Not for everyone taste! For lunch we went to a local restaurant to eat Okinawan noodles! We had a great time with Kazu! Nago Fuji Another spontanous day out, two days before leaving. Before we all went to Nago Fuji, Kazu was at home (enjoying a day off), Pikachu on the way back home, we we were at Lawson checking internet. We met by chance Pikachu who proposed to go hiking and we could pick up Kazu. Why not? We had nothing planned. No plan is always a good plan! We were on our way to Nago Fuji. The weather conditions were not that good... another rainy day! We enjoyed it! Pineapple Park and Kouri That day, Önder and I did not want to eat Okinawan noodle! There are yummi but we needed a change. We had noodles and spagetti everyday... We were up to Japanese curry. Kazu decided to go to a "real" curry: an Indian restaurant. We felt like in India. It was the same taste but less spycies! It is customised to Japanese taste. Afterwards, as we do not fancy aquariums or zoo, we visited the pineapple park. It was a quick tour: 10 minutes tour in an automatic car, we have barely seen a pineapple! We spent more time in the shopping area, tasting products made with pineapples, than in the park itself. In the middle of all of this "circus", there is a shell museum, which was so beautiful! It was fun :=))) To finish our day, we went to Kouri island for a second time where we discovered the heart shaped stone. We liked it and had a jump session! Thanks Kazu for the day! Visit a local school One evening, during dinner Pikachu spoke about his work at the local school. He goes weekly to read a story to kids. He suggested us to come with him and to present our country to the kids. Pikachu told us that the chance for those kids to go abroad is little. Ok Let´s go to a Japanese school! Pikachu put on his Pikachu outfit and started the reading. Before the reading the kid who had his/her birthday picked up a number. This number referred to a book, Pikachu read the story for 20 minutes! After we introduced us in Japanese to the children and we asked what they know about Germany and France. We learned some Japanese and when we spoke the kids were filled with wonder! It was a great moment, as in any other countries we went to a local school. On the week end, one schoolboy went to the campsite to give us some food! We met him with his mother on the way back to the campsite. In the car, we chatted a bit, it was a mix of Japanese and English. To the question: How are you, the kids answered: " I am happy". When he left, he asked us when we were coming back. We could not promise anything ... He was so sad... To introduce to their friends We met a lot of people, everyone is Pikachu´s friend :)))) - Mayumi owner of Ondo ´s caffe in Nakijin - who prepares delicious açaí smoothies! and reopened her cafe just for us! - another Mayumi who opened recently Cafe Wan in Kunigami Son - who makes yummi Tayiaki! - Nonsan and Mr Koutaro Inoue fom Naha - who came twice to visit Oppo Dake and Co! - at the Yanbaru center: Ms Hiromi Kamigaichi and Ms Naoko Chibana - who showed us a film in English about the Okinawan fauna and flora and gave me present: a grasshoper made of dried grass ! - Mr Chinen and his son Mr Shin Chinen (son) - who came to meet us to have English conversation and prepared a BBQ! - Mr Tetsu To, a cook who learned cooking in France three years one and one in Marsannay la Cote (Burgundy) - The teachers at Nakijin school To organise a Welcome party, BBQs and watch the stars ... Two days after our arrival, Pikachu invited us for a Welcome BBQ! Friends were coming over. It was the first party amongst so many after! To let us taste the local food (champuru), to learn traditional dances (Katchashi) and to do Okinawan smiles and much more! On a Sanshin day, every year on March 4th, Pikachu took us spontanously to a local restaurant where we can listen to live band. We had local food and dancing classes! The techniques of Katchashi is like opening and closing a window. (movement from right to left) and for advance it is like painting (movement going up and down). Men will have their faust closed whereas women will have them open. Shisa are placed on rooftops or entrances to keep devils, dragons away. They are a combination of lion and a dog! They are most of the time in pairs: one will have the mouth opened, the other closed. We saw them everywhere but we did not really took pictures of them! We thought they were also in mainland. What comes from Okinawa, stays in Okinawa. 11th March we paid tribute to the victims of Fukushima. One minute silence. At 14:47, 5 years ago, the earth trembled. Pikachu went to Fukushima, helped there during three days as first aid. 14th March: is valentine day! Celebrated for men only whereas 14th Feb is for women! No chocolates but buiscuits will be given as presents! This was only the tip of the iceberg… here are more…
The last but not the least It was our last evening at Oppa Dake, it was nice but sad ... We cooked together Italian spagetti combined with a Japanese style! Pikachu and Kazu gave us some nice presents! We had a good laugh :))) The very next morning we were embarking on the ferry to Kagoshima. Before leaving, Pikachu woke up at 5:30 and prepared a very nice breakfast (eggs, rice, soup and spagetti)! At 8:00am we left Oppa Dake! Sometimes we were on our own ... and played the hosts! We explored the region on our own too! Therefore we could show places to Takka. He came with his friend Aruna to say goodbye! We took them around to places we went with Pikachu and Kazu. Takka: Do you remenber? One of the friend we met in Naha and drove us to the campsite (over 90 km, one way!) The secret places Nature on the island (Just a part of it)
Sunset with cables Instead of getting annoyed with the cables and towers, I just integrated them in the pictures. Some more stories....about people we just met for few minutes! At the convenience store, one guy just asked us where we are from, gave us two bottles of green tea and left! Another day, we were walking back from the beach (7km, one way), one girld we just greeted at the beach few minutes ago, stopped and asked us whether we had a car. She was on her way back home. As we did not, she gave us a lift to the campsite! We met her at the restaurant where she works the same evening, it was on Sanshin day. On the road, some graduates drove us two km to the convenience store, they were happy to take us! Another stories Diverse and Fun How to conclude three weeks in Okinawa?Staying in Naha and Oppa Dake was really the first time where we felt to have a break from our journey!
THANK YOU EVERYONE TO HAVE MADE OUR STAY A UNFORGETABLE MEMORY!
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New country, new adaptations! It was a completely change again. Leaving Taiwan after three months to be thrown in at the deep end. Hard take off and no soft landing! We were ready to take the challenge. A new chapter in our journey begins. Welcome to Japan – Nihon he yokoso! First stop Southern Okinawa - Naha. The CS we were supposed to stay at 4 days, stood us up two hours before boarding. It meant a lot of re-organisation: booking a hostel and no smooth adaptation in Japan. Those situations are really strenuous and in Japan really expensive! In 4 days, we spent 200€. As in Taipei, we decided to camp. So we packed our backpacks the day after our arrival and headed off a campsite near the beach. All what we wanted: beach and camping to rest. Buses connexions were not good, it took us the all day to reach Nashiro beach. Once there, the owner of the campsite told us it was closed although it is supposed to be open all year round. One thing we promised ourselves to do in Japan was hitch hiking! We checked how to travel in low cost and one of the way is to hitch hike. Let´s try! We were not willing to wait one hour for the bus to go back to the nearest village. It was dead easy! Two guys from Tokyo on holidays in Okinawa took us back to Naha. We squeezed our big bags and ourselves at the back of the car and in 30 minutes we were back in Naha! It was worth it. We practiced our Japanese, what we learned before coming! It was a short but intensive experience! It gave us the motivation to continue for the rest of our journey. We were back to square one! It was 5pm and we still did not have a stay for the evening. We did not have Internet, no Sim card and night was approaching. We had to keep cool and not to lose our nerves, even we were exceeded and exhausted. The smartest solution was to find a convenience store (such as Lawson, Family Mart or Coco) to get free Internet to be connected and book a hostel for at least the next two nights. It was when we had our third contact with locals. The first one was the day before at the hostel. A lady (musician) and a man (a doctor) tried to cheer us up with Japanese green tea and local drinks :), the second one was in the car and now the third one at the convenience store. People in Okinawa are very friendly interested too to know more about us! A lady asked us where we were from and saw that we were busy, she just left and wished us a happy journey in Japan. Sometimes in convenience store, (called conveni in Japanese) there is a place to seat. A man who sat next to us, started the conversation with Önder about Japan involved in the Vietnam war. By the way, Okinawa was given back to Japan in 1972 and was under US occupation since September 1945. Okinawa is known for the Pacific Battle where 250000 Japanese died and 15000 US soldiers. Meanwhile we booked a hostel and we were heading off to the place. It is when we were lost with our offline maps, that Mr Katsube san asked us: “Where are you going”, “To Naha Grand Hotel”, “I know the place, I bring you there”. This was the beginning of our odissy in Okinawa and Japan!! Mr Katsube is originally from Hiroshima, lives in Naha since 2009, he is now retired. He enjoys reading and walking. He walks every day about 90 minutes! He travelled abroad for his job and undertook on his own a three months journey in the US and Europe. After checking we thought he would take us to a local restaurant but it was a very expensive one what we did not know. Mr Katsube ordered plenty of food (Okinawan specialities) and drinks (hot Awamori). This evening, We tried for the first time: “shabu shabu” – Japanese hot pot – expensive!!! It was so delicious and to thank him for his help and the nice time together, we wanted to invite him what he strongly refused. We were embarrassed and astonished. The last but not the least he walked us back to the hostel although he lived 5 minutes away from the restaurant. That day we sealed a friendship. We met again two days after and we spent a whole day together visiting Naha´s castle and eating in a real local restaurant! We decided to camp but this time before going anywhere we wanted to call the campsite to know whether it was open, the prices and if there was any check in and check out time!. Mr. Katsube helped us! It was a precious help as many places no one can speak English and the website is only in Japanese. 4 Days in Naha, What an adventure!
We made up our mind to go camping in the North of the island: Nakijin Son. We were exited as we wanted to try our luck (again) with hitch hiking. We selected a strategical point to go to Nago. We gave us about 1 hour time. Clock was ticking. Cars were passing by, most of them only with the driver. People were amused and smiled at us but no one stopped. Until Takka stopped 40 minutes later. T: “Where are you going?” CD: “Nago and you?” T: “It is ok, I drive you there.” CD: “Oh really!?” It was Sunday, he had a day off and had time. On the way we also did some sightseeing and he thought of doing some food shopping before reaching the campsite. Takka hold even our basket!! Once at the campsite he helped us to pitch the tent! We spent the whole day together. To thank him for his generosity, we invited him for an Okinawan Soba (noodles) but we had to “fight” because he wanted to pay! Taiwan is named Taiwan Republic of China that is to be differentiated from People Republic of China, mainland. Taiwanese have got green passports and China red ones! Once in Taiwan it brings amongst foreigners confusion and questions are raised: does Taiwan Republic of China belongs to China or is the island still independent? Last February, Taiwanese have voted for a new president, first female president Tsai Ing-wen! The current one (Ma Ying-jeou) is pro China whose nickname is “jelly fish head”, he will leave the presidency in May 2016. Taiwanese demonstrate openly against on week-ends. Unknown in Western countries as a tourist destination, but famous amongst South Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Hong Kongese, Taiwan is very often mixed with Thailand. Westerners in Taiwan are mostly exchange students, people who want to learn Mandarin, English teachers or people with a Taiwanese partners; world travellers and bicycles riders around the world. The island has about 1500 km cycling roads. Taiwan has a long history of occupation: Chinese, Japanese, US which has an influence on their behaviour and daily life. They adopt the travelling Chinese style: the maximum visits in a short time! On week-ends, they will drive 200 km to stay not even 24 hours in one place: they will arrive in the evening and will go back home the very next morning! For camping is the same: pitching the tent on Friday evening and leaving at 10am the next morning! Everything is made for a local tourists, most of Taiwanese cannot afford to travel abroad, and they do not have many holidays, few days per year! As far as hotels, railways (high speed train), buses connections, the island is very well structured! Nothing occur by coincidences. Hostels are as comfortable as and Taiwanese will design their interior with quality and taste! Food is a mix between Japanese and Chinese flavours. What is common to be eaten is chicken feet, pig feet, animals ´intestines and even chicken anus! Dumplings, Udon noodles, rice cakes, Mocci, bakery stuffs are very common food and Oolong tea, a Taiwanese tea, a famous drink. What one can strike are the security cameras. Maybe people are afraid of invasions! Taiwan is the Island where “Big brother is watching you”. Cameras are everywhere in public as well as in private areas and even cars recording the drive. How many of them? Million maybe a billion! For anything you can call the police and you can count on it! To promote their island, Taiwanese have the following slogan “Taiwan, the heart of Asia”. It gives another perspective to how we can present things! In Asia, Taiwanese are considered to be relaxed and lay back than in any other East Asian countries. In one way there is no rush but still the school and work system put lots of pressure on kids and employees. Life can be summed up in studying and working except during Chinese New Year where life will completely stopped apart from cooking and eating. Taiwan is a society in movements like most of Asian countries the island lives between traditions and modernity. Old generations still go to local shops and markets whereas new generations to malls and do speak English. For them FB play a huge role in their daily life. They will marked themselves safe before even evacuating a place during an earthquake or a typhoon! What did Taiwanese before Internet?! However, for the old and the new generation religion, going to temples is a ritual. They will pray gods to ask for advices (love, career, studies, pregnancy etc.) and give offerings that they will be taken back after 30 minutes! People usually buy what they like the most :) Dogs are treated like humans, they either carry them or push them in a pram. The dogs should not dirt their paws! They usually wear coats even when temperatures are above 20 degrees! Travelling around Taiwan is an interesting experience when it comes to hospitality. There are two ways either people will do everything they can to welcome you or they will turn their back on you! You can still travel for good quality and reasonable prices. In Taipei it will bring tourists to the roots of the Chinese culture where a bit less than 700 000 objects were transferred from Beijing to Taipei during wars and troubles. What is still surprising is the driving! What we can considerer as illegal in our country is there common practices! What we can call Taiwanese style! Like in any other South East Asian countries, people will not walk but in Taiwan even 5 minutes, they will drive their two wheelers! The last but not the least, every day bin lorries will be driven through cities, towns or villages accompanied with a sweet melody (play the video below)! People will come and will throw their garbage in the lorry! To conclude our experience: we had a bad, sad and … very good one!
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