TV star!!!

Well, that is me!!! Before going to Obuse on Saturday we got up at 04:30! to see the fish market. It was the penultimate morning it was open to tourists. Must say, it wasn't very tourist-friendly and I can totally understand that they want to close it for one of their busiest months.

After wandering around in utter confusion for half-an-hour we finally found where the tuna auctions were held. The tourists were ushered into one corner to view the spectacle with several TV-crews filming them. One of them decided to interview me! Gosh! What could I say, it was 5:30 in the morning and I was barely awake enough to make sure I didn't get run over by any of the trucks, bicycles or men with big carts. Yet alone I had to attempt to sound vaguely intelligent. Ian happily photographed...

Once we safely got out of the fish market we had a well deserved breakfast and then headed off to the train station to get the bullet train to Nagano.

We are now coming out to the country-side and all of a sudden realise that there are no longer any signage in English. Ooops! Well, we did find our local train to Obuse and after very carefully listening heard them announce Obuse just in time to get off the train.

After checking in we went back to take the train to Yudanaka continued on a local bus and got off somewhere out of town. And after a half-an-hour walk we finally reached our destination, the onsen (hot water spa) for the snow monkeys!

There were unbelievable many monkeys around the onsen and all very photo-friendly. Obviously we got lots of photos. They just were so adorable. And they really do go swimming in the onsen.


Back to Obuse we had a fab dinner at the local Sake-brewery. And yes, we bought plenty of sake with us after some proper tasting. Unfortunately the best one needs to be kept in a fridge. I think we might struggle a bit with that one. Might have to drink it before we go home, what a shame...:-)

Spent an extra day chilling in Obuse. Tried the Japanese take on Italian cuisine. Brilliant! Had a fantastic pasta bolognaise with beef and miso sauce.

This leads us to today which we have spent travelling. Trough Nagano and Tokyo we have now reached Kyoto. Found a nice backpacker's hostel. Being a bit posh we did choose the en-suite room rather than the dorm room. Best thing about the hostel is that it has wireless internet and we are now sitting in the bar, drinking beer and writing these posts.

Tomorrow we are making a day-trip to Hiroshima. Can't decide whether I'm looking forward to it or not. It will be so sad to go and see the peace memorial. I'm nearly crying just reading about it. Well, well, I'm pretty well stocked up on tissues.