Happy New Year

Out and About part 2

An other Outing was to the hills in Itoshima,

just to the West of Fukuoka City.

...almost looks like being in a rain forest...

There are a few trails leading to the top.
That day i decided to follow the stream towards the waterfall and further.

It's always happy-time to go hiking, 

but it's more fun when you meet fellow hikers.

...so they can take your picture....

...just "follow" the flow....

My shoes weren't 100% waterproof, so had to do a lot of jumping.

 And that's and other great view of Fukuoka City.

Again if you know where to look, you can see Alishan

Vice versa, from Alishan we have a look-out to this mountain point.

....pfff, then you think you'll be all by yourself....

The local high-school had their Field Day!
(obvious, they took an other trail...)

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2,

3.

 Some great trail running tracks to be found on this mountain range.

Magic! 

................

Then, in early December we had this Other Outing...

Yep, we flew to Amazing Amami Ohshima.

We stayed in a hotel near the fishing port in Naze, the main city of the island.

 Next morning, just after dark, my running shoes took me on a familiar course to....

... the port of Daikuma...!

Last year, Fu Kyo the Cat had stayed in this port for 2 weeks.

(Also,7 years ago, we had stayed here with Alishan, when we were on our way down South...

and 18 years!! ago, with our sailing yacht Jan Haring, on our way North...

...ahh, we are not getting younger...)

Great, the fish tackle shop is still there...

The shop is important in our story..Will tell you later.

...part of "my" running course went through a tunnel....

and yes, half way, i was alert enough to take this picture.

Ahhh, and the Good Bakery is still there.

Here you can buy fresh & yummy bread, even before 7 AM!

And because you come so early, they give you  ++ discount!

Later, we rented a car and drove Up North to a park...

Hot Spot for birds (see Marijke's blog).

....spinach...

....and nice views....

...AND...

In a restaurant in Naze...we still can find this amazing piece of art...

What became real important in our next story...

Want to know?

See upcoming posting.

Salute

Out and About part 1

Yep, it's that time of the year again.

Persimmon drying in the cockpit.

What a great All Weather (& all things) Shelter Alishan has!

But Persimmon Season also equals Mountain Season, so.....

With buddy runners/hikers Noriko and Ohara san,

it's time for an other dash Into the Heart of Kyushu.

 Nope, this peak ain't our goal...but if you know the kanji for mountain...

you can see where it comes from.

In the middle, far-far distance....That's the One.

Perfect weather, aren't we lucky!

  ....a bit more to go....

 Looking back...yep, that was a steep climb...

  Well, we made it. Time for a rest,

...some good food...

...and time to enjoy the scenery: The Jewel of Kyushu.

  It was worth it.

See you again next year.

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Closer to Home

West side of Fukuoka: Immajuku.

The Island in the far distance, just right of center, is Genkai Shima. It's smack in the middle of the entrance to Fukuoka Bay. Basically the waters you see here is where Fu Kyo the Cat cruises around for Sunset Sailing.

A view further to the West. 

Mr Spider has a message for Fukuoka.

A distance view of that Great City Fukuoka. 

If you know where to look...you can see Alishan!!

Nice trail running just around the corner from our place.

Salute.

Yamakasa: Doi Nagare on July 14 2013, Fukuoka

 

                                                              

This year I couldn't join Hakata Yamakasa due to family matters,

but I was able to make this video clip.

 

Looking outside now, where we have the first snow on the mountain range around Fukuoka it's a bit a temperature shock to watch.

 

Anyway, see it HERE.  

 

Of course I hope to Heisa Heisa again next year.

 

Salute.

Fukuoka Sunset Sailing picture collage

 

Fukuoka sky-line.

A slide show with a collection of happy moments

on board of Fu Kyo is

 

HERE

http://youtu.be/6wz4JZ3nY5o

Much Delayed part 2

This update starts rolling at the end of August.

An early morning road trip with Esther the Car brought us into the heart of Kyushu,

.....to see the sun rise near Mt Kuju....

....and the Sea of Clouds in the Mt Aso valley.

  
Later in the day it was time for a short hike around Mt Kuju,
while Marijke let her camera do overtime at Chojabaru.

Always Happy to be there.

Mean while, Nori and Wakame kept a Sleeping Eye on the new sewing machine...

challenging who/what could purr the best.

One day, Fu Kyo was booked to go Sunset Sailing.

Too bad it was raining +++buckets all afternoon, resulting the customers cancelling the trip at 1730.

Can you believe it?

 5 minutes later the rain stopped and we had 
a Gorgeous Sunset, as seen from Meinohama Fishing Port.

Then there was this Fun Yacht Race in Fukuoka:

 The Tamori Cup..with over 80 boats signing up for.

That day it was too windy for the sails, but the Parade was a Go Ahead...but must have involved some nervous moments for the captains.

On an other day, it was just perfect sailing weather on board of Fu Kyo.

This time our friend Miyoko, daughter Misao and grand kids enjoyed a cruise on the bay.

Yes it's by times tuff staying in a fishing harbor:

 Fresh Shrimps for dinner!

Sunset and "Our Church",

what isn't a church at all, but a fancy wedding hall....

In September Fu Kyo found herself High and Dry on her trailer for a new coat of bottom paint.

Oops, it's quickly said, but it took 5 days to do so.

Okay, some rain spoiled a speedy job...

Looking blue-ish licked, neh.

Of course, the end of summer brought some serious Thunder Talk...

Bingo with this lucky shot!

And with the heavy rains,

came the junk down the river,

that ended on the beach in Hakata Bay...sadly.

But the Sunset Sailing Show goes on...

"............."

After the sun dips the horizon, the return trip back to Meinohama Port offers an other great light show.

Then one day, I got a call from Ayaka.

She used to join my Seiha classes when she was an elementary school student.

NOW, she's going for her final exams at 

Japan's TOP Law University.

Hmm, makes me feel a tiny proud too....

This shot was taken at Odo Park.
(around the corner from us)

To the left you can see the masts in the marina.

Food pictures: (That's a Facebook thing, I believe).

While staying in Okinawa last year, this became one of my favorite cooking:

Goya (bitter melon), tofu, egg, tomato. 

An other Facebook Side-line:

via Fukuoka Sunset Sailing @ FB, I got in contact with 
Chu Ho Ming, from Hong Kong.

She was in Fukuoka for a few days on a business trip...

and was looking for Things to Do in the city.

Well, to go sailing was a bit difficult so we decided 
to Go Up Mt Raizan in Itoshima!

At the top of Mt Raizan, far away from busy HK...

Nice to have met you Kim san!

Cosmos flowers...seeing them they tell us summer is (almost) over...

And the parties on board of Fu Kyo keep on going.

Happy Birthday!

Marinoa Ferris Wheel showing it's Pink Support.

Just one more late summer sail with friends.

Princess Wakame.
Miauw, it's getting cooler these days...

Salute