February Fun Facts part 2, enjoying the Good Weather Days.

An amazing day, weather-wise for sure...

so it was time to hike Mt Iimori

Just at our backyard.

Downtown Fukuoka in the distance....

What a privilege to live in this city.

Pink and Blue are ruling this day.

Wish-list notes at Iimori jinja.

That's Power.

Problem is to find a fitting grass skirt for these Ladies.

Salute.

Congratulations Wings 'n Things

Congratulations Marijke with Wings 'n Things

Your blog scored over 100.000 views...

Wonder Why?

Take a look at the pictures:

http://wingsndthings.blogspot.jp/ 

February Fun Facts part 1

  Welcome, welcome, welcome.

Here comes a series of 4 updates 

what Alishan on the Move did and saw in February.

Yep, the coldest month of the year...
but it's also the turn-around of the winter towards spring.

Yeah...

 First of All, this maneki neko (fortune cat).

Found her in a display at Mamushi Onsen in Itoshima

She was hand made by a 84 year old lady.

And indeed February brought us good health and (some) fortune :-)

We had some snow the other day...

so time to enjoy a white hike!

Start of the trail to Tombo Yama

Always confusing to see oranges covered with snow..

The sign reads something like: 

Mountain, thank you for using you.....

After enough picture taking & absorbing of the scenery 

...it was down the trail..

and spearheading for that Mamushi Onsen.

Not a bad day at all.

Salute

Our yearly trip Down South to Ibusuki, Kagoshima.

Once the New Year was On the Roll,

it's time for us to make that Drive Down South again.

As always, the second Sunday in January: 

Ibusuki Nanohana Marathon 

and this year it was # 6 for me.

But first things first and that was a few days of bird-watching and enjoying the scenery of Kagoshima.

Bird-watching was of course here, 

there and everywhere, 

but mainly at Izumi.

Picture Stop # 163 (or so):

 This is Kyushu's most SW point. 

Wow, is it already 6 years since we sailed down there

 on board of Alishan ??

The town & port of Makurazaki,

with Mt Kaimon popping out of the haze.

Good Old Esther is still moving and sleeping us around.

This is one beauty of Japan: 

You can park & camp almost anywhere!! 

And like here, very very convenient at a sports park. 

Nice & quiet 
and toilets...CLEAN & nearby.

Next morning we had to drive a whooping 2 minutes to stop again at...a hot-spring...for a good long soak.

An other beauty of (traveling in) Japan.

 Awesome Sunrise Sky.

Mt Kaimon with a Hat.

Yes, it was raining later in the day.

As mentioned, this was my 6th Ibusuki Marathon, 

but for the hardcore of my running friends it was the 10th anniversary.

Hence this New Outfit for our team.

The 4 hours before the start of the race,

it had been raining and thundering...

but really, just 10 minutes to the start it stopped spattering.

And it stayed dry All the Way.

Yeah.

Somehow, these marathon officials keep on stretching those miles....

This year it felt we had to run 47K, 

hence the extra time needed to finish.

But happy and proud to have done an other Full M.

Anyway, a good running mantra is:

Take One Step More.

(notice found at the gent's standing toilet...)

And then the next Saturday...it was

All Hands Clean Ship!!

As the following day, on Sunday, all day long we had a Tokyo TV station on board recording our " funny way of living ".

Starting at the Asaichi, fish-market, of course,  @ 5 AM

And topping off with a meal cooked by Marijke, @ 5 PM.

Maybe by now, we are getting good at it...

this talking to the TV ;-)

News from the Job Front...

don't forget to take a Look & Like my new 

Adventure

See Marijke's blog for the Izumi bird pictures HERE 

Have you watched the Ibusuki Marathon Youtube 

I made 2 years ago?

 It's HERE

Salute.

January Blues

January Blues.

An other chilly season with sadly no skiing days on our calendar.

So, as soon as we see some white fluffy stuff on the hills around Fukuoka...

....we are off to create  a Little Winter Holiday Feeling.

 Raizan Waterfall, 

a cool place we like to visit summer and winter.

Of course the Nikon came out and Marijke was able to make some amazing pictures.

This year's first plum blossom.

Shiraito Waterfall, in Itoshima.

There is always something "new" to discover.

A map showing Itoshima area, just to the west of Fukuoka City.

And one week later, it was time to hike Mt Iimori.

It's only a 30 minute bicycle ride from our place 

and an easy 1 hour stroll to the top.

Perfect but brbrbr crisp weather.

Iimori Jinja is at the base of the mountain.

This temple has a strong link to horse riding & archery.

Every year on 3 January a big festival is held, but as that is the same day as our Meinohama Tamasesseri, we have never seen it.

  And of course, on 3 February it is: Setsubun.

A festival to celebrate is THE day before Spring starts ..... 

Yeahhhh

Make sure, you enter Fuku chan's mouth.

Good things will follow.

More on Setsubun, 

read HERE

Salute

Hike 'n See Tours Fukuoka and Kyushu

What's Next?

After my nautical adventures on board of Fu Kyo and Shogun,

a new challenge is awaiting:

Low Budget hiking and sightseeing tours,

in English, Dutch or Japanese.

After all, wouldn't it be time for you to come

 and see, taste & enjoy

safe and amazing Japan for yourself?

Showing you around Fukuoka and Kyushu.

Nope, nothing  city life 

but the  outdoor beauty of Japan.

Be it a hike up the hills, a drive around the country site,

camping for the night where ever,

or just plain visiting those charming places.

Don't forget your camera....

Since 1989 Fukuoka is our home, 

and yes, we do know where to go ;-)

One "must" to reach these places is transport: 

My service comes with a specious 5 seats car. 

  Of course, Fukuoka itself has some great places to see...

but the real charm is just out-of-town....

Like this temple at Imori-yama,

..Mt Kuju area in the center of Kyushu...

...hidden secret at Mt Raizan..

 ..or this famous sunset in Saga...

See also our Facebook page

Click HERE 

https://www.facebook.com/hikingkyushu/

For trips and tips, contact at 090-7587-7677

email:

 hikefukuoka@gmail.com

Hope to see you soon.

Salute.

Shogun's arrivel in Yokohama, Japan

                   To see the video, click HERE

mv Heemskerkgracht (Sevenstar Yacht Transport) shipped SHOGUN from Setubal in Portugal to Yokohama, Japan.

Unloading was not as easy as thought: Twice over the forward sling had to be made longer to make it a horizontal and safe lift.

Too bad my adventure on board ended here as the owner made a different plan.

So Long Shogun, Stay Safe!!

Once more, for the Youtube 

                                         click HERE

Salute.