6. HAKONE - MOUNT FUJI AND LAKES DISTRICT

Saturday, February 16, 2013

12 days ago. . . (sorry for the delay and sorry it's me, Alex, writing).

Ron and Sally, a missionary couple, kindly took us to Hakone To see of Mount Fuji, 5 surrounding lakes, Sulphur Mountain and it's Hot Springs.

That morning we looked out of our window and saw Mount Fuji. We were looking forward to getting a close-up view.

As we headed to our destination, it appeared to be a beautiful, clear day.

But when we arrived . . .

. . . no Mount Fuji.

Just clouds and falling snow!

Oh we'll, we have a beautiful view of Lake Ashi anyway.

 

 

Roof tile and clay wall

Hakone used to be an important checkpoint to control traffic along the highway which linked Tokyo and Kyoto during the feudal Endo Period. A reconstruction of the checkpoint is located along the shore of Lake Ashi. It including gates, fence, housing for officers and foot soldiers, a prison chamber and a lookout tower. There is also a small museum with various related exhibits.

 

 

 

 

Traditional lunch with sake.

 

What a surprise! At the meeting the night before, a couple from Bethel said that they were also going to Hakone the next day. Of course, we didn't expect that we would meet up with them.

On the other side of Lake Ashi.

The red structure is called a torii gate. A path leads from the torii gate up a series of steps through the forest to a shrine.

 

No these are not low lying clouds.

This is Ōwakudani, literally "Great Boiling Valley," or Sulphur Mountain. It is a volcanic valley with active sulphur vents and hot springs.

 

Hold your nose it STINKS!

 

What are all these people eating?

Kuro-tamago (lit. "black egg" ) — a local specialty of regular chicken eggs hard-boiled in the hot springs. The boiled eggs turn black and smell slightly sulphuric; consuming the eggs is said to increase longevity. According to Wikipedia: "Eating one is said to add seven years to your life. You may eat up to two and a half for up to seventeen and a half years, but eating a whole third is said to be highly unadvised."

 

As we were walking down Sulphur Mountain a view of another mountain appeared. . .

 

 

I took these last three photos and am paricularly proud of this last one!

Fujiyama Hotel, Is one of the oldest hotels in Japan, founded in 1878

 

 

Our intention was bravely finish the day with a dip in an onsen, a hot spring public bath. The Japanese LOVE their bath.

However, I was beginning to feel unwell and decided to try that another day.

I am happy to sign off now having had to do this blog twice. It took over three hours the first time. As I was about to publish it just disappeared before my eyes. Not happy Jan.

Sayonara,

Lloydnalex

 

5. JAPAN BETHEL DAYS

Sunday - Friday, February 10 - 15, 2013

Well, Lloyd is is a bit busy with work, so let me tell you a bit about our time here in Japan branch so far...

As you can see, it's not all work. Here I am in a kimono one of the Japanese style guest rooms, but more about the kimono later...

This is our Bethel room in F building , level 10, room 8. When we first saw our room we thought there must be a mistake as there was only one single bed. However, we were shown the trundle bed underneath. We keep it set up all the time.

A few days ago we experienced our first earthquake at 920 pm. Actually, i was sitting on the bed and didn't feel anything but Lloyd did, just a mild sensation that made him ask me, "Did the floor just move???" And he was right, 5.6 quake off the coast. Exciting...

This is the view from our room... but there is more...

If we open the window... and look to the west what do we see???

Thats right, on a clear day, we can actually see the famed Mount Fuji in the distance, or Fujisan as the locals call it. Reminds me of Lloyd's favourite Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai.

Hokusai was a artist in the 18th and 19th century who did a series of 36 woodblock paintings showing Fuji from different angles and different weather conditions. The most famous one is The Great Wave with Fiji in the background. This artist is said to have influenced the French impressionists. And Lloyd has a theory about his influence on Dr Suess.

Sometimes we see magnificent sunset from our room

Heres Mount Fuji as seen from the front car park

Suburban Ebina. Photos taken while out witnessing.

 

 

English congregation at Bethel. Can you work out what the Brother is illustrating?

 

 

After the meeting these four gorgeous children came running up to me and asked "What is your name and where are you from?". They then sang the new song: Pray Anytime. How precious!

International servants, Ruth and Nigel

Monday night Watchtower. The Kingdom Hall is not big enough for all to attend.

Our Breakfast table. Every morning the chairman says: "Ohio gazimas" (good morning) and everyone answers back "Ohio gazimas."

After the closing pray, everyone sits back down and chats for about 5 minutes before leaving. I asked about this and was told that after a recent Zone Overseer's visit they were encouraged to do so.

My work mates.

My assignment is in the dining room in Japan Branch and i'm loving it. What a great bunch of fun, thoughtful brothers and the only two full-time sisters are as sweet as can be.

I got them to all try Vegemite. Only two of them liked it. . . you've got to be born in Australia! :)

 

Sister Hannah is 90 years old and besides her hearing, she is physically and mentally strong and such a delight. She works a couple of hours 3 or 4 days a week.

She originates from Montana USA, came to Japan as a missionary (14th class) when she was 28 years old. She couldn't speak much Japanese but because she looks Japanese (parent are Japanese) they expected more of her.

Sister Hannah is so up-to-date that she has an iPad and loves to use it!

Amy and Yuko are the dietitians and nutritionists, Doreen my buddy from Brooklyn, Mariko, me, Matori

Of all the Bethel's we have been to, this is the cleanest. It is spotless everywhere. I mean everywhere. Even the pipes in the underground tunnels are dust free.

Back to the kimono

How many sisters does it take to put on a kimono?

Four sisters from the sewing room

Enjoying the kimono in the Bethel Tatami room.

Sayonara,

Lloydnalex