Ferries and Flowers

You may not realize it looking at the pictures featured on the blog, and truthfully I forget it myself at times, but Fukuoka is a coastal city.  It isn't helped by the fact that our actual hometown, Chikushino, is quite a bit further inland, but in the nearly three months I've been in the area I had yet to reach the shoreline.  Last weekend, the fates conspired to give me that opportunity, as Eleanor, one of our good friends here, got a group together to go to Nokonoshima Island for her birthday.

Nokonoshima island is small island in the middle of Hakata bay.  In spite of it's relatively close proximity we really ran the gamut on our transportation to the park, traveling by train, subway, then taxi to the ferry landing; by ferry to the island itself; then bus to the park.  While the town where the ferry dock's is lovely, the island is primarily known for, well . . . this:

The flower gardens at Nokonoshima Island Park, situated at the islands summit.  Cosmos were the current flower and the main park area was COVERED in them.  While there were other things to do, basking in the pretty was the primary goal.  With that in mind, I'll allow for some vicarious baskage on your part.

It's WR's expression that completes this photo

The famous Nokonoshima bunnypile

Before I depart I want to apologize for the delay getting up this post.  To make up for it I'm offering this: a video of our turtle eating an apple . . . enjoy

Ta ta for now, and don't forget to feed the turtl . . . err . . . fish.

DW

FOOD.

Dan made Okonomiyaki!

Eleanor birthday lunch at Cafe Kurata

Italian inspired Onigiri, which I pan fried . . . cause why not?

STUDY.

I've been pushing my Japanese study as of late, and have given myself the
challenge of learning 25 new Japanese words a day for the month.

WR meanwhile has been doing research on a really amazing
Japanese play for her own nefarious purposes.

EXPLORATION.

It's finally fall! That means I can wear jeans without sweating my literal ass off.

A display of one of the floats from a famous local festival.

Tochoji Temple.  Right in the heart of Hakata ward.

Overdone shot?  Perhaps, but I still like it :).

Another shot of Tochoji.

The canal near Nakasu.