1st week in UK

I arrived well in London on 7th from Malaysia.

I had to wait so long time at the immigration. There were so many Non EU people waiting.

But suddenly one immigration agent cut the line and let people come to on the first line for 2 new gates.

And I was the first person to benefice it !

So lucky :) But as soon as he checked my passport, he asked the letter of acceptance from my university which I didn't have with me. (it was in my suitcase...)

He gave me a glance saying stupid (kind of) and started questioning me (where I study, how long, who pays my stay, etc...)

I told him about my volunteer in Africa which actually helped me to save up my money, etc...

Because of that story, he let me go exceptionally.

I was happy that he was very generous.

At the exit of the airport, Ben's dad and sister came to pick us up then we continued toward his hometown, Lincoln, 3 hours from London by car.

The house is boat on canal.

At first, I was not comfortable with water movement but I got used to it after a couple of days.

Last weekend, we did canal boat trip with Ben's best friend and his gf.

Although we had several unpredicted incidences,

 it was great trip with nice weather.

 The oldest bridge with a building above in UK

They look like boxes but no, they are horses !

I navigated a boat for the first time without license ! (Not illegal, no worries :)

Until 23rd when I move to the university residence in Norwich, I spend time here on the boat.

Detour

It has been already 10 days since I arrived in UK...

Yes, I have been very lazy and no update by today.

So finally I decided to write some about since my departure from Japan on September 4th.

Before arriving in UK on 7th, as we had to change planes in Malaysia, we decided to spend some time there.

It was nicer in terms of temperature and humidity there than in Japan.

At capital, we did not do much and stayed near airport.

Then next day morning, we flied to resort island Penang.

We walked around the old town.

Hinduism (Indian),

Islam (Malay) and,

Buddhism (Chinese)

 exit all in different parts of the town.
(this could be also a part of cultural mix↓ :D）

We also enjoyed cheap but delicious food.

 

 with famous Malaysian beer :)

We tried jet ski for the first time, too.

We could forget sad feeling of leaving Japan.

Bonus ①
Oh,"Panasonic !"
Hnnnn?! No, P"E"nsonic ! 

Bonus②
Many bike riders wear their jacket like this.
I don't know what for... maybe to avoid wind or dust...

Motorcycle trip

After Obon holiday week, I went to a bike trip with Ben.

This was the first time to travel by motorbike especially on mountain roads...

So I was quite nervous about it but the fear was blown away by the amazing scenery.

First, we went to see a world heritage Amanohashidate in Kyoto from Osaka.

Before arriving to the beach, we pass a bridge which is separated in 3 parts to let boats and ships pass.

This guy is always on the middle part to keep watch the process.

I had not seen a as beautiful beach as there since the one in Okinawa!

It was very hot day but the water was nicely cool to put feet in.

Next to the beach, there was a path under pine trees which was great for a walk.

Cercle lantern of  wisdom

It is said that if you pass through the cylinder 3 times, you would become intelligent.

It was located too high for me...

On the same day, we went up the coast side till Tsuruga in Fukui because we could not find a reasonable nice hotel.

2nd day morning, we ran into the ocean, which we couldn't in Kyoto because we were too lazy to unpack the well attached bag on the bike and take out our swimsuits.

Then we went to Echizen to see Ben's bonze Japanese friend.

We went to again to a beach with him.

Sunset is always everywhere so beautiful!

At night, we stayed at his place in a temple.

It was cold, rather than cool to sleep !

Next morning, he left at 6 to go to work.

We saw him out then tried the family's daily work with his mum : ring the temple bell.

It was difficult to find out the right volume of the ring.

After saying thank you to her, we headed to Gero city in Gifu prefecture.

I have a friend with who I went to Burkina there.

We left Fukui at 7 and arrived in Gero after 6 hours...of course including seveal stops.

Gero is a small hot spring popular town in the valley surrounded by mountains.

The hot spring bath and the local famous food "Kei-chan" (seasoned chicken which we grill on a hot plate with cabbage) removed our fatigue.

Her friend brought us wild Ayu (fish) taken from the river which crosses the town.

4th day we went to see another world heritage Shirakawa-gô(village).

Conserved traditional architecture in the region

The biggest house has 4 floors !

5th day, we went to Nagano where Ben wanted to go since his arrival in Japan.

Because we did not have too much time left, we went toKamikôchi in North Japan Alps.

Just after getting off a bus at the bottom of the Alps, the beautiful landscape came up in front of us !!!

The water was so transparent and cool.

Actually, it was too cool for me to play in.

As we did not have proper equipment for trekking, we could not climb up the mountains but the walk at the bottom was also very nice with meeting some wild animals.

On the same day, we went down til Nagoya in Aichi.

The friend in Gero just moved in a new apartment on the day to start a new life with her fiancé.

So, I know it was kind of weird but they let us stay at their new place for their first night there...

We had a great time with them though :)

Finally on 6th day,

we went back to Osaka, passing by Biwa lake in Shiga.

I have lived in Osaka which is just next to Shiga for 4 years but I had never been to see the largest fresh water lake in Japan.

The water wasn't as clear as in other places where we went this time but I enjoyed not only seeing it but swimming in !

I prefer swimming in freshwater to salt water!

On the way back in Uji (Kyoto), for the 1st and last time, rain and thunder attacked us on the mountain road especially...

We were soaked and I was scared of driving under the rain but Ben drove very carefully and slowly.

Also there was not much trafic.

I had never enjoyed so much nature in a trip.

I rediscovered the beauty of Japanese nature and I am very proud to be Japanese.

I hope sincerely that this wonderful nature last forever.