Hakuba-mura, Chubu, Japan Monday, January 9, 2017 *DYLAN* Open the eyes this morning and it was a breath of relief to know that there were no lingering stomach cramps or other more larger scale problems following the consumption of last night's dinner. Who knows what it was, puffer fish, poison fish, sea urchin, fish gizzards, a piece of an old rubber tyre...don't know, but it was a horrible restaurant and won't be going there again thank god. The horrendou...

Osaka, Kinki, Japan Sunday, January 8, 2017 *MAYA* We had a briskly paced morning departing Miyajima for Osaka. Custard and apple tarts at the markets (best meal of the day and you'll soon find out why) running for the ferry then running for the train. Ash and I opted for the elevator whilst the others tackled the stairs. We missed the train. Some may say that is was namely because of our lagging but we are adamant that is was a strategic move so we would e...

Hiroshima, Chugoku, Japan Saturday, January 7, 2017 *ASH* Our day started early as we packed and headed off to the Kyoto station to get the Shinkansen to Hiroshima. Only time for a quick brekky on the go so we got some goods from a bakery to eat on the train. Another nice train ride and we arrived in Hiroshima around 10am. After tripping up and hopping on a train going the opposite direction to what we needed, we eventually were on the right track (literally...

Kyoto, Kinki, Japan Friday, January 6, 2017 *LOUISE* We slept with the aircon off last night which saw us all sleeping with long jammies, hoodies and Woolley socks. Blake was resident snorelax last night thanks to his cold. Poor Dylan had to wake him up in the wee hours as I didn't hear him. Looking forward to a comfy double bed when we make it to Hiroshima! Today was a day chockers full of sightseeing. We started with our obligatory 7eleven visit for brekky on...

Kyoto, Kinki, Japan Thursday, January 5, 2017 *CAL* Our guide for the day was Dyl (Riverboat Ron). Ron ran a high paced game early on with the veterans struggling to keep up. The first destination for the day was Kyoto station to find some breakfast before we headed on to Kameoka to head on one of Ron's famous Riverboats. Now moving at a more leisurely pace we drifted down the river in a nicely protected 400 year old fibreglass, steel and plastic canoe. It ...