Last 24 Hours / Review

It was supposed to be great, reaching the top of Fujisan, but I just felt too exhausted. Depressed about losing contact with my climbing colleagues, I suddenly felt alone and unable to muster a single conversation with anyone. It was symbolic of my trip to Japan, with many highs and lows, quite literally. At times, I got very got and bothered and acted like a little Englander to get my way. I missed buses, trains, got on the wrong ones, misunderstood plenty and even managed to miss my ferry back to Busan.

I have been totally unable to understand the language and the signage has often been poor once you move away from the tourist friendly Shinkansen track. I avoided paying a fare 3 times. Once on a little journey when no-one asked me for a ticket. Then, after coming down the mountain, very slowly, falling asleep along the way, I knowingly boarded the bus back to Mishima (a 2 hr ride) without any money. I knew full well it was pointless explaining my situation to any official, so I figured it was best, at least, to get to Mishima and show an intention to pay the 2390 yen fare. Had I found a Korean, I could have swapped some Korean currency that I was carrying. So, I did a runner a Mishima Station, despite managing to obtain cash from a 7/11 nearby.

Instead of going all the way to Fukuoka, I stopped off at Kyoto for my final night. Another cock-up, because I later realised my rail pass ran out and I would have to fork out for a Nizomi (super fast) ticket in the morning, back to Hakarta. The sushi restuarant, where I had visited on Wednesday, had changed hands, so I had to eat somewhere else.. I consoled myself in my solitude on my final night, watching Ratatouille playing out on the big screen, in a party atmosphere club, where I left completely alone.

I was already cutting it fine, with the train arriving at 9.45 and the ferry leaving at 10.15, when all hope was lost as I couldn't get beyond the barriers at Hakarta. I had mistakenly bought a Shinkansen ticket for Fukayama, instead of Fukuoka. "Oh, Fuk!" I thought. I ranted at the polite female attendant at 'fare adjustment' as my debit cards failed to register. With no 7/11 handy, I jumped the barrier, shouted that the woman knew something and made a dash for a taxi. I had avoided paying 8,000 yen difference - around 40 pounds. The taxi driver did his best to get me to the International Ferry Terminal, but it was mission impossible and i missed my designated ferry.

Fortunately, the silver lining came with a seat on the very next ferry, the 12:00, and Garry was waiting to board the exact same ferry, having spent 2 days in Nagasaki and 2 in Fukuoka. I was so glad to see him. We had lots to talk about. Once on the boat, beyond immigration, I knew I couldn't be caught.

Japan had, after all, with the highs and lows all taken into consideration, been a proper adventure. And, finally, something worth writing home about!



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Addendum:

i. Top 10 useless things i had to carry up Fujisan:

1. "God Is Not Great", a book by Christopher Hitchens.
2. Heavy duty AA battery recharger.
3. English to Korea 110-250v adaptor.
4. English to Japanese 250 v adaptor.
5. Lonely Planet Guide to Japan.
6. Condoms.
7. Passport, Japanese Rail Pass and Korean Alien Registration Card.
8. Cell phone.
9. Shaving foam.
10. A memento photograph of me riding the Osaka Hep-5 Ferris Wheel.



ii. Cost of Accommodation in Japan - 8 nights:

SAT/SUN 1100 yen Cybac Cafe, Fukuoka
SUN/MON 5250 yen Matsunoki Ryokan, Okayama
MON/TUE 5000 yen Miko Hotel, Shirahama
TUE/WED 3300 yen Capsule Hotel, Osaka (included Sauna)
WED/THU 1800 yen Media Cafe Popeye, Kyoto
THU/FRI 3300 yen Fuji Hot Flower Spring, Fujinomiya
FRI/SAT Free Fujisan
SAT/SUN 3100 yen Media Cafe Popeye, Kyoto

Total: 22,850 yen (approx 110 GBP)