I love Japan! Wow, what a place! Its been almost a week since Tarn and I left for our 4 week cycle tour and its been truly amazing. The country side itself is not only beautiful, so are the Japanese people. They are so friendly and hospitible.
We started out trip in Osaka, made our way to Kobe and then caught the ferry across to Takamastsu on the island of Shinkoku to start out trip. Day 1, about 20km of flat road out of the city, followed by beautiful mountains that seemed to be getting closer and closer until hello 1200ft mountain pass. The temp was 38 degrees celcius, humidity was high and the sun was scorching, I thought Tarn was going to have to pour me into a bottle and stick me into a bottle cage. But we made it, and what must go up, must came down, and down we came. All 200kg of us came flying down the mountain, talk about bullet train!
A couple of hours riding and then it started to rain, and rain, 4 hours of tropical downpour before the weirdest thing happened. All these little cute crabs starting coming out of the forest. Miles away from the sea in every direction, and there were crabs on the road! Bizarre. So then we set up camp on the edge of a river, the sun came up and all was good with the world again.
The Wasp (The tandem) is doing well, no problems to report apart from some squeaky brakes. Been getting plenty attention from the locals and had many conversations using hand gestures and head nodding.
We re leaving tommorrow for the south western part of the island, so far we ve been from the top down to the southern most town of Kochi. Given the lack of internet cafes I ve come across so far, it may be a while before I can post again. Sayornara for now! 
11 responses so far ↓
1 DoubleOhTwo // Sep 6, 2009 at 10:57 pm
Wow! Looks like the camera is doing its job! Fantastic stuff, you two! Can’t wait for the next installment! 02X
2 Dan // Sep 7, 2009 at 12:40 am
I’ve been looking to seeing some footage from this road trip. Fantastic photos!!
3 Shino - Tokyo // Sep 7, 2009 at 3:20 am
Meg, welcome to Japan! Enjoy country side and I’m looking forward to seeing you in Tokyo soon!!
4 cycle mumbreeze // Sep 7, 2009 at 4:26 am
Sorry we didn’t manage to give you some tips for touring there, but it looks like you’re doing just fantastic and I’m really glad you are enjoying it there!
one route that I often hear about is the Shimanami Kaido which is a route that goes across from Shikoku to the main island across a bunch of islands and it ends at the city of Onomichi which is one of the most scenic towns of Japan.
http://bit.ly/UyUNB
We hope you enjoy the rest of your stay there!
5 Sarah McManus // Sep 7, 2009 at 8:47 am
Beautiful photos Meg, looks like you and Tarn are having the most amazing time!
6 Greig // Sep 7, 2009 at 9:15 am
Oh so jealous!
Have a great time guys!
7 Beli // Sep 7, 2009 at 10:11 am
megzie, wow! cant wait to read more…
8 Jewlz // Sep 7, 2009 at 9:58 pm
WOW! Totally envious! Awesome pics – and for a girl who don’t like camping, you seem to be doing just gr8!
Looking forward to your next internet cafe stop for our next installment! Jewlz xoxo
9 Rosy - Sydney // Sep 10, 2009 at 7:29 pm
So you still up for that camping trip when you get back?
10 Meg // Sep 15, 2009 at 9:26 am
Hey Guys, thanks for your well wishes and comments! Am having a blast. Am looking forward to catching up in Tokyo Shino!! And defo up for some camping when I get back Ms Rosy, Im a naturist now!
11 Shelly // Sep 15, 2009 at 12:46 pm
Hey Chiefy, The Mott and the Wasp,
Wow, it looks absolutely amazing – have been wondering how you been getting on. Love the lack of brakes tale. The pictures are truely beautiful. As you must now be totally accommodated to – “non facilities living”, you’ll have to come up for a spin on the boat. Absolutely love the blogster. x
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