Saturday, April 26, 2014

Boating Down Takachiho Gorge

A month or two after we arrived here in Japan, we took a trip to Takachiho Gorge with our friends (see previous post for all the rockin' details...) We knew it was a beautiful area that was perfect for lots of pics and, even better, we could take a boat ride down the gorge! Not too familiar with the whole technical term for it. Don't think it was a canoe. But rowing is involved, so perhaps it qualifies? Anywho, we were excited for the awesomeness.

But we got there too late and couldn't boat. Drrrrr...

Ever since, Casey and I have wanted to get back there. This last weekend, we took the three-hour journey, Bridge-Boy in tow, back to good ol' Takachiho. We were determined to boat, dang it! ;)

The trip didn't disappoint. We got some fun pics along the way, like those of the carp "flying" in the sky. There is a big holiday going on right now in celebration of boys becoming men. From what we gather (having not done all that much research on the matter) there is a holiday for boys and a holiday for girls. The girls' holiday, Hinamatsuri, comes two months before on March 3 and is celebrating good luck in marriage for them, which is when all of the amazing Hina doll displays are out. I believe I posted pics of those earlier, but I'll check to make sure. Now is the holiday Koinobori. It is called "Children's Day," but it is in celebration of sons, wishing them a good future and to grow up healthy and strong.  



Aaaannndddd....back to the gorge! We finally made it to Takachiho (which is what the bushes are carved to say below.)


We had about a half an hour to kill before our turn on the rowboats (Casey just informed me this is what they are called. Yes, that makes sense...) We walked around and took some pics. Isn't that beautiful?!





We also fed some fish. Bridger loved it. 





Visited an old hut. 



More fish feeding...





And the boating begins! It was quite a little adventure, complete with running into three or four other boats (I must admit that I was a horrible navigator. Good thing those things are sturdy!) and Casey splashing water on a poor, unsuspecting woman in a nearby boat with his paddle. The best part? She didn't smile, laugh, or say it was okay as he apologized profusely. She just glared away. And I got quite a good laugh out of the whole thing while Casey rowed away as quickly as possible.






 



After the ride, Bridger found some ducks and couldn't have been happier. I believe he's squealing with joy in this particular photo. He kept chasing them back and forth, waving, and yelling until we dragged him away. 



On our way home, we took pics of both ends of this tunnel. Seriously awesome.



On our last excursion to Takachiho, our friends Hailey and Patrick introduced us to Joyfull. It's a super inexpensive restaurant that has food we're familiar with like french fries (yep, we're fatty-fat Americans!) We decided to stop by and get a little food to hold us over until we got back to Miyazaki. 


Took a pic from the Joyfull parking lot. Great landscaping. Such an interesting place!


Finally, we made it back to Miyazaki and got our favorite food out here...Indian food! Haha! Sorry, but I'd take Indian food over Japanese food any day of the week! :) I could pretty much live on Naan and this chicken curry. 


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