Barbados

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The boys love Japan. After Russia, China and Korea they think it's just absolutely squeaky clean with friendly smiling folk (irasshaimase いらっしゃいませ ) and great food. I will try and let them taste as many varieties as possible from the ubiquitous sushi and sashimi, via the okonomiyaki (Japanese pancake) and udon (noodles) to agemono (fried foods).

Paul is leaving next sunday for his first assignment for the British Department for International Development (DFID) to the Caribbean. This is new territory for him so starting of on Barbados will be just fab. He will probably stay on for some more days... wish I could come along.

Spend our day visiting shrines, having coffee, and just having a great laugh. July 1 through 15 is the time of the "Hakata Gion Yamagasa" in the Hakata district of Fukuoka, linking it by name to the famous Gion Matsuri in Kyoto. Several mikoshi (palanquins) are carried on the shoulders of brave men in a race through the city while onlookers throw water. For more info click on the link.

On the train back from Fukuoka to Nagasaki the weather turned rather rainy and after nibbles and beer here at the International Student House we experienced the downpour together with the onset of a slight typhoon on our way to the restaurant . Soaked... absolutely soaked.

Somehow I don't think it's going to be beach weather tomorrow......