Sushi, cocktails and cleaning

The weekend just passed was just awesome. For one thing, it was a 3-day weekend, and for another, I got so much done, and got to hang out with a lot of different people.

On Saturday, I had one of those rare days where I get some magical burst of determination to get heaps of crap done. I made a yummy brekky, did two loads of laundry, washed my Mt. Everest pile of dishes, made my house look somewhat presentable, went to the gym to lift weights and run 5km on the treadmill, went to the library with Kayo and studied Japanese for an hour.

After so much work, I was greatly anticipating my evening. I met up for dinner and a big catch up with my lovely and gorgeous friend Megan. We went to Sushiro, which is a deeeliciousss sushi place with all sushi priced at Y105 ($1.20). I must admit, I'm not one of those people that crave sushi (I mean, I only started eating fish a couple of years ago after copping it constantly for being half-Japanese and not eating fish). But I crave the sushi here, so this was our second outing to Sushiro. At that price, obviously it's not gourmet cuts, but I love it nevertheless as I think the fish is fresh, flavours are full, selection of plates available is wide, and it's just a lot of fun! Unfortunately, a lot of other people think this as we had to wait a good hour! But, I'm pretty sure Megan and I could talk anywhere, so it wasn't a problem. And talk we did!

Megan!

Delicious salmon sushi

Megan had to go home for a Skype date, so later that night I met with my new awesome friend, Monica. Yes, I've finally met another Monica! And yes, she is loud too so together we are a crazy mix! We wanted to try somewhere different to get a drink, and we found a super cute small bar in Miyakomachi, the night-life district. It had old-school music playing, a chilled out atmosphere, and only a 3 metre bar and one table. My kind of place!

I was sad to leave, but, the thought of only getting at most 6 hours sleep before my day trip to Fukuoka on Sunday kicked my butt into perspective!

Monica x 2

Anne and Mikey in Oita: Last Day- Takasaki Yama

What better way to bid sayonara to my dear friends than to spend the day surrounded by wild monkeys? I really cannot think of a more awesome exit. I am, of course, referring to the absolutely amazing Takasaki Yama (高崎山)- or "Monkey Mountain" as it is affectionately referred to. Mt Takasaki is located just outside of Beppu, and features more than 1500 wild monkeys.Wild is no understatement- the monkeys roam free- weaving in and around visitors, picking fights with each other, huddled together for warmth.

I have never experienced anything quite like our outing to Takasaki Yama. I absolutely love monkeys- they are my tied favourite animal with penguins. To have the opportunity to be absolutely surrounded by monkeys, to see them unbelievably up-close was like a very strange dream come true! The monkeys are all tame- they won't bother you if you leave them alone. I think it's fantastic that such a park exists- letting animals be free, whilst providing the support to help them to develop.

I was so fascinated to see the mannerisms of the monkeys- it was so mesmerising to see them interact with each other. Of course, the similarities to humans were apparent. It's quite humbling knowing we don't stem too far from these amazing creatures!  

The most memorable part of the day for me was their feeding time- the monkeys went absolutely crazy. ALL of them flooded towards to the food. It was like a wave of monkeys- it was rather alarming to have so many swarm towards me at once! Apparently if a monkey goes through your legs it's good luck. So of course, there I was standing legs aspread, trying to manovere myself to get in line with the monkeys path. But alas! No such monkey luck for me this year!

Monkey being weighed

Monkey nipples!

This baby monkey was so distressed, squealing for its mother. :( But, its mother soon heard its cries and attended to it :)

Apparently the monkey is making the face I make when I'm angry. Ha!

Ringing the giant bell

<I cannot recommend it enough- it's only around 500 yen ($7.00), and it's right next to the aquarium (which I reviewed in a previous entry!) so you may as well get two done in one day (You can buy a bargain package deal which includes a return bus ride and entry to both places for Y1800 ($22).>

After that, wanting to explore our surroundings, we took a bus to Beppu and climbed the Beppu Tower. And by climb, I mean, took the elevator. For only Y200 ($2.50) we immersed ourselves in a view of Beppu. It was quite a great view! Beautiful mountains in the distance provide a nice backdrop to the many buildings in Beppu. We could also see Beppu Bay- a lovely, quiet 'beach' which is nice to walk alongside. The tower itself is pretty old, but, I think that made it all the more charming.

And, of course, we ended the night gorging ourselves with food. No understatement. I wish it were, for after our dinner we were all groaning of stomach pains and regret. We all went to what I believe is the best Indian restaurant in town- Surya. Hands down the best butter chicken, tandoori and naan I have ever eaten. So between the four of us we ordered- 2 butter chickens, two meal sets comprising of 1 big curry and 2 small curries; tandoori chicken; pickles; salad, and also, four naans, rice, one aloo patak, and we each had two lassis. Can anyone say "sumos in the making"?!

It was absolutely delicious, so it was worth the absolute gluttony. But, wait, there was more! When we returned to mine, we ate cake that Anne and Mikey had brought me all the way from their Japan travels. How nice! It was beautiful- a chestnut cake- half green tea, half chocolate.

It was so sad to say goodbye, but I'm so glad I got to make and share so many memories :) 
 
 

Sure, curry and cake go hand in hand...