Around the World I

Day 17 - Sun 27 Apr 2003

As I made ready for my shower this morning I spotted that I'd left my soap and shampoo at the last Ryokan. Oh well - walked to the station and left my bag in the lockers - then down to the ferry terminal, on the way I walked past a shop selling shampoo etc, had a look around, and found everything from contact lens cleaner to foot cream - but no bars of soap! I was thinking how alike P.Fogg and I am, we both had set backs, but both keep pressing on. There must be a flight from Auckland into somewhere in the middle east.

Took the ferry onto the island surrounding the volcano - and found that the JR bus doesn't run anymore - and the local bus has just gone. Hmm - anyway walked up to the visitors centre. Had a look at the displays, and went on the 'Lava Walk', a 3km hike across a lava field - in boiling hot temperatures! Whose idea was that??

Downtown Kagoshima

Spent some time in a record store, and got the Nora Jones CD. Met an Australian and a Kiwi at the railway station - they had just come in from Beijing - they were gold miners.

Well - just had a very interesting conversation with a gent called "George Long Island". I was sitting in the station waiting for my train having a swig of Pocari Sweat, and he wandered up and said hello. He told me his complete life story, and insisted on giving me two postcards from Kagoshima, and wanted to show me his house. Okay I'm on an adventure - but not that much of an adventure! but it was good to talk to someone in English. I've only had two days of not being able to talk to someone, and now I'm craving conversation.

On the train now - and there's no-one in the whole carriage, but I guess that could all change very quickly. It's the same set-up as before, with 4 bunks all with their own curtains. Slippers and gown provided! Once we start moving I'll have a look around, but I expect no surprises! There was one - there's a seating section - single aircraft like seats. As far as I can see there are four other people on the train!

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