Marieke's Travels

the empty plates at my favourite sushi bar

On Gaz's first full day in Japan we climb the Daimonji-yama for a gorgeous Kyoto view

We also walk to Ginkaku-ji and along the path of philosophy
Despite jetlag we manage to visit the Kinkaku-ji and Gaz samples his first tempura udon

This child is squeezing through a gap the same size as the Buddha's nostril and is guaranteed enlightenment!




Before picking up Gaz I managed to grab a few hours in nearby Nara and had a fantastic time whizzing around the temples and forest on my bike

Red torii, wooden prayer tablets and bonzai on a window sill


I adore this town, wandering around its small streets and soaking up the Japanese atmosphere and sights
Kamioka town (above) and Kamioka-jo (below)




The shrine (below) had been hidden beneath snow until a recent mini-thaw

I've grown very fond of Mozumi, after all it's been my home for the past 4 weeks. I'll miss the snowy hills and hidden shrines and my 5pm runs in the waist deep snow through the forest, stumbling upon wild boar or mountain goats. I won't however miss the dreaded ride on the train down the mine, nor the mind-numbing cabling work. I'll miss the great friends I've made here, too many to mention, Minamino-san, Ueshima-san and Fumi (chief organiser/translator and our wise and trusted leader) and Jon who's been my best friend and ally over these weeks, and also Chizue, for that week when I wasn`t the only girl. Not forgetting what else will be sorely missed......my daily bento box!

Inside the tank - looking up the barrel wall and into a PMT

Views into the Inner Detector from behind the stainless steel frame holding the PMTs


As my days here are drawing to a close, here are some final images from inside Super Kamiokande

Looking down into the Inner Detector - the water level is really low now

I give it some Britney and Ueshima-san screams out the Japanese rock - yeah!

Minamino-san and Jon belt out some Japanese and Chinese classics

Some images of the karaoke booths

What a night - Minamino-san kindly took me swimming to a 50m pool, pure bliss! And a relief on my aching neck too (not cut out for cabelling work!). Afterwards we went to a karaoke bar, what a fabulous experience! First of all we signed up for an hour, then extended it to two. You and your friends get your own booth, free drinks while you're in there, and away you go! Everyone knows I love a good sing song and we all got stuck in (I was the only one singing English songs!)
My best night out in Japan so far, and a quintessential Japanese experience

Followed by Onsen at Okuhida spa resort then Chizue birthday celebrations and food and cake at sake bar



Fun on the slopes - for the first time the weather was quite treacherous for much of the day



The skiing gang: Chizue, Ueshima-san, Fumi, Minamino-san, Jon, Ryan and me

Our gracious hosts
Beans and mask from 'Setsubun', a festival to drive away demons and invite good fortune




Jon and I were fortuitous enough to be invited to a home party by Minamino-san. We were treated to an abundance of amazing and tremendously varied traditional Japanese food and drink, including totemo oishii home-made sake. A night to remember

This is my face after spending Saturday doing an excessive amount of heat-shrinking...

Oleg in the dinghy
went for another sightseeing trip into the inner detector; view of barrel wall
Side view of PMTs

Today it's Martin, Antonin and Oleg's last shift - I'll miss them!