On May 23 Adrian and Jen arrived in Fukuoka after a long trip to Japan. We met them at 9:30 and after greeting them and picking up their luggage we started the 5 hour drive to Hondo. We made it back at about 2:00 and went directly to sleep.

The next day was a Thursday and not too eventful. Adrian and Jen rested while we went to school. For dinner we joined the Thursday night conversation group that we always have on that day. It was a good opportunity for them to see some of the people that we regularly interact with and to try our all time Hondo favorite food. Steak over rice in a bowl. They enjoyed just as we had expected. After conversation group it was off to karaoke to introduce them to the craze sweeping Japan and all Asia. For most of the night they observed and built up their courage until Adrian picked up the mic and sang "Enter Sandman" by Metallica.

On Friday we took off for Nagasaki prefecture. On the first day we drove to Mt. Unzen. As we didn't have enough time to hike all the way to the top we just walked around the town and saw the onsen hells, where water heated by the volcano boils out of the ground. After being sufficiently gassed by the sulphur that is emitted along with the water we headed out of town to find a camping spot for the night. On the way we stopped at a restaurant rather well known for it's noodles made from potatoes. Then we were off to find a site. Eventually we found a place in a park a few kilometers from Nagasaki city.

On Saturday we went sight seeing in Nagasaki city. First we stopped at the Atomic Bomb Museum and the adjoining Peace Park. We ate in Chinatown at a restaurant reccommended by a friend. .In the afternoon we visited a famous Catholic Church in Nagasaki and a famous shrine. The best part of the shrine was a small zoo attached to the shrine intended for the amusement of children. The monkeys more than kept Adrian entertained however. Also, as you can see, some children taught Adrian the finer points of feeding grass to a kangaroo. At the end of the day we left the city and started heading back towards home. We stopped and camped at an amazing park in the middle of nowhere. They even had a sumo ring there, but as there were no players we couldn't experience that part of Japanese culture.

On Sunday we drove, and took the ferry all the way home. After lunch we took a bike ride through the hills of Amakusa. Adrian and Jen got a good taste of the hills and the beauty that surrounds us. Also we met an interesting 85 year old woman who was so happy that even at her age she could meet foreigners. We took a picture with her.

On Monday Adrian and Jen screwed up their courage and took a drive around Amakusa with just the two of them. The saw some of the famous churches and the beautiful coast line. Also they mingled with the locals and though not understanding them real well they managed to buy drinks, share some shochu (Japanese rice whisky), and join another old woman fishing for clams.

Well this brings us to the the end of their travelogue for now. We'll be sure to let you know what adventure unfolds on the rest of the trip.