Day 43 in Japan - There's No Shopping Like Outlet Shopping...

HAPPY FATHERS DAY TO ALL THE FATHERS! (And to all a good night)

First Vegemite toast in Japan <3

Spent ALL MORNING updating my blog - I had lots of half-written posts, but it was time to turn dot points (mostly) into sentences. With Vegemite toast, thanks to the box that Mum sent with Andrew - thanks so much to all involved in supplying me with breakfast. Sam had a HUGE sleep in, and when I finally got him awake it was time to head into Tarumi to meet some of the local Australians for lunch and shopping.

Arjun, Jonathon and Jodie, excellent shopping buddies.

Sam and Graham, talking Objective C programming (really)

Jodie (from W.A.), Arjun (from W.A.), Jonathon (from New York) and Sam and I all met up at the station, and then walked down to an outlet mall, Marine Pia Kobe (I think that they meant to call it Marine Pier? Who knows?). We waited around for another JET, Graham (from W.A.) who was stuck in Kobe, and went to lunch. Today's lunch was brought to us courtesy of Gaylord Indian Restaurant, and it was surprisingly good Indian food! We had a "setto" - the Japanese word for set meal. We got pumpkin soup, 2 types of chicken tikka, salad, rice, a curry and a lassi for 1500 yen. Not cheap, but probably better value than Melbourne! After lunch, we went to "Cold Stone" Ice Creamery. It was almost exactly the same as Cold Rock Ice Creamery at home, with one small difference. All of the staff sing songs together when they are doing the ice cream mashing. When we ordered, six of them lined up and sang that song from Sister Act. You know, the Aaaaave, Aaaaave Aaaave Regina song (apparently called Salve Regina?). But it obviously has different lyrics in Japanese, because they were smiling and doing actions and it sounded very Disney.

Dinner and a show.

We hit up a bunch of sporting shops to find larger shoes for Jonathon and Arjun. Nike, New Balance, Adidas etc. Also went to the Crocs store and a LEGO STORE. Yes, I said Lego store. They had all of these fantastic Minifig key rings, and I am definitely going back to score myself one of those. I'll take a few orders if people want anything (note: they had all manner of Star Wars ones! Click picture to zoom in. ADMIRAL ACKBAR, LIAM! ADMIRAL ACKBAR!)

DO WANT.

Lego store - I'll be back. And in greater numbers.

When we walked out of the Lego store to head home, the real appeal of the shopping centre became obvious. There was a beautiful view of the Akashi Awaji Bridge (the longest central span suspension bridge in the world) and we sat on a wall in the sun and watched the sun get lower in the sky for a little while. It was a beautiful view. The water underneath the bridge was really savage - it was so rough, and the currents were really strong and fast. It would be a really scary thing to fall into that water right under the bridge, but there is a beach right nearby with a fairly peaceful little swimming area.

Summer skies over Akashi Kaikyo Bridge

Savage currents looking over towards Awaji Island

The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge between Akashi (my city) and Awaji Island.

We all parted ways, and then Sam and I headed home for a Father's Day Skype-a-palooza. Talked to Leo and Jess, Kath and Mick, Lovey, Mum and Dad, and Fletch! Phew! Good times. We heard about the huge winds and roofs blowing off at home, and I'm glad Dad had a good Father's Day wielding and axe to deal with the trees that had fallen down at Werri Beach.

Akashi Kaikyo Bridge (one last shot)

Food Highlight of the Day: It's a tough call to split it between the Indian for lunch, and the post-lunch ice cream, but I'm going to go with... the ICE CREAM! I had one called "Say Cheese!" - cheesecake ice cream with chocolate sauce and fresh strawberries mixed through it. Perfect for a hot summer Sunday afternoon.