We`ve just arrived in Aso, a small village located in the largest volcano crater in the world. The crater is 120km in circumference and the train on the way up here had to change direction twice on the steepest section to sneak through a narrow chink in the caldera wall. It is equipped with nifty seats that rotate so you can always be facing the right direction. Five smaller volcanoes have grown up inside the huge one, and one of these is still active - this is the one we hope to climb in the morning. It looks lovely at the moment in the evening sunshine, but it is apparently very hot and smelly up there. If we`re lucky and it stays clear of cloud, the view should be great.In the evening we head down to Kagoshima at the very south of mainland Japan before catching the ferry early the next day for the island of Yakushima, some 4 hours south. We`ll be staying there the next three nights, exploring the ancient forests (it is a UN world heritage site due to the 5000 year old trees) and perhaps lounging on the beach. Internet will likely be sparse, so don`t panic Mum if nothing appears here for a while...
Anonymous said...
We hear of earthquakes in Japan and the boy says don't worry, my life! - M
said...
Hi Guys,
Really enjoying the exotic pics and stories. Must admit I also enjoyed watching Denmark defeat England 4-1 last night. No gloating or anything.......hope you're too far away to care anyway:-)
Henrik
Steve + Rachel said...
In the Japan Times, Sven was just saying how we`ve got the best England squad he`s coached yet...Blah blah, where`s the sake...
Rach