You're probably interested in how I'm able to remember things so clearly - the answer is simple.
This trip meant everything to me so I don't feel like it's already been 8 years between then and now.
It was important for me to write down everything I've experienced, so anything I don't remember is written in my diary from 2006.
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| our route according to Google Maps |
Day 1 - 14th of July, 2006
As the flight from Salzburg to Frankfurt would have been way too expensive, we started our trip by going to Frankfurt by train.
Oh dear, it was quite a long journey...
After 5 hours of sitting in the train we finally arrive at Frankfurt Airport - and wow, this airport is just really huge.
We check in and make our way to the right gate, where our lovely travel guide Ilka already awaits us to say hello.
Day 2 - 15th of July, 2006
After 11 hours with Japan Airlines we finally arrive at Tokyo Narita Airport.
But sadly it's not our final destination - we need to wait for 5 hours until we can catch our connection flight to Fukuoka.
Time to takes some photos!
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| we've never seen a japanese phone book before so... |
The flight from Tokyo to Fukuoka was terrible - there was a pretty severe lightning above Kyoto and I was quite afraid.
After about 2 hours we finally arrive in Fukuoka, where we immediately go to our hotel, because it's already late at night.
Day 3 - 16th of July, 2006
おはようございます (ohayou gozaimasu) Fukuoka!
The first morning in Japan.
I still can't believe I am finally here!
We are leaving the hotel quite early to walk through Nihonteien, a traditional japanese garden.
Afterwards we're walking through Canal City, a pretty hip district of Fukuoka.
We also visit the Asian Art Museum which I already know, because my penpal Aiko has talked about it before.
We can organise the afternoon the way we want - and thanks to me, this is going to be the BEST day in my whole life!
I had a penpal called Aiko who lived in Kitakyushu, not far from Fukuoka, and her family invited us to their house - meeting a japanese family, yay!
Aiko's uncle picks us up in front of our hotel and I am almost bursting into tears.
She is just as cute as I expected her to be, it's an amazing feeling to finally meet her after 3 years of exchanging letters.
We are driving to Kitakyushu, the city where Aiko lives, to visit Kokura Castle and to walk through the streets of this beautiful city.
Aiko is talking on the phone quite hectically, obviously talking to her mother.
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| oh lord, I was sexy in 2006 xD |
It seems as if the sightseeing is only an excuse to keep us away from Aikos home.
After some hours we are finally going to have dinner at family K.'s house.
We are surprised - Aikos mother, grandmother and sister have prepared the most amazing Japanese dinner for us, all day long.
There is anything from Sushi to Miso Soup, I am stunned!
In Japan it is usual to bring presents when accepting an invitation - so we brought a bunch of Austrian things to give them.
As family K. knows that I am crazy about Japan, they give me a Yukata as a gift!
As family K. knows that I am crazy about Japan, they give me a Yukata as a gift!
Oh my god, I own a real Japanese Yukata!!!
It is such an honor to be invited to a Japanese house for having dinner, I am so touched.
This evening is one of the best in my life and I will never forget about it!
This evening is one of the best in my life and I will never forget about it!
