(couch) Surfing!

Surfing (by way of couch), ramen from the heavens, getting buried in volcanic sand, renting a car and getting the onsen (Japanese spa) experience, hanging out with a gang of stray cats, bicycling around an active volcano and watching it erupt (twice), conveyer belt sushi, clouds of ash, a Japanese haircut (which includes a massage!) and a seven-course posh dinner including the best tuna and salmon I've ever had (served with garlic!?). It's been a busy several days down here in lovely Kagoshima.

My first experience with couchsurfing at someone else's place has been amazing, and far better than I imagined. My host has taken me to a lot of great spots and restaurants, cooked great food for me, explained a lot of things for me and helped me out immensely. I feel so lucky to be welcomed so well to such a foreign country.

Tomorrow I board a ferry to the exciting Yakushima island, which contains the forest which largely inspired the one in the great movie Princess Mononoke. I'm still on the hunt for yokai (demon) figurines and a yukata (lounging gown), but have collected a fair number of things already, enough to weigh down my bag to its limit. I might need to purchase a piece of rolling luggage in order to cart it all home...