Karatsu, Japan

Mark and I headed out to Karatsu this morning. We caught the 11:14 am train. It took about an hour to get there. The train stopped at twelve stations before getting to Karatsu, which is the next to last stop on that track line.

It was a beautiful trip along the coast. We had good weather and very clear conditions so we were able to see a lot of areas that we had not seen before. The water was so blue. The train was not very crowded so it was comfortable, quiet and warm.

Once we got to Karatsu we went to leave through the exit when we learned that we did not have the right tickets. I tell you, I needed a basic lesson before venturing out. We learned about the day passes just a short time ago, so that is what we bought. Well, we learned that you can't use them for that. That would have been fine if I had known that before hand. Oh well, live and learn. We paid for the tickets and were able to go on our way. (We realized that we wasted 1,200 yen......)

As we were leaving the station we stopped at the little touristy area to get a map. They were very helpful and even gave us an area we could get bikes if we were interested in that, she showed us how to get to the Karatsu Castle, and gave a few other suggestions. Such a helpful young lady.

We headed out to visit the castle first. We could see it as we were walking towards it. It was set up on a hill. Very beautiful, although there was a lot of construction going on at the castle. Once we arrived at the castle we saw all of the stairs we were going to get to climb. I love it when we get a free stair master workout. As we continued to climb it seemed as if the stairs were going to go on forever.

The view from the top was breathtaking. The water was so blue and the sky was very clear. A lot clearer than it has been lately. We paid to go in the castle, which is now a museum. We saw a lot of things, but since we can't read Japanese yet we couldn't get the full message or importance of the items.

After walking around the castle we decided to look around the area below the castle. There are some very nice little shops. I saw a couple of wild cats that the locals feed. They were very cute, although Mark called them mangy.

We wanted to look at the shops (touristy area) before eating and heading back. We did not see a lot of Karatsu, but out goal was to get there to see something new and see what else we might want to go back to see in the future. It was very quiet there today. I am not sure if it is because it is right after the holiday, or if it is just a quiet place.

We bought our tickets to return to Meinohama. We would only have about 20 minutes before the train came so we decided just to grab a snack from the "Family Mart". We would be able to eat once we returned home. Since I still do not know what all the dishes have in them it is harder for me to go to a new place (well, if I actually want to be able to eat what I order). Many of the meals have "hidden" meat things in them. It is hard for Mark because I am sure he would like to be able to just stop any where are try something new.

When the train arrived we got on and found a place to sit. We were not so lucky because we had a couple of very obnoxious teens in our car. They were terrible. Laying down on the seats so no one could sit there, hanging by the hand rings and trying to do gymnastics, as well as being as loud as possible. I couldn't believe their behavior. It was something I had never seen here before. I guess it goes to show you that there are crazy people all over the world. I have a little video, but I am having trouble getting it from my phone to the computer. Once I do I will share it.

I hope you all enjoy the photos.

Tomorrow we are doing things around our area, and then Saturday we are going to Nagasaki.

Street art

I love the blue tiles.

Karatsu Castle take from the bottom of the hill.

This is where Mark and I have to cross....at the old people crosswalk. Heehee

Karatsu Castle taken from the river area.

We had a bit of a walk to the castle.

Karatsu cat

They had just finished decorating the entrance.

There was a couple of hawks that were on this building.

We finally made it to OZ!

The stairs leading up to the castle.

Street art

More stairs...

Still more stairs

All the stairs inside of the castle (five stories high).

Post office box.

An amazing view

Islands beyond Karatsu.

Small island

What a view!

View from the top floor of the castle.

Love the view!

The top of the wisteria plant.

Close up of the top of the wisteria plant.

The trunk of the wisteria plant. It is gorgeous when it is in bloom. (I saw pictures.)

A flea market and Christmas lights

A cold winter day...........

I feel like it has been forever since I last posted a blog. Not only does it feel like forever, but it has been since the end of October. That is so sad. I never thought I would be one to get “behind” on my blog. Many things have happened since the end of October. I figure the best thing to do is to start with today and then backtrack the best that I can.

Today is December 23, 2012. There was a flea market so Mark and I braved the cold, dreary weather to see if I could find the buddha that I saw the last time I was there. It was a very chilly morning. We took the subway to the flea market. It is a nice ride and for a Sunday morning it was not too crowded. As soon as we started walking around the flea market it started to rain. Many people were covering up their goods that they were trying to sell. Mark and I picked up the pace since it wasn't really the weather to be out just wandering aimlessly. My goal was to find the buddha I had seen at the market a month ago. Bummer for me......it was no where to be seen. That could mean a few things. First, the person who had it for sale may not have come today, or he could have already sold it. Either way, it must have been meant to be. I figured if it was there then it would have been the sign for me to buy it. It was about $120 so it would have needed to be a clear sign that I needed to buy it. I took photos of it when I went a month ago. That is the photo you will see in the blog. I took many photos before. I have included many since today I didn't take any today.

Once Mark and I got home from the flea market we decided to relax and stay warm. I had on my clothes with a robe over that and then a blanket over me. I was so cold in our apartment today. It said the weather outside felt like 27 degrees. We do have one heater in the apartment, but when it is that cold you would think there was no heat in the place. We even had some snow mixed in with the rain. Brrrrr...is all I can say. Now, I do prefer the cold to the heat any day. At least with the cold I can do many things to try to warm up. 

Since we bought an all day pass for the subway we decided that we would go to Hakata to look at the Christmas lights. I had heard that it was beautiful and I really wanted ot go and have a look. Hakata is a very large subway/train/bus station. It is one of the biggies where you switch subway lines and also catchthe bullet trains. There is also a huge shopping area that is 10 floors. Very big and crowded. People were out taking photos of the lights and in the mall shopping. We even had to wait in a line just to purchase some items from one of the bakeries.

After taking a quick look around we headed back to Meinohama. Baloo and Noche were happy to see us since it was time for their evening treats. Our cats are so spoiled.

Enjoy the photos. I will be getting more posted now that I am on my vacation.

The buddha statue I wanted to buy.

Lights at the Hakata Station.

Flea Market

A girl in traditional Japanese clothes.

Octopus balls they make at the flea market.

Octopus

Beautiful stars

Nanzoin Temple

Mark and I went to the Nanzoin Temple this morning. We had never been and it was one place I really wanted to see. I was looking forward to seeing the statue of the reclining Buddha. This is the largest bronze statue in the world. Nothing really prepared me for the awe I would feel once I was in front of the statue. Wow! It was amazing.

As my friends and family know I have always liked having Buddhas around me. In Colorado I had a fountain in my house and a Buddha in my garden. This was just a spectacular site to behold. Not only was this the largest Buddha I had ever seen, but I was able to see so may different Buddha statues around the temple property. The setting on the mountain is simple breathtaking. It made me feel very small and humble standing in front of this towering Buddha.

You will see many photos below. Just know that I did not post all of the photos I took which was well over 210. I know, some of you are probably thinking I am crazy, but I know what I like.

We were able to follow winding paths with stair leading up and down the mountain side. The bamboo forest all around us was an added bonus!

Once we left the temple we took the train back into the Hakata station. All I want to know is why did no one tell me about the amazing restaurants, shops and entertainment areas in Hakata???? Wow, we had such a delicious lunch that was vegetarian and scrumptious! Mark enjoyed his lunch, too. There was a scary moment when we were there. An older man was being taken out of a stretcher with the police and medics. Hopefully he will be OK. I do not know what happened....I just set prayers and angels his way.

We walked around the different levels of the shopping mall. We ate on the 9th floor so we had a lot to see. Knowing we would not have enough time today we hit the food stores on the lower level and bought some very good looking bread.

Becky, if you are reading this....you will never believe what I found! I found mango Baskin Robbins ice cream candies. I know, can you believe it??? I haven't tried it yet, but when I do I will report back to you.

We decided that we would go back on Friday to look around since there is just too much to see in one trip.

We had a very nice day and the weather could not have been better. very clear skies, cool weather and a soft breeze. Boy-oh-boy....Mark and I really enjoy our life her in Japan.

More to come tomorrow....I do not know what we are doing yet.

Buddha's head you can see from the parking area.

12 Chinese Zodiac symbols with Buddhas.

A musical bridge.

Buddhas everywhere