Oita

Yesterday’s visit to Mt. Aso the volcano was pretty much a bust. The entire volcanic peak was enshrouded in fog and completely invisible. First time on the tour that the weather was uncooperative. This morning, however, clear with unlimited visibility so at least we saw the mountain from the hotel. We started the day with an exciting bus trip over a snow covered mountain pass (think Donner Summit with a two lane blacktop) to the next prefecture. Everyone in the bus was nervous and kept questioning why, when the other buses were putting on chains, we just kept passing them. The bus driver spoke no English but eventually we got the message that we were not stopping to put on chains because we did not have any. Fortunately the bus driver was very skilled and we made it without incident.

First stop was the Yufuin Folkcraft Village. Essentially this is a quasi-museum that preserves and features hand crafts from ancient Japan. Paper making, weaving, cloth dying, glass blowing and other crafts were featured along with the requisite shops. Commercialism aside watching actual people do this ancient work was fascinating.

Next stop was the Oita Agricultural Park, a research and educational facility. We were welcomed with another speech. We had lunch there in the cafeteria (another Japanese buffet, if I get a chance I will have to devote one of these posts to the subject of food in Japan). After lunch we had some free time to roam through the facility (including gift shop, camellia sale and camellia bonsai exhibit). After that the group was loaded onto one of those electric trams like you see at amusement parks and trucked around the lake to the camellia garden. There was not enough room on the tram for everyone so Colin (from Australia) and I were left behind. About ten minutes later the female guides found us both and ushered us out to the waiting limousine (I lie; it was a little tiny Nissan, a model not available in the US). Nonetheless Colin and I got to look down our noses at the common folk who had to ride in the open tram (did I mention that it was cold and windy?) when we arrived at the camellia garden.

From the Ag Center we bussed on to the Oita Floriculture Research Institute where we were welcomed with yet another speech. As Oita is near Beppu the Research Institute had a hot springs on the grounds which they used to both heat their offices and laboratories and a glass conservatory. We walked through the conservatory which was like most conservatories (think the one in Golden Gate Park) featuring orchids and other tropical plants. Outside and up the hill was the (we build suspense here) camellia garden. Touring a camellia garden with camellia lovers is an amusing experience (fortunately, since I have had to do it several times on this tour). They can name almost every plant they see, search for the ID if they can’t and get excited if it is a variety unavailable in their home country. Ever read One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest? There is a scene in the novel when the residents of the mental institution take a field trip. At one of the stops their group makes up the vast majority of people present so their perspective on reality becomes the norm. In the usual mix in the world at large camellia lovers might be viewed as eccentric. In the context of this tour I am the eccentric. Obviously this is not a new experience for me.

Since embarking on this tour and meeting Beate (pronounced bee-ah-tuh, from Germany) Nancy’s love of a variety of camellias known as Higos has deepened. Beate gave a presentation on Higos at the congress. Nancy was impressed with both the presentation and the presenter so she has decided to become the California Queen of the Higos (did I mention eccentricity?).

Our hotel that night was in Hiji a town south of Beppu. Like Nagasaki, Fukue and probably many Japanese cities Hiji is built at the foot of the mountains on a strip of flat land that is the shoreline. Consequently we had gorgeous views from our seventh floor room both morning and night. This was also one of the more elegant hotels we stayed in. Although Japanese baths were available there was also a karaoke bar available. Nancy decided that she needed to perform. The bar did not open until nine but Nancy, Juliet (a partying Australian naturally) and I went down just after nine. I went on two conditions: 1) I would not sing and 2) I would drink. Fueled by Asashi Nancy belted out a rendition of “California Dreaming.” The crowd went wild and we quit while we were ahead. I am going to do the same.

Photos: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=23667&id=1680191390&l=4f3959aacb