Okayama surrounds for Mark, a day at the conference for Cam

Thursday, 25 August, 2005
Day 6 – Okayama

Cam-
Conference day for me. Presentation this day. Couldn’t have walked home (to the hotel) quicker. Something about standing up in front of a bunch of higher level academics revealing my ‘potential’ lack of smarts is disturbing.
Joked later with Mark that I would have to think about this career choice some more – did so while looking out a window (onto spectacular foreign scenery) on a trip that wouldn’t have happened but for the conference – I quickly came around. After conference went for a wander around the local malls that Mark had found that day. They go for blocks and blocks – some great shops.
Perhaps too stuffed to ‘try again’ at a really local restaurant, we had dinner at the hotel restaurant – really nice – was our most expensive meal of the trip (6000+YEN after a 10% discount).

Mark-
Cam was off to the conference and I was off to do some laundry.
After walking about 5 blocks to far I turned on my heels and about 10mtrs from the right street, I was aided by a very helpful Japanese businessman and told to turn around and go up that street, that one there! Very embarrassed and very relieved (was a hot humid morning). A few 100 yen coins later and I was back to the hotel for a Bento lunch box from the hotel, vv yummy. A shower and off to the gardens and castle.
I wished Cam got to see the gardens, nifty little nooks and crannies. Lots of ideas, (in miniature of course), for our own garden. Some amazing waterfalls and an area of Cranes that had been bred in captivity after nearly disappearing from the area.
Over to U-JO for a look at the view and some great features in the castle. During the visit, you could get dressed up as a Samurai and I had photos taken with a group of young Japanese girls. Very friendly and lots of giggling, from us all.
Dinner in the restaurant in the hotel basement, with a very happy waitress. She recognised us from the hotel and was very attentive. Great meal, a few beers again, seems to be the culture and I am one to fit in.