Shan in Japan

Izu at just 3hours drive outside of Tokyo, I can't understand why I haven't discovered this place earlier!!
With a crew from Japan Adventures, we loaded up the plush mini-van and headed down on Friday night.

We arrived to stay in a Guest House just out of Shimoda. Nice place - except they locked us in after 12:30am. We weren't allowed to go out and play! Reminescent of school camp;-)

On Saturday, we got up fairly early at 6am and jumped in the sea for a heart starter swim. The water was fresh and fine, once you're in. After a very light breakie, we all piled in the van and headed over to Koura Bay for the Kayak Festival. A brief lesson on how to use the paddle, qualified us to venture out about 100m from the bay. I did manage to sneak around the headland for a wee while until one of the staff came charging after me.

So this limited play area was a bit frustrating, but still it was good to have a paddle around and try out different sizes, designs and makes of kayaks. My favourite would have to be the collapsable soft skin kayak. slices very quietly through the water. I didn't enquire as to how much they cost. Not an item on my shopping list for some time yet!

After a day in sun, we had a good long soak in the onsen. Some nice 'routenburos' at the Gin no Yu onsen.
Followed by icecream and machine foot massages. Just gets better.

The Southern Cafe - very popular so a bit of a wait, but big servings and reasonable prices. We snuck in our own supply of beer. Our attempts to refill our never ending glass of beer (that we originally ordered) became less and less discrete!

Next day, Brad's mates hooked us up with a few boards for a dawn session. The waves were pretty small, but perfect for the 10ft mini mal I was on. It was sooo good to get out in the water and have a paddle. Even though it was just a quick little ride, reminded me how fun surfing is. Haven't had a wave for well over a year.

Then tried a bit of sand surfing at this huge dune nearby. Brad had a skateboard with a mini ski on the bottom of it. Performed pretty well - especially if you straight lined it down the hill. Ended with sand in many places it shouldn't be.

A quick paddle on the kayaks, then hometime. Tried another onsen 'Sen nin Buro' Really old Ryokan style place. Didn't realize it was mixed men and women as I unabashedly made an entrance! Onsens are too good. I think everyone would agree they would have to be the top treasures of Japan.

Today, my neck only turns one way. Must have been that sand boarding!