Some random goodies

Here are some random treats that we get here in Sasebo!

There is a restaurant called Ra Ra Ramen and it tastes amazing! If you ever come and visit us, this is definitely one place we will be taking you...

This is a Chu-Hi (fruity alcohol drink) with a special cherry blossom flavor. If you haven't figured this out already, cherry blossoms here in Japan are a very big deal. It's nice and sweet with just a hint of flowerness. 

Ya! I did it! I finally found a flavored kit kat bar here in Sasebo. This one is strawberry and it was more delicious then I could have imagined.

This is another little cake filled with sweet bean paste. It's a very yummy and popular Japanese treat! My Japanese phrases teacher was so nice to give us this!

Picnic at the Waterfall

When we went to Costco the other day we bought ourselves a picnic basket backpack and decided that we needed to test it out. So we went on a trip to this beautiful waterfall and packed ourselves a wonderful lunch!

Russell sporting our new picnic backpack..

That is Russell on our blanket setting up our lunch. If you click on the photo you can see it better.

Sandwichs, fruit, wine... ah!

We can't wait for summer so we can go swimming!

Wine and cheese tasting!

The view of the stream behind me...

Such a perfect afternoon...

Further down the stream. Russell took this time to skip some rocks. Oh how I miss the river!

The water is so beautiful!

On the way there Russell jumped out of the car to pick me an orange! Crazy man!

On the way back we saw my first wild boar on the side of the road. I didn't get a good photo, but I we did see him up close! He was pretty cute.

On the way back from the waterfall we stopped for ice cream!

Private Onsen at Lorlei Hotel

Russell and I went to a spa at a local hotel here in Sasebo. At this spa (called Onsen in Japanese) you can rent out private rooms with little mineral hot springs in them.

First of all I have to note about the slippers. When you check in at the front desk they give you these brown slippers to wear around the spa.

Then I had to use the restroom and as soon as you step into the area, you have to change into toilet slippers.  

 

Then we had to take a little trail outside to get into the private onsen room so we had to change into outside waterproof slippers. That was 3 sets of slippers in 10 minutes!

This was walking into our room. It was like a little cabin.

There was a washing station. You have to wash your body off before you go into the water so that you don't get the water contaminated with your own products.

 

The view from the room was amazing!

You rent the room by the hour for only 2700 Yen. That's perfect!

Strange Power!

I finally went and got my hair done at one of the Japanese hair salons out in town. I didn't get too crazy though and went to one that is very popular with Americans and they speak pretty good English there too. It was a great experience and my favorite part was when they washed my hair. It was literally a 20-25 minute hair and head massage that felt amazing! For the wash, hair trim and dry it was 3400Y. Kind of pricey, but the service they give here is well worth every penny. Next time I am going to go get my highlights put back in and maybe a new style of hair cut.

The lady cutting my hair is actually the owner of the salon. She spoke very good English.

Getting my hair washed. They even cover you up with the towels and put a cover over your face to help you relax. Oh and they put a hot towel under your neck too. This was just all around good stuff!

 

They gave us hot green tea and candies while we were there.

You may remember from a few months ago that I went to a Mexican restaurant and had that same flag hanging in the background. Well this is the other side of that flag. The owner of the salon and her husband share the space. He owns Changos Mexican restaurant.They definitely have the best of both worlds!