tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14552435719073803122012-01-28T08:45:00.458+09:00Once a modest account of life in Japan and New Zealand (and a neat little way to keep in touch with home!!!)... Now an update on general proceeding's in Ecuador and it's megadiverse cloud forest!!!Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.comBlogger1021100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-15373345312260154032010-08-08T01:32:00.002+09:002010-08-08T01:43:21.073+09:00

My sincerest apologies but it appears that Internet in an Ecuadorian jungle is hard to come by.... who would have thought it!!!!!So it looks like this little project may have to have go through a little post trip analysis..... or maybe just a load of pictures on facebook..... that´s all anyone ever uses the Internet for anyway.....Needless to say I am having a wild time, the level of biodiversity

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-5730640062930595222010-07-24T01:58:00.004+09:002010-07-24T03:10:33.418+09:00

I should possibly inform of just what the trip entails.Essentially I have volunteered to save the the South American rain forest single handedly, it's no mean feat but I've heard that there are some pretty bad wrongdoings going on around them parts and feel that it is my duty to do what I can to help those poor innocent and not to mention helpless lightning toothed viper slugs.Ok maybe not. I

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-30679055132722760482010-07-24T01:49:00.005+09:002010-07-24T02:34:13.425+09:00

Travelling for a day has it's good points and bad points, it's highs and lows, its ebbs and flows, peaks and troughs and hairy fairies and balding spiders...After a fairly smooth flight to New York we landed to find a delayed flight awaiting us which proceeded to disrupt the rest of our connections. At first we were nervous, tired and worried that we wouldn't make it to our hostel in time. But

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-31924955789614243222010-07-24T01:32:00.002+09:002010-07-24T01:47:53.142+09:00

Yes you heard that right, it's back, the most stupendous blog focussing on the trials and tribulations of a 21 year olds' life in Japan and New Zealand from 2007 to 2008 is back but with a brand new look, a more streamlined focus and a (slightly) less intoxicated author.Its almost like your favourite tv show has returned... but better!!!, or your best friend Goldy the Goldfish has returned from

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-67504542785365400272008-04-07T08:29:00.004+09:002008-04-07T09:46:32.021+09:00

Yes friends today is the day of my triumphant return riding a top a golden goose with seaweed in my hair and a wild enigmatic gleam in my eye...So the last week in Oz has been awesome (a supremely enjoyable way to end my year). Sorry I forgot to mention that part last week, but there will be a lot of loose ends to tie up and a few stories left to tell upon my return.For the moment I am faced with

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-32967232405658596382008-04-04T08:55:00.002+09:002008-04-04T09:00:53.880+09:00

Yikes this is going to be a late one in the grand old scheme of things. The date was the 16th and 17th, another beautiful weekend. Previously the weather had taken a cold spell misleading me into thinking that the great Kiwi Summer was over. This was not so... To kick things off myself and Canadian Gill went for a relaxing stroll around the thermal wonderland known as Wai o tapu. It was a very

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-58947206118781884032008-03-23T13:24:00.001+09:002008-03-31T21:48:16.185+09:00

During the weekends I have been trying to squeeze in all of the sightseeing attractions that I haven't got around to yet so Saturday the 8th saw myself and Danish girl Sandra heading off to the magical world of Hobbiton.Whilst it was a perfectly enjoyable experience you did require a lot of imagination to recreate the famous scenes of the movie as the place was now overrun with sheep. In the

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-15726941351842302572008-03-18T13:11:00.002+09:002008-03-28T11:39:09.081+09:00

  It is a few weeks after the tour now and thankfully I have caught up with a large proportion of the trainees. Things on the nursery however have gone a little differently. On my first day back at work I found that two workers had been laid off, which was disappointing. I also arrived to news that there was to be a complete staff restructuring which meant that Richard, production manager and

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-41293148005446827452008-03-12T15:50:00.006+09:002008-03-21T07:39:47.778+09:00

20th Feb - Punakaiki This morning we will have allowed time to go hiking at Franz Josef. Those who wish can join the guides for a guided hike up onto the ice. This afternoon we continue up the coast stopping at Hokitika where you can visit a greenstone factory, before reaching Punakaiki. The Franz Joseph Hike was amazing. In the early hours of the morning, as we walking up

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-60299271881511525262008-03-12T15:07:00.005+09:002008-03-18T14:02:07.595+09:00

16th Feb - QueenstownThis morning, after breakfast we will return to Fiordland Wharf and our trip north to Queenstown. Queenstown is New Zealand's premier ski resort and the summer is no less thrilling, as well as its stunning alpine setting, Queenstown is world renowned for jet boating, its many bungy jumping sites, white water rafting, Para-sailing and much much more. For those that prefer life

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-3659499166317573322008-03-01T08:45:00.004+09:002008-03-05T12:52:39.246+09:00

12th Feb Dunedin Today we leave the mountains to return to the coast via Waitaki valley. Before reaching Dunedin we will stop and see the unique round boulders at Moeraki. this afternoon upon arrival in Dunedin you might like to take a tour of the speights brewery, the beer of the southern man. Them there rocks were pretty cool, if only for some mildly amusing photo opportunities. And we

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-30313003723809417862008-03-01T08:10:00.005+09:002008-03-01T08:38:12.429+09:00

9th Feb - Picton Today we will begin our two week tour together as we travel south along the the picturesque East coast to Kaikoura where time has been allowed for those interested to do some whale watching or swimming with the seals before heading on to Christchurch where we will have our welcome dinner together. It was the start of the tour and everybody was very excited about what the next

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-50467923217150348142008-02-23T14:37:00.002+09:002008-02-23T14:47:03.438+09:00

Hello friends.This is just a quickie to let everyone know I have returned safe and sound with only minor injuries. I am in Wellington at the moment looking at spending the night in my car which should be being delivered by my very good friend Danish Andreas.Needless to say it has been an absolutely amazing 2 weeks and today was incredibly hard saying goodbye to every one. From this point on,

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-20940762434393878982008-02-07T06:15:00.001+09:002008-02-07T06:15:35.291+09:00

Here is the timetable, outlined by the company known as 'Toucan Tours and Travel Ltd.' of the next two weeks. If I can, I will try and add pictures as I go  but if not it will be uploaded upon my return:   9th Feb - Picton Today we will begin our two week tour together as we travel south along the the picturesque East coast to Kaikoura where time has been allowed for those interested to do

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-26089545637901125552008-02-03T08:36:00.000+09:002008-02-05T16:02:32.669+09:00

I am now officially on easy street. I depart for the super dooper south island tour on friday on the 3 hour ferry from Wellington to Picton and for the next two weeks I will travel, with almost all of the other trainees, to all the major hotspots in the South Island. Highlights should include whale watching, brewery and winery visits, an all night cruise and some extreme sportage in the birth

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-25612376055165609522008-01-31T15:19:00.001+09:002008-01-31T15:51:32.527+09:00

"Awesome", "fierce", "sweet as" and "lush" are just some of the more colourful words and phrases that adorn the New Zealanders language and when you have experienced some of the countries most fearsome and beautiful natural elements it is easy to see why these words are used so frequently. The long weekend consisted of exploring the coast for exotic beaches, walking some wonderfully scenic tracks

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-41258564163878092912008-01-22T15:36:00.001+09:002008-01-31T14:52:14.242+09:00

I have finally found a way to make these pictures appear larger (not always a good thing) and load faster, so for the benefit of my non English speaking audience here are a few of my favourite pictures of New Zealand:

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-45711860907312014122008-01-22T15:23:00.001+09:002008-01-22T15:37:39.706+09:00

Sorry I really couldn't think of a decent title so here is a quick update regarding the various activities I have been involving myself in over the last week or so. I have come to the realisation that time is running out, I now have only 11 weeks left, half of which will be spent on a highly anticipated south Island tour and hopefully a trip to Australia. So I have started hitting a few of the

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-49334664225261028382008-01-12T07:29:00.001+09:002008-01-16T12:38:15.958+09:00

When I was around the age of 12 or 13 and becoming aware of the ever-increasing group of activities known as 'extreme sports' the bungy jump was the one I found to be most petrifying. I honestly believed that I would never ever do one because I would A) Never go near one just out of circumstance and B) Never go near one simply because of the fear they evoked in my soul.The thing that scares me

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-85537114668895861052008-01-12T06:57:00.001+09:002008-01-12T07:26:22.828+09:00

From Whangerei we headed on up to an area known as Hikurangi everyone we told about our new years party there laughed or looked at us strangely. "I hope you don't get kidnapped by hillbillies" or "there is absolutely nothing up there" were common responses following "why???".   As it happened it was an extremely good way to see in the new year. People were supposed to 'dress up' so we lazily

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-45069725830283874272008-01-06T07:18:00.000+09:002008-01-08T12:49:40.224+09:00

Hello I have returned from exploring the Northern reaches of New Zealand and it was quite a bit of jolly good fun. I trust everybody had a groovy New Years Party?So, I have been a bit slack with the old photo taking in the past weeks which is why the European 3 piece took so many photos of this trip that if they were magically transferred from digital to material form they would reach around the

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-58989078628617883992008-01-05T06:46:00.000+09:002008-01-06T08:00:21.593+09:00

So we set off for the full moon party in the forest glade in the mountains of Minakame. Walking along the river gorge to the distant thumping sound of the music It was beginning to dawn on me just how much I would miss Japan and the friends I had made there. It was certainly a much colder experience than the first time there. A lot of time was spent huddled together around the fire or dancing

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-17196599402948380792007-12-29T07:56:00.000+09:002007-12-29T08:04:48.613+09:00

Sorry to love you and leave you friends but I am about to embark on a perilous journey to the "Northland" via the city of Auckland with my fellow European flavoured buddies Mr Raphael and Mr Danish Andreas. So if I don't see you againHAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-24092072744011777072007-12-24T06:27:00.000+09:002007-12-26T10:17:23.054+09:00

Have a Happy Christmas everybody, you deserve it!What you may not deserve though is to see me and my family doing a crazy christmas dance:http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1719546051Have a nice christmas precious precious readers!!!!

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-86781398536509809402007-12-24T06:14:00.002+09:002008-01-04T06:57:51.488+09:00

And now for a Christmas tale to warm your cockles!!!Please note may not contain any actual christmas material...Final Night in JapanIt was cold up in the mountains of Minakame, winter was certainly creeping into Japan and the bitter weather reflected my opinions on leaving Gunma for new lands.The previous week had been rollercoaster like, as expected. At the weekend a small farewell party was

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-87831440929787112012007-12-22T11:39:00.000+09:002007-12-24T06:33:15.485+09:00

We finished the week with a cracking kiwi style Christmas party. The sun came out, the food came out and the beer came out on mass. There was also a small amount of amateur dramatics as some of the ladies put on a “piece” for one of the workers birthdays. Unfortunately it was also the last day for the Japanese lady Nabuko dashing all of my chances to keep the Japanese up. Still I wish her all the

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-42879880737416068432007-12-22T11:33:00.000+09:002007-12-22T11:39:48.421+09:00

It had been business as usual on the nursery last week, up until Thursday anyway. I was trying to think what to write up on the old bloggy but what with extremely annoying car trouble and the final push before Christmas at work I hadn’t been anywhere or done very much. Luckily Thursday night solved that minor problem with a visit from a most unwelcome guest.White tails are one of New Zealands

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-437788050114921102007-12-16T17:07:00.000+09:002007-12-16T18:29:47.085+09:00

Here is the final part of the Journel and the continuation of yesterdays blog all rolled into one. From here on everything should be posted more or less in real time!!!:3rd DecemberUmm Could someone tell me where that November has just gone?!?!?Yikes sorry, things have been very eventful around here. In the past 4 weeks I have been Black water caving, White water rafting, playing a bit of footy,

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-8319652725437493892007-12-15T11:13:00.000+09:002007-12-15T12:13:35.518+09:00

Hello hello... testing testing... one two three...What we have here ladies and gentleman could be a stable reliable internet connection, and just in time for christmas too!!!Incidently it doesn't feel like christmas here whatsoever, whilst the weather has been a bit rainy and almost UK-esque there is still a unresounding feeling that summer is just around the corner.So this post is coming to you

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-88261925296152209232007-12-06T14:13:00.000+09:002007-12-09T11:33:02.312+09:00

5th NovemberLast weekend was an interesting one!Richards other daughter came to stay for the weekend pushing the population of our small hut to 5. Fortunately she is very small and probably only counts as half a person unfortunately she makes up for this with noise and relentless energy!The 5 of us went to the pub and Paige (10yrs) managed to lose a pool ball or two stumble over her own feet

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-84616359047399279972007-12-06T14:11:00.000+09:002007-12-06T14:12:37.265+09:00

October 31stHappy Halloween!!!Sorry Journal I have been having so much fun in the past 10 days I forgot to write things.Driving around Taupo and the surrounding area has been very enjoyable, the scenery is often breathtaking and having about 20 times less cars on the road (not to mention traffic lights) than Japan is liberating.There you go finally one thing that is better than Japan. I realise I

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-28717650758524486072007-11-22T14:07:00.000+09:002007-11-25T09:13:32.646+09:00

22nd OctoberWhat a difference a long weekend makes!This weekend was a labour day weekend (the equivilent of a bank holiday weekend) and it was great. Raphael and I offered our services for the world famous 3 dollar sale, a neat little way to get rid of stock, and worked all 3 days. The work was highly enjoyable, essentially doing rat runs to collect plants and keep the “bargain bin” topped up on

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-3145894800578893122007-11-22T14:04:00.000+09:002007-11-22T14:10:44.408+09:00

17th OctoberSo things are settling down around here and I am beginning to find my feet.One minor problem however is the huge amount of free time I have… Yes that’s right. In Japan it always felt that not a moment was wasted, I would always be working or driving around or involving myself in some kind of time filling activity. Here I work for 8 hours a day and then moment after moment is wasted.

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-5714123278194514172007-11-11T12:53:00.001+09:002007-11-22T14:10:26.409+09:00

14th OctoberWell that was a nice 2 day weekend even if some parts got a little boring. Now I am in NZ there is a huge void of free time that needs filling. Luckily the house is slightly less than adequate so there is always something to clean or fix or…tolerate.Secretly I wanted a placement that would offer a little more independence but this is full on survival independence. For the last 3

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-89682011935620810002007-11-11T12:35:00.000+09:002007-11-11T12:53:44.957+09:00

11th NovemberI realised last night when I finished writing this (on good old fashioned paper) that it wasn’t going out to the “many eyes of the web” and essentially it was now just my personal diary.After the seminars we were waiting for our host families to show up so we could meet them for the first time. I watched as everyone was called up to meet their families until it was just me, the

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-89795363347954430692007-10-28T11:29:00.000+09:002007-10-28T12:16:23.280+09:00

Hello remember me?As some of you may have learnt the blog has been existing entirely in paper and pen format. But today I am pleased to in form you that it has arrived to the interwebs in its complete entirety, unabridged, unedited and unreleased.... until now.Enjoy....or don't it's up to youPS sorry for going back into the past again:10th OctoberThe beginning of the new adventureIt has been a

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-88748916882677028792007-10-13T08:51:00.001+09:002007-10-13T09:04:56.792+09:00

This is going to be quick as I don't have wonderful free Internet anymore...There was a bunch of Japan posts that didn't get posted so I will post them now but I don't know where they will turn up... Happy Hunting.Just a few random thoughts that spring to mind: I am living in a mountain hut on site (a 20 second walk to work)with a Swiss guy and the general manager of the nursery. I have no

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-52385351372047833942007-10-07T19:12:00.000+09:002007-10-07T19:16:49.630+09:00

SingaporeIt feels like I am back in this airport way too soon!My flight to NZ has been delayed by 2 hours turning a 4 hour wait into a 6 hour wait and Japanese staff had real issues with my New Zealand Visa and ticket. I am getting an uncanny feeling that this country really doesn't want me to visit it!Ah wellOnly 60 seconds left on the free internet timer...Bye Bye

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-65323303785800901772007-10-06T17:54:00.000+09:002007-10-06T20:24:23.990+09:00

Ok There has been a lot going on and I have run out of time so I don't know if this will work but there will hopefully be a sequence of Japan based blogs coming in the future (or a whole dumpload at one time... we shall see.Closing thoughts for now are:I love JapanNew Zealand is a complete mystery (I still don't know where I am going to live)I love Japan...

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-69214265572925845032007-10-06T12:07:00.000+09:002007-10-13T09:05:15.072+09:00

"I will miss the Raw fish"The little thingsOf course it's not just about the big things. Little routine things like eating a bowl of rice 2 time a day, or driving the truck around the narrow roads. The way almost every week a new kind of flower has popped up in abundence (I could have done a whole photo blog on each flower had time permitted). The mannerisms and wonderfully subdued

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-32959140673515610812007-10-06T12:05:00.001+09:002007-10-13T09:05:29.122+09:00

"I will miss the raw fish"The Big Players:Kim and DruryKim and Drury have been excellent workmates, housemates and friends. It is amazing that we have been coexisting so closely to each other 24 hours a day with only one or two small hiccups. I don't think Kim has stopped smiling since I have arrived (although it does seem to have dropped a little in this last week). He has been a true friend

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-57900214946831249732007-10-06T12:05:00.000+09:002007-10-13T09:05:44.760+09:00

"I will miss the raw fish"The Big Players:NoritakaThe man, the legend Noritaka aka Meganeyro aka Glassesman has been an incredible friend to me, Showing me some of the best parts of Japan, finding me places to stay, driving me back and forth to various places (including Tokyo) and has introduced me to his plethora of interesting friends.Both of us have kind of been teaching each other our

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-3727844529455472782007-10-05T00:15:00.000+09:002007-10-13T09:05:54.028+09:00

"I will miss the raw fish"The Big Players:Otosan and OkasanI think I was lucky to get Otosan and Okasan. They are incredibly easy going, generous and hospitable. They are also hard working and understanding. Otosan has had trainees for 15 years now and he has got the balance just right. I can appreciate that sometimes he comes across as quite cold hearted and uncaring, If you invested too much

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-59274956387800554742007-10-04T23:08:00.000+09:002007-10-05T00:25:29.913+09:00

Apologies I appear to be suffering from some kind of writers block!!!Summing up my time here is becoming too difficult to put into words but it is late at night so lets see what my mind spills out:It has been an incredible time and honestly if IAEA suddenly turned and said they didn't have a place for me I would not hesitate to stay here for another 6 months. Those supposedly quashed ideas of

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-43024165009764964972007-10-02T20:43:00.001+09:002007-10-03T21:02:06.620+09:00

Right thats it folks... Its time to do something I should have done a long time ago...Thats right.......Its montage time!!!!!!!!!!YEAH YEAH A TRUCKING MONTAGE YEAH YEAH A TRUCKING MONTAGE!!!! (or however that song goes in "Team America") In all seriousness though having free access to this little beast has been a superb way to see more of Japan. Many an evening myself and young Kimmy boy have

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-38910652804251633132007-10-01T14:22:00.000+09:002007-10-02T12:33:14.391+09:00

That whole holiday retelling was a little bit jumbled wasn't it? Here it is chronologically ordered in glorious Technicolour:14th July - 20th July - Okinawa Part 1, Okinawa Part 2, Okinawa Part 321st July - BBQ Number 222nd July - 27th July -Tokyo Part 1, Tokyo Part 2,August 3rd - MT. Fuji Part 1, MT. Fuji Part 210th August - 17th August -Tokyo Part 3, Tokyo Part 4, Tokyo Part 518th August - 24th

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-73054836596413003462007-09-29T21:40:00.000+09:002007-09-29T12:12:40.700+09:00

I finally have a place to go in New Zealand. I am not homeless! I was beginning to feel like the unwanted child at the Adoption Home!Its funny how things in life just slot into place, I have been thinking, career wise , that I want to get into conservation, something environmental and nature based. When, out of the blue, this little gem comes along (and not a moment too soon with less than 8 days

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-664892558830427702007-09-28T12:54:00.000+09:002007-09-28T14:21:46.830+09:00

Hello thereYou join us on the other side of the fun and games of holiday and now it's a much darker colder place!!!Japan is getting progressively colder (a small difficulty when living in a paper house) and working with cucumbers has been fairly tiresome (I don't think there will be a "Cucumber Special"). But worst of all is the fact that I have less than 2 weeks here and I don't feel ready to

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-26235882961707089312007-09-27T20:57:00.000+09:002007-09-27T21:10:19.973+09:00

-----Original Message-----From: Matthew Williams [mailto:mattytw@hotmail.com]Sent: 24 September 2007 10:10To: KateSubject: Hi Kate I have less than 2 weeks to go and I have not heard anything about New Zealand... However I was wondering what would be the implications of leaving the IAEA programme and staying in Japan for a further 6 months. Would I be entitled to any kind of refund? Would I still

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-79329818596299759562007-09-25T22:57:00.000+09:002007-09-28T14:52:23.488+09:00

Friday 24th AugustI arranged one final meet up in Tokyo before I returned back to the wonderful world of farming cucumbers. Kyoto station was an impressively modern building, with an almost neverending series of escalators going up to the heavens, a rooftop garden and the Japan famous shinkansen. Whilst the rickety old night bus took 8 or more hours to go from Tokyo to Kyoto, the super smooth

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-29537683350225641552007-09-22T15:42:00.000+09:002007-09-28T14:52:04.708+09:00

What with the night bus and staying up for the balcony party, my biological clock was slightly screwed up. I almost became a true creature of the night. Which was a pain because Kyoto was a much sleepier place than Tokyo. Still I found a couple of good bars to bounce between. But often I wouldn't go to sleep until after 4AM and then wake between 11 and 12. This didn't leave a lot of time for

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-13237103331439879382007-09-18T19:40:00.000+09:002007-09-28T14:52:52.792+09:00

Kyoto is a fairly pretty little place dominated by temples and gardens. So it was nice to be able to hire a bicycle and ride around the whole place in one day and catch a glimpse of most of the more prolific temples. There were also plenty of hidden gardens to be found. One major disappointment however was the museum of modern art. 2 floors and the bottom floor was dominated by (literally) blocks

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-16213026934264968072007-09-13T13:03:00.000+09:002007-09-28T14:53:04.800+09:00

18th AugustThe Tokyo - Kyoto night bus is the cheapest way to traverse the country of Japan, however it is by no means the fastest or most comfortable. That didn't scare me though, by now I was becoming quite accustomed to 'roughing it'. Unfortunately though the aforementioned comfort level coupled with a Japanese girl who kept falling asleep on me, resulted in a severe lack of sleep (maybe an

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-2413561837207987072007-09-10T20:42:00.000+09:002007-09-28T14:53:15.053+09:00

Here are some of the 'left over' (not to degrade them or anything) pictures from Tokyo, including my sudden infactuation with the somewhat interesting lighting conditions produced by the setting sun over Tokyo. I call them "Tokyo and the Setting Sun" and they will be part of the "Matts Extraordinary Photograph Collection" RRP at only 999,999 yen get it while you still can at all good photopicture

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-64441816520882301472007-09-04T13:59:00.000+09:002007-09-28T14:53:35.847+09:00

Quick note: Also in that week or so of work prior to my second holiday. That was when the disaster that was MT. Fuji occurred. Unfortunately reading back on these "Holiday blogs" hasn't been a very consistent (or even comprehensible) affair. I will try and sort that out at the end but for now please bear with me.August 10thTokyo, like a lot of things in Japan, gradually grows on you (or me at

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-7215247840787754052007-09-04T12:34:00.000+09:002007-09-04T15:04:53.869+09:00

A quick diversion from the mess that is the "Holiday Account".Remember when I said I wanted to ride down that cool mountain next to us on a mountain bike here. On Sunday, I did just that:So my good friend Noritaka turns up at lunch time on a working Sunday suggesting we go to the top of MT Akagi and for some reason Otosan conveniently allows us the afternoon off. We (being Noritaka, Kim and

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-3486750071230318132007-09-01T13:42:00.000+09:002007-09-28T14:53:57.416+09:00

The last 5 weeks of my life have been almost indescribable, almost soap opera-esque, almost too overwhelming to even put down on paper.... but I will try.where to begin?Lets start at the bit where I was about to leave Tokyo the first time round:Friday 27th JulySo throughout the week I had been feeling a bit lonley. 2 weeks into my holiday I realised that it was because It was my first holiday all

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-48176312520042462412007-08-27T15:41:00.000+09:002007-09-28T14:54:16.105+09:00

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-4999373798165852142007-08-17T14:05:00.000+09:002007-09-28T14:54:26.168+09:00

Oh yikes this is a quick one before I head off to Kyoto and forget everything:The hostel I stayed in (now 2 or 3 weeks ago) was reasonable, however there were no Japanese people whatsoever(except staff). Everyone staying was American, European, or Australian/NZ. This (for me) wasn't Japan so I did my up most to stay out for as long as possible. Unfortunately it just so happened that I also chose

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-44950384541564041322007-08-14T01:13:00.000+09:002007-08-16T21:48:13.813+09:00

Hello ChumsI do apologise but I was suddenly whisked away to Tokyo (again) and so have have not been able to complete my account of the place. Needless to say it will now be a conjoined bumper edition that will have everyone befuddled with glee!!!I think it is now safe to say that "3rd time's a charm!!!"Goodnight/Goodmorning/Goodday

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-37933156656259544512007-08-09T13:51:00.000+09:002007-09-28T14:54:46.423+09:00

They say travel broadens the mind... But I (like to) think that my mind is already fairly broad, I have always been lucky in life to end up with the right people. I have an intelligent family (but there's always a black sheep), radical friends and thought provoking workmates. So it may come as a surprise to many that Tokyo, for me, was just a little underwhelming...Sunday 22ndIt is highly

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-75640558773064930162007-08-07T13:57:00.000+09:002007-08-08T20:42:25.603+09:00

OK there wasn't really any stupid drunken pool behaviour but I' ve got to keep people interested somehow...Back to the past:Saturday 21st JulySo I got back from Okinawa late on a Friday night and it felt like I had been away for years, especially with the over exuberant, warm welcome I was given by Kim and Drury. But I barely had time to think about any of my past week in Okinawa as ther was a

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-35421291936247985692007-08-06T12:42:00.000+09:002007-09-28T14:55:03.807+09:00

I completely underestimated how cold it would be higher up the mountain. Luckily someone was kind enough to lend me their waterproof trousers. I also underestimated just how water proof my bag was (not very). But no one could estimate how bad the following events would turn out to be....Rain came at regular intervals and as we got higher, the rain seemed to get heavier. But absolutely no one was

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-27170432712054920292007-08-05T17:55:00.000+09:002007-09-28T14:55:16.338+09:00

Everything on MT. Fuji was expensive (100 yen to use the toilet) but that really was the least of my worries:It started out OK, even if our "supervisors" were being more than a little patronising. Everyone was in high spirits after a noisy coach ride to 5th station at 2,300meters above sea level. It was the same crowd that attended the welcome party so we were all fairly familiar with each

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-5185195794523084252007-08-02T13:12:00.000+09:002007-09-28T14:55:27.720+09:00

I want to go back!!!!Ah the old "bottle on the head with the nachos in the mouth" pose.... classic!!!This guy was extremely cool. He knew (and more importantly liked) some of the most obscure and brilliant British bands!!! And the guy pictured here is an incredible guitarist (not me obviously). I awoke one morning (or maybe afternoon) to hear him going through almost every best Red Hot Chilli

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-80969641147062104782007-08-01T14:48:00.000+09:002007-09-28T14:55:39.944+09:00

After my first night in Sora House I was excited to meet up again with everyone and talk about the days adventures and tomorrows plans (a common starting point). However there was a concept going on that I never quite grasped. People were coming and going on a daily basis and if I was lucky I would be up in time to say goodbye if not they would just disappear forever. There were a few particular

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-64498092352474051032007-08-01T13:19:00.000+09:002007-08-01T14:54:40.789+09:00

Just a quick break from the 'Holiday Account'. This is present day: Today I looked at the thermometer in the Glasshouse.... Big mistake it read just under 50 degrees centigrade!!!! Then I decided to look at my watch..... bigger mistake it was only 9 o clock!!!! Mercifully, work hours have changed to suit the weather which means we now have a whole chunk of the day to relax. However ...I

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-3773620291758892332007-07-30T20:30:00.000+09:002007-09-28T14:55:55.365+09:00

I know ... the beginning...Saturday 14th JulyTokyoIt is raining, I am drinking a tall, cold, caramel, honey latte in a almost all glass Japanese Starbucks equivalent. On my left side is a busy main street bustling with people and Tokyo traffic mainly consisting of taxis. On my right side is a perfectly serene garden with an archery range dangerously close to members of the public. I remember

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-21348785357168344842007-07-26T00:41:00.000+09:002007-07-26T00:55:48.511+09:00

OK this is just a little update before next weeks probable myriad of posts, pictures and polls ... (actually no more polls that was a bad idea)Anyways this is just to let people know that I am safe and well. Okinawa was amazing, Tokyo is interesting, I am having real trouble getting a damn NZ visa (apparently I am the first person in the world to jump from Japan to New Zealand whilst trying to

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-74748758123081355642007-07-14T14:54:00.000+09:002007-09-28T14:57:07.088+09:00

someone truly is watching over me on this trip and I would like to know who:I am at the airport with a little internet time and every plane from this terminal is cancelled except 2 and one is mine!I also had time for a highly enjoyable (if a little wet) stroll around Tokyo (more on that later)Anyway I have 3 mins left so thankyou whoever you are?!?!

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-89625067464751366692007-07-12T17:45:00.000+09:002007-09-28T14:56:43.714+09:00

Wow things really have picked up. In the space of 5 hours I went from dreading the next "clean up" job to becoming very very excited...Why? because out of the blue Otosan came up with "I think you should take your vacation next week" I said OK. 5 hours later the flight was booked. My room in Okinawa was booked and now the coming weeks look very promising indeed!!! Incidentally Okinawa is going

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-135735937618034622007-07-10T18:52:00.000+09:002007-07-12T18:17:11.631+09:00

I think this will be the last post involving eggplants, as they are now well and truly over. I can also say that upon my return to old Blighty I don't think I will be going into the aubergine business and probably not even the vegetable growing business... still it's all good experience right...right?Supposedly that was the most difficult part and the rest from here on in is plain sailing, taking

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-73069305810852191672007-06-30T13:19:00.000+09:002007-07-09T13:17:12.933+09:00

A special report from Tanukicorp. Tanukicorp would like to inform you that the war on eggplants is over. At approximately 0800 hours on July 3rd chemical attacks took place on the largest of the glasshouses and has forced the tyranical eggplant army into a surrender. It is believed that some rebel troops are amassing in one of the offshoot glasshouses but it is only a matter of time before

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-82801981620120038982007-06-30T13:18:00.000+09:002007-07-09T12:51:52.635+09:00

Here at Tanuki Corp. we are dedicated to providing you with the best service possible. So whilst Mattman takes a short break from posting we thought we would take this opportunity to conduct some user service research. We would appreciate it if you could spare a moment to fill out the tiny survey below. This should provide us with enough information to improve our services and create a good

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-53676906979875635532007-06-30T12:43:00.000+09:002007-06-30T13:34:29.456+09:00

Most people say a good blog is one that is contributed to regularly...Other people say if you haven't got anything interesting to say don't say anything...Not a lot has been going on but I thought I would post something anyway:Otosan returns today, supposedly with 3 bottles of tequilla and hopefully a large sombrero. It has been difficult without him and there have been a few misunderstandings

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-50180007437269393852007-06-24T21:43:00.000+09:002007-06-27T13:06:25.006+09:00

And now for the moment you,ve all been waiting for (or more likely completly forgotten about), Ladies and Gentlemen it's the:So Aubergines ... Here is your own personal, comprehensive guide to the worlds most purple vegetable!!!But instead of me writing a load of rubbish and boring facts about the Aubergine I will let my new found friend Geoffrey Huxtable explain the history, biology and

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-5356922569552490762007-06-19T16:08:00.000+09:002007-06-19T17:34:50.604+09:00

Ha ha that is of course a joke, everything is going great as usual. You were meant to take that headline in a very literal sense because around these parts everything has been trying to eat everything else: 1: I watched a glorious bronze beetle land on our hedge and get caught up in a cobweb an equally beautiful golden spider leapt out and tried to attack. Unfortunately I was called away for

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-10839963790884159222007-06-13T21:14:00.000+09:002007-06-14T14:44:01.380+09:00

So wet season hasn't quite kicked in yet but I am sure it will soon.In the meantime here are some pictures of probably the most peaceful park I have ever been in. Complete with perfect weather, scenic lake and nothing but the sounds of the waterfalls and fountains...One final thing, in preperation for this wet and wild rainy season I have evolved my feet into those of a frog!!!

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-17288073636280927562007-06-10T18:36:00.000+09:002007-07-09T13:19:15.164+09:00

Not a lot to report on I am afraid. Except for the fact that I am working on a few "projects" (which is why the old blog has been a bit sparce lately). That is I am working on them when I can. Work is extremely busy with starting times at 5 in the morning this week. On top of that there are my "Extra cirriculum" activities which run as follows:Monday - TabletennisTuesday - KarateWednesday -

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-85266125584079176742007-06-03T22:30:00.000+09:002007-06-05T13:19:14.629+09:00

About 3 or 4 weeks ago I was awoken in the night to feel my bed (and the whole room) shaking fairly violently. There was a storm going on, so I just attributed the shaking to that. However it felt different to just strong wind... even to the point where I thought it was just a dream. On Saturday (My Birthday) The very same shaking occurred whilst we were packing and it was a completly calm day..

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-4803914689376064992007-06-02T12:35:00.001+09:002007-06-02T12:40:30.052+09:00

ITS MY BIRTHDAY!!!SHOW SOME LOVE!!!

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-12113567421065266722007-05-30T12:47:00.000+09:002007-06-01T21:56:35.410+09:00

Say that title in a menacing scottish accent over and over again and you may come close to what my last day off was like, Driving around for 3 hours trying to reach this fella:I was going to write a load more but ran out of time. Luckily one picture is worth a thousand words... so here are a few more thousand "words"The view from the top: Art exhibition/Tea ceremony:I did have a little bit of

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-19454962658495221232007-05-23T20:53:00.000+09:002007-06-01T22:10:14.378+09:00

Monday - Day Off - Yasume.I drove up to the very tippity-top of the mountain on Monday and I was greeted by a scenic lake with a shrine Island in the middle. However the highlight of the trip was the route back down. It was windier than the windiest thing you can think of x 3 and very narrow!!! It was fairly windy on the way up but not as windy as the way down. I was trying to work out a way to

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-86435337117241812042007-05-20T12:52:00.000+09:002007-05-20T21:05:32.170+09:00

Ladies and Gentlemen everything is back on track!!!It has been a very busy week but that hasn't stopped my little ole' mind from having stuff put inside it...The things I have learned:How to eat something you absoloutely hate (like a whole squid) without vomitting. Answer: just eat it and stop being a big ninny.How to exploit a situation where I am supposed to be teaching english -using the small

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-15050328576256768562007-05-16T12:43:00.000+09:002007-05-16T20:43:31.613+09:00

... I was left stunned, how could he suddenly jump to that conclusion as if the last month or so had meant nothing to him! I thought that everything was going brilliantly (maybe too brilliantly). I retaliated with the fact that I was still tired from the previous late night. It should now be mentioned that all these "extra cirriculum" activities in the evenings I have been partaking of are due to

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-44694310805996194292007-05-15T17:32:00.000+09:002007-05-15T22:12:14.620+09:00

This was written on Sunday 13 however I have been debating whether to post it or not...Today was Mothers day in Japan. But first of all allow me to apologise for not posting in a few days. It has been a crazy week, and when I say crazy I actually mean difficult:At the beginning of the week (Monday 7th) Okosan (Mother) had imposed a language lockdown upon us, feeling that too much English was

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-36783303074331432232007-05-09T17:32:00.001+09:002007-05-09T22:50:13.015+09:00

I have now been here for 4 weeks and that means I have eaten appoximately 50 bowls of rice (2 bowls a day without fail!). As a celebration of this feat I have composed a few lists about food:Matts Favourate foods (so far):1. Weiner - Japanese produced (from Mr Sakakis swine farmer friend) Delicious. Like frankfurters but they taste so much more natural and organic!2. Fried Auberbine - Yes it's

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-46269499164509470422007-05-05T13:14:00.000+09:002007-05-05T20:39:56.765+09:00

Yes I said ravaged!!!Yesterday as a change of pace a BBQ took place with a few close friends of Mr Sakaki, the other trainees and an Australian ex trainee who was visiting with his family. Finally I have been able to have a face to face conversation with someone who completely understands exactly what I'm saying. Or at least that was the case until one too many BBQ beers were consumed, It appears

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-23565398163891260062007-05-04T18:56:00.000+09:002007-05-04T21:05:17.845+09:00

Here are some pictures of my adventures on my day off (monday), whereby I saw the tailend of a baseball match, caught sight of some interesting mountains and came across a very american looking string of shops 'Denny's and all. Salvation!!!

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-34506567388688605152007-04-30T11:22:00.000+09:002007-05-02T12:35:48.410+09:00

Lets start from the beginning shall we?The area I am working in is known as the Gunma Prefecture, a prefecture is basically the same as a county or state. The Gunma Prefecture lies north of Tokyo surrounded by Mountains on one side and the city of Maebashi on the other.It is supposed to be a rural area but it seems that my idea of rural is different to the Japanese idea of rural!My Rural:Japanese

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-7309460906059301592007-04-25T18:30:00.000+09:002007-04-26T18:41:45.552+09:00

Carriages - MondayMy day off saw a fairly uneventful trip to the city of Maebashi, Although one thing that was fairly exciting was the train ride. Or more precisly the Mishap which occurred on the train ride:After dropping my bike off at the friendly carpenters house (there really are some very generic village jobs in this area) I turned the corner to see the train pulling into the station. I ran

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-49622282435023064572007-04-23T17:44:00.000+09:002007-04-23T18:10:18.898+09:00

Today (23rd of April) is an epic, hectic extraveganza of a day!!! Happy Birthday Mum!Happy Birthday Aunty!Happy Birthday St George (or whatever it is you have!)Happy Birthday ShakespeareHappy Deathday Shakespeare Oh and I know its a little late but Happy Birthday Jason!!!!That is all for today...

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-45111704625622510042007-04-20T16:53:00.000+09:002007-04-21T12:22:57.369+09:00

Sorry this was meant to go up earlier in the week but I got distracted trying to get a picture of Grandma.... anyways:Part 2 (A Walk in the Mountains) This was written on Tuesday 16th Monday was my day off and I felt compelled to go back up to the mountain path. I thought that the droves of people hadn't done it justice and thoughts of the lost episode distracted me from reflecting on the place

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-85572615374567427422007-04-19T19:56:00.000+09:002007-04-19T21:42:03.922+09:00

Say hello to Grandma!!!!! Introducing the first in the "Character profiles" Series is Grandmother real name Yone Sakaki she is 72 and still works a full day. 6 days a week. In Japan there seem to be a lot of old women out in the fields but not many old men. One day I shall ask why. In Japanese culture old age is welcomed not feared, the elderly are valued for their wisdom and experience not just

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-7247254207063013922007-04-16T15:38:00.000+09:002007-04-19T21:29:40.627+09:00

Part 1For a bit of fun Okasan (Mr Sakaki's wife) decided to take us for a walk up a mountain path that was completely populated (1000 in all) on each side by cherry blossom trees. This was on a sunday and the whole area was swarming with people, however it was nice to get away from the village and see a bit more of rural Japan! It began very nicely with lots of carnival type stalls selling

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-44332455149665878302007-04-13T18:36:00.000+09:002007-04-14T21:48:35.028+09:00

I believe I have been accosted by some sort of Internet angel (much like the car park angels that find you a parking space when you most need it). I knew the internet would be fairly scarce in rural Japan, but i trusted my luck that I would find an internet cafe or maybe even befriend someone with a connection. Imagine my surprise then, when I find that there are not 1 but 2 unknown, unsecure

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-90075124909195220802007-04-11T20:20:00.001+09:002007-04-11T20:22:45.784+09:00

This is being written on April the 10th 7:30amAnd food….I have had two meals so far, both involving chopsticks. I have never used chopsticks and thought it would be fairly easy to pick up (get it ’pick up’ ha ha ha). But as it turns out it isn’t! My first meal went down OK, It was Chinese noodles in a soup (ramen). We were eating in a public place with people all around us and it was very

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-73085638775834243012007-04-11T13:56:00.000+09:002007-04-11T14:04:23.495+09:00

This is being written on April 11th at 7:30amPart1I have been in Japan for exactly 24 hours and I already have a million things I could write about from the sheer vastness of Tokyo (it took us an hour and a half to drive around it … on the express way!!!) to the amazing cherry blossoms found scattered in every nook and cranny of Japan adding a real other worldly beauty.However first I shall talk

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-7466261751762965272007-04-09T19:51:00.000+09:002007-04-09T20:01:24.823+09:00

I have reached the fine airport that is known as Singapore i am on a strange booth that lets you have 15 minutes for free... I have 8 left.First of all thankyou for all the nice cards, kind words and general messages of support. I will miss you all.7 minutes leftI didnt realise just how long I would spend getting to Tokyo. So far I have clocked in 5 hours at Heathrow 12 hours on the plane I have

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455243571907380312.post-40500241680702084902007-04-08T03:30:00.000+09:002007-04-07T19:31:21.527+09:00

I am not really going to farm silly aubergines I am actually going out to japan to help this guys out with their mischievous mayhem!!!

Mattmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499729257506953622noreply@blogger.com2