AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE; OI OI OI!

AUSTRALIA DAY

January brought along a beautiful day for Australia Day celebrations. Unfortunately we both had to work but we organised to finish early. Sophi’s work friends from Nova were having an Australia Day BBQ (Japanese style of course), which means about 20-25 people all in one tiny house, which has no balcony. Even if there were a balcony, it is the middle of winter, so all the heaters are on full blast to keep everyone warm.

A few sausages and steaks were BBQ’d (in a fry-pan!!). A sing-along of all the national anthems of everyone at the party was sung. After the party, Sophi being a little too drunk, went home while Cam joined the crew for some all night karaoke in Mizonokuchi. Cam and Andrew caught the train home, only to realise after about half an hour later, that it was going in the wrong direction. And after a very wobbly bike ride home from the station, Andrew and Cam stumbled home at about 8am, in true Australia Day fashion.

YUM CHA! (finally)

Sophi had had plenty of sleep after Australia Day celebrations, and was up early and keen to go to Yokohama (Japan’s 2^nd largest city after Tokyo, and only about 45 mins on the train) because Yokohama is famous for its Chinatown. It is the biggest Chinatown in the world apparently.

After numerous attempts Cam was up and out of bed some time in the afternoon. We made it to
Yokohama for a late lunch/early dinner. We had been given some recommendations from people, but the best thing to do is just wonder around until you find somewhere that looks good. This is not a difficult task, as there are literally hundreds of Chinese restaurants everywhere you look. We stuffed our hangovers with dumplings, won-tons, soup, fried noodles and downed it all with a beer. It was so good to have yum-cha after so long; it definitely won’t be the last time we eat in Yokohama.

There is plenty to do in Chinatown, so we spent the rest of the evening shopping, we found a great used clothing shop, and we had a photo of us engraved in granite.