Walking Fukuoka History Apr 14 - Beppu to Hakata

Waking up early to go to a very old traditional onsen in the neighbourhood near Beppu Guest House was one thing we did. We didn't bath in the GH (a small episode that I was locked insides the toilet, trying very very hard to unlock myself). There seems to be a "warning notice" about the lock in the shared toilet - all in Japanese words and I was without phone. Prayed and finally got out after a while. Thank God.

We googled our way to the onsen. It was really very traditional and locals went to onsen before they went to work. I bought a towel (not sure why they issued me a pink towel) and off we went in. The public bathroom usually hangs a blue cloth for gents and pink cloth for ladies. It was very hot and I saw a group of very old tanned uncles soaking in the bath. It looked very hot. For the moment, I looked fair compared to most of them - they were red due to the steamy bath. The pool was really small, like the baby pool in the swimming pool. Without delay, I went on my routine of public bath, bathing and soaking and bathing. HOT. Ouch. After about 20 mins plus, went out to look for my wife. We stayed for a while to cool down with tea. This is really a very traditional bathhouse. 

We had our cute chicken pie for breakfast and got on with our journey to the Beppu Train Station to Hakata. Beppu Town is the typical old town - peaceful and quiet and a place for relaxation. I like old quiet town.  

It was interesting that the trains arriving at Beppu sounding a very cute lullaby "Beppu Beppu Beppu....". For a while, I imitated the lullaby and gonna miss Beppu while anticipating what's would be in store for us in Hakata. 

Hakata - It took us about 2 hours+ to reach Hakata from Beppu, can't rem exactly. We checked in at our favourite Route Inn hotel and as they have specific check-in time, we went around Hakata shopping centre. There, my wife, started to measure her buy in terms of handkerchiefs. Yup, each handkerchief cost 500YEN. It is interesting how she likes japanese handkerchief. She can spend most of the time on them. Of cos, we dun forget the japanese umbrellas. I can't rem when she started collecting the handkerchiefs. At times, I wonder why we need so many handkerchiefs haha. 

We went for evening walk by taking the 100YEN bus. Hakata operates a 100YEN bus which brings u to places within city area. It's economical and saves walking time. We planned to go "Canal City" and we wanted to try local Yatai. Our first stop was a temple - looked quite old as well. There was a very gigantic display and my wife helped to pose in the photo to show the contrast.  I noticed that my wife got very interested in looking at the wishes the locals put on string. We saw them a few times and she was interested. I believe it is knowing and trying to understand the culture of the people in the country that we visit. 

We saw people (likely they knocked off from work) streaming slowly into the temple for prayers. One thing that I rem from visiting japanese temple is the sand that they put on the temple ground. Something different from the grounds when you visit other temples. 

Off we went off and walking through a long stretch of shopping arcades. Made me remember the ones in Hokkaido. I like to hold my wife's hand while we strolled down the arcades. She recently said we have been holding hands even after x years of marriage.