Quo vadis - doco des Ka?

I 14-15th March 2015.

I We have a dilemma! Our plan has been to go from Japan to Sth Korea by vehicle ferry. But right now we are hearing that Sth Korea is refusing entry for RVs from Japan! There are two ferry ports from Japan to Sth Korea -Shimonoseki and Fukuoka. Our good friend Bartek (Webasto) has used his contacts to ask about carrying us from Shimonoseki or Fukuoka. The Shimonoseki company has declined to carry us, because they have had RVs returned to Japan by Sth Korean customs. The Fukuoka company is asking difficult questions such as whether our vehicle was imported to Japan as a vehicle or as "goods in a shipping container". 

Well we have our shipping agent in Australia and also the agent who landed us in Osaka both working on the problem and now it is the weekend -so we have no choise but to enjoy ourselves.....

We have been travelling through a mountainous part if Japan, where tea growing is the major industry. 

 It is amazing how the steep slopes are used to grow the tea! These tea rows must be harvested by machine although we haven't seen a machine in action yet. And the smallest communities are part of the action...

 With rows of tea bushes right among the houses. 

We are driving through very mountainous country, with wild rivers like we have (almost) become used to in Japan. It still takes our breath away when we see the steep slopes and running rivers. 

Japan feels comfortable to us now. We know how to get around, some useful phrases, and have developed some favourite foods. Mushrooms are still high on our lists, with slightly different varieties available each time we have come here. Look at these beauties, costing less than $5 for the lot! 

And of course we eat a lot of Miso, but I was surprised to find these Miso beans. Ie soy beans that have been cultured ready to make Miso, but sold whole without crushing into the paste. 

And Mochi -this is pounded rice made into a slab, fried in soy sauce -a gooey taste sensation! 

Last night we found a great camping spot -in a parking area for a Shinto temple. We placed ourselves out of the way where would cause no trouble and not be too obvious. There were no other vehicles around. Great quiet spot. 

After we had been in bed for about  2 hours and fast asleep we were woken by someone knocking on the door and calling out. It turned out to be an angry security man. No amount of persuasion would induce him to leave us be. He kept on about private property in spite of no signs that we could see with any numbers on them. Even Joe's statement had had been drinking sake and so mustn't drive had no effect. Apparently it was "no parking" after 6pm. This was one of only three times in more than 6 months of camping in Japan that we have been made to move. 

We are getting nervous now about getting booked on some means of transport out of Japan. The expiry  date of our carnet is fast approaching and still we have no destination! We are putting a lot of trust in our shipping agent in Brisbane to sort this out.

This is not a perfect raptor shot - but the best I have achieved to date!