Today was a good introduction to Japanese rule following. A 20km crossing by ferry. No, you cannot get on the boat that’s there. It already has 2 bikes more than the 8 allowed. Wait an hour for the next ones. We got on…lots of space. Some left behind for the next ferry. Yup, we’ve pushed the rules to breaking point with another 10 bikes. All done with great politeness and arm waving.
We’re still on the same island of Kyushu as Nagasaki. The flat bit was the ferry ride. The remainder was lumpy – a good volcanic landscape. Maybe that has helped the soil’s fertility. Lots of things being grown everywhere, including potatoes by the chip load and onions.
Getting to grips with the coke stops. Vending machines by the road side. Full, working and very reasonably priced.
Lots of trees today, thankfully offering shade as the temperature nudged to high 20s. The roads are about UK standard, ie mixed. Drivers are very considerate.
Kumamoto is a city of some 750000 people, with another 750k in the wider metropolitan area.. I read the largest motorcycle production facility in the world is in Kumamoto. Mutsibushi Electronics has a 500million UK Pounds semiconductor factory opening about now. Maybe this explains the number of suits we’ve seen.
Glad we’ve got some good low gears, we’re going to need them!
Travelling reflections 