otanjoubi omedetou to me!

nemui again!! *yawn*

got up at 7 this morn to meet andi and kaz at the station by 8.30. we finally made it to hakone in time for lunch (after back-tracking a few times on trains!). yunessan onsen is SO groovy!!! a wonderland of wonderful onsen. the first thing we did once we got there is change into our togs and stunningly sexy orange tie-dyed tents, then we went to the restaurant for lunch (of which i got for free because they forgot to charge me! - happy birthday me!) :) lunch was delish, everything from spanish to indian cuisine with soba and sushi thrown into the mix. of course i had to have seconds, plus dessert :). there was something so liberating about swanning around a flash-looking restaurant wearing bum-length orange tents. my favourite onsen was the wine bath i think. it was just so gloriously pink, and smelled devine. but the dead sea bath was also extremely novel. apparently they actually ship the salt in from the dead sea. i have never experienced such buoyancy! unfortunately i shaved my legs this morning and the salt really stung, but it was still so very fun. there were green tea baths, a coffee bath, a charcoal bath, a jellyfish bath, baths in caves, a waterfall bath, and a super waterslide. we spent like 6 hours there and could've stayed for 6 more! it was heavenly. we were all dog tired (and so relaxed out) by the time we got back to fuj at about 8.30 tonight but dragged ourselves to cafe pensee for some sakura tea and gourmet chili sandwiches. nolan met us there, bringing cake! (thanks noran-chan....yum). and a huge hug to ma & pa wiechern and kim for the gorgeous flowers all the way from nz! :) i love them. thanks to all who remembered my b'day. i can't believe i'm 28. don't feel a day older than 20 (although my legs are still slightly sore from hiking in nikko).

will sleep well tonight i think :)
xx

pics here: http://wedged.showcard.co.nz/gallery/album06