Sasebo Weekend

It's an early November Saturday & we're off to Sasebo with Eldon & Nancy today. It's raining in Iwakuni, but we're hoping to run out of it, as we head south toward Kyushu Island.

We've stopped for coffee at some roadside vending machines 自動販売機 (jidō-hanbaiki) -something for everyone here!

The fog & clouds make the mountains look pretty this morning.

Construction along the highway. There are lots of signs.

About an hour & a half after we leave Iwakuni, we've made our first potty stop. There's a nice overlook here to enjoy the view & it's not raining.


This picture sign explains what we're seeing.


Here's what the terraced farmland looks like today.


Beautiful flowers in someone's garden.

Entering one of the many tunnels along this expressway.

Nancy & Eldon at the Kitikyushu Bridge. You can track our trip from Iwakuni to Sasebo here: http://members.virtualtourist.com/vt/gm/974557

Bathroom signs depict fuku -- blowfish. Red for women . . .

. . . and blue for men.

Inside, the flush button is clearly marked. I'm glad, because sometimes they're hard to find.

This door just barely clears the seat of this fancy potty -- good use of space!


Meanwhile, Stan has found the "giant donut hole" guy.


These are slightly sweet & delicious!


Inside, Stan, Eldon & Nancy are picking out lunches.

I like these "mask" cookies.

Back on the road again . . . Wonder where all the motorcycles are going?

Color-coding actually painted on the expressway, helps us go through interchanges easier . . .

Motorcycles going into a tunnel. We've been seeing them all day.

Square tunnel . . .

Signs, signs, everywhere signs, but this highway worker is not real -- his hand waves mechanically.

Landslide prevention (or repairs) being done on a hillside beside the highway.




About 6 hours later (well, we did stop a lot), we've arrived! Japanese sailors in downtown Sasebo. Here's a map if you want to check out the Sasebo area: http://www.sasebo99.com/english/sasebo_map/city/up.html


There's the front gate of Sasebo Navy Installation.

Beautiful fresh flowers inside the lobby of the Navy Lodge.

The ladies at the reception desk at the Navy Lodge, where we stayed. They were very helpful.


Inside the "Steak Salon" in downtown Sasebo. This is our favorite place -- a bit pricey, but worth every yen! You have to make a reservation to eat here. It's very popular and VERY small. The chef welcomes us!

Kompai!

Interesting items on our table . . .

We had beautiful salads with fresh fruit, and homemade bread, but no pictures . . .
Stan & Nancy each had a mustard sauce on their steak, but I can't remember it's name.


Mine was the lemon steak. Tender & delicious!


And Eldon had shrimp & steak.


We're sitting in the only table in the restaurant. The other patrons (about 8, maybe) sit around the horseshoe-shaped bar, with kitchen behind.


Statue in the tiny bathroom.

Looking into the kitchen. This is a small place & you can watch everything that is made here. The flowers & fruits are all real & fresh!


The couple who are our waitress & chef. They are the only workers here.


Stan & Margie and Eldon & Nany.


Lemon Steak is their specialty, and that's what I had.

Outside of Steak Salon.

Looking at the Steak Salon from across the street.


Cute motorscooter parked downtown Sasebo.


After dinner, we go back to the club on base to have a drink. We're the only ones in the bar, and the bartender is watching a Japanese baseball game.


Eldon & Stan find the slot machines.


Next morning looking out at Sasebo Harbor, it's very cloudy & we're deciding whether or not to go on our planned boat ride.

Well, since we're leaving this afternoon, we decide to give it a try. We're in the taxi on our way to the boat landing.


Construction area along the sea on our way.


Here's our boat -- The Pearl Queen. We had to rush to make it, but we did. We met up with Gerry & Bob, who joined us for this island tour.


We're the last ones on board, then off we go.


Workers waving at us as we leave.