Day 13 - Hakata Subway Tour

We got a one day subway pass for 500Y and went in search for free places of attraction. first stop: Korokan Ruins Exhibition Hall. there was still archaeological works going on in the area and the exhibit itself wasnt very fantastic. we did see boys practicing martial arts on the field though. the facility tt hosted foreign visitors was burnt down so all we saw was a replica and a site that is still undergoing excavation. Nothing much left. The only noteworthy part was tt there were loads of crows there and they look menacingly huge. Was half-afraid they would come and attack me.

then there was the Fukuoka Castle Ruins, which was barely there really, except for the stone walls. It was a Saturday and the area was rather happening. There was a inter-school sports meet of sort at the stadium and you could see camps (literally) of school kids chilling out under the trees supposedly waiting for their event, and kids warming up by running around the excavation site chanting in gusto. i rmb being amused by the girls who were doing rounds around the archaeological site, chanting as they run in sync with each other. There were also 2 tennis courts beside the castle wall tt were in used and we watched middle-aged men and women play tennis. Super cool.

saw a mini garden of pretty purple flowers and a few elderly folk taking pictures en route to Ohori Park. this is the ideal retirement life man, going around enjoying life with your buddies and taking photographs.

passed by the Fukuoka Art Museum but it is obviously payable so we did not go in. (haha) there was also a Japanese Garden of sorts, also payable so we did not go in too.

and finally, after SO MUCH WALKING, we reached Ohori Park. it was HUGE. but pretty. and its nice tt ppl have such a park to go to to walk the dog, to jog, to chill out or to have a picnic. why do we not have nice parks in singapore? no. east coast park does not count.

by the time we were done with Ohori Park, i was famished (and in a bad mood). so we had to get food. located a Beard Papa store near one of the subway stations but after trying their cream puff, it was quite disappointing. standards do differ frm place to place i guess. but we explored that shopping complex a little bit more and found another store having 20% off all its items! and their green tea chou was gooodd!

decided to go to the Hakata Bay area even though it was a SUPER LONG WALK frm Nishijin station. i kept asking tobsy whether we were there yet. after more than half an hour of walking, we saw the Fukuoka Tower (again) and managed to get to the Marizon area. the last time we were quite stuck cos we didnt know how to get out of a carpark (sads).

it was windy so we cldnt resist but to *drumroll AIR OUR FEET. i know its disgusting but we've been walking for a very long time so feet will sweat. (haha) and tobsy decided to act like a beggar. for what i do not know.

then we went in search of a (free) observatory. which was very secluded (as all free places are). had to climb up a hill and on the way, we saw a parking lot or a building or sth tt was called "Marry Grace". (...)

ended off with 100Y shopping at the Hakata Station Bus Terminal until late (9pm) and returned back for a good soak in the onsen. yeah i lurbe dormy inn!!