So as Golden Week comes around again, what with all the house buying of last year, and the new "Drive Anywhere in Japan on the expressway for 1000 Yen" discounts introduced last month, it was off to Yufuin again for the I team.
This time we only had one full day, so we decided to head to Kijima Amusement Park.
First it was the Go-karts, and they only had 2 seaters and 1 seaters, so M and Y went together.
"Why am I still waiting despite my line being a quarter of the length of yours, and you've already been on??"
I can go faster in the Prius for free....
Then it was on to the rides...M's favourite Dragon Coaster was first up.
Then we made full use of our "all you can ride" passports!
The view from the Pelican of Jupiter, the biggest old fashioned wooden rolller coaster in Japan.
Scariest thing I ever did was get on that a few years back, so I certainly wasn't repeating it last weekend!
Big wheel time.
Aforementioned Pelican.
One great thing was this foot bath with hot spring water, right in the middle of the park. Great for a rest amid all the traipsing!
Mummy needs a pedicure!
Refreshed and ready for more!
Then it was time for the highlight for Weechan; the new attraction: Kids' Driving school.
A mini version of the real driving licence centre, first you line up an get your photo taken.
Then it's downstairs to learn the rules of the road in the classroom.
Then outside for a few practical pointers.
Then you get to practise on the special mini town roads in your cheeky convertible.
With Kijima number plates.
The course had a petrol station, a family restaurant with car park to practise your parking skills, real traffic lights, level crossing and everything. Very lifelike!
The car isn't just a go-kart either. They have to put it in gear and use the indicators etc too, so quite a challenge.
After the practice, where apparently the staff are watching to see if you keep all the rules of the road (!!), there is the announcement of the results.
The numbers in red are the people who passed their test and got their license. The grey ones are the unlucky ones. (Although Mummy noticed that no-one seemed to be upset and there only seemed to be 20 people in our group....funnily enough...)
Weechan was number 9, so was very pleased to hear she passed first time, and got her very first driving license, identical to Mummy's.
From now on you can drive without taking the test if you get a ticket, and if you go on 10 times you can get a GOLD license like Daddy's. (Great marketing!)
So of course Weechan had to go straight out and try again after she got her license. Well, you need to practise your roundabout skills, eh?
Night time meant dinner at Artegio: photos for Uncle John who missed out on a great meal after giving up on the traffic jammed expressway and turning back home. Too bad, maybe next time.
Foie Gras terrine with strawberries and balsamic vinegar.
Lobster with spinach puree.
Porcini and chicken risotto with asparagus.
Kumamoto Beef grilled with rocket and parmesan: verrrrry nice.
Panacotta with fresh berry sauce.
It went down well.
There were a few other dishes which didn't last long enough to photograph, but all in all very worth getting dressed up for.
No comments:
Post a Comment