Just quick note to let everyone know the we have landed and cleared customs. Now is the dash for connecting flights for some….More to come later…
We have began the process of uploading pictures to the blog…Make sure you check back often as we will be adding photos all night long…
It is early afternoon here in Japan and everyone is starting arriving at Sun Member Hotel. Later this evening we will be posting pictures and comments for you to review before you pick us up on Sunday!!!!
So far it has not snowed here in Tokyo yet. It has been snowing further North. Mostly rain right now. It seems I may be the only scouter with computer access. I will continue to send any messages this way. All scouts are healthy, we did have some dehydration early in the trip. But fresh fruit, and lots of water have cured that. If possible David Weerts and I will try to post some more photos etc tonight. Only 3 to go!
It was amazing how fast the nervousness disappeared as soon as the scouts met their host families. Each scout was individual introduced to host families and you could just see them becoming new friends.
The morning started with breakfast and last minute briefing on Host Families. The excitement from last night has turned into nerviousness. However, the adults have reassuring the scouts that it will be fun as they have something in common with each family and that is brotherhood of scouting.
The was spent around the Hakone area of Japan. The first stop was a carpenter’s shop that the youth and leaders had the opportunity to make a special wood project to remember the trip. Then we went to Hakone Sekisho which was a toll gate that Samurai would check traveling papers of families during 1600s -1800s. There was great view from the very top guard area.
After the tour, we went to a wonderful lunch buffet that had both Western and Japanese food.
What tour would be complete without a pirate boat ride across Lake Ashi. This boat took us from one side of the lake to the other. Once, we were at the other side we rode a gondola to the top of the mountain to see Mt. Fuji. Unfortunately, the fog had rolled in and we were unable to Mt. Fuji but we saw some incredible geysers. To finish the day everyone had the opportunity to eat a “black” hard boil eggs. To make the shells black the eggs were boiled in sulfur water for an hour.
As the evening began to come to a close, Mr. Kellar gave the group a talk about how to handle gifts and other items for the home stays which start tomorrow. Each of us are a little nervous but our excitement for the next part of the trip is taking care of the nervousness.
Over the next couple of days the blog will be a little quiet as each of us will be having the time of our lives. Also, the hope is that we will be able to upload pictures that have been taken over last couple of days.
