So, I had a short break from work last weekend. Jin and I decided to go camping. There is an island off the coast of Kyushu, in between Japan and Korea, named Iki Island.

We've been hearing a lot of good things about the island lately so we decided to make it a last camping trip before I leave. It was worth it. It takes 2 hours by ferry from Fukuoka to Iki Island. I'll admit. When we got off the ferry, I was a little bit nervous because it really didn't look like there was much to see. It was a bit more urban and stinky than i'd pictured. But, a short walk away and we were at the campground. Unlike most campgrounds I've heard of in Japan, this one was free...and it had soft, green grass. It had an amazing view of the sea and the steep, rocky cliffs. We could climb down to the water easily.

We had brought some food for cooking but had passed a really tasty-looking sushi restaurant on the way. Since Iki is famous for sea urchin and shochu, we figured we'd better check it out. It was worth it. The fish was soooooo good and the shochu was better.

The next morning, the old man that we'd met the day before came by and took us on a car tour of the island. We got to see all the site which we would have never gotten to see if he weren't there...including one of Iki's most famous attractions-a big rock shaped like a monkey's head.

Before we got there, we were under the impression that it was a small island that we could walk or at least take a bus around. No way. We drove from one place to another for 5 hours and still didn't see everything. But it was really beautiful. I wish I could post some of the pictures I took.

It was a really great last camping trip in Japan. Even got to try out the new tent I bought last year...in the rain! (it didn't rain during the days, only during the night in order to put the tent to the test. It passed with flying colors. It rained all night and there was not so much as a drop of moisture on the inside. I couldn't be happier!) We also got to try out then new cooking supplies that Jin bought last summer. Before this, I never realized you could buy such tiny gas burners! We could pack the tent, 2 sleeping bags, the burner, 2 tiny pots and pans, and the food in one backpack! Amazing.

Looks like the next time I'll get to use it will be in Europe! Can't wait!