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August 07, 2005
Hayama Isshiki Beach - Yikes!
For more photos, click here and select the photo album "Hayama"
We went down to Hayama yesterday and it was exceptionally cool. I hope I can capture here just how good it was. I have been before at night (that is a story for next time) and I have heard this is the best beach in Shonan...we were not disappointed.
The beach itself is nice and it is not as crowded as some of the other places. Even better, it is much easier to get to than we thought it would be. Not that I will tell you how...if everyone knew we would have to find another place to hang out.
It was hot, but there was enough of a breeze to make it comfortable and the water was the perfect temperature for swimming. Throw in good friends, a few drinks, a great bar on the beach, and the Taiko "trance" band and it was pretty much a perfect day.
Actually, Tim, Go and Go's parents were the ambitious ones and got down to the beach at 9am (!) so they had already staked out some prime beach real estate for the rest of us that arrived later. That is them on the left. Yoko and I were the next to arrive, just after 1pm. They were all enjoying a mid-day siesta, well deserved after four hours of sun and drinks, so we had a quick lunch at the Blue Moon, which was our home for the day. If you are going to Hayama, you should not miss this place.
After a while, the rest of the group finally showed up. That is Howie on the left...he came with Emi, but I did not catch her in this picture - you will see more of her later. On the right is Nuala, Leigh and Laura. I think they said something about having to work and/or run errands in the morning, but I was too busy playing to really make it out.
Once everyone had arrived, we could get down to the serious work of not doing anything. As the tide was coming in, we had moved our chairs up the beach next to the bars. This made it easier to have a few drinks. We also swam a bit more and ran around a lot.
This was definitely a good thing for Nuala...she has been feeling poorly recently and I think she needed the fresh beach air, soothing sounds of the waves, and a beer in her hand. There is something about the beach that influences your core being - you can relax like nowhere else. I would like to take credit for that observation, especially as I grew up going to the beach everyday, but Leigh is the one who pointed that out. In any case, it must be true: don't you think she is looking better already?
We spent an hour or two on the beach itself, drinking and chatting. This is what it looked like...the picture on the top left is Howie and Emi, that is Laura in the top right, on the bottom left, Leigh and Nuala are buying drinks. I told him he should stick to non-alcoholic drinks himself to keep his temper in check. I wonder why he is looking at me like that? That is Yoko on the bottom right - I told her that she would have to take a nap or she would be cranky later, but she wanted to stay up and play.
After a while, I walked down the beach with Yoko and Emi. I like beach walking because I completely lose myself in the sights, sounds etc. Yoko says it is healthy...but maybe not healthy enough for me to offset all the drinks I was having. Ha ha - she is funny, isn't she? I was going to throw her in the water, but she says she could have her foot amputated if that happens, so I didn't.
On the way, we saw a group of Japanese guys covering their friend with seaweed and other assorted things that had washed up on the beach. He seemed to be so calm about it. When I took a picture, one of the guys who had been decorating his friend said this is "Japanese Jackass". Those in the US may be aware of a show on MTV where the star does stupid things like skateboarding off a cliff or setting himself on fire. The Japanese version we saw seems less damaging. Then again it was live. And here is the picture to prove it.
Anyway, we walked the full length of the beach and when we were on the other side, I made them take pictures of me on this rock (I had to wade over there - lots of work). In return, I got this picture of them. I really like this one for some reason. Then we headed back.
On the way, we stopped at the bathrooms and Yoko tried to set me up with this Japanese woman (Junko) by telling her I spoke French. Her accent was fanatstic, but I did not understand a word of what she ws saying. After a few minutes, I asked her if she would speak Japanese because I could not understand...why I thought that would be much of an improvement is a good question.
I think she said that we could meet next year and dance together on the beach. Not quite understanding, I said how about next week. She was very sweet, but also very inebriated...once she went into the toilet I told Emi and Yoko that we needed to get back. But Emi had given Junko her sandals. So, we had to wait for her to come back out again. Oops.
In the meantime, the rest of the group had moved up to the Blue Moon and secured a table. We spent the rest of the evening hanging out, talking, watching everyone go by, and listening to to the music. Here is Nuala again, looking even more relaxed...she said I would have to pay for the privelege of putting these pictures up. Looks like I owe you a few hundred pounds Nuala.
As the sun went down, it cooled off. I could have stayed all night. I had an absolutely great time...do you think it is obvious from the picture? The beach bars close in three weeks - I am definitely going back before then. If anyone wants to join me, please let me know.
Comments
I can see from this picture that your teeth are coming right along!
Posted by: terri at August 11, 2005 11:28 PM