Best Holiday Ever. Day one

So it is Christmas Day, ten to six in the morning and my phone rings - thanks mum and dad!  I get up to a snow covered Hagi and grab all my gear and get ready to head off with Rachel and James for the weekend.

Rachel and James at the bullet train station.  Still snowing. 

We reached Kobe (near Osaka) around lunchtime and decided the best way to start the holiday was with some world famous Kobe beef.  And, man, was it worth it!  I've heard it described as 'melt in your mouth' good, but I never really understood, until now.

The chef cooked the meat right in front of us along with some veges, miso soup and a salad, then left us to enjoy.  And it was gooooood.  You take one bite of the meat and it kind of explodes in your mouth.  You barely have to chew.  I think it has spoiled me for regular beef from now on.

 The beef before it is cooked, along with bean sprouts and green stuff.

 

After being cooked.  Those are garlic chips on the right.  Officially the tastiest beef I have ever eaten.

We then did the touristy thing and checked out the foreigners area on the hills looking over the city.  It was weird to be looking at (and taking photos of) houses that were so similar to home.  I think it is official: I have been in Japan for way too long.

It was exciting to see a real grass lawn.  James even took his shoe off to check. 

After a few hours, my knee started to hurt, so I headed back to the hotel while Rachel and James kept wandering.  I saw a monkey.  I always struggle in those situations.  Do you give the man money or not?  Is it just contributing to a vicious cycle, or is the monkey treated better when it earns more?  Hmmmm.

Monkey. 

That evening we went out for dinner in Chinatown.  I forgot my camera, so I will have to get some of the others' photos.  The food was good and we all ate way too much.  Then we finished the evening at a specialty beer place with tequila shots, chocolate cake and more alcohol.  I slept well that night.

The Kobe beef meal without the bean sprouts.  Worth every yen.