I joined 25 sixth graders on an hour long bus ride. That went better than I thought it would! We were suppose to hike a kilometer up into the mountain to see a Buddha park and something else, but 5 minutes into the walk, thunder and lightening appeared and we did an about-face and headed back down. We made it to the Mine (I know it isn't a mine, but that's just easier to sat and type than Mikawa Mu Valley Adventure) just after the rain started, so I was really glad the main part was all inside.
So, the mine isn't really a mine, and I don't think it was ever actually a mine to begin with. It is an entirely man-made place with a random mis-mash of Egyptian, Mayan, and who know's what else replicas inside. There is some game that you play in there, but the teachers did not hand out that stuff, since the kids were not there to play a game. The class was suppose to locate 5 different things inside and write descriptions of them. And draw sketches of each item. The kids had a good time running around the dark path and finding the stuff. I was impressed that it was okay in Japan to have wet, slippery, steep stairs in the dark. I feared for my life once or twice. But it was fun and entertaining. It was not impressive enough for me to feel the need to take all the family back. Perhaps if the game was in English, but without a clue what it was..... not enough to make me want to go back.
It had mostly stopped raining by the time we completed that portion. Then it was lunch and the kids could pay extra and pan for gold or dig for "gems" (polished, pretty stones). They enjoyed it very much.
View on the aborted hike up the mountain. It is so lush and green here!
On the thundery double-time hike back down. This is what Japan really looks like, outside the city. Very mountainous, very green.
Marian is trying to get enough light to write her notes.
Me and Marians amazing and awesome and perfect teacher! You can't see that behind us is a giant round stone. I forgot what it's special name was- "Something Sphere"
That is Marian taking her notes on this waterfall. It was lovely, but loud!
Marian and her friends. She did not want to be in this picture!
These giant heads were everywhere. Marian loved them. She joked that she was sitting on Santa's lap!
The 3 girls I was in charge of. They were a good bunch.
This was my favorite thing- the reflecting pool. It was so pretty! The picture really does not do it justice.
Must pose with the giant head.
Such a pretty flower growing on the side of the mountain.
Ah, Japan, I do love you!
So pretty.
Marian spent a good bit of time seriously panning for gold. She rejected any advice from me because she knew what she was doing. But she did not get any gold.
She did get tired enough to sit down though.
It was a fun time and I am glad I went with her!
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