That's right 'flyed' not fried or anything. Takoyaki is octupus stuff... at least I thought it was, maybe it's duck....

Hey everyone, New photos have been put online, July 31st through to August 14th. Including photos of my trip to Okayama, Shishikui, Hiwasa and the Awa Odori Festival in Tokushima! Enjoy!

This little girl was such a little cutie, smiling it up for the crowd. In the background, one girl is looking back seeing whats happening! (Awa Odori Festival in Tokushima)

This little guy was so cute playing his mini drum!! He was doing the bending of the knees with the big beats, like the bigger guys too! He looked very serious. The drumming was great (though deafening!) (Awa Odori Festival in Tokushima)

Sticker on bag you get your Mister Donuts in: "Thanks you beautiful people. Mister Donut"

man dancing in Awa Odori Festival in Tokushima

unfortunate timing and placement of one of the trinkets hanging from the dancers belt (looks like something else hmmmmm?) Awa Odori Festival in Tokushima

more dancers in Shinamachi shopping arcade (Awa Odori Festival in Tokushima)

dancer in Shinmachi shopping arcade (Awa Odori Festival in Tokushima)

little kids participating in the dancing - so cute! (Awa Odori Festival in Tokushima)

male dancer with lantern and handkerchief tied on head and going below the nose (reason still not clearly identified!) (Awa Odori Festival in Tokushima)

view of the crowd in Shinmachi shopping area. Mt Bizan in the background. So many people here for the festival. It's crazy!! (Awa Odori Festival in Tokushima)

Sign says it all really (Awa Odori Festival in Tokushima)

dancers in the group (Awa Odori Festival in Tokushima)

dancers with fans (Awa Odori Festival in Tokushima)

close up view of dancers with fans. Note the dancers dance wearing those wooden thongs thing, and always on the tips of their toes (see 2nd girl from left's feet for example)
(Awa Odori Festival in Tokushima)

this kid managed to snooze even with the loud music!! (Awa Odori Festival in Tokushima)

kids and fans (Awa Odori Festival in Tokushima)

dancers (Awa Odori Festival in Tokushima)

Yakou-ji temple (#23 in Shikoku 88 temple Pilgrammage). Didn't have time to go into it though.

Seaweed Udon noodle I ate in Hiwasa. (yes I ate some green vegetables!)

A big turtle in Hiwasa turtle museum

Ohama beach where the turtles come ashore and lay their eggs (mostly at night though)

a 2-3 year old turtle saying hello!

A turtle telephone box in Hiwasa, a city famed for migration of egg laying turtles onto its beach

Me, Ken and Denise (co-workers) on Shishikui pier. Photo taken by the kind energetic tour operator!

The tour operator of the Blue Marine boat. He was very energetic in his descriptions of stuff (mostly in Japanese). Occaisionally, he would stop and talk to us specifically to say things like "Nemo!!" (a fish in a movie)

Little electric blue coloured fish and coral. In glass bottomed boat Blue Marine. Shishikui

Fish!! As seen in a glass bottom boat "Blue Marine" in Shishikui

Decorated train carriage in Shishikui (about 2 and half hours south of Tokushima).

The cup in my hotel room in Okayama. "Washed Up, This cup has been washed. Be relieved, and use it."

Close up of a Lotus flower in Koraku-en garden

Looking back on the Lotus garden - My favourite part of Koraku-en Garden in Okayama

Lotus garden in Koraku-en Garden in Okayama

Koraku-en Garden in Okayama

Koraku-en Garden in Okayama. One of the 'Big 3 Gardens' in Japan. Good to see a lot of green grass! Okayama Castle in the background