～夏休みは、九州・屋久島へ （アダム講師）～

Obon 
is a festival celebrated around August 13th to honor the spirits of one's ancestors. 

Since I don't have any ancestors in Japan, I decided to take my week vacation to see some of the more beautiful sites of Japan. I went touring around Kyushu island and Yakushima for 6 days. It was a great trip, camping, swimming, hiking, visiting waterfalls and onsens, and meeting new people. I also saw two volcanoes! Kyushu is a beautiful island and I can't wait to go back.

Here is a picture I took of Sakurajima on the ferry back from Yakushima

屋久島フェリーから見た桜島の噴火

Weekend in Hiroshima

～見どころがいっぱい♫　広島観光 (アマンダ講師）～

Hiroshima is one of my favorite cities. There are a lot of things to do there, but it's not too big and it's easy to find your way around.

A few weeks ago, I went to Hiroshima for two days. I visited Shukkeien landscape garden for the second time.

There were so many beautiful plants!

I also visited Hiroshima castle for the first time. It was really interesting

Outside of the castle

I also went to an Irish pub called Molly Malone's. The food was really good, but the portions were SO large!

Chicken pie and mashed potatoes...so good! 

(picture from http://www.mollymalones.jp/)

Where are your favorite places in Hiroshima?