remember to breathe

This gorgeous view is from the Kuruma onsen located nearby Kyoto (photo by my friend E).

We revisited a few weeks back. Whitebait is especially fond of this place because it was his first onsen experience in Japan. Quite intimidating, initially, as at that time as he was the only non-Japanese in the men's section. While W. had done all his reading up on 'how to hang with naked Japanese guys etiquette' it was still slightly nerve-inducing. But in the end it was a revelation about what a great national past-time communal bathing is. Whitebait would put it in his top 5 things about Japan.

The recent onsen visit was great too but the picture was momentarily disturbed when a dude lay on his back on the bath's wooden surrounding plank (yes, in front of the magnificent view my friend and I were enjoying) and proceeded to do some half-arsed sit-ups accompanied by squelchy fart noises from the contact between skin, water and wood. Serenity now, huh.

A friend just gave FrauleinDrDr and I some gift vouchers to the local Japanese bathhouse in nearby Collingwood (with massage included). Hurrah and bless!