Aso San and my final day in Beppu

I`m back in Fukuoka typing at 12:20 am. Why? Because everyone at this hostel is so loud! Who talks at full volume at 12 am in a hostel of sleeping people! Ugh! Even though I was a little lonely in my lovely room in Beppu I miss the silence.

I set off for Aso San, the largest active volcano in the world, on Tuesday morning. Unfortunately, the first train wasn`t until 8 am. Then, I had to wait for the bus. Then, I had to sit on the bus for 30 minutes. By the time I got to the caldera it was already after noon. Although it had rained the past few days of my trip, the sun was shinning and there was a nice breeze. I planned to do a really long hike, but then I realized it was going to be more rigorous than I had hoped and that I didn`t have enough time. I started my hike before walking around the rim of the volcano because I thought I should preserve my energy for the hike and I was right! Although I have become more confident about traveling alone I am not that confident about hiking alone. There weren`t　many people around and I was practically rock climbing at one point. I twisted my ankle early on and am still paying for it today. Even though I kept second-guessing myself and thinking I should turn back, the view from the top was worth it. I have lots of pictures that I will post later.

After cursing most of the way down and realizing that there was an easier path up the mountain that I didn`t see (the bright yellow arrows didn`t catch my eye!!), I walked around the rim of the volcano. I was surprised that the water(?) was a greenish-blue color.

I`ve never hiked around or near a volcano so it was a wonderful and almost unearthly experience. My hike was only 2 and a half hours, but when I looked up from the caldera to where I had hiked I was quite impressed with myself.

The train ride back to Beppu was beautiful. The sun was setting and the trees in the forest had a velvety appearance. The train went in and out of tunnels as we left the caldera. Lights twinkled in the distance until all I could see was my own reflection in the window.

I finished my day by going to the public bath (no sand this time) and scrubbing down and soaking my very tired and sore body.

I have to say I really enjoyed the baths in Beppu. I didn`t like the town and "The Hells" (which are the hot springs that are too hot to get into) were too touristy for me to enjoy, but I`m glad Although I`m not a total convert, I`ve become more comfortable with public bathing. The most uncomfortable moment is getting undressed, but when you turn around and see all the other naked female bodies it`s okay.

My favorite bath was my final bath. It was an outdoor mud bath. It was a pretty small hot spring. There were several older women there who happily guided me through the process of bathing, soaking in the regular bath and then soaking in the mud bath.

It`s finally quieted down in the hostel, so I think I`ll go to bed.