Motto Kampaii!

It's been a busy week for Team Building activities and, to a less extent, for 'Lost in Japan' Tours. With other team members from Australia joining their colleagues in Japan it's always a good excuse for some socialising time together....team alignment time!

We started out on a small scale last weekend with another member of the team and his partner, Danny and Rumiko. Having met up in Odaiba we then found our way to Roppongi, Tokyo and enjoyed an absolute feast at a Chinese restaurant. We dined on Peking duck wrapped in crepes with various sauces and condiments and such an array of things, we could barely walk afterwards.

During the week we returned to Roppongi with twelve team members. This time we went to a more traditional flame grilled restaurant with low tables that fronted onto the street.

We dined on bonito, seared camembert served on crispy garlic bread and many other delectable dishes. Of course, the normal fare of beer, wine and sake complimented the meal. Some continued on to a rock'n'roll bar for lots of dancing and singing but we, with the other Australian colleagues, made our way back to Yokohama.

A KC Kampaii!!

Friday night was the Annual JGC (Japanese Gas Company) Beer Party held at Osanbashi (translated it means 'big wharf') Pier, Yamashita.  JGC, together with Chiyoda, are co engineers on the project Steve is involved in.

Osanbashi Pier, at the Port of Yokohama, is the main international pier  and is quite near to where we live. With restaurants, shops and a function hall it is very popular. With acres of undulating decking it is quite a spectacluar site. Last year 2,000 people attended and this year's numbers were on a par. It was good fun and the entertainment (taiko drumming, shamisen performance,dancing), food and drink was limitless.

Cute barman!

Serving my sake!

This lovely lady explained the meaning of the dance performance. About a phoenix, it represented Japan's recovery after the 1923 Kanto Earthquake, the war and now the Tohuku Earthquake.

We even met the Chairman of JGC, fondly known as the 'Little Emperor'.

An Australian kampaii!

In Japan I'm an average height but Andy's not!

With Eduardo, one of my Mt Fuji rescuers!

Steve's boss (no, not me!) and his wife.

Yumi with work colleague, Dave.

After the beer party, which went for about two and a half hours, a group of us decided to stop for a coffee somewhere before heading home. As if we hadn't had enough, so began beer party number two. We stopped at Jack's Cafe where we often have a coffee and snack. A group of retired Japanese guys quickly seconded our attention and pulled up another table and more chairs.

 From then on the rounds of Heinekens just kept rolling out.....nine at a time and we only paid for one round....their shouts.....it was out of control. At one stage I (a non beer drinker) had seven beers in front of me....as quickly as I pushed them aside or gave them away they come back. Fortunately, even the Japanese guys tired and after about an hour and a half of hysterical laughter, ridiculous conversation and innuendos towards Honika and I, the party broke up.

Another crazy Japanese night out.....huge fun.....if you don't weaken!!

Having had a long, hot, humid day touring Enoshima and around home with Honika, I once again fell into bed. In the morning, I had an early dental appointment in Yamate to repair a tooth which had mysteriously broken on our night out in Roppongi (I must learn not to eat the chopsticks!). Tonight it's out again to the Red Brick Buildings....thank goodness we do lots of walking!