Osaka - Oh what a great arvo/ evening we had!

Remember it is dreadfully humid here and add the stress of the exciting but perilous journey above Osaka, a beer was in order. We found a great restaurant under the ground level pedestrian walkway. It was at the same level as a fantastic tropical garden and we enjoyed a table at the window, and after we had been there only 10 mins a massive amount of water came shooting from pillars above landing on the rocks below. It was like being under a waterfall and spectacular. If you look carefully you can see people sitting at the window below the pool in this pic.



After our busy morning we took a break back at the hotel for 30 mins, before heading out meet Atsuco at 4pm in Dontombori. Atsuco is a local Osaka girl who we met while she was homestaying with Michelle (my cousin) in Melbourne. What a treat it was to have a local show us around the area. We were thrilled that she may offer us a couple of hours of her time to meet us. Once we strolled for an hour or so she asked if we would like to get the train out to where she lives with her family and share a meal with them at their fav local restaurant. Sure, we said, without hesitation. how often do you get a lovely offer like that when you are travelling?

We saw many great areas of the Dontombori/ Namba area and thought it best described by the next 2 photos. One is of Sennichimae Doguyasuji Shopping Street. (It is one of a couple of very long covered pedestrain streets here. One is actually 2.6 km long)

Our favourites though were the quieter laneways. Literally every 50m or so was a lane like this one that was quiet and so beautiful. Spic and span clean with endless little bars, cafes etc.

Around 7pm we headed to the train to Senri-Chuo. It was about 30 min trip and then at the other end we were met by Atsuco`s father who drove us to the little restaurant. They were keen to say it wasn`t a restaurant but just a house a man and his mother provide meals in. Her family were so lovely and inviting. Also very keen to make sure we were comfortable (sitting on the floor on small cushions), and well fed. All was fine.

We had many courses over 3 hrs of chatting, laughing and drinking beer, sake and local whiskey. We only had a little whiskey, as it was a bit strong for us. We were also shown photos by the owner taken when they went to this same restaurant with Michelle only 2 months ago when she was staying with them. We noticed other people on the photo too and they explained how the people on the next table (and there are only 2 tables in the restaurant) joined them on that night so also got in the photo with Michelle.

Low and behold, only 15 mins later the same people arrived and ate at the table next to us. They initially thought I was Michelle returning with my husband. Once they explained that I was her cousin and that Atsuco knew me from Melbourne they were delighted to be meeting even more Australians. We had such a great night, of banter, and fun, with Mark making 2 x new `besties` of the owner of the restaurant and the man at the next table. Our 2 x tables became one with the guy next to us saying how frustrated he was as he really wanted to have a long chat with Mark but had no English. This is a photo taken, which i have no doubt you Michelle will recognise, of our group.

They also had their son with them and after possibly too many sake`s the whole restaurant was practising their English by singing `heads shoulders knees and toes etc...` They were thrilled to know it is a little song we sing as well and not just a way the kids learn English here.

to give you an idea of the menu, some of the unusual things we had were, raw horse, cooked horse heart, grilled Mana-ray fin, raw chicken breast/ liver/ throat/ heart. Mark in particualr enjoyed the Mana-ray fin. It was crispy and a little salty and great with beer as it was like slighty fishy crisps.

On leaving the owner of the restaurant was keen to hand Mark a gift. So he was bestowed with a plastic bag with 2 x raw Mana-ray fins and instructions on how to cook them. At present they are in our bar fridge in the room with no way of finding a grill to cook them. Scch a lovely gesture!

Atsuco`s Mum ended up driving us back to our hotel as it was now close to midnight.

We fell into bed and chatted on what a great day we had for our first full day in Japan.