Head to the Islands

[Habushi Beach, Niijima] 

Last week, I went to Shikinejima and Niijima for a weekend camping trip. The journey from the mainland to Shikinejima, where we set up camp, takes about 8-9 hours by ferry.
 

[The view from our camping site.]

I seriously can’t remember the last time I had such a carefree, lazy holiday. And we were fortunate to have fantastic weather. On Day One, after setting up camp by the beach, we spent the day snorkeling in a cove, lazing about on the beach and going to a seaside onsen. Dinner was a campfire burrito bar with beer by the beach under the stars.

[Brekky.]

The next day, we took a 30-minute ferry ride to Niijima. We went to Habushi Beach where I learnt how to bodyboard! Lunch was a sashimi set meal with beer, and afterwards we did sightseeing and onsen before catching the ferry back to Shikine.

[Ishijirogawa Seaside, Shikinejima]

Dinner was hotdogs with German sausages and chili con carne washed down with beer. I don’t usually drink, but the atmosphere called for it and it went well with the meals. Anyway, there were nice folks with bottomless alcoholic bellies that I could pass my unfinished brew to. Bellies full, we went to the pier to do some fishing. It was my first time fishing, and I caught about five fish for next morning’s breakfast!

[Yunohama Onsen, Niijima]

In the morning, the wind had picked up. A tornado was heading in our direction. An announcement was made, informing everyone that the jetfoils were cancelled, and the ferry was leaving two and a half hours earlier than scheduled. Everyone was rushing around taking down camp, so there was no time for breakfast, and all the fish we caught, all gutted and ready to be grilled, had to be thrown away!

Luckily, we managed to board the ferry, and get back to the mainland safely. The ferry wasn’t able to stop at all the islands, so some people were stranded there until the typhoon had passed through. The sea was quite rough, and a few days after getting back, I still had this rocking, swaying sensation, especially noticeable when standing or sitting still. It’s a little disorientating but it’s slowly faded away.

Anyway, I had loads of fun, I met some nice, crazy people, and I’m all de-stressed and nicely browned up. I should do more of these types of holidays ;)