#TDAIHJ Day 37 Koniya Rest Day

Friday 07 November (Amami Ōshima island)

On this Rest Day a small group of riders took a ferry to one of the islands to ride around and swim. Some others explored more locally on bikes or by foot e.g. beaches to swim at and/or reconnoitring for coffee/lunch/dinner options. Others taking it slow with a mix of domestic chores, reading, personal communications, hanging out in cafes’s coffee/cake and/or lunch.

I started with a mixture of blog posts and personal communications at the hotel. Moving to a cafe for a change of scene later in the morning.

A cool cafe to hangout in (e.g. do blog posts) – recommended by Barbara.

Biscuit and Matcha (Green Tea) Iced Latte. The latter was so good I had a second

The dead are kept close at hand and looked after well.

Brian moonlighting as a security guard outside our hotel – not a job in high demand in these parts.

Back to the hotel to lubricate the bike chain then a call to Barbara for her next (i.e. lunch) recommendation.

I joined Michael, Holger, Barbara, and Tony – even on the Rest Days many of us follow the same route.

Predictably I went for the combo – including iced tea.
The roll was a delicious bacon, avocado and onion

Some (who shall remain nameless but for once not me) had multiple servings of coffee and cheesecake.

I had a disaster, knocking over my full cup of iced tea. Fortunately not spilling on anyone else but myself.
The staff were very prompt and helpful in mopping it up. They brought another cup (at no extra cost) and left the absorbent paper towels. Perhaps as a precautionary measure. 😀

The irony/paradox (?) is that in Japan the service is almost always excellent but they don’t expect/accept tips as good service is expected. Contrasting with many countries where tipping is expected/mandatory but the service is not always so good.

Back to hotel to finish up the blog posts and prepare clothing etc for tomorrow’s ride.

Another very successful dinner thanks to the recommendation of Danielle/Lizplans to eat Keihan a regional speciality. Boaz came with me and at the restaurant we met up with Michael and Holger who sat with us and accepted the recommended meal.