Chrysta's Golden Week

During Golden Week I didn’t end up going anywhere outside of Matsuyama. But, I found it was a great chance to see places here that I don’t usually go to.

On a sunny day, me and a friend set out to see Gogoshima. However, when we got to Takahama, it clouded over and started raining. We decided to change our plan and took the train to Baishinji Station and had lunch at the beachside café, Buena Vista. It was my first time there, but ill definitely go again.

The weather decided to stay fine, so we enjoyed lunch on the terrace. The view was beautiful, as well as the food. The view from the terrace is of Gogoshima and the port or Mitsu so its great to go there on a fine day.

As you know, I am from New Zealand. New Zealand is famous for its beautiful nature, and I am often told by Japanese people “ New Zealand is so beautiful, there is so much nature and it seems so peaceful” but I think that Japan has just as much beautiful nature to see and enjoy.

After lunch, we decided to walk around the coastline to Mitsu town. It turned out to be a lot further than I had thought! But, it was a nice walk nonetheless. I saw many beautiful boats and old houses. I almost forgot I was in Matsuyama.

Mitsu town was also a first for me; there are many small shops and restaurants which I’m looking forward to exploring. Next time I wont eat lunch beforehand so I can enjoy some Mitsu Okonomiyaki!

I felt as if I had gone to another town and felt refreshed as if I had gone on holiday. Holidays are a great chance to get away from town and see somewhere new, but I think they are also a great chance to check out nooks and crannies in your own town which you don’t usually have the time to explore.

Let's Make Pizza!

This is Sean!
Do you like pizza? You know I do! Pizza in Japan is very different from America- sometimes I can't find exactly the kind of pizza I want so... I decided to make some myself.
You might not know, but I used to work in a restaurant that served pizza, steak and other dishes. I learned from our head chef how to make delicious pizza! I'll show you how.

First, you'll need (in the picture from left to right)

A large bowl, a measuring cup, a coffee mug and spoons (Tablespoon (15cc) and Teaspoon (5cc))
1 1/2 cup Water
2 tbsp (30 cc) Olive oil
1 1/4 tsp (6.25 cc) Salt
3 cups white Flour
2 cups white Flour (extra!)
1/4 tsp (1.25 cc) Yeast
1/4 tsp (1.25 cc) Sugar



Step 1: Pour the water into a coffee mug and microwave it for 1 minute. The water needs to be warm. Not hot!

Step 2: Mix everything but the flour.

Step 3: Add 3 cups of flour slowly and mix well. The mix should look wet and sticky, but not too wet like a pudding. Add more flour if you need to, but be careful! You don't want the mix to be too dry!

Step 4: Cover the bowl with plastic, and put it somewhere safe.




-----Wait 12 hours-----




Step 5: Put a lot of flour on your counter or a cutting board. Dump the mix onto the flour and cover the mix with flour. You want it to not stick to your hands.

Step 6: Cut the big ball into 4-8 pieces. cutting into 4 will give you big pizzas. 8 will give you small pizzas that are a nice size for 1 person.

Step 7: Make the smaller pieces into balls. If you are not going to eat them, put them in plastic bags and then into your freezer.

Step 8: If you want to eat a pizza, now you should roll the ball flat and make it into a large circle.

Step 9: Cover the pizza with your favorite toppings. Don't forget to put oil on the outside edge of the pizza!

Step 10: Put the pizzas in your microwave and bake for 10 to 20 minutes at 250 C.

Enjoy!!!