Woke up to breakfast here in Fukuoka and it was not bad. Eggs, dumplings, pork belly, salad, pancakes and potatoes along with lots of fruit and veggies.
We then had a shootaround at the arena. It is not a bad arena. We went through some things for about 35 minutes and then the girls took shots and some girls did a core workout until 10 when we were finished. We came back to the hotel afterward and I did some tidying up of the China scouting information. Still some left to do. We then had our pregame meal at 11:30 AM. It consisted of little sandwiches, some kind of pork dish, beef steak, potatoes, ugoh, numerous fish choices and some unbelievable corn soup.
Right after lunch we watched some video to prepare for the game. It was relatively short and then we went off to relax. I did some emails and then got ready for the game. I really was looking forward to putting on pants again in high humidity and high 30 degree heat. It wasn't fun. I went down a bit early and chatted with Mr. Taka. A very interesting man who is the secretary general of the Japan Basketball Association. We chatted for about 25 minutes about a number of things regarding basketball.
So we hit the bus and get ready for the game. At the gym, we arrive over an hour before game time and once again the place is half full. They really love their basketball here. So the game starts and it might be the sloppiest/weirdest half of basketball I have seen. Just a back and forth ugly game. Both teams stunk. We got up a bit early but they came back as both teams struggled to do anything right. The half ended with us down by 2. 29-27.
The second half was a tale of two teams. We basically shit the bed for the entire 3rd quarter and they played well. I will also say that the refs were atrocious during the quarter. We got pummelled in the quarter and were down 55-37 at the end. I thought we might fold the tent up but we battled hard to start the 4th quarter and started chipping away. We cut it to 10 with 5 minutes left and then were within 5 with a few minutes left. A few costly turnovers and we ended up losing 68-61. We battled hard but couldn't get out of the hole we had dug. Good point was how hard we battled. Bad point is that we didn't play well earlier and couldn't score.
After the game we waited on the bus for everyone to come out and we were once again bombarded by fans. It was kind of neat. I snapped some pics of them as we drove away.
Back at the hotel we had 1.5 hours until supper so Mike, Allison and I decided to walk up a block to a store we had seen. It was called Ballers Hoop Factory. For years I have searched for the perfect store and I found it in Fukuoka. A complete basketball store. If I had some room in my bags I would have went NUTS in there. I would have bought a few things with my credit card but I am wary as one of the girls bought something 2 days ago and had fraudulent charges on her card yesterday. Not fun. So while I am in the store, in walk 2 little kids. They ask in their best sign language, if they can take their picture with me. I say sure so they go and get their parents. They were at the game and they saw me. They take a few pictures then ask me to sign some things. I thought for a minute, Do they think they met Buddha? I had some fun signing things for them and then of course out comes the 1 yen coin and it eventually becomes a toonie. Another great moment. Once again they can think back to the day they met Santa in a basketball store in Fukuoka.
We headed back afterwards and then head to supper. Last full meal in Japan. They didn't really skimp on things. 5 different kinds of fish including a fish pasta. Fresh sushi, pork, rice , salads, fruit, cream chicken and mushrooms, dumplings and some tremendous tomato soup. A nice pistachio cake for dessert. Not a bad meal.
So now I must repack everything for our trip tomorrow. A busy and tiring schedule.
A brief rundown of tomorrow and the rest of the trip:
Tomorrow
6:45 breakfast with a 7:15 departure for airport
9:50 Flight to Shanghai
10:25 Arrive in Pudong Int'l Airport in Shanghai. then on the bus to another airport in Shanghai
5pm flight to Taiyuan China
7:40 Arrive in Taiyuan
3 hour bus ride to Tunliu China
TOUGH DAY OF TRAVEL
Tuesday is an off day and Wed. we play our first game at 4pm
Thursday is a 6:40 AM bus ride to Changzhi for an 8:50 flight to Beijing. Arrive at 9:50 AM and then bus to Zhangjiakou. Not sure how long that is.
Friday is game 2 then Saturday is an off day. Sunday we play at 6pm
Next comes most likely the toughest day of travel in my life.
Monday August 15th we depart at 6AM with a 7:45 flight to Shanghai.
9:50am arrive
1:30pm depart for vancouver
9:10 AM the same day, arrive in vancouver
1pm approx. fly to toronto arrive at 8:20pm approx.
depart 9:40pm - land in Sydney at 1AM
No idea how long that is but it is over 24 hours of travel. I may not know what day it is or what time it is but I will sleep when I get home. Neat thing is that I get to experience 2 mondays...almost. Craziness.
So now I must pack. Japan is slowly moving past. I can say that it was a tremendous experience here. The people were so friendly, the food was great and the country was beautiful. To Japan and its' people I say a sincere Domo Arigato.
I had a few troubles with my blog when I was in China the last time so I am not sure what internet access or blog access I will have. Hopefully I can keep updating you. We'll see.
Until Tomorrow
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