son of soy » Tsutsuji-so

Paos at night

Rick — Sat, 02 May 2009 04:04:09 +0000

While our pao, or yurt, was fun and comfortable, at night the rumbling engine hum of the fishing boats offshore was surprisingly loud. It kept on past midnight, and I couldn’t rest until I put on earplugs.

Mari and Panda at Tsutsuji-so

Rick — Fri, 01 May 2009 17:44:38 +0000

Next to our yurt lodging at Tsutsuji-so, in a deserted playground, stood this smiling panda. Nearby, waves lapped the shore. With the wide open sky and view of the sea, Mari was in her element. She stood on the panda’s back with her eyes closed, hung her limbs, bent and twisted them slowly like a butoh dancer.

Playground at Tsutsuji-so, Naoshima

Rick — Fri, 01 May 2009 17:25:59 +0000

Mari stretches at a playground picnic table next to our yurt lodging by the beach on Naoshima.

Yurt doorway, Tsutsuji-so

Rick — Fri, 01 May 2009 00:52:20 +0000

The caretaker advised us to leave our shoes *inside* the yurt, not outside, where tanuki (raccoon dogs) might steal them. Why would a tanuki want shoes?

“Pao” interior at Tsutsuji-so

Rick — Fri, 01 May 2009 00:50:07 +0000

Mari checks out the inside of the “Pao,” or yurt, we stayed in on Naoshima.

Yurts at Tsutsuji-so municipal cottage

Rick — Fri, 01 May 2009 00:48:49 +0000

Our beachside “Paos,” or yurts, not far from Benesse Park hotel. Each is equipped with four beds, a mini-refrigerator and a large heater.