We are once again back at Awakura Parking Area with their fancy restrooms.
After this, we will be at Kasai Parking area before getting back to Ikeda Elementary School.

We are having our last meal together at the Tottori Sand Dune Center. Many of the children seem to be very much enjoying this school trip, but they are all counting the hours before they can see their parents. Just a few more hours.

The photographers come along on all of our overnight school activities and have been doing so for decades.  Mr Gen and Mr Umura not only know the perfect places to take photos, but they also they run up and down the mountains to take photos of the first group and last group to ensure that everyone is photographed. It is quite amazing to see.  Due to working with our school and the schools of Ikeda City, they know most of the staff at the accommodations, the activities we will do, as well as the places we will go.  They are a treasure trove of information and they help to make sure everything is going quickly, safely and smoothly.  If you need to be photographed, I highly recommend using Omura Photography. Omura Photography ? 5.0★(3) ? Studio de photographieapp.goo.gl

There are two main ways of making fire, the percussion method in which two items are struck to make a spark, and the friction method in which two flammable materials are rubbed at high speeds.
Today, we are using a the pump drill method to make fire.
Many of the groups successfully made fire a few times while others tried to with little success.
Everyone focused on success that everyone enjoyed the process until it was time to leave.

The staff have given us a wonderful tour of the area, explaining how this site was found and how these Yayoi period huts were made.
If you would like to see what we’re seeing, you can watch with us through a VR Tour.

https://ar.lqd.jp/show/61603f405607a

We are now here and famous Mukibanda Yayoi Remains.  This is one of the most famous and researched historical sites in all of the nation.  Remains unearthed include earthenware, stone tools (cooking tools, agricultural tools, hunting tools, weapons), ironware (agricultural tools, weapons), and broken mirrors.むきばんだ史跡公園/とりネット/鳥取県公式サイトpref.tottori.lg.jp

This morning the students were awakened to Largo frm aus-extrait de ?Serse? followed by a a radio exercise. We are currently cleaning our rooms and getting ready for breakfast.

?The day is winding down for all of the children - the group leaders are getting instructions for the evening and the morning to share with their roommates; the students in the rooms are writing reflections of their day.
After this very long day, I’m sure these accommodations will be very quiet tonight.
Good night, and see you tomorrow.

After weeks of practicing and preparing, the 5th grade had their campfire activities. Each class performed dances so well that many the students that were watching stood up and danced along.
As the fire burned down, the students reflected on their day and gazed upon the star filled sky.

After hiking all day, everyone could barely wait for dinner.
Tonight classes 1 and 2 had a barbecue outside as classes 3 and 4 had sukiyaki indoors. To prepare for the barbecue, the teachers were preparing the barbecue pits an hour in advance.
Tonight, we sold out every piece of meat and every piece of vegetable so I think it went well. The students seemed to eat to their limit, but when it was time for the teachers to eat, the students wanted to have our BBQ too!

The students are bathing and giving their feet and legs a good bath, the adult are preparing for the barbecue and the evening fire.

After a beautiful hike down the mountain and through beautiful forests and Daisen Shrine, we are back at the hotel.
A warm thanks to Mr Nagatsuma and Mr Yoshino for guiding us safely all day long. It is thanks to them that all of the students were able to successfully complete the hike.

We are at the Moto Valley, currently at 1000 meters.

After a lovely bento lunch, we heading down.

We all made it to the peak, safe and sound.
Now, we will all enjoy a much deserved lunch.

The weather is getting colder but most of the students seem to still have smiles on their. As we climb, the students are amazed that the clouds are so close and the view is so beautiful.
1600 meter.

We are taking our 4th break - we are at 1368 meters and have reached the 6th station. These breaks may seem like many, but they are perfectly timed for the students to take a drink and enjoy the views.

We are 1200 meters
Everyone is still doing well and still have smiles on their faces.
This is the view we are enjoying.

We have climbed to 1086 meters,
Everyone is doing well and have smiles on their faces.

We are at the first break point,
We have climbed 18 minutes and climbed to 850 meters.