Phoenix Seagaia Resort in Miyazaki, Japan

There are trees in the lobby of Sheraton Grande Ocean Resort.

 

Miyazaki Sheraton room window view.
we could see the ocean and pine forest.

 

We enjoyed delicious cake and coffee 

at the lounge in Sheraton Grande Ocean Resort.

We cycled until Hitotsuba Coast [Japanese: 一ッ葉ビーチ] and 

Miyazaki Seaside Park [Japanese: みやざき臨海公園].

 cycling & walking road in Miyazaki Seagaia Pine Forest

Episode of Phoenix Seagaia Resort

Tomo&Chouchou had ANA mileages which were expiring. After checking, we decided to go to Phoenix Seagaia Resort in Miyazaki prefecture, Japan.
As we booked a tour through ANA, we flew to Miyazaki by ANA. 
We could go to Phoenix Seagaia Resort by train and local bus from Miyazaki airport.

It was the first time for us to go to Miyazaki. We stayed in Sheraton Grande Ocean Resort which is located in the middle of the vast pine forest. We were surprised to see such a high hotel in the forest.
There are trees in the hotel lobby. It's a fancy hotel with tropical atmosphere.
From our room, we could see a magnificent view of the ocean and pine forest.
Bathroom in our room was very large and gorgeous.
There was open air spa [Japanese: onsen; 温泉] in the hotel, so we could enjoy onsen more!
We didn't go by car, so we decided to enjoy around the hotel a lot. That's why we booked optional plan called "Mankitsu plan [Japanese: 満喫プラン]" of ANA tour.
Mankitsu plan included rental bike (cycling), SNAG golf, Spa admission, Miyazaki souvenir gifts, and dessert offer. It was splendid!
Delicious cake and coffee were offered. We enjoyed them at the hotel lounge. We had glamorous moments.
We could rent a bike. We really enjoyed cycling along the coast and in the black pine forest. Cycling course road is made in the pine forest. Cycling in the green forest was very refreshing. We cycled until Hitotsuba Coast & Miyazaki Seaside Park. Salt breezes were very pleasant. We can do both cycling and walking there.
There was a walking road in the forest too.
SNAG golf resembling mini golf was very enjovable to play. We thought it was only for kids but actually adults could enjoy it too.
Dinner buffet includes local specialties. It was tasty.
We only stayed in and around the hotel but we could really enjoy the hotel maximum. We had relaxing time. We also enjoyed several activities in the nature. We could appreciate the moments in the nature.

Reference

There is the Miyazaki City Phoenix Zoo [Japanese: 宮崎市フェニックス自然動物園] near Sheraton Grande Ocean Resort. Especially, chimpanzee show was interesting. We could also find other interesting animals there. We could enjoy lunch there. We ate Miyazaki specialty "Chicken-Nanban". It was reasonable and tasty.

Miyazaki specialty "Chicken-Nanban" at Miyazaki City Phoenix Zoo.

Tomo&Chouchou's advice for Miyazaki Seagaia Resort

There are famous golf courses in Phoenix Seagaia Resort. If you like to play golf, it could be a good place.

Information
Sheraton Grande Ocean Resort [シェラトン・グランデ・オーシャンリゾート]

Address: Hamayama, Yamasaki-cho, Miyazaki
宮崎県宮崎市山崎町浜山

Access:
*From Miyazaki airport [宮崎空港], it takes 30 min. by bus.
Bus runs only Sat. Sun. & national holidays. Bus fare costs 830yen.

*From Miyazaki train station [宮崎駅], it takes 25 min. by local bus.
Bus fare costs 500yen.
(From Miyazaki airport to Miyazaki station, you can go by train.
It takes 10 min. by train and train fare costs 340yen.)

Dune du Pilat in France

French dune "Dune du Pilat"
Dune du Pilat is around 2.7km in length from north to south, 500 m wide from east to west and 110 metres above sea level.
Dune du Pilat is the tallest sand dune in Europe.
Dune du Pilat is located 60 km from Bordeaux. 

 

There is stairs to go up the dune.

↓

Go up stairs

 360℃ panorama view on the top of the dune.

There is the large forest at stairs side.

We can see blue Arcachon Bay (French: Bassin d'Arcachon)
on the other side.

Episode of Dune du Pilat 

Tomo & Chouchou found Dune du Pilat from Japanese guidebook. Honestly, we didn't imagine that France has the desert. So we decided to go there to find out. We stayed  at camping site in Lacanau. Then we went to Dune du Pilat from Lacanau.
From the car parking, we couldn't see any desert. So we didn't expect a big desert. Anyway we were excited to see the desert in France! We had to walk up to the entrance of the desert. Then we suddenly found the tall desert in front of us! We were very surprised to see such a tall sand dune. Actually we learned Dune du Pilat is the tallest sand dune in Europe. 

First step was to go up the stairs. It was a little bit tiring. Anyway when we arrived at the top of the sand dune, we forgot our tiredness. We were so excited to see wonderful landscape. Moreover, we could see 360℃ panorama view. Green forest, Blue Arcachon bay, and Beige sand. Everything was beautiful!
It is the place where we can enjoy both sea and mountains.
It's a sand dune but people enjoy getting suntan with swimming suit like a beach. Tomo & Chouchou enjoyed the fresh wind on the top of the dune and view. But it's hot anyway. We couldn't stay so long there. We went down the dune. We took our lunch at the restaurant between Dune du Pilat and car parking. The restaurant was under the trees, so it was cool and we could also enjoy the nature. It was nice place to take a rest.

 

Tomo & Chouchou's advices for Dune du Pilat

1) It's difficult to walk in the sand dune because our feet go deep in the sand.
We advise you to wear something easy to walk in the sand. There is a place to wash your feet near the car parking. It's convenient.
2) There are some restaurants and shops on the way to go to Dune du Pilat in the forest. You can get some foods or things there. There is no places to get drinks or snaks afte going up the stairs of the dune. So you had better get before going up.
 

 
close cities from Dune du Pilat

* Bordeaux