Monday, September 27, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Nikko
On Friday, all 3 of us took a day tour to Nikko. Nikko is a very touristy place to place, but definitely worth it as it has many sites to see. Our tour hit the high points: the Toshogu Shrine, Lake Chuzenji, & Kegon Falls. We spent alot of time on the bus, but what do you expect since it was a day trip. We also picked Friday in hopes that the storm would have passed, but no such luck. It rained and drizzled most of the day, so some of our pictures aren't as bright and sunny as they could be. However, for the most part, they came out ok.
The Toshogu Shrine had 15 different sites to see around the grounds and our tour guide to us to most of them and explained their meanings, etc. I didn't really listen to her because you had annoyed me already with all her talking on the bus. By the time we got to the shrine, I had completely tuned her out. Anywho, we hit the all sites, including the famous carving of the 3 monkeys depicting: See no Evil, Hear no Evil, and Speak no Evil. Mike was really excited to see this and when we got to it, we were all disappointed. We thought it woudl be a larger statue, not a small carving in a building. Oh well. I personally liked all the intricate details on the buildings. It was amazing.
After the shrine, we had a traditional Japanese style lunch which including like 12 different tastings of food. Then we headed over to the Lake Chuzenji, which was cool. It was a bit chilly on the lake, but it was beautiful. I am sure if it had been sunny, we would have been able to actually see the mountain.
Lastly we headed to Kegan Falls, which was also fantastic. I had heard about them, but didn't expect this. We got a couple of pictures of the waterfall from different angles and I personally liked the pictures with all the mist coming across.
Then it was time to head back to Tokyo. We covered alot in a day, but all three of us were quite happy with the tour. We could have dealt with less time on the bus, but overall a good experience. My only complaint was that tour guide!
The Toshogu Shrine had 15 different sites to see around the grounds and our tour guide to us to most of them and explained their meanings, etc. I didn't really listen to her because you had annoyed me already with all her talking on the bus. By the time we got to the shrine, I had completely tuned her out. Anywho, we hit the all sites, including the famous carving of the 3 monkeys depicting: See no Evil, Hear no Evil, and Speak no Evil. Mike was really excited to see this and when we got to it, we were all disappointed. We thought it woudl be a larger statue, not a small carving in a building. Oh well. I personally liked all the intricate details on the buildings. It was amazing.
After the shrine, we had a traditional Japanese style lunch which including like 12 different tastings of food. Then we headed over to the Lake Chuzenji, which was cool. It was a bit chilly on the lake, but it was beautiful. I am sure if it had been sunny, we would have been able to actually see the mountain.
Lastly we headed to Kegan Falls, which was also fantastic. I had heard about them, but didn't expect this. We got a couple of pictures of the waterfall from different angles and I personally liked the pictures with all the mist coming across.
Then it was time to head back to Tokyo. We covered alot in a day, but all three of us were quite happy with the tour. We could have dealt with less time on the bus, but overall a good experience. My only complaint was that tour guide!
Park Golf
Yesterday, after the weather cleared up, we went to play Park Golf. Park golf is a combination between mini-golf and croquet. You get a slightly larger plastic ball to play with and a club that has a larger shaft to hit with. There are 18 holes to play through and they each have a posting stating the number of meters and par number. I believe the longest hole is no more than 100 meters.
Here we are getting ready to hit the ball.
It's actually really fun to play and different from normal mini-golf. The course is about 30 minutes from where we live and every time we go, there aren't many people out playing. The people we most often see are older, retired individuals, who actually take the game seriously. I mean, they have their own club and balls to play. Its a very competitive sport among the older crowd. Anyway, it was fun and now you all know about park golf!
Here we are getting ready to hit the ball.
It's actually really fun to play and different from normal mini-golf. The course is about 30 minutes from where we live and every time we go, there aren't many people out playing. The people we most often see are older, retired individuals, who actually take the game seriously. I mean, they have their own club and balls to play. Its a very competitive sport among the older crowd. Anyway, it was fun and now you all know about park golf!
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Adventures with Erik
Erik wanted to do some specific things while he was here, so we did our best to make sure he was able to see and do everything he wanted. One of the things he wanted to do was check out Shibuya, which has the busiest crossing in the world and has tons of lights! We went one night and there were tons of people on the crossing as well as plenty of sites to see. We walked into one of the arcade buildings, which had 4 floors of games including gambling. I thought it was funny, but here is one of the games you can play. My bet was on horse#5! It didn't win.
For dinner, we tried to go to a shabu shabu place, but it was an hour wait, so we ended up at a yakitori restaurant. Here we are at dinner:
Another event Erik wanted to see was sumo, which worked out perfectly with his trip timing. We went on Thursday afternoon and it was fun, even though the matches last no longer than like 10 seconds. Here are a couple of pictures:
The arena
Getting ready to start
Now, no trip here is complete without an evening out in Roppongi. We had an interesting night and went to a few places. Here we are at "the First Bar" and for some reason they didn't want to smile.
And here is my reaction, "seriously"
Next we went to a club where we could dance and that is what we did!
Our final destination for that night was this place. I can't remember the name, but it was interesting. Apparently, I am clueless to some things because according to Mike and Erik, the man who I asked to take our picture was there with a hooker. I didn't think she was, but after they presented their argument on what they saw, it could be true. I should have taken their picture, so you could judge for yourself, but I didn't think of it. Anywho, he we are at the end of the night!
And of course, they found it funny to pose with serious faces.
Throughout the week, we kept busy and had lots of fun.
For dinner, we tried to go to a shabu shabu place, but it was an hour wait, so we ended up at a yakitori restaurant. Here we are at dinner:
Another event Erik wanted to see was sumo, which worked out perfectly with his trip timing. We went on Thursday afternoon and it was fun, even though the matches last no longer than like 10 seconds. Here are a couple of pictures:
The arena
Getting ready to start
Now, no trip here is complete without an evening out in Roppongi. We had an interesting night and went to a few places. Here we are at "the First Bar" and for some reason they didn't want to smile.
And here is my reaction, "seriously"
Next we went to a club where we could dance and that is what we did!
Our final destination for that night was this place. I can't remember the name, but it was interesting. Apparently, I am clueless to some things because according to Mike and Erik, the man who I asked to take our picture was there with a hooker. I didn't think she was, but after they presented their argument on what they saw, it could be true. I should have taken their picture, so you could judge for yourself, but I didn't think of it. Anywho, he we are at the end of the night!
And of course, they found it funny to pose with serious faces.
Throughout the week, we kept busy and had lots of fun.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Yakult Swallows
As some of you may remember, we tried to go to a baseball game here in Tokyo back in July when Kara and Chris were visiting us. Well that was a bust seeing as how it was rained out and we had to leave soaking wet. Though the picture of the 4 of us is priceless.
Well, our good friend Erik, is here visiting and we decided to try to go see another game. Luck was with this time as the game was not rained out nor was there any hint of it in the air. So last night we went to the ball game and it was such a gorgeous night for it, we couldn't have asked for better weather. We, however, did ask for a better team, seeing as how the Swallows were not making the cut last night. I of course, cheered for the team when they scored a HR, thinking it was the Swallows. Oh well. Here are Mike and Erik enjoying the game!
The game was fun and as usual its never a dull moment. Here is video of umbrellas, yes umbrellas, doing a dance after one of the Swallows players finally hit a HR. It was quite amusing, to say the least and of course, everyone was in unison!
Well, our good friend Erik, is here visiting and we decided to try to go see another game. Luck was with this time as the game was not rained out nor was there any hint of it in the air. So last night we went to the ball game and it was such a gorgeous night for it, we couldn't have asked for better weather. We, however, did ask for a better team, seeing as how the Swallows were not making the cut last night. I of course, cheered for the team when they scored a HR, thinking it was the Swallows. Oh well. Here are Mike and Erik enjoying the game!
The game was fun and as usual its never a dull moment. Here is video of umbrellas, yes umbrellas, doing a dance after one of the Swallows players finally hit a HR. It was quite amusing, to say the least and of course, everyone was in unison!
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Izakaya
a Japanese establishment known for after work drinking. They have plenty of drinks and various dishes to accompany them. The dishes are tapas style, where sharing is encouraged.
Friday night we went to Andy' Izakaya or Shin Hinomoto for dinner with our friends Miguel and Lorena. Oh what fun we had as the evening began. Mike and Miguel decided to order all of us beer, and boy was it alot of beer!
Andy's is known to some as the crab place because you can get fresh steamed crab, which was bought early in the morning at Tsukiji, so definitely fresh. Since we were here, we decided to get some crab. We did not expect this to show up:
And after we finished devouring this yummy creature, Miguel and Mike decided it was time to play with the shell.
In addition to crab, we also ordered other dishes, which included gyoza chicken wings, chicken wings that had gyoza stuffing in the middle. As you can see, Mike was ubberly excited and enjoyed them immensely.
And no night at an izakaya is complete without ordering some sake. Kampai!
We all had a great night at dinner and then continued our night after that at the karoake bar. We had lots of fun and no voices the next day, but it was all worth it!
Friday night we went to Andy' Izakaya or Shin Hinomoto for dinner with our friends Miguel and Lorena. Oh what fun we had as the evening began. Mike and Miguel decided to order all of us beer, and boy was it alot of beer!
Andy's is known to some as the crab place because you can get fresh steamed crab, which was bought early in the morning at Tsukiji, so definitely fresh. Since we were here, we decided to get some crab. We did not expect this to show up:
And after we finished devouring this yummy creature, Miguel and Mike decided it was time to play with the shell.
In addition to crab, we also ordered other dishes, which included gyoza chicken wings, chicken wings that had gyoza stuffing in the middle. As you can see, Mike was ubberly excited and enjoyed them immensely.
And no night at an izakaya is complete without ordering some sake. Kampai!
We all had a great night at dinner and then continued our night after that at the karoake bar. We had lots of fun and no voices the next day, but it was all worth it!
Monday, September 13, 2010
Back in Tokyo
As you all know, we were in the states with a busy schedule to adhere to. Somehow we managed to do it all and arrive back in Tokyo in one piece, with all the luggage! Our trip started out in El Paso to visit my family and have a baby shower for my sister. She's having a girl and due in October, so there was lots of pink everywhere. The shower turned out well and hopefully everyone had a good time. In addition to the shower, we spent some time with my parents and the little man, Gabe. He now knows who Mike is and his name; although, he can't get the "ke" of "Mike" so he just says "ma." Here are some of my favorites:
playing with Mike, but not liking the camera
with Mike
With Audrey (its not good, but the others were worse!)
The little man dancing and playing with his tools
After El Paso we headed to Houston for Mike's training course, which was in the Woodlands, so we stayed with Rob and Allison. I got lots of time with Allison and baby Taylor as we were out and about everyday! They taught me about Miss Bonnie's Dance school and Little Gym. We had a good time. On Thursday evening, our last night in Houston, we met up with good friends. We had drinks with Kirsten and Jeff. Then we had dinner with David and Sarah. It was nice to see all of them, seeing as how we haven't seen them in like 9 months. YIKES. Wish I had some pictures, but I forgot to get out the camera.
Next we flew to St. Louis for Labor day weekend to visit with Mike's family. We had a good time there as well. I got to golf with Jan and Leslie while Mike golfed with his dad. Other than visiting with the family, we got to meet our newest nephew, Owen, just 7 weeks old. He's super cute, but doesn't do much other than sleep and eat. We brought him some presents and the must present that we give is the Japanese outfit for kids. Here he is with his dad in his jimbe. Its a bit big, but he's growing fast, so maybe by the time Halloween comes, he'll fit in it.
On Labor day, we had a BBQ and played washers with Matt and Katie. This is a great picture of Matt and Mike, each concentrating intently with their drinks not far away!AND yes, that is a budlight you see!
Our trip was eventful and long, but well worth it. It's always nice to be around family and friends. I know Mike enjoyed it very much because he got to golf quite a bit and hadn't been home since we left in Janaury. The only bad thing, other than putting on some pounds due to the good food, is that it has taken us alot longer to adjust this time. Maybe its because of our multiple stops, but either way, it was worth it.
playing with Mike, but not liking the camera
with Mike
With Audrey (its not good, but the others were worse!)
The little man dancing and playing with his tools
After El Paso we headed to Houston for Mike's training course, which was in the Woodlands, so we stayed with Rob and Allison. I got lots of time with Allison and baby Taylor as we were out and about everyday! They taught me about Miss Bonnie's Dance school and Little Gym. We had a good time. On Thursday evening, our last night in Houston, we met up with good friends. We had drinks with Kirsten and Jeff. Then we had dinner with David and Sarah. It was nice to see all of them, seeing as how we haven't seen them in like 9 months. YIKES. Wish I had some pictures, but I forgot to get out the camera.
Next we flew to St. Louis for Labor day weekend to visit with Mike's family. We had a good time there as well. I got to golf with Jan and Leslie while Mike golfed with his dad. Other than visiting with the family, we got to meet our newest nephew, Owen, just 7 weeks old. He's super cute, but doesn't do much other than sleep and eat. We brought him some presents and the must present that we give is the Japanese outfit for kids. Here he is with his dad in his jimbe. Its a bit big, but he's growing fast, so maybe by the time Halloween comes, he'll fit in it.
On Labor day, we had a BBQ and played washers with Matt and Katie. This is a great picture of Matt and Mike, each concentrating intently with their drinks not far away!AND yes, that is a budlight you see!
Our trip was eventful and long, but well worth it. It's always nice to be around family and friends. I know Mike enjoyed it very much because he got to golf quite a bit and hadn't been home since we left in Janaury. The only bad thing, other than putting on some pounds due to the good food, is that it has taken us alot longer to adjust this time. Maybe its because of our multiple stops, but either way, it was worth it.
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