tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26711543954812870202024-03-13T08:11:03.146-07:00Our Travel BlogBy Fran Canning and Vicki WhiteVickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414052695357678197noreply@blogger.comBlogger98125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671154395481287020.post-82409583887353685552011-05-18T14:52:00.000-07:002011-05-18T14:52:14.671-07:002011 Tōhoku Earthquake : The week leading up to the earthquake.So I sat down to write my experiences from the March 11th Earthquake and I found I had all these stories from before the earthquake that I wanted to write down, so that I never forget them EVER. I hope you don't mind this might be a long post... hehe<br />
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When Matthew came to stay with us back at christmas I had told him that there might be a possibility of a small earthquake whilst he was staying with us as there hadn't been one for over 3 weeks... obviously with my little to no knowledge on earthquakes (why they happen etc.) I was only going off our personal experiences and I knew that we felt a slight tremor on average twice a month. If I thought I felt an earthquake, I would always check on the Japan Meteorological Agency's website which would show where the epicenter of the tremor was, the time it happend and the strength. Too be completely honest, I was a little obsessed with it... feeling the earth move is an incredible thing and I wanted to know exactly what I was feeling. When Matt stayed with us, there were no earthquakes at all.<br />
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In February I spoke to a couple of my Japanese friends about it and asked them whether it was normal that there had been no earthquakes for nearly 2 months. They said it was strange and that they <b>could</b> worry about it... but they weren't going to! One of the ladies told me she had lived in Japan all her life and had NEVER experienced a big earthquake, only small tremors - she was very scared of them, even the small ones she hated. The other lady told me when she was 14 years old she had been in a big one when she lived in Kyoto but didn't speak about it in too much detail.<br />
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The week prior to the earthquake, me and Fran had decided that we were definitely going to try to stay in Japan for another year. We both LOVED our jobs, the lives we were living and obviously with Uncle Dave, KT and now Mona, we had family there. Fran knew that he would be able to get a working visa pretty easily because he has a degree but we knew that because I dont have a degree getting a working visa for Japan would be a lot of work for both me and my boss. We had also just agreed to moving into a flat closer to both our works meaning I could cycle to work and Fran was only a 6 minute train ride from his. Everything seemed great and like it was all fitting into place.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>My birthday had been the weekend before and for some reason I remember putting my small compact camera in my bag that I took to work, for no particular reason other than it was somewhere to put it. When I got to work on the Tuesday I saw my camera and decided to take it to the classroom with me, I wanted to get some photos of the kids playing and stuff, but I had no real plan of what photos I would take. I had worked full time at the kindergarten for just over 3 weeks and my morning class were just fantastic, I loved teaching them. We had alot of fun and their characters had grown so much by the last week! They are the cutest kids!!! (In order: Mio, Kizuna, Hinano, Shota, Issei and Sho, I had one other student in that class called Soy, unfortunately she had been away so I didn't get any photos of her)<br />
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Also just a couple of photos of our kids lunches... ahhh... the art of being a Japanese housewife and mother...<br />
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The last lesson I did with my advanced class was EXTREMELY memorable (I want to write it down so I can remember it forever) I had been working with them for a couple of months wanting them to express their imagination in English. This was a little hard for them as I dont think they quite understand what 'imagination' was when I first spoke to them about it. I had given them all a sheet with OBSERD things on that would NEVER ever happen. Like a drawing of a dog flying in the sky using his ears as wings. They didn't understand why I wanted them to write "the dog is flying in the sky" they asked <i>Why do we have to write it when it would never happen?</i> We worked hard and they began to enjoy saying silly things (which they should do they are all around 8 years old - they should be saying silly things! It's fun! hehe)<br />
So the last lesson I did with them was a HUGE break through...<br />
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We made up a fictional planet, they found it hard to start off with so I asked them questions to get them started and as they told me things about this planet I (tried to) draw them on the board.<br />
<b>What shape will our planet be? </b><i>round</i><br />
<b>What colour will the sky be?</b> <i>blue</i><br />
I stopped them right there... <b>choose a different colour</b> I said, they looked annoyed but I kept going,<br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><b>What colour will the sky be?</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> </span>hehe, green! hehe</i><br />
Honestly, I was so shocked that that answer had even come out of one of their mouths it was amazing!<br />
<b>What will the name of our planet be? </b>this took some time for them to come up with... and they choose it because it sounded "English", <i>The planet is called Irman, and the houses will be round with a triangle roof.</i><br />
<i><b style="font-style: normal;">What will we eat on Irman? </b>the trees and flowers, and the flowers will be as big as the trees and taste like candy. </i>(here comes one of my favourite bit) <i>ow, ow, and it will rain candy and we will all have upside-down umbrellas and catch all the candy and eat them for dinner!</i><br />
<i>The ground will be uneven but its ok because it is like a trampoline and you can jump everywhere.</i><br />
<i>Fish have legs and dont need to be in water </i>(random but great!)<br />
<b>Ok, so right now what is making the classroom bright so we can see each other? </b><i>sunshine</i><br />
<b>Which comes from the... </b><i>SUN!</i><br />
<b>Ok good! well what are we going to have INSTEAD of the sun?</b><i> EARTH!!!! (</i>at this point I just let them speak and as much as I could draw it on the board) <i>Earth will be bright all the time it will never be night time and we will never need to sleep because we are never tired. Also you can hear AKB48 </i>(one of the top J-pop girl bands in Japan) <i>singing ALL the time from earth and when its your birthday they fly to Irman to perform for you!</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5107/5598966066_0f651ddc31_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5107/5598966066_0f651ddc31_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>(Please excuse my drawing... if I had known I was going to post this on the blog I would have concentrated on my drawing skills - haha)<br />
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In a previous lesson we had learned how to write a friendly letter - <b>date at the top</b>, <b>dear so and so</b> , <b>questions</b>, <b>tell them things you've done</b>, then finish with <b>Love From</b> your name! <i>Eeeeerrrrrr love why do we have to write love YUCK! Er LOVE I'm not writing that.</i> Then I told them we write <b>xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx</b> at the end and each one of them means a kiss <i>ER YUCK! thats disgusting </i>hehe, I explained that is what we do to our family and friends who we love very much. Hehe, they are funny. After making up planet Irman I asked them to each write a letter to a friend who you want to go and live with you on planet Irman. I was lucky enough to get an invite to go with each of them to Irman so I took photos of the letters... I felt very special!!!!!<br />
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I miss working at the kindergarten/school in Japan EVERY DAY and I miss and love those kids so much and I always will. I had such an amazing time teaching there and it was all thanks to my amazing boss Mie, I couldn't of done many of the things I did in Japan without her, she was firstly my boss and secondly my friend, she believed in me, helped me and I worked hard to become the person and teacher I wanted to be. Going to Japan changed me for the better, Before I went I was scared to even go on the train and now I have over come all my fears and I know that I can do whatever I want to do! I really can't express how much I love Japan, its people, the culture, the language, the nature, the job I had... everything - It is a very special place for me.<br />
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I have alot more to write about the actually earthquake and the aftermath later and then I can write more about the above... our reasons for staying in England and not going back to Japan ect. but I think this is a long enough post for now and I feel a huge weight lifted just writing this. And I love that I have sat here writing this for a couple of hours and it has forced me to think about how amazing my job was and my students were!!!!! Loved every second of it! It was amazing :-D I'm very lucky for getting the opportunity!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px;">❤ <b>Japan</b> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px;">❤</span>Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414052695357678197noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671154395481287020.post-51924194791980477062011-03-06T14:21:00.000-08:002011-03-24T15:01:20.990-07:00Kamakura<i>(written after March 11th Earthquake and Tsunami) </i><br />
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Just going to say a short something... We had a such a wonderful time in Kamakura and it is definitely one of the nicest/best places we have been to in Japan, but due to circumstances, I'm only going to show photos, I hope it show what a nice place this is. This was our first trip out with both of our cameras.<br />
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text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5187/5556952948_d0461afe13_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5187/5556952948_d0461afe13_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5306/5556936730_a4876fe5bf_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5306/5556936730_a4876fe5bf_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5109/5556941452_45c317853f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5109/5556941452_45c317853f_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5298/5556944060_745ac15cfb_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5298/5556944060_745ac15cfb_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5230/5556372413_a7e31eaeb9_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5230/5556372413_a7e31eaeb9_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5308/5556379949_ca2fba553d_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5308/5556379949_ca2fba553d_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5223/5556405411_44742b9ab7_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5223/5556405411_44742b9ab7_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5145/5556403273_069510db34_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5145/5556403273_069510db34_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5261/5557048684_ebce4a4eba_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5261/5557048684_ebce4a4eba_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>a wonderful day... and a wonderful memory...Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414052695357678197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671154395481287020.post-35887160355038959972011-03-05T19:36:00.000-08:002011-03-16T20:18:01.914-07:00Vicki's Birthday Day<div style="text-align: justify;">I had to work in the morning until half 2... which was fine, It was a easy day, all the kids behaved well and did there work with no fuss! I got a lovely card from everyone at school with some really special messages in... I really get on well with everyone at song especially the Japanese ladies there! They are so lovely, supportive and encouraging! Also, I had a Happy Birthday message from one of my 5 year old students called Mariya, her handwriting is just so far beyond her age I was so happy ^_^</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anyway, after I finished work I met Fran and we headed to Ebisu to see KT and baby, we stopped off at Krispy Kremes for a birthday doughnut treat . Spring is just around the corner and the flowers are beginning to bloom and everywhere is starting to look all pretty again!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5218/5532035476_d87e617102_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5218/5532035476_d87e617102_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5012/5531452559_6377da47eb_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5012/5531452559_6377da47eb_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5135/5531455257_5b0134c5e0_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5135/5531455257_5b0134c5e0_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5177/5531456193_840ae707f1_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5177/5531456193_840ae707f1_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5172/5531470273_809711f852_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5172/5531470273_809711f852_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5176/5533197905_68b62b9393_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5176/5533197905_68b62b9393_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414052695357678197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671154395481287020.post-41484342395736368332011-03-03T19:10:00.000-08:002011-03-16T19:25:08.652-07:00New School Uniform<div style="text-align: justify;">Trying on the new school uniform for the pre-school! EXCITING! (the first couple of photos the kids are 2-4 and the last couple of my 2 confident 5 year olds!) I have the cutest students EVER!!!! (the girl with the bunches who doesn't smile in these photos - her mum said... she doesn't smile in photographs... I got a sneeky one of her smiling I'll be able to post it soon ^_^)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5060/5531411369_96264ed974_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5060/5531411369_96264ed974_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5260/5531996382_a432154a48_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5260/5531996382_a432154a48_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5297/5531997536_f2ebfc2b3f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5297/5531997536_f2ebfc2b3f_b.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5139/5531426091_80679191d3_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5139/5531426091_80679191d3_b.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5054/5532011380_c0416cfef0_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5054/5532011380_c0416cfef0_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5295/5531428971_0d6bbe0a11_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5295/5531428971_0d6bbe0a11_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5138/5532021358_fe25e40909_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5138/5532021358_fe25e40909_b.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414052695357678197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671154395481287020.post-50961658895766187282011-02-27T01:12:00.000-08:002011-03-14T01:13:01.681-07:00Hanegi Ume Matsuri<div style="text-align: justify;">I've got a new camera :-) I decided to go test it out at a Japanese apricot/plum blossom festival! It was SUCH a beautiful day for it and the camera is way better than I even thought possible, so I'm a very happy girl, unfortunately I wasn't feeling 100% so I didn't stay too long... I got <b>enough </b>photos though (this post is going to be mostly photos).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5180/5505765231_47bccfc9af_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5180/5505765231_47bccfc9af_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The photo above was by complete accident... I'd been pressing all the buttons on the camera and it did this - kinda cool... pretty much sums up the whole event in one photo.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5256/5506364900_41cc6a5184_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5256/5506364900_41cc6a5184_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5171/5505768071_20eede1b83_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5171/5505768071_20eede1b83_b.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>There were so many people there, it seemed that this blossom attracted all types of people too, young and old, rich and poor. I love Japan for it's diversity... no one is judged, people can walk around wearing what they want and being who they want to be... it's rare and I love it! I am really looking forward to the cherry blossom in spring I think that this is just a <i>warm-up</i> festival!<br />
<br />
In this park there were over 300 Ume (Japanese Apricot and Plum) Trees and a ridiculous amount of different types of this tree and flower, colours ranging from bright white, through to light yellow to bright pink (and reds apparently but I didn't see any here). <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5292/5506365684_e378326223_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5292/5506365684_e378326223_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5298/5505770261_00e8a21288_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5298/5505770261_00e8a21288_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5014/5505773605_86d2f757a9_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5014/5505773605_86d2f757a9_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5016/5505775379_250ae87f5f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5016/5505775379_250ae87f5f_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5298/5505777215_8e0dd6417a_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5298/5505777215_8e0dd6417a_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>There was lots of people having picnics and there were lots of food stalls.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5176/5505779213_fdd968efc9_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5176/5505779213_fdd968efc9_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5180/5505780639_f514153fa3_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5180/5505780639_f514153fa3_b.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">There were rows and rows of people selling beautiful flowers and cuttings from the plum trees. I wanted to buy one and take one back to England with me, but apparently that's NOT allowed - how silly am I?! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5017/5506378660_18f1cf627c_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5017/5506378660_18f1cf627c_b.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5139/5505786975_20fa172400_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5139/5505786975_20fa172400_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5295/5506386250_2d8272887f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5295/5506386250_2d8272887f_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5251/5506387212_2afb926057_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5251/5506387212_2afb926057_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5131/5505790545_4824eb143a_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5131/5505790545_4824eb143a_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5136/5505793729_1611db9e5b_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5136/5505793729_1611db9e5b_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5171/5506393026_a4f1a52398_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5171/5506393026_a4f1a52398_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5093/5505796813_7b8db284c7_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5093/5505796813_7b8db284c7_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5094/5505797403_2f48359a57_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5094/5505797403_2f48359a57_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1414/5506396266_10ce226221_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1414/5506396266_10ce226221_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5257/5505800623_5bfc83db10_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5257/5505800623_5bfc83db10_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5212/5505803671_1af68ea4c0_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5212/5505803671_1af68ea4c0_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414052695357678197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671154395481287020.post-51883720376496391042011-02-15T18:21:00.000-08:002011-02-28T11:40:48.806-08:00Snowy Japan<div style="text-align: justify;">It snowed so heavily throughout the night... It is rare for it to settle in this part of Japan, but there was a good 8 inches of snow covering everything. When I eventually left for work, the sun had started to melt most of the snow, but everywhere looked so beautiful!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5138/5481524882_f852c8d3e2_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5138/5481524882_f852c8d3e2_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5294/5480924221_9153fcd213_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5294/5480924221_9153fcd213_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5053/5480924631_13428af53f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5053/5480924631_13428af53f_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5211/5481525386_b85976001c_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5211/5481525386_b85976001c_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5053/5481526290_ecf161737a_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5053/5481526290_ecf161737a_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5299/5480926075_27feaf3950_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5299/5480926075_27feaf3950_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5212/5481526518_bbbe08e4e3_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5212/5481526518_bbbe08e4e3_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5251/5480926993_a1389dc527_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5251/5480926993_a1389dc527_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414052695357678197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671154395481287020.post-15333446892520334402011-02-14T17:31:00.000-08:002011-02-28T11:38:12.042-08:00Ueno Park for Valentine's Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5216/5456286160_d2181d0b53_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5216/5456286160_d2181d0b53_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We headed to Ueno Park to see if the Plum Trees had blossomed yet and to see if we could find any winter Sakura.... (I have only found out this week that they are 2 completely different kinds of blossom) The picture above is of the Winter Sakura, it was a huge tree covered in blossom - very very pretty. It's such a shame it was such a dreary and overcast day!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5140/5456287370_4e379b4e66_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5140/5456287370_4e379b4e66_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We had a nice stroll and we came across Toshogu Shrine that we hadn't seen before. There were so many of these beautiful Origami Tsuru Strings. They were perfectly folded and so tiny!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5295/5455678507_fcb2ca8b9c_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5295/5455678507_fcb2ca8b9c_b.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5259/5455675255_c95f02b827_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5259/5455675255_c95f02b827_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5054/5456289106_2edca3645b_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5054/5456289106_2edca3645b_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Look at the shrine... look closely at it...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5177/5456287912_1292c48f1e_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5177/5456287912_1292c48f1e_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">... it's a huge <b style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">picture</b> OF a shrine... only the front gate is real! Well they fooled us.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5092/5456288592_b18a403739_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5092/5456288592_b18a403739_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5219/5455679187_af090ace9e_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5219/5455679187_af090ace9e_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5098/5457676797_1cd6aaa929_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5098/5457676797_1cd6aaa929_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5094/5457676883_ee6c242d27_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5094/5457676883_ee6c242d27_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5054/5458285930_c2c6effeb4_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5054/5458285930_c2c6effeb4_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5097/5458286242_e2b1e340dc_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5097/5458286242_e2b1e340dc_b.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5254/5458286546_b95941d414_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5254/5458286546_b95941d414_b.jpg" width="640" /></a>All of the Peony Flowers were displayed like this one - under a wigwam type thing. The photo on my entrance ticket is of the garden covered in thick snow and the wigwams were to protect the flowers from the snow, I guess. The flowers were lovely, but as far as Japanese gardens go... if there had been no Plum Blossom I could have walked in and out in a few minute because all the flowers were the same, and I couldn't get close enough to take any good photos either. So YAY for Plum Blossom!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5174/5457677801_d3cae8fd3f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5174/5457677801_d3cae8fd3f_b.jpg" width="266" /></a><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5134/5457678227_be3c48497c_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5134/5457678227_be3c48497c_b.jpg" width="266" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5020/5457678919_6c3d7bff0e_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5020/5457678919_6c3d7bff0e_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5211/5458288216_e317b9761c_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5211/5458288216_e317b9761c_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5298/5458289028_7c72a28649_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5298/5458289028_7c72a28649_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5217/5458289504_92cac4e3cd_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5217/5458289504_92cac4e3cd_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5015/5457681801_f960742064_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5015/5457681801_f960742064_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5251/5457681979_eae6f29624_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5251/5457681979_eae6f29624_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5257/5458291200_d245cf4c7b_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5257/5458291200_d245cf4c7b_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5133/5457682399_8f941fce00_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5133/5457682399_8f941fce00_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">It was getting pretty cold by this point - so we went to TGI Friday's ... good excuse right? We had a lovely meal and when we were on our way home, it started raining. booooooooo!!!</div>Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414052695357678197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671154395481287020.post-49491797133482643092011-02-13T03:51:00.000-08:002011-02-27T00:18:29.950-08:00Tokyo's Institute for Nature Study<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5256/5455631591_826ea998bb_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5256/5455631591_826ea998bb_b.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Well we have both been SUPER busy - hence not much blog action! </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Fran is working very hard, he did a total of 205 lessons last month and is going for another 200 lessons this month! </div><div style="text-align: justify;">I am working at school and doing the odd private lesson here and there, practicing my wildlife photography (birds - they move so fast it's so hard... I think I'm getting there though) and visiting my Uncle and Auntie who have just had a gorgeous baby girl called Monique. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">So we are keeping ourselves very busy, having lots of fun and we will stop when April comes!!! </div><div style="text-align: justify;">We have an extremely packed month coming up in April and we want to make sure we have money to be able to do everything we want to! </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mum, Dad, Nan and Arthur will be coming at the beginning of the month for 10 days then Fran's Brother and girlfriend will be coming out to see us for 10 days at the end of April! It's going to be a great month, we both are looking forward to it SO MUCH.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5255/5455631855_a344801aea_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5255/5455631855_a344801aea_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5177/5455632263_eec26627da_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5177/5455632263_eec26627da_b.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It's been pretty freezing the past couple of weeks and we've had a few snowy nights but nothing has settled. When I woke up on my day off and the sky was completely clear and the sun was shining, I decided to do something productive with my day! I headed off to the Institute for Nature Study in Meguro (after all it's the 50th best thing to do in Tokyo - hehe). It was really nice and warm in the sun but in the shade it was so, so bitter cold, you can see this in the lake...the half that was in the shade was frozen!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It was so quiet, people were just there to enjoy the atmosphere. It still amazes me now that one minute you can be in the busiest city in the world, surrounded by tall buildings and then you are in a peaceful nature reserve park the next minute. Incredible! There were people sat down enjoying the sun and the surroundings, reading a book or eating lunch! It was great. About 75% of people had proper cameras with them, taking photos of the beautiful scenery and the wildlife.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Have to say though, being a foreigner in Tokyo with a camera around your neck... not so unique!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5012/5455632555_5c34b183a1_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5012/5455632555_5c34b183a1_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5011/5455633217_1f0b581ed0_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5011/5455633217_1f0b581ed0_b.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I started walking towards this wooded area and I spotted a group of birds (Great Tit - I'm trying to learn the names too) playing in around the trees. I stayed still watching them for a few mins but as I started to move, so I could get a good shot, they must have noticed me and flew away. I managed to catch this little one just before he flew off with the rest of them.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I did wait around to see if they would come back, whilst I was taking a look at some of the flowers, but there were some excitable kids running around, so I figured they wouldn't come back anyway. I went down this path with a steep stairway with tall trees leaning (and shading - bbrrrr) over the path. I could hear so many birds tweeting away... It took me a bit longer to spot them... but not too long :-) </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5295/5456245106_9d43b4ee15_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5295/5456245106_9d43b4ee15_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5132/5456245268_a4bc863046_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5132/5456245268_a4bc863046_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5296/5456245398_201dc0ff84_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5296/5456245398_201dc0ff84_b.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Then I went to visit Dave, Kt, Kt's mum Olive and baby Mona. The flowers below were just decorations in flower pots at Yebisu Garden Place, Ebisu, Tokyo.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5058/5456246396_7375fe7b90_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5058/5456246396_7375fe7b90_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5059/5455635261_01f0ac3ba9_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5059/5455635261_01f0ac3ba9_b.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414052695357678197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671154395481287020.post-59371931536791962202011-02-01T05:08:00.000-08:002011-02-07T08:31:09.233-08:00Mt. Fuji from SaitamaAs promised... this is a photo from my student apartment in Saitama, from the 6th floor looking over Hakone Way at Mt. Fuji Towering above EVERYTHING in site! Amazing... I asked her if I could move in... she laughed nervously... hehe (I hope she knows I was only joking!!!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5011/5407630378_d9c6aa9146_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5011/5407630378_d9c6aa9146_b.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5055/5407020321_36560d4af1_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5055/5407020321_36560d4af1_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>I hope that when I travel to different places in the world, I will find things that I love <b>just</b> as much as I love Mt. Fuji!!! I really think it is my favourite thing to look at - I always get a warm homely feel and I can't stop smiling when I am looking at it! Strange maybe, but it is just such an incredible natural creation! I am definitely apprecaiting both man made beauty and natural beauty being so near Tokyo and so near to Mt. Fuji! Gotta love Japan!!!Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414052695357678197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671154395481287020.post-37640778256318752972011-01-31T07:04:00.000-08:002011-02-07T08:29:29.228-08:00Japanese White-Eye BirdsYes, that's right - A WHOLE post on these birds - I LOVE THEM! They are amazing and I could stand and watch them all day (as poor Fran knows - he was very patient whilst I spent about 10mins taking these photos). They weren't even bothered about how close I was to them, they were so busy enjoying the blossom. (Also - I had the wrong lens with me, so they aren't close up like I wanted... I'll go back there though with the right lens)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5256/5404163153_aa17ec7aac_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5256/5404163153_aa17ec7aac_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5020/5404767614_08180c3f12_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5020/5404767614_08180c3f12_b.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5213/5404767822_eb239fc0e3_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5213/5404767822_eb239fc0e3_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5099/5404164113_bc08dc4647_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5099/5404164113_bc08dc4647_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5100/5404768472_4d73306008_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5100/5404768472_4d73306008_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5255/5404768624_1b6b45529b_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5255/5404768624_1b6b45529b_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Do you understand why I like them so much now?Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414052695357678197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671154395481287020.post-28861214344842392012011-01-21T06:34:00.000-08:002011-02-07T08:27:59.386-08:00A clear day in Kita-AgeoI've been wanting to take photos of these mountains for ages - but I always seem to either be in a rush or take the wrong bag, and don't have my camera on me. Anyway, I left for work in plenty of time to get a photo of these amazing mountains, which can be seen from Kita-Ageo Station in Saitama. Really amazing! I love them!!! All in all it was a good day for photography!!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5249/5377049063_bb2df5b3c8_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5249/5377049063_bb2df5b3c8_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5085/5377049161_3edcb0b4f5_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5085/5377049161_3edcb0b4f5_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5090/5377649324_276d2f64ba_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5090/5377649324_276d2f64ba_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>These berries didn't stay here very long - the birds ate them pretty quickly!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5081/5377649398_2005286321_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5081/5377649398_2005286321_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5250/5377649458_236049cd2b_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5250/5377649458_236049cd2b_b.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5045/5377649510_7efed3a8fd_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5045/5377649510_7efed3a8fd_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5083/5377649628_b5efb94579_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5083/5377649628_b5efb94579_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>As far as birds go in Japan, I think this is the scruffiest one I have seen! And YES! he did eat that!!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5049/5377049713_8eb2e0537e_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5049/5377049713_8eb2e0537e_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>This was a handheld shot, so not as clear as it could have been, but not bad considering! The moon was sooooooo low and huge - and glowing this beautiful orange colour! It didn't last very long though, about 20 mins later it was the normal size, colour and place in the sky!Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414052695357678197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671154395481287020.post-45253915292929390492011-01-19T05:54:00.000-08:002011-02-07T08:25:50.900-08:00Japanese Nature in WinterHaven't posted ANYTHING since Matt left... but we have both been very busy. We are both working SUPER hard so that March/April time we have money to do the things we want! So Fran is working 6 days a week - and doing a CRAZY amount of lessons may I add - last Sunday ALL his lessons filled up and he did 14! Really amazing! I've been working at school, teaching private lessons, and doing photoshoots with my friends to build up my portfolio! so when we HAVEN't been doing any of that we have been chilling out and been on a couple of really nice walks! So here are some of the nature picys I've taken (and some captions... for the birds I have named - I hope they are right, if they aren't please let me know!)...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5048/5375453962_3805fecd01_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5048/5375453962_3805fecd01_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5009/5374855949_48d0d1f8aa_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5009/5374855949_48d0d1f8aa_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> White Ume Blossom - Winter Plum Blossom<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5206/5375457132_20c99d15f4_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5206/5375457132_20c99d15f4_b.jpg" width="426" /></a></div> I love this shot, purely because of the focus leading to and from the sparrow!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5084/5374857435_661ab80e2e_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5084/5374857435_661ab80e2e_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> The glistening from the sun's reflection in the water - it was only there for a split second... a complete contrast to the photos I took either side of it... they were all of the ducks but normal color and NO glistening!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5167/5375458478_8251d16a97_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5167/5375458478_8251d16a97_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>A Water Wagtail<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5208/5375459134_da1e9247d6_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5208/5375459134_da1e9247d6_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> White Ume Blossom - Winter Plum Blossom<br />
<br />
Here is a picture of a bug (or alien... we aren't sure!) Fran saw it... its about the size of a thumb (we have been back and it is still there we decided it must have died there)... <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/franandvicki/5375459768/in/photostream/">Click here if you're feeling brave and want to see it! </a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5206/5375460434_935153fd8b_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5206/5375460434_935153fd8b_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> 2 Japanese White-Eyes (such a predictable name - hehe) I am absolutely fascinated by these birds... (there are a lot more picture of them too!) They seems to be so shy but sooooo inquisitive (you can see by the next photo), and more likely than not, there is more than one of them.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5281/5374860723_1181b49309_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5281/5374860723_1181b49309_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5202/5374860997_31c1b2b7fa_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5202/5374860997_31c1b2b7fa_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5090/5374861491_de3b7515ab_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5090/5374861491_de3b7515ab_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> A group of sparrows, enjoying the last bit of sun!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5004/5374925455_ec79a042d5_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5004/5374925455_ec79a042d5_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Pink Ume Blossom - Winter Plum Blossom, sooooooo beautiful!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5001/5374925683_bf0731f1f5_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5001/5374925683_bf0731f1f5_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Winter Sakura - light pink blossom<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5283/5377630124_f953075796_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5283/5377630124_f953075796_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>A stray cat climbing trees... he chased all the birds away, so I thought I would get a shot of him too!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5086/5377630470_f824f4d337_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5086/5377630470_f824f4d337_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Naumann's Thrush<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5123/5377030679_cbcac4df1a_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5123/5377030679_cbcac4df1a_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> Sparrow... there are so many of them everywhere!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5249/5377030715_90d2d0c9df_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5249/5377030715_90d2d0c9df_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Another two Japanese White-Eyes, they were soooooo far away and Fran spotted them - Amazing eye sight he must have .... we were about 100meters away!!!!! So REALLY pleased with this shot! Thank you super amazing lens!Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414052695357678197noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671154395481287020.post-71031631250102110792011-01-04T04:18:00.000-08:002011-01-17T04:32:24.468-08:00Korean Food in Ebisu with Dave and KT (Matt's last day)Unfortunately, after the previous night's Karaoke we didn't have much energy to do or see much else before Matt had to leave. We headed to Ebisu in the evening for a nice Korean meal with Dave and KT.<br />
The food was great, the company was great!!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5087/5323804262_ac71e80367_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5087/5323804262_ac71e80367_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5129/5323804534_1280fecb03_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5129/5323804534_1280fecb03_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5121/5323810634_5da9a761fe_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5121/5323810634_5da9a761fe_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5283/5323811626_bb0dd2d80c_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5283/5323811626_bb0dd2d80c_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>And the last photo of Matt in Japan... everyone is looking pretty full! haha!<br />
Obviously it was really hard Matt going... I had my brother back, and then he had to go! I really do miss my family so much being here in Japan... but for Matt to have visited for 11 day was just so amazing and I couldn't of asked for a better xmas in Japan - my (new) uncle and auntie, my favorite brother in the whole world (ha- lucky he's the only one) and really great friends! To all mine and Fran's family at home - we love and miss you very much and really can't wait to see you ALL xxxVickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414052695357678197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671154395481287020.post-42879572008821802242011-01-02T16:20:00.000-08:002011-01-15T18:45:42.062-08:00All Night Karaoke<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5010/5322988933_cb18e8ab47_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5010/5322988933_cb18e8ab47_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>It was awesome!!!! There were 16 of us and we all had a great time! Definitely want to do it again at some point... The hardest part was around 4:30am... everyone started singing slow songs and everyone got very sleepy. Luckily, after a handful of slow songs, everyone picked up the pace again and everyone got their second wind! Me, Matt and Fran got home at 7am...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOC6xmIHwdXa-0zJC0Ibjbh-pfoLZ82mwIYwePF-WqeBEAxPwo_avUU54m6tQ6Nz0mwXFoUdYMwNBz_3SNZ1CEx7NMLet-LT82CT5edKzMC7efshuoU8NJjEuhXiLt4HIVTxbpxkJNNiLt/s1600/mosaic730c98eb1025f6775740ceaf9a1932dede2641a0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOC6xmIHwdXa-0zJC0Ibjbh-pfoLZ82mwIYwePF-WqeBEAxPwo_avUU54m6tQ6Nz0mwXFoUdYMwNBz_3SNZ1CEx7NMLet-LT82CT5edKzMC7efshuoU8NJjEuhXiLt4HIVTxbpxkJNNiLt/s1600/mosaic730c98eb1025f6775740ceaf9a1932dede2641a0.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghe4EJSLB9Gk9TpbHdGt0NJlNFrrJNVRwNZkOLqnupLj6KuhUHKyq657q4z9C3O1Xf4iFKKQeq6k7_7R8sDLwvp9RTwF2FtIfW0XKdqKL6XJ9Aus0yFe5ObT4pH09ZR79kGiLCx7nlk5Ut/s1600/mosaicdc8fe15f1f5a735f5c9d9e9aabb9ebb7bc13d93a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghe4EJSLB9Gk9TpbHdGt0NJlNFrrJNVRwNZkOLqnupLj6KuhUHKyq657q4z9C3O1Xf4iFKKQeq6k7_7R8sDLwvp9RTwF2FtIfW0XKdqKL6XJ9Aus0yFe5ObT4pH09ZR79kGiLCx7nlk5Ut/s1600/mosaicdc8fe15f1f5a735f5c9d9e9aabb9ebb7bc13d93a.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5130/5323044499_98281e49fd_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5130/5323044499_98281e49fd_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414052695357678197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671154395481287020.post-57416963788781637462010-12-31T18:36:00.000-08:002011-01-13T13:21:55.014-08:00Goodbye 2010 Hello 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5082/5311073037_3573dcb688_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5082/5311073037_3573dcb688_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Well after our big Disney day, we needed a bit of a lie in to get some energy back with New Years Eve. We went to Dave and KTs place for our last dinner of 2010 - it was delicious and was really great to see them again! On the way round there we had stopped off at Crispy Creams to buy a big box of doughnuts as a little treat to take around there with us! They were completely gorgeous of course! Everyone loves doughnuts!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5006/5311073777_bdea7b2df4_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5006/5311073777_bdea7b2df4_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5165/5311665560_569315edaa_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5165/5311665560_569315edaa_b.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5288/5311074127_0ca694cdde_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5288/5311074127_0ca694cdde_b.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>We said our Happy New Years to eachother (and the cat enjoying the heated floor) and got on our way to Asakusa!<br />
<br />
We had a couple of options for new years but ended up meeting up with Rieko and Cedric and their friends to go to the Temple at midnight to see how Japan really celebrates New Years!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5209/5311666100_d550c6b84c_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5209/5311666100_d550c6b84c_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We got there at about half 9 and there was a queue for the temple! Most people like to go to temple at midnight or on New Years Day. Actually as it turned out there wasn't much <i>celebration</i> at the Temple we had gone to. We were hoping to see lots and lots of people crowded in each with a balloon (they write their wishes for the new year on their balloon) and then at midnight everyone lets go of their ballons!<br />
We had a pretty cool night though - but completely random! We waited whilst a few people queued at the temple. Then we decided to have a go ... hm... I don't know what it's called... anyway you shake this metal box until a small wooden stick comes out (excuse the picture... but there's the wooden stick!!!) it has a number on it and you open the draw with the same number on it...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5047/5311666720_ca70774acd_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5047/5311666720_ca70774acd_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>In the draw is a little fortune...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5001/5311075381_6e97e67556_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5001/5311075381_6e97e67556_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>this is your fortune (I'm not sure if <i>fortune</i> is the politically correct way of saying what it is) well a predication of your next year! Mine read (written mainly in Japanese and then translated to English on the bottom half so please excuse the translation - it's not the best)<br />
<blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><b>No. 89 The Best Fortune</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Your gem has no flaw and it will glisten better when you polish.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Good character by nature becomes much better when you polish yourself.</div><div style="text-align: center;">You will become known better.</div><div style="text-align: center;">You become wealthy and you may have repeated stroke of good luck.</div><div style="text-align: center;">You hope will be come true.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The patient will be sure to recover.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The lost thing is later to be found.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Building a new house and removal are both good.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It is good for you making a trip</div><div style="text-align: center;">Both marriage and employment are good.</div></blockquote>It sounds pretty vague if you ask me but I was totally happy with it! I have to keep it now til the end of the year for it to come true for 2011! Fran on the other hand got <b>The Worst Fortune </b>everything mine had said his said the opposite... as far as "Your house will burn down" hm... nice hey! Everyone said to Fran it only counted til the end of 2010 anyway because we did it around 10:30pm! I think they were trying to make him feel better -aw! Anyway... when you get bad luck you tie it to the frame then it gets burnt so that it doesn't come true! WOOP!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5281/5311076425_a799ccde43_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5281/5311076425_a799ccde43_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5247/5311667344_bc22ff41fa_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5247/5311667344_bc22ff41fa_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Matt got a good one and he kept his. Rieko and Masato didn't like theirs, so they tied it to the frame!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5002/5311668826_74671ea416_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5002/5311668826_74671ea416_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5208/5311077395_d53d385d02_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5208/5311077395_d53d385d02_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>There were lots of food stalls selling traditional Japanese food and some Korean food and lots of food on sticks of course...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5046/5311078183_8b59f6f030_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5046/5311078183_8b59f6f030_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>By this point there was a really big group of us... There were people from England, Japan, France, Sweden, Singapore, Philippines and America! We ended up outside Starbucks, where they were giving away free small cups of coffee! By this point the queue was winding around all the main roads in the area, it must have been over a couple of miles long! Crazy, hey!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5125/5311078595_5201cfef10_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5125/5311078595_5201cfef10_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5047/5311078917_d9c9d56eb1_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5047/5311078917_d9c9d56eb1_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5244/5311079015_fec53bb267_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5244/5311079015_fec53bb267_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5208/5311670706_a3981db9b6_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5208/5311670706_a3981db9b6_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Well there was no count down... no hugging... everyone just said "wahey" and then it was 2011 and that was it! Me and Matt made a little bit more noise and of course us English lot all hugged! We all headed to an Izakaya which is a cheap food and drinks place.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5249/5311671724_1068a54fff_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5249/5311671724_1068a54fff_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> Me, Matt and Fran stayed there til about half 2 (the trains and subways were running all night long because of everyone visiting the temples and shrines)! We had such a great time with everyone... the company 110% made up for the not so exciting change from 2010-2011! Really happy that I could spend New Years Eve with some great people, great friends and Matthew there too!!!!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!! </b></span></div>Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414052695357678197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671154395481287020.post-18368740835602785772010-12-30T03:37:00.000-08:002011-01-12T05:46:58.138-08:00Tokyo DisneySeaWe decided the night before to get up bright and early - but when our alarms went off we realised it was the first day that <b>everyone</b> would be off work and on holiday for New Years. We all got up, and decided not to go because we knew it would be far too busy! We were searching on the internet to find things to do but <b>everywhere</b> except Disney was shut! Due to the New Year holiday beinga very important thing here in Japan! After Fran made us a delicious breakfast we decided we would risk it and go to DisneySea anyway...<br />
<br />
The train was pretty empty on the way there so we were happy. I think I have said before but ALL train stations in Tokyo have a theme tune that play when you get on and off the train, when we had gone to DisneyLand before it played a beautiful tinkly version of a disney medley - so cute! I was really looking forward to Matt hearing it cuz he'd been going around whistling all the other ones (which is very embarrassing really - hehe, we'd be on trains and Matt would be there whistling the theme song - haha, it was funny) We got off the train and it didn't play :-( I don't know why, and I have been trying to find a copy of it on the internet but can't find it anywhere. Anyway... yeah <b>DisneySea!</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5083/5308768924_88e25a0f6d_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5083/5308768924_88e25a0f6d_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We'd decided on DisneySea as it is the only one in the world and Matt might get the chance to go to a DisneyLand! We were both pretty excitable!!! The weather was pretty cold and cloudy and to be honest I thought it was going to rain!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5002/5308181023_fb4b7f6470_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5002/5308181023_fb4b7f6470_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>... and it looked pretty empty when we first got there...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5245/5308769756_456f946d4e_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5245/5308769756_456f946d4e_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>But by the time we had faffed around getting our tickets and maps and then waiting for Fran (who - poor thing - had to get back on the train and go to the next stop to go into a <span id="main" style="visibility: visible;"><span id="search" style="visibility: visible;"><i>konbini</i></span></span> to take money out cuz disney wouldn't accept our card)... THE SUN HAD COME OUT!!!!! WOOP!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5209/5308181587_296db6d570_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5209/5308181587_296db6d570_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5088/5308770268_3f745d4700_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5088/5308770268_3f745d4700_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5004/5308771424_1b1f1b8155_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5004/5308771424_1b1f1b8155_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5165/5308772190_d84f0f68ca_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5165/5308772190_d84f0f68ca_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We decided to head straight to one of the biggest rides to see if we wanted to queue up.... <b>210 mins</b> for the queue... we carried on walking...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5162/5308772796_da70dfbeef_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5162/5308772796_da70dfbeef_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> As we were walking around there were rows and rows of people gathering everywhere to see the show that we going to be performed in the center of the park on water - The music began to play really loud... orchestral Disney music... through every speaker in the park - completely amazing / make you realise - oh my god... I'm in a land... where Disney is real! ha! well that's how it made me feel... and by the look on Matt's face that's he felt to!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5208/5308185045_3da1baacf7_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5208/5308185045_3da1baacf7_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Unfortunately we couldn't get anywhere near to seeing <b>anything</b>! Fran stood on his tiptoes and took this photo though...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5126/5308185579_e2c7f669f9_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5126/5308185579_e2c7f669f9_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We hoped that if we tried to queue for a ride at this point then we might be able to get on the end of a shorter queue!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5127/5308775578_2041d79b01_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5127/5308775578_2041d79b01_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5082/5308775986_bd3b5f4822_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5082/5308775986_bd3b5f4822_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5122/5308187447_ab77862228_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5122/5308187447_ab77862228_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5129/5308188161_64c8681fc9_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5129/5308188161_64c8681fc9_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>After a LOT of wandering we decided to go on this ride - It was in the Indiana Jones section.<b> </b><br />
<ul><li><b>Raging Spirits</b> - "Dare the wrath of two ancient gods as you speed through an archaeological excavation site aboard this roller coaster with a 360-degree loop!"</li>
</ul>We waited in the queue for just over 3 hours! Although it wasn't the best roller-coaster ever... It was a big step for both me and Matt... Me - standing in the queue for 3 hours and not... er... <i><b>panicing</b></i>! and Matt has NEVER really <i>done</i> rollercoasters before - especially not ones with a loop anyway!!!!<br />
<br />
When we left the ride it was dark and we had to concentrate on finding warm places to go because it really was freezing! So we went on a load of baby rides with no queues for the next hour or so<br />
<ul><li><b>Storm Rider </b>-<b> </b>a simulation room, you are in an aricraft that drives into the center of the storm... pretty AWESOME<b> </b>actually!<b><br />
</b></li>
<li><b>Sindbad's Story Book Voyage </b>- Very cute boatride that tells the story of Sindbad's Voyage<b> </b></li>
<li><b>Caravan Carousel</b> - I'm not gunna try dress this up... it's just a merry go ride in a fancy building! hehe - good ride for kids though!</li>
<li><b>The Whirlpool</b> - TEACUPS, we couldn't even spin ourselves!</li>
</ul><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5047/5308188849_f020312700_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5047/5308188849_f020312700_b.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5205/5308777188_4ea7e632d3_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5205/5308777188_4ea7e632d3_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
We went and got a drink and Matt had some food, we just managed to catch the end of the New Year celebration Firework display and then we went off to queue for our last ride...<br />
<ul><li><b>The Journey to the Center of the Earth</b></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5086/5308777966_e4f8cecdf3_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5086/5308777966_e4f8cecdf3_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
We queued for nearly 2 hours but it was sooooooooo worth it! As you are queueing you are going deeper and deeper into the volcano (photo above at sunset), then when you nearly reach the front of the queue you go into a lift which felt like we were plumiting down into the center of the earth - when you come out of the lift everything is dark and smokey and red lava lighting up the rocks. Me and Matt got into the front of the rickity train and Fran sat behind us... the train started slowly and we were going through tunnes passing lots of underworld (if that's the right word) creature. Then we got to this huge firey monster... the train suddenly speeds up turning lots of corner then it starts going up up up... and then you can see out all over DisneySea and Disneyland <b>for a split second only</b> (which was completely mind "blowingly" awesome at night) then you just drop going pretty much straight down for what seemed like forever and then... it's over! I was soooo impressed with it and so happy that we had gone on it!<br />
<br />
So all in all... (and after talking to other people who had been) we didn't really do DisneySea justice... <b><i>at all</i></b>! <b>BUT</b> we did have a really great day, and now we know what to do next time! And there <b>WILL</b> be a next time :-DVickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414052695357678197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671154395481287020.post-76577084751088720712010-12-28T05:46:00.000-08:002011-01-10T12:08:17.709-08:00Asakusa, Hama Riku Gardens and Odaiba<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Ok... before you start reading... please prepare yourself for what might possibly be the longest post I have ever done with LOTS of photos! We crammed a lot in!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5049/5306234467_85b94462c9_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5049/5306234467_85b94462c9_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Me and Matt headed to Asakusa to check out the Sensō-ji Temple and the surrounding sights. We weren't sure whether it was going to be crowded with it being the lead up to New Years, but it was really fine! There were decoration up for the New Year celebrations. This Temple is going to be completely FULL on New Years Eve!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5248/5306829670_6274cddfb0_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5248/5306829670_6274cddfb0_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5210/5306829888_d093f86c45_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5210/5306829888_d093f86c45_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5201/5306831276_d6a3edd379_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5201/5306831276_d6a3edd379_b.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5287/5306832940_11b42d0e61_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5287/5306832940_11b42d0e61_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Matt trying to cure himself by wafting the smoke on him - I wonder if he will feel better in a few days, hehe!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5162/5306247453_f3a12d41bd_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5162/5306247453_f3a12d41bd_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5006/5306845718_3091c2f090_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5006/5306845718_3091c2f090_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5082/5306255137_6efde2d445_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5082/5306255137_6efde2d445_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5243/5306850648_c1fa1bbbce_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5243/5306850648_c1fa1bbbce_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5243/5306261767_2df8b521d5_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5243/5306261767_2df8b521d5_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>I wanted to take Matt on the River Boat from Asakusa to Odaiba... not really something you think of when you think TOKYO but you can travel right down the center of Tokyo from Asakusa to Tokyo Bay via the Sumida river. We were going to go straight to Odaiba, but when the boat stopped at Hama Riku Gardens, CHANGE OF PLAN we got off the boat there and went for a wander in the park!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5127/5306859724_7a40ec773c_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5127/5306859724_7a40ec773c_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>It was so beautiful, the sun was bright and there was only a light breeze, there were red autumn leaves still and there was an odd stork here and there!!! It is a crazy feeling being in Tokyo where sometime you can't move for people and suddenly you pay <span id="main" style="visibility: visible;"><span id="search" style="visibility: visible;">¥</span></span>200 and you are surrounded by nature and peacefulness! The strangest thing I find, is that even though you have all these green trees and grass in the background, you can see lots of tall building! Amazing!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5048/5306268861_f66270bd7c_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5048/5306268861_f66270bd7c_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5209/5306861098_65276b1d88_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5209/5306861098_65276b1d88_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5287/5306271367_2ac33d2273_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5287/5306271367_2ac33d2273_b.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5046/5306866572_46a95c6744_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5046/5306866572_46a95c6744_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Look at those amazing red trees... at the end of December - crazy!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5046/5306276765_ee5614e646_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5046/5306276765_ee5614e646_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5001/5306280047_2bbcbe1b78_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5001/5306280047_2bbcbe1b78_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Matt wanted me to take a photo of this little tea room (which is standard within a special garden like this one), with the tatami mats covering the floor and the sliding translucent room separating doors with people sitting cross legged on the floor, drinking cups of tea and enjoying the scenery.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5003/5306284937_bebd2648f2_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5003/5306284937_bebd2648f2_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5043/5306877682_3cf4470921_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5043/5306877682_3cf4470921_b.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>We got to Odaiba in time for the sunset! WOOP! We took the special train line from the garden to Odaiba, which goes over the Rainbow Bridge which is a trip in its self, it really is an amazing site! We spoke about brass band stuff that was happening and he caught me up with everything that has been going on since I left England!!!! :-D It was sooooo windy there and sooo bitter cold, we had to find something to do.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5161/5306877834_92c26df4ff_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="154" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5161/5306877834_92c26df4ff_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We went to the Fuji TV building, which has an observation section on a globe shape where you can look out over Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo. It was a good thing to do with a spare 20mins but to be honest, I'm not going to go again, the view isn't really worth is compared to others, PLUS the FUJI TV building looks so cool and futurist from the outside... why would you wanna go in?! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5246/5306289945_5edb854670_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5246/5306289945_5edb854670_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5205/5306291293_ed609898d4_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5205/5306291293_ed609898d4_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5245/5306294791_1f899d4686_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5245/5306294791_1f899d4686_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Matt eating some Japanese fast food! It was really delicious! After this Fran came to meet us and we went to the Sega indoor theme park in Odiaba! Such a long and busy day... just checked my pedometer on my phone and we did nearly 20,000 steps!!!!Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414052695357678197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671154395481287020.post-73594967625774688872010-12-27T05:30:00.000-08:002011-01-10T12:25:45.429-08:00Sunshine City, IkebukuroSo after Matt being here for 3 days - and we had kept him busy <b>non stop</b>... the 4th day had to kind of be a rest day didn't it! We all slept in 'til late morning, then got up and ready to head to Sunshine City for the sunset! This was one of the most important things that I wanted Matt to see!!!!! So I was kinda nervous hoping that he would think it was as amazing as I did!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5284/5296291019_c9c9c38b1d_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5284/5296291019_c9c9c38b1d_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The lift up to the observation tower is really a spectacle in itself... it goes from the basement to the 60th floor in only 35 seconds, after being greeted and waved off by the friendly staff, the lift is lit with UV lights, with shadows of unicorns flying around them coupled with that, there is a little dial at the top of the lift which tells you how fast you are going - reaching over 600meters per min!!!! We hadn't told Matt about the lift, I just asked Fran to take photos of his face... pretty good reaction I think!!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5245/5296888314_d56c5dbaa0_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5245/5296888314_d56c5dbaa0_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>It wasn't as clear as I had hoped it would be (but some things are hard to live up to PERFECT expectations - I really am silly sometimes!!!) but we could see plenty!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5048/5296889110_46be9caa7b_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5048/5296889110_46be9caa7b_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We are looking out over Tokyo across all the way to Hakone. We couldn't see Mt. Fuji yet because the sun was completely blinding!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5124/5296891006_31127f7e8c_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5124/5296891006_31127f7e8c_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5170/5296296291_4dee3308af_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5170/5296296291_4dee3308af_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5082/5296894462_9628f78e02_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5082/5296894462_9628f78e02_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Chilling, watching the sunset behind Mt Fuji from the best seat in the house!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5167/5296894886_b9bdc669c5_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5167/5296894886_b9bdc669c5_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5126/5296300259_cd57c3f4e9_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5126/5296300259_cd57c3f4e9_b.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5247/5296300615_b90e73cdbb_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5247/5296300615_b90e73cdbb_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Fran with a sword and crazy Anime orange hair!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5201/5296301281_9c838311a4_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5201/5296301281_9c838311a4_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> We went up on the roof floor... the world looks so small from the 61st floor!!!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5126/5296300975_6027d3ec31_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="274" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5126/5296300975_6027d3ec31_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5126/5296910560_652d1a3880_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5126/5296910560_652d1a3880_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Back down in the lift! Sunshine City is a huge restaurant, cafe and shopping complex and it has lots to do. There is a planetarium and an aquarium and some other stuff. We wanted to see the aquarium but unfortunately they are building a brand new huge one at the moment, so they only had a small selection of animals... still we spent about an hour there!!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5086/5296912122_b33068277a_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5086/5296912122_b33068277a_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5127/5296914260_48632cda73_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5127/5296914260_48632cda73_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>These crabs were huge!!! We were all quite amazed by their size!!! But to be honest, I was a little shocked at how small their enclosure was... but... suppose they are getting a huge new home built for them... hopefully, not too much longer in that tiny space guys!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5287/5296320685_d23b21d264_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5287/5296320685_d23b21d264_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>When we got to the back of the aquarium there was a counter with a few staff stood behind and there were cages with a tortoise, a small snake and a bearded dragon in. Also there were tanks with different fish swimming around... and you could touch them all! At first I was really reluctant to touch any of them... then I have no idea what changed but I just decided right I'm gunna do it, and before I knew it I was holding the snake! (I am really getting into pushing myself to do things I don't necessarily want to do... the feeling of success, the confidence and pride after the event is overwhelming!!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5041/5296926014_e9a7669006_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5041/5296926014_e9a7669006_b.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>I picked up the Snake, the Bearded Dragon (above) stroked the Tortoise, touched a Jelly Fish and a load of weird fish or bug like sea creatures! Then Matt joined in!!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5129/5296930522_7006ecee86_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5129/5296930522_7006ecee86_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5207/5296334141_1c3b0bef90_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5207/5296334141_1c3b0bef90_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We also tried out putted our fingers in the tank with the tiny little fish that are being used in spa treatments all over the world - their nickname is Doctor Fish as they are also being used to treat patients with skin disorders! They nibble away any dead skin you have... it was a very weird feeling!!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5008/5296924452_ae1b2d567d_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5008/5296924452_ae1b2d567d_b.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>The story of the day goes to Fran though! There were 3 tanks next to each other and they all had electric eels in, I said I was thinking of touching it because the lady told us it was safe! Fran said if you do it I'll do it, and put his hand in! We didn't even have time to take a photo... he jumped back after screaming a little ... and was like... yup that's an electric shock... haha! Needless to say I didn't put my hand in the tank! haha!<br />
After that we got on the train and headed back and went to a BBQ restaurant near our apartment! It's like the official restaurant of Urawa Red Football Team and I'd wanted to go in there since we moved here!!! It was sooooooooooo delicious! We'll be going back there for sure!!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5286/5296336917_0d770937ac_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5286/5296336917_0d770937ac_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414052695357678197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671154395481287020.post-72207536131059779002010-12-26T03:09:00.000-08:002011-01-10T12:33:02.164-08:00Boxing Day in Harajuku and ShibuyaAs it was a Sunday we wanted to take Matt to see Harajuku in hope that there would be lots of young people dressed in crazy outfits! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5002/5296253949_8b778e6be7_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5002/5296253949_8b778e6be7_b.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5008/5296254361_2c995d6504_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5008/5296254361_2c995d6504_b.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>We saw lots of people dressed very extravagantly (like the people above), but because they were walking around I didn't manage to get any good shots of them! We went for a walk down Takeshita-Dori, which is the main shopping street for young fashion in Tokyo. Also we saw a shop that was selling clothes for your dogs and cats... no matter how many dogs I see wearing clothes and being pushed around in pushchairs... it's still just as strange!! Matt was amazed at the people who stood outside their shops, either shouting as loud as they could or shouting through a megaphone to get you to go inside! Me and Fran are just used to that now!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5085/5296856496_26efd2194f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5085/5296856496_26efd2194f_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We went into a building called the Design Studio, where there was lots of technology that you could try for free, such as phones and computers and stuff! There was a booth that had face recognition technology and from taking a picture of your face it would tell you your ideal profession... p'ha! I don't think so! haha!<br />
The results were as follows;<br />
<br />
<blockquote><b>Matt</b><br />
<ol><li>Wine Selector</li>
<li>Celebrity / TV Personality</li>
<li>Web Designer</li>
</ol><b>Vicki</b><br />
<ol><li>Fashion Adviser</li>
<li>Beautician</li>
<li>Waitress</li>
</ol><b>Fran</b><br />
<ol><li> Bar Tender</li>
<li>Wine Selector</li>
<li>Web Designer</li>
</ol></blockquote><br />
Needless to say Matt and Fran weren't thrilled about there top 3 choices, especially as there was a MUSICIAN and me and Fran getting Bar Tender and waitress didn't exactly go down well after leaving that all behind in England! hehe! Anyway, we soon got over it :-D<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5126/5296858094_1ccf1308b0_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5126/5296858094_1ccf1308b0_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Matt was flagging a bit by this time, so we headed to Yoyogi park to chill and eat some Turkey sandwiches! We stopped at the front of Yoyogi Park to watch the Rockers Rock out to some 50s music! I love them to be honest and Matt had never really seen anything like it!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5086/5296860958_6c94ffaa50_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5086/5296860958_6c94ffaa50_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5127/5296265441_cef64bb506_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5127/5296265441_cef64bb506_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Matt confidently did some jiving for a few seconds! HEHE!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5246/5296862054_ce738975d4_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5246/5296862054_ce738975d4_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5287/5296267769_3dbd999c8e_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5287/5296267769_3dbd999c8e_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Well I had to get a photo of these cuties didn't I, their owner was sat to the left of them chain smoking whilst tourist and anyone with a camera or camera phone took photos of them! hehe - adorable!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5202/5296864116_16c54933d9_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5202/5296864116_16c54933d9_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>He's got the Rock N Roll thing down to a tea, hasn't he... that leopard print floor length fur coat on the chair was his too!<br />
Matt went for some free hugs...after all you never know when you'll get your next free hug ... ha!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCdIZO3Nrk_-AKPpvbmYIQ6pZG9ZqfONTT8HzJjSHcL9zcgTvbQpdLQ3I96FJbLugV1Tq7zhWESJ0b2WJyG1Cc8IUHclIxpMjxeSYEiPNS-1UiS4kCXPhPjm58hKvWhmsVuelu6d0CE7KN/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCdIZO3Nrk_-AKPpvbmYIQ6pZG9ZqfONTT8HzJjSHcL9zcgTvbQpdLQ3I96FJbLugV1Tq7zhWESJ0b2WJyG1Cc8IUHclIxpMjxeSYEiPNS-1UiS4kCXPhPjm58hKvWhmsVuelu6d0CE7KN/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> We headed to Shibuya for some shopping and mooching around... Matt was completely blown away by the crossing!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5162/5296272961_1c61073443_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5162/5296272961_1c61073443_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5163/5296276203_f1cb3cbccb_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5163/5296276203_f1cb3cbccb_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5283/5296279787_d309229cff_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5283/5296279787_d309229cff_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5250/5296877416_eccc85efc6_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5250/5296877416_eccc85efc6_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Oh yeah - and we finally found the Pink Cow!!!! It's a bar about 10 mins away from Shibuya station. Me and Fran have tried to find it a couple of times (granted - we didn't have a map!) and we finally found it with Matt! It was a totally cool, chilled out, relaxing bar and whilst we were there, there was a jazz band sound checking. If we hadn't all been so tired we would have stayed to listen! Me and Fran will definitely be going back there FOR SURE!Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414052695357678197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671154395481287020.post-23900802613282850982010-12-25T18:10:00.000-08:002011-01-10T12:36:10.654-08:00A Real Christmas Day in Japan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>We didn't think it was possible to have a real Christmas day in Japan, but Uncle Dave and KT definitely made it happen!!! We got up and headed to the Foreign Correspondence Club in Yurakucho to pick up the already cooked turkey - you see, the only places that have ovens BIG enough to cook turkeys in, are at the restaurants... Japanese apartments just aren't big enough for those massive ovens!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5050/5291208493_802b33356f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5050/5291208493_802b33356f_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>As soon as we had picked up the turkey we headed to Dave and KTs!!! It was such a nice day, just chilling out and chatting away!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5162/5291212441_6c27d6a18b_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5162/5291212441_6c27d6a18b_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5005/5291214495_4e6cb0027c_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5005/5291214495_4e6cb0027c_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5044/5291215189_5635076fee_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5044/5291215189_5635076fee_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5249/5291817450_e1edd7603c_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5249/5291817450_e1edd7603c_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Uncle Dave beginning the Yorkshire puddings.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5207/5291218955_71c8671a78_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5207/5291218955_71c8671a78_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5085/5291222319_41f9168d79_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5085/5291222319_41f9168d79_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5127/5291825016_6029843009_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5127/5291825016_6029843009_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5244/5291825334_f6895f7283_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5244/5291825334_f6895f7283_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>It's dinner time!!!!!!!!!!! It was absolutely GORGEOUS!!!!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5166/5291826366_83700ef916_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5166/5291826366_83700ef916_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5281/5291225347_c35ab90f71_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5281/5291225347_c35ab90f71_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>KT's delicious Apple Pie - it smelt AMAZING!!!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5201/5291828308_29262b17ac_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5201/5291828308_29262b17ac_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>After food we chilled out - wished the family a Merry Xmas on Skype, then played an awesome game!!!<br />
We went to the station via Ebisu Garden place, which was all light up with beautiful lights!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5121/5291830948_8827407025_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5121/5291830948_8827407025_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5288/5291831662_72651d5fb0_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5288/5291831662_72651d5fb0_b.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5283/5291833258_b2a35263df_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5283/5291833258_b2a35263df_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414052695357678197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671154395481287020.post-9472315924604392182010-12-24T16:38:00.000-08:002011-01-10T12:47:27.777-08:00Matthew's HereWe had already prepared ourselves for the fact that Matthew might not make it to Japan because of the snow, so when he walked through the airport, I was honestly SO HAPPY!!! Before he had come out I had watched a girl greet her parents... they stood there hugging and swaying... they were crying ... (and I was crying). lol I'm so soppy!! God knows what it's gunna be like when my parents come to visit me... I think I'll need to pull out the waterproof mascara! haha. Anyway! MATTHEW'S HERE!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5289/5287943956_ca43d783f4_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5289/5287943956_ca43d783f4_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> We came back from the airport by the skyliner (kind of like the Shinkansen) and we saw rice fields and beautiful scenery!! It was really nice! We stopped off at Ueno and went straight to TGIs for some food!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5209/5287343267_21b14237c7_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5209/5287343267_21b14237c7_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
We decided to take a walk down Ameyoko market street and we found a little shrine hidden away,<br />
which had autumns leaves! Can you believe 24th December and there are Autumn leaves? hehe<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5164/5287944890_90c138aaf2_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5164/5287944890_90c138aaf2_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5284/5287945688_a2006155e8_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5284/5287945688_a2006155e8_b.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5206/5287947198_2ab78c85be_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5206/5287947198_2ab78c85be_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>It was funny walking down these streets because Japanese people keep their heads down and go straight to what they are looking at, where as we were looking all around us and as soon as you make eye contact with the people working on the stall, they start shouting at you to go and buy their food! It was so funny; <br />
<blockquote><b>"Sushi!!!" "Fish eggs!!!" "Please try"</b></blockquote>And they all compete with each other, who can shout the loudest!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5206/5287946992_5457e83501_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5206/5287946992_5457e83501_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
We put Matt's suitcase in a locker at the station and headed to Akihabara Electric Town!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5128/5287347453_0f091502de_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5128/5287347453_0f091502de_b.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>These cut outs were outside this adult entertainment store called Legs Avenue! This was hilarious trying to take this photo because everyone was looking at us!!! We went into the Sega building which was filled with Sega Arcade game,s with lots and lots of Anime characters everywhere!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5008/5287347721_1cbac97b3e_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5008/5287347721_1cbac97b3e_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5288/5287949134_c5ce30689e_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5288/5287949134_c5ce30689e_b.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5001/5287948922_a477306f17_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5001/5287948922_a477306f17_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5003/5287348257_cd5e5cdb0b_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5003/5287348257_cd5e5cdb0b_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We went to a couple of random shops in Akihabara, then we decided we would take Matthew to a Maid cafe, as we hadn't been to one yet and we thought we should go at least once whilst we are in Japan. There were so many girls stood on the main street with flyers for their maid cafe, some dressed as maids, some in cute animal costumes and some in Santa outfits! We decided we didn't want to go somewhere mainstream, so we headed down a random back street and found this cute little cafe called Pinkys. The girls were dressed up in santa costumes and when we went in the room, all the lights were off and there was a disco ball spinning round and some people were waving glow sticks and in the corner was a little stage with one of the girls singing on and another girl was kneeling in front of the stage hitting the tambourine intime with the music... all I can say was it was soooooooooooooooooo typically cute Japanese!!! Unfortunately, we weren't allowed to take photos inside the cafe, but our waitress was lovely and we got a Polaroid photo taken with her!<br />
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It was really nice in there, but I'm not sure I would go back to the same one because that might be a bit creepy, although I did have a points card - haha. Matt was totally knackered, so we came home!!! Really great first day :-DVickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414052695357678197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671154395481287020.post-82475368799989012242010-12-22T22:47:00.000-08:002011-01-10T12:49:05.271-08:00Matt is on his way!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5090/5279408411_907992a0db_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5090/5279408411_907992a0db_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">*PLEASE NOTE this is not my photo, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/the_way_the_light_is/5279408411/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/the_way_the_light_is/5279408411/</a>*</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">So Matt was supposed to be here on Monday but due to England's severe snow situations, pretty much all flights out of Heathrow were cancelled. He is currently on his way out now - 4 days late but he will be here within the next 24 hours!!! Can't say how excited I am to see him - :-D gunna be doing LOTS of stuff whilst he is here, so the blog should be pretty full over the next couple of weeks!!!!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lots of Love to family and friends in England </span>and the rest of the world... Xmas is coming!!!!!</div>Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414052695357678197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671154395481287020.post-66173716008264572132010-12-19T22:08:00.000-08:002011-01-10T12:51:47.123-08:00Christmas Staff Day Out<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5083/5284932048_ffb229a775_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5083/5284932048_ffb229a775_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>My boss Mie, very kindly took us all on a lunch buffet boat cruise around Tokyo Bay for our xmas party, we all had such a great time!! I am very lucky to have such nice and lovely work colleagues!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5206/5284334655_da9b412a80_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5206/5284334655_da9b412a80_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5204/5284335371_db13d123da_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5204/5284335371_db13d123da_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBaQ_dWMsSObQIAYUxxBHzppBrQlBynoCKEFlNkOBw_ifFqFkCZlecxvkmFpbZ72PyNCYTNRspC11JJvFKDLabMeI9J63CQnbjS9Xo2Ha0Fx8aGt9myrSVMxP8TXxTl2Xz7xqTbv9lgAKm/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-12-23+at+15.19.30.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBaQ_dWMsSObQIAYUxxBHzppBrQlBynoCKEFlNkOBw_ifFqFkCZlecxvkmFpbZ72PyNCYTNRspC11JJvFKDLabMeI9J63CQnbjS9Xo2Ha0Fx8aGt9myrSVMxP8TXxTl2Xz7xqTbv9lgAKm/s640/Screen+shot+2010-12-23+at+15.19.30.png" width="640" /></a></div> <br />
We went on the yellow line, so we even saw Haneda Airport! It was a couple of hours and we enjoyed the food, wine and company! It is great! So Thank you Mie!!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5250/5284934964_dbf25545b1_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5250/5284934964_dbf25545b1_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5089/5284936870_48bd898efd_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5089/5284936870_48bd898efd_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5289/5284937940_8c54d628c5_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5289/5284937940_8c54d628c5_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5210/5284940062_6d9aacce8b_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5210/5284940062_6d9aacce8b_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5210/5284942038_48a676f6aa_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5210/5284942038_48a676f6aa_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5290/5284944546_56a7c26445_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5290/5284944546_56a7c26445_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5048/5284347421_9829fc91d6_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5048/5284347421_9829fc91d6_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5207/5284347821_5bb4d837d0_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5207/5284347821_5bb4d837d0_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5250/5284348485_22bdd06c85_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5250/5284348485_22bdd06c85_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5128/5284964614_d6e03108f9_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5128/5284964614_d6e03108f9_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>We took another boat over to Odaiba after the boat cruise and a few of us went to Joyopolis, which is a Sega Indoor Theme Park - it was really, really fun - gunna go back and take Fran and Matt!!!<br />
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In one of the shopping centers there was a small aquarium exhibition and illuminations - it was so pretty at night time.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5167/5284967294_cbe881d833_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5167/5284967294_cbe881d833_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5005/5284967972_8f10e04799_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5005/5284967972_8f10e04799_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
And well... I had to get a shot of the Rainbow Bridge in all it's glory didn't I!?!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5282/5284371017_4bc0d8360a_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5282/5284371017_4bc0d8360a_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>On our way home, we jumped off the train at Shiodome to check out the beautiful illuminations we had heard about... it really was very special!!!! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5003/5284371953_36b3f45c11_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5003/5284371953_36b3f45c11_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Also... just quickly... we have now been here over 6 months and absolutely love it here! Now, if all our friends and family could move here that would be just perfect. hehe! No no, seriously I couldn't have done this day (boat cruise/trains/theme parks) 6 months ago... Japan has made me stronger and I am very happy and will be forever thankful for that!! :-DVickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414052695357678197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671154395481287020.post-15532262499723827492010-12-18T22:06:00.000-08:002010-12-22T22:07:57.038-08:00Christmas Parties at School<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5204/5284439454_309664a717_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5204/5284439454_309664a717_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5204/5284440540_ee9c5f84c6_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5204/5284440540_ee9c5f84c6_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5281/5284263891_2e83145e26_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5281/5284263891_2e83145e26_b.jpg" width="266" /></a><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5290/5284860772_f3069295a2_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5290/5284860772_f3069295a2_b.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5047/5284861160_4f507472eb_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5047/5284861160_4f507472eb_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5288/5284861688_89f1fe9939_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5288/5284861688_89f1fe9939_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5010/5284863474_cec0d2259b_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5010/5284863474_cec0d2259b_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5126/5284266609_1f0906d717_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5126/5284266609_1f0906d717_b.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414052695357678197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2671154395481287020.post-18429636461151782912010-12-04T22:54:00.000-08:002011-01-10T12:55:58.319-08:00Fran's Karaoke Birthday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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Sorry Fran for this photo! But this is Fran with our super cool waiter when we went to TGI Fridays before heading to the karaoke. We sat at the bar and had a gorgeous meal! Just need to have a quick rant... So we were really enjoying everything there, the drinks, the food, the atmosphere, the entertainment from the waiters/waitress putting on a show throwing their cocktail shakers everywhere, it was awesome!!! Then... an English man came to sit around the corner on the bar from us. He was sat there with his Japanese translation book which is great! But I heard him complain a little to one of the staff and ask to speak to the manager... he said to the manager he wasn't happy that he had waited 30mins for his food and service was too slow blah blah blah blah... ow but his food was nice!?! What was the point?! It was really busy and it was happy hour... so what does he expect. (Hm... rant nearly over) I couldn't help but scowl at him! I just feel bad being in this country when I see westerners giving Japanese service workers crap for no reason - we see it too often. I feel like I am constantly trying to override the stereotype, so people won't think me and Fran are like that! I just feel bad because 99.9% of Japanese people I have met are so lovely, and so helpful, I don't like it when things like this happen! Anyway - love Japan - love Japanese people, sooooooo rant over! (sorry) :-D hehe.<br />
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We went to Karaoke in Akihabara to meet some of Fran's friends and my friends for a night of Karaoke fun!!!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5167/5252563165_5827ab4818_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5167/5252563165_5827ab4818_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414052695357678197noreply@blogger.com0