Thursday, December 22, 2016

For You With Da-Kine Addiction


It's my fault, I know . . . because I always lie and I always sneak back ahead of schedule. And so for you who still check, this is a photo I took a few days ago.

I was in the bedroom when I noticed that the whole backyard had a slightly reddish glow. So, I ran to the front of the house (which faces west) and looked out of the window. Sure enough, the sky was ablaze. 

I ran back to the bedroom to grab my camera. 

You gotta run because with sunsets, seconds count. The sky changes so fast. 

Here's my favorite shot . . . with the colors reflecting off Wendell's truck bed cover. 

IMG_6836a

K . . . a hui hou . . . 

Sunday, December 18, 2016

It's Crunch Time


One more week until Christmas Day. I feel like Miss A when our photo shoot went a bit too long.

I'll be taking my usual holiday break so that I can focus on being HoHoHo-ish. Take care, you guys. Big hug and kiss to you. See you in 2017.


MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

IMG_6263a

Saturday, December 17, 2016

Japan - Day 12 - Yanaka and Ameyoko

Monday, October 24, 2016  Yanaka and Ueno

Reiko was kind enough to add on an additional walking tour on our last day of our trip for those who were interested. Most preferred to stay back, but I thought it would be good for Sweetie to see as much of Tokyo as we could while we were there. 

We met Reiko in the lobby of the hotel after checking out at around 9:30 a.m.  We then headed to the train station.
DSC02442a

We caught the train to Shimbashi where we transferred to the Yamanote Line.
DSC02439a

Our destination was Nippori Station.
DSC02437a

After exiting the station Reiko mentioned that going right would take us to the fabric town of Nippori. You can find out more here
DSC02446a

Reiko's tour took us left to Yanaka, an old downtown district of Tokyo. You can find out more about Yanaka here.  I liked this "no smoking while walking sign".
DSC02447a

This one was even better. 
DSC02451a

DSC02456a

This is the entrance to Yanaka Ginza.
DSC02463a

DSC02466a

DSC02468a

DSC02471a

DSC02475a

There was a store that sold bentos for 200 yen, but after I took two pictures, the guy there asked me not to take any photos. Wonder why yah? I suspect that maybe he was The Bento Nazi Guy because he had a diagram and cones to show exactly how to enter his store with a "deguchi" (exit) sign x'd out in red. 

DSC02482a

DSC02486a

DSC02488a

DSC02490a

DSC02493a

DSC02507a

DSC02508a

DSC02518a

DSC02523a

DSC02526a

DSC02528a

DSC02529a

DSC02531a

DSC02533a

After walking through Yanaka we caught the bus to Ueno. 
DSC02541a

DSC02544a

DSC02545a

DSC02546a

Here is Ameyoko in Ueno.  
DSC02547a

DSC02549a

DSC02550a

DSC02552a

DSC02553a

DSC02554a

DSC02555a

DSC02556a

DSC02557a

I didn't take much more pictures after this outing for some reason, but I want to mention a cute candy store that we went to after we got back to Odaiba. It's on the 4th floor in the shopping complex called Decks. The name of the store is Edo-ya. 

I stole this picture from the Appetite for Japan website. There's more about the store here with more photos. It has a "natsukashii" (nostalgic) old-school candy store feel to it. I would love to go back there again.
IMG_8278

That's The End to my Japan posts. I had fun sharing the trip with you. 

Friday, December 16, 2016

Japan - Day 12 - Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba, Breakfast Buffet

Monday, October 24, 2016  Odaiba, Tokyo

We had a choice of restaurants for our last breakfast.  There was a buffet on the 30th floor or Japanese food on the 3rd floor.  Japanese would've been good but that restaurant didn't open until 7:00 a.m., and Sweetie and I were ready by 6:30 a.m. and didn't want to wait so we picked the buffet. 

DSC02392a

DSC02398a

DSC02405a

DSC02404a

DSC02402a

DSC02401a

DSC02411a

DSC02408a

DSC02410a

DSC02394a

DSC02412a

DSC02395a

This drink was so good. I had around 3 glasses. 
DSC02397a

This is what it was. 
DSC02430a

DSC02417a

DSC02418a

DSC02420a

Here is the view from the 30th floor. 
DSC02423a

DSC02426a

DSC02428a

DSC02431a