Day 3 In Japan - Part II Loitering Around Tazawako

One of the reason we go up to Akita was to make a stop at Tazawako and meet up with someone there. For those who has been reading this blog long, you might remember we've been to Tazawako last year and stayed at Taenoyu Onsen in Nyuto Onsen.

Our initial plan to stay at Tsurunyu Onsen this year didn't pan out and we've arranged to stay and enjoy some onsens elsewhere later this week.

Going up to Akita, you get on the Komachi Shinkansen and some of the bullet trains came with Pokemon motifs on the trains' body.

Arriving Tazawako station, we went to the tourism office there to pass something to a friend. We tried to arrange to meet but as luck would have it, she had to go on a business trip the day we were there. I guess, we just have to make a return visit someday.

One thing you can see in this area is how the promotion of a Korean drama IRIS can be seen everywhere even at the hotel we were staying in. Some scenes in the drama were shot there, and it was now being used to promote the area.

Waiting for our bus that will be stopping at the nearby bus stop, we walked around and check out the exhibitions there.

If you plan to make a day trip to this area, do come early. The place went dead early. By 5.30pm,  the nearby lake area is  already deserted.

But we get to enjoy a beautiful sunset there and only left when it was already dark;on the last bus from the area at 6.45pm.

Day 3 In Japan -Akita : Bullet Train And Food Display

Day 3 saw us waking up early for our trip to Akita. 

We made reservation on the Komachi Shinkansen at 9.02am but due to my carelessness, we missed the booked train. I was busy taking photos of the arriving shinkansens, I was unable to locate Zaini and Raimie. But worry not - we made another reservation (luckily it was free-of-charge because we were using JR East Pass) for another train at 10.00am. But of course, there was a meltdown and an argument and me being annoyed with Zaini although it was all my fault. LOL

The trip from Ueno Station to Akita Station was about 4 hours. 4 hours on the bullet train is nothing to us. We've spent much longer time on trains from Shin-Osaka all the way to Nagasaki previously! 

Raimie also was pretty much at home in the train because every year, we spent a lot of times in them. He has a seat reserved but sometimes, he likes to sit on the floor and goof around there. 

For me, I like to view the scenery outside. And looking at passing trains zooming by at stations we stopped by was fun too!

Two hungry  "oni"s in Akita Station

Arriving Akita Station, the first order of business was looking for somewhere to eat. We were famished!

 But what do you do if you get a menu you don't understand or don't know how to pronounce? 

Easy! Just drag the staff out and point at the food display and order what you fancy.

I did just that and got our order. Have absolutely no idea what my set name was but it had ebi-furai with tamago, gobo and negi, all bubbling on a clay plate. It was delicious!

A detailed post about the "makan" experience later.

Some Sights at Colorado State Fair, Pueblo, CO 2010

Some of the people, food and sights at the fair. 

 

Our booth

Matt Meister / Weatherman from KRDO-TV  13

 

Best food at the fair - Chan's Chicken on a Stick

Monster Trucks had 2 shows. 

Batman was there protecting everyone  LOL!!

The Wendy's Girl and a frosty passing out coupons. 

 and a street juggler, too. 

World's Largest Carved Watermelon Centerpiece Sept. 2010

 Chef Daniel Bartlett conceived the idea of creating a 16 foot high, carved watermelon centerpiece.  Several chefs carved 500 watermelons for many days, the last batch being done at the fair.  They are submitting documentation to be considered for a world record!!

 

We were lucky,  it was almost next to our Personalized Rice Necklace booth, so I kept dashing over there to check out their progress.  

The pictures speak for themselves!!

The frame was back-filled with watermelons and the spaces filled in with ruffled Kale. 

An eggplant with a summer squash. 

They constructed it on a Friday and had to take it down on Sunday.  I was sad to see it go.  Every time I looked at it, I saw something more amazing. 

LEGOS at Colorado State Fair 2010

Oh what fun for the kids!  They could play and build with the LEGOS all day long. 

Both sides of the trucks had pictures of all the LEGOS characters.

This is a traveling show that also passes out lanyards with LEGO trivia on it.  Did you know there are 915 ways to combine 6 eight studded bricks???

Some Animal Shows at Colorado State Fair, 2010

Each year every state fair has different attractions for free.  Many times they include animals. 

  Right behind our Personalized Rice Necklace Booth was Bixby's Rainforest Animals.  They would take the Lemur for a ride 2 x a day on the golf cart around the grounds. 

And right across from us, was Jeff, The Swampmaster who wrestled an 8 foot alligator.

These free shows are very entertaining and move to a different fair each year.

As a side note - we were next to a  H U G E alligator at the Florida State Fair "Big Al".  Pretty amusing to wonder what is store for us next year.  LOL

Colorado Springs Farmers Market, Fall 2010

Our Milkman.  They deliver 1 time a week,  year round.  The very best milk, farm raised eggs and the best dairy anywhere.  Love the cookie dough, and lemonade too. How awesome is that to have milk delivered in this day and age!!??

 

Our favorite farmer at the local markets.

Just part of their offerings.  What a bargain - fill a bag with anything on the table = $7.00 or pack a grocery, plastic bag for $10.00.

Our haul for $10.00 - Lots of eggplant, yellow and black bell peppers, 4 cukes, 6 ears of corn and fresh pulled onions.