The Landmark

Okay... I look totally ugly in this photo but this is the only (almost) full photo of Yokohama Landmark Tower I have.

It's Japan tallest building, standing at 296metres and is the third tallest structure in Japan after Tokyo Sky Tree and Tokyo Tower. There is an observatory on the 69th floor aptly named the Sky Garden and the observatory is the highest observatory in Japan. 100 yen admission to the observatory, which is really a minimal fee, to experience being so high up in the sky - at 273metres to be exact! For free access to an observatory, you can opt for the Tokyo Metropolitan Building in Shinjuku (its observatory is located on the 45th floor on both towers).

Anyways, if you do go up - have fun riding the second fastest elevator there and whoosh up from ground floor to the 69th floor in 40 seconds!

We didn't go up to 69th floor, which was a pity but hey! That's an excuse for another trip there, don't you think? Well, actually I don't really any excuse for a return visit to Japan. After all, I've been making all sorts of excuses to return for the last 8 trips. LOL

Totally unrelated to Yokohama or the Landmark Tower  -gah! It's March! What did I do/achieve in the past two months? @.@

Hero Errr.... No. Hello Worship?

Found on the street of Yufuin. A shrine of Japan's ubiquitous ambassador of cute - the moonfaced feline otherwise known as Hello Kitty. Ring the bell, bow, clap your hand and bow again, anyone?

Where is the location of this shrine? Right in front of a Hello Kitty store, where else? And oh! To show complete devotion to Hello Kitty, go on in and buy lots and lots of its merchandise.

Anyways, I should really make an effort to put up posts on the places we went to in 2011 instead of just random photos when my mood suits me. I really should, but I'm lazy. xD

Meatless Friday in Lent - Basil Garlic Pasta Meal

 Lent crept up on me this year and for the first meatless Friday I was kinda stuck without much in the house.  I remembered we had bought a bag of Basil Garlic Shell Pasta at the last Home Show we attended.

Our dinner plate - Shells w/ Alfredo Sauce, Garlic Herb Monkey Bread & Salad w/ Creamy Italian dressing

Fantastic pastas - all shapes and flavors. 

I wanted to fancy it up some so I baked it with Parmesan cheese on top.

Love Trader Joes!  Got this the last time we were in Albuquerque and added it to the Alfredo Sauce.  Add a subtle flavor.

Interesting combination of flower petals. 

After it came out of the oven all hot, bubbly and crispy!!

Beginning stage of Garlic Herb Monkey Bread with canned biscuits.  I used garlic granules, dried green onions and dried parsley. Roll each biscuit in the melted butter and herbs.

Just a single layer in a Pyrex loaf pan.

Bake 350 degrees for 20 -30 minutes. Enough for the 2 of us with more than half left for tomorrow!!!

High carb dinner but it sure was good.  The salad with the tomatoes and tart dressing rounded it all out. 

OLA: Cruising to the Bahamas, Part 1

Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas docked at Nassau, Bahamas

cruise ship terminals at the Port of Miami

Last Christmas my children gifted us with a special cruise to the Bahamas called ‘The Husker’ Cruise 2012’, organized for the Corn Huskers, University of Nebraska’s football t’s fascination with football comes from his high school days when he was a certified jock, captain of his HS’s  football team in Pittsburg, Kansas. On his first job at Caterpillar, he was moved to Omaha, Nebraska, where all of his children were born. While he was there, the Huskers were the national champions. As a first time cruise, it was special for Bill! As for me, I am trying to find out how cruises fit into our cruising lifestyle! 

checking in at Terminal G

Day 1, Friday, February 24, Departure from Miami

Bill and I got up at 5:30 AM to move the RV to the Orlando Thousand Trails storage area. Then we drove to the Port of Miami (4 hours).  Embarkation was efficient and a huge luncheon buffet was waiting for us at the Windjammer of the Royal Caribbean’s Majesty of the Seas. As soon as we set sail at 4:30 PM, a Muster Drill (we were muster 11) was held to instruct everyone on how to proceed as soon as we hear the loud horn that signals an imminent sea mishap.

Sail Away Party at poolside and VIP Crown lounge

The Sail Away Party for the Huskers group was at the VIP Crown Lounge above the pool deck where the general party was being held. We were next treated to good laughs at the Comedy Show of Steve Bruner at the Chorus Line Theater.  An excellent formal dinner was served at the Starlight Dining Room but we were too tired for Disco with the Seas Macho Men (a la Village People). Unfortunately, we were also too late for the Open Mic Karaoke. So off we went to bed, our day had been long, and we dock at 8 am.

Majesty from the tender Bill rode to go party at CocoCay

Day 2, Saturday, February 25, Arrival at CocoCay, Bahamas

the Majesty, her island, and her passengers

CocoCay is the beach island of the Royal Caribbean. Too bad  I woke up to a terrible flare-up of hives so I spent the morning in our ocean view stateroom, hoping that they will be gone the next day when we go shopping and sight-seeing at Nassau, capital of the Bahamas. Bill brought me lots of fruits from the breakfast buffet and then he took off for the autograph signing session of the Huskers’ greats. After that, he rode a tender to take pictures at the island for this post. There he was rewarded with lots of barbecue and grills for a picnic lunch.

International Belly Flop Contest

Back at the Majesty, I finally mustered the energy to go to Windjammer for the great buffet of afternoon snacks. Then we witnessed an International Belly Flop Competition at the pool, won by a Husker great after which we proceeded to the Husker Talk at Spectrum Lounge, thinking that it would be the Football 101 class I had so wanted to attend so I can better appreciate the game. It turned out to be Nostalgia talk. They all had a good time though, and so did Bill. So I spent my time at the $10 Sale at the Shops and found a silver party bracelet!

Captain's Welcome Reception

At 8 PM was the traditional Welcome Reception by the Captain at the Chorus Line. Many women and some men dressed up for the occasion. But since I had to wear loose clothes so the hives don’t get aggravated, I was unusually underdressed! The Norwegian captain informed us that the Majesty is Ship of the Year in the Royal Caribbean suite of 22. There were 2,216 passengers from 46 countries (1,800+ Americans, 60+ Canadians and the rest, South Americans topped by Ecuadorians) and 852 crew members (his Executive Housekeeper and 253 others are Filipinos). Another formal dinner at 9 and the thoroughly entertaining Randy Cabral Juggling and Comedy Show at 11 PM capped our night.

downtown Nassau as seen from Majesty's Deck

Carol and the Constable in front of the Straw Market on Bay St. 

Day 3, Feb 26, Arrival at Nassau
The third day began with a full breakfast buffet at 8. By 10 we were strolling down Bay Street, main thoroughfare of downtown Nassau. We shopped at the Straw Market, famous for affordable crafts of the Bahamians where I found a loose but stylish dress, Bill found a magnet for our collection and a visor and ball cap for us. It was also thrilling to find Little Philippines Restaurant (there are about 400 Filipinos in Nassau)where we shared a much-missed pancit bijon. Then we visited the oldest church, Church Cathedral, nearby and the oldest of three forts, Fort Charlotte. 

Christ Church Cathedral

Fort Charlotte

............to be continued next week.....

The Bribes - Sugar Overload

How do you keep a 9 year old happy, walking and sightseeing daily hours on end for a fortnight? By bribing of course!

Exhibit no. 1 : sugar bribe.

Not just any old thing. For this boy, it's Daido's Ultraman and Kamen Rider drinks. 

 

Worked pretty well in previous years too.

They cost 100yen at the vending machines. Can't choose what you can get over at the machines so if you want to try to collect a complete set, a better bet would be to head-off to Yamashiroya nearby Ueno Station. They sell this stuff too, with tax at 105yen.

Of course, a bribe is only effective if used sparingly and wisely. You can't be bribing left, right, center!

For Son - one sugar bribe a day. That's the limit and usually handed out when the energy level was way low. 

Farewell Winter, Hello Spring

Let us love winter, for it is the spring of genius

Pietro Aretino

No matter how long the winter, Spring is sure to follow.

What better way to herald the arrival of Spring than by enjoying the beauty of plum blossoms - blooms that symbolises the end of winter and the beginning of a warm and fertile season.

Seeing the plum blossoms

I wait for the song of the warbler

Spring has come

Veiled in mist

Izumi Shikibu

And to follow-up the celebration of Spring with the delicate beauty of cherry blossoms.



Robin Williams said - Spring is a nature's way of saying "Let's Party!".  Crank that karaoke machine up! xD

White Beard/Moustache Bridge

Shirahigebashi or Shirahige bridge. A few comments from those in Japan piqued my interest about this bridge and I started snooping around (more like just googling about it. heh) and am fascinated by what I read.

The steel bridge; constructed in 1928 and completed in 1931, is featured in The Sixteen Great Bridges of Tokyo postcard series.

It is also one of the recommended spot to view Sumida summertime fireworks.

And someday, I must visit Shirahige-jinja. I believe that's where the origin of the name of this bridge was derived from? Yes? No?

Founded in 951, Shirahige-jinja was rebuilt countless of times and the last wooden structure that stood there was built in 1864 only to be burned down in 1989 (wow! that recent?) by political activists who were against the succession of Emperor Akihito.

Now... why is Shirahige-jinja called Shirahige-jinja? Rurousha darling - any idea? Seeing that you've visited Shirahige-jinja last year. ^^

Anyway, there is a lovely ukiyo-e (woodblock print) titled Snow at Shirahige by Kawase Hasui in 1920, as one of Twelve Scenes of Tokyo series but it is a decade before the steel bridge was completed. It was of a view towards the Imado ferry from the foot of Shirahige Bridge.

I wonder what/how the bridge looked like in 1920 or the wooden bridge that was built with the money of the people of the area prior to the steel bridge?

Assorted Bottles for Flower Arranging and Craft Projects

When my daughter got married last July she used bottles like these for place cards and table decorations.  All are vintage and some have that old rainbow coating on them. They have been washed with some retaining the original patina.  

These bottles and lots lots more are available in my eBay store.

Crescent Moon shaped

Large bottle embossed Warranted Flask

Soda Bottle -

Listerine

Thomas G Carroll & Sons, Baltimore MD

 Please visit my eBay store to see these bottle plus many more and lots of other vintage items. - most with the make an offer option. 

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On The Run - Asakusa

Do read my previous "On The Run" post too after finishing this. I had Yokohama, Yufuin and Takamatsu (Day I & II) posted up earlier.

In Asakusa, I had the luxury of starting my later in the morning as we would be out for sightseeing at 10.00am so I decided to only go out at 7.00am, after the sun was already shining and the day was bright and clear.

 

Kaminarimon in the early morning, sans hordes of tourists. One of my favourite time to hang out there, other than in the evening while viewing the illuminated temple.

At Azumabashi, a bit early for tourists to be up and about so bridge was devoid of pedestrians.

 Ran upriver and I took a look back and this is what I saw. The lovely Tokyo Sky Tree.

I wasn't sure how far I would go or where I'd end up to but I stayed by the river, making a straight run with no diversion anywhere. No left or right turn this time. In this back alley, there is actually distance marker so it is really helpful to gauge the distance for those without a running watch. I wasn't sure where I would head to, but I saw a few runners passing by so I decided to follow them (and get totally left in the dust by them soon after) *pant pant*

I ran up to this bridge and decided to run cross it rather than keeping on straight ahead. I told Rurousha that the bridge I saw was bluish. Dunno how I got that. This bridge is definitely not bluish, as you can see. ^^!

The view while running downriver.

In case you didn't know what river I was running beside.

Ran past a tent village(?) With allocated slots and what looks like permanent wooden structure there too.

Saw boats chugging by

Crossed Azumabashi and decided that I needed to run some more, so continued my run toward Kaminarimon and back to the hotel. Still feeling it wasn't enough as I took running breaks for a few days, I ran past our hotel and continued until I made a one hour run. Good thing I didn't get lost that day! ;p

People bustling - rushing to work and kids to school. Such a lovely, normal everyday sight. ^^

Running by the Sumida river was completely an enjoyable experience for me. I ran my fastest pace there and felt like I can go on and on, if not for the time constraints. I wanted to do another run the next day before taking our flight back home but finally decided against it because I didn't want to aggravate that cute blister of mine. I'm kicking myself now for being lazy! I should've done another run there!

Vietnam Memory Wall Ice Carving, Cripple Ceek, CO Feb. 2012

This is the 5th year Cripple Creek, Colorado  has held an Ice Carving Competition.  The theme this year was to honor our Military.  Cripple Creek is an old mining town in the mountains west of Colorado Springs on the west side of Pike's Peak.  These days it is one of 3 towns where full blown gambling is allowed. 

One of the sculptures that we really liked and voted for was "The Wall".

We were there the 1st weekend and all the sculptures were not all done yet.The artists here told us that the names on this wall were from Colorado but if we knew of someone they would add that name too. 

They print the names out on the computer then iron the paper to the ice.

Now they can use a drill and follow the lettering on the paper.  I think the trick to this is getting the carving to just the right depth. 

We went back the following weekend and they were further along. 

Gene had a cousin killed in the war so his name is added to this wall too - Michael Lovato (they spelled it wrong) - but the thought is there. 

An  Eagle under construction.

Marine memorial.

Soldier's Memorial with Eternal Flame in front.