tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79181687057518340742024-02-08T10:38:11.024+09:00Dollars to YenFumbling and stumbling our way through Japan.Dollars to Yenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17589712055940974491noreply@blogger.comBlogger373125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7918168705751834074.post-28047818674133952011-01-31T11:27:00.003+09:002011-01-31T11:40:27.315+09:00Scented tissue - sniff before you blow!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wjR-iuqwWhD9LZO2xoz1hl3pT_Q2zlZnmYEvOkQazqzQWJL4eTih9HsgfqLhgf8y9O1N0op748a7-MQrcQWxAF3hsLD0ak6QGEpi2_UqmodPk1Qlf2hiVH6YYKhtDHxi0MIUgGZaieL6/s1600/tissue3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568171697620153874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 389px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wjR-iuqwWhD9LZO2xoz1hl3pT_Q2zlZnmYEvOkQazqzQWJL4eTih9HsgfqLhgf8y9O1N0op748a7-MQrcQWxAF3hsLD0ak6QGEpi2_UqmodPk1Qlf2hiVH6YYKhtDHxi0MIUgGZaieL6/s400/tissue3.jpg" border="0" /></a> I have to thank my friend for turning me on to these. You can't really go anywhere in the larger cities without someone pressing a small pack of tissues into your hand, so I never purchased them. One day my friend took out a package of tissues for her daughter. I think I said something about never having seen printed tissues before. She showed me that they were scented too. How cool!!! I was then told that it is popular for school girls here in Japan to trade packs of the scented and printed packs of tissues.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjcCXEp5VgczX5EtclmYKcqSiFM8tMgC_7F2rIxuf8vHE4L133ZKPG_zv3Lz_cunjKX7qwdJwqtp1gPDDOBYe9WnS9JVQBlEvG5SgqEuBDuEh8e4Y2btchJSB7Ic91AONGCDVD1Di1DRYh/s1600/tissue2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568171697124784658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 292px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 389px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjcCXEp5VgczX5EtclmYKcqSiFM8tMgC_7F2rIxuf8vHE4L133ZKPG_zv3Lz_cunjKX7qwdJwqtp1gPDDOBYe9WnS9JVQBlEvG5SgqEuBDuEh8e4Y2btchJSB7Ic91AONGCDVD1Di1DRYh/s400/tissue2.jpg" border="0" /></a> My friend gave all of the packs on this page to me. The scents above are, 'American Cherry', 'Sweet Strawberry', and 'Petit Pineapple'.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8seKH9kzhnZgoHU1ZOzi5u8yMVRt2DjoH3l6kXPM-Jdv3iHfldH6EIdBaP7oG8ZYtXdNB8S5rAFXVE8W2ArLlVGFVzkUlrqUZBIjStpRlpfNoGpgn89Lb-LO4OWiNcw1d3mJuxjLA3CPM/s1600/tissue1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568171695845432658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 292px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 389px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8seKH9kzhnZgoHU1ZOzi5u8yMVRt2DjoH3l6kXPM-Jdv3iHfldH6EIdBaP7oG8ZYtXdNB8S5rAFXVE8W2ArLlVGFVzkUlrqUZBIjStpRlpfNoGpgn89Lb-LO4OWiNcw1d3mJuxjLA3CPM/s400/tissue1.jpg" border="0" /></a> The packs above are strawberry, orange, and pineapple.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5QYW6SxRwrH-JMopacKsVXSXNeFVQ953D6jmStHN1cdXMi5B0akyQj90Uu2WlTgkN9eHqnyFWiQLfmOelceUVtzu66lUfoX8rWo_BYI1B9I5nOhnuRDH8PC6IlNnKMPVqihEDoFWSG-cD/s1600/tissue.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568171694189710770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 292px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 389px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5QYW6SxRwrH-JMopacKsVXSXNeFVQ953D6jmStHN1cdXMi5B0akyQj90Uu2WlTgkN9eHqnyFWiQLfmOelceUVtzu66lUfoX8rWo_BYI1B9I5nOhnuRDH8PC6IlNnKMPVqihEDoFWSG-cD/s400/tissue.jpg" border="0" /></a> I guess this last pack is geared more toward adults. The two packs are slightly larger and are lavender and a sweet smell.</div></div></div>Dollars to Yenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17589712055940974491noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7918168705751834074.post-89572656733288575292011-01-02T10:00:00.000+09:002011-01-02T10:00:00.195+09:00Akemashite omedeto gozaimasu!!! Happy New Year!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgme3UDosWvQFRACwOTuzgC0oP6pr0Q-Eok1-kkGinbaBHqgrmZUIjiDxR05GU-ePA8gEzucXJqaoeMCwTXYYiR9SYvNCO4hku6dyHjQ0U9Hv1_-fxKiM0Y3e3GeKmPxiPcVYu6nyo6bO_n/s1600/lucky.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556749830925173346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 389px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgme3UDosWvQFRACwOTuzgC0oP6pr0Q-Eok1-kkGinbaBHqgrmZUIjiDxR05GU-ePA8gEzucXJqaoeMCwTXYYiR9SYvNCO4hku6dyHjQ0U9Hv1_-fxKiM0Y3e3GeKmPxiPcVYu6nyo6bO_n/s400/lucky.jpg" border="0" /></a> It's a New Year and in the stores here in Japan, you'll see these lucky bags (<a href="http://hararie-japan-tokyo-tokyo.com/japanese_culture/2010/12/fukubukuro-new-year-happy-bags.html">Fukubukuro</a>) everywhere! The value of the items in the bags are supposed to be quite good, though I have never personally bought one.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTVcoLtNmytuTNDOXN1F0swKIDVHuedPcGmmO5aHHsKeZ9BAGJbm39mJcM9kRdZQWlUa6_2wvbSlGo2JW24CWg3eHduf6Hj_gj_PAovINZ7SNjlP_YxtI211uQ9cJK0U3wKnPtFP58PQ1k/s1600/lucky1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556749826033691906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 389px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTVcoLtNmytuTNDOXN1F0swKIDVHuedPcGmmO5aHHsKeZ9BAGJbm39mJcM9kRdZQWlUa6_2wvbSlGo2JW24CWg3eHduf6Hj_gj_PAovINZ7SNjlP_YxtI211uQ9cJK0U3wKnPtFP58PQ1k/s400/lucky1.jpg" border="0" /></a> These bags were at a Jusco near my house. Some of the places selling bags had them roped off with signs warning that they were not available for purchase until the first. On most of the bags I saw, there were sizes posted on the outside of the bags in clothing departments.</div><div> </div><div>A live news broadcast on the first here showed a madhouse scene at some department store. It looked like the day after Thanksgiving in the US. It looked cold.</div>Dollars to Yenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17589712055940974491noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7918168705751834074.post-5316619819734896902011-01-01T10:00:00.001+09:002011-01-01T10:00:01.706+09:00Happy New Year 2011!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFUpDgU0H1sAZe4JMpsQZiTdq-94Ip-TvDC7izvZ4G3i2FeTexWzPn4zLackZK6EH38AJURgTnJ4TMUXnjoFjCaWIlw-0bwNIQVYw7frhmHZGdy5iq2ufOUvTQJE5casViN0TBpwxnJehD/s1600/fuji+diamond.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556978038033750306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 389px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFUpDgU0H1sAZe4JMpsQZiTdq-94Ip-TvDC7izvZ4G3i2FeTexWzPn4zLackZK6EH38AJURgTnJ4TMUXnjoFjCaWIlw-0bwNIQVYw7frhmHZGdy5iq2ufOUvTQJE5casViN0TBpwxnJehD/s400/fuji+diamond.jpg" border="0" /></a> I saw the first sunrise of the new year (Hatsuhinode) here in Japan... on TV. When the sun hit Fuji and made that star pattern, they yelled, "Diamond!!!" They flashed it on the screen in Katakana too. Very fun, and much warmer from my living room.Dollars to Yenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17589712055940974491noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7918168705751834074.post-56678200733289951402010-12-29T10:00:00.001+09:002010-12-29T10:00:02.512+09:00Keeping the evil spirits away.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohQDbvKQ0jc5mKjAc11NYxeeppZJhU9R1I76ggtyS6yc94wKg2tMNB1paRFVPis13PmMZGEkd0yrUVl-TxxHDqSrzSWdRWq3Qeey2NghThhW-T08E_K06dRKfko-KFDlhO3So2U_dXNKE/s1600/shime4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555602338222916482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 389px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohQDbvKQ0jc5mKjAc11NYxeeppZJhU9R1I76ggtyS6yc94wKg2tMNB1paRFVPis13PmMZGEkd0yrUVl-TxxHDqSrzSWdRWq3Qeey2NghThhW-T08E_K06dRKfko-KFDlhO3So2U_dXNKE/s400/shime4.jpg" border="0" /></a> My house is clean, clean, clean! Now we just have to rid it of evil spirits. I'm told I can do this with a <a href="http://haradakun.cool.ne.jp/nihonbunka/newyear_special.html">Shimekazari</a>. Oosouji is the huge once a year deeeep cleaning of your house, car, etc... I guess it has to be done before the new year begins.<br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555601028312762018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 389px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXN1lV6ouCw0d40GBtwA2dGYVf1tD-0f1IjBITzHtvOc2yjVdSuEeTe6V95TuUsVAoQTNoodPUQlmDdU7Dl_Su8fxj74eNuwr4WsB9n3obBpY-KCCft8NZ6Eh8aJZ0NxDsd3vR-woa72Op/s400/shime1.jpg" border="0" />The back room of the farmer's market I so love was filled with an array of these Shimekazari ranging in price from 200-yen for a tiny one in the photo below all the way up to a 5,000-yen more ornate one.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTOe9hArMBEquQwNEDVxYIq2PT30IpOfGK5feoW3SKBbk8yXTDIU9MicvwOu1TGKENFOfEumizOGJHu57xvMwy7OO2uD1Ut5PXzFthS6gaM8EutIuQCK-QNQ_0jtMTYsV271JpFcpUbAGi/s1600/shime2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555601031429971730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 389px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTOe9hArMBEquQwNEDVxYIq2PT30IpOfGK5feoW3SKBbk8yXTDIU9MicvwOu1TGKENFOfEumizOGJHu57xvMwy7OO2uD1Ut5PXzFthS6gaM8EutIuQCK-QNQ_0jtMTYsV271JpFcpUbAGi/s400/shime2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy2qRFUr5x-8U2CqRqPhAYB_h1x_rLL8EG4ilQDw9Zm0Dl6LwOv8ydcE0Q3IQk5SBXnll_mTI_9geAvjfJu0M8lJjwPifmeQNs94X7IJI6tg6CK6gw-j2YEtNlJNkDjyg8vFe9I9uyORVj/s1600/shime.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555601023469172498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 389px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy2qRFUr5x-8U2CqRqPhAYB_h1x_rLL8EG4ilQDw9Zm0Dl6LwOv8ydcE0Q3IQk5SBXnll_mTI_9geAvjfJu0M8lJjwPifmeQNs94X7IJI6tg6CK6gw-j2YEtNlJNkDjyg8vFe9I9uyORVj/s400/shime.jpg" border="0" /></a> Most of the customers were buying the size above. They are all around 550-yen.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmScLqeCLV1MjFZJ8rOsQSClVyutBg5UD1iqXeHSjjAmZm9GKyU-rkwxMhC7ix14-YfKDrh1t6Cn14aob1OHuIa29-yvUYrYO7IPhSTuiA532QHm6s7as6MPYnFgTKb9B7E4_VPRdKpTf/s1600/kado1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555601022129105858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmScLqeCLV1MjFZJ8rOsQSClVyutBg5UD1iqXeHSjjAmZm9GKyU-rkwxMhC7ix14-YfKDrh1t6Cn14aob1OHuIa29-yvUYrYO7IPhSTuiA532QHm6s7as6MPYnFgTKb9B7E4_VPRdKpTf/s400/kado1.jpg" border="0" /></a> There were also many people purchasing <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kadomatsu">Kadomatsu</a>. These small, pre-made versions were all around 1,800-yen.<br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555601017748786226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6yKT5iC-Y7IG5wcweceJAWt6lvmkxVAx-nRPhawedwpjGsYabBVBPg4D3lrBhIjKp0dGVfidLAiVPVPz_olSxu7NH9WN4ZidP7DxiNagsVvL_4rlN6Nu0CZZRmVdijct9HRFwaPKasQ7_/s400/Kado.jpg" border="0" />This was the scene outside where they were selling the various parts of the Kadomatsu as well as a couple of huge Kadomatsu at the entrance.</div></div></div></div></div></div>Dollars to Yenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17589712055940974491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7918168705751834074.post-67514413999217238662010-12-27T10:00:00.003+09:002010-12-27T10:00:00.465+09:00Kinkai off the main road.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-HFPytLOsNFJsjchl01-A7D2EoX0vqWX0c0CtNkOwG97kTbOJ6XgLDSyO9NdhiWrEP7ws4utJpzb_1iSFfzmG93HXfHhPtRp9A7G34j4vQssfxwlNdpYtiWWrFgW5u_QgoQHhBEZV_knX/s1600/KinGrpHm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554129725847139218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-HFPytLOsNFJsjchl01-A7D2EoX0vqWX0c0CtNkOwG97kTbOJ6XgLDSyO9NdhiWrEP7ws4utJpzb_1iSFfzmG93HXfHhPtRp9A7G34j4vQssfxwlNdpYtiWWrFgW5u_QgoQHhBEZV_knX/s400/KinGrpHm.jpg" border="0" /></a> This looks like New England to me... at least the New England I saw at the start of the Newhart Show. That church-like building is actually a group home in Kinkai. The traffic was at a dead stop on the main road south to Nagasaki, so we took a drive in country.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn6FxDr8DfghMZ3WUzA0AWnSWUXRQzgjwJPNoKrTaavaC-h6V7QfXwfOHWiY6Hi4TBN4ysKMzRfN6d6tL8Ilo7vGvAbMcf-p05E8kWJkk1gLjVbmWB1bjt47ttTfZptYel2DEbDfLrB4tr/s1600/Kinkai.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554129725611039458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn6FxDr8DfghMZ3WUzA0AWnSWUXRQzgjwJPNoKrTaavaC-h6V7QfXwfOHWiY6Hi4TBN4ysKMzRfN6d6tL8Ilo7vGvAbMcf-p05E8kWJkk1gLjVbmWB1bjt47ttTfZptYel2DEbDfLrB4tr/s400/Kinkai.jpg" border="0" /></a> This was a little beach area with a pretty big parking lot. The fall foliage was beautiful.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqoChQ8I-SMxD1XVGHFujRFYJNZvW2vKmWZoFnvaPJwGEXOqsBC38j437lqxxLmnI_2q0bDOcVbH5PJnGpTGKfA8QFaCm_XGae0py9fxd8EBLlDEi-v9i4LWGKsvxQzlRLZwHheewKBg15/s1600/kinkai1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554129717635181746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqoChQ8I-SMxD1XVGHFujRFYJNZvW2vKmWZoFnvaPJwGEXOqsBC38j437lqxxLmnI_2q0bDOcVbH5PJnGpTGKfA8QFaCm_XGae0py9fxd8EBLlDEi-v9i4LWGKsvxQzlRLZwHheewKBg15/s400/kinkai1.jpg" border="0" /></a> A couple of starfish on the beach.</div></div>Dollars to Yenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17589712055940974491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7918168705751834074.post-15245119652651346492010-12-26T10:00:00.002+09:002010-12-26T10:00:02.236+09:00Kit Kat Coffee Mug<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1a-Jq8qKVnvKjWrn04H4zdDOutgZAWZpUVkS-AB1ZCt0S34gA9xgQCl5wMQvAiL-70a92VlgyCwDhlt_GTRVz-wUrSIxqaPI7XYNxFs_2ritNCXjVVTjjUU4-zGWooxi_7yTuV_TMA4tS/s1600/kkcoffeemug.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554127979488980322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1a-Jq8qKVnvKjWrn04H4zdDOutgZAWZpUVkS-AB1ZCt0S34gA9xgQCl5wMQvAiL-70a92VlgyCwDhlt_GTRVz-wUrSIxqaPI7XYNxFs_2ritNCXjVVTjjUU4-zGWooxi_7yTuV_TMA4tS/s400/kkcoffeemug.jpg" border="0" /></a> A pentagon shaped coffee mug, Nescafe and a plain Kit Kat. I wish the package would have included a flavored Kit Kat, but beggars can't be choosers.Dollars to Yenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17589712055940974491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7918168705751834074.post-63000141700067321022010-12-25T10:00:00.002+09:002010-12-25T10:00:02.897+09:00Christmas at Huis ten Bosch<div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554122212488317874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFJ-se_G_3x1NmcvLyDIghCw1Xj2hiqVD4Qxgtv3KkPaoc5hL0ZCP-Nc0cD6qpGnSnM7HFYELRbZ9ZFkfdv5ogMbe49-jhZ5jmG8g1mArmctAAol-EWVLtfWHIIWVKbDxoFYBUTCLexk-/s400/htb5.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>I wouldn't want to pay the electric bill at Huis ten Bosch this month! Seven million lights are on through the end of February.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554123916606442786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAc837l9rOxTh99s0d4859rt8s_Ttb9QQY9ujrULxEUMr7kHsKPU-TqcHijjhHV_3jFbGmBpW7Yh_qhxuPfELQGtLRVmT08PzcrMUeI7vQDYCKnJ0xU1EGHyGJVjkBb8TJQnne29392FXz/s400/htb6.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>People were posing with that lighted heart in the midst of this LED carousel. </div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLeIFNIGEjQa1JzvSMye0DGDU3j8MPjhCYhQbeEyO6UKZ2th_zIVrE0LOly_9sucUL9a9OPhhVeqEodJ2Ev7MHDKvTeb6ujKM_ZsZRQ6mEgwaE3tC7Av6YzgoSGjBeiU98VLvyxFMsz3_/s1600/htb7.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554122195502558626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLeIFNIGEjQa1JzvSMye0DGDU3j8MPjhCYhQbeEyO6UKZ2th_zIVrE0LOly_9sucUL9a9OPhhVeqEodJ2Ev7MHDKvTeb6ujKM_ZsZRQ6mEgwaE3tC7Av6YzgoSGjBeiU98VLvyxFMsz3_/s400/htb7.jpg" border="0" /></a> We didn't even attempt to go up the clock tower that day. It was the Emperor's birthday, so the park was crowded.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR2pHQW5PZqT6sl-1LrEhpEy6C4KCx5MoyTZ1_aWWLMN-xe5ZJgkW9iMOxf7dJLqFUYpCO5BLx5qwnTbmanVoi4DITkoKxFe8o6qlQ0qlIS2xkztUR2i2wuVF9nVYcbMQATF0c-Xcbfiiz/s1600/htb4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554121978960873378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR2pHQW5PZqT6sl-1LrEhpEy6C4KCx5MoyTZ1_aWWLMN-xe5ZJgkW9iMOxf7dJLqFUYpCO5BLx5qwnTbmanVoi4DITkoKxFe8o6qlQ0qlIS2xkztUR2i2wuVF9nVYcbMQATF0c-Xcbfiiz/s400/htb4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-QaCZUytYdKeRQOCkhhvFPzIbSnbJDXfi0rEsW-Z8VT2ut0LXVPRlvHbnF7gKMYDkxh0yhElDYEGPpMoQtVNsA9E6aQy2SQQyWdCOsU4Nk_qf59AVnefziE0ehSwDv-p1p51owVzCJ12/s1600/htb3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554121975590024082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-QaCZUytYdKeRQOCkhhvFPzIbSnbJDXfi0rEsW-Z8VT2ut0LXVPRlvHbnF7gKMYDkxh0yhElDYEGPpMoQtVNsA9E6aQy2SQQyWdCOsU4Nk_qf59AVnefziE0ehSwDv-p1p51owVzCJ12/s400/htb3.jpg" border="0" /></a> The photo above and the one below were taken at the Huis ten Bosch Palace. There is a separate charge to get in. I personally thought that the Light Art Garden in the main part of the park was a better light show, but the Palace light show includes a concert. The lights at the palace are timed with songs by ABBA and Billy Joel amongst others.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh17UtIxV06xzafvv9ADgwv0lZIvQBcLSVyhZJ5bHIXEWDxJz1tdPRaL4wXijORzxkbyK7GHN74t-8nHruniYM0i1MW8YqnvNABcnUErJE54g2uD4PPPH-V7PjPnEbWr8d_GtDnVsanDwXA/s1600/htb1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554121970222259634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh17UtIxV06xzafvv9ADgwv0lZIvQBcLSVyhZJ5bHIXEWDxJz1tdPRaL4wXijORzxkbyK7GHN74t-8nHruniYM0i1MW8YqnvNABcnUErJE54g2uD4PPPH-V7PjPnEbWr8d_GtDnVsanDwXA/s400/htb1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwQZ4SbmZgz9ScPEDmbVkGo52-iD0-MR0ATMQF_cfPgVIP0AHadf-oDVBuMiUdqqAp3dmRDayn6F4HjFk0vLsTAjctmAYpqys8n7DCYPCMqMDUx2aS66xtOkUoDzodD0Q7zR7s5Pwee7gp/s1600/htb8.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554121968162048338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwQZ4SbmZgz9ScPEDmbVkGo52-iD0-MR0ATMQF_cfPgVIP0AHadf-oDVBuMiUdqqAp3dmRDayn6F4HjFk0vLsTAjctmAYpqys8n7DCYPCMqMDUx2aS66xtOkUoDzodD0Q7zR7s5Pwee7gp/s400/htb8.jpg" border="0" /></a> Before you buy into Canon's latest "low light" claim for their Powershot camera, take a look at these photos taken in the low light setting. They looked fine in the view finder, but they look horrible once I downloaded them. <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4oMRkl1YXXxg2NwK2c8Bt-HXIn-GgMNIMKET2c4ZcevioWvlUat8825T8OJyNIOxFt_fmQ_SgLH_sNbbkq3kuRn8uWNbK4nYGbttD_ZhCexyKcCtnB6ZxYuaJnmPbDxHR7xZAg4NxoqI/s1600/htb2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554121936281010962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4oMRkl1YXXxg2NwK2c8Bt-HXIn-GgMNIMKET2c4ZcevioWvlUat8825T8OJyNIOxFt_fmQ_SgLH_sNbbkq3kuRn8uWNbK4nYGbttD_ZhCexyKcCtnB6ZxYuaJnmPbDxHR7xZAg4NxoqI/s400/htb2.jpg" border="0" /></a> The light display this year was different enough to bring us in again, so if you went last year, you may want to return.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Dollars to Yenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17589712055940974491noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7918168705751834074.post-6360851681492956102010-12-23T20:05:00.004+09:002010-12-23T20:18:04.631+09:00It's Christmas in Japan!!!<p><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/lmCrIZeob4w?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/lmCrIZeob4w?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></p><p>This video seemed more appropriate when we lived near Tokyo, but it's still very cute </p><p></p>Dollars to Yenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17589712055940974491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7918168705751834074.post-21108085520275416602010-12-17T10:00:00.006+09:002010-12-17T10:00:00.262+09:00Forget microwaves... we're cooking geothermally!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDDVTRkNU8bJnHkZ1FdY_FkFGVms952_QQwwISAAGZqMNXiM9Cq4tiYe5DGVcEB2SgW9RfU9b5e5Dy4qDhgNQvElEyFKKuDFzp4Npm1ivnOD_irc7BvR4GufwjdIfd1wqX4jaIl-znC11r/s1600/food1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550016614559491202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDDVTRkNU8bJnHkZ1FdY_FkFGVms952_QQwwISAAGZqMNXiM9Cq4tiYe5DGVcEB2SgW9RfU9b5e5Dy4qDhgNQvElEyFKKuDFzp4Npm1ivnOD_irc7BvR4GufwjdIfd1wqX4jaIl-znC11r/s400/food1.jpg" border="0" /></a> Hot springs have been used to cook food for thousands of years. So, why not take a trip back in time and head to the Obama Onsen Resort with a dozen eggs, veggies and some kind of meat for lunch?<br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEA8M9ygBELsDWgSYZ86_6AFc3oTshLvG_Iki09lwbyEK-nZNkszRSnTl7UNs5iGUAnwSIQABVr-qCJhK2T36u7QRHTYP71UShf-iEpjsXFV-PqSXpHeII2SXS3k8PzncXE8G1JgCQeejH/s1600/food2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550016351898516754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEA8M9ygBELsDWgSYZ86_6AFc3oTshLvG_Iki09lwbyEK-nZNkszRSnTl7UNs5iGUAnwSIQABVr-qCJhK2T36u7QRHTYP71UShf-iEpjsXFV-PqSXpHeII2SXS3k8PzncXE8G1JgCQeejH/s400/food2.jpg" border="0" /></a> Get a basket, check the time chart listed above the steam ovens and wait. <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2B5KYuCiH-2LMyA4Pqk_fnTlaTFUAtsj2VZX6Dq8tOEYZepSVR7_YXJXCJ1YlQHKDdjGNN0zyQhkqKqSnc6XckQabWisEW8mdrsN5CvVKkAGb_2XNVd3I_OGffVxqNhViXnlfjqCZ1LQ/s1600/food3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550016348620690450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2B5KYuCiH-2LMyA4Pqk_fnTlaTFUAtsj2VZX6Dq8tOEYZepSVR7_YXJXCJ1YlQHKDdjGNN0zyQhkqKqSnc6XckQabWisEW8mdrsN5CvVKkAGb_2XNVd3I_OGffVxqNhViXnlfjqCZ1LQ/s400/food3.jpg" border="0" /></a> Out comes a delicious meal prepared by nature. Eggs take 8 to 10 minutes, potatoes 20 to 30. Octopus only takes 7 minutes... in case you were wondering.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzfpKtLlO4ThxdX27DHJ_XDjltD8e4qV_Su16SC1x6gHi4pCbBeHJ_1fNAJEnXiqfJiW8V1uvsI7cDf99IwNqNZnHIgFd9ckjrpfJBS_ORWXvA9P6zwfQdhv_KF00SNNmSBAPoTCdCqEa/s1600/food.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550016347688362898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzfpKtLlO4ThxdX27DHJ_XDjltD8e4qV_Su16SC1x6gHi4pCbBeHJ_1fNAJEnXiqfJiW8V1uvsI7cDf99IwNqNZnHIgFd9ckjrpfJBS_ORWXvA9P6zwfQdhv_KF00SNNmSBAPoTCdCqEa/s400/food.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div><br />Cooking chart above the steam ovens.Dollars to Yenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17589712055940974491noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7918168705751834074.post-55609511353905196822010-12-16T10:00:00.005+09:002010-12-16T10:00:02.328+09:00Japan's longest foot bath. For people and dogs!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgas5Mjz1tXu0GihxOmF1Eitf7oWWvsXYmJJOww9BuvR8AsLeNub1tEZ2b84XcVmjScVcIc_8qQ241E_aBNJxDL2YUaZrprQUZAn0i0hm-MN-_M2M-Xa2rwOxEpJFbuxxRnjurP9qwwQsJt/s1600/foot4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550009358522591106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgas5Mjz1tXu0GihxOmF1Eitf7oWWvsXYmJJOww9BuvR8AsLeNub1tEZ2b84XcVmjScVcIc_8qQ241E_aBNJxDL2YUaZrprQUZAn0i0hm-MN-_M2M-Xa2rwOxEpJFbuxxRnjurP9qwwQsJt/s400/foot4.jpg" border="0" /></a> This foot onsen is 105 meters of pure happiness. There are places to sit and just soak, but there are also reflexology bumps in the walking part of the onsen. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550013603538458066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtj_c3I4G454kQUu13_FDZmpRbyCB1A1yyfC_tv1JBPbs27xz1eCBd0l6A3MU7akigHQzYWljwSxTQO1kJJzPX-lOwSD0rwvuMNerBf-IsMotbC5NbBsN1cN5Oj_8TPzX53WgnwBkgBaYo/s400/foot5.jpg" border="0" />You can massage your feet out of the water too. Your choice.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCoaNbEhcJMUCOXFDieuXw6ngafuqE9XtkZlNEUy3GICkoiuYV-ogt6kChfIxsnCtrQvSGlNyII2ABUvICvo4ueyjpLzfPDF-ZTD3YEkF47frwVakIvG0GVt3CxZmLTXgPEPqGZlR8gAS-/s1600/foot1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550009356816696034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCoaNbEhcJMUCOXFDieuXw6ngafuqE9XtkZlNEUy3GICkoiuYV-ogt6kChfIxsnCtrQvSGlNyII2ABUvICvo4ueyjpLzfPDF-ZTD3YEkF47frwVakIvG0GVt3CxZmLTXgPEPqGZlR8gAS-/s400/foot1.jpg" border="0" /></a> The Obama Onsen is a free foot bath snuggled into the Unzen area of the Nagasaki Prefecture. You can soak your feet while either gazing upon the ocean or the mountains.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpO4p_XcTrV2cJvJwKQhLaOSvHsvMVCa_8RM7FYHZfuLXsa2-ogbf2TlhtgQODt7-JYj7_2IOBZsczhYoLwFMBLuzrnNlI6NmYQr03RHIjr1X_Yb7MaROO9pWU8wKf8K_VHQFM1HxDj8Q/s1600/foot.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550009357448949234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpO4p_XcTrV2cJvJwKQhLaOSvHsvMVCa_8RM7FYHZfuLXsa2-ogbf2TlhtgQODt7-JYj7_2IOBZsczhYoLwFMBLuzrnNlI6NmYQr03RHIjr1X_Yb7MaROO9pWU8wKf8K_VHQFM1HxDj8Q/s400/foot.jpg" border="0" /></a> It's free to soak your feet. They're open from 10:00 to 18:00 until April when they are open until 19:00.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPfLYYzvVF140jGGJ3qjLDcKGdEu3Mq7wfULFLsEM_Zo_vx9Ap6SaqMlS0XA97HYIR8JPX4sgLthHwrXoWALEGbzI-eG9DT6mbPxIGuJtWBRcRGmaq3UYJaSZuYzJiqw3VKI-kYkOMAekR/s1600/foot3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550009352801586242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPfLYYzvVF140jGGJ3qjLDcKGdEu3Mq7wfULFLsEM_Zo_vx9Ap6SaqMlS0XA97HYIR8JPX4sgLthHwrXoWALEGbzI-eG9DT6mbPxIGuJtWBRcRGmaq3UYJaSZuYzJiqw3VKI-kYkOMAekR/s400/foot3.jpg" border="0" /></a> The pet foot bath is at the end. On the other end is a place where you can steam your lunch. <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMu_ozmQVl7EBPn5FtoXz2GtUYvmfMF0QUP2cE-eXgveraxFho-MK3smoBelC4uSlcPCiNaSt9iOe4O-A2XWIPi7orclrkdEV21quHbbKA_BX2BJQrvgR0bdIf6GqI8358zv4N-P1Mr_n/s1600/foot2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550009346687345378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMu_ozmQVl7EBPn5FtoXz2GtUYvmfMF0QUP2cE-eXgveraxFho-MK3smoBelC4uSlcPCiNaSt9iOe4O-A2XWIPi7orclrkdEV21quHbbKA_BX2BJQrvgR0bdIf6GqI8358zv4N-P1Mr_n/s400/foot2.jpg" border="0" /></a> The pet foot bath.</div></div></div></div>Dollars to Yenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17589712055940974491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7918168705751834074.post-78332010940276497312010-12-15T10:00:00.002+09:002010-12-15T10:00:02.012+09:00The other Obama<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPMYTt1HiTvryBUUf2DaLFES-_aiIjmhF6hWADQUbhIKvvchJmA8IT04AKaYD3jUUT3LJsi6OWOWZFT5swXIkaB5zobHpSbCJzBVj9MAVjaaZJ1WjpwK8hyj9XiNXWoGwIWYANVEi2Tzb/s1600/obama1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550004382151424658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPMYTt1HiTvryBUUf2DaLFES-_aiIjmhF6hWADQUbhIKvvchJmA8IT04AKaYD3jUUT3LJsi6OWOWZFT5swXIkaB5zobHpSbCJzBVj9MAVjaaZJ1WjpwK8hyj9XiNXWoGwIWYANVEi2Tzb/s400/obama1.jpg" border="0" /></a> Obama town in Unzen City in the Nagasaki Prefecture on the land mass called Kyushu. I think I got that right. It is not the most famous Obama, it's not even the most famous Obama in Japan, but that doesn't mean they can't have a little fun with the name. Welcome to the Obama Onsen. <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3b94UUKQh_f-K7uRag2j-QfbcoKxdpuHx20gppPVFcwIBYAz0vRgz4vHo7cs2cBlA04BWvmU5KG92i86bU3mGGLcaBKvvS7tfJuYCDTN_4MZgKYCC7Fhedx7_0ME_b56B_jOqSK-iKBI/s1600/towel.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550004379340656994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3b94UUKQh_f-K7uRag2j-QfbcoKxdpuHx20gppPVFcwIBYAz0vRgz4vHo7cs2cBlA04BWvmU5KG92i86bU3mGGLcaBKvvS7tfJuYCDTN_4MZgKYCC7Fhedx7_0ME_b56B_jOqSK-iKBI/s400/towel.jpg" border="0" /></a> Would you like to buy a towel?<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZu45Us8S7wUEfwoYW5TesHBgjYcJhwwdrobs94_5PPNc0bXVofeBcsf-_Oj4eYxnz-u1MTTXfewmSXdodnf28YNjfXyDoEhbJxxdQHgwVborn07EYGPX8rEJYmZ8EgW_HiGlm9xZAavz/s1600/obama2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550004372334983954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZu45Us8S7wUEfwoYW5TesHBgjYcJhwwdrobs94_5PPNc0bXVofeBcsf-_Oj4eYxnz-u1MTTXfewmSXdodnf28YNjfXyDoEhbJxxdQHgwVborn07EYGPX8rEJYmZ8EgW_HiGlm9xZAavz/s400/obama2.jpg" border="0" /></a> A close up of the towel.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ3W4-kLpdzikACzZdmFiswL85fhAioGth1AZKtpgxIhsQ9oaVhyDifGnElU4MXrKl8clo83f3vNqN0BkJw3Hmd8xX3e3aPfpnAPLcqXnDTjVr5cbBG4AA51WijBnUtC8feYwaHp2V79d0/s1600/obama.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550004374963800642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ3W4-kLpdzikACzZdmFiswL85fhAioGth1AZKtpgxIhsQ9oaVhyDifGnElU4MXrKl8clo83f3vNqN0BkJw3Hmd8xX3e3aPfpnAPLcqXnDTjVr5cbBG4AA51WijBnUtC8feYwaHp2V79d0/s400/obama.jpg" border="0" /></a> Change.</div></div></div>Dollars to Yenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17589712055940974491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7918168705751834074.post-77618944371739710202010-12-14T10:00:00.001+09:002010-12-14T10:00:02.646+09:00Unzen Obama Marathon<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAABlpVW_Y4U4K_9D6-mjgg_zw7QrhYPkKJJ95gWrKHxwamLvmRdHkf51a4vHgA_gSPEdTJDZdN-APGcWYBuxg2uUINJ1Wse6xYSdM56xDVKAr_IOiDvgyGjkS3pJOMSJpl-19lRcBX7nm/s1600/race8.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549990788021602098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAABlpVW_Y4U4K_9D6-mjgg_zw7QrhYPkKJJ95gWrKHxwamLvmRdHkf51a4vHgA_gSPEdTJDZdN-APGcWYBuxg2uUINJ1Wse6xYSdM56xDVKAr_IOiDvgyGjkS3pJOMSJpl-19lRcBX7nm/s400/race8.jpg" border="0" /></a> By marathon, they mean 20 kilometers. Don't get me wrong, it still hurts, but only half as much as a full marathon. This past weekend was the 34th annual Unzen Obama Marathon. In addition to the 20k, there were also shorter distances of 5k and 10k. All distances start at the same time. The picture above was as we were waiting for the police to stop traffic for the start of the race.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGQOA7D-yvIVOauAk_twSkLmGMpenOZOrsseQwT9Q5cXy9U4rdj01pYDaDJFrB71lpbGEBzJ4x4jH3Y4IEQkQ35Cprw_k_jX0kfqulg5Yvo4m_EFphA8j0cKoFmBNOcXpFZltOyTEp7qS/s1600/race7.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549990784854818274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGQOA7D-yvIVOauAk_twSkLmGMpenOZOrsseQwT9Q5cXy9U4rdj01pYDaDJFrB71lpbGEBzJ4x4jH3Y4IEQkQ35Cprw_k_jX0kfqulg5Yvo4m_EFphA8j0cKoFmBNOcXpFZltOyTEp7qS/s400/race7.jpg" border="0" /></a> The race packet included a coupon book. One of the coupons was an entry for a contest to win something. The kanji was above my reading level, so I don't know what it was for. Another one of the coupons was for a bag of potatoes. This area of the Nagasaki Prefecture is well known for their potatoes. <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNNh1qs_ji26ivA4Q0yNYUjYsDkas-wqP5W5fDBYfXaAD4GWKIUqyJYx5_qCkLJf6DuxoPl8rsMxhU_psaBOn_0jSLLJd307RONa_UFSj92eMFDo66n_UbyBko2hHymtvORE5LBmY9F5u/s1600/race6.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549990778885386834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNNh1qs_ji26ivA4Q0yNYUjYsDkas-wqP5W5fDBYfXaAD4GWKIUqyJYx5_qCkLJf6DuxoPl8rsMxhU_psaBOn_0jSLLJd307RONa_UFSj92eMFDo66n_UbyBko2hHymtvORE5LBmY9F5u/s400/race6.jpg" border="0" /></a> The start, finish, and festival for the marathon all take part in Obama Marine Park... home of the 105 meter foot bath that opened last February. The very left part of the picture are reflexology squares. There are more actually inside the walking part of the foot bath. I took this picture after the race during the awards ceremony. There were more than 1,700 runners. <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg7zhXRi324aMAMOyckl3fmD2gOKD5RxbxB1IbrcqeF003-ls6qOI10pkAOFM_qlFnbbRt9xCzcWKHUMNfWZbktH742FjZ0TPi6LYfSb20dfyI6t6hz7xg_6QF7koRwaG6oBBVlQ7YucEm/s1600/race5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549990773246445394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg7zhXRi324aMAMOyckl3fmD2gOKD5RxbxB1IbrcqeF003-ls6qOI10pkAOFM_qlFnbbRt9xCzcWKHUMNfWZbktH742FjZ0TPi6LYfSb20dfyI6t6hz7xg_6QF7koRwaG6oBBVlQ7YucEm/s400/race5.jpg" border="0" /></a> The festival part near the start line. They were hawking the standard festival fare such as knives, live turtles, and dried fish.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVtgcWhBloN8-6pFMvkc9g7QDvRh0M9_S-Dml3EqejQKEq-yUVyRnTQGRXl4z67rV23_XMp2SjrNpdvjSSbctl_fxYxthJekWTSKG0im3qCZMrTgpySHG-TlXjO1nwiUK3qdEPzxtJ3o8W/s1600/race4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549990532379812418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVtgcWhBloN8-6pFMvkc9g7QDvRh0M9_S-Dml3EqejQKEq-yUVyRnTQGRXl4z67rV23_XMp2SjrNpdvjSSbctl_fxYxthJekWTSKG0im3qCZMrTgpySHG-TlXjO1nwiUK3qdEPzxtJ3o8W/s400/race4.jpg" border="0" /></a> I wonder if the dried fish would be good protein on the run. They were handing out samples, but I didn't dare take a chance.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFKDhlftsX8VCIr7_eon740c24RCBwwExtYxkN6GKz03WwEtKZEXfzeggGGeGZ6BfkojWhyphenhyphenzEZu8I8Qo1CstJwv1pkULswg-Xf6kNmiGS15tz1Gj3dg1Jopya8omIQ6ySWKMSjjP-IQd5E/s1600/race3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549990522704405442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFKDhlftsX8VCIr7_eon740c24RCBwwExtYxkN6GKz03WwEtKZEXfzeggGGeGZ6BfkojWhyphenhyphenzEZu8I8Qo1CstJwv1pkULswg-Xf6kNmiGS15tz1Gj3dg1Jopya8omIQ6ySWKMSjjP-IQd5E/s400/race3.jpg" border="0" /></a> The 20k turnaround. The 10 and 5k routes were both very flat. Not so for the 20k! Near the turn around there are two massive hills. That means FOUR UPHILLS!!! I hated every minute of that. There is also a lot of traffic with not much room to move. There were times when I had to keep my elbows on my body so as not to hit the semi trucks or buses passing me.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGd8Gjieb-UucRphqqaN04S_ncvCp8g8S8YhKcCsnrtbe_k8YDRR_NKzkc-q_Azl9i5qupNbhW_BBtTGwrbcOb-9DtAbYd3nTBRxbzNonEYUjR8KMdR7bga4oGRIv2g8vyUfpLbAIV9yq4/s1600/race2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549990518531169026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGd8Gjieb-UucRphqqaN04S_ncvCp8g8S8YhKcCsnrtbe_k8YDRR_NKzkc-q_Azl9i5qupNbhW_BBtTGwrbcOb-9DtAbYd3nTBRxbzNonEYUjR8KMdR7bga4oGRIv2g8vyUfpLbAIV9yq4/s400/race2.jpg" border="0" /></a> One of the places were there was actually a sidewalk to run on. <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Y_p_QsIU8sihNjwIE70UzOX9rlwwhiFsF03AGJnrRGDCtsUQy7v-R2F7j-i9OLRcxal6sUruyH_i2QWClNxskmejoenXcqV5wj3gQ1tWke3v3SVo9f4H_GGIj4jRJSoPaVRMGJtBTg-S/s1600/race1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549990511272917938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Y_p_QsIU8sihNjwIE70UzOX9rlwwhiFsF03AGJnrRGDCtsUQy7v-R2F7j-i9OLRcxal6sUruyH_i2QWClNxskmejoenXcqV5wj3gQ1tWke3v3SVo9f4H_GGIj4jRJSoPaVRMGJtBTg-S/s400/race1.jpg" border="0" /></a> The finish line. After you finish, you go to that red and white tent so they can print you out your finish certificate.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSmiYQTQIejCxwKjy1Xxad_DKfFvfoa06gZuwSsz3zFzDPLvBxgZllZXCVJGpqcd4yYZq_S-4BPyduTSCBdVMWvH78mfJqXR18YTGjgZvYrF16Cp1vhLEC78DfWm_wGymRPqQovRMyA66/s1600/race.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549990509745010178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 389px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSmiYQTQIejCxwKjy1Xxad_DKfFvfoa06gZuwSsz3zFzDPLvBxgZllZXCVJGpqcd4yYZq_S-4BPyduTSCBdVMWvH78mfJqXR18YTGjgZvYrF16Cp1vhLEC78DfWm_wGymRPqQovRMyA66/s400/race.jpg" border="0" /></a> This view, while pretty, was near the top of one of those monster hills near the 20k turnaround.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Dollars to Yenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17589712055940974491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7918168705751834074.post-91492560859620419592010-12-13T10:00:00.002+09:002010-12-13T10:00:01.142+09:00Ritz and Bitter Oreo Bars<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5OG5JWBQoQZ6WWwezlynySYD63yWwLbdv3rReOG_boWumdDj3b6VKKDqmdrq-zC_cyEsxGQFTW1qy7nmu8553VF5tliXnCJDc8uDRyjHBAI0s-3K6OPBT1VeDHCf2A0no0KPbCoaFdhd/s1600/MBRitz.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549926925630230146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 292px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 389px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5OG5JWBQoQZ6WWwezlynySYD63yWwLbdv3rReOG_boWumdDj3b6VKKDqmdrq-zC_cyEsxGQFTW1qy7nmu8553VF5tliXnCJDc8uDRyjHBAI0s-3K6OPBT1VeDHCf2A0no0KPbCoaFdhd/s400/MBRitz.jpg" border="0" /></a> Mozzarella and Basil Ritz sandwiches. I haven't tried them yet.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZJBmsDatMWD2uTcdaXRBs6OHF8ynHM9MUo8FkjHYc58tIlxDPgNWJnPuvrrOEiuBgrk9gP7-tuYf6yIWR-pwPlkOtO-84z5rp1PoNo2LBZrIsfzoDDU-B4XTJs6e5eFJTkxJb6daR02V/s1600/bitteroreo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549926911146932674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 389px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZJBmsDatMWD2uTcdaXRBs6OHF8ynHM9MUo8FkjHYc58tIlxDPgNWJnPuvrrOEiuBgrk9gP7-tuYf6yIWR-pwPlkOtO-84z5rp1PoNo2LBZrIsfzoDDU-B4XTJs6e5eFJTkxJb6daR02V/s400/bitteroreo.jpg" border="0" /></a> Bitter Oreo bar. It's really chocolaty! I didn't think anything could ever be too chocolaty, but this may be.</div>Dollars to Yenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17589712055940974491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7918168705751834074.post-85789086098452536762010-12-08T10:00:00.001+09:002010-12-08T10:00:00.697+09:00It's Strawberry (Kit Kat) Season again!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJC8Nuf3NEkwxys-DJN9nQ0E-gzhADKwY1cUNcT3Wj3Oi6LIKtEjS61z9oQuJpfuoV4TA_JgeNDVbJNhpruN95CXwm2CYylp86cqVUepdkppTFZzF1ctZQxeZ6QSZvmIAnKsmakxdLX8G/s1600/Strawcake.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547776397304368770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 389px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJC8Nuf3NEkwxys-DJN9nQ0E-gzhADKwY1cUNcT3Wj3Oi6LIKtEjS61z9oQuJpfuoV4TA_JgeNDVbJNhpruN95CXwm2CYylp86cqVUepdkppTFZzF1ctZQxeZ6QSZvmIAnKsmakxdLX8G/s400/Strawcake.jpg" border="0" /></a> The Cake Kit Kats taste, to me, like every other strawberry flavored Kit Kats. It has thick, strawberry flavored, white chocolate. It seeemed like a thicker coating too. Blech!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFFIivMxiPiLW2WKN9_c35-h1H1yvCygWx-TVZ15NN1FJXp4fbtmVZuttMv2p26pCQTj42u8OeKsKIcGGNyy6b3_Dh7-2acwYNh3kSV38il58V0Yxd-vU3c7M_5ZXFo6VzpRAQA7pu1A3/s1600/Strawballs.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547775875590584178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 389px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFFIivMxiPiLW2WKN9_c35-h1H1yvCygWx-TVZ15NN1FJXp4fbtmVZuttMv2p26pCQTj42u8OeKsKIcGGNyy6b3_Dh7-2acwYNh3kSV38il58V0Yxd-vU3c7M_5ZXFo6VzpRAQA7pu1A3/s400/Strawballs.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br />I'm starting to see the real Japanese strawberries in the farmers markets now. They are so good!Dollars to Yenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17589712055940974491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7918168705751834074.post-3186503202234366102010-12-07T10:00:00.002+09:002010-12-07T10:00:03.379+09:00Mochi Pounding!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAslkseEfye7Tal-BZ7Y_Fpb3V3mmaSFindXxyh5zwTkOKNyRXKmyGxGYi7xQ3WAcVGng4Y2iNo-xLBGfXur2aB1Wg_KI9bOpbv4PJTr49iaCqHDa0FgPI_U1zuTqvp83GjcLE7zqC6YRf/s1600/mochi4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547423268160643874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAslkseEfye7Tal-BZ7Y_Fpb3V3mmaSFindXxyh5zwTkOKNyRXKmyGxGYi7xQ3WAcVGng4Y2iNo-xLBGfXur2aB1Wg_KI9bOpbv4PJTr49iaCqHDa0FgPI_U1zuTqvp83GjcLE7zqC6YRf/s400/mochi4.jpg" border="0" /></a> A farmers market in Haiki held a Mochi Pounding over the weekend. I've been to several, and while I like them, I'm more interested in the finished product... Mochi!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGhwKEXhNk5470V6uc998fH7TtNBJxg6BMWvgEfSS1S-LKooKwx9dhkRJeQQFeTg1uTQjq9RHpCM-xJkynHV_IJ-FH5LBM7GfU-vRV61mJfHk7M9HI6R8QTDncpVpVjZcbm4i-HLURAssB/s1600/mochi.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547423264649916866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGhwKEXhNk5470V6uc998fH7TtNBJxg6BMWvgEfSS1S-LKooKwx9dhkRJeQQFeTg1uTQjq9RHpCM-xJkynHV_IJ-FH5LBM7GfU-vRV61mJfHk7M9HI6R8QTDncpVpVjZcbm4i-HLURAssB/s400/mochi.jpg" border="0" /></a> As with the other mochi poundings I've been to, this one allowed visitors to come up and try their hand swinging the giant wooden mallets onto the glutinous rice.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFJpCk0HMt2kcjA0Zmdb8FWbE0hLkiTcm0ZV56NifA-uARkQLNcduBJHNJYHZa-OdxCujKpi-xEpkvr8DbKKkaBS_jyUjewXFZhfFVaw-eK2Jh-EQ9fAEL5HeiXXamvTnonB3vU2FEi4X/s1600/mochi1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547423255214587346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFJpCk0HMt2kcjA0Zmdb8FWbE0hLkiTcm0ZV56NifA-uARkQLNcduBJHNJYHZa-OdxCujKpi-xEpkvr8DbKKkaBS_jyUjewXFZhfFVaw-eK2Jh-EQ9fAEL5HeiXXamvTnonB3vU2FEi4X/s400/mochi1.jpg" border="0" /></a> When the guys who are doing the real pounding are at work, it's a fast process. One guy adds water and quickly moves out of the way to avoid a lump on the head.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnlcZIYxlptKN3g6mdKOa2ySl5BS6gcNTwqvrM1lQtlE6aypRqqrwovxGV6UKx-S823ciaV5mEySJ4sYgKjhvPbN_HwFw5UxSUjsaBjTBntbRiuyAi5zwsLjjZDkApl_VuhQRMdfl-urd6/s1600/mochi2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547423254403322226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnlcZIYxlptKN3g6mdKOa2ySl5BS6gcNTwqvrM1lQtlE6aypRqqrwovxGV6UKx-S823ciaV5mEySJ4sYgKjhvPbN_HwFw5UxSUjsaBjTBntbRiuyAi5zwsLjjZDkApl_VuhQRMdfl-urd6/s400/mochi2.jpg" border="0" /></a> During the break, you could buy the fresh azuki (sweetened red bean paste) filled mochi and mikans.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZYrgy3sF0R19Zl6PBimrK1Ms-ESc7ddJkdGtqdrqvPIOc2FSzz_YSsk1pmMMqiXusHK5eDRjmb01Lbcfq3RQ3GFOu0jIjgHjRk_rZiMBkZygsm_3Kl65v_BfEvAVZJf9TY8R8sfk8EiA/s1600/mochi3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547423253253121298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZYrgy3sF0R19Zl6PBimrK1Ms-ESc7ddJkdGtqdrqvPIOc2FSzz_YSsk1pmMMqiXusHK5eDRjmb01Lbcfq3RQ3GFOu0jIjgHjRk_rZiMBkZygsm_3Kl65v_BfEvAVZJf9TY8R8sfk8EiA/s400/mochi3.jpg" border="0" /></a> Still hard at work. </div></div></div></div>Dollars to Yenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17589712055940974491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7918168705751834074.post-76449327356474059942010-12-05T10:00:00.003+09:002010-12-05T10:00:00.819+09:00Kinkai Central Park<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKO4wYuUEjfbBiYKqeuY7ICM3IuWoErHLHJ2Lu6m7GsZxF9BOUtqcNx3xN2Wo9KOVv4ZIEk3VOSFmwqlrtS7GRjsX6HALt46c0Phk5ouYYF9GT7_koNNNFvISSbM969aQtG0U9Hm34ZoCO/s1600/Kinkai1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546763780271538562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 389px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKO4wYuUEjfbBiYKqeuY7ICM3IuWoErHLHJ2Lu6m7GsZxF9BOUtqcNx3xN2Wo9KOVv4ZIEk3VOSFmwqlrtS7GRjsX6HALt46c0Phk5ouYYF9GT7_koNNNFvISSbM969aQtG0U9Hm34ZoCO/s400/Kinkai1.jpg" border="0" /></a> This fun little park is very well maintained. It's kind of like Saikai Park but all mushed together. The slides are smaller almost as if it's a training park before you can move on to Saikai. <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggHiOlFgr8USGZo8isOmc8hzh_uuAe8i4nbUVucnUOdk0mjQD-9wPXUDHGh-sp_2Z9M7RAj9BZHUUo3rh9B5noq7R1zINVFW4M_DnCycln69AsNWEhjOcscCJ_T_UX-YnwAWJrZBDE_MT-/s1600/Kinkai4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546763778040420146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 292px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 389px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggHiOlFgr8USGZo8isOmc8hzh_uuAe8i4nbUVucnUOdk0mjQD-9wPXUDHGh-sp_2Z9M7RAj9BZHUUo3rh9B5noq7R1zINVFW4M_DnCycln69AsNWEhjOcscCJ_T_UX-YnwAWJrZBDE_MT-/s400/Kinkai4.jpg" border="0" /></a> Such a beautiful view!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF9pwbXb0ar_HGrOwwJhdc9Xa0YhbXonjLJJH26SjRzhMgykptzMV0BsCWnSoaNdMRMvDwA07CW_axzyXn68u2Cb2IPziuSxEVIirODI4dfEvXcH70p5g-ru6sAnvVIkq9eSuVIL3XY4SP/s1600/Kinkai2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546763767923862690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 292px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 389px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF9pwbXb0ar_HGrOwwJhdc9Xa0YhbXonjLJJH26SjRzhMgykptzMV0BsCWnSoaNdMRMvDwA07CW_axzyXn68u2Cb2IPziuSxEVIirODI4dfEvXcH70p5g-ru6sAnvVIkq9eSuVIL3XY4SP/s400/Kinkai2.jpg" border="0" /></a> The rollerslide wasn't too long, or too fast....<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh540GHNFi8dxt9xe8LolwCPeG8OMzhlAt-QtPnccys2iqmSwDO3rWSMnz45AjZWCfPFt-hczNOiDfJnEF4CPSBhRWspDnKBBgu0tRQZ_Cc8QZkLFK5hsbMD1Lgv8o5Vp0WxN9CDkxEvcG8/s1600/Kinkai3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546763769276708050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 292px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 389px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh540GHNFi8dxt9xe8LolwCPeG8OMzhlAt-QtPnccys2iqmSwDO3rWSMnz45AjZWCfPFt-hczNOiDfJnEF4CPSBhRWspDnKBBgu0tRQZ_Cc8QZkLFK5hsbMD1Lgv8o5Vp0WxN9CDkxEvcG8/s400/Kinkai3.jpg" border="0" /></a>...but it goes under other climbing parts of the park.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrKyNn5OeSeUwiUZWjbATP0FpP-ihyphenhyphenjBZQoMeKaFp6Jb6zWa1KSRmxElSbjJ7nHab04sqBH1bSpUTe8lX5mXGaBmhn4QSHFnJTSDSbgGKgJAflhM4Me3Zt0N1Q978lHsF__2MCC9jlYkzW/s1600/Kinkai5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546763290795954466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrKyNn5OeSeUwiUZWjbATP0FpP-ihyphenhyphenjBZQoMeKaFp6Jb6zWa1KSRmxElSbjJ7nHab04sqBH1bSpUTe8lX5mXGaBmhn4QSHFnJTSDSbgGKgJAflhM4Me3Zt0N1Q978lHsF__2MCC9jlYkzW/s400/Kinkai5.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEOx_vgcNJ52CjvsOJURZVJNCWdm6xkTwrpKyP5wo5UIifAO99hCflpGTdebuppmXki5h-TWsOYmf9D2rAbp4WLnRuBzPHKZUEB12ayJdCRprCf_NgIXWbwcoPebvKywsHC7y4jo2dxK2o/s1600/Kinkai6.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546763284086655170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 389px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEOx_vgcNJ52CjvsOJURZVJNCWdm6xkTwrpKyP5wo5UIifAO99hCflpGTdebuppmXki5h-TWsOYmf9D2rAbp4WLnRuBzPHKZUEB12ayJdCRprCf_NgIXWbwcoPebvKywsHC7y4jo2dxK2o/s400/Kinkai6.jpg" border="0" /></a> Grass slide... maybe? I forgot to walk down there to read the sign.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgai-5BbyIr-tYySmo8L6Opdsigy1snc3f6TPaxjBlV_77JikcWq4UsJKjgrppiN0PzhMBPjWGZA_QJ7qid-7zd_oIMPBmo9N00NQfZBTnp6wVoexjfclQAG1owXl5y0Z81RkjgeXQ63w2P/s1600/Kinkai8.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546763283263463602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 389px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgai-5BbyIr-tYySmo8L6Opdsigy1snc3f6TPaxjBlV_77JikcWq4UsJKjgrppiN0PzhMBPjWGZA_QJ7qid-7zd_oIMPBmo9N00NQfZBTnp6wVoexjfclQAG1owXl5y0Z81RkjgeXQ63w2P/s400/Kinkai8.jpg" border="0" /></a> But wait... there's more! From the park's parking area, there are two ways to get to the playground area. The bridge is fun and bouncy. <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqC48WfgL8JkXcVgpJ4KU_5DbWKJCw7hirBrflm4EeLjySHd_p9VrN2acy1YYjjEPtixkdjKZCWV_RFqqZJh91QpsgGJPih3pWSG_CG4dT0pDmKhbnS0RFSVUmAFCLV5Y6MEY2C9GKkepZ/s1600/Kinkai7.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546763279941338210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 292px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 389px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqC48WfgL8JkXcVgpJ4KU_5DbWKJCw7hirBrflm4EeLjySHd_p9VrN2acy1YYjjEPtixkdjKZCWV_RFqqZJh91QpsgGJPih3pWSG_CG4dT0pDmKhbnS0RFSVUmAFCLV5Y6MEY2C9GKkepZ/s400/Kinkai7.jpg" border="0" /></a> At the top of the hill that the park is on, there is this viewing area. The view is very pretty this time of year.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMGFtW1YRRE4B2U7eVjExkWeM5vs9jAACqsCL3o4HhohlPsBzkgC4TFwa8CBgRhbI-TuSZwXaxNSjgAtsok8NsVIB5BnyZqklZQDa1bw0Jy4o5pWs4munO0vCMJv4-C09yiuV8yLoAh5G/s1600/Kinkai.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546763280106071154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 389px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMGFtW1YRRE4B2U7eVjExkWeM5vs9jAACqsCL3o4HhohlPsBzkgC4TFwa8CBgRhbI-TuSZwXaxNSjgAtsok8NsVIB5BnyZqklZQDa1bw0Jy4o5pWs4munO0vCMJv4-C09yiuV8yLoAh5G/s400/Kinkai.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br />To get there, head south towards Nagasaki past Bio Park. Once you're in Kinkai, pass the Mobile station on the right and look for the sign above on the left side and turn there. You need to turn right to keep the water at your left. Kinkai is written in plants on the right side of the road; turn left and enter the park.Dollars to Yenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17589712055940974491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7918168705751834074.post-32382969380600083282010-11-29T10:00:00.002+09:002010-11-29T10:00:03.146+09:00On my honor... stand<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj2gARh6mexGyOpGHY55ZXdSPi29jYWf_rR1o8KaQnK6oOPPJ7r7SiZF6OEIKZpqMsCTvPsAvJSd7itO9JdwlbRyk5YiNz43aMtLeDqFiWvmYPFi9UwcPyh2_yi6849bCcp8cJ9Z0RiCCO/s1600/honor.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544090822252234850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 292px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 389px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj2gARh6mexGyOpGHY55ZXdSPi29jYWf_rR1o8KaQnK6oOPPJ7r7SiZF6OEIKZpqMsCTvPsAvJSd7itO9JdwlbRyk5YiNz43aMtLeDqFiWvmYPFi9UwcPyh2_yi6849bCcp8cJ9Z0RiCCO/s400/honor.jpg" border="0" /></a> Honor stands abound this time of year! The ones I see the most often are selling mikans. I don't know what this one is selling. Manure maybe?<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg91rZ9njlZLYkiZD4L9rnS0w4ce9fy7i0FH-53SBsl9VGd0sPmslsss843BTfYuripeeI-kr1QKJadNJt1oGwbIekcWnIZOeKBV_DQ7mD3gCsVX31rrtoWtB1ZlSQ1Fjr2-o-t6SMnN9BO/s1600/honor1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544090816687317250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 389px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg91rZ9njlZLYkiZD4L9rnS0w4ce9fy7i0FH-53SBsl9VGd0sPmslsss843BTfYuripeeI-kr1QKJadNJt1oGwbIekcWnIZOeKBV_DQ7mD3gCsVX31rrtoWtB1ZlSQ1Fjr2-o-t6SMnN9BO/s400/honor1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcculODsoUKmsJ1_xbBWNNN2e01knPll3beoEdc5yRRK5ATJdrstvISZPVcacDUx5tZ2IGwe34eykD3EohIZldBxUnEvrwthal_hpRIzSu7feVdeJGnGweKPl0UzesBq8XAhvlYCrJLzm7/s1600/honor3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544090813038135458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 292px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 389px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcculODsoUKmsJ1_xbBWNNN2e01knPll3beoEdc5yRRK5ATJdrstvISZPVcacDUx5tZ2IGwe34eykD3EohIZldBxUnEvrwthal_hpRIzSu7feVdeJGnGweKPl0UzesBq8XAhvlYCrJLzm7/s400/honor3.jpg" border="0" /></a> This stand was in the middle of a vast expanse of farmland. This stand had celery, eggplant, and some kind beans. If I wasn't in the middle of my run, I would have bought some celery. Only 100-yen!</div></div>Dollars to Yenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17589712055940974491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7918168705751834074.post-82994419614398600582010-11-28T10:00:00.000+09:002010-11-28T10:00:00.661+09:00Kinkai Rusty Water Campground<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMW6ugXgJi9MxjP2ednB-eFqEHb0GyRWtE6q2pvOFwLfgffZGQmKQU9EzExnUnKLLTQr2P4pp0odXHvyCIqMpLHHK2hwnV-AaeEf-Duqpu10aQIw54WTOKzZgUr_aBvTUxb2xwurfzn0Dl/s1600/Rusty1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544088438909586850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 389px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMW6ugXgJi9MxjP2ednB-eFqEHb0GyRWtE6q2pvOFwLfgffZGQmKQU9EzExnUnKLLTQr2P4pp0odXHvyCIqMpLHHK2hwnV-AaeEf-Duqpu10aQIw54WTOKzZgUr_aBvTUxb2xwurfzn0Dl/s400/Rusty1.jpg" border="0" /></a> This park area has a gorgeous view! There is a campground, a small pond and some walking trails. I don't know how one goes about making reservations to camp here, but it is very pretty.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs20CRAoAl8T7tka3XUiadcmUFPJHr5lba2YWE9isFVW1uedqZyQ4a1B4WDAogDUtPJ6tpilW-qDZ5yKO-owzoSJag3NC15k5Ce4feD1H0ufFN5g-bKjc2i5dDJJY7boaUFhout5SzHAQD/s1600/Rusty2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544088412654244066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 389px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs20CRAoAl8T7tka3XUiadcmUFPJHr5lba2YWE9isFVW1uedqZyQ4a1B4WDAogDUtPJ6tpilW-qDZ5yKO-owzoSJag3NC15k5Ce4feD1H0ufFN5g-bKjc2i5dDJJY7boaUFhout5SzHAQD/s400/Rusty2.jpg" border="0" /></a> We walked around the pond here. I would guess it it's about a 1/2 mile long path.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaY7EXdrimkqE568twRYN5rkCJz7RKzOsuBpo1oop0CD6xKF-OVUdWPs4VEFgmcLSFHQP_LZJS6PYbibK81cDXqgPs9pk3S_XyKRL_MGY1PSoPoC5JbUtrgL4F2tgCZOdvPRPYlJUp9VIu/s1600/Rusty3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544088404543130658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 389px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaY7EXdrimkqE568twRYN5rkCJz7RKzOsuBpo1oop0CD6xKF-OVUdWPs4VEFgmcLSFHQP_LZJS6PYbibK81cDXqgPs9pk3S_XyKRL_MGY1PSoPoC5JbUtrgL4F2tgCZOdvPRPYlJUp9VIu/s400/Rusty3.jpg" border="0" /></a> View of the path.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1I3sVmCPcp4BN2nh0bCWIXagq9Ftyu6_Z5nf99NFTeFhu4wL2kADr5A2DZI0iyXO4chEfPmc_Z9wMp8sNx-aV6Ocq7iRx7wsFuIhfvaUHgtHLAPnd5XwkNKnmzNPKLfvYsZpQvolC_S4/s1600/Rusty4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544088401491933954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 389px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1I3sVmCPcp4BN2nh0bCWIXagq9Ftyu6_Z5nf99NFTeFhu4wL2kADr5A2DZI0iyXO4chEfPmc_Z9wMp8sNx-aV6Ocq7iRx7wsFuIhfvaUHgtHLAPnd5XwkNKnmzNPKLfvYsZpQvolC_S4/s400/Rusty4.jpg" border="0" /></a> This park is close to the Nagasaki Prefectural Forest Park, but we only stumbled upon it taking the wrong road. It's on the same mountain.</div></div></div>Dollars to Yenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17589712055940974491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7918168705751834074.post-41945156774881861122010-11-27T10:00:00.003+09:002010-11-27T10:00:00.210+09:00Prefectural Forest Park Athletic Course<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGvrhtt6wtMEExVxvqr_QKMcoFoz9qXdX0YvHfRQpmVHNbJEqa8R94Yr8mDlhxjWhOh2uLin_PP2adv-jGEReui51rW65LK-hOQXvpUnqTp06dHhia0pVceTHGU8GMKZ96gLU8_vUT1Rje/s1600/NPF5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543716442809976322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 389px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGvrhtt6wtMEExVxvqr_QKMcoFoz9qXdX0YvHfRQpmVHNbJEqa8R94Yr8mDlhxjWhOh2uLin_PP2adv-jGEReui51rW65LK-hOQXvpUnqTp06dHhia0pVceTHGU8GMKZ96gLU8_vUT1Rje/s400/NPF5.jpg" border="0" /></a> As far as Athletic Courses go, this one is nice! Some courses have point systems, but this one doesn't. <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVuIlt5-te4SpOSvwe0pvqW1zuppR4yrIcK84Ud2z8oGGW9-ezhPT9orLZ7UwVV1jYb966cr17BtztZE0L8pEQfV5_VkH-NmV-Qnbp8Id5gtD_X72OmRUIIyyODptY5NInT1-DDGiEYTeU/s1600/NPF.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543716296960293810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVuIlt5-te4SpOSvwe0pvqW1zuppR4yrIcK84Ud2z8oGGW9-ezhPT9orLZ7UwVV1jYb966cr17BtztZE0L8pEQfV5_VkH-NmV-Qnbp8Id5gtD_X72OmRUIIyyODptY5NInT1-DDGiEYTeU/s400/NPF.jpg" border="0" /></a> The course includes 15 different obstacles that were a bit too cold to try this week. Those metal bars are cold! We did try most of them though.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5TdCVMRwF5ORlbLhYBTL3HPo_dVgnUV2FTs0tZTIZKmxP-sciKRqDnIyYTr3dvNzAtGCJm5_oKQzQUcPtxYUCoOngUxXnAIMiX12ASl5lKsDMSnoiVkqG1v06K-S9PgA9wGCTqGDpipPc/s1600/NPF2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543716290566274978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 389px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5TdCVMRwF5ORlbLhYBTL3HPo_dVgnUV2FTs0tZTIZKmxP-sciKRqDnIyYTr3dvNzAtGCJm5_oKQzQUcPtxYUCoOngUxXnAIMiX12ASl5lKsDMSnoiVkqG1v06K-S9PgA9wGCTqGDpipPc/s400/NPF2.jpg" border="0" /></a> Above are the monkey bars.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSk36zcZj3s1_LzBVfUIJgW1MxwxS5DBHDhE8CN_Nou2oTi3LmhiM3LGva1JKBgGKWHv3wQ2I6pecMrRjqliNOHbXlKy9oRbyz_QV4osxe0og6ZjHXk84uUhbun0haOYkrArV8CAyfnW5/s1600/NPF1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543716266610978146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSk36zcZj3s1_LzBVfUIJgW1MxwxS5DBHDhE8CN_Nou2oTi3LmhiM3LGva1JKBgGKWHv3wQ2I6pecMrRjqliNOHbXlKy9oRbyz_QV4osxe0og6ZjHXk84uUhbun0haOYkrArV8CAyfnW5/s400/NPF1.jpg" border="0" /></a> There are a lot of hills in between obstacles. <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jbMTRiUfKPB0MJ9W8GxEB8Pc-yp1u_sSFYTV6HU1l8F9w6Iwtjg8JbDZV-ieCWFixRxwGJ7mOzidBwFdEX_rUYAlC9Q0omn12-TC-yNyUkBQaqS5TTZ_m3rYC-vbVrSO720VrOvhPv_U/s1600/NPF4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543716258174510370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 389px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jbMTRiUfKPB0MJ9W8GxEB8Pc-yp1u_sSFYTV6HU1l8F9w6Iwtjg8JbDZV-ieCWFixRxwGJ7mOzidBwFdEX_rUYAlC9Q0omn12-TC-yNyUkBQaqS5TTZ_m3rYC-vbVrSO720VrOvhPv_U/s400/NPF4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyxsMPbhoLaMcOPtYc6EEmMKtB1BcOZwTjHUjcdX9HUvjAupjmMIqYwXJ4AY72_SS98SzixWBnwZS5bFQUv2OttpLC5XoxnM-sjIW2yL2-BvVpKEWWa-QZ0vwZhZP7gpw-dl9jtQ5D7A5n/s1600/NPF3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543716249306358226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 389px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyxsMPbhoLaMcOPtYc6EEmMKtB1BcOZwTjHUjcdX9HUvjAupjmMIqYwXJ4AY72_SS98SzixWBnwZS5bFQUv2OttpLC5XoxnM-sjIW2yL2-BvVpKEWWa-QZ0vwZhZP7gpw-dl9jtQ5D7A5n/s400/NPF3.jpg" border="0" /></a>Climbing ropes followed by a climbing wall.</div></div></div></div></div><br /><p>This athletic course is located in the Nagasaki <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Prefectural</span> Forest. We found it by driving toward Nagasaki, past Bio Park and then following signs in English to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Prefectural</span> Forest.</p>Dollars to Yenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17589712055940974491noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7918168705751834074.post-67407933321987560462010-11-25T10:00:00.003+09:002010-11-25T10:00:03.476+09:00Choju Waterfall in Saga<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFtaadmrpko7e_HsXvhr02l9B4lksvIGWfu-81wmWtf6F5PsnUW2zK34Zln-aYm9ckbo01shXrRE8j4D-XGpvbxUYxiNzq_3tOPNKzQjAghG_6m2g6XeH1Oafxgi4S0gnv69rBvzugTctJ/s1600/Choju1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542872765466114130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFtaadmrpko7e_HsXvhr02l9B4lksvIGWfu-81wmWtf6F5PsnUW2zK34Zln-aYm9ckbo01shXrRE8j4D-XGpvbxUYxiNzq_3tOPNKzQjAghG_6m2g6XeH1Oafxgi4S0gnv69rBvzugTctJ/s400/Choju1.jpg" border="0" /></a> Behold! The Choju Waterfall in Saga. I wonder if this waterfall is sacred because it's not much of a waterfall... at least not this time of year.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGbpRyPOzrF8dg7el3abhkPrhcmI7ErrOraF_JwTFA7hW5TD3Xg-OT0RL87fr7CNZGnYoL22NSgRHXC28m3nXCkf67vskNDLFnOum-XSpWhLH1lYAnZoGpOujykZjrbKZNSj8gZFkqwrd/s1600/Choju3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542872732047545282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGbpRyPOzrF8dg7el3abhkPrhcmI7ErrOraF_JwTFA7hW5TD3Xg-OT0RL87fr7CNZGnYoL22NSgRHXC28m3nXCkf67vskNDLFnOum-XSpWhLH1lYAnZoGpOujykZjrbKZNSj8gZFkqwrd/s400/Choju3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mLpD1J7_5ShaS_JxbxSRU2rWs3pjZyMJ16O9WeqmG4F7cCP0Kk940i0AhVmpLG1r0bjBaslob7bO3zUz_gDsnel2CTkE4RNyW-oc8VSv5-YsQp6j-MDcMsGWDOXYUhecoXTZrbxZSE3n/s1600/Choju2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542872724872321666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mLpD1J7_5ShaS_JxbxSRU2rWs3pjZyMJ16O9WeqmG4F7cCP0Kk940i0AhVmpLG1r0bjBaslob7bO3zUz_gDsnel2CTkE4RNyW-oc8VSv5-YsQp6j-MDcMsGWDOXYUhecoXTZrbxZSE3n/s400/Choju2.jpg" border="0" /></a> There is a shrine at the bottom of the waterfall.</div></div>Dollars to Yenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17589712055940974491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7918168705751834074.post-53797951141387648982010-11-24T10:00:00.004+09:002010-11-24T10:00:02.088+09:00A couple of waterfalls in Saga<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYSXNJO92POC1yQ2ku_fwI9y5mqxyy4QRYF0HAfVhyphenhypheno6dJnlLhNNz625JpeQ_-6gKO6oET7si_xAQHS3gNVB-zpGCRVpCQZgeqL7gb-I66UDXobAbIQxbFaBod8PRT6-h45loKAWnKdNYZ/s1600/Obuchi2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542868742642147410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYSXNJO92POC1yQ2ku_fwI9y5mqxyy4QRYF0HAfVhyphenhypheno6dJnlLhNNz625JpeQ_-6gKO6oET7si_xAQHS3gNVB-zpGCRVpCQZgeqL7gb-I66UDXobAbIQxbFaBod8PRT6-h45loKAWnKdNYZ/s400/Obuchi2.jpg" border="0" /></a>Still on the hunt for parks, we stumbled upon these two waterfalls. These two pictures were taken in the Obuchi Park.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL3K80lQfWhC8X35jSdY8lfrgtvAdK5ykXUbs5MYYi8InG_9ZT9ae-xh0qUS1pLh79DAP-cCiWRABvNzNKmeqUHIv4aV778E-j3FRQotYidyeZ3Kk2_HF4EEZ9gloiUASZ3so6em6OGM3-/s1600/Obuchi1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542868739327585810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL3K80lQfWhC8X35jSdY8lfrgtvAdK5ykXUbs5MYYi8InG_9ZT9ae-xh0qUS1pLh79DAP-cCiWRABvNzNKmeqUHIv4aV778E-j3FRQotYidyeZ3Kk2_HF4EEZ9gloiUASZ3so6em6OGM3-/s400/Obuchi1.jpg" border="0" /></a> The two photos below are from the Kannon Waterfall... I think. I followed the signs and the walkway for the Kannon Waterfall, but it was little more than water rushing over the rocks.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbVnOXWjrHPDnt4NDZ-eZluE4i00BlxnA5XSvJQagHFt5macD6fb21istj8qGqjc_9fGZn1eTahJ2vMqNlp9-L9fEpbQx_Pdd0I7YWC4E7v3AV3dIkVlnnhWcb5XTBHo2pKG3KKa80PTG/s1600/Kannon3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542868727966910354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbVnOXWjrHPDnt4NDZ-eZluE4i00BlxnA5XSvJQagHFt5macD6fb21istj8qGqjc_9fGZn1eTahJ2vMqNlp9-L9fEpbQx_Pdd0I7YWC4E7v3AV3dIkVlnnhWcb5XTBHo2pKG3KKa80PTG/s400/Kannon3.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJhSCl2dubb1gv9V1BCzBfW8S8R11-kwNNEzW89h77KqtYoiTKoXDPGvnayl7y405UvtOw-v6Y-zs4sKbvSGEqG35f4jqjy9_N2puFgCn4t76UD90-7LuLHUdGjp7ULyMfDhIzP3YyCRov/s1600/Kannon2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542868707612829586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJhSCl2dubb1gv9V1BCzBfW8S8R11-kwNNEzW89h77KqtYoiTKoXDPGvnayl7y405UvtOw-v6Y-zs4sKbvSGEqG35f4jqjy9_N2puFgCn4t76UD90-7LuLHUdGjp7ULyMfDhIzP3YyCRov/s400/Kannon2.jpg" border="0" /></a> The waterfalls aren't much to see, but the drive along 349 this time of year is beautiful! <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZqdY9_fKBBsiRVTztyRNsLsIdgY2LXgUMqLvgygixpE21RKfgmSistK7inbUaqJVwKNeBXZ9Uo4HrudemLFG5v-op4G9SfKiQRjO12oW5fh01enI0b4i_xaYNZlfv8ks7elglys3bO5N/s1600/Amandi.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542868692692031106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZqdY9_fKBBsiRVTztyRNsLsIdgY2LXgUMqLvgygixpE21RKfgmSistK7inbUaqJVwKNeBXZ9Uo4HrudemLFG5v-op4G9SfKiQRjO12oW5fh01enI0b4i_xaYNZlfv8ks7elglys3bO5N/s400/Amandi.jpg" border="0" /></a> This resort in Saga caught my eye because I had never seen anything like this. The water slide goes outside the building before dumping into the pool back inside.</div></div></div></div>Dollars to Yenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17589712055940974491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7918168705751834074.post-33280402973411488932010-11-22T10:00:00.006+09:002010-12-03T11:03:30.525+09:00One big spiral slide!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0clpqjDhf17UrHhjcfrD66QnIpyCFSquxaK5ELmpCOhae81N4B71KAvd8KH573uA_jG5eaglReImvJhaWJ24jzg_CN46TzXdQeGRgIGlTDm28UAsUbxuH01wpELuMP-i4lJnuuhmVivtm/s1600/9.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541572940320107442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 292px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 389px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0clpqjDhf17UrHhjcfrD66QnIpyCFSquxaK5ELmpCOhae81N4B71KAvd8KH573uA_jG5eaglReImvJhaWJ24jzg_CN46TzXdQeGRgIGlTDm28UAsUbxuH01wpELuMP-i4lJnuuhmVivtm/s400/9.jpg" border="0" /></a>We have been having very mild weather recently. This has prolonged park hunting season for us!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9qqproT3rZ8JNtNzDKhO5yWexCCrWIk4-Fd3YJvKXhRvTAPqHjicKtw4qdD314gjdGtrfuhtK3-wNXFk8ABMGdGj-n-Shs8E_yLBgL329HImEQ7Tq7culCG9abbGR9Ge7Pe1uxsIiqYF/s1600/8.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541572934329822274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 389px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9qqproT3rZ8JNtNzDKhO5yWexCCrWIk4-Fd3YJvKXhRvTAPqHjicKtw4qdD314gjdGtrfuhtK3-wNXFk8ABMGdGj-n-Shs8E_yLBgL329HImEQ7Tq7culCG9abbGR9Ge7Pe1uxsIiqYF/s400/8.jpg" border="0" /></a> There is a cable car that you can take for 100-yen round trip. If you are over the age of 65, the ride is free. <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Zyh5zxY4BBOWHVR8QX8tVcjAgQvNjbjkPDh8xhXr4AVRw2K7fddpmqNPAnAEu3_gBWrcGu3bKmzomDiPW-paatyoljJTRBL-jSta0QRk6Pf2_HiEIORGC-y5QRAz_j1dxavA81H-OQxc/s1600/7.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541572926742496850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 292px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 389px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Zyh5zxY4BBOWHVR8QX8tVcjAgQvNjbjkPDh8xhXr4AVRw2K7fddpmqNPAnAEu3_gBWrcGu3bKmzomDiPW-paatyoljJTRBL-jSta0QRk6Pf2_HiEIORGC-y5QRAz_j1dxavA81H-OQxc/s400/7.jpg" border="0" /></a> The well manicured bottom of the spiral slide. It's prettier than my pictures shows.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUY__NFkhRcUVwY-jMPGsuuvhnM_M9QMbWyzDoza06us_-dMjFqN1xy_wGfNwlRoasYHOnSBulRs5ZJw_5SoKXWDWN0x8ufsuPLJxy0dlAs0vtTQmnfdAqg211MPKukbM4TTiKrwf-VXII/s1600/6.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541572925661799090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 389px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUY__NFkhRcUVwY-jMPGsuuvhnM_M9QMbWyzDoza06us_-dMjFqN1xy_wGfNwlRoasYHOnSBulRs5ZJw_5SoKXWDWN0x8ufsuPLJxy0dlAs0vtTQmnfdAqg211MPKukbM4TTiKrwf-VXII/s400/6.jpg" border="0" /></a> I think you are supposed to wait until an attendant is up at the top before you go down the slide. When we got to the bottom there were several workers waving their hands at us. The start of the slide is really high up there!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2guP52j61uCcHgtR0wr6AHZ2ga0Pw1gG3yl_Q7IX-oZQ4c82FPgIvuTH7NEb_n9WxeugcL_ZZ9h8Gc5cao3GqWvDwwWJCW0-whMMY5CLlKhV633lRYU1zbE4eHm4ZJ5gYF6VPft2aBq3O/s1600/5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541572700424222882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 292px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 389px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2guP52j61uCcHgtR0wr6AHZ2ga0Pw1gG3yl_Q7IX-oZQ4c82FPgIvuTH7NEb_n9WxeugcL_ZZ9h8Gc5cao3GqWvDwwWJCW0-whMMY5CLlKhV633lRYU1zbE4eHm4ZJ5gYF6VPft2aBq3O/s400/5.jpg" border="0" /></a> The slide entrance is halfway across this bridge.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgpBFjvqAWR7f-D5NxINOEia58k-R9Z0U7EBgyvXfHsy00M-9PyT7VqBy6gvKPdhER_Wejh7zKLMWljs_aOM_Z_E7Ikd6WICaNqys_Tc6k31SO6F_KGTPeVuyP4kJCyNMENl34noFMOpa/s1600/4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541572691020422098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 389px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgpBFjvqAWR7f-D5NxINOEia58k-R9Z0U7EBgyvXfHsy00M-9PyT7VqBy6gvKPdhER_Wejh7zKLMWljs_aOM_Z_E7Ikd6WICaNqys_Tc6k31SO6F_KGTPeVuyP4kJCyNMENl34noFMOpa/s400/4.jpg" border="0" /></a> Top of the slide.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76YPbECY_2NTL9BM783gom34bWsysfRegfSW90ic67Um-ZJeXCxR6CGblIUR5KRdBjSjaVNAKq8uKyaclFosEe2b0zWB0jt6G9_VOCIMHAEEdzIID46HGJiOPlQMT9AhmBqQDU0NvEaCY/s1600/3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541572686512390802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 389px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76YPbECY_2NTL9BM783gom34bWsysfRegfSW90ic67Um-ZJeXCxR6CGblIUR5KRdBjSjaVNAKq8uKyaclFosEe2b0zWB0jt6G9_VOCIMHAEEdzIID46HGJiOPlQMT9AhmBqQDU0NvEaCY/s400/3.jpg" border="0" /></a> Another part of the playground.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9MgVE70fW_gQuqUuLmJ-0RQD5Ib4gv_PpgP4wczUxccCLLwozDMibG2fbhf-fek2GzBx0Z68wkOWUeoaFIUKNvSbYKEH0iGTcWxTjx_xOPo_4Lh9um1XsZSlECs8E3spgOelVccO4BsZj/s1600/2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541572680811740274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 292px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 389px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9MgVE70fW_gQuqUuLmJ-0RQD5Ib4gv_PpgP4wczUxccCLLwozDMibG2fbhf-fek2GzBx0Z68wkOWUeoaFIUKNvSbYKEH0iGTcWxTjx_xOPo_4Lh9um1XsZSlECs8E3spgOelVccO4BsZj/s400/2.jpg" border="0" /></a> You can see two grass slides in the photo above. I only saw the smaller top one being used. It's the only one that looked like it was being used too. They have slides available to use.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTp57QNC9OqUof5GR1S-V0B0_N-S_LsFS3LY9Js4BTFY0pAgSn3BW4Zc7xMgihOkAB3-fdCO2tYRb4LKnuf1QzvPyGCMYmstAtvcqDOy-LUvWD2Va8mqmHQtlhYXT5VfU1s31eTOK_hMl7/s1600/1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541572683662673858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 389px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTp57QNC9OqUof5GR1S-V0B0_N-S_LsFS3LY9Js4BTFY0pAgSn3BW4Zc7xMgihOkAB3-fdCO2tYRb4LKnuf1QzvPyGCMYmstAtvcqDOy-LUvWD2Va8mqmHQtlhYXT5VfU1s31eTOK_hMl7/s400/1.jpg" border="0" /></a> That's the smaller grass slide.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Dollars to Yenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17589712055940974491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7918168705751834074.post-52457323066459364692010-11-21T10:00:00.002+09:002010-11-21T10:00:01.349+09:00Fresh fruit in a vending machine.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOhMkB50lxP3rq90vETGoN0a-_zR7Wvt2bPCn3pgEOjP3Ix_EtA_NfVy9ZpBDz-KnxuK2XmoiPI000cLfL2PZBavF-UxpZczQWQxIAz4WkO_0JrOMXJUuh-rBZdhX2joYFjTh7pxqrzXAI/s1600/Mikan2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541570881173572914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 292px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 389px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOhMkB50lxP3rq90vETGoN0a-_zR7Wvt2bPCn3pgEOjP3Ix_EtA_NfVy9ZpBDz-KnxuK2XmoiPI000cLfL2PZBavF-UxpZczQWQxIAz4WkO_0JrOMXJUuh-rBZdhX2joYFjTh7pxqrzXAI/s400/Mikan2.jpg" border="0" /></a> I keep hearing that they want to start putting veggies and fruit in vending machines in American junior high schools. They're way ahead of the trend here in Japan.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR9AmlDaAD8M15b-4To25CpEpodrkcSdSm_HXs1HTFKycpMoJpda6jHtCfJHhrnHMKxiEedfU3vIbiU0HsXBSXG_bYQ2oOS50ywVciImkXsw1eY4Cb4dotGl6LAq1-bReUB6_YzNBLrSGf/s1600/Mikan1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541570878689087586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 389px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR9AmlDaAD8M15b-4To25CpEpodrkcSdSm_HXs1HTFKycpMoJpda6jHtCfJHhrnHMKxiEedfU3vIbiU0HsXBSXG_bYQ2oOS50ywVciImkXsw1eY4Cb4dotGl6LAq1-bReUB6_YzNBLrSGf/s400/Mikan1.jpg" border="0" /></a> For just 100 to 200-yen you can buy a bag of fresh mikans. We had already bought some from a farmer's market up the road when we came across this machine, so I can't vouch for the quality. They looked really good though. There was an honor stand up the road as well.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaAREa-6Gbin2mc0z0pnzGPCwoMC0_XECKtcZfkVs2y4m1M2hjKqAN03_NMyvqggEz3EiA2Hqvvl9gH91qH1cC50FeMNMPeEh_fwl1AIDdqyXE21WM8L3s7oAj_bI_rmjSjb_BIbVtYKSg/s1600/Mikan3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541570877972432802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 389px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaAREa-6Gbin2mc0z0pnzGPCwoMC0_XECKtcZfkVs2y4m1M2hjKqAN03_NMyvqggEz3EiA2Hqvvl9gH91qH1cC50FeMNMPeEh_fwl1AIDdqyXE21WM8L3s7oAj_bI_rmjSjb_BIbVtYKSg/s400/Mikan3.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div>Dollars to Yenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17589712055940974491noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7918168705751834074.post-72422914547764601692010-11-19T10:00:00.003+09:002010-11-19T10:00:02.897+09:00Our trip to Hokkaido... okay, not really.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRdjzALWqscOm4iHUugVW5nfggEvV-IAyQ3WeUxAW7pEWl55_88ENi66fh447pXzR0-9bRb4O2YSyg2LxX1Ku8RsOUkRHo5SArZpFwXIHxQiKxFmntEZcD2Qrq2jMODgOnrhyphenhyphenVdsDSqSE/s1600/hok1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539715894803102066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRdjzALWqscOm4iHUugVW5nfggEvV-IAyQ3WeUxAW7pEWl55_88ENi66fh447pXzR0-9bRb4O2YSyg2LxX1Ku8RsOUkRHo5SArZpFwXIHxQiKxFmntEZcD2Qrq2jMODgOnrhyphenhyphenVdsDSqSE/s400/hok1.jpg" border="0" /></a> It was actually just a trip into town to a store called Tamaya.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ZZOl3TUtJhifBo-GtiL3L-UxfIAezPaDa_qXXEZjuCtz1GQ9vBE25M-aAnUCFXYAoaR7I5D05rLUMKjMb4wAkz8Qg4iqpY7jSMPA2XQIPvkT3dGO0pv0CeTyE7l86Ign3N7Wi5xCVauA/s1600/hok5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539715792040528386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ZZOl3TUtJhifBo-GtiL3L-UxfIAezPaDa_qXXEZjuCtz1GQ9vBE25M-aAnUCFXYAoaR7I5D05rLUMKjMb4wAkz8Qg4iqpY7jSMPA2XQIPvkT3dGO0pv0CeTyE7l86Ign3N7Wi5xCVauA/s400/hok5.jpg" border="0" /></a> I don't know the frequency of these food extravaganzas, but this was our second. The first time we went to one featuring Kyushu foods. Until the 23rd of November, it's Hokkaido's time to shine.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPuq-or2YgxPK343CnSigNQ5fWc3mgUfcVDfGIUD_g2kyvQFWlJROoFIGQ2pjMlCWxOP2gsppobmwx9NarXKVk3VY45ElYnWFO3h3X-175UXcqFnOmz3l_f-SRIm8Yc8HZnMV7E2MCKp0w/s1600/hok4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539715787381329538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPuq-or2YgxPK343CnSigNQ5fWc3mgUfcVDfGIUD_g2kyvQFWlJROoFIGQ2pjMlCWxOP2gsppobmwx9NarXKVk3VY45ElYnWFO3h3X-175UXcqFnOmz3l_f-SRIm8Yc8HZnMV7E2MCKp0w/s400/hok4.jpg" border="0" /></a> It looks like an egg, but it's some kind of beef or pork filled ball. I didn't try it.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0FITQfQxBPMQY8aIQOg-s2Y5-CbzFkAPrgIWlPawoDbLSSoCkilnHDLgnOKamEoOtd6SWE3dtkG5PcpQSEtVPsCAHROKtPcYlOpetPfQgwhtjYmQIzFzD4C4owdCCRqbGN0TXcXoIQBd2/s1600/hok3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539715781610395122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0FITQfQxBPMQY8aIQOg-s2Y5-CbzFkAPrgIWlPawoDbLSSoCkilnHDLgnOKamEoOtd6SWE3dtkG5PcpQSEtVPsCAHROKtPcYlOpetPfQgwhtjYmQIzFzD4C4owdCCRqbGN0TXcXoIQBd2/s400/hok3.jpg" border="0" /></a> There were samples of almost everything. If you're hungry, head there!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-cS_wTa5mRks2ZGRdVRz6H4LjBQ2HnUwK_Hlzgs8zyG4Z2HReK-zzBdBagrPq-T8Il1aw4P1Dp0txVneHGkCBBIzOhyphenhyphenMKQxB-xFYIut7RK-a38qWz7tCg-WZLA3sA-59gxRjLINOW1Bk/s1600/hok2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539715780038763042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-cS_wTa5mRks2ZGRdVRz6H4LjBQ2HnUwK_Hlzgs8zyG4Z2HReK-zzBdBagrPq-T8Il1aw4P1Dp0txVneHGkCBBIzOhyphenhyphenMKQxB-xFYIut7RK-a38qWz7tCg-WZLA3sA-59gxRjLINOW1Bk/s400/hok2.jpg" border="0" /></a> More samples.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gm_3Ml0YpHOUEGwFLS12-SHnFars6uHVktGfSRBTqQRrfoiclNmRSRLTFgZ3Yjgx2-zrTuVgGI-1ix_fFiN9sxuCNVk6HhweK1tzcuZ-4AmP8PaQlNMAidMKGbw_ySKSIWAge58RRm0g/s1600/hok.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539715775280746962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 389px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gm_3Ml0YpHOUEGwFLS12-SHnFars6uHVktGfSRBTqQRrfoiclNmRSRLTFgZ3Yjgx2-zrTuVgGI-1ix_fFiN9sxuCNVk6HhweK1tzcuZ-4AmP8PaQlNMAidMKGbw_ySKSIWAge58RRm0g/s400/hok.jpg" border="0" /></a> Something called Rusk. These were strawberry and chocolate Rusk. They were just little bread crisps with a taste of strawberry sugar on them. The ones in the photo above weren't very good. On the other side, by another company, there were caramel and chocolate. Those were really good!</div></div></div></div></div>Dollars to Yenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17589712055940974491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7918168705751834074.post-6557216311281215592010-11-18T10:00:00.002+09:002010-11-18T10:00:03.285+09:00A park of dreams and romance<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYoNt4ROnwWAD7yyAR7-qB53F3JNNzHEHB8K1KBL-2NXXFj9GxM9-XgpMSUN54ZMrmZHB8Ix2YbLQ8MeSkVgtjy9D2tBBN-pitFg3bdt745FXWCWHgRw4xKtMygGmRt6H6uKBmE2ofY2c/s1600/dreams2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539711160728027890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYoNt4ROnwWAD7yyAR7-qB53F3JNNzHEHB8K1KBL-2NXXFj9GxM9-XgpMSUN54ZMrmZHB8Ix2YbLQ8MeSkVgtjy9D2tBBN-pitFg3bdt745FXWCWHgRw4xKtMygGmRt6H6uKBmE2ofY2c/s400/dreams2.jpg" border="0" /></a>That slide in the picture above is fun, but it's a workout to walk the stairs to the top! It was cold when we went, but we were warm by the time we went down the slide.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVvO7wo132yEit927RZATBSVMo1ZGphVt3bPuC2a_7d-KIgsG8dyF084s63eLix2XPw8D8qrEpVASQbgShVY9nT9zbRr5cw3RXDlLS9t1_TREacsyKpNWZURF-LwIzNCOSK3G2G1p-m8e7/s1600/dreams3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539711158737788258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVvO7wo132yEit927RZATBSVMo1ZGphVt3bPuC2a_7d-KIgsG8dyF084s63eLix2XPw8D8qrEpVASQbgShVY9nT9zbRr5cw3RXDlLS9t1_TREacsyKpNWZURF-LwIzNCOSK3G2G1p-m8e7/s400/dreams3.jpg" border="0" /></a> Here's the view from the top in case you don't make it to Saga. Those red roofed buildings below the slide are another part of the park that include an obstacle course and a water park.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavcKlV9TiTWgFjgokuvo7BTL2vfa6TW7TJytpU_gvGDkpgkA2qfmSAZ1ZVI3NaEownFcmcQqI2TSRgCxgx9iiZD0CKvcIA8MFChyphenhyphenmjn-9wHWjsUix8cgU1q3ISwzrNGZFvlb4O3J4ws6y/s1600/dreams4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539711150108075010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavcKlV9TiTWgFjgokuvo7BTL2vfa6TW7TJytpU_gvGDkpgkA2qfmSAZ1ZVI3NaEownFcmcQqI2TSRgCxgx9iiZD0CKvcIA8MFChyphenhyphenmjn-9wHWjsUix8cgU1q3ISwzrNGZFvlb4O3J4ws6y/s400/dreams4.jpg" border="0" /></a> The rest of the playground part of this park were just so-so.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiDOFWx-7_mBORE8lmiWHADnl1Vaox205-q6yea58uBW02PD841w9cMfA38k8X5e12Y_rQ2zY3CP_mHVRzLymWYnQkCqwpjCHM6EpFgZJ-8UaQZh_x-mdbPTifS1VMQDPW55blLckzPYfZ/s1600/dreams1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539711141983513314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiDOFWx-7_mBORE8lmiWHADnl1Vaox205-q6yea58uBW02PD841w9cMfA38k8X5e12Y_rQ2zY3CP_mHVRzLymWYnQkCqwpjCHM6EpFgZJ-8UaQZh_x-mdbPTifS1VMQDPW55blLckzPYfZ/s400/dreams1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU4_bWDI11OdwqutZ1YbAvOuhyphenhyphenCOXvHCDo3PXcmB9hMxw4bCjL7FfBG2bjRXSYOfZP0b7XxSdDGCadLUIpdCK3oxYYWloh24VkfWUhZlNmwklyTWDwFSqO3uuAKaOfeBJC8LuUwafyIfhp/s1600/dreams.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539711142321123746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU4_bWDI11OdwqutZ1YbAvOuhyphenhyphenCOXvHCDo3PXcmB9hMxw4bCjL7FfBG2bjRXSYOfZP0b7XxSdDGCadLUIpdCK3oxYYWloh24VkfWUhZlNmwklyTWDwFSqO3uuAKaOfeBJC8LuUwafyIfhp/s400/dreams.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div><br />This park may, or may not, be called Dreams and Romance Hill Park. I can verify the Hill part!Dollars to Yenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17589712055940974491noreply@blogger.com0