One of the coolest and most cultural things we saw during our travels in Japan was the Sumo tournament at Ryōgoku Kokugikan in Tokyo. It is a 2-week long affair lasting approximately 8 hours a day and we got to go to the final day of the tournament! It was incredible how one can get caught up in a sport one hardly knows. Despite all that, we had a blast: we ate sushi, drank beer, spoke to two Spaniards and most important of all, watched some Sumo!
Below is a little video of the playoff match between the two best sumo wrestlers out there today :
Asashōryū Akinori (winner) and Hakuhō Shō.
Asashōryū being the crowd pleaser at minute 6:00.
The actual duel at minute 6:30.
More posts and photos to come : Erik just wanted to share this video asap.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Niijima Sept 18-20
We arrived via high speed Ferry to Niijima on Friday right before a (then unknown to us) Typhoon. Our friends living in Kyoto, graciously arranged for us to stay at a local bed and breakfast near the beach. We could write a whole post about the owners of the B&B including details on chain-smoking, bickering, generosity and home-made sushi that would have been worth a fortune that could be served at any Michelin-rated restaurant....but we'll stop here in telling you that it was all that and more...
Niijima is a funny, exotic and wonderful place. As we were visiting off-season, we mostly had the place to ourselves. We counted all of 5 white people on the whole Island. Niijima is a favorite vacation destination for ppl living in Tokyo and we are told it is incredibly busy during the summer season because of its proximity to Tokyo (less than 3 hours away) and its rich history...
The best way to describe Niijima is that is a place that really makes you feel like you are in some sort of Indiana Jones movie...
It is not only beautiful...but full of great things like tons of fresh fish (making for incredible food) and a slow languid pace of life (not to mention a strange and slightly bizarre surf-culture complete with marijuana-leafed souvenirs and Bob Marley posters). And one of the best parts....no one is in hurry is Niijima.
We spent our weekend riding bikes back and forth across the Island, swimming, trying to communicate with the owners of the B&B and quite frankly feeling astounded....at the raw beauty of this place that was so close to an urban center yet felt so foreign and exotic to us.
Native blooms
The coast line with a slight outline of the public onsen (hotsprings) where we spent a fair amount of our time...
Better shot of the onsen...
More beach. There were kilometers upon kilometers of various colored sand, we swam on one of the beaches, the water was salty and warm and the surf was fun and strong. The rest of the time we spent simply gazing at the waves...and no, it never got repetitive....
As the weekend went on, we noticed with only slight worry that the weather network (which was all Japanese) seemed to be announcing some bad weather off the coast of Tokyo.
It was pretty rainy and windy (which sucked for biking) but as we did not understand Japanese, it was difficult for us to figure out that it might actually mean something bad, especially in terms of our return. We figured out that it *might* mean something when we finally understood (though diagrams) that all flights and boats on Saturday were canceled (we were intending on leaving on the Sunday ferry)! With a bit of confusion, much beer and alot of pointing and drawing and even a phone call to a bilingual relative in Toyko, we finally were able to exchange our boat tickets for a direct flight to Tokyo as we were told that this was likely our only chance to get off the Island. We took it.....
About two hours before we left...we decided to make one last trip to the beach, the surfing beach. Erik was riding his bike ahead when all of a sudden he heard a gigantic crash and some screaming. The rusty metal clip which held the basket over the front wheel of Natalie's bike snapped (does this REALLY surprise you?), causing the basket to get jammed into the wheel...and causing Natalie to go head over feet over the bike. See results below...
Yes those are actual tears (the damage to Natalie's face actually got much worse than it appeared after the swelling set in, more pictures later) but she took it in stride and decided to enjoy her last couple of hours on the Niijima. It was, after all, rather hard to not feel better when you got to recuperate in a place that looked like this.
Next stop Kyoto!
Love to everyone
Natalie & Erik
Niijima is a funny, exotic and wonderful place. As we were visiting off-season, we mostly had the place to ourselves. We counted all of 5 white people on the whole Island. Niijima is a favorite vacation destination for ppl living in Tokyo and we are told it is incredibly busy during the summer season because of its proximity to Tokyo (less than 3 hours away) and its rich history...
The best way to describe Niijima is that is a place that really makes you feel like you are in some sort of Indiana Jones movie...
It is not only beautiful...but full of great things like tons of fresh fish (making for incredible food) and a slow languid pace of life (not to mention a strange and slightly bizarre surf-culture complete with marijuana-leafed souvenirs and Bob Marley posters). And one of the best parts....no one is in hurry is Niijima.
We spent our weekend riding bikes back and forth across the Island, swimming, trying to communicate with the owners of the B&B and quite frankly feeling astounded....at the raw beauty of this place that was so close to an urban center yet felt so foreign and exotic to us.
Native blooms
The coast line with a slight outline of the public onsen (hotsprings) where we spent a fair amount of our time...
Better shot of the onsen...
More beach. There were kilometers upon kilometers of various colored sand, we swam on one of the beaches, the water was salty and warm and the surf was fun and strong. The rest of the time we spent simply gazing at the waves...and no, it never got repetitive....
As the weekend went on, we noticed with only slight worry that the weather network (which was all Japanese) seemed to be announcing some bad weather off the coast of Tokyo.
It was pretty rainy and windy (which sucked for biking) but as we did not understand Japanese, it was difficult for us to figure out that it might actually mean something bad, especially in terms of our return. We figured out that it *might* mean something when we finally understood (though diagrams) that all flights and boats on Saturday were canceled (we were intending on leaving on the Sunday ferry)! With a bit of confusion, much beer and alot of pointing and drawing and even a phone call to a bilingual relative in Toyko, we finally were able to exchange our boat tickets for a direct flight to Tokyo as we were told that this was likely our only chance to get off the Island. We took it.....
About two hours before we left...we decided to make one last trip to the beach, the surfing beach. Erik was riding his bike ahead when all of a sudden he heard a gigantic crash and some screaming. The rusty metal clip which held the basket over the front wheel of Natalie's bike snapped (does this REALLY surprise you?), causing the basket to get jammed into the wheel...and causing Natalie to go head over feet over the bike. See results below...
Yes those are actual tears (the damage to Natalie's face actually got much worse than it appeared after the swelling set in, more pictures later) but she took it in stride and decided to enjoy her last couple of hours on the Niijima. It was, after all, rather hard to not feel better when you got to recuperate in a place that looked like this.
Next stop Kyoto!
Love to everyone
Natalie & Erik
Tokyo (a stopover) Sept 17-18
Our flight on Japan Airlines (JAL) was everything you might imagine a 13 hour flight to be. Exhausting, boring, interesting, fun, strange and long. JAL was a pretty good option however...imagine a cross between British Airways elegance and WestJet value. The food was good (not great), the seats were reasonable (not comfortable) and the service was polite (not friendly).
Arriving at Tokyo airport could be the subject of a whole separate post...but we are lazy, so it wont! Imagine more people than you have ever seen (none of which look even remotely like you) and signs everywhere (none of which you understand) and noise.....so much noise. And then, imagine yourself having to navigate trains and buses after having been awake for 24 hours. Welcome to Japan....insanity! It is actually now about a week later and when we both discussed the evening (prior to this post), we found it hard to remember much...except for the confusion.
We stayed our first night at a ryokan (a traditional Japanese Bed and Breakfast). A ryokan generally differs from a B&B in a few key ways. Usually, breakfast AND supper are included, some sort of view is usually provided (we overlooked a small zen garden) and the bedding is traditional futon which is laid out on a tatami floor. The reception was however warm (see sign below)
Our ryokan was located Asakusa (a historical part of Tokyo) and offered and traditional Edo-styled meal (which had more food than what 4 people could properly eat!)
Later that evening we walked (ok, more like ROLLED) around some quiet alleys nearby to see what we might find...It was mostly quiet...but graceful and beautiful.
At this point, our stop in Tokyo was meant to be temporary...but it was hard to not get excited about returning....
One of many temples we stumbled across....literally about 5 minutes walk from our ryokan (not exactly akin to anything in downtown Fredericton)
The next morning, bright and early, we hit the Tokyo Fish Market.
This market runs 5 days a week and plays host to an INCREDIBLE amount of commerce. On any given day, hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of fish are won at auction or bought outright. The auction section of the market is an actual tourist attraction where you can watch (from a roped-off area) local buyers carefully inspect single fish or large lots of fish. Some (like the tuna shown) are worth THOUSANDS of dollars.
Part of what is difficult, in any city, is actually getting a *feel* for the city without becoming an annoying (and obtrusive) tourist. We usually strive to find a happy medium....however this fish market was difficult....because as much as we wanted to SEE what was going on....we absolutely wanted to avoid annoying (or getting in the way) of business.
As we were heading out however....camera still in hand, we caught one of the fish vendors fueling up his mini-cart at a local gas station....and he posed, spontaneously...and suddenly, most of our worries evaporated.
Given the incredible quantities of fresh fish, it goes without saying that breakfast that morning was the freshest bowl of sushi that either of us will no doubt EVER have....it was the perfect way to end our (brief) stay in Tokyo before catching a ferry for our first real destination, Niijima.
Arriving at Tokyo airport could be the subject of a whole separate post...but we are lazy, so it wont! Imagine more people than you have ever seen (none of which look even remotely like you) and signs everywhere (none of which you understand) and noise.....so much noise. And then, imagine yourself having to navigate trains and buses after having been awake for 24 hours. Welcome to Japan....insanity! It is actually now about a week later and when we both discussed the evening (prior to this post), we found it hard to remember much...except for the confusion.
We stayed our first night at a ryokan (a traditional Japanese Bed and Breakfast). A ryokan generally differs from a B&B in a few key ways. Usually, breakfast AND supper are included, some sort of view is usually provided (we overlooked a small zen garden) and the bedding is traditional futon which is laid out on a tatami floor. The reception was however warm (see sign below)
Our ryokan was located Asakusa (a historical part of Tokyo) and offered and traditional Edo-styled meal (which had more food than what 4 people could properly eat!)
Later that evening we walked (ok, more like ROLLED) around some quiet alleys nearby to see what we might find...It was mostly quiet...but graceful and beautiful.
At this point, our stop in Tokyo was meant to be temporary...but it was hard to not get excited about returning....
One of many temples we stumbled across....literally about 5 minutes walk from our ryokan (not exactly akin to anything in downtown Fredericton)
The next morning, bright and early, we hit the Tokyo Fish Market.
This market runs 5 days a week and plays host to an INCREDIBLE amount of commerce. On any given day, hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of fish are won at auction or bought outright. The auction section of the market is an actual tourist attraction where you can watch (from a roped-off area) local buyers carefully inspect single fish or large lots of fish. Some (like the tuna shown) are worth THOUSANDS of dollars.
Part of what is difficult, in any city, is actually getting a *feel* for the city without becoming an annoying (and obtrusive) tourist. We usually strive to find a happy medium....however this fish market was difficult....because as much as we wanted to SEE what was going on....we absolutely wanted to avoid annoying (or getting in the way) of business.
As we were heading out however....camera still in hand, we caught one of the fish vendors fueling up his mini-cart at a local gas station....and he posed, spontaneously...and suddenly, most of our worries evaporated.
Given the incredible quantities of fresh fish, it goes without saying that breakfast that morning was the freshest bowl of sushi that either of us will no doubt EVER have....it was the perfect way to end our (brief) stay in Tokyo before catching a ferry for our first real destination, Niijima.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Niijima
Spending an incredible weekend in Niijima. Limited internet access, will post more later...but for now....here are a couple of pictures of paradise.
Love
Natalie and Erik
Love
Natalie and Erik
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Part 1 - Québec and Ontario - Family and Friends
Working on the same day you leave for vacation can be really difficult. Working on the same day as you leave for vacation is probably not a good idea!... This past Thursday was no exception to this rule. Enter two hurried, stressed and did I mention hurried people....and you get a picture of the way our vacation started. Thank god we started packing three weeks ago....what neither of us can figure out is how we still ended up forgetting things. Why is vacationing so hard sometimes?
After a smoother than anticipated drive (Felix-wise) we stopped our first night in Québec city to visit with dear friends G. and G. The evening turned into ALOT of late night laughter. The next morning (which started a bit too early) made way for a great stroll through Québec City, breakfast and time spent at a local park. It was the perfect way to start a vacation. Here's an attempt at a family picture.... you may notice that "Someone" didn't want to stay still for the picture (Erik is such a brat sometimes! Heh!)
Here is HUGE cross at a location which is THOUGHT to be the landing place of Samuel de Champlain.
Made it to Northern Ontario in great time...and MOST surprisingly had to make almost NO stops except for gas. Narrowly avoided a head-on collision BUT realized that kid will likely NOT cry if he has a backseat buddy. Also, spent considerable amount of time questioning whether our Felix was indeed abducted by aliens and replaced with newer, easier baby. Odd...and incredibly pleasant. Discovered that the kid is COMPLETELY obsessed with trucks and tractors....OBSESSED.
Did I say OBSESSED?
In Cochrane, we went to see some pretty awesome Polar Bears. Entertaining and awe-inspiring. Also entertaining = the fact that "Someone" thinks that all animals are called "doggies". (Erik does know all of his numbers tho! Heh!)
DOGGIE!
Spent some time visiting things around town....
Spent some time visiting the back yard....(life in a Northern town can be quite glorious at times...)
And last...but not least...spent alot of time on the floor (mostly sober)....laughing and playing.
Vacation has started well....in fact, one might even say VERY well.
Natalie, Erik & Felix
After a smoother than anticipated drive (Felix-wise) we stopped our first night in Québec city to visit with dear friends G. and G. The evening turned into ALOT of late night laughter. The next morning (which started a bit too early) made way for a great stroll through Québec City, breakfast and time spent at a local park. It was the perfect way to start a vacation. Here's an attempt at a family picture.... you may notice that "Someone" didn't want to stay still for the picture (Erik is such a brat sometimes! Heh!)
Here is HUGE cross at a location which is THOUGHT to be the landing place of Samuel de Champlain.
Made it to Northern Ontario in great time...and MOST surprisingly had to make almost NO stops except for gas. Narrowly avoided a head-on collision BUT realized that kid will likely NOT cry if he has a backseat buddy. Also, spent considerable amount of time questioning whether our Felix was indeed abducted by aliens and replaced with newer, easier baby. Odd...and incredibly pleasant. Discovered that the kid is COMPLETELY obsessed with trucks and tractors....OBSESSED.
Did I say OBSESSED?
In Cochrane, we went to see some pretty awesome Polar Bears. Entertaining and awe-inspiring. Also entertaining = the fact that "Someone" thinks that all animals are called "doggies". (Erik does know all of his numbers tho! Heh!)
DOGGIE!
Spent some time visiting things around town....
Spent some time visiting the back yard....(life in a Northern town can be quite glorious at times...)
And last...but not least...spent alot of time on the floor (mostly sober)....laughing and playing.
Vacation has started well....in fact, one might even say VERY well.
Natalie, Erik & Felix
Monday, August 31, 2009
Summer 2009 - Japan and Chicago
It's that time of year. The time of year when we find ourselves itching for a vacation, getting impatient for time off, and chomping at the bit to just get out of this tiny little City.
This summer will bring us to a few very different places that all hold great promise for fun and adventure . In just under two weeks, we leave the Tiny Capital and head to Northern Ontario, from there we drive back to Ottawa to begin a kid-less vacation (go team!). We then fly Ottawa-Chicago-Tokyo. Once in Japan, we'll spend time in Tokyo, Niijima and Kyoto with many stops between. On our way back to Ottawa, we'll also spend a brief stint (3 days) in Chicago getting a taste of the Windy City, probably just enough to convince us that we HAVE to return (so many places to visit, so little time!).
Pictures and itineraries to come, but first, there is packing to do, work to finish and plans to be finalized.
This summer will bring us to a few very different places that all hold great promise for fun and adventure . In just under two weeks, we leave the Tiny Capital and head to Northern Ontario, from there we drive back to Ottawa to begin a kid-less vacation (go team!). We then fly Ottawa-Chicago-Tokyo. Once in Japan, we'll spend time in Tokyo, Niijima and Kyoto with many stops between. On our way back to Ottawa, we'll also spend a brief stint (3 days) in Chicago getting a taste of the Windy City, probably just enough to convince us that we HAVE to return (so many places to visit, so little time!).
Pictures and itineraries to come, but first, there is packing to do, work to finish and plans to be finalized.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
NYC - Natalie
Thursday morning 8am: arrive to a rainy day in New York. Think to self: wow...simply fucking wow!
Thursday morning about 9:30am: soldering through a pre-booked double-decker bus tour. Feel very dorky, but wow...also COLD and WET and this guy's head is really very shiny.
Thursday morning noon: note to front desk staff at Doubletree, please please PLEASE do not tell us to come back for our room until it is ACTUALLY ready. Thank you!
Thursday late afternoon: all previous angst replaced by intense desire to relocate to this City. Start imagining how I could sell this to MD.
Thursday 3pm: hotel still not ready...but it's hard to be really angry when you are seeing things like this....*le sigh* And, why did I not buy that shirt from Banana Republic when I had a chance? Am sometimes too cheap, *double sigh*
Friday morning about 11am: up bright and early,...this day is going to be great!
Friday afternoon: Circle K cruise, feeling happy, light and free...also staggeringly exhausted and wondering how on earth we will find energy required to see entire island in 4 days. Also, doing mental math concerning relocation costs.
Saturday morning: First stop of the day is Ground Zero. Saw this note, had a hard time keeping it together. Didn't expect to feel so emotional.
Watched a fireman work around a truck located in front of Ground Zero construction site, had to resist urge to hug him. Almost like an out of body experience.
Saturday 1pm: pre-Canal street purse adventure, trying to imagine what life must be like as an immigrant. Hard, yet full of so much promise.
Saturday 1:30pm: wondering why Little Italy (1 block away from Chinatown) seems so much more civilized than Chinatown...maybe has something to do with cannoli, or then again maybe it's because no one is assaulting one another with the promise of fake leather goods.
Saturday 5pm: feet legs and back hurt....yet must....go....on.
Sunday 10:30am: thinking that Central Park has to be one of the happiest places on earth, also, WTF is this guy doing with 5 dogs?
Sunday 11am: 5th avenue is full of magical places AND dichotomies. Felt like schoolgirl in the elevator at Tiffany & Co.
Sunday 11:05am: briefly wonder what it would be like to be independently wealthy and actually stay at the Plaza....then get a little sad that this will never happen, related: buy lotto tickets more often.
Sunday noon: So hungry I could eat a horse, or a metal model car, or both. Related, why doesn't anyone know where Serendipity III is? And I wonder if John Cusack will be there?
Sunday 5pm: wonder if it's normal that I cried for most of production. Also, SEE Billy Elliott, no really. See it if you can and bring tissues.
And finally, my ladyloves...my awesome, fun, creative and completely wonderful long-time, long-lost fabulous friends. I miss you already! Next time let's bring better shoes and more money!
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