So my dad and I are scheduled to go parasailing on Saturday. I am pretty excited, and a little bit crazed...but I guess most of you already knew that. Heheh. Anyway, I dunno what kind of pictures we can take in the air like that, so if we're not too busy trying to keep from wetting our pants in fright, then we will be taking some pictures, which I'll try to post here.
Off to more Polynesian Center and ocean today!
Friday, January 30, 2009
Polynesian Cultural Center
I recommend this to anyone studying Asian or Island cultures and peoples or simply if you have an interest in life. The Polynesian Center offers a fun introduction and look into the lives of many Pacific Island peoples both historically and today. I especially loved the Samoan and Tahitian presentations, though all were informative, funny, and entertaining. Various aspects of each culture are explained, some activities for both children and adults are offered, and people from each island are available to ask questions.
The luau is well worth trying, in my opinion. Plenty of varieties of food to eat and very delicious. I can't imagine anyone leaving hungry...lots of deliciousness to eat.
The night show is interesting. I am rather fire-liking, as most anyone who knows me is already aware. I hadn't seen fire-twirling in person before. It makes a much grander impression than seeing such a thing on television or internet. I loved that segment of the show in particular, though the islanders in the shows are all very handsome and beautiful so they are quite pleasant to watch during their dancing and other presentations. :)
Watching my dad take a hula lesson made my day, too. Heheh.
The luau is well worth trying, in my opinion. Plenty of varieties of food to eat and very delicious. I can't imagine anyone leaving hungry...lots of deliciousness to eat.
The night show is interesting. I am rather fire-liking, as most anyone who knows me is already aware. I hadn't seen fire-twirling in person before. It makes a much grander impression than seeing such a thing on television or internet. I loved that segment of the show in particular, though the islanders in the shows are all very handsome and beautiful so they are quite pleasant to watch during their dancing and other presentations. :)
Watching my dad take a hula lesson made my day, too. Heheh.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Pali Lookout and North Shore Waves
One strange thing about Oahu is that chickens live all over the island. I'm not sure why this is.
In addition to seeing lots of chickens, I have seen some of the most fabulously beautiful ocean and mountain scenery I've ever seen in my life.
The internet access that is supposed to work in my hotel room isn't working and the office closes in a few minutes, so I will add more photos and post later, but here are a few places I've seen in the last couple of days.
In addition to seeing lots of chickens, I have seen some of the most fabulously beautiful ocean and mountain scenery I've ever seen in my life.
The internet access that is supposed to work in my hotel room isn't working and the office closes in a few minutes, so I will add more photos and post later, but here are a few places I've seen in the last couple of days.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Hawaii some more
Hawaii is fabulous, though Waikiki is a bit touristy for my taste in general. We hiked to Diamond Head yesterday. Fabulous viewpoints of the ocean and of the island of Oahu for miles.Part of the hike includes a section through the old military lookout area, which became obsolete when radar came into use.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Hawaii...and hoping to post pictures soon
I am much missing Japan.
Meeting my mother in Hawaii on the stopover has been fabulous, though, as I believe I mentioned.
We have visited the zoo and the aquarium, walked a bit along the beach, and today we visited Pearl Harbor and toured the USS Arizona memorial. I hope to get back out there and tour the battleship, USS Missouri. I have taken numerous photos since arriving, almost 900, actually, but at this hotel I only have internet in the lobby so I will post more photos soon.
Monday, January 19, 2009
last days in Japan this time
I will likely post some more pictures and such from favorite excursions or events, but my last days in Japan were spent trying to make my stuff fit back in my suitcases, cleaning my apartment before departure, meeting the girls who were going to be attending the next semester at Global College Japan Center, saying goodbye to teachers at the university, and spending some time hanging out with a friend. I miss Japan already and have only been away for a day and a half.
I planned a stopover in Hawaii on the way back since it was on my flight itinerary as a transfer point anyway. My mom met me here and in a few days my dad will meet me here. It is a good transition from Japan to back to Washington as there are lots of Japanese places around here, Japanese food, Japanese kanji everywhere, Japanese newspapers and businesses and such, as well as all the American things here. I did NOT miss the traffic of the US, and Hawaii is no exception. I really loved getting around almost everywhere in Japan via bicycle, foot, train, or bus.
I am having a wonderful time with my mother here. We walked to the zoo today and took pictures of many beautiful flowers, as well as plenty of animals. I will post some as soon as possible, though tonight I think I'm headed to the jacuzzi for a bit, first.
A group of people sat down beside me, speaking Japanese, and I realized that I am quite pleasantly comfortable, hearing that spoken and am wishing to go back to Japan before too long. I love Kyoto, and what I've seen of the rest of Japan.
I planned a stopover in Hawaii on the way back since it was on my flight itinerary as a transfer point anyway. My mom met me here and in a few days my dad will meet me here. It is a good transition from Japan to back to Washington as there are lots of Japanese places around here, Japanese food, Japanese kanji everywhere, Japanese newspapers and businesses and such, as well as all the American things here. I did NOT miss the traffic of the US, and Hawaii is no exception. I really loved getting around almost everywhere in Japan via bicycle, foot, train, or bus.
I am having a wonderful time with my mother here. We walked to the zoo today and took pictures of many beautiful flowers, as well as plenty of animals. I will post some as soon as possible, though tonight I think I'm headed to the jacuzzi for a bit, first.
A group of people sat down beside me, speaking Japanese, and I realized that I am quite pleasantly comfortable, hearing that spoken and am wishing to go back to Japan before too long. I love Kyoto, and what I've seen of the rest of Japan.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
My birthday in Japan
I didn't have particular plans for my birthday, but a friend of mine had been planning to show me a cool airsoft shop in Osaka, and the day we could go happened to land on my birthday.
Other than with school groups, I hadn't done any traveling outside of Kyoto so I really looked forward to this...plus...airsoft shop!
I wish I had pictures, but though both of us planned to bring cameras, neither of us remembered.
We rode two regular trains and two subway trains to get there. Public transportation is generally nice here in Japan. I enjoy the trains, particularly, and use the buses occasionally, also, though they are a bit more of a pain, and a bit more expensive.
The airsoft shop has a testing area and we fired a variety of airsoft guns. My friend's favorite was a Tokyo Marui USP AEG (here is a link to a picture of one: http://www.redwolfairsoft.com/redwolf/airsoft/ProductDetail?prodID=22325 . I really liked that one, but I also liked the Tokyo Marui P90 http://steelhawkairsoft.com/p90tr.html.
I also discovered that I have a high liking for tactical vests for some bizarre reason, but now I really want one. They had some green ones I really liked there.
Since I don't have photos, here is a link to a video that shows some pictures of the inside of the store. Our trip to the store was a bit milder than this. http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=Fjf2QF5k2sA
Was a pretty fun thing to do on my birthday!!!
,
Other than with school groups, I hadn't done any traveling outside of Kyoto so I really looked forward to this...plus...airsoft shop!
I wish I had pictures, but though both of us planned to bring cameras, neither of us remembered.
We rode two regular trains and two subway trains to get there. Public transportation is generally nice here in Japan. I enjoy the trains, particularly, and use the buses occasionally, also, though they are a bit more of a pain, and a bit more expensive.
The airsoft shop has a testing area and we fired a variety of airsoft guns. My friend's favorite was a Tokyo Marui USP AEG (here is a link to a picture of one: http://www.redwolfairsoft.com/redwolf/airsoft/ProductDetail?prodID=22325 . I really liked that one, but I also liked the Tokyo Marui P90 http://steelhawkairsoft.com/p90tr.html.
I also discovered that I have a high liking for tactical vests for some bizarre reason, but now I really want one. They had some green ones I really liked there.
Since I don't have photos, here is a link to a video that shows some pictures of the inside of the store. Our trip to the store was a bit milder than this. http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=Fjf2QF5k2sA
Was a pretty fun thing to do on my birthday!!!
,
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Pictures of me with Monkeys
Family have been asking for some pictures of me on this blog so here are a few taken by my friend, Will, when he and Jesimee and I were on our monkey park expedition.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!
I've enjoyed my time immensely with Jesimee being here in Japan these last few weeks with me! We've had some amazing times, and I'm really glad she could be here. We both really love Japan, and have had some great times with each other and with friends.
We've been to a variety of shops, both for looking and an actual bit of shopping. Jesimee was hoping for some clothes from here, and that goal is accomplished between her Christmas presents from me and Will and some of her own purchases, she has a really fun outfit, a new coat, and some new boots. We've been to temples, shrines, parks, a castle, and she went to Nara with one of my friends from school one day while I was busy finishing up some writing projects. We've tried a variety of foods together...I'm glad Jesimee was willing to try sashimi (raw fish), though I think it won't be on her list of favorites any time soon. I have learned that I really like certain kinds of sashimi, particularly salmon and tuna, and I'm wanting to try more before I go, but got full at the restaurant, what with all the varieties of sushi I already tried.
I've enjoyed my time immensely with Jesimee being here in Japan these last few weeks with me! We've had some amazing times, and I'm really glad she could be here. We both really love Japan, and have had some great times with each other and with friends.
We've been to a variety of shops, both for looking and an actual bit of shopping. Jesimee was hoping for some clothes from here, and that goal is accomplished between her Christmas presents from me and Will and some of her own purchases, she has a really fun outfit, a new coat, and some new boots. We've been to temples, shrines, parks, a castle, and she went to Nara with one of my friends from school one day while I was busy finishing up some writing projects. We've tried a variety of foods together...I'm glad Jesimee was willing to try sashimi (raw fish), though I think it won't be on her list of favorites any time soon. I have learned that I really like certain kinds of sashimi, particularly salmon and tuna, and I'm wanting to try more before I go, but got full at the restaurant, what with all the varieties of sushi I already tried.
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