Two quick pictures from my iPhone. I sent out less Christmas/holiday cards than I usually do this year (it has been manic), only 300 or so. I sent a few old colleagues a card and one sent a note … Continue reading
Our time in Japan has come to an end. We could have stayed longer, but factors played out that a different choice was the right one for our family. Leaving a country is always a bittersweet experience, there are things … Continue reading
I was having lunch with a new acquaintance who has been in Japan for 4 years. We were comparing notes on what it is like to live in Japan and do business (It is his first international assignment). When we … Continue reading
My last Peleliu post. One of the most interesting buildings on Peleliu is the old Japanese HQ. Bombed, shelled and generally beaten into pieces, the jungle has come back with a vengeance to grow through the .5m-1m thick concrete floors … Continue reading
We had rented a car and were driving the roads of Palau in search of a waterfall. Along the side of the road we noticed a concrete pyramid rising out of the jungle. What was that? We backtracked and found … Continue reading
One of the more famous temples in Kyoto is Kiyomizu Temple, and it has a grand view of the city. It is a hike up a hill to get to the temple, which is half the fun as the road … Continue reading
I am not sure if people know about Iwatayama Monkey Park in Kyoto. It wasn’t listed as one of the “must see” in Kyoto as I researched for our trip. But as an animal loving family, when we found out … Continue reading
Part of having a guide is that he takes you into different places (if she is good). Our guide took us out of the city of Kyoto to show us the countryside and the rice fields. It was a 15 … Continue reading
The Japanese economy is in trouble (which economy isn’t?). You never hear about it unless you seek the information for a few reasons; the Japanese like to keep their problems to themselves, the lack of immigrants means that no … Continue reading
The concept of central heating is not one that the Japanese have caught on to. The common heating model is to have independent heating and cooling units in each room.The benefit is that you gain room by room control … Continue reading
I find it interesting that English is so prevalent in Japan. When speaking with someone on the topic a few weeks ago they suggested that it is due to the post WWII occupation by the United States. That may … Continue reading
The Japan Times has an interesting feature called “Well Said” which is all about helping the gaijin integrate into the local society. In their words, it is all about “sounding natural in Japanese”. While having breakfast at the hotel last … Continue reading
Traveling around Asia you become accustom to different levels of garbage. In the emerging countries where people are trying to make a living you see garbage everywhere for logical reasons; when you are trying to feed your family, ensuring that … Continue reading
When we moved to Tokyo I found it very hard to figure out. As expatriate assignments go, Japan is like moving to Mars and dramatically more complex than when we moved to Europe. As a public service announcement, I share … Continue reading
As I wandered around Chofu I started to get lost. Fortunately I had my iPhone and used it to locate where I was and where I had left the car. Somehow I had gotten quite far off track so I … Continue reading
According to the latest indexes, the drop in the Yen means that Tokyo has gone from most expensive place in the world (when we first moved here) to number 13 .. not even in the top 10! It sure does … Continue reading
There is a famous Japanese saying: 出る釘は打たれる。 Deru kugi wa utareru or in English: the nail that sticks out gets hammered down. In other words, follow the rules and in Japan, there is a big rule book. Rules are an … Continue reading
I have had Palau on my bucket list for a long time for two reasons; Jellyfish Lake in the Rock Islands and Peleliu, the island the US/Japan fought a vicious WWII battle. For those of you who do not know … Continue reading
Our 3rd day included the Monkey Park (previous posts) and a boat ride down the Katsura River which runs below it. Across the river is a famous bridge that people like to photograph, the Togetsukyo or “Moon Crossing bridge”. It … Continue reading
As mentioned in my initial post on Kyoto, we enjoy learning the history and culture of Japan. We did not know what to expect with our dining with a maiko/geisha/geiko experience. When the maiko-san originally arrived, our interpreter quickly helped … Continue reading
Using the concierge at the Westin we booked Yoshikawa in Kyoto with a room overlooking the garden. Attached to a Japanese Inn that has played host to the rich and famous, it was a beautiful traditional restaurant and amazing staff … Continue reading
This is a very interesting post to write as it elicits mixed feelings. Part of living in a different culture is that never ending quest to understand, learn and to grow while trying not to use your own cultural biases … Continue reading
We spent 3 days in Kyoto recently and it was a fantastic trip, although complex to organize. I present this itinerary for others, with a few suggestions that I hope help. TripAdvisor City Guides. If you have not downloaded this … Continue reading
I won’t be blogging this week .. But left a few shots of things that caught my attention in Tokyo. Sorry, iPhone configuration as the 5D was not with me. This is how you fill 5 pots with herbs on … Continue reading
It was Vernal Equinox Day on Wednesday this week. Vernal Equinox Day (春分の日 Shunbun no Hi?) is a public holiday in Japan that occurs on the date of the Northward equinox in Japan Standard Time (the vernal equinox can occur … Continue reading
Odd weekend as the family was in Saipan and I was home alone on Saturday. This is a very rare occurrence as weekends are family time and if the boys are with friends, Narda and I are usually out … Continue reading
Yoyogi park is a park that is commonly written up in books on visiting Tokyo. Filled with eclectic people, right beside one of the most famous shrines in Tokyo, it is worth a visit. What is now Yoyogi Park … Continue reading
I carried my camera with me to work the other day/week. It is interesting how you start noticing things differently when you have your camera in your hand. A few photos from the “walks to work” I wonder who is … Continue reading
In Canada it is progressive when a city incorporates composting. There is still a large debate on the economics of recycling beyond the most basic in a resource rich country. In Japan, they take garbage sorting and distribution very … Continue reading
I make this post as a public service, from one person who could not find answers to the “System Filling” error on a Jura super-automatic. Weeks ago my Jura C9 displayed the message “Change filter”, prompting me to put … Continue reading
We still have not gotten out as much as we would like in Japan, primarily due to a few things that have take us sideways – but we are getting there. A few weeks ago we headed to the … Continue reading
The festival started at 5pm to much fanfare and a crowd that was ready for a show (fan in hand). The nice thing about a 5pm start is that the sun had gone down enough to provide relief from … Continue reading
Before we head out to Japan I upgraded our wireless networking, grabbing the fastest/strongest wireless router I could find – the ASUS RT-N66U. However, even with the increased range and range extending antennas on the router, when you are … Continue reading
The other night I happened onto the story of the Sea Shepherd organization and their recent accident. In the below video, their anti-whaling ship the Adi Gil was rammed and sunk by a Japanese security ship as it worked … Continue reading
Michael Weening: a few pictures 