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Thursday, February 24, 2011
More!
Monday, February 21, 2011
Binky Free!
It's hard to believe that Teddy was ever this small!
Teddy has been using a binky to fall asleep since his second night in the hospital. We felt it was time for him to learn to fall asleep without it so we told him that his binky was going to fly up in the air with our family lantern the night of the Pingxi Lantern Festival. Although we didn't really send the binky up with the lantern (don't tell Teddy), he seems to be satisfied with his binky being up in the sky among the stars. He has asked about it a few times but he has been just fine over the past nine nights. Victory!
Next up: Getting him out of his diapers!
Teddy has been using a binky to fall asleep since his second night in the hospital. We felt it was time for him to learn to fall asleep without it so we told him that his binky was going to fly up in the air with our family lantern the night of the Pingxi Lantern Festival. Although we didn't really send the binky up with the lantern (don't tell Teddy), he seems to be satisfied with his binky being up in the sky among the stars. He has asked about it a few times but he has been just fine over the past nine nights. Victory!
Next up: Getting him out of his diapers!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Pingxi Lantern Festival
The lantern festival marks the end of Chinese New Year. Wishes for the new year are written on the lanterns and then sent up into the sky. This was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen and ranks very high on the top 10 most amazing experiences in my life. There is no way to describe this event in words and, although they certainly don't do it justice, I hope you enjoy the pictures we took.
We sent up our own lantern with many happy wishes for our family in the new year. We even wrote wishes for our friends and extended family, and we hope you feel the warmth of these wishes throughout the year. Happy year of the rabbit!
We sent up our own lantern with many happy wishes for our family in the new year. We even wrote wishes for our friends and extended family, and we hope you feel the warmth of these wishes throughout the year. Happy year of the rabbit!
Japan: Day Eight
Our last day in Japan was filled with a lot of emotions - sadness at having to say goodbye to Devon and Josh and this amazing country but also excitement to return to Taiwan and get back into a routine. We had a teary goodbye with the Walterscheids after a morning walk in Yoyogi Park.
We then walked to the huge Meiji Shrine and caught a glimpse of a wedding party getting ready for the ceremony.
On the way out we were able to snap a family picture, one of our last in Japan.
With a sleepy Teddy in tow, we walked to the Park Hyatt Toyko (featured in "Lost in Translation") for some amazing views of the city. It was the perfect way to end a perfect vacation.
We then walked to the huge Meiji Shrine and caught a glimpse of a wedding party getting ready for the ceremony.
On the way out we were able to snap a family picture, one of our last in Japan.
With a sleepy Teddy in tow, we walked to the Park Hyatt Toyko (featured in "Lost in Translation") for some amazing views of the city. It was the perfect way to end a perfect vacation.
Japan: Day Seven
The next morning, we went to the Tsukiji Fish Market, which is the world's largest. It was certainly an education in the different types of creatures that live in the sea. We all agreed that we had never seen fish so big. Teddy loved looking at all of the fish with Daddy, and even gave the fish market a big "hooray!"
We then visited the Imperial Palace, the home of Japan's emperor and imperial family. Although we weren't allowed inside the palace, we had a great tour of the adjacent gardens. Teddy slept through most of the afternoon, but it was a fun adventure!
Later that afternoon, we met back up with Devon and Josh. We had purchased a big bottle of local sake in Takayama and this was the night to drink it! I will spare you the details but we ended up...
...singing karaoke (poorly), eating yakitori, and drinking in the hotel bar.
We then visited the Imperial Palace, the home of Japan's emperor and imperial family. Although we weren't allowed inside the palace, we had a great tour of the adjacent gardens. Teddy slept through most of the afternoon, but it was a fun adventure!
Later that afternoon, we met back up with Devon and Josh. We had purchased a big bottle of local sake in Takayama and this was the night to drink it! I will spare you the details but we ended up...
...singing karaoke (poorly), eating yakitori, and drinking in the hotel bar.
Japan: Day Six
We spent most of the day traveling by high speed train from Takayama to Tokyo. Upon arrival in Tokyo, we found that Devon had booked us a totally cool boutique hotel smack dab in the middle of the coolest part of the city, Shibuya!
Our first order of business was to simply walk around and take in the sights and smells of one of the busiest cities in the world. We were all very excited to check out Shibuya Crossing, which was featured in the movie "Lost In Translation."
We decided to have a nice family dinner of yakitori, followed by Krispy Kreme donuts. Yes, I know! We came all the way to Japan to eat something we can get in the States! Still, donuts this good are hard to come by in Taiwan and I think we deserved a little taste of America.
Our first order of business was to simply walk around and take in the sights and smells of one of the busiest cities in the world. We were all very excited to check out Shibuya Crossing, which was featured in the movie "Lost In Translation."
We decided to have a nice family dinner of yakitori, followed by Krispy Kreme donuts. Yes, I know! We came all the way to Japan to eat something we can get in the States! Still, donuts this good are hard to come by in Taiwan and I think we deserved a little taste of America.
Japan: Day Five
We decided to get away from the major cities in Japan by visiting the mountain town of Takayama. Devon found us an amazing ryokan with small, traditional rooms and a very cool bath house on the top floor overlooking the snowy mountains. We visited Hida-no-sato, a village with traditional houses, that was covered in over a foot of snow. In addition to seeing how people once lived in Japan (and how they managed to stay warm with paper screen windows), we all spent some time playing in the snow. Teddy built snow castles, Michael made snow angels, Devon celebrated the traditional first day of spring by tossing roasted soy seeds into the snow, and Josh built a snowman.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Japan: Day Four
We then traveled to the "silver pavilion" at Ginkaku-ji. The pavilion was supposed to be covered in silver but it never was. Still, the grounds were stunning and it was a great way to get some morning exercise.
After walking along the "Path of Philosophy" and finding a great little breakfast place, we got on the train and headed north to Takayama. This is a picture of Teddy at the train station. He has built a fort of suitcases around him and he is playing with his matchbox cars!
After walking along the "Path of Philosophy" and finding a great little breakfast place, we got on the train and headed north to Takayama. This is a picture of Teddy at the train station. He has built a fort of suitcases around him and he is playing with his matchbox cars!
Japan: Day Three
We took the train out to Nara where the deer are allowed to roam around the city because they are said to be messengers of the gods. No matter how you view it, these deer know they are in charge and they are very pushy when looking for food. Teddy was very afraid at first, but he seemed to like the baby deer.
One of the most amazing sites in Nara was the Daibutsu-den Hall which is the largest wooden building in the world. Surprisingly enough, the present hall is actually only two-thirds of its original size!
Inside the hall is The Diabutsu, the Giant Buddha. This is the second largest Buddha in the whole world. We were all impressed that Josh has also seen the largest Buddha, which is in India.
After returning from Nara, we walked up a big hill to the Kyiomizu-dera. This amazing temple has an equally amazing view overlooking the city of Kyoto. A few of the fun things we did at this temple include pretending to be Godzilla (ask Michael!), walking between two stones with eyes closed in order to "find true love," learning how to wash before entering a temple, and drinking healing waters out of a blessed fountain.
One of the most amazing sites in Nara was the Daibutsu-den Hall which is the largest wooden building in the world. Surprisingly enough, the present hall is actually only two-thirds of its original size!
Inside the hall is The Diabutsu, the Giant Buddha. This is the second largest Buddha in the whole world. We were all impressed that Josh has also seen the largest Buddha, which is in India.
After returning from Nara, we walked up a big hill to the Kyiomizu-dera. This amazing temple has an equally amazing view overlooking the city of Kyoto. A few of the fun things we did at this temple include pretending to be Godzilla (ask Michael!), walking between two stones with eyes closed in order to "find true love," learning how to wash before entering a temple, and drinking healing waters out of a blessed fountain.
Kyoto: Day Two and a Half
After reading "Memoirs of a Geisha," Devon and I were totally excited to see one in real life. We got the inside scoop on where to spy a Geisha in Gion, so Devon and I waited outside their school late one afternoon with several professional photographers and a film crew. We waited for a very long, biding our time by stalking possible Japanese pop stars (we thought in our heads), helping out at a bicycle accident, and drinking beer out of a vending machine (classy, I know!). Luckily, we were rewarded by seeing a few apprentice Geisha in full makeup and kimono. It was a truly memorable experience and I was thrilled to be able to share it with Devon.
Japan: Day Two
Our good friends, Devon and Josh Walterscheid, met us in Kyoto on the second day. It had been seven months since we said goodbye to them in Longmeadow. We couldn't have picked two better traveling partners!
Devon was really excited about seeing the Bamboo Forest, the most photographed area of Kyoto. After an adventuresome morning of trying to navigate the Kyoto subway system, we found ourselves on the outskirts of the city. The bamboo forest certainly did impress, but I really enjoyed the company so much more!
One of my favorite meals out was at this amazing sushi restaurant where the food comes by on a little conveyor belt and you can pick whichever plate you are interested in. I have never been into sushi but I absolutely LOVED this meal. We had so much fun and 27 plates later it was time to go home.
Devon was really excited about seeing the Bamboo Forest, the most photographed area of Kyoto. After an adventuresome morning of trying to navigate the Kyoto subway system, we found ourselves on the outskirts of the city. The bamboo forest certainly did impress, but I really enjoyed the company so much more!
One of my favorite meals out was at this amazing sushi restaurant where the food comes by on a little conveyor belt and you can pick whichever plate you are interested in. I have never been into sushi but I absolutely LOVED this meal. We had so much fun and 27 plates later it was time to go home.
Japan: Day One
We have been trying to upload our photos of Japan for a few days now but, after taking over 700 photos, our computer keeps crashing because we want to upload so many of our great pictures. We have decided to just upload one per day. Enjoy!
This photo is of the golden pavilion. We visited this absolutely beautiful and serene compound at the end of our first day in Kyoto.
This photo is of the golden pavilion. We visited this absolutely beautiful and serene compound at the end of our first day in Kyoto.
Monday, February 7, 2011
We are home!
We made it home from Japan very late last night. We had an absolutely amazing trip with our good friends Devon and Josh Walterscheid. We can't wait to tell you all about it...but we need to get some sleep first! A few updates coming soon. Until then, enjoy this totally cute picture of Teddy hamming it up in Kyoto.
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