Fun Bike Ride... start the year with a bang!

Was a wonderful day in Tokyo for weather yesterday. Extreamly clear, although a bit cool. My friend Paul and I decided earlier on in the week that if it looked okay we would head out for a ride. This proved to be a great choice, meeting up on Nakaharakaido around 10AM, and then cycling towards the Tamagawa. As we approached Marukobashi, had the best view of Mt Fuji that I have ever had in Tokyo. It was so clear, the mountains below it, and the angle we were on... fantastic. I know.. I should have taken a picture, but I didn't have a camera on. Besides, we were there to ride, and that we did. Rode up to Futago Tamagawa, back down to Marukobashi, back up to Futago Tamagawa... then switched to Route 245. On route 245 we headed back down to Khoo Whoo on Nakarakaido near Musashi Koyoma. Paul just got a beautiful (like rolling work of art beautiful) Pinarello FP3. As a result were looking for a few little things that he needs for his bike.

At this point, we called an end to the ride and was cycling home. Was a great day, and would be over 40KM when I got home. Not bad for a Sunday morning. I turned down onto Route 1 and **BANG** my rear tire blew. This nice huge lump of iron stuck itself through the rear tire, and through the inner tube.

It was a real b!tch getting home, but did in the end. Anyhow, still, had a great ride, already fixed my bike and rode in to work today! Used some older tires that I kept as spares. My advice to you is, always keep one inner tube and tired, as you never know when you will need it.

Congrats to Andy B

Congratualtions out to Andy B. Went to his "nijikai" on Friday night, and it was a really good evening. The dinner was on the 51st floor of Roppongi hills, and we looked upon the city while drinking wine and having good food. The event its self was good fun, with his wife's friends singing (she went to an entertainer's highschool!) and Andy's friends making good fun of him. It all worked out well. Although I would have to say that Mr. B did look a bit nervous.

The photos maybe a bit crap... I was using my phone.

Helpful

My teammate at work snapped this photo... who says these guys can't be helpful. They were cleaning up around Daikanyama (near shibuya). Guess they don't have much work after the Death star blew up.

Sunset

Our last full day in Hawaii this time was one of strong winds. So strong that they closed all the schools, most beaches, pools and even some stores! It actually wasn't that bad at all, but I think people were just being a little bit over protective after the blackout they had late last year.

But by the evening it cleared up for the most part, and we could see this wonderful vista from our hotel room. We had to change rooms for one night, this one had a better view, but preferred the first one!

Hawaii - Another Walk, Great Beach

We found a great walk around from Hananuma bay. Just keep following the man road (its beautiful!). Just after all the viewing spots, and also past a nice sandy white beach you will find a turn off. Turn in and you will find a spot with some parking and a paved path. Get out... start walking. The walk to the top gave us great views (although little shade). Basically along the way you can even see whales out in the ocean, and have a great view of the windward coast of Oahu.





The walk up and down, after the path as well, took about 2 hours. It was a great walk, and we were pretty hot afterwards. We headed down to this beach, and cooled off in the ocean. Was really fun, as the waves were HUGE, and could do some body surfing (yes.. even me!). Would really like to get back there again. I think that this was one of my favorite beaches that I have ever been too.

Climbing Diamond Head

On the next day after arriving we went for a little climb up Diamond head. It was HOT. But a good walk. When you see Kiyomi next, ask her if she really needed her winter coat. :))

Here are some pics while walking up and the nice view on the top.





Was decent walk, I think it was about 2 hours to the top and back down. It was my first time to do it, and I regret that that I hadn't done it before. I know that next time I am in Ohau I will do this again. It really is an easy and rewarding walk. The only hard... and a bit scary bit, is the part with all the stairs at the top. Didn't like that much, but it wasn't too bad. Nice long cool cave when you get to the top.

Some advice... take water with you. The machines were sold out, and wear a hat... you will fry without it.

Hawaii!

Yup! We just spent a week in Hawaii (yes again!) early January. Work wise, it was kind of a weird time to go, but weather wise it was fantastic! It was warm, and relaxing, and we were really able to chill out well. We went on a Friday night after work, and got there on Friday, staying at the Ilikai, an apartment style hotel. The place we stayed had a great kitchen, and was a great deal too. I would really recommend it to anyone. It is an older place but well kept up and renovated.

Here is a snap shot of the kitchen than we had. It was great to cook, and it really made for a different style of holiday. Didn't feel as sick of eating out as in the past.



The place had a great view too! Check out the view from the lanai (balcony) that we had! Not bad... sure beats the one I have here :))


On Friday, we could even see the Fireworks at the Hilton. They are pretty impressive, not as long as the big festivals in Japan, but for a weekly event. Pretty good. And it isn't CRAZY busy, and you are comfortable on the beach!


Ohhhhh... I want to go back.

Japanese New Years Food

We stopped over at Kiyomi`s parents for a new years dinner. We ate a bunch of Japanese food, most of it is associated with the new years celebrations. Here they are... Its mostly healthy, mostly boiled... lots of vegies and pickles too. Good stuff over all and left quite full. A fair amount of drink was consumed along with the food too. That probably didn`t help too much.

Stacked Mochi is a symbole at this time...



Here is what the table looked like...





Anyhow... thats the end of the holiday. Sadly. Back to the grind tomorrow.

All the best to those out there. Hope you all had as good of a holiday as we did.

Love, peace and happiness to all.

Cheesy Assed Car

So I was in Akihabara with a couple of the boys one fine day this holiday. When crossing one of the streets we saw this cheesy car. Its pretty bad, and someone really needs to go to taste school to smarten up. Or at least begin to see the error of his ways. The still photo doesn`t really capture the light show that went along with the car.



No man should have a sad image on his car.

Happy New Year

All,

A very happy new year to those of you reading this. I don`t see enough of you in person... but would like to extend my best wishes for the coming year. Surely it will have to get better right???

Some interesting things about Japan. New Years eve is a very spiritual holiday, almost a relgious event like Christmas is over in the West. People go to shrines, get rid of their old spiritual items and recieve a blessing from the priests. Its a pretty interestin thing, and a very busy time for all the shrines in Japan. NHK (the national TV channel) shows plenty of shrines at midntight each year. No countdown... just people waiting in line to either ring a bell or get a blessing.

Kiyomi and I howerver, spent the night with our friends at James and Nori`s house. It was good fun, and would have to say with a lot of wine being drank. I was pretty good, won`t comment on everyone out there. You know who you are ;)

The line up and events go on LONG into the night (maybe all night?) and even the next day. This is the major temple near my house at lunchtime on the 1st.... still lined up out the front and around the block!



Kiyomi and I popped into the shrine (a pretty big on in Shinagawa) and threw our Omamori and Hamaya (looks like an arrow) in a big pit to burn away.



As you can see by the size of the pit... we`re one of hundreds (maybe thousands??) at this temple to get rid of their stuff.

The weather was FANTASTIC today, so we then headed out Jonan Jima and had a bit of a walk around. It was so clear you could see many of the mountains that surround the Kanto plain in the distance. Beautiful! Took a few pictures of the place, and some of the planes that were flying over our heads (as it is very close to Haneda - the major domestic airport in Tokyo).






That was our day... a great start to the year. All the best to everyone out there.
Happy New Year.