Destination: Japan

Tokyo Disneyland

Wed, 2 Dec 2009 | By abcarlson | Views [1571]

Friday was our day in Tokyo Disneyland.  It was crowded (but not nearly as crowded as we'd find Tokyo Disney Sea the following day), but we had a lot of fun!  First thing we rode was the Star Wars ride "Star Tours" (I sure do love being married ... Read more >

Thanksgiving in Tokyo

Wed, 2 Dec 2009 | By abcarlson | Views [1471]

What better way to spend Thanksgiving overseas than traveling?  We just got back from a wonderful, long weekend in Tokyo.  (We didn't get to actually ride on the Pikachu plan, but thought it was neat!)  We got up at 3:30am on Thanksgiving morning to ... Read more >

Happy 50th birthday, Mama!

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 | By abcarlson | Views [957] | Comments [1]

Anyone who has the pleasure of seeing my Mama on November 25, please give her a big hug for me and wish her a very happy big five-oh!!!  Sorry we can't be there to celebrate with her in person, but Mama, we love you, we miss you, and if you were here.... Read more >

For Thai, go to SomChai

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 | By abcarlson | Views [1481]

Megumi and I tried out a tiny, four table Thai restaurant for lunch today.  I'd never eaten Thai before and Megumi had only had it once.  Let's just say it was an adventure.  Although I specifically ordered the "least spicy" thing on the menu ... Read more >

Big in Japan!

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 | By lol | Views [1300]

After a solid week in Beijing, we decided to go on vacation to Japan.   Lovely country – highly recommended.   We will definitely go back here – next time hopefully knowing some more Japanese. Trip overview Day Where? ... Read more >

Gallery: nara

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 | By shorn | Photo Gallery

Gallery: kyoto

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 | By shorn | Photo Gallery

Gallery: himeji

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 | By shorn | Photo Gallery

Gallery: Ebisko fest 2009

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 | By peter_allen | Photo Gallery

Kumo

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 | By abcarlson | Views [6468] | Comments [6]

Today's Japanese word for today is "kumo," meaning spider.  ("Kumo" also means cloud, but for this posting, we're talking about spiders.)  While "kumo" is the generic word for spider, in this case we are referring to a large, ... Read more >

Japonica

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 | By shorn | Views [525]

The flight from Shanghai to Fukuoka is only 1.5 hrs - how different can they be? Japan is very much different from China. The Japanese don't use street numbers and names in their addresses.  I knew this.  I've known it for years and always thought ... Read more >

Gone fishing!

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 | By lol | Views [684] | Comments [7]

Caught this beauty when we were strolling along the bay in Hiroshima.  Not sure if it is an eagle, a hawk or something else.  Does anyone know? Best, Lars 

UNIVERSAL STUDIO

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 | By stacey_levy | Views [399]

ANOTHER MORNING ANOTHER TRAIN, THIS TIME ONLY A SHORT ONE TO UNIVERSAL STUDIO JAPAN, WHEN WE WOKE UP OUT OF OUR CAPUSULE BED WE DECIDED TO CHECK OUT AND WE WHERE TOLD CHECK OUT WAS AT 10 THERE WAS NO ONE WORKING AT THE DESK SO WE DECIDED TO JUST THROUGH ... Read more >

Those selfish, selfish people!

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 | By abcarlson | Views [1811] | Comments [2]

While Brandon and I were out Christmas shopping, we came across this wonderfully, hilarious sign.  I've always said the Japanese culture is an extremely polite one.  They even go so far as to label themselves "selfish" when they close their ... Read more >

Okinawa Ramen

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 | By abcarlson | Views [1765] | Comments [2]

I promised a few posts ago (okay, it's been a while) that I'd explain a bit of the difference between our Okinawa ramen and the slightly scary ramen noodles I may, or may not, have lived off during my college years.  :)   We've actually been surprised ... Read more >