Ultimate adventure!!

So, anyone who knows me even a little likely knows that I love, love, love monkeys! And today’s ultimate adventure was a trip to Arashiyama, near Kyoto, to an awesome monkey park. I have heard many a scary monkey tale since living in Japan, but none of these warnings could keep me away. However, there are a number of rules regarding monkey viewing that I found interesting. One that I found particularly curious is that you can’t make eye contact with the monkeys or they will feel like you are threatening them and will attack you. This I found to be true when I was trying to get a picture near a baby monkey and someone I assumed to be his mother became rather aggressive. I promise, I was trying not to make eye contact but she was staring at me. Next thing I knew she was growling and bearing her teeth, and quickly I was using my friend as a human shield against a possible attack. Other than this little incident, I had an absolute ball wandering around monkey park!

Another intriguing location we visited was a bamboo forest, which I have to admit I find strangely creepy for some reason. And we also checked out a very well manicured Japanese garden where we enjoyed a traditional tea service.

And finally, I had a delicious meal of local cuisine in the evening. Kyoto is know for its tofu, and in particular yuba, which I enjoyed at a stylish little restaurant in Arashiyama.

And of course I took plenty of pictures! Enjoy!

Arashiyama VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Seoul Adventure

It’s official. After six months in Japan I have finally taken my first international vacation since moving here. My friend/co-worker and I jetted off to Seoul, South Korea on a Saturday morning and arrived to a beautiful, but somewhat smoggy vista. Besides eating lots and lots of delicious Korea food during our weekend away, we also did some hard-core shopping in Myeong-dong and had a great, relaxing massage. I only have a few pictures to show, which will follow…

But first, last weekend one of my students and her husband generously gave me a tour around Kyoto to see many of the temples and the beginning of the changing leaves. Here are some pictures of Seoul and bunch more of Kyoto. Enjoy!

 

Seoul and Kyoto VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Akashi Autumn

After a lengthy hiatus from blogging, I’m back. One of the happiest developments of late has been the sudden and pleasant change in the weather. In September, several typhoons swept into Akashi and brought some cool, dry weather in their wake. One typhoon was actually severe enough to warrant closing the school for half a day.

With my time off I’ve been keeping busy with a wide variety of activities, including playing monthly futsal matches, going to live house shows where one of my students’ band performs, exploring more of what Akashi, Kobe, and Osaka have to offer, and of course, traveling.

Coming up in November, I have an exciting trip planned to Seoul, South Korea with my friend/co-worker.

And now for a photo update from September and October. Enjoy!

Autumn Adventures VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Miyajima Adventure

My first official vacation in Japan has now come to an end and I had an awesome time exploring Hiroshima and Miyajima in the summer heat!

Some highlights of my time away were the friendly deer of Miyajima who tried to steal my food, the bicycle adventure through Hiroshima, and the amazing scenery around Miyajima on my long hike in the mountains.

Here are some photos of my adventures. Enjoy!

Hiroshima and Miyajima VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Summer = Cicadas

Yet another wild and wonderful fact about Japan summers is that they have an abundance of cicadas, which fill Akashi with their shrill cries on any given day. Since summer began in full, I have been ‘serenaded’ each day on my walk to work by trees full of cicadas. I realize that this is not a phenomenon specific to Japan, but in Victoria I don’t think I have ever seen or heard a cicada up close before. At first I wasn’t even sure whether the sound I heard was a natural sound or some sort of high-pitched electronic sound along the main street in Akashi. They also have a skill at changing their sound, as what I thought for a time was a sprinkler (highly unlikely in my neighbourhood anyway) was actually a cicada as well. Up until now I hadn’t had the pleasure (or maybe horror would be a better term) of seeing a cicada. But today on my walk home from the grocery store I stopped at a playground where I hear some noisy cicadas in the trees. I must admit, I was a little disturbed to come face to face with one these not-so-little creatures.

Strangely enough, one of my lessons this week was related to cicadas and one of my students expressed her distaste for cicadas. She also let me in on the next stage of their life cycle, where they die en masse and start dropping from the trees. Hmm… kind of makes their shrill cries of life sound a little better than the alternative.

Anyway, here are a couple photos of the cicadas I encountered today. Enjoy…?

Summer = Fireworks!

In  the summer, Japan is a world of fireworks. I’m pretty sure that every weekend since the summer began there has been a fireworks festival somewhere in the Kansai region. In fact, most weekends there are several fireworks festivals in various cities. Two weeks ago I went to the Tenjin Matsuri fireworks festival in Osaka. Yesterday after work, I went to the Kobe fireworks festival. And today I went with my friend/co-worker and his wife to the Awaji Island fireworks festival. The festivals are always filled with women in beautiful and elaborate yukatas, tons of incredibly cute Japanese children, and lots of delicious food! This almost makes up for the usually uncomfortable heat and humidity :S

Tonight I had my camera with me, so here are some pictures of Awaji Island. Enjoy!

Awaji Island Fireworks VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Adventures in floriculture

In the past I have been known as having a knack for killing plants. However, when I started decorating my apartment in Akashi I was determined to have some kind of plant life to brighten up the place. Admittedly, I had a couple of unfortunate incidents with my first plants, but now I have managed to keep my orchid and lovely hibiscus alive for several weeks. I’m hoping this green thumb moment will continue. Either way, here are some pictures of my current success. Enjoy!