Last Friday we had some powerful thunder and lightening here. As soon as I could, I unplugged our pcs, modem, phone, etc. We thought all was well, but discovered when we got home from work that we were off-line.
We receive our English tv stations (Discovery, Fox, CNN etc.)via our modem with our Internet Service Provider. Being offline meant that we had no internet connection, and no English tv - two luxuries we'd become accustomed to.
We spent most of the weekend at the beach, and when we came home on Sunday, I called Yahoo BB (our provider). Most conveniently, they had technicians on the help line even on a Sunday afternoon (Japanese only of course); after he did stuff on his end, while I watched the modem on my end, it was determined that our modem was no longer functioning and Yahoo would send us a new one.
Well - just as we were making arrangements for delivery of a new modem, the modem's "link" light came on. This meant I was once again connected! We got on line, the TV was working!
I thanked the technician for his help, and promptly began watching TV!
But it was nice to have a few hours of disconnection to remind us that we didn't always have such luxuries here.
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Monday, August 28, 2006
Photo Albums
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
"Slimmia" New Cell Phone
I upgraded my cell phone on the weekend. I'd had my last model for nearly two years (a very long time by the current standards!), and figured it was time to ditch the weighty thing for something a bit smaller.
It's a nice, slim model by Sharp, and it has Bluetooth, an audio player, overseas capability when travelling in most countries, and a lot of other bells and whistles all in a much smaller package.
It was also very cool that Gizmodo did a review of this very same model just this morning - apparently it is all the rage in Hong Kong!
OK - so I no longer have a TV in my phone, but I didn't use it all that much anyway and now that my phone is portable again I actually plan to carry it with me and to even answer it occasionally:-)
I stayed with my provider (Vodafone/Yahoo Japan) so my number hasn't changed.
It's a nice, slim model by Sharp, and it has Bluetooth, an audio player, overseas capability when travelling in most countries, and a lot of other bells and whistles all in a much smaller package.
It was also very cool that Gizmodo did a review of this very same model just this morning - apparently it is all the rage in Hong Kong!
OK - so I no longer have a TV in my phone, but I didn't use it all that much anyway and now that my phone is portable again I actually plan to carry it with me and to even answer it occasionally:-)
I stayed with my provider (Vodafone/Yahoo Japan) so my number hasn't changed.
Monday, August 21, 2006
Susono Awa Odori
So, we finally got home (to our apartment) on Friday night at about midnight; the flight from Saipan was, indeed, shorter than the trek home from Narita airport.
There is only a one-hour time difference between Saipan and Japan, and the 3.5 hour flight was painless - so, we were very refreshed and energetic enough to venture out to our small-town festival, the awa-odori, on Saturday evening.
Originally from Tokushima, this dance festival has made its way to Koenji (Tokyo) and to Susono city (NOT Tokyo!).
Awa-Odori Dancers in the Susono Festival:
The summer festivals in Japan are really fabulous - lots of "yatai" (food stalls), drinking beer while walking amidst the festivities...it's really a lot of fun and one of our favourite parts of this lovely culture.
There is only a one-hour time difference between Saipan and Japan, and the 3.5 hour flight was painless - so, we were very refreshed and energetic enough to venture out to our small-town festival, the awa-odori, on Saturday evening.
Originally from Tokushima, this dance festival has made its way to Koenji (Tokyo) and to Susono city (NOT Tokyo!).
Awa-Odori Dancers in the Susono Festival:
The summer festivals in Japan are really fabulous - lots of "yatai" (food stalls), drinking beer while walking amidst the festivities...it's really a lot of fun and one of our favourite parts of this lovely culture.
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Back From Saipan
We're back!
Saipan was really fantastic - great weather, friendly people and beautiful beaches. We couldn't keep blogging while away because we lost connectivity - but that wasn't too bad because we spent most of our time walking on the beach and sightseeing.
We are now spending our Sunday sorting through our hundreds of photos, and we'll put up an album ASAP.
For now, here is a taste of the island:
Brian at the mouth of the Kalabera cave:
Beachcombing:
Saipan was really fantastic - great weather, friendly people and beautiful beaches. We couldn't keep blogging while away because we lost connectivity - but that wasn't too bad because we spent most of our time walking on the beach and sightseeing.
We are now spending our Sunday sorting through our hundreds of photos, and we'll put up an album ASAP.
For now, here is a taste of the island:
Brian at the mouth of the Kalabera cave:
Beachcombing:
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Riders Have Landed on Saipan...
For such a spontaneously planned holiday, the trip so far has been remarkably smooth.
We got to the airport with about an hour and half to catch our flight - made it through security and customs just in time to board. Once seated, we were informed that we'd be delayed by about an hour for maintenance (faulty hydraulics). Four hours later, we were finally in the air, and shortly after that, we checked into our much nicer-than-expected hotel in Saipan. So, if not for the delayed flight - just perfect.
Our hotel is called the Aquarius Beach Tower, which I reserved through Expedia.com. Our room is huge - it is a suite, with a full kitchen. Very nice and convenient.
Not conveniently located however - so this morning I visited Expedia once again and we rented a car, which is also nicer than expected. Brian said, before we rented, that everytime he rents a car, he never gets what he reserved. That happened again -except I think we got upgraded this time!
Our beach plans had to be changed due to the rain, so we took the car today and toured the nearby half of the island. We went through Garabon and stopped at "Banzai Cliff"(where many Japanese civilians jumped to their deaths rather than be captured by American forces in WWII), the Japanese peace memorial, Bird Island and the Grotto.
We got to see a fair bit of Saipan - both the tourist centers as well as the local areas. Overall impression: It's like being in the States and Japan at the same time. There are many Japanese cultural references sprinkled around - buddhas, kanji and restaurants. However, the language is English, and the dollar is American.
We took some pics today and hope to upload some soon.
We got to the airport with about an hour and half to catch our flight - made it through security and customs just in time to board. Once seated, we were informed that we'd be delayed by about an hour for maintenance (faulty hydraulics). Four hours later, we were finally in the air, and shortly after that, we checked into our much nicer-than-expected hotel in Saipan. So, if not for the delayed flight - just perfect.
Our hotel is called the Aquarius Beach Tower, which I reserved through Expedia.com. Our room is huge - it is a suite, with a full kitchen. Very nice and convenient.
Not conveniently located however - so this morning I visited Expedia once again and we rented a car, which is also nicer than expected. Brian said, before we rented, that everytime he rents a car, he never gets what he reserved. That happened again -except I think we got upgraded this time!
Our beach plans had to be changed due to the rain, so we took the car today and toured the nearby half of the island. We went through Garabon and stopped at "Banzai Cliff"(where many Japanese civilians jumped to their deaths rather than be captured by American forces in WWII), the Japanese peace memorial, Bird Island and the Grotto.
We got to see a fair bit of Saipan - both the tourist centers as well as the local areas. Overall impression: It's like being in the States and Japan at the same time. There are many Japanese cultural references sprinkled around - buddhas, kanji and restaurants. However, the language is English, and the dollar is American.
We took some pics today and hope to upload some soon.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Flights of Fancy – Saipan for Obon
Flights of Fancy – Saipan for Obon
Next week is Obon – the traditional Japanese summer holiday when just about everyone in Japan is a) on vacation, b) on the highways, c) on the airplanes and d) in the hotels. Brian and I often go camping during the peak holiday time – usually deftly avoiding traffic and quickly finding our way into the unpopulated mountains. This year is a little different.
It’s simply been a hectic month (or two!), and with everything we were busy with, we barely noticed the summer holiday sneak up on us. We haven’t gotten our camping gear ready or re-stocked any supplies…but that’s ok. Because, on a whim, we have decided to fly to Saipan for some time on the beach.
It happened like this:
I got home from work yesterday evening. I had a promotional email from Northwest Airlines in my Outlook mail box that announced, “Micronesia for Cash and Miles – Extended!”. Well, knowing that all flights are usually very booked by this time, and that those that aren’t booked are prohibitively expensive, I wasn’t expecting much when I clicked on the link. However, after typing in our preferred travel dates and hitting the “Check Flights” button, we were pleasantly surprised to find that not only were there available flights, but they were also cheap – 60,000 yen plus 20,000 of my air miles for two people. After a brief discussion, we decided to take the offer and reserved online.
We fly out tomorrow morning and come back on Friday. Hopefully we can blog while away (we’re bringing a laptop).
Next week is Obon – the traditional Japanese summer holiday when just about everyone in Japan is a) on vacation, b) on the highways, c) on the airplanes and d) in the hotels. Brian and I often go camping during the peak holiday time – usually deftly avoiding traffic and quickly finding our way into the unpopulated mountains. This year is a little different.
It’s simply been a hectic month (or two!), and with everything we were busy with, we barely noticed the summer holiday sneak up on us. We haven’t gotten our camping gear ready or re-stocked any supplies…but that’s ok. Because, on a whim, we have decided to fly to Saipan for some time on the beach.
It happened like this:
I got home from work yesterday evening. I had a promotional email from Northwest Airlines in my Outlook mail box that announced, “Micronesia for Cash and Miles – Extended!”. Well, knowing that all flights are usually very booked by this time, and that those that aren’t booked are prohibitively expensive, I wasn’t expecting much when I clicked on the link. However, after typing in our preferred travel dates and hitting the “Check Flights” button, we were pleasantly surprised to find that not only were there available flights, but they were also cheap – 60,000 yen plus 20,000 of my air miles for two people. After a brief discussion, we decided to take the offer and reserved online.
We fly out tomorrow morning and come back on Friday. Hopefully we can blog while away (we’re bringing a laptop).
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Another Picture of Mt. Fuji
The brewing storm created interesting cloud formations around the mountains:
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Sunshine and white wine
Rainy season is fully and truly over and we have been greeted with more than a week of bright, hot sunshine.
A winery that I regularly order from was offering a nice selection of mixed reds and whites. While usually a die-hard reddie, the heat prompted me to try out some of the fine whites. Though I will not switch from reds, I have discovered an appreciation for some of the better whites...
Meanwhile, we've also been beating the heat with long, hot vigorous bike rides (ok, that led to dehydration and chronic fatigue...), and another day spent on the beach. This morning, legs too tired to consider another bike ride, we drove my Mini over the mountains, taking winding backroads (and avoiding traffic!) to Usami beach in Izu, to spend a gorgeous day in the sun.
A winery that I regularly order from was offering a nice selection of mixed reds and whites. While usually a die-hard reddie, the heat prompted me to try out some of the fine whites. Though I will not switch from reds, I have discovered an appreciation for some of the better whites...
Meanwhile, we've also been beating the heat with long, hot vigorous bike rides (ok, that led to dehydration and chronic fatigue...), and another day spent on the beach. This morning, legs too tired to consider another bike ride, we drove my Mini over the mountains, taking winding backroads (and avoiding traffic!) to Usami beach in Izu, to spend a gorgeous day in the sun.
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Snakebite...
While recently celebrating the virtual cornucopia of snakes encountered on a recent ride, I became a little over-exuberant in my attempt to catch one (for the purposes of scientific research, and maybe some macro photography). As noted in Tracy's previous post below, the outcome was to be different:
1) The snake in question remained unphotographed, as Tracy (working the camera, and possibly shaken by my being struck, twice) failed to get a shot off.
2) Its coloration and pattern definitely matched any of the three varieties recently encountered in that area, but, sadly, the species remains unconfirmed (see 1 above).
Scientifically, I hoped to study its girth, length, anatomy, locomotion, etc.:
1) Observed behavior included a strong 'flight' action initially, quickly becoming an unmistakeable 'fight' reaction (as it turned and struck so quickly).
2) Its jaws seemed to open fully to 180 degrees during the bites, possibly to better engage its rear fangs. Its body was long, thick and scaly; inside its mouth was cottony white.
3) It fled like a little girl when I let it go.
Luckily, during the entire encounter I kept my composure. The first strike missed (due to my mongoose-like reflexes) but the second did catch my hand (as the cycling gloves reduced my dexterity). That bite left a broken tooth in my skin, but it didn't penetrate far or involve any noticable venom. Here is the result after shedding the glove:
I have of course learned my lesson and will be presenting in future posts the more gentle fauna of Japan.
1) The snake in question remained unphotographed, as Tracy (working the camera, and possibly shaken by my being struck, twice) failed to get a shot off.
2) Its coloration and pattern definitely matched any of the three varieties recently encountered in that area, but, sadly, the species remains unconfirmed (see 1 above).
Scientifically, I hoped to study its girth, length, anatomy, locomotion, etc.:
1) Observed behavior included a strong 'flight' action initially, quickly becoming an unmistakeable 'fight' reaction (as it turned and struck so quickly).
2) Its jaws seemed to open fully to 180 degrees during the bites, possibly to better engage its rear fangs. Its body was long, thick and scaly; inside its mouth was cottony white.
3) It fled like a little girl when I let it go.
Luckily, during the entire encounter I kept my composure. The first strike missed (due to my mongoose-like reflexes) but the second did catch my hand (as the cycling gloves reduced my dexterity). That bite left a broken tooth in my skin, but it didn't penetrate far or involve any noticable venom. Here is the result after shedding the glove:
I have of course learned my lesson and will be presenting in future posts the more gentle fauna of Japan.
Night of the Barking Dog
The title says it all. There is a new dog (tied up outside) at the house next door, and so we have been sleeping with earplugs for the last few nights, hoping to be able to catch a couple of hours sleep.
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