28.2.10
Summer in Australia 2009/10
Finally, I have found some time to write about the summer holidays! We had a great time in Australia. It was wonderful to catch up with family and friends, and to enjoy the hot weather. We spent most of our time in Brisbane, staying with Ma and Pa Hoger, but we also headed south to Melbourne to check out the city and some possible locations in which to buy a house, apartment, block of land for a tent... it is expensive, but beautiful :) Highlights - too many to mention, although dining at Bistro Vite at Southgate in Melbourne would have to rank in my personal top 3 ;) Here are a few photos - and there are many more to enjoy on our Flickr page.
17.1.10
The last few months of 2009
October through December were fairly quiet months for us here in Tokyo. With the weather beginning to cool down, we tend to become hermits!
Ainsely and Greg visited Tokyo in October and we had the chance to catch up with them on several occasions which was lots of fun. I took Ainsley to our favorite coffee shop in Harajuku “Snob’s Heart Café” which has delicious coffee and some of the best cakes in Tokyo!
http://www.cafe-master.com/yamanote/harajuku/snobs-heart-cafe.html#menu
We did have the lucky chance (thanks Marjon!) to attend the Bledisloe Cup final at the end of October. Even though Australia lost to the All Blacks, it was very exciting to watch the game and cheer the Aussies as they played their best against the powerful New Zealand lads. We also enjoyed watching our first live Haka – the Australian players must feel terrified after watching it! ;)
http://www.newzealand.com/travel/about-nz/features/haka-feature/haka.cfm
One weekend in December we spent a long afternoon exploring Ginza, and to refuel, we enjoyed a fantastic Korean meal at a restaurant called Hantejiya – so spicy!
http://www.ramla.net/casual_restaurant/hantejiya/index_english.htm
On our last Sunday in Tokyo before flying to Australia for Christmas, we went for a 3 hour walk along the Tama River, which is in our neighbourhood. We soon shed our many layers as the sun was shining so brightly – large dose of vitamin D! The river was roaring after the heavy rain Tokyo had received, and the birds were enjoying the sun, the gentle breeze, and the steady flow of fish to be caught.
Ainsely and Greg visited Tokyo in October and we had the chance to catch up with them on several occasions which was lots of fun. I took Ainsley to our favorite coffee shop in Harajuku “Snob’s Heart Café” which has delicious coffee and some of the best cakes in Tokyo!
http://www.cafe-master.com/yamanote/harajuku/snobs-heart-cafe.html#menu
We did have the lucky chance (thanks Marjon!) to attend the Bledisloe Cup final at the end of October. Even though Australia lost to the All Blacks, it was very exciting to watch the game and cheer the Aussies as they played their best against the powerful New Zealand lads. We also enjoyed watching our first live Haka – the Australian players must feel terrified after watching it! ;)
http://www.newzealand.com/travel/about-nz/features/haka-feature/haka.cfm
One weekend in December we spent a long afternoon exploring Ginza, and to refuel, we enjoyed a fantastic Korean meal at a restaurant called Hantejiya – so spicy!
http://www.ramla.net/casual_restaurant/hantejiya/index_english.htm
On our last Sunday in Tokyo before flying to Australia for Christmas, we went for a 3 hour walk along the Tama River, which is in our neighbourhood. We soon shed our many layers as the sun was shining so brightly – large dose of vitamin D! The river was roaring after the heavy rain Tokyo had received, and the birds were enjoying the sun, the gentle breeze, and the steady flow of fish to be caught.
30.10.09
Tsukiji Market
This morning, we woke up REALLY early (4:45 AM) to get ready to go to the Tsukiji Market in Tsukiji, Tokyo. Thanks to Annmaree and Owen for encouraging us to get out of bed so early - it was a truly unforgettable experience!
This 24 hour market sells food products such as fish, vegetables, fruit, meat and flowers. Many tourists go there each day to watch the very lively 'tuna' auctions (see next post). It is an incredibly busy place, with little vehicles zooming around with fish deliveries, old men on bicycles with big baskets full of fish, and wheelbarrows overflowing with fish being pushed by muscly blokes! Hmmmm... note the overuse of the word 'fish' in that last sentence? Well, that's because Tsukiji is the LARGEST fish market in the world! I have never seen so many fishy things. I was quite shocked by the vast quantities... and my "what are we doing to the planet?" voice screamed inside my head as I watched a seller tease and taunt a live crab, and looked into containers full of extremely undersized fish! I much preferred the fruit and veg section, where we were tempted to buy a very big box of tomatoes...
Hunger pangs struck us around 7:30 AM, and we ventured into one of the market stalls to eat sushi with rice. I had 'Maguro Salmon Don' - tuna and salmon on rice, and Ale had 'Maguro Don' - both were extremely delicious, though I still feel very guilty...
This 24 hour market sells food products such as fish, vegetables, fruit, meat and flowers. Many tourists go there each day to watch the very lively 'tuna' auctions (see next post). It is an incredibly busy place, with little vehicles zooming around with fish deliveries, old men on bicycles with big baskets full of fish, and wheelbarrows overflowing with fish being pushed by muscly blokes! Hmmmm... note the overuse of the word 'fish' in that last sentence? Well, that's because Tsukiji is the LARGEST fish market in the world! I have never seen so many fishy things. I was quite shocked by the vast quantities... and my "what are we doing to the planet?" voice screamed inside my head as I watched a seller tease and taunt a live crab, and looked into containers full of extremely undersized fish! I much preferred the fruit and veg section, where we were tempted to buy a very big box of tomatoes...
Hunger pangs struck us around 7:30 AM, and we ventured into one of the market stalls to eat sushi with rice. I had 'Maguro Salmon Don' - tuna and salmon on rice, and Ale had 'Maguro Don' - both were extremely delicious, though I still feel very guilty...
Nanbo Kokusai Mura
A few weeks ago, we spent the weekend at Nanbo Kokusai Mura, a campground and lodge for groups in Minami Boso, Chiba. We really enjoyed our time there with Marjon, and owners David and Yoshiko. The grounds are surrounded by a high 'bamboo' fence, and there is a large lawn area on which to relax and practice 'poi' - right, Marjon? Soon after arriving on Saturday morning, we were at the beach, enjoying the salty spray of the ocean, and watching all the fishermen bring in the day's catch. On bicycles we rode 5km to Rosemary Park, where we devoured tea and scones, and breathed in the woody scent of rosemary. In the evening, David prepared a delicious meal for us, and after dinner, we played a few games of billiards. The next morning, we were treated to a wonderful breakfast on the sunny deck, and after Marjon and I went for a long walk (and Ale hauled bamboo!), we enjoyed a prawn tempura and soba lunch. We were sad to leave... it is great to escape the big city every once in a while and 'enjoy the nature' ;)
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