Winter Vacation - Tokyo Day 1 (Mt. Takao)

We arrived safely in Tokyo and were quickly on our way via airport limousine (bus) to Ila's mom's house where we were going to be staying for the duration of our trip. Once settled in, we were treated to a wonderful dinner experience at a restaurant nestled in a valley near the sacred Mt. Takao. Ukai Toriyama Restaurant is no ordinary restaurant -- it's an experience completely opposite of what you would encounter touring the busy Tokyo city. A bus takes you through small windy paths to this treasure...thatch-roof buildings are scattered throughout perfectly kept Japanese gardens that seemlessly blend with the natural scenery of the surrounding woods and bubbling streams. Before being escorted to our individual dinner room, we took some time to walk the grounds and soak in all beauty before sundown.Along the way, we followed a path that led to an outdoor tea-sipping area where you can help yourself to some sobacha (tea made from the kernals of roasted soba, or buckwheat). You can see we're all bundled up, so it was perfect to help keep us warm! Danno thought he would also try their fresh spring water...well, no he didn't actually drink it (at least I don't think!)Our last stop we passed by a hut where we saw a chef cooking part of the meal we were about to eat -- river fish, skewered, salted and grilled over hot charcoal.We finally settled in to the warmth of our private dinner room. Our server, dressed in a traditional kimono, brought us an array of tasty appetizers.For the main course hot charcoal was placed at our table so we could cook skewered chicken and veggies on our grills. When the chicken is almost cooked, you drench them in a sauce and finish grilling them. Everything was delicious!...including these lil guys we saw roasting earlier......the last dishes of miso soup and sticky mountain potato you could choose to eat with barley rice. Although the flavor is fine, the potato dish is very gooey (yes, just as slimy as it looks, it's like the consistency of snot), so those who are picky about textures may not enjoy it. Danno was the brave eater...We had a fantastic time. What a perfect setting for some family photos, a relaxing dinner and a great warm welcome to Tokyo! Thanks Kyoko!Next stop...Tokyo Disney!

Winter Vacation - Day 3 (To Tokyo we go!)

The final day in Oki we took Ila and Danny to browse the bases, along with running some last minute errands to prepare for our flight to Tokyo. There's not much to show about the bases here since government buildings aren't very interesting and they all look alike. haha. Although we did take a stroll to admire the Air Force's display of various aircrafts, meanwhile couldn't ignore the sounds of the real ones flying by. The time in Oki flew by and before we knew it, we were venturing to the mainland! It was Danno's first time to visit there, and Leyna's first time riding on an airplane. Packed up n ready to go. Checking in I was eager to use Leyna's passport for the first time...ya, I didn't need it since we weren't leaving the country, but afterall, it's her only form of i.d. at the moment. Well, they didn't bother to check anyways (surprisingly, not justLeyna's but any of our id's)...Security check point, Leyna was metal free =)My carry-on luggage seems to be enjoying the ride...me too since moving walkways mean well, I get a break and don't have to walk.Last photo before we board...we were keeping Leyna awake as long as possible so she sleeps through the flight!Hey we couldn't risk getting sick, so we sported face masks. It's so common out here, there's nothing strange about it. And look, Leyna knocked out just as we had hoped! woohoo! That was easy (then again, it was a short flight)Next up...a great to escape Mt. Takao

Leyna Lead Foot

I have less time to sit at a computer, sort photos, make videos, and post blogs thanks to our active baby girl. She's a bit too adventurous for her own good, so I have to keep close watch, chase her away from the kitchen, prevent her from eating all the electronics, picking up every speck on the floor, and from climbing the tv stand...meanwhile keep her entertained and not frustrated! Her transition from crawling, to standing, to cruising is tiresome! Her naps are less frequent and unpredictable durations, so I'm lucky to slip in any time for myself (prior to midnight when everyone's definitely asleep). By the end of the day, I think it's me that wants a nap more than she does. This is one of those "napping" moments where I can get away for a bit, so I'm going to blog this quick!

She hit 8 months old yesterday and it was a long day out and packed full of fun with her Baby Time friends. I will be back to post photos. Until then, here's some quick clips of her trying out a walker toy in the kids play section at a mini-mall nearby. Grandma just shipped one out to us, so we're anxious to get it so she can practice in a larger space (as you'll see, the space was small so she takes a few steps and hits a wall haha) Anyways, watching her take steps with the walker is as if she's pushing the car accelerator with a lead foot. Looks like she loves it!

Earthquake in Oki

We woke up to an all familiar shake we've experienced growing up in CA. A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck out in the sea nearby, so it was pretty sizeable and seemed like it lasted quite a while. I'm amused that my cell immediately began ringing an alarm as the quake was happening. haha. Well we're safe n sound...managed to grab Leyna and hang out in the doorway together, and now just need to go straighten out the crooked artwork on the walls. If only we could translate what they are announcing on the city megaphone we hear outside...

Winter Vacation - Day 2 (Aquarium)

Yikes I'm so behind, we never finished posting about our winter vacation when Ila and Danny came to visit us! (some day I will finish!) So here's to rewind...Day 2 was spent at the Aquarium. If you can remember, the first time we went Leyna was tiny and only 3 weeks old, so it was great to see her actually start looking at things...what a difference!We decided to buy annual passes since it costs the same as visiting twice, and we're sure to come back again and again, especially with Leyna. Here's some new things we got to see this time around...

...the shark exhibit, which we completely overlooked the first time...

...We got a behind the scenes tour of the gigantic tank. With the vast open surface of the water, we felt even closer to all the animals with them swimming right beneath our feet. The guys made great tour guides for Leyna......the turtle & manatee exhibits...

...went down to admire the nearby shore...while Leyna napped peacefully, we got a moment to ourselves to skip some rocks and check out the water. =)...and just before the sunset, we got to see the dolphin show...

Overall it was another great visit, and especially fun to have friends enjoy it with us.

We finished the night trying a new all you can eat yakiniku at a place that has a reputation for good kalbi. Clearly it's intended for the locals being that the menu is only in Japanese, and you have to actually write out your order on a little notepad! Good thing we had Ila there to help us out with translating the menu and writing our orders! It was oishi! (delicious!)

Next up...last day in Oki until we're off to Tokyo (finally!)

Look Daddy, No Hands

Managed to get a pic of her standing all by herself...and trying to call daddy to tell him about it =)

OkiLiving: Sakura Season

Late January to early Feburary, Okinawans enjoy the blooming sakura (or cherry blossom) trees sooner than other regions in Japan where they typically bloom later in March and April. There's a short window of time that blossoms stay at full bloom, about a couple weeks, so people swarm to the cherry blossom festivals on the weekends at key viewing locations to celebrate the season. We didn't make it to any of the festivals up north in Nago, and dismal, rainy weather kept hindering us from taking the drive. Fortunately, Danno had a day off work for "Super Bowl Monday," so after the game when the weather seemed to improve a bit, we decided it was our only chance to venture north to Mt. Yaedake and try to get a view.

Luckily, the rain ceased and even gave us some moments when sun broke through the clouds. Going on a Monday meant we avoided the huge crowds and a bumper-to-bumper drive up the mountain, so it turned out to be a very relaxing time. The cherry blossom trees hug the windy path, and you simply pull over and take photos anywhere along the road.

Leyna enjoyed getting a closer look.A nice passerby took our photo.

After exploring the mountain road, we stopped off at the park where the festival was held. It made for a nice stroll and more photos since it was empty!Mission accomplished. Maybe we'll try to catch a festival next year. The sakuras are so beautiful we want to grow a tree back in the states!