Sasebo Zoological Park and Botanical Garden

While Paul was seeing more patents in Sasebo, I once again "put my brave on" and ventured outside the base.  Thanks to a good prayer, and the Garmin Navigator, I made it there without one wrong turn (amazing, truly).  Our destination was the Sasebo Zoological Park and Botanical Garden.

Chloe: "Mom....when we get guinea pigs like these?"

"Never....they smell too bad."

Callista: "But Mom, these ones don't smell!"

"That's because it's 34 degrees outside and the wind is blowing."

Ryan: "Well, how about if we turn our air conditioner on a lot, and turn a fan on like the wind?"

"Good thinking......but NO!!!!!!!!"

 He's in Heaven right now!

As we were pulling out of the parking lot of the zoo, I noticed this sign with a camera on it, along with an arrow, and it said 2.5 km.  I thought it must be either a camera shop, or a scenic lookout.  I figured driving 2.5km was worth my time, and it was!!!

This is a look out point for the 99 Islands which we happen to be going on a boat tour of tomorrow.  I felt so lucky to have come upon this spot.  

 Joining us at this scenic spot were about 5 professional photographers.  They all had their heavy duty cameras, their tri-pods, several lenses, and tons of gear.  You know me......I am not shy.  So I politely said to the one who looked most friendly, "Sumimasen (excuse me)......please take our picture", and held out my camera.  He smiles, takes my camera, starts messing with my settings, messes with them some more, takes a few practice shots, and then decides on the setting he wants, and here was the result.....

I am not sure that it looks any better than if I had put it on a rock and hit the self-timer, but hey...maybe I got a National Geographic photographer, or a Japanese Ansel Adams!

Iwakuni

Paul had patients to see all day today, so I had to "put my brave" on and be an adventurer!  First we took the bus, then the train, then a ferry, and lastly a cable car to the top of Mt. Misen on Miyajima Island.  Miyajima Island has many Shinto Shrines and Buddhist Temples.  It is a very sacred mountain and has temples and shrines located all over its many hiking paths.  There is even a flame in the Reikado Hall that has been lit for over 1200 years

This is the Floating Torii Gate to the Itsukushima Shrine.  During low tide, you can walk right out to it, but we missed that.

Miyajima Island is known for it's deer population.  They are very docile and let you stare and take pictures as much as you like.  

I saw these Elder's walk past and practically tackled them.  They were super excited to be talking to someone.  The one on the left is from Tokyo, and the one on the right is from Brazil. 

The kids on the Momijidani Park bridge.  There were little waterfalls and scenic paths all over this beautiful park.

This is at the top of Mt. Misen, after we rode the 15 minute cable car ride.  Paul said when he was deployed here 6 years ago, he actually hiked up there.  I am glad I didn't try it with the kids, but sometime it would be fun!

 I know from up here, the water looks crystal, and tropical.  Don't be fooled though......it was FREEZING.  Literally....it was 0 degrees celsius!

 This is a Buddhist Pagada.

SANZOKU = "The Chicken Shack"
After Paul got off from work we went out to dinner at this amazing Japanese Pavillion.  The restaurant was full of locals who were eating Japanese style....on the floor. These pictures don't do it justice, but it was lit up and awesome.

Our Samurai Warriors with their fighting faces on!

On our way out of town on Tuesday, we stopped off at the Kintai-ko Bridge.  This bridge marks the entry way to a Shogun Palace from the Shogun Era.

 We love these sculpted trees.  They reminded us of  Mr. Myagi's Banzai trees from the Karate Kid, but these are full grown.  By the way, these trees are surrounding a bathroom facility, that yes....in case you were wondering....had a "Mater" style toilet complete with heated toilet seat and bidet.  The Japanese are serious about their bathrooms....in the states...this would have been a disgusting porta-potty.

Good-bye Iwakuni......on our way to Sasebo.

Kyoto

We took a family trip down through the country of Japan.  First we stopped in Kyoto for a few days.  Kyoto is known for it's ancient shrines and temples that are still standing today.  Also, it is not un-common to see Geisha (Talented Women) in full Kimono walking around the city.  It definitely brings you back to "ancient" traditions.  One of the highlights of Kyoto for us was:

Iwatayama Monkey Park; where 132 monkeys run wild and free. 

 In fact.....the humans are the ones they put in cages.  There is a small "coop" of sorts that you can walk inside and for 100 yen, buy a bag of apples, peanuts, or chestnuts.  Then you stick your palm out, food inside of it, and the monkeys will reach out to you and take the food.

It was amazing.....even in the rain!

The next morning, we went to the Fushimi Inari Shrine.

Inari is the Shinto God of Rice.  For good reasons, millions of people pay homage to the shrine in hopes of a good rice harvest.

 At the entrance of any Shinto Shrine is a Torii gate.  Usually red, or orange in color....it signifies te beginning of the path to the shrine. What is uniqie about the Fushimi Inari Shrine?  It has 1,300 Torii Gates.  Quite spectacular!

Positioned every so often would be a stuatue of a Fox.  The Fox is Inari's messenger, and is regarded in high honor here.

 Here is map of the Shrine mountain and the Torii Gate path.  It took us about 2 hours to walk this path.  It was truly a hike....just on a paved road with many stairs as well.

It was cold, a little wet, but it was worth every shiver.  The kids loved finding all the foxes thoughout, and their competitive natures of "being first" kept them going, and going, and going!



Callista's 5th Birthday

We spread out Callist'as Birthday over 2 days because.....hooray for us.....we were finally getting the keys to our townhouse on her actual birthday and knew it would might be a bit hectic. So on December 26th......we went to the Ennoshima Island Acquarium.

Our first attraction was the Dolphin Show.  I can't say it was as good as Sea World's (I always cry at Sea World's when the Princess finally gets to swim with the dolphins)......how can you compete with that????

But.....it was very enjoyable........

 And with Mt. Fugi in the background, the ambiance was majestic.

They had a dsiplay of many, many sea stars the kids were allowed to touch.

This tank was unlike was anything we'd EVER seen.  This school of fish must have had hundreds in it.  We felt like we were watching something out of "Finding Nemo" when the fish make all the shapes for Dory.  To top it off, there were Sting Rays no less than 5-6 feet swimming through the fish and breaking up their formations.....but after only a few seconds they would reform again.  It was spectacular!

The Jelly Fish room was our favorite of all though.  There were 20 tanks filled with varying species of "jellies".  These bright red ones used to be hunted by ancient samurai warriors.  Once they were dead, they would dry out the tentacles, then grind them up into powder form, and use the poison on their enemies.

After a fun day at the acquarium, we went home so she could open her presents.  Chloe, of course, informed us this "wasn't fair" that she was opening them the night before her birthday.....but it made sense to us so she could actually PLAY with her toys on her brithday because once the moving began.....all would go downhill for a few days!

She was the recipient of a "5" Precious Moment statue from her Dad, and Nick Jr's Wii Fit (among other gifts as well).

The next morning, her actual birthday, was spent doing some "housekeeping" with picking up keys and such.  However, we did squeeze in McDonald's, and a game of bowling with her friend Selah.......

.....and of course some chocloate cake!

 We love you Birthday Girl.  We are excited for the fun things that begin when you are "5".  Our sweet girl who woke up on her birthday declaring, "I'm 5 today.....I get to go to Kindergarten tomorrow".  We wish you another happy year of laughter, sweetness, and OK.....a little of your feistiness!!!!

December 26th, 2011