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Two year anniversary

So this blog has reached it's two year anniversary. Last year I shared some newly discovered websites as an anniversary present. This year however I will only share ONE tip: Update your bookmark.

Cat hair has gone through some cosmetic changes and it's brand new look will be launched today. What are you waiting for, aren't you curious?! Well then, visit www.monologuer.com or click on the image above.

Five star treatment

A five star first day. All thanks to my moms cousin that took me out for sights. After a tall americano at Starbucks we headed for Asakusa temple which was completely crowded. Regretfully I missed the cherry blossoms this year, but I found some late bloomers here and there along the way.

After Asakusa we took a boat ride to Odaiba, the artificial island created for sole business and pleasure. Sun was out, 21 C and a light breeze. We stopped for cake with a skyline view at Odaiba before heading back downtown to the royal palace park.

I was told that all the greens (see below) were completely white and pink a couple weeks ago (yeah, just rub it in already) from cherry flowers. But I caught a few late bloomers (different kind of cherry tree) here as well. And there are worse places to be a homeless cat than the palace park.


Ended the day on the 36th floor in Marunouchi having the best sashimi ever. I really appreciate the Japanese attitude towards food. Small but many and various dishes to slowly make you full. Especially if it's an 8 course dinner it's kinda impossible to scoop food into your mouth. This place made dinner look like art. And taste like heaven.

Where the streets have no name

You know that song by U2? They're singing about Tokyo. If you ever were in doubt. Locating a hotel on a map with only chinese characters and feeling disoriented from the darkness of the metro doesn't relly help. Sure, being on my own in Tokyo is exiting, no doubt. The feeling of being completely lost vanishes after a nap in my hotel room in Asakusa. The nameless streets of Tokyo waits for me. Time to explore!

Goodbye Okinawa

Tomorrow morning I'll head north for Tokyo. Getting out of Okinawa mode will be hard. I became quite used to stroll around in my havaianas, not really doing anything but enjoy the weather, company or food.

Yesterday night Hiroshi, the mariner, took me for kaitenzushi (sushi on conveyor belt). I hardly ever eat sushi when I visit Japan as there are so many other nice things to try that you can't have elsewhere. But kaitenzushi is always fun.

Today a young engineering student showed me around campus and then took me to Tropical beach. You'll hear more from Tokyo. Sayonara, Okinawa.

Left: Campus. Right: Tropical Beach

View from the campus cafeteria.

Under the sea

Cutest blow fish in town.

A sneak peak on life under the sea here in Okinawa. Our mariner Hiroshi and his two equally marine friends took us snorkeling and all of them, being marine biologists of course, can name all living things in the ocean. Hiroshi will even fetch things for you. Like a blow fish. Or a sea star. What a gentleman.

The snorkling crew of the day consist of three Japanese, a Swiss guy and me. All pro snorklers at the least, all of them scuba dive but they lowered themselves for me and mom today. Such nice people.


Clown fish a la Nemo.

We make such a nice couple I think, blow fish and I.
Todays pictures are courtesy of Hiroshi Inoue.

Okinawa by night

Our marine biologist chills.

Not as late and long as it sounds really. Visiting the american version of Okinawa was interesting though. Very stereotypical and selected of course. Our guide, 23-year old marine biologist Hiroshi and his friend Yuka, took us for some pizza and then a tour of Chatan, American Village in Okinawa. You probably already know that there are several American military bases on Okinawa since WW2. I didn't know there was so much activity going on there still.


Left: Signs says Sunset Beach. Obviously! Right: Signs says that there are a lot of skateboarding American kids. And they DON'T respect the common property!

Out and about in Okinawa

Weather report says 25C, clear and sunny. For me, 25 is the most ideal temperature of them all. You can still wear jeans, a tee, your comfy sneakers and you can do almost anything in 25 C. Swim, shop, most outings (not skiing, but who cares!) and lifes just comfortable.

Also, life in Okinawa is at much slower pace than the rest of Japan. Very laid-back, manana manana JP-style.

Todays outing went to Shuri castle. I brought my little handy vacation camera as you can see. ;)

Air sick and tired

After a good and smooth flight, except dometic ones, I'm in Okinawa. I'm crashing in moms little dorm room and there are more laptops here than people. Mom's sooo high tech.
I had a very nice and simple japanese meal, a hot bath and to bed I go.

Pick and mix Japan style. Right: Allergy-unfriendly airport Okinawa.

More Peters

Russell Peters on indians in gays parades.

Oh, I can't help it. He's good. Tuesday treat, you're welcome.

List of most popular given names

Fascinating. A lot of people I know can be found in these lists. Their names I mean. Is yours in there? Perhaps in more than ONE country? Maybe your name is the most popular one in a country you'd never expect..

A teaser for you. Jack is REALLY popular. Finland and France share the same top 1 female name. In which European country is Petra the most popular female name?

Take a look: List of most popular given names

Russell Peters - Toronto Directions

Little something for you this grey Saturday.

JP-preps

I tried to find the equivalent for 'resfeber' in a dictionary. No luck. The English translation "nervousness before a journey" sounded somewhat..strained.

With that said anyway I'm prepping for Japan and as always I feel like the trip is three weeks away AT LEAST when it's just seven days. And as usual I have a pre-travel-to-do list that'll make my to-do list at work jealous.

Most likely I'll spend my weekend checking it off. And search for my missing swim wear again. I tore all summer clothes out of the basement. Just looking at the it makes me freeze! Poor, poor me.

Okinawa, last October.