Summer Shenanigans

Hello All,

Sorry it has been a while between posts, I've been galavanting for the past few months. My adventures began this summer with my mom coming to Japan to visit. Mom and I traveled around the Toyko area visiting the Ueno Zoo, Kamakura, Sankeien Garden and other sights in Yokohama. After a few days in Yokohama we flew down to Okinawa and spent about four days exploring the island. We were able to go to the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium and see whale sharks. We also went kayaking and snorkeling. We visited a traditional Ryuku Village, where we saw a really cool snake show. The last day in Okinawa we visited Shuri Castle in Naha. It was pretty cool to see a really old castle. A few days after flying back to Yokohama we flew back to Oregon together. Once in Oregon I only had a few days at home before I have to head up to Winthrop Washington for my friend's wedding. It was great to be able to drive (In Japan I do not drive at all). I had forgotten how much open space there is in Central Washington and Central Oregon. I drove for hours without seeing towns. It was great, and I was glad that I rented a car because I drove over 1,000 miles in seven days. After only about 10 days in the States I flew back to Japan.

I was only in Japan for about one full day before I flew to Thailand for the rest of my summer. I flew into Bangkok at about midnight after we circled for about and hour because of thunderstorms. Here are some pictures from my two days in Bangkok.  

Statues at Wat Phra Kaew

Perfect place for a cat nap

The Reclining Buddha at Wot Pho

The Temple of the Dawn (Wat Arun)

Floating Market 

After spending a few days in Bangkok I flew to Krabi which is in Southwest Thailand. Once in Krabi I stayed near Ao Nang. While in Ao Nang I was able to join numerous tour groups. The first day I took a boat trip visiting a number of islands in the area and snorkeling. The second day I kayaked through a mangrove and rode elephants. 

Beach at Ao Nang

Chicken Island

Top Island. At low tide this sandbar appears and connects the two islands

Poda Island 

Kayaking Kate

Kayaking through the canyons

Canyons and Mangroves 

Relaxing in a hammock 

Riding an Elephant! 

  
I spent three nights in Ao Nang and then took a ferry to Phi Phi Island. Phi Phi is a very small island that was almost completely destroyed in the 2004 Tsunami. The Island is almost back to where it was before the Tsunami. It is a vibrant community that is very tourist centered. While in Phi Phi I relaxed on the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen in my life. I also went snorkeling, sightseeing, and rock climbing.  

Viewpoint 

Loh Dalam Beach 

I've always wanted a good fish nibbling.... 

Longtail Boats 

Monkey Beach

Phi Phi Ley, the uninhabited island

It was like floating in the middle of a postcard... Pileh Lagoon 

Maya Bay: Where 'The Beach' was filmed 

Sunset 

I could get use to this view! 

Rock Climbing! 

View from the top

I made it! 

Relaxing in between climbs  

The other climbers and me posing in front of the rock wall. 

Although I loved every second of being on the beach I had to fly back to Bangkok so I could fly back to Japan. I spent another two nights in Bangkok. While in Bangkok I spent a day at the Art Museum and watching Muay Thai (Thai Boxing). 

Bangkok Art and Culture Center 

There was an interactive walkway... I interacted 

Art

Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, home of Muay Thai 

Muay Thai is boxing plus feet and elbows and knees 

The champion and me.... I look huge next to him

Overall I had a great summer break and I look forward to another great year at YIS. I'll do my best to keep you updated on my adventures! 

Motosuko Walk and Canoe Trip

This weekend a few coworkers and I decided to get out of Yokohama and go to one of the five Fuji Lakes. We left for Yokohama Station at 6:30am and caught the bus to Kawaguchiko Station. From this station we got onto another bus that took us to Lake Motosu (=本栖湖). From the Lake bus stop we started our walk around the lake. On the walk there was tons of butterflies and views of the lake. We also saw a few snakes. 

Fuji View and 1000 yen View

On the other side of the lake is a great view point. The view is actually captured on the 1000 yen note. Too bad there were clouds hiding Fuji, but you can get the idea. Just after the view point we ate lunch at a little lake side inn. I had a lovely rice bowl. From there we rented canoes and set out for the lake.

Once we were on the lake Fuji started to come out a little more. We canoed around the lake for about an hour and a half. Motosuko is the deepest and clearest of all the Fuji Five Lakes. So it was pretty nice to canoe. After canoeing I gave a little rock skipping lesson to one of my friends and after a few tries she mastered the rock skip. After rock skipping we started to make our way back around the lake to the bus stop. We realized a little ways into the walk that we were going to need to hustle to get the the bus stop before the last bus left. Two of us decided to walk/run to catch the bus. We got the the bus stop one minute before the bus was to leave. We convinced the bus driver to wait an extra 5 minutes while the other two in our group hitchhiked with some park service workers to the bus stop. We were all very relieved to make it onto the bus. Once we got back to Kawaguchiko Station we boarded a train and made our way back towards Yokohama. This was a great trip to get away for just a little while, have a little time to relax and have some fun adventures. 

Here is a map I made of our route. 

http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=1594821

Oh the places I've been part two...

Here is the second part of my Spring Break Japan Tour. 

Here is Kyoto. Above is the Golden Temple.
Right: The Philosopher's Path

        People love cherry blossoms in Japan!!! The next part of the trip we traveled to Hiroshima.

The Hiroshima Peace Dome

Miyajima 

        

The next part of our trip we went to Iki Island off of Kyushu. It was a great little island, I think we were the only foreigners on the island. People really liked to stare at us. But what's new....  

the view from our hotel room. 

Literally what I ate for breakfast at our hotel. 

We found a dolphin park. 

Monkey Rock... I wonder how they came up with the name?

Lovely beaches! 

Aleece and me

Our boat back. We had a great trip and were able to see a lot of Japan!