laugh & peace: August 2006

Women's World Volleyball Grand Prix will be held in Okayama from this Friday to Sunday. It is a very big event and I am very happy that it is coming to Okayama!!! The tickets were all sold out, however, thanks to Mr.Fujisama, a chairman of the organizing committee, I have managed to get two tickets for Saturday game - Japan VS Italy. How exciting! I hope Japanese team will win : )!

Tomorrow is my father's 60th birthday and this means that it is his retirement age. Today was his last day at work so I presented him some flowers and a cake. My brother and I have decided to give our parents a special trip to Arima hot spring to show our thanks - I hope they will be happy and have a good time!

Presents to my father.

I had to work last Saturday, but instead, there was three-days off from Sunday to Tuesday! On Sunday I visited my best friend in Osaka. I want to buy a new camera and my friend took me to Yodobashi camera - one of the biggest electric goods shops in Osaka. There were so many cameras and I just could not choose one...
And on Monday, Toku-chan took me to Taishakukyo in Hiroshima. It was four hours long drive from Okayama but very nice to drive through gorgeous scenery.
I feel very stressed when there are many people around and it was great to have days off on weekdays because there are a lot less people!

"Yodobashi camera" - one of the biggest electric goods shops in Osaka.

My dinner in Osaka. I loooove pasta!

A big map of Taishakukyo.

Looks very scary but you have to pass through this tunnel to get to a boat pier... I would not try at night.

This is a "Momiji bashi" - " Red leaves bridge".

A pleasure boat " Sakura".

Excited Miwako when passing under the bridge. By the way, I had my hair cut : ) .

Tokuchan.

Beautiful gorge.

Very relaxing boat trip! It must be more beautiful in autumn.

Can you see some people climbing?? They waved to us!

Impressive scenery.

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You can use this as an umbrella like Totoro : ) !

We saw such a beautiful rice field when walking to the cave. I loved it very much.

Steps to the cave. I think this is the worst place for people who has nyctophobia or claustrophobia... but inside is only 11 degrees centigrade so it is nice and cool when it is boiling hot just like now!

We walked through narrow ways. This was like a movie "The Goonies"!

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Outside! Souvenior & Rent a cycle shop. I should have rented the pink one...

Thanks for a long drive, Tokuchan!

My lovely cute nephew Yamato, being a little shy.

You can be a rock star with that hair style, Yamato!

Hmm... maybe not... you are so sexy Yamato!

I went to see fireworks in Takamatsu with my friend on that night, so I wore Yukata!

With Yamato!

My yukata has goldfish patterns and obi is like this - my sister in law tied the obi! Thank you Hiro!

Fire! This year I enjoyed seeing fireworks on a ferry.

People rushing to get a good seat on a ferry.

I am finally back home from Korea! Well, it was a great trip!!! We tried and did many things during our stay. Unfortunately, I didn't have much time to take pictures but hope you enjoy some of my photos. The best thing was to go to Seoul Mud where you can enjoy Korean beauty treatments. I will definitely go back to Korea again - it is just one hour flight from Japan!
I am going to see fireworks tomorrow night and looking forward to wearing yukata (casual kimono). This will probably be the last fireworks this summer... so I should enjoy it! Hope everyone is having a good summer holiday like me!

Excited me at the airport.

There were many people at the airport because of summer holiday.

Two pilots were waving me back! I hoped that they knew I was scared to fly.

It was a fine day!

Yaahoo, airplane food! Sushi and sandwiches - great combination!?

Nan dai mon - south gate on the way to Seoul city, I think ;p.

Incheon airport. It is very nice and clean.

This is the first Korean food we had after arrival.

We saw many Japanese words at many places. Most of them were a little strange. This Japanese says, [ Steamed pork "Sam"] - poor Sam...

With Kimuchiiiiiii!!!!!!

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Hmm... I guess I should enter.

The scariest mannequin I've ever seen...

A yakiniku restaurant.

Fire!

Inside the restaurant.

The dinner we had one night was too hot for us to eat...

We stayed at JW Marriot Hotel.

Hotel lounge.

Hotel at night.

The room is like this. The bed was so comfortable that I wanted to take it home.

Me with a sheep at the hotel.

We found a reasonable manicure shop.

Kireiii! :) !.

He is the guy who did my manicure.

Not bad for W10,000 ($10), ne? I wish my nails were longer.

As you can see, we had a very relaxing time...

Some beautiful Korean clothes. You can rent one of these.

I chose pink one!

Do we look like Korean?

Thanks for a great massage, Ms!

Do you have enough courage to go in?? .

Sauna.

You sit on this and then hot air comes from underneath.

like this. It is supposed to make you healthy. Do you believe it??

Massage, massage.

No comment.....

Well, "Beauty" requires patience.....

We tried to take a train but it was very difficult to buy tickets without any instructions. Besides, it seemed that many of machines were not in use...

, but we managed to buy!!!

There are some tv screens on trains.

Very interesting straps.

Seoul city.

I'm in Ko re aaaa!!!

Funny toys - that swimming man reminded me of someone.

I saw beautifully wrapped Korean "ravioli" when walking by booths.

We ordered one in the middle and the rest of the dishes were for free - great!

We are NOT trying to make you laugh with our silly looks, by the way.

Back to Incheon airport.

Check-in counter.

Saying good-bye to our guide Ms.Jeong.

All in Korean - so helpful!!

Bye - bye Korea...

It was a great tip, mooooo!

I will be flying to Korea tomorrow!!!!!!!!! I am so excited and will post some photos of my trip when I return! Hope everyone has a great summer vacation :-) .