TRAVELOG

Mt. Rainier with Lenticular Cloud

2011-12-15T10:41:00.000-08:00

Lenticular Cloud on Mt. Rainier taken 2 weeks ago

Two weeks ago while I was dropping off my son at his school I saw this lenticular cloud on top of Mt. Rainier, the sun just started to rise at the back of the mountain that made it yellow on the background. I usually see this type of cloud on top of Mt. Rainier but I never had the chance to take a picture of it. It disappears fast maybe due to the wind is pushing the clouds away from the mountain. So that time, when I went home I immediately grabbed my camera found a nice spot along our neighborhood area and took this picture. But the view was not that good as when I saw it earlier but at least I still had the chance to take this shot and after few minutes (as soon as I came home) the thick fog with sun rays covered the view of Mt. Rainier. I guess I was lucky that time ;-)

Lenticular clouds are stationary lens-shaped clouds that form at high altitudes, usually perpendicular to the wind direction. Due to their shape, they almost look like an UFO (Unidentified Flying Objects).

Our neighborhood with Mt Rainier view taken yesterday

Yesterday, I saw again the nice clouds forming around Mt. Rainier but I didn't have my camera with me. I just took a picture after an hour but the clouds were not as beautiful compared to what I saw an hour earlier. Lesson learned: I should always bring my camera whenever and wherever I go.

This was taken last summer, August 2011 on our way to Mt. Rainier's Paradise Resort

Last August was our second time to go to Mt. Rainier National Park, and the weather that time was so clear and bright. We brought our friends who visited us from California. It's amazing to see the Mt. Rainier closer than I would imagine. This snow-capped mountain really amaze me every time I see it. The pictures below were all taken at the same day.

Taken at Mt. Rainier National Park's scenic view point last August

Another close up shot of snow-capped Mt. Rainier during summer

Taken last August, even if it's summer there's still some snow at Mt. Rainier National Park's area and the mountain itself

The kids really enjoyed the stay at the picnic area where they were throwing snow balls, sledding and sliding on the snow. We were not ready of the cold weather, we ended up having wet shoes and the kids with wet pants ;-)

By the way, we didn't get the chance to park and see Paradise Resort Visitor's Center it was jam packed with tourists and we could not find a parking spot, we were expecting that because it was summer and the weather was nice and clear to see and enjoy Mt. Rainier. We just opted to park just right after the Visitor's center down the hill where we found a small falls where we took some pictures.

Niagara Falls- Ontario, Canada

2011-11-29T17:58:00.000-08:00

The "American Falls"(left) and the "Bridal Veil Falls" (right) taken from Ontario, Canada side

The Horseshoe Falls (taken from Canada Side)

American Falls

Another view of Horseshoe Falls with the Maid of the Mist Boat Tour

Another shot

Another view of American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls

Taken from the park just right across the view of the Niagara Falls

Hard Rock Cafe Ontario, Canada with the view of Skylon Tower

The view of Skylon Tower

Hershey's Store

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Niagara Falls is the collective name for the 3 waterfalls: "Horseshoe Falls (The name is derived from its horseshoe shaped), the adjacent "American Falls" and the small "Bridal Veil Falls" (both are within the US border). Much of Horseshoe Falls is located on Ontario, Canada and that's why it's also called Canadian Falls.

The Bridal Veil Falls is named for its appearance and is located next to American Falls separated by a small piece of land called Luna Island (see my first photo above).

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July 16, 2011- This was the last day of our trip in Canada before driving back to Ohio. We didn't have enough time to explore Niagara Falls in Canada but there lots of things to explore around the area than in New York. My brother-in-law (my husband's brother) and his kids went with us to the falls and we spent only a couple of hours before we parted ways. We parked in the Skylon Tower's parking lot but we didn't have the chance to go up to the tower to see the view (weird huh?!).

That day was a nice and clear than the day we first saw the falls in New York side. It was a perfect timing to take pictures although we got sunburned from the intense heat of the sun.

The view of Niagara Falls in Canada for me is better than New York, although the American side view is much closer to the falls...... so I guess it's better to see both ;-) like we did hehehe.

If you want to compare the views, here's my previous post on Niagara Falls in New York, USA...click here.

Niagara Falls, New York

2011-11-15T17:47:00.000-08:00

American Falls

Another view of American Falls

American Falls overlooking Canada side

Double rainbow and the Maid of the Mist Boat Tour

Horseshoe Falls

Maid of the Mist Boat Tour

Overlooking the people below from Cave of the Wind (I'm not sure if this falls is the Bridal Veil Falls)

Another view of the Horseshoe Falls

The Map

Another Map ;-)

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Niagara Falls- is the collective name for the 3 waterfalls: "Horseshoe Falls" (The name is derived from its curving, horseshoe-shaped crest), the adjacent "American Falls" (which is within the US border) and the small "Bridal Veil Falls" which when combined form the highest flow rate of any waterfalls in the world. Horseshoe Falls is the most powerful waterfalls in North America. Much of Horseshoe Falls is located in Ontario, Canada, that's why it's also known as Canadian Falls. Niagara Falls is the border between Ontario, Canada and New York, USA.

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The photos above were taken 4 months ago, I'm far behind posting my travel blog when we went to Ontario, Canada hehehe. And it's a week of adventure so I'm trying to catch up now (I hope I can hehehe).

July 10, 2011 (Sunday)- After a week from our travel to Las Vegas, we went to Toronto, Canada to visit my brother-in-law and his family who lives in Mississauga, Ontario Canada. It's been 10 years since we last saw him. It was still summer then and we expected the fare would be soaring high and yes, it was high especially we didn't plan this travel ahead of time, it was just 3 weeks before the flight when we bought the tickets. We opted to fly to Cleveland, Ohio than flying straight to Toronto, Canada since it's a lot cheaper and at the same time we could see other scenic views along the way to Canada. So from Ohio, we rented a car and drove up to Canada, and our first stop was in Niagara Falls, New York. It took us 5 hours to Niagara Falls. Initially, our plan was to leave Saturday morning but then we were 10 minutes late when we arrived at the airport check-in counter hehehe. They changed our flight to Saturday evening, at 11pm and fortunate that the airlines waived our fees, we didn't get to pay any fees when they changed our flight. We arrived in Ohio Sunday morning already and we just slept during our 5 hour-trip. Our itinerary got messed up due to our late trip, we're supposed to stop in downtown Ohio and drive around that area but instead we drove straight to New York.

When we were in Niagara Falls, we didn't try to go to any boat tours since we had limited time and besides I don't want my camera to get soak and wet from the falls hehehe. When I saw the mist I have thought I won't get nice views from the boat hehehe and I was right. We spent 2 hours at Niagara Falls State Park and then we headed straight to Mississauga to attend my brother-in-law's son's birthday, it was tiring and a long walk but we had fun.

For my pictures, too bad I forgot to bring my tripod and I was so disappointed with my settings, I could not figure out to adjust mt speed settings hehehe I think I have to learn more on my camera settings I was too lazy to do that before the trip.

On my next post, is Niagara Falls, the Canada Side( better views).

Pumpkin Patch, Puyallup

2011-10-31T14:15:00.000-07:00

Pumpkin Patch at Picha's Farm

Hayride

Scarecrow and bunch of pumpkins ready for pick up

Different Kinds of Squash

Corn Maze

Haystacks and the Pumpkins

We had a family picture here

Wow Big Squash!

Pumpkins

Picha's Farm

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Pumpkin Patch

Last Saturday, Oct. 29 was bright and sunny and I thought it was the right time to see a pumpkin patch, it's been gloomy and rainy for the past few days and even weekends and so that day I was so excited to drive around again. I haven't seen a pumpkin patch before but I heard a lot of things about that and I was so curious to bring my children there, at the same time I'll have the chance to take pictures. I just googled pumpkin patch and came out from my search that there's one place close by our house, the Picha's Farm.

We had our late lunch at around 1:30pm in a Thai Restaurant and after that we headed straight to the farm. It took us only 15 minutes to get there. It's a bit muddy due to it rained the whole Friday.

We bought kettle popcorn but didn't buy any pumpkins, I don't know how to make a pumpkin pie ;-) and I don't make a jack-o-lantern too hehehe, so we just went there just to see and check the pumpkin patch and take pictures as our souvenir and for my travel blog hehehe. My son didn't try the corn maze since it so muddy and the farm was closing already.

We enjoyed going to Picha's Farm and we'll probably go back there when it's strawberry season. My children love strawberries. I hope to go back there.....soon!

Puyallup Fair, Washington

2011-10-20T13:48:00.000-07:00

Puyallup Fair entrance gate

Line to order the "elephant ears"

elephant ear

The barn

My son playing at the arcade and won a big stuffed animal

The roller coaster ride

My daughter, son and their friends at the giant slide

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Puyallup Fair is held annually in Puyallup, Washington and it's the largest attraction in the state. We were here at the fair last month, Sept. 19 but I didn't have time to post it on time (as usual hehehe).

It's my first time to try and eat the famous "elephant ears" I was so curious about what it's made of from and found out it's just a fried dough. We ordered the cinnamon flavor, my son almost finished the whole "ear" hehehe. I liked it, though it's a lot of calories hehehe. Maybe it was called an elephant ear because its shape is similar to elephant's ear (duh! lol). A lot of the foods at the fair are a bit expensive even the bottled water was $3. The corn was $5 (!!!) and the elephant ear was $6. I didn't bother to buy the scones because the line was long.

My son enjoyed the rides and he was so lucky to win the big prize from the game arcade, the humongous stuffed animal (it was the tiger) but I was the one who was carrying that stuff the whole time we were there. And I was so embarrassed, most of the people were staring at me and one even asked how did I win that prize. I wish that time that I just sold it to her, the girl who asked me about the tiger, so I don't have to carry that while my son, my daughter and her friends were enjoying the rides while me was sitting on a bench with that huge tiger on my lap. Too bad I didn't have the chance to get on to any rides, well obviously I have to carry that.....hmmmp......stuffed animal, hehehe. It was so heavy!

We stayed at the fair for 5 hours, until it closed around 10pm, it was only 20 minutes away from our house anyway.

It's a great experience to be at the fair, a new lifestyle here in Washington.

Hoover Dam

2011-09-10T18:46:00.000-07:00

Arizona Border

Can you see the people on top of the bridge?

Arizona Border at Hoover Dam

Nevada Border at Hoover Dam

Overlooking the Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge or known as Hoover Dam Bypass

Hoover Dam

Going back to Nevada

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Hoover Dam- This was our last place to visit during our Las Vegas Trip last July 3, we checked out from our hotel around 9am and took us 30 minutes to get there. It was a bit hazy and so the pictures I took were not that clear but the temperature that time was so hot, 110F. It felt like we were inside the oven ;-) We didn't get to see and tour the dam since the line was long and our time was so limited and besides we really could not stand the heat there hehehe, so we just took pictures outside and after an hour we headed straight to our friend's friend's house to eat our late lunch. After eating we headed straight to the airport for our 6:30pm flight back to Seattle.

Hoover Dam- is located on the border of Nevada and Arizona States. It was named in honor of President Herbert Hoover. The dam's generators provide electricity to Nevada, Arizona and California. The construction of this dam began 1931 and was completed in 1936 and it was dedicated in 1935 by President Franklin Roosevelt.

The Mike O'Callaghan – Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge (known as Hoover Dam Bypass) was opened recently last Oct. 2010. The bridge was constructed to improve safety, security and traffic.

California Trip- Downtown Disney, Hollywood Blvd and Griffith Observatory

2011-08-30T15:34:00.000-07:00

On our way to California from our hotel in Las Vegas, "Zzyxx Road" how do you read this sign?

Scary town ;-P

Going to Downtown Disney

Downtown Disney, just right outside Disneyland

Apple with Chocolate shaped as Mickey Mouse

Apple coated with red, white and blue cream for the 4th of July theme

Hollywood Blvd

On our way to Kodak Theatre

The famous, "walk of fame"

Looks like the girl got lost and asking Batman and Catwoman for the right directions hehehe

at Kodak Theatre

at Kodak Theatre ground

overlooking Hollywood sign from Kodak Theatre

Overlooking Los Angeles taken at Griffith Observatory Park

Hollywood Sign taken at Griffith Observatory Park

Griffith Observatory

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Road Trip to California (from Las Vegas)- July 2, 2011

Our second day in Las Vegas, we drove all the way to Anaheim, California for 4 hours. We met up our friends from Hawaii at Downtown Disney but we didn't go inside the Disneyland due to lack of time. We stayed there a bit, ate snacks and chit chat with our friends and then all of us headed to Hollywood Blvd. I lived in Long Beach California for 8 years but we'd never been to Hollywood Blvd and Griffith Observatory hehehe. I blamed my husband to that ;-P but now I keep myself busy traveling around here in Washington or other states or countries just to catch up what I missed in California and I won't let that happen to me again hehehe.

My first time to see the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Kodak Theater (dang! hehehe). We went also to Hard Rock Cafe to buy a shot glass for my collection ;-) we stayed at Kodak Theater ground for few minutes and decided to go to Griffith Observatory to see and take pictures of the "Hollywood Sign" where we also met up another friends from Long Beach.

We enjoyed the trip though it was so exhausting, we had a late dinner and left California around 9:30pm and arrived at our hotel in Las Vegas at 1:30am and no time to paly the slot machines hehehe.

Grand Canyon, Arizona

2011-08-16T12:08:00.000-07:00

My son was showing me his "plank"

The Colorado River

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Day 2 Trip:

During our second day in Las Vegas, (July 1, 2011) we drove up to Grand Canyon, Arizona. It took us 4 hours to get there but it's worth to drive when we saw the breathtaking view of Grand Canyon. That was my third time to see it but I'm still loving to see the wonder of this canyon, its landscape is so amazing, it's really wonder's nature and a proof that God created it. My first time we were there was Aug. 2002, my son was only 1 year old then. We went the second time 2003, with my friend and her family who came to US for vacation, but that time my husband was in Korea ( 1 year tour). And now this time....with my new baby, my DSLR camera hehehe so much better shots than before. I remember my first sony digital camera, I have to use the 3 1/2" floppy disk that can only take 1 shot if I use the best quality (~1.4Mbytes is the disk space). So just to save memories I have to use email shots which have poor quality pictures. That camera was humongous hahaha, I should have kept i for souvenir.

The Grand Canyon National Park is separated into South and North rims. The South rim is the most popular one with 90% visitors coming in and it's all year round open to the public. And obviously we were in the 90% visitors of the South rim. There are multiple points in the park where we could see different views and angles of the canyon. We took the shuttle bus just to see the different views. The Pima Point is where we saw the Colorado river view.

We only stayed in Grand Canyon Park for approximately 5 hours since we had only limited time, we drove back to our hotel in Vegas around 7:30pm. We were so exhausted when we got back to the hotel, no time to gamble. We headed straight to our room and slept.

Las Vegas Vacation- Belagio

2011-08-01T12:56:00.000-07:00

On our plane heading to Las Vegas, Nevada

Another top view

at the airport, McCarran International Airport, Las Vegas Nevada

Even at the airport there are already some slot machines that you can play with

at the car rental area, where you can see some slot machines

another sneak view of the slot machines, it's very tempting already hehehe

driving to our hotel

Caesar's Palace Casino taken from our car

Mandalay Bay

Encore and Wynn Casino Hotels

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At Night

Circus Circus Casino Hotel

Driving around at our first night

The Mirage Casino Hotel

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Belagio

Inside the Belagio Casino Hotel

Another view inside the Belagio

The Liberty Bell of Belagio, celebrating the Independence Day

My son, pretending to drink the water fountain hehehe

Close-up view of the huge wheel at the Belagio, looks like a ferris wheel

still at Belagio, love the design of the ceiling

Last view of the liberty bell and the American flags

Eiffel Tower and Paris Casino Hotels

View of Belagio and Caesar's Palace Casino Hotels

Belagio's Dancing Fountain

Last shot, the finale ;-)

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Sorry for this late post, I've been so busy with our road trips and I hope I can catch up soon ;-) with my travelog.

The pictures above were all taken last June 30, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. It's been almost 8 years since we visited there. My son even forgot everything we did when the last time we were in Vegas. When we used to live in Long Beach, California, we always go there (Vegas) every year even if it's just 1 day trip and I remember one time we just went there just to eat breakfast at one of the hotel's breakfast buffet and after that we just walked around took some pictures and then went home the same day, we only spent 4 hours there and spent more time shopping at the outlet nearby.....and it's a 4-hour drive to Long Beach, CA. And actually we did it again this trip hehehe.

And now, we're thousand miles away from California and Las Vegas we were so happy to see the "sin city" again for the first time since we came back from overseas (Japan and including Hawaii). Would you believe it that we never had the chance to gamble during our stay there??? I think we used our hotel just to sleep over and never spent time in the hotel more than 8 hours at all hehehe.

The next day we headed to Grand Canyon, Arizona and by the time we came back it's already midnight and very exhausted to play at the casino.

We had a good deal with our package (I think), which included the flight and hotel at $279 for 4 days and 3 nights already (per person). We stayed at Circus Circus Hotel but never had the chance to bring my son to play at the arcade nor to see the free circus show (ohhh too bad for my son though)....and the fact that Circus Circus hotel is popular for kids' activities hehehe .....well at least I didn't mention it to him or else he will really get mad at me hahaha.

We went to Vegas with our friends and their families but without my daughter ;-( we were 3 families who came all from Washington and bought the same travel package at the same time ;-) through online. My daughter had her separate trip to Long Beach, CA and stayed in her best friend's house but she didn't go to Vegas though.

Hey actually, I don't gamble (it's really true! hehehe) I would rather go shopping for few hours to spend my money than to spend it to slot machines just for few minutes hehehe (am I a good girl?). But we never had the chance to go shopping too (good for me though since I didn't have enough budget for that hehehe), so we just went on a road trip to different scenic views and take souvenir pictures to share with our friends on facebook and on my travel blog hahaha.

I will post more pictures from our road trips to Grand Canyon and California and then New York and Canada.

By the way, I have spent only $1 at slot machine when I was waiting for my husband to get our rental car at the car rental area, a shuttle bus away from the airport ;-) and I lost hahaha. That's the only time I played the slot machine.....and didn't come back at the casino and I didn't regret it at all.

Belagio

2011-07-07T00:23:00.000-07:00

Belagio's Dancing Fountain

We've been to Las Vegas from June 30 to July 3 but we never stayed longer in casino instead we drove up to Grand Canyon, Arizona and Hollywood, California. I will post more photos when time permits. For now, just enjoy my photo taken in Belagio's dancing fountains.

Seattle Cheese Festival

2011-05-28T09:54:00.000-07:00

Cheese Tasting

Cheese Tasting, grab and scoop your own cheese ;-)

Cheese

In front of the first Starbucks store with the original logo

We need bread when eating cheese ;-)

Mozarella Making and Tasting

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Two weeks ago, May 14, we went to Pike Place Market- our first time to visit it and we were surprised to find out that they have a Cheese Festival. We enjoyed tasting different kinds of cheese and bread as well. Of course, we went home not empty handed, we bought a cheese and french bread.

Also, my first time to see the original and first Starbucks store, I didn't have the chance to see the inside of the store because it was too crowded.

Tulip Town Skagit Valley, Washington

2011-04-28T10:28:00.000-07:00

Tulips

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The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is held every year from April 1 to 30. We were one of the thousands of people who came over to see this event last Saturday, April 23. It was sunny and bright that day and my pictures turned out so beautiful and I love those tulips so much and that's why I can't wait to share these with you ;-)

The Skagit Valley is 60 miles north of Seattle and it may take one hour drive or less to get there. From our place, it's 110 miles and it took us 2 hours to get there.

Cherry Blossoms at University of Washington

2011-04-11T16:22:00.000-07:00

University of Washington

Cherry Blossom (Sakura)

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The photos were taken last week, April 2, 2011 at the University of Washington (UW). I was with my husband and my son when we went to UW to pick up my daughter from her dorm so she can spend her weekend with us. Before we leave I asked my daughter to swing by the campus where the cherry blossoms (sakura) are located and so while my husband and my son were eating in a Japanese Restaurant (they were so hungry that they opted no to join us) so my daughter and I headed to the "quad" where the cherry blossoms are and I was so amazed upon seeing the view: the cherry blossoms around the quadrangle and their buildings, I love the architectural structure. The weather cooperated that time (since we came from Seattle Center few minutes before, and it was raining hard...oh well what do you expect here....we're in Washington....hello! duh! hehehe), it's truly indeed a nice timing to take pictures of the sakura, it's so sunny! It seems like I am really missing Japan during this spring season where we used to go and visit Hirosaki Castle just to see and enjoy sakura festival. The missing part here is the food...there's no food! no street food! and no Japanese food! hehehe.

Note: I have to post these pictures first before continuing my Canada road trip's blog while cherry blossom is still in bloom ;-) and fresh hehehe

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

2011-03-30T13:21:00.000-07:00

After passing the border of US and Canada

happy yipee yehey we're in Canada!

Downtown Vancouver

Statues of laughing people??

My son, trying to open the hand hehehe

At English Bay Beach

English Bay Beach

Another view of English Bay Beach

the trolley

At Kadoya Japanese Restaurant

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We've been to a road trip last week since it was my daughter's spring break. It was our first time to see Canada. It took us only 3 1/2 hour drive from our place to downtown Vancouver. Actually, we didn't plan on going there, we never booked a hotel and we didn't know where to go. Our initial plan was to go snowboarding since that was my daughter's request but plans changed and we just decided to drive to Canada. That always happens to us anyways hehehe.

Fortunately we were able to find a hotel to stay but only for one night because the following day the hotel was fully booked due to Bon Jovi's Concert. Our hotel place was close to English Bay Beach, which is the most popular in sunbathing, swimming and sunset watching beach in the downtown Vancouver area.

After checking-in we headed to a Japanese Restaurant which was also a stone's throw away from our hotel, we were hungry and my kids were craving for sushi. The restaurant was superb, we liked it!

Vancouver's climate is pretty much the same as Washington: rainy, cloudy and gloomy ;-) I guess it's just an extension of Seattle ;-)

I will post more pictures on my next post ;-)

Veedol Beach, Misawa

2011-03-20T23:59:00.000-07:00

Huge rocks that serve as breakwater

Does this sign mean we have to bring the sand and not leave on the beach? hehehe

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I wonder what happened to Veedol Beach in Misawa after the tsunami hit the Northeastern part of Japan? Although Misawa is located in North of Japan I heard that the beach and the Misawa Fishing Port were also hit by the tsunami but not that as intense as what happened to Sendai.

The pictures above were all taken when we were still in Misawa, Japan. We were there summer, August 2010, that was the last time we went to that beach. We had a picnic under the cabana and the kids enjoyed swimming. I didn't swim though, I may get tanned ;-) and it's still cold.

Veedol Beach or Miss Veedol Beach is a 10 minute drive from where we used to live and I remember last year when we had a strong earthquake (I think 6+ magnitude) I was so scared that tsunami would hit us, we had a tsunami warning that time, my husband was deployed in Qatar and I was so scared and confused where to go, my husband's wife's boss called me making sure we are safe and far from the beach.....and so I decided to go to Misawa Base and spent few hours at the base exchange (bx) just to make sure we're all safe and far from tsunami. What more now that they had an 8.9 magnitude?? I'm glad I'm here now in Washington.......I don't want to think about it.......pretty scary. I had enough of earthquakes for 2 years ;-)

Space Needle, Seattle, Washington

2011-03-14T13:00:00.000-07:00

Space Needle, Seattle Washington

Taken inside our car while our sunroof was open

Taken at the Observation Deck overlooking Seattle

Another view from the top

This was taken when we were heading to Space Needle, I was able to take a picture of the bird flying above us

Taken when we were in the elevator going down from the observatory deck, overlooking the Pacific Science Center

The base of the Space Needle Tower

Christmas Ball with Space Needle on the background

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Space Needle is a landmark and symbol of Seattle, Washington. It is a tower with 605ft in height (184m). It has an observation deck at 520ft (160m) which is pretty much shorter compared to Tokyo Tower which has an observation deck at 820ft (250m) .... we've been there to 2 years ago. Actually Tokyo tower is 1091ft (332.5m) when measured from the base to its peak.

The pictures I've posted here were taken last December 2010, my first time to see Space Needle. It took me 3 months to post these hehehe. Well, as usual I've been busy lately.

It was a bit windy and cloudy that day, so we didn't have the chance to see the view of Mt. Rainier and Mt. Baker which they say we can view them from the deck.

It took us only 43 seconds to go to observation deck through the elevator, with the speed of 10mph.

Few years ago, I was so excited and curious to see Space Needle but since we've been to Tokyo Tower and Roppongi Hills Mori Tower (both in Tokyo, Japan) you won't get the feeling of excitement anymore, Space Needle is pretty much shorter compared to them. My first reaction when I stepped on the observation deck was, "that's it??" hehehe

By the way, I pray for the safety of all the people in Japan who are very much devastated by the disasters they had last March 10, the earthquake and tsunami plus the nuclear plant explosion. I felt sad and very much affected when I saw the news, Japan has been a part of our military life. I have a lot of friends back there in Misawa. I hope they are ok now. We feel lucky that we moved out early from Japan to Washington although sometimes I miss Japan (but not the every week earthquake hehehe).

Mount Rainier View

2011-02-15T11:35:00.000-08:00

Mt. Rainier view taken last week when it was sunny day

Mt. Rainier View- I've never been to Mount Rainer National Park yet since we moved in Washington last October but I'm always amaze when I see the Mt. Rainier view from where we live especially we seldom see it during winter and cloudy days. It looks so close to us but yet so far ;-)

This is our backyard, I just recently found out (2 weeks ago) that behind the trees is the view of Mount Rainier, since we hardly can see clear skies here we didn't notice that we have at least a view of Mt. Rainier ;-) How I wish I could cut those trees and enjoy the view hehehe

According to wikipedia:

Mount Rainier is a massive stratovolcano located 54 miles (87 km) southeast of Seattle, United States. It is the most prominent mountain in the contiguous United States and the Cascade Volcanic Arc, with a summit elevation of 14,411 feet (4,392 m). Mt. Rainier is considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world, and it is on the Decade Volcano list. Because of its large amount of glacial ice, Mt. Rainier could potentially produce massive lahars that would threaten the whole Puyallup River valley.

Mount Rainier is the highest mountain in Washington and the Cascade Range. Mount Rainier has a topographic prominence of 13,211 feet (4,027 m), greater than that of K2 (13,189 feet (4,020 m)). On clear days it dominates the southeastern horizon in most of the Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan area to such an extent that locals sometimes refer to it simply as "the Mountain." On days of exceptional clarity, it can also be seen from as far away as Portland, Oregon, and Victoria, British Columbia.

Japanese Engrish

2011-02-01T15:45:00.000-08:00

While I was digging my "Japanese stuff" in one of my boxes I found my small screw drivers still in the plastic pack. It's really a coincidence, I was looking for a small screw driver so I can open my camera. So I read the back of the package and it says:

" Caution: Please keep after use to the place which an infantile hand does not reach. Please use it for screws, which suited, such as glasses. Moreover, to the slot on the screw, please insert in straightly and turn. When the size of a driver does not suit a screw, its screw slot may be huet. Be careful."

The only sentence that I understood here was the last one, "Be careful," hehehe. Oh well, I just ignored the caution as long as I am careful of using it I would be fine, right? lol

Can you translate this?

I think something is missing ....I miss Japan!

Crystal Mountain Resort, Washington

2011-01-19T09:12:00.001-08:00

What a breathtaking view!

The parking lot

My daughter, her friend and my son seating on a chair lift going up the hill, I wish I was there too

bye bye

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Crystal Mountain Ski Resort

Happy New Year Everyone! Sorry for this late post, I've been busy with unpacking our stuff in our new house and with the recent holidays activities.

So, I posted our first road trip in Washington, it was in Dec. 27, 2010 we went to Crystal Mountain Resort to go snowboarding. I didn't get to snow board this time but I will ;-) once we go back to that lovely place (I think I'm missing Misawa, Japan now and I really need to play in the snow hehehe).

Crystal Mountain is the largest ski resort in Washington state, it is located in the Mount Baker- Snoqualmie National Forest. It's about an hour and a half drive from our house.

The chair lift fees:

adult (18-69)- $65
senior(70+)- $40 (wow, their lucky if they can still ski or snowboard hehehe)
youth- (11-17)- $60
child- (0-10)- free

We are scheduled to go back there at the end of this month, so excited to snowboard again. Yipee!

Bellows Beach- Hawaii

2010-12-21T08:54:00.000-08:00

Bellows Beach, Hawaii

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BELLOWS BEACH

Did I mention before that we went to Hawaii before going to Philippines and before going back here to the states? Well I think I have a lot of post to catch up here hehehe. I have to share my photos when we were in Hawaii! I love their beach so much!

We went to Hawaii last August, we're supposed to check our house there but we didn't have time to check it though hehehe, we were busy meeting up with our friends and going to different beaches; we're selling it anyway so I don't want to see it while me crying :-( I think I will be missing our house there once it gets sold.

We were stationed in Hawaii for 4 years before we were stationed in Misawa, Japan. I miss Hawaii so much and so we decided to visit our friends there and enjoy the beaches of Hawaii . It was just a month plan though but we even got to see the Air Supply Concert, thanks to my friends who paid our concert tickets ;-)

Bellows Beach is operated by the US Air Force. During weekdays, it is only open to those with military or dependent's ID but on the weekend it's open to public and a lot of people come to this gorgeous beach with white sands and aqua clear water that for me is the best among the beaches in Hawaii. I have to go here than going to Waikiki hehehe.

The beach is ideal for kayaking and boogie boarding (which I enjoy doing it) they also offer snorkeling and surfing classes. They have cabins where you can stay overnight, picnic tables, pavillions, miniature golf and paintballs. By the way, did you see me boogie boarding? lol

Subic Trip- Philippines

2010-12-08T22:18:00.000-08:00

Zoobic Safari

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This post is just my continuation of my Subic trip, so my travelog continues here....

Original Lacoste hehehe

those are real crocodiles!!

Croco Loco at Subic Zafari trip

Aeta trail is still in Zoobic Safari

Aeta- are indigenous people who live in mountainous part of Luzon, Philippines; some live in Subic

Aeta, showing their monkey dancing

The audience

Ocean Adventure

We were late when we came here after the Zoobic Safari so we just took pictures in front of the sign ;-)

Camayan Beach Resort

After posing at the Ocean Adventure we were hungry already and we decided to take a peek of this place, we liked it!

The Cousins (my daughter and my nephew pretending to be in a movie Titanic hehehe)

Camayan Beach Resort

We just played in the sand since we didn't swim ;-)

We ate our late lunch here at 5pm, hmmm I think it's early dinner then

Goodbye Subic!

Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX)

Zoobic Safari, Subic Philippines

2010-11-16T11:02:00.003-08:00

Subic, Philippines- Oct. 4, 2010

During our vacation in the Philippines, few days before we left, we went to Zoobic Safari in Subic Zambales, Oct 4, 2010. It was a 3 hour drive from Quezon City or maybe 4 or 5 hours if you get stuck in the traffic ;-). Zoobic is located in Subic Bay Freeport Zone formerly known as the US Naval Base, Subic Bay. Subic Base was the largest U.S. Navy installation in the Pacific and was the largest overseas military installation of the United States Armed Forces after Clark Air Base in Angeles City was closed in 1991. It took us 20 minutes to get to this location just from the main gate of the Subic base.

The entrance where we seated for 10minutes while waiting for the tourist guide's instructions prior to our trip inside the zoobic safari

While waiting I read this sign in front of the white tiger's cage

And this is below the sign, the white tiger walking around his cage ;-)

This is where you can take a souvenir photo with this tiger, we didn't take the chance, we're all scared to try hahaha

The tram that takes you to the Tiger Safari, you have the option to ride this tram and pay I think 50 pesos per person (~$1) or just drive your own vehicle. Well, since it was too hot that day we opted to stay in our van hehehe and followed the tram

Another tram, this is the one we followed up to the Tiger's Safari

This is the jeepney that we rode and we drove around the Tiger Safari and saw Siberian Tiger, that day there was only one tiger showed up since all were in the cage maybe due to the hot weather or maybe they were full already hehehe

I paid 200 pesos (~$4) to feed the tiger with the chicken by our trained guide

I was 1 foot apart from the tiger's mouth hehehe, so scared....after the tiger ate some part of the chicken our guide threw the chicken on top of our jeepney and the tiger jumped on it so he was on top of us during our tour hehehe I wish I was able to take the picture of it

This is the sleeping tiger inside the cage, we went to their cages...that's why not a lot of tigers showed up they're all sleeping hehehe...I took this photo in between the rails of the cage

Another tigers! You should be outside!!

"Ostrich, where's your head??" hehehe

wild boars and sheep during our Savannah tour

the camel is so friendly he even posed with my nephew hahaha

Albino Carabao- carabao (water buffalo subspecies) is the national animal of the Philippines

Carabaos are associated with farmers, being the farm animal helper to sow and plow rice and vegetables but albino carabaos can't do this, they can't stand the heat of the sun (lucky you albino! just stay in the zoo hehehe)

Our english speaking tour guide with rodent world sign, well done bro!

Philippine eagle owl....wait I can't see its eyes! I didn't know that owl can turn its head up to 180 degrees that's why its head is facing the back hehehe

And then the owl turned its head facing me ;-)

My son feeding the love birds

We saw these monkeys along the road while we were driving inside the Subic base going to Zoobic Safari, we stopped for awhile just to take pictures

Osan Air Base, Korea

2010-11-03T07:40:00.004-07:00

Osan Air Base Main Gate

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The pictures below were taken along the Sinjang shopping mall area just right off the base

Korean street food

These 2 old men were here the whole day playing this board game

Menu at the small fast food store just right off the Osan base

Bulgogi Burger

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It's been almost 2 months of no blogs, sorry for this delay I've been busy lately.....packing, traveling, reunions, outings and so forth. Anyway here's the first trip we had...it's in Korea!!!

Osan Air Base is located in the Songtan section of Pyeongtaek City, South Korea, south of Seoul. Despite its name, Osan AB is not within Osan City.

Our trip:

Misawa, Japan to Osan, Korea:

Sept. 13 when we stepped off the land of the rising sun.....it was a heartbreaking scenario to leave Japan, it's been a short tour for us but I will surely miss the food, people and its culture....and my travelog about Japan!

Anyways, before our PCS (permanent change of station) to Washington state, we had plans already of visiting our home country, Philippines since it's only 5 hours away from Japan. It may take us years before we can visit again our family back there once we are back in the US.

We took the space-A (free fare) from Misawa AB, Japan to Osan, Korea before heading to Philippines. This was the cheapest fare that we could avail just to visit Philippines (note: I just resigned from my job so "tight budget" hehehe). From Korea to Philippines we only paid $730 for round trip tickets for 4 of us already (less than $200 each). That is so CHEAP compared to buying tickets from Misawa to Philippines via JAL, usually it costs $800 or more for each passenger. We bought the tickets 1 month prior to our departure.

We stayed 3 days and 2 nights at Osan's billeting, the Turumi Lodge and we explored the "Sinjang Shopping Mall" or the famous "Songtan" area which is just right off the main gate. I was drooling already when I saw cheap stuff on every store they have there, such as: mink blankets, souvenirs, jars, jerseys, jewelries, toys, shoes, bags, gowns, leather jackets, clothes, clothes and more clothes!!

BUT....... I can't buy any of those since we were only allowed 1 luggage for each passenger with 15 kilos max weight (going to Philippines)....sigh...then I realized we're still going back here so I still have a chance to buy more once we get back from Philippines (crossing my fingers hahaha).

That's it! I didn't buy anything from Korea! :-) My husband was so happy....not me :-'(

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According to wikipedia:

Space available travel is a privilege that derives, in part, from United States Code, title 10, section 4744, which states, "officers and members of the Military Departments, and their families, when space is available, may be transported on vessels operated by any military transport agency of the Department of Defense". Space available travel is defined as "travel aboard DoD owned or controlled aircraft and occurs when aircraft are not fully booked with passengers traveling under orders".

Aomori Nebuta Festival

2010-09-14T00:53:00.024-07:00

I'm sorry to this late post, due to our relocation/moving stuff I was too busy to post and update my blog. We left Misawa, Japan already but I will continue to post pictures which I missed during my stay in Japan and I will still post my travel photos wherever I maybe ;-). Sayonara Misawa, I will miss Japan so much!!!

We left Japan, Sept. 13, 2010. My travelog continues......

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August 7, 2010 Aomori Nebuta Festival- it was indeed fully packed with people and turps (hehehe), we couldn't find a place to sit, the people reserved their spots by laying down their turps on the ground. We arrived at the ASPAM place about 3pm just right after the Nebuta parade. We missed the parade so we decided to stay to wait for the 2 hour fireworks which started at 7pm.

The parade is held every year from August 2 to August 7, where the floats are carried through the city during the evening from August 2-6, and during the daytime on August 7. A two- hour fireworks show is held on the evening of the final day while the float is carried into the sea.

Due to overwhelming people who watched this festival we didn't even get to see the floats on the water and we left after an hour of fireworks (around 8pm) just to avoid the traffic jam and to catch the train before its last trip. I didn't get to take pictures of the floats during night time so all my pictures were taken after the parade where the floats were parked in their own hangar (or whatever you called that floats parking spots hehehe).

I would suggest that you should see this festival during Aug 2 to 6 to avoid the crowd and not during the last day, well if you don't want to see the fireworks but if you want to see it better bring your own turps or chairs and you have to be there early in the morning.

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Aomori Nebuta Festival is a Japanese summer festival that takes place in Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture, Japan. The festival is the most popular tourists attraction of any of the country's nebuta festivals.

According to wikipedia, "Nebuta" refers to the float of a brave warrior-figure which is carried through the center of the city, while dancers wearing a unique type of costume called haneto (ハネト^?) prance around in time with the chant Rasserā (ラッセラー^?). In the local dialect, participation in the festival is inquired using the adjective haneru (ハネル^?, ex. "今日もハネル?" or "Are you going to haneru today?"), which was derived from the Japanese spelling of the haneto costume and the adjective haneru (跳ねる^?, "bounce").

Yokohama City, Japan

2010-07-21T18:53:00.015-07:00

Landmark Tower, tallest building in Japan

Cosmo World Ferris Wheel

Roller Coaster Display between Land Mark Tower and Queen's Square Mall

Snoopy Town

Pokemon Center

Disney Store

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Yokohama is the second largest city of Japan. It's about 40 minute trip from New Sanno Hotel (where we stayed during our trip in Tokyo) by train plus walk is almost an hour trip then ;-)

We had a short time walking around Landmark Tower and Queens Square and didn't have the chance to go to observation deck and other nice places nearby. My daughter had enjoyed the mall when we found out that they have sanrio, pokemon center, disney store and snoopy town. IAnd we didn't even go to the ferris wheel since we already tried the Odaiba one ;-P

By the way, the Cosmo World Clock (which can be seen on the ferris wheel itself) is the world's largest clock (wow!).

When Cosmo World first opened in 1989, it was the world's tallest Ferris wheel.

The current record holder of the largest ferris wheel is the 165-meter (541 ft) Singapore Flyer, which opened to the public in March 2008, which by the way I saw that too last year when we went to Singapore.