Getaway to Japan

Hey there! 

Continuing to update this on past trips as I get time. We spent the beginning of the summer back in the states to see family and friends. Shortly after our return we had scheduled a trip for us all to go to Tokyo, Japan for a long weekend. After returning to Hong Kong, we realized Xavier was a bit traveled out for a while, so we decided to take a parents only trip.

We knew going into the trip that it was going to be a bit different for us to get around, even though it's just another big city. Typically, we just taxi from site to site as it's easiest to manage when you are short on time. Unfortunately, Tokyo's taxis are quite expensive so we quickly picked up on the expansive railway system throughout the city. Tokyo is also 4 times bigger than Hong Kong with twice as many people - so we were in for quite the adventure. 

Tokyo Subway Map

View from our hotel at night

View from our hotel during the day

After a delicious breakfast of Krispy Kreme donuts (don't judge, they don't have them in Hong Kong so we have to indulge whenever it's around) we walked over to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building where you can go up to the top for free and get a great view of Tokyo. Unfortunately we couldn't see Mt. Fuji from there that day, but the view was still amazing. 

After that we wandered through Meiji Shrine and the gardens within. Japan is known for its beautiful flowers (cherry blossoms are the most famous) but a patient of mine told me that every week there is a different bloom coming in and gardens throughout Tokyo filled with them. We were there during the iris bloom and saw a whole field of them within the shrine gardens. 

Entrance to Meiji Shrine

Large, wrapped sake barrels

After a delicious meal of pork gyoza (dumplings) we went to Shinjuku Gyoen Gardens. I wish we would have gone there earlier to sit and enjoy the weather, but it was closing soon. There were tons of people just laying out on the grass, having picnics and enjoying the weather. 

That night after our first meal of sushi, we went out to a bar area that Ryan had read about called Shinjuku Golden Gai. This area consists of 6 small alleyways, large enough for 1 person to pass through, that contain around 200 bars. Each bar holds about 8-10 people, more if the bartender allows people to stand behind the bar. If you want to pass everyone to get to the bathroom, everyone has to stand up! We wandered through the alleys before picking out a place that had room and ended up meeting a couple from the states who we spent the night bar hopping with. It felt like a hobbit village of bars! 

Looking into a bar

One of the tiny alleyways

The next day we went out to Senso-Ji, a market and shrine, had a traditional Japanese meal and wandered around shopping. 

Tall, American man doesn't fit in Japan

Okonomiyaki- a savory Japanese pancake cooked on a grill at our table, while we sat on the floor

That night, Ryan talked me into checking out the robot restaurant. I thought it was going to be like battlebots, watching robots crash into each other and perform tricks. Instead, we walked into the most insanely decorated place I've ever seen and watched performers ride on robots during the whole show. Words and pictures will never fully encapsulate this experience- but it's a must see if you're ever in town. It's also quite dangerous- we were in the front row and had to duck and dive to avoid being hit by the moving stages and I had a drumstick thrown at me as a performer lost grip of it. All in all, it was an amazing experience. 

The lounge

Our front row seat - they even put protective bars up at one point

One of the many robotic stages used

Our last morning we had intentions of getting up early and making it out to see the world's largest fish market in full swing- but after the robot restaurant we needed to sleep in a bit. Tokyo is famous for it's daily tuna auctions. Visitors can get a select spot to watch it but usually have to get there around 3 am for the 5 am auction. We showed up around 10 so everyone was cleaning and packing up but we still got to see the way everything was set up- and enjoy some amazing sushi! 

Cutting down blocks of ice to pack fish in

Tuna head

Sushi for lunch outside the fish market

We have had Japan on our list for awhile and loved finally getting to visit. We can't wait to go back and see the smaller and more rustic areas of Japan soon! 

Easter in Chiang Mai

Hello! 

It's been awhile since my last blog post and we've had a few travels to catch you up on. At the beginning of April, we traveled to Chiang Mai, Thailand for a few days. Though we've been to Thailand a few times before, Chiang Mai is different than any other place we've been to as it's in the northern part of Thailand and in the middle of the country, which means no beaches. 

We arrived in the late afternoon and quickly went to the pool at our hotel. Xavier had swam on our first vacation when he was 1 month old but had not swam since then. He loved floating around in his airplane and splashing in the water. 

The next day we visited Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. This temple is located at the top of the hills outside of Chiang Mai and had a beautiful staircase leading up to the main temple. 

That afternoon we visited a local botanical gardens before hitting up the pool again! 

 

The next day we did the big things on our list for Chiang Mai- pet tigers and ride elephants! I was skeptical going there that we would be able to do anything with Xavier, but the staff assured us that he was safe to be with the baby tigers. The small tigers were 3-4 months old and very playful. The staff explained to us that the tigers are exposed to humans so often that they become accustomed to it (vs the rumors of tigers being drugged). Though the tigers have become used to human touch, there were still many precautions and rules we had to follow to protect ourselves. Xavier was not allowed in with the big tigers, so Ryan and I took turns going in to sit with them. Some of the tigers had woken up and were moving around while we were in there and the staff was very cautious with where we stood and moved to give the tiger space. It was a once and a lifetime chance and we loved it (plus the amazing photos we got!) 

The second part of our day was riding elephants. We were taken to a local elephant camp where their care takers live with them. We were told by our elephant's care taker that they spend half of the week in the camp giving rides and such and the rest of the week in the jungle where the elephants roam and eat freely. Xavier loved the elephant ride and the splash he made for us when we walked through the river! 

Doing so well at the hotel buffet

On Easter we were fortunate enough to spend the day with a family from America we have become close with through our church who was also visiting Hong Kong. They were renting a home nearby that we spent the day swimming, getting our first Thai massages and enjoying an amazing meal with. We've truly become blessed with such wonderful friends that we are able to spend holidays with when we are away from our own family. 

Xavier's first Easter! 

Pool party! 

Our last big site was a 3D art museum by our hotel. We loved being able to go through and interact with all the pieces and each try out our best pose for photos! Luckily Xavier slept through most of it, otherwise we would have been there all day setting him up for pictures.