Lunch in Hakone

Last Tuesday while Glenn was on duty on the ship, I went to Hakone with my friend Akiyo. Akiyo is in the Japanese American Friendship group that I am a part of as well. We went with two of her friends Mie and Sumie who are sisters.

I met them at Ebina station and we drove to Hakone from there. Since they were a bunch of chatty adorable women, we missed our exit on the Tomei, but no worries, we took Hydrangea road instead which was a wonderful mistake! The entire road was lined with blooming hydrangeas and a view of Mt. Fuji as well!

We got to Hakone and went to Kaiseki Kadan for lunch. The restaurant was originally built as the summer residence of Prince Kan-in-no-miya who was an inner member of the Japanese Imperial family. He would have been third in line to become emperor if there had been no direct heir. It was built 80 years ago and for the last 20 has been a restaurant. There is also a beautiful hotel attached to the restaurant that is more expensive than I could ever afford.

The lunch we had was a traditional o-bento style lunch (lunch box) that had beautiful presentation. Let me see if I can remember what we ate. From the top left teal dish, moving clockwise:

• Pickles- radish, cucumber, seaweed
• Sashimi (raw fish)- tuna and squid
• Burdock root and carrot salad
• Jellyfish and cucumber salad
• Some sort of greens in a sweet goo
• Flatfish
• Sweet potato in green tea
• Fried okra and shrimp paste tempura
• Pork Belly, green peas and some white vegetable
• Rice with Mushrooms

It may not sound like it, but everything was delicious and so beautifully prepared. We also started the meal with a tiny shot of plum liquor unique to the restaurant. Kampai! I like it! After lunch we had coffee and tea in the salon of the hotel.

Oh and dessert! We had an amazing almond jello with a melon layer on top. It was so refreshing!

We drove through Hakone afterwards and saw a few things before we headed back to Ebina. I had an English class that afternoon so I couldn't spend all day with them, but I can't wait to go back to Hakone again. Maybe with Glenn next year when he's home.

Farewell Chris and Gizelle!

Some of our closest friends in Japan left on Wednesday. Back to the land of Big Macs for them. They will be missed greatly.

 Thanks for making our time with you in Japan memorable.

Shizuoka Prefecture - Part III

Our last stop on the MWR tour was Dragon Rock Cave. It was a cave, it was pretty standard, but we had a good time with all the goofy J signs and the names of each part of the cave.

Here, Mike is attempting to follow the sign on the left. It instructs you to bend over and look between your legs to see the formation behind you- that's one way to do it I suppose.

This was my favorite cave name...perhaps Beethoven played it in C Major??

After the cave trip we made the 2-3 hour drive back to Atsugi break with a stop for dinner at a rest stop. Whew... a long day!

4th of July

Glenn was home for the 4th of July and it was wonderful. I realized a few weeks ago that Glenn and I haven't been apart for the 4th since we got married. I'm glad this one was no different. We started the morning getting ready for our BBQ with a few last minute trips to the mini-mart and commissary. Then we headed to the base parade. I think there were more people in the parade than watching it, but that's ok. It was still longer and more impressive than the Kingsville parade we saw a few years ago.

I didn't get a picture quick enough during the parade, but here is the E-2 Hawkeye that one of our wives made out of her wagon and duct tape. Impressive!

Our BBQ started around 2 pm and we had enough food and beer to feed an army err...navy. Good thing the guys made it home after all!

Stella even got some of her favorite food...corn on the cob. Stella was on her spike and leash all day so she got to enjoy the party too. I think she was off her diet for the day though, she got enough brisket for a much bigger dog!

After we cleaned up from the BBQ, we headed to skipper's house for a bit before we headed down to the field to watch the fireworks. Surprisingly, the base did a fantastic job! They had music and the fireworks (hanabi in Japanese; hana = flower, bi = fire) lasted almost 30 minutes. While we were at skipper's house we also headed across the street to CAG and DCAG's houses to take a ride on the zipline. I want one at my house!!

Glenn and I watching the fireworks:

A great 4th of July weekend!

Kakegawa Castle

Stop #2 on our MWR tour was Kakegawa castle. The castle was built about 500 years ago by the lord that was governing this area during the era of the civil wars (aka territorial disputes). The Tokugawa family eventually took over this area and ruled the castle. They ruled the castle for hundreds of years until it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1854 and collapsed in 1869. The castle was eventually rebuilt with donations from the citizens of Kakegawa. It was rebuilt with wood in the traditional methods in .... 1993. So, it is super old, but you can't tell because they rebuilt it using the traditional plans and techniques.

I thought this part of the castle was rather ingenious- they left small holes so that arrows, rocks or other objects could be thrown at people attempting to seige the castle.

 Nicole is attempting to siege the castle...no such luck. :) Maybe the umbrella is hindering her?

It is the Warriors Ambush Hideout area. I'm hiding, can't you tell?

I'm a hacker!

I submitted my tray post to IKEA Hacker and they posted it over the weekend!

Here is the link to my Skala tray hack!

Congrats Ben and Maureen!

Ben and Maureen are getting married today. I wish Glenn and I could be there to celebrate with them because I know it is going to be an awesome party. 

We hope it is a wonderful day!

It's going to be a great 4th!

I'm so happy that the ship decided to make another port call over the 4th of July weekend at the last minute! Their timing couldn't have been better!!! Get here quick Glenn!!

How do you like your melon?

Expensive? Then your in luck...

This pair of musk melons comes in at 10,500 yen. With today's sucky exchange rate, that's just under $120! I better find a prize in the middle at least...

Some beautiful ladies (and Mike)

Last Sunday, our OSSG (Officer Spouses' Support Group) took a group photo (minus a couple) just for fun. A chance to remember the group and our time together here in Japan. Although, since the group is ever changing, it seems like we'll have to take a few more while I'm here. After our photo op, we headed to Father's Day Brunch at the Officers' Club. No fathers were present in our group, but it didn't make me enjoy the chocolate fountain and mini creme brulee any less.

A wonderful photographer, Kazu, took the pictures for us. Thanks!