NOVEMBER 2009

A bit late...we bring you the update from Okinawa in November. We had no big plans this month. Most of it was spent learning our way around town and exploring the island. We did celebrate a birthday, we ate some turkey and all in all were at least a bit more settled by months end. This month we also visited a local coffee farm and hiked to a waterfall. There are several random photos that follow along with some from our Thanksgiving feast...also some of these you may have seen before. We hope you enjoy. Be sure to check out the Japanese corner and start studying up!

You might think this is Ellie in Espana, but no...we are enjoying lunch at Holo Holo.

We planned to explore this day, Maddi knew it as was not to be left behind. Also, our Funcargo is the blue car on the right.


Maddi and Will asking for a wave to sweep them away!

This, we think is Ellie's first dip in the Pacific (this is in fact the Pacific on the Eastern side of the island)

The jerk in this photo has his medals on backwards...needless to say he went to the ball stag this year.

This is Ellie in her 'excersauser'...

Above is Thanksgiving for 40 before...

Below is Thanksgiving for 40 after...

Beachcombing for sea glass...take away that pole in the sand and this might pass for a postcard.

This is Hiro's Coffee farm...a long (albeit scenic) drive for some local (albeit expensive) coffee.

Until now we thought pineapples grew on trees...

This is just one slice of paradise

We end this month with two new best friends...

Siyonara!

See you after Christmas!

OCTOBER 2009 (OKINAWA AND TOKYO)

October was a busy month for us...as you can see from the length of this post. Hope you enjoy
We're just hanging in our hotel room.

Enjoying Okinawa soba.

Okinawa dollar (100 yen) menu.

Katie's new car.

These fish eggs are not bait...

Beach on one of the outer islands.

Marinated tuna, a fried egg, avocado...oishii (delicious)

Kokusai St. in Naha

This one is for our friend Kevin Ryan...and for anyone else who loves pork.

Okinawan pedicure...

Lining up for tug of war in Naha.
The big rope...
Okinawan house.

Tuna and hot dog or strawberries and whipped cream...what do you want in your crepe?

5031 B, Camp McToureous...our new home.

Off to Tokyo to pick up Maddi!!

Toilets in Japan...good luck.

Came all the way here to shop at Gap?

A durian that costs 40 bucks...Below...we are in Tokyo not Dublin and Ellie was hungry again.

Above you will see how expensive happy hour is in Tokyo (800 yen for a pint, 500 for half a pint)

Tough to appriciate here...but all these women just ran up and took a bunch of photos of Ellie.

Asakusa Temple.We didn't know what we were drinking, but everybody else was doing it!

Below is an underground shopping mall...very futuristic looking...Note all the escalators going down..Just like the Tokyo subway..it appears to go all the way down to middle earth.

D & G Hello?? (For all the Parris Island friends and fans of Bruno)

A very worn out baby...When you are this tired, apparently you don't have to sit lady like.

Below is Tsukiji Fish Market..Willy's heaven on earth.

More fresh fish... and when you get tired of that you can get some dried fish. (Below)

In the lower right hand corner (below) is a man's chest. Note the tuna loin on the upper right..about the same size. Impressive.

Leaving Tokyo with Maddi in tow. So HaPpY!!

After a lot of hair pulling, back breaking, pocket book stretching stress (and help from Bill)..we are all back together again!

Halloween 2009..Ellie was the cutest candy corn in Okinawa. (If we don't say so ourselves.)

Full moon on Halloween night...Yep...oddly enough it appears to be the same one we see in KC. :)