on the way to Tokyo Disneyland

Still thinking about Disney & Japan, one of my favourite memories from our trip in October 2019 to the Tokyo Disney Resort is my morning run.

Monday Mural: Disney Resort Line

Thanks to Amanda & Sandy, I am still thinking about our trip to Tokyo Disney & Chiba City in Oct 2019.

on the way early Saturday morning

An early morning run in Chiba City brought me behind these boys on their way someplace. It was a Saturday, so I was curious where they would be going.

travel photo, 10

Last one! Took a while to get here, but here is the final Travel Photo for this challenge.

Thank you, Su at zimmerbitch for inviting me to join you and other bloggers to post one favourite travel picture a day for ten days without explanation, then to nominate someone else to participate. That’s 10 days, 10 travel pictures, 10 nominations.

Soon

My sister, brother, a couple of cousins (all of the above live in several parts of the United States) and I were chatting on Messenger about the Great Conjunction, and whether we could see anything from our various locations.

My sister and I were meant to meet in Japan this past June. My brother was meant to pop in to Singapore last month. We were meant to be in London now to spend Christmas with my Aunt & Uncle.

Zoom this Christmas will be the closest to seeing each other for a while.

We do not despair. We are grateful for technology. But we are looking to the day when we can meet in person again.

Soon

My US family are sporting photos of what they think might be heavenly bodies. Mine are meekly Christmas orbs hanging off trees on Orchard Road.

This post is my contribution to One Word Sunday: Soon hosted by Debbie at TravelWithIntent

travel photo, 1

I am tickled that Su at zimmerbitch invited me to join her and other bloggers to post one favourite travel picture a day for ten days without explanation, then to nominate someone else to participate. That’s 10 days, 10 travel pictures, 10 nominations.

The Changing Seasons: October 2019

Highlight of my October is Younger Daughter & Grandparents’ (plus Me) Trip to Tokyo. We had 5 nights at Tokyo Disney Resort, 5 nights in Chiba (千葉市 Chiba–shi).

I haven’t been back to Japan since 2007 so was feeling a little apprehensive over my lack of the language. A Friend who visits the country several times each year assured me that that I would be fine, and after all, I was going to The Happiest Place on Earth (and she wasn’t referring to Disneyland).

Shortly upon arrival, I was reminded of how gracious the Japanese are – immigration is the most orderly and courteous I’ve encountered ever. I found this true throughout our visit as we encountered a variety of service people and folks on the street who were eager to help despite language barriers.

And of course, starting our trip in Tokyo Disney Resort was an easy way to ease ourselves into the swing of things.

JR Mahatma Station

The Resort Monorail

Entrance of Urayasu Sport Park (next to the Resort)

Just in case you forgot where you were.

Grandparents, Younger Daughter & I: Halloween at Disneysea

Chiba-shi is the capital of Chiba prefecture.  It afforded many conveniences without a big city feel. Running through the smaller streets gave me a chance to discover havens of greenery & beauty.

reminisce with a healthy yogurt drink

One of the joys of a vacation are memories made. Another is the inspiration to incorporate travel flavours into our home eating. The day after we returned from Tokyo, Inspired Younger Daughter decided we had to recreate The Yogurt Drink, a daily staple we picked up from one of the many Convenience Stores around the hotel.

taking time for little things … and not so little things

All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.

JRR Tolkien

I am a sucker for flowers on the ground: whether they form a carpet of colour on the pavement or sit smug & all alone, I can’t help smiling, and often, stopping to snap a shot.

Beautiful & Thoughtful: the gift and the giver

This lovely purple furoshiki is a gift from Older Daughter.  She returned from a 2-week tour of Japan with her grandparents last night, and this is the beautiful & thoughtful gift she brought me; purple is my favourite colour, of course, and the double-sided pattern is very artistic!  The furoshiki is used by the Japanese to wrap all sorts of things;  Older Daughter says it is for me to use as a backdrop for my food pics.

A mother’s heart warmed.