places we’ve been

Shubuya Hikarie’s Sky Lobby

Billy and Chiz Leave a comment

Things change very quickly in Tokyo. While many of the restaurants and stores we remember are still here, just as many have disappeared and have new ones in their place. Train stations are unrecognizable due to the construction that has been or is being done to them.

In Higashi-Nakano, my old home, there are two new apartment high rises, one under construction, and a remodeled train station with new stores that would have been very convenient if I was still living there! I have to give them credit for doing a great job keeping places in Tokyo updated and new! I think American cities could learn a lesson from this – not only giving people jobs through the construction and added stores/restaurants, but also keeping the city from getting old and falling apart.

In Shibuya there has been a huge new building with restaurants, shops and offices built while we were in Australia. It is called Hikarie and it is a beautiful new church to capitalism with some really nice stores. They also have a free Sky Lounge at the top with a pretty good view of the city. Chiz and I went to the top to check it out with some delicious sweets.

Read More

Genkai Shokudo and Midori Zushi

Billy and Chiz Leave a comment

While we have been in Japan, we have been lucky enough to be fed by Chiz’s mother. She loves to cook and is an amazing chef! Her food is so good that Chiz and I are often not tempted to go out to restaurants, since many do not even compare! We have ventured outside the confines of her house though to go to some really good restaurants. Here are two that deserve to be highlighted:

1. Genkai Shokudo
This restaurant has more than 80 years of history serving its own famous Mizutaki dish, a Japanese hot pot dish.  It’s very formal and usually used for business meetings etc. However, they opened a casual restaurant with reasonable prices, called Genkai Shokudo. We tried it with Chiz’s friend.  All dishes were made with a chicken broth base, and all food had richer taste than it looked.

2. Midori Zushi
This is one of our favorite sushi restaurants in Tokyo. They have different locations, and even some new ones that we want to check out if we have time, but our favorite is the Shubuya Mark City location. This was actually the last restaurant we went to before leaving Japan, on our way to Australia.

There is always a long line in front of this restaurant, but it is totally worth the wait. The sushi is top notch, and the price is quite reasonable. We enjoy sitting at the counter where you can watch the sushi chefs create their delicious treats!

Read More

Mini Hanami

Billy and Chiz Leave a comment

Chiz and I were lucky enough to be in Tokyo while the Cherry Blossoms (Sakura) were in season. It has been really beautiful seeing them all over the city. They bloom very quickly, and leave just as fast. The Sakura are thought to symbolize the fleeting nature of life, since they are so beautiful and fade so quickly. This is why, for the short time they viewable, the Japanese participate in Hanami (flower viewing). People come together near and under the trees to have picnics and drink with friends, while viewing the flowers above them.

Chiz and I had the chance to do a little bit of Hanami ourselves while we were out one day. Chiz’ mom made us a small picnic lunch that we were able to enjoy under a Sakura tree. It was fun!

Sadly most of the blossoms are gone now, but we might have another opportunity to see them again this year. We will be heading north in a bit, following the blooming Sakura. Hopefully we will have another chance to partake in some Hanami!

Is viewing Sakura twice in one-year proof of reincarnation? I’ll let you know.

dsc04873
dsc04875

Read More

BBQ, Ring Party and more mac

Billy and Chiz Leave a comment

Last weekend was eventful.

Chiz’s friends organised a BBQ lunch in Akigase Park in Saitama Prefecture.  Unfortunately, it was quite cold day and we could not leave the grill stove for a while.  Yet, as having good company made us forget the coldness and enjoyed the time.

Also we had a great time with our old friends who took us to a Ring party on Saturday.  It was great to see some of our old friends and also new faces there.  We had a fun night and relaxing Sunday. It’s always nice to be around good friends.  We surely missed it when we were away from Tokyo.

Mac seems to be enjoying his new heater, Kotatsu and Japanese stove.  Even though spring has come and Sakura season is ending, the weather is still cold.  We are also glad to see him enjoying his new environment especially after being sick for a while.  We, including Mac, are hopping that summer comes soon!

Read More

Nihon ni yokoso! (Welcome to Japan)

Billy and Chiz 2 Comments

It has been really great being back in Japan. We have enjoyed seeing friends & family, visiting our favorite places and shopping, taking baths and using Toto toilet seats (I love those things!). One of the most enjoyable things though has been eating the amazing food here! We have been privileged to have Chiz’ mom cooking for us… and wow, she is an amazing chef! Every meal seems to have millions of delicious side dishes and we can’t get enough of them!

We have also brought out cat, Mac, to live in Japan and he seems to be enjoying his new home. He really enjoys all the soft cushions on the floor and the warm places near the heaters and under the kotatsu (a table that is covered by a big blanket with a heater at the bottom). Mac’s favorite place is relaxing underneath.

We have also been lucky to be in Tokyo during cherry blossom time. All over the city the trees are in full bloom! The only bad part is that this is a horrible time for my allergies : (

Here are some picts of delicious food, cherry blossoms, and Mac from the beginning of our trip in Japan.

Read More

Barefoot Lawn Bowling

Billy and Chiz 2 Comments

I never heard of lawn bowling until I came to Australia. My sister and I watched the professional Australian team play on TV when she was visiting. We wanted to play, but didn’t have the chance while she was here. Yesterday, I finally played for the first time with some friends at the Brunswick Bowling Club.

Lawn bowling is like bocce, you need to try and get your bowl closer to the jack than the other team. The balls are lopsided though, curving to one side and you need to negotiate this imbalance when you roll. Obviously there are people who are quite skilled, but you don’t need to be an expert to play with friends. It’s lots of fun!!!

The Brunswick Bowling Club is barefoot bowls, which means you have to take your shoes off to play on the grass. You gotta love a sport that is played barefoot, outside on the grass, with a beer in your hand! There were barbeques near by too, so we sparked up a few sausages! It’s a really fun little sport and I hope that I get to play again before leaving Australia!

Read More

India

Billy and Chiz 2 Comments

My last class at university didn’t take place in Melbourne, it happened in the slums of Delhi. A really great group of people spent two weeks teaching at an amazing school called Katha. While I am not posting any picts of the students or teachers, I have put up some other picts from our trip. I have also posted below what our walk to the school looked like, just to give a taste of the streets of the slums surrounding the school. It was a really great experience – the teachers, kids and school were all really amazing! I also enjoyed the food, but desperately missed lots of fresh veggies and salads! This is the end of my Masters degree! Next stop is graduation and then finding a job!!!

[youtube i7BRH3g9KtE]

 

 

 

Read More