Sayonara Japan

I am crying while writing this sitting on the window ledge of the Park Hyatt in Tokyo, this is where our journey started in August 09 and this is now where it ends.

What can I say.... WOW!! What a year, we have met some amazing people whom we will NEVER forget, we have seen some beautiful places, eaten a lot of fantastic food (and some not so fantastic) and experienced a whole new culture. We (well Graham, Mia and Gian) have learnt a new language & I have learnt how to make sushi from the best school in Tokyo. We have also been able to share our experience with all our friends who visited us, thank you for coming over we loved seeing all of you, it was a real pleasure, THANK YOU.

Mia and Gian have made us so proud with the way they immediately adjusted to their new school, new country, new culture and new language. How they made so many lovely new friends, they have grown up in so many ways (Mia has also grown 10cm in 1 year).

We had some not so good news when I found out that I had Rheumatoid Arthritis but I am happy to say that I am currently in remission so that is GREAT!!!

We will take so much with us from this "journey" we have become closer as a family, we have become more aware of what is important in life and how to live life to the full as you never know what is round the corner.

Thank You Japan, Dõmo arigatõ!!

Graham and his training

When we arrived in Tokyo we were looking for a personal trainer and we were introduced to a guy called Pete. We both started training with him and just loved him immediately. Pete is an ex marine who trains people at the American base "Stars and Stripes" in Roppongi. Unfortunately I had to stop training because of my RA but Graham continued and the results have been amazing!!!! As you can see in the photo his balance has improved, he has also increased his muscle (nice) :-)

We have been so fortunate to meet some really great people while we have been here in Japan and Pete is one of them, will miss you Pete!!

http://thefitnesscode.blogspot.com/

Weekend in Karuizawa 5th & 6th June 2010

Last weekend was a busy (but fantastic) one. Saturday morning we had to be at the Italian Institute where Mia and her friends were in a dance show, it was really good, Mia's group did really well but there was a fantastic group on first with a lovely Japanese teacher and some little kids (I guess about 4 years old) well, one of the girls got stage fright and wouldn't do anything, just stood there, then she sat on the floor and refused to move, god Gra and I were killing ourselves and the teacher was just great, kept trying to get her involved but when she nearly started crying the teacher gave up and they all just carried on dancing around her... too funny.

Straight after it finished we headed over to Tokyo station and caught the shinkansen to Karuizawa where our lovely Japanese friends Yukiko san and Carlos san have a summer house.
One hour later and we arrived, Carlos san was there to meet us and a quick car journey and we were at their house. WOW the views were just beautiful, it really reminded us of Switzerland and we started feeling a bit homesick. They have the beautiful mountains, so many forests, lakes, just lovely.

We dropped our bags and went for a walk, Mia noticed we were only going down and down and started worrying about how we were going to get back up... kids!! it was perfect weather too so we just walked for a while and then turned round as Carlos and Yukiko's friends called to say they had arrived at the house.

When we got back they started the BBQ and we chatted to Tom and Yuko (their nice friends). The BBQ was great and then after Mia and Gian lit the fireworks Yukiko had bought for them.

It got cold very fast and when I say cold I mean COLD!! after the kids had played on the Wii (Gian wanted to beat Carlos) they both had a bath and straight into bed so to keep warm and then Gra and I did the same thing.

Next morning, Graham went to play golf with Carlos, Tom and Yuko (they had a great time) and Me and the kids went on a bike ride with Yukiko, it was great and we stopped off at a huge pond (where the kids saw a snake) and then we went further for lunch, great lunch and then back.

Just a great weekend, thank you sooooo much Yukiko san and Carlos san. We look forward to seeing you in Switzerland sometime.

8th Visitor - Andy, Switzerland, 14 - 23 May 2010

Andy arrived nice and early Friday 14th and Graham being a nice cousin went to collect him from Narita. On the Friday night we went to friends house and had a great evening and Andy got to meet some of our great friends we have met here. He did well as we go home about 1am so he must have been tired but didn't show it, went to bed as soon as we got in and slept well. Saturday night the boys went out to watch the football and then Andy stayed out until 5am, then didn't get up till 5pm on the Sunday so missed the Sumo but think he had a good night.

Monday Graham took him to Kyoto for a few days to see all the temples etc and go on the shinkansen which is something Andy really wanted to do (it is pretty impressive must admit). They got back Wednesday and then we just showed him a few of the tourist spots, ate some typical Japanese food, Pizza, French crepes etc :-) and he left first thing this morning.

Thanks for the visit Andy, hope you had a good time, see you in Switzerland when we return.

Hawaii 26th April - 7th May 2010

Wow what a treat!!! Hawaii is just paradise... we are sooooo lucky to be here.

We have been surfing, snorkeling, on a boat at night to see the sunset, we have done lots of swimming, lots of eating and lots of relaxing by the pool.

Our hotel http://www.royal-hawaiian.com/resort.aspx The Royal Hawaiian is just perfect, great service, food, setting (right on the beach) surf teachers on tap, beautiful gardens etc.

Graham left for LA for an invester conference and had a great time, Gian, Mia and I stayed here and chilled out.

There are sooo many Japanese it is really strange, feel like we are still in Tokyo, lucky I like the Japanese :-)

One more day, one more night and then back to Tokyo, we have had the holiday of a lifetime!!!!