An ex-journo and former techno phobe from Singapore living in Tokyo, I worked in print media for six years until I moved countries in 2006 and used the Internet as a way to have a viable, mobile career. Now, I'm a blogger on the go who runs an online beauty biz from wherever I might be. I never thought I would ever morph into a web chick - but here I am.
...The ups and downs of expat life, trailing partner issues, food, travel, and Japanese culture. It's a way to keep in touch with friends back home and all over the world, plus it's a corner for me to showcase my work. But really, I'm just a restless spirit looking for great adventures and fabulous food.
“You must try the okonomiyaki in Hiroshima!” I was told by several friends and sensei. What’s special about it is it’s very tall, compared to the Tokyo version, and even considered quite healthy because of its huge amount of cabbage.
Both the kangaroo and I are history buffs. We are big fans of The Tudors and would recommend any friend visiting to check out the Yasukuni shrine and museum.
So, it was a must for us to witness the relics and writings about the atomic bomb that changed Japan’s culture and outlook.
This is the site that suffered the first atomic bombing. It was a municipal building, called the Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, and you could see from the ruins how devastating the bomb was. Everything was caved in and all that really remained standing were some metal stairs and the frame of the building.
The kangaroo loves taking short trips when he breezes back into town. The last time we took a holiday within Japan was to Hokkaido for snowboarding.
“Let’s spend a few days out of Tokyo, babe,” he suggested in August.
“Where do you want to go?” I asked.
“Hiroshima!”
“Why Hiroshima?”
“Because I’ve never been there…”
“Okay!”
And so we packed our bags and hopped onto a shinkansen.
Fall is just around the corner in Japan and I was flipping through these photos of my camping trip in Saitama at the tail end of our hot summer.
For the sake of those who don’t know, Saitama is a prefecture north of Tokyo but it’s considered part of Greater Tokyo. Some people tend to be unimpressed when you say you live in Saitama as it’s way out in the boonies where there is cheap housing. But you know, Saitama’s kinda pretty. And quiet. And lovely.
Or at least where I went was a charming lil’ corner of Saitama.
The air was crisp as we were in higher altitudes and soon after we arrived, it poured like crazy. I only brought my light Puma jacket and my hands were constantly stuffed in my pockets.
It’s pouring here in Tokyo this dreary Monday, so I thought talking about my Zushi beach trip is timely to remember that it is, in fact, summer.
If you want to head to a “nearby” beach from Tokyo, Kamakura and Zushi are over an hour away by train. The beaches here are quite ordinary but it’s the closest thing you get to experiencing some beach life. It was so crowded. though.
“Hey, do you want to check out bills in Kamakura?” a friend suggested with a glint in her eye. I had no idea what bills was and was more keen on the road trip to get out of Tokyo two weekends ago.
After some surfing on the Internet, bills turned out to be famous Aussie chef Bill Granger’s (Sydney’s breakfast king!) new restaurant in Japan. My old foodie instincts came back and a slice of fresh Aussie fare in the middle of Japan was certainly a quaint idea.
My friends back home envy that I live in Japan and can travel to her multitude of culinary delights and quaint sights. Yup, I do know I’m lucky. While living in a teeming city like Tokyo is pretty cool most days, I also love taking off on a road trip to the boonies for a change of air. I’ve been to Izu twice (here and here) and there’s always something new to discover in this popular peninsular.
Here are my top 10 moments in West Izu…
#1 Umiiiii (the sea)
The blue blue sea was just therapy for the eyes. Japan’s coastal line is truly stunning…I took a lazy stroll along the beach with the kangaroo and it was lovely.
These photos were taken hurriedly with shaky cold hands and a fear of dropping my camera while zooming up the mountain on a chairilift.
After two straight days of snowboarding, we declared today a lazy one to recover from aching muscles and bruised joints.
Right now, the kangaroo is having his Japanese lesson via Skype video, while I’m blogging next to him.
Although I do find the cold unbearable sometimes, I still love winter, especially in ski country.
The kangaroo suggested we take a trip up to Hirafu, Niseko in Hokkaido where a friend runs a few lodges. Like I mentioned, one of the perks of not seeing each other so often means we take very nice holidays to make our time together more special.
Are you swimming in syrupy lurve now….?
We’re also trying out working by remote from the ski fields, and if it’s feasible, this could be the way we want to work and play more often. Tokyo is awesome but being around nature and drinking in a different scene tosses up the mix while we can truly believe we’re balancing work and life.
There’s no point just slogging away all the time, but it’s also impractical to eject yourself from the financial source that enables you to snowboard and travel.
I always feel quite honoured to be apart of the kangaroo clan’s Christmas celebrations. The camaraderie and the family dynamics are always fun to watch and participate in.
This year, it was quite a small gathering as both the kangaroo’s brothers and partners weren’t around because they were at their in-laws’.
The food was gorgeous as usual and we ate far too much. The kangaroo’s nieces were beside themselves with excitement, and I must say, it was infectious. Christmas is just about hanging out with the family, eating and drinking all day, and just being happy — just lovely. Oh, there were the biggest guinea pigs involved, too.
