visiting japan & singapore

On the streets of Tokyo

Tokyo Fish Market - one of the craziest fastest moving places we have ever been. Worth getting up extra early to see the tuna auction.

We were definitely in the way at the fish market. Nothing like having sushi for breakfast after seeing the fish market.

Entry way to the temple

Sam in downtown Singapore

We spent 5 days in Singapore and 7 days in Tokyo in October. Sam had to travel for work so I took the opportunity to tag along. Really liked Tokyo and would go back again.

It is hard to find where you are since streets don't have signage unless they are main streets and then I don't read Japanese - spent several hours one day wandering around by myself lost. Don't plan on buying shoes in Japan unless you wear a US size 7 or smaller - they will think you are crazy if you want a bigger size.

Found out sushi rolls are primarily an American invention unless you just want a spicy tuna roll. Several times we just pointed to the menu and ordered since we don't speak any Japanese and many places didn't speak any English, got some crazy food this way. Loved the food in Singapore but the electronics weren't such a great deal, must be the weak dollar. Bargaining though for electronics was entertaining but very exhausting - talk about persistent salespeople.

oh to be 7 again

Levi's 7th Birthday Party

the catch

Okay so Sam caught the fish at Ross Lake Resort, but figured I needed a picture with them as well. Sam definitely had the magic touch this year when it came to catching fish as he limited out.

shaw island race

Sam and Mom waiting for the wind to pick up - which unfortunately never happened.

During the beginning of the race when there was some wind.
As you can see Dad is trying to hold the sail so it will fill. Yes we were this desperate to try and get some wind. The Shaw Island race is held each year and you leave from Friday Harbor and sail either direction around Shaw Island. Based on the photos you can tell we picked the wrong way around the island. We started off great and were close to the lead but the wind died and we ended up floating in front of the same dock for the next 4 hours. We would get past this dock and then the wind would die and the current would push us back to the dock again, We weren't the only ones - there was a whole fleet of us. It is the only race I have been in where boats had their fenders out during the race since everyone was drifting in to each other. We had a DNF - next year we will try going the other way as the boats that won picked the opposite way around.
Hey it was a great day on the water - good thing we enjoy each others company.

Shaw Island Race August 2007

brothers in downtown seattle

cougs n boats

dreams do come true

Sam is opening up the bridge with his boat - he always wanted a mast big enough that he had to call ahead to open up the bridge.

Sam got his dream boat in April 2007. It is a Hanse and was built in Germany - Sam was even able to visit his boat in Germany while it was being built and see his own boat on the factory line. I skipped the trip to northern Germany and stayed in Munich to shop and play. This was the result of many years of persuasive selling on his part, and to think he said he has never done sales before. Convincing me to get a larger sailboat was probably the hardest sale he could make as I am much more of a powerboater. The boat name is Zig Zag and am sure our adventures on it will show up in many of our entries.

sacramento california - must be march madness

Tickets to March Madness - $450, 2 plane tickets $475, hotel room $375, Coug win - Priceless!
With 3 days notice we decided to head to Sacramento to watch the Cougs play - figured take advantage of what might be a once in a lifetime experience.