Better beleave it: Tea-Leaf reading with your High Tea

memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

Here is afternoon tea number 4 out of 5 during my 7-day stay in Sydney last year.
This particular venue has on been on my Sydney high tea bucketlist for a very long time. It’s only offered on weekends and the ‘piece de resistance’ here is the tea-leaf reading. I finally got to go there.

From Langham afternoon tea

So on a Sunday afternoon, had a nice mother-daughter high tea at the Langham Hotel, Sydney (formerly the Observatory Hotel). The ‘Mystic Tiffin Afternoon Tea’ includes a tea leaf reading by (you guessed it) a tea leaf reader, as well as your standard 3-tier afternoon tea with a glass of bubbly.

I’ve never had my tea leaves read, but it was interesting enough, if taken with a grain of salt. And you know, I’m a girl, and us girls love this nonsense like horoscopes and tarots etc.
Basically, they brew a pot of tea using big tip leaves. Oolong tea and the like, work best, and then they pour some tea into a teacup, enough for you to drink a few mouthfuls. They then swish the leaves around in the cup and the leaves will stick to the bottom and side of the cup making different shapes and formations from which they “read” about you/your life/future etc. Basically, they interpret these shapes as different symbols and meanings. Yes, it’s a load of hogwash. But I like to indulge in this kind of fortune-telling stuff every now and then. I find interesting it to hear other people’s (ie strangers) perceptions of you. Of course, not a lot of it is true. And a lot of what is said can be quite generic and can generally be shaped/moulded into your life (as well as anyone else’s for that matter).

I recall being told that I’d find love (after having already told me that she thought I was already married!), have kids and all that jazz. At the rate I’m going, I do not foresee any of these things happening (not anytime soon, if at all). She did say my outlook/future was positive and she saw good things (so nothing too worrying). But ultimately, that rests on me. My life is is what I make of it and you can be damn sure that I’m going to do my darnedest to have an awesome life. I also recall the number 2 (concept of “double/couple/twin”) being of significance. Hmmm, not sure what to make of that. Although, last year I did get a double-yolk egg. I love getting double-yolk eggs. There’s something very auspicious about that.

Anyway, it was fun to do a tea leaf reading because I like that sort of thing.

Onto more important things….such as food.

Afternoon tea takes place at the Globe Bar/Lounge inside the hotel.

From Langham afternoon tea
From Langham afternoon tea

This is the table that we were NOT seated at:

From Langham afternoon tea

Nor this table:

From Langham afternoon tea

Nor any of these tables:

From Langham afternoon tea

The food here was nothing too overly gourmet. Standard fare. But I will say the service we received was outstanding. Very genuine, friendly and nice.

From Langham afternoon tea
From Langham afternoon tea
From Langham afternoon tea

Like I mentioned, the savoury plate was not so gourmet. I reckon schoolkids eat better than this for recess:

From Langham afternoon tea
From Langham afternoon tea

There were a lot of sweets:

From Langham afternoon tea
From Langham afternoon tea
From Langham afternoon tea
From Langham afternoon tea
From Langham afternoon tea

The scones were pretty good. But then Aussie scones are the best.

From Langham afternoon tea
From Langham afternoon tea
From Langham afternoon tea

A high tea with a tea-leaf reading, may not be your cup of tea, but beleave it or not, I thought it was fun and whimsical (in a good way).

BRB: Gone Fishing

memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

I read this headline a couple of weeks ago:
“Mass oyster deaths leave Port Stephens industry and scientists shell-shocked”, to which I posted on Facebook (future generations, will one day ask “What is Facebook?”) with the comment: “I wonder how many mussels were pulled coming up with this headline?” This in turn, sparked a pun saga of monumental proportions. (I could have said the word “EPIC” then, but I thought I’d be pretentious instead).

I love a good pun. Hell, it doesn’t even have to be a good pun. I just love a pun. But I do wonder about the state of journalism reporting when puns are used in news headlines. I always think it’s a little in bad taste.

If you love a pun or dozen…then read on.

[This is all true and real. It will forever live on my Facebook Wall. If you don’t believe me, friend me.
I have painstakingly cropped out/redacted photos and names. Any resemblance to any living person (or dead) is purely coincidental.]

From Fishing puns

Oh, I’m sorry. You mean to say you couldn’t read that.

Ok then….

From Fishing puns
From Fishing puns
From Fishing puns

We moved onto some Japanese food puns here (so if you’re not down with the Japanese lingo…you might want to enter into your search bar).

From Fishing puns

And back to the fish/nautical theme:

From Fishing puns

50 shades of Autumn: Oze trail

memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

A long overdue photo post from last Autumn.
Finally got around to walking the Oze mashlands trail. Had always wanted to do this, since living in Fukushima back on my JET days.

It’s a nice easy leisurely walk on wooden platforms around the Oze national park marshlands (when you’re lucky enough to not be led around by the group guide at a whip-cracking pace).

Am getting lazy with the writing, so enjoy the photo overload.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/yRxzmjovD6V__GXeNTbJRQOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IkCwGX_Od2s/UoddEem6sdI/AAAAAAACZWA/wzM-uZirRGQ/s640/DSC_0326.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

Autumn leaves:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/pKTsgH8pEsaJ8aYobSR6kgOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZB-lAwqWlC4/UoddFnW1qgI/AAAAAAACZWQ/l1tCS2DSqtA/s640/DSC_0333.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/a5NNfK2RUKnEqIiQv82WvwOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DIDgbgPak7Y/UoddIFJpJ-I/AAAAAAACZXM/cBw4b1YvVlM/s640/DSC_0346.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/_jzLDKa6kZ-nD44IOJnM9wOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PE0pw31Ev2U/UoddJlAHGkI/AAAAAAACZXY/pr7gfqm6eFc/s640/DSC_0353.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/T9jHjpmXyQTL2JJoPZd-yQOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1LhJR_o2TPc/UoddL1sHuCI/AAAAAAACZX8/FR2i2wWGZmM/s640/DSC_0357.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

Hues of brown:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/lV25oVgJjtWJTuDCkd1yMQOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ueRixEazEPI/UoddMi9aLfI/AAAAAAACZYU/FDIq1wDnMcw/s640/DSC_0360.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

And more photos. Keep scrolling!
<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/7u0NtuqMmJnz37iyGHvXlQOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-szdkptCoOpI/UoddN15ZXZI/AAAAAAACZYs/UcF4hQtsH68/s640/DSC_0362.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/WKe72bmuBSZiQzmYujiUqAOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ovOmXq8MwD0/UoddOFQ74XI/AAAAAAACZY4/FwCAliJ5-mQ/s640/DSC_0364.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/tCHG-R4QeKh2m75WienYxwOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bz548KcC4LY/UoddPMJ1hXI/AAAAAAACZZE/mr814lS-ITs/s640/DSC_0368.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vlOSbfZYsdoXkkMEEM5-pQOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EVv0nuceEwE/UoddPh7n43I/AAAAAAACZZI/yCHCKxd7Nms/s640/DSC_0369.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vDvSwM2nT_yx6uvB8Rz5YwOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-r2zkrG_kjS0/UoddRrGY3pI/AAAAAAACZZw/R_b5WUCv67o/s640/DSC_0372.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/807Qm5oEwFdfMZzxLZU8mwOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VYXQNlOf1oM/UoddQ0hkGMI/AAAAAAACZZg/Rv_yWKlr_vA/s640/DSC_0373.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/M532lsj7q4Yp9rRyEKXulwOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-z-OVlV26FXY/UoddSBwhThI/AAAAAAACZZ0/Q9bU8eyh_ow/s640/DSC_0375.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/35UmgCIR07TBvDP62nfjVAOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-nrgfoy6YmAI/UoddSr4-kaI/AAAAAAACZaA/36Xmd4-BICg/s640/DSC_0376.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/MKLKf-Z60AYIBfKfluEidAOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-s0A7ABT7yxQ/UoddTQ6B4JI/AAAAAAACZaY/Inq47cjphYY/s640/DSC_0379.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

Playing follow the leader:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/nr_IO9tKGwVExDLFuR2bfwOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Os05Xa702Jw/UoddUV_yxwI/AAAAAAACZak/blo8z1-1WKI/s640/DSC_0381.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/iMM3Wm8uQv-0jiVNvFy4TAOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-q727O_428qE/UoddUlj6ajI/AAAAAAACZa4/1CPGupYAsbU/s640/DSC_0383.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

The clouds were constantly changing on this particularly day, providing varied backdrops to the scenery, all in a matter of hours:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Z8jQFpLGypOfneDSeJX9lQOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_ccp074jX-Q/UoddU3YB7AI/AAAAAAACZaw/g7y7aLHWZP4/s640/DSC_0384.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/TP9E5lZsuJnHbubq816a0wOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-e6LqGZPpxsU/UoddVW1EQoI/AAAAAAACZbA/ZzR1YmjqFEI/s640/DSC_0385.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/4xDyvtmZUUohgOoExuGDCgOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-oYT5k1iS1Ak/UoddVtVcchI/AAAAAAACZbI/dHwgMTq3hDA/s640/DSC_0388.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-Qb1ATzatpwnk5-QH8U-JwOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-PXDpCzWiMhw/UoddV2S9iJI/AAAAAAACZbQ/mbxQJdjrgC8/s640/DSC_0390.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/SYQcB1u05Y2vGnUAzZrQrwOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0BKbwH5WXYo/UoddWmxG5CI/AAAAAAACZbM/GY1QDpDb3L0/s640/DSC_0393.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

Yeah, that’s right. More photos.
<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vYg4Mky9HbCsC-AUqy5NPwOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c4Kugcy1h18/UoddXAKv3KI/AAAAAAACZbo/aVLCamDMYNM/s640/DSC_0394.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/yzX3xYBGBjrdmMcKGi9PFAOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qY3KHyi4E-g/UoddXWh2y7I/AAAAAAACZbc/0lSmAkP8hp4/s640/DSC_0395.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/xwUiNm1y7GV5pnkG_YTWBAOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-R-TqDSK4Gtg/UoddZbCL7-I/AAAAAAACZcA/fWLG8C-y-3Y/s640/DSC_0398.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/pCLbmE0C639Cw9uxyqz5eAOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-d24nDdG4zbg/UoddaCT-hFI/AAAAAAACZcI/ZPhEx2qudAI/s640/DSC_0401.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

When we stopped for lunch, we totally gatecrashed this guy’s napping spot, and he still didn’t budge!

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ka_E2qp_eAdp_7rr9rJhvAOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-t0XggzDuRYw/UoddamKCNUI/AAAAAAACZcQ/Y9YTAjVsQfI/s640/DSC_0405.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/57-HkRjcIczXKoYsE6bzqgOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-dVFlkH7hy8o/Uoddaniul5I/AAAAAAACfMo/NPrhtghCNZo/s640/DSC_0404.JPG&#8221; height=”562″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/AtHcbK5HJJ2AUKZ6HjIBFgOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8JrtmsoBvpk/UoddcKUuk5I/AAAAAAACZc4/ISWTuy2EAJw/s640/DSC_0409.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/8qSXcK0vtdFIX6DCgTCZrgOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9eVHIJtVjUA/Uoddc69l-tI/AAAAAAACZc8/lOsW7VhVQ4s/s640/DSC_0413.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/K1ZawzZUNmybbUso1IoBJQOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5dFezQoKebE/UodddU-wVoI/AAAAAAACZdQ/qof5PzNnkzo/s640/DSC_0414.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2QbmibXhyVaNmt_dEFbeCwOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kbfeAfWqc24/Uoddeo_QyhI/AAAAAAACZdg/vBMEedBlmII/s640/DSC_0421.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

Halfway:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Q0HTx-zULBSOUY-ItIbRggOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tV9fp-5KL4M/Uoddhgm1s6I/AAAAAAACZeQ/_g3TwJzs_ic/s640/DSC_0426.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

In the “middle” of nowhere:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Cv4QQSHYHGfNA-ktn1IlowOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DOY9KAMnc5c/Uoddg7N0StI/AAAAAAACZeU/ocx7HmfZTpg/s640/DSC_0427.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/AtCTOH8V1kwrsArH-v8W6QOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SzL28SHDo7o/UoddjIyEXlI/AAAAAAACZew/jh-Bm9xumb4/s640/DSC_0436.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/6Rw3oyq8c1wjmoOG3-QvjQOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lIcZl-Iy18w/UoddjUwhiwI/AAAAAAACZe4/kOOMCdgWfFw/s640/DSC_0437.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/zHhjE9hOJBxOrvY-0zGDAQOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-tGaA9W7elFc/UoddngOQGbI/AAAAAAACZgQ/W2necn-H0wk/s640/DSC_0457.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”425″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/RhPhCNyGaiBmnurqvH1rIAOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tdmFfVLE6ys/UoddoupBilI/AAAAAAACZgg/qrkolKVOik4/s640/DSC_0462.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/FG-m–2PteHK3c9k1oS2awOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-K8ogrVl5CBI/Uoddo3Iql7I/AAAAAAACZgk/yVvY7Hez-mM/s640/DSC_0463.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/lWRejvsd0UWvCMTz0zz5RwOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Z1AlTfItUAQ/Uoddp9WnAyI/AAAAAAACZg4/ANBTWHgnd6M/s640/DSC_0466.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/zjjCtceWofijroPxZThjcQOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vhTcXya3h_k/Uoddrh-T9-I/AAAAAAACZhg/5FjYvqa1Fpw/s640/DSC_0473.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

And because I haven’t posted enough photos….here are a few more.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/daoh9o7WzeKpnBDHHx1tJQOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kz_3vqEGkqo/UoddtXpRUPI/AAAAAAACZiE/g23_yx0C8zY/s640/DSC_0479.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”425″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/k_KuV40vPlQqa70NesjAzQOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UDTP8WSK5gs/Uoddu5ho2qI/AAAAAAACZiU/pULXd73iaXQ/s640/DSC_0483.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/I3JGV8c1p5gREIli6qidHwOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-L9QYPeWyeyM/Uodd3Gxl0TI/AAAAAAACZk0/UP5SbLHyC28/s640/DSC_0508.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/JMClO01-A3-8rffCDHkF9wOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-IRVXkeGLcOY/Uodd98nm0CI/AAAAAAACZnA/xcREUrpNZ-s/s400/IMG_5465.JPG&#8221; height=”400″ width=”400″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

Myoko Snow Weekend

memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

Last weekend was another weekend spent snowboarding. Went to Myoko Suginohara resort for the first time.
The runs there are incredibly long and pretty wide. Great for beginners.

Saturday was a bluebird day, followed by a dump of snow which made for a powder day on the Sunday along with poorer visibility. Seems to be the way every time I go away for a snow weekend.

The scenery, landscape and views from the slopes are pretty EPIC.

A snowboarding weekend in pictures:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/4Zq1tRrVTy5JJNnAxc5cks8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-sfgAgIHEJfM/UuZ3HmcUgLI/AAAAAAACez4/pI7To2N1tKw/s640/IMG_6594.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/URQO5teLImpi5-nmnM5GI88ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-L5Brcbs4tpk/UuZ21xu3wqI/AAAAAAACewc/OMwyq1m26k4/s640/DSCF0158.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/oHLO8BQLl7A1ZLZSqZdf4s8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-FdIpVJoJ4ZI/UuZ238LMHzI/AAAAAAACew4/h4WW6B-Y0J4/s640/DSCF0161.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/bDh4A2N7Bm47qhst5MPOhM8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xVnJyYHV0gk/UuZ3IAK1pjI/AAAAAAACe0A/lIBnbvPKQrw/s640/IMG_6597.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/EPMgiX3HuogoUFcYw2Nr4c8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-X8zZ33oSCBU/UuZ3JZD5khI/AAAAAAACe0U/5JskX-qwer4/s640/IMG_6599.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/7sO4zRu770O3xztlAiFy5c8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gcBn6OiPc5I/UuZ3LduIq8I/AAAAAAACe1A/THemHRhmM8A/s640/IMG_6605.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-LCFlzJXOAnsh2EbmbrozM8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-wejTDoWzxeA/UuZ3MB7KesI/AAAAAAACe1I/67QHOgBAkMU/s640/IMG_6606.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/JxEgOfxA17ExL7DMkvMFpM8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O-aU9Qtlvgw/UuZ25jjejOI/AAAAAAACexY/JPeSYC1jIC0/s640/DSCF0166.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/tuitIATs2rH68DRKHQlMUM8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-P_S4IjAuNE0/UuZ26RBqI2I/AAAAAAACexw/skGtXhQPAIk/s640/DSCF0167.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/xXhvqgfZd4o8TCgWlbT-5s8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-YUdq9MfLtmU/UuZ24TJZVOI/AAAAAAACexE/Vfxyuz6DPYw/s640/DSCF0162.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/yelNODL_lUcb7EfJ7-pMDs8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-fRX_YEkRGSo/UuZ3RcFWN8I/AAAAAAACe2g/tQva_l31BKU/s640/IMG_6618.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/7GYvhL1jBYmidFAz7Fxg588ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-UcwDOtsBQ84/UuZ3GWhiBJI/AAAAAAACezg/Vwx47K3AbQM/s640/DSCF0188.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Fr6Wu-mJGANrrnQZO4_uYs8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-98w7deOA6GE/UuZ3fomCn4I/AAAAAAACe5I/kZmq5wLL6UA/s640/IMG_6639.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

Amazing views:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/TcY0ARMlZnVAju_zu32PBc8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Kwkzge2r6mA/UuZ3AyO8vNI/AAAAAAACeyI/dfppHj6K23E/s640/DSCF0173.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/nZE4xoG8QQzPJQVMj_gpks8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vLxKlf9FoBU/UuZ3HB-q9pI/AAAAAAACezs/MAEucn0ISkU/s640/DSCF0189.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/U61_PdlNa5ToIqp7uteaCc8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RsLf1x6LTrE/UuZ3BfU0ZrI/AAAAAAACeyQ/vs72Sj78EEY/s640/DSCF0174.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2yDIEH0BKmyhyUoOTFBsxM8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KMN99budsdo/UuZ3CN8Pf0I/AAAAAAACeyk/xbaiPR6mqow/s640/DSCF0177.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/EGI_ZyLcS7BnfAabXiuOaM8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-e3ruZPk1Qn8/UuZ3C4QSZjI/AAAAAAACeyw/71qM98NS3c4/s640/DSCF0178.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-h_Ht5tNHgh1njpD7zYIZs8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rWbPAfVqgtM/UuZ3EpjHOBI/AAAAAAACezE/rh7lSkeGQcQ/s640/DSCF0183.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

Majestic Mountains:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vXYhnogN6yxRYVnVxvHd588ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4iFR_Qn7w8I/UuZ3Dce3zAI/AAAAAAACeys/t9le-Dby1pc/s640/DSCF0181.JPG&#8221; height=”640″ width=”480″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/rN61Yz6TyayX8cbUtMlrFs8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-P_psqQDRNs4/UuZ3ErINWEI/AAAAAAACezA/nyZp7W26tW4/s640/DSCF0182.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/7OXQYANEciOJTbjvpPRJnM8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gHfRU29vceo/UuZ3F4rw81I/AAAAAAACezk/cto26NlrSmY/s640/DSCF0186.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/JrqQ7Cqg3ci2mk4-93NzCc8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gp5BOYPDtBU/UuZ3PFjVQmI/AAAAAAACe18/VHQWkWfkUTA/s400/IMG_6613.jpg&#8221; height=”300″ width=”400″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/DRAosQqMaWtxsB33iUHamc8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-j2wJ4yw3xHQ/UuZ3WFhJuRI/AAAAAAACe3Q/Hgxu672eCvM/s640/IMG_6624.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

Lunch on the slopes. Katsu curry + Beer = standard.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/GZG1Owk8_TOptlkn8sgcg88ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-TpNXcQUfkWY/UuZ3WMHj0MI/AAAAAAACe3U/oEyJh0SI5d4/s640/IMG_6625.jpg&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/g8qMOOjMoM44VrDYIoOHl88ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-TDPVgdo-bak/UuZ3YXgZtPI/AAAAAAACe38/eBN-K6hyn-A/s640/IMG_6630.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

Suginohara summit: 1855m

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/wNFR2I5v3ux-Uab2R2jtm88ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-R6YD25sgjUU/UuZ3ZIa9z_I/AAAAAAACe4I/LxO_QsqKmNo/s640/IMG_6631.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”480″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

Mount Fuji – thatta way:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/lxda6kwFR-dFpikHRSnPj88ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Ow2LXcZySWI/UuZ3a5f-U4I/AAAAAAACe4k/1ZmGgeSeXT8/s640/IMG_6635.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/v_i3XvqGy805rkpyef9Q9c8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-HmmuxQuRMBM/UuZ3bcWZ9EI/AAAAAAACe4s/QbhMqrAsV0A/s640/IMG_6634.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/JCU3U82tXKL02Due-kPq8c8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wiR8PqX6RYU/UuZ3Z76yvHI/AAAAAAACe4Q/rT8H40wP7os/s640/IMG_6633.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/AMX44vRdz7YvQWroeuCCcc8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-sCm7jpI48TI/UuZ3cOpdukI/AAAAAAACe4w/VbPnwdO4T9s/s640/IMG_6637.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/lIP3IE9buQgjwxe758iGSM8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Y5f650RTix4/UuZ3ddQRZZI/AAAAAAACe44/4JMiqqjJHhg/s640/IMG_6638.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/MRLJEY35LriJfpXEQCnq388ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zfMxGOK4D8E/UuZ3gv0kwEI/AAAAAAACe58/bdOUz2QMItg/s640/IMG_6642.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/pkZ51rRw0vg50Xt6LK5rbc8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PPOCkx9G4CM/UuZ3hJ6YhwI/AAAAAAACe6E/UgT2xo89AJE/s640/IMG_6644.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/m-YDN4IfTY214HtkneLnAs8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q6stJ73eI34/UuZ3hh9Ky5I/AAAAAAACe54/vkJ2YgncvGc/s640/IMG_6645.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

Meanwhile, back in the accommodation – a slipper explosion in the genkan!

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/MI7eFhP-SVJvdYPR7acx0s8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/–GXUu4U0-1M/UuZ3j8xaMZI/AAAAAAACe6g/bgjXyDtVblo/s640/IMG_6652.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”480″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

Compare the amazing views to this on the Sunday. Visibility reduced to zero. Hard to believe the photos above were taken from the same spot:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/CSldk7oDMdOg1rHtnd9hZc8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Y-U3pHsw_3Y/UuZ3r2kx7pI/AAAAAAACe8c/Li0-Z7UUEdQ/s640/IMG_6668.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/_IeRlBjzRFhrGtIiHHOor88ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ioX6AbA7pHM/UuZ3sVWHjPI/AAAAAAACe8k/XpDJDffqQjk/s640/IMG_6670.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/1DL0n1BmJMAm8uj3CTKGkc8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Rc7t7juy0_0/UuZ3tpMWqKI/AAAAAAACe9U/L_GXSSa0ob8/s640/IMG_6674.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>
And last Sunday was Australia Day.
Represent!

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NFWIgJP0-kuojEgtwQtVxM8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-RCcMpZsIzl8/UuZ3u6gUMKI/AAAAAAACe9c/IunZlYuUAGM/s640/IMG_6677.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”480″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

Swapped the Aussie BBQ for a bowl of ramen instead. Gotta admit, this ski resort was definitely one of the better places for food.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/sCoEEvoDBR57fT2QRXlzj88ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-dPOurEnhUlE/UuZ3szHeTTI/AAAAAAACe88/XDGXEAeFSkk/s640/IMG_6671.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

When it’s snowing outside, my preference is to wear a beanie. But our bus driver had a better idea – a shower cap.
Sensible, practical and waterproof.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/qUXhIKgk0jDcEnXez-z6yM8ix6Leamj18Vk2krRNnLA?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3fQHjagdme4/UuZ3wWkKhDI/AAAAAAACe9s/h95F2STBu9k/s640/IMG_6682.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”480″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/MyokoSnowWeekend?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Myoko Snow weekend</a></td></tr></table>

I made lasagne

memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

Title says it all.
I made lasagne. Or should it be lasagna. Does the word end in an ‘a’ and ‘e’?
Either way, tastes delicious.
Made it all from scratch, except the lasagne sheets…no one got time for that yo.

Before it goes into the oven:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/aT0s_ficZQod_MwcMbUwLWrLlndcI6zpjiq-qwMiRLE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vSNZ2hN2Bks/Uu3GU7a46pI/AAAAAAACfLk/GCo3ozq9jxk/s640/IMG_6693.jpg&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Lasagne?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Lasagne</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/aqKrUsjTnDyO_BNaid9ouGrLlndcI6zpjiq-qwMiRLE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-fjGB7_3Wylw/Uu3GU2x_9-I/AAAAAAACfKo/yVo1BUTzHFg/s640/IMG_6694.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Lasagne?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Lasagne</a></td></tr></table&gt;

After it comes out of the oven:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/rBg9EL6b_MF4isYVjS90KGrLlndcI6zpjiq-qwMiRLE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mNvqVHWN8dA/Uu3GWXDwUbI/AAAAAAACfLE/kTkwTwr1l1g/s640/IMG_6697.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Lasagne?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Lasagne</a></td></tr></table&gt;

Voila. Ready to eat:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/abyFW57CY6XsOOgtUjttF2rLlndcI6zpjiq-qwMiRLE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0T6uLMzDDWA/Uu3GWb79_mI/AAAAAAACfLQ/H2cZAwuoRMk/s640/IMG_6698.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Lasagne?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Lasagne</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/cC2IiS61dHKBPHGAc7pIOmrLlndcI6zpjiq-qwMiRLE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-18lysm98ZOA/Uu3GXSNlWVI/AAAAAAACfLY/I2XGBCoHPpI/s640/IMG_6699.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Lasagne?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Lasagne</a></td></tr></table&gt;

2014: 12 months, 12 challenges

memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

One month down. Another 11 to go.

This year, I thought I’d set myself 12 challenges or goals/achievements/stuff I want to do, one for each month.

Here’s what I’ve come up with so far (subject to change):

January – Polar Bear dip. DONE
February – Get a haircut. DONE
March – Try as many new recipes as possible in the month (submitted by Jess), do the Color Run
April – Photo Project – complete as many photo projects as possible from the 52 Photo Project Book (submitted by Em)
May – Visit a new country (ticket is booked!)
June – 8km island crossing Guam open water swim (airfare is booked)
July – 10km ows race, Paddle mix ows race, sit JLPT exam – level N1
August – Tsugaru Channel Relay swim crossing (August or September)???
September – Murakami triathlon???
October – 15km ows race????
November – Full marathon run???
December – Sit the JLPT exam – Level N1 (aim to pass)

I need a challenge for February!!!
Send me your challenge proposals!

Dumpling central

memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

One can’t go to Taiwan and not go to Din Tai Fung – the dumpling mecca of Taiwan.
I’ve actually been to Din Tai Fung in China and Japan, but Taiwan is home to the original Din Tai Fung : award-winning dumplings.

The lines at all the Din Tai Fung outlets are crazy. I went to the Taipei 101 Tower outlet.

From Din Tai Fung
From Din Tai Fung

Be prepared to wait:

From Din Tai Fung

Take a number, they said:

From Din Tai Fung
From Din Tai Fung
From Din Tai Fung
From Din Tai Fung

The dumplings are prepared with surgical precision in the operating theatre:

From Din Tai Fung
From Din Tai Fung
From Din Tai Fung

I ordered the shorompo (soup dumplings):

From Din Tai Fung
From Din Tai Fung

And a wonton soup:

From Din Tai Fung

I was thinking that the dumplings would be overrated, but they REALLY were that good.
Even the broth for the soup was just so clean. So pure. So tasty.

The perfect meal:

From Din Tai Fung
From Din Tai Fung
From Din Tai Fung
From Din Tai Fung

But dem shorompo need to be eaten with safety warning. You’ve gotta watch out for when the soup inside the dumpling squirts on your face. I’m sure it’s happened to us all. I have since learnt to pierce the dumpling and let the soup run into the spoon first.

Ate at Din Tai Fung. Taiwan done. Next stop airport. Just kidding. Plenty more stuff was seen and eaten in Taiwan.

Return to Nozawa

memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

For the third year running, I went back to Nozawa for a weekend of snowboarding and onsen. It’s become a yearly winter tradition.

Nozawa is probably one of my favourite ski resorts. I really like all the runs there (I like ’em wide) and I love the village atmosphere and all the onsens. There’s even a craft beer place there and they stock my favourite craft beer (I only know of one place in Tokyo that has it). Snowboarding, followed by an onsen and a drop of craft beer – the perfect winter’s day out.

Saturday was perfect conditions out on the slopes. A bluebird day. Had probably one of the best days ever snowboarding.

From Nozawa 2014
From Nozawa 2014
From Nozawa 2014
From Nozawa 2014
From Nozawa 2014
From Nozawa 2014
From Nozawa 2014
From Nozawa 2014

Made it up to the peak:

From Nozawa 2014
From Nozawa 2014
From Nozawa 2014

An awesome day on the slopes. Full day of snowboarding and then a soak in the onsen.
Did a pub crawl in the evening and went to all four bars in the village.

I’ve died and gone to….

From Nozawa 2014

My favourite craft beer: Dead Guy Ale by Rogue Breweries:

From Nozawa 2014

Saturday night and all day Sunday it dumped snow. It made for a great powder day on the slopes on Sunday but visibility was negative. We got to the top of the mountain, and I had a little meltdown. I was basically blind and could not see a thing up there. Had a bit of a panic attack snowboarding blind. And it was extremely cold. I thought I was gonna get freezeburn.

From Nozawa 2014
From Nozawa 2014

Somehow made it down to the bottom in one piece, a little bit traumatised. Stuck to the lower runs instead. The powder was awesome. But visibility not so good.

From Nozawa 2014
From Nozawa 2014
From Nozawa 2014
From Nozawa 2014

Another weekend of snowboarding to look forward to this weekend. Will be checking out a new/different ski resort.

Brunch at Peninsula Hotel: Dom and Pavlova

memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

Been a while since I’ve done a brunch review.
This was a celebratory brunch back in December of last year. It was a much needed celebration after a month of crappiness (think police, compensation and exams to boot). I got myself into a bit of pickle last year, but that’s another stay for a time when I have left the country. Best to retell that story once I’m out of Japan.

It was time to indulge and nothing says indulgence more than all-you-can-eat brunch AND all-you-can drink Dom Perignon!

The Peninsula Hotel’s Peter restaurant offers this brunch menu on Sundays only (so book in advance).

The brunch experience is unncessarily complicated, but the free flow champagne is definitely a bonus.
One of many glasses:

From Peninsula brunch

Let the brunch begin:

From Peninsula brunch

Salads and appetizers are buffet style. Easy. Knock yourself out.

From Peninsula brunch

In addition to that you can order a whole bunch of other dishes. All these dishes are all you can eat as well, but you need to order a la carte and each dish is literally a mouthful portion. So the waiting time is a little longer every time you want to order food. However, it also means that the table is full of tiny plates of bite-sized dishes:

From Peninsula brunch
From Peninsula brunch
From Peninsula brunch

The variety and quality is pretty good though, but it was rather slow service. This is definitely a slow leisurely brunch, so you better not make plans afterwards. This is a 2-3 hour eating ordeal.

The highlight here is the dessert buffet. They sell honest to goodness real Pavlova. Wow. Gobsmacked. It was damn delicious. It tasted like home. If you don’t know what pavlova is, in a word, it’s “divine”. A giant meringue nest topped with fresh fruit and cream.

From Peninsula brunch
From Peninsula brunch
From Peninsula brunch

Would totally go back there just for the pavlova.

Brunch here was very good, if not a little convoluted. Considering it’s the same deal as the Ritz Carlton, you’re better off going to the Ritz Carlton. (Just realised that I haven’t blogged about that…so I must get around to doing that. I have a huge backlog of blog posts to do! This thing called “work” is really cramping muh style.