Haneda to Seattle to the Twin Cities Adventure

I'm so sorry that I haven't posted my first painting. I promise to share tomorrow.  Hopefully my painting will arrive on time from Seattle. I painted it in Manila and checked it in with my painting supplies.

After having spent a few hours of good dinner and watching Eagles concert with my niece and her lovely husband,  I took the train from Asakusa to Haneda.  It was a full hour train ride.  Then at 12 midnight took the flight from Haneda to Seattle.

Haneda is a nice and huge airport.  Very busy processing late night and early morning flights. 

 

While waiting for my flight I walked around and found these interesting pay phones.  Love the color.  They also have a mobile phone charging station but I wasn't able to take a pic.

Right now, I'm waiting for my flight to the Twin Cities and making full use of time updating my blog.  I wish I didn't check-in my painting supplies.  I could have completed my second painting.  I'm not too worried, I'll catch up.

Still on the Road

I'm still on the road so I haven't posted my first painting.

Arrived in Tokyo a few hours ago then had dinner with my niece and her husband.

Right now we're watching an Eagles concert at their beautiful house. Relaxing and getting ready for my next journey.  I'll be taking the train to Haneda airport to take a flight back to the US. 

Will post when I get home. 

Adventure date: 25 Nov 2012 - Walking like a Japanese

I was coming home from a Thanksgiving visit in the Philippines and this time I took the Manila to Nagoya flight. Then from Nagoya I planned to take the Nagoya flight to Detroit and from there catch the flight to the Twin Cities.

At Nagoya, I was at the gate and saw a group of Japanese ladies and men in their native dresses. I'm not sure what's going on so I moved a little closer to see.  I found out that as part of their festival (sorry can't remember which one) they were offering to dress people up in kimonos and then will take their pictures.  They have different kinds and colors to choose from.  I chose my favorite color.

I'm a little shy but I tried it anyways. Wow! I can't believe the intensity and complexity of the process. There were 3 ladies dressing me up.  I almost fainted with all those ties, belts, wraps and pads tightly wrapped around me. 

Amazingly I survived and was able to manage a smile in this photo.

And still have a smile in this shot.

After the photo shoot it was an easy task for the ladies to get me off the kimono. 

I was happy I got to experience how to dress in Kimono.  I was smiling all the way to the gate for my flight to Detroit. 

Still Organizing

I'm still organizing my thoughts and photos from past travels. Hopefully I can get some written and posted here in a few days (or weeks?). In the meantime here's one from a recent trip.

Bonding New York Style Part 2

Our second day in New York. We spent the day touring this amazing New York landmark. No words can describe the beauty of this structure. Enjoy!

After a tour of the Brooklyn Bridge, we walked and walked 

and walked

and guess what we did?

Walked! And when we finally got to our destination and after waiting for hours for our tables, 

finally food and a gift! Thanks Grace and Bong! Love it! 

Bonding New York Style Part 1

Adventure Date: 26-28 April 2013

I flew to La Guardia to meet up with my brother, his wife and son and mom in law  for a weekend in New York.  My brother and his wife's friend was very kind to let us stay in their lovely home.  They even gave my brother a belated birthday celebration- lots of food and a cake!

The next day, we took the subway to Manhattan and walked around sightseeing and taking pictures and wearing our shoes down.

Lunch is at Rays. Pizza love it!

  And coffee and dessert after.    

 

All gone.

Then more walking.  We went to see Rockefeller Center and the “Human Nature” public art.  Amazing! 

We tried to rearrange the sculptures but no luck. We took a few hours rest at the Rockefeller and was looking for outlets to charge our phones.  Unfortunately people are not allowed to plug-in in available outlets and we just sat and rested.  I think I even took a short nap.   

After a good rest, off towards Central Park we walked and walked and walked

and finally sat. 

It was a great day just for walking and the promise of dinner is very tempting.  I can't remember where we had dinner, I think it's in China town.  And I'm sure it's good :)

Next post will be our second day adventure in New York.

Aloha Minnesota?!

Adventure Date: 26 May 2013

It's time to go back to my second home Minnesota. My niece and I were at the airport on time and was in line for check-in when I learned from another passenger that our flight's going to be delayed. Instead of 8am we're leaving at 3pm. 

After we got our boarding passes we called for help- meaning a car and driver! My other niece picked us up from the airport and off to Resort's World we went and had breakfast. 

I spent the remaining waiting hours looking for options and ways to get to Minnesota since I'm going to miss my connection.  I can stay overnight in Manila and catch the next day's flight or keep moving.  I decided to keep moving and booked my flight from Narita to Honolulu. From there get flight to Los Angeles at 11am then to Minneapolis/St. Paul. 

Good plan you say, but not. I missed my LA flight so I booked the Atlanta flight leaving at 4pm, went out and took pictures. 

Wow sun and cool wind!

I'm so amused seeing a long line of people for check-in. They should have planned for check-in lots of hours before their flights!

After taking in Hawaiian air, I went inside and head for my gate. 

Nice to see that the airport walkway to the other terminal gates is open air. 

Did a few window shopping. Love the fresh leis in the refrigerator. 

And here's what I got for souvenir. I'll definitely come back and stay longer than 4 hours. 

Art In the Mountain

Adventure Date: 25 May 2013

Our next exercise venue is the Pinto Art Museum in Antipolo. My brother said they're going to take me to a secret place and while we're driving I just waited patiently and didn't ask where we're going.  We were driving towards Antipolo and I saw some familiar places but then we reached a road going to a residential development and I wondered where we're going. 

Surprise! It's an art museum! 

                    Pinto Art Museum

We rang the bell and was directed to the welcome room and paid an entrance fee (Don't ask me how much! I'm just a guest and pretended not to know). 

The place was huge! Great for walking and sightseeing. There were several buildings Mission Style housing their own collection of paintings. 

Great landscaping too. 

There are antique furniture used to adorn the rooms and they blend well with the museum's theme. 

After our walk, we had lunch in their cafe. 

Good food but would be better if our food were served in bigger portions :)

                     See all gone!

Next post is my adventure going home to Minnesota. Aloha?!

 

Vitamin D and F(un)

I'm really bad at updating this blog but as one of my new year's resolution (I know it's June already!) I'll try my best to update it with my past and present travels.  I hope it will be of interest to someone 😃

I'll start with my recent travel to the Philippines. 

Adventure Date: 24 May 2012

Long weekends are my favorite time of the year. These dates are when I plan my international trips usually to Manila to see my Mom and my siblings.

This time I travelled with my niece. We met at Narita Airport and then to Manila. I'm happy sharing this experience with her even if we're going our separate ways and activities in Manila 😄

This time my brother, his fiance and I spent mornings doing some exercise walking and taking pictures.  Manila sun is so addicting especially if you're living in an everyday cloudy place. Vitamin D galore!

           Quezon Memorial Circle

I'm pleasantly surprised to see Quezon Memorial Circle at its best. Kudos to the local officials and workers keeping the park clean and safe. When we're there a local TV station was preparing for a shoot.  Nice. 

Then after a long and fun walk, food!

Loved the walk, the food and of course the company!

Next post will be on our next day visit to a local art gallery and museum.