Cherry Blossom Super Happy Dance

I've been dreaming of going to Japan for a number of years.  I've had the opportunity to visit a few times in the past with friends always inviting me to come back with them on their way to visit their family. My issue was always that I couldn't afford it.

I've never travelled off of the North America continent (Cuba and the Dominican Republic don't count) but have enjoyed a few parts of the United States (I love Seattle) and will never go back to Mexico (I don't like being haggled).  I've also seen much of this country, Canada.  British Columbia is my favourite province, so far.  Driving through the Rockies was a breathtaking experience and a 4 hour murderous hike from hell up a glacier was totally worth it when I got to the top.  The view was incredible and it will always stay with me. Then I twisted my ankle on the way back down, which sucked balls along with a severe lobster sunburn, but I digress.

The east coast is also beautiful and I have fond memories of the pebble beaches in Nova Scotia and the winding roads of Cape Breton Island.


Folding Fan - A gift from Yumiko

Robert and I have officially booked a 3 week vacation to Japan!!  I am so excited and scared out of my freaking mind!!  We'll be flying to Osaka to stay with our friend Yumiko and her mom.  It's so incredibly kind of them to let us base ourselves there while we take day trips to Kyoto and Nara.  Robert and I will be heading off after a few days on our own to Tokyo for about a week.  I'm mostly nervous about the language barrier and getting around.  I've taught myself the Japanese characters of Hiragana and know some characters from Katakana.  I have to start working on my numbers because I can only count to ten.  I figure we'll just be playing a lot of charades.  Yumiko thinks it'll be a good experience for us and she plans on "losing us" at some point to see how we make out.  She thinks it's important to struggle in a foreign country and it will put hair on our chest or something.

I'm mostly excited for the photography opportunities.  Since we're going the first 3 weeks of April, we'll be right in the middle of Cherry Blossom (sakura) season.  I think I might die a little (in a good way) when I see the awesomeness of the blooms.  It will be weeks of Shrines, Temples, Castles, parks, incredible history and of course the food.

The weeks are going by quickly and we'll be there in no time.  I can't wait!

Key West and the Cheeseburger

Photo 15/365:  We visited beautiful Key West, Florida on Friday.  Our first full day of hot sun (and our last as our flight for Toronto from Miami was the next day).  Key West was such a wonderful little tourist town.  Home of Ernest Hemingway and the best damn burger.  We stopped into a restaurant called Cheeseburger and I had the Guacamole burger.  It was the size of my face and the side of onion rings were like thick bangles!!  I would definitely visit again.

In the arms of sleep

Photo 14/365:  Today was another cold, rainy, windy day.  I was tired and spent much of the day curled up in bed napping and watching reruns of movies and sitcoms.  Joy...

Hooray for Vitamin D!

First day of sun!!!  5 days into our vacation and the sun finally comes out.  I was very much excited and threw on my bathing suit to soak up some much needed rays.
Photo 13/365:

Below was the sunset for that evening. This was the most colourful sunset my mother and I had ever seen. Gorgeous!

Mothra

Photo 12/365:  Monday we were docked for a second day in Cozumel, but decided to stay on the ship.  The weather was really chilly and winds were high.  My mom and I decided to wander around the ship and check our more of the view when we came across this 4 inch long moth resting on the stairs to the uppermost deck.  I took some pics and videos before we settled it down in a place where no one could step on it.

Cozumel

Photo 11/365: Monday we docked in Cozumel, Mexico for two nights.  Our first stop to Grand Cayman was cancelled due to impending weather conditions.  We spent two days in Cozumel.  It was chilly, but at least the sun came out for the afternoon, followed by more rain and storms.

Seven Days at Sea

Photos 10/365:  Woke up on the Sunday to heavy storm clouds.  It was still cold and rainy; not the best start to a cruise.

The photo below is a result of 3 exposures layered to create an amazing photo effect called High Dynamic Range (HDR).

Miami

Photo 8/365:  This is our view from the Hyatt Miami in Florida.  We arrived around 4pm after hours of delays and travelling from Toronto.  The room was gorgeous and I was pleasantly surprised with the view of new condo development (I love architecture).

Below is a picture of our view at night.

And I'm off....

I'm on my way to the airport early tomorrow morning to catch a flight to Miami.  My mother won a cruise through the large financial institution we both work for and we're heading off for 7 days to sail through the Caribbean.  Our first stop will be the Cayman Islands followed by Cozumel and Playa del Carmen in Mexico and lastly Coco Bay, Bahamas.  It's going to be a busy but hopefully a relaxing "business" trip.

I'm still going to take pics everyday for Project 365 and I'll make sure I post them when I get back. 

Goodbye for now!