We are now ENGAGED!

We’re now ENGAGED!!

Last weekend was Chi-chan’s birthday so I planned many fun things for her.

On Saturday 10^th July, I organized a pedicure and facial for her to enjoy at a local day spa. In the evening, we went to a bar in town to eat and drink with about 9 of our friends. By the end, we had both drank a lot and had a great time.

The following day was when the real fun began. In the morning, we woke up and jumped in the car. We drove about 1hr30mins to Phillip Island, the home of the fairy penguins, or as they are now known “fairy penguins”.

We stayed at a the black dolphin bed and breakfast hotel, which had views of the ocean, a 3 person spa bath as well as a large living and dining area.

In the afternoon, we went to Churchill Island to experience farm live. Chi-chan was even able to milk a cow! After this, the main event was about to begin!　Once leaving Churchill Island, we headed back to our penthouse to get some warmer clothes for the penguin parade.

Asking the big question…..

After getting a briefing as to what to expect from the parade, our small group of 6 members on our exclusive tour, departed for a night to remember. The car dropped us off at a scenic lookout which led us towards the beach. It was at this very point that I popped the question and asked Chihiro Yasuno to marry me. The ring was too big, my Japanese wasn’t perfect but she very happily said yes, and we were able to experience the penguin parade hand-in-hand with the excitement of two people who had just committed to live the rest of their lives together.

Once we had watched every last penguin swim ashore and walk by us, we drove down to Infused restaurant in Cowes, Phillip Island. On arrival, we were seated at the best seat in the house, shouted complimetary glasses of champagne, before enjoying the most divine oysters, seafood and steak you could ever hope for. Special thank you Patrick and his team at Infused.

The following day, we visited the Koala conservation centre, Cowes for some fish ‘n’ chips, Cape Wollamai to view the gnarly surf, before the long drive back home.

Love to hear from everybody about what you think of our great news.

Jump over to Chi-chan’s blog for even more gossip on our lives in Austrlia.

Peter

ちーちゃんのブログ

FINALLY settling into live in Melbourne

WORK...SHIPPING CONTAINERS...NEW APARTMENTS..."OH MY"!

Live has definitely been moving forward at an amazing pace.

Work- 2 weeks ago, I started working at Brighton Toyota. This is Australia's largest Toyota dealership and has about 290 full time staff. My position here is the Aftermarket Sales Consultant. Basically, all the paint protection, window tinting, as well as electrical options such as reverse sensors, satellite navigation devices, etc.. The job is very different compared to anything else I've ever done and slowly, but surely, I'm learning many different aspects of the industry.

Shipping Containers- After 6-7 weeks of waiting, at long last, our 3 cubic meters of clothes, books and sporting goods arrived in Australia. We're also happy to announce everything made it unbroken and in 1 piece.

New Apartments- It's located 1.5km from the beach, 2km from my job and 6km from the city.

Rent is $325 per week (￥30,000) Believe it or not, that amount for rent is fairly reasonable. Anyway, it's a 2 bedroom apartment with 1 car space. The train station is about a 1 minute walk across the road and the best part, IT'S OURS!!! チーちゃん　has done an amazing job of making the place look homely, especially with all the fantastic gifts we got from everyone...みんなさんありがとう！

Will get some photos up here really soon...I promise.

Pete

Aussie Update

Hi all,

Hope all of you are enjoying the warmer weather and are looking forward to another festival-filled Japanese summer.

To make this blog easier to read I’m going to try and keep it short and to the point.

Things I like:

- The big blue sky. - Lots of stars at night.

- Fresh fruit and vegetables. - Al fresco cafes and restaurants.

- My family and friends. - The sounds of birds singing.

- Australian Rules Football. - St. Kilda beach.

- Cheap golf.

Things I don’t like:

- Expensive apartments. - Slow public transport.

- Driving a car everywhere. - Stupid TV shows.

- Junk food in every direction. - Australian convenience stores.

- Slow customer service.

As for work, Chi-chan has lined up a job as a waitress in a restaurant in the city. She’s working 5 days a week with a good group of staff and so far, is enjoying meeting some new people too. I’ve had a couple of interviews and should be able to make an announcement sometime in the near future s so stay tuned.

The two of us are meeting some friends this weekend and staying at their place too. They also have an 8 person spa bath so it should be fun having a couple of drinks and relaxing. Earlier in the day, I’ll be going to the football to watch my beloved team, the Western Bulldogs. The both of us are also going to see the Australia vs New Zealand soccer game on Monday night. This game should be exciting and hopefully the Aussies can have a big win before they leave for the World Cup.

Take care,

Pete and Chi-chan

The Ups and Downs of living Down Under

Sorry it's taken so long to get this first blog about our transition back to Australia. Although we are safe and in good health, there has definitely been a lot of challenges to overcome.

Internet connections, immigration red tape, customer service, public transport, job interviews and borrowing friends' cars have all been without their slight hiccups. You know what they say-whatever doesn't kill you will only make you stronger. Well, if the first week has been any indiction, we're both going to be SUPER strong!

There have also been some amazing adventures and experiences we've been able to share together too. Walking onto the middle of the MCG to participate in a 14,000 people event to raise money for breast cancer would have to be the highlight so far. Mum's lamb roast dinner comes a very close second. Sorry mum!

Chihiro and I are enjoying working through each obstacle and we are going closer and closer each day as a result. Love you sexy girl!

We will write again soon,

Pete

こんばんは。お久しぶりです。

ピーターが上に書いた通り、なんだかんだといろいろばたばたした約１週間でした。仕事の面接や、インターネットがなかなかつながらなかったり、友達に借りてる車が結構オンボロで、ひやっとしたり、タイヤがパンクしたり笑

しかし、そんなことさえも楽しくて仕方がない今日この頃です☆

それにゴルフいったり、大好きな友達に会ったり、Footy見に行ったり、乳がんのチャリティーに参加して、MCGのグラウンドにたったり素敵なことがいっぱいです”

もし詳しく知りたいーーなんて思ってくれる人がいれば、

http://ameblo.jp/luckychihiro/

をみてみてねーー！！

オーストラリアにきて、まだ１週間。色々ありますが、

日本にいるときから、そして着いた今も、いつも助けてくれるKate,

お世話になりっぱなしのPeterのMum,

そして親戚のTony,Julie,Jay,Beau,Tara,Kasey,David,Bella,キース,Susan,マーガレットおばちゃんにノームおじちゃん,リネット

本当に大好きやし、

『私たちはあなたの家族で、あなたの味方よ！！』

って言葉はほんまに心強いです！

そしてピーター。いつも本当にありがとう。

I love you so much!!

千尋

Goodbye Osaka

The day has finally come for us to finally leave.

Yesterday, the shipping company came to pick up all our possessions-All 27 BOXES!! We hope to see them in about 1 month, all safe and sound. In the meantime, we've got to contend with our suitcases to live out of until then... something tells me though, we'll indulge in a bit of "retail therapy" to tide us over.

Our plane departs tonight at 8:20pm and arrives in Melbourne via Gold Coast at 11:30am tomorrow.

Both our stomaches are full of nervous butterflies and a mixture of emotions.

Thank you to everyone who have shared our journey so far and we look forward to seeing you again soon.

Big hugs, kisses and bows (Japanese Style)

私のはこっちのブログでみてください☆

では、では

いってきまーーーす☆

Peter and Chihiro

完走しました。Strongman Triathlon-Completed!

Aside from Miyakojima being a beautiful location for a holiday, it is also a perfect setting to swim, bike and run.

I won't bore you with too many of the details so I'll keep it really short:

• Friday and Saturday were mostly filled with race prep and a little bit of sight seeing. Lights out at 9pm
• Sunday-woke up at 4am, ate breakfast and headed off to the race start. Pumped the tyres up, checked all the bolts on my bike were all tight one last time, posed for pre-race pics and lubricated my neck before the swim so all wetsuit wouldn't cut me to shreds!
• Swim was fast, despite almost having a mid-ocean K1 fight with one of the other swimmers. Just for the record I think I won by TKO.
• Bike was brutal. The winds were either hitting you from the front, back, left, or right depending on which part of the Island we were circumnavigating. My speeds ranged from 64KM/H to as little 15KM/H. The aid stations and fans around the Island were fantastic though and took a lot of the monotony out of almost 5hrs in the saddle.
• On to the run. Believe it or not, I actually enjoyed the run...crazy, right!! Yes, it hurt. Yes, I wanted to walk or better yet, have a cafe latte at one of the cafe's nearby the run course, but I didn't. I was able to keep many of those inner demons at bay and run to the best of my potential on the day.
• Finish Line celebrations. They were no-where near as emotional as last year's Ironman Japan, but no less satisfying. After a cold shower and a 20 minute light massage from some volunteers, it was time to get back to the hotel. Laundry doesn't do itself, you know!
• I can't sleep!!! The combination of caffeine, sugar and muscle fatigue resulted in about 4 hours sleep in the following 48 hours. It's a good thing I don't do these races every weekend.
• Time for some R and R (Rest and Recovery). Getting to appreciate the beautiful marine life, albeit still being amped up on race-related stimiulates was a highlight, as well as the Salt flavoured ice-cream with various salt-infused toppings.
• Packing- There's nothing more satisfying than a seeing your bicycle all clean and revitalised, however I won't get a chance to see it until it lands in Melbourne, fingers crossed around the end of May. I pray it, and everything else we own makes it safely.
• Thank you. Big thanks to everyone who made it possible to do this race. Training partners, friends, family who wished me all the best, pushed me to my limits in the swim pool, cycling roads and runs around Osaka castle.

Now I need to get back into shape after about 1 and a half weeks of pure gluttony. I've got to look good in my first photos when we arrive in Melbourne, don't I!?

Thanks for reading,

Pete

Miyakojima Stongman Triathlon 2010

This time next week, I hope to have finished the Strongman Triathlon.
Below is a run-down of how my race day should look like, or so I hope it will anyway!

• 4:30 Wake up and eat breakfast.
• 5:00 Get in the rental car and drive to swim start.
• 5:15 Collect race timing band and get body numbering done.
• 5:30 Pump tires up, check bike set-up.
• 5:31 Line up for the toilet and wait a loooooong time.
• 5:45 Relax, Relax, Relax
• 6:15 Take caffeine supplement and put on wet suit. Oops!! And don't forget the sunscreen!
• 6:30 Enter the swim start point and warm up.
• 7:00 RACE START- Battle 1400 people in the water for the first 200m.
• 7:10 600m point of the swim and starting find a nice rhythm. Only 2400m to go!
• 7:45 EXIT THE WATER and peel off wet suit for a quick transition. 1 down, 2 to go!
  
• 7:47 BIKE START- Time for a 155k scenic ride around Miyakojima.
• 10:10 HALF-WAY Point of the Bike. Should still have plenty of energy left.
• 12:35 FINISH THE BIKE- Almost 5 hours and feeling good, except for the fact I now walk like an Obaa-Chan.
• 12:38 START RUN- 42.195k-Now this part is the great unknown.
• 13:00 Run
• 13:01 Run some more
• 13:02 Keep running
  
• 17:00 FINISH STRONGMAN with a big smile on my face!
• 17:30 Shower and enjoy the accomplishment with as much Chocolate and Ice-cream as I desire.
  

This is the plan any way.

Everyone should be able to follow the race live on the internet.

Please give me all your strength at various stages of race, especially during the marathon.

Gambarimasu,

Pete

ピーターがトライアスロン前になると、（いや？普段から？）食べ物が、野菜、野菜、野菜のオンパレードに。。。

あー早くこってりしたものが食べたい。。。。

千尋

More Goodbyes!

Last weekend was quite a busy one. It kicked off on Friday evening with an overnight stay with
my students at the Panahills Resort (Panasonic Hotel). We ate a great dinner while looking out over the gardens filled with cherry blossoms. After that, we unwound with an Onsen, followed by a few drinks and card games until 12am! Don't let there age fool you, they know how to PARTY!!
Once returning from Panahills resort, I taught Kanta (5 years old) at his house. After the lesson, I enjoyed a wonderful lunch of risotto, ratatouille and crusty breads, washed down with some home made sangria. Thanks for everything Junko and Masa.
After eating like a king for the previous 24 hours, it was time to train like a warrior. I was able to fit in a bike spin class at Konami, as well as a 15km run around Osaka Castle with the super-fish, Haru.
TIME FOR MORE PARTYING....
Go and I have worked together for over 4 and half years at Clock Cafe. The idea was to let students study in a relaxed environment, with teachers who were engaging, and with students who were actually motivated to improve their English.
On this evening, I had a chance to sit and relax, while Go did all the hard work. Thanks mate!
Go made an amazing speech which I and many others were touched by. It's always hard to say goodbye, however there are uncountable friendships which will continue, albeit long-distance, and I can't wait for our paths to once again cross.
The parties never seem to end....
On Sunday, I rode to Uji with friends while enjoying the scenery of the cherry blossoms in their prime. I did this particular ride with a lack of sleep and a slight hangover, but battled through and felt all the better for it. So many places I cherish in Japan, though the majesty and beauty of Kyoto cannot be put into words, especially during Spring.
In the evening, I had a brilliant dinner at an Italian rustic-style trattoria with friends. Kondo-san's daughter, Kizuna, made me a crown and a beautiful picture board to hang when we get settled in Oz.


SLOW FOR THE LATE POSTING and stay tuned for more to come.

２年ぶり。

かなーり、久しぶりに大学の仲良しに会いました。

相変わらず、穏やかな、素敵な彼女でした。

彼女に会うと、いっつももっと柔らかい人にならないとなーと思わせれます。

卒業後あんまり会わなくなったけど、毎日会ってるような感覚。

何だかゆるーい素敵な時間をありがとう。

素敵なうつわありがとう。これでご飯食べるの楽しみ！

★準備★

今せっせとお片付けしてます。

けちけちな私は手持ち10k、スーツケース20k全部持って、あとは郵便でこつこつorお母さんが来る時に持って来てもらおうなんて考えてました。

しかし、ピーターどんが船便で送るみたいなので、ちゃっかりそこに便乗しようと、勝手に決めました。

昨日は免許証の更新と国際運転免許証も手続きしていただきました。優良ドライバーの私。だって、ペーパードライバーだから笑。
あっちに行って、頑張って運転します！！頑張ります！！！

あとは、公的手続きを行く寸前にして。終わり。

寂しくなりますね。ほんと。

今まで人とお別れって全然寂しくなくて。だって、どうせ会うやん。って思ってたから。しかし今回ばかりは、会いたい時に会えないと思うとかなぢいです。


あっちに行って、したいこといっぱいあるけど。

とりあえず、オーストラリア人のような

She'll be all right!!!!!

NO Worries !!!!!!

って思える人間に成長できたらいいな。笑

常に最初にこの言葉が出るような人に。

私は能天気に見える(?)タイプですが、

石橋をたたいて渡ろうとし、叩き割ってしまうタイプなので。

大学生時代、テスト勉強は１ヶ月前から行い、予習復習は必ず行い、テスト本番、教科書の中身覚えてしまってるという。そのわりにテスト受ける寸前まで不安。笑

かなり慎重に慎重に計画に計画を重ね、最後にはやりすぎでなんなくこなせるタイプです笑

なので、そんなんじゃなくて、

何でもいいやん．絶対大丈夫やん。何とかなるやん。

って思える人になりたいのです。

さよなら Party with Great 最高 Friends!!!!

※画像クリックしてもらったら大きくして見れます。

昨日はほんまありがとう！！

とってもとっても、素敵な時間が過ごせました。本当に私たちには素敵な友達がたくさんいるんやなーってしみじみ思ったで。

なかなか、そういう当たり前のことって、普段気づかへんもんなんやなーって思いました。

みんなの笑顔につねに笑わされ、楽しましてもらって、励ましてもらってきて、私はみんなの優しさでできてるんやなって思った。

あの場であけられなかったたくさんのプレゼント、ひとつづつ大切に開けさせてもらったで。みんなにちゃんと目の前でお礼が言えなくてほんまにごめんな。

たくさんの手紙や、写真やメッセージ、めっちゃ感動して、涙が出てきたけど、、、よくよく見たら、一緒にかなり昔のきもい写真や、思い出が呼び起こされる写真がいっぱいでてきて、笑ってしまうほうが多かったかも笑

みんな結婚したり、違う県に行ったり、違う国に行ったり、色んな道があるけれども、いつでもどこでも一緒やで！！！

心のきれいな、そしてお顔もきれいな友達に囲まれて、私は幸せです！！！！

あんまり写真とれなかったから、みなさん渡したカードにのってる私のパソコンメールアドレスに写真を送ってね。お待ちしております。

それと、黒いマフラーとグレイのパーカーと薄い青色のハンカチの忘れ物があったので、忘れた方は私たちどちらかに連絡してくださいね。

本当に来てくれて、ありがとう！！そして、またオーストラリアにも遊びにきてね♥そして、日本に帰ってきたときも遊んでよ。

昨日観てもらったビデオは、このタイトルの、さよならparty with Great 最高 friends!!!!を押してもらったら観れます！

What a fantastic evening!!!! Chi-chan and I are so happy we could spend so much time with everyone! We wish the evening could've been longer as everyone was having so much fun!

All our friends dressed very appropriately for our summer themed farewell party. Some were cute, some beautiful, some interesting, but most of all, they made us feel warm as we will not have summer until December!!

A special thank you to everyone who help during the evening, as well as the amazing gifts we received!

Shortly, we will be posting photos of the evening.

If you have photos, please send them to ちーちゃん so we can put them all together.

Pete

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=57864&id=1266784340

Party time!

Hi Everyone,

This week has been filled with many farewells and this weekend promises to be no different. Saturday will be a fantastic evening and we apologise in advance for not being able to speak to everyone for a long time. I tried on my "Summer" themed clothing just a couple of minutes ago and we can't wait to see what everyone else decides to where.

My phone number is: 080-3136-8854
Chi-chan's is: 080-3780-1482

Call us if you are running late or can't find the restaurant.

インド行ってからのもやもや。

何だか，最近いらいらしてて。

どうしたもんかなー。

あーインド行きたいなー。

何だかインドに忘れ物をして来た気がする。

そして、また行って、また何か忘れてくるんやろうな。

一気に色々考えた場所やったのは間違いない。

手がない子供を見て、哀れんで、哀れんだ事、上から目線なのじゃないかと自問自答して、

お金をあげることが助けにならないと思い、それを言い訳にして何もしないのじゃないか

と、自分を責め、

何もできなくても、それが結局ためにならなくても、何かするべきではなかったのかと思い、

じゃ、その『何か』ってなんなんやろうって思う。

帰って来てから、けっこうしんどくて、

私はマザーテレサの

不親切で冷淡でありながら奇蹟をおこなうよりは、むしろ親切と慈しみのうちに間違うほうを選びたい。

人は不合理、非論理、利己的です。

気にすることなく、人を愛しなさい。

あなたが善を行うと、利己的な目的でそれをしたと言われるでしょう。

気にすることなく、善を行いなさい。

目的を達しようとするとき、邪魔立てする人に出会うでしょう。

気にすることなく、やり遂げなさい。

善い行いをしても、おそらく次の日には忘れられるでしょう

気にすることなくし善を行い続けなさい。

あなたの正直さと誠実さとが、あなたを傷つけるでしょう

気にすることなく正直で誠実であり続けないさい。

助けた相手から恩知らずの仕打ちを受けるでしょう。

気にすることなく助け続けなさい。

あなたの中の最良のものを世に与え続けなさい。

けり返されるかもしれません。

気にすることなく、最良のものを与え続けなさい。

気にすることなく、最良のものを与え続けなさい…

と言う言葉に救われ、しかし周りに「間違ってる」と非難を浴びるのを恐れた自分を情けなく思った。

何かしたいといった私に、

『一人に何かしても、全員助けられない』って非難されて、否定できなかった自分が情けない。

100人に食べ物が与える事ができなくても、一人にならできるでしょ

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　−マザーテレサ−

この言葉を見た時に、あー、なんでしなかったんやろう、何で周りの意見に流されたんやろうって思った。

もう一度行きたいな。

Farewell Party with my 5 grandmothers and 1 grandfather!

Yesterday, I was able to enjoy some amazing food and company at the Senri Hankyu Hotel.
Yuji, Sumiko, Kazuko, Mieko, Atsuko and Michiko took me out for lunch for our final lesson. We were also joined by Linda, who's going to take over from me from April. Good luck Linda!

I'd been teaching them for over 4 years and have always enjoyed this Friday afternoon class.

Sumiko, I'm going to miss your memorable meals, especially, "THE WORLD'S BEST FRIED CHICKEN!"

The video above is of Yuji, Linda and I singing, "Take me out to the ball game". Yuji sang this song for the occasion and I was touched by the gesture and preparation he had put in.

The class also presented Chi-chan and I each with a beautiful Pilot brand ballpoint pen.

All the best for the future and I look forward to keeping in touch. Big hugs and Kisses.

Pete

30th Birthday - 8th March 2010

Sorry this wasn't posted a week ago while it was still my "Birthday Week".
Big thank you to everyone who made my birthday a memorable one.
I received some fantastic gifts and cards from students and friends and am always grateful at the thought put into all of them.
My 20's saw me live in Melbourne, Port Douglas, Cairns and Osaka in 9 different apartments. My passport was stamped in parts of Asia and Europe which I'd never imagined visiting. I've made friends for life that I would never have met, had I not traveled domestically and abroad. Most importantly, I fell in love with Chihiro!
So far, my 30's have been very kind to me and I'm looking forward to the decade ahead. I'm also looking forward to continued friendships and many new exciting adventures!

☆出発日☆

チケットをけっこう２ヶ月も前にとったのに、連絡するの忘れてたわい。

2010年4月28日

20時20分

関西空港

より、飛び立ちます。

寂しいねー

さよならParty with 大阪市立高校 Mate!!!!!

３月１４日バレンタインデーは、大阪市立高校のみんなにさよならPartyをしてもらった。




ほんまに卒業以来全然みんな会ってなかったけど、いい意味(?)でほんま誰一人かわってなかった！！！

全員しゃべりやし、全員口汚いし、

「お前」「死ね」「黙れ」「帰れ」

って言葉がめっちゃ飛び交ってたような笑　あーほんまおもしろいわー！！！！

なんとボートレースまでしたよー！！！！

最初「えーーーーー」とか言いながら、

始まったら、負けず嫌い発揮してたし！笑




ケーキも用意ししてもらい、プレゼントももらい、みんなからの色紙までもらってしまった。





お返しがピーターからのKissだけでごめんね！！！オーストラリアにも遊びにきてよ！！！

なか、

なつ、

とも、

からし、

谷輪、

たえ、まみ

とうげ、

のんぺ、

ほんまにありがとう！！！！

からしと谷輪はまた２７日！ちゃんとFacebook（フェイスブック）してね笑

ちゃんちゃん♬


私はほんまに幸せものです！！！

東京旅行/ TOKYO TRIP

今年に入って、すでに３回目の旅行です。

今回は「東京」に行って参りました。

ちゃんと色々見たのは初めてやったから、ほぼ初めての東京旅行と行っても過言ではないと思う。

ついた日は、夜は、六本木へ行き、ロン、ニック、クリス、マットと久しぶりの再会。楽しかったよ。

次の日、まずは、東京マラソン！

寒い！雨！３度！

ってことで、ほとんど見てません。

お友達のデスモンドさんはシンガポールからわざわざ来てたんやけど、気温が寒すぎて、なんともかわいそうでした。

WEBLISHというこの上ないくらい素敵なオンライン上の英語の先生ジョンさんももちろん見つけられず。。。。

この日は、銀座をぶらぶらし、

アバクロはめちゃいい匂いやし、「What's going on」とめちゃめちゃ発音のよくない挨拶を連呼してて、面白かった笑

H＆Mも行ったし、満足。

松屋を探し、有楽町、銀座、京橋と歩き続けるがなし！警察にまで聞いたのに、吉野家しかなく、半切れ。

その後、表参道、原宿、新宿と移動。歩きすぎた。

夜は、メキシコ人ロドリゴ、デズモンド、デズの奥さんと友達とご飯。楽しかったー！新たな友人に乾杯！



次の日は、朝は５時から築地へ向かい、魚やらなんやらいっぱい見た。朝から海鮮丼。うまかったー。




その後原宿へ行き、Topshop,forever 21,H&Mなどなど、、、、行った。

特に欲しいものもなく。

渋谷へ。

クリスピークリームドーナツ食べたよ。

そういや、私甘いものそんな好きじゃなかったってことを買ってから思い出し、案の定、一生食べないと思った。

ピーターは懐かしいわーこういう砂糖だらけのドーナツとかいいながら、おえおえ言ったよ笑





暇すぎて、映画見た。恋するベーカリー見て、あんな家に住みたいとなり、その後またロンと集合。

奥さんのかおりちゃん初対面。優しい素敵な女性でした！

次はメルボルンであえるのが楽しみー★

この日も基本歩き過ぎ。

最終日は浅草へ。

人力車にも乗ったし、でかいメロンパンも食べたし、アップルスィートポテト食べたし、雷門も見たし、もんじゃも食べたし、あげまんじゅうも食べたし、アサヒビールの本社も金色う○こも見たし、楽しかったよー。











そんなこんなで、ピーターと私の結論は　大阪最高　ってことになりました笑

そうそう！浅草でカリチュアーっていう、すごく面白い似顔絵を描いてもらいました！！
めちゃお気に入り！！！

ほんま特徴をとらえてる！！！



なんと浅草に、コアラとカンガルーが出現！大切にします！この絵！

またこういうおもしろ、楽しいのもいいし、色々似顔絵書いてもらいたいわー！

Chi-chan and I had a fantastic time in Tokyo. One thing we both agreed with though, there's no place like home (click your ruby slippers together Dorothy!).

3 nights, four days and a large fistful of cash resulted in some wonderful memories.

On Saturday, we headed straight to Roppongi via the hotel for a few beers with some friends from the Tokyo AFL football team.

Sunday, we woke to torrential rain and 3'c! Definitely not the kind of weather you would want to run a marathon in!! Well, unfortunately, our friend Desmond did. He had flown in especially from sunny Singapore to run the marathon and I'm sure was not expecting these kind of conditions. Chi-chan and I did our best to cheer on some of the 35,000 runners who competed between taking in the sights of Ginza and Omote-Sando. In the evening, we caught up with Des and his wife Ester, as well as their friend, Ailene. It was also great to catch up with Rodrigo too. Special thanks to the ladies for listening to our boring triathlon/training/nutrition conversations too!

On Monday, the alarm rang at 4:30am. No trip to Tokyo would be complete without a visit to the Tsukiji Fish Market. The world's largest(a.k.a. organized chaos!). It was a terrific experience filled with fast moving buggies, super busy fisherman, lots of sharp knives and some really big fish. At 7am, it was time to sit down for a rice bowl topped with fresh seafood. One word.........DELICIOUS!!!!
The rest of the day, we wondered the streets of Harujuku and Shibuya, enjoying some shopping, over-indulging at Krispy Creme Doughnuts (pure gluttony) and watching Meryl Streep's latest movie, "It's complicated".
Later, we caught up with Ronnie and his wife, Kaori for Mongolian Nabe. Great food and even better company. Shouldn't have eaten so much garlic though!

Tuesday, our last day was spent down in Asakusa, taking in the sights while being carried around in a cart. More over-indulgence, some memorable (mochi-age) and some not so memorable ( monjya-yaki) also was prominent during our visit to the area. We also got a caricature drawn of ourselves by an amazingly talented artist. I think the artist drew Chi-chan perfectly, however I'm not so sure about me!

Tokyo was great, but Osaka is still my choice!

Pete

Btw, Please leave a comment so we know you read this, and or have any questions.