tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45902408782266949142011-10-11T06:53:36.392+09:00Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.comBlogger2601100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-83012118939825129002010-11-30T16:53:00.008+09:002010-11-30T17:16:53.908+09:00

While this blog has been quiet lately, we're still on the island exploring and having fun. In fact, we're ramping up efforts to be as active as possible as the countdown to departure begins. We're down to about 6 months and time seems to speed up every day.We've discovered a few great new restaurants around town. The first is inside a unique restaurant village area we discovered quite

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-28860334945308380182010-11-30T16:31:00.004+09:002010-11-30T16:45:33.719+09:00

We just returned a week ago from a really quick trip to the States. We were there for a whole 5 days and turned around and flew back to Okinawa just in time for Thanksgiving. We escaped the full body scanners and pat downs at the airport (maybe they don't care as much once you're leaving the States), but we both came down with nasty colds from the flight. Anyway, we were lucky enough to celebrate

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-63577339067750240632010-11-01T20:17:00.005+09:002010-11-01T20:48:50.230+09:00

We have embarked on our toughest adventure yet. It is one that won't take us out of the house, but will push us to our emotional and personal limits. We are writing a novel together. That is right. We are going to sit down every night together in front of the computer and knock out at least 1666 words a night (yes, the sign of the devil can be found in that number). You might be asking

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-80527850656048477292010-10-24T14:44:00.016+09:002010-10-30T10:17:43.332+09:00

Who can resist a cow riding a surfboard?The days have cooled off around here (a little), so I guess we can claim fall has begun. But we're still getting warm summery weather some days and even hunkered down for a typhoon this week.Even so, we've been enjoying the subtle change in weather and scenery. Last week, we visited the Botanical Gardens in Okinawa. I can't believe we'd never come here

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-8065720630495055092010-10-21T06:08:00.003+09:002010-10-21T06:13:23.620+09:00

Dear Friends,Please vote for me in the Trazzler Mt Rainier Writing Contest. I only need 3 more votes to be at least tied with the lead article! The deadline is Oct 24 for voting!My entry is about the amazing colossal trees in the Grove of the Patriarchs. To vote, sign in to Trazzler and click save on my post. It only takes a minute!Thanks and you are all stars!

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-77409217529081347742010-10-18T17:41:00.003+09:002010-10-18T17:42:52.771+09:00

A year or so ago, I visited a urenai, or Japanese fortune teller in Okinawa. I wrote a post about it recently for Matador Travel Network.You can read the crazy adventure here...Have you ever been to a fortune teller before? Do share!

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-27658877520825619822010-10-18T17:19:00.011+09:002010-10-18T17:39:18.615+09:00

This past weekend, Sean and I tried a new restaurant in Okinawa called Bistro Chez.The server handed us an English menu which listed pizzas and pastas. However, we noticed a board listing the daily specials in Japanese. I'm a big fan of daily specials in Japan as they are usually made with the freshest ingredients according to season. (I highly recommend getting the server's recommendations too)

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-33295391735777301412010-10-13T17:34:00.004+09:002010-10-13T17:41:00.100+09:00

One half of the famous 600 foot rope in the Naha Tug of War Over the weekend, we were fortunate to be able to participate in the World's Largest Tug of War. This event, which draws 25,000 people is an amazing thing to witness.I devoted a lengthy post to it on my travel blog and included lots of pictures. This morning I found that my article was featured on Wordpress Freshly Pressed. Please check

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-8106864158558042272010-10-03T14:53:00.007+09:002010-10-03T15:02:28.987+09:00

We did a road trip this weekend up to the northern part of the island. The weather forecast was partly cloudy with chance of thunderstorms, and the sky provided the most beautiful backdrop. I love it when the ocean and the horizon blend together so you almost don't know where water stops and air begins.We visited Okuma, and did some jet-skiing on the crystal clear water with the storm clouds

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-1758876871956598942010-09-27T18:14:00.017+09:002010-09-27T18:40:17.883+09:00

While I've been absent as of late on this site, I've been writing a lot for my travel blog, World Curious Traveler. Check it out!It seems like the rain which fell for months and months on end has finally gone away. Now, we're enjoying the start of a gorgeous "fall" season on Okinawa. Here's what we've been doing lately on our tiny island.We went to another Eisa Festival, and witnessed all the

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-82732403105144692872010-09-15T18:27:00.006+09:002010-09-15T18:53:18.526+09:00

A few of you have been curious about who actually committed the SIN of leaving the passport at the hotel as described in the last post.Well, if you must know...The guilty person was Sean.I swear, my husband has two modes. Can any of you relate to this?With him, 1) It's rush rush rush to get somewhere WAY early and then wait wait wait for something to start.or2) It's rush rush rush to get

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-11626806120039242222010-09-10T14:34:00.017+09:002010-09-12T13:30:33.765+09:00

We've been married for almost 3 years. We've traveled a lot. We did 3 big trips before we got married, and afterwards, well... a new place about every 4 months.The thing is... it doesn't matter how much we travel. We have the same tiffs every time.The arguments usually have something to do with these categories:Category A: Mary is doing too much souvenir shopping Category B: Sean has a one-track

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-33882435822761672612010-09-10T13:57:00.012+09:002010-09-10T14:33:50.980+09:00

As mentioned last week, we did a little road trip by plane for Labor Day to Macau.I always love visiting China from Japan. Let me tell you why.In Japan, I often feel there's a thin veil between me and the Japanese culture. I've certainly learned a great deal about customs and mannerisms over the last two years, but even so, I sense a boundary.When I go to China, it's like that veil gets ripped

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-83415355918877467802010-09-01T15:31:00.012+09:002010-09-02T05:57:53.360+09:00

On the way back from our weekend excursion to Sesoko Island, we stopped at one of the rest stops between Nago and Naha.In addition to ice cream, hot dogs, candy, and chips, we found the most interesting things to buy...US rest stops have nachos topped with velveeta. Okinawan ones have fried gutted fish... can you ever imagine a 10 year American kid asking for this?How about some dragon fruit?Now

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-47699031359859499512010-09-01T07:53:00.004+09:002010-09-01T08:00:34.773+09:00

Here's a question for you:Sitting on a crowded plane about to embark, have you ever fantasized about snapping your fingers and instantly arriving at your destination? What would it be like to have travel superpowers? Check out my latest post on my travel blog...

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-43184444696417970782010-08-30T11:03:00.022+09:002010-08-30T13:10:14.451+09:00

Over the weekend, we had a serious case of island fever.Okinawa is so small that it's sometimes easy to feel that we've already exhausted all the possibilities.Aquarium? Done. Kokusai Street? Oh, so many times.Zipline? Checked off. Even lesser known excursions, we've done them all. Whenever I start feeling antsy, I remember the saying, "Only boring people say they're bored."It always whips me

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-88052894213371417722010-08-27T09:01:00.004+09:002010-08-27T09:12:12.000+09:00

Growing up in the deep South, I detested fish.I think it's because I never really had good fish there. Most of it was deep fat fried, frozen fish sticks, and the occasional McDonalds fish fillet sandwich.In fact, I never attempted to eat sushi until I was 28 and living in San Diego. I fully expected to abhor it. I reasoned that if I couldn't stomach cooked fish, why would raw fish be any better?I

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-69972663354923038292010-08-23T07:56:00.019+09:002010-08-23T08:36:46.828+09:00

We're under the 1 year mark of our time left on Okinawa, and we resolved to get the most out of our time on this tiny island as we can.That's why we decided to go hiking over the weekend. Fresh air, ocean views, and jungle atmosphere. We randomly chose a trail without too much thinking (always a good idea), and set off.Our intentions were in the right place, but we soon realized we were less than

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-86940796185131306882010-08-23T07:39:00.009+09:002010-08-23T07:55:54.335+09:00

Ever since I saw "Monsoon Wedding" years ago, I've been a fan of Bollywood films. So, imagine my excitement when I heard that a Bollywood themed restaurant actually opened in Okinawa. Of course, we had to check it out over the weekend. The interior decor is funky, purple and black. There are pictures of famous Indian performers on the walls. Finally, there was a large flatscreen showing dance

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-38796071789618902502010-08-15T12:32:00.003+09:002010-08-15T12:39:08.850+09:00

Sean is working hard on a project abroad, and I have quite a bit of free time to myself these days. How have I been spending it? Well, let's see...1)A chocolate cupcake binge (going on day 4 now)2) Watching "Last Days of Hitler" programs on the History Channel3) Making these videos...Check it out here. You'll become addicted too...Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!I was

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-64911650915651827272010-08-10T15:53:00.006+09:002010-08-10T16:04:25.114+09:00

View from Mt Fuji Station 5Recently, I introduced my newest blogging venture, World Curious Traveler. Check out my latest article I posted there for tips for climbing Mt Fuji...I would love if you've hiked it to share any tips you have too!

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-74176482805858754122010-08-10T15:38:00.008+09:002010-08-10T15:52:39.562+09:00

This past week, I took a tour group to Tokyo. It's funny that I live in Japan, but when I go out to eat in this huge city, I go straight for Western food. I guess I get my fill of Japanese in Okinawa.This trip's theme was definitely French and Italian...Gruyere and mushroom crepe from Crepe Brezeirah in AkasakaCustard cake from Miyashima in Ometosando Hills Shopping CenterCaramel Iced Coffee in

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-65512454259315818152010-08-03T16:24:00.005+09:002010-08-03T16:43:27.474+09:00

Lovely Readers,It is with great excitement that I introduce World Curious Traveler, a new travel blog site I created. Since I've been a military spouse living overseas, I've developed an interest in writing again, a former love I somehow abandoned in past years growing up. I've also decided to take the plunge and branch out as a freelance writer. My new blog is somewhat of an online portfolio.

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-7608575659371045642010-08-02T13:41:00.010+09:002010-08-02T13:57:26.067+09:00

More gratuitous food shots of our favorite eats this past weekend...Charlie's Tacos and EnchiladasHomemade Chocolate Chip Cookies (yes, that is Sean as my hand model)Nikumaki Onigiri, our new favorite snack on OkinawaWe discovered the pork onigiri randomly during the 10,000 Eisa Parade on Kokusai Street. It is a tender piece of seasoned pork wrapped around a ball of rice and topped with cheese

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-56073893572254980522010-08-02T13:04:00.011+09:002010-08-02T13:41:08.102+09:00

Our Friday night 1986 date was only the start to a colorful weekend.We continued the flashback reverie with a visit to Charlie's Tacos on Gate 2 street in Okinawa. This ramshackle restaurant opened in 1956 and is very popular with locals. You've got to love those places where the photos on the wall show the range of Farrah Fawcet wings, mullets, mustaches, and big spiral perm hairstyles through

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-2894932244888351542010-07-31T08:01:00.005+09:002010-07-31T08:10:31.154+09:00

Oh how fast time passes us by...It seems like just yesterday, I was hanging out with my friends at a mall in Huntsville, Alabama, wearing my favorite outfit discovered at Salvation Army- a gray suit vest and a flowered mod skirt from the 70s. We ate at the food court at the mall (probably Arby's with curly fries) and then went to see a movie like Pretty in Pink.Well, last night I was transported

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-11900401983347300502010-07-26T16:12:00.013+09:002010-07-27T16:05:54.214+09:00

Had a nice weekend here in Okinawa... I had to do tour guide stuff, but other than that, not much at all. Just a little coffee on our balcony, facing the Pacific Ocean. Then walked around Gate 2 street and took photos...

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-40989755044067604282010-07-21T20:29:00.032+09:002010-07-24T08:59:25.282+09:00

What's so great about looking at pictures of what other people eat?I can't really articulate the answer, but I do know that I LOVE gratuitous food blogs. I could browse sites like Last Night's Dinner, Smitten Kitchen, and Scanwiches (you have to check this one out) for hours. You too?Here's what we ate this week. (yes, I'm still on the Okinawa Tortoise Diet)From Zazou Bakery, sour cherry tart (

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-36075259262361020392010-07-21T13:01:00.013+09:002010-07-29T16:10:59.035+09:00

Do you like to take chances? We like to take chances.In fact, a few weeks ago we took a chance wandering into Porky's Live Bar in Okinawa. I'm so glad we did because we stumbled into a very fun retro scene.Would you believe on this tiny Japanese island way out in the Pacific there's a place where American 50s culture is thriving? At Porky's, Elvis is still King, servers are straight out of

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-87241808623034535482010-07-18T09:32:00.008+09:002010-07-18T10:55:24.259+09:00

Did the title grab your attention?Over the next month, I'm engaging in what I call the tortoise diet. No, I'm not going to be eating tortoise stew. But I AM babysitting three tortoises for a friend who is traveling for a few weeks.Confused? Here's the deal.My friend lives about a mile away from me, so I'm planning on walking to his house every day, either early in the morning or early evening.

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-6902682634788212812010-07-14T15:16:00.020+09:002010-07-14T16:14:57.966+09:00

When we landed at the tiny port on Zamami Island last week, we had no clue where to stay.At the tourist desk, Sean randomly chose a local guesthouse, The Patio House Reef. I let him do the choosing because I tend to go as cheap as possible, mostly with dismal results. We weren't disappointed with Patio House Reef at all. It had colorful plants, a communal meeting area, and most importantly,

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-43554589656724265802010-07-14T07:51:00.003+09:002010-07-14T07:54:59.607+09:00

Calling all other expats, check out my latest publication about being married, living abroad, and being a trailing spouse.Love and Expat Marriage: Finding Identity As a Trailing SpouseI'd love to hear your own experiences with adjusting to your new life overseas!

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-7402420598669324342010-07-12T15:06:00.023+09:002010-07-12T16:28:21.540+09:00

I have a new travel obsession.I want to visit as many Ryukyu Islands as possible. We only have one year more in Okinawa, so there's quite a bit of work to do. We've only set foot on Yoron, Iejima, Ishigaki...And recently, we added Zamami Island to the list. See picture above. Isn't it gorgeous?Zamami is simple and unadorned. There are no large resorts, little infrastructure, and few streetlights.

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-19534723622786479822010-07-07T11:24:00.019+09:002010-07-07T12:10:11.057+09:00

Here's a question, and you have to answer honestly.Look at the sign below. How can you not be curious about THE BEST ALL GUESTS RESTAURANT IN THE WORLD?What with rainbows, four leaf clovers, and that enticing white duck (thingy), this place is just begging for investigation, right?So last Saturday night, we found ourselves at the door...Walking in, we discovered a Bali/Thailand jungle interior.

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-19776254031417413182010-07-02T18:24:00.007+09:002010-07-03T07:36:26.853+09:00

In my last post, I discussed my new cleaning strategy and how it's been working for me. Still working, by the way...Well, writing about cleanliness reminded me of a funny thing that happened while I was in the States a few weeks back. Wanting to enjoy the nice So Cal weather, I went with some good friends, a married couple to a park near their house. The park had hiking trails, some small

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-90395516503011918372010-07-02T17:53:00.009+09:002010-07-02T18:23:00.817+09:00

I have always admired people with pristine houses. You know, those people whose homes have hairless floors, sparkly appliances, and gleaming fresh bathrooms. How do they do it?Incidentally, lots of Japanese homes are like that...I have always despised cleaning. I'm not good at it. What's more, I easily get overwhelmed by it.Can you relate?I can never really understand how other people manage. In

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-81155479217614291842010-07-01T15:39:00.008+09:002010-07-01T16:03:18.583+09:00

Are you like me? Do you feel challenged by using Photoshop to tweak your pictures? I usually end up frustrated and give up half way through. I know there's a learning curve to that program, but who has the time? Recently, I've been resorting more often to Picnik, a free photo editing program you can do straight from your browser. There's no need to download anything and it's super easy and fun to

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-24117900631878731522010-06-29T07:32:00.003+09:002010-06-29T07:35:59.445+09:00

Check out my latest published Matador article about bewilderment and culture shock in Okinawa:What Ikebana taught me about Japanese CultureEnjoy!

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-37152072087947146682010-06-25T08:04:00.001+09:002010-06-25T08:05:10.562+09:00

I love America's diversity. And I don't just mean Mexicans, Chinese, Irish, Africans, and Vietnamese amid many many immigrant nationalities. I mean, I appreciate how Americans are comfortable just being whoever they are. Let me explain.I recently visited the States- Los Angeles, specifically. When I travel home from abroad, I like to pay attention to my first thoughts being home again. Yes, I'm

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-88576659672664930812010-06-22T14:52:00.029+09:002010-06-23T07:19:15.535+09:00

At the risk of sounding devoid of an inner child, I just don't get Disney.  What's more, I don't get Disney abroad, like in Tokyo where I snapped these pictures a few weeks back when I led a tour there. I mean, I like Disney movies. I have my favorite characters just like everyone else. I even enjoy the rides- It's a Small World and the Spinning Tea Cups being my favorites, ethnic stereotypes

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-42416658127572483452010-06-21T15:23:00.016+09:002010-06-21T16:27:41.964+09:00

I am a huge fan of themed dining and nightspots. Cheesy they may be, what's not to like about entering a world of costumes and imagination? (And Japanese do it so well) You may remember the Ninja restaurant adventure we experienced last summer, which was so fun and memorable.  On my latest trip to Tokyo, having just seen the Tim Burton version of the classic tale, I found an Alice in Wonderland

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-9797064288927300972010-06-03T06:15:00.003+09:002010-06-03T06:18:04.175+09:00

Hi all!Please check out my latest published Matador Travel article "What Not To Do in Okinawa"Cheers!

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-52895972763434140472010-06-02T07:39:00.003+09:002010-06-02T07:50:59.402+09:00

Headed to California soon for a summer adventure!Highlights will include:A friend's June weddingMy favorite meal ever, a plate of chilaquiles and Caliente Bloody MaryA search for Donald Draper in San Diego (more will be revealed later)A stay with our fun Hollywood loving uncle in Los AngelesBack in a few weeks!

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-32836445902105264782010-05-26T14:47:00.021+09:002010-05-30T11:22:59.774+09:00

In addition to gritty downtowns, I love small towns- the kind with one main street and a Bingo night at the Nights of Columbus Hall.During our trip to Snoqualmie Falls, we explored Twin Peaks Country. In the nearby town of North Bend, the first stop was lunch at the classic Twede's Cafe famous for coffee and cherry pie. The interior was- shall we say- colorful? The entire ceiling was lined with

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-32793963689635991562010-05-26T07:38:00.011+09:002010-05-27T02:37:45.491+09:00

Yesterday, I flipped open my copy of Tuesdays with Morrie. I highly recommend this inspirational read. It's about a dying professor who holds a weekly meeting with his former student and teaches him lessons of life.I like to do this. Open books up now and again and just take a message from whatever that random page offers. I opened the section "We talk about a perfect day."In Morrie's case, it

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-78398289174059276452010-05-26T07:29:00.005+09:002010-05-26T07:34:58.484+09:00

Hi Friends!Remember that experiment I created to do something new every single day?Check out my latest publication on Matador Network- My Month of Living AdventurouslyAs soon as life settles down again, I'm embarking on a new month of challenges. Care to join in?

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-47151990600481266162010-05-20T12:20:00.018+09:002010-05-25T08:12:56.041+09:00

Where do you go when you need a little break?After the eating frenzy and pace of downtown Seattle, we found respite at the Salish Lodge in Snoqualmie Falls, WA. Originally built in 1919 as a rest area for Seattle residents enjoying an outing at the falls, it was so cozy on that chilly May day we visited. You may recognize this hotel as the "Great Northern Lodge" in the TV show, Twin Peaks.Our

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-85175952582590568542010-05-16T13:39:00.028+09:002010-05-17T09:45:18.592+09:00

There were no wildflowers. No towering mountain peaks. No reflections of glaciers on lakes. But it was still a great day on Mount Rainier.Making the day trip from Seattle a few weeks back, we had high hopes of experiencing this majestic National Park. But let's face it. Despite best intentions, Mother Nature has ultimate control.We had planned to make a circular trip, hitting top spots and hiking

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-84662786260286604942010-05-09T17:08:00.028+09:002010-05-12T07:23:37.342+09:00

Call me strange, but I love gritty downtowns. And Seattle's Pike Place area is just that. Everywhere you look are characters, both colorful and seedy. What's more, they are bold. Of late, there has been legislation tossed around aimed at curbing aggressive panhandler behavior towards tourists, who often feel harassed or intimidated. In my case, the riff raff didn't phase me at all. I suppose

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-79242418848213183592010-05-08T05:29:00.041+09:002010-05-09T17:14:16.538+09:00

When you live on a subtropical island like Okinawa, sometimes you just crave different.Chilly brisk air. Urban cafes. Bookstores. Street entertainment. Cheese. All of them, I'll never take for granted again.That's why we jumped at the chance to visit Seattle when an opportunity arose. Arriving a day prior to Sean, I spent the time happily browsing through one of the famous landmarks, Pike Street

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-58395108079953957712010-05-07T13:56:00.022+09:002010-05-07T15:06:54.678+09:00

...and I'm a Chocoholic.I'm officially in detox.Not only am I coming down from jet-lag due to an overseas trip to Seattle, but a massive sugar high brought on by this Chocolate Indulgence Tour.If you're heading there any time soon, I highly recommend this spirited tour of downtown's Pike Street Market area. For two hours, my fellow enablers and I learned about new confection trends and sampled to

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-73902920778337521232010-04-28T06:47:00.008+09:002010-04-28T07:10:07.322+09:00

Okay, I know I'm supposed to be unplugged and drinking coffee in Seattle.But in anticipation of all the food adventures we're going to have stateside, I started thinking about my favorite food memories from Kyoto during cherry blossom season this year.For me, experiencing the food of a locale is every bit as important than the sights. Do you agree?We tried so many great treats, but these are the

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-28713542967947346402010-04-25T08:50:00.006+09:002010-04-27T08:28:00.323+09:00

We're heading to Seattle this week and spending one night at this waterfall lodge. Other events on the travel itinerary include some geocaching, Seattle food tours including a special chocolate fantasy excursion, and a trip to Mt Rainier.I'll be back in a week with photos! In the meantime, if you're heading to Shanghai any time soon, here's an article I published about shopping hot spots in the

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-45246615820037896752010-04-25T06:49:00.023+09:002010-04-25T08:26:58.324+09:00

Many many years ago in Alabama, I worked in a cubicle next to a diehard obsessive Keanu Reeves fan.Not only did she have an homage to him at her work desk, but she and other fan club friends used to stalk him. They regularly made pilgrimages to Los Angeles to watch him perform with his band (is he still in a band, I wonder?). They splurged on a stay at the iconic Chateau Marmont hotel in

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-91217049398692137482010-04-21T15:59:00.044+09:002010-04-23T09:14:50.376+09:00

The Kyoto Botanical Gardens are beautiful and a bargain. I visited with my friend Diana, who flew in from San Diego specifically for cherry blossom season. You can't see her up close, but she was also my partner in crime in the geisha undercover adventure.Here she is- getting the perfect shot... that group of Japanese women in the background are aghast (Look at that funny foreigner sprawled out

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-54103797036063442492010-04-19T18:14:00.006+09:002010-04-21T15:59:13.345+09:00

A few weeks back, I mentioned that I was a runner-up in a writing contest.My article has finally been published on a travel website called Transitions Abroad.I wrote about my experience of living in Okinawa for the past two years and provided some important links for people who are considering being expats here.Please check out my article Island Fever in Okinawa here.

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-35693325991578208052010-04-19T07:18:00.009+09:002010-04-19T08:29:04.307+09:00

A tour guide for a few months now, I'm slowly becoming seasoned in the profession.Here's what I've learned so far...1. First off, there's just no way to know the answer to every possible question a tourist might conjure up to ask:Why don't they sell Kung Fu Panda stuffed animals here?Is there a Texas BBQ restaurant on this Edo period shopping street in Japan?What does pig nose taste like?2. Then,

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-50462696421981320772010-04-12T17:15:00.033+09:002010-04-14T10:00:24.288+09:00

Must fuel my monkey fixation. So last week in Kyoto when I learned of monkeys nearby, there was no question we had to seek them out. We headed to Arashiyama, where atop a small mountain overlooking the city, monkeys roam and look curiously at tourists.We walked 20 minutes up a mountain path to the Arashiyama Monkey Park, cautiously stepping over monkeys on the trail playing and sunning themselves

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-58242449254802002052010-04-10T10:30:00.012+09:002010-04-10T10:56:50.102+09:00

Another part of the geisha experience was a portrait session in their studio. They posed us into funny traditional geisha stances. All the while, we held baskets, fans, and umbrellas, tilting and contorting into unnatural positions. When I showed Sean the portraits, he had exactly three things to say. 1. First and foremost, Sean's response was simply, "Eeeewww!" about the weird white paint on

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-47438022532622658962010-04-07T07:19:00.017+09:002010-04-07T08:35:13.505+09:00

Okay, it's one of those cheesy experiences. It's also very touristic and contrived. But it also one of my favorite memories now of Japan.I'm talking about dressing like a geisha and strolling through historic streets of Kyoto.So what exactly are geisha?They are entertainers who practice traditional dancing and singing, play instruments, and engage in witty conversation. Are they really

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-81974573849930405212010-04-06T10:29:00.021+09:002010-04-06T11:35:17.833+09:00

Cherry blossom season in Kyoto is magical- and a little crazy.All over the city from mid-March to mid-April, the blooms take on the most beautiful range of colors from white to pale and bright pink. The trees look like they are cradling fluffy pockets of snow. When the wind blows and blossoms flutter to the ground, people stop what they're doing and immerse themselves in the flowery downpour. As

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-10341402331136393322010-03-31T08:07:00.006+09:002010-03-31T08:19:25.522+09:00

Right now, I'm packing and emotionally preparing myself to descend upon Kyoto for cherry blossom season. I heard things can get pretty crazy under the fluffy pinkness this time of year, throngs of people having picnics underneath trees, too much sake, and maybe even a fight or two breaking out... There's also a storm front going through and a chance all the delicate blossoms will have been blown

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-83732345087200045032010-03-26T15:44:00.023+09:002010-03-26T16:30:17.345+09:00

Literally. I have been dreaming about dessert.For the past few weeks, I've been waking in the mornings from the most wonderful dreams. Dreams in which I am dunking fresh donuts in hot chocolate syrup, loading up a plate at a dessert buffet, or licking the frosting off a lemon cupcake.What's up with all this subconscious sweets consumption?Don't get me wrong. I'm not complaining. But do any dream

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-53923400749476756342010-03-23T06:56:00.015+09:002010-03-23T07:37:22.639+09:00

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about home and missing it.I grew up in the deep South (Alabama to be exact), and after graduating from college, I could hardly wait to get out and explore the world.And explore I did. I made a vow at some point that I would take any travel opportunity that came my way even if it was the strangest most remote place. Well, it's now been over 16 years since I left

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-87800236055138622302010-03-20T07:44:00.007+09:002010-03-22T07:46:57.692+09:00

Confession time: When I was a Peace Corps teacher in Africa, I learned how to hitchhike.I know, I know. It seems crazy. Remember, I was a child in the 1980s and heard all those awful news stories and watched prime-time movies about hitching and the inevitable terrible demise too. But I found myself in Africa in situations when I simply had to... and I survived.In any case, I published an article

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-46272029188492090552010-03-14T06:28:00.034+09:002010-03-22T07:47:45.175+09:00

When my sister and I were little, we loved the musical Evita.We listened to the records and memorized all the songs and acted them out. I usually sang the part of Eva, and my sister did a really good rendition of Colonel Peron. In any case, I always had a fascination with Argentina, if only for this famous political figure and her demise.We finally visited Argentina a little while back, and it

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-45819114442135594922010-03-07T10:57:00.011+09:002010-03-07T11:10:28.177+09:00

In honor of the 2010 Iditarod, I post these images. So many fond memories of Alaska, but man, it was cold!

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-70234964556981903932010-03-04T16:10:00.004+09:002010-03-04T16:24:56.606+09:00

Chocolate Mochi Donut from Nevyn Handmade Bakery in TokyoWhat would you say if I told you that you could enjoy the taste of real chocolate without consuming any calories?A Harvard scientist and his grad students recently created a device called "Le Whif." Basically it's an inhaler dispelling vaporized chocolate particles rather than oxygen... you actually get the taste of chocolate in your

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-238470716872223202010-03-02T07:38:00.028+09:002010-03-02T08:38:50.050+09:00

How do you feel about eating a fine local meal of dried crickets and fresh river fish, eyeballs and all?Normally, I'd be completely turned off, but this was part of our dinner at the Jigokudani Korakukan Inn. We stayed there on our snow monkey quest a few weeks back. Now, many lodging options existed there including regular hotels and spa resorts, but we wanted a unique experience, you know?

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-40580807984597727072010-03-01T18:00:00.009+09:002010-03-01T18:27:08.396+09:00

Tonight, my husband and I just listened to the most interesting radio program about the psychology of winning a silver medal instead of gold at the Olympics.Basically, researchers found that many runner-ups suffer a huge disappointment (more so than bronze winners even) and for the rest of their lives feel intense regret about being second best.Well on that note, I just received some news that I

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-59003022257545760142010-02-25T09:33:00.007+09:002010-02-25T09:38:52.388+09:00

Based on our latest trip to Nagano and geocache adventure, we made another Amazing Race Parody. Enjoy!Disclaimer: No monkeys were harmed in the filming of this video.

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-82358826374494228482010-02-20T09:53:00.027+09:002010-02-20T11:08:50.255+09:00

In no way can I do justice writing about the snow monkey adventure we had last weekend. It really defies words, but with photos and descriptions, I'll try...I mentioned before this trip was a planes, trains, and automobile adventure. Here's how it went: We flew from Okinawa to Toyko, embarked on a super fast bullet train from Tokyo to Nagano, spent the night there and enjoyed the luminary

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-23570222675367269232010-02-19T10:37:00.006+09:002010-02-19T10:43:23.029+09:00

Interested in reading a travel article I recently published on Boots N All Travel Site? I would appreciate any feedback you have...Negotiate with a Tour Guide to Get the Tour You Really WantThe topic of the article is somewhat ironic considering that now I am actually a tour guide. I wrote this article after I visited China last year and before I became a guide myself.

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-32293298330317609852010-02-18T07:25:00.021+09:002010-02-18T08:18:30.556+09:00

Has this travel experience ever happened to you?... You are on a trip somewhere and decide to wander without much expectation. Maybe you're in transit and haven't reached your destination. Or it's the end of your trip and you're wiped out. In any case, you don't have any goal in mind except to get a meal and a good night's sleep. Then before you know it, you find yourself pulled into the most

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-80520289889080669812010-02-12T06:56:00.004+09:002010-02-12T07:25:41.674+09:00

For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated with monkeys. (See other monkey posts here and here) This weekend, we're lucky to be visiting a special part of Japan where a unique group of macaque live and exhibit remarkable behavior. We're going to Jigokudani Yaenkoen Monkey Park near Nagano to observe snow monkeys. These particular monkeys native to Japan sit in hot springs to warm up in

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-4525062598084402252010-02-07T19:40:00.016+09:002010-02-07T20:12:46.285+09:00

Photo from Free Nature PicturesI may have mentioned a while back that I started a part-time job as a tour guide.This past weekend, I went on a whale watching tour. From January to March in Okinawa, you can view humpback whales spray water, flip their tails, and roll around...So, how did it go?You know that first scene of the movie Saving Private Ryan? It's the

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-20189489481604797872010-02-04T11:45:00.008+09:002010-02-04T12:25:39.350+09:00

We filmed this up close and personal (sort of) video of whale sharks and mantas at the Churaumi Aquarium in Okinawa... I don't know about you, but all this talk of global warming and rising sea levels sort of makes me think about my place in the food chain.Read more information about the fabulous Churaumi Aquarium here.

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-90356741009610587392010-02-01T14:11:00.019+09:002010-02-01T15:02:17.567+09:00

... FLOWER ARRANGING! Ikebana is a traditional Japanese art enduring for hundreds of years. And just like Trekkies, Dog Show Trainers, or any fringe group that takes their hobby or craft extremely seriously, so do Ikebana flower artists. In fact, there's a whole spiritual philosophy behind it.That's why I should have known better about entering an Ikebana Flower Show in Japan. If I'm completely

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-48505755535649175202010-01-28T17:02:00.006+09:002010-01-28T17:27:17.004+09:00

In the spirit of fun, we made an Amazing Race Parody, in which we are one of the teams competing for a million dollars. Watch the Oscar-winning performance below.This video was inspired by our new favorite travel past time, geocaching. Basically, we use a GPS, secret codes, ambiguous clues, and our own wits to find hidden treasures in Okinawa. (FYI, in case you're wondering, no, I don't really

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-41212657061097595922010-01-26T13:47:00.018+09:002010-01-26T14:16:24.397+09:00

During our overnight stay in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam, we made a short side excursion to Cua Van fishing village.Cua Van is the most perfectly contained and self-sufficient community, with floating houses, floating school, community center and bar, snack boats, and even dogs!For children, there's no walking to school in the morning. Nope, you hop in your boat and sail on over. Can you imagine?Some

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-13324557882893475362010-01-20T09:33:00.020+09:002010-01-20T10:10:27.952+09:00

A popular way to cruise Ha Long Bay is an overnight stay on a junket boat. They are small and intimate replicas of old ships, and though they do offer short side excursions to caves and floating villages, the experience is really all about drifting the soothing waters of the bay."Do you ever get tired of cruising these same waters every day?" I asked our ship captain."I would never go back to my

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-36584217826049039312010-01-16T09:28:00.006+09:002010-01-16T09:52:44.846+09:00

Ha Long Bay, Vietnam. How to describe it?Take a look at the photos and see for yourself.In the Gulf of Tonkin, Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reknown for its thousands of limestone islands, sea caves, and pillars jutting out of the ocean. It's quite possibly the most calming place I've ever been. I never knew Ha Long Bay existed until a few years ago when it was featured in the

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-77213028804156982132010-01-14T08:35:00.018+09:002010-01-14T09:14:08.989+09:00

This past Christmas Eve in Hanoi was as memorable as they get. We spent the entire day strolling (and sometimes crawling over pedicabs when the traffic stalled) through the maze of streets in the Old Quarter, walking in to all kinds of interesting scenes.This school had just completed its Christmas program, and we peeked inside the heavy gates to see these children decked out in their Santa

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-68315368833656239052010-01-10T07:55:00.023+09:002010-01-10T08:56:45.800+09:00

Hanoi street (notice how everything goes according to its own agenda) The Vietnamese street. Whoa... how do I describe it? Well, it's a place that makes your senses go into overdrive.It's a place to get a traveler's fix if you built up a tolerance to more mundane destinations. It's also a place where the Street is King. Almost every aspect of life revolves around what can be bought, sold,

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-13539298173855368192010-01-08T10:50:00.017+09:002010-01-09T08:24:35.806+09:00

Stone-carved wall reliefs at Angkor Wat templeBefore I move on to telling you about the crazy next leg in our Southeast Asian trip, Hanoi, Vietnam, here are a few last glimpses of the very colorful characters and images of Cambodia...I'm loving it too- this photograph, I mean.I'm loving this one even more... check out the monkey in the middlePuppets hanging from a treeFat monkeyWaiting for the

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-27067221353890718602010-01-06T17:35:00.024+09:002010-01-08T07:24:25.821+09:00

Having free time before our late evening flight out of Cambodia, we enrolled in a cooking class. It turned out to be one of the most engaging and fun experiences we had on our vacation. We were partnered with a dynamic British family, currently expatriates in Singapore. They had two bright kids, Charlotte, 14 and Tollie, 5 years old.We started off the session by shopping for the freshest

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-71120646589939954292010-01-06T16:45:00.024+09:002010-01-06T17:32:16.629+09:00

How do you feel about waking up at the crack of dawn when you're on vacation?Challenging, but we rose at 4:45 am one morning in Cambodia. We had heard the sunrise over the temples at Angkor Wat was not to be missed. Our means of experience: balloon ride.At first, we were grumpy and felt we had succumbed to tourist scam as the balloon ride cost a whole $15 per person. I know, I know, but that is

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-29971407017001829002009-12-30T15:33:00.021+09:002010-01-04T17:33:45.965+09:00

Ahhh after being in 90 degree weather most of the dayRaiding temples, pretending to search for ancient treasures, and jumping around in the air to get a suitable action shot and the like sure works up an appetite. I had no idea what Cambodian food would be like, but I quickly fell for it. It had all my favorite things including a combination of sweet and sour tastes, spices, and fresh herbs like

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-55361598517979990352009-12-30T14:44:00.031+09:002010-01-02T08:42:20.670+09:00

Ever have Indiana Jones fantasies?Without a doubt, the main reason to come to Siem Reap is to view the breathtaking temples at Angkor Wat. Built during the Khmer Empire's height of power between 842 and 1432 AD, the temples rise out of the jungle to demonstrate the force of this civilization in Southeast Asia. There's nothing like that first sight of one in the distance as you approach!The 216

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-89498003226817790212009-12-29T17:10:00.015+09:002009-12-30T14:31:35.017+09:00

After our "initiation" the night before with our very late arrival and the taxi driver who wanted to take us home to his house and serve us a feast of fresh chickens at midnight (see previous post), we woke full of energy to bright sunshine our first day in Siem Reap.Having few expectations about this tiny city, Sean and I fell in love with the lively downtown area. The city center, comprised of

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Put yourself in this situation... you arrive past midnight to a city you've never been to before. In this case, it's Siem Reap, the tiny bustling city right next to the famous Angkor Wat religious complex. Your guidebook tells you to easily grab a cab from the airport to your hotel and pay no more than $5 total for the ride.Only by the time you clear customs and groggily saunter over to the taxi

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-8519386271514400222009-12-17T16:50:00.012+09:002009-12-18T16:41:13.680+09:00

We are taking off again in a few days to visit Cambodia and Vietnam. We'll be spending 4 days in Siem Reap, touring around the temples at Angkor Wat and then we fly to Hanoi, where we'll spend a few days and finally experience a fabulous junket cruise on Halong Bay... so excited!I also wanted to share another great discovery!I mentioned before that I love the "Song of the Day" online radio

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We certainly enjoyed the food last week in Iwakuni and Miyajima Island. Here's a little sample of what our food adventures looked like...This historic looking building is the restaurant we ate at in Iwakuni. Doesn't it look perfectly cozy for a crisp evening? We don't actually know what the true name of it is. Everyone we know simply refers to it as the Chicken Shack... you'll find out soon

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Wild deer in front of the famous floating Torii GateLast week, I jumped on a military hop from Okinawa to Iwakuni on mainland Japan. Sean had to attend a meeting up there and I tagged along to get a little taste of maple leaves, cold weather, good eating, and deer... so perfect to put us in the holiday spirit.Wild deer on a narrow residential streetWe took a short excursion one day to Miyajima

Mary and Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793829667368903351noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4590240878226694914.post-57764000136047193362009-12-11T18:00:00.006+09:002009-12-11T18:23:42.027+09:00

In this episode of Mary and Sean's Adventure's Abroad, we take you along as we explore the exciting and glittery city of Hong Kong!Now, other travelogues showcase Victoria Peak, the Avenue of the Stars, or the masses of humanity that live there. We love all that too, but you can see that anywhere. Instead in this episode, we give a glimpse of one of our typical travel days. What you can expect

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Just got back from a short trip to mainland Japan, but before I tell you about that or Hong Kong, here's one last glimpse of Suzhou.This is a busy pedestrian street with all kinds of interesting going-ons. Very fun to walk down, but you'll see it's hard to take video, walk, and not get mowed down all at the same time. (Though people were certainly friendly!)Have you ever heard of Richard Scary

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In addition to its gardens, canals, and pagodas, I learned that Suzhou is a popular destination for weddings in China. Not only are picturesque areas of town perfect as a ceremony backdrop, but Suzhou, famous for its silk production and embroidery is also the capital of wedding dress manufacturing and distribution.Indeed, I saw it with my own eyes- a tree-lined avenue with shop after shop selling

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During my visit to Suzhou, China a few weeks back, I noticed people carrying and eating popsicles made out of sugar on the street. Ever curious about local street-foods, I sought out the creator and found this unique vendor who makes amazing works of edible art right in front of your eyes. Apparently, sugar art has a long cultural tradition in China going all the way back to the Song Dynasty (960

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From "Paris of the East" (Shanghai), I took a side trip to nearby Suzhou, famous for its gardens and water canals that have earned it the title "Venice of the East. "I was curious to find out how far the comparison actually went. Local Chinese claim that it was Marco Polo himself who supposedly awarded Suzhou this complementary title. But it started to dawn on me during this trip to China that

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Before I tell you anything more about our Hong Kong trip, I feel I have to give some attention to Shanghai, the older shabbier distinctly more Chinese sister (or rather divorced auntie) I visited on my own a few weeks back.I am in a unique position to have been able to visit both places so near in time to each other and compare the two. In fact, given that China is a force so up and coming these

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