tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51315556108664970862024-03-05T09:21:34.476-08:00Laure and QuarupQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009834242027169260noreply@blogger.comBlogger113125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131555610866497086.post-26103238940162337002019-07-07T12:55:00.003-07:002022-01-27T05:33:21.284-08:00Reminiscing Silverton and its amazing powder skiing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Looking through some old photos, I came across Emil's, Laure's, and my trip to Silverton back in March 2010.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57iNiwetHZnCaM_rO3rDQZL56_IYCt_H9CmwEtLIvwMocOSWTstAGqmt3tKsKnS_IkIeOHlaI6nSq_oOSupPneQLUp7_rDrXMcnRuLaAL-RJXV6Wy1TOeJxNPm7mMpD16hdvkXO35KuA/s1600/Silverton+Friday+03-12+%2528123%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57iNiwetHZnCaM_rO3rDQZL56_IYCt_H9CmwEtLIvwMocOSWTstAGqmt3tKsKnS_IkIeOHlaI6nSq_oOSupPneQLUp7_rDrXMcnRuLaAL-RJXV6Wy1TOeJxNPm7mMpD16hdvkXO35KuA/s400/Silverton+Friday+03-12+%2528123%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heli ride!</td></tr>
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<h2>
Planning</h2>
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Emil had gotten hooked on going to Silverton after reading some trip reports describing its ungodly amounts of powder accessible via its single ski lift. We also came across this <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/14/travel/14silverton.html">NY Times article</a> with the provocative opening line, "<b>Chances are you're not good enough to ski Silverton Mountain</b>."</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/1b-JyiaI47Y/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1b-JyiaI47Y?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">"<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1b-JyiaI47Y">Only Experts Can Ski at Silverton</a>" | Outside TV</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Silverton still retains its reputation many years later.</span></div>
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Looking back at it today, the inflated "you have to be bad ass to ski here" reputation of Silverton is admittedly overblown. But we still had a great time and I would probably go back again.<br />
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When Emil implanted the idea in my head back then, I got super excited and couldn't resist the call of powder. Laure was on the fence at first, especially since she was struggling with an ankle injury, but she eventually succumbed to join for two days.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY5CIe5z06o9dA4JleoGfcdPTXIlpbA1buW_500PaPLjZz4kmF4ozDoUvwfYOOTYkRu-iHuJfSURL1TNKkzQWGXv1yB2MAZp_lEoHe4ucekCT-FTX8NkZsNZxSjOvrN1wmHQSmkXSwpG0/s1600/IMG_0551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY5CIe5z06o9dA4JleoGfcdPTXIlpbA1buW_500PaPLjZz4kmF4ozDoUvwfYOOTYkRu-iHuJfSURL1TNKkzQWGXv1yB2MAZp_lEoHe4ucekCT-FTX8NkZsNZxSjOvrN1wmHQSmkXSwpG0/s400/IMG_0551.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">On our way to Silverton!</td></tr>
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Silverton: the town</h2>
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Silverton is a super charming town straight out of an old western movie. Most of the action is on a single strip of shops and hotels.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0CMZ9npq5ADuJqIJyYbi8MVlx1U7eGuYyUewe-LxeqjD0Dnp1uGrj7flmvuVZhuYW1uh1dD93WFy4-5Upy1fUtl23XtVzOgtcb6hTgHK8y5nu3noX1YFpOY9_6PSGtfXqxRVV2zlI840/s1600/Silverton+Friday+03-12+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0CMZ9npq5ADuJqIJyYbi8MVlx1U7eGuYyUewe-LxeqjD0Dnp1uGrj7flmvuVZhuYW1uh1dD93WFy4-5Upy1fUtl23XtVzOgtcb6hTgHK8y5nu3noX1YFpOY9_6PSGtfXqxRVV2zlI840/s400/Silverton+Friday+03-12+%25283%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silverton preserves its mining town charm in the Rockies.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4oO3aNq3_socnhIV1gHBZ0EjUWz8TpCL6r81V044PsRKXCr9Kvp9SBmnpXLhhhxMDEgCiI3ALBexYFOwHGzohExrbSjtiXW5OE6ssF2uKO9fRNai4JZDguGVUg6TzSmjsGnNSLViNSPo/s1600/Silverton+Friday+03-12+%2528146%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4oO3aNq3_socnhIV1gHBZ0EjUWz8TpCL6r81V044PsRKXCr9Kvp9SBmnpXLhhhxMDEgCiI3ALBexYFOwHGzohExrbSjtiXW5OE6ssF2uKO9fRNai4JZDguGVUg6TzSmjsGnNSLViNSPo/s400/Silverton+Friday+03-12+%2528146%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is this place for real?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emil and I in front of the bakery where I think we had dinner.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6q4CTrSa5MWIt4TL4I2BmQzNv4QZ7cbvSibnwOwOy3lHXS5RP8ZY7KPm9h4T8gyG2i2RdGdyMcMnehqluiNbJPT06hlObtrQJfVSf67SsYA7V3xkHFVl64h29-hwNdvHzQRr7rAzDAI/s1600/Silverton+Friday+03-12+%2528196%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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We all shared a room at a hotel that put us up on the top floor. As we lugged our stuff up the several flights of stairs, we realized the air isn't so thick above 9000 ft (3km) above sea level.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8uQAMJwlEkVdolJrOm3zCs6zdC1mxu34vcpY4ln94kePQYs_FIk1lZ11PfO2M1QxzDo5J2oGhH6hQkrYK5YEp6zVPwEnbCPw60O_1B-vWRvD8mfH0nvVNxPrAd6dg9ZguQvuN9EAI3ds/s1600/Silverton+Friday+03-12+%252884%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1030" data-original-width="1600" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8uQAMJwlEkVdolJrOm3zCs6zdC1mxu34vcpY4ln94kePQYs_FIk1lZ11PfO2M1QxzDo5J2oGhH6hQkrYK5YEp6zVPwEnbCPw60O_1B-vWRvD8mfH0nvVNxPrAd6dg9ZguQvuN9EAI3ds/s400/Silverton+Friday+03-12+%252884%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast at Mother Kluckers.<br />
I'm saddened to learn they closed down. :'(</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3F5V881gHa_w2xRXRdQcNX6LcJN_kxvQ_AzDLmODWhJf6pXhSjX3I0w9mfBHclaY0WkVWF9oInVsT-4zjFu0rNUSkre6N05kETTH4gdzJ18eqiuYenJ-2Fx_OEoQ-r37iorwY_m_WmMk/s1600/Silverton+Saturday+-+Qs+Camera+%252816%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="972" data-original-width="1298" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3F5V881gHa_w2xRXRdQcNX6LcJN_kxvQ_AzDLmODWhJf6pXhSjX3I0w9mfBHclaY0WkVWF9oInVsT-4zjFu0rNUSkre6N05kETTH4gdzJ18eqiuYenJ-2Fx_OEoQ-r37iorwY_m_WmMk/s400/Silverton+Saturday+-+Qs+Camera+%252816%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Off we go.</td></tr>
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<h2>
Silverton mountain first impressions</h2>
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The first thing you do at arrival in Silverton is to check in at their make shift tent lodge. Even though Silverton had a limit of 80 guided customers (practically nothing compared to a regular ski resort), their tent comfortably fit only about half that many people. After adding the work crew into the mix, this is what you got:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9pjWrQDw-Dr0LxtzdLpkgpsP4Ju1y1qVkTvkql6OqvZq3hmW5HVDGsrAoxyfmg5Rl_HItMq0_QYB3zeuGcUClJNN8g8UTGaflfSHYLm-rFuGg_Fd4hrWxe7asLw5tVIgRU4ZddWb0_Us/s1600/Silverton+Friday+03-12+%252886%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9pjWrQDw-Dr0LxtzdLpkgpsP4Ju1y1qVkTvkql6OqvZq3hmW5HVDGsrAoxyfmg5Rl_HItMq0_QYB3zeuGcUClJNN8g8UTGaflfSHYLm-rFuGg_Fd4hrWxe7asLw5tVIgRU4ZddWb0_Us/s400/Silverton+Friday+03-12+%252886%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Utter chaos checking in at the tent lodge.</td></tr>
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After signing our lives away, we picked up our avalanche safety gear (this was before we owned our own) at their lustrous demo center:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAoEXbYtEG-sj9fwfYJ1lfxylig1P8c80sAxNWBlASOhKK7DQEj-ACbD5zGclagicfohWGCNBwJx6UlfPKxDLD_GjPXviFXAF5cc8iYZ2k666rIyOxGEYrhZpKkWP86scCJJnd-rjIIs/s1600/Silverton+Friday+03-12+%252888%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAoEXbYtEG-sj9fwfYJ1lfxylig1P8c80sAxNWBlASOhKK7DQEj-ACbD5zGclagicfohWGCNBwJx6UlfPKxDLD_GjPXviFXAF5cc8iYZ2k666rIyOxGEYrhZpKkWP86scCJJnd-rjIIs/s400/Silverton+Friday+03-12+%252888%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Demo Bus.</td></tr>
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If you haven't noticed already, Silverton has an interesting no-frills vibe. The message is very clear: Silverton wants serious powder skiers and passive aggressively shuns upscale ski resorts with fancy amenities. Maybe they overdo it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEierxR8yxwT0ikNWaEeq7dU0UpzcacROMXdifB1M6Jt9OflwRsJjdNmnsylAI3Fthad69XNjxnKKZA0dVwFAtWXKmd8KhtPQ0i2-lwDajV4xtkFBMsKky4RB16Pm90rwah0i8vML96FCeU/s1600/Silverton+Friday+03-12+%252889%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEierxR8yxwT0ikNWaEeq7dU0UpzcacROMXdifB1M6Jt9OflwRsJjdNmnsylAI3Fthad69XNjxnKKZA0dVwFAtWXKmd8KhtPQ0i2-lwDajV4xtkFBMsKky4RB16Pm90rwah0i8vML96FCeU/s400/Silverton+Friday+03-12+%252889%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laure wasn't so stoked about the outhouse.<br />
I believe they have since replaced it with a more decent restroom.</td></tr>
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<h2>
Getting ready</h2>
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At the beginning of each day, guides split up people into two big groups (fast and very fast), and then create subgroups up to 8 people each. Since we felt like noobs, we joined one of the fast groups, which usually worked out fine.<br />
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At this point, we realized that Laure was one out of maybe four women in all of the 80 clients. Respect!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXlAHIT7IS7-4AkHJ2a0QyGbE0XeUqJs7HY_GbyRwSqCcfKX2gv_RFjwkCfki1MMXqchwTP1nP86AttPZVd7UR-xNbvwCfWtCVgR4vHEq7886-oXPnygnf9OMcHzNbSoJvWJWnlO-nZNo/s1600/Silverton+Friday+03-12+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXlAHIT7IS7-4AkHJ2a0QyGbE0XeUqJs7HY_GbyRwSqCcfKX2gv_RFjwkCfki1MMXqchwTP1nP86AttPZVd7UR-xNbvwCfWtCVgR4vHEq7886-oXPnygnf9OMcHzNbSoJvWJWnlO-nZNo/s400/Silverton+Friday+03-12+%25288%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Avalanche safety orientation.</td></tr>
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After getting into groups, the guides went over a ridiculously fast forwarded crash course of avalanche safety, in which we basically learned that guides may be able to rescue clients, but probably not the other way around. This may sound like Silverton is reckless, but in reality, they are extremely serious about avalanche safety. They do <a href="https://www.denverpost.com/2010/02/01/silvertons-heli-skiings-thrills-include-dealing-with-avalanche-danger/">more avalanche control (i.e. blasting bombs)</a> than any other resort in Colorado. As far as I can tell, Silverton still has a spotless record to date.</div>
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Climbing up</h2>
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Silverton has a double chair lift salvaged from Mammoth ski resort. It takes skiers and snowboarders up to a ridge from where we could access endless options for powder skiing within an hour radius worth of hiking.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuGsLbFcDe70yBq4t9f4Nx5uj6vIQ2D73bKBhhNt_nFMvuU3E4lf9_TJnnaAGQCl_cH80InNM2SWMAfIiTLAMBiRUxv-II1lNmjDR5F4C1FkcjKbleHYztcLKpGf7XjnNixN2hZPKnvcE/s1600/Silveton+Sunday+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuGsLbFcDe70yBq4t9f4Nx5uj6vIQ2D73bKBhhNt_nFMvuU3E4lf9_TJnnaAGQCl_cH80InNM2SWMAfIiTLAMBiRUxv-II1lNmjDR5F4C1FkcjKbleHYztcLKpGf7XjnNixN2hZPKnvcE/s400/Silveton+Sunday+%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had a chuckle reading this.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDyHIlluBm8n87nFkBKBsyMYTGU7vzVA1ScXJYrYxtlrlbByKh9XwkECFvRF4clfl7jgTjfFYfdOI6N-OGr8rcUwHjHgOh08xhQ6-Yv3z2_878Vkssut7q9GC67dU0Kd7MqCxCKkAqyQ/s1600/Silverton+Friday+03-12+%252860%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDyHIlluBm8n87nFkBKBsyMYTGU7vzVA1ScXJYrYxtlrlbByKh9XwkECFvRF4clfl7jgTjfFYfdOI6N-OGr8rcUwHjHgOh08xhQ6-Yv3z2_878Vkssut7q9GC67dU0Kd7MqCxCKkAqyQ/s400/Silverton+Friday+03-12+%252860%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking up the ridge during nice weather is awesome.</td></tr>
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Before our trip to Silverton, Laure and I had started doing a few hikes from chair lifts at ski resorts, which we enjoyed. We were pretty excited to push ourselves further in Silverton.<br />
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Perhaps the biggest challenge was the altitude: 10,000 to 13,500 ft (3,200 to 4,100 m) above sea level. It is technically the highest ski resort area (if you can call it that) in North America. It wasn't so bad once we got used to the altitude, though.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3dY5sGkpD_qD4eKFxV3AUOzUdtvzDZwz4UhgcZkBkFiBEO4YwG3ZdgcbnXl88gY8zFlqSXo8EBanJKbZhGMbOZHkPR2f7c1RM2vCOW-oW6KEIriVhQXgcoTZex68Z2iGUfnngyUfJVM/s1600/Silverton+Friday+03-12+%2528161%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3dY5sGkpD_qD4eKFxV3AUOzUdtvzDZwz4UhgcZkBkFiBEO4YwG3ZdgcbnXl88gY8zFlqSXo8EBanJKbZhGMbOZHkPR2f7c1RM2vCOW-oW6KEIriVhQXgcoTZex68Z2iGUfnngyUfJVM/s400/Silverton+Friday+03-12+%2528161%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Each hike usually lasted between 15 to 30 minutes.</td></tr>
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Coming down</h2>
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The reason everyone goes to Silverton is to ski and ride powder. In order to stay safe and also maximize the powder for everyone, the guides constantly discussed options and spread out throughout the region. This allowed us to enjoy untouched powder without competing against belligerently aggressive skiers, as we had gotten used to at regular ski resorts. Spreading out was also safer: less pressure on the snowpack and less chance of multiple people getting caught in an avalanche.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Our group's tracks on the left.</td></tr>
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As another way to conserve powder, guides often asked their groups to stay on one side of the guide's tracks so that later groups could still enjoy untracked powder on the other side of the tracks. </div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Laure at the end of a run.</span></div>
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Despite Silverton's reputation for extreme skiing, most often we didn't ski down steep slopes; usually only 20-30 degrees, which are like blue and black trails in the US. I'm not sure how much of this was because we were on a "fast" instead of a "very fast" group, though.</div>
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That being said, almost every lap had a few if not most sections of untouched powder. Sometimes we hit some steeper slopes too; 35+ degrees.</div>
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One fun area that we lapped multiple times was the 100 Acre Woods. It is a relatively steep area with lots of trees, boulders, and features to play with. The tree spacing is a bit tighter than most tree skiing we were used to in Tahoe, which made it extra fun.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOcht_feE1To_S7j9sncCVqknHuaTMZatGF4k5uZu8XCD-F2jFw-MlgTWouiwFSzU1PY7hsFqZqqXdJk78VqV_L3QsC71mF5DWlb24_v7kYjUEb95TGuGPCgSzwdF1GvZIf7wzypk7XJg/s1600/Silverton+Friday+03-12+%2528133%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOcht_feE1To_S7j9sncCVqknHuaTMZatGF4k5uZu8XCD-F2jFw-MlgTWouiwFSzU1PY7hsFqZqqXdJk78VqV_L3QsC71mF5DWlb24_v7kYjUEb95TGuGPCgSzwdF1GvZIf7wzypk7XJg/s400/Silverton+Friday+03-12+%2528133%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">100 Acre Woods.<br />
Some of the most fun tree skiing I've done.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">A lot of fun features @ 100 Acre Woods.</span></div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Shuttling back</h2>
<h2>
<div style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400;">
Some of the runs end up a bit far away from the ski lift. When we came down on these, the guide called up the infamous UPS truck that Silverton repurposed as a shuttle to pick us up.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhx-zW14pBNXRsZhDt8JObOAukG-Qs2mmF6Q3Q6pfjkIsXPrF0-QurdtoizQj2tG7YSUnEIUXUEZJeIv8J95JaQe1vA-L9RjK2lAOwtX4G4OK62A9H2Vsgtz-gUb6Zu9qajNoyOeRY02U/s1600/Silverton+Friday+03-12+%2528139%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhx-zW14pBNXRsZhDt8JObOAukG-Qs2mmF6Q3Q6pfjkIsXPrF0-QurdtoizQj2tG7YSUnEIUXUEZJeIv8J95JaQe1vA-L9RjK2lAOwtX4G4OK62A9H2Vsgtz-gUb6Zu9qajNoyOeRY02U/s400/Silverton+Friday+03-12+%2528139%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The infamous repurposed UPS truck shuttle.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7j2G7WyChaAKx1CjEHRepPy3vSZaIwXroOXwE1F_mHqxOFzm5UIE2A3A6tyGbr3rp5cJHaivvzmm_DyceleXRThwen-NYGbkEBXbeIfflaTfjWVW9ueaJFBpLue1UmYf17rzp9rY5vC4/s1600/Silverton+Friday+03-12+%2528142%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7j2G7WyChaAKx1CjEHRepPy3vSZaIwXroOXwE1F_mHqxOFzm5UIE2A3A6tyGbr3rp5cJHaivvzmm_DyceleXRThwen-NYGbkEBXbeIfflaTfjWVW9ueaJFBpLue1UmYf17rzp9rY5vC4/s400/Silverton+Friday+03-12+%2528142%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was a snow bunny inside.</td></tr>
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</h2>
<h2>
Heli ride: Grande Couloir</h2>
Easily the highlight of our trip was the run down Grande Couloir.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbtvWKMIcETWFrrEdLNmXM-AMzGYOGbqIXdC9Hkhy83AZ1CRRosj-ZBKun42pWOWQ7qh9zGKS3XhR_uRFU4uWJ-mZT92xq4Vl1EE0k1Kr3yvB8urjbbKuYB4F3-WrwbIIfwAyPuu-RqY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-06-26+at+11.47.47+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="1439" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbtvWKMIcETWFrrEdLNmXM-AMzGYOGbqIXdC9Hkhy83AZ1CRRosj-ZBKun42pWOWQ7qh9zGKS3XhR_uRFU4uWJ-mZT92xq4Vl1EE0k1Kr3yvB8urjbbKuYB4F3-WrwbIIfwAyPuu-RqY/s400/Screen+Shot+2019-06-26+at+11.47.47+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the Grande Couloir from the heli pad.</td></tr>
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Before describing the couloir itself, it's worth explaining how the heli skiing works. Generally speaking, heli skiing is very expensive for multiple reasons, including gasoline. But Silverton has a clever way of saving gas: they have a heli pad at the top of the ski lift, which saves the fuel required to go up and down.<br />
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Additionally, Silverton was required to perform extensive avalanche control to get its permit, which in practice forced them to get a helicopter anyway. As a result, they offer helicopter rides for a relatively affordable price -- each ride costed about than $80 in 2010, although costs went up to $179 as of 2019.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAH55JMWDDSt_kz6HENvzy_ExwodDb3aK0JXXAwGnHzOCVwgjvsfNPAEN9mzm6lGNRW0LnIp5vHnxgFsUzeJh-D8jotJ0cXK7kZbJdOQsyhC9YR50yO6GW228dRskSYPqKb2CKqhmZyk/s1600/Silverton+Friday+03-12+%252868%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAH55JMWDDSt_kz6HENvzy_ExwodDb3aK0JXXAwGnHzOCVwgjvsfNPAEN9mzm6lGNRW0LnIp5vHnxgFsUzeJh-D8jotJ0cXK7kZbJdOQsyhC9YR50yO6GW228dRskSYPqKb2CKqhmZyk/s400/Silverton+Friday+03-12+%252868%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading to the helicopter.</td></tr>
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Our group was lucky to get the opportunity to be the first ones to come down this epic couloir after the last snow storm. The avalanche experts had thrown a few bombs earlier that morning to secure the area and cleared us to go.<br />
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Our group was too large for a helicopter single ride, so they made two trips to drop us off.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Helicopter dropping off the second group on the saddle of the couloir.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">I have been told this landing requires an impressive amount of skill.</span></div>
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The run down from the top of the couloir was about 1,300 ft (400 m) of uninterrupted fresh powder.. The very top section was 40+ degrees, which then mellowed out on the way down.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Emil coming down the lower section of Grande Couloir</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">You can see some of the spots where they dropped avalanche control bombs.</span></div>
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In order to minimize avalanche danger, each of us took turns to do the entire pitch without taking breaks. It was an awesome mixture of glee and exhaustion.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLEWLI0ZZOxuiy_8aH4xBxD3XpK5ElXdFEAVHAbUwCHa77ZD3ZqWRfP3-bchesHNgCtFYDV9MW_d0jqpZjxl8KYOJsPmikWkEKKBJturGjCavy0oT6hlxZc1kgpSSkqmbpwcFS44glYK8/s1600/Silverton+Saturday+-+Qs+Camera+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLEWLI0ZZOxuiy_8aH4xBxD3XpK5ElXdFEAVHAbUwCHa77ZD3ZqWRfP3-bchesHNgCtFYDV9MW_d0jqpZjxl8KYOJsPmikWkEKKBJturGjCavy0oT6hlxZc1kgpSSkqmbpwcFS44glYK8/s400/Silverton+Saturday+-+Qs+Camera+%25281%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the bottom of the couloir.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">On our way out, we were still stoked about the Grande Couloir.</span></div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Final thoughts</h2>
I have a lot of nostalgia about our trip to Silverton in 2010. It was an awesome adventure and we got some really great powder.<br />
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On the other hand, I believe their "you have to be bad ass to be here" reputation is a bit silly. Ironically, as much as Silverton tries to be anti-mainstream, they kind of follow the stereotype of American culture of exaggeration. To Silverton's defense, it may not be really their fault, but really the fault of magazine writers or bloggers (like myself) that exaggerate their stories in order to get the attention of readers.<br />
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Alternatively, Silverton may be just a victim of the inflation of exaggeration. Most skiers and snowboarders have learned that ski resorts warnings about "expert" terrain are usually exaggerating. Some resorts even have skull and crossbones signs near double black diamond runs. Maybe it's because ski resorts don't want to get sued when someone gets hurt. But now ski resorts <b>have to</b> exaggerate otherwise skiers and snowboarders don't take them seriously.<br />
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On our last day in Silverton, we had two people on our group that were completely out of their league. One guy did not want to hike at all and the other kept whining that he could not ski between trees. How the hell did these people get there? Inflation of exaggeration.<br />
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Writing this post, I learned that the Silverton mountain founders <a href="https://www.denverpost.com/2016/03/18/15-years-in-silverton-mountain-founders-arent-sure-theyd-do-it-again/">went through a lot of red tape</a> to follow (and continuously adjust) their dream. The costs to adhere to environmental requirements and also protect against lawsuits were so high that the founders went almost a full decade without getting paid. Thinking back about the demo bus and outhouse: maybe they weren't entirely just for image. Maybe Silverton mountain didn't have enough money to invest in more permanent infrastructure.<br />
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I would like to one day go back to Silverton. Ideally, I would go back in a full group of eight friends (Emil, are you reading this?) to effectively get a private guide and avoid wildcard characters.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We need five more.</td></tr>
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Qhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009834242027169260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131555610866497086.post-86445669204496213912017-09-02T08:13:00.001-07:002017-09-02T08:18:50.725-07:002015: Laure's Surprise Birthday Destination: Colmar, France and Freiburg, Germany<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
One month until the little one was due to arrive meant that we had just enough time to make one more weekend trip. And this is my favorite type of trip; the mystery birthday trip. Q had a tall order to fill - finding somewhere interesting within driving
distance (no flying this late in the pregnancy), and preferably somewhere we
hadn't been before. He came up with a full extended weekend for us. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Road trip route.</td></tr>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
First stop, Colmar, France</h3>
We had been to Colmar once before, early in the spring before the tourist season began. What a mistake. The whole place was deserted, shops were closed, the weather was cold and gloomy, and whole vibe of the town was utterly depressing. We ate lunch and immediately drove back home. We knew it must be better during the tourist season so we vowed to return.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8o-kGPpOYg4Wo3pc6hcq-ZkxOY_gVAS6ZJnzCYl1Dz0nfklamsLYwRrVz8GszVqi0xKt2ytjX6Ok4hWp3itDRRB0SnQuHArlkiu3BwIsxIc8BfcbeU8ZuwxXkD1XaBkr4r_O2yX6gTY/s1600/DSC_0871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8o-kGPpOYg4Wo3pc6hcq-ZkxOY_gVAS6ZJnzCYl1Dz0nfklamsLYwRrVz8GszVqi0xKt2ytjX6Ok4hWp3itDRRB0SnQuHArlkiu3BwIsxIc8BfcbeU8ZuwxXkD1XaBkr4r_O2yX6gTY/s400/DSC_0871.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cold, windy, and deserted.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As expected, everything was much nicer in June. The streets were lively with tourists, flowers throughout were in spring bloom, the weather was bright and warm, and the shops were open. The small medieval town was a joy to wonder through. Since this is one of the few towns that escaped the bombing of the WW2, the center of town feels like you are transported back in time.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8wzZhxFYG2ZxqRoso_d7Az2QOA5no1tDmn5Wg9CmlZVBwGidHHk7fd8J97VWeQRGFPyWTwZcR1HfNzRvYaRJnmVWDE1bLUslY7gFAQjU9AO0JafmTWFwAsiONyQ0ONVGNbFU2BgtK30E/s1600/DSC_0920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8wzZhxFYG2ZxqRoso_d7Az2QOA5no1tDmn5Wg9CmlZVBwGidHHk7fd8J97VWeQRGFPyWTwZcR1HfNzRvYaRJnmVWDE1bLUslY7gFAQjU9AO0JafmTWFwAsiONyQ0ONVGNbFU2BgtK30E/s400/DSC_0920.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not overrun with tourists but the place felt warm and cheerful.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We spent one night in the small town and were able to see many of its highlights. We had a few delicious meals and used the Rick Steves France book's self guided walking tour to get a feel for town and see its highlights.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fjA-KbfNnbiYefHzFWHmM-ptykM7iUcXeqGJBQX1qNqlmaZr2w0zY2TSzdlUfktXyPldUawAUZAwD4d-UuKkE4NAuB6BzcnAWN7bJKAOGRfoogSqL57A7amsTEmVzYX8Voi159oEPW4/s1600/IMG_20150611_203106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fjA-KbfNnbiYefHzFWHmM-ptykM7iUcXeqGJBQX1qNqlmaZr2w0zY2TSzdlUfktXyPldUawAUZAwD4d-UuKkE4NAuB6BzcnAWN7bJKAOGRfoogSqL57A7amsTEmVzYX8Voi159oEPW4/s400/IMG_20150611_203106.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tucked away in the middle of the block, we found this amazing garden restaurant.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_mfS39jsqriRwt0ikdHxpkIBqPxbH1f0qvkA1hVwCuIs78842LztU8PoOCZk3-WnmcE2ySIbk1R1VlgGtzvLy7Jj_ddCJfSrBYSn6uUqRGJjXsjWiqn05hZEl4HxdziYJ-9b5ukHOLHw/s1600/DSC_0143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_mfS39jsqriRwt0ikdHxpkIBqPxbH1f0qvkA1hVwCuIs78842LztU8PoOCZk3-WnmcE2ySIbk1R1VlgGtzvLy7Jj_ddCJfSrBYSn6uUqRGJjXsjWiqn05hZEl4HxdziYJ-9b5ukHOLHw/s400/DSC_0143.JPG" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The largest lunch portion burger and potatoes I have ever seen. The baby and I tried but couldn't finish all this food.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKu9MRPvLPVFcoysvDu9QZeXhkmcT9P9sg4A3J2-rLrff9qoyU4mU20SdK-ZWwpNPsITH5z-u9GmQlIKdsGdkcQAuP3BFCk1eApz2-IrKlmvoX9O7fwc3Z4fK7r1Mr7gCukNjsuDnOiD8/s1600/DSC_0927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKu9MRPvLPVFcoysvDu9QZeXhkmcT9P9sg4A3J2-rLrff9qoyU4mU20SdK-ZWwpNPsITH5z-u9GmQlIKdsGdkcQAuP3BFCk1eApz2-IrKlmvoX9O7fwc3Z4fK7r1Mr7gCukNjsuDnOiD8/s400/DSC_0927.JPG" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The center of Colmar felt like a fairy tale village.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRuaIixegy3mRiyCsnvD6xRo2ZN7DapACisT9U1_tqFfvKVtYG5KJl-uVGHLnQhVVYzVB8u0Fgi8-23HSVrqPjKrUSdfiqf8vYjO-Yqxc-1mLwPiU1CK1ORAA2qYFzvXXlkg4zjLaszNk/s1600/DSC_0918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRuaIixegy3mRiyCsnvD6xRo2ZN7DapACisT9U1_tqFfvKVtYG5KJl-uVGHLnQhVVYzVB8u0Fgi8-23HSVrqPjKrUSdfiqf8vYjO-Yqxc-1mLwPiU1CK1ORAA2qYFzvXXlkg4zjLaszNk/s400/DSC_0918.JPG" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Historically this was the tanner's street.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Next stop, Freiburg, Germany</h3>
Just as spring rain shower arrived, we were on our way to Germany. We couldn't have planned the timing any better. During our drive, sheets of rain were coming down so fiercely that all cars on the autobahn were moving at a snail's pace - a bizarre sight to see on a road that doesn't have a speed limit.<br />
<br />
Freiburg is a quaint small city with a young college feel. There isn't much to see besides the main Church/Minster but what little there was to discover we learned through the self guided tour in the Rick Steves Germany book. We're big Rick Steves fans if you couldn't tell.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOuYAjBZADXVX5iBjYmNp-y-3iPwJQLTVJAeTEMubw2EnTZHMaIeA7pITa2Vd2VC_lswPqS0yD2w6Ki0HXwfCA7dvx1Mbo6iD2dCuKh6OwUCLekvX774HCWot86j7cfbmjxnZ93htdHPk/s1600/IMG_20150612_210501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOuYAjBZADXVX5iBjYmNp-y-3iPwJQLTVJAeTEMubw2EnTZHMaIeA7pITa2Vd2VC_lswPqS0yD2w6Ki0HXwfCA7dvx1Mbo6iD2dCuKh6OwUCLekvX774HCWot86j7cfbmjxnZ93htdHPk/s400/IMG_20150612_210501.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liking the young vibe in the Tapas Bar.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7Uw0GpTkltsZ_eYJ93IIroUI9LyQ2YWEEp_P9czxU6BPHjDn5iYF6qY0VRFDZ2vgzz6ZPDKY9-yx4NGqxtL0er6uIqV1Eyg5rdIBsJqKZUHdSc72FFo7XjnWEYksPsABj9MA7hva0cg/s1600/DSC_0949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7Uw0GpTkltsZ_eYJ93IIroUI9LyQ2YWEEp_P9czxU6BPHjDn5iYF6qY0VRFDZ2vgzz6ZPDKY9-yx4NGqxtL0er6uIqV1Eyg5rdIBsJqKZUHdSc72FFo7XjnWEYksPsABj9MA7hva0cg/s400/DSC_0949.JPG" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Freiburg Minster is so large, I couldn't find a spot in the square to capture the whole building.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIx8szL2WgZ13zRLs30Llxym5RbwlIRkhpnHpl8OVDtSq3zxfWX5451eXGPsjqbt9lrstHPds5klM0CTcqKm4DWYbsoHSPgnTL6O-fBYxPhy846MihnBa6uwlcors66trkUKtOJ1pKt7E/s1600/DSC_0148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIx8szL2WgZ13zRLs30Llxym5RbwlIRkhpnHpl8OVDtSq3zxfWX5451eXGPsjqbt9lrstHPds5klM0CTcqKm4DWYbsoHSPgnTL6O-fBYxPhy846MihnBa6uwlcors66trkUKtOJ1pKt7E/s400/DSC_0148.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the old town, the entrance to shops had their floor entrance decorated with its line of business.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
By the early evening, the rain had stopped and everyone returned to the center of town to enjoy the warm spring night. We spent on evening wondering the historic center and soaking in the lively atmosphere.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXAikHIgI5_EjP3UYHmWCYoG9kJ88c1Yplp9cAy7Y39xc_Ij0m3jfHSojhUlDl3Hw9LrvB9qF7fCM4Kqowksylg6gbQwUzEG0tM3cq4uMvPifSxf0QRwlzC83oAcBG7FJfnCuD5j4MvDk/s1600/DSC_0151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXAikHIgI5_EjP3UYHmWCYoG9kJ88c1Yplp9cAy7Y39xc_Ij0m3jfHSojhUlDl3Hw9LrvB9qF7fCM4Kqowksylg6gbQwUzEG0tM3cq4uMvPifSxf0QRwlzC83oAcBG7FJfnCuD5j4MvDk/s400/DSC_0151.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beer Garden in the center of the old town.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Side trip, The Black Forest</h3>
This day was originally planned as a lite hiking day but mother nature had other plans for us. With scattered rain showers throughout the day, we decided it would be best to do some joy riding through the black forest, visit the German Clock Museum, pop into a Ski Museum, and have a piece of black forest cake from several different bakeries.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXM5HJZ03k8VfMPtE5bgLubmDlnwvzAjVZ-xbGu9Mq3mucf5EYn-G6eX3D1Xyih9NHgW5x4QrTZSVplbRa6QCfkk4cH7Xw23cj9Dwro-WDpyJjQZw4BIdFoeul_rC6VZXyOjPJoh0MmmI/s1600/DSC_0157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXM5HJZ03k8VfMPtE5bgLubmDlnwvzAjVZ-xbGu9Mq3mucf5EYn-G6eX3D1Xyih9NHgW5x4QrTZSVplbRa6QCfkk4cH7Xw23cj9Dwro-WDpyJjQZw4BIdFoeul_rC6VZXyOjPJoh0MmmI/s400/DSC_0157.JPG" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original ski touring equipment.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTHY0GUASRd79btiLqca6Mn-DkSE-uSoXR1UeV5gawInPjCaPzpfQYPdbmqzsNlCwv7s99yFXfPNuOZpRutSgqC_oLzICnOBqVsRpT4T8gFcm-J4QJI5HdBp8UNboHs5nH_JhMG382D4/s1600/IMG_20150613_143008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTHY0GUASRd79btiLqca6Mn-DkSE-uSoXR1UeV5gawInPjCaPzpfQYPdbmqzsNlCwv7s99yFXfPNuOZpRutSgqC_oLzICnOBqVsRpT4T8gFcm-J4QJI5HdBp8UNboHs5nH_JhMG382D4/s400/IMG_20150613_143008.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An unexpected find during our drive. The museum is housed in a cute chalet and housed more than we expected.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdh11zxOkKny4QplRIU3h7x0O-_R8NFMcEwjET9_W5VZXFfr2fFAXehkti3VGHEXIzflLH8ogLYiZ0R9_i0BE2O8qGiXK65JB0o_LU8RgRZYOHBqZznQPbcQb167vngF28EHOV_b5Jpc0/s1600/DSC_0937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdh11zxOkKny4QplRIU3h7x0O-_R8NFMcEwjET9_W5VZXFfr2fFAXehkti3VGHEXIzflLH8ogLYiZ0R9_i0BE2O8qGiXK65JB0o_LU8RgRZYOHBqZznQPbcQb167vngF28EHOV_b5Jpc0/s400/DSC_0937.JPG" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The coolest low tech alarm clock I have ever seen.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmR1beK_y5Wmn969qa4HRGWHgaHe1oEOL-572Tged8EuafbH3bDUnOz4pvl8wrswxO-gm28HMmwk0FizjLltm37P4fVzMzMrViN6pDGT_-Nnjh86fskZOBz1W3Ovul5MtD_Q_QmiMPdAk/s1600/IMG_20150613_162822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmR1beK_y5Wmn969qa4HRGWHgaHe1oEOL-572Tged8EuafbH3bDUnOz4pvl8wrswxO-gm28HMmwk0FizjLltm37P4fVzMzMrViN6pDGT_-Nnjh86fskZOBz1W3Ovul5MtD_Q_QmiMPdAk/s400/IMG_20150613_162822.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blown away with the collection of Cuckoo clocks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLl3FB7YB0w8tGgE_5oV9Hlr9Y6URFLuMvb16pK6MIdmj90FdY_z8Y0vQL1eKDKcnXPYRlx2oXMqgsf_qyDTOPgxNEglf50BKtOXSyNfCsVu0J7mlxFZbaC0pLvMk3Hg4oFc6j33a7RGw/s1600/IMG_20150614_132151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLl3FB7YB0w8tGgE_5oV9Hlr9Y6URFLuMvb16pK6MIdmj90FdY_z8Y0vQL1eKDKcnXPYRlx2oXMqgsf_qyDTOPgxNEglf50BKtOXSyNfCsVu0J7mlxFZbaC0pLvMk3Hg4oFc6j33a7RGw/s400/IMG_20150614_132151.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Naturally, every bakery we stopped in had the Black Forest cake and each were delicious.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7iwv17rNULdmS65Km5JxB83nlkesatb0TBlOzNreBAAzkjMVjQbadDZtXehWqoYYuWf9IcLoRaXhgJYoh2vds97HnfmRi7Cqyge2ldecR477c1Ju1G_DA8LqnlvjcmiQoAHjK6R3ZU0/s1600/DSC_0160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7iwv17rNULdmS65Km5JxB83nlkesatb0TBlOzNreBAAzkjMVjQbadDZtXehWqoYYuWf9IcLoRaXhgJYoh2vds97HnfmRi7Cqyge2ldecR477c1Ju1G_DA8LqnlvjcmiQoAHjK6R3ZU0/s400/DSC_0160.JPG" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another bakery, another cake to try.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZYEIA4bwrBvc1f-eW3qAwNZiBP0gE_H9Zbqjsjjiu6wDrZcjHZss6SBDYNEPLBP91-lDgZPx5OM7BO2RtHJXGw3dNNsV-rJtCRi1La3WILZ52zFXbBouG8VX7vlExe_JXlRuAoQzJUY/s1600/DSC_0953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZYEIA4bwrBvc1f-eW3qAwNZiBP0gE_H9Zbqjsjjiu6wDrZcjHZss6SBDYNEPLBP91-lDgZPx5OM7BO2RtHJXGw3dNNsV-rJtCRi1La3WILZ52zFXbBouG8VX7vlExe_JXlRuAoQzJUY/s400/DSC_0953.JPG" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And another.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I hate to say it but we were underwhelmed by how little we saw driving through the southern portion of the black forest. It was like a forest could have been almost anywhere; nothing too special. We would occasionally pass through a German village (and stop in a café for another piece of black forest cake) but no village was super charming. Perhaps this region is best enjoyed on a hiking trail rather than on the road.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDgEQWrVkQwaw-2bwD0otefA7bFtOO4dYCqOEaZh944mNIoUFwTOnSqCsqtRqSj9iAeqkJKE_JdwQRuuLouoc3nPq2CPTBL56BbYEGre_d_sSr5qEPAtFPB5xyF0TM9GBmMZPRAPt3PnI/s1600/DSC_0943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDgEQWrVkQwaw-2bwD0otefA7bFtOO4dYCqOEaZh944mNIoUFwTOnSqCsqtRqSj9iAeqkJKE_JdwQRuuLouoc3nPq2CPTBL56BbYEGre_d_sSr5qEPAtFPB5xyF0TM9GBmMZPRAPt3PnI/s400/DSC_0943.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not too interesting but the roads were very well maintained.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFzdNEsEfsi_1w1mq6WfmGuGgFKbMMJoJfzjVefS4aZEtZNrdJLBqbhmxKonQAbQETx09kU-59ESPfFY4DrEUszzdMC4dZET_ciNbR8V019terNMQ2iuwJrhmvhV70u_1XYZntAuk0Rkk/s1600/DSC_0933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFzdNEsEfsi_1w1mq6WfmGuGgFKbMMJoJfzjVefS4aZEtZNrdJLBqbhmxKonQAbQETx09kU-59ESPfFY4DrEUszzdMC4dZET_ciNbR8V019terNMQ2iuwJrhmvhV70u_1XYZntAuk0Rkk/s400/DSC_0933.JPG" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the more interesting stretches of road.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9EGsmpmM_Lei-fVURZxgzR1g6FnOlDzkh1FDePc-i-_5-xQSePWKnaGj-HfSfDdo8RIlNbr-oCIrzATGD9CcduwQkj8wTTmJnWupRQoNpoVYzIcu-I_Nw9JT6GAyWcmrmvX9c_xqZNtk/s1600/IMG_20150614_123600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9EGsmpmM_Lei-fVURZxgzR1g6FnOlDzkh1FDePc-i-_5-xQSePWKnaGj-HfSfDdo8RIlNbr-oCIrzATGD9CcduwQkj8wTTmJnWupRQoNpoVYzIcu-I_Nw9JT6GAyWcmrmvX9c_xqZNtk/s400/IMG_20150614_123600.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paying our parking ticket. Hehe, it says "Gute Fahrt!"</td></tr>
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</div>
Laurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05848291077777206180noreply@blogger.com0Colmar, France48.0793589 7.358512000000018847.909728400000006 7.0357885000000184 48.2489894 7.6812355000000192tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131555610866497086.post-19481415802809780392017-03-10T15:52:00.001-08:002017-03-10T15:52:05.570-08:00Paris with a bump<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We couldn't resist one more kid free trip to Paris with friends. So once
again we booked train tickets to the city of lights for a long weekend. I always thought of Paris as a place for young couple taking romantic
walks, not wobbling pregnant ladies but Paris proved me wrong. I would even go as far as
suggesting Paris as a possible babymoon destination.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmXUYKPBR4k00kjTXXyfK6q-aVy0OTIe9FkbdVyZBYbbIwjsRoPnbQNKz_FQIfPngC4xHmW-bvFHkFY5U7lNu0zT9ttWvKy-O7u4a3U5ZYKB0xXl9cMZtadNi_oLC8U-BFsSTtcFqiWw/s1600/almost+time.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmXUYKPBR4k00kjTXXyfK6q-aVy0OTIe9FkbdVyZBYbbIwjsRoPnbQNKz_FQIfPngC4xHmW-bvFHkFY5U7lNu0zT9ttWvKy-O7u4a3U5ZYKB0xXl9cMZtadNi_oLC8U-BFsSTtcFqiWw/s400/almost+time.png" width="278" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eight months and counting.</td></tr>
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Like many of our trips to Paris, our plans involved a little bit of sightseeing, eating cuisine we can't find back in Switzerland, and shopping. Thanks to the low Euro value, it was perfect for stocking up on maternity/nursing clothes and baby gear.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuOvkvAX3anJup5_hqXHe1NrcN2k7OcEVzW7nRY2l2PaBjIXUokEz8lIeB0f_r0fNSc8iiObKwM-6bDAYePx0LoWBlkCTKdcxn9sTQ6W8d9-_NEySbf4CJi_MNf3CX_FNCG52rLDzPwag/s1600/DSC_0804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuOvkvAX3anJup5_hqXHe1NrcN2k7OcEVzW7nRY2l2PaBjIXUokEz8lIeB0f_r0fNSc8iiObKwM-6bDAYePx0LoWBlkCTKdcxn9sTQ6W8d9-_NEySbf4CJi_MNf3CX_FNCG52rLDzPwag/s400/DSC_0804.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like many trip before, Vélib' was our preferred way of travel. </td></tr>
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We decided this was a good time to finally visit the Louvre and the Orsay Museum. Who knows if our little one was going to be able to tolerate
visits to the museum - so it was either now or maybe in 15 years. Soon after Q and I got to the security line at the Louvre, we were led by security to the front of the line. Turns out pregnant ladies and their partners get to skip the line! At the Orsay, we were led to the priority line! Even at the Bastille Sunday Market, I was waved by a vendor to the front of the line to buy produce. And at a busy espresso bar, with stand up counters, an employee of the shop offered me her stool. People even offered me their seat on the Metro. I thought Parisians never give up their seats on the Metro. Who knew the French have a soft spot for pregnant ladies?</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijm0h-kknviLD-5Zg62pJ92qshrIDcOG3FmHi7ONsvovRH-DdVCZTotJ_2ml5JUqPeHvnPFBxcEuNCbMvMRRU_VMTo5Fu4O9FUC7s-IkipDSLrr2O3z2An-APQT0CY8MVPo69MuZN_R8g/s1600/DSC_0769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijm0h-kknviLD-5Zg62pJ92qshrIDcOG3FmHi7ONsvovRH-DdVCZTotJ_2ml5JUqPeHvnPFBxcEuNCbMvMRRU_VMTo5Fu4O9FUC7s-IkipDSLrr2O3z2An-APQT0CY8MVPo69MuZN_R8g/s400/DSC_0769.JPG" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saved hours thanks to the bump.</td></tr>
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No one pulled out the red carpet for me once we got inside the Louvre - I still had to elbow my way to the front of the ever present mob to see the Mona Lisa. We kept our museum visits short and focused. In our usual fashion, we followed the Rick Steves free audio guide through the Louvre and the Orsay, hitting the major highlights. His self guided tours are meant to roughly be one hour long, which is as much culture we could fully digest at a time.<br />
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We enjoyed seeing the highlights of the Louvre but really enjoyed the Orsay. The Orsay is in an old train station and many of its original architectural details can still be found throughout the museum. The main view greeting the visitors definitely left an impression on us. Our favorite floor would have the be the Impressionist Gallery on the top floor. That floor changed us into Impressionist fans.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGL-liVHwl-Gk0r7NusqTq3oxxhNOWl-MVha6PTiAJm6KubcNmX-rddPgF_v1_DQMEMnKNU41RAD47XZ_w08rwn4XvGQ1pRKaBYsZohRy8AmsT2hhqsffu_CExQUfxwDFbJfSxEDcYs8/s1600/DSC_0801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGL-liVHwl-Gk0r7NusqTq3oxxhNOWl-MVha6PTiAJm6KubcNmX-rddPgF_v1_DQMEMnKNU41RAD47XZ_w08rwn4XvGQ1pRKaBYsZohRy8AmsT2hhqsffu_CExQUfxwDFbJfSxEDcYs8/s400/DSC_0801.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's either now or who knows when.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZCFLqviliGfGyQHMVYTKfT6EksuGEbaMrlMdQAu094x-xpaRnd51NN00oO8zxcwZ15PoH3JNvIrZlcjCE7LP4R7Rg-2_ZWq2R1NmMHYX522whxTvoHq9Iidbt0PkFt_NJ5Up8_DZM1Lc/s1600/DSC_0805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZCFLqviliGfGyQHMVYTKfT6EksuGEbaMrlMdQAu094x-xpaRnd51NN00oO8zxcwZ15PoH3JNvIrZlcjCE7LP4R7Rg-2_ZWq2R1NmMHYX522whxTvoHq9Iidbt0PkFt_NJ5Up8_DZM1Lc/s400/DSC_0805.JPG" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One is never too young for the fine arts.</td></tr>
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Something Q might be a little embarrassed of is that when I go to Paris, I go shopping.... for American items. I always stock up on granola (which is almost as good as what I can get in San Francisco) and pick up a few other hard to find items like aluminum free baking powder, specialty baking supplies, and make-up. Sometime I even go to the GAP to feel like I'm back in the US.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjoivJAW-CwTbqYld5l-suGHfkRzpKBNI0bm8QHL0psP1Vr1nVj7a98Chf6exjMSLjlNymE63-cg1YTsshoZsbR7yeHaQ2g28tzmHhhUU9mD3IbdLSpSb1CzC75-TLQw5aTAV2h_sJfW0/s1600/IMG_20150515_143237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjoivJAW-CwTbqYld5l-suGHfkRzpKBNI0bm8QHL0psP1Vr1nVj7a98Chf6exjMSLjlNymE63-cg1YTsshoZsbR7yeHaQ2g28tzmHhhUU9mD3IbdLSpSb1CzC75-TLQw5aTAV2h_sJfW0/s400/IMG_20150515_143237.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It might be overpriced but it's cheaper than a flight to the US.</td></tr>
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We also eat closer to our US diet in Paris. Burgers are all the rage and so is brunch. We also got some decent ramen. But of course we left room for great french food and drinks - virgin drinks for me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAKhWd_U289AypzIasyR7kvcM2ZgZBplwGvWgWa7NC-B9KP5M7wOvK5rS_a_QSN29rsnQPYcMjJoVe4zcLqtH2PApSP8zJSaAnn6v4C3Jf9X2RFXw1Xl0uw-gRehdrIZIXihEESit8kE/s1600/IMG_20150517_113617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAKhWd_U289AypzIasyR7kvcM2ZgZBplwGvWgWa7NC-B9KP5M7wOvK5rS_a_QSN29rsnQPYcMjJoVe4zcLqtH2PApSP8zJSaAnn6v4C3Jf9X2RFXw1Xl0uw-gRehdrIZIXihEESit8kE/s400/IMG_20150517_113617.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American sized brunch.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5sKiRO3oFGYIeEp9nEtPSlWbVLbwawMfgArC66dZ2BO3TFA2ogeJk5GolFHQV4PZL0leenK2uZj49r_mF69z_KLNlH5t5EmUgLQfQhOlbLRgeh_-_tQKIe9MJdOBwoo7NRGzf0wWfc0/s1600/IMG_20150517_210129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5sKiRO3oFGYIeEp9nEtPSlWbVLbwawMfgArC66dZ2BO3TFA2ogeJk5GolFHQV4PZL0leenK2uZj49r_mF69z_KLNlH5t5EmUgLQfQhOlbLRgeh_-_tQKIe9MJdOBwoo7NRGzf0wWfc0/s400/IMG_20150517_210129.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hard to find places like this in Switzerland.</td></tr>
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Laurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05848291077777206180noreply@blogger.com0Paris, France48.856614 2.352221900000017748.6894645 2.0294984000000178 49.0237635 2.6749454000000177tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131555610866497086.post-48611374529896771632016-11-24T00:32:00.000-08:002016-11-24T00:36:06.973-08:00Lyon: the so-called capital of gastronomy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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In the last few years, I had heard rumors about a city that some claim to be the gastronomy capital of the world: Lyon, France. This is the type of rumor that calls for some on-the-ground fact checking.<br />
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So last May, Laure and I met up with our good friends Andy and Sarah to check out the food scene. We also sprinkled in with some sight seeing. At that point, Laure was pretty far into her pregnancy, and this trip worked out really well for us.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDEr-tEPfEZJdKTKxW2h_7QEJdqiWTm4_6iKZu7W2QOi5QSlPtRPjZIdQVHAbjwT8Ga2is67qi3QUSI778cJB8WsbOFJ9WfaF7rvVMWI_6x53aUMedW0Q0oesJ0LqDu2kLgQ8qUuKQ-kE/s1600/Vieux+Lyon+%2528Old+Lyon%2529+02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDEr-tEPfEZJdKTKxW2h_7QEJdqiWTm4_6iKZu7W2QOi5QSlPtRPjZIdQVHAbjwT8Ga2is67qi3QUSI778cJB8WsbOFJ9WfaF7rvVMWI_6x53aUMedW0Q0oesJ0LqDu2kLgQ8qUuKQ-kE/s400/Vieux+Lyon+%2528Old+Lyon%2529+02.JPG" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Lyon's old town, a.k.a. "Vieux-Lyon"</td></tr>
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Our apartment in the Old Town ("Vieux-Lyon")</h2>
As usual, we tried to stay as centrally located as possible. After some research, I found the two promising areas:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>the old town <b>Vieux-Lyon</b> that has cute historic buildings and narrow cobblestone streets but is a bit touristy, and</li>
<li>the newer downtown <b>Presqui'Ile</b>, which many argue is the real heart the city where many of the locals hang out nowadays</li>
</ul>
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We finally decided to stay at the old town so we could immerse ourselves in the fantasy of living in a snapshot of the past.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9aDHebKO_t32KXKCM3JoJitHH8hYQX6KiZ6h5woIy6mXtwXzMHDsWmhFD567P3HHeIWLddXgdkR1YreuDmncpCLoJ5GORRnuUBkR5AHsy0wzWy2eaeU2TrSNz_oqGHECl-ycyG34Y5Qo/s400/Lyon+AirBnB+02.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our awesome little apartment in the old town.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBDRyVIn_E1871Mp44Q-bSwHl2aRowFyNqDkELZhkAjsVfHGnXNTahzi3zGaURrl5OJjeGNCLQUnuNZn_2cODmX9d2Tc_LSpMrNr9xzO1TjscdReUXsaMEm0EY0Q4KkNubkvw4ArzOkDk/s400/IMG_20150502_153104.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting some R&R before we head out.</td></tr>
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<div>
In hindsight, we found ourselves coming back often to the up-and-coming restaurants of the <b>Croix-Rousse</b> neighborhood, which is located up on a hill with some nice views and less crowds. On our next visit, I would be tempted to make that our home base.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Bouchons</h2>
A <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bouchon">bouchon</a> is the title of certified traditional restaurants in Lyon where you can find traditional local dishes for a decent price. I've read that many of these bouchons have become tourist traps, but with some research, I believe (or hope) we were able to avoid those.<br />
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We had our first lunch at a bouchon named <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/RGCRVU5tpeR2">Le Bistrot de Saint Jean</a>. It was a super casual place with friendly service.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiniPc8bGyNjASQ_hBXGRiECmis3YKxMwdvysXZFCGhkjedjCTcWhqqij8x7frRcy_vfsLXPocL75rHEXvI-Wrq-Rez82dySHA2LSzTh094tsUAl9xMdtMHrh86GOMxJRZnQM2yRcJHMO8/s1600/Le+Bistrot+de+Saint+Jean+02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiniPc8bGyNjASQ_hBXGRiECmis3YKxMwdvysXZFCGhkjedjCTcWhqqij8x7frRcy_vfsLXPocL75rHEXvI-Wrq-Rez82dySHA2LSzTh094tsUAl9xMdtMHrh86GOMxJRZnQM2yRcJHMO8/s400/Le+Bistrot+de+Saint+Jean+02.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Le Bistrot de Saint Jean</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYymRV3n4tY0DnDvT72vv7is2ENxi-_tFISSftynmfgybHTWyU0M2sX71leymLGV4QBMdtb4eBXZNnTAs5XQyysFhIymVXmwFpLA2JFpvRTs2v3mMeJ5cEzt_TqjigycCSI0-1hVjJS4U/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYymRV3n4tY0DnDvT72vv7is2ENxi-_tFISSftynmfgybHTWyU0M2sX71leymLGV4QBMdtb4eBXZNnTAs5XQyysFhIymVXmwFpLA2JFpvRTs2v3mMeJ5cEzt_TqjigycCSI0-1hVjJS4U/s400/DSC_0006.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fishing-in-france.com/french-fishing-guide/fish-dishes/pike-quenelles/">Quenelle</a> is a fish dumpling in a Béchamel based sauce.<br />
I thought it was a bit heavy for lunch!</td></tr>
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My overall favorite traditional dish from Lyon was the Lyonnaise Salad. At first, I didn't bother paying much attention to it because it's "just" a salad. For that reason, I didn't even bother taking a photo. But as we realized how heavy most other traditional dishes are during our trip, the salad became a staple for many of our meals. I haven't been able to find it outside of Lyon, but it should be fairly easy to make it at home.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNX8XIN-5EIbI3wAzgZl-bO43IH54oS_cvreUuzLNk267zS6jGDZpyus9D6EGzE8hQPZ9PW8yhVG7LbKIKPDc2aT8aVegjzsTUNwDIvwEq7fV-gySjd5L0ymVpoytutctrlLjGbGUCwY/s1600/0659fbc5cb007e0009ab5c7d6e430aa6c1527eb6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNX8XIN-5EIbI3wAzgZl-bO43IH54oS_cvreUuzLNk267zS6jGDZpyus9D6EGzE8hQPZ9PW8yhVG7LbKIKPDc2aT8aVegjzsTUNwDIvwEq7fV-gySjd5L0ymVpoytutctrlLjGbGUCwY/s400/0659fbc5cb007e0009ab5c7d6e430aa6c1527eb6.jpeg" width="326" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lyonnaise Salad became my favorite traditional dish from Lyon.<br />
Photo credit: <a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-lyonnaise-salad-recipes-from-the-kitchn-4418">recipe by Sara Kate Gillingham</a></td></tr>
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Miniature and Cinema Museum (Musée Miniature et Cinéma)</h2>
Although we didn't want to make our trip about museums, there was one that piqued my interest: Musée Miniature et Cinéma. It turned out to be a worthwhile visit. The museum contains many boxes of miniature sets with amazing detail. I recommend checking it out when you are in the old town.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQQJiaQf8-6QmNN80et4L4noKhPKgFMpPNdmIJMfkL-RkrL5Izx9jXrquexjb2gO2m4t8l7TIyF7CLrT6DJhicTkIEg0QRmOzjAvbeqicp5FNuYJ8HfiaWntwPKbNBkFXbTmo9QpFyoQ/s1600/DSC_0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQQJiaQf8-6QmNN80et4L4noKhPKgFMpPNdmIJMfkL-RkrL5Izx9jXrquexjb2gO2m4t8l7TIyF7CLrT6DJhicTkIEg0QRmOzjAvbeqicp5FNuYJ8HfiaWntwPKbNBkFXbTmo9QpFyoQ/s400/DSC_0017.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These half-meter long miniature sets contained amazing details.<br />
Even the lighting is done very well.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdKyG0jfjHO9FJ6S14v3FgZZve3kodJLWCjyJIRRKIH2gN9Qqj6jOzssPm9jhBa_9q5dH3BWRzN2TY_4-yz-67H2ya4nXzRkwiJdxEWa8jVxr9yDZecrMDJVEC6IByLIB0gavISBI2EoA/s1600/DSC_0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdKyG0jfjHO9FJ6S14v3FgZZve3kodJLWCjyJIRRKIH2gN9Qqj6jOzssPm9jhBa_9q5dH3BWRzN2TY_4-yz-67H2ya4nXzRkwiJdxEWa8jVxr9yDZecrMDJVEC6IByLIB0gavISBI2EoA/s400/DSC_0020.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miniature set of the museum in Jurassic Park.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipkq2rd8s9L9UhiPe7xJjhzsEHQG-_YHqEj6noW32VRA0tLxt5vu-hRfkhqvdXXUtTL2l2jwVsf6TDKiLzL3vhOJDF6W40Gi87BGxwN4pPV-exNtLp6vz8NlgktZI3xQUJk9HfrvRGBjQ/s1600/DSC_0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipkq2rd8s9L9UhiPe7xJjhzsEHQG-_YHqEj6noW32VRA0tLxt5vu-hRfkhqvdXXUtTL2l2jwVsf6TDKiLzL3vhOJDF6W40Gi87BGxwN4pPV-exNtLp6vz8NlgktZI3xQUJk9HfrvRGBjQ/s400/DSC_0021.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were several of these restaurant sets. Even the tiny guitar looks real.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitcXfKOHwIC4FxkbbYj3XOz8uk-TGsDT_a352PmWneSzkYle_8K_Y1kjaxTbN_rxx6iZigojKKIWf2b_7Y72Waddr2K7iywbuNZODQZ1_YR5gVQRZDJKObOXtHVlw3xSKUhfr3nIeerv8/s400/DSC_0023.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is another miniature restaurant.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixuvGWEeQNcmbdF-lfCkMTG3e0LNpjP2sfjYW5DMr8oWUScUmskeAOcXgezn_u-1zKzMz3ZGArzKxV-fxpkGYJ_vDrdLZu0K8KZqMpS29YyCbVFpujdtTNbo7XQptIxklUiQombgT43Rs/s1600/DSC_0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixuvGWEeQNcmbdF-lfCkMTG3e0LNpjP2sfjYW5DMr8oWUScUmskeAOcXgezn_u-1zKzMz3ZGArzKxV-fxpkGYJ_vDrdLZu0K8KZqMpS29YyCbVFpujdtTNbo7XQptIxklUiQombgT43Rs/s400/DSC_0024.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Just kidding, t<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">hat was actually a photo of...</span></td></tr>
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Le Comptoir du Vin</h2>
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For our first dinner, we decided to go to <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187265-d816325-Reviews-Le_comptoir_du_vin-Lyon_Rhone_Rhone_Alpes.html">Le Comptoir du Vin</a>, which is a small down-to-earth restaurant run by a chef named Daniel Perrier in a tiny kitchen with the help of a single waiter. We were surprised at the gigantic portion sizes, which we struggled to finish considering that traditional Lyonnaise food was not so light.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGUldYsVFOsXeoqAEgu_r6suWdo7OYfGkyHXqutj8Ma3aRAMqEmxAW2VaHkJPpt6RG1p601ANMpD-IvcXrSkk-fZyTNSvoD555Ki5Gigl5U55JB3PhSNQw3y3cakXP7_0ZhKs1CbCp7p0/s1600/Le+comptoir+du+vin+03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGUldYsVFOsXeoqAEgu_r6suWdo7OYfGkyHXqutj8Ma3aRAMqEmxAW2VaHkJPpt6RG1p601ANMpD-IvcXrSkk-fZyTNSvoD555Ki5Gigl5U55JB3PhSNQw3y3cakXP7_0ZhKs1CbCp7p0/s400/Le+comptoir+du+vin+03.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The massive beef tartar at Le Comptoir du Vin.</td></tr>
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After dinner, we walked around Lyon and watched the crowds on the bustling Friday night. We came across a cool fountain statue named Fontaine Bartholdi by French sculptor <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fr%C3%A9d%C3%A9ric_Auguste_Bartholdi#Works_in_Colmar">Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi</a>, who also designed the statue of liberty.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLxIcH-LM1Ww8bia6oNgOzEXQFWpgLKZlLYzIz5JhqjXOyo0dI2ASAMwjIWhi32drqwmAuqvuYD8mFQIpj7IkWAgv0qJz43IjRLBmBp-weXA-M70sL74yKah57MrqcES7IWb2DEKBVWPI/s1600/Fontaine+Bartholdi+at+Place+des+Terreaux+03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLxIcH-LM1Ww8bia6oNgOzEXQFWpgLKZlLYzIz5JhqjXOyo0dI2ASAMwjIWhi32drqwmAuqvuYD8mFQIpj7IkWAgv0qJz43IjRLBmBp-weXA-M70sL74yKah57MrqcES7IWb2DEKBVWPI/s400/Fontaine+Bartholdi+at+Place+des+Terreaux+03.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The horses of Fontaine Bartholdi look like they are snorting steam out of their noses.</td></tr>
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Farmer's market and cappuccino at Presqu'île</h2>
We started our second day by checking out the farmer's market at Presqu'île, which is the heart of the new town area.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxqiX_3r2Z4PCLoJP5dsl9pyDA32A9p8LRER1JhSWmOx6AO2DAwSDeTrz98nWk9nsESHssrSH-xNHmMkkV41OcJlcW2ARoJbVlU3CUpIDe35uxeVC2GvcbTsdaM2BqMCS_XGgmKfj6qs/s400/Lyon+Farmers+Market+02.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farmer's market at Presqu'île</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8SFaOCsQ7yge0dMJxjbZF5JuAmQ4kp3hyphenhyphenaHV-2EA6iDnKTmLBBf8oxxguV3wBuqduBVP3Yesj7WWjc-TnFNJ5pIQyFK91MPmsL0KsEQEcYN_Zuo2rKNnd98O-yTgUTgDc9ydcR9wVasM/s1600/IMG_20150502_104548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8SFaOCsQ7yge0dMJxjbZF5JuAmQ4kp3hyphenhyphenaHV-2EA6iDnKTmLBBf8oxxguV3wBuqduBVP3Yesj7WWjc-TnFNJ5pIQyFK91MPmsL0KsEQEcYN_Zuo2rKNnd98O-yTgUTgDc9ydcR9wVasM/s320/IMG_20150502_104548.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the first time I found macarons at a "farmer's" market!</td></tr>
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If you've travelled with me and Laure, then you know that we like to start our day with a good cappuccino. We typically read a few blog posts written by coffee fanatics in order to find the best spots for coffee. In Lyon, the choices are much more limited than other metropolitan cities like Paris that have more quickly embraced the espresso coffee trend. But one place that stood above all others was <a href="https://www.google.ch/maps/place/Mokxa+cafe/@45.7695891,4.8341249,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0xae20c0be2c27db78?sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiXrZmm757PAhXJxxQKHWysAtcQ_BIIhwEwCg">Mokxa cafe</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVzyvf7bOCUuu-Jonk0li3WywRtvLmVPwJOs2PKunaiu3aF7k7QJOR7ERKMRyWaY_NR7dv-thr4nZ1LBclWNXvCkrEGMMu71fI_AYxX8xN1AxKF_A6IUUV37FTk52WeFJuSAvjJfIvZE/s1600/IMG_20150502_112058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVzyvf7bOCUuu-Jonk0li3WywRtvLmVPwJOs2PKunaiu3aF7k7QJOR7ERKMRyWaY_NR7dv-thr4nZ1LBclWNXvCkrEGMMu71fI_AYxX8xN1AxKF_A6IUUV37FTk52WeFJuSAvjJfIvZE/s320/IMG_20150502_112058.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mokxa cafe provided a decent cappuccino.</td></tr>
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<h2>
Traboules du Vieux Lyon</h2>
Another cool touristy thing to do in the old town are the <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g187265-d3140970-Reviews-Traboules_du_Vieux_Lyon-Lyon_Rhone_Rhone_Alpes.html">Traboules du Vieux Lyon</a>. The traboules are labyrinthine paths through the old town that residents used to access the river and silk workers used to transport their silk without getting wet. During World War 2, some members of the Resistance against the Nazis used traboules to escape the Gestapo.<br />
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<tr><td><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_FV2VmwcBMTnN0noXjsVfMH76lgVtpmVVdM5VbS57i62US8cuwMZBQaH8Kc_MbVu_ILbuKkp4qyBtY78C2Aha0Pwg1VFR3Xrm3g4WXvN8ATve1nJIGjB0vgkYM67auT_McurvBe5gRQ/s400/Traboules+du+Vieux+Lyon+10.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="263" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Traboules du Vieux Lyon</td></tr>
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We found most traboules using our guidebook, but you can probably find a full map of them somewhere online.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf3brjlIe-7V-ypNimCc1zXHFMLaA4gRpfpzrB1r0cuv1hprOpCJ1zcWB-CVB0p7MdMXdAY5owkhnW7DTUO7EJ1EnXrPISK0AQ_zWKtbIC7mkXbkR-4HQCjWoRd1o7O-BuBVXk28nLb6I/s1600/Traboule.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf3brjlIe-7V-ypNimCc1zXHFMLaA4gRpfpzrB1r0cuv1hprOpCJ1zcWB-CVB0p7MdMXdAY5owkhnW7DTUO7EJ1EnXrPISK0AQ_zWKtbIC7mkXbkR-4HQCjWoRd1o7O-BuBVXk28nLb6I/s400/Traboule.JPG" width="263" /></a></div>
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Les Halles de Lyon – Paul Bocuse</h2>
Now is as good of a time as any to talk about the legendary local chef Paul Bocuse, who is no doubt part of the reason some regard Lyon as the capital of gastronomy. Bocuse played a significant role in a then-new style of cooking named nouvelle cuisine back in the 60's. He has also taught many other very influential chefs that made their own marks in culinary history. Nowadays, many things in Lyon are named after Bocuse including...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPyjIdRrMHI4p2TGn2iqLjuPw137_gz51305ewgXGehT09uVfUIWCsuiIohpXE9Ny5gHu_soYFdKDgGYuEYxf7nlW0T2b2tX7-fqs3xJHbMrh1dozzVF0OGzaQbQuSfJsO9mXelfajBQ/s1600/DSC_0030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPyjIdRrMHI4p2TGn2iqLjuPw137_gz51305ewgXGehT09uVfUIWCsuiIohpXE9Ny5gHu_soYFdKDgGYuEYxf7nlW0T2b2tX7-fqs3xJHbMrh1dozzVF0OGzaQbQuSfJsO9mXelfajBQ/s400/DSC_0030.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.google.ch/maps/place/Les+Halles+de+Lyon+%E2%80%93+Paul+Bocuse/@45.7634083,4.8504511,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x14df33ee457dc941!8m2!3d45.7634083!4d4.8504511">Les Halles de Lyon – Paul Bocuse</a></td></tr>
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Les Halles is an indoor market place in the center of town with many high quality food stalls. We took this opportunity to buy picnic ingredients including cured meats and cheeses.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXGyr_JO-kL27wVY2qVv1Yg2ZomIpjFe4nyg5qHu2NLHLyy0a-j4vs_LLctgjkh0qQBkbIPnBrE8MAdRkIN2j55j9Ev0JBclm1PVbKNZh9BZVIIqLpl8Si6fbwzPvyQbGCkh4dHkMdsQ/s1600/Les+Halles+de+Lyon+Paul+Bocuse+02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXGyr_JO-kL27wVY2qVv1Yg2ZomIpjFe4nyg5qHu2NLHLyy0a-j4vs_LLctgjkh0qQBkbIPnBrE8MAdRkIN2j55j9Ev0JBclm1PVbKNZh9BZVIIqLpl8Si6fbwzPvyQbGCkh4dHkMdsQ/s400/Les+Halles+de+Lyon+Paul+Bocuse+02.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We got good recommendations for our picnic cheeses.</td></tr>
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Les Halles also has a few small restaurants serving prepared food. We took this opportunity to indulge in escargot and wine.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibdyWNyCm79iD0Uu5lamOkeJN7X9uQFXnsySvmLY2V0867AzhN-4ZmuWazPIVdPJte82NkPNYBuCRIzDs77Mj9p8mJWqnJMAU0s9Tg22Zs2V0399kki63talODOd4e0ZfiRwKOVnFW5Tk/s1600/IMG_20150502_135342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibdyWNyCm79iD0Uu5lamOkeJN7X9uQFXnsySvmLY2V0867AzhN-4ZmuWazPIVdPJte82NkPNYBuCRIzDs77Mj9p8mJWqnJMAU0s9Tg22Zs2V0399kki63talODOd4e0ZfiRwKOVnFW5Tk/s400/IMG_20150502_135342.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buttery escargot.</td></tr>
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
La Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière</h2>
After a quick nap, we took a funicular up to a popular basilica on the hill overlooking the old town.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZ7Lvdg2eh3NRi1oo9phyphenhyphenh3RbykfzZY0xESNySf52k0OHNWwMgkT5jCb1Z93yRbfeV40Ya9QW6pf8V6YFlG9004xtZvMJ1CG5fExwropG0OQschmkjhevAm4Pma9yT2MsOBuCEKN-ceM/s1600/View+from+Fourvie%25CC%2580re+05.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZ7Lvdg2eh3NRi1oo9phyphenhyphenh3RbykfzZY0xESNySf52k0OHNWwMgkT5jCb1Z93yRbfeV40Ya9QW6pf8V6YFlG9004xtZvMJ1CG5fExwropG0OQschmkjhevAm4Pma9yT2MsOBuCEKN-ceM/s400/View+from+Fourvie%25CC%2580re+05.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andy and Sarah...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQj4-yOQ1oJnSUBIHo0nt6mKin0dIOc86oQfBAnlPbfkBhwkMuuELVCRTm91uRPDdBLrQbLs_wMdTP9bIygkpkyFdyk1TJylX2JUcxVGACP503kt_t9rOu8yQYTxId9jK5N5xBMHvK_Ok/s1600/View+from+Fourvie%25CC%2580re+10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQj4-yOQ1oJnSUBIHo0nt6mKin0dIOc86oQfBAnlPbfkBhwkMuuELVCRTm91uRPDdBLrQbLs_wMdTP9bIygkpkyFdyk1TJylX2JUcxVGACP503kt_t9rOu8yQYTxId9jK5N5xBMHvK_Ok/s400/View+from+Fourvie%25CC%2580re+10.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and Laure and I at Place de Fourvière.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuI4vLe4HH7urXHQP985XgLcuXKD2lFoXWA0xed5X_CME6decl-IzZoFyFrMNvUgOFHmKl2T_YAEAd5gmwnV-RHoOMGgipiDXBT-PSvEwwq30VcA1Gcwieb2j-z2NGlfX7sdMolCx50oA/s1600/IMG_20150502_181656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuI4vLe4HH7urXHQP985XgLcuXKD2lFoXWA0xed5X_CME6decl-IzZoFyFrMNvUgOFHmKl2T_YAEAd5gmwnV-RHoOMGgipiDXBT-PSvEwwq30VcA1Gcwieb2j-z2NGlfX7sdMolCx50oA/s400/IMG_20150502_181656.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The basilica is ridiculously over the top flaunting the wealth of the Catholic church.</td></tr>
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After snapping a few photos and checking out the basilica, we found a park bench where we could enjoy the goodies we bought at Les Halles market.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Cy4nR6A3DPdFkEyDbCEH0-nibi0Lr4TDz-7HreK2YzY7JWAjkRfejjxgjChj4cW3GJxXJ8mjIfSqnyXbSnhyIHelp3yqHKQNJFCH6VKDSWKDCz22M1UJNW1Xj21QUHFOzXB0DvNjaLs/s1600/Picnic+at+Fourvie%25CC%2580re+08.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Cy4nR6A3DPdFkEyDbCEH0-nibi0Lr4TDz-7HreK2YzY7JWAjkRfejjxgjChj4cW3GJxXJ8mjIfSqnyXbSnhyIHelp3yqHKQNJFCH6VKDSWKDCz22M1UJNW1Xj21QUHFOzXB0DvNjaLs/s320/Picnic+at+Fourvie%25CC%2580re+08.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picnic at the park.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKNBXlTomxq6F0Crt7ZdyzT5-50nbtIev1X47Hke06WkmFwtFA5dhyphenhyphengoJH5wbokMrw-pHNO91HHy9J_HL9KCC-F07ROYIkqTMvxZkWe6tt-pjlzvgEWbLL_vbdXYTurksCuHpj1VVZKwM/s1600/IMG_20150502_175251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKNBXlTomxq6F0Crt7ZdyzT5-50nbtIev1X47Hke06WkmFwtFA5dhyphenhyphengoJH5wbokMrw-pHNO91HHy9J_HL9KCC-F07ROYIkqTMvxZkWe6tt-pjlzvgEWbLL_vbdXYTurksCuHpj1VVZKwM/s400/IMG_20150502_175251.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good food with great friends.</td></tr>
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Murals </h2>
Lyon has some pretty cool murals throughout the city that are worth visiting. Going "mural hunting" also gives you an excuse to explore different the city. And if you're not paying attention, you may overlook them for being real architecture -- especially at night!</div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgahTQZIl-v5Xn3NTNCI63GoSOW7CE8Ct7WakBbamxIjWpfFxWtLX6TzQOO81fb2_QFi_ywuy2ADabXNkCb7sgDB0Igb2W9LeOZVr4zqJr7fK0zAvo4058nBbU-fXv_LfNZ6vuvM4bf-s0/s1600/La+Fresque+des+Lyonnais+Mural+04.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgahTQZIl-v5Xn3NTNCI63GoSOW7CE8Ct7WakBbamxIjWpfFxWtLX6TzQOO81fb2_QFi_ywuy2ADabXNkCb7sgDB0Igb2W9LeOZVr4zqJr7fK0zAvo4058nBbU-fXv_LfNZ6vuvM4bf-s0/s400/La+Fresque+des+Lyonnais+Mural+04.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">La Fresque des Lyonnais is the most famous mural. Unsurprisingly, it features Paul Bocuse.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYyP4xkapmFQGNlFEG76kHeDwWeTbBWW13PMglofZk3eZ9uzaAdEGuwbgf1_9vKz0xrs08GXYQ66PTN9zH8D4A_aL1isO27OtqivU_jiTjvglPS86HqNvA-WbvZT1oqTHtTh40osIqoRk/s1600/La+Fresque+des+Lyonnais+Mural+07.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYyP4xkapmFQGNlFEG76kHeDwWeTbBWW13PMglofZk3eZ9uzaAdEGuwbgf1_9vKz0xrs08GXYQ66PTN9zH8D4A_aL1isO27OtqivU_jiTjvglPS86HqNvA-WbvZT1oqTHtTh40osIqoRk/s400/La+Fresque+des+Lyonnais+Mural+07.JPG" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laure outside a nearby bistro.</td></tr>
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My favorite mural is the Mur des Canuts, which celebrates the silk workers (or "canuts") in the neighborhood of Croix Rousse. This mural is especially realistic at night because they use real lights to highlight the corresponding lights in the painting. The mural is updated periodically to match the surrounding changes made to the neighborhood.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0yi5jXT_EWz3aZCdJk-hS52x75WsM15gqupUrXJ9ovvAfMSM6n8oLHp2R7M-cSbaHgfnmTBVtW7DG3la_klk1sy7FzcWHQQXY_OkE1iXhegO885b79fyzkFq6Oq47ja4G52r0nsfJiA/s1600/Le+Mur+des+Canuts+Mural+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0yi5jXT_EWz3aZCdJk-hS52x75WsM15gqupUrXJ9ovvAfMSM6n8oLHp2R7M-cSbaHgfnmTBVtW7DG3la_klk1sy7FzcWHQQXY_OkE1iXhegO885b79fyzkFq6Oq47ja4G52r0nsfJiA/s400/Le+Mur+des+Canuts+Mural+01.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Mur des Canuts is especially realistic at night.</td></tr>
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Le Canut et Les Gones </h2>
On our second night, we dined at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/feb/08/le-canut-et-les-gones-restaurant-review-lyon-france-jay-rayner">Le Canut et Les Gones</a>, which turned out to provide our overall favorite meal in Lyon. This cozy and thoughtfully decorated restaurant offers deliciously tasting and beautifully presented dishes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZMRNNTTMgbY0IktYH7qZFntXSI3kB31g8V8oHiP5NiVrzYzq1dMwlWa08xPJYfJGO8Xk4QF56Wu7_CvO2CRs1tDnb-cJXoguuHzBXXRoFD-DzZETzu_nGTOIsuk2PzEitd-YNV8KRpy0/s1600/DSC_0032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZMRNNTTMgbY0IktYH7qZFntXSI3kB31g8V8oHiP5NiVrzYzq1dMwlWa08xPJYfJGO8Xk4QF56Wu7_CvO2CRs1tDnb-cJXoguuHzBXXRoFD-DzZETzu_nGTOIsuk2PzEitd-YNV8KRpy0/s400/DSC_0032.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salmon as a perfect cuboid.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADwTg8IaHjr86M-_mSl1q2m_0FfFsBGFtZCJxDA0-p6C4yAn8XAxZRLYSJvUXGwnllpFGycMSrlGObbF1t_8diundbEPJDu4GaevgE5MaJJ4JAB1D1woLCNi3Ij_eNyJWj37IY0auVTc/s1600/DSC_0034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADwTg8IaHjr86M-_mSl1q2m_0FfFsBGFtZCJxDA0-p6C4yAn8XAxZRLYSJvUXGwnllpFGycMSrlGObbF1t_8diundbEPJDu4GaevgE5MaJJ4JAB1D1woLCNi3Ij_eNyJWj37IY0auVTc/s400/DSC_0034.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juicy duck.</td></tr>
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What I liked about Le Canut et Les Gones is how its dishes highlighted each individual flavor of the ingredients. In contrast, other restaurants with more traditional dishes usually merged a lot of flavors into a powerful combination, which is less interesting in large quantities.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6sxooepVV85p7ojD-tjCZFWvHP-kNLKU5Fqjv0foNszOviIVB3zWsqevjOc6Ah820Swwd0mZlh4EQjYOEjThcZVLKxJ7M0TlQWUUDZ-t6-njp9d5ouXsiPY_Tnqu9YGKhRc2jKusG3g4/s1600/DSC_0036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6sxooepVV85p7ojD-tjCZFWvHP-kNLKU5Fqjv0foNszOviIVB3zWsqevjOc6Ah820Swwd0mZlh4EQjYOEjThcZVLKxJ7M0TlQWUUDZ-t6-njp9d5ouXsiPY_Tnqu9YGKhRc2jKusG3g4/s400/DSC_0036.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think this was an Ile Flottante, but I don't see the custard underneath.</td></tr>
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
So, is Lyon really the capital of gastronomy?</h2>
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I don't believe any single city can really hold the title as the capital of gastronomy. Different cities have different specialties, and different people have different tastes.</div>
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That being said, Lyon offers hearty traditional dishes as well as more sophisticated modern dining at a nice budget. If you want to get fancy, there is also Paul Bocuse's legendary restaurant that has consistently received three Michelin stars for over 50 years. But you're more likely to find us at Le Canut et Les Gones instead.</div>
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Qhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009834242027169260noreply@blogger.com0Lyon, France45.764043 4.835658999999964245.586788500000004 4.5129354999999638 45.9412975 5.1583824999999646tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131555610866497086.post-71829538393385899122016-11-21T16:11:00.000-08:002016-11-21T16:18:29.447-08:00Baklava Babymoon: Santorini, our final stop<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Santorini is</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> a place I had been dreaming of visiting for years. I can't think of too many other places that look more romantic than this island. It felt like the right place to end our </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">babymoon because there was a chance we would not go on a romantic trip for a while.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A common way to get from mainland Greece to Santorini is by ferry - a long ferry ride. </span>I wasn't going to risk taking a ferry while pregnant to Santorini and getting sea sick for the first time in my life, so we thought it would be best to fly from Athens. Getting from our hotel in Hydra to our Hotel in Santorini took 24 hours. A boat back to the mainland, driving to Athens airport to return the rental car, an overnight stay at an nearby airport hotel, a sunrise flight, followed by a taxi to our hotel made an exhausting trip. Thankfully we were now in the perfect place to relax and recharge.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEnyr99SYvgqgK0RJWz3c0YBj8gga_Z-NtFWyP31xd3qEwVb9sXsL_N2Yp6Tl0wx6_vifSJmngOy2Y7LWEDWkKuKhgPSn0UWHRBQKoj2VXY0eJ-28KqEZMZL48ZNbQ7946r337kPx6js/s1600/IMG_20150423_143319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEnyr99SYvgqgK0RJWz3c0YBj8gga_Z-NtFWyP31xd3qEwVb9sXsL_N2Yp6Tl0wx6_vifSJmngOy2Y7LWEDWkKuKhgPSn0UWHRBQKoj2VXY0eJ-28KqEZMZL48ZNbQ7946r337kPx6js/s400/IMG_20150423_143319.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We took our time driving back to Athens' <span style="background-color: white;">airport </span>enjoying the scenery that reminded us of California.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Our stay at the <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g482941-d1170736-Reviews-Marizan_Caves_Villas-Oia_Santorini_Cyclades_South_Aegean.html">Marizan Caves & Villas</a> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">exceeded everything I had dreamed Oia to be. </span>Crisp white walls, outdoor staircases leading to rooms that cascaded down the hillside, colorful flowers throughout, bright airy rooms, views of the famous Oia sunset from every room's private terrace or hot tub and the most amazing staff I have ever encountered. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The
staff made us feel like old beloved friends, helped plan our stay, made
reservations at restaurants for us, helped arrange all the transpiration, kept us informed of sunset times. On one evening when everyone thought we were going to miss the sunset due to overcast - the staff
went around to ever room to inform guests that the skies cleared just
in time for a surprise sunset! </span>If the city wasn't so inviting to explore, we could have relaxed at our suite and still have had an awesome vacation.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxhM9JRxZxhDNWjNRsMTfyVgsjqvzd6SrASnDe7xQU53dtYamj4EJsvsHhk98aqnWmCrD_KhucDi08Kcg-rMExzymqC21oMUrzcVh0yAJnMPC7sdkCS93CgPjz5Do1klq34JuFZ-amiGM/s1600/IMG_20150426_120609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxhM9JRxZxhDNWjNRsMTfyVgsjqvzd6SrASnDe7xQU53dtYamj4EJsvsHhk98aqnWmCrD_KhucDi08Kcg-rMExzymqC21oMUrzcVh0yAJnMPC7sdkCS93CgPjz5Do1klq34JuFZ-amiGM/s400/IMG_20150426_120609.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our spacious studio apartment at Marizan Caves and Villas.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMiv2sN_s3Ng_kcjzqOxP1911xROJjaHVHbb-J3RC6bjTqPXrul3O2tdJLket0YwM9HaR9wOPAKhT3oSG6GD5LMY1d_N_7KKIHqa6XkWA687s-2b98zNLV5xKs8MsF44SwtNc04jUN1I/s1600/Marizan+Caves+%2526+Villas+05.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMiv2sN_s3Ng_kcjzqOxP1911xROJjaHVHbb-J3RC6bjTqPXrul3O2tdJLket0YwM9HaR9wOPAKhT3oSG6GD5LMY1d_N_7KKIHqa6XkWA687s-2b98zNLV5xKs8MsF44SwtNc04jUN1I/s400/Marizan+Caves+%2526+Villas+05.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were greeted very time we walked of of the apartment to this view.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQG9MdCPCMbHb4hcgbUenlPZ7m2bU4sD-hLzDWLyFx_g8x1QUCKixlRpIRQvmodVHSkox3GY-VfISvVFWhkjSxlrp5KDNJ2TEJGFWzocVOc2-un6Wcx_1W-rNJn2EOscXlxT2QeiiVyjw/s1600/IMG_20150426_200351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQG9MdCPCMbHb4hcgbUenlPZ7m2bU4sD-hLzDWLyFx_g8x1QUCKixlRpIRQvmodVHSkox3GY-VfISvVFWhkjSxlrp5KDNJ2TEJGFWzocVOc2-un6Wcx_1W-rNJn2EOscXlxT2QeiiVyjw/s400/IMG_20150426_200351.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The property trickled down the hillside to more apartments and sunning terraces.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QDuoSQ_0uU1l6DW5prb5aGyj1RyrRH7AmqeYFPFao_ZQQswiytAiL31CN91CdtsHxkV2QMPj_Is1IeKVhK0DKn4XnlB4422RfALXsCwZMaFYY9FeCz3NooMwoXqHeGY3HitDKOxC7ls/s1600/IMG_20150426_200043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QDuoSQ_0uU1l6DW5prb5aGyj1RyrRH7AmqeYFPFao_ZQQswiytAiL31CN91CdtsHxkV2QMPj_Is1IeKVhK0DKn4XnlB4422RfALXsCwZMaFYY9FeCz3NooMwoXqHeGY3HitDKOxC7ls/s400/IMG_20150426_200043.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crisp white paint and bright potted plants along the outdoor staircases fulfilled my vision of what I imagined Oia to be.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjsqpVhkG6fs1qOdniSV0dga3gQwzRCFcKzHsd1tywuHG6vyFfimyetlFBI2DaWZ6svg6l1o5tYJzjmQe2HkolPWKqVzo-c78gDnlxxDWzT99wlpqjrzakmgHAMfUZBLLF1uiYHwVptE4/s1600/Sunset+from+Marizan+Caves+%2526+Villas+013+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjsqpVhkG6fs1qOdniSV0dga3gQwzRCFcKzHsd1tywuHG6vyFfimyetlFBI2DaWZ6svg6l1o5tYJzjmQe2HkolPWKqVzo-c78gDnlxxDWzT99wlpqjrzakmgHAMfUZBLLF1uiYHwVptE4/s400/Sunset+from+Marizan+Caves+%2526+Villas+013+-+adjusted.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plus, the hotel had one of the few hot tubs where you could watch the sunset from!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi16J5VwHpvhIAv7h9S-n5sONc-lvYFz-1gPJcvFFg4VMJBm_yQ85mWx2j4htYGa_3wJfm9JQCIBt6kHwZmGqBtx0qI0Mv9iZxtcHZJx9Uhc7FASKNN9EG_vq4CXgclKFu8oopVpStTYcU/s1600/Sunset+from+Marizan+Caves+%2526+Villas+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi16J5VwHpvhIAv7h9S-n5sONc-lvYFz-1gPJcvFFg4VMJBm_yQ85mWx2j4htYGa_3wJfm9JQCIBt6kHwZmGqBtx0qI0Mv9iZxtcHZJx9Uhc7FASKNN9EG_vq4CXgclKFu8oopVpStTYcU/s400/Sunset+from+Marizan+Caves+%2526+Villas+014.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back at the crowds of people watching sunset. Only guests were allowed onto the hotel property.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">We were also a bit skeptical of Oia’s beauty. We have all seen the stunning photos of Oia and like many places, we thought these vistas could only be enjoyed from one or two spots. In reality, we found stunning beauty throughout the town. Instead of island hoping to nearby Mykonos for the day, we spent most of our days strolling the streets of Oia soaking in the sunshine and views. These photos do little justice to the beauty of the town.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1iGTu80RGv7VIe4wGixiGqpQnUbo38vzYgL_06k_MjgFljFvCQFkwb2QQ95a8J_fc169IUCHo03n15pbE03vMB5iBkxsLl9PZbCLCGxNY9Mu1MkAW8nvxWzmG3FCDViU7Wg0XRtpkIs/s1600/IMG_20150427_110505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1iGTu80RGv7VIe4wGixiGqpQnUbo38vzYgL_06k_MjgFljFvCQFkwb2QQ95a8J_fc169IUCHo03n15pbE03vMB5iBkxsLl9PZbCLCGxNY9Mu1MkAW8nvxWzmG3FCDViU7Wg0XRtpkIs/s400/IMG_20150427_110505.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oia, Santorini</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5pUF7Wp1Z8KLwRvENIdGmt1MwuX3KZfo10oZmbTvneDj6F85eFW8wwtKU9sEBFVe4ZSZ1zkwqyl16oh6OhuhK8nBS2vU6NfZ5KLNPXsAPVBX78KgSKAudt6mKKvyA0SQYLjxPWnXBsw/s1600/Oia+07.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5pUF7Wp1Z8KLwRvENIdGmt1MwuX3KZfo10oZmbTvneDj6F85eFW8wwtKU9sEBFVe4ZSZ1zkwqyl16oh6OhuhK8nBS2vU6NfZ5KLNPXsAPVBX78KgSKAudt6mKKvyA0SQYLjxPWnXBsw/s320/Oia+07.JPG" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Along the main walkway in Oia, it's obvious when the cruse-liner tour buses arrive.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKkLrIoJ0zeftcGCYEanA-U6h-1Z5OeVifVlB_ECv6IBenVYQFqimCj7W_6bVNRIFF8G8e2-amVABO1FgQoZLpufAMszplsZx7c8k3cHIKY16t8FxxKyiLMhWTHlLtBK8XKo2HgfzZ0ds/s1600/Oia+12+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKkLrIoJ0zeftcGCYEanA-U6h-1Z5OeVifVlB_ECv6IBenVYQFqimCj7W_6bVNRIFF8G8e2-amVABO1FgQoZLpufAMszplsZx7c8k3cHIKY16t8FxxKyiLMhWTHlLtBK8XKo2HgfzZ0ds/s400/Oia+12+-+adjusted.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Within a few minutes from the main part of city, there are charming and quiet alleys to explore.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsKrHMwcpZg8Snky3JxeumbkUDd5SkQnEgVwMM5yYEW0kLalEQIxJS06OOAk9XctHkhDuMjm-lHU8zmN05N4TkY3xbVlx89CzD3oVPgKhaAtdyyg-acptTUbT8QFIYhJDJus4AeMU7YdU/s1600/Oia+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsKrHMwcpZg8Snky3JxeumbkUDd5SkQnEgVwMM5yYEW0kLalEQIxJS06OOAk9XctHkhDuMjm-lHU8zmN05N4TkY3xbVlx89CzD3oVPgKhaAtdyyg-acptTUbT8QFIYhJDJus4AeMU7YdU/s400/Oia+006.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The small walkways between homes and hotels are very tempting to venture into for a photo safari.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZQ1CuCcx5-dow7dzkKdUMHuJMdjXBZcKQmE5ypJAVX1LjX7Efi8isb04lNaxbrcjhZOX9AkFjsCuV3AXAUeKuZJ9JX83FT24u82SvtdqELYpgo7KTHZj4vTmgujhZUddEFtUra4CMUI/s1600/Oia+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZQ1CuCcx5-dow7dzkKdUMHuJMdjXBZcKQmE5ypJAVX1LjX7Efi8isb04lNaxbrcjhZOX9AkFjsCuV3AXAUeKuZJ9JX83FT24u82SvtdqELYpgo7KTHZj4vTmgujhZUddEFtUra4CMUI/s400/Oia+028.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our evening walk to the main part of town for dinner.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0K88RqidP3b9jCrcq61Aq-O8YFURP8i6lZalHz-7u7qSmyfcQxMIEf-o_YMOkHIEKIxl8I_Vdk5JfO-_aur8GkmhXKu7zyqqkiI8-cADQ0KzuYzmHP-ujBJqJ8jhIc-Qt5ygbaticHUE/s1600/29+Week+Bump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0K88RqidP3b9jCrcq61Aq-O8YFURP8i6lZalHz-7u7qSmyfcQxMIEf-o_YMOkHIEKIxl8I_Vdk5JfO-_aur8GkmhXKu7zyqqkiI8-cADQ0KzuYzmHP-ujBJqJ8jhIc-Qt5ygbaticHUE/s400/29+Week+Bump.jpg" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 7 month bump.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">And like the rest of our Greek trip, the food was wonderful. With the help of our hotel, recommendations from friends, and our own online research, we had numerous memorable meals. I am a big seafood lover and was excited about eating fresh seafood, especially since we now live far from the ocean. Oh but pregnancy was cruel to me. While Q was raving about every fish meal, they all tasted bland to me. The pregnancy must have dulled my senses to fish.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0yi3aqYBHfhewxrlm93bUMUlEonu-_5QbA4DZeu90J7ndUAVDManoZQ3F2kb5n-Fi3OeHPE8l99jfWIzCrL5TXM7ZT-z6oYslnnoBOuQTUCaognIQAucPJEpW70E_zCQWaBLjMQYZzIA/s1600/IMG_20150425_132611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0yi3aqYBHfhewxrlm93bUMUlEonu-_5QbA4DZeu90J7ndUAVDManoZQ3F2kb5n-Fi3OeHPE8l99jfWIzCrL5TXM7ZT-z6oYslnnoBOuQTUCaognIQAucPJEpW70E_zCQWaBLjMQYZzIA/s400/IMG_20150425_132611.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We still couldn't get enough of the Greek salad.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSItIsqsNhZNw8BrIi7pSg9ZydmZ4H59d9r1YMBmJjDQmIy4pUnJT65fEC8cQqgG4lEOJOxaa1oQm3Qo5LyHxi92akthUBfXYol2r2fqyaXmIGElAX6xqZOmTH7btz1bNiJx7POwhSoxY/s1600/Lunch+at+Taverna+Katina+02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSItIsqsNhZNw8BrIi7pSg9ZydmZ4H59d9r1YMBmJjDQmIy4pUnJT65fEC8cQqgG4lEOJOxaa1oQm3Qo5LyHxi92akthUBfXYol2r2fqyaXmIGElAX6xqZOmTH7btz1bNiJx7POwhSoxY/s400/Lunch+at+Taverna+Katina+02.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ouzo along the Agean Sea for Q</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_xbNoGczLwrIa0Jgx48gJGaL9Ko6swRUijO74lp7WPWZLGzAdBreVLnEtKTzBt-dPs_VoeYr8bOTv-EPyl_T764TyauGN6eAmQkLWMsTxWoN_bN9ZwFmmgwkE5WL6JlBmFJ4hvGLLO0/s1600/Lunch+at+Taverna+Katina+04.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_xbNoGczLwrIa0Jgx48gJGaL9Ko6swRUijO74lp7WPWZLGzAdBreVLnEtKTzBt-dPs_VoeYr8bOTv-EPyl_T764TyauGN6eAmQkLWMsTxWoN_bN9ZwFmmgwkE5WL6JlBmFJ4hvGLLO0/s400/Lunch+at+Taverna+Katina+04.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A simple bake is all one needs in order to taste excellent when the fish is this fresh.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDx1Im0FtZialKG7nxShZlqAkwvJCYQJ6_Bw-obbN11xqpDhPWJn8Z1g6v4kgxX0j33CLc6uWWCmJdIcyFuZQt3ncWFgrSMuP96KQOb-8ep6iRcb6JiXDdCvjDv1L75LkTCfTzGHcos0/s1600/Skiza+Cafe+04.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDx1Im0FtZialKG7nxShZlqAkwvJCYQJ6_Bw-obbN11xqpDhPWJn8Z1g6v4kgxX0j33CLc6uWWCmJdIcyFuZQt3ncWFgrSMuP96KQOb-8ep6iRcb6JiXDdCvjDv1L75LkTCfTzGHcos0/s400/Skiza+Cafe+04.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We become regulars at <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g482941-d2252827-Reviews-SKIZA_Cafe-Oia_Santorini_Cyclades_South_Aegean.html">Skiza</a> for their pastries, iced coffee and Greek breakfast.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">We did venture out of Oia for one day of sightseeing. We rented a car and cruised around the island stopping at the Red Sand Beach and Perissa Beach</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. High season was just around the corner and much of the island was still sleepy or just starting to prepare for the late spring's start of tourist season. Being out on empty roads and with the locals was nice but too lonely for our liking. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBk2ifU2jK-ruM5HPKrhWlABGzv_DcsjMwCL2aHGAxWhS7QjQOIQtds7UBufLSRPWk-2mrzn5vdCi6mHE0XqsttDauX_sttpdVrzi9ss5x8dG8GK2vEN9GHNy5ZkL1zdPaQMnqO15MQLg/s1600/Red+Beach+04.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBk2ifU2jK-ruM5HPKrhWlABGzv_DcsjMwCL2aHGAxWhS7QjQOIQtds7UBufLSRPWk-2mrzn5vdCi6mHE0XqsttDauX_sttpdVrzi9ss5x8dG8GK2vEN9GHNy5ZkL1zdPaQMnqO15MQLg/s400/Red+Beach+04.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Completely <span style="font-family: "arial";">underwhelmed</span> by the Red Sand Beach. Wasn't worth the walk down there to touch the cold water.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjekKgVpt4bRu2IBSL0nEksXS0_qSXvrBRAax-bBbhHEPYZIN5ny_ntsfFjrm8U-iHZ1h4-DxAXfG2jRbjo-udF04uBDpgKbOQnXRwqmjriZUaWJFcALXgP_-YFg856nsuRYC1kron5-Gc/s1600/Iced+Coffee+at+Perissa+Beach+01+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjekKgVpt4bRu2IBSL0nEksXS0_qSXvrBRAax-bBbhHEPYZIN5ny_ntsfFjrm8U-iHZ1h4-DxAXfG2jRbjo-udF04uBDpgKbOQnXRwqmjriZUaWJFcALXgP_-YFg856nsuRYC1kron5-Gc/s400/Iced+Coffee+at+Perissa+Beach+01+-+adjusted.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It wasn't warm enough at Perissa Beach to lay outside. But from inside, it made for a beautiful view. </td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Saying goodbye to Oia and the hotel stay was a little bittersweet. It was the end of my dream babymoon and the end of fast paced travel - at least for a while.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1f1d2Hrkq9Q1JFUIHoJk1fTPjwOLL4vNd9sx1UNlp1BzDnJASqvvK1HiD090gX1JS2PZGgUSA8leeH14NahJ4GwAxVytwmZAI8wX01ZsSrCtUHHpt8wPus9iqrT90dufkyg9lzybCU48/s1600/Sunset+from+Marizan+Caves+%2526+Villas+018.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1f1d2Hrkq9Q1JFUIHoJk1fTPjwOLL4vNd9sx1UNlp1BzDnJASqvvK1HiD090gX1JS2PZGgUSA8leeH14NahJ4GwAxVytwmZAI8wX01ZsSrCtUHHpt8wPus9iqrT90dufkyg9lzybCU48/s400/Sunset+from+Marizan+Caves+%2526+Villas+018.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, we are definitely coming back to Greece</td></tr>
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Laurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05848291077777206180noreply@blogger.com0Oia, Santorini, Greece36.4618199 25.37531009999997936.4490494 25.355140099999979 36.474590400000004 25.395480099999979tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131555610866497086.post-91386662929292147092016-10-26T17:01:00.000-07:002016-10-26T17:01:40.117-07:00Baklava Babymoon: The Relaxing Island of Hydra<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
After all the sightseeing that Laure and I had done so far in Greece, we headed off to a quaint little island named Hydra for two nights of R&R. We drove as far south as we could and boarded a small boat for the short ride to the town of Hydra.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3LnlI1CkktMtRHixfW0SMr6k2K0Gf9ppJfm9AyRJ3Y7WlCl1EyMf-X73tvV1-LjsrE7DEusre2zWl8S0Gqv2OWcQDmm2mAyhyvL580Koq_xiIAC-fD4GzdDNihH2JjdA-77E5qE3rX4o/s1600/Hydra+Harbour+03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3LnlI1CkktMtRHixfW0SMr6k2K0Gf9ppJfm9AyRJ3Y7WlCl1EyMf-X73tvV1-LjsrE7DEusre2zWl8S0Gqv2OWcQDmm2mAyhyvL580Koq_xiIAC-fD4GzdDNihH2JjdA-77E5qE3rX4o/s400/Hydra+Harbour+03.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hydra's port.</td></tr>
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Hydra is a fairly low key island that is completely car free with many little cobblestone alleys to explore. We had decided to come here and enjoy the relatively slow pace rhythm of a small island before visiting one of the more popular ones that would surely be packed with tourists.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXyAnNUayVMDPb5hPtqI_P07VJrXIa7HUsBKe1wly3CtaD4h1GoC8_LFCPXu-_X9ddAkWtKTtPBXPgVNCjvloJ7kdtq2HsdYXBChj38YE55S840u3j8h3VKj76KnExxZRXQXaelRxgUss/s1600/IMG_20150423_115927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXyAnNUayVMDPb5hPtqI_P07VJrXIa7HUsBKe1wly3CtaD4h1GoC8_LFCPXu-_X9ddAkWtKTtPBXPgVNCjvloJ7kdtq2HsdYXBChj38YE55S840u3j8h3VKj76KnExxZRXQXaelRxgUss/s400/IMG_20150423_115927.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Donkeys are the only mode of transportation on the island <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">besides walking</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">.<br />You can spot donkeys carrying furniture.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFuZXvXSD5TXNDwOP5NTUfyA0PrRvvbG24QzH1NFDGZpDWkO2_lsN8vuzsKUtB5ezsRzejOJJDNNyjQnkK3kxYWb2guQjajaHzEqDV_1fQ_aTGU5s0I8XgxaSCJPrOHzSTW5T9AMfpmU/s1600/Hydra+Harbour+06.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFuZXvXSD5TXNDwOP5NTUfyA0PrRvvbG24QzH1NFDGZpDWkO2_lsN8vuzsKUtB5ezsRzejOJJDNNyjQnkK3kxYWb2guQjajaHzEqDV_1fQ_aTGU5s0I8XgxaSCJPrOHzSTW5T9AMfpmU/s400/Hydra+Harbour+06.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We stayed at <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g1189165-d1440143-Reviews-Hotel_Sophia-Hydra_Town_Hydra_Saronic_Gulf_Islands.html">Hotel Sophia</a>, which overlooks the port and promenade.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xjiyB54gEu1SQqge4mdtk17FyvFON8WgviRuuhB-_pU7PAFplWbiY65tdiM5vOWOWABDYJVKNzXW201XHYZBrf23JwB-xIVOHtUQzhQMmVohGnr8jw0vR3slLmz5nW-qp3QtPCsWdpQ/s1600/Hydra+06.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xjiyB54gEu1SQqge4mdtk17FyvFON8WgviRuuhB-_pU7PAFplWbiY65tdiM5vOWOWABDYJVKNzXW201XHYZBrf23JwB-xIVOHtUQzhQMmVohGnr8jw0vR3slLmz5nW-qp3QtPCsWdpQ/s400/Hydra+06.JPG" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">The island was filled with blooming spring flowers.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjuYxcciA1FY71pkGIX67KxeW4sU-Hhi0CLwJ_SQyxwNMBHafFwDy2KSFpt_zcbXLWBB_7TtXn5Vc22NP3keybDm6J1kvYOh9x5ezfvmBmdxQea1cyTc0uPSA4uqh-PRQ4dVhbqP9zIro/s400/Hydra+Hiking+02.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">We also went out on a little hike along the coast.</td></tr>
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The quietness of the island turned out to be a two sided coin. On on side, it was great to explore this romantic little town without throngs of people. On the other side, we sometimes felt like we were walking in a ghost town especially since we went early in the spring and the island depends heavily on tourism. This lonesome serenity was especially strong at night.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRqREV23uyRxkjbAni_0R_tK3L58oMFQptBEIBHHHtxPnbz8X5ifJPLzfA7AlG-jMCvHCxYTqL0xIG9MVsMAO2iVHxEFzrun7gz6Y3bR7l4Y8lRSrqrscAxaS8YmF6ffvFUrnrZDB7gQ/s1600/Hydra+006+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRqREV23uyRxkjbAni_0R_tK3L58oMFQptBEIBHHHtxPnbz8X5ifJPLzfA7AlG-jMCvHCxYTqL0xIG9MVsMAO2iVHxEFzrun7gz6Y3bR7l4Y8lRSrqrscAxaS8YmF6ffvFUrnrZDB7gQ/s400/Hydra+006+%25281%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hydra sleeps.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDhGi3f4UGwJSDiLE1Wmy1kY6FZ93b5Nm5zR6rPIn8uDGvqmt0Ne17R5cHf4Wb9y-0Viyof_0rC0_lnttefG5QCDX_dO28diHzMHB4wTtp77cEuIcILt4k_NzmB1cnkROp9fBmAj8V_k/s1600/Hydra+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDhGi3f4UGwJSDiLE1Wmy1kY6FZ93b5Nm5zR6rPIn8uDGvqmt0Ne17R5cHf4Wb9y-0Viyof_0rC0_lnttefG5QCDX_dO28diHzMHB4wTtp77cEuIcILt4k_NzmB1cnkROp9fBmAj8V_k/s400/Hydra+015.JPG" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aimless wandering.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfP5HzO-sR3ZIy21wRBFq3S_lX-U9JPNB3akd2NjwMincXFFZYznU7-VruB3KlUWFFD3immJA2rW62O7dGHgVhoZMT-HkvKHtcEiQUdgPNKZrEF91z6zhyZPNiaPAGsl3s67zFDy2ICTo/s1600/Hydra+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfP5HzO-sR3ZIy21wRBFq3S_lX-U9JPNB3akd2NjwMincXFFZYznU7-VruB3KlUWFFD3immJA2rW62O7dGHgVhoZMT-HkvKHtcEiQUdgPNKZrEF91z6zhyZPNiaPAGsl3s67zFDy2ICTo/s400/Hydra+005.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our main company at night were the island cats.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4Jgh0W9R11tx5LeRHbtkmHAGqZI0-qK65rhfzXBkMjNH3nFRR4GCBAIXMGkJhMphEf8lx6RCp5mXUmsega_cXlzs4uwvTPJJC1S20BoZiUt1F8vEHq-W4r22DNRrSxfIB7Hk6E6b44U/s1600/IMG_20150421_210126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4Jgh0W9R11tx5LeRHbtkmHAGqZI0-qK65rhfzXBkMjNH3nFRR4GCBAIXMGkJhMphEf8lx6RCp5mXUmsega_cXlzs4uwvTPJJC1S20BoZiUt1F8vEHq-W4r22DNRrSxfIB7Hk6E6b44U/s400/IMG_20150421_210126.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every now and then, we would come across a cute lively courtyard restaurant.</td></tr>
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The specialty meal on the Greek islands is unsurprisingly fish. The standard procedure is to go with the waiter to choose from a selection of fish on display. The waiter helps by describing the variety of fish and the recommended methods of cooking them. At the end of the meal, you pay by the weight.<br />
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Laure went to Greece really excited about eating lots of fish. Even though I'm not a fish connoisseur, I was able to definitely taste that we were eating great fish. Unfortunately, Laure's pregnancy really screwed with her taste buds and she was really bummed out that all the fish she ate tasted bland!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IE_SRJmO0Ps/VTf5GWN9ggI/AAAAAAAAoBk/8YJsjBdqSQwqJnQ_nq19JL_OUmfN-GTTwCPcB/s1600/DSC_1089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IE_SRJmO0Ps/VTf5GWN9ggI/AAAAAAAAoBk/8YJsjBdqSQwqJnQ_nq19JL_OUmfN-GTTwCPcB/s400/DSC_1089.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eating outdoors in the Greek islands is a must.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0dbs-rO6Xdc/Vx0_tprOSfI/AAAAAAAAzA0/WJY0eMWnRJYODxz-2cYVdOshHrXpA9ongCPcB/s1600/DSC_1092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0dbs-rO6Xdc/Vx0_tprOSfI/AAAAAAAAzA0/WJY0eMWnRJYODxz-2cYVdOshHrXpA9ongCPcB/s400/DSC_1092.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selecting our lunch.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TsB15dfmw6A/Vx0_tn0aZrI/AAAAAAAAzAU/GZdf2MKi7XQqCwfgHXwh2A1ts3V4-ToLQCPcB/s1600/DSC_1090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TsB15dfmw6A/Vx0_tn0aZrI/AAAAAAAAzAU/GZdf2MKi7XQqCwfgHXwh2A1ts3V4-ToLQCPcB/s400/DSC_1090.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This cute kitty tried charming us for some fish.<br />
Locals like cats because they keep the rat population down. You hear that, NYC?</td></tr>
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We also came across a pretty good Italian style gelataria, <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+Cool+Mule/@37.350434,23.4668609,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x7ad852181f9776c6!8m2!3d37.350434!4d23.4668609">The Cool Mule</a>. To our pleasant surprise, we found good gelatarias not only in Hydra but also in subsequent islands that we visited. Who would have guessed that Greek islanders have mastered this Italian art form?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQ3km0vMSAOqfAGA8yRIj9k9NrbRcPVS0ACPoaAhMiwnoDHK2sI2Nzw8bDlrunJ-pXMa2dy0WYOeRYZxgnmUwrz7C54gdgrS_-bgPSe-86fYX8j4ZhWTvOokNULr0Ma-T-9VBaVkTyYI/s1600/The+Cool+Mule+Gelato+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQ3km0vMSAOqfAGA8yRIj9k9NrbRcPVS0ACPoaAhMiwnoDHK2sI2Nzw8bDlrunJ-pXMa2dy0WYOeRYZxgnmUwrz7C54gdgrS_-bgPSe-86fYX8j4ZhWTvOokNULr0Ma-T-9VBaVkTyYI/s400/The+Cool+Mule+Gelato+01.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ciao, bella!</td></tr>
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</div>
Qhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009834242027169260noreply@blogger.com0Idra 180 40, Greece37.3466624 23.4659497000000137.3340394 23.44577970000001 37.3592854 23.48611970000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131555610866497086.post-77589921666845747162016-10-24T15:35:00.002-07:002016-10-24T15:36:19.919-07:00Baklava Babymoon: off the beaten path<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
After checking out some of the famous highlights, we decided to check out some of the less popular spots during our Baklava Babymoon.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Mycenae</h2>
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We drove to Mycenae, which was the center of Greek civilization during the aptly named Mycenaean period between 1600 and 1100 BC. The Mycenaeans were a people of aggressive warriors that conquered a lot of the surrounding region. Some believe they were one of the key players in the mythical Trojan Wars.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6naP3Xdmpy4mHe9e_DHIenjj3koU7_Q_mgbinrNsdv0ZjfN2sVVK671Pp8JFitrRtGwJi3uRRmy5I7GqAUYZtcQcOEjUrHr9JTJFD9fDsAtT_eFJ1Pg8rqlp4kGFSNB_VrgoOmoiT24k/s1600/Mycenae+Lion+Gate+03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6naP3Xdmpy4mHe9e_DHIenjj3koU7_Q_mgbinrNsdv0ZjfN2sVVK671Pp8JFitrRtGwJi3uRRmy5I7GqAUYZtcQcOEjUrHr9JTJFD9fDsAtT_eFJ1Pg8rqlp4kGFSNB_VrgoOmoiT24k/s400/Mycenae+Lion+Gate+03.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lion Gate is the most impressive structure that survived from the Mycenaen period.</td></tr>
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Apart from the Lion Gate, a lot of Mycenae has unfortunately crumbled over the last 3,000 years. So I consider it as one of those places that you need to mentally visualize its former grandeur to really appreciate it.<br />
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There was also a nice museum at the site with artifacts from the civilization.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Nafplio</h2>
Next on our trip was the former Greek capital Nafplio. While planning our trip, we had decided pass there simply because it was between places we wanted to see. But then Nafplio really surprised us. It felt like a much sanitized and scaled down version of Cairo, which made it more approachable and relaxing.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpuY6LplcZFyVQ_VYNydrNh0Km8Fo-mhY5UrxDRPcZCs1uJHah22kSKu5T-ekHZY2E2BMI1o2EK_aA47lEdN8OpKC8DUmvROSO3rBTGzEKx5xckmlokZWVkykgOuwEIhRfAkkKv7_diqU/s1600/Pension+Marianna+in+Nafplio+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpuY6LplcZFyVQ_VYNydrNh0Km8Fo-mhY5UrxDRPcZCs1uJHah22kSKu5T-ekHZY2E2BMI1o2EK_aA47lEdN8OpKC8DUmvROSO3rBTGzEKx5xckmlokZWVkykgOuwEIhRfAkkKv7_diqU/s400/Pension+Marianna+in+Nafplio+01.JPG" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We stayed at an awesome place named <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g319780-d573464-Reviews-Pension_Marianna-Nafplio_Argolis_Region_Peloponnese.html">Pension Marianna</a> overlooking the city.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhgH6-yi9fxWWqUEVrRK9MHg_gtEtMh1sMbpWFASGzUCGhk_EUmK6VBwQK1C1fiJxYC6xAiqechp7O87i74rmWTeyPndMCw0K_IZnxw87wCH1zVnxuOmunMdMoKvc_TPTQzx6q4o5nJfg/s1600/Pension+Marianna+in+Nafplio+03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhgH6-yi9fxWWqUEVrRK9MHg_gtEtMh1sMbpWFASGzUCGhk_EUmK6VBwQK1C1fiJxYC6xAiqechp7O87i74rmWTeyPndMCw0K_IZnxw87wCH1zVnxuOmunMdMoKvc_TPTQzx6q4o5nJfg/s320/Pension+Marianna+in+Nafplio+03.JPG" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The room looked like it was out of a castle.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6L64AIAw39xmi3D3_3Vu-D8WZBLfCD1T7ceDxSC56nh1KQWIWNlcr4rRGFec9IGWcABoKH7YH3Gr47YUjcEwrEx-UOvevnOXc_h9ij3wjpkNKgnbWatZ64AxnMVJlQcg0Ej9TRyRumMI/s1600/IMG_20150420_201450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6L64AIAw39xmi3D3_3Vu-D8WZBLfCD1T7ceDxSC56nh1KQWIWNlcr4rRGFec9IGWcABoKH7YH3Gr47YUjcEwrEx-UOvevnOXc_h9ij3wjpkNKgnbWatZ64AxnMVJlQcg0Ej9TRyRumMI/s400/IMG_20150420_201450.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nafplio has many interesting places like this good chocolate shop we stumbled upon.</td></tr>
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<div>
Shortly after arriving in Nafplio, we realized we should have probably planned to spend at least one full day there to leisurely check out all the interesting shops and the good restaurants.<br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Epidaurus Ancient Theater</h2>
Next, we checked out the Epidaurus Ancient Theater, where artists have performed plays and music since ancient times until now at this outdoor auditorium.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNyJawES0-r48mSvHBDo6KODMZOjA2QXwwX9xsHlR2uTYW6LLgwKltClwzVzRhJmT7I99m1wPwhaKEFDlto2UR42CjNd0Su2hj892ygxjYOH2RA_RWKMthSi3DjqYCRLRIrneC3xnxePs/s1600/Epidaurus+Theater+05.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNyJawES0-r48mSvHBDo6KODMZOjA2QXwwX9xsHlR2uTYW6LLgwKltClwzVzRhJmT7I99m1wPwhaKEFDlto2UR42CjNd0Su2hj892ygxjYOH2RA_RWKMthSi3DjqYCRLRIrneC3xnxePs/s400/Epidaurus+Theater+05.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The acoustics are so good that everyone can hear the person in the center.<br />
For a crazy second, I considered reciting a Shakespearean monologue.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhveXcF6CFZzlwPqs_sGZCU8JlaTG_9QOguWNa7-x532iOsDzTnA1GFFlGgRfNUU0nIPeUX2fBHYL7R_BXfSQx7wiS0uX83qHcqx2ZRTl_0fuYWP_hyphenhyphenTtTMUM4nzy0m6W6p_ij2dWT_w-8/s1600/Epidaurus+Theater+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhveXcF6CFZzlwPqs_sGZCU8JlaTG_9QOguWNa7-x532iOsDzTnA1GFFlGgRfNUU0nIPeUX2fBHYL7R_BXfSQx7wiS0uX83qHcqx2ZRTl_0fuYWP_hyphenhyphenTtTMUM4nzy0m6W6p_ij2dWT_w-8/s400/Epidaurus+Theater+01.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My wife and my then-unborn child.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTQ-MFwObJ2tsJgEB5lwp1Ur6E16IglBPEF6p3TUHt5-RLghRuV9vblUkeCo32xU_TgfdvokkL42LnCMvR_GirWMVNnvvkgVOsz45EtSnZLDSVOsdisbgFfmZDJonAUbMg6qRRNT4IcO8/s1600/Archaeological+Museum+of+Epidaurus+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTQ-MFwObJ2tsJgEB5lwp1Ur6E16IglBPEF6p3TUHt5-RLghRuV9vblUkeCo32xU_TgfdvokkL42LnCMvR_GirWMVNnvvkgVOsz45EtSnZLDSVOsdisbgFfmZDJonAUbMg6qRRNT4IcO8/s400/Archaeological+Museum+of+Epidaurus+01.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's also a museum with some ancient stuff.</td></tr>
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After all that sightseeing, we were ready to relax and see what the legendary Greek islands are all about. That's coming next.</div>
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Qhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009834242027169260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131555610866497086.post-57958452079180991732016-05-15T13:34:00.000-07:002016-10-24T15:48:51.280-07:00Baklava Babymoon: the Oracle of Delphi<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Next on our Baklava Babymoon, Laure and I went to consult the Oracle of Delphi about the sex of the baby that Laure was carrying. To our dismay, we found out that the oracle had been out of commission for nearly 2000 years.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFmAgKZQc7kH-f4qJKA-GEqX5fzcpXr9RZh26KxE0N5gpozexJRTw4lp68oECE31vCt8yVmRv2zdOH-pc2irEyqXj5YyXJkwH2MCGRrRuIonBB-16BleS7lkZX9Y5uJkflQ578OJl_xzY/s1600/Archaeological+Site+of+Delphi+15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFmAgKZQc7kH-f4qJKA-GEqX5fzcpXr9RZh26KxE0N5gpozexJRTw4lp68oECE31vCt8yVmRv2zdOH-pc2irEyqXj5YyXJkwH2MCGRrRuIonBB-16BleS7lkZX9Y5uJkflQ578OJl_xzY/s400/Archaeological+Site+of+Delphi+15.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Temple of Apollo housed the Oracle of Delphi.</td></tr>
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As with many ancient ruins, we had to use our imagination to mentally reconstruct the grandness of Delphi at an attempt to appreciate its value. For a few hundred years, many people from commoners to great generals visited the oracle to listen to her prophecies. These visitors presented Delphi with gifts and monuments in order to please the gods and improve their chances of a positive prophecy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8vKaYHCp7vlFAlYT59e_FPICHBovbYc0xK2a99d8JigAGsnnRpDzJOjKOUPC_HZG1VfuK_nTkBciYZXPlGRtKLf52f8hi3EBgd-QOt14-CIz19UFUT9zCJxlFzy8w3ly8jyQnA6JRsY/s1600/46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8vKaYHCp7vlFAlYT59e_FPICHBovbYc0xK2a99d8JigAGsnnRpDzJOjKOUPC_HZG1VfuK_nTkBciYZXPlGRtKLf52f8hi3EBgd-QOt14-CIz19UFUT9zCJxlFzy8w3ly8jyQnA6JRsY/s400/46.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This painting I ripped off the internet is a guess of what Delphi might have looked in its heyday.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyo42LgcAks2hBk3FB2V4-6CES_uEM_vRYpc41fhhqKp-oEc6fmqMPH-mmpsapVWdCDFxBVsNeYp0J57ZAwE1CiV88MIdI6glaocV8yoaL0ju4KfzHRer9ZOKYHKsket2NXzRjSaQ_UY0/s1600/Archaeological+Site+of+Delphi+06.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyo42LgcAks2hBk3FB2V4-6CES_uEM_vRYpc41fhhqKp-oEc6fmqMPH-mmpsapVWdCDFxBVsNeYp0J57ZAwE1CiV88MIdI6glaocV8yoaL0ju4KfzHRer9ZOKYHKsket2NXzRjSaQ_UY0/s400/Archaeological+Site+of+Delphi+06.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above the Temple of Apollo is an amphitheater that's worth checking out.</td></tr>
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We stayed a night in the modern day city of Delphi that is located down the hill from the temple. This turned out to be a nice place to rest after the hustle and bustle of the <a href="http://www.laurequarup.com/2016/05/baklava-babymoon-athens.html">big city of Athens</a>. We took the opportunity to check out a small family owned restaurant for some traditional Greek food.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMM73bmYbZIOLa74QMm9jjx-hzKwHkONJkR5KZbj6XOUprZvSiLtD_HpROcmuzGzxtDpPKynCGJi8bXZDsmqu7dJNbgWdppMTFqW2zmKLNRgaWWZTiK5oNRKBCJbXwdWsUomWvo3r7h4g/s1600/DSC_1051+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMM73bmYbZIOLa74QMm9jjx-hzKwHkONJkR5KZbj6XOUprZvSiLtD_HpROcmuzGzxtDpPKynCGJi8bXZDsmqu7dJNbgWdppMTFqW2zmKLNRgaWWZTiK5oNRKBCJbXwdWsUomWvo3r7h4g/s400/DSC_1051+%25281%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">At <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gargadua/207875422706157&source=gmail&ust=1463410779301000&usg=AFQjCNHFr8stXtKXo7KHpP_T5fmtrVNiVA" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gargadua/207875422706157" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;" target="_blank">Gargadua Grill</a>, we ate </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">moussaka, which is sort of like an eggplant lasagna.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7K0I3pp988fYM82qMevd98SOoMYg07qoKxeJRL2oXJJGJdmcUZ2U7wXkL3mFgEtUl7kMSnQ0PU1WO8xoat5xirlE6AfP0FDBXTBje5DCWTtZt1hd_HM5FwiEfoR30ODhyphenhyphenyg-xaYllhhk/s1600/DSC_1053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7K0I3pp988fYM82qMevd98SOoMYg07qoKxeJRL2oXJJGJdmcUZ2U7wXkL3mFgEtUl7kMSnQ0PU1WO8xoat5xirlE6AfP0FDBXTBje5DCWTtZt1hd_HM5FwiEfoR30ODhyphenhyphenyg-xaYllhhk/s400/DSC_1053.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Telescope/@38.4788351,22.4921761,17.68z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x0:0x0!2zMzjCsDI4JzQzLjgiTiAyMsKwMjknMzYuMSJF!3b1!8m2!3d38.4788361!4d22.4933528!3m4!1s0x0000000000000000:0xc9f1c49844ebe505!8m2!3d38.4786871!4d22.4937505">Telescope café</a> offers good mountain views, the friendliest of services, and a good Greek coffee.<br />
If you're wondering, Greek coffee is the same as Turkish coffee, although many Greeks <a href="http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2013/04/27/179270924/dont-call-it-turkish-coffee-unless-of-course-it-is">refuse to acknowledge it</a>.</td></tr>
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After Delphi, we were back on the road and decided to take a long way to our next destination in the Peloponnese peninsula. On the way, we stopped at a sleepy town named Nafpaktos for lunch, where it was amazingly difficult to find an open restaurant because it was still "too early" for them to open at 12:30pm. We eventually stumbled upon an old bar-like establishment that served a single option of food: souvlaki.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZnu-xxfoXHcM6vXRt6N3FF-Zaic2fjnaHTWdy8CuxrtLfp7wE-Qezve1lccisfbWuvza5pdHELPEveq1MWbqEvmoaz06tumF37xCkWxO_XkdUdMkRD2lr95AWtRDTy1sXXcvW7Gj8lEM/s1600/DSC_1059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZnu-xxfoXHcM6vXRt6N3FF-Zaic2fjnaHTWdy8CuxrtLfp7wE-Qezve1lccisfbWuvza5pdHELPEveq1MWbqEvmoaz06tumF37xCkWxO_XkdUdMkRD2lr95AWtRDTy1sXXcvW7Gj8lEM/s400/DSC_1059.JPG" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Souvlaki is a deliciously simple snack: grilled skewered meat; sometimes with veggies.<br />
This seems to be by far the most popular Greek fast food; more so than gyro sandwiches.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiofzJI3o4Yr8jP1KR8gnDo9mtoENRgrS0Ca4bc_Jdnn12ZwrXWqrqCTSf4vjIosg_3vAuFOqA6fOc7vukEfe0b9cVC9wpQgSh5oIxj1JJ4KnwcCTPFBu38wu3aWKT3vXcoqk5WbUl64zQ/s1600/DSC_1058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiofzJI3o4Yr8jP1KR8gnDo9mtoENRgrS0Ca4bc_Jdnn12ZwrXWqrqCTSf4vjIosg_3vAuFOqA6fOc7vukEfe0b9cVC9wpQgSh5oIxj1JJ4KnwcCTPFBu38wu3aWKT3vXcoqk5WbUl64zQ/s400/DSC_1058.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This nameless establishment was the only place we found serving food at 12:30pm.<br />
Maybe people eat lunch at home in the small town of Nafpaktos<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">.</span></td></tr>
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<br />
After our quick lunch, we were back on the road to our next destination in the Peloponnese peninsula.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPU_95Zz7vm0e_BClDczVllTsUss7mWhgGFr4oXkzOlT9Bjsfx9zps3BGuJytT2s4aOvZ3hOoRG6nBkE8PRZ36xtNVE1x3ib566oo3n-QR0XnEUU6W1Zm1IgehhKV1Vfy2dc-WKbM9-8/s1600/Drive+between+Delphi+and+Mycenae+07.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPU_95Zz7vm0e_BClDczVllTsUss7mWhgGFr4oXkzOlT9Bjsfx9zps3BGuJytT2s4aOvZ3hOoRG6nBkE8PRZ36xtNVE1x3ib566oo3n-QR0XnEUU6W1Zm1IgehhKV1Vfy2dc-WKbM9-8/s400/Drive+between+Delphi+and+Mycenae+07.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing the <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Rion-Antirion+Bridge/@38.321049,21.766577,15.21z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0000000000000000:0xe1a625ba4f9e17c3!8m2!3d38.3205906!4d21.7737114">Rion-Antirion bridge</a> to the Peloponnese peninsula.</td></tr>
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</div>
Qhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009834242027169260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131555610866497086.post-77351414402374831202016-05-03T14:40:00.000-07:002016-05-03T14:40:43.968-07:00Baklava Babymoon: Athens<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Our first Baklava Babymoon (a.k.a. Feta Filled Fetus tour) stop was Athens. Frankly speaking, the Greek capital has an infamous reputation for being dirty, which is perhaps the main reason that most people just visit long enough to see the Acropolis and then leave. Athens was officially the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/1983/05/12/world/now-it-s-official-athens-smog-is-europe-s-worst.html">most polluted city</a> in Western Europe in the 1980s. But in more recent years, they have made big strides in <a href="http://www.thestar.com/life/travel/2014/12/05/athens_birthplace_of_western_civilization_clean_up_its_act.html">cleaning up</a> the air and making their city more pedestrian friendly. This convinced me and Laure to take a few days to check out the sights, meet the locals, and (of course) eat some good food.<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Day 1: wandering around the historic old town</h2>
After checking into our hotel, we wandered around the old town.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Sx_YTVp5Ex73rFoPIrHYD3Tc8XMz7adVo5H0jzUvA-rgcuyEGqiZCGnab6YlMqO7azdgLux7ahB-RUk2f3EI23GLpxI2ddQ8zVte_Y_vSgdt67vi0ls65HeeXMObAkCRsF-Zq_ievvw/s1600/DSC_0939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Sx_YTVp5Ex73rFoPIrHYD3Tc8XMz7adVo5H0jzUvA-rgcuyEGqiZCGnab6YlMqO7azdgLux7ahB-RUk2f3EI23GLpxI2ddQ8zVte_Y_vSgdt67vi0ls65HeeXMObAkCRsF-Zq_ievvw/s400/DSC_0939.JPG" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g189400-d1025168-Reviews-Ariston-Athens_Attica.html">Ariston</a> is a century old casual bakery that sells local pies and pastries.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRKGDMoGQqGFyRDPTtupIiDzAfsYWTnvLmZDN5RkzuDh60nySi1Y68-OCIs7UybSESQubf0-5FWHo4F-oh_jptaOxzUi_VtXBDciWFamsVsLyaNP4nhZrwnkS2zGjoUs2YRX87InCs_uY/s1600/DSC_0960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRKGDMoGQqGFyRDPTtupIiDzAfsYWTnvLmZDN5RkzuDh60nySi1Y68-OCIs7UybSESQubf0-5FWHo4F-oh_jptaOxzUi_VtXBDciWFamsVsLyaNP4nhZrwnkS2zGjoUs2YRX87InCs_uY/s400/DSC_0960.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We came across some people bboying.<br />
Part of me wanted to join the fun.<br />
The other part of me realized I would get my ass kicked.</td></tr>
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<div>
Walking around Athen's old town is quite nice. Some years ago, the city prohibited car traffic on the historical streets. At first locals and business were outraged, but over time they realized that decision actually attracted more people.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzeD3vbViaeRt2nZSY7Z17CfnJLD5ceoHxEKPaNTlWko3quhI3ofpqet0WxMH5o6B_0fw7DG2eiS6EZq4b58g13_lz7xC3HJEihGdWnAM280W5pZvAUaPK4cHCQFlb8dF_9y8jDFDw1o/s1600/DSC_0949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzeD3vbViaeRt2nZSY7Z17CfnJLD5ceoHxEKPaNTlWko3quhI3ofpqet0WxMH5o6B_0fw7DG2eiS6EZq4b58g13_lz7xC3HJEihGdWnAM280W5pZvAUaPK4cHCQFlb8dF_9y8jDFDw1o/s400/DSC_0949.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We caught the changing of the Evzones, who are the elite presidential guards.<br />
They wear shoes with pom-poms. </td></tr>
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This trip gave us a quick introduction to the Orthodox Christian religion. Most, but not all, of the old churches we visited in Greece were small in comparison to the churches we are used to seeing in the rest Europe. In my opinion this makes the churches seem more approachable and intimate.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD5BW-IPLTkYLGizUuI2WUa9Eh_SVHiC9qHFmytW4tEy4IYX4Ftep-Y7nV0Hht-a-p45Jjaf-A3_0pjWprLXie7ZF2gmutQIWwKVgyQMgceEX5ChUNoMyECOGRMR7Xo6XuXJp1IDcUHgk/s1600/DSC_0964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD5BW-IPLTkYLGizUuI2WUa9Eh_SVHiC9qHFmytW4tEy4IYX4Ftep-Y7nV0Hht-a-p45Jjaf-A3_0pjWprLXie7ZF2gmutQIWwKVgyQMgceEX5ChUNoMyECOGRMR7Xo6XuXJp1IDcUHgk/s400/DSC_0964.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Church of Kapnikarea's orange bricks look especially dramatic during sunset.</td></tr>
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At night, we had our first proper restaurant meal. My impression of Greek food is that it is normally made out of simple but decent quality ingredients. And although Greek olive oil is not as famous as Italian, I actually found Greek oil to be generally more flavorful.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6yiVXj-GN8bWK9pWZh4rJ7YVq6wpnJFf-Le8Z_jGxPW5Zgl73VtxHRxCnyUU4dVLYZgB8iCPneDaYLIx8PKIJ1PrlXReKqdUpFDdOwkX7EThTiZZ7twQc9QjYK_4s9JDTvnttrsWHm-g/s1600/Lithos+-+Mesogeios+Restaurant+02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6yiVXj-GN8bWK9pWZh4rJ7YVq6wpnJFf-Le8Z_jGxPW5Zgl73VtxHRxCnyUU4dVLYZgB8iCPneDaYLIx8PKIJ1PrlXReKqdUpFDdOwkX7EThTiZZ7twQc9QjYK_4s9JDTvnttrsWHm-g/s400/Lithos+-+Mesogeios+Restaurant+02.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Greek salad quickly became the appetizer of every meal.<br />
Simple ingredients with a big presence of olive oil.</td></tr>
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After dinner, we walked around a bit and witnessed the local crowds going out and socializing. I really like how the Greek like to socialize not only in restaurants, bars, and dance clubs, but they also hang out outside in public squares. Actually, this is true for much of Europe. I wish this was also true in the US, but I suppose the general prohibition of drinking in public is a literal buzz kill.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Musicians set the mood for the crowd to dance at Monastiraki Square.</span></div>
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Day 2: culture overload and a fancy dinner</h2>
On our second day, Laure and I headed over to the National Archeological Museum, which contains some of the most important ancient Greek art starting all the way back to 7000 B.C.<br />
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It is mind boggling to believe that I was looking at things made by humans about 9,000 years ago. That's <b>twice</b> as old as the Great Pyramid in Egypt. The same way we look at the pyramids and think "wow, that is ridiculously old" is the same way the Egyptians at the time would look back at these and think the same thing -- assuming they knew about their existence and assuming they could think in English.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-polBW8aQ97E/Vx_f-K6xLPI/AAAAAAAAzG8/aPuwUxSReRM/s1600/National%2BArchaeological%2BMuseum%2B002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-polBW8aQ97E/Vx_f-K6xLPI/AAAAAAAAzG8/aPuwUxSReRM/s400/National%2BArchaeological%2BMuseum%2B002.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Today we don't know if these ancient 9000-year old Cycladic figurines are depictions of goddesses or maybe just porn.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5NqGq7LVsJqfFVd-LpzApRYOuTyjOhf-XN3PcRFFn8gS03jG6wb9IHfP4Vqo6lXl4t_v_ioDQD76My_MfsQ4Ua1HSLH6hpPHFWaqPNkYPcspCubIBaof9Xu0_WvUvXv45pfkHM2J92rQ/s1600/National+Archaeological+Museum+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5NqGq7LVsJqfFVd-LpzApRYOuTyjOhf-XN3PcRFFn8gS03jG6wb9IHfP4Vqo6lXl4t_v_ioDQD76My_MfsQ4Ua1HSLH6hpPHFWaqPNkYPcspCubIBaof9Xu0_WvUvXv45pfkHM2J92rQ/s400/National+Archaeological+Museum+008.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The famous but misnamed golden Mask of Agamemnon.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_78MTEppNfwKmFUC0W-Cyiu-EoD8okTO4mxHn_KvTlXLzyAjqTjIK1uSC-0vNywIhvrgnuAF4bj2jkGxlM-9-ofkc6bp3KSTjv8jS3PpvCKzVs-PVZfvhXPRv9Y5gjnQi6Vbgum7__k/s1600/National+Archaeological+Museum+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_78MTEppNfwKmFUC0W-Cyiu-EoD8okTO4mxHn_KvTlXLzyAjqTjIK1uSC-0vNywIhvrgnuAF4bj2jkGxlM-9-ofkc6bp3KSTjv8jS3PpvCKzVs-PVZfvhXPRv9Y5gjnQi6Vbgum7__k/s400/National+Archaeological+Museum+011.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This beautifully decorated knife shows the importance of war to the Mycenaeans.</td></tr>
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After the museum, Laure and I decided to grab a Greek snack known worldwide: gyro sandwiches. After a little bit of online research we settled on a place that turned out to have okay sandwiches accompanied by quasi-rude service.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2362yAG1WbaOiHQGRESxsRztJO2cZOgy-Or-K4XC4GOPmKfexCJM2RHuTY5q4KhF-R4b5k1FrQFRfP3rHKFxu9sy-7h3nvLFaeq4n3sDVBZcwwG0ToaagVA4rSsCtWCHENaDjn8rEV88/s1600/DSC_0980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2362yAG1WbaOiHQGRESxsRztJO2cZOgy-Or-K4XC4GOPmKfexCJM2RHuTY5q4KhF-R4b5k1FrQFRfP3rHKFxu9sy-7h3nvLFaeq4n3sDVBZcwwG0ToaagVA4rSsCtWCHENaDjn8rEV88/s400/DSC_0980.JPG" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> That tzatziki sauce looks suspiciously like mayonnaise.</td></tr>
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After a few more attempts later on the trip, I came to realize that gyro sandwiches in Greece are generally not any better or worse than what you would find anywhere else. Actually, it seemed like the more popular snack among Greeks are actually souvlakis, which are skewered meats -- think Greek kebabs.<br />
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After our disappointing lunch, we checked out the Agora, which was the commercial, political, and social heart of ancient Athens. That was where the residents would go to hang out, shop, and vote.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C5VyHVRTRgk/Vx1HRuij8cI/AAAAAAAAzCY/O-0M6upPf1g/s1600/Ancient%2BAgora%2B03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C5VyHVRTRgk/Vx1HRuij8cI/AAAAAAAAzCY/O-0M6upPf1g/s400/Ancient%2BAgora%2B03.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What am I looking at?</td></tr>
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I believe that visiting the Agora in Athens is very similar to visiting the Forum in Rome. Most of what remains are in rubbles, so you need to use a lot of your imagination to reconstruct what was there before. Both places are only interesting if you take the time to understand some of the history and importance of what was there before. Otherwise it's pretty meaningless to look at rocks on the ground.<br />
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For that reason, Laure and I downloaded audio tours to play on our phones while we walked around, which is easier, faster, and more entertaining than reading a book. You could probably find some different options, but we are huge fans of the free <a href="https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/audio/audio-tours/greece-turkey">Rick Steves audio tours</a> as well as his books.<br />
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Next, we climbed up to Athens' most famous sight by far: the Acropolis.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXW9g3bx0_VPYpoPGRYhZHiPLEuRVejweaMGPeDVnVIGWSyorelnHV_D_Ta27BMhOcIZc8_c6d4f1T4Fe13QKtyLWk3Q4yo8CfOSolNS71tcQVkp4ECN5Kh6vq6lO11rftAGXwOf-i64/s1600/Acropolis+of+Athens+-+Parthenon+28.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXW9g3bx0_VPYpoPGRYhZHiPLEuRVejweaMGPeDVnVIGWSyorelnHV_D_Ta27BMhOcIZc8_c6d4f1T4Fe13QKtyLWk3Q4yo8CfOSolNS71tcQVkp4ECN5Kh6vq6lO11rftAGXwOf-i64/s400/Acropolis+of+Athens+-+Parthenon+28.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Acropolis was getting a makeover.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As impressive as the remains of the Parthenon looks today, we need to imagine what it must have been in its full glory: full of ornate sculptures surrounding an impressive 12-meter statue of Athena. Perhaps most interestingly, the Parthenon used to be <a href="http://www.livescience.com/649-parthenon-riot-color.html">colorfully painted</a>, which is hard to imagine looking at its monochromatic remains. I find it funny that many modern banks are built to resemble Greek architecture but are painted completely white.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizM3WHEDLOWi_shvRpYCklWvcCFzxkp-3utAzH01_ga_Pg2pVAf7lzuF2CLLRU4iQunvOjXVJhyezM0V3ynfDb9HL2EKZxIvKP4OxhcmuUzX9LZru7JWpqbB1l90lchdfRd48-WAV27RY/s1600/Acropolis+of+Athens+-+Parthenon+08.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizM3WHEDLOWi_shvRpYCklWvcCFzxkp-3utAzH01_ga_Pg2pVAf7lzuF2CLLRU4iQunvOjXVJhyezM0V3ynfDb9HL2EKZxIvKP4OxhcmuUzX9LZru7JWpqbB1l90lchdfRd48-WAV27RY/s400/Acropolis+of+Athens+-+Parthenon+08.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How did this look full of color?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After walking around the Acropolis, we walked on a nice pedestrian walkway named the Dionysiou street.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjesYNK5D2D6eljbAdmakOnztXynnjeRGVfUPPXvraqZe6j7ClJgzbnoyJ2cTzTeC9QuXpfRf405hpls2h8BGSUsvNROPXzAexvtOpGI0hwxz28l1RTrI4q8_cXHETPH4g0PLpq4zLKcY4/s1600/Music+along+Dionysiou+03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjesYNK5D2D6eljbAdmakOnztXynnjeRGVfUPPXvraqZe6j7ClJgzbnoyJ2cTzTeC9QuXpfRf405hpls2h8BGSUsvNROPXzAexvtOpGI0hwxz28l1RTrI4q8_cXHETPH4g0PLpq4zLKcY4/s400/Music+along+Dionysiou+03.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dionysiou walking path has talented street performers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
For dinner, we decided to splurge and eat at a fancy restaurant, which is one of the things we figured would be difficult later with a newborn child. After a bit of research ahead of time, we settled on a restaurant named <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g189400-d2168139-Reviews-Funky_Gourmet-Athens_Attica.html">The Funky Gourmet</a>.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGC3qOiLid3eVlP4evfiRvC-TUy9_NocinatfWg_yE3Y0SWFXauG78f0pS4qJw92xbf75Mt9tAjoFbTpHYkUI-WKuOp7FfbQXyl4qRetERgjQ3bmHBlcPRHjKIPDcT7u5buvp6iS07v90/s1600/DSC_1009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGC3qOiLid3eVlP4evfiRvC-TUy9_NocinatfWg_yE3Y0SWFXauG78f0pS4qJw92xbf75Mt9tAjoFbTpHYkUI-WKuOp7FfbQXyl4qRetERgjQ3bmHBlcPRHjKIPDcT7u5buvp6iS07v90/s400/DSC_1009.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How did they fill this hollow cracker with warm soup?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The Funky Gourmet is part of a food trend named "molecular gastronomy", which is a buzz term for the way that chefs try coming up with new combinations of ingredients to present dishes with new flavors in an inventive way. Frankly, I'm generally pretty skeptic because this stuff seems a bit gimmicky to me.<br />
<br />
But this dinner dispelled my skepticism. The food not only looked good, but it was also very delicious. The service was excellent without being excessively formal. Although the cost was high compared to other local restaurants, it was a bargain compared to anything near the same quality back in Switzerland. All in all, this has been my favorite high end restaurant experience to date.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBpwKvC0Tbu_IwUgtAzDuxYZyb1lnMJXadk4hlWSxr35OEPEVg_HRDNvWWhL_v65Ri5l_XUcHc-i1pP04AiBxgAbM3DX_jP7n5WP3I7em-HMxJIQh7paCJcVlyW2H6Fxr6NVysq9CC6U4/s1600/DSC_1006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBpwKvC0Tbu_IwUgtAzDuxYZyb1lnMJXadk4hlWSxr35OEPEVg_HRDNvWWhL_v65Ri5l_XUcHc-i1pP04AiBxgAbM3DX_jP7n5WP3I7em-HMxJIQh7paCJcVlyW2H6Fxr6NVysq9CC6U4/s400/DSC_1006.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I thought it was insane that they would serve white chocolate on caviar.<br />
Until the flavor and texture knocked my socks off.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M9XlD_kHf8U/VTLP6SXD_1I/AAAAAAAAzDQ/g4F4HtTUl-oM2chkL65ml9YCnVh50LeiQCKgB/s1600/DSC_1040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M9XlD_kHf8U/VTLP6SXD_1I/AAAAAAAAzDQ/g4F4HtTUl-oM2chkL65ml9YCnVh50LeiQCKgB/s400/DSC_1040.JPG" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sure, they served food with excessive amounts of liquid nitrogen to put on a show, but the food still tasted great.<br />
And it's cool that our table looked like a haunted house.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Day 3: The Acropolis Museum and our departure from Athens</h2>
On our last day in Athens, we checked out the Acropolis Museum, which houses some of the original sculptures from the Acropolis that were moved from their original location due to the terrible corrosion from pollution. A few decades from pollution outside in the last century did significantly more damage to these sculptures than the preceding two thousand years.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggaPKEBzNzDHCsfFNL1ihGu1yceomeCW5m9x7oFrFlsbfFtrXJwkXXR0d9ZN0wQdSvrRARM_9hd_5K1V8iSGEzZMOSOKhsamacVVTdvjeMSqkUtnyLzW1nNM_jaTRKJvMSC2AiYA4Rf1U/s1600/Acropolis+Museum+05.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggaPKEBzNzDHCsfFNL1ihGu1yceomeCW5m9x7oFrFlsbfFtrXJwkXXR0d9ZN0wQdSvrRARM_9hd_5K1V8iSGEzZMOSOKhsamacVVTdvjeMSqkUtnyLzW1nNM_jaTRKJvMSC2AiYA4Rf1U/s400/Acropolis+Museum+05.JPG" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The caryatids don't look a day over 1000.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Although the Acropolis Museum was built to house the most precious sculptures from the Acropolis, many of them are actually in the British Museum in London. Greece is trying to recover them; they do it sometimes aggressively (like by <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/may/13/greece-drops-option-legal-action-british-museum-parthenon-marbles-row">suing in international courts</a>) and sometimes passive-aggressively (like with reminders throughout the museum and at the airport explaining that the original pieces are in the British Museum).<br />
<br />
After the museum, Laure and I picked up a rental car to head out of Athens. We had read that driving in Athens is crazy (a claim that turned out to be somewhat exaggerated), so we decided to leave outside of traffic rush hours.<br />
<br />
Driving in Athens was pretty easy although some Greeks angrily honked their horns and shouted at me when I illegally parked the car to load baggage. It's no use crying over spilled milk.</div>
Qhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009834242027169260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131555610866497086.post-26557553505498433982016-04-18T14:23:00.001-07:002016-10-24T15:49:52.329-07:00Baklava Babymoon<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Our babymoon wasn't going to be our final vacation before our little one arrived
and we certainly hoped to continue traveling after our kid's arrival but we could not resist an excuse to travel. So when I was seven months pregnant, we set out for our Baklava Babymoon in Greece.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiM5qTacYEgmWfh6it1WVB6RzWzbXS61EcaayzLUTuBEDlQ37YKWs1Njgx67OGKjNLCOxgHxNQWzrFRijfLVmHzpl3tecjwB8_E0Fe_Brzltg0rUlMXC7O9_6JbR_IuId9dycg0ZpSVCk/s1600/pregnancy+announcment+blog.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiM5qTacYEgmWfh6it1WVB6RzWzbXS61EcaayzLUTuBEDlQ37YKWs1Njgx67OGKjNLCOxgHxNQWzrFRijfLVmHzpl3tecjwB8_E0Fe_Brzltg0rUlMXC7O9_6JbR_IuId9dycg0ZpSVCk/s400/pregnancy+announcment+blog.png" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The baby announcement to our family.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We chose to expand on the popular babymoon itinerary of relaxing at a beach and include some of our other favorite activities - city visit, history and food. We spent 10 days seeing some of the highlights of Greece: Athens, Delphi, Nafplio, Hydra, and Oia. We enjoyed the country so much that by the end of our trip we were already talking about returning again with our little one to explore more of this beautiful country.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifDv7cNPDQTJJx2KJc2BRQKrMA93qGqpURhkMk60yku78TkqZ-xlASaCgGTpvCLbPC1YcQfYVJS_pmcTmcVf7gQCFnzH71lqa9a79oOK91gkheLpA20Fs6Zh9XOdoq64ZMadeMoeeAzs/s1600/Greece+map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifDv7cNPDQTJJx2KJc2BRQKrMA93qGqpURhkMk60yku78TkqZ-xlASaCgGTpvCLbPC1YcQfYVJS_pmcTmcVf7gQCFnzH71lqa9a79oOK91gkheLpA20Fs6Zh9XOdoq64ZMadeMoeeAzs/s400/Greece+map.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ten-day Greece tour</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNuQZjwfjF2y4D1nMAsgQdGGNCVxQ21V280Qc4dzq9HKa13aG9VTrOVB51eyvElZUqRfJFlDd34_eq2RXCbX83SmWHKkgwSfBJpohzDYan5Q0FQuUVfj9gfP8r-Mk3EHAj9cdwf4AqtoA/s1600/Blog+baby+Bump+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNuQZjwfjF2y4D1nMAsgQdGGNCVxQ21V280Qc4dzq9HKa13aG9VTrOVB51eyvElZUqRfJFlDd34_eq2RXCbX83SmWHKkgwSfBJpohzDYan5Q0FQuUVfj9gfP8r-Mk3EHAj9cdwf4AqtoA/s400/Blog+baby+Bump+01.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby bump in Oia, Santorini.</td></tr>
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</div>
Laurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05848291077777206180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131555610866497086.post-43149184538385907662016-04-14T15:53:00.000-07:002016-04-14T15:53:47.294-07:00Ski touring in Switzerland 2014 to 2015<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
As the current ski season draws to a close, I should recap the ski touring that we did on the previous season. Since Laure was pregnant, we took things relatively laid back for the most part.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Oberiberg night tour with Stephen</h2>
<div>
Early in the season, I decided to go ski touring as much as possible as a form of training for the Japan ski trip later. I met a guy named Stephen through a Meet Up group on the internet that wanted to train at a local resort at night, so I said, why not?</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AocDOzKwvYs/VLhRf8mqRpI/AAAAAAAAyps/nuiNzlsqzTkev1gWVXgs_QrEK6sQhnL6A/s1600/IMG_20150115_205236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AocDOzKwvYs/VLhRf8mqRpI/AAAAAAAAyps/nuiNzlsqzTkev1gWVXgs_QrEK6sQhnL6A/s400/IMG_20150115_205236.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It seemed kind of crazy but cool to go ski touring at night.</td></tr>
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<br />
Stephen turned out to be a super cool guy that was starting to do Ski Mountaineering races. He had a bunch of super light ski gear that he could put on or take off in a matter of seconds. Since the avalanche danger was basically zero (we were practicing on the resort piste), Stephen and I split up and he did three laps during the time that I did two.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoU68hPt6ior9fqmtc6sHcE28F3trIcatK9B1VzH3OSukRU6PKQGqx-ap0E7lcgITIBUBxxZzAIoTTV8zSNpIZ4Z03fvm5_ZeAncFu1Kleu1CSDBQ-4cMotoLQ-lfapDeWg9oKrnA2N3U/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-04-12+at+23.28.00.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoU68hPt6ior9fqmtc6sHcE28F3trIcatK9B1VzH3OSukRU6PKQGqx-ap0E7lcgITIBUBxxZzAIoTTV8zSNpIZ4Z03fvm5_ZeAncFu1Kleu1CSDBQ-4cMotoLQ-lfapDeWg9oKrnA2N3U/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-04-12+at+23.28.00.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/241915334">472 m elevation gain over 7.5 km</a> was enough to warm up our legs at Oberiberg.</td></tr>
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<br />
During the couple hours we were out, we came across a few other skiers. It felt like we were part of some cool club. On the other hand, I had this crazy fear that a Snow Cat would pop out of nowhere and run me over without noticing my headlamp.<br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Furgellen hut with Laure and Ralf</h2>
Last season, Ralf finally agreed to go on a tour with me and Laure despite the fact that we're splitboarders. We went up to cute little place called Furgellen hut located somewhere within an hour drive.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QzbMWxpm9zA/VLprS2qqRYI/AAAAAAAAhFw/ozmxQfRoeoQJb653UwV2ME6thVOw6ul2g/s1600/IMG_20150117_113832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QzbMWxpm9zA/VLprS2qqRYI/AAAAAAAAhFw/ozmxQfRoeoQJb653UwV2ME6thVOw6ul2g/s400/IMG_20150117_113832.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love seeing ski touring and snowshoeing signs in Switzerland.<br />
The sports are so approachable here compared to back in the States.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The tour was nice and mellow, which was a nice way for Laure to warm up her legs for the season while baking a bun in the oven.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxsHOONelet7dEgPEZ5NhMJ-dS03bO30OQ7RnA98Oms7qyly7IVDt3PmsrLwByXz4bYF_H5lVs27bsIpiJCacGBP2sTdWErqXy5SwHCUgpf3GpBIfNED9fcMBHvcjsGVkHjb_8NdUuH9U/s1600/IMG_20150117_105704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxsHOONelet7dEgPEZ5NhMJ-dS03bO30OQ7RnA98Oms7qyly7IVDt3PmsrLwByXz4bYF_H5lVs27bsIpiJCacGBP2sTdWErqXy5SwHCUgpf3GpBIfNED9fcMBHvcjsGVkHjb_8NdUuH9U/s400/IMG_20150117_105704.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking it easy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-63BQUOBqqGM/VLprhECLrxI/AAAAAAAAhGU/sfMOdZlTDZoFvmiYDIgNyGq5_DG9-A4qw/s1600/IMG_20150117_133435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-63BQUOBqqGM/VLprhECLrxI/AAAAAAAAhGU/sfMOdZlTDZoFvmiYDIgNyGq5_DG9-A4qw/s400/IMG_20150117_133435.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hut is a short 431 m climb from the trailhead.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As luck would have it, the ridge was pretty windy. So instead of summiting the peak, we decided to hang out at the hut and slurp down some hot soup while our jackets dried. At the hut, we saw many other skiers, some of whom were probably in their 60s. I love how ski touring is a national sport in Switzerland for all sexes and ages.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CZDbjduC_xE/VLprtg5HoVI/AAAAAAAAypg/bTgO7EePiXkbEW2aXAEvlFCQui52CU8bg/s1600/IMG_20150117_134054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CZDbjduC_xE/VLprtg5HoVI/AAAAAAAAypg/bTgO7EePiXkbEW2aXAEvlFCQui52CU8bg/s400/IMG_20150117_134054.jpg" width="287" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here comes Laure carrying our little one.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RS97DyzGS7E/VLpr8GsHhyI/AAAAAAAAyqE/GcgKPBwSuTk-s6Fh2wU3nw3OZY6qCobeg/s1600/IMG_20150117_134108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RS97DyzGS7E/VLpr8GsHhyI/AAAAAAAAyqE/GcgKPBwSuTk-s6Fh2wU3nw3OZY6qCobeg/s400/IMG_20150117_134108.jpg" width="303" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't forget Ralf!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7a5jhW9C6yDZonzbF_qQMcaNjFe44GEo17M9096xtg3W0-trFtussN9W96BHnsiZukX1mqvECUPe5Igpbb_d9aISF4dnOXmFbapJ1LJY7XIgUgS8Yx7eo77Z7uYWUeg7-qzKJR8JUx0o/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-04-12+at+23.46.37.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7a5jhW9C6yDZonzbF_qQMcaNjFe44GEo17M9096xtg3W0-trFtussN9W96BHnsiZukX1mqvECUPe5Igpbb_d9aISF4dnOXmFbapJ1LJY7XIgUgS8Yx7eo77Z7uYWUeg7-qzKJR8JUx0o/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-04-12+at+23.46.37.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We climbed <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/243515512">431 m over 6.6 km</a> to the Furgellen hut.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Schafberg attempt with Laure</h2>
Laure and I attempted to climb a peak named Schafberg. Unfortunately most of the tour was under the clouds, which was cold and somewhat depressing. Since we started late and were running short on time, we decided to turn around early to ensure that we could make our way back without risking losing sunlight. We came to a mere 124 vertical meters and 1 km away from the hut, so it was a difficult decision to turn around. Times like these test our rationality and commitment to safety.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DzyAfxBcwH4/VMP7o9SxycI/AAAAAAAAhes/YBhGuK0xglcgs-KYbvFYehyRFkLAUeUsQ/s1600/DSC_0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DzyAfxBcwH4/VMP7o9SxycI/AAAAAAAAhes/YBhGuK0xglcgs-KYbvFYehyRFkLAUeUsQ/s400/DSC_0020.JPG" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laure's huge smile when we cleared the clouds.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lImP14IEVUU/VMP8IuzYgpI/AAAAAAAAhhg/M11g52beR6ExJ_BTqXC7lPrRlF2y3XD6A/s1600/DSC_0035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lImP14IEVUU/VMP8IuzYgpI/AAAAAAAAhhg/M11g52beR6ExJ_BTqXC7lPrRlF2y3XD6A/s400/DSC_0035.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally above the clouds.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br />
On our way down, we were once again engulfed in the clouds. Our visibility was so terrible that we could barely see our own snowboards. We had to move very slowly to ensure we didn't go off a cliff. This made our descent painfully slow and cold. To make maters worse, Laure had a major equipment failure and one of her bindings broke just before we rode down. We improvised with a multi-use strap to hold her foot down to the board to get her down the mountain.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiabIDu6BA5huGKsn8Wy3bZnU2fC7jcf7E1zIIW9KtNVoqy_8YAEuwY9nqhv7y5ULZCguCMr_s6DtY_HlslixwptqJw2JIlb4kKlYI_mJfpQClQaHePDXwLscr_hKXx8VUlyaJLt3WaBTw/s1600/IMG_20150124_161238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiabIDu6BA5huGKsn8Wy3bZnU2fC7jcf7E1zIIW9KtNVoqy_8YAEuwY9nqhv7y5ULZCguCMr_s6DtY_HlslixwptqJw2JIlb4kKlYI_mJfpQClQaHePDXwLscr_hKXx8VUlyaJLt3WaBTw/s400/IMG_20150124_161238.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We always carry this orange strap with us. So many uses for just 5 dollars.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2TE3lmzhimg/VMP8UQ8JhwI/AAAAAAAAhio/JL2jMtCRIFIK5iBIIn4TifKJ4cuwkEVDA/s1600/DSC_0041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2TE3lmzhimg/VMP8UQ8JhwI/AAAAAAAAhio/JL2jMtCRIFIK5iBIIn4TifKJ4cuwkEVDA/s400/DSC_0041.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crappy visibility once we were back under the clouds.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp81jDMxdGotsdblzY-j5ieMWJo5EWub9z1LpSk52ArWuneECT9BgWM2mpxVhpHkQTgLU55DJs7GsUS2pnBqI8wAEKlS6edCtJqWLxA51Bt-MKBCm-4-55hSLL3FmzASPiq-ZsgmWPGkA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-04-13+at+00.27.44.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp81jDMxdGotsdblzY-j5ieMWJo5EWub9z1LpSk52ArWuneECT9BgWM2mpxVhpHkQTgLU55DJs7GsUS2pnBqI8wAEKlS6edCtJqWLxA51Bt-MKBCm-4-55hSLL3FmzASPiq-ZsgmWPGkA/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-04-13+at+00.27.44.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Despite our failed attempt at Schafberg, a <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/247956031">960 m climb over 12.7 km</a> is still not too bad for a pregnant lady!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Stotzigen Firsten attempt with Luc, Mark, and Eleanor</h2>
Next day, I met up with other ski tourers to attempt climbing Stotzigen Firsten -- spoiler alert: we failed. I had known Luc through work and I had gone ski touring with Mark and Eleaner in a guided tour during the previous season. Laure decided to take the day off from skiing that day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XAEAfknGkcQ/VMUZCN_vkII/AAAAAAAAhlU/FmYUoGxhQUwpicwiOraq-q_WKvP_f3AMA/s1600/DSC_0051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XAEAfknGkcQ/VMUZCN_vkII/AAAAAAAAhlU/FmYUoGxhQUwpicwiOraq-q_WKvP_f3AMA/s400/DSC_0051.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eleanor had previously done this route and led us most of the way.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wbt7iYtxZg4/VMUZLaoV-nI/AAAAAAAAhls/DPt11L3XG0ceRDNHlZHA7QHZMDqZ6bnMQ/s1600/DSC_0053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wbt7iYtxZg4/VMUZLaoV-nI/AAAAAAAAhls/DPt11L3XG0ceRDNHlZHA7QHZMDqZ6bnMQ/s400/DSC_0053.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were climbing some badly wind scoured stuff. The other side of the valley looked better.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s-LPw2OjPtM/VMUZskBERKI/AAAAAAAAhnM/-Ovp4dF8uQIrT15AyrDOyugZNIRMOwZNQ/s1600/DSC_0061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s-LPw2OjPtM/VMUZskBERKI/AAAAAAAAhnM/-Ovp4dF8uQIrT15AyrDOyugZNIRMOwZNQ/s400/DSC_0061.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We stopped at a hut shelter for a quick lunch as the clouds started kicking in.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
From the hut shelter, it seemed that all the ski tracks above us had been hammered flat by the wind. We were uncertain about continuing the route on a very solid snowpack without any visual cues of previous skiers. We also saw an alternative route that had been protected from the wind south of the ridge. But it was on a roughly 28 degree bowl without any previous tracks, which seemed borderline risky for avalanches. A few of us (myself included) felt unsure about proceeding, so we all agreed to turn around and enjoy the snow below us.<br />
<br />
In hindsight, we would have probably been okay to climb the original route with ski crampons, but it would have been purely just to summit. The snow on the ridge was likely scoured all the way to the summit with terrible snow for skiing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YJZ-C9BhoVA/VMUZ0d9CdYI/AAAAAAAAhnk/6J3bucti1sAUuZK25hS14aW-i24MiIXLQ/s1600/DSC_0064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YJZ-C9BhoVA/VMUZ0d9CdYI/AAAAAAAAhnk/6J3bucti1sAUuZK25hS14aW-i24MiIXLQ/s400/DSC_0064.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eleanor near the point where we turned around.<br />
The clouds kept shifting in and out with the wind.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-67sqtBO5VQE/VMUbl-c2riI/AAAAAAAAhrE/sSfDFq1BESMkjZgzXfgSq-yKWj0DhaujA/s1600/DSC_0066-PANO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="108" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-67sqtBO5VQE/VMUbl-c2riI/AAAAAAAAhrE/sSfDFq1BESMkjZgzXfgSq-yKWj0DhaujA/s400/DSC_0066-PANO.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arrrgh!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zl_9nkXGqIQ/VMUaOlgu7lI/AAAAAAAAyrA/q9ccDA8LoOEnSHyI52fcuffmOSZsZczow/s1600/DSC_0071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zl_9nkXGqIQ/VMUaOlgu7lI/AAAAAAAAyrA/q9ccDA8LoOEnSHyI52fcuffmOSZsZczow/s400/DSC_0071.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We actually got some great low angled snow as consolation prize.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoI3e1BwuBiBDyVvoZN6QlxsyubqkgQ3Kga1mXDUop6X0xZ5SknkxLQCPuPZXORJsWjrL5LfwSNYjrxO4CVGCl7Is6G1kP1I0vRdf7rSEHCHPauzRHk5xNeLAVWWyzy0__D8qj66pcIDk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-04-13+at+00.37.53.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="357" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoI3e1BwuBiBDyVvoZN6QlxsyubqkgQ3Kga1mXDUop6X0xZ5SknkxLQCPuPZXORJsWjrL5LfwSNYjrxO4CVGCl7Is6G1kP1I0vRdf7rSEHCHPauzRHk5xNeLAVWWyzy0__D8qj66pcIDk/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-04-13+at+00.37.53.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We climbed <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/247956224">957 m over 12.3 km</a> towards Stotzigen Firsten.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Hokkaido, Japan</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H75gdBNdRlU/VsI-Qijn10I/AAAAAAAAxG0/kd-AUYQVkLoPFC0YPdrCpSs-OG7ptLeUw/s1600/DSC_0568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H75gdBNdRlU/VsI-Qijn10I/AAAAAAAAxG0/kd-AUYQVkLoPFC0YPdrCpSs-OG7ptLeUw/s400/DSC_0568.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Becky in Hokkaido.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I wrote a separate blog post of my <a href="http://www.laurequarup.com/2016/02/skiing-and-snowboarding-some-of.html">ski touring in Japan</a>.<br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Blüemberg with Fernando</h2>
My last tour last season was climbing Blüemberg with my friend Fernando, who was visiting from the States.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oA4IEcAg4cU/VQW2UfOacrI/AAAAAAAAwgc/MUJpvCvJEBYO_Ji3TV4_98rZQqKL0TxAg/s1600/DSC_0796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oA4IEcAg4cU/VQW2UfOacrI/AAAAAAAAwgc/MUJpvCvJEBYO_Ji3TV4_98rZQqKL0TxAg/s400/DSC_0796.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We start by taking a public "bus" to the gondola.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pgioMU4c1Dk/VQW2YH5zd0I/AAAAAAAAmSM/0JpyuKyxffMYbNjuaT-07_fNF93DV4aVA/s1600/DSC_0797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pgioMU4c1Dk/VQW2YH5zd0I/AAAAAAAAmSM/0JpyuKyxffMYbNjuaT-07_fNF93DV4aVA/s400/DSC_0797.JPG" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tiny gondola looked like something preserved from the mining days of the nearby village.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ix-W722ER0o/VQW23PtalgI/AAAAAAAAyrU/W7XPcVJOd7UACSJ2me7H6qdlQsNRHhzng/s1600/DSC_0805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ix-W722ER0o/VQW23PtalgI/AAAAAAAAyrU/W7XPcVJOd7UACSJ2me7H6qdlQsNRHhzng/s400/DSC_0805.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lidernenhütte is a popular hut located near the top of the gondola.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
From the top of the gondola, we made a short ascent to a nearby peak named Blüemberg. The sun was out and the sky was clear, which was great weather for touring. Fernando was still getting over his jet lag, so he was hurting a little.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfW_XmU7u76J6FmbGeuyt6rQM9C4nZ8WI0s1H329YHDviMsHo-1bX_TtAtNYi5cjsmMqiIoLMGse2uO0WIc4T6FVllVe0JAtbHHzutiKR7MXSKc5YnrtFJBBq9zaAqsHnq8w2L589jInI/s1600/DSC_0817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfW_XmU7u76J6FmbGeuyt6rQM9C4nZ8WI0s1H329YHDviMsHo-1bX_TtAtNYi5cjsmMqiIoLMGse2uO0WIc4T6FVllVe0JAtbHHzutiKR7MXSKc5YnrtFJBBq9zaAqsHnq8w2L589jInI/s400/DSC_0817.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last few meters to the peak are steep and require some scrambling with a steel cable.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VcluV2uRZyA/VQW4PNcMojI/AAAAAAAAwhQ/r3uXtx1A2as-b_HT2LWcDe2mgY_RLgx1w/s1600/DSC_0826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VcluV2uRZyA/VQW4PNcMojI/AAAAAAAAwhQ/r3uXtx1A2as-b_HT2LWcDe2mgY_RLgx1w/s400/DSC_0826.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We descended the north face of Blüemberg, which was surprisingly tracked out.<br />
It's funny how you can sometimes find more ski tracks in the backcountry than at resorts in Switzerland.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The snowpack was very stable, which was great for us to descend a slope that usually has a non-trivial danger of avalanches. On the other hand, the snow was tracked out and heavy, which was not the best for skiing. I guess you can't have it all.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidh_e9G0aSk7HJ4pIh01pI4fH8C5qiFGPOs5y9SZsdvwuXkObV_Oqax-_Ci3bKNMdYH3SBdN2JaOmP9ypmnnkHVVzVcNPhgP4Iso9AjkXbgbQlNPXgAtfpH95zGKrgpjsYVop2ohDVbsk/s1600/DSC_0827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidh_e9G0aSk7HJ4pIh01pI4fH8C5qiFGPOs5y9SZsdvwuXkObV_Oqax-_Ci3bKNMdYH3SBdN2JaOmP9ypmnnkHVVzVcNPhgP4Iso9AjkXbgbQlNPXgAtfpH95zGKrgpjsYVop2ohDVbsk/s400/DSC_0827.JPG" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The snow thinned out at lower elevations and we hiked the rest of the way.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZU-ge6Ud682W5_aCkb6j4-8Pt1e0kDkOWU8ol1DD9L4gvzLNl8S5p8EWuFw73x27UjHzbMxmmKqe_teV_Fom9HoRkKqZQ7_rEQ4AGgku95lgGErOAstiTmEJiZ80s5EYKf0Bw82Rmp0I/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-04-13+at+01.45.54.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZU-ge6Ud682W5_aCkb6j4-8Pt1e0kDkOWU8ol1DD9L4gvzLNl8S5p8EWuFw73x27UjHzbMxmmKqe_teV_Fom9HoRkKqZQ7_rEQ4AGgku95lgGErOAstiTmEJiZ80s5EYKf0Bw82Rmp0I/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-04-13+at+01.45.54.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We climbed <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/268555056">786 meters to Blüemberg</a> and descended 1,742 meters on its north face covering 14.2 km.</td></tr>
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Qhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009834242027169260noreply@blogger.com0Switzerland46.818188 8.227511999999933344.0360805 3.0639379999999337 49.6002955 13.391085999999934tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131555610866497086.post-44055702565417443012016-03-18T14:43:00.000-07:002016-03-18T14:43:28.623-07:00Resort Skiing 2014-2015 Ski Season<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
With a "bun in the oven" and snow arriving later in the alps than usual, our 2014-15 winter ski season was relatively weak. We hit the resort ski slopes only a few times (of course after getting my doctor's blessing) before the baby bump made its appearance.<br />
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Ursern Valley Nordic Trails</h4>
Since the winter ski season arrived later than usual this season, we weren't able to go skiing until January. Thankfully a friend invited us to join her on a cross country ski trip in December. Neither of us had tried the sport and figured it was a great opportunity to try out something new. We decided to dedicate one day to each of the two styles: the classic style on Saturday and the more athletic "skating" style on Sunday. A local shop arranged our rentals and a private morning lesson on the basics of the skating technic. We stuck close to the rental apartment in Realp in the Ursern Valley because we were newbies and didn't have the stamina to travel a large distance. Nonetheless, it was fun weekend trying something new.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2TBMVhBIBeR6sSKT3Q_lX0FBKeyyWXeY3pBMX39JtGvFBCesKFysVDIMBiNFqVkl5YGtqG63SajYvl-6BUXUGZcxsHJuY6ZEPU-xhrvUqqXOxrvIxg0NQ8gdRmP7Y8jQdPDP5JNNpmCk/s1600/IMG_20141214_152241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2TBMVhBIBeR6sSKT3Q_lX0FBKeyyWXeY3pBMX39JtGvFBCesKFysVDIMBiNFqVkl5YGtqG63SajYvl-6BUXUGZcxsHJuY6ZEPU-xhrvUqqXOxrvIxg0NQ8gdRmP7Y8jQdPDP5JNNpmCk/s400/IMG_20141214_152241.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And in classic Swiss style, there were plenty of well marked cross-country routes to explore.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhhgPTje7NfRwDxmcr2L3Gr70xRqLfs7VS_ZLcHNdxYNvx7RJL_Ar6rLc7PJcJy3M1KU8rZOzDhNN7Wdrj8zdJMw0SUVEqRtaJ7Nmld6cRu7afuZy-yeguu7v6FmQJg1kibqWKlVGbSUI/s1600/IMG_20141214_122838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhhgPTje7NfRwDxmcr2L3Gr70xRqLfs7VS_ZLcHNdxYNvx7RJL_Ar6rLc7PJcJy3M1KU8rZOzDhNN7Wdrj8zdJMw0SUVEqRtaJ7Nmld6cRu7afuZy-yeguu7v6FmQJg1kibqWKlVGbSUI/s400/IMG_20141214_122838.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cross country skiing with Swiss friends.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRiIbm1sTc7Kg4zN46Fm_ymcBItK3x0W2zYRk5y-dhu8Uyv2napjS8_a_wsiJD1oKcsButCykezaDhQG6NWOYpHCP9yejYZEzs7fH1vbKw6HDtvqf67FbfT9O7DqFUXnhXedTromY2yNQ/s1600/IMG_20141213_143939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRiIbm1sTc7Kg4zN46Fm_ymcBItK3x0W2zYRk5y-dhu8Uyv2napjS8_a_wsiJD1oKcsButCykezaDhQG6NWOYpHCP9yejYZEzs7fH1vbKw6HDtvqf67FbfT9O7DqFUXnhXedTromY2yNQ/s400/IMG_20141213_143939.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One afternoon of cross-country skiing with the classic technique...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQVVOEGgFZHXIbcYsY4PgTH7Ovfeflugi_OR267TeUGBMs_kZT4GbYC1AV4rYGOF5KZV4K8hhEuSy1QUsebZ0N0wDmBgQiAEIwjIKMc6P4qwogBMTygsWjb8Xk9ruMz5ITkWNn219-E0k/s1600/IMG_20141213_145820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQVVOEGgFZHXIbcYsY4PgTH7Ovfeflugi_OR267TeUGBMs_kZT4GbYC1AV4rYGOF5KZV4K8hhEuSy1QUsebZ0N0wDmBgQiAEIwjIKMc6P4qwogBMTygsWjb8Xk9ruMz5ITkWNn219-E0k/s400/IMG_20141213_145820.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> ...and one day of cross-country skiing with the skating technic.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjUFVyUC6RRKjiHBNr-fNoiHQwA72hmyCGMATzpsRFEcp3GdTFY82bH1FykP78HBpVpyQkCt9rauEJbhkRmrjBrWtQDz9tOVi7zA283u_P5TsG8qhZrVmxQLgG7M-ra7pNX-Lxc6yzpfs/s1600/IMG_20141214_133650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjUFVyUC6RRKjiHBNr-fNoiHQwA72hmyCGMATzpsRFEcp3GdTFY82bH1FykP78HBpVpyQkCt9rauEJbhkRmrjBrWtQDz9tOVi7zA283u_P5TsG8qhZrVmxQLgG7M-ra7pNX-Lxc6yzpfs/s400/IMG_20141214_133650.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I hate to toot my own horn but I must. This was the first time that I was naturally better than Q at something.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42dvhVY9mYuL7BnIZkhkPUjWEGdC6_nz1gt44WgwFAHKf76wBiJxJbhTloGXtazEmlyQwVyxKTmkSZCRZ_q92X4mjFm6BCMfrPyy16ypN0ZMZbTlkk-AO2I4QafyjrUDudagb5UkZ1Ro/s1600/IMG_20141214_161336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42dvhVY9mYuL7BnIZkhkPUjWEGdC6_nz1gt44WgwFAHKf76wBiJxJbhTloGXtazEmlyQwVyxKTmkSZCRZ_q92X4mjFm6BCMfrPyy16ypN0ZMZbTlkk-AO2I4QafyjrUDudagb5UkZ1Ro/s400/IMG_20141214_161336.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleeping on the train on the way home after an active weekend never gets old. </td></tr>
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Hoch-Ybrig</h4>
A last minute ski itch took us to <a href="http://www.hoch-ybrig.ch/winter/english/">Hoch-Ybrig</a>. We rented a car around the corner from where we live and within an hour we were in a parking lot full of other skiers with the same itch. The conditions were great with fresh powder, sunshine, and enough terrain for everyone to spread out. And Europe did not let down with a delicious lunch in a hut in the middle of a piste.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV4CBnhFoD-JhqegN0czNkdL9OQ16JWV13_0ea-UypukvD5ijZcMtEJKlvISncXpRbtzqhwpOOuiNXmM5Ogy-OghARTuLY-zd5R9Tkg2zgt8GVdQimhanXQhYH3NQo0MN3fTJSjmi_j9A/s1600/IMG_20150118_122551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV4CBnhFoD-JhqegN0czNkdL9OQ16JWV13_0ea-UypukvD5ijZcMtEJKlvISncXpRbtzqhwpOOuiNXmM5Ogy-OghARTuLY-zd5R9Tkg2zgt8GVdQimhanXQhYH3NQo0MN3fTJSjmi_j9A/s400/IMG_20150118_122551.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing like a fresh layer of snow to make driving through Switzerland more beautiful than it already is.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPcX6nW3ArTQ7ypIe0ESdLsczQhwMyMQvxzIhyiHaKhnXnVxJRWIoh2NWm-i5j0cSXjCgM3JXUa4gkK0QvyLacnWspeAO7dCq03jN9MrYdpW6gAFdFCsCejZg2Er20IpogVAZub3MHPbo/s1600/IMG_20150118_140815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPcX6nW3ArTQ7ypIe0ESdLsczQhwMyMQvxzIhyiHaKhnXnVxJRWIoh2NWm-i5j0cSXjCgM3JXUa4gkK0QvyLacnWspeAO7dCq03jN9MrYdpW6gAFdFCsCejZg2Er20IpogVAZub3MHPbo/s400/IMG_20150118_140815.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1pNgeoAcS37XN63TZhK-QBJMHMKOYXMGKhJ9kPzvwS0JLnr1BZuSDSQn1SW0XI6faHNBtp_qbtZrJqdMx-jFC3KCbEK2l3kUmmDq4LoCopMiD0_3PxWlLpkoj6dNAPunxXyDzL6wk_7M/s1600/IMG_20150118_151023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1pNgeoAcS37XN63TZhK-QBJMHMKOYXMGKhJ9kPzvwS0JLnr1BZuSDSQn1SW0XI6faHNBtp_qbtZrJqdMx-jFC3KCbEK2l3kUmmDq4LoCopMiD0_3PxWlLpkoj6dNAPunxXyDzL6wk_7M/s400/IMG_20150118_151023.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wide pistes and pockets of powder.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSq6LcKb-z3kWH5xfZ-iivL3mXfcWkFB63cdjbI0HrKbVNnFkqkqQnsHe3f_Nm6AD4PzbZOR1oKMJAORZLJdft8Qnaq4bOqDIbnzk7782iIfek0ojtgrq_3VkSpg5sBMKRXVrS62THYk/s1600/IMG_20150118_143051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSq6LcKb-z3kWH5xfZ-iivL3mXfcWkFB63cdjbI0HrKbVNnFkqkqQnsHe3f_Nm6AD4PzbZOR1oKMJAORZLJdft8Qnaq4bOqDIbnzk7782iIfek0ojtgrq_3VkSpg5sBMKRXVrS62THYk/s400/IMG_20150118_143051.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Way less crowded than we feared.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4dYr9AW7GzBZ6ItC0mL5CHuYD6fFqN7UzzNcl5L5XPptZN6Se8JspTdPdP-iYlZOho6enGgQouaxFexF4S5B_zuP4XKx1PY5-u-xnVyTGQXWrK_Mo0aX8kjBPvy-wN1rMdWkEVCV3m8/s1600/IMG_20150118_153019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4dYr9AW7GzBZ6ItC0mL5CHuYD6fFqN7UzzNcl5L5XPptZN6Se8JspTdPdP-iYlZOho6enGgQouaxFexF4S5B_zuP4XKx1PY5-u-xnVyTGQXWrK_Mo0aX8kjBPvy-wN1rMdWkEVCV3m8/s400/IMG_20150118_153019.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Today's lunch special...<br />
...a sausage reclining in a hot tub of soup. </td></tr>
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
</h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Haslital in Berner Oberland</h4>
Our last ski trip of the season was a quintessential Swiss ski trip. We joined friends on their annual ski trip for an overnight stay in a rustic Swiss hut in the Berner Oberland smack in the middle of a ski resort!<br />
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One person guy organized the whole weekend, reserving the hut and doing all the grocery shopping for the group of 14 people. Everyone pitched in by transporting groceries from the resort parking lot up to the hut by the resort's gondola. Since everyone had a backpack with their overnight gear, ski clothing and a sleeping bag, it was easy to top off everyone's backpacks with communal food.<br />
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The accommodations were rustic, yet charming with a ski room, kitchen, dinning room and bathroom on the ground floor and two large sleeping rooms above - plenty of room for the 14 of us to comfortably spread out. There wasn't a flat screen TVs with satellite cable - heck, there wasn't even hot water. We had a good time the old fashion way - chatting over communal meals and passing the evening with card games.<br />
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The weekend ski conditions were great. The resort is a bit off the beaten path and was not too crowded. Best of all, it snowed Saturday night and there was a fresh layer of snow waiting for us in the morning. <br />
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Waking up the fresh snow in the middle of the resort was awesome. The only downside was needing to clean the hut for the next group before hitting the slopes. It was a lot of cleaning for a single night stay. I think a two night stay would be more ideal.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTEAbzl3XO784hyphenhyphenZTjVtoniyfpY_laSoJi7hpCr-sNlm_TBw94VUsPqT3Cfx5SFM4aFv8NWHQ6uJ0hczEyxrG6HNWejtGO6MHMqQc1mdOd4-0uD3HI3jo52MOzcW5XxHITyedaZ4lgfws/s1600/DSC_0724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTEAbzl3XO784hyphenhyphenZTjVtoniyfpY_laSoJi7hpCr-sNlm_TBw94VUsPqT3Cfx5SFM4aFv8NWHQ6uJ0hczEyxrG6HNWejtGO6MHMqQc1mdOd4-0uD3HI3jo52MOzcW5XxHITyedaZ4lgfws/s400/DSC_0724.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view of the slopes from the cabin window. And yes, that is a ski lift just a stone throw away.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC7vLwuGdjqHxavSAhJ_ncDI_ys77Ktj1ZXrnORG6itcs5MSbwF6xtzGnuKW6F-LW5wgYqQz1RwwXs4OnLMrarlKcqb1pVVBqon1NffRsL6jSpYHxM9RYsH0aw9qair_XJ3u3aM6b04-A/s1600/DSC_0714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC7vLwuGdjqHxavSAhJ_ncDI_ys77Ktj1ZXrnORG6itcs5MSbwF6xtzGnuKW6F-LW5wgYqQz1RwwXs4OnLMrarlKcqb1pVVBqon1NffRsL6jSpYHxM9RYsH0aw9qair_XJ3u3aM6b04-A/s400/DSC_0714.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Classic Swiss dinner in a classic Swiss mountain hut.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZlMyUG0m9AO2mCxkLkGEww0btT2M6cml7ftUamlj0-necj1bkd3s4n9SUmjRNOSBmNkJ-jiP3-lDbb4oy-_V7_Kx9uHh_k3INv7sEvCPUGI5CSbYsi__y_R2uSTVUsDctF674crGfqpg/s1600/DSC_0736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZlMyUG0m9AO2mCxkLkGEww0btT2M6cml7ftUamlj0-necj1bkd3s4n9SUmjRNOSBmNkJ-jiP3-lDbb4oy-_V7_Kx9uHh_k3INv7sEvCPUGI5CSbYsi__y_R2uSTVUsDctF674crGfqpg/s400/DSC_0736.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brought the food up with the gondola and bringing the remain food down in my backpack.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Hr5pWDzP1Pu8SaVeO8SOSYxxV1THv3lSlgIZqKVhrZEQL-pcZjGZVSGrET6k2-yWP92_15IGZmAAffhI0RVEaAGlRJha7jFU5rOsIQ07V-mgN7BjZ0rxVl2rOin_ISoF2DobDKvBH8Y/s1600/11001685_10155284659830451_6738036286191862747_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Hr5pWDzP1Pu8SaVeO8SOSYxxV1THv3lSlgIZqKVhrZEQL-pcZjGZVSGrET6k2-yWP92_15IGZmAAffhI0RVEaAGlRJha7jFU5rOsIQ07V-mgN7BjZ0rxVl2rOin_ISoF2DobDKvBH8Y/s400/11001685_10155284659830451_6738036286191862747_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mandatory group photo in front of the hut.</td></tr>
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</div>
Laurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05848291077777206180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131555610866497086.post-66157960862269779872016-02-15T11:53:00.002-08:002016-02-15T13:25:05.357-08:00Skiing and snowboarding some of the lightest and most abundant snow on Earth: Hokkaido<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m_4cwkBT9SI/VN9IhV9DljI/AAAAAAAAws4/2kwWO-CVFxU/s1600/DSC_0568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ScNOpR55rmY/VrVAYS3LZVI/AAAAAAAAxGY/YQY5iNwnnHU/s320/DSC_0568%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #999999; font-size: xx-small;">Becky at Furano Dake</span></td></tr>
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Some skiers and snowboarders claim that Hokkaido in Japan has some of the best quality snow on Earth in terms of lightness and abundance. The explanation is that very cold and huge snow storms from Siberia travel over the Sea of Japan and dump a ton of beautifully light powder on Hokkaido. The Niseko area gets roughly 16 meters (53 feet) of snow each winter. This pattern repeats fairly reliably every year, which makes the island a very desirable ski destination.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ARzYrtStpKLSjFA5K0HEh8hORjCZENSiT9wbWQs8HM9bdY8O7A4xr5hJCSamTI2MOGBkmEgzdl8OlBJ2TrY4OgoMqveBDpfeOFYio8wwaEiO2yYbtYubFND64mBX6sngdakOleTv_eg/s1600/2L0SZfWNsTK.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ARzYrtStpKLSjFA5K0HEh8hORjCZENSiT9wbWQs8HM9bdY8O7A4xr5hJCSamTI2MOGBkmEgzdl8OlBJ2TrY4OgoMqveBDpfeOFYio8wwaEiO2yYbtYubFND64mBX6sngdakOleTv_eg/s400/2L0SZfWNsTK.png" width="500" /></a></div>
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After several years of drooling over photos and videos, Laure, Peter and I decided to finally pull the trigger and book a guided backcountry tour. During the preparation period, we found out that Laure had something baking in the oven, which forced her to cancel this part of our Japan trip. Since she loves me so much, she gave me the green light to go without her provided that one day we'd go back there again together.<br />
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Peter and I did our ski touring trip with <a href="http://www.hokkaidopowderguides.com/">Hokkaido Powder Guides</a>, which was highly recommended albeit relatively more expensive compared to other guiding companies. We chose the "Hokkaido's 3 Volcanoes" tour with seven days of ski touring in primarily two regions: the Niseko area and the Daisetsuzan National Park. The tour also had an extra three days to travel and relax in the beginning, middle, and end of the trip.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHJgNgUGgRVAXLNhPPgEj8P2T2go51BgKSEMb_DwhBw_I6Te-pL8kWTjkfKuBk7TJsoMXmmRyfZa9_vFEcIQ3_xBkuv-_gMhfc32clHRmsOCGESDRFnB72dQhKWV5gD7QLiqYIsLBOEw/s1600/Hokkaido+-+Niseko+to+Daisetsuzan+National+Park.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHJgNgUGgRVAXLNhPPgEj8P2T2go51BgKSEMb_DwhBw_I6Te-pL8kWTjkfKuBk7TJsoMXmmRyfZa9_vFEcIQ3_xBkuv-_gMhfc32clHRmsOCGESDRFnB72dQhKWV5gD7QLiqYIsLBOEw/s400/Hokkaido+-+Niseko+to+Daisetsuzan+National+Park.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The two primary regions where we skied.</td></tr>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Day 0: Arrival at Annupuri in the Niseko area</h3>
After checking out the <a href="http://www.laurequarup.com/2016/02/snow-ice-and-lights-two-winter.html">Snow Festival</a> in Sapporo, Peter and I said our goodbyes to Laure before boarding on a shuttle to Annupuri, where we set as a home base for the first half of the trip.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sekka lodge was our home base in the Niseko area.</td></tr>
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Skiers and snowboarders typically stay at hotels for these types of multi-day ski touring trips in Japan. They unfortunately don't have some of the nice mountain huts like the ones you find in the Alps and the weather is too damn cold to allow snow camping. The advantage is that our backpacks were usually very light and we got to enjoy the comfort of proper showers, beds, and pretty good restaurants. The main disadvantage is that each ski day started and ended with a (sometimes longish) car ride to and from the trailhead, which is not nearly as nice as skiing out the door.<br />
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After settling into our lodge, Peter and I took the local bus to check out the main city Niseko.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjskMeW563bLLcMYRzjF8PDYrVFfuev7HXvxFC7nvu1nSU-rPME3N42T6gbrbJLjQZHC4LylSxQ3u5ax1Tw5sA-NZ-6tr6CHponslhXikTQm6U8-bm17FMXrt4FtwpXGYrz-eQcXqBVOKo/s1600/DSC_0314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjskMeW563bLLcMYRzjF8PDYrVFfuev7HXvxFC7nvu1nSU-rPME3N42T6gbrbJLjQZHC4LylSxQ3u5ax1Tw5sA-NZ-6tr6CHponslhXikTQm6U8-bm17FMXrt4FtwpXGYrz-eQcXqBVOKo/s400/DSC_0314.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taiko drummers in Niseko.</td></tr>
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As soon as we walked into a ski shop to get my splitboard tuned, I felt like we were teleported to Australia. I had read that Niseko is a major ski destination for Australians, but it was still surprising to see and hear so many of them.<br />
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Niseko seems to be a pretty cool town especially for those looking to party at night and go resort skiing during the day. On the other hand, it's not the right place for those that want to get a taste of Japanese culture. In hindsight, the smaller nearby town Annupuri worked better for us since we were waking up early to go ski touring and preferred a more laid back atmosphere.<br />
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<h3>
The group</h3>
At night, we met others from our group and our guide Yoshiko to discuss our plans and weather conditions. Yoshiko was born and raised in Japan; and now she lives in Reno and skis in Tahoe. We were excited to have her as our guide because she was highly recommended by our friend Fernando.<br />
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We also met a couple from Salt Lake named Cameron and Becky, who had arrived a few days earlier. They were staying in the same lodge as us, so we got to spend some time getting to know them early on.</div>
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Next morning, we met the other two in our group: Chris and Charles. They are good friends from school in the US and nowadays Charles lives in the UK and Chris lives in Vermont.</div>
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I was surprised that everyone in our group (at some point) lived in the US, whereas I had expected a mix of Japanese, Europeans, and Australians. Additionally, everyone was a skier except for me, which initially made me feel somewhat self-conscious. But frankly, I was so excited that I brushed aside all feelings of queasiness.</div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Day 1: Chisenupuri near Niseko</h3>
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On our first day skiing, we went to a nearby mountain called Chisenupuri. Although there had been a warm spell during the preceding days, a cold storm had kicked in just as we arrived. Score.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D06BQvem5AQ/VNh1Hv1dR7I/AAAAAAAAijQ/RRdOQtAwC7w/s1600/DSC_0322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D06BQvem5AQ/VNh1Hv1dR7I/AAAAAAAAijQ/RRdOQtAwC7w/s400/DSC_0322.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We started with some basic avalanche rescue drills at the trailhead.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xKuZItodChk/VNh1K5YedxI/AAAAAAAAjEw/GSbDj2sjzH4/s1600/DSC_0324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xKuZItodChk/VNh1K5YedxI/AAAAAAAAjEw/GSbDj2sjzH4/s400/DSC_0324.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Impressive snowbanks in the parking lot.</td></tr>
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After our quick introduction and avalanche rescue drills, we set off on our first tour. The temperature was by far the coldest I had experienced ski touring: -20 C (or -4 F). Actually, maybe that was the coldest temperature I had experienced ever.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TcHf8X5b3yo/VNh17EjYnLI/AAAAAAAAios/DBTnWQOL140/s1600/DSC_0351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TcHf8X5b3yo/VNh17EjYnLI/AAAAAAAAios/DBTnWQOL140/s400/DSC_0351.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Off we go.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BbPLV8BlZ9k/VNh1t6CXMuI/AAAAAAAAjEs/XERYbxL1TY4/s1600/DSC_0343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BbPLV8BlZ9k/VNh1t6CXMuI/AAAAAAAAjEs/XERYbxL1TY4/s400/DSC_0343.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The snow was so light that stayed on the skinny branches for a long time.<br />
Until you bumped into a tree and then the snow went inside your shirt.</td></tr>
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For the most part we climbed and skied on some mellow slopes as we got to know each other and (perhaps more importantly) the guide got to know each one of us. It was also a nice way to ease our way into this long trip.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J2Tt0SSsff0/VNh2BsqJgUI/AAAAAAAAjE0/Bz4HQFKwAEM/s1600/DSC_0356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J2Tt0SSsff0/VNh2BsqJgUI/AAAAAAAAjE0/Bz4HQFKwAEM/s400/DSC_0356.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Becky's helmet managed to stay partially above the cloud of powder.<br />
Good way to start our trip.</td></tr>
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As the day progressed, the skies cleared up a bit, showing the beauty that surrounded us.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rdjyHh0KxC8/VNh2ez3PZFI/AAAAAAAAjE8/0Pcl2V-e_V4/s1600/DSC_0372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rdjyHh0KxC8/VNh2ez3PZFI/AAAAAAAAjE8/0Pcl2V-e_V4/s400/DSC_0372.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I saw many more trees than I had gotten used to in the Swiss Alps.<br />
I had forgotten how much I like them.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrC5F2-L4agah5LS172YoAN25NtYiKwz9iCj39QuQtyXRV3EbvipKOnGcHMlX8JCP6jKkaGBnIhul6PYvV1MYytPqk3RCphlShgl_dq-JJDOQ-LA77SKa6Fw5GYxbtUiT-sUDUVYTKTas/s1600/DSC_0375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrC5F2-L4agah5LS172YoAN25NtYiKwz9iCj39QuQtyXRV3EbvipKOnGcHMlX8JCP6jKkaGBnIhul6PYvV1MYytPqk3RCphlShgl_dq-JJDOQ-LA77SKa6Fw5GYxbtUiT-sUDUVYTKTas/s400/DSC_0375.JPG" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yoshiko breaking trail.</td></tr>
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From the first day, it became obvious that everyone's goals were the same: ski (and snowboard) the maximum amount of powder. The lower elevations had a lot of snow from the storm but the higher elevations were much less favorable because of harsh winds. So we ended up skiing multiple shorter runs at lower elevations instead of climbing up to the summit. This turned out to be our strategy for most of the trip.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X0CFFmkgb18/VNh29dhYZCI/AAAAAAAAjFA/enQLCvA1Fm8/s1600/DSC_0391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X0CFFmkgb18/VNh29dhYZCI/AAAAAAAAjFA/enQLCvA1Fm8/s400/DSC_0391.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our tour ended at a hot spring, which was unfortunately too hot to bathe in.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rMTtojf7Tl8/VNi4ipYZDQI/AAAAAAAAizs/3uNSuokw3Ck/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-02-09%2Bat%2B10.33.00%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rMTtojf7Tl8/VNi4ipYZDQI/AAAAAAAAizs/3uNSuokw3Ck/s400/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-02-09%2Bat%2B10.33.00%2BPM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">870 meters (2,854 ft) elevation gain over 10.1 km (6.3 miles)<br />
See <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/252550144">GPS track</a>.</td></tr>
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After skiing, we started the tradition that we would continue on every night throughout the trip: relax for about an hour at an onsen, which is a Japanese hot spring bath house. At first I felt a little bit unsure about hanging out among a bunch of naked guys; one of whom (Peter) I had known for almost ten years without ever having to see him naked. But after a couple of days I just got used to talking to people without ever looking below eye level.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sI_bf8gD2Ak/VNh3ESFEtRI/AAAAAAAAiw8/o-DSdc69ahc/s1600/DSC_0395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sI_bf8gD2Ak/VNh3ESFEtRI/AAAAAAAAiw8/o-DSdc69ahc/s400/DSC_0395.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first onsen was a traditional one near the area where we skied. </td></tr>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Day 2: Behind Piano</h3>
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On the second day of skiing, Yoshiko parked our van next to hotel named Piano (a.k.a. Kiroro Resort). The area behind this hotel is referred by the local ski touring community as... "Behind Piano".</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CZOnfo1GcZM/VNnTfpW0OgI/AAAAAAAAi1Q/43BJ4SPC3Bk/s1600/DSC_0400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CZOnfo1GcZM/VNnTfpW0OgI/AAAAAAAAi1Q/43BJ4SPC3Bk/s400/DSC_0400.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading up on our second day.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rp90cxAzIXg/VNnT1SPX2_I/AAAAAAAAi_E/DJrK4ku_eZ4/s1600/DSC_0411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rp90cxAzIXg/VNnT1SPX2_I/AAAAAAAAi_E/DJrK4ku_eZ4/s400/DSC_0411.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yoshiko lays out the plan Behind Piano.</td></tr>
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The weather was warmer enough on the second day to feel more comfortable but not too warm to ruin the quality of the snow. The visibility was also better, which allowed us to really enjoy the legendary Hokkaido powder.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nV-5lDq3-7I/VNnUAp7zSKI/AAAAAAAAjCA/jFo2lVWFJDw/s1600/DSC_0419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nV-5lDq3-7I/VNnUAp7zSKI/AAAAAAAAjCA/jFo2lVWFJDw/s400/DSC_0419.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peter getting his fill of powder outside his water-drought <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">home of</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> California.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pny_Vtv5Ufc/VNoYtMt1etI/AAAAAAAAjCI/CZy1iXIHMt0/s1600/DSC_0423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pny_Vtv5Ufc/VNoYtMt1etI/AAAAAAAAjCI/CZy1iXIHMt0/s400/DSC_0423.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Becky shows how they do it in Utah.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XQlgfwC1Z8U/VNn7pykiOtI/AAAAAAAAi90/GrI-HQjJtMA/s1600/MOV_0422.mp4" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XQlgfwC1Z8U/VNn7pykiOtI/AAAAAAAAi90/GrI-HQjJtMA/s400/MOV_0422.mp4" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And Charles shows how they do (did?) it in Colorado.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The skies cleared up as the day progressed. As we spent hours climbing together, everyone got to know each other a little better. It was awesome except when the topic of politics came up.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ySC5YVCnW_A/VNn7MNGiTrI/AAAAAAAAjCs/U-qpepZYl0s/s1600/DSC_0437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ySC5YVCnW_A/VNn7MNGiTrI/AAAAAAAAjCs/U-qpepZYl0s/s400/DSC_0437.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Yoshiko pampered us with a nice track on gentle slopes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M2GzhVhh87w/VNn7TXLct5I/AAAAAAAAjB4/UyrFmI2NC8o/s1600/DSC_0439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M2GzhVhh87w/VNn7TXLct5I/AAAAAAAAjB4/UyrFmI2NC8o/s400/DSC_0439.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The surrounding beauty helped me ignore my sore legs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibXWp3rgVYMxh5XOM2iSfxdWy-rwMtzH2N45TyzcJlXdF3XTSjpITxXRxjzzXoH1uv4xP8HsmsqbWpj6dMT69UstELvR616sriDUd7v6vvEg4o9QMzSZ4T3V4bU3jPvgeNfGLX8J84Veg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-02-10+at+11.24.29+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibXWp3rgVYMxh5XOM2iSfxdWy-rwMtzH2N45TyzcJlXdF3XTSjpITxXRxjzzXoH1uv4xP8HsmsqbWpj6dMT69UstELvR616sriDUd7v6vvEg4o9QMzSZ4T3V4bU3jPvgeNfGLX8J84Veg/s400/Screen+Shot+2015-02-10+at+11.24.29+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1,039 meters (3408 ft) elevation gain over 10.6 km (6.6 miles).<br />
See <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/252996029">GPS track</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
At night, Cameron, Becky, Peter, and I went to an excellent izakaya restaurant named Karabina (唐火七). Historically, izakayas were Japanese style pubs primarily serving drinks. Over time, they started introducing small dishes (sort of like Spanish tapas) to go with the drinks. Today, izakayas are analogous to gastropubs where you can find good food and drinks in a casual atmosphere.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Aqm4xhV2qo/VNn7dmi980I/AAAAAAAAi9g/HIewaW91BE8/s1600/DSC_0445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Aqm4xhV2qo/VNn7dmi980I/AAAAAAAAi9g/HIewaW91BE8/s400/DSC_0445.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mackerel was one of our favorite dishes at <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Izakaya </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Karabina.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Day 3: Yōtei Volcano</h3>
<div>
Yōtei is easily the most famous peak in the Niseko area. It is dubbed the Mount Fuji of Hokkaido and it is almost mandatory for backcountry skiers visiting the area. Here's a photo I ripped off from the internet:</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.nisekotourism.com/images/made/images/uploads/gallery/winter-scenery/Mt%20Yotei%20%20Ski%20Slopes_800_560_80_c1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.nisekotourism.com/images/made/images/uploads/gallery/winter-scenery/Mt%20Yotei%20%20Ski%20Slopes_800_560_80_c1.jpg" height="280" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yōtei Volcano.<br />
Photo credit: <a href="http://www.nisekotourism.com/">Niseko Tourism</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br />
On a clear day without much wind, it is possible to climb to the rim, ski down the crater, and come back out all in one long day. Unfortunately, such perfect weather conditions are rare in Hokkaido and frankly I'm unsure whether we were fit enough to do it anyway (in any case, here is a <a href="https://www.wildsnow.com/15726/japan-sunny-volcano-skiing-mt-yotei/">great trip report</a> of someone that did it).</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So instead we just climbed up to the tree line, which kept the snow (and us) protected from the stronger winds above. From there, we went down, up, and back down again. Peter called this strategy of skiing "yo-yoing".</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qdyQi7O2VWE/VNtQb4qFPhI/AAAAAAAAjTI/xgu1SZU5zgs/s1600/DSC_0456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qdyQi7O2VWE/VNtQb4qFPhI/AAAAAAAAjTI/xgu1SZU5zgs/s400/DSC_0456.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The base of the volcano is flat with lots of the cute skinny trees.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_DTRHg97rkA/VNtQbzomNtI/AAAAAAAAjTE/YGwsR4dhXBg/s1600/DSC_0452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_DTRHg97rkA/VNtQbzomNtI/AAAAAAAAjTE/YGwsR4dhXBg/s400/DSC_0452.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And off we go!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O6oUOFLpkkc/VNtQb-O9riI/AAAAAAAAjTM/1BpDjb-mrhI/s400/DSC_0462.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris is happy with life.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YYGY675kG1U/VNtL_5YVfcI/AAAAAAAAjKk/5Ue5IYvCu_I/s1600/DSC_0472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YYGY675kG1U/VNtL_5YVfcI/AAAAAAAAjKk/5Ue5IYvCu_I/s400/DSC_0472.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And so is Cameron.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bKR_L3rRU78/VNtQb8QJRDI/AAAAAAAAjVI/9CvnTnW2kHw/s1600/DSC_0474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bKR_L3rRU78/VNtQb8QJRDI/AAAAAAAAjVI/9CvnTnW2kHw/s400/DSC_0474.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The slope gradually gets steeper the higher we go.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU5biIGL0D4NYHmJRlSPZ5GvZRHI_DVsYP-tmxfH_INqj3xuEhqEkuzvyArzipqteoxm-B57mAIQ6m-F-OcXk8stvVw1mZMD93R6ifP_u-0uszCG7X-yG2MPVypb3CMC19M-Rz8iNBMRI/s1600/DSC_0495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU5biIGL0D4NYHmJRlSPZ5GvZRHI_DVsYP-tmxfH_INqj3xuEhqEkuzvyArzipqteoxm-B57mAIQ6m-F-OcXk8stvVw1mZMD93R6ifP_u-0uszCG7X-yG2MPVypb3CMC19M-Rz8iNBMRI/s400/DSC_0495.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our fearless leader, Yoshiko.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The skies didn't fully clear up on this day. On the bright side, even a few days after the storm, the snow remained light and dry. I guess that's the reward for putting up with the cold.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rC-Cv6F5Ylo/VNtQb6nW-bI/AAAAAAAAjTk/icP8ZFnO_5A/s1600/DSC_0482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rC-Cv6F5Ylo/VNtQb6nW-bI/AAAAAAAAjTk/icP8ZFnO_5A/s400/DSC_0482.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Becky.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v5S327B65mU/VNtUnTsPVpI/AAAAAAAAjVE/GDojf6nwVyE/s1600/DSC_0497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v5S327B65mU/VNtUnTsPVpI/AAAAAAAAjVE/GDojf6nwVyE/s400/DSC_0497.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peter.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_6NA0tHUdPk/VNtQb91PEoI/AAAAAAAAjTs/58O5J64vUtA/s1600/DSC_0489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_6NA0tHUdPk/VNtQb91PEoI/AAAAAAAAjTs/58O5J64vUtA/s400/DSC_0489.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And Cameron splashing snow at me.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b8zwpA7eNGE/VNtRoKtUlxI/AAAAAAAAjSA/usi2Em8199M/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-02-11%2Bat%2B9.41.12%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b8zwpA7eNGE/VNtRoKtUlxI/AAAAAAAAjSA/usi2Em8199M/s400/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-02-11%2Bat%2B9.41.12%2BPM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1,303 meters (4,275 ft) elevation gain over 12.5 km (7.8 miles)<br />
See <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/253424002">GPS track</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Now is a good time to advertise the awesomest "power bar" you can find in any Japan convenience store: onigiri.<br />
<br />
Onigiri (a.k.a. rice balls) are triangular snacks composed of three layers: nori sesame seed on the outside, then a layer of rice, and then a choice of fish in the center. You can find these marvelous snacks in any convenience store for less than two hundred yen (two US dollars). The main trick to remember is to keep them somewhere warm like your inner jacket pocket so that they don't turn into rice bricks. It also helps to have someone teach you how to gracefully open the plastic wrap; but when all else fails, use brute force.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbGMzjPzfY0aQtwTFwQdoQWZgNIk4H-DyxUDTwjWye7bGW3cVAMbsSvhX0dLSNVAZmyRlP-OgZYWpA96lb24aBwgy_g3WQSC9rbmv4qQ4BWNYwz0GqZkoTBfwc9ytJy5BEsou6L-9MNY/s1600/2015-02-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbGMzjPzfY0aQtwTFwQdoQWZgNIk4H-DyxUDTwjWye7bGW3cVAMbsSvhX0dLSNVAZmyRlP-OgZYWpA96lb24aBwgy_g3WQSC9rbmv4qQ4BWNYwz0GqZkoTBfwc9ytJy5BEsou6L-9MNY/s400/2015-02-10.jpg" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Onigiri (rice balls) are the awesomest Japanese power bar for ski touring.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Day 4: Mekunnai and Zenmekunnaidake</h3>
<div>
The original plan through the guiding company included a day of resort skiing in the Niseko area. But everyone in our group unanimously voted to do another day ski touring in peace away from the crowded resorts. As an added bonus, we got reimbursed for the price of the ski lifts.<br />
<br />
For our last day skiing the Niseko area, we climbed two peaks: Mekunnai and Zenmekunnaidake. I know the purpose of our trip was to maximize powder, but it was still cool to bag a couple of summits. Maybe Europe is rubbing off on me.</div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WDpIGxLlEOM/VNzHE7kirsI/AAAAAAAAjjo/ue9YSq6WXuo/s1600/DSC_0506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WDpIGxLlEOM/VNzHE7kirsI/AAAAAAAAjjo/ue9YSq6WXuo/s400/DSC_0506.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Off we go again.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sb2vtbaXclk/VNzHE9WPDQI/AAAAAAAAjjY/6lwt_jP1PrA/s1600/DSC_0517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sb2vtbaXclk/VNzHE9WPDQI/AAAAAAAAjjY/6lwt_jP1PrA/s400/DSC_0517.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful weather on most of the way up to Mekunnai.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pU_NQ9wnc_Q/VNzHE9ucCnI/AAAAAAAAjjc/6Dt90fUc4uc/s1600/DSC_0521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pU_NQ9wnc_Q/VNzHE9ucCnI/AAAAAAAAjjc/6Dt90fUc4uc/s400/DSC_0521.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't forget to look up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Rrua2OjmhI/VNzHE4c1GKI/AAAAAAAAjjk/jhesqXDQIeg/s1600/DSC_0535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Rrua2OjmhI/VNzHE4c1GKI/AAAAAAAAjjk/jhesqXDQIeg/s400/DSC_0535.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The clouds and wind started picking up just as we left the trees.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
At the summit of Mekunnai, Yoshiko dug a pit to assess the snow safety. After getting her green light, we descended down the northeast face of the mountain one person at a time to minimize avalanche risk. We communicated with walkie talkies to coordinate when it was safe for each person to go.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qF2n91lv-f0/VNzHEyGLBKI/AAAAAAAAjjg/2gQfiXrCrm0/s1600/DSC_0533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="395" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qF2n91lv-f0/VNzHEyGLBKI/AAAAAAAAjjg/2gQfiXrCrm0/s400/DSC_0533.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yoshiko digging a snow pit at the summit of Mekunnai.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1XMd1vXTAQI/VNzHExlRMFI/AAAAAAAAjj0/QS1bw67Iq3c/s1600/DSC_0536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1XMd1vXTAQI/VNzHExlRMFI/AAAAAAAAjj0/QS1bw67Iq3c/s400/DSC_0536.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After getting a green light, we descended one at a time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oDynnCipsZo/VNzHExHJNNI/AAAAAAAAjj4/KMYnh0b5u7Y/s1600/DSC_0539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oDynnCipsZo/VNzHExHJNNI/AAAAAAAAjj4/KMYnh0b5u7Y/s400/DSC_0539.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See you soon, Peter!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After Mekunnai, we also summited a nearby peak named Zenmekunnaidake. Overall, it was a long day touring for a total of eight hours. We covered a decent vertical distance, (1,260 meters) but what made it a long day was that we covered a significant horizontal distance of (16.6 km). It was a great day, and I was mentally exhausted by the end of it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DoaB0m9r8eE/VNzHyW69v3I/AAAAAAAAjf4/rqHz2qKgDvs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-02-13%2Bat%2B12.25.35%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DoaB0m9r8eE/VNzHyW69v3I/AAAAAAAAjf4/rqHz2qKgDvs/s400/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-02-13%2Bat%2B12.25.35%2BAM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1,260 meters (3,957 ft) elevation gain over 16.6 km (10.3 miles)<br />
See <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/253911184">GPS track</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This was our last day in the Niseko area, which meant that we had to say goodbye to our current guide Yoshiko before meeting up with our next guide at the next place. Yoshiko was definitely one of the best guides I have known. She kindly and clearly explained everything about the weather, snow safety, terrain, and even Japanese culture. She laid amazing skin tracks that were easy to follow and preserved our energy throughout the trip. She took great care of us in a personable way that reminded me of the style of guides I have seen back in the States.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AnyvKw4KWH8/VNy2vFlxGFI/AAAAAAAAjd8/V9lmY57pvDg/s1600/DSC_0541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AnyvKw4KWH8/VNy2vFlxGFI/AAAAAAAAjd8/V9lmY57pvDg/s400/DSC_0541.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cameron and Becky awarded Yoshiko with a t-shirt from a Wasatch mountains organization.</td></tr>
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<br />
<div>
For our last dinner in the Niseko area, Charles picked out a nice traditional sushi restaurant where we treated Yoshiko for dinner.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qYQGmezMokY/VNzHE88HzQI/AAAAAAAAjj8/dyLt_pCh_ns/s400/DSC_0542.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional sushi restaurant where we took Yoshiko.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pjFwSBqlwFs/VNzHPi-FcDI/AAAAAAAAkNE/2IHU-gSyhz8/s1600/DSC_0546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pjFwSBqlwFs/VNzHPi-FcDI/AAAAAAAAkNE/2IHU-gSyhz8/s400/DSC_0546.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We went to town on those nigiris.</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Day 5: On the road to Daisetsuzan National Park</h3>
After our four days of skiing in the Niseko area, we took a day to make our way to Daisetsuzan National Park. Our guiding company hired a van that took us there while stopping at a couple of places along the way.<br />
<br />
My favorite stop was the Nikka whiskey distillery in Yoichi. They basically turned some old buildings of the distillery into a museum explaining its history and the process of distilling whiskey. They also provided a free tasting of their whiskey at varying ages.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uf9IsbOPLnI/VN3gdxzuwFI/AAAAAAAAjks/oYJI6-OKN2g/s1600/DSC_0547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uf9IsbOPLnI/VN3gdxzuwFI/AAAAAAAAjks/oYJI6-OKN2g/s400/DSC_0547.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whiskey tasting at the Nikka distillery in Yoichi.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi53ssbSgwxYVQx4sMQ9LYMZ6ftHb2nY0GlkxxOV0mBpiP3W_fU-lOi3vqbfF7ilWez2AeD2Xt8Ve59aoWYd_Iq_BUnYq8472XZVTQlDNmp_nWCd5evaaEX910w9wAR5A2-ZPUWyKG-Clw/s1600/2015-02-12.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi53ssbSgwxYVQx4sMQ9LYMZ6ftHb2nY0GlkxxOV0mBpiP3W_fU-lOi3vqbfF7ilWez2AeD2Xt8Ve59aoWYd_Iq_BUnYq8472XZVTQlDNmp_nWCd5evaaEX910w9wAR5A2-ZPUWyKG-Clw/s400/2015-02-12.png" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My second favorite stop was for matcha soft serve with chocolate powder.</td></tr>
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<br />
We arrived in the evening at our lodging Kamihoroso in Daisetsuzan, which was fairly modest with quaint traditional rooms and tatami mats. The hotel also had a beautiful onsen (hot spring bath) overlooking the snowy mountains that we were going to climb during the following days.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--j1zonvzKXg/VN8gVQQOPXI/AAAAAAAAjxw/JyJh3YDFDjo/s400/DSC_0612.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our lodging in Daisetsuzan had pretty good food despite being in the middle of the woods.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mg5nWPe_CQ4/VN3grftIW5I/AAAAAAAAjlc/O4Fb7XuURD8/s1600/DSC_0552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mg5nWPe_CQ4/VN3grftIW5I/AAAAAAAAjlc/O4Fb7XuURD8/s400/DSC_0552.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This mystery custard had roe (fish eggs) on it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JW_Oj3r2_Fo/VN3glLfobLI/AAAAAAAAjlE/4gDAlQnMmso/s1600/DSC_0550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JW_Oj3r2_Fo/VN3glLfobLI/AAAAAAAAjlE/4gDAlQnMmso/s400/DSC_0550.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After dinner, Peter was ready to turn in for the day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JL1cLikxRyA/VN6A7CLUUSI/AAAAAAAAjmE/Yi-GhCFk0_s/s1600/DSC_0553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JL1cLikxRyA/VN6A7CLUUSI/AAAAAAAAjmE/Yi-GhCFk0_s/s400/DSC_0553.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So was Rug.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Day 6: First day at Daisetsuzan National Park: Furano Dake</h3>
Next morning, we met our guide that would take care of us for the next couple of days. He is a Kiwi named Rich that spends northern hemisphere winters guiding in Hokkaido. Our arrival at Daisetsuzan was well timed with another sizable storm dumping lots of fresh snow. According to Rich, we were pretty lucky to get two good storms in less than two weeks that we were touring. Score.<br />
<br />
For our first day skiing at Daisetsuzan, we played around Furano Dake, which is a mountain immediately south of our lodging that is popular for ski touring.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--07NFs0cA9A/VN9Ihd9RYsI/AAAAAAAAkMw/kD-omidvPRo/s1600/DSC_0555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--07NFs0cA9A/VN9Ihd9RYsI/AAAAAAAAkMw/kD-omidvPRo/s400/DSC_0555.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Setting up at the trailhead </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N8nT-72F2cU/VN9I9Q2b57I/AAAAAAAAjzg/JayG81tGJoM/s1600/DSC_0556-PANO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="122" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N8nT-72F2cU/VN9I9Q2b57I/AAAAAAAAjzg/JayG81tGJoM/s400/DSC_0556-PANO.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The trailhead is near a stream of water over which we must cross.</td></tr>
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<br />
Furano Dake's north face contains three prominent ridges over which one can ski. On our first day, we spent our time on the two ridges closest to the trailhead. I realized pretty soon that this area contained some slightly steeper terrain than back in Niseko, which was a nice change.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="105" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--8jnElb6yZw/VN9Ihaw3ESI/AAAAAAAAwtI/omf47r3wHYo/s400/DSC_0587.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here comes Peter.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-luqPt0LK8ZU/VN9IhZUa5cI/AAAAAAAAjys/sAVS6FZn530/s1600/DSC_0589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-luqPt0LK8ZU/VN9IhZUa5cI/AAAAAAAAjys/sAVS6FZn530/s400/DSC_0589.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Becky too.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s4YMg5ZJGcU/VN9IhcEBpTI/AAAAAAAAjzc/VmN8GxTSULQ/s1600/DSC_0569.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s4YMg5ZJGcU/VN9IhcEBpTI/AAAAAAAAjzc/VmN8GxTSULQ/s400/DSC_0569.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
Rich really worked us hard with a total of 1,545 meters of climbing and skiing in one day, which I had not done in a long time. The snow at Furano Dake was so good that it was completely worth the sweat.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AnhrzaMBNSY/VN7ylJQXgPI/AAAAAAAAjuE/f2qe75lhshM/s1600/DSC_0596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AnhrzaMBNSY/VN7ylJQXgPI/AAAAAAAAjuE/f2qe75lhshM/s400/DSC_0596.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We passed by some cool rock and ice formations on the way out.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fR4-Tu93wqo/VN7zJDLCyHI/AAAAAAAAjvw/uqyGpyxSYaY/s1600/DSC_0605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fR4-Tu93wqo/VN7zJDLCyHI/AAAAAAAAjvw/uqyGpyxSYaY/s400/DSC_0605.JPG" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our guide Rich.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1at9KoW_Lu8/VOGzmOK858I/AAAAAAAAj58/14Mjsk9xb3s/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-02-16%2Bat%2B6.03.41%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="325" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1at9KoW_Lu8/VOGzmOK858I/AAAAAAAAj58/14Mjsk9xb3s/s400/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-02-16%2Bat%2B6.03.41%2BPM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1,545 meters (4,938 ft) elevation gain over 15.5 km (9.6 miles)<br />
See <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/255656320">GPS track</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After we got back and hung our clothes to dry, Peter and I wound down by cracking open the bottle of a 12-year old single malt whiskey that I had bought at the Nikka distillery on the previous day. It paired nicely with Peter's <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=japanese+shrimp+chips&safe=off&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjJu-vS-uHKAhWC3SwKHX7sDugQ_AUIBygB&biw=1440&bih=757">Japanese shrimp flavored chips</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fsBRdKgBoqs/VN8UyihugLI/AAAAAAAAjw0/xt_UR32ZAMo/s1600/DSC_0609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fsBRdKgBoqs/VN8UyihugLI/AAAAAAAAjw0/xt_UR32ZAMo/s400/DSC_0609.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We later got help from the rest of the group.<br />
By the end of the night, the bottle was empty.</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Day 7: Steeper slopes of Furano Dake</h3>
<div>
On the next day, we went back to Furano Dake and spent most of our time on the third ridge that we had skipped on the previous day. With the storm now behind us, we went out to find untouched powder without the curse of poor visibility.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mxNbeKN5SfM/VOCKX1XGCuI/AAAAAAAAwtk/zW72z-Qd1Dg/s1600/DSC_0625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mxNbeKN5SfM/VOCKX1XGCuI/AAAAAAAAwtk/zW72z-Qd1Dg/s400/DSC_0625.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beginning of the trail at the base of Furano Dake.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C0aQoJSsK40/VOCKXwK1RnI/AAAAAAAAwt8/w7hRbAc9BTI/s1600/DSC_0620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C0aQoJSsK40/VOCKXwK1RnI/AAAAAAAAwt8/w7hRbAc9BTI/s400/DSC_0620.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We saw skinny deciduous trees naked of leaves.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fGjh_3nrhCE/VOCKXwxqVeI/AAAAAAAAwt0/IOWaIIKNtjo/s1600/DSC_0615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fGjh_3nrhCE/VOCKXwxqVeI/AAAAAAAAwt0/IOWaIIKNtjo/s400/DSC_0615.JPG" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And some evergreens loaded with snow.</td></tr>
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<br />
I believe we skied some of the steepest slopes of our trip on this day; probably around 35 degrees. This was my favorite day because fresh powder and steeper slopes are like milk and cookies for snowboarding.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LSsLkF7FAq8/VOCKX3L69TI/AAAAAAAAwuM/vo9tkWQ50v8/s1600/DSC_0629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LSsLkF7FAq8/VOCKX3L69TI/AAAAAAAAwuM/vo9tkWQ50v8/s400/DSC_0629.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peter ripping through the fresh powder</td></tr>
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<br />
Rich's style of guiding seemed akin to what I have observed back in Europe: his main job was assessing the snow, keeping us safe, and breaking trails. Once he assessed that a certain terrain was safe, he gave us a lot of freedom in choosing our lines as long as we met back at the bottom of each run.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ycl1mdCHcOk/VOCKX-xr-ZI/AAAAAAAAwuU/lZ5QJkCO94I/s1600/DSC_0619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ycl1mdCHcOk/VOCKX-xr-ZI/AAAAAAAAwuU/lZ5QJkCO94I/s400/DSC_0619.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cameron spraying snow like no one's business.</td></tr>
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<br />
On this day, we moved a little slower and came back a little earlier probably because some people were still physically recovering from the previous long day. Maybe the whiskey had something to do with it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNcEqkF7z-5F5EAKAHMPQPzpbDbGfhfNi5NFRhrJkTp5OT0YzlrlNrz5J-PoFLOgh-uAqiGNUvpRbRTTgee9-ySdoXcsKibIgGTGl9DrrGBvdpDqxe6ij-g23mEe2JfhFPnWWEHu9m-c/s1600/DSC_0630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNcEqkF7z-5F5EAKAHMPQPzpbDbGfhfNi5NFRhrJkTp5OT0YzlrlNrz5J-PoFLOgh-uAqiGNUvpRbRTTgee9-ySdoXcsKibIgGTGl9DrrGBvdpDqxe6ij-g23mEe2JfhFPnWWEHu9m-c/s400/DSC_0630.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Let's hit the onsen, guys!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWG7g3Ffk5hERlY8jCeunjk92s813OkmsJ-2TdJub4t9IycBA7AbkGvQW7OWFK_4vaXshLIM6xuuKvtPp4WJ1SuBK61dxs-aXkn3V3_zaefshL_VFhA6aSJH1EeERky39Z7m9lammh8M/s1600/DSC_0634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWG7g3Ffk5hERlY8jCeunjk92s813OkmsJ-2TdJub4t9IycBA7AbkGvQW7OWFK_4vaXshLIM6xuuKvtPp4WJ1SuBK61dxs-aXkn3V3_zaefshL_VFhA6aSJH1EeERky39Z7m9lammh8M/s400/DSC_0634.JPG" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After face shots with almost every turn, my beard became a nest of icicles.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6rtmPDaD9_c/VOG0UyvDVzI/AAAAAAAAj6Q/J1cpP_TMPDY/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-02-16%2Bat%2B6.11.28%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6rtmPDaD9_c/VOG0UyvDVzI/AAAAAAAAj6Q/J1cpP_TMPDY/s400/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-02-16%2Bat%2B6.11.28%2BPM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1,159 meters (3,803 ft) elevation gain over 9.5 km (5.9 miles)<br />
See <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/255054767">GPS track</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Day 8: Last day skiing near Furano city</h3>
<div>
For our last day skiing, we had a tough decision to make: either ski the same area as the previous two days or go to a mountain closer to our final night's hotel in the city of Furano. We eventually decided to go to a new mountain near Furano to check out a new area even if it meant sacrificing a little bit of powder.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gfI22pIpsIU/VOG3cyFCDkI/AAAAAAAAkCg/n0nEHieAR5k/s1600/DSC_0640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gfI22pIpsIU/VOG3cyFCDkI/AAAAAAAAkCg/n0nEHieAR5k/s400/DSC_0640.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And we're off.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6OoQRqjzrww/VOG3c51AHWI/AAAAAAAAkCk/5kkaLMCBlmA/s1600/DSC_0650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6OoQRqjzrww/VOG3c51AHWI/AAAAAAAAkCk/5kkaLMCBlmA/s400/DSC_0650.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Pretty early into the tour, it became obvious that this mountain had some good patches of powder as well as some more compacted snow that was beat up by the wind. Afterwards I wished that we had spent our last day back in Daisetsuzan instead, but hindsight is 20/20.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ScDr-sQclDc/VOG3c3RUtpI/AAAAAAAAkCM/4oq8ChrOGBE/s400/DSC_0638.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ridge was getting hammered by some serious wind.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ytF_Txyb9DQ/VOG3c7j0ZmI/AAAAAAAAkMo/cD6NuRHtLI8/s1600/DSC_0644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ytF_Txyb9DQ/VOG3c7j0ZmI/AAAAAAAAkMo/cD6NuRHtLI8/s400/DSC_0644.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Becky still found some soft snow.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rhxzYU5RIROzek2CPnm5c9jlQ9IDugi-TOnNuK2VXPye60m74oLFLQzcNGEuBIYI3eulqoRsfXkIoIMZN64AGS6b_2W03baDxBqPNN9jxdWrK8mLhhMFxMhDppo05_WNfSaFb1XsSG4/s1600/DSC_0645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rhxzYU5RIROzek2CPnm5c9jlQ9IDugi-TOnNuK2VXPye60m74oLFLQzcNGEuBIYI3eulqoRsfXkIoIMZN64AGS6b_2W03baDxBqPNN9jxdWrK8mLhhMFxMhDppo05_WNfSaFb1XsSG4/s400/DSC_0645.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So did Peter.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BBlHgpV6UnE/VOG3c6lGniI/AAAAAAAAkMA/o9U4gmxYPdk/s1600/DSC_0663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BBlHgpV6UnE/VOG3c6lGniI/AAAAAAAAkMA/o9U4gmxYPdk/s400/DSC_0663.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's an example of wind-affected snow.<br />
Not nearly as fun.</td></tr>
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<br />
As a consolation prize, the skies cleared up and we saw some beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHxSK4TDxOLcRZIcml60c5b5qT9wEbeCMs0f3fzGPbhcXgzhoHPHRrG8pASZWpgi4VOKgNHy4JRlILSkF8nMHgbA0RMdYnrZLwQUbxumQtgrFjBSuYidESt-pqpBhhxptITmwearoEqY/s1600/DSC_0654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHxSK4TDxOLcRZIcml60c5b5qT9wEbeCMs0f3fzGPbhcXgzhoHPHRrG8pASZWpgi4VOKgNHy4JRlILSkF8nMHgbA0RMdYnrZLwQUbxumQtgrFjBSuYidESt-pqpBhhxptITmwearoEqY/s400/DSC_0654.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't forget to look around.</td></tr>
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<br />
When we got back to the trailhead, we already started affectionately reminiscing about our trip and the awesome time we had. Cameron and Becky presented our guide Rich with a Wasatch t-shirt too.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UnfEifMdtd0/VOG3c0W5u9I/AAAAAAAAkCw/CG2RMjN5jCE/s1600/DSC_0665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UnfEifMdtd0/VOG3c0W5u9I/AAAAAAAAkCw/CG2RMjN5jCE/s400/DSC_0665.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Man, is it really over?</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="343" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r-rZKZPBeV4/VOG3-OOcB_I/AAAAAAAAkBw/i5PFf8E0JlE/s400/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-02-16%2Bat%2B6.13.36%2BPM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1,263 meters (4,144 ft) elevation gain over 12 km (7.5 miles)<br />
See <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/255630485">GPS track</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Now is a good time to advertise the best all natural "power bar" during the trip: Laure's granola bars. She makes these from scratch using all sorts of organic ingredients like honey, nuts, and dried fruits that pack a lot of energy. If you ever come ski touring with us, ask nicely and she might share some. Just like the onigiri, you should keep these warm in your pocket otherwise they will put your molars to the test. Thanks Laure for preparing all these awesome granola bars for me.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2eyDGkMV2S8/VOG3c610-xI/AAAAAAAAkBE/YdsQE6jAqaw/s1600/2015-02-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2eyDGkMV2S8/VOG3c610-xI/AAAAAAAAkBE/YdsQE6jAqaw/s400/2015-02-16.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Laure's granola bar is the awesomest all natural power bar.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r-rZKZPBeV4/VOG3-OOcB_I/AAAAAAAAkBw/i5PFf8E0JlE/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-02-16%2Bat%2B6.13.36%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Saying our goodbyes</h3>
At night, Rich invited us to his favorite restaurant in Furano city. We all fell in love with the place as soon as we walked in. It is a super casual and traditional izakaya restaurant where the chef comes around taking orders in Japanese. The food was impeccable and easily the best we had during the skiing portion of our trip.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mhvATw8Vfzs/VOIOsl490QI/AAAAAAAAwvQ/h8SWpnGAgXM/s1600/DSC_0671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mhvATw8Vfzs/VOIOsl490QI/AAAAAAAAwvQ/h8SWpnGAgXM/s400/DSC_0671.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional izakaya with amazing food in Furano city.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0qJxe5KWNlc/VOIOkv4e0-I/AAAAAAAAwuw/wS-3kf1SpnA/s1600/DSC_0668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0qJxe5KWNlc/VOIOkv4e0-I/AAAAAAAAwuw/wS-3kf1SpnA/s400/DSC_0668.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peter and two kettles for boiling water over coals.</td></tr>
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<br />
During dinner, Peter reminded me of the last item that he needed to check off his list for this trip: karaoke. Since we first met up in Tokyo, Peter had been trying to convince me and Laure to go to a karaoke bar with him and now was our last chance. So he looked up the hottest place in town before we said our emotional goodbyes to the rest of the group.<br />
<br />
It was awkward when we entered the karaoke bar to find no one else there other than the bartender and the owner. They even had to turn on the karaoke machine and some lights for us. But embarrassment was not enough to deter us: we sat down at the bar, ordered some drinks and started choosing our songs.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2CsnlK6Dfhw/VOIPEYV4gNI/AAAAAAAAw24/bQJB19q6ooA/s400/DSC_0683.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who knew Peter had such a soft spot for romantic songs?</td></tr>
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<br />
Peter and I spent a few hours in that karaoke bar. I learned that Peter likes to sing sappy love songs and I like singing songs that I can scream and dance a lot. Hit the Road, Jack was my favorite. We were eventually able to find an overlap in our tastes so that we could sing a few duets. It went as well as you could possibly imagine.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A7wX2E_0iQo/VOIPkZsHgKI/AAAAAAAAwvg/QsPTnJ2PsRo/s1600/DSC_0699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A7wX2E_0iQo/VOIPkZsHgKI/AAAAAAAAwvg/QsPTnJ2PsRo/s400/DSC_0699.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't remember giving my camera to the bartender.</td></tr>
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<br />
After much effort, we eventually convinced the bartender to sing a song. As soon as she started singing her song in Japanese, Peter and I were utterly impressed at how well she sang.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_yoSqf-fEi8/VOIPqgjRBGI/AAAAAAAAwwA/pGFRWrjgnbU/s1600/DSC_0702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_yoSqf-fEi8/VOIPqgjRBGI/AAAAAAAAwwA/pGFRWrjgnbU/s400/DSC_0702.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We danced around with the bartender without a clue of what she was singing. </td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Time to go home</h3>
On our last morning in Hokkaido, Peter and I went for a last local meal: Hokkaido style ramen. Eating ramen in Japan is a treat because each region has their own specialty depending on regional agriculture and taste. In Hokkaido, they often eat ramen with potatoes and corn grown locally with a thick slice of butter on top. This hearty style of ramen suits the the region's cold weather.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E5cLbEiqEgc/VOL2pRE793I/AAAAAAAAkLA/5JWdcYrfKi4/s1600/DSC_0704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E5cLbEiqEgc/VOL2pRE793I/AAAAAAAAkLA/5JWdcYrfKi4/s400/DSC_0704.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hokkaido style ramen.</td></tr>
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<br />
After lunch, we headed out to the airport and reminisced about our adventure before parting ways.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Afterthoughts</h3>
</div>
<div>
Although Hokkaido admittedly does not have the most extreme terrain, steepest slopes, or even best views, its quality and quantity of snow are hard to match. The terrain is well suited for splitboarding and the guides are well experienced and versatile. In addition to the skiing itself, Hokkaido was the most culturally interesting destination for a ski trip that I have been on. I look forward to returning with Laure and our little one.</div>
</div>
Qhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009834242027169260noreply@blogger.com0Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan43.064614700000007 141.346807437.162448700000006 131.0196589 48.966780700000008 151.67395589999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131555610866497086.post-43916097260003170542016-02-07T14:53:00.001-08:002016-02-07T14:53:31.659-08:00Snow, ice and lights - two winter festivals of Hokkaido, Japan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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For one week in February the city of Sapporo hosts a snow festival showcasing over one hundred snow sculptures and ice carvings. In a neighboring port city of Otaru, they also celebrate their cold winter with a festival snow walk. Best of all these two events typically fall on the same weekend.<br />
<br />
Sapporo is the capital of the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, which is famous to the ski community for its cold, dry and abundant snowfall therefore making a great home for a snow festival. To fully appreciate each festival, you'll have to venture out at night - so come prepared with plenty of warm clothing.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Sapporo Snow Festival (Sapporo Yuki Matsuri)</h3>
The festival began when a group of local high school students created a few snow sculptures in Odori park. Sixty-six years later it has evolved into a massive festival with three main areas drawing two million visitors a year. The Odori park features the large snow sculptures, over a hundred "smaller" snow sculptures, concerts, ski and snowboard competitions and other performances. The <span class="old_text_1">Susukino Site is located close to Odori park and features over a hundred ice sculptures on the streets. Further out of town is the Tsu Dome Site featuring snow tubing and more snow sculptures. We weren't able to visit this last area since it was too out of the way.</span> The event is free so feel free to check it out multiple times (like we did); just don't skip a visit at night. One of the highlights is viewing the large snow sculptures illuminated at night.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjtTWdR6gkR_rr_e-PbTL9emJQ_5ja4ZKlunKLDEonY846xApvQjWlDSykkLLFsVbREi-JR_M1O2Fw4lvGmdQW90B0rwPaIiEYVGi1JaSLJ7nAx4AbIhcx5d_MFyjdIc3Xsh7kFz5pja8/s1600/Sapporo+Snow+Festival+002+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjtTWdR6gkR_rr_e-PbTL9emJQ_5ja4ZKlunKLDEonY846xApvQjWlDSykkLLFsVbREi-JR_M1O2Fw4lvGmdQW90B0rwPaIiEYVGi1JaSLJ7nAx4AbIhcx5d_MFyjdIc3Xsh7kFz5pja8/s400/Sapporo+Snow+Festival+002+-+adjusted.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our travel adventures with Peter in Japan.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJByrV6O4J-D30PHf4BObEAt8B10W8ZJJp1x93IkCx7cQRgOzjeeTqMpPCvBLI_d5wPzOvPcS09W6yIJAmylbVyVewKr8kALYHx_LBvfXAZjhGEFOgizXuIxU71IrXzLp35nQ9d2OyS18/s1600/IMG_20150206_123013.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJByrV6O4J-D30PHf4BObEAt8B10W8ZJJp1x93IkCx7cQRgOzjeeTqMpPCvBLI_d5wPzOvPcS09W6yIJAmylbVyVewKr8kALYHx_LBvfXAZjhGEFOgizXuIxU71IrXzLp35nQ9d2OyS18/s400/IMG_20150206_123013.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the Sapporo TV Tower you are able to see down the festival's main area - the 1.5km long Odori park.</td></tr>
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<br />
We did a walk through Odori park and the adjacent <span class="old_text_1">Susukino Site </span>during the daytime admiring the sculptures,
watched artists put the finishing touches on their pieces and kept warm with
Japanese style carnival food. It was definitely worth visiting during
the daytime. The crowds are manageable and you're actually able to admire the many sculptures without losing the feeling in your toes.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQBPghv56s9r-NwYqDCs7vGmUwfzW1WoNwc3ySVpzPFJpGshz64V9ElUAgeWI4WzQb5PTDmhnm8IFw8gUS4VQgSs0BvWNSHDiFrv_XhVBIpboZGO0laV6kEu15wqJBnjrHIgIFa7TvcEU/s1600/Sapporo+Snow+Festival+026+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQBPghv56s9r-NwYqDCs7vGmUwfzW1WoNwc3ySVpzPFJpGshz64V9ElUAgeWI4WzQb5PTDmhnm8IFw8gUS4VQgSs0BvWNSHDiFrv_XhVBIpboZGO0laV6kEu15wqJBnjrHIgIFa7TvcEU/s400/Sapporo+Snow+Festival+026+-+adjusted.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the main sculptures.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-onDALYJS2osWXo-_nic36qPzzNKRdLi4_0l6ytmqIpEwKlH5gXpEK7lAEuIpUyIO6G-j2UBzJBnYRtaaIvAS4iXY5VvExKiSLekFZn8hhgRNzTBcAd5BLqWjDU6I3_wUz7bEbPSVnM/s1600/Sapporo+Snow+Festival+063+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-onDALYJS2osWXo-_nic36qPzzNKRdLi4_0l6ytmqIpEwKlH5gXpEK7lAEuIpUyIO6G-j2UBzJBnYRtaaIvAS4iXY5VvExKiSLekFZn8hhgRNzTBcAd5BLqWjDU6I3_wUz7bEbPSVnM/s400/Sapporo+Snow+Festival+063+-+adjusted.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course there was an anime snow sculpture</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo74926WU3sSJds-0hsAclGvHFY7WDKspm15F97BE66waeHDhLc9yJLMD-BM8pwc_EmvqqsrLVhuQLzUFMeo6dkCKn4-D5L5MK2fwu2gkk8jSDH4Jq-QS6JXCuVu3xTpP38MCipnonB3w/s1600/IMG_20150206_144613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo74926WU3sSJds-0hsAclGvHFY7WDKspm15F97BE66waeHDhLc9yJLMD-BM8pwc_EmvqqsrLVhuQLzUFMeo6dkCKn4-D5L5MK2fwu2gkk8jSDH4Jq-QS6JXCuVu3xTpP38MCipnonB3w/s400/IMG_20150206_144613.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finishing touches on the international contestants sculpture competition.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXuOnMAMR6OM17EkPPMvFDvnpW95EZEaXZXK7gyL4YD0G1Cd4DnNgcURVezfZLK5af7qWe4lekYOPk_dV6423BLZFA4-EqLFg-4ObbF7-c3jXGoMF3dMQC0sx7kIyG4y5emfVO-m1R9-8/s1600/IMG_20150207_145534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXuOnMAMR6OM17EkPPMvFDvnpW95EZEaXZXK7gyL4YD0G1Cd4DnNgcURVezfZLK5af7qWe4lekYOPk_dV6423BLZFA4-EqLFg-4ObbF7-c3jXGoMF3dMQC0sx7kIyG4y5emfVO-m1R9-8/s400/IMG_20150207_145534.jpg" width="306" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I haven't seen many ice sculptures, but some at the <span class="old_text_1">Susukino Site are awesome</span>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNv7AhVkSQUzWkuc4ZyUmYp4sQTE5nlBG8B7Jd_fX7VAw7cNa_wG-6lMbqXvUHgJb855jidgjhybK-YPUrgHZ_kPtI-vX_pS0HcvAu-cJd_bpPtXwbBZJ_zZT9yMOyFgLyPtmLR2dex6w/s1600/Sapporo+Snow+Festival+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNv7AhVkSQUzWkuc4ZyUmYp4sQTE5nlBG8B7Jd_fX7VAw7cNa_wG-6lMbqXvUHgJb855jidgjhybK-YPUrgHZ_kPtI-vX_pS0HcvAu-cJd_bpPtXwbBZJ_zZT9yMOyFgLyPtmLR2dex6w/s400/Sapporo+Snow+Festival+024.JPG" width="262" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Q tried okonomiyaki.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh22j7LY9huOYaVp83eMkYiUwQuq9tmVPhTuaSXYuHUYijsI1Hj1lCXdWc1mhkGZwh7kB1bMpEpBJICbcYeGVY-AeNVdfZxlO9zPXINY6aLIaNk0ogCfznfeRnC0R24hCT8oLV8npDc4Bc/s1600/IMG_20150206_135756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh22j7LY9huOYaVp83eMkYiUwQuq9tmVPhTuaSXYuHUYijsI1Hj1lCXdWc1mhkGZwh7kB1bMpEpBJICbcYeGVY-AeNVdfZxlO9zPXINY6aLIaNk0ogCfznfeRnC0R24hCT8oLV8npDc4Bc/s400/IMG_20150206_135756.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh crab grilled over charcoal in its own shell. A definite winner in our books.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
A return night walk through the festival gave us an opportunity to watch the snowboarding competition and to admire the amazing animations on the larger snow sculptures.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZnVCzGktjX1L41MqzsSE9wLdm4uwyOzhZCUSYaYgAc7_ahFFICDJ1EzjXYAQWZSQh69AKYOti92Y_3ohbB6T6iVe90umFmCcQBLU6mNB6z5LJFjML5DUt7jGk-Keo_X9G0oBNUtyeyE/s1600/IMG_0405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZnVCzGktjX1L41MqzsSE9wLdm4uwyOzhZCUSYaYgAc7_ahFFICDJ1EzjXYAQWZSQh69AKYOti92Y_3ohbB6T6iVe90umFmCcQBLU6mNB6z5LJFjML5DUt7jGk-Keo_X9G0oBNUtyeyE/s400/IMG_0405.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="old_text_1">Susukino Site's Ice sculpture. Best place to find outdoor bars.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJ34UcsJ36m52ORZ60UGzvI5RMssnHAChqYOCMZOUdjLoBoYVqWGqMr7QX1zKxGAhh4NPavSmm2CdQyq-DB_nb_l4iVJi45VVn8OPCOj-QZs_q7WXuw4RtHC_0Zxef2RSw8N_wAcLA2A/s1600/Sapporo+Snow+Festival+057-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJ34UcsJ36m52ORZ60UGzvI5RMssnHAChqYOCMZOUdjLoBoYVqWGqMr7QX1zKxGAhh4NPavSmm2CdQyq-DB_nb_l4iVJi45VVn8OPCOj-QZs_q7WXuw4RtHC_0Zxef2RSw8N_wAcLA2A/s400/Sapporo+Snow+Festival+057-+adjusted.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our favorite sculpture from the international teams - a crazy tuk tuk from the Thailand team.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/MAns2Hkqo3w/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MAns2Hkqo3w?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
The Otaru Light Path Snow Festival (Otaru Yuki Akari No Michi)</h3>
I find winter to be completely romantic. Strolling the streets of a Japanese town at night by the warm glow of candles set in the snow and ice, in my opinion, this might be the most romantic festival I have ever been to.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGOmsK1j57D4f9psLdp1rLqto8S5YVVayf2jjIxckJoky4hJcXUSAC1vB1XiCzl9y5EAfIAP6jvqaVWGY2lLk6tbGyoTNC1a-t-xYqonbQ19E47wPN63pMzNgZWViaFSNwsXzpaYxoLE/s1600/IMG_0400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGOmsK1j57D4f9psLdp1rLqto8S5YVVayf2jjIxckJoky4hJcXUSAC1vB1XiCzl9y5EAfIAP6jvqaVWGY2lLk6tbGyoTNC1a-t-xYqonbQ19E47wPN63pMzNgZWViaFSNwsXzpaYxoLE/s400/IMG_0400.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Each area had a unique design.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs149Y1ZWQbg4nxrKBtEBN1MQPElhhQe1A9nXyRSoVcZAkY1MviEeUF0SYjByOT8ZWDpzVAyg12736sZETrI8TZpQR_WX-vkKmSFop4i5sdBn6zlbzxbzlijE_alaEvXjU9hgaM3K068Y/s1600/Otaru+Snow+Light+Path+Festival+118+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs149Y1ZWQbg4nxrKBtEBN1MQPElhhQe1A9nXyRSoVcZAkY1MviEeUF0SYjByOT8ZWDpzVAyg12736sZETrI8TZpQR_WX-vkKmSFop4i5sdBn6zlbzxbzlijE_alaEvXjU9hgaM3K068Y/s400/Otaru+Snow+Light+Path+Festival+118+-+adjusted.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the Temijasen Kaijo area, close to the former abolished Temiyasen railway line. A volunteer photographer was helping the line of tourists take photos.</td></tr>
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Right from the train station platform, snow lanterns warmly greet visitors and help guide you to the two main attraction. The are two main areas (Unga Kaijo and Temiyasen Kaijo) are beautifully illuminated and both are walking distance from the train station and each other. The lanterns are kept lit between 5-9pm by volunteers for ten consecutive days. This event is free and open during the day but best seen at night when it's illuminated. It was difficult to illustate the beauty of the town by only a few photos. These are just a few of the many we took.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEila2ujhW0koA-suaVujtTKmOAv5GqxjkC0qiU2x32a6kRHejMH0tdi3qb6E05o6CYRJU8smbsH3YgGmIYzlT5khLDujGP-KNesTCWzQ18bnYvPHE_WddHGLNjjYhNYuQ7dq7CdwJqE1Eo/s1600/Otaru+Snow+Light+Path+Festival+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEila2ujhW0koA-suaVujtTKmOAv5GqxjkC0qiU2x32a6kRHejMH0tdi3qb6E05o6CYRJU8smbsH3YgGmIYzlT5khLDujGP-KNesTCWzQ18bnYvPHE_WddHGLNjjYhNYuQ7dq7CdwJqE1Eo/s400/Otaru+Snow+Light+Path+Festival+035.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the Unga Kaijo area by the Otaru Canal.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_DTMpxqfEm1Hxb5ar-pox0ULuzOfeEoip35J14_1m_qs30EI-NeIupVM9bF2EYAtOvaKSFbTaUQ57nlmQyz1-Jx2RhUpar6SSiHqG3jrCXbG9eq9vShf-OcyajHg4pljyvkouO9MKQA/s1600/Otaru+Snow+Light+Path+Festival+101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_DTMpxqfEm1Hxb5ar-pox0ULuzOfeEoip35J14_1m_qs30EI-NeIupVM9bF2EYAtOvaKSFbTaUQ57nlmQyz1-Jx2RhUpar6SSiHqG3jrCXbG9eq9vShf-OcyajHg4pljyvkouO9MKQA/s400/Otaru+Snow+Light+Path+Festival+101.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natural elements like leaves and flowers were incorporated into the ice lanterns.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizt0wih7X4WEbLU9hIDGq4n0sDvQWd6Ir26X4frIrME4452iy34Ow_fFkqWlQP1vW08oRsMmVqDtpNfML5lmeKXyql3fs-z-xny3k6Bs1vAQT1OeKtWOkonyL86CwRgRHycG3-tmGdIRE/s1600/IMG_0295+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizt0wih7X4WEbLU9hIDGq4n0sDvQWd6Ir26X4frIrME4452iy34Ow_fFkqWlQP1vW08oRsMmVqDtpNfML5lmeKXyql3fs-z-xny3k6Bs1vAQT1OeKtWOkonyL86CwRgRHycG3-tmGdIRE/s400/IMG_0295+-+adjusted.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Different styles of sculptures lit up different areas.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQzm1ZFh1QC3_tMv9qpKh-B_0yFUoiC0TU07t6r2EL13Cbf6YKKS04do0muiq78wecCv-u8i4KBKd1daPmIjUxuEj_YRD9xb8GJgchDWXfrzq5nDV4Uh_1SrmNabOgLbwmrDK6Tz7b3M/s1600/IMG_20150206_190023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQzm1ZFh1QC3_tMv9qpKh-B_0yFUoiC0TU07t6r2EL13Cbf6YKKS04do0muiq78wecCv-u8i4KBKd1daPmIjUxuEj_YRD9xb8GJgchDWXfrzq5nDV4Uh_1SrmNabOgLbwmrDK6Tz7b3M/s400/IMG_20150206_190023.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One area was decorated with ice owls</td></tr>
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<br />
The whole town gets in on the action. Shops, churches and the schools make use of the large snowdrifts at their front door and have fun with it. It's worth a stroll around the town in order to discover the fun creations the locals have constructed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-MSLjTyitrpGrh96XrX-30vimq9QqPF3edAmlI99osgqhI_Wc6r52xBmtKfmoMR4O6Y7evyNB1DQ-w6Hq6mih-w1i9zE3lDpEMCVnDZYT8gnE7ngSNvqDQZGLGXulUlewoGbgoaCH1g8/s1600/Otaru+Snow+Light+Path+Festival+072+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-MSLjTyitrpGrh96XrX-30vimq9QqPF3edAmlI99osgqhI_Wc6r52xBmtKfmoMR4O6Y7evyNB1DQ-w6Hq6mih-w1i9zE3lDpEMCVnDZYT8gnE7ngSNvqDQZGLGXulUlewoGbgoaCH1g8/s400/Otaru+Snow+Light+Path+Festival+072+-+adjusted.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We found a little ice igloo outside a restaurant.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5nDQ5MEgqOZwdGQRSiNTqtKbw_fS9XTL8q55aa3VSA6Ex93wgvZxOq4I-6vRZ6nrhFGEk4LFKgWwf4iy2tKfTBIwTvOHkO_enck0j1qyUzgz_cAR6pWna9TK3A2hniJRA0lut5T-fVU/s1600/IMG_0401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5nDQ5MEgqOZwdGQRSiNTqtKbw_fS9XTL8q55aa3VSA6Ex93wgvZxOq4I-6vRZ6nrhFGEk4LFKgWwf4iy2tKfTBIwTvOHkO_enck0j1qyUzgz_cAR6pWna9TK3A2hniJRA0lut5T-fVU/s400/IMG_0401.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even the Colonel got in on the fun.</td></tr>
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<br />
It is cold outside so wear your Sorel boots, wool socks and bring along a
thermos of tea. There are a few warm treats along the way. Some entrepreneurial people sold grilled seafood along the street. Another person was grilling mochi and giving it out for free! Just hanging out by
the warm grill was already a treat. We followed up our two hour walk with an
amazing dinner of warm soup and cold soba at <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/%E8%97%AA%E5%8D%8A-%E5%B0%8F%E6%A8%BD%E5%B8%82">Yabuhan</a>. The Japanese menu and restaurant full of locals was a clear sign we were in the right place for some authentic soba and the whole meal exceeded our expectations.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGslSwXfLxuOafZIgkxVlcPnZpIOgu9L0QuA5KxTlsi-nnpMRhrh3hQn8GTpIQTqkgPUhgm4aNOr8MthEYxKkP_VOOlkypqZrjLKAjknudLZph9bxUxaSvqooqLSTwZ9-t_oR_nIEOOc/s1600/Otaru+Snow+Light+Path+Festival+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGslSwXfLxuOafZIgkxVlcPnZpIOgu9L0QuA5KxTlsi-nnpMRhrh3hQn8GTpIQTqkgPUhgm4aNOr8MthEYxKkP_VOOlkypqZrjLKAjknudLZph9bxUxaSvqooqLSTwZ9-t_oR_nIEOOc/s400/Otaru+Snow+Light+Path+Festival+022.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grilled seafood along the street.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhVJDHBEBxuzJvCZRZ9SBTPjHJmmpskEOj5MWhP7B-FAISFSBUiAyqTW7wFa3vBzuQpC9Hb212uKLw1XmmjUQ_DBFiOZ0K1ruXyLfN8MJJFh710YkE13I6Ur6IClZhvtx1o5Tigfq1yw/s1600/Otaru+Snow+Light+Path+Festival+075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhVJDHBEBxuzJvCZRZ9SBTPjHJmmpskEOj5MWhP7B-FAISFSBUiAyqTW7wFa3vBzuQpC9Hb212uKLw1XmmjUQ_DBFiOZ0K1ruXyLfN8MJJFh710YkE13I6Ur6IClZhvtx1o5Tigfq1yw/s400/Otaru+Snow+Light+Path+Festival+075.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was as cold as it looks.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2cX5ncFjrkxBXY3REhTl1UCsHtIyXAy-wIbwtZU3W_9I1b5OY1lvz8AmscaW22S_Ean0LrfrOhr3RaCW6v0JDEBDXvuk5_ktfIZ9LOKvvayoUJPtofh-QYwcYTtax_o43_H9TvP6ENcA/s1600/IMG_20150206_202903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2cX5ncFjrkxBXY3REhTl1UCsHtIyXAy-wIbwtZU3W_9I1b5OY1lvz8AmscaW22S_Ean0LrfrOhr3RaCW6v0JDEBDXvuk5_ktfIZ9LOKvvayoUJPtofh-QYwcYTtax_o43_H9TvP6ENcA/s400/IMG_20150206_202903.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The soba was so good that we couldn't be bothered with slowing down for a photo.</td></tr>
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<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Other sightseeing in Sapporo</h3>
In case you were wondering, Sapporo beer is from Sapporo. With only two full days in town, we didn't set aside time to visit the factory or relax in their beer garden. We were able to fill our bellies with other local specialties. We grabbed a seat in one of the many restaurants along Ramen Alley for some local ramen and gyoza.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYlZmI_ZBqz76XVE4vjndC3r93cBLAWFlfrqL7C3ziB72vadUSsmTJ4tPS-Ba_j-QI9Kkl00B-g4V6QO4Tvp8g4RjWPcu8_AyVmGyuzhG5o3fB_nZuZZFn8BY61DHJgz1t4NI4H6sYbsI/s1600/IMG_0407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYlZmI_ZBqz76XVE4vjndC3r93cBLAWFlfrqL7C3ziB72vadUSsmTJ4tPS-Ba_j-QI9Kkl00B-g4V6QO4Tvp8g4RjWPcu8_AyVmGyuzhG5o3fB_nZuZZFn8BY61DHJgz1t4NI4H6sYbsI/s400/IMG_0407.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking for our lunch time "refueling" along Ramen Alley</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtsTN5jlBep08banDU0qnDArfz7wJE6qQxMc2skPCMp1eOzHsS5ionkbmkhM_51WOmMvlwzNXs3TfU2VhfYVF-l130lG4rfYOH820P6JGU1c6aBQ_PG1bLYwl3QP7D60hdXB3DV_-22CE/s1600/IMG_20150207_142500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtsTN5jlBep08banDU0qnDArfz7wJE6qQxMc2skPCMp1eOzHsS5ionkbmkhM_51WOmMvlwzNXs3TfU2VhfYVF-l130lG4rfYOH820P6JGU1c6aBQ_PG1bLYwl3QP7D60hdXB3DV_-22CE/s320/IMG_20150207_142500.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet corn and a knob of butter is the typical local additions to ramen.</td></tr>
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<br />
Just outside of the city center is the Ishiya Chocolate Factory. We toured the museum, got our free cookie and indulged in more sweets before braving the cold outside. It was a nice way to spend a couple hours but wasn't the highlight of our day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVP730n0eUHMSn4VdvutUOkgvfLyq-Hpghq0qII2zuThQrcObUkt52-DXjuAwHaaUDrqJY5NvBKshQyXqge_FD-sglNG5-sw6zZQQua4c_JY6_jkDxZXGb6g6BtMPi1bNzAKZQQzHjvNs/s1600/IMG_0315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVP730n0eUHMSn4VdvutUOkgvfLyq-Hpghq0qII2zuThQrcObUkt52-DXjuAwHaaUDrqJY5NvBKshQyXqge_FD-sglNG5-sw6zZQQua4c_JY6_jkDxZXGb6g6BtMPi1bNzAKZQQzHjvNs/s400/IMG_0315.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the factory is part of the museum self guided tour.</td></tr>
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<br />
We strolled the downtown area checking out hipster coffee shops, video arcades and warmed up in the underground malls.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAb7-0nQQN3t2-m_NN8L-6Xqb-z71RU-Dpak5TQdnFpz7kjHNZGe_YNnJ8aG-7UfMuvyquYSg57CDhip1epcSc_4ZMhpXIS2pVTHYUxIQwbwOX4ItjuY96bg_1uvUES92fOOF67benZPw/s1600/IMG_0408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAb7-0nQQN3t2-m_NN8L-6Xqb-z71RU-Dpak5TQdnFpz7kjHNZGe_YNnJ8aG-7UfMuvyquYSg57CDhip1epcSc_4ZMhpXIS2pVTHYUxIQwbwOX4ItjuY96bg_1uvUES92fOOF67benZPw/s400/IMG_0408.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The underground mall: a perfect solution to get to the subway without losing a toe to frost bite.</td></tr>
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<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Additional thoughts</h3>
For anyone considering a trip to Sapporo during the Snow Festival - book your accommodations early. We underestimated the popularity of the festival and waited until a month before our stay to search for accommodations. With all of the reasonably priced (and less reasonable priced) hotels fully booked, we considered ourselves lucky to find a bed and futon in someone's home. But truth be told, we found the Sapporo Snow Festival to be overhyped. On the other hand the Snow Walk is one festival we thoroughly enjoyed.</div>
Laurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05848291077777206180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131555610866497086.post-44683895026159180762015-11-23T12:50:00.001-08:002015-11-23T12:54:09.906-08:00Tokyo: famous sights, good food, and slightly awkward situations<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Tokyo is a city that is sure to please anyone that likes big cities, good food, and has a certain curiosity for wacky things.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6FyxW_OmWps/VlECFT-psHI/AAAAAAAAtyc/IMHdQsLhASo/s1600/IMG_20150203_073644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6FyxW_OmWps/VlECFT-psHI/AAAAAAAAtyc/IMHdQsLhASo/s400/IMG_20150203_073644.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goodbye, Kyoto.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5YSOCVEjXEo/VlECFWe8kdI/AAAAAAAAtyo/j5HyUhJY2yM/s1600/IMG_20150203_114349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5YSOCVEjXEo/VlECFWe8kdI/AAAAAAAAtyo/j5HyUhJY2yM/s400/IMG_20150203_114349.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello, Tokyo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Laure noted how the scale of buildings in Tokyo is amazing. In most big
cities, you can tell you're in the middle of the downtown area when you
see a lot of sky scrapers and crowds of people rushing around you. In Tokyo,
it seems like we were always in the the middle of downtown whenever we
exited a subway station. With just a few days and so may options in this huge city, here's what we were able to cram in.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Conveyor belt sushi</h3>
Laure and I met up with our good friend Peter to check out some of the famous sights, eat lots and lots of incredibly good food, and experience some slightly awkward situations.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gFLt9d8uqRc/VlECFW_dzmI/AAAAAAAAty4/qYQGyGgGzJ8/s1600/IMG_20150203_124842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gFLt9d8uqRc/VlECFW_dzmI/AAAAAAAAty4/qYQGyGgGzJ8/s400/IMG_20150203_124842.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First stop was <a href="https://www.google.ch/maps/place/%E3%81%B2%E3%81%BE%E3%82%8F%E3%82%8A%E5%AF%BF%E5%8F%B8/@35.6889578,139.6958249,16.88z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0000000000000000:0x91feb6a0239f4782?hl=en">a sushi restaurant</a> geared towards local business workers.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8eX9M12WSYk/VjvNwNKocvI/AAAAAAAAt0U/v6qmROrvTh8/s1600/DSC_0160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8eX9M12WSYk/VjvNwNKocvI/AAAAAAAAt0U/v6qmROrvTh8/s320/DSC_0160.JPG" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sushi goes around in a conveyor belt and at the end you later pay per plate.<br />
Each plate color corresponds to a different price.</td></tr>
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<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Meiji Shrine in the Yoyogi Park</h3>
With our stomachs satisfied, we headed out to the Meiji Shrine in the Yoyogi Park.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2UHE8xKJnmU/VlECFYlAvgI/AAAAAAAAtyc/7iznlQHHxyE/s1600/Yoyogi%2BPark%2B003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2UHE8xKJnmU/VlECFYlAvgI/AAAAAAAAtyc/7iznlQHHxyE/s400/Yoyogi%2BPark%2B003.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yoyogi Park is sort of like a Central Park of Tokyo.<br />
A big park with full of natural beauty inside a densely packed city.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UZ8mD5NVbpM/VlECFaTOMHI/AAAAAAAAtyc/_5nvNeTWvJ4/s1600/IMG_20150203_153159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UZ8mD5NVbpM/VlECFaTOMHI/AAAAAAAAtyc/_5nvNeTWvJ4/s400/IMG_20150203_153159.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It is auspicious to take a photo of Kiyomasa's Well and include it on your phone's unlock screen or wallpaper.<br />
This one is still on Laure's.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NTv7x8pIw4k/VlECFWBl6WI/AAAAAAAAtyc/8mZuKojSkfg/s1600/IMG_20150203_154529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NTv7x8pIw4k/VlECFWBl6WI/AAAAAAAAtyc/8mZuKojSkfg/s400/IMG_20150203_154529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The entrance to the Meiji Shrine.</td></tr>
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<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Takeshita street</h3>
Next, we checked out Takeshita street, which is a shopping area geared towards young teenagers. It barfs overwhelmingly colorful decorations and cuteness.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CC8AxsvrRvs/VlECFUQRLUI/AAAAAAAAtyc/hsdfK4UplHo/s1600/Takeshita%2BStreet%2B013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CC8AxsvrRvs/VlECFUQRLUI/AAAAAAAAtyc/hsdfK4UplHo/s400/Takeshita%2BStreet%2B013.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peter picks up a snack at one of many crepe shops at Takeshita street.</td></tr>
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<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Omotesandō street</h3>
We then walked down Omotesandō, which is a boulevard where major fashion stores build flagship stores designed by famous architects. We got a glimpse of Laure's nerdy architecture side.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ViAumYfm1Qo/VlECFTk0xAI/AAAAAAAAtyc/eWCe7kB0PS8/s400/Meiji%2BDori%2BStreet%2B001.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="265" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">H&M building designed by Jun Mitsui & Associates.</td></tr>
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<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDPUx_3aPZ99d-FZ8wdBd2MAAuVE_cOvwrbjjTkZJULPZ-YxkJLkNW-el6bOSk26tleamK_Vfjssnj1Ur9YyvFGcb3ZUosxb80krvDF428SU7lJQNZb2hrCQKZd2tWVINPUfatxiHhg2U/s1600/Omotesando+Steet+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDPUx_3aPZ99d-FZ8wdBd2MAAuVE_cOvwrbjjTkZJULPZ-YxkJLkNW-el6bOSk26tleamK_Vfjssnj1Ur9YyvFGcb3ZUosxb80krvDF428SU7lJQNZb2hrCQKZd2tWVINPUfatxiHhg2U/s400/Omotesando+Steet+009.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prada building designed by Herzog and de Meuron.</td></tr>
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</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LpLI9Ue5sdY/VlECFZwH5MI/AAAAAAAAtyc/23x1sDlFllM/s1600/IMG_20150203_170106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LpLI9Ue5sdY/VlECFZwH5MI/AAAAAAAAtyc/23x1sDlFllM/s400/IMG_20150203_170106.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another cool building designed by some other famous architect.</td></tr>
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<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Shibuya Crossing</h3>
At night, we crossed the Shibuya Crossing, which is generally accepted as the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world. Yeah, it's touristy, but so what? We're tourists.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w5GL7u3aqSQ/VlECFcoqIwI/AAAAAAAAtz4/3WBG-4t_68o/s400/Shibuya%2BCrossing%2B009.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="265" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laure at the Shibuya Crossing.</td></tr>
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<br />
<div>
Near the crossing you can find a statue of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hachik%C5%8D">Hachikō</a>, who is a rightfully legendary dog in Japan. His owner was a professor at University of Tokyo, and Hachikō waited for his return at the Shibuya train station every night after work for a year until the professor died. Hachikō continued to wait at the train station every night for his master to return from work for nearly ten years until his own death.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aZxw5B8jCc0/VlECFdjCbzI/AAAAAAAAtyc/VNwBznuRXiY/s1600/IMG_20150203_174444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aZxw5B8jCc0/VlECFdjCbzI/AAAAAAAAtyc/VNwBznuRXiY/s400/IMG_20150203_174444.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hachikō the legendarily loyal dog.</td></tr>
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<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Laure's friends and a local's restaurant</h3>
We then met with Laure's local architect friend, who took us to a seemingly hidden restaurant inside a nondescript building. It's the type of restaurant that we had no chance of ever finding without the help of a local. Even if we would have found it, we would have seriously struggled without an English menu or English-speaking waitstaff.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PsPEFDnUZE8/VlECFbxFVdI/AAAAAAAAtyc/fbO3EeRQ4AM/s1600/Dinner%2Bwith%2BMizuki%2B004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PsPEFDnUZE8/VlECFbxFVdI/AAAAAAAAtyc/fbO3EeRQ4AM/s400/Dinner%2Bwith%2BMizuki%2B004.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laure's friends introduced us to some new interesting Japanese dishes and gave us a quick lesson on etiquette.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E2D1uR0E97A/VjvNwDcMf6I/AAAAAAAAt04/wwSOruvgAeE/s1600/DSC_0176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E2D1uR0E97A/VjvNwDcMf6I/AAAAAAAAt04/wwSOruvgAeE/s400/DSC_0176.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my favorite was this ice cold soba noodle dish with different sauces.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EGotni0J9KY/VlEftZI8VSI/AAAAAAAAt1c/gsmaz90wp4Y/s1600/Dinner%2Bwith%2BMizuki%2B001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EGotni0J9KY/VlEftZI8VSI/AAAAAAAAt1c/gsmaz90wp4Y/s400/Dinner%2Bwith%2BMizuki%2B001.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We also had a variety of meats in skewers that looked like popsicle sticks.<br />
It may look like kids food, but each bite is packed with flavor.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The nice surprise of dining at such a local's restaurant is that we learned how Japanese cuisine goes far beyond the popular sushi, ramen, and udon dishes that are commonly found in the rest of the world.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QHsCA-cVe50/VlECFd8QZaI/AAAAAAAAt1s/8s-hlMYug4E/s1600/Dinner%2Bwith%2BMizuki%2B006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QHsCA-cVe50/VlECFd8QZaI/AAAAAAAAt1s/8s-hlMYug4E/s400/Dinner%2Bwith%2BMizuki%2B006.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See you on our next visit!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Sushi for breakfast</h3>
Next morning, we had planned to visit the world famous Tsukiji Fish Market for a sushi breakfast. To our dismay, we found that the market wasn't open that day -- what a rookie mistake to not check ahead of time. As a consolation prize, we ate at another well rated sushi restaurant nearby.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WUTOzj1WyCo/VjvNwPLi5jI/AAAAAAAAtek/2L3SyHp2GHY/s1600/DSC_0180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WUTOzj1WyCo/VjvNwPLi5jI/AAAAAAAAtek/2L3SyHp2GHY/s400/DSC_0180.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I felt slightly guilty eating so much tuna, but this was easily the most delicious Chirashi I have ever had.</td></tr>
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<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Akihabara: a paradise for anime, electronics, and video game lovers</h3>
After breakfast, we headed out to Akihabara, which is famous for being the electronics (and geek) neighborhood.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLExmNAOxkdz9oEUtltibkjmBNcE67PTIAgk8VEzhka3u7rjPx7WqSROowmzlGY5Sm_n2S_Rr944GUiX5rZ15mJncezrfxIXdYsteFK-WWRTBYnkwjK9W_fCjdX1iW-F4lIFrJOPAxe3A/s1600/Akihabara+District+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLExmNAOxkdz9oEUtltibkjmBNcE67PTIAgk8VEzhka3u7rjPx7WqSROowmzlGY5Sm_n2S_Rr944GUiX5rZ15mJncezrfxIXdYsteFK-WWRTBYnkwjK9W_fCjdX1iW-F4lIFrJOPAxe3A/s400/Akihabara+District+002.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">I never dreamed there exists a place where buildings are draped with huge billboards of anime and video games.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-88dAmF0UfC8/VjvNwGkDM1I/AAAAAAAAt2M/dFWzMnO4Xdc/s1600/DSC_0213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-88dAmF0UfC8/VjvNwGkDM1I/AAAAAAAAt2M/dFWzMnO4Xdc/s400/DSC_0213.JPG" width="292" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">If you have an anime or video game addiction problem, steer clear of Akihabara.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H5FDLW6dzKU/VlEDFPxuI_I/AAAAAAAAtzE/NyPrpjKFXMQ/s1600/Super%2BPotato%2Bin%2BAkihabara%2B001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H5FDLW6dzKU/VlEDFPxuI_I/AAAAAAAAtzE/NyPrpjKFXMQ/s400/Super%2BPotato%2Bin%2BAkihabara%2B001.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/%E3%82%B9%E3%83%BC%E3%83%91%E3%83%BC%E3%83%9D%E3%83%86%E3%83%88-%E5%8D%83%E4%BB%A3%E7%94%B0%E5%8C%BA-2">Super Potato</a> is the retro video gaming mecca.<br />
If you grew up on Nintendo games, you must visit this place.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilj59vXbbknvkyCyiKFa0dNHYfnReVS-WqMoTmDSzN7bxqif3h4NAySSuWMdsF0WNfGFnS2HRDQsjK1opKNEkzEWaDtpq9qffNWTCqmpPU7iWO2MZVQVuYsBst8E6fLgi-i6heJ_rVep8/s1600/arcade+in+Akihabara+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilj59vXbbknvkyCyiKFa0dNHYfnReVS-WqMoTmDSzN7bxqif3h4NAySSuWMdsF0WNfGFnS2HRDQsjK1opKNEkzEWaDtpq9qffNWTCqmpPU7iWO2MZVQVuYsBst8E6fLgi-i6heJ_rVep8/s400/arcade+in+Akihabara+003.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We also spent a good amount of time in the huge multi-story Sega arcades building.<br />
I would have lost many hours of my life if I had grown up around here.</td></tr>
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<br />
Akihabara is also home to many of the infamous Maid Cafés. These are places where anime and manga lovers ("otakus") come to be immersed in a fantasy world. Characters dressed as French maids come around to make small talk with a tiny hint of flirting. They also draw dogs and cats on your food while convincing you to make animal sounds. Peter was so embarrassed that he had trouble making eye contact with his maid, who repeatedly called him "master".<br />
<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lYJUpvZ-8PE/VjvNwHmQhRI/AAAAAAAAtfA/_CgjXwiVJCc/s1600/DSC_0197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lYJUpvZ-8PE/VjvNwHmQhRI/AAAAAAAAtfA/_CgjXwiVJCc/s400/DSC_0197.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peter named his pancake dog after me at <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g1066443-d1176953-Reviews-At_Home_Cafe-Chiyoda_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html">@Home Maid Café</a>.<br />
Cats in Japan say "nyan nyan" instead of "meow meow".</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WBP_ltCbt1E/VjvNwAUn0lI/AAAAAAAAtUM/AEHGsYRDTHc/s1600/DSC_0203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WBP_ltCbt1E/VjvNwAUn0lI/AAAAAAAAtUM/AEHGsYRDTHc/s400/DSC_0203.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Peter as a lion roaring with the maid that kept calling him master.</td></tr>
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</div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
</h3>
<div>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
High quality coffee</h3>
In addition to the fantasy Maid Cafés, you can also find high quality coffee shops across Tokyo. Our favorite one was Toranomon Kofee located in the modern Toranomon Hills, which is the tallest building in Tokyo when measured by the tallest point. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BDy5JuYvhI8/VlEDFH1qZKI/AAAAAAAAtzE/e_isdKEONO4/s1600/IMG_20150204_164459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BDy5JuYvhI8/VlEDFH1qZKI/AAAAAAAAtzE/e_isdKEONO4/s320/IMG_20150204_164459.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perfect cappuccino at <a href="http://sprudge.com/toranomon-koffee-tokyo-62900.html">Toranomon Koffee</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Awesome transportation system</h3>
It is no secret that the Tokyo subway system is among the best in the world. We used it as the main mode of transportation, which worked very well since Peter and I had gotten SIM cards with internet on our phones. Google Maps even displays the cost of each ride, which saved us the confusion of trying to read price tables in Japanese.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BThsckKlRHk/VjvNwEFBKNI/AAAAAAAAtTA/4bj87ppPYbU/s1600/DSC_0178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BThsckKlRHk/VjvNwEFBKNI/AAAAAAAAtTA/4bj87ppPYbU/s400/DSC_0178.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Tokyo subway system is as amazing as everyone says.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Despite the massive crowds, things were surprisingly orderly and efficient. Our hotel was by the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinjuku_Station">Shinjuku Station</a>, which is the busiest train station in the world used by 3.64 million people per day. Even with so many passengers, everyone moves in lockstep and no one dares to stop on the way of others.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Golden Gai</h3>
At night, Peter and I walked around the Golden Gai, which is a tiny old neighborhood of small bars and restaurants. In the 1980s, many buildings were set ablaze by the Yakuza in order to resell the space to new developers. But the Golden Gai was especially protected at the time, which is why it feels like an older and cozier version of Tokyo.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wfrP56jlsLQ/VjvNwL5-YdI/AAAAAAAAt3k/U4Kb-UruPd0/s1600/DSC_0222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wfrP56jlsLQ/VjvNwL5-YdI/AAAAAAAAt3k/U4Kb-UruPd0/s400/DSC_0222.JPG" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The <a href="http://www.unmissabletokyo.com/golden-gai">Golden Gai</a> with narrow alleys and old buildings is a cool area to grab a drink.</td></tr>
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<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Tsukiji Fish Market and the best sushi at Sushi Dai</h3>
Next morning, we once again visited the Tsukiji Fish Market, which was actually open this time. We decided to get some extra sleep and not visit the famous tuna auction, which would have required us to line up at around 4am. Instead we went for a sushi breakfast and then toured the market after the auction.<br />
<br />
There are two very famous sushi restaurants at the fish market: Daiwa Sushi and Sushi Dai. Although Daiwa Sushi is slightly more famous, the quality is reportedly amazing at both places. So we chose Sushi Dai because its waiting line is shorter (only 60 people lining up in the rain here) and moves faster.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-af1g6O_N47w/VjvNwJP28QI/AAAAAAAAttc/WG5AStWoC3E/s1600/DSC_0229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-af1g6O_N47w/VjvNwJP28QI/AAAAAAAAttc/WG5AStWoC3E/s400/DSC_0229.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laure's favorite piece at <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g1066444-d1663012-Reviews-Sushidai-Chuo_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html">Sushi Dai</a>: fatty tuna nigiri.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gpe-6Gx5rOk/VjvNwK4nifI/AAAAAAAAtNw/ezAOXJZNuck/s1600/DSC_0228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gpe-6Gx5rOk/VjvNwK4nifI/AAAAAAAAtNw/ezAOXJZNuck/s400/DSC_0228.JPG" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peter and I particularly liked the uni (sea urchin).</td></tr>
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<br />
At these excellent sushi restaurants, most customers order the omakase (chef's choice). The chef serves the best fish of the day in a particular order to maximize the flavor of each course. They offer advice on when to use wasabi or soy sauce. At the end, customers can repeat any course they liked.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a4I2MwuUdSA/VjvNwB_KSCI/AAAAAAAAtVo/-UCAq8ntMRk/s1600/DSC_0230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a4I2MwuUdSA/VjvNwB_KSCI/AAAAAAAAtVo/-UCAq8ntMRk/s400/DSC_0230.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sushi Dai seats approximately ten people at a time.<br />
Easily the best sushi I've ever had.</td></tr>
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<br />
After breakfast, we walked around the fish market. We saw a lot of interesting fish, although I suspect the best stuff is sold out earlier in the day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tft9eSzM3gY/VlEDFMFsUaI/AAAAAAAAtzE/fjtHVNEQ9pU/s1600/Tokyo%2BFish%2BMarket%2B004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tft9eSzM3gY/VlEDFMFsUaI/AAAAAAAAtzE/fjtHVNEQ9pU/s400/Tokyo%2BFish%2BMarket%2B004.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laure at the Tsukiji Fish Market</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HGwzKUR2G8A/VlEDFGhalWI/AAAAAAAAtzE/ypDZzEXX4t0/s1600/Tokyo%2BFish%2BMarket%2B016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HGwzKUR2G8A/VlEDFGhalWI/AAAAAAAAtzE/ypDZzEXX4t0/s400/Tokyo%2BFish%2BMarket%2B016.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red octopus.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
We need to go back</h3>
Tokyo is one of those cities that leaves you wanting to come back for more. One of the things I really want to check out next time is the <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1066457-d4776370-Reviews-Robot_Restaurant-Shinjuku_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html">Robot Restaurant</a>. And of course, there are many more sushi restaurants we'd like to visit. Anyone else interested in visiting Tokyo?</div>
Qhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009834242027169260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131555610866497086.post-7292000406335209762015-11-09T17:31:00.000-08:002015-11-09T17:31:54.740-08:00Kyoto is not just a spring time destination<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Kyoto is beautiful even in the middle of winter. Of course it is especially beautiful in the spring and autumn but sometimes life doesn't permit one to travel at the most ideal time of year. We planned a trip to Kyoto at the beginning of February. Yes, Kyoto is cold during the winter, but with a down coat, gloves, long
johns, and the right outlook, it can be a very special time to visit.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRAS9dNwMdHpgoEnsN-lw6Z6N6STZFquZjHAUv5g89ArA1UIHqQKPbbb51EzGgsCsqof3D4KF_neSoG69JpEDSGdD8lcWnBUeXWD-TpW57Bsr4nhdh4Z_sjkka2BHdOcKAgAgSXuiq-s/s1600/winter+in+kyoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRAS9dNwMdHpgoEnsN-lw6Z6N6STZFquZjHAUv5g89ArA1UIHqQKPbbb51EzGgsCsqof3D4KF_neSoG69JpEDSGdD8lcWnBUeXWD-TpW57Bsr4nhdh4Z_sjkka2BHdOcKAgAgSXuiq-s/s400/winter+in+kyoto.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<br />
Our original plan was to go to Japan just for a ski vacation. But we couldn't resist the allure of the Kyoto's gardens,
shrines, temples, food and culture - so the city was added onto our itinerary. Visiting during the winter allowed
the opportunity to enjoy the city at a different perspective that many visitors don't see.<br />
<br />
With an easy train ride from Tokyo's Narita Airport to Kyoto, we were checked into our ryokan-inn and settled in before dinner. A ryokan is a traditional inn dating back to the Edo period (17th-19th century), with tatami mat floors, traditional futon beds, and offers visitors the use of cool Japanese robes called <span class="_Tgc">yukata. </span>Without even leaving the room, we were immersed in Japanese culture. We could have lingered around our "hotel" and avoided the cold outside but we were excited explore Kyoto.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0FzTTWPMnazbZYtH_2aLStrrS2WlurU3zUPO2BsJQYkgQ9Kt2rmndqqIk0-wW21JvWLKxWO8dDAXwMXLC2LaQserkNEAx-IlSLI2D-gEuBFSpLrsuQxUbSc1jsgo2OVsWBJ6xsbKZtA/s1600/Shinkansen+Tokyo+to+Kyoto+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0FzTTWPMnazbZYtH_2aLStrrS2WlurU3zUPO2BsJQYkgQ9Kt2rmndqqIk0-wW21JvWLKxWO8dDAXwMXLC2LaQserkNEAx-IlSLI2D-gEuBFSpLrsuQxUbSc1jsgo2OVsWBJ6xsbKZtA/s400/Shinkansen+Tokyo+to+Kyoto+007.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting in an orderly line for the Shinkansen train to Kyoto.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOOxuqdBaAtkO_QzwoGz-WNUGxY1CZoHiBl2tvtMy76x36VDK-xWETRZTilN3452ULuKsJ3pt1aDlfEeADsh8MUk69h1ucLPU2mr1W-B9a45Hmo8qVOWhhumykXzjEMxUmagZAY1dlw6s/s1600/Kyomachiya+Ryokan+Sakura+in+Kyoto+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOOxuqdBaAtkO_QzwoGz-WNUGxY1CZoHiBl2tvtMy76x36VDK-xWETRZTilN3452ULuKsJ3pt1aDlfEeADsh8MUk69h1ucLPU2mr1W-B9a45Hmo8qVOWhhumykXzjEMxUmagZAY1dlw6s/s400/Kyomachiya+Ryokan+Sakura+in+Kyoto+005.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kyomachiya Ryokan Sakura's warm welcoming entrance.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieXr0SiSAIBnGnUQm-j2uMbkMHZWDAMPZiLHZHoT8P1SlKFufn4jdpOoRgCrNhyphenhyphenf7EoLuR9xql5SGSN34376NGG3XkJQ8gu4dHrijZ24cdnuBJL2Xv35gWm6t8efHJqZQsgMgudQA6UBg/s1600/Kyomachiya+Ryokan+Sakura+in+Kyoto+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieXr0SiSAIBnGnUQm-j2uMbkMHZWDAMPZiLHZHoT8P1SlKFufn4jdpOoRgCrNhyphenhyphenf7EoLuR9xql5SGSN34376NGG3XkJQ8gu4dHrijZ24cdnuBJL2Xv35gWm6t8efHJqZQsgMgudQA6UBg/s400/Kyomachiya+Ryokan+Sakura+in+Kyoto+003.JPG" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our room</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Hd9RrqZSZErwcyPxmwAwfww97ax5lHL4976T8zNxq-J7X5fsYeISi1gYd32zMIMEIA0PMYQh50J0KUgBTf8rttefNb_bS1dmyu6wBpTk1odUfYJlFGX6ULWeeOuuvCajg7_YU5YzGs8/s1600/DSC_0120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Hd9RrqZSZErwcyPxmwAwfww97ax5lHL4976T8zNxq-J7X5fsYeISi1gYd32zMIMEIA0PMYQh50J0KUgBTf8rttefNb_bS1dmyu6wBpTk1odUfYJlFGX6ULWeeOuuvCajg7_YU5YzGs8/s400/DSC_0120.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The traditional Japanese breakfast was extremely satisfying.</td></tr>
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<br />
With three jet-lagged days in Kyoto, here's what we did to keep busy and warm.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Enjoying the temples and gardens without the crowds</h3>
The number of international visitors is far lower in the winter and it's actually possible to enjoy many sights in the serenity for which it was originally designed. Top rated sites like Fushimi Inari Shrine had a manageable number of visitors and many other sites were nearly empty. Thanks to our jet-lag, we were able to get out early and enjoy the sites before the early sunset.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPPq41iEJv0apG_3DdTxJKqbeGZyr0yWuYalhk5EiY_5wYjIwxNM8wYl6penAfI72TRZsY4bPl-1MwXQPYsbGBGtPmj2llEnlxT3Luf4NXWW9dVsxkDaTQYtrXC9KnuNgbt4Oanzhgk5s/s1600/IMG_20150201_150129+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPPq41iEJv0apG_3DdTxJKqbeGZyr0yWuYalhk5EiY_5wYjIwxNM8wYl6penAfI72TRZsY4bPl-1MwXQPYsbGBGtPmj2llEnlxT3Luf4NXWW9dVsxkDaTQYtrXC9KnuNgbt4Oanzhgk5s/s400/IMG_20150201_150129+-+adjusted.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shōren-in Temple</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8TgRqOPWuXdo0Gcp1pAABA3SdPQxH4rtcsGImuIJ5tiNl9-HLJA_9e4yKtruM5z6N-iNblYcUb1zK_-8FMy0c5m7PXHcpcyx7GGScAX5Xq9hyphenhyphenEDnsE15Ln9lxaqTqpI2zpC0umLuABs/s1600/Arashiyama+Bamboo+Grove+014+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8TgRqOPWuXdo0Gcp1pAABA3SdPQxH4rtcsGImuIJ5tiNl9-HLJA_9e4yKtruM5z6N-iNblYcUb1zK_-8FMy0c5m7PXHcpcyx7GGScAX5Xq9hyphenhyphenEDnsE15Ln9lxaqTqpI2zpC0umLuABs/s400/Arashiyama+Bamboo+Grove+014+-+adjusted.jpg" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arashiyama Bamboo Grove</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzweRh7t7yBi6BqGvd1-P8W_B2_23IWEtttZnKf9iwv_ui1ecDfnQVOG-Xkvcad21fCDJPEPv4rdPpmhS722mhbKkjYFplRZokM_4XV4Dm_7lKRNQjEea1hBhwjhvmGAuIicNIDDZ2-c/s1600/Fushimi+Inari+Shrine+040+-+adjusted.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzweRh7t7yBi6BqGvd1-P8W_B2_23IWEtttZnKf9iwv_ui1ecDfnQVOG-Xkvcad21fCDJPEPv4rdPpmhS722mhbKkjYFplRZokM_4XV4Dm_7lKRNQjEea1hBhwjhvmGAuIicNIDDZ2-c/s400/Fushimi+Inari+Shrine+040+-+adjusted.png" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With a warm jacket and tea shops along the way one can stroll through the whole grounds, sometimes completely alone.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLn6zgBmYc4_nA2cdO6hznsvWC-fUMi7mvmINuW0K44QQ8X7FxzlXqI8mt8T3ZthlaNKpUIRyk7_5bOWAuTSc2JU5ZTkx1thpZvc6wwcbpNDIT2Sy1HB27yAMuLflNNNHvn75SbKb5iyg/s1600/Fushimi+Inari+Shrine+032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLn6zgBmYc4_nA2cdO6hznsvWC-fUMi7mvmINuW0K44QQ8X7FxzlXqI8mt8T3ZthlaNKpUIRyk7_5bOWAuTSc2JU5ZTkx1thpZvc6wwcbpNDIT2Sy1HB27yAMuLflNNNHvn75SbKb5iyg/s400/Fushimi+Inari+Shrine+032.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fushimi Inari Shrine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTiNPNYNaPgoKwxK5EU6BEmiMJcKLyOzKVUkNZ6Hew-PWOb3AbViswEuf0zKVyrQ2DQnAh_54bs54bG8SxHPzjqdPgIktdjokWo2tzPG6QLkyCSkr31HlcCRSrlqaKjYWdSx8iHGZ85YU/s1600/Sh%25C5%258Dren-in+Temple+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTiNPNYNaPgoKwxK5EU6BEmiMJcKLyOzKVUkNZ6Hew-PWOb3AbViswEuf0zKVyrQ2DQnAh_54bs54bG8SxHPzjqdPgIktdjokWo2tzPG6QLkyCSkr31HlcCRSrlqaKjYWdSx8iHGZ85YU/s400/Sh%25C5%258Dren-in+Temple+003.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shōren-in Temple was nearly empty and we were able to have a zen moment.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pvvTdD7Oj9q3YrdIkLZALy8ZsylZo7SmQ4EXVQRuhfjEkdryX2MagzLTq5Zar2aA3rhpWH5Aib4c6P8WQpk4VDapzX8gthoHkoNfeHvRIOljDYXkNeT7ishDXK2Ccawzti5nbWHJqnM/s1600/Kodai-ji+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pvvTdD7Oj9q3YrdIkLZALy8ZsylZo7SmQ4EXVQRuhfjEkdryX2MagzLTq5Zar2aA3rhpWH5Aib4c6P8WQpk4VDapzX8gthoHkoNfeHvRIOljDYXkNeT7ishDXK2Ccawzti5nbWHJqnM/s400/Kodai-ji+007.JPG" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kodai-ji's gardens were tranqil with the silence of winter. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Not every temple was empty. Since it doesn't snow often in Kyoto and starts to melt away in the midday sun, a snow fall can bring out the Japanese crowds. We avoided the crowds at the Golden Pavilion but found plenty of people at Kiyomizu-dera Temple.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1J50NT6KIKqqjaijJKLTC2MLHr3qYYXRJUjVhr92HKHX6wbr_MeUibNH4YfSsSeDTE5O43-Pd-astlzAK0-6yvcXTJLl9dfD3tkQd8cP8UpJNcO6fzOYe08696VKydqConYc-lf86yA/s1600/IMG_20150201_094021+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1J50NT6KIKqqjaijJKLTC2MLHr3qYYXRJUjVhr92HKHX6wbr_MeUibNH4YfSsSeDTE5O43-Pd-astlzAK0-6yvcXTJLl9dfD3tkQd8cP8UpJNcO6fzOYe08696VKydqConYc-lf86yA/s400/IMG_20150201_094021+-+adjusted.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kiyomizu-dera was unseasonably crowded.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4aZH7qld772YK3XCwYYkVcpznkeqh0wtS-y0YtT1sC9cQ9_p8G7kESGPlbrmVC4iQ29CQLNIu-BTlWUdzA7vHeTcB3plMjmgANzTPvXiDmt4h_NB30ktfwq12yY2uoipiJr6T2de9tXo/s1600/IMG_20150201_101040+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4aZH7qld772YK3XCwYYkVcpznkeqh0wtS-y0YtT1sC9cQ9_p8G7kESGPlbrmVC4iQ29CQLNIu-BTlWUdzA7vHeTcB3plMjmgANzTPvXiDmt4h_NB30ktfwq12yY2uoipiJr6T2de9tXo/s400/IMG_20150201_101040+-+adjusted.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Warming up with ramen, udon and soba</h3>
Japan is renowned for its amazing food. And nothing is more satisfying on a chilly day than warming up with a hot tea and a delicious bowl of soup. With every area we explored, we also had a nearby place to get a warm bowl of soup.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7obt1YT6Tz_60Tu_hIbRir710u5SaX6hjGs9dLsrypChBTjVXD0YRCIzS1dBWPIRsiZd9dsrW4QbNSYrx4iK37wF-i8ybrH3HGyG5bCrrMTM-1dFSgipTxEt-gbGlxnzkiwksuHJJOCI/s1600/DSC_0117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7obt1YT6Tz_60Tu_hIbRir710u5SaX6hjGs9dLsrypChBTjVXD0YRCIzS1dBWPIRsiZd9dsrW4QbNSYrx4iK37wF-i8ybrH3HGyG5bCrrMTM-1dFSgipTxEt-gbGlxnzkiwksuHJJOCI/s400/DSC_0117.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sobanomi Yoshimura Restaurant specialized in homemade soba noddles. Both the set menus of warm and cold soba were excellent. They even had soba ice cream.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxY10tBmygv33F5z-N5vtgtmK8pFFkY0pFGPgmLKX_yWdj1npKyeTzJMb2mvw5UK3ooOJA5YwDxJM8N0ytfT6fB_A2zWCc0mDZ0CFShzInazVFrY7fcjhxk1GNniHRPqcXQkZLqqkxL0M/s1600/DSC_0127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxY10tBmygv33F5z-N5vtgtmK8pFFkY0pFGPgmLKX_yWdj1npKyeTzJMb2mvw5UK3ooOJA5YwDxJM8N0ytfT6fB_A2zWCc0mDZ0CFShzInazVFrY7fcjhxk1GNniHRPqcXQkZLqqkxL0M/s400/DSC_0127.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Udon noodles are traditionally plated
separately and each chopstick full is dipped in a rich broth before
eating.<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Myodai Omen Kodaiji Restaurant.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLPyrkv3yBx5C_aVa7KL2v-FwgI_0qSBKKouLJTyFgYTBfgaEubtMhe9kmoO1kbeCoxL0ku95jEUsZ-9K_VyXtSZwaS9CG0gEuy4h51jgZB4UtCwUZ6FOgu23VFLAg9iju_CeBvYu5Dg/s1600/DSC_0152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLPyrkv3yBx5C_aVa7KL2v-FwgI_0qSBKKouLJTyFgYTBfgaEubtMhe9kmoO1kbeCoxL0ku95jEUsZ-9K_VyXtSZwaS9CG0gEuy4h51jgZB4UtCwUZ6FOgu23VFLAg9iju_CeBvYu5Dg/s400/DSC_0152.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">World famous and now world wide Ippudo is still popular with the locals. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT1reydUv522ps1fG2XhPV4nTj6a8SVFEm9Cif1QZU03f_hFn4n5z0-v4j8VyLdb5jotNcUfJkZB0zgej1LsOe2-BZfVHcjjSTf62b3fx0Vovzt8n3CeNpFyrAwnvX7VyH26rhSf_WZOY/s1600/DSC_0150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT1reydUv522ps1fG2XhPV4nTj6a8SVFEm9Cif1QZU03f_hFn4n5z0-v4j8VyLdb5jotNcUfJkZB0zgej1LsOe2-BZfVHcjjSTf62b3fx0Vovzt8n3CeNpFyrAwnvX7VyH26rhSf_WZOY/s400/DSC_0150.JPG" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With a
limited lunch menu and many communal tables, locals are here for the serious business of eating and getting on with their day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Nothing screams Japan more than incorporating technology into your meal. Ginjoramenkubota arguably serves the best ramen. It's a hole-in-the-wall shop with a machine to order your food from and a small counter to eat at. You select your ramen at the machine, pay for your order and then the machine gives you a ticket. Bring your ticket to the counter where a cook will immediately start on your ramen and you'll be eating within minutes. It's fast, cheap, convenient and so delicious.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimFLrCPVjLVSErr9E7DWMKbs3QasveNget05zkoGzwwRKOpKJDwWO1o47OO4m58x9PI1fkBVl2xdN7l7WOhM3xa0F09hpdj7cRTaFYAKd7389w48suB_xb8IbTJ457Lxmx-IUdDVVb51E/s1600/Ginjoramenkubota+Restaurant+001+-+altered.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimFLrCPVjLVSErr9E7DWMKbs3QasveNget05zkoGzwwRKOpKJDwWO1o47OO4m58x9PI1fkBVl2xdN7l7WOhM3xa0F09hpdj7cRTaFYAKd7389w48suB_xb8IbTJ457Lxmx-IUdDVVb51E/s400/Ginjoramenkubota+Restaurant+001+-+altered.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ginjoramenkubota has a modest store front.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOGtEg4Y_MO4vN2VXnVNW9YtNyOYRqTcat7Ow0ZuvX-0MQnQ2SS5fXyE0swSdD3csEDOEuQMpu7y3qCNPcQsuKIgZH9vk5UMOUcJTXrQmhR9103jXqAqt6SnjsnDYMcl31X-ytSJwHrbA/s1600/DSC_0137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOGtEg4Y_MO4vN2VXnVNW9YtNyOYRqTcat7Ow0ZuvX-0MQnQ2SS5fXyE0swSdD3csEDOEuQMpu7y3qCNPcQsuKIgZH9vk5UMOUcJTXrQmhR9103jXqAqt6SnjsnDYMcl31X-ytSJwHrbA/s400/DSC_0137.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing our fingers that we ordered the right thing.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0GFhK5p4zwhp35YjdnRNMjxLmKTqBHHjuT8-q_cylp_DcdbZFhQ7nSeZ58SNNyY24Rftep3Q1COGYfemppHB1s6ZeRsCPJoomyx7KSyWE0Pn0sYYfe6PVOBoLph4WNTPglvBtz4LIlfY/s1600/15+-+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0GFhK5p4zwhp35YjdnRNMjxLmKTqBHHjuT8-q_cylp_DcdbZFhQ7nSeZ58SNNyY24Rftep3Q1COGYfemppHB1s6ZeRsCPJoomyx7KSyWE0Pn0sYYfe6PVOBoLph4WNTPglvBtz4LIlfY/s400/15+-+5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh my gosh, it was delicious.</td></tr>
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The biggest downside of eating in Japan was the occasional smoking section. Though we were lucky enough not be seated next to a smoker, there was always a fear of what the neighboring table might pull out of their pocket.<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Staying warm by moving our feet</h3>
We did a fair amount of walking between taking (toasty warm) public transportation. We spent one afternoon in Gion doing the walking tour from the Lonely Planet travel book. With small crowds and a dusting of snow on the rooftops, it was our favorite afternoon.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj72TS1wjg6BTVTFAgJc7q4VRdD5Wqqt1Od4gq2AkkU9QsVveBjRhb8YzF-Dtn_B8_XDi7j-Yw4aQbSRluVRNrz4BP4AamDHmN9Ztis-HxVSmFnv-uiCIYV-9_oFayhX357_OtCfy76vY8/s1600/Sannen-zaka+Street+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj72TS1wjg6BTVTFAgJc7q4VRdD5Wqqt1Od4gq2AkkU9QsVveBjRhb8YzF-Dtn_B8_XDi7j-Yw4aQbSRluVRNrz4BP4AamDHmN9Ztis-HxVSmFnv-uiCIYV-9_oFayhX357_OtCfy76vY8/s400/Sannen-zaka+Street+003.JPG" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sannen-zaka Street in the Higashiyama District.</td></tr>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Need to warm up again? Pop into a shop for a snack.</h3>
I really don't need an excuse to stop for a snack while on vacation, but warming up at the same time had us stopping more than usual. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0mIGg9x0JlBq70zCzcVISaCt1TLzX5ZHfwLK5zVFq1jqlQCOOzjezU3iN9xvh7NTI1hlWS3pnjmkBtYwcPjkfemX5CVGEp3l2kAbBeJPCG_Jfh8Gv46spNqNgd2X7Z6Q673HCD3p2SAg/s1600/Kasagi-Ya+Restaurant+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0mIGg9x0JlBq70zCzcVISaCt1TLzX5ZHfwLK5zVFq1jqlQCOOzjezU3iN9xvh7NTI1hlWS3pnjmkBtYwcPjkfemX5CVGEp3l2kAbBeJPCG_Jfh8Gv46spNqNgd2X7Z6Q673HCD3p2SAg/s400/Kasagi-Ya+Restaurant+002.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warmed up at Kasagi-ya Tea House; a small shop in the Gion serving a small array of local treats and tea.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cj8M0YRCh5MyvgbD2PE-EP2-xCTVZMgiGPEY5pvWRLyG5U3r3hQP3dCHEDH2LnO7fTq6ZbQyERlDxdA5JqWJUJiEviVfVWMhh-mWuPprDcQ2g4R6e2ASNncSm0346B_y6PesMDfokrY/s1600/IMG_20150202_143228+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cj8M0YRCh5MyvgbD2PE-EP2-xCTVZMgiGPEY5pvWRLyG5U3r3hQP3dCHEDH2LnO7fTq6ZbQyERlDxdA5JqWJUJiEviVfVWMhh-mWuPprDcQ2g4R6e2ASNncSm0346B_y6PesMDfokrY/s400/IMG_20150202_143228+-+adjusted.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nishiki Market sells an array of Japanese food, pottery, and other knick-knacks.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdc9Wut5KWUpXMxPPf0FJJeG4P4z4BcWrzaHpMQOWqz-_Rl1NTnzWwIWspQeC1cihG70aLodGRpmp7eLbsJU-RdYypnTmU1qkrJ1R4QeayNoPtAYMsVa2NOcMnE6Al8mla3_AjcP7LLeg/s1600/matcha.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdc9Wut5KWUpXMxPPf0FJJeG4P4z4BcWrzaHpMQOWqz-_Rl1NTnzWwIWspQeC1cihG70aLodGRpmp7eLbsJU-RdYypnTmU1qkrJ1R4QeayNoPtAYMsVa2NOcMnE6Al8mla3_AjcP7LLeg/s400/matcha.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matcha snack breaks.</td></tr>
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<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
This won't be our last trip to Kyoto </h3>
Overall we enjoyed our time in Kyoto. Although we were a bit jet-lagged, we were able to see as much as we had hoped for. There was more to see, but honestly this did not bother us too much because we're already daydreaming of our next visit.</div>
Laurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05848291077777206180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131555610866497086.post-43143991973983724892015-11-01T16:15:00.001-08:002015-11-01T16:25:11.190-08:00Bhutan: the hiking and culture of the Himalayas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Laure, my mom and I celebrated last New Years hiking and learning the beautiful culture and religion of Bhutan.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAY0wvKH3yGYrYVfluytwZxY7H_dWI6xZexNw73LCVi8LQYLLNyfYn9wArbDUZv0ADRv8SD5gYoZmWomgX8aJ7mSrkZqoX-sZAs2Zu8peU-aUqxk_eIXEFietiBB2Uz6qJXLeQRNlTzc/s1600/Bhutan+Travel+Map.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAY0wvKH3yGYrYVfluytwZxY7H_dWI6xZexNw73LCVi8LQYLLNyfYn9wArbDUZv0ADRv8SD5gYoZmWomgX8aJ7mSrkZqoX-sZAs2Zu8peU-aUqxk_eIXEFietiBB2Uz6qJXLeQRNlTzc/s400/Bhutan+Travel+Map.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We toured the more populated and accessible western region that contains most of the tourist sites.</td></tr>
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We decided to go to Bhutan after learning how its culture and nature are impressively well preserved. Its Tibetan Buddhism is widely respected and ubiquitous. The locals revere their beautiful mountains; many of which are remote and wild.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c364J017Kwg/VfSSrHO9bcI/AAAAAAAAr7c/cFe6Zat3VF4/s1600/DSC_0744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c364J017Kwg/VfSSrHO9bcI/AAAAAAAAr7c/cFe6Zat3VF4/s400/DSC_0744.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Bhutanese Buddhist temples are often nestled high up on the himalayan mountains.<br />Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten.</span></td></tr>
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The reason why Bhutan is a relatively pristine travel destination is that most tourists (except those from Bangladesh, India, and Maldives) must be accompanied by government licensed tour guides practically at all times. Additionally, these government regulated tours have a fixed all-inclusive daily price that is costly enough to scare most tourists away. But after much thinking, we decided to bite the bullet and visit for a week.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Day 1: Arrival in Paro and wedding anniversary in Thimphu</h3>
Bhutan is connected by flights with only four other countries: Nepal, India, Bangladesh, and Thailand. We decided to fly in and out through Bangkok, which has daily connections.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BtmlxZcEiN0/VfSSrLtV6_I/AAAAAAAAsLk/zeWcMwTbjhA/s1600/Bangkok%2BThailand%2Bto%2BParo%2BBhutan%2B003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BtmlxZcEiN0/VfSSrLtV6_I/AAAAAAAAsLk/zeWcMwTbjhA/s400/Bangkok%2BThailand%2Bto%2BParo%2BBhutan%2B003.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laure and my mom on the way to Bhutan.</td></tr>
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Our guide Rana and the accompanying driver Kesan from the <a href="http://www.bhutanrebirth.com/">Bhutan Rebirth</a> guiding company cordially received us at the airport in Paro. Our first stop was at an old iron chain bridge built circa 14th century. This is one of dozens of suspension iron bridges that are said to be single handedly built by Thangtong Gyalpo, who was not only a iron blacksmith but also a civil engineer and a spiritual leader.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FFxKopQ741c/Vf37LeU-GCI/AAAAAAAAsMY/FXS38bCZ2vY/s1600/DSC_0459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FFxKopQ741c/Vf37LeU-GCI/AAAAAAAAsMY/FXS38bCZ2vY/s400/DSC_0459.JPG" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of many of Thangtong Gyalpo's suspension iron bridges.</td></tr>
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At the end of the bridge, he also built a stupa, which is the place of worship commonly associated with Tibetan Buddhism.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WlKOuF3hH7U/VfSSrJQj5PI/AAAAAAAAr7k/FsJ4Jj6IXzc/s1600/DSC_0470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WlKOuF3hH7U/VfSSrJQj5PI/AAAAAAAAr7k/FsJ4Jj6IXzc/s400/DSC_0470.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Each tiny ceramic in this holy stupa contains someone's ashes.</td></tr>
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After getting back on the road, we checked out some vendors selling local goods.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SYiCxtIwZlk/VfSSrEWpWsI/AAAAAAAAr7c/-guQqscSdx8/s1600/DSC_0473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SYiCxtIwZlk/VfSSrEWpWsI/AAAAAAAAr7c/-guQqscSdx8/s400/DSC_0473.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dried (possibly yak) cheese.</td></tr>
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We then arrived at Thimphu, which is the capital and largest city of Bhutan and where we made our home base for two nights.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0Nd3epWONsnpdmV0gtHsfxMTAVPXXPVa72tb8LYMrL_F0HdzsPxd6zVZsqOVuyTEPOVCKv8KvBs2J6h9WaU6h443ENMqhQMXzXu1mC5p3sT-5W52bhjv0X_YCIYHc4E-1WTNfVqd6Fg/s1600/DSC_0475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0Nd3epWONsnpdmV0gtHsfxMTAVPXXPVa72tb8LYMrL_F0HdzsPxd6zVZsqOVuyTEPOVCKv8KvBs2J6h9WaU6h443ENMqhQMXzXu1mC5p3sT-5W52bhjv0X_YCIYHc4E-1WTNfVqd6Fg/s400/DSC_0475.JPG" width="343" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pedling is a simple but comfortable hotel in the heart of Thimphu.</td></tr>
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After a short rest, we went up a mountain with a giant golden buddha statue overlooking Thimphu. When the construction is fully completed, this statue of Buddha Dordenma will house 100,000 smaller Buddha statues.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gB59ybKEIsc/VfSSrNP6VCI/AAAAAAAAsL0/udmrXIxuhSU/s1600/DSC_0488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gB59ybKEIsc/VfSSrNP6VCI/AAAAAAAAsL0/udmrXIxuhSU/s400/DSC_0488.JPG" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buddha Dordenma is sort of like Bhutan's Christ the Redeemer.</td></tr>
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We visited other sites near Thimphu including the first of many monasteries.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZE9fbadiTvk/VfSSrCBXY0I/AAAAAAAAr7g/lILn4eEfi1U/s1600/DSC_0503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZE9fbadiTvk/VfSSrCBXY0I/AAAAAAAAr7g/lILn4eEfi1U/s400/DSC_0503.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These Buddhist prayer wheels should always be spun clockwise.<br />
On the wheels are mantras, which are words believed to contain spiritual power.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JNxsVuANT54/VfSSrH4ygAI/AAAAAAAAr7g/PcHML97xMEc/s1600/DSC_0527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JNxsVuANT54/VfSSrH4ygAI/AAAAAAAAr7g/PcHML97xMEc/s400/DSC_0527.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We came across this house where they produced hand woven silk scarves.<br />
I picked up a stylish red one to go with my cool blue jacket.</td></tr>
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At night, the guiding tour owner Keshav had kindly agreed to set up a special date night for me and Laure to celebrate our wedding anniversary.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gro6XNIhfFQ/VfSSrFbWZGI/AAAAAAAAsRY/6XCEK8s68hE/s1600/DSC_0553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gro6XNIhfFQ/VfSSrFbWZGI/AAAAAAAAsRY/6XCEK8s68hE/s400/DSC_0553.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our candle-lit wedding anniversary dinner was set up as a surprise for Laure.<br />
This year's theme was flowers.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zkSlYafwxh4/VfSSrBkqWLI/AAAAAAAAr7w/v1fCTFQ17kM/s1600/IMG_20141230_200933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zkSlYafwxh4/VfSSrBkqWLI/AAAAAAAAr7w/v1fCTFQ17kM/s400/IMG_20141230_200933.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We should have taken a photo before we started eating the cake.<br />
We gave the rest of it to other guests and staff at our hotel.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnaq3NoRtHz_q_jDwflROXE52i2yrs0IQvjdg-YDuOzzWz5VXjqSrocaKdMQq9CYF3MNhd1rxlXz_O3waoYGewZgxkKof6jpNZUjrv8fOaHELwQciqI3ebllLqX97IybTVpPQYTdm5uc/s1600/DSC_0557+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnaq3NoRtHz_q_jDwflROXE52i2yrs0IQvjdg-YDuOzzWz5VXjqSrocaKdMQq9CYF3MNhd1rxlXz_O3waoYGewZgxkKof6jpNZUjrv8fOaHELwQciqI3ebllLqX97IybTVpPQYTdm5uc/s400/DSC_0557+%25281%2529.JPG" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keshav also presented us with this nice scroll of a buddha.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Day 2: Tango Monastery hike and a paper factory</h3>
On our second day, we went on our first hike, which was to Tango Monastery on a mountain a couple of hours up from the trailhead.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cOZGSS1d9qM/VfSSrH0auyI/AAAAAAAAr7g/WNbinsl5vEw/s1600/DSC_0568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cOZGSS1d9qM/VfSSrH0auyI/AAAAAAAAr7g/WNbinsl5vEw/s400/DSC_0568.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"May I be a doctor, medicine and nurse for all sick beings in the world until everyone is cured."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4LPjcQpy_ys/VfSSrPUpWyI/AAAAAAAAr7g/tvFmEVjmgv4/s1600/DSC_0571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4LPjcQpy_ys/VfSSrPUpWyI/AAAAAAAAr7g/tvFmEVjmgv4/s400/DSC_0571.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rickety cable car transporting supplies to the monastery.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NkmKW-xHMPk/VfSSrITcwCI/AAAAAAAAr7w/1Wvixz1k1A0/s1600/DSC_0591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NkmKW-xHMPk/VfSSrITcwCI/AAAAAAAAr7w/1Wvixz1k1A0/s400/DSC_0591.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Tango Monastery.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After the monastery, we visited a traditional paper factory, where they gave us a demonstration of this manual process.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FaHbeLHSc3g/VfSSrH25zrI/AAAAAAAAr7g/bwf9kjdYc-s/s1600/DSC_0618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FaHbeLHSc3g/VfSSrH25zrI/AAAAAAAAr7g/bwf9kjdYc-s/s400/DSC_0618.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making paper out of plants.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fxlUHCIqmgk/VfSSrOV5cYI/AAAAAAAAr7w/LzPftQBcR84/s1600/DSC_0623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fxlUHCIqmgk/VfSSrOV5cYI/AAAAAAAAr7w/LzPftQBcR84/s400/DSC_0623.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Papers being hung to dry.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
At night, Laure ventured out from our hotel in Thimphu to check out the nearby night vendors. It was New Year's Eve and although it may not be as big of a party as in most western countries, some people were still out celebrating. Unfortunately we had to wake up early to go on a hike the next day, so we briefly celebrated at the hotel and went to bed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_DD3cfvsgQY/VfSSrFNetzI/AAAAAAAAr7c/kWjJH9_ET7o/s1600/IMG_20141231_180754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_DD3cfvsgQY/VfSSrFNetzI/AAAAAAAAr7c/kWjJH9_ET7o/s400/IMG_20141231_180754.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Produce at Thimphu night vendors.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Day 3: Dochula Pass hike and the arrival at our first homestay in Lobesa</h3>
Next day, we left Thimphu and went on the biggest hike to visit a couple of monasteries on the mountains east of the Dochula Pass. This was my mom's first high altitude hike reaching 3,541 meters (11,617 ft) at its highest point. We moved slowly in order to maximize oxygen intake at high altitude and our efforts were rewarded with beautiful views of the Bhutanese Himalayas.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vq5eacGwsh4/VfSSrJcN2VI/AAAAAAAAr7c/HTy74cX05Jg/s1600/DSC_0637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vq5eacGwsh4/VfSSrJcN2VI/AAAAAAAAr7c/HTy74cX05Jg/s400/DSC_0637.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beginning of the Dochula Pass hike.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WBELiLgXNNc/VfSSrKXIqxI/AAAAAAAAr7k/VZZuXffHzHs/s1600/DSC_0649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WBELiLgXNNc/VfSSrKXIqxI/AAAAAAAAr7k/VZZuXffHzHs/s400/DSC_0649.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first monastery has commanding views of the valleys below.<br />
It also has cute dogs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pzTSWG88oNU/Vgh1nu5LVAI/AAAAAAAAseA/aWoLcZh4mYc/s1600/DSC_0662%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pzTSWG88oNU/Vgh1nu5LVAI/AAAAAAAAseA/aWoLcZh4mYc/s400/DSC_0662%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lead monk explained how they used traditional methods for building their homes.<br />
He also invited us to come back on a longer trip to stay and learn more about their religion and customs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rcdg9qztM58/VfSSrDaSl6I/AAAAAAAAr7k/RHS4BvAokHo/s1600/DSC_0652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rcdg9qztM58/VfSSrDaSl6I/AAAAAAAAr7k/RHS4BvAokHo/s400/DSC_0652.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We took a quick snack before we continued our hike.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cgstnkDgES4/VfSSrHOKkrI/AAAAAAAAr7g/SfaEFdBVFJA/s1600/DSC_0690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cgstnkDgES4/VfSSrHOKkrI/AAAAAAAAr7g/SfaEFdBVFJA/s400/DSC_0690.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mother's first high altitude climb is nothing to sneeze at: a 882 meter climb to summit at 3,541 meters (11,617 feet).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z1Ly3i0JtcM/VfSSrObRQJI/AAAAAAAAr7c/7zeuPXX02-U/s1600/IMG_20150101_151257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z1Ly3i0JtcM/VfSSrObRQJI/AAAAAAAAr7c/7zeuPXX02-U/s400/IMG_20150101_151257.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bhutanese stupas and prayer flags mark the summit.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWj5SH9_Trrl8uDTEiAKvjxEfhgYv0z_06x2QI-PxT4Ntb8D2ffIe109hj1P3lnn4QW24qCwaVR7G0f1Ys-H_B50J6dbUgroVjP6BwM8LfmGKROFArWjzpkmTqYVCMC0DWQfcSr_dsIQ/s1600/C7siqXHUkT6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWj5SH9_Trrl8uDTEiAKvjxEfhgYv0z_06x2QI-PxT4Ntb8D2ffIe109hj1P3lnn4QW24qCwaVR7G0f1Ys-H_B50J6dbUgroVjP6BwM8LfmGKROFArWjzpkmTqYVCMC0DWQfcSr_dsIQ/s400/C7siqXHUkT6.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See our <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/238084680">GPS tracks</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After our hike, we got back on the road and got stuck for several hours on terribly deadlocked traffic. Several roads were under construction where they regularly closed them multiple times per day. When the roads were open, the traffic would often get deadlocked on narrow single lane mountain roads.<br />
<br />
But we were well welcomed when we arrived at our next destination: our homestay at a small village named Lobesa.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3fKp1rZVPH0/VfSSrED51RI/AAAAAAAAr7w/-ki0k66CuWU/s1600/DSC_0713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3fKp1rZVPH0/VfSSrED51RI/AAAAAAAAr7w/-ki0k66CuWU/s400/DSC_0713.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our hospitable hosts at our homestay in Lobesa.<br />
One of the heads of the household traditionally serves foods for everyone.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TLbXpHzjf2Q/VfSSrFOU-dI/AAAAAAAAr7c/9Ujtc5cc0YE/s1600/DSC_0716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TLbXpHzjf2Q/VfSSrFOU-dI/AAAAAAAAr7c/9Ujtc5cc0YE/s400/DSC_0716.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We ate many local flavorful dishes prepared by the household.<br />
Some of the dishes had a nice kick of chili.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F-k1FiyQgrw/VfSSrAOgnGI/AAAAAAAAr7w/HJa-TbQNr7Y/s1600/DSC_0717%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F-k1FiyQgrw/VfSSrAOgnGI/AAAAAAAAr7w/HJa-TbQNr7Y/s400/DSC_0717%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Our host family was a couple with two kids living in a house that had been handed down over generations. The home was simple, clean and comfortable. The son and his friend fluently spoke English in addition to Bhutanese and Hindi. Apparently Bhutanese television plays a lot of Indian programs.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0mXSG_X0528/VfSSrH1w3PI/AAAAAAAAr7o/eL5hYD13828/s400/DSC_0722.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our host's friend and the son of the family.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7e6zOfcQf0o/VfSSrKMRRaI/AAAAAAAAr7o/xeASZhANc04/s1600/DSC_0720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7e6zOfcQf0o/VfSSrKMRRaI/AAAAAAAAr7o/xeASZhANc04/s400/DSC_0720.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They taught me how to chew a digestive named Doma; something we had <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/116179285459155839010/DelhiIndia?authkey=Gv1sRgCI6P-OTmluHTyAE&feat=directlink#5766736606742181506">also tried in India</a>.<br />
It's somewhat bitter and chewy, so it takes a while to get used to it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3>
Day 4: Nyinlong holiday and the Bhutanese hot bath</h3>
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<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mev_dACE0rI/VgiCOaGYHpI/AAAAAAAAsfE/6GQ2JKwx_mw/s1600/Thimphu%2BHomestay%2B056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mev_dACE0rI/VgiCOaGYHpI/AAAAAAAAsfE/6GQ2JKwx_mw/s400/Thimphu%2BHomestay%2B056.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Next morning we were greeted with milk tea in bed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br />
At our homestay we found out that January 2nd is a special day named Nyinlong, which is considered the most auspicious day in Bhutan. It is sort of like a more traditional New Years celebration in this part of Bhutan.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5iYC_sZNFHw/VgiCOQMilTI/AAAAAAAAsfI/o4-XOL7BZ6w/s1600/Thimphu%2BHomestay%2B060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5iYC_sZNFHw/VgiCOQMilTI/AAAAAAAAsfI/o4-XOL7BZ6w/s400/Thimphu%2BHomestay%2B060.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the morning of the Nyinlong, we drank this traditional drink named Tupe, which I probably misspelled.<br />
It's sort of like rice porridge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sMdBgqMGydE/VfSSrKJBvcI/AAAAAAAAr7o/Qe99zFf7H0s/s1600/Thimphu%2BHomestay%2B058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sMdBgqMGydE/VfSSrKJBvcI/AAAAAAAAr7o/Qe99zFf7H0s/s400/Thimphu%2BHomestay%2B058.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mom and the host family's daughter quickly became good friends.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Throughout the day, we toured the Punakha region, which used to be the earlier capital of Bhutan.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v9iNk9UtBWg/VfSSrELv3nI/AAAAAAAAr7o/Wki7RGssVU8/s1600/DSC_0760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v9iNk9UtBWg/VfSSrELv3nI/AAAAAAAAr7o/Wki7RGssVU8/s400/DSC_0760.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We saw people playing archery, which is Bhutan's national sport.<br />
It is traditional to play it on Nyinlong (January 2nd).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c364J017Kwg/VfSSrHO9bcI/AAAAAAAAr7c/cFe6Zat3VF4/s1600/DSC_0744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c364J017Kwg/VfSSrHO9bcI/AAAAAAAAr7c/cFe6Zat3VF4/s400/DSC_0744.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of many Bhutanese Buddhist temples: Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-encmdIsjEAk/VfSSrFwGB8I/AAAAAAAAshA/hdckb17NlOk/s1600/DSC_0773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-encmdIsjEAk/VfSSrFwGB8I/AAAAAAAAshA/hdckb17NlOk/s400/DSC_0773.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mom briefly joined Punakha<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> female monks watching TV on their day off monastery teachings.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2aVasBkLZpE/VfSSrMceORI/AAAAAAAAr7g/S92sqmJCLfE/s1600/DSC_0774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2aVasBkLZpE/VfSSrMceORI/AAAAAAAAr7g/S92sqmJCLfE/s400/DSC_0774.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Punakha Dzong is a fortress that served as Bhutan's earlier administrative and religious center.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GYgqU6ZQD7A/VfSSrDBGOOI/AAAAAAAAr7s/G7K7mlDaLg4/s1600/DSC_0780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GYgqU6ZQD7A/VfSSrDBGOOI/AAAAAAAAr7s/G7K7mlDaLg4/s400/DSC_0780.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The people from the high-altitude villages of Laya are traditionally yak herders that make three to four days treks to Punakha.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZeOJjv6OoaA/VfSSrJV6tQI/AAAAAAAAr7c/_vwID7PrCgc/s1600/DSC_0784.MOV" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZeOJjv6OoaA/VfSSrJV6tQI/AAAAAAAAr7c/_vwID7PrCgc/s400/DSC_0784.MOV" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We saw a ceremony celebrating the King's birthday.<br />
The monks chanting mantras sound spiritually awesome.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br />
Back at our homestay, our hosts prepared a special treat for us: a traditional Bhutanese hot stone bath.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rj1-X6qgRX4/VfSSrKhOzJI/AAAAAAAAsoc/kKunzXzTBBM/s1600/Thimphu%2BHomestay%2B005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rj1-X6qgRX4/VfSSrKhOzJI/AAAAAAAAsoc/kKunzXzTBBM/s400/Thimphu%2BHomestay%2B005.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our host heated up local stones in a fire outside their house.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lM2G84PdvL4/VfSSrATFj9I/AAAAAAAAr7g/IOjmoJHWa7M/s400/Thimphu%2BHomestay%2B009.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Next, he quickly cooled down each stone...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcpuor8I9RlZDWOSvB5nDEbQSsDYbw9W0pP-QCWxdsxNDIUaEl5IaQ7vOLl58qCqBGU_j3FAl9oNRpWG_JMIIpvfejXNufeyjxADxEvNWzqAky0-zrKXzwUKefc3xH9bDsGptMHlADoQs/s1600/Thimphu+Homestay+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcpuor8I9RlZDWOSvB5nDEbQSsDYbw9W0pP-QCWxdsxNDIUaEl5IaQ7vOLl58qCqBGU_j3FAl9oNRpWG_JMIIpvfejXNufeyjxADxEvNWzqAky0-zrKXzwUKefc3xH9bDsGptMHlADoQs/s400/Thimphu+Homestay+007.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... and added it to a small compartment of the wooden tub.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-15u7nX_nbvw/VfSSrPKKauI/AAAAAAAAsos/6aim9lyUGQ0/s1600/Thimphu%2BHomestay%2B031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-15u7nX_nbvw/VfSSrPKKauI/AAAAAAAAsos/6aim9lyUGQ0/s400/Thimphu%2BHomestay%2B031.JPG" width="283" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We finally enjoyed the candlelit hot stone bath... while cooking ourselves.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SGxV8zQ6aTk/VfSSrPggcBI/AAAAAAAAr7k/0Mz0WQyH7ug/s1600/Thimphu%2BHomestay%2B039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SGxV8zQ6aTk/VfSSrPggcBI/AAAAAAAAr7k/0Mz0WQyH7ug/s400/Thimphu%2BHomestay%2B039.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cold milk is the traditional drink after a hot stone bath.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
At the night marking the special day named Nyinlong, groups of local ladies went around the neighborhood chanting songs and receiving food in return. Although I don't fully understand the tradition, the best American analogy I can give is that it seemed somewhat of a mix of Christmas caroling and trick or treating.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ugKAOgEmluzxQ94AtMZCEx4bgrd5mLOULFnRntdY45vm-IaWdHIHlOSPkyxXP86fVBLrambkTJ0uhCpk0LhSOmQw9RENQi5CP7GOCbTsEyTAgFcB66quxJdannrlFPDuQvCxKV1W7H0/s1600/Thimphu+Homestay+055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ugKAOgEmluzxQ94AtMZCEx4bgrd5mLOULFnRntdY45vm-IaWdHIHlOSPkyxXP86fVBLrambkTJ0uhCpk0LhSOmQw9RENQi5CP7GOCbTsEyTAgFcB66quxJdannrlFPDuQvCxKV1W7H0/s400/Thimphu+Homestay+055.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After listening to their songs, our hostess gave them some rice.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZsHGvo121wQ/VfSSrHA_WoI/AAAAAAAAr7o/61Io9dAnxaA/s1600/Thimphu%2BHomestay%2B051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZsHGvo121wQ/VfSSrHA_WoI/AAAAAAAAr7o/61Io9dAnxaA/s400/Thimphu%2BHomestay%2B051.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She also gave each a shot of home made liquor that is strong enough to make you breathe fire.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Day 5: Fertility Temple and our second homestay in Paro</h3>
Next morning, we said goodbye to our lovely hosts that treated us so well.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0I_OKdwCgBo/VfSSrE3oJ8I/AAAAAAAAr7k/41vqHkIEn2A/s1600/Thimphu%2BHomestay%2B005%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0I_OKdwCgBo/VfSSrE3oJ8I/AAAAAAAAr7k/41vqHkIEn2A/s400/Thimphu%2BHomestay%2B005%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks for the awesome hospitality!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We then visited the famous fertility temple nearby. Its founder, Drukpa Kunley, taught the Bhutanese that it is possible to become enlightened and still lead a healthy sex life. As a result, he was very open about sexuality, which explains the ubiquity of paintings and sculptures of ejaculating penises.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vDAZevFGtLs/VfSSrBFKP8I/AAAAAAAAr7o/kXTTD94RRUQ/s1600/IMG_20150103_100817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vDAZevFGtLs/VfSSrBFKP8I/AAAAAAAAr7o/kXTTD94RRUQ/s400/IMG_20150103_100817.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of several tourist shops near the fertility temple.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Even some of the relics in the temple were phalluses, which are considered sacred fertility symbols. As with everywhere else in the world, they decided to use male and not female genitals to represent fertility.</div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gmbNwZQrLcQ/VfSSrHbWptI/AAAAAAAAr7g/asX2JSb81ls/s1600/DSC_0852.MOV" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gmbNwZQrLcQ/VfSSrHbWptI/AAAAAAAAr7g/asX2JSb81ls/s400/DSC_0852.MOV" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mom got into the habit of spinning the prayer wheels.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<br />
After checking out the fertility temple, we got back on the road to Paro.</div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="277" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5R-5e06u3ck/VfSSrAY5t8I/AAAAAAAAspM/m8F-WSTUcBY/s400/Yak%2B002.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We came across this yak near the road.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<br />
On the way to Paro, we asked to stop at capital city Thimphu so that we can walk around the city center and check out the local businesses and get a better feel for everyday life in Bhutan.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MGvSNjNriZA/VfSSrC6mCVI/AAAAAAAAr7w/Qi428WP2-Co/s1600/Bakery%2Bin%2BThimphu%2B004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MGvSNjNriZA/VfSSrC6mCVI/AAAAAAAAr7w/Qi428WP2-Co/s400/Bakery%2Bin%2BThimphu%2B004.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laure getting some freshly baked pastries in Thimphu.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Arriving in Paro, we were welcomed by our next homestay hosts, who kindly showed us to their comfortable home. This was a relatively modern homestay where we had our own building to sleep. The family also had a separate building with multiple rooms and a stone bath, in which Laure and I indulged.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-83VlWcFnxNg/VfSSrJgSebI/AAAAAAAAr7s/9qjhN5Jhb4Q/s1600/Paro%2BHomestay%2B001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-83VlWcFnxNg/VfSSrJgSebI/AAAAAAAAr7s/9qjhN5Jhb4Q/s400/Paro%2BHomestay%2B001.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The homestay's common guest area.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j6mDlgM6AfY/VfSSrEcho1I/AAAAAAAAr7c/7DL5s5pHO3E/s1600/Paro%2BHomestay%2B005%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j6mDlgM6AfY/VfSSrEcho1I/AAAAAAAAr7c/7DL5s5pHO3E/s400/Paro%2BHomestay%2B005%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laure settled in with Mochi and Rug.<br />
These more modern rooms even had space heaters.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7uyNx3Pe2tg/VfSSrG37lTI/AAAAAAAAr7w/WbN7wP8DuWA/s1600/Paro%2BHomestay%2B003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7uyNx3Pe2tg/VfSSrG37lTI/AAAAAAAAr7w/WbN7wP8DuWA/s400/Paro%2BHomestay%2B003.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our hosts prepared dinner for us in their cozy kitchen.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MwunObIS-4c/VfSSrNdz_5I/AAAAAAAAr7w/_JM2WiWPRKQ/s400/Paro%2BHomestay%2B007.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner with a nice kick of chili.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Dt3QCjt3sw/VfSSrG94PXI/AAAAAAAAr7g/eEZXwoTZtSs/s1600/Paro%2BHomestay%2B005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Dt3QCjt3sw/VfSSrG94PXI/AAAAAAAAr7g/eEZXwoTZtSs/s400/Paro%2BHomestay%2B005.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We drank a lot of milk tea with something similar to popped rice.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EvHOp8UbP0I/VfSSrLQ-JxI/AAAAAAAAr7k/q9aUS63HzCk/s1600/Paro%2BHomestay%2B006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EvHOp8UbP0I/VfSSrLQ-JxI/AAAAAAAAr7k/q9aUS63HzCk/s400/Paro%2BHomestay%2B006.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made friends with the older soon.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5mVmN9yDSE/VfSSrA2lmSI/AAAAAAAAr7o/bT1rXKQl_kc/s400/Paro%2BHomestay%2B016.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the younger one too.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X-7QYddewpo/VfSSrGTE1GI/AAAAAAAAr7s/93bjazO_gGw/s1600/Paro%2BHomestay%2B011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X-7QYddewpo/VfSSrGTE1GI/AAAAAAAAr7s/93bjazO_gGw/s400/Paro%2BHomestay%2B011.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the spare time, my mom applied acupuncture and moxibustion on the hostess and on our guide to relieve stress and pain.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Day 6: Tiger's Nest and dance performance</h3>
On our last full day, we hiked up to the unarguably most awesome of all monasteries: the Tiger's Nest (Paro Taktsang) hanging on the side of a cliff.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RJ-7FeRVxJY/VfSSrCBcv-I/AAAAAAAAspg/ABmE-U8A3ho/s1600/Paro%2BTaktsang%2B-%2BTigers%2BNest%2B020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RJ-7FeRVxJY/VfSSrCBcv-I/AAAAAAAAspg/ABmE-U8A3ho/s400/Paro%2BTaktsang%2B-%2BTigers%2BNest%2B020.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We climbed up a shorter but steeper route in order to save time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T5ZoFY1f5UE/VfSSrG2rBSI/AAAAAAAAspw/nS0Cw_kAcjw/s1600/IMG_20150104_100258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T5ZoFY1f5UE/VfSSrG2rBSI/AAAAAAAAspw/nS0Cw_kAcjw/s400/IMG_20150104_100258.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Our effort was well rewarded with beautiful views of the Tiger's Nest.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
One factor that differentiates the Tiger's Nest from other monasteries is that some of its rooms of worship and meditation are caves into the mountain. It seems like a strong way of connecting spirituality with nature. As with all other temples and monasteries, visitors are not allowed to take photographs inside.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cOK_YsFfldo/VfSSrNLbbrI/AAAAAAAAr7c/hIybOB9-kkM/s1600/IMG_20150104_112454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cOK_YsFfldo/VfSSrNLbbrI/AAAAAAAAr7c/hIybOB9-kkM/s400/IMG_20150104_112454.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the way back, my mom camouflaged well with the prayer flags.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YbeGxMOjPU4/VfSSrPy_8_I/AAAAAAAAr7c/5ESGthOKi8E/s1600/Paro%2BTaktsang%2B-%2BTigers%2BNest%2B098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YbeGxMOjPU4/VfSSrPy_8_I/AAAAAAAAr7c/5ESGthOKi8E/s400/Paro%2BTaktsang%2B-%2BTigers%2BNest%2B098.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laure.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VyLUwOZ-O98/VfSSrOrKx2I/AAAAAAAAr7s/sFImlvv1s3w/s1600/IMG_20150104_122001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VyLUwOZ-O98/VfSSrOrKx2I/AAAAAAAAr7s/sFImlvv1s3w/s400/IMG_20150104_122001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mountains are dotted with prayer wheels and flags.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After our hike, we decided to take a break from our regular schedule and asked our guide for some free time to wander around the streets of Paro. We checked out the food market and local businesses.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_M6cB-m36Bo/VfSSrA0SEcI/AAAAAAAAr7k/4OZT-LVCQAs/s1600/DSC_0022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_M6cB-m36Bo/VfSSrA0SEcI/AAAAAAAAr7k/4OZT-LVCQAs/s400/DSC_0022.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paro farmer's market.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As a last treat for ourselves and a present to our hosting family and our guide, we hired traditional dancers and musicians to perform at the homestay. Relative to other costs in Bhutan, this was a bit of a splurge. Additionally, it felt a bit wrong to ask a crew of artists to come perform for us with only a couple of days' worth of notice despite our guide assuring us that was okay. On the other hand, we really love dancing and this seemed like a way to support preserve local culture and arts. What finally convinced us is that this performance was also a way to thank our host family for their hospitality.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ib2_KO0io3U/VfSSrKRxxsI/AAAAAAAAr7o/NHYDfMPWxgY/s1600/DSC_0063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ib2_KO0io3U/VfSSrKRxxsI/AAAAAAAAr7o/NHYDfMPWxgY/s400/DSC_0063.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dance of the drum from Dramitse Nagcham.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-02hyd7GFTyM/VfSSrDD6BzI/AAAAAAAAr7k/f7lX6S_WFj8/s1600/DSC_0104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-02hyd7GFTyM/VfSSrDD6BzI/AAAAAAAAr7k/f7lX6S_WFj8/s400/DSC_0104.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perhaps my favorite was the Crane Dance, which honors the bird for its beauty and grace.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The artists performed various traditional dances from the different culturally diverse regions of Bhutan. The experience felt particularly special with the backdrop of the mountains.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IO2ql8CpwJ8/VfSSrLEWNMI/AAAAAAAAr7k/y5_dKtedX0I/s1600/DSC_0134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IO2ql8CpwJ8/VfSSrLEWNMI/AAAAAAAAr7k/y5_dKtedX0I/s400/DSC_0134.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FbJexEhNl24/VfSSrKHCMdI/AAAAAAAAr7g/OtgvCz3TI9o/s1600/DSC_0089.MOV" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FbJexEhNl24/VfSSrKHCMdI/AAAAAAAAr7g/OtgvCz3TI9o/s400/DSC_0089.MOV" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A traditional dance of the Layap people, who live in the high altitude mountains approximately 3,850 meters (12,630 ft). Note that their hats are the same type we saw a few days earlier.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-THuIaztuCM8/VfSSrOFkkRI/AAAAAAAAr7c/VyzbMFMTEGg/s1600/DSC_0114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-THuIaztuCM8/VfSSrOFkkRI/AAAAAAAAr7c/VyzbMFMTEGg/s400/DSC_0114.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An abundant supply of milk tea kept us warm during the performance.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We ate our last dinner together with our hosting family, which gave us the opportunity to ask many questions about living in Bhutan.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8awY7WkiIwPwKvUJpXnJZxRSylDsxVdCaM7x0lcl78ArLeIWj_Q207LygiAa_Pv-9jmH1UgQCYboJnPnTXHIA2yGKFgmP6umz5FeJp_EKy8lSjWib-3YyMVHNv-wXOScIx6C4XeyUGO8/s1600/DSC_0166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8awY7WkiIwPwKvUJpXnJZxRSylDsxVdCaM7x0lcl78ArLeIWj_Q207LygiAa_Pv-9jmH1UgQCYboJnPnTXHIA2yGKFgmP6umz5FeJp_EKy8lSjWib-3YyMVHNv-wXOScIx6C4XeyUGO8/s400/DSC_0166.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our last dinner with our host family in Paro.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EbkgRsQ8vb0/VfSSrDbi10I/AAAAAAAAr7s/kcO7JVAKjmc/s1600/DSC_0167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EbkgRsQ8vb0/VfSSrDbi10I/AAAAAAAAr7s/kcO7JVAKjmc/s400/DSC_0167.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The food at the homestays easily beat any other meal of our trip.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Day 7: Farewell</h3>
On the next morning, we bid farewell to our hosting family that treated us so well. The guides dropped us off at the airport, where we thanked them and said our goodbyes before heading back to our regular lives.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IDJsLu7I75A/VfSSrC15o4I/AAAAAAAAr7w/XVSHOqPJrwg/s1600/DSC_0181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IDJsLu7I75A/VfSSrC15o4I/AAAAAAAAr7w/XVSHOqPJrwg/s400/DSC_0181.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our last photo with our hosting family from Paro.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Final thoughts</h3>
</div>
<div>
In hindsight, there are some things I really enjoyed about Bhutan and other things that didn't exactly fit our style of traveling.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
At the top of things I enjoyed was hiking on the beautiful mountains to the monasteries -- particularly to the Tiger's Nest. Sure, it's a bit touristy, but the beauty of the monastery surrounded by grandiose mountains is hard to match.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We also really enjoyed staying with local families at homestays. This allowed us to make personal connections with locals and learn about their culture. Furthermore, the best meals of our trips were hands down the ones prepared by our host families.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On the other hand, I had a hard time getting used to having guides taking care of us the entire time, which was legally mandatory for us in Bhutan. Over the years, I've come to enjoy the adventure of figuring out what to do: whether it's planning ahead or acting spontaneously. For what it's worth, our guides tried their best to make us feel comfortable and even agreed to allow us to wander around the cities of Thimpu and Paro by ourselves for an hour at a time. I would have also preferred to hike without a guide, but that would definitely have been illegal and perhaps risky without cell phone reception.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We also decided to skip some of the temples even though we really like learning about Buddhism. Frankly the amount of information was somewhat overwhelming, so we opted for some down time and also checked out the local businesses.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Finally, the food at the restaurants was not very memorable. As I've mentioned, the homestay food was far superior to what we ate out. I'm not sure if it's because most Bhutanese people prefer to eat at home instead of restaurants, or if it's because tour companies take visitors to big restaurants specifically catered to tourism instead of smaller restaurants with more interesting Bhutanese food.<br />
<br />
I'm really happy we learned so much about Bhutan's culture, stayed with some locals and visited the mountains. But now that we have experienced the highlights, the only reason I can imagine going back would be to go on a <a href="http://www.tourism.gov.bt/activities/trek">multi-day trek</a> on the mountains. I could also imagine returning to visit the cities and villages if we could one day visit without guides.</div>
</div>
Qhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009834242027169260noreply@blogger.com0Bhutan27.514162 90.43360099999995325.712069999999997 87.851813999999948 29.316254 93.015387999999959tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131555610866497086.post-74655104759845385092015-10-31T05:24:00.000-07:002015-11-01T08:22:10.598-08:00A Long Thailand Layover<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Celebrating Christmas on a small tropical island seemed like dream but it turned
out to be a letdown. And our low expectations for a quick layover in a big gritty city seemed unpromising but actually left us wanting more. Thank you Thailand for turning our expectations upside down.<br />
<br />
Thailand wasn't our intended Christmas vacation choice. Our original winter travel destination was just Bhutan. But in the planning process we learned that we could only fly into Bhutan from a handful of countries; one of them being Thailand. Since we hadn't been to Thailand in a long time, we thought it was a good opportunity to extend our layover and get some much needed time relaxing on a tropical beach with great food. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1KttNfnfsIVx-HXLHKUyZk2z_Pjt2cVeOhg10ldikU4BZ91JzIPRfUxuh7DCQhbRb-Gudgp5Vl9r8erJW5UNX34jixCq75iwFUfzUEy7GTboUizAh68gr67mQXCGFt08MC7GrPwGK5I/s1600/Thailand+travel+map.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1KttNfnfsIVx-HXLHKUyZk2z_Pjt2cVeOhg10ldikU4BZ91JzIPRfUxuh7DCQhbRb-Gudgp5Vl9r8erJW5UNX34jixCq75iwFUfzUEy7GTboUizAh68gr67mQXCGFt08MC7GrPwGK5I/s400/Thailand+travel+map.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And we're off....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We
had no clue that Thailand is a popular Christmas destination for
Europeans and Australians. Our last minute attempts to find a place to
stay at the most desired beaches were in vain. Nearly everything was fully
booked for the holidays. We finally settled on Koh Phi Phi because the island
had a couple hotel vacancies, Q remembered it as a nice island from a
trip eight years ago, plus it seemed like an easy destination from the Bangkok
airport.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRfrB8lsyN-vxVpnAQp3OUbniCBRVN6RPyZENVpwYtA6EDKfFjr1ZFfpSViMznbBubiNmE3I6IQ8EMXAAxaT3y_ZC3RI3BMVjdvmESknCTKK385opuhYA64yYEqTGZUTGm8gFBTk2HsSU/s1600/DSC_0181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRfrB8lsyN-vxVpnAQp3OUbniCBRVN6RPyZENVpwYtA6EDKfFjr1ZFfpSViMznbBubiNmE3I6IQ8EMXAAxaT3y_ZC3RI3BMVjdvmESknCTKK385opuhYA64yYEqTGZUTGm8gFBTk2HsSU/s400/DSC_0181.JPG" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas Thai style at the Bangkok Airport.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Koh Phi Phi Don</h3>
We took a short flight from Bangkok to Krabi, then two shuttle bus rides and then a ferry to Koh Phi Phi Don. On second thought, it wasn't an easy side trip but we were on vacation and
there were plenty of Thai food stalls along the way to stop for snacks and fresh fruit smoothies.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOwEDgqrnCxm6wEujxYQWx5riR-oXZTdWV6BSw7hVGQOT8TUeFqRb5gC1W9zCosS3rNKyK0GYtuvto5t9oltqQshb7yZXSKHE2jbgf5SaqsvUbWMQS3Qony3Dspr8wDobolZ7DKYct0ZY/s1600/IMG_20141225_150729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOwEDgqrnCxm6wEujxYQWx5riR-oXZTdWV6BSw7hVGQOT8TUeFqRb5gC1W9zCosS3rNKyK0GYtuvto5t9oltqQshb7yZXSKHE2jbgf5SaqsvUbWMQS3Qony3Dspr8wDobolZ7DKYct0ZY/s400/IMG_20141225_150729.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soaking in the sunshine on the way to Koh Phi Phi Don.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Unfortunately, it turned out that Koh Phi Phi smelled like pee. Yes, I said it, but it
really did
smell like pee in many places. The island was a disappointment. When Q had previously visited the island, it had been only two years after the devastating tsunami. Ironically, he remembered it being much nicer during the reconstruction phase. But this time around we found the place to be filthy and overrun with a younger crowd of party animals looking for a cheap way to get completely trashed. I
didn't want to lay out on the beach because it was littered with cigarettes butts, glass bottles, plastic cups and straws.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_OeZYgTcDHYGkr1-bt47Oyrlh9JBHbDBtB9ulhX9sp_ri2ALscp88_6lZSRHCXxRq6g6RzYNb2kohRcWIWpL2lz1q6XzhzQvBexhgQe4lsunH1bz03BU8jLecQUYNNiuWU_F3YUld6nU/s1600/Ko+Phi+Phi+streets+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_OeZYgTcDHYGkr1-bt47Oyrlh9JBHbDBtB9ulhX9sp_ri2ALscp88_6lZSRHCXxRq6g6RzYNb2kohRcWIWpL2lz1q6XzhzQvBexhgQe4lsunH1bz03BU8jLecQUYNNiuWU_F3YUld6nU/s400/Ko+Phi+Phi+streets+002.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Garbage was tossed just about everywhere including the beach and throughout the island.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Perhaps most disturbingly, many storefronts set up tables selling ingredients for mixed drinks inside plastic buckets along the sides of dirt roads. Anyone looking for a drink can buy a bucket, mix the ingredients including the ice and whatever amount of dirt, and then drink directly from the bucket.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigGZVaiPIBXQadJy7H3_iZFYqQRGI1FV5g2eJemZaPQCe8pmK90M5RiJIEWyLiMaNTF_UXXyh3smorKZHHS_OpIhjW1MN0wS5t03XNqrHMK0DuI7z2f7kaJGxhyphenhyphenwtDUVUjzjooMwad95Q/s1600/bucket_drinks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigGZVaiPIBXQadJy7H3_iZFYqQRGI1FV5g2eJemZaPQCe8pmK90M5RiJIEWyLiMaNTF_UXXyh3smorKZHHS_OpIhjW1MN0wS5t03XNqrHMK0DuI7z2f7kaJGxhyphenhyphenwtDUVUjzjooMwad95Q/s400/bucket_drinks.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Are we getting old or is it really incredibly nasty to drink out of dusty plastic buckets?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The
combination of the Christmas season and the ten year anniversary of the tsunami caused the island to be nearly fully booked. Failing
to plan ahead really bit us in the butts on this trip. We booked three
nights at one of the last hotels available. There was a good reason it was one of the last places available. At 100 USD a night we got
paper thin walls, occasionally running water, a constant sound of
construction from the hotel next door, a rude receptionist, party music from across the bay until 3 am, and the suspected sighting of a bed bug on one of our twin beds. The saving grace were some of the nicer staff members, a reliable
internet connection and a working air-conditioning unit.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwQjjs-xtRrRnuS1IBGhvjXjR1fQQZtZVAmDQKG3FEAnUGV_lRYrxea-no9YlkSGMEjH3Zl185JAWMXxXlUV54jhiW65vvFqxWsZhifyZXjmqvVRO9OI0GiGue4nDudQ407ahX0nlBPQU/s1600/IMG_20141225_171815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwQjjs-xtRrRnuS1IBGhvjXjR1fQQZtZVAmDQKG3FEAnUGV_lRYrxea-no9YlkSGMEjH3Zl185JAWMXxXlUV54jhiW65vvFqxWsZhifyZXjmqvVRO9OI0GiGue4nDudQ407ahX0nlBPQU/s400/IMG_20141225_171815.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We thought we found paradise - boy, were we mistaken.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuWzToGwcuyC5p4ZkZzG0ktkL1lJCulf0JMz3LEx-eT78TP_H-ZYo9MAObwpDNPYXYvl6BCkhvgKTgb-mac4FYVMiYpa_FaJu7l6tmMYABi-j_a11Wg-TEphfty9B2xsHO4Py-rJ3-T4Q/s1600/DSC_0198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuWzToGwcuyC5p4ZkZzG0ktkL1lJCulf0JMz3LEx-eT78TP_H-ZYo9MAObwpDNPYXYvl6BCkhvgKTgb-mac4FYVMiYpa_FaJu7l6tmMYABi-j_a11Wg-TEphfty9B2xsHO4Py-rJ3-T4Q/s400/DSC_0198.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bright lights across the bay is where the nightly parties take place -<br />
but they sounded like they were across the street from our hotel.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We
tried to make the best of our stay and stuffed our faces with plenty of delicious cheap
Thai food, gorged on fresh fruit smoothies, walked around the
island and enjoyed several of the nightly fire shows on the beach.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5C7xedDhwbJJxKEBRLGkE5ci1DChW3mpSJ3AX3gR6lPTWbiOm-_kMkuX5PSImgS_sKkUEeVdWq0M1L_DSgjDufSuTc3LgZF_DktDD-pScbDZHguAU-UmEznbvkoLai8Ckt5pz_kby8sU/s1600/IMG_20141226_143118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5C7xedDhwbJJxKEBRLGkE5ci1DChW3mpSJ3AX3gR6lPTWbiOm-_kMkuX5PSImgS_sKkUEeVdWq0M1L_DSgjDufSuTc3LgZF_DktDD-pScbDZHguAU-UmEznbvkoLai8Ckt5pz_kby8sU/s400/IMG_20141226_143118.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g303908-d4173136-Reviews-Only_Noodles-Ko_Phi_Phi_Don_Krabi_Province.html">Only Noddles</a> is noted on Tripadvisor as having the best Pad Thai.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vIlbCFHU4XOA3PrDKxgOo2muK4jHQZYp2N4maG4E3MbgVcrnGF7Z3uKFd_BPFvhaylZkwSUiVU23EvhPihH20kOOF5G8b7Kah1AbYASizYUVVf0XHDK_Atmt4ILpMAkePClqCdWwpNQ/s1600/DSC_0231-adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vIlbCFHU4XOA3PrDKxgOo2muK4jHQZYp2N4maG4E3MbgVcrnGF7Z3uKFd_BPFvhaylZkwSUiVU23EvhPihH20kOOF5G8b7Kah1AbYASizYUVVf0XHDK_Atmt4ILpMAkePClqCdWwpNQ/s400/DSC_0231-adjusted.jpg" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g303908-d2163908-Reviews-Anna_s_Restaurant-Ko_Phi_Phi_Don_Krabi_Province.html">Anna's Restaurant</a> was another highly rated place that did not disappoint.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixarVciDV3ojeFeuQNAVLehgxHeel1R64f-ARLZQA9K5Tfku9ESRmuz0ZFnhAivB1FV3JZLw3_cLygghMfg6t_0e_8mlqQC8G39rYk1CbkpKX7WsusVKt8QSZdQhbQHIMEbvsVTXCeDrw/s1600/IMG_20141225_204506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixarVciDV3ojeFeuQNAVLehgxHeel1R64f-ARLZQA9K5Tfku9ESRmuz0ZFnhAivB1FV3JZLw3_cLygghMfg6t_0e_8mlqQC8G39rYk1CbkpKX7WsusVKt8QSZdQhbQHIMEbvsVTXCeDrw/s400/IMG_20141225_204506.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We dropped into a random restaurant and were pleased.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJ9Oe1TEEcjPdyyTDpKk44qXjEtGXcsJrkXJKFIgs8yUTDK0jX6OHJ5hnD01YWcL2u_P_l0oTB1U6TzfyGRj4zFoza62HJwXagHNVS3KY5v_28hUU6r83Pg5XBi1_R2FRbtYG0Xwur2s/s1600/smoothie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJ9Oe1TEEcjPdyyTDpKk44qXjEtGXcsJrkXJKFIgs8yUTDK0jX6OHJ5hnD01YWcL2u_P_l0oTB1U6TzfyGRj4zFoza62HJwXagHNVS3KY5v_28hUU6r83Pg5XBi1_R2FRbtYG0Xwur2s/s400/smoothie.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh fruit smoothies at every meal... and in between them too.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUq0SYldqvVwSV_sdozsWaWR5GeHGICxrUhLbyOiwkQjK1IR9IwL7pLePhdagxVr_fwuvnwKBk0EGl42bSOFknQOq-w4DVbpD1e5pDXf3G5ZlgiokCTBI1dz3r6wRoEDmA2jOewv7bipU/s1600/Carlitos+Bar+Fire+Show+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUq0SYldqvVwSV_sdozsWaWR5GeHGICxrUhLbyOiwkQjK1IR9IwL7pLePhdagxVr_fwuvnwKBk0EGl42bSOFknQOq-w4DVbpD1e5pDXf3G5ZlgiokCTBI1dz3r6wRoEDmA2jOewv7bipU/s400/Carlitos+Bar+Fire+Show+002.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nightly fire shows are found throughout the island beaches.<br />
I loved that some shows went along with the music.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/NZfw8WryXzw/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NZfw8WryXzw?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
Everything
was going considerably well until we ordered fruit smoothies from one reputable
western looking bar. Thank you <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.co.za/Attraction_Review-g303908-d5961933-Reviews-Carlitos_Beach_Bar-Ko_Phi_Phi_Don_Krabi_Province.html">Carlitos Beach Bar</a> for the food poisoning. Our
last full day was spent in our horrible hotel room praying to the
porcelain God, which didn't flush because the water wasn't running... again. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsEji0xjukb7ftdJD_PZLAeshlowRXLkxYvnjpRakKhBYPOmubgpk2t-oaF04cKYQBureqMohlDULtarFC2o-Ow-7eLl6ZDvI8LDdBs10dbHUWY91rV7ZvnIzhc_V_yWsgLzPTF6-RVIY/s1600/IMG_20141228_022947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsEji0xjukb7ftdJD_PZLAeshlowRXLkxYvnjpRakKhBYPOmubgpk2t-oaF04cKYQBureqMohlDULtarFC2o-Ow-7eLl6ZDvI8LDdBs10dbHUWY91rV7ZvnIzhc_V_yWsgLzPTF6-RVIY/s400/IMG_20141228_022947.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not even the toilet seat worked. It was small enough to fall into the bowl if you actually sat on it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXwqZHoAXRFTehsDfyHWtqoWXkfPpjRkkc5nzxOgZcRTtzo0r06iWMGUVsQFa_0l7-nBdX1CSOyhPwsHVFTMXh1aXLr6ZfxQ4bQ4hAoT3D9boIXxfVoTiwJBIf95YgEmGKeuWSr6pUtdQ/s1600/IMG_20141228_033450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXwqZHoAXRFTehsDfyHWtqoWXkfPpjRkkc5nzxOgZcRTtzo0r06iWMGUVsQFa_0l7-nBdX1CSOyhPwsHVFTMXh1aXLr6ZfxQ4bQ4hAoT3D9boIXxfVoTiwJBIf95YgEmGKeuWSr6pUtdQ/s400/IMG_20141228_033450.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying to recuperate in bed without touching a bed bug.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
By
the time we left, we had decided we were too old to be roughing it like that. Next time we're in Thailand, we'll plan in advance and pay an extra few bucks to be pampered.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUv5Dy0S9cwCHccPp3ak9APqx8bDMMmHw4iA7I5NtOQHHZ1bnsiZTHx4JQR-RA8DBUIaf42z8RLQYq0-d57UxeG8HlFnGuJNCOiittbu7Rz5cUpDTwcjl4YIEiJ-9urPgLGlAs1l_UaeM/s1600/IMG_20141228_115400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUv5Dy0S9cwCHccPp3ak9APqx8bDMMmHw4iA7I5NtOQHHZ1bnsiZTHx4JQR-RA8DBUIaf42z8RLQYq0-d57UxeG8HlFnGuJNCOiittbu7Rz5cUpDTwcjl4YIEiJ-9urPgLGlAs1l_UaeM/s400/IMG_20141228_115400.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Thai coast has some of the most beautiful rock formations. Better luck next time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS0FIeDcHL4pB_eGks4D1x6OnuIGBGyMQdytKYZtR_1wjrp8usxuZQG7lco2GUj0f_VPFZBR7vAHWMAoCApf8PJD9RD0wT_RRYLHrj8bPPd5QYgfyfAG9d46Sjc5Fh7mFyL889NXdZru8/s1600/IMG_20141228_115404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS0FIeDcHL4pB_eGks4D1x6OnuIGBGyMQdytKYZtR_1wjrp8usxuZQG7lco2GUj0f_VPFZBR7vAHWMAoCApf8PJD9RD0wT_RRYLHrj8bPPd5QYgfyfAG9d46Sjc5Fh7mFyL889NXdZru8/s400/IMG_20141228_115404.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made it back to the mainland.<br />
Still getting over food poisoning, we decided to spend the few extra bucks and take a private taxi directly to Krabi Airport.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Bangkok</h3>
We made it back to the Bangkok
airport in one piece albeit still shaking off food poisoning. We were joined by Q's mom for 36 hours there. Q and I had seen the major
sights in prior trips and Q's mom was happy
taking things easy without heavy sightseeing. We had rooms at <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.co.za/Hotel_Review-g293916-d1458125-Reviews-Royal_View_Resort-Bangkok.html">The Royal View Resort</a>, which is a nice hotel overlooking a peaceful park far away from the backpackers and tourist sights. It was exactly what I needed to fully recover from the food poisoning. Q had recovered earlier, so he and his mom checked out some very good street food vendors around the hotel. When it comes to street food, it's hard to beat Thailand.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDx25z9pBswG7bPNv5znh4KN45dznnnLzvf_h43x-JNHdgO2ik95yxOkK_wjJhHLAVsPlSLgXwTLDFD-FCPWCw-r0-ghFKSduLzME-QqRDZAanIH8j2qRfirHMnVV8jeXgHcCD7MiT_EI/s1600/Royal+View+Resort+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDx25z9pBswG7bPNv5znh4KN45dznnnLzvf_h43x-JNHdgO2ik95yxOkK_wjJhHLAVsPlSLgXwTLDFD-FCPWCw-r0-ghFKSduLzME-QqRDZAanIH8j2qRfirHMnVV8jeXgHcCD7MiT_EI/s400/Royal+View+Resort+001.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No bed bugs in sight - just elephants.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSkKP5AtjUlnWiRchYA2neSpdhUOJdg6wZ3yQFJJfdVg_iXE6LLDvoYH2Stx5f_EZ-fNLYL85LUFIe_GQnwJRJBUFFzrtSDADVDxVO7qSQO9fjNyOFgJbrzUWXjP41v9_J_8klQQ87Hk/s1600/IMG_20141229_161819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSkKP5AtjUlnWiRchYA2neSpdhUOJdg6wZ3yQFJJfdVg_iXE6LLDvoYH2Stx5f_EZ-fNLYL85LUFIe_GQnwJRJBUFFzrtSDADVDxVO7qSQO9fjNyOFgJbrzUWXjP41v9_J_8klQQ87Hk/s400/IMG_20141229_161819.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our hotel room overlooked this tranquil park.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0SL9Qkpu8Y5Jfs1IHX3WJ5JJw1nJy7IEsJp4h44BlVH1RFaCQ3fr61bNuYsPkFvJhqv4oHppI7Gta4FcovH69HEN5o7OWY0cngU7pR5HAfvKkoRMbUGCKal-psPI7Dt_-Slqq7uvpvKY/s1600/IMG_20141228_212030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0SL9Qkpu8Y5Jfs1IHX3WJ5JJw1nJy7IEsJp4h44BlVH1RFaCQ3fr61bNuYsPkFvJhqv4oHppI7Gta4FcovH69HEN5o7OWY0cngU7pR5HAfvKkoRMbUGCKal-psPI7Dt_-Slqq7uvpvKY/s400/IMG_20141228_212030.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thai street food stalls catering to the locals - always a good sign for great food.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
On our only full day we started the morning walking around the city and checked a couple Buddhist temples. From there, Q and his mom attended a cooking class at <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g293916-d2516740-Reviews-Maliwan_Thai_Cooking_Class-Bangkok.html">Maliwan Thai Cooking</a>. I decided to skip the class and continue to recover in our nice
air-conditioned hotel room while indulging in some English TV.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArXki3W0e8JvSUf_ZwPt5rjzvFpG8XcTyv4132XpJRsld2-sx_XOBeQ8Pmuzfu9Lw0idhT97AHK7kJ9l8USVMYhQmr9b9d59quyQ3YdlN8YKBaxgKmu9sIQGjXG8bpZ0BZON9j4xXihM/s1600/Maliwan+Thai+Cooking+Class+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArXki3W0e8JvSUf_ZwPt5rjzvFpG8XcTyv4132XpJRsld2-sx_XOBeQ8Pmuzfu9Lw0idhT97AHK7kJ9l8USVMYhQmr9b9d59quyQ3YdlN8YKBaxgKmu9sIQGjXG8bpZ0BZON9j4xXihM/s400/Maliwan+Thai+Cooking+Class+005.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As part of the food tour, Q and his mom took a tuk-tuk to the local market.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje2YyP6yjvG-39HaOdPEwDuPudYH6mEnN9WFdx5MwubzcJg6q7IYq5RUEdSeW03kqp834Om9s7RJ_2emQ_ge5gm012NVPt4Gg4Fx_XuZ7TXhli1x6tc5K8MlFF5L3jDALVW0BRiUZ9Ar0/s1600/Maliwan+Thai+Cooking+Class+034.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje2YyP6yjvG-39HaOdPEwDuPudYH6mEnN9WFdx5MwubzcJg6q7IYq5RUEdSeW03kqp834Om9s7RJ_2emQ_ge5gm012NVPt4Gg4Fx_XuZ7TXhli1x6tc5K8MlFF5L3jDALVW0BRiUZ9Ar0/s400/Maliwan+Thai+Cooking+Class+034.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The local market.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM2gkXx1vg2zMBJu6DYyxU2yPqjqV_ORe2ZvyR6XtbfheVsyGXHUXrJHMYTKwJC-xGrR3OrgV5wPWZF66gPAiZCCLa8xrcOY8_vnoARUU-LSaH2YTxegENs1pBzehhcj9Gp8qHNpf5Mf8/s1600/Maliwan+Thai+Cooking+Class+026.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM2gkXx1vg2zMBJu6DYyxU2yPqjqV_ORe2ZvyR6XtbfheVsyGXHUXrJHMYTKwJC-xGrR3OrgV5wPWZF66gPAiZCCLa8xrcOY8_vnoARUU-LSaH2YTxegENs1pBzehhcj9Gp8qHNpf5Mf8/s400/Maliwan+Thai+Cooking+Class+026.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How wonderful it would be to find this variety of chilies back home.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwwtc8_0CG2pT076vPIPsL0xv3Nly7Ed9GgIxiVolnMuiZEE3Yp42Ze52cBkc7FHnBLIAfbDUWFsg5coi82VAeoH6kNIGLrXUInwbKMew2OWHHD2p48JJjkmCTxpXGA1irUTwbJ5vOz5I/s1600/Maliwan+Thai+Cooking+Class+020.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwwtc8_0CG2pT076vPIPsL0xv3Nly7Ed9GgIxiVolnMuiZEE3Yp42Ze52cBkc7FHnBLIAfbDUWFsg5coi82VAeoH6kNIGLrXUInwbKMew2OWHHD2p48JJjkmCTxpXGA1irUTwbJ5vOz5I/s400/Maliwan+Thai+Cooking+Class+020.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pork tongue.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURQmReLfXgCnL5SDGF3W315RGqJlIAFMKiycGbEKWFK83TDxXlHDp4nQQeHv3u2V4rHXH2BbfVqhXuPVBin2y6EPXEnH-3RJ9QtO2jJ3psP3m_3M4SSbbxRngmmzG_MqvCBL83sr_yiA/s1600/Maliwan+Thai+Cooking+Class+004.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURQmReLfXgCnL5SDGF3W315RGqJlIAFMKiycGbEKWFK83TDxXlHDp4nQQeHv3u2V4rHXH2BbfVqhXuPVBin2y6EPXEnH-3RJ9QtO2jJ3psP3m_3M4SSbbxRngmmzG_MqvCBL83sr_yiA/s400/Maliwan+Thai+Cooking+Class+004.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They also bought spring roll wrappers from this spot popular among the locals. <br />
Q's mom felt really bad the ladies constantly burn their fingers making them.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9bw5pxd0xy9uKKUHk3Pb_NnWkrxBJXNHuvTxdu375bKYer-5vXhICM4oRcS6mBk-TpwJ_DONMUZwyOvon65-lRXPN_Y9Eb2JsFazEofPkLt5tc1Di3jPgB5gg21ZG8S4fO9HpgDTUr8/s1600/Maliwan+Thai+Cooking+Class+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9bw5pxd0xy9uKKUHk3Pb_NnWkrxBJXNHuvTxdu375bKYer-5vXhICM4oRcS6mBk-TpwJ_DONMUZwyOvon65-lRXPN_Y9Eb2JsFazEofPkLt5tc1Di3jPgB5gg21ZG8S4fO9HpgDTUr8/s400/Maliwan+Thai+Cooking+Class+040.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back in the kitchen, chef and business owner Mae taught them how to cook Kaeng Phed Kai (Chicken Red Curry) among several other dishes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEBuSWukbSD436l4AUY-4Sft_jz851CJtu_nzCr5fZJ6C-782VoD1S4Lmjm88HXGHxBFvEr6fRSFbBGlI91Ocd16nPtyjspOdfqFVceHjY4bSE32yxoIF-1Hcn0IDG0L5DIH7-27ZPtpk/s1600/Maliwan+Thai+Cooking+Class+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEBuSWukbSD436l4AUY-4Sft_jz851CJtu_nzCr5fZJ6C-782VoD1S4Lmjm88HXGHxBFvEr6fRSFbBGlI91Ocd16nPtyjspOdfqFVceHjY4bSE32yxoIF-1Hcn0IDG0L5DIH7-27ZPtpk/s400/Maliwan+Thai+Cooking+Class+045.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Q and his mom in front of the feast they prepared at Maliwan Thai Cooking.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Before leaving Bangkok, all of us treated ourselves to a little pampering. I got a haircut and an amazing head massage,
Q's mom got her nails done, and Q finally got one those (in)famous Thai massages. Of course all of this was at bargain prices compared to how much they would cost back home.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChQyHxVaw0ydvGlxAxjUL5R9p_vKYsTpvnuKr36lJd7QZQLyslJqe4EiXbyKE8vtI7fmqAp9CVIf7cVbxvSzz4ThSc3SYB36fKOcdzMMFe5zh2a_9FNAFmBNEO4FBfGoHTjKivtuigsw/s1600/Qs+foot+massage+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChQyHxVaw0ydvGlxAxjUL5R9p_vKYsTpvnuKr36lJd7QZQLyslJqe4EiXbyKE8vtI7fmqAp9CVIf7cVbxvSzz4ThSc3SYB36fKOcdzMMFe5zh2a_9FNAFmBNEO4FBfGoHTjKivtuigsw/s400/Qs+foot+massage+001.JPG" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">200 Bahts (about 5.5 USD) for a one hour Thai massage.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It felt nice
being back in South East Asia. I forgot how much I enjoy the food, the
natural beauty and the chaos. This short trip
to Thailand really got us motivated to return - but next time
we will plan further in advance so we can stay at nicer beaches. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgddpMLhyphenhyphenqru96FwhrbEOFOysDfDUcxwYQEZfMgohfiaePe-6w7wkGVxmJPnjj-zHZhlBiMiHfU6tZXOSdtLANawV6JEneskx-XYQZCeNBI179NBUcUfpBQdo4O0zbDU_QnKc1UBvdaP2g/s1600/IMG_20141229_205729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgddpMLhyphenhyphenqru96FwhrbEOFOysDfDUcxwYQEZfMgohfiaePe-6w7wkGVxmJPnjj-zHZhlBiMiHfU6tZXOSdtLANawV6JEneskx-XYQZCeNBI179NBUcUfpBQdo4O0zbDU_QnKc1UBvdaP2g/s400/IMG_20141229_205729.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A current 20 Baht note and one from a prior trip 10 years ago.<br />
It's amazing to see how much the king has aged since my last visit. I hope it won't take us another 10 years to return.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Laurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05848291077777206180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131555610866497086.post-7851363020030640072015-09-10T17:20:00.000-07:002015-09-10T17:20:19.588-07:002014 Christmas Markets<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
There are many Christmas markets that we have been wanting to visit, but our busy 2014 holiday schedule only allowed us time to focus on two different locations: New York and the Stuttgart region in Germany.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7z00bCOXpK-aU7iuNEXlB6zYfWTHasPEhmTR26gywW0oNaBR3pVkiuhUMGMcEALXlo57FYYgelcR_k-Pg3UTsJEm8ZZe3-dz2ru5BO0BfEGC14vanXVJgPVQbI7AI8hr9hxXTvBa5CVU/s1600/Ludwigsburg+Weihnachtsmarkt+004+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7z00bCOXpK-aU7iuNEXlB6zYfWTHasPEhmTR26gywW0oNaBR3pVkiuhUMGMcEALXlo57FYYgelcR_k-Pg3UTsJEm8ZZe3-dz2ru5BO0BfEGC14vanXVJgPVQbI7AI8hr9hxXTvBa5CVU/s400/Ludwigsburg+Weihnachtsmarkt+004+-+adjusted.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Bank of America's Winter Village at Bryant Park - New York, USA</h3>
Bryant Park hosts a yearly <a href="http://wintervillage.org/">Winter Village</a> featuring 125 mini shops selling everything from specialty chocolate to jewelry. During our unseasonably cold visit, it was nice to pop into the little shops to check out the merchandise and defrost our cold hands. Besides shopping, this market has a food court area that sells holiday snacks and a bar area. My favorite feature was ice skating rink in the middle of the park. This became the best spot to enjoy a warm drink and people watch.<br />
<br />
I visited twice: once during the daytime by myself and once in the evening as part of group. Though it's easier to get shopping done during the daytime, I personally liked the atmosphere at night. The lit up individual shops gave the feeling of a mini village and the well lit ice rink became the wintery focus of the park.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_3G8XeA2ZIbA_bL7ceyfVKU6vFenQMAnyR521HjM-YsndlZNJ0iLET8pAHgrDckr5cm2GXCjbkf_90Vzg02qRswCcIOET3YGc04LmZhaYlFkCfAppl_69RywO7Z2vb6Ey6N8EF479Ps/s1600/Bryant+Park+Holiday+Market+001+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_3G8XeA2ZIbA_bL7ceyfVKU6vFenQMAnyR521HjM-YsndlZNJ0iLET8pAHgrDckr5cm2GXCjbkf_90Vzg02qRswCcIOET3YGc04LmZhaYlFkCfAppl_69RywO7Z2vb6Ey6N8EF479Ps/s400/Bryant+Park+Holiday+Market+001+-+adjusted.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rows of mini shops transformed the park into a village</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiddCq_9rVKuD-9KY8vcgabHxr1kiA3LxQiRoulA3SCEstSWMVVWNBtAF_KGvL7FRhLN82nGuaB7Tv0Q44u_fYo_IjWIdhIjwYBPPm4ZuLhrFrKPtwaVgjIQNEpdcVFgXwxLsVaeeGt7Zc/s1600/Bryant+Park+Holiday+Market+012+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiddCq_9rVKuD-9KY8vcgabHxr1kiA3LxQiRoulA3SCEstSWMVVWNBtAF_KGvL7FRhLN82nGuaB7Tv0Q44u_fYo_IjWIdhIjwYBPPm4ZuLhrFrKPtwaVgjIQNEpdcVFgXwxLsVaeeGt7Zc/s400/Bryant+Park+Holiday+Market+012+-+adjusted.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The individual shops are best described as "jewel boxes", each with its own unique character inside. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-Lwlqk_b-FEs4rZj0uSiOCd8V5NbYuJbtfSVCvaUMtusHC22cXyoRVupwSpwG3zochLWOncNTd47rqQ-o_FSG9g-GnmXSW3W-AedN2nUegNkW3y2zC4sn24rMRtDOo5j9KEP2J5DNoA/s1600/Winter+Village+at+Bryant+Park+003+-+altered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-Lwlqk_b-FEs4rZj0uSiOCd8V5NbYuJbtfSVCvaUMtusHC22cXyoRVupwSpwG3zochLWOncNTd47rqQ-o_FSG9g-GnmXSW3W-AedN2nUegNkW3y2zC4sn24rMRtDOo5j9KEP2J5DNoA/s400/Winter+Village+at+Bryant+Park+003+-+altered.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Felt like Europe with lots of people hanging outside around the ice skating rink.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiNMDdO4cErdLSmIerSKQxeyrK5AG8sVRVMI7jSK2QOjDcQxrJuAMJe3IjgC4R4qYEYnUB7DBo77fUJYlUslfTwFhlHg16gNcZpYKvY4KWLysMC-MMhsibPhir7WPAdwl93MyXQJMNV7o/s1600/Winter+Village+at+Bryant+Park+005+-+altered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiNMDdO4cErdLSmIerSKQxeyrK5AG8sVRVMI7jSK2QOjDcQxrJuAMJe3IjgC4R4qYEYnUB7DBo77fUJYlUslfTwFhlHg16gNcZpYKvY4KWLysMC-MMhsibPhir7WPAdwl93MyXQJMNV7o/s400/Winter+Village+at+Bryant+Park+005+-+altered.jpg" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging out with G at the Christmas market - we'll have to make this a yearly traditional.</td></tr>
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<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Union Square Holiday Market - New York, USA</h3>
The Union Square Holiday Market was the market that ignited my love for Christmas markets ten years ago. This market has been running annually since the late 90s and this year more than 100 merchants set up shop in outdoor booths opening up onto aisles. This remains my favorite Christmas market in New York probably because it closely resembles those in Europe. The booths sell a variety of unique gifts and less holiday themed items than European markets, which makes it a great place to complete your holiday gift shopping. The downside is that this market is best set up for shopping rather then hanging out with friends. Food and drink options are limited and there isn't a great place to hang out and people watch.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOKOmGyJg7Q0rGtTc4Z7UOdvWStholiwhYjUpmNLfXJc2HqqzLEpo9Dvf2ZhDReuVIsS0CBqwoongJ4x5rRgrkb8Ovg9KGBVCkkMvh_dLYHlBFeFpSahU5Bw3TBECw12UJkUqEkZ7yZs/s1600/Union+Square+Holiday+Market+009+-+altered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOKOmGyJg7Q0rGtTc4Z7UOdvWStholiwhYjUpmNLfXJc2HqqzLEpo9Dvf2ZhDReuVIsS0CBqwoongJ4x5rRgrkb8Ovg9KGBVCkkMvh_dLYHlBFeFpSahU5Bw3TBECw12UJkUqEkZ7yZs/s400/Union+Square+Holiday+Market+009+-+altered.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Booths were more like the traditional European style.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPBRdqRkBgox2ByIRJbyHCztgdAg4tC_OXyK0FQNOY5kZtkPePTwrokEL4m9GjL6YKUwSWbqtvsisMEl4VzoK0WiAEj5FkYUrwnbnGl8re-lTe4Cbwal96oPp2N1BRK4VJiYmm_xAFwQM/s1600/Union+Square+Holiday+Market+008+-+altered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPBRdqRkBgox2ByIRJbyHCztgdAg4tC_OXyK0FQNOY5kZtkPePTwrokEL4m9GjL6YKUwSWbqtvsisMEl4VzoK0WiAEj5FkYUrwnbnGl8re-lTe4Cbwal96oPp2N1BRK4VJiYmm_xAFwQM/s400/Union+Square+Holiday+Market+008+-+altered.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite booth. It reminded me of my favorite play - Avenue Q.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6gvgfA10V9JQzibqYKDcNuIAb_Ex7toHWOd1-WvgEDawsUrFywLrUJEssGHJECUMA53JaMv2lSb2wUqGyDwKemG_sAy5eIHp49YvKHrBxHmVdHp0nVfbwl7fVolV8dMk26juCUvZVfCI/s1600/Union+Square+Holiday+Market+005+-+altered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6gvgfA10V9JQzibqYKDcNuIAb_Ex7toHWOd1-WvgEDawsUrFywLrUJEssGHJECUMA53JaMv2lSb2wUqGyDwKemG_sAy5eIHp49YvKHrBxHmVdHp0nVfbwl7fVolV8dMk26juCUvZVfCI/s400/Union+Square+Holiday+Market+005+-+altered.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alcohol free Gluhwein. At least everyone is able to drink, even the kids and pregnant ladies.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSqV84sg__R0ONeEn2npCmGIm3elgfwx-tGwboJnpeSzNQFWiaGzuUli3SJVezjmakzL-XHdXzs_CBCXh50IdKo3nLBBLmxxvgw9E18wqMkaV8gnik-uOVYXLfS_tzRJE_YOgfPnBFyjs/s1600/Union+Square+Holiday+Market+006+-+altered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSqV84sg__R0ONeEn2npCmGIm3elgfwx-tGwboJnpeSzNQFWiaGzuUli3SJVezjmakzL-XHdXzs_CBCXh50IdKo3nLBBLmxxvgw9E18wqMkaV8gnik-uOVYXLfS_tzRJE_YOgfPnBFyjs/s400/Union+Square+Holiday+Market+006+-+altered.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An American twist on a German classic. To my dismay, it ended up being more like a donut than churro.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Grand Central Holiday Fair - New York, USA</h3>
The Grand Central Holiday Fair was an unexpected find while strolling through New York's central train station. Tucked off to the side of the main hall in the Grand Central Station was a small Holiday Fair with artisan crafts and other giftables. My favorite aspect of this market was it being inside. With unseasonably cold weather, a place to leisurely stroll through and defrost was more than welcome. This market is small and quick to pass through with a modest number of vendors. But it isn't worth going out of your way to visit.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCmytdTbAwcVZRc2jt3_wexfq14ehyphenhyphenLcRZ7W5sOIH85EnfcEQfvBf3GZxfLYtz2lbg_dvMkk11vq53Clqq1mLHt_E22ZTlktAv3iPvupNNDTKURaqfW2uL9YfApZvXEqOaFee1pnNqqR0/s1600/NY+Grand+Central+Station+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCmytdTbAwcVZRc2jt3_wexfq14ehyphenhyphenLcRZ7W5sOIH85EnfcEQfvBf3GZxfLYtz2lbg_dvMkk11vq53Clqq1mLHt_E22ZTlktAv3iPvupNNDTKURaqfW2uL9YfApZvXEqOaFee1pnNqqR0/s400/NY+Grand+Central+Station+002.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grand Central Station</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhczAJAP5qvdQbfMN8t3dTZvvku96p974hVx-eCN4K47ZzZ2RuL2aLc2bgJcui1Pb_IdZYF5-u1teO-5alLc_ytnyResHXsqoZbAkK2olYlTO7RltNr8wKQy4Iv2rqu09KyvydmhTsOj0M/s1600/NY+Central+Station+Market+01+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhczAJAP5qvdQbfMN8t3dTZvvku96p974hVx-eCN4K47ZzZ2RuL2aLc2bgJcui1Pb_IdZYF5-u1teO-5alLc_ytnyResHXsqoZbAkK2olYlTO7RltNr8wKQy4Iv2rqu09KyvydmhTsOj0M/s400/NY+Central+Station+Market+01+-+adjusted.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance to the fair from the main hall.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeTiOSvYuONtEgpbs6Cf3_2oMFhwsXB0yYKMvS1RPMqXWtIEkhr14S2hKowg_pprZRL-1wu59fTfe_OhJmPBYTMqxyyVnw5uXf2FjWxms3uD7OZk63AikPJKtPmwYYIgZo1jPA3PGBiWM/s1600/NY+Central+Station+Market+04+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeTiOSvYuONtEgpbs6Cf3_2oMFhwsXB0yYKMvS1RPMqXWtIEkhr14S2hKowg_pprZRL-1wu59fTfe_OhJmPBYTMqxyyVnw5uXf2FjWxms3uD7OZk63AikPJKtPmwYYIgZo1jPA3PGBiWM/s400/NY+Central+Station+Market+04+-+adjusted.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cozy holiday shopping atmosphere.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB46j80eFZK2XhNUwwv_9ho3uqvBwlXxqbErTDzLLNrVZ6pi6ca2s_-nP1cQs7fDhj-BY1V_5ikK6aPSrPOKax38DgNyI5dQs2e3N-o0Ywth9hh5Yh8UJjzdNYglvsJ5aSaPSW9tUS8vg/s1600/NY+Central+Station+Market+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB46j80eFZK2XhNUwwv_9ho3uqvBwlXxqbErTDzLLNrVZ6pi6ca2s_-nP1cQs7fDhj-BY1V_5ikK6aPSrPOKax38DgNyI5dQs2e3N-o0Ywth9hh5Yh8UJjzdNYglvsJ5aSaPSW9tUS8vg/s400/NY+Central+Station+Market+03.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unique gift ideas.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
</h3>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Ludwigsburg Weihnachtsmarkt - Ludwigsburg, Germany</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
</h3>
When I imagine the image of a classic Christmas market, the one in Ludwigsburg comes to mind. This market checks off all the boxes of what I consider makes a good market. Ludwigsburg has few old fashioned rides for the kids, plenty of booths selling a variety of holiday trinkets, lots of food choices, and areas set aside to eat or drink while people watching. Although this market doesn't stand out on its own, it's was worth a visit when you combine it with a visit to Stuttgart and Esslingen's Christmas markets. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsPC1D5tmoaHf7FqT9oJZMzAylcNj-o5wPkyRX7agT_R4v8dwjtnxH3s_XjwoyNbRDnwvT3OawRcAV4i8w8vliiNpuYzrG0_gHA2KQLnGzCUZA3Rqy8erPYLoDV_Gxez2tbtp65aJT-xk/s1600/Ludwigsburg+Weihnachtsmarkt+013+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsPC1D5tmoaHf7FqT9oJZMzAylcNj-o5wPkyRX7agT_R4v8dwjtnxH3s_XjwoyNbRDnwvT3OawRcAV4i8w8vliiNpuYzrG0_gHA2KQLnGzCUZA3Rqy8erPYLoDV_Gxez2tbtp65aJT-xk/s400/Ludwigsburg+Weihnachtsmarkt+013+-+adjusted.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plenty of aisles of booths to explore - just make sure you're bundled up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_nrdf9NrbIfaCI3qwH8LgEDCKLq4P7ToZqnWLAhb803eq2LrAkVCP-hwEkPHm11vRTsz_8ohOZ5VQ7MrUgEo51_3KWnpi_EeHOXIgG6mlyVcNyTssYLwBzS4j-88zZljqoe2RSFBU9iE/s1600/Ludwigsburg+Weihnachtsmarkt+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_nrdf9NrbIfaCI3qwH8LgEDCKLq4P7ToZqnWLAhb803eq2LrAkVCP-hwEkPHm11vRTsz_8ohOZ5VQ7MrUgEo51_3KWnpi_EeHOXIgG6mlyVcNyTssYLwBzS4j-88zZljqoe2RSFBU9iE/s400/Ludwigsburg+Weihnachtsmarkt+022.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite merry-go-round featuring all types of transportation, such as bikes, trams, and cars.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ1Vb_TuZYlWDmTPHH-fW-TUdyh8ffI3bxozMYF3UPDZDbcyrU7KNRtXrYf_w_wC9UIe-yd7Fj-fRlgl4xetU5Gpn5E7si4KPsgoLI72EqurXK12o95Vh2cLK3iiOxADGZ9fNdxHmbrYI/s1600/Ludwigsburg+Weihnachtsmarkt+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ1Vb_TuZYlWDmTPHH-fW-TUdyh8ffI3bxozMYF3UPDZDbcyrU7KNRtXrYf_w_wC9UIe-yd7Fj-fRlgl4xetU5Gpn5E7si4KPsgoLI72EqurXK12o95Vh2cLK3iiOxADGZ9fNdxHmbrYI/s400/Ludwigsburg+Weihnachtsmarkt+007.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolate covered fruit on a stick - a common find in Christmas Markets.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFt8kloRgQXsAm2wo45-KMXQ_joBQhFhLmqvKIuDWmRE_aK7WoPstj1r7kW-jjS86RbcdLMWGRIZHypcWVct_S0zVx2WpYldx2_lFernnmYZbXugA3UNkAaxa9ho3dIw0qs9mWjOJOZqs/s1600/Ludwigsburg+Weihnachtsmarkt+002+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFt8kloRgQXsAm2wo45-KMXQ_joBQhFhLmqvKIuDWmRE_aK7WoPstj1r7kW-jjS86RbcdLMWGRIZHypcWVct_S0zVx2WpYldx2_lFernnmYZbXugA3UNkAaxa9ho3dIw0qs9mWjOJOZqs/s400/Ludwigsburg+Weihnachtsmarkt+002+-+adjusted.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plenty of dinner or lunch food options to keep everyone happy. Next time I'm getting the grilled fish.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Stuttgart Weihnachtsmarkt - Stuttgart, Germany</h3>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The Stuttgart Christmas Market is huge. We thought we could see the whole market in one evening but we underestimated its size. The 280 decorated stands take over three plazas and the neighboring streets, making it one of Europe's largest Christmas markets. Even though this market is spread over a large area, it was still crowded day and
night. Approximately 3.5 to 4 million visitors come here annually during the 4 weeks it is open. It is also one of Europe's oldest markets dating back to 1692.<br />
<br />
The market has multiple places to grab a bite to eat and drink. On the Saturday night we were there for dinner, the food area was packed with people. At one end of the market we found a children's area featuring a real steam locomotive ride, carousels and a ferris wheel. Of course these were next to candy and toy booths. My favorite feature of this market was all the elaborately decorated rooftop stalls. Each roof was unique, with figurines, lights and some with moving parts - each competing for the prize of the most beautiful stall.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhbOsyUQz8-LEGTHu61pojj7IWn7hNUpAIbrfL5_ISuJkR5rvrQ3FFyaMIsRRCblZ_cEnP7OAIgq2EyLyzj-l9rAdSv-sgnEeyN9X0sOqrm7y-PYXqhj4onigK9dYW_671CWzew3lQ7XM/s1600/Stuttgart+Weihnachtsmarkt+25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhbOsyUQz8-LEGTHu61pojj7IWn7hNUpAIbrfL5_ISuJkR5rvrQ3FFyaMIsRRCblZ_cEnP7OAIgq2EyLyzj-l9rAdSv-sgnEeyN9X0sOqrm7y-PYXqhj4onigK9dYW_671CWzew3lQ7XM/s400/Stuttgart+Weihnachtsmarkt+25.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delicious hot chocolate.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzLjbcTI8HysUWQcrnfzhxLdCQnICTSQTj0CcDxy1NssQyqmqePMRlzXZG0u7WIryj9VzCoEDBvaRm5Rf7PchOooa8DqB-SgVug2SCbDUyA4lhxfRTPzaa2WdEBcjDc00g4UtfKnM0no/s1600/Stuttgart+Weihnachtsmarkt+023+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzLjbcTI8HysUWQcrnfzhxLdCQnICTSQTj0CcDxy1NssQyqmqePMRlzXZG0u7WIryj9VzCoEDBvaRm5Rf7PchOooa8DqB-SgVug2SCbDUyA4lhxfRTPzaa2WdEBcjDc00g4UtfKnM0no/s400/Stuttgart+Weihnachtsmarkt+023+-+adjusted.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of food options to choose from.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8jXiJ5Wdd79shuBPSAnUKnETe_uuByKrUBQ3RFjcnF8oPZv7qXqWNcwY-qYfzUeBMqr6Kgf5OeNSYUuUgLp55C8o8o05aCOFuhxFeUBjjgdiUWjOKNRGrNW6MbYDePJXlbHztSHaV7Gs/s1600/Stuttgart+Weihnachtsmarkt+16+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8jXiJ5Wdd79shuBPSAnUKnETe_uuByKrUBQ3RFjcnF8oPZv7qXqWNcwY-qYfzUeBMqr6Kgf5OeNSYUuUgLp55C8o8o05aCOFuhxFeUBjjgdiUWjOKNRGrNW6MbYDePJXlbHztSHaV7Gs/s400/Stuttgart+Weihnachtsmarkt+16+-+adjusted.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Currywurst is a popular street snack in Germany.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfpu51aDu8DgFVPGpgAGkwdqnSIegaVCudlJ1iahSGh8pmCrtTUZ2-0V2aC94Vd54IzVMy2CFVZdtTiRleeO72ffWFW5Mewtu0Tzb-nz2RK7zJSo2v9jZV76EB95f3GMU7_zasZcbOI0/s1600/Stuttgart+Weihnachtsmarkt+20+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfpu51aDu8DgFVPGpgAGkwdqnSIegaVCudlJ1iahSGh8pmCrtTUZ2-0V2aC94Vd54IzVMy2CFVZdtTiRleeO72ffWFW5Mewtu0Tzb-nz2RK7zJSo2v9jZV76EB95f3GMU7_zasZcbOI0/s400/Stuttgart+Weihnachtsmarkt+20+-+adjusted.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazing rooftop decorations.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0zEJ7mp5pzPeBaMkVp_vLdZHtev3XoDf86JKZLMz7SY_8NFoQYlaQS4y_yWmYIVOE5agMMunthoVJgjmC7nHhK9GqbMEBqxCKk-CwbSCndbTs4oX_Sfi2Cbsp7QJPMs-zH1iaapUKAFQ/s1600/Stuttgart+Weihnachtsmarkt+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0zEJ7mp5pzPeBaMkVp_vLdZHtev3XoDf86JKZLMz7SY_8NFoQYlaQS4y_yWmYIVOE5agMMunthoVJgjmC7nHhK9GqbMEBqxCKk-CwbSCndbTs4oX_Sfi2Cbsp7QJPMs-zH1iaapUKAFQ/s400/Stuttgart+Weihnachtsmarkt+035.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adorable animated roofs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVjiqz5W4juotOhcYcKqXXubH-k7qXNn8qWol_jyRuYLO_b4InCl5vJgeVQw039SMflL6pcb5WSvvyg4ZpT_ElkIsV65L_mB9JWJEFOsLwk-vOLW_x4Fi4BpnwL_NKeA1cz9qIodFplpY/s1600/Stuttgart+Weihnachtsmarkt+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVjiqz5W4juotOhcYcKqXXubH-k7qXNn8qWol_jyRuYLO_b4InCl5vJgeVQw039SMflL6pcb5WSvvyg4ZpT_ElkIsV65L_mB9JWJEFOsLwk-vOLW_x4Fi4BpnwL_NKeA1cz9qIodFplpY/s400/Stuttgart+Weihnachtsmarkt+039.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Sunday, the streets were already packed by the afternoon.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJsMNhZM0BBfhyphenhyphens7YiOe-Xjc6jP0UBQQraY7stv564k-jiQD4-bf_32uaQV8PJBxkEFRWEpF4-PU9IgkOK0OW86mQbeN5sw2G_88ynlH-03wDHr40clqJ0vhWMjKY-_EBWaRcasPHqHi0/s1600/Stuttgart+Weihnachtsmarkt+30+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJsMNhZM0BBfhyphenhyphens7YiOe-Xjc6jP0UBQQraY7stv564k-jiQD4-bf_32uaQV8PJBxkEFRWEpF4-PU9IgkOK0OW86mQbeN5sw2G_88ynlH-03wDHr40clqJ0vhWMjKY-_EBWaRcasPHqHi0/s400/Stuttgart+Weihnachtsmarkt+30+-+adjusted.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you don't know how to ice skate, don't worry; an ice skating gnome can help you!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Esslingens Mittelalter- und Weihnachtsmarkt - Esslingen, Germany</h3>
The Esslingen market was hands down my favorite market in 2004 - maybe even of all time. There is a unique twist to this Christmas market: it has two distinct themes. The first half is a traditional market, similar to many others in Germany, and the other half is a medieval market. As a bonus, on the weekend we went there was a small flea market/craft market along one of the
side streets.<br />
<br />
The traditional market portion sells the expected seasonal fare of sausages, Glühwein, hot
chocolate, beer, and holiday trinkets. Adjacent to this area is a distantly different market; something I would equate to a Renaissance Faire
Christmas. The vendors are dressed in era-appropriate costumes and selling medieval inspired crafts and fare. The market has a medieval inspired game area, a ferris wheel and a candle making booth for kids. The medieval market also
had a line up of free entertainment throughout the day - musicians, parades, and fire shows in the evening.<br />
<br />
From our experience, we would advise visitors to arrive
early in the day. By 4 pm the market was crowded and by night fall the surrounding roads were jam packed with more people arriving and searching for parking.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2kEFJqSnT41AbD8IXNvKbhoVNyxGcn90R4njs280L2B8B96yT7wzo_5vErmPh_NMpJMf2Hy1GC-7KsdFwHzeD5b4UKQ52Jmut_TFbua6VBujnpRQuaAuGiAMG0HqzTbr4Dr_UpvAtKKk/s1600/Esslingen+Weihnacktsmarkt+001+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2kEFJqSnT41AbD8IXNvKbhoVNyxGcn90R4njs280L2B8B96yT7wzo_5vErmPh_NMpJMf2Hy1GC-7KsdFwHzeD5b4UKQ52Jmut_TFbua6VBujnpRQuaAuGiAMG0HqzTbr4Dr_UpvAtKKk/s400/Esslingen+Weihnacktsmarkt+001+-+adjusted.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The main entrance is typical of many Christmas markets.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsa0D6pznE2t4HiE5-KPRWJ6xNKo4luevn7ja3BwaqT861cb1xtLe2SW5m-w0ScSdNXjBLfgsIX2Xp0AYNBl3Y7d0bCoP6QPcjVgYNX4-S6xuAhZ3sQ-wjWqf4IXab9Leh9dwCALsy_kI/s1600/Esslingen+Weihnacktsmarkt+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsa0D6pznE2t4HiE5-KPRWJ6xNKo4luevn7ja3BwaqT861cb1xtLe2SW5m-w0ScSdNXjBLfgsIX2Xp0AYNBl3Y7d0bCoP6QPcjVgYNX4-S6xuAhZ3sQ-wjWqf4IXab9Leh9dwCALsy_kI/s400/Esslingen+Weihnacktsmarkt+002.JPG" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And like any decent market, there are plenty of ways to keep warm. We loved the hot chocolate.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJFkG1B1T73pVcYS8vnH58qdKlzPVphWx4DIB69ZrGarYv9TQeP7o0VMGw_pVHD0UzTYoGXBKCIWhEzs0xhLfYTTBMErowRnd9RTb7zDvht075mJG6eWA8HTOcVRkr2Yv3L3B1XnYOGo/s1600/Esslingen+Weihnacktsmarkt+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJFkG1B1T73pVcYS8vnH58qdKlzPVphWx4DIB69ZrGarYv9TQeP7o0VMGw_pVHD0UzTYoGXBKCIWhEzs0xhLfYTTBMErowRnd9RTb7zDvht075mJG6eWA8HTOcVRkr2Yv3L3B1XnYOGo/s400/Esslingen+Weihnacktsmarkt+004.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adorable figurines to recreate your own German village.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7iJ0at3Cl99KRlFA-2a9f7Tgd5fAO_blFm_FIR9hfGqlf2nEQhg_kZmdJ1l3Od1ujjaxb2imQVa-2NrNNVhm-Yip9URd_LCU6ETfjpBSzNnrSTHjbDi_yrG3I3kPhQVXPaTlr4PVxI1E/s1600/Esslingen+Weihnacktsmarkt+009+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7iJ0at3Cl99KRlFA-2a9f7Tgd5fAO_blFm_FIR9hfGqlf2nEQhg_kZmdJ1l3Od1ujjaxb2imQVa-2NrNNVhm-Yip9URd_LCU6ETfjpBSzNnrSTHjbDi_yrG3I3kPhQVXPaTlr4PVxI1E/s400/Esslingen+Weihnacktsmarkt+009+-+adjusted.jpg" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unlike other Christmas markets, this one has a unique section - a Medieval Christmas Market.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbCnpvUs9iH4FDlyeSrnmiuVN8CkPLnLJf3pTeFGIVx_BMFan1QXk9Zv6S8ihPorIgUjtwMhMAaTFC_3woD6NwCDFmZbLOR33brkXeS2kVXo0IKw16miHSNYwOW8fQxQaMAPiYa3Q95ag/s1600/Esslingen+Weihnacktsmarkt+027+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbCnpvUs9iH4FDlyeSrnmiuVN8CkPLnLJf3pTeFGIVx_BMFan1QXk9Zv6S8ihPorIgUjtwMhMAaTFC_3woD6NwCDFmZbLOR33brkXeS2kVXo0IKw16miHSNYwOW8fQxQaMAPiYa3Q95ag/s400/Esslingen+Weihnacktsmarkt+027+-+adjusted.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Games, drinks, music and even the ferris wheel all make up the Medieval theme.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfxZaUjn1WdICn2vxV1qrdSe9xS9cUg0V4IE4lbLxvuqHDZ6wUGC3ioFtL6rmo8MnH0Hj8YkEER8eNQoCR9KW9adhYJALBtEcTdwqRXvqIHraOCALAYK0IrvlVoZc6GbeALOeusu8bg2I/s1600/Esslingen+Weihnacktsmarkt+043+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfxZaUjn1WdICn2vxV1qrdSe9xS9cUg0V4IE4lbLxvuqHDZ6wUGC3ioFtL6rmo8MnH0Hj8YkEER8eNQoCR9KW9adhYJALBtEcTdwqRXvqIHraOCALAYK0IrvlVoZc6GbeALOeusu8bg2I/s400/Esslingen+Weihnacktsmarkt+043+-+adjusted.jpg" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Costumed parade through the market.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhylWEEdtSWALZQSfLUdjMCU3KpXNjbiVIgZY42TwAssSQBgOJc9v_sl6Dm3PZyMfYtDC89DVP3kRwR07r8ek46wVclUCallrhAuR3anKoXOedAJAq-OimcvpmMC8HzleotwilOVA5gu6s/s1600/Esslingen+Weihnacktsmarkt+033+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhylWEEdtSWALZQSfLUdjMCU3KpXNjbiVIgZY42TwAssSQBgOJc9v_sl6Dm3PZyMfYtDC89DVP3kRwR07r8ek46wVclUCallrhAuR3anKoXOedAJAq-OimcvpmMC8HzleotwilOVA5gu6s/s400/Esslingen+Weihnacktsmarkt+033+-+adjusted.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waffles cooked over an open flame. Even the food kept with the Medieval theme.</td></tr>
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As we explore more Christmas markets each year, we are starting to learn what makes each one unique (and others not so unique). We have started looking into which ones we'd like to visit this coming winter.<br />
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For more, check our post about <a href="http://www.laurequarup.com/2014/07/christmas-markets.html">Christmas markets in 2013</a>.</div>
Laurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05848291077777206180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131555610866497086.post-18176164484082128802015-07-21T15:47:00.001-07:002015-08-01T07:44:49.142-07:00New York, New York<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
After going to <a href="http://www.laurequarup.com/2015/06/dan-and-sejals-wedding.html">Dan and Sejal's wedding</a>, Laure and I spent a week with some of our East Coast friends in the city that never sleeps. We danced, attended some cultural events, and--best of all--ate to our heart's content.<br />
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As soon as we arrived in New York, we met up with our good friend Andrew, who took us to the first of many great meals.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gEc95v8-wIE/VY8Sd3-cokI/AAAAAAAApqg/bfRwUvMo4d8/s1600/Lunch%2Bat%2BIppudo%2B001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gEc95v8-wIE/VY8Sd3-cokI/AAAAAAAApqg/bfRwUvMo4d8/s400/Lunch%2Bat%2BIppudo%2B001.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ramen at Ippudo.</td></tr>
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Since moving to Switzerland, Laure and I had been craving some good non-European food. So we were happy to check out one of the restaurants in this Japanese chain of good quality ramen.<br />
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After eating delicious ramen, we settled into our home base in Queens. Andrew's good friend Jamie was kind enough to let us stay at her apartment there while she was out of town. In my opinion, New York easily has the best public transportation system in the country, so it worked out really well to be walking distance to a subway station with an express train to Manhattan.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3w8CLBve4UNlSi8UP6m_LPPi6zBHj3X5AGo0d8SF-sRJ8u-PWyXAOAoL5gxFWC7lfKPaZyrEbWMX6c5EQFpIAde22dtHAJBEeCQF8TvE6nhZp5OWpE7rvcVAa_iuu7xZyE8g5Ck-cxpI/s1600/NY+Apartment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3w8CLBve4UNlSi8UP6m_LPPi6zBHj3X5AGo0d8SF-sRJ8u-PWyXAOAoL5gxFWC7lfKPaZyrEbWMX6c5EQFpIAde22dtHAJBEeCQF8TvE6nhZp5OWpE7rvcVAa_iuu7xZyE8g5Ck-cxpI/s400/NY+Apartment.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rug and Mochi taking a nap at Jamie's.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z6GUzfM77QU/VY8Sd1OAQ2I/AAAAAAAApqg/ufvum4SoH-Y/s1600/Queens%2BNY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z6GUzfM77QU/VY8Sd1OAQ2I/AAAAAAAApqg/ufvum4SoH-Y/s400/Queens%2BNY.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The scary big pigeons of Queen.</td></tr>
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One of the benefits of visiting New York is that I was able to work from the NY office during the weekdays before hanging out with our friends at night. This worked nicely because most of our friends also had to work during the day and I didn't need to take extra days off work. It also gave a small taste of what it would be to live there. Laure spent her days exploring the city and doing some shopping. Since almost everything is cheaper in the US, she took advantage of the opportunity to refresh her winter wardrobe, stocked up on edible favorites from Whole Foods and purchased a few replacement kitchen items. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6qhE3x0cmrM/VY8OpayB3GI/AAAAAAAAqCU/DMmGQuVhrI8/s1600/IMG_20141118_162419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="303" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6qhE3x0cmrM/VY8OpayB3GI/AAAAAAAAqCU/DMmGQuVhrI8/s400/IMG_20141118_162419.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset view from the New York office isn't bad.</td></tr>
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As I've previously mentioned, one of the ways we connect with the locals while traveling is through swing dancing. One of the two venues we checked out was Swing 46, which is a restaurant where the George Gee's Big Band plays every week. Those guys can really swing, and the crowd of local dancers love them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P2OJSmKYNyc/VY8OpX2G3aI/AAAAAAAApm8/QoyFxVepmDQ/s1600/IMG_20141118_221239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P2OJSmKYNyc/VY8OpX2G3aI/AAAAAAAApm8/QoyFxVepmDQ/s400/IMG_20141118_221239.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laure with one of the local dancers at Swing 46.</td></tr>
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The band and the dancers interacted in a way I had never seen before -- the band leader George Gee constantly stirred up the crowd and the dancers cheered when players finished their solos. Dancers also cheered and learned from one another regardless of whether they were beginners or advanced. Needless to say, this was a completely different vibe from what we experience in Zurich.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FTi6LiLL7l4/VY8OpfZR2zI/AAAAAAAAqCg/PHlEZzpUClA/s1600/IMG_20141118_224048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FTi6LiLL7l4/VY8OpfZR2zI/AAAAAAAAqCg/PHlEZzpUClA/s400/IMG_20141118_224048.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrew did pretty well for his first time swing dancing.</td></tr>
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It felt surreal to dance in the birth place of swing dancing while listening to a great live band playing some of the classic swing songs written about the city (e.g. "Take the 'A' Train").<br />
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One interesting thing I noticed at Swing 46 is that most local dancers were African American, which is something that I had never seen in any swing dance club. Historically, swing dancing was founded by the black community in New York before becoming a national (and international) phenomenon. As other music trends became popular, most people including most of the black community moved on. Today's wave of swing dancers is quite international, but primarily not black. So it was great to see that in the heart of where it all started, some African Americans were still swinging with style.<br />
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Later that week, Andrew took us to another Japanese restaurant -- this time a more upscale restaurant called the Bohemian. Each one of their courses, including the cocktails, was impeccable. Interestingly, the only way for someone to dine at the Bohemian is to be "referred" by someone else that has already been there. This is similar to how Facebook started: you could only join if an existing member invited you. This unusual strategy of exclusivity creates a buzz in a city where foodies are always on the hunt for the hottest new restaurant.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-keE4BaQp2ik/VaGxSVNt2HI/AAAAAAAAqHQ/0xq6vPj2JN4/s1600/IMG_20141118_195346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-keE4BaQp2ik/VaGxSVNt2HI/AAAAAAAAqHQ/0xq6vPj2JN4/s400/IMG_20141118_195346.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Wagyu beef at the Bohemian is delightfully soft and juicy.</td></tr>
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During the last few days, we met up with more of our great friends Andy, who had just moved there from San Francisco, and Guillermo, who took a train from DC. We checked out the Christmas market at Bryant Park.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JYotl8v57To/VY8Sd1Ie-zI/AAAAAAAApqc/la-5Ycm_Nmk/s1600/Winter%2BVillage%2Bat%2BBryant%2BPark%2B003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JYotl8v57To/VY8Sd1Ie-zI/AAAAAAAApqc/la-5Ycm_Nmk/s400/Winter%2BVillage%2Bat%2BBryant%2BPark%2B003.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My buddy Andy and I in front of Bryant Park's ice rink.</td></tr>
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One valuable find at the market was a food stand that sold the delicious Eastern European treat named Trdlo, with which Guillermo fell in love when we visited <a href="http://www.laurequarup.com/2014/07/prague-czech-republic-dec-24-28.html">Prague in the previous holidays</a>.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y9x8E_yTXzE/VY8Sd3S1bVI/AAAAAAAApqc/4HLGF2h2S74/s1600/Winter%2BVillage%2Bat%2BBryant%2BPark%2B005%2B-%2Baltered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y9x8E_yTXzE/VY8Sd3S1bVI/AAAAAAAApqc/4HLGF2h2S74/s400/Winter%2BVillage%2Bat%2BBryant%2BPark%2B005%2B-%2Baltered.jpg" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Trdlo is a delicious cylinder of dough coated with a mix of sugar and walnuts.<br />
It is slowly cooked over fire.</td></tr>
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The market was fun although significantly less decorated than the extravagant <a href="http://www.laurequarup.com/2014/07/christmas-markets.html">Christmas markets in Europe</a>. I think the New York version is a bit less lively partly because people can't legally drink their Glühwein (hot mulled wine) outside, so the American Christmas market is not as good of a place to just hang out and socialize. Maybe that will change one day.<br />
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On the topic of Christmas markets, we also checked out a small one by the local Swedish community. They hosted it as a fundraiser for the local church and explained Swedish holiday traditions and foods.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wsswmUxFdgo/VZ8P9GYk2EI/AAAAAAAAqD4/9QJLt53PppM/s1600/Swedish%2BChristmas%2BMarket%2B03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wsswmUxFdgo/VZ8P9GYk2EI/AAAAAAAAqD4/9QJLt53PppM/s400/Swedish%2BChristmas%2BMarket%2B03.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swedish community Christmas market.</td></tr>
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Another follow-up from our previous trip to Prague was checking out Hospoda Bohemian Beer Hall, which is the sister beer hall of <a href="http://www.laurequarup.com/2014/07/prague-czech-republic-dec-24-28.html">Lokál Dlouhá in Prague</a>. Although we didn't find the same beer master that we met on our previous trip, we still had a delicious round of the Czech beer Pilsner Urquell on tap. Apparently the New York beer hall didn't serve the beer out of the big tanks like they had it in Prague, which may explain why the texture wasn't as creamy. But the flavor was still pretty damn good.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CayvOtfZxbY/VY8Sd7znc0I/AAAAAAAApqc/TmRyZc1GOx0/s1600/Hospoda%2BBohemian%2BBeer%2BHall%2B002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CayvOtfZxbY/VY8Sd7znc0I/AAAAAAAApqc/TmRyZc1GOx0/s400/Hospoda%2BBohemian%2BBeer%2BHall%2B002.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A round of Czech pilsner at the Hospoda Bohemian Beer Hall.</td></tr>
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On one of the nights, we checked out an "experimental theater" play. In such type of play, the audience and actors are not separated into seats and the stage. Instead, the audience is free to roam around different rooms of a building where they can watch different scenes of the play. Audience members sometimes interact with the actors and become part of a scene. We saw the play Sleep No More, which is easily the most popular of this genre in New York. It's a really interesting experience and feels a bit surreal at times.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyBEc-YfneFNGeVzOKhIYJyMURdchePPRNhOaIEwG04EwyKzlA9h95H-R-v-64R2h8Nx_o9z0NiqpdEdpjiTxsY6IWGL3RXjCxoa8LNv2tvx0LCdUfalTqz4HB_jHITJ1T_kAq13Tytk4/s1600/6400472293_c277c61151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyBEc-YfneFNGeVzOKhIYJyMURdchePPRNhOaIEwG04EwyKzlA9h95H-R-v-64R2h8Nx_o9z0NiqpdEdpjiTxsY6IWGL3RXjCxoa8LNv2tvx0LCdUfalTqz4HB_jHITJ1T_kAq13Tytk4/s400/6400472293_c277c61151.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Audience members wear masks to watch (and sometimes interact with) the actors in the different rooms of Sleep No More.<br />
Photo credit: <a href="https://unittwentyfour.wordpress.com/2014/10/04/sleep-no-more-interactive-performance-in-new-york/">Unit 24</a>.</td></tr>
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<br />
We visited some more good friends for another memorable meal at their apartment. Our host prepared an awesome meal that included his mother's delicious spring rolls, which we enjoyed while reminiscing about old times.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLvNYyXq6ITeq-pzgOQG7tlaGVz-6ZPFm2wh_qDoZoWQSpHa1xew7ZljEuymfWuQxsmENskef03tKU938M0PzypgHzPwDSTCWrG9_kDQqC6L94CIxI2jN11-XYgNhM1WIbqVjC5-CNfE/s1600/1521535_10152440819757050_1555731021971833431_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLvNYyXq6ITeq-pzgOQG7tlaGVz-6ZPFm2wh_qDoZoWQSpHa1xew7ZljEuymfWuQxsmENskef03tKU938M0PzypgHzPwDSTCWrG9_kDQqC6L94CIxI2jN11-XYgNhM1WIbqVjC5-CNfE/s400/1521535_10152440819757050_1555731021971833431_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our good friends accommodated us into their busy schedules for a delicious dinner by Huy.</td></tr>
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Following Andrew's suggestion, we also checked out the semi-finals of a Poetry Slam championship in at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe. The contestants wrote amazing poetry with topics ranging from personal life struggles (such as taking care of a brother with a learning disorder) to national issues (such as the police shooting of Trayvon Martin). Writing excellence was only one of the many requirements of the competition. The best competitors also delivered their poems passionately and beautifully.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-QplnEgezKXlA06T-WGAKQ29uvxfF4WY1xLPLy5paLNn3UiUqBtQNXzsx8XOhZj9Wmpdxk8jFHiYa8c0HuNztOi4de9DYunEKQ3nfhaeIKV5m8wxW9JYSfikHayyPE_2l5DPu-LkSV0/s1600/IMG_20141121_214800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-QplnEgezKXlA06T-WGAKQ29uvxfF4WY1xLPLy5paLNn3UiUqBtQNXzsx8XOhZj9Wmpdxk8jFHiYa8c0HuNztOi4de9DYunEKQ3nfhaeIKV5m8wxW9JYSfikHayyPE_2l5DPu-LkSV0/s400/IMG_20141121_214800.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Setting up the stage for the semi-final Poetry Slam championship at Nuyorican Poets Cafe.</td></tr>
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Our last dinner in New York was at another restaurant that would be nearly impossible to match in Europe: an excellent Argentinian steakhouse named El Gauchito ("The Little Cowboy"). They serve the finest of Argentinian classics: thick and juicy steaks named bife de chorizo, which is commonly referred to as strip sirloin or NY strip in non-Argentinian restaurants. I had been salivating over the thought of this awesome steak since we had it in <a href="http://www.laurequarup.com/2012/09/bariloche-and-refugio-frey-argentina.html">Argentina a few years ago</a>. El Gauchito did not disappoint: the beef came cooked perfectly median-rare, although only Guillermo and Andy were smart enough to immediately remove it from the metal to stop it from cooking further. Noob mistake by the rest of us.<br />
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Accompanying the delectable bife de chorizo was another Argentinian classic: Malbec wine. Match made in heaven.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pNhASB-63K8/VZ8P9O1waCI/AAAAAAAAqD4/gm8zGoyOfmQ/s1600/El%2BGauchito%2BRestaurant%2B002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pNhASB-63K8/VZ8P9O1waCI/AAAAAAAAqD4/gm8zGoyOfmQ/s400/El%2BGauchito%2BRestaurant%2B002.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guillermo, Andy and Laure with their bifes de chorizo and Malbec wine.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jGot0r-n4fs/VZ8P9OY9M8I/AAAAAAAAqD4/w6Vfcv6ig0A/s1600/El%2BGauchito%2BRestaurant%2B003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jGot0r-n4fs/VZ8P9OY9M8I/AAAAAAAAqD4/w6Vfcv6ig0A/s400/El%2BGauchito%2BRestaurant%2B003.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't forget me, Leslie, and Andrew.</td></tr>
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After dinner, we checked out a nearby club with Latin music and delicious drinks, where we stumbled our way through some salsa and merengue moves. It was an amazing night apart from the moment of panic when we thought someone had stolen our coats.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MZUxSZAx0RI/VaGxHQasG1I/AAAAAAAAqHA/Omjgih4CQFM/s1600/IMG_20141122_235306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MZUxSZAx0RI/VaGxHQasG1I/AAAAAAAAqHA/Omjgih4CQFM/s400/IMG_20141122_235306.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This blurry photo reconstructs the ambience pretty well after a few drinks.</td></tr>
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Qhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009834242027169260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131555610866497086.post-92016676812134009832015-06-28T18:15:00.000-07:002015-08-01T07:45:17.467-07:00Dan and Sejal's Wedding<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A long-standing item that was on Laure's and my bucket list was to attend one of those legendary Indian weddings that you see in the movies. I wouldn't say this was the main reason we were friends with Dan, but I must admit that we were putting all our bets on him.<br />
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Last November, our bets paid off.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTcMLPH6OIQ/VY8Sd5YD3-I/AAAAAAAApqw/owLdXJvrFp8/s1600/Hasta%2BMelap%2B-%2BDan%2Band%2BSejal%2Bwedding%2B046%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTcMLPH6OIQ/VY8Sd5YD3-I/AAAAAAAApqw/owLdXJvrFp8/s400/Hasta%2BMelap%2B-%2BDan%2Band%2BSejal%2Bwedding%2B046%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks, Sejal and Dan.</td></tr>
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As soon as we got in New Jersey, Laure hit the floor running by going to Sejal's family's party where the ladies got their hennas done. As far as I know, Laure's previous experience with hennas was with the type that you can buy from Hot Topic and apply yourself at home. The henna artists at the party provided significant upgrade from anything Laure had previously had.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kEaxWN_vC6w/VY8Sd5lGN7I/AAAAAAAAprc/ajvtUtVZ8cI/s1600/Mehndi%2BNight%2B010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kEaxWN_vC6w/VY8Sd5lGN7I/AAAAAAAAprc/ajvtUtVZ8cI/s400/Mehndi%2BNight%2B010.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laure's first legitimate henna.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3yBNOj4nUdE/VY8Opa8eDyI/AAAAAAAApm0/DeiLxaW1xX0/s1600/IMG_20141113_232302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="313" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3yBNOj4nUdE/VY8Opa8eDyI/AAAAAAAApm0/DeiLxaW1xX0/s400/IMG_20141113_232302.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Henna art is made with a dark paste of crushed leaves and twigs of a plant that goes by the same name.</td></tr>
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Following others' advice, Laure waited until the next morning before washing her hands. This helps keeping the henna dark.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pYZn49gXeok/VY8bVa1kucI/AAAAAAAApto/ossoSVnXGGE/s1600/Mehndi%2B006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pYZn49gXeok/VY8bVa1kucI/AAAAAAAApto/ossoSVnXGGE/s400/Mehndi%2B006.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Final product after washing hands the next day.</span></td></tr>
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On the second day, our friend Peter, Laure and I rented a car and checked out the surrounding area in New Jersey. The best part was seeing the the fall colors on the trees. Yes, I know it's a bit cliché, but the fall colors in the northeastern United States are really something special. And I hadn't seen them since I had moved out of Pennsylvania years ago.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uUP_08xmfHc/VY8OpZSwCiI/AAAAAAAApm8/CP7-R5bgWuA/s1600/IMG_20141114_152059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uUP_08xmfHc/VY8OpZSwCiI/AAAAAAAApm8/CP7-R5bgWuA/s400/IMG_20141114_152059.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fall colors of New Jersey.</td></tr>
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To balance out the beauty of the leaves' changing colors, some ridiculously rude guy screamed at us at a gas station because he incorrectly thought we were blocking traffic. He turned his back and walked away as we were trying to reason with him. That left a sour taste in our mouths.<br />
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But something that sweetened Peter's tastebuds was the cronut knock-off he got a Dunkin' Donuts. For those not in the know about the latest food trends, a cronut is a mutant half-croissant half-donut pastry. Dunkin' Donuts (a fast food pastry shop) caught wind of this fad and decided to sell it too. But they had to name it "Croissant Donut" in order to avoid a trademark lawsuit.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1pTzqfgQTfA/VY8OpVr_QoI/AAAAAAAApm0/OuvmM433EyY/s1600/IMG_20141114_165236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1pTzqfgQTfA/VY8OpVr_QoI/AAAAAAAApm0/OuvmM433EyY/s400/IMG_20141114_165236.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">The cronut knock-off tasted about as good as anything else you'd get at Dunkin' Donuts.</span></td></tr>
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We then went back to the wedding venue and joined our friends for another night of partying. Dan and Sejal had set up an amazing variety of delicious vegetarian Indian food. Coming from Switzerland where it can be tough to find authentic Indian food, Laure and I were very excited about this.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G2GI8mbBbO8/VY8Sd82TcXI/AAAAAAAApqg/gW1G_kqRfW4/s1600/Garba-Raas%2Band%2BSangeet%2B049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G2GI8mbBbO8/VY8Sd82TcXI/AAAAAAAApqg/gW1G_kqRfW4/s400/Garba-Raas%2Band%2BSangeet%2B049.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This dish named Raj Kachori Chaat was amazing.</td></tr>
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The main part of the night was comprised of performances by Dan and Sejal's family and friends. They varied from traditional regional Indian dances to more modern Bollywood style performances.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi04EZPZrhZjoqOD7ixzhPHMFeJeXm7gxWhsCDMP-gk72UxsS-C8THFA9nOnt2OlMbSEpFlVO5hiv5jRE1og7VSBEbSw_xTR9L6k3M8FXNKxyXCSXHmAERB_CljAhnuA7Mhw8-JzOThp4/s1600/Garba-Raas+and+Sangeet+036+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi04EZPZrhZjoqOD7ixzhPHMFeJeXm7gxWhsCDMP-gk72UxsS-C8THFA9nOnt2OlMbSEpFlVO5hiv5jRE1og7VSBEbSw_xTR9L6k3M8FXNKxyXCSXHmAERB_CljAhnuA7Mhw8-JzOThp4/s400/Garba-Raas+and+Sangeet+036+%25281%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dance performance for the wedding couple.<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w-7cFwCrhUo/VY8q4XG33oI/AAAAAAAApvc/zwlJnADbCoU/s1600/Garba-Raas%2Band%2BSangeet%2B022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w-7cFwCrhUo/VY8q4XG33oI/AAAAAAAApvc/zwlJnADbCoU/s400/Garba-Raas%2Band%2BSangeet%2B022.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite was this traditional performance by Dan's cousin.</td></tr>
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After the performances, the dancing experts taught us the basic routine of Dandiya Raas, which is an Indian dance where each person dances with two sticks. Dancers line up in two rows facing each other and perform a routine that involves hitting the sticks together and rotating positions.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FmiE_n_nSuI/VZATMhlf9BI/AAAAAAAApyE/TbcIC5A58Hc/s1600/Garba-Raas%2Band%2BSangeet%2B040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FmiE_n_nSuI/VZATMhlf9BI/AAAAAAAApyE/TbcIC5A58Hc/s400/Garba-Raas%2Band%2BSangeet%2B040.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dandiya Raas "stick" dance sounds complicated, but it only takes about ten minutes to learn.</td></tr>
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The dance kind of feels like a group bonding exercise because everyone needs to be well synchronized. It only takes a couple of people to stumble out of sync in order for the entire thing to fall into chaos, which happens fairly often. So it is to everyone's best interest to help out the newbies. That was us.<br />
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After the party, a few of us temporarily invaded Dan's room with a bottle of champagne. We reminisced on days past and daydreamed about the future.<br />
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The next day was the main day of ceremonies. The groom's and bride's sides celebrate separately for the first part. That's when we witnessed Dan's awesome arrival on a white horse.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1WUZ2zRUdWU/VY8Sd652kuI/AAAAAAAApqc/jxES3yg7ivs/s1600/Baraat%2B010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1WUZ2zRUdWU/VY8Sd652kuI/AAAAAAAApqc/jxES3yg7ivs/s400/Baraat%2B010.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awesomeness.</td></tr>
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I won't claim that I actually understood everything that was going on, but I enjoyed that nearly every part somehow incorporated dancing. What better way is there to celebrate long term happiness among family and friends?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0JjRXJcJLs8/VZAepnnsmuI/AAAAAAAAp0U/-YVHDmuyTvc/s1600/Baraat%2B008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0JjRXJcJLs8/VZAepnnsmuI/AAAAAAAAp0U/-YVHDmuyTvc/s400/Baraat%2B008.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dan dancing on his white horse to the live music.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VYq7BQSiu7M/VZAgCk6tx-I/AAAAAAAAp1A/bnRHpWObEO4/s1600/Baraat%2B013%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VYq7BQSiu7M/VZAgCk6tx-I/AAAAAAAAp1A/bnRHpWObEO4/s400/Baraat%2B013%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't know what's going on? Just dance.</td></tr>
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Next, we followed Dan's side of the family to meet with Sejal's.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wKn9qDdpyD8/VZAiEEOApZI/AAAAAAAAp1w/dgq8MWClRm4/s1600/Baraat%2B029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wKn9qDdpyD8/VZAiEEOApZI/AAAAAAAAp1w/dgq8MWClRm4/s400/Baraat%2B029.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Something important happened here.</td></tr>
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Then came the main ceremony, which was comprised of many traditional and spiritual rituals.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfoTBme6h74eOJwLcFaYgjYxV-_uLcivSBLRIUf4lFWwl3ttPofJvRd9WLl1qvUPbb3JlD3_1TYXQVqJepLDfLbHBODQYQkIUN5_0CHRN4Mu2wUabY-8RzfhUUneF6rBdH9OR5ZNq5Tto/s1600/Hasta+Melap+-+Dan+and+Sejal+wedding+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfoTBme6h74eOJwLcFaYgjYxV-_uLcivSBLRIUf4lFWwl3ttPofJvRd9WLl1qvUPbb3JlD3_1TYXQVqJepLDfLbHBODQYQkIUN5_0CHRN4Mu2wUabY-8RzfhUUneF6rBdH9OR5ZNq5Tto/s400/Hasta+Melap+-+Dan+and+Sejal+wedding+036.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Both sides were presented with spiritual items.</td></tr>
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My favorite part was when Dan had to put a flower garland around Sejal's neck while others lifted her away to complicate the task.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-12qrDmJbQXk/VY8Sd5HHE_I/AAAAAAAApy8/roTslpM-BhY/s1600/Hasta%2BMelap%2B-%2BDan%2Band%2BSejal%2Bwedding%2B030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-12qrDmJbQXk/VY8Sd5HHE_I/AAAAAAAApy8/roTslpM-BhY/s400/Hasta%2BMelap%2B-%2BDan%2Band%2BSejal%2Bwedding%2B030.JPG" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sejal playing hard to get.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
An important ritual was the Mangal Fera, where Dan and Sejal walked around the fire four times.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4lk0SHDqQBA/VZAoXDYDLnI/AAAAAAAAp2s/vUW9dCH943s/s1600/Hasta%2BMelap%2B-%2BDan%2Band%2BSejal%2Bwedding%2B045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4lk0SHDqQBA/VZAoXDYDLnI/AAAAAAAAp2s/vUW9dCH943s/s400/Hasta%2BMelap%2B-%2BDan%2Band%2BSejal%2Bwedding%2B045.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Mangal Fera symbolized the cleansing of Dan and Sejal's souls as they united into one.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Finally, the most important ritual is Saptapadi, when Dan and Sejal made seven vows to each other. That's pretty much the "I do" of Hindu weddings.<br />
<br />
After the ceremonies, we enjoyed another night with lots of performances, food and dancing. The most notable performance was the re-enactment of Dan and Sejal's love story by Sejal's family.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kql_KC0E97s/VZAq_ESpmzI/AAAAAAAAp3U/Ie47VLIT05A/s1600/Dan%2Band%2BSejal%2BWedding%2BReception%2B002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kql_KC0E97s/VZAq_ESpmzI/AAAAAAAAp3U/Ie47VLIT05A/s400/Dan%2Band%2BSejal%2BWedding%2BReception%2B002.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dan and Sejal's love story. Bollywood style.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f7Ub7PqSb6s/VY8Sd7eWqtI/AAAAAAAApqg/xhjUcoku13Q/s1600/Dan%2Band%2BSejal%2BWedding%2BReception%2B007%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f7Ub7PqSb6s/VY8Sd7eWqtI/AAAAAAAApqg/xhjUcoku13Q/s400/Dan%2Band%2BSejal%2BWedding%2BReception%2B007%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More awesome food.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
During the party, everyone was impressed with Dan's and Sejal's dads. Those two were dancing machines -- I picked up a couple of moves from them.<br />
<br />
After Dan and Sejal left the throne on which they were sitting, a few of us stole it for the photo opportunity.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdxBxvwojn61CH4KXdc0w1JwnSFT_35i8UL4QihOWpG-P0Z9ovffatHm_jZYvvnTYA5nTthreXCq_fLKkGGn7QOHwtDFrVWkGP9SX2-iBqwSnOhj1VQIB2z_TdPYWNmgiZQonrPzCA_uo/s1600/Dan+and+Sejal+Wedding+Reception+002+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdxBxvwojn61CH4KXdc0w1JwnSFT_35i8UL4QihOWpG-P0Z9ovffatHm_jZYvvnTYA5nTthreXCq_fLKkGGn7QOHwtDFrVWkGP9SX2-iBqwSnOhj1VQIB2z_TdPYWNmgiZQonrPzCA_uo/s400/Dan+and+Sejal+Wedding+Reception+002+%25281%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How much did we drink, again?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQn8SKzjqsAYBp-C09dfF8942o9DxlOi7nlBayKzDrgTUqmYZjddOysg-0Mv4LeT7zA5tzWG3dPsDOOdkVeGgJL6juWR74md9gBd7rYPjR6_GazC44Ee4WSqW2JG-z6m7Val7blDjWZ78/s1600/Dan+and+Sejal+Wedding+Reception+014+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQn8SKzjqsAYBp-C09dfF8942o9DxlOi7nlBayKzDrgTUqmYZjddOysg-0Mv4LeT7zA5tzWG3dPsDOOdkVeGgJL6juWR74md9gBd7rYPjR6_GazC44Ee4WSqW2JG-z6m7Val7blDjWZ78/s400/Dan+and+Sejal+Wedding+Reception+014+%25281%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Naturally, the ladies look much sexier than the men.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We had a ton of fun at Dan and Sejal's wedding. We wish them an awesome future.</div>
Qhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009834242027169260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131555610866497086.post-65412977919704457072015-06-08T15:45:00.000-07:002015-06-08T15:45:10.080-07:00Settled into our Swiss Apartment<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I never feel fully settled in a place until about a week before I decide it's time to move - it's one of the ironies of my life. But with no plans to move in the near future, I thought it would be nice to share our place at its current state even though we're not fully settled in. There are a few finishing touches I still need to add but here is our Swiss home at the moment.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZQkJSKqjhejdoeawD2E6ntiZn_-7PSSWIdLDriohHRuhMN2ib8hHpy7PCNS2eAfu2Vo47moOYX3WV91P86fel6Fa5Eb1E9dqCKZuE-y1YZaFS_4sWOAvzjwRSqXyC82hhJGaJFfzz-8/s1600/DSC_0131+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZQkJSKqjhejdoeawD2E6ntiZn_-7PSSWIdLDriohHRuhMN2ib8hHpy7PCNS2eAfu2Vo47moOYX3WV91P86fel6Fa5Eb1E9dqCKZuE-y1YZaFS_4sWOAvzjwRSqXyC82hhJGaJFfzz-8/s400/DSC_0131+-+adjusted.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We donated many of our books before leaving the States and bought some for local living and traveling.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It has been a year and a half since we moved into our current apartment. Even after the arrival of our shipping crate from San Francisco, it took a while to make our apartment feel like a home. We gave away many of our possessions before leaving the US and needed to purchase a few replacements. There were larger essential items (like a sofa, a dresser and a dining table) that would have been expensive to move overseas and other items were small basics (like flatware and dishes) that were easy to replace in Switzerland. We got as much as we could from second hand stores before heading to shops like IKEA. The main excuse for taking nearly a year to get our apartment set up was our preference to travel rather than furniture shop - which is why we came to Europe anyways.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7SWjb_DmO6su5VVaHFRzao0Exw4IRVWZi0ngVrEmfspjV3CxV1dcuV9nt2ZbSYnAwnnmWhMurG2Kh2h1vPTi103QtQoW-ATVKyEB9JE1LlHpNmoDrhRv-Vv0iFakGxlwDYnBhC82AjhU/s1600/IMG_20131118_143909+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7SWjb_DmO6su5VVaHFRzao0Exw4IRVWZi0ngVrEmfspjV3CxV1dcuV9nt2ZbSYnAwnnmWhMurG2Kh2h1vPTi103QtQoW-ATVKyEB9JE1LlHpNmoDrhRv-Vv0iFakGxlwDYnBhC82AjhU/s1600/IMG_20131118_143909+-+adjusted.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ninety-five days later, we were reunited with our belonging from San Francisco.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQxBLz3mXARtH7ZXkHW1hWfsf7YXza3sIYhC1pgDE5UwhxoLwFTjOH_lMPP5969A2d-fedy8-0vLwxgcpYhhNsxFjzyZkfqaGsVNnJwzWP4j4aTH7kIlympo1y6PbLoYPD8idYuzcY5ZY/s1600/DSC_0407+7+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQxBLz3mXARtH7ZXkHW1hWfsf7YXza3sIYhC1pgDE5UwhxoLwFTjOH_lMPP5969A2d-fedy8-0vLwxgcpYhhNsxFjzyZkfqaGsVNnJwzWP4j4aTH7kIlympo1y6PbLoYPD8idYuzcY5ZY/s1600/DSC_0407+7+-+adjusted.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All of our worldly processions arrived, 97% of them arrived in their original condition.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
We chose to settle in Zürich's 2nd quarter, Enge. It's not the most
happening part of town but it is right
along the lake, next to the city center and well connected by public transit. Catching a train to the
mountains is now more convenient and faster than finding our car when we
lived on Telegraph Hill in San Francisco. What turned out the be the absolute best attribute of our apartment's location is the local grocery store. It is open late seven days a week (even on holidays) and it is a stone's throw away!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJT36s5xGFevUm89_aKyS1BRxTPCPEG4Q_mEXid11ewBN80dpHOlu_N10Mc3Ko9LUPTe1qFOu2TY96NUWkaL9-nEM4bjin1C1t838oyiEzKN7qVWeJcegInRDRArh-BKEo5_3TuUj7ZE/s1600/Karte_Quartier_Enge.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJT36s5xGFevUm89_aKyS1BRxTPCPEG4Q_mEXid11ewBN80dpHOlu_N10Mc3Ko9LUPTe1qFOu2TY96NUWkaL9-nEM4bjin1C1t838oyiEzKN7qVWeJcegInRDRArh-BKEo5_3TuUj7ZE/s1600/Karte_Quartier_Enge.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zurich's quarters</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Our current apartment is 1.5 times the size of our previous apartment. Compared to apartments in our prior neighborhood, this place is a steal. Not only is our apartment larger but the place is actually well taken care of. No more rotting floorboards, holes in the walls, mismatching baseboards, or appliances from another century. Unlike in SF, landlords in Zürich normally must make improvements on their rental property in order to raise the rent. Many of the apartments we viewed had remodeled kitchens, bathrooms, or a new balcony. It's frightening to look back and realize that our old SF apartment was going on the market for nearly a thousand dollars a month more then what we were paying; our previous landlord had no intention to renovate or repair anything.<br />
<br />
A little part of me does miss the corky charms of living in building over 100 years old - tilted floors and all. Our current place was probably constructed around WWII. I also miss living in a small cozy apartment. Having always lived in small spaces, I find our current place a little too big for me.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZBt-86jwZKmX6ayaDrS7PQRIDlWzlykeBjPo3Jkgnn_zFUf36Hjex-hmUFid-dRLckyPoKJI-LCRhHDEH1GX5rI1_sfhcuig1fhVzzB3aVPnW06K1m0wYrm7ah17pjLnha_3pMDSHh8/s1600/DSC_0122+-+altered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZBt-86jwZKmX6ayaDrS7PQRIDlWzlykeBjPo3Jkgnn_zFUf36Hjex-hmUFid-dRLckyPoKJI-LCRhHDEH1GX5rI1_sfhcuig1fhVzzB3aVPnW06K1m0wYrm7ah17pjLnha_3pMDSHh8/s400/DSC_0122+-+altered.jpg" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome to our new home.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ8J7Nqa-Um5cXlOcEkBdRGghRmXpKQpz-kszn9i3kLnaw5q3F3qnPvieDWgpc1eV5qZW8SnM43CIeh_PZlnBvdFJ96TTqUzHRhZz8PXCHXrN6TkzqGch_NhiMFPlE5Y4MHe_FjM43W8k/s1600/DSC_0150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ8J7Nqa-Um5cXlOcEkBdRGghRmXpKQpz-kszn9i3kLnaw5q3F3qnPvieDWgpc1eV5qZW8SnM43CIeh_PZlnBvdFJ96TTqUzHRhZz8PXCHXrN6TkzqGch_NhiMFPlE5Y4MHe_FjM43W8k/s400/DSC_0150.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Separate living room - a common find in older apartments we viewed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqFKUze9Ayv-UgOjFQpzLGjgDlGIp8Ib1aRpLcJQLGFpMoa6b-gd3Y7bycFoi9dbHdrzK-rjVy7iD3wMKi1JRiWv10mXngbCizp_lYHm0EZBddCziaQ7cm7BZL1gZlY2j0FMaYE6nlwY/s1600/DSC_0146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqFKUze9Ayv-UgOjFQpzLGjgDlGIp8Ib1aRpLcJQLGFpMoa6b-gd3Y7bycFoi9dbHdrzK-rjVy7iD3wMKi1JRiWv10mXngbCizp_lYHm0EZBddCziaQ7cm7BZL1gZlY2j0FMaYE6nlwY/s1600/DSC_0146.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having a balcony was a must for us.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJblzunGR35PCmBezFDXzsmGYPBWWrigMRTduTyA2szYF48YT-Ifo9EDVA8DN6oPXx47f32mUifd9ISO3_JHV3KLSScHB8MiQLyh79EYDdN6GVEgV0bOTLkkfQAexqLViobtVvNTNC7Ck/s1600/DSC_0093+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJblzunGR35PCmBezFDXzsmGYPBWWrigMRTduTyA2szYF48YT-Ifo9EDVA8DN6oPXx47f32mUifd9ISO3_JHV3KLSScHB8MiQLyh79EYDdN6GVEgV0bOTLkkfQAexqLViobtVvNTNC7Ck/s1600/DSC_0093+-+adjusted.jpg" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sleekest bathroom I have had in a rental unit.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
My favorite part about the apartment is the in-unit washer and dryer.
The majority of my life I've gone without one or both. No more laundromats, crunchy air dried towels or hoarding quarters for us. I didn't think having my own stacking unit in the kitchen would be amazing but
it really has been.<br />
<br />
Actually, having one's own washer and dryer units wasn't the norm for many
of the apartments we viewed. Many buildings offered a shared machine for
all the tenants to either use on a first come / first serve basis or by
assigned days and times. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgurow7J99hGUUb-wBZwDsIIjM5v3bT27C5-rSlNtpy6ainSNT2G-ZlWI2m1TvTDPaxDIK7m5gYUVJ-0TFmiW4TLqszSdqC1cTvRsD4v1SxE-AhStk98T86lCBEvuY2hIZ4thcaL5YFaKc/s1600/DSC_0621+-+altered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgurow7J99hGUUb-wBZwDsIIjM5v3bT27C5-rSlNtpy6ainSNT2G-ZlWI2m1TvTDPaxDIK7m5gYUVJ-0TFmiW4TLqszSdqC1cTvRsD4v1SxE-AhStk98T86lCBEvuY2hIZ4thcaL5YFaKc/s400/DSC_0621+-+altered.jpg" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Okay, so I don't fully know how to use it since the instructions are in German but I know the basics and love it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Another new concept for me is having a spare bedroom. We now can offer overnight guests an actual room of their own. The room also doubles as a small office.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchrL69g4q29RqP0NeWrRRVWRqJUBhnPIM4BxJu_QF_b3p-KoWT83VlzF2sGuC30HHi1U3snvbUCRQDT_W_wiyIyBkSofyjdsi2xaoUttKqdZnGU09DPNYphAlTHVhmy7nXXv-dQ8Svko/s1600/DSC_0135+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchrL69g4q29RqP0NeWrRRVWRqJUBhnPIM4BxJu_QF_b3p-KoWT83VlzF2sGuC30HHi1U3snvbUCRQDT_W_wiyIyBkSofyjdsi2xaoUttKqdZnGU09DPNYphAlTHVhmy7nXXv-dQ8Svko/s1600/DSC_0135+-+adjusted.jpg" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Basic guest accommodations - comfy bed in a private room. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqtz-7a3grgLVqp6SCNLUOlyEqbQJYGK5kTJwVuOEhNJt_ElQIjteEIFCgeR1BgM00fjOS53BGoYtnDD2_sSRMckEO_rwdi4CHfen6Kfk6i7XeqhLCr_98qV7XMZOJJhWaByQgPibkczo/s1600/DSC_0136+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqtz-7a3grgLVqp6SCNLUOlyEqbQJYGK5kTJwVuOEhNJt_ElQIjteEIFCgeR1BgM00fjOS53BGoYtnDD2_sSRMckEO_rwdi4CHfen6Kfk6i7XeqhLCr_98qV7XMZOJJhWaByQgPibkczo/s1600/DSC_0136+-+adjusted.jpg" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corner home office with just the basics.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
A strange thing we noticed about apartment hunting in Zurich was the lack of built-in closets. It turns out that the Swiss buy wall wardrobes. Unfortunately, decent looking wall wardrobes do not come cheap and are a pain to move from apartment to apartment.<br />
<br />
Prior to moving overseas, we had been slowly working on reducing the amount of stuff we own but this last move encouraged a huge binge. Since our purge, we have made a conscious effort to keep our place fairly minimalistic. I was thrilled that we didn't need to buy much storage furniture. We fit all of our clothes and linens into one shared dresser and in the hall closet. Worrying about less furniture will make our next move a tad bit easier.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCLsLIrLwPEjFsRn7EdWHrptGLexeeFbBUEH8jsZCDaF1p00XSfFwFV30wHl_roC4ToRjPp_ve19Qj1ubbhXHDyMb-FfBiaMMZPm5YML2WAoHds3t_vgXWYL0_7GXNuRMPtMQ9zZCSeI/s1600/DSC_0100+-adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCLsLIrLwPEjFsRn7EdWHrptGLexeeFbBUEH8jsZCDaF1p00XSfFwFV30wHl_roC4ToRjPp_ve19Qj1ubbhXHDyMb-FfBiaMMZPm5YML2WAoHds3t_vgXWYL0_7GXNuRMPtMQ9zZCSeI/s400/DSC_0100+-adjusted.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simple bedroom</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TnZoYH9eTZNVoKySixj42_HugQ-IkSvazScP40USya37Qq0_wh7jDSQagcU2_fbvZoDJLby09Q7KO6xrcWM7-RCFnQDKWDv3UAqunt93qQAlkFlHYn4zwv2BqYPUyhmKk8SjkDOZZVo/s1600/DSC_0098+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TnZoYH9eTZNVoKySixj42_HugQ-IkSvazScP40USya37Qq0_wh7jDSQagcU2_fbvZoDJLby09Q7KO6xrcWM7-RCFnQDKWDv3UAqunt93qQAlkFlHYn4zwv2BqYPUyhmKk8SjkDOZZVo/s400/DSC_0098+-+adjusted.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just acquired the basics to keep us flexible.</td></tr>
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Another lifestyle habit we brought over with us from SF is my obsession with reducing waste - thanks to Bay Area bloggers like <a href="http://myplasticfreelife.com/">My Plastic Free Life</a> and <a href="http://www.zerowastehome.com/">Zero Waste Home</a>. Unlike in the US, large garbage cans in Zurich aren't picked up from driveways weekly for a flat rate. We purchase specific trash bags that are charged by the liter. Once the bag is filled, we need to drop them off around the corner at a collection bin. I absolutely love this system since it encourages people to
produce less waste and to recycle. I wish SF had a program like this.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbbYoE1DCMdw2RzOGivDDWiJc_M9ybLiFitHE2gVPgfCHA60Xk80b87ruu6rSjAfUl3RCv7l0vsi0pFKqxS2sbOOmzTvPkdRQAf8PTA7fcJRn7W1a4YaLrg4yIRuQWVyy-5wX_h-cf3yA/s1600/IMG_20141113_081405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbbYoE1DCMdw2RzOGivDDWiJc_M9ybLiFitHE2gVPgfCHA60Xk80b87ruu6rSjAfUl3RCv7l0vsi0pFKqxS2sbOOmzTvPkdRQAf8PTA7fcJRn7W1a4YaLrg4yIRuQWVyy-5wX_h-cf3yA/s400/IMG_20141113_081405.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of these per month - not too bad but there's plenty of room for improvement.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKAQNlfEAClC4XeCQ2IC02lLmxHKrwMFPMn3AQfwT089ZtoyuXsqPpZ8SxRk_LsZILDElcYMUPU3XgstNDcvKeyXDFOXRbz2q7Bz0MSE4v8msPkDRltZFBM6OhpEKzhGcLZ_ZJw91lNy0/s1600/IMG_20150430_223816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKAQNlfEAClC4XeCQ2IC02lLmxHKrwMFPMn3AQfwT089ZtoyuXsqPpZ8SxRk_LsZILDElcYMUPU3XgstNDcvKeyXDFOXRbz2q7Bz0MSE4v8msPkDRltZFBM6OhpEKzhGcLZ_ZJw91lNy0/s400/IMG_20150430_223816.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few of my reusable sacks that help me cut back on our trash.<br />
I've impressed several shop clerks and framer's market venders with my eco sacks.</td></tr>
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I once read that an expat's kitchen is the last place to adapt to a new
country. This definitely holds true in our kitchen. Once you get past
the restored Swiss restaurant table and Swiss sleek cabinets, the inside of
the cupboards look like one from an American kitchen. Every trip to the
US is a chance to restock my favorite chocolate chips, granola, and
other favorite consumables. I'm also guilty of requesting visitors to bring along some American goodies. I never knew there would be a day that US consumables would be the best gift ever.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxgifYiUF792A7c0slKvASRsF_s6TUUHc9DXhJkb0x0E4e-51FKqBfO3LMa_ouyzWPmKOoFn7diRYWYhqakSXfnkrr6M9rA816OAxmT6WI1aW-Sp9QaMzkf5R7f62HKWtuU9jjb1Wt38g/s1600/DSC_0115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxgifYiUF792A7c0slKvASRsF_s6TUUHc9DXhJkb0x0E4e-51FKqBfO3LMa_ouyzWPmKOoFn7diRYWYhqakSXfnkrr6M9rA816OAxmT6WI1aW-Sp9QaMzkf5R7f62HKWtuU9jjb1Wt38g/s400/DSC_0115.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simple and efficient Swiss kitchen.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5HCZO9k21CHQ1unq8VlXe3v6ZmR5MfJs7TXcNE9wrzThMTcS_RLkTs8iTNrNsaEd5PbBnLBJO9RGykzAT4Dr7-rBZ1x8XXDk30tY1ngWcrgsUNInDU5ysyfZn5tnoVRZgDSD_a-hjgg/s1600/IMG_20150430_224318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5HCZO9k21CHQ1unq8VlXe3v6ZmR5MfJs7TXcNE9wrzThMTcS_RLkTs8iTNrNsaEd5PbBnLBJO9RGykzAT4Dr7-rBZ1x8XXDk30tY1ngWcrgsUNInDU5ysyfZn5tnoVRZgDSD_a-hjgg/s400/IMG_20150430_224318.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few of my American comforts.</td></tr>
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Laurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05848291077777206180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131555610866497086.post-75554236436395018092015-05-29T15:57:00.000-07:002015-05-29T16:08:31.001-07:00Lisbon and Penacova, Portugal<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="text-align: left;">During the autumn, Laure and I visited Lisbon for some sightseeing and good food before meeting up with some of my family in Coimbra and Penacova. Here's a recap.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yX8qZfDQrB0/VLbt00luWdI/AAAAAAAAhDw/jeUNoFpG8k4/s1600/DSC_0546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yX8qZfDQrB0/VLbt00luWdI/AAAAAAAAhDw/jeUNoFpG8k4/s1600/DSC_0546.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outdoor dining in the old streets of Lisbon.</td></tr>
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Laure found us a nice hostel named <a href="http://www.travellershouse.com/th/home.html">Travelers House</a> in the old part of town. It was a stone throw's away from many of the historical places we checked out. The place had traditional hostel dorms a few private rooms. We booked a private room on the top floor with a bathroom and balcony.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ybd81RN1QMU/VLbt03ZUBFI/AAAAAAAAhDw/kHSWvOJhbAU/s1600/DSC_0583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ybd81RN1QMU/VLbt03ZUBFI/AAAAAAAAhDw/kHSWvOJhbAU/s1600/DSC_0583.JPG" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from our room at Travelers House.</td></tr>
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In Lisbon we went on a self-guided tour through some of the main sights, thanks to the <a href="http://travelstore.ricksteves.com/catalog/index.cfm?fuseaction=product&id=266">Rick Steves</a> guide book. I had previously visited Lisbon with my family many years ago. Back then I was overwhelmed with all the history and the stress of traveling. This time around I was able to enjoy it more; partly because we toured at a leisurely pace and partly because I have grown to appreciate history.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_xlrbUgnoqhGNb8qXCimwk_ScxE7WM_VpbAWVAwYBrMQvzsQkI8yI7CkHwXxn2DnlgqHgFrB-ES1NtJW1Ma4RzgkdbNTP6Dhc2pHqho5e3DKoL_Su6bOrzv2GQAq1k-y79O4sfHah8E/s1600/DSC_0589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_xlrbUgnoqhGNb8qXCimwk_ScxE7WM_VpbAWVAwYBrMQvzsQkI8yI7CkHwXxn2DnlgqHgFrB-ES1NtJW1Ma4RzgkdbNTP6Dhc2pHqho5e3DKoL_Su6bOrzv2GQAq1k-y79O4sfHah8E/s1600/DSC_0589.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lisbon has charming street cars.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jCO4afggics/VLbt0yj4DII/AAAAAAAAhDw/6tj10BVmtl4/s1600/DSC_0586.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="263" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The street cars reminded us of San Francisco.</td></tr>
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In Lisbon, we drank some ginjinha, which is a shot of fortified wine infused with cherries and combined with sugar. When you go to a shop that sells ginjinha, the owner asks "com ou sem?" ("with or without?"), which refers to whether you want cherries poured with the drink.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihq1QcoZnt84z9GeIFxLXekzgJyq7igJVmScf_Y2R7Zg7R20ulhD-o8j_-HPzvUk-TrL5j-Tr1bTge9AbHoV9u5i5GIoGqC-H45sedTz-oA0dgdgDSu7yHDuzcwWb2CFu8fGhCJEOTtLQ/s1600/DSC_0614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihq1QcoZnt84z9GeIFxLXekzgJyq7igJVmScf_Y2R7Zg7R20ulhD-o8j_-HPzvUk-TrL5j-Tr1bTge9AbHoV9u5i5GIoGqC-H45sedTz-oA0dgdgDSu7yHDuzcwWb2CFu8fGhCJEOTtLQ/s1600/DSC_0614.JPG" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"A Ginjinha" is the most popular shop to buy the drink with the same name, ginjinha.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1v4lgo3zF1k/VLbt09-pqeI/AAAAAAAAhDw/ISFRL1WWlwc/s1600/DSC_0616.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ginjinha "com".</td></tr>
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I was impressed by the beautiful white and black stone patterns on the pavement of sidewalks and parks in Lisbon. I naively assumed such patterns were unique to Brazil until I realized they were largely inspired by the ones in Portugal.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RsWl14WVQL8/VLbt07IoVUI/AAAAAAAAhDw/NgEy2AqXf0I/s1600/DSC_0622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RsWl14WVQL8/VLbt07IoVUI/AAAAAAAAhDw/NgEy2AqXf0I/s1600/DSC_0622.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was surprised to learn the famous pavement pattern from Copacabana in Rio was inspired by the one in Lisbon.<br />
This dizzying pattern represents waves of the sea during the time that Portugal was a superpower in naval exploration and military.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxXmG3dFi9QINm7nCrGqMNx_N-7Q4heFZ53lcwhZ-IoH_tZ3sccaIRBfOeQ0YyxAvJqwOEv8qfw21sNe9J_L0LdaGg-0W1aNsC5ikoFin8xfk86iAgTP7Xi7LC284Pwtob5mxMgnGa1K0/s1600/DSC_0569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxXmG3dFi9QINm7nCrGqMNx_N-7Q4heFZ53lcwhZ-IoH_tZ3sccaIRBfOeQ0YyxAvJqwOEv8qfw21sNe9J_L0LdaGg-0W1aNsC5ikoFin8xfk86iAgTP7Xi7LC284Pwtob5mxMgnGa1K0/s400/DSC_0569.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The work of laying these articulate pavement patterns is painstakingly laborious.</td></tr>
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Laure found an excellent restaurant named "O Ramiro", which served some of the best shellfish I have ever had. The restaurant was featured in one of Anthony Bourdain's shows, so you can imagine that it is a little trendy. But the deliciousness of the food is definitely worth the wait in line.<br />
<br />
Here is how it works: on a busy night you start by waiting in line while sipping a drink; usually a light beer or white wine. Once you grab a table, you can take look at what fresh items they have to offer. You can ask the waiter about the different items, especially ones you have never seen before. The waiter will help you decide on a good combination of items, including how the food should be prepared, the quantity, and the order to be served.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zW9HPuTErzM/VLbt0ziFr8I/AAAAAAAAhDw/Jo9zVUaUy3c/s1600/DSC_0555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zW9HPuTErzM/VLbt0ziFr8I/AAAAAAAAhDw/Jo9zVUaUy3c/s1600/DSC_0555.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The grilled jumbo shrimps with olive oil were amazing.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RSpkC0h-RhQ/VLbt0_ZD1ZI/AAAAAAAAhDw/tr3alquscOI/s1600/DSC_0549.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We also had these snail-looking sea creatures.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iBOhtyKqj1c/VLbt0y7NneI/AAAAAAAAhDw/TZpEz2d-nmQ/s1600/DSC_0552.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="263" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We made friends with a Brazilian couple seating next to us.<br />
They offered us this delicious funny looking creature to eat.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BdZJdpnevMg/VLbt04PIywI/AAAAAAAAhDw/y0bAt-Zepwo/s1600/DSC_0557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BdZJdpnevMg/VLbt04PIywI/AAAAAAAAhDw/y0bAt-Zepwo/s1600/DSC_0557.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crab comes in two parts:<br />
1. the legs, which we crack with a small plastic mallet and eat, and<br />
2. the inside of the crab, which is made into a soup.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L8JUJsYLN3U/VLbt09O2kJI/AAAAAAAAhDw/14q5tO_kjEg/s1600/DSC_0567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L8JUJsYLN3U/VLbt09O2kJI/AAAAAAAAhDw/14q5tO_kjEg/s1600/DSC_0567.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The carcass of our dinner.<br />
Laure is still polishing off the crab - her absolute favorite plate.</td></tr>
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<br />
My favorite part of our visit to Lisbon was actually the same as the highlight during my previous visit many years ago: a dinner with Fado.</div>
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Fado is a type of music historically performed by the working class in Portugal's modest restaurants and social gatherings. The origins are unclear, but one story is that Fado became popular during the time when women longingly sang about their husbands that left on long sailing journeys. Therefore the music traditionally conveys sad but beautiful sentiments.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiekmUb3fW8FyUTRpEVWIv0vHEpQMswfM93FWyWva0yBU9iKghRNHJeUySuWK6MC6j6a4W8OEUfZeuffb718fU02oZXoI3Vbf1VmyZqV099j10xHdlIoACNk-BQmWCDt0HVfOk0u6AQcBg/s1600/DSC_0660.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Fado performance at an outdoor restaurant in a square of the Alfama neighborhood.</td></tr>
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Today, you can listen to Fado in different restaurants in the old neighborhoods of Lisbon. Some venues are relatively luxurious and host national Fado celebrities, but the majority of places are still small restaurants with local singers and an open mic for anyone that wishes to participate.</div>
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After some research, we chose a cozy and down-to-earth restaurant named "A Baiuca". The food was simple and tasty. The ambiance of a small room filled with emotional music is unbeatable. Anyone is invited to sing. An unexpected highlight was when the chef came out to sing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hzyPnvAcmJo/VLbt0ziTFrI/AAAAAAAAhDw/atbqm4PSixI/s1600/DSC_0630.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fado at A Baiuca.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The chef came out to sing a beautiful song in the middle of preparing dishes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Community locals sang during the open mic at the end.</td></tr>
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During the Fado, we sat next to an Italian couple with a baby. In the middle of dinner, the baby started crying, so the couple took turns at holding the baby outside the restaurant. When the restaurant owner noticed, she went out to hold the baby while the couple finished their meals and enjoyed the performance.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1Cuxp0I2smo/VLbt09EEfPI/AAAAAAAAhDw/C2ZYtLbN_aA/s1600/DSC_0654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1Cuxp0I2smo/VLbt09EEfPI/AAAAAAAAhDw/C2ZYtLbN_aA/s1600/DSC_0654.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The three ladies giving the grand finale performance of the night.<br />
I can't wait to come back.</td></tr>
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Laure and I checked out a local swing dancing event organized by a school named Swing Station in Lisbon. I really enjoy connecting to the local community sharing similar hobbies when we travel. The swing dancing community seemed very vibrant. I think Laure enjoyed that guys are less shy about asking for dances in Portugal compared to in Switzerland.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjW9EpWzFvE1WQekls-5bHPfbleQ5-LPUQadCCxigpo5OhofsbvI2LO4zXS-hDOnKReigMvf-4VK5NuKPiE66p91GWPRE1KqlSlC5OGBnBSBXodpGbaG0OHCguV8nG1Pqdxi8XoDy9B8/s320/IMG_20141026_011343+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It don't mean a thing...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGmCwrh45nXLApH9qlXobdlm3eQHR3XkyQzWPnspYD4ki_pysNOK0cPZEHS96UNO0syxcUhYonA6x-5IdsAQRT6zUsfTanTinLJOJCktLrux_X_vpHU_bQaULivy7-Uc7bFfwmFsd8LBQ/s1600/IMG_20141026_002009+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGmCwrh45nXLApH9qlXobdlm3eQHR3XkyQzWPnspYD4ki_pysNOK0cPZEHS96UNO0syxcUhYonA6x-5IdsAQRT6zUsfTanTinLJOJCktLrux_X_vpHU_bQaULivy7-Uc7bFfwmFsd8LBQ/s320/IMG_20141026_002009+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... if it ain't got that swing.</td></tr>
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<br />
We also visited a beautiful garden named Quinta da Regaleira, which is reachable by train from Lisbon. This garden is special for having a network of tunnels and ceremonial wells connecting different areas of the park.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFkcbGO9mGw/VLbt099r0-I/AAAAAAAAhDw/T02fxc0n3Og/s1600/DSC_0792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFkcbGO9mGw/VLbt099r0-I/AAAAAAAAhDw/T02fxc0n3Og/s1600/DSC_0792.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laure, Mochi and Rug descending one of the garden's ceremonial wells.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qYTeLESQfrg/VLbt0y3awfI/AAAAAAAAhDw/ssU87MlyWLI/s1600/DSC_0799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qYTeLESQfrg/VLbt0y3awfI/AAAAAAAAhDw/ssU87MlyWLI/s1600/DSC_0799.JPG" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking up from the bottom of the well.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IaRGuQeo9fM/VLbt0zKG7EI/AAAAAAAAhDw/NcpLgOS5gdI/s1600/DSC_0759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IaRGuQeo9fM/VLbt0zKG7EI/AAAAAAAAhDw/NcpLgOS5gdI/s1600/DSC_0759.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the many grottoes, you can see the outside garden through naturally formed windows on the rocks.</td></tr>
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When I had visited Portugal many years ago, my father had told us that he had made the initial connection with our extended family on that first trip; and from then on it would be up to us to individually visit them again in the future. And so we visited some extended family around Coimbra and in Penacova, which is the birthplace of my paternal grandfather.<br />
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In Coimbra, we met up with Mateus and Alda, who took us under their wings for the day. Our first stop was the Coimbra University, which is the oldest university in Portugal and is a strong school of higher education and research.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTfKTqWZBnT2MHVMjs1TahejAmJ07i2l3GLCP1OBkjny4MDPY4neV9a1Cu2Jp6B0ELjfgYfHJ7fiK_mEG2ewVSvufX0WrUyCGu0Yq-oK01PJYPyxW-FKXcICSrWuECUZUsVBSyH4gir3s/s1600/DSC_0662+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTfKTqWZBnT2MHVMjs1TahejAmJ07i2l3GLCP1OBkjny4MDPY4neV9a1Cu2Jp6B0ELjfgYfHJ7fiK_mEG2ewVSvufX0WrUyCGu0Yq-oK01PJYPyxW-FKXcICSrWuECUZUsVBSyH4gir3s/s400/DSC_0662+%25281%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We met some musicians at Coimbra University.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pomSrYANhbk/VLbt06g5bpI/AAAAAAAAhDw/6OXRVlDRD8Q/s1600/DSC_0665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pomSrYANhbk/VLbt06g5bpI/AAAAAAAAhDw/6OXRVlDRD8Q/s1600/DSC_0665.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the painted tiles on the walls show the ships used for transporting raw goods in the area.</td></tr>
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Our next stop was at a farm owned by some of our extended family. Even though Laure and I had never met them before, they treated us very courteously and warmly. They showed us their beautiful farm and asked us to stay overnight; an offer that we had to decline because of our lack of time.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dp_8NlIsFWM/VLbt0_WerRI/AAAAAAAAhDw/WwcFBZfA6uI/s1600/DSC_0730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dp_8NlIsFWM/VLbt0_WerRI/AAAAAAAAhDw/WwcFBZfA6uI/s1600/DSC_0730.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">José and Maria treated us very warmly. I would love to visit again.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZAgCnFgAoE9GED32IUJ7TQoZiJECi38AXbpBpNdAQ98XrFDAVP4-OzgNDTGmW2HLLFbjtOBYtr34g81HbNNSpwFgCB2W7qX4lz2AxOjr5u7Yfkq_ZB4DNgN5oRa0fMf8D1_rn3vx_o8s/s1600/DSC_0717+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZAgCnFgAoE9GED32IUJ7TQoZiJECi38AXbpBpNdAQ98XrFDAVP4-OzgNDTGmW2HLLFbjtOBYtr34g81HbNNSpwFgCB2W7qX4lz2AxOjr5u7Yfkq_ZB4DNgN5oRa0fMf8D1_rn3vx_o8s/s400/DSC_0717+%25281%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We also met their son Joel, and his daughter Laura.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E-CZfyO9s4I/VLbt03ewvAI/AAAAAAAAhDw/w3EvNdB9seI/s1600/DSC_0715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E-CZfyO9s4I/VLbt03ewvAI/AAAAAAAAhDw/w3EvNdB9seI/s1600/DSC_0715.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The farm had several animals including this cute pig.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5JRAgcDWSYI/VLbt0xWI3WI/AAAAAAAAhDw/V8XQwAaXHZ4/s1600/DSC_0719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5JRAgcDWSYI/VLbt0xWI3WI/AAAAAAAAhDw/V8XQwAaXHZ4/s1600/DSC_0719.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mateus roasting chestnuts.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P86u-ny-EMw/VLbt0wEMf9I/AAAAAAAAhDw/F-d7Yx2fcIM/s1600/DSC_0727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P86u-ny-EMw/VLbt0wEMf9I/AAAAAAAAhDw/F-d7Yx2fcIM/s1600/DSC_0727.JPG" width="264" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We stayed for an afternoon snack of cold cuts and cheeses.</td></tr>
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Next, we visited Penacova, which is my paternal grandfather's birthplace. It is a quiet little village with one small church, where many of the older generations of my paternal family were baptized and wedded.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tkeCNqva5gg/VLbt0yu7cyI/AAAAAAAAhDw/N8YLeXR68zQ/s1600/DSC_0690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tkeCNqva5gg/VLbt0yu7cyI/AAAAAAAAhDw/N8YLeXR68zQ/s1600/DSC_0690.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The church in Penacova.<br />
I think my grandfather was married here.</td></tr>
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Mateus also explained that my grandfather was in the business of producing and transporting quicklime, which is a compound used for various purposes such as production of cement or plaster.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHpKUxul6zq2UHRnpbF8NGJHeExGV5Whq_5WLz53pja6-pWq9-qp_bBsrqMI3X6rhGFUL5iKT2D7YbdVWG7X44o3sJrqxNxl8AjoCEBYYrt5ibiDvXRTE6OwUoG3LxZyBsGytfsVUxYM/s1600/DSC_0701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHpKUxul6zq2UHRnpbF8NGJHeExGV5Whq_5WLz53pja6-pWq9-qp_bBsrqMI3X6rhGFUL5iKT2D7YbdVWG7X44o3sJrqxNxl8AjoCEBYYrt5ibiDvXRTE6OwUoG3LxZyBsGytfsVUxYM/s1600/DSC_0701.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mateus showed us where my grandfather had a furnace for the production of quicklime.</td></tr>
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Our last stop was at a nearby village where other family members still live. One of them is my grandfather's cousin and goddaughter, Maria. When we met her, she was climbing up and down the stairs to take care of her sick goat, which she absolutely forbid to let die. In her 80's, Maria is a no-nonsense strong willed independent woman. In hindsight, she reminded me a lot of my father.</div>
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<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UtuEOrKy9yE/VLbt0-gyGfI/AAAAAAAAhDw/6r6cKK3nKUg/s1600/DSC_0741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UtuEOrKy9yE/VLbt0-gyGfI/AAAAAAAAhDw/6r6cKK3nKUg/s1600/DSC_0741.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">We met Maria at her home near Penacova.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6wLnmlUHOVM/VLbt0_ukCSI/AAAAAAAAhDw/DkNQLRjqUfc/s1600/DSC_0739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6wLnmlUHOVM/VLbt0_ukCSI/AAAAAAAAhDw/DkNQLRjqUfc/s1600/DSC_0739.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Maria explained some family history with old photographs.</td></tr>
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Visiting the humble region where my grandfather was born, I can't help but think about how much (almost crazy) courage and risk it must have taken him to pack his bags and sail 7,500 kilometers away to Brazil about half a century before the internet was invented. In a way, it makes sense because my grandfather was a businessman with a constant eye out for new opportunities. This was really the same reason that my father told us to pack our bags before moving to the States.</div>
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On our way out of the village after visiting my grandfather's cousin, we passed by a house with a familiar name.</div>
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Qhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009834242027169260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131555610866497086.post-28703408944172585922015-04-13T05:12:00.000-07:002015-04-13T12:26:42.794-07:00Hanging out in Annecy France until the cows come home<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">French traditional street food, unbelievably picturesque medieval town, and french geese - can things get any more charming? The October weekend trip to Annecy in France to celebrate their Retour des Alpages exceeded our expectations. We showed up just expecting to see grazing animals parade down the street, but the additional festival in this beautiful location made for a full weekend.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #111111;">Living in Europe has allowed us to experience small festivals that are harder to catch if we still lived in the US. On our never ending hunt for the next festival, we learned about the "Retour des Alpages" (French) or "Alpabfahrt" (German), which is the celebration of the return from the alps.</span></span></span> </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4lG6m8yKXsebcRIKvtO30-XLMYL0HQw48ebZLt5guHiyJQgu3UVOVZFIQyL7REjn4kq9mUD_XXH71tKOoFoyqVDLCnQ7phHJLLENN6eZ2xSl8k55aVjx7kAlJzZcDS46naAJXu8Aaf4Q/s1600/annecy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4lG6m8yKXsebcRIKvtO30-XLMYL0HQw48ebZLt5guHiyJQgu3UVOVZFIQyL7REjn4kq9mUD_XXH71tKOoFoyqVDLCnQ7phHJLLENN6eZ2xSl8k55aVjx7kAlJzZcDS46naAJXu8Aaf4Q/s1600/annecy.jpg" height="245" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annecy, France is located just outside of Switzerland in the Haute-Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region.</td></tr>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">History </span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">As the autumn fades and the high grazing lands morph into a wintery wonderland, pasture animals are brought down to the villages where they are keep warm in barns until the spring. The tradition of celebrating the return of the <span style="color: #111111;">grazing animals to the village (as well as their return back to the alps in the spring) dates back to the Middle Ages. This celebration has historically taken place throughout alpine Europe and is still celebrated in many villages. Traditionally, villages hold this ceremony when the weather is suitable for the animals to move locations. This uncertainty of date complicates planning for those wanting to watch. The most famous ceremony of this type in Northern Switzerland is in the village of Appenzell. Few villages keep the same date from year to year, which facilitates planning. Annecy holds theirs on the second Saturday of October.</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM1XKTWZ13BsQsjDHJH7br5m8OEnrrexYUVeTZRPH0-PNphCbKOmOKywvXbXcZpd6SeQ2yyRL_A2MzcZxyGQKoRlX_C6PSs-rvxR7kSt0N0PwF_yQ9eETMnhBtRCVetuXIMFF5Zjpm0h0/s1600/93981_retour-des-alpages.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM1XKTWZ13BsQsjDHJH7br5m8OEnrrexYUVeTZRPH0-PNphCbKOmOKywvXbXcZpd6SeQ2yyRL_A2MzcZxyGQKoRlX_C6PSs-rvxR7kSt0N0PwF_yQ9eETMnhBtRCVetuXIMFF5Zjpm0h0/s1600/93981_retour-des-alpages.jpg" height="400" width="273" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2014 Retour des Alpages Poster</td></tr>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #111111;">Festival</span></span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #111111;">Starting at 9AM, Annecy steps back in time by transforming the old town into a family friendly traditionally themed festival. Scattered throughout the village you'll find several stages with live folk music and traditional handicrafts for sale. Vendors sell local foods like sausages, fried doughs, cheeses and fresh apple juice throughout the streets. Maps of festival are available at information booths, which are attended by multilingual staff.</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVI_9RqwtATFYxaaUNtYUPHdSM74UZilqKSf2wgq-U6NUPAaS-UMBn63V7U77zm0knuwGdY7kQTuFI1jMdNtKRXhMLWhyH9Mg8jErOwrvEWF32DyYSXgKKKtSfMSDsw5tFxngJi-U1gbs/s1600/programme+alpages.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVI_9RqwtATFYxaaUNtYUPHdSM74UZilqKSf2wgq-U6NUPAaS-UMBn63V7U77zm0knuwGdY7kQTuFI1jMdNtKRXhMLWhyH9Mg8jErOwrvEWF32DyYSXgKKKtSfMSDsw5tFxngJi-U1gbs/s1600/programme+alpages.jpg" height="400" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2014 festival map</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglX4XNFHB2m-gnpnGFtqJJu2f3EM3ChdAdViH4HY5-xt5mXwk9K8LBEsa2gok44yqp8YPevs2pz6QiIdHO9HTfofiVSkf1plvnimJTmba0eGc9qW00q2tP03qrfFgxJ-2hAOZjpahyphenhyphenVOU/s1600/Annecy+Descente+des+Alpages+042+-+adjusetd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglX4XNFHB2m-gnpnGFtqJJu2f3EM3ChdAdViH4HY5-xt5mXwk9K8LBEsa2gok44yqp8YPevs2pz6QiIdHO9HTfofiVSkf1plvnimJTmba0eGc9qW00q2tP03qrfFgxJ-2hAOZjpahyphenhyphenVOU/s1600/Annecy+Descente+des+Alpages+042+-+adjusetd.jpg" height="263" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annecy's old town during the Retour des Alpages Festival.<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #111111;"><br /></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDtVbA7JjbiYHglR1F-OhjmIPgYmqpSmztTj3EJpvj-l2xibLS4BQSW5VN2U-vJducPy4KHbIAYK5lgW_VL3h1jhYDRGPua3lxQLxgFt6t4QACzZNBTE4UilKhPP756nAS1ijVaF8x9Y/s1600/Annecy+Descente+des+Alpages+009+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDtVbA7JjbiYHglR1F-OhjmIPgYmqpSmztTj3EJpvj-l2xibLS4BQSW5VN2U-vJducPy4KHbIAYK5lgW_VL3h1jhYDRGPua3lxQLxgFt6t4QACzZNBTE4UilKhPP756nAS1ijVaF8x9Y/s1600/Annecy+Descente+des+Alpages+009+-+adjusted.jpg" height="263" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fried handmade treats prepared on location.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ETyV6m5Hbgi_C48TG9vEA8nxvR3tu8WmhDnThHmq9-NQ0okFSGyhk4rD5JA1l8sl6Wxag-5pdHkLTj8QyFwvA6ifjyS3Gsa0yidwhaMP_pt64Tq_f0U-xVnSnnAkYqxDMXIYHEpEEII/s1600/Annecy+Descente+des+Alpages+061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ETyV6m5Hbgi_C48TG9vEA8nxvR3tu8WmhDnThHmq9-NQ0okFSGyhk4rD5JA1l8sl6Wxag-5pdHkLTj8QyFwvA6ifjyS3Gsa0yidwhaMP_pt64Tq_f0U-xVnSnnAkYqxDMXIYHEpEEII/s1600/Annecy+Descente+des+Alpages+061.JPG" height="263" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sausage in a baguette. Plenty of food venders to keep us satisfied until dinner.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #111111;">Throughout the festival, one can find traditional craft demonstrations and a few places where visitors can give traditional craft-work a try. </span></span></span><span style="color: #111111;">We really enjoyed that many people worked in the festival wearing traditional costumes.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvR5uQ0C1rsj7zwO_P2RM67D1uy5Qu8LWn5Oarxsx5SfKAsVNx_nt9QhqcYaOlyfJ9h619R3bipnfPG9oOAbWnf1vKr9YjJokx8NmDS983Jj1aoDVWUw3zPS1sp2Bo5ERAKTPeI0nU-Us/s1600/Annecy+Descente+des+Alpages+029+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvR5uQ0C1rsj7zwO_P2RM67D1uy5Qu8LWn5Oarxsx5SfKAsVNx_nt9QhqcYaOlyfJ9h619R3bipnfPG9oOAbWnf1vKr9YjJokx8NmDS983Jj1aoDVWUw3zPS1sp2Bo5ERAKTPeI0nU-Us/s1600/Annecy+Descente+des+Alpages+029+-+adjusted.jpg" height="400" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rural lumber sawing demonstration.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwIIw6a7dQ0sLz7xK1Z0FjXYnNB9TddlhIaNHsEovvlaWo08BLd-MU7dPPkznWxv8LpFk3jPyiJJUzTZOxnarjDOTFnTMC-UNAfEMcIbah1MpcTLFeztBMj7bvxZOmyYG0AFjNLVDY0O8/s1600/IMG_20141011_110315+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwIIw6a7dQ0sLz7xK1Z0FjXYnNB9TddlhIaNHsEovvlaWo08BLd-MU7dPPkznWxv8LpFk3jPyiJJUzTZOxnarjDOTFnTMC-UNAfEMcIbah1MpcTLFeztBMj7bvxZOmyYG0AFjNLVDY0O8/s1600/IMG_20141011_110315+-+adjusted.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High quality hand woven baskets for sale.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifl6BsWYcyJPkBRlv3FNTqHkRQfDoq4wWcP4BsVr2IeV9WQGHhFPlPfXNIvwv7gb_Jd9xJCLWLz7g6wv9MHjtsQf5Uob4z1p5d8FEqZg-y64zHZ4_qZbOJgda3Ah1EgUQWswAtTUYaFOM/s1600/IMG_20141011_135825+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifl6BsWYcyJPkBRlv3FNTqHkRQfDoq4wWcP4BsVr2IeV9WQGHhFPlPfXNIvwv7gb_Jd9xJCLWLz7g6wv9MHjtsQf5Uob4z1p5d8FEqZg-y64zHZ4_qZbOJgda3Ah1EgUQWswAtTUYaFOM/s1600/IMG_20141011_135825+-+adjusted.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditionally made butter; formed and available for immediate sale.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkX0bNuih_d2SO9At9nAg_X1LnUbhBJbUX7KbPJJPhTROD_rWeal_J2DGW0_ai0YdhB3VS3bLFIoP2Ded434sOcsKO_UulIaHnctVj4ed9l1fn6mvbRI0RCxT1cHe57HysDgBkThzC9A/s1600/Annecy+Descente+des+Alpages+012+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkX0bNuih_d2SO9At9nAg_X1LnUbhBJbUX7KbPJJPhTROD_rWeal_J2DGW0_ai0YdhB3VS3bLFIoP2Ded434sOcsKO_UulIaHnctVj4ed9l1fn6mvbRI0RCxT1cHe57HysDgBkThzC9A/s1600/Annecy+Descente+des+Alpages+012+-+adjusted.jpg" height="400" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even opportunities for young visitors to get their hands dirty.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just outside the old city wall, animals are kept in waiting pens for their big moment in the parade. In addition, we found small animal pens at two of the main squares: Place Sainte Claire and Place François de Menthon. Visitors are welcome to visit the animals and snap a few photos. These pens are not petting zoos; they're an opportunity for young kids and kids at heart to see the animals up close. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONR45lJm6nvrY7HTLItKw3q2cqIGS3BoFboqkstuO67uJbJpV926Iml_mun7ryNnDoHb1saxbBdGhlSRXcO9b3KShBmSiHsCo4yMZQdYoHb8I27RHdH1KwKSpxihMMCjF9MJsNQ16HSY/s1600/Annecy+Descente+des+Alpages+052+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONR45lJm6nvrY7HTLItKw3q2cqIGS3BoFboqkstuO67uJbJpV926Iml_mun7ryNnDoHb1saxbBdGhlSRXcO9b3KShBmSiHsCo4yMZQdYoHb8I27RHdH1KwKSpxihMMCjF9MJsNQ16HSY/s1600/Annecy+Descente+des+Alpages+052+-+adjusted.jpg" height="400" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the middle of the action at Place Sainte Claire.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyHAXWx1EFRXfhlsN23uYqD96rFZyjOZM2a8cOCqwNYr7yXaYMGE7j_t1ZEQ0022DvkXce6xRROMgJ_n9UJdXJO9kfRWm1jm0nIXI8RX5BH1cx46ExYAvU5V2OodhkmZhSRj5NjntFrvE/s1600/Annecy+Descente+des+Alpages+067+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyHAXWx1EFRXfhlsN23uYqD96rFZyjOZM2a8cOCqwNYr7yXaYMGE7j_t1ZEQ0022DvkXce6xRROMgJ_n9UJdXJO9kfRWm1jm0nIXI8RX5BH1cx46ExYAvU5V2OodhkmZhSRj5NjntFrvE/s1600/Annecy+Descente+des+Alpages+067+-+adjusted.jpg" height="263" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The animals seemed to enjoy all the attention.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #111111;">The Parade</span></span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #111111;">The festival's grand finale is a parade of farmers, traditionally dressed locals, musicians, and farm animals. Just before 2PM, venders along the parade route pack up and the streets become thick with spectators with their cameras. At half an hour before the parade, we secured a nice spot and waited for the start. Too bad some pushy lady decided she wanted our sport and stood right in front of us - grrr. Positioning for that perfect photo can get competitive.</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivpzMtUERqkOAOMQrw_rVi4EafQOjRONZoBPAT0xSJ6WlJLGzrP-1s1E_THBiNMDu390uOiC2DAmE4VCYvtW9Y3vtTFoLCq_W5JoqXX_8gn84knN6gXikw9BwWBu8jLyQErlEGbB8sxqo/s1600/Annecy+Descente+des+Alpages+097+-+adjusetd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivpzMtUERqkOAOMQrw_rVi4EafQOjRONZoBPAT0xSJ6WlJLGzrP-1s1E_THBiNMDu390uOiC2DAmE4VCYvtW9Y3vtTFoLCq_W5JoqXX_8gn84knN6gXikw9BwWBu8jLyQErlEGbB8sxqo/s1600/Annecy+Descente+des+Alpages+097+-+adjusetd.jpg" height="400" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clearing the parade route.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDucEZgZmkVMjukLQPPVwKpRkxQby7kDY96ZXLaBUe4zCgLuAboI9qeK6DaBBnMLdkvZIOKIzFuB8ePe_sgWJdaecPOhlPBzIn7pXxHqdCHFhVjnrdxGpJ2JTMGrNui6iMt2Ubrpn86Kg/s1600/Annecy+Descente+des+Alpages+123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDucEZgZmkVMjukLQPPVwKpRkxQby7kDY96ZXLaBUe4zCgLuAboI9qeK6DaBBnMLdkvZIOKIzFuB8ePe_sgWJdaecPOhlPBzIn7pXxHqdCHFhVjnrdxGpJ2JTMGrNui6iMt2Ubrpn86Kg/s1600/Annecy+Descente+des+Alpages+123.JPG" height="400" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the hard working farm hands made an appearance.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOo53Ou4IBEOli015wfj3dwVuCVYNYKdxlTKqFhE6jbKuB-IWlo5SnS3nfXJX70jCpzSIXiwVkfxshyWToF4s-bK7ixqqFvlTZ_ELy0-gD0P81O5K6vcmRQaLnBuC8yc3KBcvKt2kQCiY/s1600/Annecy+Descente+des+Alpages+116+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOo53Ou4IBEOli015wfj3dwVuCVYNYKdxlTKqFhE6jbKuB-IWlo5SnS3nfXJX70jCpzSIXiwVkfxshyWToF4s-bK7ixqqFvlTZ_ELy0-gD0P81O5K6vcmRQaLnBuC8yc3KBcvKt2kQCiY/s1600/Annecy+Descente+des+Alpages+116+-+adjusted.jpg" height="263" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVcYI3hjb3pHjAipIHwfQ6xo2suN7Syoj7Nb48sX0-nUQeJU-h9rrXHeCuLOPfUMOfs9OHzV3dYCcfAJxIT-WGRlRxH2unrOhCkUeujRxxBnNW1b4G096p9MG9j0Yu2StAMIe9rNTO7w/s1600/Annecy+Descente+des+Alpages+132+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVcYI3hjb3pHjAipIHwfQ6xo2suN7Syoj7Nb48sX0-nUQeJU-h9rrXHeCuLOPfUMOfs9OHzV3dYCcfAJxIT-WGRlRxH2unrOhCkUeujRxxBnNW1b4G096p9MG9j0Yu2StAMIe9rNTO7w/s1600/Annecy+Descente+des+Alpages+132+-+adjusted.jpg" height="400" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We are all young at heart.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuYbylJfhTKS3N9wL0s-VaRAgKmrHmJYFIh67e4Pkqy7IHXaarNMby7gv6TwM-RVuVVW18MUHLJuajAmdPymKaT2vIAKEjH3nFwTp0JF-Eqj61siXrcKBo0CJzjymGTHy_laPtge2RnzQ/s1600/IMG_20141011_143250+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuYbylJfhTKS3N9wL0s-VaRAgKmrHmJYFIh67e4Pkqy7IHXaarNMby7gv6TwM-RVuVVW18MUHLJuajAmdPymKaT2vIAKEjH3nFwTp0JF-Eqj61siXrcKBo0CJzjymGTHy_laPtge2RnzQ/s1600/IMG_20141011_143250+-+adjusted.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First time witnessing obedient geese.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNhUQNkEDkN3VH_KTznB8SRaANdZ9v3ZXPqWmp3ik_fY3gllCGr0Clc7ROgK3j8z-MIJxVHqx90mEDnRJ-dOuRnX1LM1pO4FY3QIJp6TGO73W8G4it4ZCIWVLSo_aJn4FkIQKphzIWWE/s1600/Annecy+Descente+des+Alpages+138+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNhUQNkEDkN3VH_KTznB8SRaANdZ9v3ZXPqWmp3ik_fY3gllCGr0Clc7ROgK3j8z-MIJxVHqx90mEDnRJ-dOuRnX1LM1pO4FY3QIJp6TGO73W8G4it4ZCIWVLSo_aJn4FkIQKphzIWWE/s1600/Annecy+Descente+des+Alpages+138+-+adjusted.jpg" height="400" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finishing off the parade with a herd of cows!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">The number of spectators in the old town can be a bit overwhelming. I<span style="color: #111111;">f
you want a little more breathing room, then it's best to view the
parade further along the route in the newer portion of Annecy. This will
also buy some more time if you're arriving late because the parade moves slowly.</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKFB_IH3V-JTm1QRVDvqzgEkAEW9Hcc4qnIC18eg0AleKs9wykFNj1-NNk7j39jAxkIDUcydT_6zh2E25nYi7Mq7g_kRqjcgrxky8mlAaF7jld-AV0sFmXKEdVD6YxLGXQky678mglGoQ/s1600/Annecy+Descente+des+Alpages+155+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKFB_IH3V-JTm1QRVDvqzgEkAEW9Hcc4qnIC18eg0AleKs9wykFNj1-NNk7j39jAxkIDUcydT_6zh2E25nYi7Mq7g_kRqjcgrxky8mlAaF7jld-AV0sFmXKEdVD6YxLGXQky678mglGoQ/s1600/Annecy+Descente+des+Alpages+155+-+adjusted.jpg" height="400" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Retour des Alpages Parade from our room at <a href="http://www.hotelannecy.com/en/">Hotel des Alpes</a> in the newer portion of town.</td></tr>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #111111;">The town of Annecy</span></span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #111111;">Aside from the festival, Annecy made for a nice weekend trip. If it weren't for the festival, we would have kept busy just strolling around the charming pedestrian old town with its picturesque walkways, enjoying the Sunday farmers market, window shopping in the many bouquets, and visiting the historic sites. Annecy is located right along Lake Annecy's edge and in close vicinity to the alps. It is a popular springboard for road or mountain biking, hiking and simply enjoying time by the lake. </span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97XAyW0Ma5ZGpchcTcbqB7J-WPfNI2CfAeIlcihsksxhqi8Xp25aWcmnmtZVnDqlDLY4pqbjyRNZiMAY3U6wSrKtlFiFRIgGIHqGnbZ5hrh_DKQysX3HgFhrOyMpJaO7LwESrxL9hwwc/s1600/Annecy+006+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97XAyW0Ma5ZGpchcTcbqB7J-WPfNI2CfAeIlcihsksxhqi8Xp25aWcmnmtZVnDqlDLY4pqbjyRNZiMAY3U6wSrKtlFiFRIgGIHqGnbZ5hrh_DKQysX3HgFhrOyMpJaO7LwESrxL9hwwc/s1600/Annecy+006+-+adjusted.jpg" height="263" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annecy's Palais de l'Ile</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZJE5n4sucFv2UywzuXJHbmQfpp4g2gZdSnset4ZejxpssNHfkbJ0PDJW84V2Luq5KNfMdo8X1MdiTn2FKuEdlykF4MBJ2BCiEkAh5X6fUC7uI2XmRIhLhYYHP5fpcWbtqijeDdyILCs/s1600/Annecy+Farmers+Market+024+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZJE5n4sucFv2UywzuXJHbmQfpp4g2gZdSnset4ZejxpssNHfkbJ0PDJW84V2Luq5KNfMdo8X1MdiTn2FKuEdlykF4MBJ2BCiEkAh5X6fUC7uI2XmRIhLhYYHP5fpcWbtqijeDdyILCs/s1600/Annecy+Farmers+Market+024+-+adjusted.jpg" height="263" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picturesque spot for a farmer's market.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk0Iwtn-FBEkHigFWdkI1463fsz36I8nh45YqZPWKNMWzRxLbpuNiZBXXlRJbDtE5-scJlKEnjiQSqM2oEicU-R_b4p75jG0vf_QceItUY3DCIwHK3IvWgyZ9NCS3PBcFi6ojGPa00L8A/s1600/Annecy+Farmers+Market+004+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk0Iwtn-FBEkHigFWdkI1463fsz36I8nh45YqZPWKNMWzRxLbpuNiZBXXlRJbDtE5-scJlKEnjiQSqM2oEicU-R_b4p75jG0vf_QceItUY3DCIwHK3IvWgyZ9NCS3PBcFi6ojGPa00L8A/s1600/Annecy+Farmers+Market+004+-+adjusted.jpg" height="263" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sampled several flavors of nougat before selecting which we'll bring home.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpdAHUR7onP049QLhbs6mdmgYkuH_jktpoEdQOOTdQ-Sp45JffwtPdRd_lwTlWJHu4ob1C6cZkPb0Ru8uwFEPMWN7urGh_N2Q3nuOFJ441iwrrJ81GxU__7V57qQD_DqI21tHM_Y7bs-0/s1600/Annecy+Farmers+Market+010+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpdAHUR7onP049QLhbs6mdmgYkuH_jktpoEdQOOTdQ-Sp45JffwtPdRd_lwTlWJHu4ob1C6cZkPb0Ru8uwFEPMWN7urGh_N2Q3nuOFJ441iwrrJ81GxU__7V57qQD_DqI21tHM_Y7bs-0/s1600/Annecy+Farmers+Market+010+-+adjusted.jpg" height="400" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annecy's Sunday market, where we stocked up on dried sausage.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Like any proper trip to France, we brought along our appetite ready to try the local specialties while still indulging on favorites from home.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3nE0e73yicmgR9YZS-n1yYBAOpLoHACxJtOfur7t5EAYxLPlNqAtwL1VHDXQeA6ZKQLY2tf1lAnX3l12YVvcL6XrpR-bYDvU9214pvSs8DeTH6dF1Cvo9vEgQ8xp4NZ51gj2i4Px3ys/s1600/IMG_20141010_205652+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3nE0e73yicmgR9YZS-n1yYBAOpLoHACxJtOfur7t5EAYxLPlNqAtwL1VHDXQeA6ZKQLY2tf1lAnX3l12YVvcL6XrpR-bYDvU9214pvSs8DeTH6dF1Cvo9vEgQ8xp4NZ51gj2i4Px3ys/s1600/IMG_20141010_205652+-+adjusted.jpg" height="258" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying Tartiflette and a selection of local cured meats at <a href="http://www.lebistrotdebonlieu.com/">Le Bon Lieu</a>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJz7JeNFs4ZLKS9Lkt_xyKyIZUoT1tV_gljQuDpUh04zI8n6OtS2JBGzUcNFOnUIX7gtQlit7203AbyVYR10J3PYwzpBZeFTjnQ8vm7Alc3Yjq6T1sPTv0p5XDlifSjW2pQJ5gRXCp6ro/s1600/Le+Bastringue+Restaurant+005+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJz7JeNFs4ZLKS9Lkt_xyKyIZUoT1tV_gljQuDpUh04zI8n6OtS2JBGzUcNFOnUIX7gtQlit7203AbyVYR10J3PYwzpBZeFTjnQ8vm7Alc3Yjq6T1sPTv0p5XDlifSjW2pQJ5gRXCp6ro/s1600/Le+Bastringue+Restaurant+005+-+adjusted.jpg" height="263" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">French dinner with a river view at <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187260-d6167738-Reviews-Le_Bastringue-Annecy_Haute_Savoie_Rhone_Alpes.html">Le Bastringue</a>. Clever idea of turning a kids book into a menu. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdC7VsO0jwDb7j55IbHgiIRN9zS-Zp8HX35xFTi49DLKGcEF4QQl7IYsCGwwCeWr63Sdit8kDzY6RB7srxD5RdcFw_7Lkp9mSaVx2RGvKp3Dt8PJA9fpIN8i-vh_Ni_Kb_CvwQqcbuIY/s1600/IMG_20141012_103626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdC7VsO0jwDb7j55IbHgiIRN9zS-Zp8HX35xFTi49DLKGcEF4QQl7IYsCGwwCeWr63Sdit8kDzY6RB7srxD5RdcFw_7Lkp9mSaVx2RGvKp3Dt8PJA9fpIN8i-vh_Ni_Kb_CvwQqcbuIY/s1600/IMG_20141012_103626.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes an expat just needs a bagel sandwich, at <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187260-d6588172-Reviews-Boston_Cafe-Annecy_Haute_Savoie_Rhone_Alpes.html">Boston Cafe</a>.</td></tr>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #111111;">Getting to Annecy</span></span></span></h3>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Traveling from Geneva, Switzerland to Annecy, France by public transportation was a breeze. After a short walk from Geneva's central train station to the city bus station, one can take a direct bus to Annecy's central train station. You can alternatively drive half an hour from Geneva to Annecy. Since we enjoy using public transportation and we didn't want to deal with finding public parking during a festival, we figured it would be best to take the bus and train.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyOO5N4Ex5YGZPwXJtOVDn2y1Wfi8TWGcJrS5e0rhIZfpRr7n7b-aYeZlOwBs-YP3O0PATSiLxYKXqfC1OBY35sMWnnqNpcoHRdv_GB7XW9TMzNHhwm6QJCFL9QsyGtHbO5DpS34YCork/s1600/IMG_20141010_165142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyOO5N4Ex5YGZPwXJtOVDn2y1Wfi8TWGcJrS5e0rhIZfpRr7n7b-aYeZlOwBs-YP3O0PATSiLxYKXqfC1OBY35sMWnnqNpcoHRdv_GB7XW9TMzNHhwm6QJCFL9QsyGtHbO5DpS34YCork/s1600/IMG_20141010_165142.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Switzerland's amazing public transportation system never gets old; especially with a new book to read.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSIwKsCJ3kmMNGwAEQWBR_1OQUpuAG0tftfpPRJDIL_3tAjhn9SU8dGQUxcbf5n8yBHsYPUr7e0sPcBblPLENPPozx2ZNU0QlmW56Tx6vqjeO8AdYua0SLe3tPorq53Gdz3DTpuwwa2h8/s1600/IMG_20141010_173158+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSIwKsCJ3kmMNGwAEQWBR_1OQUpuAG0tftfpPRJDIL_3tAjhn9SU8dGQUxcbf5n8yBHsYPUr7e0sPcBblPLENPPozx2ZNU0QlmW56Tx6vqjeO8AdYua0SLe3tPorq53Gdz3DTpuwwa2h8/s1600/IMG_20141010_173158+-+adjusted.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The train view of Lac Léman, AKA Lac de Genève</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCoxL6K5TmQNYAarRBIdJvXfD6O4gERPCx1VnKqaXNm1OmiSFzkHk4_8BvRxE4PTM_R_p28y7MY7Vyj3UkuL_jiVaWrTsbm-0cplqpEWFKV7l-Xh9xArVjzgGZI3YW48tooN7LR_H7lC4/s1600/IMG_20141012_140852+-+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCoxL6K5TmQNYAarRBIdJvXfD6O4gERPCx1VnKqaXNm1OmiSFzkHk4_8BvRxE4PTM_R_p28y7MY7Vyj3UkuL_jiVaWrTsbm-0cplqpEWFKV7l-Xh9xArVjzgGZI3YW48tooN7LR_H7lC4/s1600/IMG_20141012_140852+-+adjusted.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bus between Geneva and Annecy wasn't too shabby.</td></tr>
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Laurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05848291077777206180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131555610866497086.post-71756299851491963372015-04-06T05:36:00.001-07:002015-04-06T05:36:20.257-07:00Paris and Nuit Blanche<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Every time I visit Paris, I like it a little more.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VPFkq9OlTpY/VRsXOsRghQI/AAAAAAAAnI8/SGpp9CyrY4g/s1600/IMG_20141004_190218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VPFkq9OlTpY/VRsXOsRghQI/AAAAAAAAnI8/SGpp9CyrY4g/s1600/IMG_20141004_190218.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Place des Vosges</td></tr>
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The <a href="http://www.laurequarup.com/2012/04/paris-france-310.html">first time</a> I went to Paris, I frankly had the preconception that the city of lights was overhyped. During that visit we quickly crossed off the biggest highlights during a 12 hour layover and left. I would have been happy not returning for a long time.</div>
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Several years and visits later, I have come to enjoy the ritual of hanging out with friends for hours at a time in restaurants and cafés more than actually sightseeing. Besides, Paris has so many museums and famous places that it is overwhelming (and personally speaking, boring after a while) to see a lot during a single visit. So now my main priority while visiting Paris to enjoy good company and food.</div>
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This time Laure and I joined our friends Marc and Andrea from Zurich.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G2GDZAqwiSo/VRsXHv_yCNI/AAAAAAAAnJQ/1ldqga04cZo/s1600/Brasserie%2BJulien%2B001.JPG" height="400" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="263" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrea discovered <a href="http://www.julienparis.com/en/">Brasserie Julien</a>, where we had the fanciest meal of our trip.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-INYiXG9AAL0/VRsXI4ZEanI/AAAAAAAAnI8/5_I7MpkCruw/s1600/Brasserie%2BJulien%2B002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-INYiXG9AAL0/VRsXI4ZEanI/AAAAAAAAnI8/5_I7MpkCruw/s1600/Brasserie%2BJulien%2B002.JPG" height="400" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best part was actually the dessert.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56KpG-fDaNT7lWecCW20-1qE1s5GcRFFkNC4PeaUivXADRzthu_aeywZk0Bf3HgeE7-OF46N3RLppMlSnIgS7Msxzc7ggwPT2GSCrriexEuFJk_az2LD2qejUQKsMmlXZWqSTUtgR3rw/s1600/Brasserie+Julien+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56KpG-fDaNT7lWecCW20-1qE1s5GcRFFkNC4PeaUivXADRzthu_aeywZk0Bf3HgeE7-OF46N3RLppMlSnIgS7Msxzc7ggwPT2GSCrriexEuFJk_az2LD2qejUQKsMmlXZWqSTUtgR3rw/s1600/Brasserie+Julien+012.JPG" height="400" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrea and Marc were able to charm the waiter to bring out a last flambéed dessert although they were supposedly out of them. </td></tr>
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We also checked out a cool cocktail bar named <a href="http://en.yelp.ch/biz/little-red-door-paris">The Little Red Door</a>, which served great drinks. The seemingly (and confusingly) secret façade plus the Prohibition-era interior definitely gives the vibe of a modern day Speakeasy, which has become fashionable nowadays.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4g3F0g1_JcncigyGnWPlrH51sjkCSVqYK9qdLXENrAmA0pfjnqg3XJDVuKaeSe8-DtF2lUf5E5r8C7AZVYaRMDHH6rtn4S6hVgLc_kStT0PRv4QZ9IuOz-kOH6rKcMf2vWD_ZH_YpbrY/s1600/Little+Red+Door+Bar+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4g3F0g1_JcncigyGnWPlrH51sjkCSVqYK9qdLXENrAmA0pfjnqg3XJDVuKaeSe8-DtF2lUf5E5r8C7AZVYaRMDHH6rtn4S6hVgLc_kStT0PRv4QZ9IuOz-kOH6rKcMf2vWD_ZH_YpbrY/s1600/Little+Red+Door+Bar+001.JPG" height="400" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marc in front of the Little Red Door.<br />
The real entrance is not actually where you would expect.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2xdDzhy6KPg/VRsXXDJ5j9I/AAAAAAAAnI8/2x4z1O52gBg/s1600/Little%2BRed%2BDoor%2BBar%2B008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2xdDzhy6KPg/VRsXXDJ5j9I/AAAAAAAAnI8/2x4z1O52gBg/s1600/Little%2BRed%2BDoor%2BBar%2B008.JPG" height="263" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exquisite drinks in the low-lit atmosphere of a modern day Speakeasy.</td></tr>
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Easily the most memorable culinary goodie was the croissant at Blé Sucré. Laure and Andrea liked it so much that they went back on a later day. On that second day, they met someone that was writing about the café in article for a travel magazine.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlndnqr9uWPbCBI7S2OPK_KF84xM6fDF6fgpLNa1tZZQs69LrU0SBD7QzRpcGBEaQ2d3_9wheIkoc3guqfJZ1_9CjC4wEjzwRgL_2PCcVzBoX9Ao_iFleci8xFFJlXlGciihkB5LixV5M/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlndnqr9uWPbCBI7S2OPK_KF84xM6fDF6fgpLNa1tZZQs69LrU0SBD7QzRpcGBEaQ2d3_9wheIkoc3guqfJZ1_9CjC4wEjzwRgL_2PCcVzBoX9Ao_iFleci8xFFJlXlGciihkB5LixV5M/s1600/image.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The texture of the croissants at Blé Sucré is just how it should be: crispy on the outside and soft and airy in the inside.<br />
A distinguishing attribute of these croissants is the hint of sweetness.</td></tr>
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As for the actual sightseeing part of the trip, we checked out Montmartre district in the 18th arrondissement. It's one of Laure's favorite areas; probably because of the hilly streets that remind her of our former neighborhood in San Francisco, Telegraph Hill.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EWQiJyrIXMM/VRsXX7yQzJI/AAAAAAAAnI8/bTApR0E6D4c/s1600/Montmartre%2B01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EWQiJyrIXMM/VRsXX7yQzJI/AAAAAAAAnI8/bTApR0E6D4c/s1600/Montmartre%2B01.JPG" height="263" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our book-guided tour started near where raunchy cabarets sprung up in the late 1800's.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4GdGbtHsHfA/VSGabdOu4hI/AAAAAAAAnOI/8QMiLY7Ycbs/s1600/IMG_20141004_131401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4GdGbtHsHfA/VSGabdOu4hI/AAAAAAAAnOI/8QMiLY7Ycbs/s1600/IMG_20141004_131401.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">We checked out this huge church named Sacré-Cœur.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcSe57-SXtvGjtkDHUUOLBG0weCCTzr6A6GdNudIruFpCpIga3RYa3Gza1Em6yOOMiFHLdWp02lSagVt52oGWs4y2pBDK1KB1N9adA9_140AguhyGpvRXMmpfAk6RcIc4D6Rs4pR7d4Co/s1600/IMG_20141004_174512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcSe57-SXtvGjtkDHUUOLBG0weCCTzr6A6GdNudIruFpCpIga3RYa3Gza1Em6yOOMiFHLdWp02lSagVt52oGWs4y2pBDK1KB1N9adA9_140AguhyGpvRXMmpfAk6RcIc4D6Rs4pR7d4Co/s1600/IMG_20141004_174512.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And Laure wore the right shoes for this graffito.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Av_k1btcqBU/VSGaafhn6MI/AAAAAAAAnOA/kTxZwXyTMoI/s1600/Moulin%2BRouge%2B001.JPG" height="320" style="color: #0000ee; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="235" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Red Windmill.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsvpn0aOzeNGokaDlCsKFu6CFGQmozWWcg5I6235HIDQdqG1-IX7ldeXx3M7c89SJrPd9RED6njJBUrCttd8KYCjxzRad__UyRBsg1_ybxe4ol1ZtZayEGYrA-rd9i3v7qGbBFkGdXLoY/s1600/Amelie+Cafe+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsvpn0aOzeNGokaDlCsKFu6CFGQmozWWcg5I6235HIDQdqG1-IX7ldeXx3M7c89SJrPd9RED6njJBUrCttd8KYCjxzRad__UyRBsg1_ybxe4ol1ZtZayEGYrA-rd9i3v7qGbBFkGdXLoY/s1600/Amelie+Cafe+001.JPG" height="263" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Café des 2 Moulins was one of the sets in Laure's favorite movie, Amelie.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eHamh2Zvzjk/VRsXH_xcgPI/AAAAAAAAnI8/52Os1VVc0Dc/s1600/Au%2BLapin%2BAgile%2BCabaret%2B001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eHamh2Zvzjk/VRsXH_xcgPI/AAAAAAAAnI8/52Os1VVc0Dc/s1600/Au%2BLapin%2BAgile%2BCabaret%2B001.JPG" height="400" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lapin Agile was the watering hole of Picasso and other artists as well as some crazies.</td></tr>
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We passed by a place named Le Bateau Lavoir, which basically offered low cost shared housing for artists. Some of those artists were famous; most notably Picasso. This reminded me of the recent trend in the tech world of similar shared housing for engineers working on start-ups. I wonder if future generations will look back at those the same way we look back at Le Bateau Lavoir.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuhkFbeh2e9U8SnUf_Pp6WncZU44YW2-XHRbw4umaUVEbBu4w8MNlST4ZBvQ8c0MulTt2IX12EtXdGBbZyuDQ7SgPYPYMLg-_gWPYFg9KEBr704Q8Qo5mLIgBe-fMTd8ypdSVnb5-mFaw/s1600/Pablo+Picasso+Studio+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuhkFbeh2e9U8SnUf_Pp6WncZU44YW2-XHRbw4umaUVEbBu4w8MNlST4ZBvQ8c0MulTt2IX12EtXdGBbZyuDQ7SgPYPYMLg-_gWPYFg9KEBr704Q8Qo5mLIgBe-fMTd8ypdSVnb5-mFaw/s1600/Pablo+Picasso+Studio+002.JPG" height="400" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Le Bateau Lavoir once housed Picasso among other famous artists.</td></tr>
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In addition to Montmartre, Laure and I went inside the Notre Dame cathedral, which I had been wanting to do for a while.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uVlG_IonnxY/VRsXKoppM2I/AAAAAAAAnJY/u9tCF6drkJo/s1600/Cathe%CC%81drale%2BNotre%2BDame%2Bde%2BParis%2B004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uVlG_IonnxY/VRsXKoppM2I/AAAAAAAAnJY/u9tCF6drkJo/s1600/Cathe%CC%81drale%2BNotre%2BDame%2Bde%2BParis%2B004.JPG" height="400" width="278" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notre Dame.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uf6JLS-zfuU/VRsXUmpNZyI/AAAAAAAAnI8/shHIWYVhpJU/s1600/Latin%2BQuarter%2BKabab%2B001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uf6JLS-zfuU/VRsXUmpNZyI/AAAAAAAAnI8/shHIWYVhpJU/s1600/Latin%2BQuarter%2BKabab%2B001.JPG" height="263" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We also grabbed some Gyros in the Latin Quarter.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lzzoyNT7-9E/VRsXWQFockI/AAAAAAAAnI8/w6eL5Tt3xlw/s1600/Latin%2BQuarter%2BKabab%2B002.JPG" height="263" style="color: #0000ee; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gyros with french fries is a thing.</td></tr>
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Andrea found what turned out to be the coolest part of our trip: Nuit Blanche. Nuit Blanche ("White Night") is an annual event where many museums,
churches, and public spaces become one huge free museum of contemporary
art that is open all night. The event is so large that we found it impossible to see it all in one night.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VUf1hi6kQXY/VRsXSLrffeI/AAAAAAAAnJs/sQcQS7eP3Pw/s1600/IMG_20141005_013454.jpg" height="241" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking path signs for Nuit Blanche were stenciled onto the sidewalks.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3DDMXFiigA8/VRsXYyo7Z8I/AAAAAAAAnJ8/pBV0TV4xiRE/s1600/Paris%2BNuit%2BBlanche%2B005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3DDMXFiigA8/VRsXYyo7Z8I/AAAAAAAAnJ8/pBV0TV4xiRE/s1600/Paris%2BNuit%2BBlanche%2B005.JPG" height="263" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This church housed a projection of laser like special effects that animated in synchronization with techno sounds.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNTXc30CBhcLiublZYQlVZItkfVcX69Szdf3BnQ4OyIZbxqHVajkLpYfQzhcxOlhN8-zCXnmEhhiYtSmBLXDkZA8v_v6hdyLoCbeb5234MWcG5Mxtir20EHhtPKKkEzaCKo4YI4pEHUig/s1600/Paris+Nuit+Blanche+006.JPG" height="263" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The laser animation and sounds were generated by these two "scientists" in lab coats on their computers.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aAyGf6697ZA/VRsXbUv7rPI/AAAAAAAAnKY/FpaihbDQQWI/s1600/Paris%2BNuit%2BBlanche%2B016.JPG" height="276" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even Notre Dame displayed some artistic videos.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw433ypv3S8k6lLcj6f1OzOli8dQUTerKSLUQvU3vVNpk5vdfobiYkkqg4EwZDSJre3-Xjyh48LengqNAET4-s7_vgEqsyE8fhoage2Rcxxbpv4UxBCy9OLjX-QNlrejgkdCDBH8VPGxo/s1600/IMG_20141005_020614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw433ypv3S8k6lLcj6f1OzOli8dQUTerKSLUQvU3vVNpk5vdfobiYkkqg4EwZDSJre3-Xjyh48LengqNAET4-s7_vgEqsyE8fhoage2Rcxxbpv4UxBCy9OLjX-QNlrejgkdCDBH8VPGxo/s1600/IMG_20141005_020614.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the train stations under construction was repurposed as the set of a light and sound show.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a1cUALKY7nk/VRsXadOUxHI/AAAAAAAAnKQ/fAwZrHBUZDc/s1600/Paris%2BNuit%2BBlanche%2B010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a1cUALKY7nk/VRsXadOUxHI/AAAAAAAAnKQ/fAwZrHBUZDc/s1600/Paris%2BNuit%2BBlanche%2B010.JPG" height="246" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite performance was this cellist playing classical music in a dramatically lit square.</td></tr>
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I recommend Nuit Blanche to others that want to check out something apart from the typical tourist attractions in Paris. It is a worthwhile local event that encourages you to escape the confinements of a guidebook and join the Parisians.</div>
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Qhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009834242027169260noreply@blogger.com0