Sorry we were hibernating.

Hi there
We have decided to come out of hibernation to support Earth hour.
So come on everyone.... help us come outta hibernation by turning off your lights for 1 hour on March 28th from 830 -930pm. We promise that if you can help us and the world by supporting Earth Hour then we might just be able to muster up enough energy to start blogging again.

Thanks
Koala and Turtle

note to self.. don't plan to blog at 830pm this Saturday night.

2008 - first visitors from Oz- Part 2

January 18th

This was the day we had all been waiting for. Who wouldn't look forward to a day of sitting in cramped yoga style positions while watching giant babies trying to push each other out of a large mud playpen? Luckily the beer and sake was flowing.
YES YOU GUESSED IT...we went to Ryogoku Kokugikan (Ryogoku National Sports Arena) to watch live SUMO.


Actually it was a great experience and a definite must do for anyone who lives in or visits Japan.

First we stopped off in Akihabara and Ryan and Sarah looked at a few digital HD recorders. they found a bargain but decided to think about it while watching the Sumo and ended up getting the camera on the way home.

Words cant describe the sumo experience so here are some pictures. Sorry some of these aren't such good quality

Outside the RYOGOKU KOKUGIKAN

Sarah and Ryan in front of Ryogoku Kokugikan

Us in front of Ryogoku Kokugikan

Posing with a Sumo baby

Nobori in front of Ryogoku Kokugikan

Sumo

The Opening Ceremony







Asashoryu versus Miyabiyama


Food

Hakuho versus Kisenosato






Infamous Sumo Babies

2008 - first visitors from Oz- Part 1

Back in January we had our first visitors. Ryan (Mac), Sarah and Wilson (Sarah's bump) came from Oz and stayed with us for a few days on their way to the snow in Niseko.
It was fantastic fun and guys you can stay with us any time. Not sure our neighbours will be too keen. Lets just say that the 4.2 of us were snoring loud enough to drown out the guy down stairs. Of course lots of beers, food, fun and sights will do that.

January 16th
We met them at the platform of the Narita Express. Sarah, Turtle and Mac at Shinjuku Station
Sarah, Koala and Mac at Shinjuku Station

We then headed through Kabuki-cho, the Red Light District, where we bumped into some interesting characters.

Ryan and Sarah pose with a new half Onigiri (a transgender person dressed up as a riceball)

Final destination, Ikkyu, an Izakaya (restaurant/bar) that's a favourite with uni students. Cheap prices and big serves.

Ryan got to drink beer on the train.....


.....and Sarah quickly becomes one of the locals.

January 17th
The next day took a walk around the neighborhood. I love taking visitors for a walk to the end of our street and showing them this

GoJuuNoTo 5 story pagoda at Korinji temple

GoJuuNoTo 5 story pagoda and headstones at Korinji temple

Main temple at Kourinji temple

Mac and Sarah at Korinji temple in Chiyogaoka

Sarah using an Oke -bucket and hishaku-scoop to clean the headstones

We then went to the local Cafe and encountered a Yakuza lunch meeting. I am serious!! Sorry no pictures for obvious reasons. After a feed we hoped on the trains and headed to Asakusa.

Asahi Flame -otherwise known as the golden poo

KaminariMon - Thunder gate at Sensouji temple also known as Asakusa Kannon Temple

Nakamise dori - middle shopping street

Thunder gate

Gojuunoto 5 storey pagoda at Asakusa

Main temple at Asakusa

Sarah tries some incense purification

Ryan tries some water purification- keep trying buddy

hyottoko- fireman mask and okame-woman mask

A Japanese god

Shishi lion mask

After a long day of walking around we headed back to meet Turtle at his parents place and then headed out for dinner and bed.

Mac, Sarah and Maki-chan

Daddy turtle- Katsumi

Misa, Mac, Mummy Turtle (Sumiyo) and Sarah

Koala and Turtle have been slacking off...again

Yes...We know we promised to post more often. No excuses this time!!! We will just get on with it!!



Well, it is Spring here in Japan!! A crazy season it has been. But more of that later.
I have a love hate relationship with spring.

I hate it because I get really bad hayfever but...

I love the flowers budding and blooming. The birds start chirping again. You know all that Its a new beginning, rebirth and all of of those sentiments that I am a sucker for. I love Japanese Spring because of the cherry blossoms and the fantastic event called Hanami. Hana means flower and mi means look/watch /view. So flower viewing or more to the point cherry blossom viewing events are right up my alley, because in Japan nothing is celebrated with out a bunch of friends, food and drinks.

At Shukugawara, Kawasaki with the Iishida Family







At Tamagawa with the Mamoru, Yuka and the gang






At Shukugawara with Turtle and Bic


Photos of Kame/Turtle , Bic and some guys fooling around


Cherry blossoms and Carp








Cherry blossoms on the river




Photos from around Shukugawara near where Turtle was born and grew up

Where the hell is Matt?

UPDATE- Please scroll down for the update.

Recently I joined a yahoo group call MIJ- Married In Japan and one of the members , Claire, sent me a link to this video


The guy in the video is Matt Harding and you can read all about him here and check out his website and follow his travel map here. Make sure you visit his site. His story is a pretty cool one.

In the video above the focus was on places, but now Matt Harding is travelling around the world again and this time the focus is people.

On January 27th 2008, Turtle and Koala were lucky enough to meet up with Matt and about 60 or so other people who like dancing badly. We all met up in Yoyogi Park, Tokyo, in this spot.



It was freezing cold. This event wasn't advertised.
Matt just sent emails to people who have subscribed to his website and then relied on word of mouth.


We had to get our picture taken and sign a release form first.




It was sooo much fun and we took some props to help get into the silly and fun mood.




Other people dressed up too.



We met Matt, who is an amazingly friendly guy. He took the time to chat with everyone and let us t ake photos with him afterwards.


The whole thing only lasted about 20 minutes , but I never would have thought that dancing badly (to no music) with a group of strangers would have been so much fun.
I reckon if we all came together and did silly things like this more often, the world would be a much better place.


Thanks Claire for telling me about this event and introducing me to Matt Harding.
Thanks Matt for dancing badly and sharing it with the world!!!!

MAKE SURE TO check out the website and keep an eye out for Koala and Turtle in the official video which is due to be released on June 21st, 2008.

Here is a short video of Koala and Matt dancing badly


UPDATE

MATT HAS RELEASED HIS 2008 FOOTAGE HERE
We are in the Tokyo group of people about 3minutes into the clip.
You cant really see us but maybe if you pause it at some stages you can see my mask in the back left hand corner somewhere
...but who care we are in the video and we were part of a unique and fantastic experience.....yay
THANK AGAIN, MATT

High to Low

HIGH

I woke up on Wednesday morning absolutely freezing. Finally, I dragged myself out of bed and looked outside to the spectacular sight of snow.



I was so excited that I was jumping up and down for joy. I didn't even put on a jacket, instead I grabbed the video camera and attempted to go out onto our balcony to do some filming.



Man it was cold but the snow flakes were huge.




This isn't the first time I have seen snow, but I still squeal like a little girl whenever I see it. This is the first time that I have seen such big snowflakes.



I got on the phone to Turtle to share my excitement and then decided to get out of my Pajamas and into warmer clothes.



LOW

Then I turned on my computer, ready to catch up on the news, emails, Face Book and preparing of lessons for my private English Students.

Talk about going from a high to a low.

Yes, I read the news about the sudden and shocking death of one of my favourite Aussie actors Heath Ledger.
If you want more details on this very talented and in my opinion "a very sexy" actors life and death please read this article.

I didn't know you personally Heath, but I was one of your fans, mate. Turtle loves you too. Our hearts go out to your family and friends. You will be missed.
Rest In Peace

It's 2008, and its gonna be great...Mate

So its a new year everyone. HAPPY NEW YEAR

2007 was a huge year for this very tired Turtle and Koala.
We had 2 weddings, a trip to Australia, and bought a new car.
I did a 6 month Japanese course and we both studied and sat exams.
I quit smoking and stuck to it.
We mourned the loss of a few hamsters and a few relatives,
but we also welcomed a few more baby friends into the world.
We celebrated the engagements and marriages of a few friends.
We unfortunately lost some friends but gained many more new and exciting friendships too.
Can you believe that my Dad turned 60 and Turtle turned 40!!!
Also on Turtles birthday we celebrated 2yrs since Koala and Turtle first met.
...the list goes on.
2007 was for us the best year and most important year of our lives so far, but boy are we glad its over and maybe we can relax in 2008. whew

2008 is looking to be a fun year so far... just a few important dates to look forward to so far...
Ryan and Sarah's visit to Japan -January 16th
Kerrie and Johns Wedding -March 8th
Our 1yr legal wedding anniversary and my sister, Leanne's 21st - March 17th
Our 1yr Japanese wedding ceremony anniversary -April 8th
Our 1yr Australian wedding ceremony anniversary -August 13th
Also many births, marriages, birthdays and fun to look forward too...YAY...

Have you made any New Years Resolutions? Or more to the point have you made some and broken them yet?? I made many and have broken all of them so far. LOL
The only one that I am going to share with you it that I am going to try and add more to this blog and attempt to stop it from dying.
But I need your help and support. So please help us/me keep motivated by doing these things
Leave comments
Put a pin on the map
Tell your friends
Put a link to my blog on your blog and I will do the same
Most importantly feel free to nag, hassle, yell, abuse, or just throw something at me when I get slack.

till next time...we both hope you have a great 2008 and thanks for all your support in out first year of married life
luv Koala and Turtle