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JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL
MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST
SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER

Marianne poses for the ID card we made for her Japan hols. We queue in Davao City Airport for our late‐night two‐step trip to Narita Airport, Tokyo. Even with the mask on, Marianne looks excited. Flight Food en route to Manila. The smart Philippine Airlines tailplane logo. Exit at Manila for our connecting flight to Narita. A long wait. Midnight in Manila. From Narita into Tokyo by Skytrain and taxi to our hotel in Okachimachi. We decide to have a quick look around and get some food before conking out. The lovely mural in our little hotel room. After collapsing for the night we venture forth. But first a lovely breakfast.. The diner is about halfway up in the Monday hotel. There is a beautiful choice of international and local foods, buffet style. The subway entrance for the tube station is right outside our hotel, today we will go and see the Ueno gardens and Zoo. Floral delights greet us along an elevated walkway. Even the drain hole cover is wonderful. The whole open feeling of the Ueno Zoo is a haven for Japanese wildlife, with waterfields, small islands and well designed large enclosures. The penguins whizz around their waterworld while the regal flamingoes stand haughty in their superior plumage. I'm wondering how the Giraffes were transported to Tokyo! Marianne enjoyed the antics of the Ring‐tailed Lemurs as well as the aquarium and reptile houses, as did we both. As well as the National Museums, the Park holds many traditional shrines and temples, all kept in excellent order. Prayers and wishes on paper and other media are posted on many of the shrines. Marianne has her stash of cuddly toys from the Zoo shop. Were any made in China? Fountains of fresh water for the pilgrims. Access to the interior of the temples is restricted to the general public and tourists. The gardens invoke serenity. We head for a boating lake where the pedaloes are shaped like swans. Helmswoman Marianne steers us like a bumper car. We did glimpse the Giant Pandas but it was through a crack in the fence and soon were order to move along! We treated Marianne to one of her favourite fast foods ‐ 'Takoyaki' from a food stand. Our German friend Karin Michels‐Rautenstrauss posted up this smashing Kayaking snap. Also from Karin.. <a href="https://youtu.be/k-tzTsbWswY?si=PsE5jEQvGhOn1vdR" target="_blank">a pussy cat!</a> Next day ‐ a trip to the Tokyo Skytree Tower. The weather was overcast so we decided not to ascend the tower as we would not have been able to see much from up in the clouds. m&m&m enjoyed a huge shopping Mall in the tower environs. Everywhere are displays of incredibly realistic rubber foods. Bottom right photos are of a chopstick shop ‐ some were VERY expensive. Melanie had the great idea to have a look for the Aquarium. m&m&m Selfie Tips for our garden as Melanie snaps the ornate plantings. We enter the Sumida Aquarium. A stunner (literally). The mesmerising jellyfish displays. Sandworms. Malachy, Marianne and Melanie are Mesmerised. (see movies below). Look out! There's a blue meanie about. The wiggling sandworms and the coral angels. Zipping Seals, Fire Fairies and the Lugubrious Blue. We loved the Sumida Aquarium. Let's go eat. All 25 restaurants had long queues but we found a curry house. Maybe the Japanese don't like Indian foods. The hotel bog: tekno, tekno, tekno ‐ and I only wanted a wee‐wee! Next day we have planned to see the famous Shibuya crossing. I've read that postcards are on sale in a department store near there called 'Loft'. After wandering around in the drizzle for an hour and me buying a brolly we finally found the 'Loft' store. We filmed the action when the lights changed at the Shibuya Crossing. I bought postcards. We ate burgers. On the Tokyo Subway. Next day. I had read that there was a Pagoda in the Ueno Park and, as we hadn't laid eyes on one and the nearby park was so wonderful, we decided to take the subway there to find it. A beautiful stained glass mural in Ueno subway station. Today Marianne's brolly is a sunshade. A lovely walk, entertained part of the way by a superb Marimba player. Me and my favourite daughter. Top left: Lions International Totem Pole. I once worked for them indirectly in an hotel ‐ Maison Des Landes in Jersey, Channel Islands. We took a break when we got to a children's playground. Marianne quickly made friends with some American children. Found it! I glimpsed the top of the Pagoda through the trees. The Pagoda, closed to the public, was to the side of an approach to a fabulous temple. Tipped by what looks like modern microwave gadgetry, the Pagoda stands in isolated beauty. The Red Cardinal. Next Day. Gray skies from our hotel window. A panorama from the Breakfast Restaurant. We had an early start as we'd booked tickets for Tokyo Disneyland. Pollyanna Edwardian style buildings throughout. Marianne is excited! So are we. A long trek from the station, it's by the sea. Photo opportunities. All is good, lots of employment, lots of fun and lots of greetings. Pluto was great ‐ how does he see? Ignore the kid in green :‐) More Pluto, Goofy and Donald Duck. Walt, Minnie and Marianne. Several shops sell the same merchandise. A fantastic place. Time for ice cream and very good it was, too. Another family obliged with this photo. We had a mini bus trip and these are the shots. Heading for our first ride. 'Baymax' a character I'm not familiar with although I should be as we are about the same weight. The Space Mountain roller coaster was closed for refurb. We were flung around like gooduns. (Please see movie below). Time to eat before we queue for 'Beauty and the Beast'. We join a massive queue but it's full of interesting sights. It's all very well constructed. Just like a movie set. Disney and Co's design and artwork create an atmosphere of expectation. Very cleverly, groups are segregated into manageable numbers during the course of proceeding to the forthcoming ride. The characters from the cartoon and animated in this gallery. Please watch the movies below to get an idea of how wonderful was this ride. We bought some ice lollies and sat down to recover. Had a look in Toontown. A Toontown panorama. Some junk food while Melanie snaps the daytime parade. The pidgeons know which side their bread is buttered on. <a href="https://youtu.be/GC_mV1IpjWA?si=nLQFJIW0pC0zv7tm" target="_blank">'Under the Sea'</a> A Winnie the Pooh tableau exhibition. Still not tired! Marianne enjoys the exhibits. Photo by Marianne xxx. It's a Small World. A charming boat trip with miniature dolls in characterisations of scenes of people and places from around the world. I was just in the mood for a cuppa. We queued for Peter Pan's Flight but it was not the greatest. .. but this was .. Splash Mountain. A big dipper in the dark with a 40 foot drop at the end. As night fell, the wonderful light show parade was very well marshalled so that everyone could see the floats and enjoy. Light parade show 1 of 7 Light parade show 2 of 7 Light parade show 3 of 7 Light parade show 4 of 7. Remembering Robin Williams. Light parade show 5 of 7 Light parade show 6 of 7 Light parade show 7 of 7 Our aching feet! A long walk back to the station too. Moan moan moan. A new day and a boat trip planned. Perhaps we'll look in the market on the way back. Upstairs was the post office. The clerk did everything including sticking the stamps on our postcards. Sushi in a strange underground market store. Looks delicious but not my cup of tea. The same market full of delicacies. We are early for our boat trip. On the Quayside was this large raised bowl with grass growing inside and we poked our heads through the recesses. Skyline Tower across the river. The one and only time we spotted Kimonos and very beautiful they were, even at a distance. Marianne and daddy. Feeding the pigeons. m&m are looking good to me. Marianne A lovely selfie by Melanie. Strange structures over the water ‐ water tank? The Tokyo Cruise office. That pavement deserves a medal! Our boat from the brochure. We found comfortable seats with plenty of room at the back of the boat Everywhere we looked were blocks of apartments. Where are my shades. The warm sun shone on Mrs McCauley. There's something art‐deco about this boat. Oh oh, look at those clouds. Under the Rainbow Bridge. Are we nearly there yet? Yes, Marianne. A springtime publicity shot of the boat. A great shot by Melanie, clouds over the Rainbow Bridge. Some of the high rise around the harbour. Daddy and Marianne. A life on the ocean wave. I tried a selfie. Those ominous clouds again. Smile please. More shots of the Quayside at Odaiba Marine Park. Be careful Marianne. <a href="https://www.gotokyo.org/en/spot/363/index.html" target="_blank">Go Tokyo</a> Anchors a weigh. We're looking for Aqua City. What a diabolical liberty. Where did those clouds go? Melanie. Love, peace, beads. Daddy I'm hungry. Rainbow Bridge ‐ 798m long suspension bridge connecting Odaiba with Shibaura Pier<br /> Tokyo Big Sight ‐ futuristic exhibition and convention center<br /> Fuji TV Building ‐ the headquarter and studios can be accessed via tour guide<br /> Miraikan ‐ National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation<br /> Museum of Maritime Science ‐ interesting ship museum, six floors full of history<br /> Statue of Liberty replica ‐ popular dating spot at night<br /> Toyota MEGA WEB ‐ showroom of technologies, cars and accessories from Toyota<br /> Aquacity Odaiba ‐ shop till you drop defines this place very well<br /> This place was full of schoolkids. It was one of those "All you can eat for" places. But the food was good. Aqua City and the strange Fuji TV building out of a DC comic. A train station that runs a monorail service will take us home over the Rainbow Bridge. Magneto and Titanium Man. Each time we returned to the hotel, we negotiated our route below the street in the labyrithine miles of subway that connect to the Tokyo tube. Before the last day I realised we should have hired taxis as they are economical, especially on the feet. Marianne and me went across the road from the hotel to the 7‐11 and bought hot rolls sandwiches and drinks. Melanie wanted to look for bargains in the handbag department of the local market. Melanie took this snap of one of the many nearby Shrines. A handbag? A very good choice. On this day Danny and Wendy enjoy a cup of Earl Grey. On the market ‐ Alexandra Mansions. The fine art in the Monday Hotel Breakfast Restaurant, Okachimachi, Tokyo, Japan. Melanie at breakfast. Why does this make me think of Whistler's Mother? Marianne tried her hand at nails. On my own I ventured forth for a walk and took this shot in front of an opticians. Shopping and shops. Handbags, Hentai, Anime and Manga. The things you see when you're out shopping. Neice Rebekah was looking for family photos and reciprocated with this one of her parents. Our London Marianne friends are growing up ‐ Anna, Keetha and their aunt Jenny. For my last breakfast in Okachimachi. Salad with Japanese sauce and a little salmon. Yummy. Greetings from m&m&m. Don't point at me. Especially with that nail. Kute kulorfull kids outside the hotel today. The beautiful hotel mural. <a href="https://www.gotokyo.org/en/spot/59/index.html" target="_blank">Kappabashi Korner</a> Kappabashi Street. Here's where you can buy everything to do with the kitchen, including these plastic replicas which are extraordary. I bought a croissant. We bought a few bits and pieces. I found a good zester grate. Kappabashi selfies. Marianne gives me a Chinese burn in Japan. We're heading back to have a look in the local market. Here's one of the lovely taxis we should have been catching. This one took us back to the market. Back in the market, I had my eye on the jackets being sold across the road from our cafe. The Japanese rightly love the zebra crossings and adhere to the highway code. The overwrought Marianne xxx. Loving these two shots. We got to the station for Narita so early that we took an earlier Skyline train than the one we needed to. Never mind, it's better than being late. The Skyline train is FAST. Marianne is in a grumpy mood. Hundreds and hundreds of yards of solar panels are laid parallel to the line. Whizzing along over land and sea. Our connections connected so no serious delays. Back to blighty we fly.

Video Playlist:
Tokyo Playlist 9th to 20th June 2023

1. 9th Flying tonight 0:40
2. 9th Narita and the morning Skyline to Okachimachi 3:29
3. 9th Waiting and Flying 6:00
4. 9th Flying tonight 1:25
5. 10th The Monday Hotel and Ueno Park 17:12
6. 10th Ueno Zoo 14:55
7. 10th More Ueno Zoo 10:34
8. 10th Swan boating and Takoyaki in Ueno Park. 7 ⁄ 11 across the road from The Monday Hotel. 13:25
9. 11th Breakfast bar and the subway 3:56
10. 11th Sumida Aquarium 10:27
11. 11th More Sumida Aquarium 5:29
12. 11th Skyline Tower shopping and Curry 3:08
13. 12th Shibuya Crossing in the rain. 5:03
14. 13th Disorientation on the subway 2:20
15. 13th In the Bakeshop 1:59
16. 13th Making friends in Ueno Park 6:36
17. 13th Finding a Pagoda 2:03
18. 14th Disney 5:46
19. 14th Disney 14:46
20. 14th Disney From the top of the bus 5:28
21. 14th Disney 5:46
22. 14th Disney 2:54
23. 14th Disney 10:31
24. 14th Disney 4:10
25. 14th Disney 8:40
26. 14th Disney 25:09
27. 14th Disney 4:17
28. 14th Disney 15:22
29. 14th Disney 2:49
30. 15th Pancit for breakfast 1:28
31. 16th Posting postcards 0:42
32. 16th On the quayside 1:38
33. 16th On the boat 4:43
34. 16th Cruising 0:54
35. 16th Odaiba 0:59
36. 18th Shopping 0:33
37. 18th Marianne 0:29
38. 19th A chat at breakfast 0:36
39. 19th At the market 0:25
40. 20th Return on the skyliner 0:16
41. 20th On the skyliner 0:35
42. 20th At Narita 1:13
43. 20th On our way home 5:06
44. 20th Manila and Mindanao 3:45

<a href="https://zenpop.jp/blog/post/1011/a-complete-guide-to-japanese-kimono" target="_blank">A Complete Guide to the Japanese Kimono</a><br /> Spring Procession of Beauties, 1898 by Chikanobu (1838 ‐ 1912)<br /> <a href="https://garystockbridge617.getarchive.net/amp/topics/ukiyo+e+of+beautiful+women" target="_blank">Ukiyo E Of Beautiful Women</a><br />

My good friend Ali spent his holidays in Turkey ‐ looks wonderful. Melanie's photo choice of our darling Marianne from a few years past. .. and from 1 year ago. r to l: Leo, Konstantine, and Alex Von Seidlein with Michael Ritz. The start of many dishes here, Garlic, Onion with Chilli, Soy and Vinegar. John James McNally with his new little one; <span style="font-weight:bold;">Francis</span>. Most honoured as Malachy's father was Francis Joseph McCauley. Time Flies! ..and here is the lovely Isabel, daughter of John McNally. Groucho Marx<br /> Ever since songwriters started writing songs,<br /> They have written songs about the rose.<br /> Red roses, blue roses, old roses, new roses,<br /> Roses from the south and east and west,<br /> But here is the rose song that I love the best.<br /> <br /> Show me a rose,<br /> And I'll show you a girl who cares.<br /> Show me a rose,<br /> Or leave me alone.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Wjr9Zc1tc8" target="_blank">Show me a Rose</a><br /> Is my Canada Cousin Martin Hare practising for the Polar Bears? Marianne having fun at the Crocodile Park Zoo. 1 of 3 Marianne having fun at the Crocodile Park Zoo. 2 of 3 Marianne having fun at the Crocodile Park Zoo. 3 of 3 Egg and Chips local style. Melanie's healthy breakfast. A quick omlette. My mother and father‐in‐law; Perla and Marcelino Fuentes, celebrating their 47th wedding anniversary. On no! Hard Disk crash ‐ this gadget recovered all the data but I had to spend a couple of days recovering and reinstalling the software. Mother‐in‐law Perla's birthday celebration at Vales beach. 1 of 23 My lovely Melanie. Mother‐in‐law Perla's birthday celebration at Vales beach. 2 of 23 Mother‐in‐law Perla's birthday celebration at Vales beach. 3 of 23 Mother‐in‐law Perla's birthday celebration at Vales beach. 4 of 23 Mother‐in‐law Perla's birthday celebration at Vales beach. 5 of 23 Mother‐in‐law Perla's birthday celebration at Vales beach. 6 of 23 Mother‐in‐law Perla's birthday celebration at Vales beach. 7 of 23 Mother‐in‐law Perla's birthday celebration at Vales beach. 8 of 23 Mother‐in‐law Perla's birthday celebration at Vales beach. 9 of 23 Mother‐in‐law Perla's birthday celebration at Vales beach. 10 of 23 Mother‐in‐law Perla's birthday celebration at Vales beach. 11 of 23 Mother‐in‐law Perla's birthday celebration at Vales beach. 12 of 23 Mother‐in‐law Perla's birthday celebration at Vales beach. 13 of 23 Mother‐in‐law Perla's birthday celebration at Vales beach. 14 of 23 Mother‐in‐law Perla's birthday celebration at Vales beach. 15 of 23 Mother‐in‐law Perla's birthday celebration at Vales beach. 16 of 23 Mother‐in‐law Perla's birthday celebration at Vales beach. 17 of 23 Mother‐in‐law Perla's birthday celebration at Vales beach. 18 of 23 Mother‐in‐law Perla's birthday celebration at Vales beach. 19 of 23 Mother‐in‐law Perla's birthday celebration at Vales beach. 20 of 23 Mother‐in‐law Perla's birthday celebration at Vales beach. 21 of 23 Mother‐in‐law Perla's birthday celebration at Vales beach. 22 of 23 Mother‐in‐law Perla's birthday celebration at Vales beach. 23 of 23 Phone tricks and games ‐ Marianne's hobby. Most of the garden cleared and planted by the Granny House. Melanie, Lexi and Zion heading for a visit. A reprise of the new car purchase.

June 2023 Video Playlist:

1. 1st Jun3 2023 Kalami mahimong bata 1:48
2. 5th A drive to the Mini Falls Adventure Resort 4:44
3. 5th Joe Bryer in Brighton June 5th 2023 0:40
4. 7th Marianne mimes 0:18
5. 21st Kinilau Melanie's expertise with sea foods 2:49
6. 21st Melanie Makes Marinade 6:14
7. 23rd Marianne and the mini zipline 0:15
8. 23rd Never annoy an ostrich 0:09
9. 23rd Never smile at a crocodile 8:32
10. 24th Home made pizza 8:17
11. 24th Melanie's Orchids 0:50
12. 27th A bit of wok and woll ‐ Doug and Bridget jitterbug 0:26
13. 27th Dancing in the Classroom 3:36
14. 28th Perla's birthday at Vales Beach 1 0:43
15. 28th Perla's birthday at Vales Beach 2 0:56
16. 28th Perla's birthday at Vales Beach 3 1:06
17. 28th Perla's birthday at Vales Beach 4 0:42
18. 28th Perla's birthday at Vales Beach 5 0:24
19. 28th Perla's birthday at Vales Beach 6 2:38

MAY 2023 JULY 2023