Shizuoka…
On Monday I got on the bus from Tokyo heading towards Shizuoka to spend a couple of nights with Nay!
I had a fantastic time down there and it was great to finally see where in Japan Nay lives and to meet Milo her puppy.
I didn`t take many photos of my time down there- except of the beach and Milo! The original photos are all at my flickr page.
On Monday when I arrived (on time by the way, no traffic!) we headed back to Nay`s place while I marveled at all the tea bushes lining all of the hills- honestly they looked like little hedges and I had no idea how they got them to grow on the side of the hills like that or in the strange shaped little gardens. We took Milo for a walk (she was very excited to meet me and so the walk was to try and calm her down a little!) and caught up on all the goss. It was so nice to be in the country and be surrounded by green areas. We walked along a little creek near Nay`s house and I noticed that Shizuoka, along with tea, seems to have a lot of persimon. It is funny though, all the perssimon trees had already lost their leaves so they were naked except for the orange fruit.
Nay`s husband, Naoki, has no overtime on Monday`s (although it was a public holiday though, he did have work) so he was home super early (by my standards!) and we all sat down to enjoy some homemade pizza, Mama Mia the movie and then a game of scrabble. Nay won in the end with a very high scoring word right near the end of the game.
Tuesday we got up reasonably early to head to the Lalaport which was about 90 minutes from Nay`s place. We had no troubles finding it because Naoki had set up the navi for us the night before and we made it in record time- it was nice to be able to wonder around the shops before we went to see My Sister`s Keeper. Nay & I both enjoy Jodi Piccolt`s books and both agreed the movie was really good, even if it was a little different to the book (movies always are though, arn`t they!)- it had been AGES since I went to the cinema and I really really enjoyed it. I want to try and see another movie or two before Goma-chan makes his appearance. Once during the movie the baby was going nuts so I grabbed Nay`s hand so she could have a feel (she likes to know when Goma-chan is moving! Naoki also had a go while I was in Shizuoka) but of course he stopped soon after she touched. Nay`s hands are like fire though- the cinema was quite hot and I had to move her hand in the end because it felt like a heater. Honestly, those hands would be awesome in winter. My hands and feet always seem to be cold no matter the season so I was impressed.
It took us a little while to get home on Tuesday afternoon because we had a bit of a trouble finding route 1 and ended up doing a circle up a mountain through the bush. Well I guess it was more rainforest than bush- but still, it was lovely to see. I think Nay got a bit stressed out though as I certainly would of too if I had been the one driving. We made it home eventually though and Milo was very happy to see us so we took her for a quick walk so that she could calm down a little before we started to prepare dinner. Which was potato and chicken bake at my request since Nay had posted pictures and the recipe on her blog a couple of months back- it tastes as good as it looked and while it took awhile to make in the oven it was soooooooooooo yummy! I am definitely going to try and recreate something similar. YUM!
On Wednesday we slept in then headed to the beach down the road. Literally a five minute drive. So jealous of Nay`s proximity to the beach. We had a bit of a wander along with Milo and I took some photos- last time Milo hated it apparently but this time she seemed to like it more. Of course she didn`t really go close to any actual water though! We watched another DVD at home before Nay drove me to the bus stop- we knew there would be delays since they were doing road works all along the Tomei highway and I was using a Tomei highway bus. The bus was just over an hour late picking me up but the roadworks seemed to get worse after that and in the end the trip took me more than 6 hours instead of less than 3 & a half. It was not too bad though and thank god the bus had a toilet as I am well and truly into the third trimester now meaning I need to pee what seems to be every 30 seconds.
I am so glad I went down to Shizuoka for a short trip- my last before Goma-chan arrives. Thanks to Nay, Naoki & Milo for been such wonderful hosts!
Milo was so cute- she would get a bit psycho, as puppies tend to do, when she would see me for the first time or when I woke up etc but overall I couldn`t believe how well behaved she was for a puppy. Honestly, Abbey in Australia was still a psycho puppy when I left and she was already a year old (my father said she has mellowed somewhat now though). It was so nice to be around a puppy again though and I loved all the kisses and cuddles I got from Milo. Watching her play fetch was funny too!
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Ooh I want to see My Sister’s Keeper too…was it pretty weepy though? I seem to cry at the drop of a hat recently and am a bit afraid of going to see it in the cinema…
Umebossy- It was a little bit weepy BUT I only let one tear go and Nay only cried a little bit. Nobody was sobbing or anything though- I say go see it! It was a great film.
Sounds like you had a great time, it is nice to get into some greenery every once in awhile as a very nice break from the city.
Wish I could say the whole peeing thing gets easier but we all know it only gets worse, though at the moment I tend to go only twice during the night which really isn`t half bad. If I drink a lot during the day I do tend to go a bit but I think after 9 months I am not sure what I would do if I found I slept through the entire night without getting up.
My Sister’s Keeper is one of my fave of Jodi Piccoult’s book ( along with Harvesting the Heart ) and I am really looking forward to seeing the film.
Melanie- Yes, I imagine the whole peeing thing is going to get worse before it gets better- once I am actually asleep fully I am okay for a good six hours or so usually but I find I have to get up a lot (like 4 or 5 times) when I am trying to get asleep. Will be great once baby is out and I won`t have to pee so often- that said, I am sure the baby will be keeping me awake then!hehe
Miss Behaving- Me too! My other favourites are The Pact & Salem Falls. I love her books!!!
Sounds like a great mini-break! I really want to see My Sister’s Keeper. I would probably cry too!
I was thinking of seeing the movie, although I’ve never read the book.. and isn’t highway 1 just fun to cruise along… so many shops, so much fun. As for psycho puppies– MINE finally started to calm a bit.. really needy… we wish they would stop being so crazy-puppy-like, then when they do, we want the playful puppy back.
Sounds like you had a wonderful time! I loved the movie, it was really moving, definitely shed a few tears at the end though.
Thank you so much for coming Lulu – I really truly loved having you and wish that you could come and visit more often. I promise next time Milo won’t be so crazy and I will try really hard not to get lost, hehehe!!
I love the photos of Milo that you took and was wondering if you could email me a few? Especially the ones taken at the beach (including the one of you and Milo just to prove that yes you did actually come and visit, lol). I can’t believe I didn’t get my camera out once while you were here… silly me
Katie M- I recommend it! Definitely go see it- is it out in Australia now too?
April Marie Claire- From what I have heard I think your puppy might win the psycho puppy awards?! hehe. Spirited doggies are the best though!
Go see the movie- even if you haven`t read the book the movie is still great.
Kelly- It is a bit of a tear jerker hey! I hadn`t been to the movies in ages though but it has inspired me to go to at least one or two before the baby arrives because once he is here I might not get a chance for awhile.
Nay- Thank you for having me! I had a fab time. And I do not care if you get lost on the way home next time either- it was a fun adventure!!
I will send you the photos of Milo- if I haven`t done it in the next couple of days msg me to remind me!!! hehe