the Farm at San Benito

Last week I drove down to the Farm at San Benito with a friend who had to make a delivery of her beautiful bags to the spa shop. What an amazing place.

 Arriving.


New bags looking good!


Then we had a simply delicious raw food sample menu lunch. Yummyummy.


Nice views.


And a most amazing garden. Where we totally lost track of both direction and time.

Upside down.

And now on the lookout for good promos, to stay the night. With Philippine summer already over and rainy season just around the corner - or is it here already? - I'm hoping for the best!

... and a few more from Japan

This visit totally was an urban one. It was lovely but hoping for some forests and mountains as well next time.

All very symmetric.

 Trains everywhere.

 And a rather brownish color scheme.

 Making patterns.

 And even the streets are clean. Or well, not really, but still... (and as long as reference point is Manila and Hanoi)

 And when there's color, there's color.

We took a ride. And hope to be back in Japan soon again. Big thanks to Keisuke's family who took such great care of us! Mata ne.

Osaka, Japan

The last two days we spent at Keisuke's sisters place in Osaka, hanging out with cousins Aoi and Harouka, even made it to an amazing school concert. Think only in Japan fourteen year olds can perform that way. Then, unfortunately, it was already time to head back home to Manila. But really, with plenty of direct and only four hour flights, we'll definitely be back soon!

 Origami making with cousins Harouka and Aoi.

 Totally ready for a puppy of her own!

 Going for a walk with Harouka and Lois, the doggy.

Aoi's school band.

Yoshiyuki's place

Next door to Keisuke's parents, my brother-in-law and his family lives in a totally cool wooden house, has even been featured in some kind of "interesting contemporary architecture" programme on national TV. Downstairs doubles as a theater with stage and all, perfect for all family dinners (as grannies place is quite a lot smaller and don't really have room for all). Upstairs the rooms look like bee hives, each kid's got one study and one sleeping hive.

Theater cum library cum dining room. Kai and Kazune hanging out. No problem with lighting for all occasions.

Bee hive bed room and study. Kids would die for a house like this. Although, as a typical (?) Swede and clear-your-clutter maniac, I might have opted for closed lockers rather than open shelves, but hey, this way you'll immediately see where you have everything.

Dinner time. Keisuke, me, Baaba, Jiiji, Kazune, Shinjirou, Kai, Yoshiyuki, Setaro, Kazumi.

Happy cousins.

Lost in Translation

All the time. No way I could buy a train ticket. Or anything from any machine (they all speak, a lot, all the time, even the bath tubs, luckily they don't sell anything). Hardly from any person either. They only speak Japanese, and always seem to have to ask or offer me something. And really, my Japanese is making progress veeeeeeery slowly. Taihen ne.

Luckily I constantly have a very handsome local guide by my side.

Ikimashou! Let's go!

Kobe, Japan

We also spent five days with family in Japan, catching up with Jiiji and Baaba (Keisuke's parents) and his brother and sister and all cousins. We started off with a few days in Kobe and had loads of fun, kids had a blast.

 Heading for the train station.

Vending machines. Everywhere. Kids spent a fair share of their Japanese pocket money buying all kinds of drinks.

 Mum and daughter (with an attitude) at Kobe Harbor Land. By Kai. Reflecting Keisuke.

Night time. Comfy futons on soft tatami mats upstairs at Jiiji and Baaba's. Very Japanese.

 Kai preparing for a day in school with cousin Kazune.

 The crowd. Cousins Shinjirou, Setaro, Kazune and two little friends.

 Sea views. And before the stroller tipped over. Racing down hill. With Hana in it.

The value of things...

Got myself a new pair of super cool Thuong Dinh sneakers as well. Now readily available also in Europe. Check them out on the Thuong Dinh website. EUR 60 per pair. Or get them from the street stalls on Xuan Dieu (where else...) for less than EUR 3 (three). Without bargaining. Who gets the other 57 if you buy them in Paris, I wonder...