Nara... Temples and Lanterns and Deer, OH MY!

Katie and I went down to Nara... a little side trip from Kyoto and Osaka.  We stayed the first night in a tiny guesthouse that served a delicious Western style breakfast in the morning.  Nara was Japan's first permanent capital before it eventually moved to Tokyo.  Today, Nara is full of historic treasures including some of Japan's oldest and largest temples.  Kasuga Taisha was my favorite shrine with it's many hanging lanterns around the shrine.  The gold and bronze lanterns complemented the red temple perfectly.  I would love to go back during one of the two times each year all the lanterns are actually lit!

The 5-storied pagoda of the Horyuji Temple, one of Japan's oldest temples.  The main hall was under construction when we were there, but the rest of it was still pretty.

Another building of the Horyuji Temple.

Nara Park is known for the wild deer roaming around the green fields.  The leaves were just starting to change colors when we were there.  It turned out to be such a nice day walking around the park!

Some of the many lanterns leading the way along the path to the Kasuga Taisha shrine.  The deer were just wandering around the whole temple and park area of Nara.  They would come up to visitors hoping to get some food.

Kasuga Taisha

Wild deer going up to local street vendors in the park.  

A group of Japanese high school boys came up to Katie and I asking us questions for their school project (we actually saw their teacher, so we knew they weren't lying...).  Their last question was "Can we take picture with you?"  So I respond, "Only if we can take one with all of you too!" 

The deer were relaxing to watch... there were so many of them!

Todaiji Temple is one of Japan's most famous and historically significant temples.  It's the world's largest building and also houses Japan's largest bronze Buddha statue (Daibutsu).  The present reconstruction of 1692 is only two thirds of the original temple's size from 752.  I could not get over all the details and the massive size of the wood pillars and construction inside the temple.  I loved the iron details on the doors.

There were two gold plated Buddha's on either side of Daibutsu.

Daibutsu, Japan's largest bronze Buddha.

Along a canal in Nara Park... beautiful leaves are starting to change! 

One of my favorite pictures from Nara.  This was right before it started to rain, so it brought out all the colors perfectly! 

On the pavilion looking the other way.

Nikko Samauri Festival...

Miranda (an ER nurse from the hospital) and I went up to Nikko for the day to watch a Samauri Festival.  It was a parade from one end of the shrines to the other and then back again.  Of course, that would be the one day that I would forget my camera charging at home (I never leave the house without it usually), so luckily Miranda was able to get some pictures.  We enjoyed delicious Japanese street food and walked around looking at all the shrines.  Later on that day we took a boat ride down one of the rivers through town looking enjoying the scenery.  It was just the start of the fall season too, with the crisp cool air!  I love Nikko!

Hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil...

Samauri warriors gathering before the procession 

Of course I found one and had to take a picture with him!

Exploring one of the shrines. 

Relay for Life Yokosuka...

CFAY Yokosuka sponsored the ACS Relay For Life in October.  It's been a while since I've actually done a Relay myself since I've been more involved in the Race for the Cure and the 3-Day Walks.  As soon as I found out Yokosuka was having one, I knew I had to form a team.  I decided to open it up to the nurses and other staff from the hospital and families.  We had a group of people coming and going throughout the day showing their support.  For being such a small community on a small island, there was a huge turnout and we were able to raise a lot of money!!  (Mike would have been proud of us... :) )  I can't wait until I'm back in the States to hopefully do another one with my family like the last one we did in 2006.

The opening ceremony was complete with the HS color guard from base.  They did such a great job.

A group from the hospital came out to support the Relay.  Only a few stayed the whole time, but it was great to have people there!  Amanda and Christina stayed overnight in a tent...

There were more survivors than I expected to be from Japan!

This one's for you Mom... Miss you & love you!

Our group representing the YNA... Christina Collazo, Amanda, Tracy & Luke D'Antonio, and myself.  We had a good time walking around the track all day.  I was excited to find out Tracy & Luke were Marquette alums... such a small world!

Amanda, Tracy and I at the Luminaria Ceremony... still can't get through one without tearing up.

Oktoberfests in Japan??? Sure...

Oktoberfest at the New Sanno in Tokyo.  The military hotel was hosting a party complete with a Japanese Oompah band!  Hey, she was actually pretty good at yodeling... I was extremely impressed!

Amanda and Katie 

Andrew, Colleen and I

The group with the band
Colleen, Desmond, Amanda, Andrew, and I

Me attempting to blow the horn... actually harder than I thought.

Look who we met up with in the New Sanno bar... Christine!  Another L&D nurse!

Oktoberfest in Yokohama!!!  There was a few week long fest going on in Red Brick area, so we had to check it out.  Pretty legit!

Byron, Amanda, Travis and I... nurses know how to have fun!

We made friends quickly with the Japanese at our table. 

Delicious German beer!!!!

Shimoda, Izu Peninsula (my favorite place in Japan)...

Amanda and I went to explore Shimoda.  It's on the southern tip of the Izu Peninsula.... the next peninsula over to the west from ours in Japan.  It's know for it's emerald coasts with steep cliffs and beautiful beaches.  I absolutely loved it there.  It quickly became my favorite place in Japan.  We went on a boat ride around the southern tip and found a few future snorkeling spots.

Amanda and I hiked to the top of the cliff by the lighthouse.  We enjoyed some pretty spectacular views from the top! 

Shimoda is full of little cafes with an American and French feel.  Delicious food, wine and great company! 

The next day we went inland in Izu and hiked Nanadaru Falls... the 7 waterfalls hike.  I really wish I could have swam  in the falls, but no go.

A few weeks later, Katie Reyna (another ER nurse) and I went back to Shimoda because I liked it so much.  This is the top of another mountain overlooking the town.  Pretty sweet views from here too. 

Katie and I went to the cafe right next to our Bed & Breakfast (Earnest House) with a Caribbean feel to it.  I had the best vegan avocado burger!  

Kisami Beach right outside the Earnest House.  We pretty much had it to ourselves each time we went to it.  Just had to share it with a few surfers.

Enjoying a homemade picnic basket breakfast on the beach.  It had gourmet egg sandwiches, fresh fruit, aloe yogurt, spice cake, OJ, & coffee... not sure what else you'd need!  To make it even better, it was placed outside our door when we woke up in the morning!

I couldn't have asked for better weather both weekends I went down to Izu!

I could get used to this view!  It was so relaxing up on the cliffs... totally took away all the stress from work!  So who wants to go back here next week?