Croatia day 2

Power packed day today. We got up early and had breakfast at the Airbnb. The lady at the Airbnb not only provided a great spread of food, but good info on Plitvice national park.

We walked to the close, third, hidden entrance, hopped on the boat that took us to the base of the upper lakes. We hiked all the upper lakes… just stunning.

We then took the ‘bus’ down to 2 then 1. The thought being we might hike a tad more. But after buying souvenirs and rain ponchos, it got even colder and started really raining.

So instead, just bus to 2, boat back to our entrance and hiked back to our car. We left Plitvice and drove to Split, stopping on the way for food at a little bistro. 

While we were driving, Bailley landed in Split and beat us to the Airbnb. 

Whew… feels great to be in 100%, full force!

Funny story: we chatted about things to do in Split… my comment was that my only must see/do was Diocletian’s Palace. Ummm the rental until is in the palace grounds. To get in, one route is through the basement of the palace. It’s just insane.

Split seems really nice… can’t wait to explore more tomorrow.

Croatia day 1

We all woke up about 9am. A bit later than expected, but probably good for everyone. Right outside the apartment is the Zagreb marathon. We crossed the race then walked toward Zagreb Cathedral and hit the main square. Beautiful square, with marathon, and nice Sunday market.

Got coffees/drinks and then Zagreb Cathedral. We listened in on the morning service as it’s still a working church.

Just an unexpectedly cool place.

Beautiful park near the art pavilion.

Then to grab lunch. Madison found the coolest spot, Heritage Croatian. Everything was grown in Croatia and the waiter told the story with each meal… was so cool. From the sausage to the olive oil to the wild oregano collected by a grandmother, to the cheese from cows and sheep… where no salt is added since they are near the sea and the wind blows salty air on the grass they eat… was crazy and crazy good.

We drive from Zagreb to Plitvice national park. The scenery looks stunning… can’t wait for our hike tomorrow. Here’s the Airbnb… very fairy tale-esque.

Way up on this mountain inside the national park… one restaurant. And how do we start? Shots!

We _think_ it was slivovitz, a plum brandy. Very tasty. Only ‘bad’ thing was, the waiter kept on bringing more… and more. We will see how hike-y we are feeling tomorrow!

Croatia travel day

Four different sets of flights from three different starting points… always a bit of an episode of Amazing Race kinda feel. Who will make, what will happen. My flights seems the easiest… Austin to Frankfurt then Frankfurt to Zagreb.

In fact, I’m waiting on the Zagreb flight while I  post this. Still learning how the front section works. I think I have the ordering down… seat operation, check. But new wrinkle… they handed out ‘sleep shirts’. Umm sure, I want one. But then I was too scared to ask what I do with it and I wasn’t watching others closely enough to copy, so mine went unused. I’m still learning… maybe next time.

Hopefully I’m awake enough when I get there that I can drive the car and get to the parking garage without my trusty navigators and guides. More later.

Short flight from Frankfurt to Zagreb, then got rental car. Ugh, the insurance hard sell is just so slimy. I can’t help but feel like they’ll try to pull something. Oh well. I did video the car… but in the rain so cannot tell much.

Drove the few miles to downtown to a parking garage. Walked to the apartment. And here I am… trying my best to stave off collapse.

The area is super cool. Wish we had more than a day here, but lots to see and do!

9:24 and we full force, all early attendees made it! 

Japan to home travel day

​    Well, got up and evaluated (again) our time left and plans. Quite the vacation, so we are running on fumes. We left Madison at the Airbnb while Abigail, Bailley, and I walked around one last time, keeping an eye out for anything open. Slim pickings, so hit the 7/11 for a random cornucopia. 

    We eat and drink and talk about the trip, then start picking up and cleaning and organizing before leaving. The plan morphed into all go to Shinjuku, go to a fluffy pancake place, then we take Narita express, leaving Madison for two more days on their own. We say bye to Makoto, the Airbnb owner, and take our last walk down ‘our street’ as we got to know it.

    By the time we reach Shinjuku and then have some issues finding the place, we decided we’d better just try to get to the airport. We said our goodbyes and left Madison to hunt down the pancakes while we searched for the train to the airport. 

    We made it, got bags situated, past security, past immigration, grabbed food and then rested at the gate. In case you were wondering, the report on the pancakes was very positive 😂.

    Great great trip. It sure helped a lot to have Ryo and Yoshiko as people I literally asked all the stupid American questions… and I always got in depth explanations. I can unreservedly recommend a trip to Japan. Nine days and it’s clear we barely scratched the surface to this beautiful country. 

    Until next time!

Japan day 8

     Last full day... wow... this was a good trip!

    Today was day two of two for Madison's tattoo, while Bailley, Abigail, and I went to Disney Sea. But first... breakfast. 

    Then a long metro ride to Disney Sea with a bonus Disney monorail to finish it off.

    Abigail and Bailley wanted to see it all and shop, but we've taken to only riding rides that have a single-rider line and then us all getting in it. That has worked out wonderfully. In Disney Sea we rode one roller coaster, Raging Spirits, and one immersive ride, Peter Pan. 

    Then we split up with them wanting to explore more and me wanting a beverage and sit. However, I got neither! I did end up getting a bite to eat at the very front of the park and they joined me just as I was finishing. They hit one more store, then we reversed our route and headed back to the rental... only stopping at a Santoku convenience store to buy snacks and drinks, because the feeling is that we are so tired, that we will not get out again tonight. Safe bet.

    Madison is done with their tattoo, and is going to go to the eight story stationary store we hit yesterday and maybe grab food before coming back.

    What an epic trip this has been!

Japan day 7

     Day seven... hard to believe there's really just two full days left! Today we have a tour of the Imperial Palace gardens. Very interesting, especially learning about the Shogun origin and history.

    After that, we had a gap before out next booked activity, so Madison went back to the airBnB to get something while Bailley, Abigail, and I went looking for some art. Luckily, the first stop was amazing. The owner was so helpful, telling us what the subjects were as well as about the medium and where the artist was from... we even met his mother! I ended up getting two small prints... and I'm very happy with them. From there we walked to a famous stationary store... all eight stories of it! It was cool though as this was our first venture into Ginza. 

    Then off to meet Madison for kintsugi! The art of repairing pottery and glass with adhesives and gold. Madison brought a piece to repair, while we all picked a broken piece the teacher, Aya, had available. Aya even gave a class on not only what to do, but the history, concepts, and ideas behind it. 

    It was a great experience.  We scatter for a bit, but for me the night ends with Bailley and a great bowl of ramen.

Japan day 6

     Day six is a split up day. Madison is scheduled for day one of two days for a tattoo. They've gotten a tattoo the last few family trips they've been on and they are keeping that up. Abigail, Bailley, and I are going to Disneyland Tokyo.

    Up early and out at 8am. Taxi aaaalllllllll the way to Disneyland Tokyo and get there before opening at 9am. We took some entry pics.

    Then rode the carousel...

   Then walked around a bit. Stopped at Belle's castle for the Beauty and the Beast ride.

   We walked to Adventure Land and road the jungle cruise. It was very entertaining not knowing anything the person said, yet trying to call and response and do the gestures that people seemed to be doing. 

    After that, the Abigail and Bailley waited and watched the parade while I found the only 'tavern' in the park. Afterwards we met up near the entrance/exit and slow walked to the metro station. It took two changes and three lines, but soon we were back, popping up out of Hatagaya. We were all pooped and hungry so stopped and grabbed food and started walking up 'our street' as we call it. Not one fourth in, we hit a dessert place we've never seen open... hmmm... ok, y'all handle that, I'll run ahead and buy drinks. We get done at the same time and finish the short walk back. Madison was just a few minutes behind us, and sat with us while we scarfed down food. I think they are going out later to eat, but the rest of us are done for the day!