Food!! Glorious Food!! December!!

December

This month is a little bit special as I not only ate amazing Japanese food but got to enjoy a few of my favourites at home too!

Natto – sticky, fermented, stinky soybeans – definitely not eaten by choice!


We made hand rolled sushi which is easy and delicious


Himeji castle donuts – they tasted good but it was the box that got me!


Burger King in Kuala Lumpur – I was waiting for this!


An amazing parmy – my first meal back in Australia


Jared's amazing squid, potatoes and beans


Amazing prawns for Christmas Eve


Oysters kilpatrick that I made for Christmas lunch


My Christmas lunch – lots of yum seafood!


My Auntie's amazing trifle


Kate made Mojitos on New Years

Happy Early Japanese Christmas!

21st December

It was time for an early Christmas present for me (to myself) especially since the new Mac book had been released! It is an amazing computer and I am so happy to have upgraded!



I decided to go home for Christmas as I love Christmas with my family and friends and just didn't feel right missing it! Christmas in Japan is not celebrated as such but there is Christmas music playing in stores, Christmas trees and decorations in the mall and Christmas cakes for sale (sponge cake with cream and strawberries!). On Christmas Eve it is a time for boyfriends and girlfriends to shop together and go on dates! And Christmas day is a normal work day but for dinner KFC is eaten! So Kyosuke and I decided to have a pre-Christmas- Japanese dinner the night before I left for Australia and we went for the traditional KFC! It was great!

Our Japanese-Christmas dinner!


Christmas cake that I was given at school!

Aussie Farewell!

13th December

Well it had come that time of year again when it was time for the Australians to leave Japan. Luckily for me I didn't have to this time. But sadly I had to say goodbye to some good friends who I wish I had known longer.

The Australians with some Japanese friends at the farewell party!


Soph, me, Marie-Louise and Chris

Luminare! The amazing lights of Kobe!

December 5th

Last night we went to the Luminare lights in Kobe! I went last year and it is just amazing! The lights were donated by the Italian government to be used to remember all the people affected by the great Hanshin earthquake. It is just an amazing feeling as you are walking along streets that have been blocked off and you seeem to walk around in circles and then you see the tunnel, all the while classical music is playing. When you reach the end there is a circle of lights that make almost a castle with a gazebo inside it! I think I will be going every year!

In China town


The amazing Luminare


Looking up!


Ferra-Lynn, Emily, Jane and I at the start of the tunnel


The huge castle at the end of the tunnel of lights


Inside the castle!


Even in black and white it is amazing!


Me in the castle!


Me, Michael, Ferra-Lynn, Emily and Jane!

Amazing Autumn!

November and December

I am loving watching the seasons change in Japan. Autumn is definitely here now and the leaves are just amazing! I visited Himeji Koko-en for the first time at night which was so beautiful! I think I am beginning to love Autumn as much as Spring . . .

Beautiful Himeji Castle with red leaves


A bonsai at the flower and bonsai show at the castle


I love the moat and it looks amazing when the reflection is just right


Stairs along my favourite road - reds, greens and yellows


My favourite road in Himeji - along the castle moat


Yellow stars


Red stars


Red, yellows and greens at night


Amazing reds at night


Sadly it is coming to an end . . .


(Since I have taken a while to post this blog all the leaves have now gone.)

Food!! Glorious Food!! November!

November

Once again a month of interesting and delicious food!

Mexican food - a rare find in Japan!


Apple Margarita! Yum!


Enchilada set


The captain - I enjoyed him last year and have been enjoying him again!


Kaisendon with gold!


Lots of fish eggs at the fish markets!


Huge crabs at the markets - unfortunately I didn't eat this!


My good old banana cake - made for Taube's birthday!


Katsunotataki - fish that was seared but still raw in the centre - made by Richard!


Kimichi Nabe - spicy hot pot!

Thanksgiving!

28th November

I was lucky to be able to celebrate another Thanksgiving with my friends in Japan! I am very thankful for all my great friends here and everything that this wonderful country has to offer! It was a great night with amazing food!

Me, Koki, Megumi, Hiromi, Fumiyo, Taube and Julian at Thanksgiving


All the yum food!


The turkeys!