Wanko-noodles and other goofy things

We took into a nice hotel with genuine Swiss theme and yodelaeeooo

A place for meditation.

During that next day we found many goofy things in the woods and the surrounding temples and shrines.

How about this 50000 year old bonsai tree? That long time ago giants lived in this area so that explains the unusually big size of the tree. But to them it was as miniature as can be. When they died out, the tree remained and is cherished daily by lost tourists...

And we topped it off by eating wanko-soba. Many cups of noodles in one mouthful size and as soon as one cup is consumed, the waiter refills the cup with yet another mouthful. Very yummy and fun. Although in the end it started dawning on me that the waiter enjoyed filling my cup just as I was about to sign that I am full by putting the lid on. She beat me to it 5 times until I successfully placed the lid before she gave me more serving. All in all I had around 30 cups. The record currently is around 550 cups!!!!

Phlegm Dish???

The Miyagi prefecture speciality is cow tongue. We found lots of things flavored with cow tongue, and most of it is yummy. So when we stopped by a Matsushima restaurant it was kind of expected to see it on the menu. Although it was not the most attractive word they had selected from the dictionary. (TAN means tongue. TAN means phlegm. Difference is in how you pronounce it)

Matsushima...one of the Three Views of Japan. Beautiful and the pictures here don't really do it justice. I was enjoying it too much to concentrate on taking pictures.

We rented a small boat which took us out in the lake and around...

Our boat was constantly followed by flocks of seagulls close enough to catch bait from our hands. Normally they gathered on the tiny pine islands waiting for boats to "surf with".

Roadtrip in Miyagi

Not mister Miyagi from Karate Kid, but the Miyagi prefecture up north. Three couples in the family bus enjoying the weekend and the astonishing nature.

Windmills in the distance and lotus covered lakes all around.

Again, we were lucky with the weather.

Looks like the long arm of the COOP konsum has reached even here....

Grooming

Everyday, there is the ceremonial combing and taping the hair from the cats routine. The result is fantastic, and it's kind of fun and therapeutic. So you could say it is a sort of grooming for the soul.

Hey! What are you looking at? Go take someone else's picture for a change.

Everyone gets nice and tidy

I am a real tigerrrr.

More kitties

Our Sakura bonsai tree in full bloom. It either looks like this or just like a dead stick, depending on the season, and how much the cats have been chewing on it.

Tora is a shy boy....
...NOT!

Princess Chubby the 3rd taking some rest.

Back again

Sorry, been too busy to blog (again...)
Anyway, here is a couple updates from cat world. First two pictures showing them while watching TV. Tora got bored and wanted attention so he had to move closer to the TV...
Here is Chubby minding her own business, exploring the apartment Jungle...
...Only to discover the big cat-monster (played by Tora)

Breakfast in heaven

If there is anywhere close to heaven, this must be it. I have not seen blue this beautiful...Made me want to stay forever. Oh well, we will be back for our anniversary (50th?) Pictures of the main restaurant in the island, with view over the bungalows etc...