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Tokyo Last Licks: Gewgaws and Yukata at Sensō-ji

October 31, 2026

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The plan was to acquire some last minute gifts for family before hitting the airport. So after our very last organic Peninsula breakfast weirdness, we asked the concierge where to pick up a yukata in Ginza. The anwer was the neighborhood by Sensō-ji, so we added that to the Tokyo plan and off we went. Sadly, we taxied up and metro’ed back down…exactly backwards. (Just don’t even bother with the Ginza line which seems to have been built only for tourists.)

We arrived just as the stalls opened and found everything we were looking for at one stall! godzilla and the wave, red yukata, astro boy…the whole nine yards.

So that meant we had some time to wander the temple grounds before the crowds arrived. And arrive they did.

Romey played the fortune game. You’ll have to ask her about that.

And we witnessed part of a morning ceremony.

Of course the grounds and little gardens are the best part.

Romey and I traded photo taking with a french couple here at the very same spot where the kids and I were in 2019.

Well honey, the honeymoon is over.

Arigatō gozaimasu

Naoshima: Sunset Ferry

October 29, 2026

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Naoshima goodbye.

The red pumpkin wore the first yellow light of sunset as the ferry pulled away from port.  And we were off.  Sunset over the inland sea was amazing.

 

Watch the sunset and the sunrise at the same time.

 

Finally the sun disappears below the horizon.

 

And the red turns up high over the Seto bridge.

Moonrise

And our day of art was complete.

<– PREVIOUS (red pumpkin)

Naoshima: The Red Pumpkin

October 29, 2026

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After the yellow pumpkin, we were slated to see Minamidera so we headed back into “town” and had some espresso and ice cream. Minamidera was cool, but not as profound as it could have been if you had not spent some time in actually pitch black caves as a boy like I did. Yeah yeah, pupils are amazing.

After Minamidera we headed back to the port to see the red pumpkin, have a cocktail, and wait for the ferry.

You can go in the red pumpkin.

 

Our last view of Naoshima included the red pumpkin.

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Naoshima: The Yellow Pumpkin

October 29, 2026

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The yellow pumpkin.

Honeymoon kiss.

We had some fun at the yellow pumpkin.

Yoshi got involved.

And yes, it was crazy.

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Naoshima Chichu

October 29, 2026

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One of the main targets of everyone visiting Naoshima is the Chichu house, an impressive brutalist architectural monster housing a handful of art. Pictures are not allowed…which honestly is very shortsighted. But there you are. Make the trip.

Four artists, less than twenty works. But displayed with deep thought and verve.

The Monet room is particularly striking.

But my favorite is the James Turrel piece open sky. Echoes of Magritte and Escher are particularly striking, because you are inside them.

Timed entry does little to abate the crowded nature of the space. Avoid the crowds by doing things in your own order. We had some rooms almost entirely to ourselves by going around in circles. We met some fun people in the long lines.

Lunch at the cafe is a must. Go early to get a seat by the big windows.

If you look closely, you can see Romey through the window here on the left. Hi Romey!

Two hours is plenty for a detailed visit and lunch.

 

And then you are back on the road/garden walk to the parking lot. The gardens are hyped up as a Monet masterpiece. Mmmm hmm. Monet probably did not do roads. But there is tranquility to be found despite the very real crowds.

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<– PREVIOUS (go’o shrine) — NEXT (yellow pumpkin) –>

Tokyo: Meiji Jingu

October 17, 2026

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One of the must see Shinto shrines in Japan, Meiji Jingu makes a good first day walk.

Through the gate straight off the silent subway.

Walking to the shrine (through the shrine). How very zen. Be the shrine. You are not the shrine.

Entering properly with respect.

The Divine Trees representing husband and wife. We had some fun with the Italians trading photos.

Listen

The priests process as we buy amulets.

A wedding (there is always a wedding).

The Inner Garden.

We stamped our papers.

And saw a heron…just like home, only more Japanese.

And a gardener…not much like home, unless you are me.

We started in the last cool of the morning. By the time we left, the temperature was in the mid 70s.

Magic in Lichtervelde

August 4, 2026

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We’ve been to Lichtervelde for international rum events (more than one, even…plus a spa day), but who knew it was such an incredible place for a wedding? Thanks for inviting us Madou!

I believe this weather was imported from California…or maybe smuggled in. I am pretty sure it is not allowed.

Blue tiki for the win!

The scene was set under a familiar tree. Romey and I are telling everyone that our wedding was an inspiration for Matias and Finn since we also wrote our own vows and ran our own ceremony. It may not be true, but it’s a good story.

Here they come!

After the ceremony, there was lots of time for cocktails and fun.

Oh and trampolining too!

Ancestors.

Look familiar?

My very own wife looking all put together and fabulous.

We need some more pictures of noses…for sure.

The best wedding present you can give in 2026 is sheep. Sheep are in again.

Or is it kids?

No it’s sheep for sure.

A minor bathroom selfie interlude. Romey snuck me in. This is secret.

Behind the scenes…also secret.

Somebody let in a Scot with weapons. What were they thinking?! Madou’s mom keeps his brothers in line with physical force.

Then it was dinner time.

Or maybe it was actually bouncy castle time.

The brothers know too much. And they are willing to dish…but only in some west flemish dutch dialect. You’re lucky, madou, because we were planning to take notes.

Even mom was learning some stuff.

We tried to laugh at the right times.

Dancing…and dessert

Australians?!

Dancing again.

And then it was back to Brugges to recover.

We had a blast!

When You Don’t Really Need Presents

August 1, 2025

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But they come like this.

We can always use some customized handmade knifes from Belgium. Madou, come visit the knife!

Decompressing at the Stick

August 1, 2025

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After all of the planning, and then the actual event itself, we were ready to put our feet up. So we did.

The Stick with Göran, Anne, Noelie, Lisa, Rhine and April—hosted by the newly married McGraws! Late May is perfection at the beach. No people.

Oh yeah, the dogs came too. We rented a huge vehicle in Pittsburgh to cart everyone and all their stuff down.

Now back to those feet…

About the only complication was figuring out the state of the improperly-installed dishwasher. We built our own sign to signify state. It was good in theory. LOL.

As always, cooking was an important part of our beach time. Romey and Lisa made a delicious meal indeed.

The dogs felt left out.

The view from the porch leads to inner peace.

We did make a few cocktails.

Tranquility…unless you are a ball.

Just add more olives.

Starts like this…

Ends up like this. Thanks John and Joan!

It’s Official

August 1, 2025

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Even though we did declare ourselves married during the ceremony we architected, we did allow the Commonwealth to make things all legal. We brought some friends along to the courthouse, from Norway, Germany, and the UK.

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