"If you love life, it will love you back"
I was happy to see this lovely quote on an English T-shirt here in Japan yesterday, as Brad and I have really been enjoying life, and in turn, it IS being very good to us!

This spring and summer has been full of excitement, from cherry blossom viewing parties in April, called Hanami...to summer fireworks shows, called Hanabi. Brad took a surf and hot spring trip to the island of Niijima, and then spent August personal training two of his clients in Laguna Beach, California. The end of summer brought beach action near Tokyo and the Samba Festival in Asakusa.

Hanami is a treasured time in Japan. The opening of the pink and white cherry blossoms all over the country is the symbol of the beginning of spring, and a new year starting (school and business calendars start in April). For about a week or two, picnickers gather under the beautiful trees to drink, eat, and celebrate the season. We enjoyed every moment.

Hanabi is another reason to picnic with beers and cheers, but this time, it's under the summery August night sky, watching the best fireworks shows in the world. The Japanese are internationally famous for their firework technical expertise, and each show displays around 10,000 fireworks in under 2 hours!

Niijima is part of a group of islands that is a few hours ferry ride away from Tokyo. In Niijima, Brad and his surfing buddies stayed in minshuku accommodation, which is like a Japanese style bed and breakfast, and enjoyed picturesque beaches and natural hot springs, nearly all to themselves! Brad then spent a month working in lovely Laguna Beach, California.

...Meanwhile, I tried out the shores closer to Tokyo, partying all night at Blue Moon beach cafe on Hayama Beach. This small beach is only about 1 1/2 hours from Tokyo by train and bus, and the Blue Moon holds events all summer. This party, called Nuphoria, featured a calypso band, belly dancers, and fire twirlers right on the sand. Actually, the beach cafes also sit right on the sand, and you can buy cocktails and food at the bar a few steps from the ocean.

At the end of August, I got to see Tokyo's version of Carnival. Brazilian beats and costumes galore were shown off at the annual Samba Festival. What a combination: Latin glitz in old town Asakusa!

Love and light,
Rebecca "Bex"