Geo: 35.6895, 139.692First thing we had to catch a bus to Nagano so we could catch the fast train to Tokyo.Well we paid for the tickets and waited. There where so many people. Well with all the confusion and tiredness ...the bus left with out us.... So we got a refund on the tickets and called a taxi and off we went. It was faster.... but more expensive.There was so much snow and the sun was rising and it was cloudy.It was like a fairytale.We arrived in Nagano Train station. Bought the tickets for the Shenkensen and like clock work the train arrived and off we went. It took 3 hours to get to Tokyo.Toyko... AAAHHHH... There where train lines everywhere. So many lines, colours.... it was crazy.Serena and Luca figured out which line we had ... read more

Geo: 36.6514, 138.181Family Day.. Mums request.It was 1 hour drive in the taxi but worth it. We went to the Zenkoji Temple. It was fantastic. A guide helped us with the whole experience.We had to take off our shoes. It was very cold. Walk on the bamboo reed mats.First we had to worship the gods. Take pinch of salt. Say a prayer and then threw the salt. Then we had to go down a set of stairs and it became dark. we had to keep our hand at the same level as the hand rail and we had to find a lock on the door. It represented the door way to the after life. By finding the locked door it meant that when it was time for you to go to the afterlife you will know ... read more

Geo: 36.6514, 138.181Got the kids fitted out in the morning. Our driver was an Aussie. Got to the shop. 3 out of the 4 guys where Aussies. All sorted. Got a lift back and then it was off for a walk around. The sun was out so not so cold. It was so much fun. Everyone must have thought that we where crazy jumping in the snow and throwing snowballs at each other. The city center is very small. There where like little grave yards everywhere. Ate lunch.Time to snowboard. Kids and us where picked up and off we went to the slopes. Bought the ski pass and up we went. The kids had lessons and loved it. They where stuffed by the end of it. PHOTO_ID_R=yep-serena-the-s... read more

Geo: 32.05, 118.78Finally we have been invited to a Chinese wedding and we have another party to go to.Doesn't it always work out that way...PART 1It was pouring with rain. The Chinese don't have a ceremony but they have a series of parties.Sounds like a great idea to me.They also do an amazing range of photos. Different dresses, locations very cute.There are posters up in the entrance.They also had an interesting video which had all of the great Chinese leaders having a meeting. We Westerners had no idea what was going on.... and in the end the bride and groom where on the screen in their army uniform. We laughed when others laughed and applauded when others applauded. It was great. When we first arrived the bride was in a traditional western white wedding dress.She then ... read more

Geo: 32.05, 118.78 The Ford Family FUN Day is a day that all the Ford workers can bring their families to work and show them just how much fun the work place is.There where so many activities to take part in. There where even dances on the stage for the Korean "Gangnam Style" song.It was starting to get colder so we all danced along with them.Then there where a series of very long and important speeches.Then the fun could begin.Things to make, eat, play, watch, learn.It was a fun day just like it said in the title. PHOTO_ID_L=ahhhh-my-little-bo... read more