Kalama, Washington

 

I saw "Public Market" from the Interstate 5, I make sure to stop by on the way back from Seattle, Not disappointed but I wish more stores are in. This place opened last year.

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/2024/kalama.html 

Sunset in Autumn

 

Sunset in Autumn

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/2024/sunset.html

Autumn, Clouds and Fog

 

Autumn, Clouds and Fog

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/2024/autumn6.html

Autumn '24 - The Final Push

 

Somehow I could not put down my iPhone, when I woke up and peer at the bedroom window, I see colors, so I got up and take more photographs.

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/2024/autumn5.html

Ole Bolle Troll - Portland

 

Another visit in autumn brings a lot of colors in its surrounding, I still have to see another two in Washington state, in Bainbridge and Vashon Inslands

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/2024/troll4.html

Japan Trip 2024

This is the INDEX page for our trip to Japan in 2024

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/nagoya/index

 

Takayama Old District

 

I like this old town in the morning, people come out and clean the street and make sure everything is tidy.

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/nagoya/taka.html

 

Takayama Autumn Matsuri

 This picture above was a day earlier, they will bring the float to the temple later, but today was very cloudy and the rain could be a threat.

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/nagoya/matsu.html

Takayama Foods

 

We found udon/soba of SUMIKYU (above) by accident, the Google Maps pointed this as a different restaurant ? I am confused for a day or so until I investigated that myself.

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/nagoya/tafo.html

Takayama Morning Markets

 

There are actually two morning markets, this one in Miyagawa Morning Market. The other one in Jinya-mae Morning Market.

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/nagoya/tamor.html

 

Autumn on Sunny Days

 

Autumn on sunny days is an experimental on my part using back lighting to make the autumn leaves to shine on the camera or websites as a final products.

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/2024/autumn4.html

    

City of Trams

 I name Toyama as a "City of Trams", given the chance I can operate the old trolleys, we took it to Iwasehama (Toyama Bay).

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/nagoya/tram.html

To Takayama (Day1)

 

To Takayama, we are an early risers, so it's not difficult to start early. We took the 8:43 HIDA JR to Takayama (around 11:00 AM) It's a diesel engine that will take us there. We also explore old town Takayama, but it's too crowded. We will come back again tomorrow.

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/nagoya/tota.html

 

Starbucks Reserve Roastery - Tokyo

 

To get here from Hamamatsucho, it requires Yamanote line to Ebisu Station then Metro for one short stop, then we still have to walk about 800 meters. This is the second Reserve Roastery, the first one being in Seattle, Washington.

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/nagoya/star.html

Tokyo Station

 

I have to remember that we have to go to the east side to see the building of Tokyo Station, it turned out that there is a name to go to the east side - MARUNOUCHI, we spent sometimes in Tokyo Station trying to get to the east side, finally we were able to do that and then we hunt for the "best" Ramen place, it turned out that ramen could be complex in taste and it could also as simple as possible.

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/nagoya/eki.html

 

Shibuya Crossing

 
This was the second time we came here, Hachiko becomes the symbol of faithfulness and a meeting place. Since we came here in the afternoon, Shibuya Crossing became alive.

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/nagoya/shibu.html

 

Haneda Airport

 

Haneda Airport, I have been here in 1977 on the way to Los Angeles Airport, this airport is beautiful and they make "Edo Period" inside on the fourth floor. We spend a day before heading back to Portland, our plane was at 21:00.

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/nagoya/han.html

 

Toyama Bay

 

We took the tram all the way to Iwasehama (Toyama Bay), we watched a lot of people go fishing right of the pier, one person caught a lot of fish already, enough for dinner that night. This is also the first for us to see the ocean in Japan trips.

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/nagoya/bay.html

 

Omicho Market (Kanazawa)

 

This is the second time in Kanazawa, so we are familiar with the station layout and where to go for a good SEAFOOD Bowl - Omicho Market

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/nagoya/omi.html

Nagoya

 

This is the third city, we stay pretty much in the city center, and went in search of "nana's green tea" store where I made a mistake taking the semi express and not local train.

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/nagoya/nago.html

 

Takaoka Daibutsu

 

This is a side trip, on the way to Kanazawa, this is also the second Daibutsu, the first being in Kamakura. The Daibutsu here is taller than the one in Kamakura but it is less popular.

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/nagoya/dai.html

Autumn During the Storm

 

Somehow, making 2 websites are not adequate to satisfy me for the colors, so this morning I ventured outside around the house within a block and capturing autumn during the storm.

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/2024/autumn3.html

 

October 1st Parade

 

We were lucked out, we happened to be in Chinatown on October 1st, it's a big day for the Chinese community in this part of town - PARADE.

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/nagoya/para.html

Yokohama Chinatown

 

This is the largest Chinatown in the world outside China, about half an hour by train from central Tokyo. We lucked out as today is October 1st, and there will be parade.

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/nagoya/yoko.html

 

Kappabashi (Kitchen Supplies)

 

The rain threat is there, Pokie wants to go here again, this is the second time in Japan that we go here, I think the last time was 2019.

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/nagoya/kappa.html

Zojoji Temple

 

This is the temple and we happily stumbled while looking for Tokyo Tower, this temple is dedicated to the babies, I was happy to take this beautiful couple with the firstborn.

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/nagoya/zojo.html 

Tokyo Tower

 

From Toyama to Tokyo directly to Tokyo Tower after we put all luggage in the front desk of the hotel we stay in. These are the last remaining 3 days in Tokyo.

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/nagoya/tower.html

Autumn Before the Rain

 

I still have about 1,000 pictures from our Japan Trip, but the spirit moves me to capture the second autumn pictures and make the second website.

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/2024/autumn2.html

 

Tsukiji Outer Market

 

This is the third day of our journey, the Tsukiji Fish Market has moved to Toyosu, but the outer market is still there and thriving. Sushi Sei is recommended by Reiko.

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/nagoya/tsuk.html

Kawagoe

 

Kawagoe, they preserved the look from Edo Period, located about 30 km north of Tokyo. The warehouse and the candy lane are famous.

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/nagoya/kawa.html

To Toyama from Takayama

 

To Toyama from Takayama, we took the HIDA Express at 11:03 AM, Non-Reserved which is oversold and overbooked, but we are lucky enough to come early and we are the first in line.

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/nagoya/toto.html

 

 

Shizuoka Tea Museum

 

A train ride ,bus ride plus walking took us here, the Tea Museum of Shizuoka. we spent the whole day here, o..what fun leaning to make the proper tea, lunch and tea ceremony.

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/nagoya/ocha.html

Shizuoka

 

This is the second day in Shizuoka, Hiroko has a teaching engagement this morning, so we venture ourselves to explore the nearby establishments, we set an appointment at 17:30 thinking Hiroko is going to pick us up, I was wrong, we met at the restaurant, the rain is relentless that evening, between underground passage way and the street, finally we met Hiroko in the corner of the street.

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/nagoya/shi.html

 

Ginza

 

The second day we took METRO (Subway) from Daimon station (Hamamatsucho) to Higashi Ginza and walk from there, we arrived too early, but it is good.

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/nagoya/ginza.html

Ueno Parks

 

Ueno Parks is the first on the agenda this time, we also had lunch at Inshotei as recommended by Reiko. A traditional Japanese dish. It is also a nice park indeed.

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/nagoya/ueno.html

Autumn Around the House

 

Coming back from Japan, looking at the fall colors this year seems to disappoint me, but this morning, the spirits move me to capture the colors before the rain took a hold of it. I still have 1000 plus pictures from Japan that need to be sort it, but the autumn magnet is much stronger.

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/2024/autumn.html

The New PDX

 

The New PDX Airport

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/2024/pdx.html

 

An Adventure with Hiroko

 

Today we met Hiroko at the train station and go to the tea museum, forecast is light rain, so better bring an umbrella, we go to Kanaya Station from Shizuoka Station using Tokaido Line, from there we took a bus, then on the way back either we wait for an hour for the bus or walk back to the station, that;s when the adventure really begins.

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/nagoya/hiroko.html

Only in Japan

 

I found more than a dozen things that intriguing my brain, one of them is this overworked salary-man, or he had too much sake last night. imaging that happens in New York subway? he will be naked!

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/nagoya/only.html

 

Journey in Japan 2024

 

It's the fourth day since we came back from our Journey in Japan 2024, the jet-lag is still heavy but manageable, creating the highlight description takes a while.

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/2024/japan.html

 

Backyard flowers Etc

 

I decided to compile the images that I capture in the last few weeks. Mostly backyard flowers and images that I captured during my walk.

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/2024/backyard.html

Mt. Angel Oktoberfest

 

Since the festival is in September, we often forget that actually the festival is in September instead of October. This is the second time attending the festival. We purposely coming early for parking availability.|

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/2024/ofest.html

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/2024/ofest2.html

Vaya Con Dios

 

Finally we had gathering at Murrayhill Taphouse to say "GOOD BYE" to Heidi and Jerry, they have been our good neighbor for 26 years.

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/2024/heidi.html

A Better Red (MAX RED) to the Airport

 

I woke up early to catch the MAX one stop east from Millikan Way Station.
This is where the give-away freebies are happening. We can now go to the airport without changing train from Millikan Way MAX station. After getting some freebies, I rode the MAX west to Fair Complex / Hillsboro Airport to see how the MAX "turn around"

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/2024/red.html

Swan Island Dahlia

 

I decided last night to come here after many years, it is cloudy which is my advantage for my lighting requirements. I drove there by myself since Pokie is still in Indonesia.

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/2024/dahlia.html

Family Adventure in Seattle

 

I decided to go to Seattle to hunt for the trolls after seeing one troll in Portland. This is the perfect opportunity while Pokie went to Jakarta, Indonesia. After consulting with Hansen and Yvonne to match their schedule, August 15th to August 19th is the perfect time.

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/2024/family.html

In search of more trolls ( Part 2)

 

We found four trolls in two days, two more to go. 

Bainbridge Island - Pia the Peacekeeper
Vashon Island - Osca the Bird King

Thanks to Hansen who drive us all over the place.

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/2024/troll3.html

To Seattle in search of trolls

 

I make my own adventure and decided to go to Seattle for a few days in search of more trolls after discovering the first troll in Portland area. A special thanks to Hansen, Yvonne. Gabriel and Alethea. we found four trolls in two days.

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/2024/troll2.html

My Flowers Collection

 

I have an idea to make these flowers collection into a website, thus I can just sent the website link and the rest are history.

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/2024/flower.html

Ole Bolle Troll

 

Our neighbor Heidi sent me some images of the troll and asked me if I have ever been here, the short answer is "No, I have not", I was so intrigue by it because it's so close from the house, maybe less than five miles, yet it seems far away.

https://www.yongkieandpokie.com/2024/troll.html