The start to summer vacation

I am enjoying my summer vacation to the fullest. For my own sanity and because financially I can do it, I am taking the next 2.5 months off from work!
I strategized so that I would finish up the contract with my old ISE job at the end of May, but not start the new job until the middle of August. So with job security- I still have paychecks coming in from ISE, I have the peace of mind to enjoy my time off.


Living in a Social Apartment has many benefits- one of being a great group of friends to go hiking and exploring with!
Countries represented: Germany, US, Hong Kong and Japan.

Katy and I have been exploring some of the more 'off the beaten path' locations around Kanagawa prefecture. We discovered this lovely garden in Yokohama in the throws of lush greenery. We are excited to view it again in its autumn glory later in the year.

We saw several wedding photo shoots, enjoyed some frozen yogurt, meandered through the small stone paths, across streams and around the central lake. One of the larger Japanese gardens I have been to.

 


To commemorate the end of my time at ISE, I invited all coworkers- past and present to a dinner out at a fusion restaurant. The turn out was great and the company entertaining. My coworkers are the reason I stayed on at my job for so long. As frustrated as we got by the management of the company, the camaraderie and friendships I forged by a whole bunch of like-minded people was great! We range in ages from 23-45, and nationalities from: UK, Ireland, Croatia, Lebanon, Puerto Rico, Canada, South Korea, US (Florida, Ohio, Iowa, Washington, Texas, Illinois, and California).

On Sunday, Katy and I explored Manazuru- a peninsula about 2 hours by train from my apartment (heading southwest). As in typical Japanese fashion, nothing more than a few train station destinations and you can pretty much guarantee yourself access to anywhere. We decided to walk from the station out to the ocean, and then along the coast line (about 3.5 km)to the furthest point where at low tide there were rock formations to explore (following photos). All told we walked about 15 km- thank you fitbit :)

Discovering the rocky coast line- and a small collection of scuba divers, snorklers, BBQers, fishermen, collectors (either crabs or other small sea-creatures among the rocks) and beach-goers

The steep rocky cliffs around the peninsula!

The 3-rock formation at the furthest point. (We walked along the rocks all the way out to under the rope. (I scrambled about on top of those high rocks too)

A relaxing foot-spa after our long day. 9 different pools with differing surfaces to relax the feet. Each surface was for a different body part or feeling (good sight, skin, happiness...)

On a different day, I spent the morning making pottery at a 2-hour pottery class with girls from my apartment (Maiko and Olivia). Later that day we went out for kakigori- shaved ice. It felt good to make something by hand- even if it did not turn out anywhere near to what I had initially planned!

That night Katy and I joined up with 2 of my friends from Crossfit- Barbara, and Teneal and we had a wonderful girls night out in Roppongi (central Tokyo). The giggles began long before we finished the 2 bottles of wine, and with the summer nights being such a wonderful temp- we enjoyed outdoor dining and after dinner drinks at a pub.

Heres to more adventures. I've got just under a week before I head off to Vietnam and Cambodia with Mom!