A digital travel diary. · WP v1.08 · Updated
After five days in Tokyo, we were eager to explore the Japanese countryside and the Nagano prefecture. The Nagano region is well-known for excellent summer hiking and exceptional winter snow-powder conditions (a dream destination for snowboarding).. . We boarded the Shinkansen "bullet train" from Shinjuku station to Matsumoto in Nagano, Japan, where we planned to stay two nights.. . . . When we arrived in…
Read More: Charming Matsumoto
I have only read a little about Kamakura. It is often described in history books as a former de facto capital of Japan, the nation's most populous settlement from 1200 to 1300 A.D., and the seat of the shogunate and the regency during the Kamakura period.. . . . Since our Rose Garden Shinjuku hotel was in Tokyo, we took the train from Shinjuku Station…
Read More: Historical Kamakura
I have always wanted to visit Japan, but airline tickets from San Jose to Tokyo have always been out of reach. However, Inna found an exceptional offer ($439 round-trip) for June, so she purchased 3 tickets on Japan Airlines (JAL) from Los Angeles to Tokyo (Narita Airport). Since we live in San Jose, we also needed airline tickets from San Jose to Los Angeles, and…
Read More: Terrific Tokyo
Since iwindsurf.com was reporting epic windy conditions at Crissy Field in San Francisco, I decided to try windsurfing there. I initially hoped to sail at Waddell Creek, but the forecast was less favorable.. . . . . . The traffic was quite heavy, but I found plentiful windsurfing parking (on a green lawn, no less) on the east beach. I was surprised that many people…
Read More: Crankin’ at Crissy Field
It's been a while since I rode my Yamaha WR250F off-road motorcycle, and I decided to refresh my skills with a ride in Hollister Hills SVRA. The weather was promising to be hot (90+ F), and I decided to leave early to enjoy the rides until it got unpleasant.. . When I arrived around 9:40 a.m., Hollister Hills SVRA looked pretty empty. I am used…
Read More: Dirt biking at Hollister Hills SVRA
Today, I finally got to windsurf my Goya 84-liter quad custom waveboard in really windy conditions.. . When I arrived at Coyote Point, I saw a few sailors on 5.7m+ sails, so I decided to sail my tried-and-true Mistral Flow 276. However, when a few sailors returned, they reported crazy winds in the channel - of up to 30+ knots. They were all rigging down…
Read More: Windsurfing Coyote Point’s High Winds
We decided to have a fun family day at the Emerald Hills Golfland in South San Jose. In the past, Inna used to beat everyone, with Alex and I trailing by a few shots.. . On this particular occasion, I played unusually well (at least consistently) and made a few errors.. . . . Inna and Alex played equally well, eventually tying for second place..…
Read More: Fun at Emerald Hills Golfland
Today, I listened to the "Jazz in the Spring Concert" at Bellarmine College Prep's Sobrato Mainstage Theater, where my son plays the trumpet as a freshman. The music program was extensive, but it was sad since Frank and Diane Wyant left Bellarmine. . . Ryan Stohs was substituting for Frank and Diane Wyant.. . . . Alex played trumpet in the first three compositions (as…
Read More: Jazz in the Spring at Bellarmine
Since I recently purchased a Goya 84L Custom waveboard and an Ezzy Elite 4.0 wave sail, I have been eager to try them out.. . . . Checking the wind forecast on iWindsurf.com, I noticed that high winds were expected at Coyote Point (and many other sailing sites in the San Francisco Bay area). I headed to Coyote Point (closest to me) and rigged my…
Read More: Windsurfing Coyote Point
Since my son wanted to learn windsurfing, I signed him up for 2-day windsurfing lessons at Boardsports in Alameda.. . Due to lighter morning winds, sandy beaches, and relatively shallow waters, I was told it was the most desirable location for beginners.. . . . On Saturday, May 5, the windsurfing lesson started at 10:00 am and ended at 1:00 pm.. . . . The…
Read More: Windsurfing Lessons at Alameda