Hado Misaki

Today we traveled 2 hours to Karatsu to see an underwater observatory.The kids enjoyed the warm winter day,play time at the beach,trowing a boomerang around and of course seeing the fishes. In the parking lot there are two "shacks" .Inside there are many sellers with their own stands and grills etc. When we first entered we where immediately welcomed with hot green tea(I was served 4 cups lol)

Right after eating we went exploring.I am so glad we visited this place.

The beach was pretty clean,the water even cleaner and there where lots of people picking up shells.

This is our last year in Japan, and it really saddens me because I still want to see so much!5-10 minutes from the house there is a small but very nice Peace Park.On the site there was a little Museum with a big map of the area and war memorabilia.

.It was cold and behind the park was a trail with still some ice from the snow we had a couple of days ago.This random Japanese lady made us some snow balls and gave us a bag for them.Richard got a kick out of that.

Shimabara and MT Unzen

My intention is to post more about Japan,and maybe find more places for my friends to visit. Just 2 hours from Hario housing there is Shimabara town and castle.The town offers lots of things to see but because we left a little later we didn't get to see everything.We plan to return and spend the night that way we can visit Unzen town too. So far we have been to Hirado and KAratsu and visited their Castles ,but this was by far my absolute favorite. Here is some info: Shimabara Castle (島原城, Shimabarajō), is a white walled castle built during the early Edo Period as the seat of the local feudal lord. The castle was the extravagant centerpiece of the feudal domain and was far larger than those found in domains of similar status. The heavy taxation that was imposed to pay for its construction, together with the religious persecution of local Christians, were major factors that led up to the Shimabara Rebellion (1637-1638), a significant peasant uprising. Shimabarajo was eventually destroyed during the Meiji Period (1868-1912). The current buildings are concrete reconstructions from 1964. The five-story keep houses the Castle Tower Museum with a collection of Christian artifacts excavated from the castle ruins, weapons and armor. An observation deck on the 5th floor has views out to Mount Unzen and across the water to Kumamoto on clear days.

After visiting the castle, we drove 30 minutes to Mt Unzen. It was snowy but the kids loved it.We where told there would be restaurants but we found only little shops,so we ate boiled egg and corn on a cobb that this old lady sold.: Mount Unzen (雲仙岳, Unzendake) is an active volcano at the center of the Shimabara Peninsula, which has erupted several times in the last few hundred years with deadly results. The most recent eruption occurred from 1990-1995 when pyroclastic flows (superheated volcanic gases) and mudslides raced down the mountain towards Shimabara City, destroying buildings along the way. One of the pyroclastic flows killed several scientists, journalists and their drivers who tried to document the event. Despite its reputation for death and destruction, Mount Unzen was recognized in 1934 for its natural beauty and made part of the Unzen Amakusa National Park, one of the first national parks in Japan. In spring Unzen's slopes are covered in pink azaleas, and summers on the mountain are mild and green. Also, due to its high elevation, Mount Unzen is one of the relatively few autumn color spots in Kyushu. The season usually peaks from late October to mid November.

I'm back!!

I cannot believe That I haven't posted in almost 2 years. First of all we are still in Sasebo,and living the life. Last month after years we returned to Italy. Here are some pics! The kids loved Italy and enjoyed Nonna spoiling them rotten of course. Our trip included being absolutely spoiled by my best friends and their families, a million coffees, multiple trips to stores stocking up on amazing food and a day trip to Rome,and last but not least,our friends Nami and Brett came to visit us from Sicily.

What we have been up to lately

My friend Benedetta just left,which broke Richard's heart.Like me she is from Gaeta and our husbands where on the LASALLE and on the DENVER together.Here are some of our latest pics



and just family ones!

More about Sasebo

Did i mention we live by a Dutch Village?It's an enteratainement park.Also 2 miles down the road there is a train station.Here are some pictures!


Richard and Cassie loved their first ride on a Japanese train!



I also want to add a picture that shows how houses are located here!

and some more beautiful sceneries