6 Months Later.....

Well it's hard to believe, but six months have flown past in the Far East. The spring has finally arrived and the days are getting warmer and longer. Spring is the favorite season of Japanese people, not too hot, not too cold, cherry blossoms and "Hanami" (parties where we eat and drink under the cherry blossom trees). Hanami will take place around late March-Early April, so i'm keen to see if it lives up to the hype.
On the sports front, I have established myself in a Japanese Basketball team, playing most Sundays, and am enjoying it a lot. We had a team party last weekend, the first time I have been drinking with only Japanese people....awesome time, venue overlooked Yokohama from 25 floors up, huge feed, liquor flowed and learned a new drinking game! I go bowling a bit with Mark, but unlike NZ, he's been beating me with good form. It is becoming a weekly ritual to down some Chu-Hi (very good taste!) and hit the lanes. I took Aki to see her first Rugby game a few weeks ago. The All-Japan final was played in atrocious conditions at the National Rugby Stadium in Tokyo (Chichibunomiya). The game featured ex-NZ players like Glen Marsh, Scott McLeod, Shane Austin and Nick Holten. Final result: 6-6, no extra time, average game..... i'm missing the Super 14!
I have not done much sightseeing lately, but Aki will take me to Hakkone in a few weeks, where we can enjoy the Hot Springs in the mountains. Mark and I are also planning our trip to Hiroshima to watch the Tall Blacks take on the world in August. I also hope to see Thailand or Vietnam at some stage, but nothing planned yet.
Here's some random pics from the last few months......


Liam; Liam "Carl Lewis" winning his race; Shibuya-busiest crossing in the world



Hama-bowl; Drunken antics; How NOT to use a toilet in Japan! (painted on road)




In this game, I had to drink while the team jumped on me!; Ballin in Shibuya-Nike courts (much beter than Jordan court); Me and Aki-party in the penthouse suite