August Heat

There's no doubt summer is my favorite season of the year. I came from a tropical country so this explains a lot. How can you not love the sun? You can do almost everything except making snowman haha. Do you wanna build a snow man? Possibly, out of sand or maybe mud? haha Ahhh summer, you're so addictive, I always ache for you. There's too many things to do but too little time.

This year's August was the most exciting to me. I felt so alive after a veeeery looooong wait. Although I did things alone, it was the busiest of all summers I had here in Japan. From the first day of August I made lots of arrangement to fill up my rather loose work schedule. Sometimes I so love the company I work for. Working with pleasure or business with pleasure? What must I call it? Actually, never mind.

I spent most of my time in the beach. Yes, the beach, that's where I belong. No one can blame me. There's only July and August beaches here are good for swimming. August-along Tokyo bay and July till September-along the Pacific Ocean coastline. See, I had to make the best and the most of it. Call me greedy but time is gold. But greediness as it apply anywhere have consequences. 

As you see, I spent a lot of time in the water, unfortunately, I got stung by something while showing off my moves in the sea. haha Ouch. But, in twenty-five years of my life living surrounded and swimming in the ocean, I've never experienced being stung by some unfriendly sea creatures until this summer. They must have missed me! Man, it was painful! My leg got swollen for several days. I guess there's always a first time and not all first times are gold! Thankfully, I have that skin of a carabao lol!, it did not hinder me from going everywhere. I still swam tirelessly and had myself plenty if sunburn. I, in fact as of this writing, have them behind my back to which part my short arms couldn't reach for the sunscreen. I'm not flexible too, you know. This is when you need someone with you, to help you slather that lotion all over you and be spared from flaking like a hibernating snake. haha

 
 Mountains are so close to my heart. Being born and brought up in a nature abundant island, there shall no summer to pass by without hiking a few mountains. Being close to nature-trees, rivers, birds chirping is heaven. I could listen to them all forever. You're free to call me: jungle girl. Wished I had friends close enough to me to go with but, there were none, so nga-nga hahaha. 
 

There were festivals and shows almost every weekend. I went to many of them. They're pretty cool. People flock together in their yukatas and kimonos. There are the same food stand of barbeque of seafood and meat, takoyaki and many many more you will only find in Japan. It still amazes me how this country could love deep fried spaghetti noodles! 

I took plenty of pictures beautified by the combination of lively green trees, colorful flowers, blue and green sea, orange and blood-red sun. There are also chirpy people, laughing children, teasing teenagers, loving couples and happy pets. These are the things you'll rarely see during colder days. This is most probably the reason why people in the tropics are the happiest because there's the sun all year round. 

I feel so free walking around in a tropical outfit. You know the looks-sundress, sunglasses, handmade tote, sandals, wide brimmed hat, parasol and of course, the sunscreen smell aannd let's not forget about the sweat! Now here I am, thinking about my sweating beer or cocktail; sitting under the parasol while listening to music with my eye shut; in-front of me is a beach full of people busy with summer activities, fishing boats and ship from afar; on each side of the beach are beautiful rock formations and mountains; there I am breathing contentedly, savoring all the beauty of the August heat. 

My love of Orange

Why do I love orange? Because it's one of summer's hot colors. Let's skip Halloween here for now. haha

This picture on the left was taken summer time few years ago at a beach called Hojoh/ Hojou in Tateyama. I still find this beautiful. I feel like I'm still in that beach.


This summer I bring you a Kitty parasol and grandpa. I'm sure it's the last thing to worry about when you are babysitting four grandchildren swimming hungrily in the sea. Make glasses are on!

This sight of  "cute things" is not new to Japan. You can see seniors rocking those cute little characters around. You can be the weirdest looking person on the planet but no one is going to bother to stare at you. One of the little things I love about this country. Your business is not mine.

This is the train station in Tateyama. It is on the street called the Orange street. From the name itself almost all houses and buildings has hints of orange in them. How cool isn't it?

A little Izakaya beside this beauty parlor. I could just drink sake all night then go next door, relax and restore my beauty back. I'm pretty sure it's owned by the same person, you know, sales tactics. Not to mention this is near the beach ah, they'd be making some cash  or maybe not. It looks like it's about to close and no one inside. Wait, this story could go on forever.

I love the combination of white and orange. These lovely street lights are scattered everywhere in this little camping, swimming and fishing village called Tomiura. This village just recently been merged to a city called Minamiboso located south of Tokyo bay facing the pacific ocean. Hold on...hold on.. this is geography.

See that little orange tent right there? The color stands out among many other tents. It's beautiful to see people relaxing all day. Go about fun things out like boating or swimming with their loved ones then return to their respective tents. Eat barbeque and grilled fish. Drink beer, play guitar and sing and chat around the bonfire. I always love outdoor activities specially in the summer.

Yes we need funky colored dump trucks to collect carefully segregated trash around this little village. Me thinks it's new or rarely been used. see how clean this place is or this country generally. The driver has the easiest job there is!

 I thought this was orange! but oh well, it's already here and besides it's really beautiful! They turn into orange at some point of their life time. They're tiny sunflowers, almost like a daisy. You can only identify them by their leaves. I remember planting these with my elder sister. They're absolutely beautiful flowers.

This hibiscus does not look orange too, just a little. Does it look like peach? It does eh? I used to play with them with I was young. I take all the petals leaving the ovary and the style then stick it onto my ears so that it looks like earrings. ;-D I certainly do have good memories with flowers.

This is a local festival called yassai mossai. People in groups dances through the night. Each group are judged by their costume and their dance moves. Although they have a set dance steps and music they could show off by making their own free style. The more lively your group is, the more chances of winning! This festival is the way of thanksgiving of the local businesses. They'll dance around carrying the name of their business. This is a two day annual festival which thousands of people patronize.


This is how the festival day looks like and it's only in the morning! How about in the afternoon or at night?! Picture it by clicking and reading the show!

How may fish can you see?Some goldfish at a nearby shrine. They're huge! I wonder how old these fish are! Are they edible? They certainly look like my favorite fish back in the island! I miss my father now.

I warn the shrine people around here, you know where they're going when they start to decrease in numbers! It's called easy catch.

The taste of the tropical paradise. This is probably where orange caught my eye because it loves whatever orange!

This is a wild flower back in my island but here in Japan this is a precious garden flowering plant.

 Here's my lovely niece Kathleen in Zoocobia sliding all the way down after she was persuaded by her four year old younger  brother. She then wanted to do it again and again! As they say, you won't get hurt because it's only downward. Just don't hit the ground hard. It was a lot of fun! Not so my pocket!

The sun has down and these surfers in an orange car are done for the day. At home waiting is a nice bottle of sake! Living the summer because it only stay for two months a year!

Not all old and rusty things are ugly. In everything lies beauty. This unpainted house is one of those old houses along the street. I guess this is for sale. Who would buy it is the big question, unless, it's half price.One piece of advice, DO NOT pay full price!

Aching for Summer in Winter

This month is the coldest winter I ever felt so far for my entire stay in Japan. I was born and raised in a tropical country and I am used to being hot. But as much I imagine going around in hot weather, summer is still way ahead. Though summer in Japan is hot, the humidity is high and your body ends up sticky seconds after jumping off the shower. You always got to have some packet of wet tissue in your purse for quick "shower" because it can be really uncomfortable. Don't forget the water too!

But wait a minute, why am I even talking about summer? It is still 5 months away, lady! Is it really because I'm tired of wearing these layered clothes not to mention the gloves, the scarves, the hat and the earmuffs? I don't know why but maybe it is. Or maybe because of the fact that there are lots more activities to do in the summer than in the winter. Maybe snowboarding, skiing, skating and name any other winter sports, are they fun? Yeah, maybe. But there are countless fun during under the sun! Just like my favorite. Swimming!

 

These shacks by this beach are temporarily built just for the summer. This place is where I met the old lady owner of a restaurant and shop. I came here alone with absolutely terrible Japanese. She made me comfortable by talking and asking me questions and telling me I'm pretty.  Although this beach has a free shower and changing area, this lady offers paid shower and changing area plus you can deposit your belongings at their security and you can sit by the beach  all day. Which I did.

                                                    

These umbrellas are also being rented for 3000 yen. It was a little expensive for me so I opted for my
 own beach mat. I was all set for my beach bumming. Had a liter of water and some snacks from the convenience store just 2 meters away across the beach. Though I had trouble with ordering food during lunch time, I was able to have a decent meal of fish and rice, some veggies and an ice cream!

 
These photos were taken last year at Houjo beach in Tateyama, Chiba. It is 2 hour train ride for Chiba station. But this beach is only good for swimming for two months because it gets really hot right away good for swimming, not human but jelly fish! After two months it is like a deserted island infected with sharks!

How I long for the tropical beaches where I could swim all day and night and all year long!
How about you? Which season do you like the best? And what do you do for fun?