Kobe, JapanZipAir, a JAL company offered “layflat” seats with no frills at one third of the cost of business class. No food, no drinks, no entertainment. We loved it. Very modern plane with a desk at each seat, great lighting, dual temperature control vents and the recline to flat seats with bedding were amazing. We brought deli sandwiches and soft drinks with us for the nine hour flight. I slept for a solid 7 hours. We flew from Orlando to San Francisco via Alaska Airlines prior to our ZipAir flight the day before.It’s almost Cherry Blossom time in Kobe, Japan, so to preview the ideal spot to photograph this annual event, Ruth and I went via trolley to the Maya (mother of Buddha), Temple, in the Rokko Mountains. The picture of the trolley above has not been distorted by my camera. It is built in a wedge shape to accommodate the extremely steep incline. Click HERE to see a high speed video clip of our trip down the mountain.Michelin Star vending machine with liquid lunch selections. These products are ready for use in space.SOYLENT GREEN!!! Oh, my mistake, it’s only creamed corn.Walking home late on Saturday night I heard George Strait music. I followed my ears to a small door with a diffused glass panel and found the Samurai Sons of he Pioneers. Click HERE to see the video.So we bought a small DJI Drone. It is a little beauty and a fun toy. Click HERE to see how we filmed a run down the Star Wars Death Star turbo shaft.
The ANA Crowne Plaza tower over Shin-Kobe station, our neighborhood landmark.
I love tomato juice. I am disappointed when Denny’s waitress tells me they don’t have it. The Japanese have, at the very least, my appreciation for the juice of the tomat. See above the different levels of tomato juice made from the individually boxed cherry tomatoes grown under scientifically controlled conditions. The prices range from a low of $50.00 USD for the “Princess” vintage to $168.00 for a 750 milliliter bottle of the “Gold.” I am sorry to say I am going to try both and see if I can tell the difference between the american standard “Campbell’s” and the laboratory creations displayed above. These bottles were for sale in the gourmet section of a high end department store in Kobe. Or you can also buy 10 boxes of the tomatoes and squish them yourself.A small area near our condo is a jazz enclave with bars and restaurants offering jazz performances nightly. The jazz singers sing the classics in perfect English and are pretty damn good. CLICK PLAY BUTTON BELOW FOR AUDIO.
A tour boat noses down the Dotonbori canal beneath Osaka’s wall of neon.Might have problem getting rid of the that 10lbs I gained over the holidays.Condo ViewJapan has covered all the bases with this American culinary masterpiece. I went for the Macaroni and Cheese topping. Unfortunately I missed out on adding extra sprinkles for free.
Condo Living Room. Note our Mini Office/Computer Desk on Right.Day Trip to Osaka. Ruth picked the Afternoon Tea Pastry Castle. I helped her with it a little.
We Stumbled into (and out of later) a Whiskey Bar with a deep selection of Scottish and Japanese Whiskey. Suntory bought out an ancient Scottish distillery years ago and brought their vintage whiskeys to Japan. They had whiskey from as far back as 50 years at this establishment, the “Alco Hall Bar.” The bar seats about six people and the bartender, in broken english, prior to our even taking a seat said, “This bar only serve alcohol.” I looked at him as I smiled and said, “Then I think I am in right place.”Abeno Harukas in Osaka — at 300 meters, the tallest skyscraper in Japan.
Water Fall only a 20 minute walk directly behind our Condo.
The food hall in the basement of a Kobe department store — an edible art gallery.The red lattice of Kobe Port Tower on the Meriken Park waterfront.Ruth on the harbor promenade, Port Tower and the Kobe skyline behind.A patisserie case that makes the ten-pound holiday gain look inevitable.
