Call me crazy but I just had to squeeze in one more trip before we head back to the good ole USA!
I actually did have a couple of reasons...
#1-We were going through some rough times with Aaron's work where we were waiting on some answers...and waiting...and waiting...and waiting....Finally, I just decided that I was sick of the whole thing and was going to start making some plans that I could count on.
#2-Darby graduated from High School and she absolutely loves Disney! Taking her to Tokyo was like a big graduation gift! But Hey, she totally deserves it :)
Aaron wasn't with us on this trip. Just me and the kiddos. I was a little nervous at first but quickly felt comfortable.
On our first day we visited Disney Sea. We learned that Disney Sea is just a bit more popular than Disneyland and so we wanted to check it out for ourselves.
Above- some of the dancers in one of the parades.
Day 2 was visiting Disneyland. We really liked Disney Sea but there is just something special about Disneyland. Maybe it is because it brings us all back to our childhood :)
At both parks you could find a variety of different flavored popcorn.
The soy sauce and butter popcorn was my favorite!
We actually did do some other sight seeing too...
This is the famous Shibuya Crossing. It is one of the busiest intersections in the world.
It is also known as "The Scramble". The lights all turn green and red at the same time so everyone crosses (from every corner) at the same time.
We found a yummy pizza place that sells big pieces by the slice.
A nice little way to rest our feet.
The photo in the back is part of the Imperial Palace.
Unfortunately it was closed so we could not go inside.
We did a little shopping and came upon this huge Toyota showroom.
Jaxon loves cars so I allowed him some time to roam around.
These pictures are of Sensoji Temple.
An ancient Buddhist temple and the oldest one in Tokyo.
An ancient Buddhist temple and the oldest one in Tokyo.
The Tokyo Skytree
We went to the top of the tower. Looking down you see how massive this city really is.
Then it was onto Seoul, Korea! My girls were very excited to get to Seoul because
that is where their two best friends, Susan and Grace, live.
They both (not sisters) are dorm students at Dalat.
On our first day in Seoul, Susan and Grace met us at our hotel and took
us out for the day. Our first stop was a costume shop where you can rent Hanbok
which is traditional Korean clothing.
us out for the day. Our first stop was a costume shop where you can rent Hanbok
which is traditional Korean clothing.
After getting dressed up we walked over to the Gyeongbokgung palace
(can you say that 10 times fast?)
and explored the area and took lots of fun pictures.
Jaxon acted as our personal photographer. He wasn't interested in getting dressed up.
Susan and Darby
Grace and Melynn
After exploring the palace, we got back into our normal clothes and walked to the area
in front of the palace known as Gwuanghunam Plaza.
We ate lunch at a Korean buffet.
Cheonggyecheon Stream
This photo was taken at the top of Seoul Tower
The view from Seoul Tower
The bathrooms have quite a view too :)
Walking around the city was fun.
We were introduced to an amazing dish....Korean shave ice!!!
We ended up having this two more times on this trip :)
Susan and Grace helped us find the LDS temple. We love to visit
the temple every chance we get, even for just a short stroll outside.
time for some street food and snacks
A street performer
To end our perfect day, we celebrated Melynn's 17th Birthday.
We had Aaron and Ashtyn on FaceTime with us.
The next day we had arranged a tour to the DMZ.
South Koreans tie these ribbons with messages on them for their families in the North. Messages that will never be read but stand as a memorial to them.
This is the Bridge of Freedom. It crosses the Imjin River. It is a former railroad bridge
which was used by over 12,000 POW's returning from the north.
South Korean soldiers in training
Looking out at the observation point where you can see over to North Korea.
The South Koreans hope that one day they will be reunited with the North.
This sculpture represents the joining of the north and south.
After our tour, Susan met up with us for an afternoon out. We started with Korean BBQ.
We did some more shopping and I bought this scroll that this man signed for me
with our family name on it in Korean.
Had to have more Korean shave ice!
That night, Darby had to say goodbye to Susan. It made me tear up knowing that it
would be a long time before they can be reunited. Thank you Susan for being
such a great friend to Darby.
would be a long time before they can be reunited. Thank you Susan for being
such a great friend to Darby.
The next morning we packed up and prepared for our trip to the United States. I don't have any photos of this day but we had a good flight and were very happy that Grace was traveling with us and would stay with us in Utah for the next 8 days.
Life lately has been pretty hectic as we have prepared for another move, saying goodbyes and trying not to lose our cool under all the daily pressures. Expat living is not for the weak. There are many added stressors of which you would never understand until you have lived it yourself. And if I could go back in time, I would not change a single thing. Our life has become richer and fuller. We have found that we can be tough and courageous as well as more compassionate and understanding.
Malaysia will always have a special place in our hearts.
Life lately has been pretty hectic as we have prepared for another move, saying goodbyes and trying not to lose our cool under all the daily pressures. Expat living is not for the weak. There are many added stressors of which you would never understand until you have lived it yourself. And if I could go back in time, I would not change a single thing. Our life has become richer and fuller. We have found that we can be tough and courageous as well as more compassionate and understanding.
Malaysia will always have a special place in our hearts.
