I''ll Have the Tokyo Cherry Blossoms with a Singapore Spring!!!

This month is devoted to SPRING, HAVING FUN and finally, some fabulous tropical TRAVEL!!

Starting with a few funny signs we have seen in Japan....The Japanese put  elaborate effort into labeling and signage...REALLY trying to be helpful to the English speaking population.

The result is sometimes hilarious, with wacky Japan-glish signs in restaurants and subways, as well as on products sold in stores.

Saw this one at the cashier stand in a restaurant...

Ukon is a type of Turmeric Tea

(I looked this one up for you.)

Japanese holidays mean parties...and these parties almost certainly involve vast quantities of liquor, which inevitably results in a common problem: hangovers.  House Foods, has created an increasingly popular drink that claims to combat this concern; it is called Ukon no Chikara.

Ukon no Chikara can literally be translated as “The Power of Ukon.” Ukon,  known in English as turmeric, is a plant grown in Southeast Asia that is related to ginger. 

While I have no proof it will cure a hangover,  the most potent chemical found in ukon is believed to be “curcumin,” which the NIH says shows signs of helping prevent cancer and enhancing liver functions, as well as having no strong claims of negative side effects for adults.  
This one might just catch on in the States!!

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 OKAY...this is just SO funny to me that I must share a link...besides,  I think it is a great gift idea!
Just to give you a sample of  the very funny friends we are meeting on this adventure,
I am attaching a YouTube video that was created to celebrate my friend Efrot's birthday.
Even if you don't know her, just trust me...the guy who made this for her absolutely nails it...from her hair, to her bright red lipstick, to her fluency in multiple languages, and her hilarious catch phrases.  The real Efrot, however, is lovely and does not have a 5 o'clock shadow!
I just LOVE this idea for a birthday gift!!!!
Coincidentally, Efrot DID corner me just a few weeks ago with her classic phrase, "We should TOTALLY do this!!"  .....and of course, I said yes....so now I am hosting a school party next month at my house.

I hope this link works for you:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuaKZKbFs18  
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And just one more "Seen in Tokyo" sign...this one made by a car rental company in Japan:

"WHEN PASSENGER OF FOOT HEAVE IN SIGHT, TOOTLE THE HORN.
TRUMPET HIM MELODIOUSLY AT FIRST, BUT IF HE STILL OBSTACLES YOUR PASSAGE THEN TOOTLE HIM WITH VIGOUR."
(Which seems to be helpful instructions in how to politely get a pedestrian to move out of your way.) 

               And now the long awaited and greatly
              anticipated......SIGNS of SPRING!!
                   At last...my beloved sunshine has returned!!!!
                       The cherry blossoms are more beautiful
                                  than I can ever describe!
                If you are going to visit Tokyo, do so between late
                                          March to early May.  
                     The weather is never more perfect than in Tokyo's 
                      glorious spring, and the scenery is breathtaking!

 

       Tokyo is close enough to so many other exciting destinations that we hope to see as much as we can while                 on this side of our beautiful planet.

            Soooo...for our first "vacation" out of Japan, 
                     we decided to sample a delicious
                          SINGAPORE SPRING!!!!!

Pictured below is the Marina Sands Bay Hotel, designed to resemble a ship and completely dominating the Singapore skyline.  
We stayed in the first tower from the left, Tower 3, but truthfully, I spent every waking moment possible on the roof....home of the highest infinity pool in the world!!!

Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

Check out this pool!!  It runs the entire length of the roof...across all three towers!!!

Rooftop Infinity Pool, Marina Bay Sands

The views were absolutely breathtaking...

and for me, swimming to the edge was completely irresistible!!! 

View from 57th floor, Marina Bay Sand, Singapore

While I am on the subject of Spring, I have to tell you I am nearly breaking the SPRINGS on my incredibly rude bathroom scale, but how do you NOT indulge when in Tokyo and Singapore???

We went to a beautiful restaurant called "Pollen" while visiting Singapore.

As described in their "write up,"

"POLLEN is housed in the Flower Dome of the new Gardens by the Bay, and offers modern European cuisine with Mediterranean influences. 

This flagship restaurant has Executive Chef Colin Clague at the helm. 

   POLLEN offers modern European cuisine with Mediterranean Mains."

Entrees include:

Roasted John Dory, artichoke & foie gras soup, Jerusalem artichoke,orange oil	£29.00
Cornish brill, cauliflower & cheese purée, seaweed salt, cauliflower & clam chowder	£31.00
Cornish seabass & red mullet, bouillabaisse, fennel, cuttlefish, saffron potato	£31.00
Roasted squab pigeon, salt baked red cabbage, beetroot stained onions,yakitori pigeon offal	£32.50
Best end of salt marsh lamb, braised shoulder with lamb floss, chervil root, black cabbage, truffle purée	£33.50
Dinell organic pork, clementine purée, black trumpet mushrooms	£28.50
Black Angus rib-eye, duck fat chips, green salad	£37.50
Black Angus fillet, miso egg plant, roasted salsify, charred onions	£37.00
Côte de bœuf 1kg for sharing, duck fat chips, green salad	£77.00

Kim and Chris

Dining at Pollen with colleagues from Singapore

Pollen's  Beet, Radish and Asparagus Salad

I ordered and LOVED the Roasted Squab Pigeon

I can't sign off without updating you on my children, soooo, here is Alex, at school...."working" as always...hmmmm...

And here is Alex on Spring Break in Vermont...with our new favorite and adorable friend, Joey!!!

Alex also had an outstanding 10th grade basketball season 

Grant spent a lot of his time off from school playing on the  PS3 in the "Teen Cave" of our Tokyo home:

Grant also found time for another ski trip!!

Jane Ellis enjoyed a big day at Sea World, Tokyo

                         

No language barrier for this kid!

Of course, JE also managed to get in a little glamour time, with a new haircut and manicure!!

If you noticed, one child is missing from the Spring Updates.  I keep begging Elizabeth to send me pictures of her spring activities, but I still have not received them. I will share with you whenever she shares with me!!!!

Until next time....