Back in Maldives

But not staying on a resort like this that we just passed. Instead it's MV Orion liveaboard that takes me on a cruise from Male and south towards Huvadhoo atoll, via Felidhe, Meemu, Thaa, Lamuu atoll. Channel dives with currents supposed to bring in the pelagics (big stuff) is on the itinerary. Let's see....

iFly Singapore

Have just started my adventure trip by flying a few minutes in the wind tunnel at Sentosa. Awesome!!! Makes me realize what I miss in life. The instructor couldn't believe it was the first time.

Plum tree

A blooming plum tree, one of the first. Finally a sign of spring in Tokyo. Not that I should complain since winters in Japan are fantastic. But still...

Beijing Blue Skies

An absolutely lovely day in Beijing. Spring is in the air and life feels great.

Any takers

found in the meat section in one of the grocery stores, offering a possibility to help the needing in Tohoku. Wonder if this is the best way to do it?

Palace of the Parliament

second to Pentagon allegedly in terms of size the brainchild of Nicu Ceausescu the gigantic parliament building rises in the middle of Bucharest. Completed in 1989 he never got to use it as intended. A monument of craziness, but still a fascinating walk and visit in contemporary history of Romania.

Bucharest cold spell

Greetings from a snowy and cold Bucharest, Romania. Winds from Siberia has put an unusual winter spell on the country as far as I understand it. I was surprised that the pilot managed to find the runway in yesterdays snow chaos so I should be happy to be on the ground. Flight from Frankfurt 2 hours, 18 km car ride from airport to hotel 5 hours.

787 Dreamliner

First time I see it, first time I fly in it. The most fuel efficient plane in the world allegedly, took its time to make its maiden flight. ANA the first airliner to introduce Boeings latest will tonight take me from Haneda to Frankfurt. Let's hope for a pleasant 13 hour experience.

40

finally the day arrived. Crossing the big 40 in style, spent it in Hakone and Lake Kawaguchi on the foothill of Mount Fuji with my loved ones. Couldn't have asked for a better day, weekend to celebrate. My little sis wrote, look at where you are in life. Good job, two sweet little rascals and a gorgeous wife - So true! Maybe it is about time to put my age anxiety behind me. Started off the day at Hakone shrine next to Ashinoko.

then off to Ōwakudani, the volcanic valley to look at the active sulphur vents and eat the Kuro Tamago black egg said to prolong life with 7 years.

and finished at Kawaguchiko and Kukuna ryokan and onsen to the right.

Hakone Open Air Museum

never been much of an art lover, but the Hakone Open Air Museum for sure is different, which cracks even the most reluctant person up. Sculptures from artist all over, even Swedish Carl Milles is represented, placed in a not too large area for strollers to enjoy. All is crowned at the far end by a surprisingly large collection of Picasso art. Now how did all that Picasso art find its way to the other side of the world in an obscure area 100 km south west of Tokyo.

Debut

in the Japanese Police register. Stopped for a violation I still am unaware of making - crossing a yellow line. Regardless even the police in Japan impress by being incredibly polite, no point in arguing, but I wonder if they stopped me just for the fun of it. Anyways there is a first for most things, and why not, 1 demerit point and 6000 JPY to the taxpayers account for an interesting experience and of course a story for my son to tell - how dad was stopped by the Police.