Surfing's holy of holies. I was imagining D and C insisting on riding the banzai pipeline on their boogie boards.
Nearest restaurant, 2 miles from guest house. Yes, it's a truck, but you'll find it on Google Maps.
Traditional salt pond. Can't buy salt, can only give. Lady at front desk brought in the pink salt for us.
Hike #1: looking down at Na Pali Coast. Next Monday we'll hike the Kalalau Trail and camp down there.
Hike #2: Waimea Canyon, "Grand Canyon of the Pacific." Met a hunter desperately trying to find his dog.
Sun setting over Niihau, an island exclusively for native Hawaiians. Dw plans to dive near the island on Wednesday.
Last morning at Waimea Plantation Cottages--pruning the coconuts. Coconuts on the roof are startling.
Today, on the Kauka'opue Trail pointing to the start of the Kalalau Trail. (Monday, Tuesday this coming week.)
C & D: cards for you from the magical Land of Hanalei. Can you draw a map of a magical island where a dragon lives?
Today we watched people watching Spouting Horn. Spouting Horn at low tide is as exciting as watching a toilet flush.
Today on the Kuilau Ridge Trail. Hey C and D: Ask Mom about the spider that sat down beside her on this trail in 2002.
Hey guys. Today we’re flying from Hawaii to the land of Gangnam Style. Fasten your seat belts, it's a long flight.
Busan hotel room at night, looking up at the stars. Also note the fire escape bag hanging on the wall.
Walking in hills high above Busan found temple carved out of the rock. Two women meditating, no-one else. So peaceful.
Hey C and D. These cards are traveling halfway around the world from me in Busan, South Korea to you.
Hi Guys. Today we're taking a fast boat across the sea to Japan. Hope the ride isn't bumpy.
On the bullet train, looking forward to a couple nights in Kagoshima. Tomorrow? I have no idea.
Rising sun. Mt Sakurajima (volcano, erupts daily) across Kagoshima Bay from hotel. Today I'll climb it.
In which bin should I throw the candy wrapper? (There's 5 bins.) It's like this every day.
Sunday morning. Introducing the Phase 3 Hiking Sock Dryer. A must for every backpacker.
Train waited while folks got off to sample tea and baked sweet potato. I then hiked the hills and forest.
Hey C and D Wish you could meet my new Japanese friend. He spoke a few words of English.
Hey C and D. Two post cards for you, mailed from the middle of a huge volcano caldera. (Aso.)
Aso-san. You look around in every direction, and the caldera wall is over 10 miles away. Amazing hikes, all day.
He C and D: you were there. So what do you do when you see a volcano? You climb it, of course; can't miss the fun.
Dragon protecting Kochi Castle. Hey C and D: Japan has castles *and* dragons.
C and D: Did you know sushi was invented here in Japan? You guys were experts in that Minneapolis sushi bar.
Hey C and: Cards from Kochi (Shikoku island). Am I putting them in the correct slot?
Temple #37 of 88 on the "Shikoku 88" pilgrimage. "Keep your eyes always set on the way."
Today the train "corkscrewed" down, inside a mountain. Without the map you wouldn't know.
In the year 911 a turtle with a bell on its back visited this temple (39 of 88). I walked from this temple to Sukomo.
Sukomo, fishing town, crenalated harbor goes on and on, gorgeous mountainous backdrop. Home for me tonight.
Temple 40 of 88. Hey C and D, we are allowed to ring the bell once. Would you share and ring it together?
Hi D, Hi C. Post cards for you from Seibu-Chichibu, just west of Tokyo on the island of Honshu, Japan.
Gorgeous mountain hiking 70 miles/100 minutes from downtown Tokyo. You *can* escape the huge city for the weekend.
Friday: "Mountains. Near Tokyo. Day 2." C, D: this train climbed a mountain (Mt Mitake). Wish you rode it with me.
Now in Hakodate on island of Hokkaido. Closer to Russia (note the Cyrillic script) than S Korea.
I wonder which of C and D's 5 bad words are represented here. Maybe all there?! (Sign in Hakodate market/restaurant.)
Boni-moriya department store, Hakodate, selecting everyday, made-in-Japan hashi for our kitchen.
C, D. Post cards from Hakodate (Hokkaido). When you get these, you will have cards from all Japan's main islands.
Hiking Onuma National Park today (Monday). 40-minute train ride from Hakodate. Still winter in Hokkaido.
Hey C, D: time for ice cream, or would you rather have the black bean (whole beans) popsicle I had the other day?
1893 pioneers' farmhouse. Hokkaido settled by Japanese, 1860's on. C, D: Ask Mom about farmer settlers in our family.
Friday morning. Explored park and temples in Narita (town) between a flight from Sapporo and an 11-hour flight to MSP.