The Adventures of Ivy

Japan

2010-05-26T01:00:00.000-07:00

Got back from a 12 day trip to Japan. I stayed in Shinagawa which made it super easy to get around with my Japan Railway pass for the Shinkansen (bullet train). Theres so much kitchy stuff in Japan I easily spent hours just looking at the stuff in Tokyo Hands and Don Quiote (a craft store and discount store). Their department stores were full of floral prints, straw hats, tons of accessories but I was really good about not spending anything on clothes. The basements are filled with food stalls and the best confections. Nails are very important to Japanese women, 3D nail art is very popular right now. And coming from Vegas, I thought girls here wear a lot of fake eyelashes, they sell lashes by the dozen. Onsen (hot spring) and the skin eating fish, cat cafe, maid cafe, street markets, Nikko, 2 Cirque du Soleil show... lots of great experiences....

I'll update later with pics but right now I only have 4 days before I have to ship out. I have soooo many loose ends to take care of. What to do with my car? ugh

Last weeks in Vegas

2010-05-12T20:27:00.000-07:00

Im scrambling to get all the things Ive ever wanted to do in Vegas done. Shows seen; Viva Elvis- a little too much dancing not enough circus; The Lion King - Amazing puppets, set design, and singing; Frank Marino's Divas was so delightfully entertaining and funny. That just leaves O, my last Vegas Cirque show to see and Lance Burton.

I'm flying to Tokyo in a few hours. Like pretty much all of my trips, this one was slapped together last minute. I'm going for 12 days with a friend I've known since middle school. Surely thats enough time to see all the kitschy stuff in Tokyo, ZED the Cirque du Soleil show at Tokyo Disney, Kyoto, Osaka, and Mt. Fuji. And hopefully squeeze in Cirque's Corteo playing in Sendai, a city north of Tokyo. I bought a Japanese Rail pass so transportation shouldnt be a problem. I also found a great app for iphone that was .99 cents that will say common travel phrases. Im sure ill put it to good use.

Royal Caribbean still hasnt sent me my "Welcome Aboard" package yet.... wtf.

Countdown t minus 33 days

2010-04-27T04:40:00.000-07:00

I jumped the gun and put in my 2 weeks notice early thinking I was going on a couple trips before my ship joining date, but both fell through so hopefully I can work a few more weeks in Vegas before I leave.

On the checklist before I depart:
- Find the ugliest pair of black leather flats to work in on the ship
- Sell the Trans Am
- Acquire Mobile Broadband. I cant live without Internet!
- Get a waterproof camera. Sand boarding in Australia last year really messed up the shutter.

I did find out my ports of call. I leave out of San Juan, Puerto Rico on 2 different 7 night Southern Caribbean cruises. I hit up the following cities:

Itinerary 1
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Bridgetown, Barbados
Castries, St. Lucia
St. John's, Antigua
Phillipsburg, St. Maarten
St Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

Itinerary 2
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Willemstad, Curacao
Oranjestad, Aruba
Roseau, Dominica
Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

2010-04-07T20:37:00.000-07:00

Setting up a blog in anticipation of the adventures that will ensue