Japan to see Doranda and family

We had a wonderful opportunity to fly to Japan and visit Doranda and her family.  They are in Japan for a few years on a work assignment Bob has for the government.  We got free flights on Delta from Tianna.  We left Lancing, Michigan at 7:29 AM, got to Minneapolis okay, and left on an 8:15 AM flight for Japan.  We arrived at Haneda Airport in Tokyo at 2:35 PM after a 12 hour flight.

We were so excited to see them.  Doranda and the kids picked us up at the airport and we went straight to the Navy base at Yokosuka.

Scarlett and Penelope had a soccer practice that day.  It was fun to see everyone and to be in Japan.  The fields on the base were really nice and immaculately kept.  All the players were children of Navy personnel or contractor personnel.  After practice we went to the NEX, which brought back some old memories for Jacquelyn and I, of when we were in the military.  After that we drove to their home and got to see where they are living.  It's a two story house in a nice neighborhood and is all new and modern.  Very nice.

The next day we went to Kannonzaki Park which is not too far from their house.  Doranda drove and it was interesting to watch because they drive on the opposite side of the road in Japan.

 The park was large and very green with paths going all over.

 One of the main features is this slide that is ridiculously long.  It goes way down the hill and you can pick up a lot of speed.  Doranda and Calista demonstrating.

 Scarlett on the slide.  You have to put your feet down to brake yourself or you'll go way too fast.  You sit on pieces of plastic and really zip along.

They also had some other toys to climb on.  The weather was real nice.

 We were lucky because the Bon-Odori festival was going on.  We drove back out to the Navy base that afternoon after Bob got off work.  The celebration was on base near his work.

 They had a part of the base set up with food vendors and music performers.  Some of the people dressed up in traditional Japanese costumes, including Doranda.

 Tucker got to go up on the stage and they taught him to play the drums.

Then Scarlett gave it a try.  They did pretty good.

 Then later that evening we walked from Doranda's house to a nearby town square where they were also celebrating the Bon-Odori Festival.  They carry these shrines to the temple and play music and beat drums.

 It was packed wall to wall with people.

They also had a lot of food vendors.  You can see us walking down the steps from a shrine.