This is a REAL Barbecue!

During our stay in Prague, we visited Godilla's friend who owns house in suburb. He has beautiful garden as well with full fresh vegtable and fruits!



Strawberries..



Lavender..



First time I ate tomato at the spot where it has been picked! Wow, is this really a tomato!? So sweet!!



His mother welcomed us.

Upon we arrived, the table was ready in the garden. Ohhh, Champaign glass with strawberries from garden....! But where is food..?



Food is here! I mean it will be cook by here, a campfire in the garden!!



Stephan was professional in making fire from woods. Plus, he has many women assistants,,,:)



Not only meat but also vegtables freshly picked from garden are grilled. It taste incredible!! They are all very natural and fresh, added aroma of burned wood. It can't be better!!



Another funny photo made by Odie. 2 Japanese girl engaged in tele-comunication while others are working with the grill:)



Stephan, yes, it was very very delicious. Thank you so much for the invitation.



Among so many tourists in Prague, we experienced something very special.. a real luxurious, natural life in Checks.

Weekend in Prague with my friend and Odie

A good friend of mine was visiting me from Japan last week and we had great time together. One of the biggest event we had was traveling to Prague together!



Prague,, such a beautiful city! It's a city known as "Nothern Rome".



Upon we drove torward city from the airport, we overviewed the city. So amazing, all the roof are red-brown and have same tone.





The river Moldau. I sung the song of this river when I was in highschool. That time, I've ever thought that I can see it in real one day.



The river has seen all the histories in past, beautiful one and sad one. No matter what happpens, the river was always there and meditated the people surronding.



On the Charles Bridge and the Palace behind.



and many steps up to palace. If you want to see the castle, this is the only way to take:)



and those who managed can see this magnificent view of the city and river.



and of course the palace.



I heard that there are many hidden underground tunnel and rooms which connects palace and the city. It has been used during the world and has been preserved up to now. When Soviet Union attacked Czechoslovakia during "Spring in Prague" some people hided underground and continued broadcasting what is happening in the land.. I couldn't help thinking of such a historical fantacy.



huge tipycal local menu.



all meats!!





and we conitinued to Old Town Square to see the statue of Jan Hus, a hero of people in Czech.



Charles Street.



and Wenceslas Square. Something like Shinjuku in Tokyo:)



But for me, it was important to see this memorial.



a memorial of Jan Palach, who commited suiside to protest Soviet Union when they intervene militarily in "Spring of Prague". Jan pulled gasoline to himseld and lighted fire.. He was a student of Charles University.

The city is so beautiful and it's hard to imagine those severe time during communism. But I can believe that people tried to fight many times to gain freedom. Czech are very warm hearted, uncomplicated and they love their own country.

I was always touched by friendly manner of check's people.



another photo from our favorite bakery "Bake Shop". They have gread pastries and coffee. When my friend signed in Kanji on reciept, the girl working here was so impressed and she ask us to write her name in Japanese as well. That was very sweet.




Prague, the best place for those who likes history, architecture and friendly people!

First Sailing Experience

Living in Switzerland for one and a half year, I have done many things which is hardly possible in Japan. This weekend, again I have reach something totally new..



Overnight sailing in the lake!!



A friend of Odie, who is a doctor was enjoying unique holiday. He had one week off and decided to enjoy "vacation" in the city well he lives by renting a real sailing boat. We were invited to his luxurious vacation.





It was my first sailing experience plus first "sleeping-on-the-boat experience. Everthing came at the same time:)





When I heard from Odie that we will sleep on the boad, I really thought that we sleep outside on the deck. I never even imagined that there is bedroom, couch and even kitchen is inside of the sailing boat!!



So our jourey started in Fierwaldstättersee (a lake in Lucerne).



It was so incredible how well these three men manage the boat..







I was allowed to be in responsible for the handle!!



We cruised, cruised cruised,,,





and in the middle of the lake, we jumped in to the water.. I mean swimming in the lake is of course together with sailing but what we have done is this.



"Human Torpedo". We let ourselved pulled by boat!! It is some sort of wakeboarding ...without a board!! You really have to watch out not lose your bathingsuits.



Odie was especially funny when he was pulled. Water is always under his control but this time, he was almost drawning:) He had to gave up.



We had such a fun but soon after this, Odie and his friends started big argument about the next plan. Well, I used to worried a lot when Odie started too excited but now I understand that his old good friends understand him well. Later, they told me that this type of argument is not new, they used to have it a lot especially when they are on the boat. I thought so.



Anyway, when it comes to park the boat in harbor, they show perfect teamwork. Captain scream what he needs and other two do so achieve their mission bravely and dynamicly. It is indeed AMAZING how promptly and effciently they work. I enjoyed observing it. (only one who is doing nothing during this big action:)

I've just realized "I'm traveling with THREE WATERMEN".



In the evening, Odie was in charge of the dinner.



We had all big hunger. So nice sitting outside and eat, watching the sky color to change.





and the night has come.

We jumped into water again before sleep. Took quick warm shower on the deck and went bed. (Odie slept outside!) I've been never so wild for a long time..



From my bed, I could see outside from the window.





On the next morning, I heard voiced behind the door. It took while to understand the situation that I'm in a boat and behind my bed, 3 men are having breakfast:)

These 3 men woke up like 6am in the morning, already swam and went bakery to get some coirssants.

I was still dying and couldn't move until Odie came to me like three times to wake me up. Yes, my morning is usually bad without taking bath on the night before.



but my body woke up completely when we sailed up again..



Our captain told me that the lake is most beautiful in morning and night. That's right. The water was like glass.
Light fog make the atmosphere mysterious.



I woke up at this point but three watermen were already in full power:)





and we arrived at "today's highlight". Rütli, where the origin of Switzerland.



again, big action upon parking:)



and we went up to the field, a birth place of Switzerland!



a land o Yode.

What an honor being escorted by Swiss men to the origin of Swityerland:)



Coisidentally, a national holiday of August 1 is just a week ahead!



It's a place where usually have to take a boat to visit. We had our own transportation. How special us!



We swam again and head back to Lucern. On the way back, we had some wind and I was able to practice how to sail a little. I have to say, it's not easy.



I was again watching three waterman. I thought that cruising with sailing boat is special but spending whole weekend with 3 men is also unusual:)

We safely arrived back to lucern on sunday late afternoon.

It was approx 18 hours journey. I've seen and experienced a lot of new things in last 18 hours. Short and long trip. Thank you for captain who invited us and all three watermen who showed me what a sailing is!!