From Azaleas to Robotics

Huge azalea park in the town of Tatebayashi near the kids' science center including a special event put on by a junior college's robotics team. The kids just know how to work those remote controls...no problem.

Mt Mitsuiwa and mountain azaleas

Rare wild mountain azalea viewing on Mt Mitsuiwa entails a treacherous climb but the views are great. These azaleas are found only on the rocky peaks of the mountains in this area. The trail was a bit "barricaded" but we managed.(click the pic for more and back again)

Kusatsu Onsen and Mt Shirane

A spring day in the mountains at the start of Golden Week holidays from hot spa to icy volcano in 1 hr

Minyo Show="folk music"

Speeding train as the kids wait

The kids are walking home from school. They dutifully wait for the train to pass; you can't tell by the picture but it is going about 50mph. (the child with the yellow umbrella is actually a younger age-that's why his umbrella color is different).

Recent sights, including a 360 year old weeping cherry tree

Bangkok Red Shirts

I left Bangkok just as the protest was getting bad. We were told to stay away from the city center where they were camped out but on Friday they started to expand the demonstrations around the city. This is just in front of the office while we were waiting for a taxi to go to the plant.