Conichiwa Japan!

24 hours of travel and we finally arrive in Sapporo. Another visa, another plane ticket and a new country for our travelling gypsy duo. Japan it is for winter 2011-12; Pete and I are barely containing ourselves we're so excited to ride the legendary powder!

Accommodation is interesting to say the very least. Ladies and gents are separated, rooms are shared and showers are open. Quite the shock for our westernized souls. Apart from that though, Bonnie (room mate/good friend from NZ) and I lucked out. We got a fairly large room with our own sink and toilet; a huge score!

Just two days here and I've already managed to get my foreign ID card, my hanko (signature seal in japanese characters) and a bank account. Pretty well sorted indeed. It must be said that all us foreigners have been held by the hand every step of the way. We were picked up from the airport, accompanied and driven pretty much everywhere and explained everything in vivid detail.

We might be skiing tomorrow...

A tired Pete in Narita Airport

Michelle in a crammed, overpacked car during the airport pick-up

Our walk-in pantry.

Le boudoir avec Bonnichiwa

View from the Bedroom

Home sweet home: The Sansou

Le Ski School @ Niseko Village

Ball room in the Hilton

A snowy scene

Fluffy champagne powder!

The Crew

Niseko Village ski area as viewed from the Greenleaf Hotel

Bonichiwa or Bon Weasley. Your choice.

The Green Leaf Onsen (natural hot springs)

Le transportation

Congratulations Ben & Slayde

Pete and I thought long and hard about what we wanted to give you for your nuptials. We looked at the registry, we scoured the gift shops and markets in Queenstown but nothing struck us quite so much as this.

Here is a piece of our adventures to accompany you on yours:

In a small town on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island is Barrytown Knifemaking. From their tiny farm house, a kiwi couple conduct a small knife making course. We were happy members of a group of ten naive metal workers. From steel, brass and hundred year old rainforest wood came your gift.

In the beginning, wielding raw materials.

Heating in a coked fire and pounding the metal pushes carbon into the blade transforming it into high carbon steel.

Assembling the handle (Remu wood)

Brass pinning

Shaping the handle and blade.

Much love,

Keri & Pete