Valentine's weekend

Having a long weekend we managed to cram a few things into it. First we went to a little Patisserie (bakery) where we got a few desserts. They were delicious. I had a double cheese cake and a raspberry cream puff. The pastries come very hand done and package very carefully. The Japanese aren't only concerned with the product in how it looks but they also spend a lot on the packaging. It was both very delicious and a good treat.

The next day we ventured up north towards Nago to go to the Nakajin Castle. Previously they were suppose to have had a cherry blossom festival. The cherry blossoms are said to be the first to bloom in the land. They are a sign of good luck and a good fortune. As we were driving we noticed a lot of trees had already changed to the leaves so there wasn't as many trees in bloom as there could have been. However, the ones that were in bloom were very beautiful. They also had tons of large butterflies on them so I managed to capture one. If a butterfly lands on you they say you are to have good luck, but it sort of seems like anything you do you will have good luck. After we milled around the castle we drove out and around a few islands that you are able to get to by bridge. There wasn't a lot on the islands it was mostly made up of farming. The waters there were very crystal clear and we are planning a trip when it gets warmer to go snorkeling.

Finally, on president's day my mom and I had made reservations to use a couple of free spa passes that my dad had won at a retirement party. They were to a place called EM spa, it is located at a hotel, Costa Vista. We were both a little apprehensive because the spas here are 1)separated by gender 2.) go nude 3.) don't allow tattoos in (not a problem for me). So we get there the front desk worker sort of explains to us where we go. Manage to get into the hot water pools and jacuzzi chairs and saunas. We had made reservations for the bedrock room. It is an area where they have heated stones and you lay on them and basically sweat. That was my favorite part. Then we went back into the pool and showers. It was an interesting experience altogether.

Now we are back at work and working hard. Can't wait for the weekend.