Sakura season!

After flying into Nagoya and then taking the train north to Kanazawa, we arrived for the two days of peak bloom and amazing spring weather - a welcome respite from Manila's 95 degree temps with 85% humidity.  

Takayama's annual spring festival is held every April 14 and 15.  We hadn't read about it and in the pre-trip planning stage were puzzled why hotels were fully booked.  Luckily we finally booked something and arrived on day 2 of the festival.  It was too rainy for the full procession, but we still got to see all the floats and I think the float bearers were much more content to sit and drink sake at the base of the float then tow it around town all day.  Win for all.

Obligatory food collage 

And a random series of photos of the things that make Japan so damn cute

Whale sharks and volcanoes

Combining an extra weekend with an upcoming work trip, I finally made it to Donsol, Sorsogon to see the whale sharks, real and the amazing sand sculpture at our hotel that many people in photos have sadly mistaken as a beached whale shark.  

Then I spent the next two days in Legazpi City at the base of one of the Philippines most iconic (and active) volcanoes.  Luckily the clouds cleared on day two for some great views of Mt. Mayon.