On the 14th April, 2022, we moved from our beloved Japan, back to the UK. I will post again soon about some of the adventures we had in the build-up to our departure! But for now…I must recover from such an emotional and overwhelming journey.
Eating Lunch on Top of the World on My Birthday
It has taken a while for me to pick up the metaphorical pen and post some of our last adventures in Japan…moving halfway across the world isn’t easy! Anyway…now for the story of my birthday… November 2021 saw me turn 3-5. My birthday is never the easiest time of year, so I often seek out…
Holiday to Ito
In October, we took a MUCH NEEDED week-long break in Ito. Ito is an area of Japan I have had on my bucket list for some time to visit. It’s known for its dramatic coastlines and abundant nature. Oh, and the dormant volcano that looks like a mini Mount Fuji. Alas, I need to get…
Kawagoe and Train Museum
In September we spent a lovely weekend exploring the Saitama Train Museum, with a few days in the famous old city of Kawagoe. The museum was my birthday gift to Dan. It had been on the agenda for some time as Dan does love a good train, and I am partial to a bit of…
MA Graduation, June 2021
In June 2021, I graduated with honours from International Christian University (ICU) with a Master’s degree in Social and Cultural Analysis. At ICU I was a Rotary Peace Fellow (check out this blog for details of the Fellowship). The past two years as a Rotary Peace Fellow have been a whirlwind, with some epic highs…
After A Hiatus…Happy Birthday Dan!
It has been another hiatus on the blogging front for the Hayman household…thesis writing, life planning, house moving, and graduation (with honours!), and Covid-19 jabs, have prevented me from picking up my blogging pen. I thought for this ‘come back blog’, like any good band, it needs to return with a strong opener. So, happy…
Nagano January 2021
In January, Dan and I enjoyed a belated winter break to Nagano. The main attraction of the break was the Air BnB, which provided us with a unique and tranquil space to unwind in after the year most want to forget. It didn’t disappoint, allowing us to sleep in absolute silence and darkness, and wake…
Matsumoto Mini-Break
The weekend before Christmas 2020, Dan and I took a mini-break for the weekend to Matsumoto city in Nagano (the Japanese Alps). The city is surrounded by visible and towering mountains, which you can catch views of all over the city. While the weekend started in a less than desirable way – think cockroaches in…
Turning 34 in Saitama
I turned 34 (in age, not mind) this year at an eco-lodge we’ve visited previously in Saitama. It’s up in the mountains and surrounded by bamboo. We’ve visited a few times because it’s peaceful, surrounded by nature, and, importantly, cheap! This year was a difficult birthday, the first to pass without hearing from my Dad….
The Beach in Ibaraki Prefecture
Dan and I were limited in domestic-only travel in Japan in 2020, for reasons we already all know…although, with the Covid-19 situation worsening, travel of any kind needs careful consideration in 2021 too. With that context, in October 2020 Dan and I spent the week at an isolated beach hut on the coast of Ibaraki…