Canadian Buffoon's Back to Front Vacation - Update! 05/18 - Falling Down

[pkondz]

I see a movie idea. Kung Fu Panda 4: Kung Fu Rabbit.

You just know that bunny
will turn out to be the bad guy.
He has all the hallmarks.

Are you sure about that?

Nope!

Your botany skills seem to be as perfectly honed as mine.

Ummm...yeah, strange. Like Mark said, what situation could have possibly unfolded to necessitate this.

Like I said to Mark.
The place was big and
beautiful. Perfect spot
for wedding photos.
I can see it being inundated
on weekends.

I like them too. Although had it not been for the Karate Kid movie, I wonder if I would even know what they were.

Most of us learned
everything we need
to know about Japan
from that movie.

I suspect most of it
is wrong.

It's detailed reporting like this that I come here for.

Glad I lived up to the hype!

Wow, good thing you noticed the pamphlet. Imagine if you had just left.

Honest to God.
I was going to eat
then walk back to
my car.

"So how was the Portland
Japanese Garden?"
Me: "Meh."

Colour me stunned. As wacky as it is having to buy a ticket for your tripod, I would never had guessed they had tripod police.

I couldn't believe it.
Seriously? You're asking?
Is this Disney?
(although there it's okay...
selfie sticks are not.)

I have a sense you may be a fugitive in Japan now. If you ever plan a trip to Tokyo Disneyland, watch out at Immigration. You have enough trouble as it is.

I can hear it now:


(Translation:
Do you have a tripod
up your bum?)

I must admit that I'm not a seafood fan. Yes that's a bit strange coming from an east coaster.

What is wrong with you???

 

[pkondz]

Very impressive. I can see why it was given such high regards.

I'm so happy it was a Tag not a Bag. I'm blaming it on my over 50 eyes.

I totally understand.
I just mis-read "gummy candies"
as "yummy candles"...

 

[docsoliday1]

What do you know?
You're no expert!

I am an expert....

on not being an expert.

Ha!!!

Starting to understand
how this TR works?

About as well as a sloth in a speed contest?

Well, I did sit on a throne
this morning. So... sure.

Wooah. wasn't expecting you to go there.

Ha!
That day I slept walked,
flossed and rinsed with mouthwash,
skipped the shave, was already packed...

But the rest is accurate.

Wouldn't that be slept drived?

Sorry, Inigo.

You don't happen to have 6 fingers on your right hand do you?

Sorry, what?
Wasn't listening.

Huh?

You're learning! Good for you!

As genie said...
HE CAN BE TAUGHT!

Such a good show.
He passed away under
very... uh... different circumstances.
Don't know if you knew that.

I did not know that. Had to web search it.

Almost exactly.

Somewhat precisely.

But they had free waffles!

Doesn't almost all of the places you stay? Although I wouldn't have trusted the waffles in the place where you were fighting off the dangerous animals.

It was pretty impressive.

The pictures were as well.

All right! I'll push you down
the "stairs" and we'll split
the money 50/50!

Ummm...let me think about that a nanosecond...NO!

I wondered if anyone would
say that.

That photo was taken on July 12th.

Apparently in fall it really turns red.

I should have known that. Just looked like fall colors. Doh!

There were two reasons, I believe.
1. It prevents too many tripods
from interfering with the Zen
relaxation of the park... which is
supposedly the whole point. And;

2. Revenue.

I think more #2, but I suppose too many would interfere, so I'll give ya #1 as an option too.

It's my favourite, actually.

Mine too

 

[pkondz]

I am an expert....

on not being an expert.

Ha!!!

That's what you'd expect.

About as well as a sloth in a speed contest?

Wooah. wasn't expecting you to go there.

Wouldn't that be slept drived?

No worries.
I have cruise control.

You don't happen to have 6 fingers on your right hand do you?

This is one thing I will
never reveal!!

As genie said...
HE CAN BE TAUGHT!

I did not know that. Had to web search it.

yep.
'nuff said.

Doesn't almost all of the places you stay? Although I wouldn't have trusted the waffles in the place where you were fighting off the dangerous animals.

Truth is.. I'm not a huge
waffles fan. I love mine.
But then I make sure I have
honey and butter and whipped cream
and peaches and bananas and
strawberries and raspberries.

But at a hotel? Meh.
Plus... I've been told
(by the kids)
that they taste kind of funny.

The pictures were as well.

Thanks.

Ummm...let me think about that a nanosecond...NO!

Golden opportunity, wasted.

I should have known that. Just looked like fall colors. Doh!

Does look like Fall, though.

I think more #2, but I suppose too many would interfere, so I'll give ya #1 as an option too.

 

[buzzrelly]

I went to Portland's
Japanese Garden.

Of COURSE you did! Honestly, I never knew how many Japanese gardens existed in North America. I thought to see one you maybe had to go to, I don't know…Japan?? Or EPCOT, of course

I kid you not.
They gave me a tag
to affix to the tripod.

After some thought,
I actually didn't mind that much.
It prevents the park from being
cluttered with people using them
I suppose.

What? Is there that many people clamoring to get their tripods into Japanese Gardens?

Gotta get my money's worth, don't I???

Definitely!

Could I have taken that shot
without the tripod?
Actually... no.
There were a lot of people
coming and going and
that particular photo
is actually an amalgamation
of four separate photos.
Each taken to reveal an area
not cluttered up with people.

That's really cool. I have always wanted a really nice camera but I don't know enough about photography to even justify getting one. I also don't know if I'd truly carry it around when my iPhone is just so much more convenient.

It was not like any Japanese garden
that I had ever seen.

And you've seen a lot

And the colours of some of the
trees were stunning.

Gorgeous!

I told you that Mt. Hood
would make another
appearance in this TR.

But did you listen?
Noooooo!!!

Wow! What a sight!

Did you see it in this chapter?

 

[pkondz]

Of COURSE you did!

Honestly, I never knew how many Japanese gardens existed in North America. I thought to see one you maybe had to go to, I don't know…Japan?? Or EPCOT, of course

Oh yes, there are quite a few.
I make a point of visiting
the one in Epcot every time.

What? Is there that many people clamoring to get their tripods into Japanese Gardens?

I suspect... yes.
And that would detract
from the whole point
of the garden.

Definitely!

That's really cool. I have always wanted a really nice camera but I don't know enough about photography to even justify getting one. I also don't know if I'd truly carry it around when my iPhone is just so much more convenient.

It does take a certain amount
of dedication and commitment.
Those lenses etc are not light
to be lugging around unless
you specifically know that
you're going to want to use them.

I vary from playing tourist
(and just using my iPhone
or small point and shoot
before I got my phone)
to being a dedicated photographer.
It really depends on the subject
and on my mood.

And you've seen a lot

One or two...

Gorgeous!

Very!
I'd love to see it in the Fall.
It must be spectacular!

Wow! What a sight!

Too bad about the buildings, though...
But still pretty impressive.

 

[Steppesister]

I really only had two things on
the agenda for today.
One tourist spot in Portland to hit
before making my way up to
Seattle for the PNWMM.

So you went to Voodoo Doughnuts?

Powell Books?

The Naked Bike Ride?

I don't know much about
this baby rabbit.
But two things are obvious.
This baby rabbit must be
filled with wisdom...
And obviously a Kung Fu expert.
How could it not be?

He looks like a cross between Yoda and Confucious.

I went to Portland's
Japanese Garden.

Oh, THAT Portland tourist attraction.

I arrived in the morning and
had a bit of a surprise finding
parking.
I just assumed it would be
easy, I guess.

Yeah, it's Portland.

Along the way I saw these...
Flowery type things.
(Actually, no. I'm not a botanist.
But I could play one in a movie.)

Pretty!! Roses! The Portland Rose Garden is adjacent to the Japanese Garden, so that makes sense. Did you know the one of the city's nicknames is The City of Roses?

Two? You ask.
Yes. I needed one for moi.
And one for my camera tripod.

I kid you not.
They gave me a tag
to affix to the tripod.

I've never heard of that before!

Could I have taken that shot
without the tripod?
Actually... no.
There were a lot of people
coming and going and
that particular photo
is actually an amalgamation
of four separate photos.
Each taken to reveal an area
not cluttered up with people.

I've not advanced to that level of photography nor have the time to learn PShop to do stuff like that, but I do like the results!

Neat!!!

I still haven't quite decided if
these stairs are really cool...
Or a law-suit waiting to happen...

I'd fall down those for a cool million.

It was only then, when I looked at
the map enclosed in the pamphlet
that I realized that I hadn't even
seen the garden yet.
The entrance was just around the
corner from the café I was sitting at.

It's BIG!!

Gorgeous!

And the colours of some of the
trees were stunning.

That's actually a very famous tree for local photogs who flock there every Fall.

I've wanted to go for years, but just never have done it.

Pretty!! I actually like the buildings and 'modern' mixed in.

So serene!

I love this one!

I took this next photo for @Steppesister .
I know she likes light fixtures and I thought
this one was particularly appealing.
Or should that be "enlightening"?

LOL!! I do!! I don't know why I"m so attracted to them, esp at Disney.

I ordered the Drunken Sailor
(blackened spiced tiger shrimp,
Alaskan true cod; rum cream sauce,
pepper jack cheese, garlic mashed
potatoes, house-made focaccia)
with a side of Dungeness crab bisque.

THat sounds amazing! YUM!

 

[pkondz]

So you went to Voodoo Doughnuts?

No!
I wasn't aware they
were from there
until after. D'oh!

Powell Books?

I Googled...
Dang! I would've taken
the time to go there!

The Naked Bike Ride?

Yeah... NO.

He looks like a cross between Yoda and Confucious.

He does!

Oh, THAT Portland tourist attraction.

Yeah, it's Portland.

Now you tell me...

Pretty!! Roses! The Portland Rose Garden is adjacent to the Japanese Garden, so that makes sense. Did you know the one of the city's nicknames is The City of Roses?

Oh! So they're roses?
Okay!

And no, I didn't know that.

I've never heard of that before!

Took me by surprise too.

I've not advanced to that level of photography nor have the time to learn PShop to do stuff like that, but I do like the results!

Thanks!

I'd fall down those for a cool million.

I'm right behind you!




pushing.

It's BIG!!

So I discovered!!

Gorgeous!

Thanks!

That's actually a very famous tree for local photogs who flock there every Fall.

Wow! Those shots are...

Stunning!

Pretty!! I actually like the buildings and 'modern' mixed in.

Oh, really?
I didn't.
I found them to be
a distraction.

Interesting that we have
such different takes on it.

So serene!

Very. Loved that garden
and that spot in it.

I love this one!

Thanks, Liesa!
It's my favourite shot.

LOL!! I do!! I don't know why I"m so attracted to them, esp at Disney.

THat sounds amazing! YUM!

It was quite good.

 

[Tracy161]

Ooohhh...
Clever of them!

Clever indeed!

"Headquarters, we've got
a situation down here..."

 

[natebenma]

I haven't been able to spend any time over on the Trip report boards since the beginning of the year. I have been playing catch-up on the Beach Club FAQ thread, and life has thrown some curve balls. My oldest son is in New Zealand for the semester (that provided some momentary drama last week) and Ben is graduating in a couple of months. As of last Thursday, we are finally getting a clear picture of where he will be going to school- Washington DC- but still waiting to hear from his first choice school there.

A bit of Disney depression, too. 2018 was the first time in 10 years I didn't make it to the World, but that will be changing soon with a trip in October and plans to go to Disneyland (and Hawaii) in February.



But your Whale of a Tail update totally reeled me in and I'm glad I jumped back into the pool!



Um, YIKES on the hotel and the nasty critters who shared your room.

Thanks for taking us along on your amazing adventure at the Georgia Aquarium. Wow!!! Just wow!!!


I love the undersea world. Whale sharks are one of my favorite marine creatures and one of my bucket list items is to swim with them. There is a place we love to stay at in Mexico, and in the summer you can book a trip to snorkel with them, but so far we have always gone in the winter.



Your experience reminded me of a family swim we did in the main tank at Atlantis, with 2 Manta rays- absolutely incredible and humbling to share the space with these spectacular creatures.










I have probably already mentioned my one time attempting to SCUBA dive, where I almost died. I got flustered when trying to descent, so I swam back to the boat. Handed up one flipper. Then the second. Then let go of the ladder. With my weight belt still on! Sank, and someone from the boat had to jump in to bring me back to the surface. I would still like to try someday, but starting from the beach.

 

[natebenma]

I loved reading all about your wonderful DISmeets in these past few installments. I know exactly the feeling of being with friends even if it is the first time you have actually met in person. Many of the folks you have been fortunate to spend some time with are people I feel I know, too. It is a blast to hear about the fun you have together, the meals you share and the generous and thoughtful gifts you exchange.

You had some memorable (and horrible) experiences out on the road during this trip. I'm so thankful that you survived to tell the tales. I so enjoyed this report, even if it has taken me forever to get from the beginning to the end.

Impressive pile of poker chips! (But I mostly posted this to see if it got censored. It did not)

I'll join in on the next leg of your adventure. Eventually. But I need to check in on a few other friends I have been ignoring in these parts.

 

[pkondz]

Clever indeed!

Oh! And I've been meaning to tell you!
I've been watching Blown Away and...
I love that show!
So far it's halfway through.
They've eliminated five of
the ten glass blowers.
The stuff that's been made
in such a (relatively) short
period of time is incredible.
(Sometimes... not so much.)

I have my favourite and my
least favourite (who also happens
to be quite talented, though.)

Thanks so much for giving
me a heads up on that @Tracy161 !

 

[pkondz]

I haven't been able to spend any time over on the Trip report boards since the beginning of the year. I have been playing catch-up on the Beach Club FAQ thread, and life has thrown some curve balls.

But you're here now.

My oldest son is in New Zealand for the semester (that provided some momentary drama last week)

OMG! I bet it did!
He's okay, though?
Was he close by???

and Ben is graduating in a couple of months.

Congrats!

As of last Thursday, we are finally getting a clear picture of where he will be going to school- Washington DC- but still waiting to hear from his first choice school there.

Good luck!

A bit of Disney depression, too. 2018 was the first time in 10 years I didn't make it to the World, but that will be changing soon with a trip in October and plans to go to Disneyland (and Hawaii) in February.

Whoa!
When you break a drought,
you do it in style!

But your Whale of a Tail update totally reeled me in and I'm glad I jumped back into the pool!

Glad you liked it!

Um, YIKES on the hotel and the nasty critters who shared your room.

Not a trip highlight. At all.

Thanks for taking us along on your amazing adventure at the Georgia Aquarium. Wow!!! Just wow!!!

That's just how I felt
about it too!

I love the undersea world. Whale sharks are one of my favorite marine creatures and one of my bucket list items is to swim with them. There is a place we love to stay at in Mexico, and in the summer you can book a trip to snorkel with them, but so far we have always gone in the winter.

No way! Cooool!
Swimming with them in
the wild would be an
amazing experience.

Your experience reminded me of a family swim we did in the main tank at Atlantis, with 2 Manta rays- absolutely incredible and humbling to share the space with these spectacular creatures.

I loved the whale sharks,
that's the reason I was there,
but the Manta Rays were a very
close second.
Especially when they would swim
right over me.

I have probably already mentioned my one time attempting to SCUBA dive, where I almost died. I got flustered when trying to descent, so I swam back to the boat. Handed up one flipper. Then the second. Then let go of the ladder. With my weight belt still on! Sank, and someone from the boat had to jump in to bring me back to the surface. I would still like to try someday, but starting from the beach.

Whoops!
Inflate your BCV!!!!

I loved reading all about your wonderful DISmeets in these past few installments.

I know exactly the feeling of being with friends even if it is the first time you have actually met in person. Many of the folks you have been fortunate to spend some time with are people I feel I know, too. It is a blast to hear about the fun you have together, the meals you share and the generous and thoughtful gifts you exchange.

Meeting people who share a
similar love is just wonderful.

You had some memorable (and horrible) experiences out on the road during this trip. I'm so thankful that you survived to tell the tales. I so enjoyed this report, even if it has taken me forever to get from the beginning to the end.

But you did it!
And the road is still stretching
out ahead.

Impressive pile of poker chips! (But I mostly posted this to see if it got censored. It did not)

Huh! Weird.
I wonder why?
Why was it censored
in the first place
and why have they stopped?

I'll join in on the next leg of your adventure. Eventually. But I need to check in on a few other friends I have been ignoring in these parts.

See you later, Dee!

 

[natebenma]

OMG! I bet it did!
He's okay, though?
Was he close by???

Probably should have included that info!

Yes, he is ok.

Just before I was headed to bed that night, Ben came in to tell me there was a shooting at a mosque in NZ. At that point, I didn't know where or the horrific extent of the shootings.

Nate and his classmates spend most of their time on the north island, but they happened to be on the south island, about 2 hours away from Christchurch when it happened. They had been planning on going to the city the next day, but postponed until after the weekend. I heard from him around 2:30 am (my time) and the program director let us know that all of the ECOQuest students were safe.

He has been off the grid for the past couple of weeks- classes in the mountains last week and currently hiking during spring break, so we won't hear from him until next weekend.

Whoa!
When you break a drought,
you do it in style!

No way! Cooool!
Swimming with them in
the wild would be an
amazing experience.

10 Best Places for Swimming with Whale Sharks


While going to find this link, I found my 2nd favorite diving tag-line "It's Dive O'Clock Somewhere"

My favorite is my own creation: "Two for One Shark Dive- Bring Your Chum!"

Huh! Weird.
I wonder why?
Why was it censored
in the first place
and why have they stopped?

Beats the shirt outta me!

 

[Tracy161]

I've been watching Blown Away and...
I love that show!

YAY!!! I'm so glad! But you know what's CRAZY?! I was just thinking to myself - this morning - I need to ask pkondz if the show has started and what he thinks. I swear!

I have my favourite and my
least favourite (who also happens
to be quite talented, though.)

I can't wait to see if they're the same favo(u)rites as mine! Once I'm able to watch that is...

 

[pkondz]

Probably should have included that info!

Yes, he is ok.

Just before I was headed to bed that night, Ben came in to tell me there was a shooting at a mosque in NZ. At that point, I didn't know where or the horrific extent of the shootings.

Nate and his classmates spend most of their time on the north island, but they happened to be on the south island, about 2 hours away from Christchurch when it happened. They had been planning on going to the city the next day, but postponed until after the weekend. I heard from him around 2:30 am (my time) and the program director let us know that all of the ECOQuest students were safe.

He has been off the grid for the past couple of weeks- classes in the mountains last week and currently hiking during spring break, so we won't hear from him until next weekend.

Glad he wasn't close.
Or at least close-er.

Wow, that brings back
memories!

10 Best Places for Swimming with Whale Sharks

Thanks for the info.

While going to find this link, I found my 2nd favorite diving tag-line "It's Dive O'Clock Somewhere"

My favorite is my own creation: "Two for One Shark Dive- Bring Your Chum!"

Nice!

Beats the shirt outta me!

 

[pkondz]

YAY!!! I'm so glad! But you know what's CRAZY?! I was just thinking to myself - this morning - I need to ask pkondz if the show has started and what he thinks. I swear!

Yes I know.
You were talking in your sleep
and the cameras picked that... uh..

Oh really! Huh!
What a coincidence!

I can't wait to see if they're the same favo(u)rites as mine! Once I'm able to watch that is...

I shan't say a word.
But I'm curious to see
if they will be.

 

[natebenma]

Wow, that brings back
memories!

The memories came flooding right back to me, too.

 

[pkondz]

The memories came flooding right back to me, too.

 

[Steppesister]

No!
I wasn't aware they
were from there
until after. D'oh!

Oops!

I Googled...
Dang! I would've taken
the time to go there!

Oh dear! Double oops!

I'm right behind you!




pushing.

If you push, I could sue the garden AND you and get 2 million. Might be a plan.

Wow! Those shots are...

Stunning!

Maybe I"ll venture up there this Fall and try my own hand at it.

Oh, really?
I didn't.
I found them to be
a distraction.

Interesting that we have
such different takes on it.

I like that photographers can offer so many perspectives.