Updatity DO Da!

Konnichiwa,

Hope this email finds you healthy and well. Travis and I are doing good, we are slowly getting more accustomed to Japanese life. I have had many people ask me questions about our time here and I understand there is many questions in need of answering, so I will try and answer them one by one. Both of us send our thoughts your way, we think of you often.
We are currently located in Minikami, Japan. It is on the main island of Japan which is called Honshu. Minikami is north-west of Tokyo <3hrs>, about a 35 minute train ride from Maebashi. There are mountains, creeks which remind us much of the Jasper area. This area has a few ski-resorts and snow-parks as well as a handful or more of onsen’s. ( Hot Springs) The area reminds us quite a bit of home too, the weather is very similar to the Albertan Spring, minus the blizzards….so far. At night we need about three layers, and the gas heater on every so often, especially on the rainy colder nights. Travis is very happy that he brought a few extra layers for his river rafting, he says the cold water is glacial and definitely wakes you up in the morning! I have not been on the river yet myself but I have been on a short canyoning trip, and the creek water was BRR-R! I don’t believe I could ever be a canyoning guide..lol. Anyway, upon arrival in Japan we started a half day journey by train from Narita to Minikami. The trains were very fast, and just as my brother-in-law Steve told us before we left…perfectly on time! We stood out from the crowd because of our luggage, we had so much it almost looked ridiculous! I am glad we didn’t bring more. Upon arrival in Minikami we had no idea where to go, and no idea who to ask. A local taxi driver said we were an hour away which ended up being a lie, and the place was a 7 minute drive. The companies name is Top Group Minikami Adventure Company. The company does quite a number of activities and also offers accommodation, tipi, and camp packages. Travis’ boss is named Mitsu or Mitch, he does not speak much English at all but enough to get by. The Japanese employee’s here are very hard working, many times they arrive in the early morning and then leave late at night. We have also just found out that employee’s aren’t usually paid until they guide on the customer trips. So if there is a week with no bookings, everyone still works but do not get paid hourly or for the work they complete. It is quite different for us to understand, but it results in much work being completed. I have been offered a few hours of work this next week coming as it is a holiday week in Japan and the company is very busy. I will be helping out the customers with wetsuit cleaning and putting away, so I am glad to be up to something. Mitch has also offered me a English teaching opportunity at the rafting base as well. I will be doing three classes a week for a handful of the employee’s who need some help conversing with customers. My first class is in a few hours, and I am very nervous! There are many different levels of proficiency which might be difficult.
Our place here in Minikami is probably the biggest change, it is very small and cramped. Our room which we rent for 300 dollars a month, which is cheap is quite odd. It is a 12x15ft room with tatami mats. There is no furniture other than a small 1.5ft high table for eating on. We are currently sleeping on four thin blankets and our blow-up mats. The owner is named Oba-san, she is an elderly woman who lives on the first floor. The rooms, building and even set-up is so different from anything I have ever experienced. It is impossible to explain so that it really makes sense. We have a shared bathroom in the next room which is handy. The kitchen, shower, and washing machine is all located at the rafting base which is about a 2 minute walk down the road. It is very inconvenient but we make due. The first few days we were here we were very uncomfortable. Unfortunately we had come with higher expectations all around. God has put us here for a reason so we are willing and able to do his will and go where he directs us. There is no internet here, it is probably one of the worst parts as both Travis and I have grown to rely on it so much in our transient lives. The raft base does have internet and that is where I update my blog and such, but it does make it inconvenient. There is usually many customers and people around so it makes it difficult to be on for longer periods of time.
The company here is much different than expected. Actually, last night they had a huge argument over the management and our good friend D-Pac stepped down from his position into being a normal raft guide….so we were some-what glad to of missed that. I think there is much confusion due to the language barrier, I think expectations on both sides were much different when it comes to work and seniority. We have visited another company here named ‘Canyons’ there are many English staff and it is also managed very well and organized. While talking to one of the guides there the question came up why Travis wasn’t with them instead of the company we are with. It seems as if they would of really liked to have Travis work for them, but because we are only here for a short while we will stay with this company. It does make it hard though…but once again we know we are where we are for a reason.
Well, I have run out of time for now, I am going to teach another English Lesson. The lessons are going well, and I enjoy it more than I’d thought I would.

Much Love! Trav and Sam

Ahh, the life!

Oi All,
Sorry its been awhile, most people who have been curious over our whereabouts have been responding to updates via email, but I figure I may as well keep this up as well. What I am going to do is just copy and paste the last two email updates to this blog and that will fill in the gap since my last one. Remember that we always love comments on here, but emails seem to get to us faster, and make it easier to do a personal notes back. I really do need to update the picture on this blog since Christmas is way over. Lol.

Well, what to say...there is so much to explain, and remember at once. Well, yes Germany was the perfect taste of Europe, it makes both Trav and I excited to see more of Europe. The Euro is very expensive, so that will be a huge expense to take into account. Travis was able to have his very first...truly perfect....Mocha at a cafe there in Frankfurt. He loved the three different layers so much that he had to come back the next day and get the same. You should of seen the excitement in his eyes as it was served, it was to great! The LRT or they call it the S-Bahn or U-Bahn in Frankfurt was great, and we used it mutliple times per day, luckily our hotel gave us a free transit pass while we were there, so that definitely was not an investment. As I said in an earlier post the buildins and archeticture; both new and old, were fabulous! The main train station known as Hauptbanhof was right out of an old movie, or similar to Harry Potter, lol. On our third day in Frankfurt we took a river boat trip up the River Rhine to see some very old old buildings, castles and churches. It was definitely worth it to just be taken along and to view such history. The tour also included lunch and some wine tasting which was a plus, travis ended up buying a bottle of ice wine and we just had it the other night here on a beach in Thailand, while we watched a Fire Show. Back to Germany: I loved it although some German's ( as all people) can be quite rude when they want too, and we had a view openly make fun of our English. I had one women repeat everything I said while I ordered a Banana Split and mock and scoff at me to her fellow employee's. I am glad I can have some restraint at those times, my mind was definitely on the road of revenge but......that is not the way! Right? Right! From Frankfurt Airport to our hotel and then back to the airport we had to carry ALL of our luggage, which was definitely a struggle, but we made do. We have : two very full and heavy backpacks, travis' very big guiding bag with his gear, my large rolling suitcase full of books, a briefcase, backpack, and two camera bags...so haha, you could hardly see us under our pile of luggage as we moved...it was good to see carts at times! The flight to Germany was just about 9.5 hours, and the flight from Frankfurt to Thailand was just under 10 hours, so we are quite aways from home, but still ok! O

Our first three days in Thailand were spent in Bangkok, we arrived into a very pretty and busy Airport and were able to get a cab straight to Khoasan Road which was quite close to where we were booked into. Wild Orchid Villa's were great, and such a perfect location. There is so so so sooo many market area's in Bangkok, every street there are merchants and setups. There is also much poverty, at times it makes you quite sad. Many people bring there handicapped children to the sidewalks and just leave them there with a cup for money infront. Some are parapalygects and sit there all day for people to stare at...I feel so horrible when I see that. How sad. Also, many times you walk by alleys or small shacked up areas thinking they are simply a food stall when really they are peoples houses and residences. The very small amount of money they make is only enough to survive, and it is hard seeing that when in North America we have too much instead of too little.
Thailand as we had heard before we came is very ' cheap ' as in terms of buying clothing and goods. This is true but it is more inexpensive yes, but not as inexpensive as we were thinking. The Thai people have become very used to foreigners coming and buying there merchandise and when many of us foreigners think we are getting a good deal, the price is much more than what it cost. So, I think over the last decade Thailand has become a bit higher priced, but nothing drastic. A Quicksilver board shorts and muscle shirt cost 15 dollars, and they are legit merchandise. They are just as nice as the80 dollar ones in WEM. A billabong swimsuit is 15 dollars too, and in the same quality as well. So no one can complain, and when you see much of the state of living here, it is ok even if they are making more than it cost....profits are needed. After Bangkok we took an overnight train to Krabi is South Thailand, it was wonderful! me and travis had a better nights sleep than we had the night prior in the hotel, so we can't wait to do it again in a few days! Once off the train there was the last 3 hour bus ride to Krabi which was a good price and nicely air conditioned. We were going to stay in Krabi but we decided to press on to Phi Phi Island so we did! It was a hour and a half ferry boat. Phi Phi was great, the first night we stayed at Phi Phi Relax Beach Resort, which we do not recommend. It was just as many of the negative reviews on Trip Advisor said....a no go. I wish I had known before I booked it. Anyway, the second night we stayed in the cheap room in the local hotel...which was even better than the other resort, so we were happy! I believe it was one fourth the price of the resort. That day we went on a day snorkelling trip which was fantastic! Although...lets just say we are two crispy canadians! We both burned our white skin off, and are red salamanders! lol. we went to 5 different spots snorkelling, it was ok, but nothing like we expected...we go again tomorrow to another island which is supposed to be the best in Thailand...so yay! I was stung by baby jelly fishes ALL day, they only are as big as a bead or smaller but when you don't have much skin hair...they get ya, and I got it ALL day....it was annoying! So, that was a great day! Later that night we found out it was the Thai New Year and Songkhran celebrations which were a fire show, fireworks, music and of course...a country wide water fight, so we decided it would be the perfect night to celebrate our 4 year wedding anniversary. Travis opened up the wine and we sat on the beach and watched the fire performers....it was amazing! The next day we just hung about with our bright red backs and shoulders and waited for the ferry at 130pm. We stayed in the shade and soon arrived in Phuket. (Poo-ket, by the way!) Luckily we were able to catch the bus heading for Kho Lak, and this is where we are now! We love this place, it is way laid back! We rented two scooters today for 6 USD a day...it was great! We went to see 2 waterfalls in the area and just zoomed...it has been the highlight of the trip. I have also found a great spec shop, they have a great pair of D&G sunglasses, for much less than home...so, i might get em. As of right now, it is 10:30pm and we are on our 2nd night of three, at NangThong Resort in Kho Lak...which we love! The beach, restraunt, and staff are amazing and we wish we could stay! Tomorrow we check out the similan islands with snorkelling and ...we can't wait! We are not so crispy now, so we are hoping to be ok in the water tomorrow! Oh, and I haven't been at a place where there is wifi to transfer pictures so...you'll have to wait! Sorry! I will do when I can! Much love yall! Sam

Off to Phi Phi Island!

Ok, Germany was great....you'd never think you'd see a model everytime you look up, but it is quite true, germany is full of beautiful people, and much taller people than me and trav. ... lol. We loved Frankfurt, it was better than what we expected. Jason; you were wrong, it wasn't dirty and the people were nice as well, lol. The shopping as I wrote earlier was great and it was hard for me to not buy, so I just had to get one new pair of boots..love em! We are now in thailand it is our fourth day and we have six left...bangkok was nice, better than we expected too. Travis was quite nervous getting there, but he relaxed after being there a few hours. The markets are unbelievable, I wish Lindsay was here so she could show me more, lol. A shopping partner would of been great, because we all now how truthful guys can be when you ask them if the pants make your butt look fat...lol. We just arrived in Krabi and are eating so we can go to the ferry, our food is here so I will update more later...hopefully pictures too! Adious

Frankfurt, Germany

HERE IS OUR LATEST BLOG (Travel Diary) :
The stay in Calgary was a lil extended, I actually booked the flight from edmonton to calgary a day early by accident, but we stayed at Travis' cousins and caught up with him which was worth it. The flight was just over 9 hours long, which was definitely long enough. :) We arrived yesterday morning early and the airport and city-train station was soo busy...it actually is always busy here...no matter what time of day. I am very happy because the hotel that I booked us into is right outside the main city train station, and it gives us free train passes for the city, so that is great! It is very odd to here a different language everywhere, but I am quite surprised at the amount of English everywhere, many of the menus and all the signs are in English too, so it has been much less stressful than I thought it would be.
I've had quite a rough time here with the hotel manager, her manner from the time we checked in has been anything but nice, and after I phoned the Front Desk to inquire about our room. (Being the wrong type: two single beds instead of one Queen bed) She told me I was wrong and that in Germany...Twin means a different thing, anyway, I said to her that I had my booking confirmation right in-front of me and it said ONE QUEEN BED, so I definitely caught her in a lie...that was the first thing! Then! O then, she said the hotel was booked solid and I would have to wait a night before I could switch, that seemed ok, but I asked if I would be reimbursed the difference....and then, she started yelling at me over the phone, Travis even heard her! That sent my blood boiling! She said ( a lie once again! because the hotel was NOT full! ) "Come down to the desk with your key and we will switch them ok? Just come down! " ***Click***
I really didn't expect or appreciate it all, I was so angry I couldn't even talk to her because I knew I would blow up! ....Another kind gentleman helped so that was nice, I was going to, and think I still will write a letter to the manager, but I have just found out that the manager is her! So...anyway, I'm glad that was yesterday and not today. :)
After checking out the city for a few hours we came back and wanted to take a nap, and well the nap turned into a longggg sleep! We ended up sleeping from 1:30pm to 9pm...haha, so later....we went for a walk!
Yikes! They sure do have a lot of XXX shops here, and pubs! I've never seen such things put out for all to see, they are definitely not afraid of revealing themselves, even in public! The city is beautiful at night as well, there are many lights and the spectacular skyscrapers are amazingly architectural and light up beautifully! After being up for a few hours we slept till 530am this-morning, which was great! Trav used the hotel gym and I unpacked a bit, and have found that I definitely brought a bit too much clothing! O!!! And talking about clothing! Frankfurt has the most huge, and great Shopping Centers! It is an area named Zeil and the malls are over 5 stories tall, and are quite intimidating actually! Every store I've known seems to be there...and the prices are quite normal too! I think a lot of Deanna when I am there!
Also, the cars here make your jaw-drop! Most of the time there are rows and lines of Mercedes, BMW's, Volvo's and Infinities down the streets. Most are black with chrome and tinted windows. Chris Vw, we think you would love it simply for that! One of the nicest we have seen is a black Maserati, it was very nice, but I've no idea what make that is anyway.
Travis has also been entranced with Germany's many bakeries! I though I had a sweet tooth! For breakfast he had a donut, chocolate croissant, and rhubarb pastry! LoL! He will have his hands full with pastries and will see another bakery and go and get something new....I can't believe it! And here I thought I was the sweet tooth champ! We have found what we call a 'German Tim Hortons' it is called Camps and sells a few donuts, bagels, coffee's and fulll loaves of bread and pastries.! Yum, and its prices are quite nice too!
This morning we wandered down to the Zeil and visited the Saturday Market, and wow, did I ever think of my Dad there! Instead of markets with trinkets and clothes, this market was mostly Breads, Sausages, Meats, Lagers/Wines, and Flowers! And it was huge! Travis thought it was paradise! lol. He wants to go all the way back there for dinner after tasting a stalls cooked potatoes and pork, lol. We tried the AppelWein, which I believe to be Apple Wine, it was ok, quite light and smooth. Nice!
Now, we are back at the hotel, and can finally use the internet because we had to go find an adapter so we could plug in the computer.... Travis is napping, and hopefully we will not nap for too long again! So...the pillow is calling so I will type more for ya'z later!
From: Sam

Ok, still at home...so nothing all that exciting, but we are still on an adventure!
GOODNESS!!!
Why do things always have to look easy and then right when you pass go....BAM! The hard part is the first thing that hits you right between the eyes! One thing to remember, is when you are applying for a visa to go to Japan, it isn't as easy as getting a visa for New Zealand...so be warned! You cannot simply courier your application into Vancouver or Calgary, you actually HAVE to go for an interview in person before you even hand the application in...so..happy! Happy!
I am complaining because...it became worse! The application has ten things that are absolutely necessary to add, such as a letter of good health from a physician...on his very own letterhead, the actual copy of your Alberta Health Care, which both Travis and I both misplaced! Resumes, proof of funds....signed and stamped by the manager of your bank! So....even though it has been mostly frustrating..I know God is teaching me some good lessons!
I've been really paying attention to how I react, think, act etc...when no one else is around lately. It may seem silly, but as the poster in the doctor's office said: 'How do you live when no one else is watching?' ... I had to ponder that thought for awhile because, if I am living not for myself but for Christ.....it's not just about how I treat others, and what I say and do around them, it is also what goes on when only God is in the audience....and not just there once and awhile, but ALL the time. It really is quite fascinating and really quite scary....because every moment God watches in disgust as I am not glorifying him with every thought, action, word or deed. A God who is worthy of worship in every moment, breath, and beat of our hearts must be pretty amazing I'd say!
Talking about God, if your at all interested in learning more about what the Bible says...or teaches, I highly recommend: The Bible Experience. I listened to about three books of the Bible today in just an hour or two, and because I have a hard time sitting down and reading anything, listening to God's Word really does it for me! And! "... man does not live by bread only, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD"
SO! Listening to Gods Word is a great way to spend our time!

Adious 4 Now!

And...Birrrr!

Haha...So I can officially say that I am home in Canada....finally. We have been here for a week and you can now know. We decided it would be fun, and really...much like us to suprise the folk here back home in Edson. And! It worked! It was quite fun actually, and I'd do it again...lol. We have been back in Canada for a week already and I think that I have adjusted to the winter weather, and honestly it is quite mild, so far! I enjoy seeing the famililiar faces, and even the unfamiliar ones. There were a few babies born while we were in NZ so it is nice to finally see the little cuties!
New Zealand actually feels very similar to a dream because now we are back in such familiar territory. But I am so glad it wasn't a dream, and can't wait to start on our next journey!
Upon touch down in rainy Vancouver Travis and I spent that afternoon and night at Matt's, it was great. We went on a walk over to the Vancouver Aquarium Center ( or Centre to the NZ'ers.) IT WAS AMAZING! I highly recommend it for anyone with a few hours to spare! Beluga whales are actually in captivity! ( News to me!) Ha, and there are extremely poisonous snakes, frogs and jellyfishes! How exciting! I'd go again!
The next morning we went over yonder to Abbotsford to spend two days with Trav's bro Cody and his partner Lindsay. It was great, we did the whole family bonding part, and it is nice to finally get to know Cody better. Lindsay's son Jaxon is definitly a tough lil guy! Good Times!
On the fourth day we flew to Edmonton, and it was sooo breezy! Abbotsford airport is def easy as! It was nice to just breeze through security and everything! In Edmonton, me bro Darcy picked us up with our lil neice Amillia! Ha! It was sure great seeing family again, a year is too long for those you are closest too! After suprising Elizabeth and Fam we picked up John and headed to good ole Edson! We were def happy to have nice weather.....much better since we are coming from +30 in New Zealand!
Edson is Edson for sure! Haha ..no place like home! Every second you see about 10 heavy duty trucks going by.....that is a whole lot compared to the 10-15 total we seen in New Zealand. The Tim Hortons.....lol! Much wanted, and much loved! The double double....we'll just say..Yum! (Sorry Sam & Sally...sending some soon!) :P
On our first meal out..we were amazed at the most wickedly, wonderful, fantastic-O prices! There is no more of the 60-100 dollar dinners for 2 anymore! We were under 50 for a nice big dinner for 3! I love Canada!
Yesterday we went to the much anticipated West Edmonton Mall, OH! How I missed it! Although, I'd have to say this last year has def made me notice a lot of different things than before,....I really have never noticed how easy it is for ppl to just spend and spend, and just think about 'I', so even tho West Edmonton Mall was great...I couldn't help but notice and feel how everyone was so interested in making money, or just making themselves look better....so..it was good, but a lesson learned.
It was also great spending a good while in Mountain Equipment Co. Both Travis and I sure missed a good outdoor equipment store that doesn't put a huge-mongous dent in your wallet....I already wanna go back!
Anyway, we are very glad to be home with friends and family, and are excited to see what God has planned for us this upcoming season! We are scheduled to head out of Calgary on April 1st, to Germany for five days, then off to Thailand. We will either spend the summer season in Thailand or if the job for Trav comes through, we will be off to Japan after a few weeks touring Thailand. On Sept 25th we are heading back to New Zealand for another visit, so that is super duper exciting! So, lots to look forward too!
Anyway this is my lil update for this last while! Adious!