Mom's Visit (Part III)

Cheese

Although pictures of our dog Cheese don't have anything directly to do with Mom's visit, here are some pictures we took of the dog while Mom was here.

• Cheese

• Cheese on Mariko's lap

• Cheese with Mia (1)

• Cheese with Mia (2)

• Cheese with Mia (3)

• Cheese with Leon (1)

• Cheese with Leon (2)

Tsujunkyo

Our main destination on this day was a place called Takachiho in nearby Miyazaki Prefecture. Our first stop along the way was Tsujunkyo. For an explanation about this place click here.

• In front of the bridge

• In front of floats used in a annual festival (2)

Seiwa Bunraku (puppet theatre)

Seiwa was the next stop on the way. This is the home of a traditional form a puppet theatre called bunraku. The puppets are held by two or three persons in black clothing. You soon forget about the people doing the manipulating as the delicate, life-like movements of the puppets attract your attention.

• Mom being told how to hold a puppet

• Holding the puppet

• Holding the puppet (close up)

• In front of male puppet

• Getting some more explanation

• Lunch

  We had lunch at the restaurant within the theatre complex.

• Lunch (close up)

Takachiho

After lunch we went to Takachiho. For an explanation about this place click here.

• Mom, Leon, Kirk and Mia at Takachiho

• Mom at Takachiho

  Notice the boats on the water. A bit further down on this page I introduce some pictures we took there.

• Kirk and Mom at Takachiho

  Actually, I must tell you that this photo has been altered. In the original my eyes were only half open (click here to see the original) so I was tempted to try to fix it up. Then I thought "I wish I had more hair" (it was hot and I had been sweating -- making for a particularly bad hair day) so I stole some hair from a guy named Dave whose picture I saw on the Internet (click here to see me in Dave's hair). Unfortunately, Dave's hair looked OK on Dave but doesn't look too good on me. Then I thought "Hey! I've good tons of other stuff from Mom. How about Mom's hair, too!" Well, I think that worked better (click here to see me in Mom's hair). Then I thought "This is really unfair of me to use all of this technical wizardry on myself and not share it with Mom" so I erased a few of Mom's wrinkles (click here). Obviously, Mom doesn't need as much help as I do. She looked about as good without any technical help. Then I thought "Some people tell me I've got my mother's mouth. I wonder how I would look if I really did have her mouth" (click here). I think it's an improvement but Mom's mouth looks the best on Mom.

• Carp

  This is a picture of dozens of carp swarming in the shallows of a pond to get some food. It was amazing how aggressive they were.

• Entering the canyon

  We tied two boats together so Mom and Mariko could take it easy in their boat.

• Mia, Kirk, and Leon

• Mom (taken by Mariko -- 1)

• Mom (taken by Mariko -- 2)

• Waterfall

  Leon took this picture of one of the little waterfalls.

• Mom and Mariko in boats

• Mom and Mariko take in the scenery

• Mom and Mariko in front of the main waterfall

I hope you all enjoyed this little tour!

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