Tokyo Olympics 2016?

Before predicting the future Olympic games


the Japanese should study a bit more history and geography.


Nothing to say about the recent history,


but...


Disneyland is in Anaheim, not in Los Angeles - why did they not choose Yokohama Landmark Tower as the symbol of 2016 games?


I do not thing there were any snowmen in Montreal in the middle of the summer. And Brandenburger Gate was still in Berlin, not in Munich.


I do not know about kangaroos in Melbourne...


but there definately are no wolves in Helsinki!


And there was no Disneyland even near Los Angeles in 1932, it was built starting 1954.


And I bet no moose walked the streets of Stockholm in 1912. But in 1908 some buses in London were still horse-drawn and the double decker looked quite different!


And actually 1906 summer games were also held (though they are not recognized).

I have to say I was upset about the wolves in Helsinki, but never thought I would find so many mistakes on the timeline. Graphical design must have been the main aim.

Sayonara Old Faithful

She took us to places like Odawara, Disneyland, Finland Village, again, again, again, again and again, and Hakone.

She never let us down - in town, on the highway, and not even in the toughest conditions!


She had plenty of room to transport furniture or bicycles.

She had two extra seats to fit our friends to take them places like Disneyland with Grandma and Grandpa, Finland Village and Mt Fuji with Samuli's aunt and her family, Hakone with Grandma and Grandpa, fishing with Grandpa, Finland Village with Michael and Sonoko, or Hakone and Mt Fuji with Jonni and Mannu.


After 12 years and only 40 500 kilometers she is in very good shape to spend her retirement days most likely in Russia, Pakistan or some other exotic destination.


We will miss our Old Faithful Toyota Ipsum!

Crowds at Disneyland

Last Monday, October 27, we went to Disneyland - unfortunately we were not the only ones...


Our children had vacation from the school and we thought there would not be too many people on a normal weekday.


How wrong we were!


It was almost Halloween...


...and the line to haunted house was 2 hours 40 minutes!!!


For Winnie the Pooh's house 2 hours 30 minutes!!!


And for Buzz Lightyear 2 hours 10 minutes
(about 2 hours before the park closed...)


We did our best avoiding the crowds and it was an enjoyable day after all. The decorations and parades were wonderful!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Another year has passed.

In January and February we visited Finland Village to play in the snow and


to go skiing.


March brings spring light and occasinally the kids sit down and read in peace and quiet - honestly.


April is hanami season and the whole Tokyo blossoms in pink.


In May the school year is almost over.


Summer vacation starts in June and Linnamäki amusement park is a must!


In July we enjoyed sunny days in a rented apartment in Helsinki.


In August Samuli stays one or two weeks in Finland while working at the head office .


In September we are back in Tokyo - but Disneyland is not as much fun as Linnanmäki...


October ends with Halloween!


Eating outside is still possible in November.


December always goes by preparing for Christmas and New Year holidays.



Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our friends!