Made it to PV!

Worked too hard in September and my back got out of place. The chiropractor made it 120% worse, I couldn’t even stand up on my feet for a couple of days. Almost cancelled this trip. Because I purchased a travel protection plan, I thought the hotels were covered. Finding out the protection was only for flights, my non refundable reservation was over $500 . It was good so that I decided to come here with this back pain. Luckily my back was improving everyday and on the departure date, both of my feet are almost leveled and able to walk slowly. It was supposed to be little over three hour direct flight, but the airline found a dent on the plane and we had to change the plane. It delayed us almost two hours. I was hoping to catch the sunset from this expensive hotel we get to stay only for two nights. Not many people at the immigration, we made it and my back lasted from all the sitting (I even lay down on the floor and a mean old lady with too much cough gave me a cold glance not knowing I had a back pain ). Anyways, here we are!

I heard people in PV are very nice and it’s true. We got delicious welcome drinks.

The master suite is way larger than I thought . Ken loves luxury so he loves it . The reason why I like luxury hotels is because Ken gets to play those places and stay for free. I used to be a bag packer .

The poolside restaurant was all for us . The bell keeper told us that they were slow today. Most  likely we can get to use facilities all by ourselves! That’s why I prefer working on weekends and take weekdays off 

This pool only open til 5pm. We’ve got to swim there!

I saw the fireworks briefly. Good to come here late. I forgive airplane delay . I thought this tasty drink was weak, but I got borracho  Food wasn’t rated good here, but we loved them. It’s easy to please us because we don’t have good restaurants in our area. 

This was good! I forgot how it was called, but it starts with M. I have been wanting to try cactus 🌵 and it’s there!

Southern Cal

Yay! Mini getaway! I need to recharge myself in order to keep working. Hermosa beach was nicer than I thought. There are a lot of restaurants and clothing stores 

Our previlage to get the best seat by having Mondays off 

These didn’t taste good  Deep fried eggs. 

Finished the choirs of turning my guitar to the repair the day before yesterday and selling my old brand bag, which I was sold right after I put it on consignment yesterday, today we headed to San Diego. Forgot that #5 becomes a toll road without much warning  We pay tax but still we get charged to use those roads. 

We briefly visited La Jolla Cove where sea lions were resting. 

I had been there when I was choosing my universities and checking UC San Diego about 20 years ago  La Jolla became nicer I think. Nicer shops on the streets. I did some shopping for clothes.

After checking in the hotel, it was already time for the concert! It took less than 10 minutes to the amphitheater and the parking was free 

It was great to be able to find a concert on Tuesday night. Normally all interesting concerts are only on weekends which we usually work. It was just a great timing for this getaway 

I wanted to see Jason Bonham. I bought his first record when I was a teenager. He was amazing! He played with a Japanese guitar player whom I sort of know and I finally got to see his performance. The singer was great also. They just sounded like the records! Some songs gave me goosebumps. 

Then my fav Whitesnake! The camera job on the two big screens on the sides of the stage was aweful and crack up  They just left the camera on the new guitar player and only he was on the screens most of the times. He is such a great performer and poser. Camera liked him 

I think he used to be in Night Ranger last time we saw him.

Yay! Reb was on our side of the stage My fav ballads were awesome! Love his tone. I mimic his delay. 

Then Foreigner! I always make mistake with this band with Boston  Great stage! Finally the camera man started working 

The singer was amazing, but not original guy. He went inside of the crowds 

So I researched during the show. This guitar player is the original guy. 

 The singer suddenly showed up on the pole! Later I found out that he was born just 10 days before Ken was born. What a great shape and energy! Ken needs exercise 

Nice American flag! 

We left before the encore was finished. We needed to go the the restroom and couldn’t take any more wanking solos 

Happy 4th of July

I decided to come with Ken to his casino gig today. I have only two days off next couple of weeks so I debated if I should come or not until last minute. Glad that I came 

 We had to leave super early because the starting time was 11am  Around here is so smoky due to mountain fires. The casino is so cold that they are trying to clean the air inside. The stage is pretty nice though. Today he plays with my favorite drummer, Rich who plays with Whispers. It’s funny to set up facing this way. The curtain opens and gamblers can see them 

Many famous artists played here.

Showtime! 

He never plays this guitar. He really didn’t care about today’s gig 

Funny setting, but I like it 

From behind of the stage. 

Play time is too long! They had to play three sets. Then another three sets in the evening  I came to the dressing room during the set.

Very nice! Those famous artists including James Brown, Jay Leno, and Ringo Starr all used this room ?!?

Before the third set started, I put $5 in the slot machine. I didn’t know how it worked. It looked like I won something, but I couldn’t cash out. I just won free games. Then I won again in the free games. I kept pushing cash out and it finally cashed out. Wow I won $54.13 in the short period of time  How easy to make money compared to Ken plays 6-7 hours today 

Behind. They will setup facing this way later for the evening sets. 

This is a funny pic! He is 1 cent 

After the daytime sets, we had buffet. Ken got really tired and I have to save my energy for driving home which will take two plus hours. I decided to stay in the car. I am writing this while he is playing the evening sets. What a hard job!!! I have played three sets max a day. He is playing six sets 

This is how outsides looks. Pretty smoky. 

MYHBD

I was born in Japan and it is 16 hours ahead. I started receiving birthday wishes from Far East yesterday  Now only 15 minutes left til tomorrow. I used to think BD is one of regular days, but I felt I wished today was longer. I had to cover my coworker, so I worked earlier. Ken already took me to BD trip, so I didn’t want him to spend money today. I wanted freebies! I had never gotten free BD meal before. Nowadays no more free meals. Either you have to bring four paying adults or join an email subscription to receive a free meal. I just wanted to go out for dinner. Ken suggested Hello Kitty Cafe. He thinks I look like her  So we went to the mall and parked in the parking lot. We waited for the elevator, but it took for a long time. I had an urge to take staircases somehow. When I was passing by a person who came in front of me at the stairs, I thought I recognized his hair style. I didn’t want to look his face closely. Then Ken and he greeted

each other. Wow what a timing! My respectful rock singer/guitarist  Already made my day  The shopping mall was really crowded. I wonder he was selling his wine. 

Then we went to Hello Kitty Cafe. It is only for drinks and because of Sunday, there was a line. 

My feet look funny in this pic  Pink pair look with Kitty Chan 

I just don’t like too many people. I was already happy just taking a look how the cafe was. I wanted to get away from this crowd. Working at a retail store and usually work weekends, I am not used to go out on weekends. There were a lot of BD freebie dessert places, but Ken already bought me a cake, we wanted free meal. Last minute, I gave up looking further and decided to go to Denny’s  I didn’t want to spend my BD at Denny’s, but the restaurant was empty! Love it!!! 

We got the best seats looking at the sunset, which was round and red. We used to live around there. 

Got home and cake time Ken played and sang jazzy HBD song for me. Thank you for buying it from my favorite bakery he remembered. 

Later sitting on the couch, Ken told me that earlier today when I was still working, he felt somebody tapped his shoulder. Nobody except him was at our house at that time. Somehow I remember tapping his shoulder asking for a cake, but I wasn’t there. He thinks it was either me or his mom. I sometimes feel Ken is home hearing his noise even he isn’t at home. Maybe parallel universe. We might have been home when we were away from home  Already passed midnight. Another 364 days until the next BD. Night night 

My favorite places

We are not gamblers. We were just happy to stay in a luxurious room with cheap great meals. Not being taxed in Indian casinos makes a big difference.

After the breakfast, we went to my favorite river. Ken is not at all outdoor person, but he had to come with me because this was my BD trip

This place takes a good selfie. I took it last year, too. 

We got the best shady spot! It has fast currents, and water was cold and clear. 

We lie down on the rock and spent a few hours listening to the sound of the river. 

I left Ken at the rock and explored. I can still see him, further and further 

Then we stopped by an antique store. I wonder who would buy coke bottles  They even sell a rock for a dollar. You can get it from the river 

Then we stopped by my favorite flower shop ❤️

This is the one I want! $1200. It won’t fit in my car 

Then Ken was bitten by the fellow bear 

This is so cute! It’s my dream to have one in my backyard.

Well it won’t fit in my car  Instead, I bought a wooden divider. I thought it was display only, but they sold it for $60 for me. I expected over $100. Countryside is cheap 

The divider was taking a lot of space in the car and Ken started to be grumpy.

The next stop was my favorite town Murphy. My favorite boutique was closed, but we found a nice place to stay in the future?! Private property. It would be so nice to stay by the river. 

Since this is our second visit, I didn’t take many pictures. Though the town was very pretty. 

Dinner was at Hotel Murphy. We liked this place when we came last time. This time we ate inside the building ( supposed to be haunted ).

I am not a drinker, but I can drink only this wine.

I didn’t know it was so strong! I got drunk so much 

Middle of nowhere. My windshield is dirty 

My BD trip

After playing two gigs back to back, I was looking forward to our mini trip to Indian casino. On the day we were leaving for the trip, I was awaken by birds that has a nest on the roof of our house. I had been annoyed to be waken up 5 in the morning everyday by their chirping. I hit the wall hard to make them quiet. Then my shoulder got dislocated again  I tried the way we learned at Finland and put back my shoulder about half an hour later. Still pretty painful 

Here in casino now  We came here before once after the cavern trip, but the room was full. This time we reserved a junior suite which has a jacuzzi in the room. The room is huge 

Air conditioning was working hard! Cool room.

A huge balcony! All ours! 

They prepared my BD card with cookies 🍪 ❤️

Good buffet for $15.95  Ken even got a senior discount  I think it was his first time lol. 

Just took a nice bath! 

Came back to Rome

We are going home tomorrow. Breakfast at the hotel in Milano. We are so tired of cheese lol.

The view from our room. It was so close to Milan Centrale that we heared the train noise from the underground. 

Going back to Rome. 

Passing Firenze.

Sunny

Came back to the same hotel. This time we got a much bigger room on the highest floor on the corner with a big private balcony  I was ready to post a bad review, but this changed my mind. The air conditioning is working. The bathroom is bigger. Still old room, but good for the price. 

There was a thunder followed by the rain. I didn’t mind the rain in Rome because it clears the air and I could get a break from allergies. We had a good luck on weather all through today so I am happy. 

Finally we got to use our rain coats I was carrying in my backpack all the time 

And we had a great dinner in front of Roma Termini. Finally away from pizza  All the dishes we ordered were delicious! It was nice eating outside in the covered place in the rain. 

Then the rain started pouring. I regreted that I didn’t bring my umbrella. I have been carrying it! We were stuck at the souvenir store. Then Ken needed to go to the bathroom. It happened to be the bar next door. Ken’s wish of drinking came true 

The tiramisu wasn’t good  I had to leave it a lot, but a plate on the left was free. 

Now we are going back to the room where their Wifi doesn’t reach  

Duomo

Only a few more days left for this trip. Today we went to Duomo. It was on my bucket list. Very impressive. It looked whiter than I remembered on the pictures, which looked brown. Some parts are whiter than others. They must be newer or cleaned. 

We bought the tickets at the other building.

And joined in the line. 

Looks busy 

Enterance 

Underground 

Then we got in the line for the elevator for the roof top. 

Roof top

Ugh somebody was behind of me 

Nobody jumps out in the past? 

Always construction 

Next building

I realized the marble color looks different every shutter time. 

Reptiles 

Photo angle is funny. This is a lady 

Got enough sculptures? 

Then we went to the church next door, but it was already closed. So was museum. 

Old famous shopping mall

Ken was grumpy all day so he needed drinks 

Supposed to turn three times on your heel on the bull’s stomach for good luck. Knowing it, I did it totally wrong and regretted that I did it. Anyway the luck is for having children and it doesn’t have to do with us. 

Gelato shops everywhere 

On Metro, Ken’s musician friends were on the poster 

Back to hotel. We are exhausted from all the walking on this trip. Our feet need to rest. Night night! 

Villa Balbianello

When we took Trenord from Milan to Tirano, we were passing a huge lake. I was wondering what it was. Later I researched and found out it was Lake Como. It rings a bell. I remembered in Star Wars Princess Leia’s mother?!? fell in love at this lake. It was filmed at Villa Balbianello. I am not a big fan of movies, but the scenes sticked to my mind because they were so beautiful and didn’t look real. I was so surprised this place was right there  When we saw the cactus garden on the top of Eze village in South France in 2011, I thought that was the most beautiful scenery I had ever seen. Now I realized there are so many beautiful places on our earth. I just didn’t know. 

So we had to squeeze this visit into our itinerary last minute. I lost one night sleep researching how to get there and arranging the boat to fit our train schedule.

Looking for the port of Taxi Boat in a short period of time was hard, sweating and going through crowds and stairs with our suitcases. Luckily the guys at port kept our luggage for us. 

Because Ken started drinking alcohol in the train and finished the wine we bought at Maienfeld, he was grumpy and hated to be rushed. 

Let’s go! 

Passing interesting buildings. Was this used for Star Wars, too?! 

It was hard to take pictures on the boat. Images are crooked. 

The guide was funny joking how expensive to stay or live there. 

I could charge my phone on the boat a little bit, but still not enough. I used mostly Ken’s phone for pictures.

Villa Balbianello!

This is the other side (Spanish garden).

Then the boat dropped us there and we had two hours before the picked up time. 

We were stuck on a tour listening to stories growing tired some  So we left as soon as we were free to go from the room  I was just happy watching the garden. 

Similar image to Star Wars scene I remember.

The best photo of us taken here! No selfi! 

Lovely 

Ken was tired. 

Heading back

Bellagio! That’s real one. Not one in Las Vegas (the guide was joking)

Varenna where we came from.

Going back to Milano. The station was crowded, but I stole a chair from a cute Italian girl on the train 

Arrived at Milano station! We bring California sun. Everywhere we go, it gets fine even the forecast says high chance of rain 

Checked in the hotel right in front of the station. Slept very well after all the activities we did. 

See you again soon Switzerland

We had to leave super early to catch Bernina Express back to Italy. This time we didn’t have enough time to visit major attractions in Switzerland, but we will be back for sure! 

I am bummed that being in hurry, I missed taking a great picture of these mountains before we left Heidihof. They looked the best of three days we stayed. This was taken from the station, which is much from the lower part. 

The train came right on schedule! Only one car 

Ugh reflection in the window  so many great pictures were missed because of the glares. 

Lago Blanca (white lake)

The reflection of the mountain in the lake was so beautiful reminding me of Heidi’s episode when Heidi and Peter accidentally found the lake by chasing Abarenbo following Otsunonodanna. I wish there were no glares on the window. 

Sunday’s train driver was nicer. He slowed down the must see spots and stopped 20 minutes at Alp Grum. 

I had to take selfies. Ken chose to stay in the train to watch our luggage. 

Still enough time, but he wanted to stay inside. 

Came back to Tirano. I grabbed sandwiches and Ken grabbed beer. We took another train to the next destination. The train, Trenord, was so old and dirty. No air conditioning. The windows were open and dandelions’ seeds came in and floated in the air. A lady sat close to us was sneezing like 100 times  My allergies were coming back, too. Dandelions looked awesome in the field with the ice mountains back ground, but I guess Italians don’t even care having weeds on their yards