We finally landed at Narita, grabbed our luggage, and made it through customs before catching the bus for the hour ride over to Haneda. From there we hopped a connecting flight to Itami. Once we arrived we checked into the Osaka Airterminal Hotel, which is actually built right into the terminal. Such a cool setup!
I took a quick shower to wash off the travel grime, then we wandered around checking out the restaurant options before landing on Seijuro for okonomiyaki and beer. Honestly the perfect first meal in Japan. So good to be back! 🍻
We were up way before the sun, out the door at 3:30 am for a 6 am flight to Chicago. From there we boarded our JAL flight and started making our way to Japan for an extended stay. ✈️
I treated myself to a cup of saké and settled in with a movie. Until We Meet Again</em> is a real tear-jerker, but really good. The flight is 12+ hours, but I’ve got an aisle seat, so I’m a happy camper. 😊🍶
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 2.2200000286119mm, f/2.2, 1/3000 sec, ISO50 “Passenger View” New Mexico, 2026
We left around 9 this morning and made a beeline for Dutch Bros in Las Cruces. We left around 9 this morning and made a beeline for Dutch Bros in Las Cruces. We stopped there last time too, and it’s perfect for a drive-thru pick-me-up. I ordered something called a Caramelizer, which is basically a coffee slushie, and it was really good. Koa thought so too. He probably drank half of it. 😄
Koa drove the morning shift and I took over after lunch. We went through baseball podcasts, music, and at some point Koa fell asleep and I switched to an audiobook. Then we caught the Dodger game the rest of the way home. It was a good trip. ⚾
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 9mm, f/2.8, 1/1600 sec, ISO25 “Approaching Las Cruces” New Mexico, 2026Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 9mm, f/2.8, 1/700 sec, ISO25 “Dust Devil” Texas, 2026
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/720 sec, ISO80 “On the Road” Arizona, 2026
Koa and I hit the road today. We’re doing the two-day drive back across California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. It’s a route we’ve done before, so we know what we’re in for. Tonight we’ll stop at Lordsburg, New Mexico and finish the second half tomorrow.
We’ve got plenty of podcasts lined up, and a baseball game to tune into later. Honestly, not a bad way to spend a day. 🚗⚾
Today was a good day. We started with espresso and cappuccino at a nearby cafe, grabbed a light breakfast, and then made our way to Piazza San Marco to meet up with our walking tour. Just stepping into the square kind of stopped me in my tracks.
Back in university I took a class on Venetian Art, so I had seen the photos and studied the architecture. But seeing the Doge’s Palace in person was a completely different thing. It was one of those moments where you realize no photo really does it justice. 😊
The guided tour took us through the palace and St. Mark’s Basilica. The artwork inside the palace was stunning. I could have spent hours just staring at the ceilings.
After the tour we grabbed a drink at one of the cafes right on the square. Yes, it was expensive. Yes, it was worth every euro. Hey, you pay for the view and the ambience! We walked to lunch at Antiche Carampane after that, which was really delicious. The seafood carpaccio was excellent. Definitely recommended.
A little stroll, a rest back at the hotel, and then out again for tiramisu. We then decided to hop on one of the classic gondolas, and went for a sunset cruise. It was awesome! Then small canals were so peaceful and quiet. And then we made our way onto the Grand Canal to finish the outing. Amazing!
One the way back to the hotel, we stopped at a restaurant for some seafood and pizza. Super-delicious. Venice, you did not disappoint today! 🇮🇹
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 2.2200000286119mm, f/2.2, 1/1400 sec, ISO50 “Water Bus Tickets” Venice, 2026
We made it to Venice! The flight landed around 9:30 am and customs was surprisingly smooth. I had no idea you could take a water bus straight from the airport, but for 18 euro a ticket it dropped us right off at Rialto on the Grand Canal. What a way to arrive. 🚢
After checking in we grabbed a drink and a snack at a nearby bar. It was mostly locals on their lunch break, and everyone was so warm and welcoming toward us. Later in the evening we did a sunset walking tour focused on the food and history of Venice, and it did not disappoint. We ate and drank so much, and learned a ton along the way. Our guide Lorenzo was fantastic. By the time we got back to the hotel we were happily exhausted. What a first day. 😊
We’re heading back to Italy! 🇮🇹 Two years ago it was Puglia with a gastronomy tour led by our friend, and this time we’re off to Northern Italy with much of the same group. But first, Mariko and I are spending a few days in Venice before everyone meets up. We’re flying straight in, so that works out perfectly.
It’s a long haul flight, so we’ve got movies, books, and vino to keep us company. Saluti! 🥂
