A biz trip turned into a family trip turned into Xmas and New Years in Japan. After some chaotic travel (my connected flight via Frankfurt was cancelled, rescheduled, delayed), I did make my flight to Tokyo.

Of course food is always a core part of the experience, and shortly after arriving we were off to a “catch your dinner” restaurant with our friends Mark and Debbie. Kai nailed the first catch (a red snapper, which we had sashimi and grilled), while Teo caught some eel, shrimp and other fish. The rest of us enjoyed the catch, and enjoyed some tasty Japanese beers.

The next day, the boys and I went to visit my college classmate Wes Heiser (whom is now back to Japan after many trips around the world and a long stint in Singapore) who had moved outside to Tokyo to Fujino (halfway to Mt. Fuji). It was a different kind of living from Tokyo (where six of us were sharing a < 30sqm studio) — wood burning fires (powered by wood — see Kai with the axe), gardens and mushroom farms, plus some friendly cats. We managed to attend two mochi festivals on the 2 days, plus a relaxing onsen (hot spring bath) by the river. All-in-all, was great to catch up with Wes and the family, have some alternative to city life for a bit, plus a chance for papa to catch up with the boys he hasn’t seen for a few weeks.

Over the next days we celebrated Xmas, had a reunion with Japanese friends from New York City 25 years ago, went to play giant Pokemon video games (2x), went on a few bakery runs (I really loved Transparente in NakaMeguro), and had all-you-can-eat dim sum with Mark and Debbie. Oh, and did I mention an epic date night/birthday dinner at the Conrad hotel from Chika. 

It also seems to be a recurring pattern to run into friends from around the world in Japan. We had a great time catching up with Remy and Mariko and kids. Perhaps a bit too much fun after Remy and I went out too late to shabu shabu, jazz clubs and bars where someone missed their train, came back with me to the flat at 3am, accidentally switched on the light, and you kind of get the picture (but we did discover a late night food markethall which is now once of my favorite places in Tokyo). 

I could be happy with my family anywhere in the world for the holidays, but this was an extra special treat.

Pokemon Masters

1st Catch

Our Super Fisherman

More catch!

Lumberjack Kai!

We found this caterpillar in the log. Apparently tasty when fried!

Making the Mochi

Making the Mochi 2

Harvesting the Yuzu

Xmas Dinner

Sushi Party

Match Ice Cream!

25 Year NYC Reunion!

Teo Papa Time!

Shabu Shabu!

Korean BBQ

Korean BBQ2

Crazy kids

Toyko Sky View

Date Night @ Conrad

DIM SUM AND THEN SUM

House Party

Pokemon 2

End of the boyz night

Train

Happy Papa

Sometimes the fates blow the wind in your sails, and this year it brought us back to the USA. It was all the usual subjects: Yardley, Philadelphia, Atlantic City (extra special thanks to Mike and Mel for offering their penthouse condo at 9600!), New York, and Bryn Mawr. And all the core team was present: Grandma, Pop Pop, Uncle Mike, Aunt Mel, Cousins Sydney and William. But we had some special appearances with Paula & Allan, Lenny and Rose, cousins Jeff, Oliver, Sharon, Michelle, Joel, Barry, Judy, Marsha (and even a PDS classmate I hadn’t seen in 30 years). And also got to visit Allan & Alaina in Phila plus Kevin, Joe, Cat, Dave and newcomer Oliver in NYC (and Anri & Yass via NJ Transit delivery service). From people menu perspective, we dined extravagantly. On the food menu we did that as well. There were steaks: White House Steaks, Sacco’s steaks, steak steaks, porterhouse steaks. There was dim sum (both New York and Northeast Phila). There was seafood: lobsters, scallops, shrimp, and salmon. Of course there was sushi — both of the every day variety and the Michelin star variety (thanks KC!). There were cakes: full doses of Casel’s sticky buns, Sydney and Grandmom’s homemade delights, and an epic Japanese crepe/creme/fruit cake from Anri & Yass. There was ice and ice cream (although the portions were so insane — the kids size was basically 3 scoops in Germany). And there were a few drinks. Gin featured quite prominently on the trip. As did sake (especially at the Double Knot). All rounded out with a Kettle One gibson at Tomatoes towards the end. There was beach (aka ocean) and pool basically every day. Even when it rained. Between Teo going floatee free and Kai wanting to jump in the surf, I barely sat 10 minutes on the beach.

Beyond family, friends, food, and beach and pool there wasn’t much more. And there didn’t need to be. I am ready to go again.

On Da Way

Backyard Games

Bocce

Toast

Phila Matcha

Ice time

Da Crew

Gillians

Cousin Time @ Gillians

Cousin Time @ Gillians

Ridin’ 2

Ridin’

Da Beach Crew

Cousin Time

Cousin Time 2

Cousin Time 3

Stylin’

Mo’ Sylin’

Beach Moon

Beach Moon 2

WHITE HOUSE!!!!!

Visit With Dr. Hung

Crusin’

Roofies

NYC Roof Views

ROOFIE SELFIE

NYC Baby Visit

Sack’o Subs

Diggin’

Chowin’ Down

First Date + 53

Mi Casa

Cuz @ Da Beach

Cuz @ Da Beach 2

At the point

Readin’

HOLE IN ONE!

Sunset

Rodin Museum

Chess Time

Slurp

Franklin Institute

Flying

Tooth Fairy Comin’

All in the pool

Steak!!!

Grace

The Old And Olders

Fishies

Lifeguard

Poolin’

More Poolin’

Like usual, when there is a big occasion the Wolfson clan begins planning in advance. It was mom and dad’s 50th wedding anniversary, which meant that it was an all-hands-on deck affair, which means planning around school holidays, doctor’s rotation schedules, and seasonal context (the warmer the better). Running through all the permutations, we decided that the Club Med Sandpiper Bay in Southern Florida in October was a good fit. Good mix of activities for kids and adults, functional transportation logistics (there was even direct flights from Berlin to Miami), and then of course there was the unlimited food and drinks which came along with it.

While planning was good — we had locked down everything in February — the universe wasn’t always cooperating. A Hurricane Irma was heading to Florida in late August, which could have wiped out the whole resort. Luckily things moved further west and we never really noticed much impact. Around the same time Air Berlin (our carrier to Miami) filed for insolvency. What made matters even worse is that given that the whole of Berlin was off on school break that week, the remaining flights were scarce and extremely expensive. To hedge our bets, I cashed in the bulk of my United Miles but still could only get flights from Munich. While it was definitely an unpleasant episode to lose our flights, at least we were able to add on a few extra days of holiday in Miami and have a chance to visit Uncle Lenny and Aunt Rose.

When the trip finally came, it seemed that all the bad luck had passed. We had a fantastic time with relatively smooth travels, pleasant weather, lot of eating (maybe too much), and quality time to spend together.

While it has only been a couple of months, I feel I am ready for round 2!

This year I was able to enjoy Wiesn (or Oktoberfest at the rest of the world calls it) with friends, family, and co-workers. It’s a great adventure, especially when not taken overly seriously.