Nikko, Jan/05 (Thor, Woody, Tetsuya-san and...)

Looking a little silly but feeling very warm....Nikko, Jan/05

Thor and Woody in Nikko

Frozen waterfall in Nikko

Snow hiking in Niigata Prefecture (about 4 hours drive from Yokosuka).

Niigata Prefecture is just a few hours away from Yokosuka, and ice maiden that I am, I jumped at the chance go slogging through the snow with Thor and our friend Tetsuya-san. We hiked around a town called Nikko, known for it's beautiful temples, hotsprings and abundant monkey population. However, we didn't see a single monkey on that particular day. Will make a return trip this summer to experience it the way most sane people do -- when it's warm!