I've watched so many documentaries on the wildlife of Africa and hoped that I would someday see these animals in the wild. My friend Amy Smith invited me on a trip and in January of 1996, I spent three weeks in the southern African countries of Zimbabwe and Botswana.
I've been to the Canadian Rockies twice. The first time was in July of 1997, and the second was in December of 1999.
I've been to a few countries in western Europe including Holland, Switzerland, France, and England.
Alaska is an unbelievably beautiful place, and the immensity of the landscape is just staggering. I've always wanted to visit Alaska and was lucky enough to do so in fall of 1999.
My parents moved to Hawaii in May of 1996 (lucky me!), so I have been visiting at least once a year since then. They live on Oahu, about 15 miles east of Honolulu.
Cross Country from Boston to Seattle
My job temporarily took me to Seattle, so my friend Gene and I took two weeks to drive across the country stopping in some of the National Parks.
I took advantage of my first time living on the west coast, and visited a lot of places.
Cross Country from Seattle to Boston
After my 5 month field assignment ended in Seattle, I took two weeks to drive back to Boston with my mom. We took the southern route to try to avoid the cold weather since it was late January, and also to explore the American Southwest.
In October of 2000, I returned to my native Japan for the first time in 11 years. It was great to see relatives whom I hadn't seen in a long time and just to be a tourist.