Mt Fuji: The Climb

I stopped in Japan on my way back to Canada with one main goal: CLIMB MT FUJI!!!

Here's how it all happened with two of my friends Steph and Stacie... 

Pictures always tell it better!

That's right --> It's Canada Day, July 1st!!

Where to go? Follow the old man...

On our way, sporting the Canada Flag. We even met two guys from Quebec... who of course didn't even know it was Canada Day. But of course they always remember their special Quebec Day... whenever that is!!

Enjoying our little rest in the mountain hut for 5 hours of sleep, 2 meals, heat and more than $80 later

Sunrise!!

We did it!!

The crater!

This Japanese couple carried up a little teddy bear to join their photos!

High above the clouds!!

Successssssssss!!! And sore! :)

The Pack-a-thon and Lack-of-sleep-a-thon

There they are! The bags for packing and the bags under my eyes. Yep! It appears to be done and it appears that it may all fit. Only tomorrow will tell! 

Portrait packing! Here's to hoping they survive the ship with my stellar cardboard packing.

 Plus a real beauty I found while using newspaper for pack! I have no idea why I don't read the newspaper more often! Thank you China Daily for helping me pack.

Following the Pack-a-thon and Lack-of-sleep-a-thon will be the REPORT-CARD_A_THON!!!!

woot woot!

Packing Entertainment

No! Of course I didn't forget I owned a set of finger puppets from China Ikea, a pirate patch from Canada, a beard and mustache from a street vendor in India and fine Anne of Green Gables hat complete with red braids. They were simply reunited with each other and me (of course) near the end of a 4 hour packing session. Paaaaaaaaaaaackinggggggggggg...... clearly more entertaining and less stressful when accompanied by costumes. Clearly.

You have to be super talented to press the button with a puppet on every finger...

Thankfully I got super talented super fast!

As you can see, super talented.

Special guest roommate Sara (she may have helped me press the button)

Sometimes we all need help.

So I shared one puppet. Sharing is caring. As you can see, Sara quite likes frogs. 

Dang it! My secret is out. Yes, it's not real...

Thank goodness right?

Schrute? gahhhhh The Office is over forever! 

... fake tear (only so I don't get my beard wet before packing of course)

Pirate appearance with special guest Parrot

Good thing there's a parrot in my set of finger puppets or this scene would be quite dreary 

Scary scene. please note there is a shark. that's scary

Little House on the Prairie pirate.

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Ok Ok I know you're DYING to see more amazing photos but it's all officially packed. Puppets make good packing cushioning. Hopefully they don't mind. 

Sleep? Maybe.