LONG WEEKEND ESCAPES

Nothing quite like a little escape down in WA's south.
Spent the days at the beach and the nights under the stars.

We are spoilt for beauty in this great land. If you haven't been or seen enough of it....then what the hell are you waiting for?

-Capri

JAPAN PHOTO DIARY

 (Photos by myself and Jason Scott Paterson)

-Capri

JAPAN Jan 2016 - Feb 2016

Japan was amazing.
4 weeks, 10 amazing people, 3 mountains, 18 days of boarding and infinite laughs and good times.

Started in Tokyo staying at the Prince Hotel in Shinagawa for 3 nights.
I would recommend this area highly.
Super easy to navigate around, and only a few stops on the Yamanote line to:
Shibuya - Great place to see the famous intersection you see in all the movies plus little treasures such as the Cat Cafe.
Harajuku - Not as Anime and Cos Play orientated as it once was, but has plenty of crazy little shops full of bizarre and cheap souvenirs and gifts and a great atmosphere
Shinjuku: Great place to go at night for the night life and excellent eats!

From Tokyo, we caught the Bullet Train to Hakuba Mountain. We spent 7 days snowboarding there mainly at Happo 1.
This place was pretty great for beginners, but it did have a lot of black and double black runs also for those looking for something a little more challenging.

We then headed to Myoko for 9 days of boarding.
This mountain is where I sort of came into my own. After about 7 days boarding at Hakuba, I was feeling a lot more confident, so it didn't take long before myself and the two other beginners I was with to get the confidence to go from the Beginner runs, to the Intermediate runs, and then attempting our first two Advanced runs.

The last mountain we went to was Madarao. We only had 2 days of riding here, but it was excellent fun.
Madarao has heaps of tree runs and a natural half pipe, so we would cruise as a group through those runs. Great end to the snowboarding part of the trip.

Then headed back to Tokyo for another 3 nights.

Such a fun trip.
Few things I would like to note:

• Vegetables are hard to come by. 
• I carried all my money in cash form as the ATM situation is not great. Theft is not a huge problem in Japan, the risk is more if you lose your money.
• If you want to go to Studio Ghibli, book before you travel. I was so excited to go, but it was booked out months in advance
• Suki cards are highly regarded in Tokyo. And you can spend money from your Suki not only on public transport, but Starbucks, Mc Donalds and 7/11's too!
• The Japanese do not walk and eat or walk and drink
• If you want to do a snowboard trip, I would recommend Mint Tours. They sorted us out!
• I fell in love with an egg also! His name is Gudetama!!

Anyway, that wraps up our experience in Japan.

Photo Diary to come

-Capri

NYE

Spent my New Years in WA's wine region with some of my most favourite people!

(Photos by Peter Mammerella)

And as another year ends, I am grateful for the people that have come into my life and those who have stayed.
I have an interesting group of friends that I see on the regular, who I have known anywhere between 4 years to 21 years.
Each of these people have brought different things to my life in different times, and I wouldn't be who I am now without them all.
Most have been friends since school, some have joined the group through relationships or work.
No matter how we all managed to get here and become entwined together in this group, I am happy I was in the right place at the right time to be given the chance to get to know you all.

2016 will be the year of noticeable and significant change in my immediate friend group.
People are moving away...
Moving in together...
Hanging out more with other circles of friends...
Working more...

But no matter what happens at the end of the day, I am happy about the choices each individual is making, and I am excited to see where their choices take them
I will always cherish moments like these where I could spend 5 days down south, in a reconstructed shed, with people I have known for over a decade.

Thank you 2015 and the years before that for bringing me to where I am in 2016

All the best everyone!

Accomodation: Stayed in Rosa Brook 10mins from Margaret River town in this converted shed. Booked through airbnb https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/7315196

-Capri

2015...AND THAT'S A WRAP

Once again the end of the year is upon us.
And just like every year, there has been some ups, and some downs, but without both, I wouldn't be where I am today.

25th year on this big blue planet, and I can happily say I am proud of who I am, who I associate with and who I love.

Here is a little re cap over my 2015:

JANUARY 2015:
Summer time, Australia Day, Beach days, Balmy nights

FEBRUARY 2015:
Valentines Day, Raz's 25th Birthday, Hanging out with our animal friends

March 2015
Day trips and birthdays

April 2015
Easter trip down south with the girls (couldn't tell ya)

May 2015
Last night at the Bakery, 2015 Prom night

June 2015
Quick trip over to Melbourne/Sydney to catch up my family and some of my dear friends

July 2015
Weekend getaway with some of my favourite uglies

August 2015:
No photos from August, but we had some times: pot lucks, parties, beach days

September 2015:
My dad's birthday and Marley's 2nd birthday

October 2015:
Suprise Birthday party for one of my closest friends, Alex Taylor!, Halloween, Chelsea's 30th and Baby Pierce was born!

November 2015:
My 25th birthday, Tame Impala, Races, and the big one....Sadie finally got to Australia and we did our 1st down south road trip with her!

December 2015:
Lion King musical, Castaway in Rottnest, baby Koa is born, Sadie goes home (wahhhhhhh), Christmas shenanigans

I hope you all had a great 2015, and here is to 2016 and beyond!

“Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.” - Hal Borland

-Capri

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

Had a Public Holiday here in Perth yesterday, so me and some friends took full advantage of it.

Headed to one of Perth's secret gardens, Careniup Wetlands for a little picnic

It was really magical, but because it has been so dry in Perth for the last few weeks, it was not as green or as lush as some of the photos I have seen.

In saying that though, It was less swampy on the feet. Usually you need gumboots to get through there end of winter, beginning of spring.

Great weather, and a really awesome little spot.

- Capri