Mt. Hakone is an active volcano at the South end of Mt. Fuji. Steam and Sulphur pour out of small craters at the top. I took a cable car to the top and did a few sketches of Mt. Fuji, ate some blackened eggs cooked in the volcanic steam, then took a very pleasant walk around Hakone Lake.
I arrived in Tokyo a few days back and hopped a bus to the Five Lakes region. Five lakes is at the base of Mt. Fuji on the eastern slope. The weather was spectacular and Fuji was clear as day against a brilliant blue sky. I rented a small paddle boat and drew a picture of the surrounding mountains and one Of Mt. Fuji using my water soluble pen. 
Christmas arrived on Main Street, Disneyland soon after Halloween. The trees and decorations look much nicer this year, and the weather has been cool and breezy. Makes me feel at home. I spent an hour after lunch today to go people watching and draw this scene of the Christmas tree.
A few months back I took lunch at the Disney Hotel. After eating a wonderful meal of Peking Duck I took a seat in the main lobby and drew this picture. I thought that it would be a quiet place to rest since it was mid-afternoon, but the Guests kept coming in by the bus load one after the other. I quickly sketched out the scene and gave up my seat to whoever could get to it first.
What can I say: we’ve been absolutely blessed this trip with beautiful weather. Today’s forecast was for thunderstorms and overcast. So I rented a bike and headed out on a 35k ride around the Bodensee Lake near Fussen. About halfway around I stopped to picnic on fresh berries and cheese. I painted this picture of the lake and mountains ad got a decent sunburn.
It was raining and chilly this morning. I didn’t pack my watercolors because the forecast called for thunderstorms. But that didn’t happen. It was a fantastic day with bright blue skies and Big puffy clouds. I sketched this landscape at the top of a nearby mountain top overlooking all of Southern Germany.
When I came down from the mountain I visited Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein Castles. It was very crowded and not all that pleasant. I drew this while waiting for the bus.
After a long day visiting castles and climbing mountains I stop to get a bite. I ordered a pork knuckle from an outdoor cafe. It took a minute to cook and I had time to sketch a quick street scene.
Munich is one more spectacular city in Germany. The river was a great spot to rest after sightseeing and I was very happy to find such a cool and shady place to soak my feet.
I finished my drawing and went to eat lunch near the National Theatre.
Now to catch a train to Fussen.
Today the weather was perfect:lower 20s and Big puffy clouds. My wife and I celebrated 22 years together by renting a couple of bicycles and heading through Regensburg to follow the Danube west into the country. The ride was wonderful; crossing over small bridges and cutting through barley fields. I did a quick painting of sunflowers and later stopped at a small dock to paint a chapel on the other side of the river. Wedding bells rang out while I sketched. We have something in common with the newlyweds and wish them a happy 22 years together, too.
Today has been been a very cool 9C and drizzling rain. Perfect for someone escaping the heat of Hong Kong. I stopped at St. Peter and got there in time fore a short sermon and pipe organ music. Really set the mood for relaxing and sketching even though I didn’t understand a word.