Anyway, here are some pictures from Tokyo Disney.  We knew these were going to be the most lavish theme parks Disney has ever created, but what we saw here is beyond description.  DisneySea is incredible.  I guess thats what 4.5 Billion dollars can buy you (2001 money).  The Japanese LOVE Disney.  The best part is, there are hardly any children here, its all adults! 

We left the Hakone area by bullet train (so fast) and headed out to Kyoto and Osaka.  A quick note, before leaving Hakone I swallowed my pride, got naked and tried the Onsen.  The gory details are available upon request.  Anyway, Kyoto is quite a different place than Tokyo, definitely more “Japan”.  Here are some photos….

This morning we took the Shinkansen (bullet train) , then a switchback railway, then finally a cable car out to Hakone National Park, where we will spend the next two nights.  The views of Mount Fuji are unreal and the sulfurous steam vents at Owaku-dani are very cool.  Here are some pictures…

Well, it’ll be hard to describe Tokyo so far, but it’s unreal.  Everyone here is so incredibly polite and willing to help.  Japan appears to be so much more advanced than the United States, in both technology and society.  Take this hotel for example.  “The Westin”, an American brand, would normally be an “ok” hotel back home.  Here, it’s clearly five star.  The second we walked in the door we were treated like royalty.   A bell attendant, smartly dressed, slipped on some white gloves, grabbed our bags and escorted us to our room.  The room is definately not like any Westin we’ve ever stayed at, and there have been many.  A bottle of champagne was left for us with a note of congratulations.  The room amenities are nothing like I have ever seen.  A hidden speaker with volume control in the bathroom so you can listen to music or TV.  Electrical plugs inside one of two room safes, so you can charge your secured electronics.  Forgetting things like that, its the staff that really stand out.  Literally tripping over themselves to help you.  Lots of bowing going on here.

Anyway, we spent the day treking around the city.  We explored the worlds largest fish market, some gardens, and temples.  The subway, one of the most elaborate in the world, is incredibly clean, efficient, and surprisingly easy to navigate.  Plush, clean, cushy subway seats?  Yep, every train.  Here are some pictures in no particular order…

Our day began with champagne and orange juice sent to our room courtesy of Aunt Donna, Jess, and Jen.  Amy had her hair and makeup aappointment at 11am which left me some alone time before I departed to City Hall.  I spent the time walking around Pacific Heights, our old neighborhood.  The sky was sharp, the air was crisp, and the views of the bay and the Golden Gate Bridge were amazing.

Our town car arrived at quarter of 2, Amy had just arrived back at the hotel room, I had just finished getting ready and the flowers had been delivered.  I was driven to City Hall ahead of Amy to meet with the photographer and allow Amy to get ready privately.  When I arrived I was instantly questioned by reporters about my reaction to the passing of Proposition 8.  Unfortunately our wedding celebration was taking place on the day after gay marriage was banned in California and we were to be married in a location that has always been the symbol for gay/lesbian unions across the world.  A somber day, indeed.

No matter, the town car was on its way back to pick up Amy and Gene had just arrived.  After taking some photos around the building he positioned me facing up the grand staircase away from where Amy would make her entrance.  Amy’s every move was photographed as she walked into the Rotunda and behind me, capturing the initial point of contact.  Let me just say, she looked UNBELEIVABLE.  Clearly the most stunning person in the room as she drew quite a big response from everyone around.

The ceremony was presided over by a very gracious and hospitable judge.  She was perfect, spoke eloquently, and had quite a remarkable appearance (as you will later see).  We both kind of wish we could go back and do it again, it seemed to be over so fast…but what an incredible memory.

More photos around City Hall and outside. Gene fluttered around us with an energy rarely seen.  A more perfect photographer could not be found.  We had the opportunity to see some of the pictures, they are AMAZING!  Everywhere we shot we were met with people congratulating us, taking our picture, stopping and gawking…even a cable car full of tourists cheering as they past us while shooting.

We then spent a few hours being driven to various points around the city for more photos.  Our driver, Romeo, could not have been more friendly and courteous.  He even presented us with a small gift as he drove us to the airport the next morning.

Dinner was at the Balboa Cafe, the place where we enjoyed lunch the day we were engaged.  A nice, quite, comfortable place for us. 

And that was it!  A perfect day ended.  Everything went smoothly, everyone involved was awesome, it was exactly what we wanted.  Here are a couple pictures we snapped later that night for anyone interested.  We should have some official pictures up within the week.

Thank you wonderful extended family!