Cassandra and David Rolph's Website

We have never been big coffee drinkers. But lately we have been casual coffee shop visitors and then on a trip to Austria I got to really like espresso.

We thought some people might be a bit curious about where we live and what its like.

When most people think Japan, they probably think Tokyo. Tokyo is very densely populated and very busy. We don't live there. We live in Nasushiobara. Its in Tochigi prefecture a bit over an hour north of Tokyo. Its quite rural.

Over 30 years ago Bali was my first Asian trip. Some of my earliest exotic travel memories are from there. 20 years ago I went again for a much more off the beaten track trip around Bali. Another great trip. So I was pretty excited to be going back again. It was a short trip to the main tourist area in Bali. We found it much more developed, a little busy, but still possessing all the charm that I loved on those previous trips.

In 1990 I was ready to travel the world. Well, nearly ready, but I didn't have any money. So my girlfriend and I ate beans for a month, saved our money and bought one way tickets to Taiwan. We had heard that it was quite easy to get a job there teaching English and the pay was decent. Our plan was to backpack Asia with the money we made there.

Onsens are Japanese mineral hot springs. They are very popular here.

Until now we haven't been to so many. Cassandra was uncomfortable because you will be completely naked in the bath. But on a trip to Hinoemata in spring Cassandra was forced to partake and discovered she loved it. We have been eagerly awaiting cooler weather so we can start going.

This page is mostly of interest to family who want to see where we live now.

We arrived in Japan on September 24th. We struggled from Narita airport to the Nasu area with a lot of luggage.

Glacier is truly a spectacular National Park. What struck me the most about it was the size of the peaks. Huge glacial peaks that made me feel like an ant.

Unfortunately, there were fires in the region when we were there. I don't think the smoke had a big impact on our enjoyment of the park, but it did affect the photos quite a bit.

The main feature of Yellowstone is the geothermal activity. Though the park does have a tremendous amount to offer all round.

By far the most popular part of the park is the Old Faithful geyser. There is a board up in the visitors center saying roughly when it will erupt. This geyser is neither the most regular of the largest geyser in Yellowstone. Its so popular because it erupts frequently.

On the way to Grand Tetons.

This picture was taken in Helper near the norther border of Utah. We took it because it was the 1000 mile point of our National Park tour.