Natalie Gulbis Journal Japan

3.13.2008

Japan:

Back in the USA! I’m happy to be home.. I have been on the road for almost 7 weeks. I spent the first week of my Asia trip in Singapore. What a fun place that is. I played better this week over all. My ball striking was better and my putting, which was my weakness in the first two weeks on tour, improved. I am looking forward to the next three weeks to work on cleaning up my game and getting ready for the West Coast swing. That includes our first major of the year in Palm Springs

I had quite a busy few days in Tokyo. My first day was a holiday called “Girls’ Day.” What a great holiday! Following each photo shoot and interview, I was presented with small gifts in celebration of Girls’ Day. The traditional gift was a pastry type Japanese rice cake called a “hina-arare”. Really good, very unique flavor. I love the food in Japan. Many of my favorites, including green tea, sushi, sashimi, and Kobe beef.

My first day there after coming in on the red eye, I did a shoot for Japan Vogue, which was a big honor. The Ritz Carlton in Tokyo gave me an amazing suite that had a panoramic view of the city. Incredible! We did all the shoots and meetings at the hotel and ventured out on the second day to wear a traditional

Kimono for an interview. To wear a kimono you are first placed in two layers of fabric wrapped very tight with two belts. Then the kimono is wrapped perfectly and tied with three more belts. By the time I was dressed I had 6 belts, a bow, and three layers. I could only take very small steps. It was a beautiful purple kimono with gold flowers. I really felt privileged to wear the traditional piece.

Tokyo has a lot of shopping areas. It would not be right to be there without a trip to the shops. My first stop was to Samantha Thavasa. These are very popular designer handbags. I had about an hour to shop before my flight back to the States and I spent it in the store. We met with the owners and designers earlier that day and enjoyed seeing the beautiful purses. I’m glad I left room in my bag for three new purses. I was also presented with some very special gifts from the temple near the hotel. I have visited the temples in Japan before, and always enjoy experiencing other cultures. I headed to the airport for another red eye back to the USA. It’s fun returning home because I left at 6:30pm in Japan and returned to the USA at 11am on Tuesday.

I am so happy to be home. I am meeting Butch Harmon tomorrow at 10am to evaluate my first few weeks on tour and get to work to prepare for the next two big events. Take care everyone!

Natalie

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Tags: Natalie Gulbis, LPGA, Golf, Golf Calendar,west coast swing, natalie gulbis, kobe beef, gold flowers, asia trip, ritz carlton, girls day, japanese rice, rice cake, small gifts, green tea, shopping areas, small steps, designer handbags, photo shoot, panoramic view, fun place, red eye, hina, pastry

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Written by Natalie Gulbis Fan