The Travels of Roo

01/03/2018

HAPPY SNOW DAY, UK! Stay safe (and above the snow)... 🇬🇧❄️❄️❄️

22/04/2016

Our final bit of tourism before we leave and all of our LEGO® has been packed (packing fail!). That won't stop our tourism though. Next stop; Meiji Shrine...

Within the shrine, a tree is clad with traditional "ema". Ema are small wooden plaques on which Shinto worshippers write their prayers or wishes. The ema are then left hanging up at the shrine, where the kami (spirits or gods) are believed to receive them. But when you don't have any prayers or wishes to ask for but everything to be grateful for, we felt that one simple phrase would suffice...

“Everything is Awesome”
明治神宮 Meiji Shrine, Tokyo, Japan
www.thetravelsofRoo.com

22/04/2016

This ancient Buddhist temple is the oldest in Tokyo (founded in 628!) although the current temple was completely rebuilt after World War II and is seen as a symbol of rebirth and peace to the Japanese people. In the courtyard there is a tree that was hit by a bomb in the air raids, and it had regrown in the husk of the old tree and is a similar symbol to the temple itself...

“Meeting the Locals”
浅草寺 Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo, Japan
www.thetravelsofRoo.com

21/04/2016

After a day full of art and excitement, what better place to relax...

“Peaceful”
Miyanoura Temple, Naoshima, Japan
www.thetravelsofRoo.com

21/04/2016

Good Morning Harima-nada Sea. I could get used to waking-up next to you...

20/04/2016

Benesse Art Site Naoshima's origin can be traced back to the overlapping vision of two men.
Tetsuhiko Fukutake, the founding president of Fukutake Publishing, who aspired to create a place in the Seto Inland Sea where children from all over the world could gather; and Chikatsugu Miyake, then incumbent mayor of Naoshima, who dreamt of developing a cultural and educational area on the island...

“Sculpture-tastic”
Karel Appel’s Frog and Cat, Naoshima, Japan
www.thetravelsofRoo.com

20/04/2016

Sculptures are ubiquitous on Naoshima, even the benches aren't safe...

“Good Morning, Sir”
Niki de Saint Phalle’s Le Banc, Naoshima, Japan
www.thetravelsofRoo.com

20/04/2016

After a 14 hour flight, five hours on the Shinkansen (the World's fastest train), an hours ferry journey and a short (in comparison) bus journey, we've arrived on the Japanese art island of Naoshima, and we're instantly greeted with art in the form of a giant pumpkin by Yayoi Kusama.

87-year-old Kusama is famous for her use of polka dots and pumpkins. This work - Red Pumpkin, 2006 - incorporates both.

Kusama was recently voted the most influential living female artist by Artsy, and currently holds the record for the highest amount paid for the work of a living female artist.

Now, we're off to explore the rest of this island...

“Out for a Morning Stroll”
Yayoi Kusama’s Pumpkin, Naoshima, Japan
www.thetravelsofRoo.com

19/04/2016

6,000 miles to visit an "art island". Not our craziest adventure, but certainly up there...

17/04/2016

Meet the Gang...

- Classic Roo : The World traveller. It’s hard to keep this Roo in one place.
- NYC Roo : Full-up with more souvenirs than you can shake a dollar at... and a tasty plastic pretzel.
- NYC Roo (Limited Edition) : Complete with giant tourism smile and hand-signed LEGO® tile.
- Expo Roo : Dressed smart, attending a champagne launch party, hobnobbing with the rich and famous.

Available now at www.littlebigartshop.com

11/04/2016

Roo carries around his LEGO camera wherever he goes, but did you know we have one too...

26/02/2016

WINNER! Safe travels Adi, we hope you get back to Oslo soon 😄👍👍

My prize arrived this morning!!! Thank you so much! It's great and I love it! I especially love the little box it all came in. :D