|
|
| Wednesday, 31-Oct-2007 10:54 |
Email | Share |  | Bookmark |
|
MNS SOS Survey
|
|
I have privilege to join a group of volunteers to survey the sea grass condition in the Johor Delta area. The sea grass condition reflects the health of all inhabitants in the sea grass bed and the condition of the seawater. It is a chain effect and all become a matter.
In short, it was a fruitful event. When we exploit the nature and interact with new friends, it only makes us more humble as the unfathomed wisdom and passion from other and the secret of the universe is often beyond our comprehensive. But we are in control if we listen carefully the voice of the nature. And we have a choice to continue exploit this subject.
Welcome to be part of the team.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Friday, 21-Oct-2005 00:00 |
Email | Share | | Bookmark |
|
Backpacking trip to Japan - Day 6 (Back to Nagoya)
|
 |
|
On the way back to Nagoya
|
|
|
 |
|
Most adorable dress that I have never seen - only in Japan.
|
|
|
 |
|
Get on the boat
|
|
| | View all 33 photos... |
|
It is nice to be back to Nagoya. Go back to my cozy hotel.
I have visited enough Shrines by then. Now, my focus in Nagoya town is on Nagoya Port. Visited the Marine Museum and Nagoya Aquarium. It is nice to just sit there and watch the shows. No more walkings.
The night view in Oasis shopping center is fantastic which was completed in 2002. I am so impressed with its design - park in the middle of the city. In the roof top, layer of water are slowing flowing on the glass rooftop. There are some music playing as a background. How could I miss this spot in the 1st day! With the TV tower behind the Oasis center, you bet that is romantic place to handle out. I was stunned by the view. Too bad, my battery is out again.
If you ask if I would go back the same place again, I will say YES. But it is good to have accompany to travel along. Highly recommended to plan for your own trip and get to know the place away from tourist spots. Travel with your own schedule.
I miss a few grand Japanese festivals/celebrations a week before or after my visit. Indeed, I have not dip my toes in the hotspring nor climb the Fuji mountain yet! It was a good adventure indeed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Thursday, 20-Oct-2005 00:00 |
Email | Share | | Bookmark |
|
Backpacking trip to Japan - Day 5 (Kyoto)
|
 |
|
The best part is inside the building - many old wall paintings
|
|
 |
|
Walk into a Central Kyoto Park - You bet it will be a long walk
|
|
| | View all 18 photos... |
|
On Day 5, I made a trip to the Himeji Castle and the Central Park. It isn't much different from other shrines that I have visited. But the walk in the castle and park seems go on forever. I just realize that there is a traditional ceremony scheduled on the weekend of October 22. Too bad, I would probably on the way back home already.
Since I have visited so many shrines and park already, I decided to go to the Kyoto University campus for a walk - something close to the reality. The atmosphere in the campus and building structure are similar to the one in the States.
I always like to feel the heartbeats in the campus - little bit of creativity, ambitious, rebellious, discpline, the chaotic,and hope. Whatever you can think of.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Wednesday, 19-Oct-2005 00:00 |
Email | Share | | Bookmark |
|
Backpacking trip to Japan - Day 4 (Kyoto)
|
|
Kyoto is a famous historical town. Needless to say, there are many old shrines.
Fushimi Inari Shrine is seemed like a must visit place. At night, I was strolling around the Gion Corner where is the famous place for traditional Japanese performance. (Yes, for the tourists, I guess) Have a glimpse of the ancient Kyoto. In general, people in that area are all well groomed. Too bad, I did not bump into any pretty maiko apprentice geisha while I was strolling on the street.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Tuesday, 18-Oct-2005 00:00 |
Email | Share | | Bookmark |
|
Backpacking trip to Japan - Day 3 (Nara)
|
 |
|
a logo of the nature walks close by the starting line
|
|
 |
|
Walked along the hallway
|
|
 |
|
Small town close by train station
|
| | View all 16 photos... |
|
Nara is a small town. The reason for my visit to this small town is merely due to the available of Youth Hostal. Some attractions in the neighbourhood, like Mt. Miminashi, waterfall, climbing to Odaigahara, sounds attractive to me.
It turned out to be the best stop during the whole trip in Japan. There are well maintained nature walk leading towards the hillside. The nature walk is built by the local government to promote tourism and the love of nature. The path along 20KM walk are all very well maintained. No any rugged road at all. I made a wrong turn in part of the road. Or else, I could have save 1 hour in this journey.
Most of the paths are built along the hill foot. With the pleasant weather of 22c, there is no sweat at all after 20KM walk. The only sweat I have is when I tried to race with the time to reach the finish line by sunset at 5:30PM in last 3KM walk. It would not be fun if I am still in the hill side alone without any weapon, torch light nor mobile phone. And it does not have street light on the hillside....
My camera battery is out. So, I could not capture the gorgeous persimmons trees standing in the middle of golden waves of rice field. The hill are covered with dark green of pine tree. The landscape are neatly constructed with vegetable farms. It was really pleasant to walk across the small village. The breeze makes the walk enjoyable.
After 6 hours walk in the hillside, I walked pass by an area with a few huge shrines. This shrine was different from other shrines that I saw because it was pretty new and I could see people went into the shrine and prayer. The Shrine was so huge. This building is equivalent to 20 tennis court fields.
Out of curiosity , I took out my shoes and walked up 20 steps staircase. Right in fron of the entrance, I could hear the song from some ladies. It sounds haramony. Then, I realizes that they are actually praying. People was sitting around the center of the shrine. Some entered from the south. Some entered from the North. There were some staff standing on the entrance to observe the prayer. What they are worshipping? Do they only come to worship at this hour? I don't know. People all sitting on the floor, neatly cover with the strew mattress. There is no any smoke nor idol in the shrine. What I see is a few candles lighting in the center. I just sat quietly close by the wall to observe their worship.
After a while, I stepped out and walked toward the inner shrine in next building. I looked back to the next building, the dusk was around the roof corner. The silhouette was lighting up the sky. I suddently felt an unusual quietness. And it was a good way to end a day.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Monday, 17-Oct-2005 00:00 |
Email | Share | | Bookmark |
|
Backpacking trip to Japan - Day 2 (Ise-Shima)
|
 |
|
Very pleasant breakfast in Ichifuji budget hotel
|
|
 |
|
Bike parking place in each train station
|
|
 |
|
Pat sits still
|
| | View all 31 photos... |
|
It was a rainy day in Ise-Shima. I took an express train to this small town. It took about 1 hour. When I first reached a new place, my sense of direction was not there. Literally, I walked toward the reverse direction from where I supposed to be.
After half an hour walk, I still could not find my hotel. I then stopped by a clinic and asked for the direction. Two young Japanese staff tried to explain to me with their limited English. They photocopied an japanese street map to me. I thanks for their helped and continued my walk in the rain. After walking pass two traffic lights. Then, one of the staff catching up with me and asked me to wait for her. She will able send me to look for the hotel if I can wait till their lunch hour (which is 10 minutes time). Of course, I was delighted to follow them.
I felt so touchy for her to chasing me up, just to help me out. She was still catching up her breath when she was talking to her colleague in the shop. Pity her. Doesn't she know who she is trying to catch up with. I don't know should I laugh or pity her.
The hotel was very old. I was a bit worry if I am the only one check in to that hotel? Of course, my curiousity kicked in. I need to check out the hotel and know the layout. Just in case, it there is any emergency, I know where to go. The hallway are dark. The room are all with traditional sliding door. Let me pulled out one of the room. Gosh, it looks old, how long have it haven't been any guest in those rooms. My room is in the 1st floor. I walked along the stairway and looked for the bathroom. It was quiet and it was still raining! There are three bathrooms in that corner - one for group, one for family, and one private. Thanks God, I don't need to share the bathroom.
I took the bike and went to the shrine nearby. I was in the right timing to capture the snapshots of the shrine in the rainy day. If it is a sunny day, it would not be able to reflect the atmosphere of the shrine.
No photographying was allow inside the Shrine main door. There was a big white drap of cloth hanging in front of the main entrance. On the side, there was a monk with traditional Japanese custom sitting on the side and reading his book. A security guard was standby the main entrance to ensure no any interruptions for the shrine.
The night falls at 5:30PM. When I was back to the hotel. I realized there were two other foreigners staying in there. Thanks God I am not the only one stay in that hotel. Anyway, I was just locked myself in that small room and have my light on till next morning.
I will need to have a second thought for any old traditional Japanese hotel. It may not be as good as what we thought.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Sunday, 16-Oct-2005 00:00 |
Email | Share | | Bookmark |
|
Backpacking trip to Japan - Day 1 (Nagoya)
|
 |
|
Nagoya Castle was built in 1612
|
|
 |
|
Ready to pass through a passage
|
|
 |
|
Look at those edges
|
| | View all 39 photos... |
|
Pat bought a cheap airfare during the Travel Fair back in Februrary. She did not know what to expect because none of her friends have been there before. Now, she survived and back to Malaysia. Certainly, there are some adventures that she would like to share with you.
Day 1 - Nagoya.
I get out of the airport and looking for my budget hotel. When I reached the correct subway station and get ready to look for the map of the budget hotel. I could not find the map of the hotel. All I have is some brief description of the hotel location - 3km walk from the subway station. Stop the taxi driver, but the taxi driver was only scratch his head out. No idea where is that hotel. I was a bit panic and did not know what to do. When we talk about carry my backpack and walk 3km around the subway, it is not an easy task. No phone signal. While I was standing close by the traffic light, a motor cyclist also stopped at the road side at that moment. Guess what, he is the postman. I showed him the name of the hotel, he thought for a while and said he knows where it is!
The postman drew me a simple map, but it still took me an hour to locate the hotel. The hotel is actually located in a smal lane behind some houses. I would not able to find it. Thanks for the lady in the convenient store brought me over there. I could not imagine the street that draw on the map is actually a small lane.
Anyway, I was happy to able to find my hotel. Leave my backpack there and get ready to exploit Nayoya town afterward.
I spent 850 yen for a day pass for subway and buses in Nagoya town.
I have visited Nagoya Castle and sat down for traditional live performance in Nagoya Noh Theather. The performance is FREE and it is a bit unexpected discovery. I was so tired after searching for my hotel and walked around the castle. When I pass by the theater, what attracted me is the nice Japanese garden and some comfortable seats close by the entrance.
While I was get ready to leave and had a last look of the performance schedule. It seems like there was a performance schedule on that day. I came by the counter and asked for the lady if I can make reservation for the performance. She then told me that the performance is from 9am to 5pm and that is free. I can enter to the theater at any time. It was absolutely a pleasant surprise. Typically, the Japanese tradition performance would cost a couple thousands yen. It was just so nice for a bit to let my feet rest for a while and yet able to enjoy the show. What else should I ask for?
After all, it was a good start for my journey in Japan.
|
|
|
|
I was amazed at how big the castle walls were. At least you managed to see more of it than I, I got mega lost walking around in Kyoto and only saw the place during sunset.
