かわいい Kiwi

Moving to Kiwi Mix

2011-07-18T11:06:00.002-05:00

To find more food and travel stories, visit my new blog at Kiwi Mix.

Netherlands 5: Animals of Keukenhof

2009-09-15T19:16:00.048-05:00

Location: Lisse, Zuid-Holland
Date: April 13, 2009

Raccoon

Geese

Dwarf Goats and Turkey

Sheep

White Milk Goat

Calf

Rabbits

Rabbit

Göttingnen Minipigs

Göttingnen Minipigs and Llama

Llama

Owl

Netherland 4: More Flowers of Keunkenhof

2009-09-14T08:27:00.001-05:00

Location: Lisse, Zuid-Holland
Date: April 13, 2009

Keukenhof

Food of the Day

Netherlands 3: Keukenhof Hat Show

2009-09-13T15:31:00.001-05:00

Location: Lisse, Zuid-Holland
Date: April 13, 2009

Keukenhof

Food of the Day

Netherlands 2: Tulips of Keukenhof

2009-09-12T13:24:00.001-05:00

Location: Lisse, Zuid-Holland
Date: April 13, 2009

Keukenhof's Windmill and Tulips

Even though this statement may appear culturally insensitive, windmills and tulips are two of Netherlands’ biggest tourism draws. At Keukenhof, tulips are definitely the center of attention. There are other flowers at Keukenhof. But none of them take up as much space and display as many different colors and shapes.

Tulips came from Turkey to the Netherlands in the sixteenth century. Since then, cultivating the flower not only became a hobby and an art form, but also an industry. At Keukenhof, you can examine the different varieties created up close and personal at its greenhouses and gardens. And you can take a boat ride around its fields to see how they grow and live together.

The Boats and Tulip Fields

My Fellow Passengers

Keukenhof

Food of the Day

Netherlands 1: Flowers of Keukenof

2009-09-11T09:35:00.001-05:00

Location: Lisse, Zuid-Holland
Date: April 13, 2009

Keukenhof

Food of the Day

Japan 88: 山中温泉 Yamanaka Onsen

2009-09-10T17:35:00.001-05:00

Location: 石川県加賀市 Kaga, Ishikawa
Date: June 24, 2009

菊乃湯 Kiku-no-Yu

山中温泉 Yamanaka Onsen is a very long strip shaped hot spring town. At least one entire afternoon is needed to walk through the entire town and explore all the sights. However, this is not recommended, because some places of interest are quite far apart.

Statues of 松尾芭蕉 Matsuo Basho and 河井曾良 Kawai Sora

Retro Train

蟋蟀橋 Koorogi-Bashi (Cricket Bridge)

An alternative from browsing the hot spring town is strolling along a nearby stream called 鶴仙渓 Kakusen-Kei. Kakusen-Kei flows through a gorge with a rural residential area on each side, so there are bridges both overhead and right above the water.

鶴仙渓 Kakusen-Kei

The Path along the Gorge

あやとりはし Ayatori-Hashi

Bridge across Kakusen-Kei

Cat

山中温泉 Yamanaka Onsen

Food of the Day

Japan 87: 観音加賀寺 Kannon Kaga Temple

2009-09-09T08:48:00.001-05:00

Location: 石川県加賀市 Kaga, Ishikawa
Date: June 24, 2009

Kannon

Even when you are just passing through 加賀温泉駅 Kaga Onsen Station by train, it is very difficult to miss 観音加賀寺 Kannon Kaga-Tera’s or Kannon Kaga Temple’s 73 meter tall statue of the deity. Its ridiculous height and position upon a hill make it the tallest thing within its proximity.

Being pressed on time, I did not explore the inside of the strange temple. But it seems to be a joint function with its neighbor, 観音温泉ホテル Kannon Onsen Hotel.

Kannon Kaga Temple’s Entrance

観音加賀寺 Kannon Kaga Temple

Food of the Day

Japan 86: Geisha Houses of Kanazawa

2009-09-08T08:58:00.001-05:00

Location: 石川県金沢市 Kanazawa, Ishikawa
Date: June 24, 2009

Nishi Chaya-Gai

Wooden Façades

Besides samurai residences, Kanazawa also has geisha tea houses. There are two major districts of them: にし茶屋街 Nishi Chaya-Gai and 東山ひがし Higashi-Yama Higashi. They literally means “West Tea House Street” and “East of Higashi Mountain” respectively, but sometimes they are just called “Western Pleasure Quater” and “Eastern Pleasure Quarter” in English.

Nishi Chaya-Gai is the smaller district. Higashi-Yama Higashi has more museums and souvenir shops.

Higashi-Yama Higashi

One place of interest in Higashi-Yama Higashi is a tea house or お茶屋 ochaya known as 志摩 Shima. Shima was built in 1820, and geisha entertained their patrons there. Besides electric lights, everything has been kept the same way as when it was first built. Inside Shima, there are all types of geisha’s tools of the trade. Of course, they include musical instruments and hair combs. But teapots and serving utensils are just as important.

Shima

Lanterns

三味線 Shamisen

琴 Koto and 琵琶 Biwa

Drums

Hair Combs

Teapots

Kitchen and Utensil Shelves

志摩 Shima

Food of the Day

Japan 85: 金沢城 Kanazawa-Jo

2009-09-07T08:02:00.001-05:00

Location: 石川県金沢市 Kanazawa, Ishikawa
Date: June 24, 2009

金沢城 Kanazawa-Jo is a castle first founded in 1580. By the time it was burned down in 1881, it already has been destroyed and rebuilt several times. What we see now is a reconstruction that started in 2001. Therefore, both its exterior and interior are very new and clean.

金沢城公園 Kanazawa Castle Park

Food of the Day

Japan 84: Samurai Houses of Kanazawa

2009-09-06T07:20:00.001-05:00

Location: 石川県金沢市 Kanazawa, Ishikawa
Date: June 24, 2009

Residence of 津田玄 Tsuda Gen

With a garden like 兼六園 Kenroku-En and castle like 金沢城 Kanazawa-Jo, it is not hard to imagine that many samurai once resided in 金沢 Kanazawa. I was half expecting their houses to have thatched roofs like the ones in the movie Last Samurai. But none of these urban residences have them. In fact, they have small Buddhist altars and gardens that exemplify the samurai’s Zen sides.

Naga-Cho

長町 Naga-Cho is a neighborhood where you can find several samurai residences within the vicinity of one another. 野村家 Nomura-Ke is the house of the 野村 Nomura family. It has everything from armor to screen doors that one would expect to see.

Nomura-Ke

Screen Doors

Buddhist Altar

Garden

Carp

Armor

A stone throw away from Nomura-Ke is 高田家 Takada-Ke, residence of the 高田 Takada family. But all that remains of it now is actually where the servants and horses stay.

Takada-Ke

野村家 Nomura-Ke

Food of the Day

Japan 83: 兼六園 Kenroku-En

2009-09-05T11:53:00.001-05:00

Location: 石川県金沢市 Kanazawa, Ishikawa
Date: June 24, 2009

Kenroku-En

Like 岡山 Okayama’s 後楽園 Koraku-En, 兼六園 Kenroku-En is a strolling-style landscape garden featuring a collection of sceneries. It was first built during the 江戸時代 Edo Period by the 加賀藩 Kaga Clan. Then future generations of 大名 Daimyo (feudal lords) added their own aesthetics to the original garden.

根上松 Neagari no Matsu (Raised Root Pine)

Another Wide Spanned Pine

金城霊沢 Kinjo Reitaku is a mysterious spring well that always maintains its water level. The name of 金沢 Kanazawa is taken from the first and last 漢字 kanji characters of the well’s name.

Kinjo Reitaku

The Spring

The five meter statue of 日本武尊 Yamamoto Takeru no Mikoto is erected in 1880 and serves as a monument to soldiers died at war.

Yamamoto Takeru no Mikoto

While Kenroku-En offers many interesting photo opportunities, it does not have a wholesome image like Koraku-En. As a garden, I favor Koraku-En more.

翠滝 Midori Falls

Duck

兼六園 Kenroku-En

Food of the Day

Japan 82: Modern Art in Kanazawa

2009-09-04T08:37:00.001-05:00

Location: 石川県金沢市 Kanazawa, Ishikawa
Date: June 24, 2009

Food of the Day

Japan 81: 尾山神社 Oyama Jinja

2009-09-03T03:29:00.001-05:00

Location: 石川県金沢市 Kanazawa, Ishikawa
Date: June 24, 2009

Food of the Day

Japan 80: 金沢駅 Kanazawa Station

2009-09-02T20:40:00.001-05:00

Location: 石川県金沢市 Kanazawa, Ishikawa
Date: June 24, 2009

金沢駅 Kanazawa Station

もてなしドーム Motenashi Dome

鼓門 Tsuzumi-Mon

Food of the Day

Japan 79: 河井寛次郎記念館 Kawai Kanjirou Kinenkan

2009-09-01T19:36:00.001-05:00

Location: 京都府京都市 Kyoto, Kyoto
Date: June 23, 2009

Kawai Kanjirou Kinenkan

河井寛次郎記念館 Kawai Kanjirou Kinenkan is a museum dedicated to 河井寛次郎 Kawai Kanjirou. This house used to be the late pottery master’s residence and kiln. Now it is opened to public and displays Kawai Kanjirou’s works and workshop.

An Outdoor Path

Yard

Tea Pot and Stove

Tools and Workshop

Kiln

Potteries

河井寛次郎記念館 Kawai Kanjirou Kinenkan

Food of the Day

Japan 78: 並河靖之七宝記念館 Namikawa Cloisonné Museum of Kyoto

2009-08-31T23:01:00.001-05:00

Location: 京都府京都市 Kyoto, Kyoto
Date: June 23, 2009

並河靖之七宝記念館 Namikawa Cloisonné Museum of Kyoto is located at the house of late 七宝 shippou master 並河靖之 Namikawa Yasuyuki built in 1895. It contains his residence and workshop. Now, it is maintained as a museum preserving his work and a garden built by his neighbor and friend, 小川治兵衛 Ogawa Jihee, who also created 平安神宮 Heian Jingu’s 平安神宮神苑 Heian Jingu Shinen.

Namikawa Cloisonné Museum

The Kitchen

Shippou is a type of decorating technique that uses metal wires for outlining and enamel for coloring. This method is known as cloisonné in English. It is often seen on bowls and vases. The works at this museum, however, could not be photographed.

Being a great admirer of Japanese gardens, Professor K recommended Namikawa Cloisonné Museum of Kyoto to me because of its small yet intricate garden complete with bridges, carps, islands, lanterns, and pine trees.

並河靖之七宝記念館 Namikawa Cloisonné Museum of Kyoto

Food of the Day

Japan 77: 南禅寺 Nanzen-Ji

2009-08-30T20:24:00.001-05:00

Location: 京都府京都市 Kyoto, Kyoto
Date: June 23, 2009

Overview of Nanzen-Ji

南禅寺 Nanzen-Ji is a Buddhist temple consisting a complex of halls and gardens. Professor K, who is very fond of Japanese gardens, highly recommended Nanzen-Ji’s 南禅院 Nanzen-In. So I could not miss that.

Pillars of San-Mon

Nanzen-Ji is, indeed, huge. For an aerial view of the area, you can climb the staircase leading to the balcony of its 三門 San-Mon.

San-Mon

One Side of San-Mon

Staircase Leading to the Balcony

The Balcony

A View from the Balcony

On the way to Nanzen-In, there is a red brick waterway called Bi built in the 1880s. It was used to bring water from 琵琶湖 Lake Biwa in 大津 Otsu of 滋賀県 Shiga Prefecture.

Under the Waterway

The Waterway

Simplicity is the key at Nanzen-In. It does not have complicated landscaping nor a wide variety of plants. It just has the simple atmosphere that is expected from a Japanese garden surrounding a tea house.

Lotus in Nanzen-In

The Pond

View through the Teahouse’s Windows

南禅寺 Nanzen-Ji

Food of the Day

Japan 76: 平安神宮 Heian Jingu

2009-08-29T20:18:00.001-05:00

Location: 京都府京都市 Kyoto, Kyoto
Date: June 23, 2009

Heian Jingu’s Torii

平安神宮 Heian Jingu is one of its kind. The 神道 Shinto shrine’s entrance is marked by a bright red 24.2 meter tall 鳥居 torii. Its main structures surround a palatial size rectangular open space. And it has 33,000 square meter garden called 平安神宮神苑 Heian Jingu Shinen created by 小川治兵衛 Ogawa Jihee.

応天門 Outen-Mon

手水 Chouzu

Unlike the rest of Heian Jingu, Heian Jingu Shinen’s design is intricate and detailed. While not everyone may distinguish all the different elements planned by Ogawa, everybody finds pleasure in strolling through the garden’s many plants and sceneries.

Heian Jingu Shinen

Japan’s First Electric Train (First Operated in 1896)

Lotus Pond

One End of 臥龍橋 Garyuu-Kyou

Garyuu-Kyou

泰平閣 Taihei-Kaku

Maple Leaves

Pine Branches

平安神宮 Heian Jingu

Food of the Day

Japan 75: 鹿苑寺 Rokuon-Ji

2009-08-28T14:47:00.001-05:00

Location: 京都府京都市 Kyoto, Kyoto
Date: June 23, 2009

The golden pavilion in 鹿苑寺 Rokuon-Ji is one of the most recognized attractions of 京都 Kyoto. In fact, it is so well known that Rokuon-Ji is often just referred to as 金閣寺 Kinkaku-Ji, which means Temple of the Golden Pavilion. With the advantage of being coated in gold leaves, it literally outshines all the other parts of Rokuon-Ji.

陸舟の松 Rikushuu no Matsu

龍門の滝 Ryuu-Mon no Taki (Dragon Gate Falls) and 鯉魚石 Rigyou Ishi (Carp Stone)

Food of the Day

Japan 74: More from 清水寺 Kiyomizu-Dera

2009-08-27T21:00:00.001-05:00

Location: 京都府京都市 Kyoto, Kyoto
Date: June 23, 2009

清水寺 Kiyomizu-Dera

Food of the Day

Japan 73: 清水寺 Kiyomizu-Dera

2009-08-26T20:56:00.001-05:00

Location: 京都府京都市 Kyoto, Kyoto
Date: June 23, 2009

View of Kyoto Tower

Niou-Mon 仁王門

The proverb, “Early bird catches the worm”, applies to sightseeing too. By sacrificing a bit of night life and/or sleep, you can have the entire 清水寺 Kiyomizu-Dera to yourself and about ten other like minded visitors.

手水 Chouzu

Metal Slippers

Kiyomizu-Dera is a Buddhist temple founded in 778. Its 本堂 Hondou or Main Hall is supported by more than a hundred giant wood pillars at its base. Just beyond the Main Hall is 地主神社 Jishu-Jinja – a flashy shrine packed with different deities.

Main Hall

Jishu-Jinja

Two Deities at Jishu-Jinja

Another big draw at Kiyomizu-Dera is the spring water rushing out of 音羽の滝 Otowa-no-Taki, which means Otowa Falls. Before its three streams of water reach a pool at the ground, people can take a sip of the spring using the long ladles provided by the temple and kept sanitized by ultraviolet.

Otowa-no-Taki

Food of the Day

Japan 72: 城崎温泉 Kinosaki Onsen

2009-08-25T17:59:00.001-05:00

Location: 兵庫県豊岡市 Toyooka, Hyogo
Date: June 22, 2009

さとの湯 Sato-no-Yu's Ashiyu Outside Kinosaki Station

城崎 Kinosaki is a hot spring town. Immediately outside 城崎駅 Kinosaki Station, there is already a free 足湯 ashiyu, which is hot spring for your feet, and a large shelf of wooden slippers. Hot spring hopping from one resort to another and trying out all the free small outdoor hot springs in town are popular activities.

Wooden Slippers

But Kinosaki is not just about 温泉 onsen or hot springs. Its retro atmosphere is also what draws many visitors. The area around the willow lined banks of 大谿川 Ootani River has several small bridges and only two or three story tall wooden toned houses. When the weather is warm enough, the hot spring resorts would even rent out to customers colorful 浴衣 yukata (thin, summer kimono) adding to the town’s vintage charm.

Ootani River

木屋町通り Kiyamachi Street along Ootani River

A Bridge over Ootani River Being Used as a Driveway

城崎温泉 Kinosaki Onsen

Japan 71: More on Amanohashidate

2009-08-24T06:56:00.001-05:00

Location: 京都府宮津市 Miyazu, Kyoto
Date: June 22, 2009

The area stretching from 天橋立駅 Amanohashidate Station to the other side of 天橋立 Amanohashidate the sand bar is dotted with souvenir shops, restaurants, and sightseeing spots. One that is located next to the ferry docks on the train station’s side is 智恩寺 Chion-Ji.

Fan-Shaped Charms

山門 San-Mon

From Chion-Ji, you can head to the opposite end of Amanohashidate by taking the ferry or crossing the sand bar. Whichever way you choose, you cannot miss the bright red 廻旋橋 Kaisen-Kyou (Rotating Bridge). It is called so because it rotates ninety degrees to allow large boats to pass. Before 1961, the bridge was rotated manually. Now it is electronic to accommodate the increased traffic.

Kaisen-Kyou

Kaisen-Kyou Rotated

Behind Kaisen-Kyou, there is a blue bridge called 大天橋 Daitenkyou. Once you crossed both bridges, you will find yourself at the start of a pine tree lined path.

Daitenkyou

Start of Amanohashidate

Because of the rain, I left Amanohashidate in less than three hours. But there were many things such as biking across the sandbar that I could not experience. Hopefully, I will be able to spend more time there next time.

A Ferry along Amanohashidate

Japanese Black Pines

View from 傘松公園 Kasamatsu Park

Japan 70: 天橋立 Amanohashidate

2009-08-23T12:55:00.001-05:00

Location: 京都府宮津市 Miyazu, Kyoto
Date: June 22, 2009

Amanohashidate

天橋立 Amanohashidate is a 3.6 kilometer long sand bar embracing 宮津湾 Miyazu Bay on its east side and 阿蘇海 Aso Sea on its west side. It is home to about 8,000 黒松 Kuromatsu, also known as Japanese Black Pines or Pinus thunbergii.

Believe it or not, I was quite blessed with good weather on this trip. That is until I arrived at Amanohashidate. It rained so hard that I thought the ferries bringing people from one end of the sand bar to the other may be suspended. Fortunately, they were not. Even the cable car that takes people to 傘松公園 Kasamatsu Park’s observatory deck was not closed. But the sun only started to appear while I was already on the train heading toward my next destination.

Cable Car

View from Kasamatsu Park

Next time, I hope the weather will be better so that I can bike across Amanohashidate.

宮津天橋立観光協会 Miyazu Amanohashidate Tourist Information Center

Japan 69: Waterfalls of Okayama

2009-08-22T10:13:00.001-05:00

Location: 岡山県真庭市 Maniwa, Okayama
Date: June 21, 2009

Before I arrived in Japan this time, JK told me that he would be driving and asked what I would like to see in 岡山 Okayama. So I picked something that would be inconvenient to reach by train and answered “Waterfalls!”.

Takahira Falls

JK, YK, Professor K, a student of Professor K’s, and I devoted most of the day to two waterfalls in Okayama. The first one was 高平の滝 Takahira Falls. Not only is it inaccessible by rail, after we left JK’s car, we followed a rusty sign, crossed two mossy wooden bridges, and hiked several minutes before reaching a pool of water formed by the narrow twenty meter tall falls.

Start of the Hike to Takahira Falls

Mossy Wooden Bridge

Scenery along the Hike

Takahira Falls

The other waterfall was 神庭の滝 Kamba Falls. It is 110 meter tall – more than five times the height of Takahira Falls. Instead of gathering at a pool, the water continues to run downwards on slippery and rocky beds for another half of a kilometer. About two hundred wild monkeys are known to live in the wooded area around the falls.

Kamba Falls

Top Half of Kamba Falls

After enjoying Kamba Falls from the bottom, JK drove to the top. It is there that I realized my companions were much more braver and standing much closer to the cliff than I.

A Stream Formed From the Fallen Water

Fallen Water Running Beneath a Bridge

Water Rushing to Kamba Falls

My Companions Standing at the Edge of Kamba Falls

Wild Monkeys

Wild Monkey

Food of the Day

Japan 68: 本島 Honjima

2009-08-21T12:59:00.001-05:00

Location: 香川県丸亀市 Marugame, Kagawa
Date: June 19, 2009

The Dock at Honjima

本島 Honjima is a small island in 瀬戸内海 Seto Inland Sea. Along with 27 other islands in the sea, they form an archipelago called 塩飽諸島 Shiwaku Islands. Honjima is so tiny that there is only one bus and one taxi. While I was there, I saw at most twelve residents. Yet, it is the most populous island among the Shiwaku Islands.

YK’s grandparents lived on Honjima, so YK visited the island every summer. Even after they passed away, YK and her relatives would occasionally come to the island to lunch at their house and visit their graves. On this particular visit, YK invited me, and we explored the island on bicycles.

A street in Honjima

Honjima’s most well known sightseeing spot is probably 塩飽勤番所 Shiwaku Kinbansho. At one point, it served as a “town hall” for the Shiwaku Islands. Now it is a nautical museum with various maps and ship models.

Shiwaku Kinbansho’s Entrance

The Main Building

A Tree in the Courtyard

A Ship Model

My favorite, however, is a little known temple called 惣光寺 Soukou-Ji. In fact, it is so abandoned that only its gates tell people that they are about to enter sacred grounds. But, behind the doorway, wild plants and trees flourish. What sets this temple apart from others is the decoration on the four corners of its entrance. There are eggplant, peach, pumpkin, and tomato.

Soukou-Ji

Eggplant

Peach

Pumpkin

Tomato

Honjima with its long and steep slopes is not an easy place to navigate on bikes. We gave up the idea of circling the island or even biking to YK’s grandparents’ place and ordered Honjima’s only cab. A stone throw away from the house is 夫婦倉 Meoto-Gura, two connected storage spaces built during the end of Edo Period.

Meoto-Gura

Food of the Day

Japan 67: 後楽園 Korakuen

2009-08-20T07:56:00.001-05:00

Location: 岡山県岡山市 Okayama, Okayama
Date: June 19, 2009

中の島 Naka-no-Shima and 御野島 Mino-Shima

後楽園 Korakuen is one of 日本三名園 Nihon San Mei-En (The Three Great Gardens of Japan). The landscaping throughout its 133,000 square meters offers a different scenery after every couple of steps. Its variety of plants makes every visit unique.

The best time of the day to visit is early in the morning when the air is still moistened with dew. Visitors are scarce at this time, so there is enough space for everybody to spread out and stay out of each other’s sight.

View of 沢の池 Sawa-no-Ike Pond from 唯心山 Yuishinzan Hill

Naka-no-Shima

Pine Tree and 岡山城 Okayama Castle

延養亭 Enyo-Tei

A Stone Lantern

後楽園 Korakuen

Food of the Day

Japan 66: Flowers in Korakuen

2009-08-19T09:11:00.001-05:00

Location: 岡山県岡山市 Okayama, Okayama
Date: June 19, 2009

紫陽花 Ajisai (Hydrangea)

菖蒲 Ayame (Iris)

Iris

蓮花 Renge (Lotus Flower)

Lotus Flower

躑躅 Tsutsuji (Azalea)

後楽園 Korakuen

Food of the Day

Japan 65: Animals in Korakuen

2009-08-18T19:38:00.001-05:00

Location: 岡山県岡山市 Okayama, Okayama
Date: June 19, 2009

後楽園 Korakuen

Food of the Day

Japan 64: Meiji Elementary School Building

2009-08-17T21:08:00.001-05:00

Location: 岡山県真庭市 Maniwa, Okayama
Date: June 21, 2009

旧遷喬尋常小学校校舎 Kyu Senkyou Jinjou Shougakkou Kousha is a long name referring to “Old Senkyou Ordinary Elementary School Building”. It is built in 1907 - forty years into 明治時代 Meiji Period. The architectural style reflects Japan’s acceptance of Western ideas during the era. Now, it is often used as a movie location.

Food of the Day

Japan 63: The End of 西祖谷コース West Iya Course

2009-08-16T15:42:00.001-05:00

Location: 徳島県三好市 Miyoshi, Tokushima
Date: June 17, 2009

The last stops of the 西祖谷コース West Iya Course were scary and scenic at the same time.

かずら橋 Kazura-Bashi, which literally means “Vine Bridge”, is a suspension bridge spanning across 祖谷渓谷 Iya Keikoku (Iya Valley). It is built with a vine called サルナシ sarunashi in Japanese and hardy kiwi in English. Its binomial name is Actinidia arguta.

Kazura-Bashi over Iya Valley

Across Kazura-Bashi

Sarunashi Vines

The Gaping Path

Kazura-Bashi is 45 meter long, 2 meter wide, and 14 meter above the water running beneath it. However, its scary part is the wide space between two neighboring planks and the way they are held in place by mere vines. My feet could have easily fit through the gaps along the path.

Very close to one end of Kazura-Bashi is a very thin 50 meter tall waterfall called 琵琶の滝 Biwa Falls.

Biwa Falls

Taller than both Kazura-Bashi and Biwa Falls combined is a statue of 小便小僧 Shouben Kozou, which means “The Peeing Boy”. It stands over a 200 meter high cliff. The statue was placed there to demonstrate a bravery test that natives and travelers take at the very spot.

Shouben Kozou and Iya Valley

Shouben Kozou

Japan 62: Museums of Rocks and Folklore

2009-08-15T19:23:00.001-05:00

Location: 徳島県三好市 Miyoshi, Tokushima
Date: June 17, 2009

The next stop on 阿波池田観光社 Awaikeda Tour Company’s 西祖谷コース West Iya Course was 石の博物館 Ishi no Hakubutsukan or Museum of Rocks. It showcased all sorts of stones, even one that is carved into the shape of 富士山 Mount Fuji.

A Display at Museum of Rocks

Mount Fuji-Shaped Stone

Following Museum of Rocks was 平家屋敷民俗資料館 Heike Yashiki Museum of Folklore. The house is built all the way on top of a mountain. The bus could only bring us as high up as the road would take us. From there, there was a short climb before we reached our destination.

View from Heike Yashiki

Gate of Heike Yashiki

The Garden

平家 Heike was a Japanese clan, it is also known as 平氏 Taira-Shi (Taira Clan). After Taira Clan lost to 源氏 Minamoto Clan in 壇ノ浦の戦い Battle of Dan-no-Ura, Taira Clan was almost entirely eliminated. Some survivors escaped to the mountains and lived in this 平家屋敷 Heike Yashiki, which just means “Residence of Heike”. Inside the house stored old cooking equipments and other antiquated objects.

The House

The Tea Area

石の博物館 Museum of Rocks

Japan 61: 大歩危 Ooboke and 小歩危 Koboke

2009-08-14T22:23:00.001-05:00

Location: 徳島県三好市 Miyoshi, Tokushima
Date: June 17, 2009

One day tours given by local companies are great ways to explore regions of Japan where cars are needed. 阿波池田観光社 Awaikeda Tour Company provides such service in this area. YK and I went on their 西祖谷コース West Iya Course. They picked us up from 阿波池田駅 Awaikeda Station in a vintage bus that had no air conditioning. The defect, however, was compensated by its speed.

Vintage Bus

小歩危 Koboke is a valley along 吉野川 Yoshino River. Its shallow and speedy water makes it a great rafting spot. Therefore, our bus only decelerated on the bridge overlooking it so that we could quickly snap a picture.

Koboke

大歩危 Ooboke is another valley along Yoshino River. Its wider and relatively calmer water permits sightseeing boats go up and down the stream.

Ooboke

Lion-Shaped Stone

Along Ooboke

Japan 60: 平等院 Byodo-In

2009-08-13T19:21:00.001-05:00

Location: 京都府宇治市 Uji, Kyoto
Date: June 16, 2009

船乗観音 Funanori Kannon

The first thing appears in my mind upon hearing the name 宇治 Uji is Japanese green tea, 抹茶 matcha. Of course, souvenirs of all sorts related to matcha are everywhere in Uji. But the other symbol of Uji is not any less prevalent. In fact, it is on the back of every ten yen coin.

平等院 Byodo-In has been a Buddhist temple since 1052. On the back of every ten yen coin is its main building, 鳳凰堂 Houou-Dou, which means Phoenix Hall. It is large, elaborate, and listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Pheonix Hall

Pheonix Hall’s Profile

Also impressive is its 藤棚 fujidana which is the climbing wisteria estimated to be 280 years old.

Fujidana

平等院 Byodo-In

Food of the Day

Japan 59: 東大寺 Todai-Ji

2009-08-12T17:46:00.001-05:00

Location: 奈良県奈良市 Nara, Nara
Date: June 16, 2009

南大門 Nandaimon

金堂 Kondo

Entrance of Kondo

廣目天 Koumokuten

多聞天 Tamonten

盧舎那仏像 Rushana Butsuzou and 如意輪観音 Nyoirin Kannon

Backside of Rushana Butsuzou and 虚空蔵菩薩 Kyokuuzo Bosatsu

東大寺 Todai-Ji

Food of the Day

Japan 58: Deers and Dogs of Nara

2009-08-11T09:58:00.001-05:00

Location: 奈良県奈良市 Nara, Nara
Date: June 16, 2009

Food of the Day

Japan 57: 伏見稲荷大社 Fushimi Inari Taisha

2009-08-10T20:22:00.001-05:00

Location: 京都府京都市 Kyoto, Kyoto
Date: June 16, 2009

Stone Foxes and Senbon Torii

Almost every 京都 Kyoto guide book has at least one picture of 伏見いなり大社 Fushimi Inari Taisha’s 鳥居 torii (shrine gates). But the pictures can never convey how long and hilly the trail they covered really is.

Back Sides of Senbon Torii

Stone Foxes and Small Torii

Bells

Fox-Shaped 絵馬 Ema

There are thousands of these orange torii. The dates and names of their donations are inscribed on the back. Collectively, they are called 千本鳥居 Senbon Torii, meaning “Thousand Torii”. They draw attention away from the numerous foxes, who are servants of 稲荷大神様 Inari Daijin-Sama (the deity, Inari) to whom the shrine is dedicated.

A Bronze Fox Statue

伏見稲荷大社 Fushimi Inari Taisha

Food of the Day

Japan 56: Inside Temples of Kamakura

2009-08-09T06:04:00.001-05:00

Location: 神奈川県鎌倉市 Kamakura, Kanagawa
Date: June 15, 2009

Inside 東慶寺 Tokei-Ji

Iris of Tokei-Ji

烏天狗 Karasu-Tengu of 建長寺 Kencho-Ji

Another Karasu-Tengu of Kencho-Ji

Food of the Day

Japan 55: 高徳院 Kotoku-In

2009-08-08T20:30:00.001-05:00

Location: 神奈川県鎌倉市 Kamakura, Kanagawa
Date: June 15, 2009

高徳院 Kotoku-In is probably 鎌倉 Kamakura’s biggest tourist attraction. Its 大仏 Daibutsu, which means Big Buddha, is 11.312 meter tall and weights 121 tons.

Daibutsu

Daibutsu’s ¾ Profile

Not only is this Daibutsu big, its interior - 胎内 tainai - is quite spacious and fits around ten people. 胎 tai is the character for embryo; 内 nai is inside. I do not know why 胎 tai is used in this case. It is such an odd choice.

Daibutsu’s Tainai

高徳院 Kotoku-In

Food of the Day

Japan 54: Earth Balloon and Pivo²

2009-08-07T14:05:00.001-05:00

Location: 神奈川県横浜市 Yokohama, Kanagawa
Date: June 15, 2009

Earth Balloon During the Day

In Y150 Tomorrow Park, there is a balloon 20 meter in diameter floating midair named Earth Balloon. An animation, directed by astronaut 向井千秋 Mukai Chiaki, concerning the environment is shown repeatedly at night. After each time the film is over, the balloon remains illuminated like a globe.

Earth Balloon Illuminated

Earth Balloon Screening

Near Earth Balloon is NISSAN Y150 Dream Front. Its main draw for me was Pivo². It is an electronic car with a computerized dashboard.

Pivo²

Pivo² Dashboard

開国博Y150 A Grand Exposition for Yokohama’s 150th Year

Food of the Day

Japan 53: ENEOS La Machine

2009-08-06T19:45:00.001-05:00

Location: 神奈川県横浜市 Yokohama, Kanagawa
Date: June 15, 2009

To commemorate the 150th anniversary of Japan opening up to the outside world, 横浜 Yokohama hosted 開国博Y150 Kaikoku-Haku Y150. The English name of the celebration is “A Grand Exposition for Yokohama’s 150th Year”. It took place across different parts of Yokohama.

Forrest of Beginnings

Near 東京湾 Tokyo Bay, there is an exhibition area called Y150はじまりの森 Y150 Hajimari no Mori (Y150 Forest of Beginnings). It is made up of a group of white circular huts that housed photos and cartoons showing what Yokohama was like 150 years ago. Among these buildings, there was a 12 meter tall robotic spider.

The spider is created by the French “spectacle art group” La Machine and sponsored by ENEOS, a brand within Nippon Oil Corporation. Hence, it was referred to as ENEOS La Machine. However, when the group’s spider first appeared in Liverpool, it was called “La Princesse”.

Back and Side of ENEOS La Machine

Front of ENEOS La Machine

Close-Up of ENEOS La Machine

開国博Y150 A Grand Exposition for Yokohama’s 150th Year

Food of the Day

Japan 52: 華厳の滝 Kegon Falls

2009-08-05T22:09:00.001-05:00

Location: 栃木県日光市 Nikko, Tochigi
Date: June 14, 2009

Kegon Falls, 白雲の滝 Shirakumo Falls, and 男体山 Mount Nantai

Besides shrines and temples, 華厳の滝 Kegon Falls is another major tourist attraction of 日光 Nikko. There are two ways to observe the falls. One is from the viewing platform connected by 明智平ロープウェイ Akechidaira Ropeway; the other is at the bottom of the falls.

I do not recommend the first because it actually takes you further away from Kegon Falls. The best view of it is still miniature. (See above) With buses arriving at most hourly, it was not worth my effort and time. To reach the latter, there is 華厳エレベーター Kegon Elevator. The observation deck is right above the running water that just fell from the falls. (See below)

Monkeys Near Kegon Falls

Japan 51: 日光東照宮 Nikko Tosho-Gu

2009-08-04T17:52:00.001-05:00

Location: 栃木県日光市 Nikko, Tochigi
Date: June 14, 2009

Mountain and Mist

Trees in Nikko

日光 Nikko is popular day trip destination from 東京 Tokyo. Its shrines and temples are designated as a World Heritage Site by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1999.

Many people’s shrine and temple hopping starts from 東照宮 Tosho-Gu because there is the main entrance of the World Heritage Site where admission is sold. What makes the buildings here special is their intricate and colorful design details. If you arrive early, you can catch the mist among the trees and mountains and avoid the crowds.

A 鳥居 Torii Gate at Tosho-Gu

One of the Many Doorways

One of the more famous artwork is a wooden carving of 三猿 San-Zaru, also known as The Three Wise Monkeys. They represent, from left to right, the sayings: 聞かざる kikazaru (“hear no evil”), 言わざる iwazaru (“speak no evil”), and 見ざる mizaru (“see no evil”), because ざる zaru can be written with the Chinese character 猿 meaning monkey.

San-Zaru

Another famous carving is 想像の象 Souzou no Zou, meaning “Elephants of Imagination”. It is named so, because the carver supposedly had never actually seen an elephant.

Souzou no Zou

Japan 50: Nikko Monkeys

2009-08-03T06:38:00.001-05:00

Location: 栃木県日光市 Nikko, Tochigi
Date: June 14, 2009

Japan 49: 浅草寺 Senso-Ji

2009-08-02T06:39:00.001-05:00

Location: 東京都台東区 Taitou, Tokyo
Date: June 14, 2009

Pagoda

I know many will ask how did I take pictures of 浅草寺 Senso-Ji without all the people. The answer is that the pictures were taken at 5:20 AM. Early morning, before all the souvenir shops open and the tour buses arrive, is the only time you can avoid the crowds.

Senso-Ji is such a tourist attraction because it is the oldest temple in 東京 Tokyo, founded in 628. Of course its humongous lanterns and straw sandals are also a draw.

雷門 Kaminari-Mon

宝蔵門 Hozo-Mon

Giant Straw Sandals on the Back Side of Hozo-Mon

Buddhist Statues

Cat

浅草寺 Senso-Ji

Japan 48: 豪徳寺 Goutoku-Ji

2009-08-01T16:06:00.001-05:00

Location: 東京都世田谷区 Setagaya, Tokyo
Date: June 13, 2009

Entrance of Goutoku-Ji

Temple Grounds

豪徳寺 Goutoku-Ji is a temple that is said to be the place of origin of 招き猫 Maneki Neko. Maneki Neko is a cat with a paw raised to welcome good luck; it is also known as the Beckoning Cat.

Besides its numerous Maneki Neko in various sizes, Goutoku-Ji is overall a very typical temple.

Maneki Neko

Food of the Day

Japan 47: 浅虫温泉 Asamushi Onsen

2009-07-31T12:56:00.001-05:00

Location: 青森県青森市 Aomori, Aomori
Date: June 25, 2009

Mutsu Bay and Yunoshima

Travelling by rail from 東京 Tokyo to 札幌 Sapporo requires many hours and planning. Otherwise, it would just be long and torturous. One of the stops I made along the way was at 浅虫温泉 Asamushi Onsen. It is a hot spring town facing 陸奥湾 Mutsu Bay.

Stopping at Asamushi Onsen was not without hesitation. 浅 asa means shallow; 虫 mushi means insects; 温泉 onsen means hot spring. The name is just not a good combination of 漢字 kanji characters. After some research, I found out that asamushi was originally written as 麻蒸し (麻 asa means hemp and 蒸し mushi means steam) because the hot spring was once used to steam hemp.

Ashiyu

Yu-sa Asamushi

Nonetheless, Asamushi Onsen was well worth the visit. Immediately outside the train station, there was a free 足湯 ashiyu, which means foot hot spring. A little bit further away from the station was ゆーさ浅虫 Yu-sa Asamushi. For just 350 yen, I was able to bath in its hot spring on the fifth floor looking, while enjoying the sunset over 湯の島 Yunoshima.

Sunset over Mutsu Bay and Yunoshima

ゆーさ浅虫 Yu-sa Asamushi

Food of the Day

Japan 46: 松島 Matsushima

2009-07-30T16:13:00.001-05:00

Location: 宮城県松島 Matsushima, Miyagi
Date: June 25, 2009

松島 Matsushima is a group of more than two hundred islands. Most of them are covered with pine trees after which they are named. 松 matsu means pine; 島 shima means island. Some of the individual islands have their own names, while others do not.

双子島 Futagojima

鐘島 Kanejima

仁王島 Nioujima

The easiest way to see the various islands is by cruises. The cruises sell crackers that tourists feed to aggressive birds, so they always follow the boats and get inside your pictures. Otherwise, they are friendly creatures.

Bird

Food of the Day

Japan 45: Flowers of Nakafurano

2009-07-29T08:56:00.001-05:00

Location: 北海道空知郡 Sorachi, Hokkaido
Date: June 26, 2009

中富良野 Nakafurano is a town in 空知郡 Sorachi District of 北海道 Hokkaido. It is famous for its farms, notably ones that grow flowers.

Food of the Day

Japan 44: 阿寒湖 Lake Akan

2009-07-28T05:06:00.001-05:00

Location: 北海道釧路市 Kushiro, Hokkaido
Date: June 27, 2009

Lake Akan and 雄阿寒岳 Mount Oakan

The last stop on 阿寒バス Akan Bus’s ピリカ号 Pirika-Go one day tour was 阿寒湖 Lake Akan and its neighboring アイヌ Ainu souvenir village.

The village is decorated in Ainu symbols such as owls and totems. But it does not offer much more than souvenirs.

Owls

Bear Sculpture and Totem

阿寒バス Akan Bus

Food of the Day

Japan 43: 硫黄山 Mount Io

2009-07-27T09:49:00.001-05:00

Location: 北海道川上郡 Kawakami, Hokkaido
Date: June 27, 2009

硫黄山 Iouzan (Mount Io) is a volcano with steam constantly seeping through its cracks. It also has a huge deposit of sulfur, which is 硫黄 iou in Japanese. The yellow of the sulfur and white of the ashes create a striking difference between Mount Io and its surrounding.

阿寒バス Akan Bus

Food of the Day

Japan 42: 屈斜路湖 Lake Kussharo

2009-07-26T07:55:00.001-05:00

Location: 北海道川上郡 Kawakami, Hokkaido
Date: June 27, 2009

Lake Kussharo

On the opposite side of 美幌峠 Bihoro-Touge, 屈斜路湖 Lake Kussharo has a 砂湯 sunayu, sand hot spring. When one digs beneath the sand at the edge of the lake, hot spring will ooze out.

Sunayu

There is also a statue of a large blue aquatic creature named クッシー Kusshii. It is Lake Kussharo’s Nessie the Loch Ness Monster.

Kusshii

阿寒バス Akan Bus

Food of the Day

Japan 41: 美幌峠 Bihoro-Touge

2009-07-25T09:07:00.001-05:00

Location: 北海道川上郡 Kawakami, Hokkaido
Date: June 27, 2009

Bihoro-Touge

The next stop on ピリカ号 Pirika-Go was 美幌峠 Bihoro-Touge. 峠 touge means mountain pass. From Bihoro-Touge, we were able to see the west side of 屈斜路湖 Lake Kussharo and its 中島 Nakajima. Nakajima is the largest island in a fresh water lake in Japan.

阿寒バス Akan Bus

Food of the Day

Japan 40: 摩周湖 Lake Mashu

2009-07-24T11:00:00.001-05:00

Location: 北海道川上郡 Kawakami, Hokkaido
Date: June 27, 2009

Lake Mashu and Kamuishu Island

After 釧路湿原国立公園 Kushiro Shitsugen National Park, 阿寒バス Akan Bus’s ピリカ号 Pirika-Go one day tour took me to 摩周湖第1展望台 Lake Mashu Number 1 Viewing Platform.

摩周湖 Lake Mashu is a crater lake with a surface located at 315 meters above sea level and a depth of 211 meters. Its water’s clarity allows even the bottom of the lake to be visible.

While it is one of the clearest lakes in the world, Lake Mashu is often shrouded in fog. I was very lucky to have seen the crater’s reflection in the lake and カムイシュ島 Kamuishu Island in the middle of the pond.

However, Kamuishu is not an actual island. It is a lava dome peaking above the surface.

Kamuishu Island

阿寒バス Akan Bus

Food of the Day

Japan 39: Animals of Kushiro

2009-07-23T07:13:00.001-05:00

Location: 北海道釧路市 Kushiro, Hokkaido
Date: June 27, 2009

Cows

Deer

Food of the Day

Japan 38: 釧路湿原国立公園 Kushiro Shitsugen National Park

2009-07-22T21:31:00.001-05:00

Location: 北海道釧路市 Kushiro, Hokkaido
Date: June 27, 2009

釧路湿原国立公園 Kushiro Shitsugen National Park is the most accessible natural attraction in 釧路 Kushiro. It has several observation decks along the surrounding expressways. During high season, special trains even takes you around the park to see different sceneries.

I was travelling with 阿寒バス Akan Bus’s ピリカ号 Pirika-Go one day tour. Our bus stopped at 北斗展望台 Hokuto Viewing Platform.

Food of the Day

Japan 37: Trees of Biei

2009-07-21T08:44:00.001-05:00

Location: 北海道上川郡 Kamikawa, Hokkaido
Date: June 26, 2009

美瑛 Biei

ケンとメリーの木 Ken and Mary's Tree (Poplar)

親子の木 Parents and Child's Tree (Oak)

Food of the Day

Japan 36: Lupines of Biei

2009-07-20T12:27:00.001-05:00

Location: 北海道上川郡 Kamikawa, Hokkaido
Date: June 26, 2009

When I was in Hokkaido, lavenders were not in full bloom yet. Lupines, on the other hand, were flourishing. There were plenty of them in 美瑛 Biei.

Food of the Day

Japan 35: Hello Kitty Kindergarten School Bus

2009-07-19T12:34:00.003-05:00

Location: 北海道釧路市 Kushiro, Hokkaido
Date: June 27, 2009

Food of the Day

Japan 34: Outside the Imperial Palace

2009-07-18T15:36:00.001-05:00

Location: 東京都千代田区 Chiyoda, Tokyo
Date: June 12, 2009

Moat around the Palace Grounds

二重橋 Nijubashi

Food of the Day

Japan 33: 北斗星 Hokutosei

2009-07-17T09:41:00.001-05:00

Location: 北海道函館市 Hakodate, Hokkaido
Date: June 28, 2009

北斗星 Hokutosei is the name of the night train I rode from 函館 Hakodate to 上野 Ueno. I had a berth that came with pajama, pillow, and bed sheets. It was my first time actually lying down on a train. Sleeping perpendicular to the motion of the train felt quite strange at first.

Hokutosei

Berth

Food of the Day

Japan 32: ジブリ美術館 Ghibli Museum

2009-07-16T09:17:00.001-05:00

Location: 東京都三鷹市 Mitaka, Tokyo
Date: June 12, 2009

My favorite スタジオジブリ Studio Ghibli animations, 『耳をすませば』 Whisper of the Heart and 『猫の恩返し』 The Cat Returns, are not made by 宮崎駿 Miyazaki Hayao. Therefore, niether was mentioned much in ジブリ美術館 Ghibli Museum, but I still found it to be a pleasant place.

Ghibli Museum

Robot Soldier

Its exterior is colorful marshmallow shaped with tiny windows and a gigantic robot soldier standing on top. Its interior is dedicated to the different methods Studio Ghibli uses. Everything from research to coloring of each frame is explained.

Getting to Ghibli Museum is a challenge in its own. While you can buy your tickets in advance before even arriving in Japan, all tickets are marked for a specific date and time of entrance. Your tickets expire if you missed your appointment, yet you cannot enter the museum much earlier than the marked time. Therefore, I chose to buy my ticket at a convenient store in Tokyo instead. The vending machine lets you know immediately the availability of different time slots and does not charge any handling fee. So it was cheaper and more convenient.

Totoro the Ticket Vendor

ジブリ美術館 Ghibli Museum

Food of the Day

Japan 31: Mori Art Museum and Tokyo City View

2009-07-15T18:41:00.001-05:00

Location: 東京都六本木区 Roppongi, Tokyo
Date: June 13, 2009

Louise Bourgeois’ Marman at Roppongi Hills

Entrance to Mori Art Museum and Tokyo City View

六本木 Roppongi has a very lively night scene. 森美術館 Mori Art Museum and 東京シティビュー Tokyo City View, both located inside 六本木ヒルズ Roppongi Hills, open well after dinner hours. Mori Art Museum’s exhibits change constantly. So it is meaningless for me to write about them. However, the panorama from Tokyo City View changes relatively less.

What makes Tokyo City View different from other observation decks is that it offers both indoor and outdoor viewing. Its rooftop helicopter landing is open to public. There is no glass between the visitors and their view. Therefore, visitors are asked to store any small items they may drop accidentally inside lockers before entering the area.

The Helicopter Deck at Tokyo City View

The Outdoor View

The Indoor View

Food of the Day

Japan 30: Cats of Hakodate

2009-07-14T21:32:00.005-05:00

Location: 北海道函館市 Hakodate, Hokkaido
Date: June 28, 2009

Food of the Day

United States 50: Over Somewhere

2009-07-13T04:36:00.001-05:00

Location: Somewhere Midair
Date: June 29, 2009

Japan 29: Okayama Bicycle Parking Lot

2008-04-09T05:57:00.002-05:00

Location: 岡山県岡山市 Okayama, Okayama
Date: October 17 and 20, 2003

The Entrance

My Bicycle

United States 49: 2007 Celebrity Groups and their Floats

2008-01-28T00:00:00.000-05:00

Location: New York, New York
Date: November 22, 2007

Jonas Brothers

International Cele-Bear-Ation Clock Tower (Build-A-Bear Workshop)

Lifehouse

Spirit of America (United States Postal Service)

Menudo

Big Apple (New York Daily News)

Good Charlotte

Bridge to the Future (Hess Corporation)

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

United States 48: 2007 Celebrities and their Floats

2008-01-27T12:17:00.000-05:00

Location: New York, New York
Date: November 22, 2007

Dolly Parton

Marion-Carol Showboat

Miss USA 2007 - Rachel Smith

Spirit of Liberty (Delta Airlines)

Ne-Yo

Pep Squad (Mike Miller and Associates)

Sarah Brightman

Jolly Polly Pirate Ship

Ashley Tisdale

Expedition to the Top of Rhino Mountain (Ecko Unlimited)

Jordin Sparks

Holiday Lovin' Oven (Pillsbury)

Corbin Bleu

Starship Discovery (Greendog)

Wynonna Judd

Music Bigger than Life (Gibson Guitar)

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

United States 47: 2007 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

2008-01-14T00:00:00.000-05:00

Location: New York, New York
Date: November 22, 2007

I cannot believe that I waited until 2008 to post these pictures. Here are some of my favorite balloons and moments from 2007 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Thanks to AC, I was able to take these pictures from the bleacher seats outside Central Park.

Abby Cadabby's Ushers

Abby Cadabby

Hello Kitty

Hello Kitty's Ushers

New York City Parks Enforcement

Energizer Bunny

Pikachu

Rabbit

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

United States 46: Cranberry Bog at Rockefeller Center

2008-01-13T16:41:00.000-05:00

Location: New York, New York
Date: November 3, 2007

As an inaugural celebration for its new cranberry drink, Ocean Spray replicated a small cranberry bog at Rockefeller Center.

A bog is a piece of wetland. Cranberries shrubs enjoy growing in such environment. But their shortness makes picking the berries manually a pain in the back literally. Therefore, during each year’s harvest, farmers flood their bogs so the cranberries would flow off their stems and onto the water’s surface. This way the berries can easily be collected with a machine.

Cranberry Shrubs

Flooded Cranberry Bog

Cranberry Collecting Machine

United States 45: New York Anime Festival 2007 Cosplays

2008-01-12T23:12:00.001-05:00

Location: New York, New York
Date: December 7, 2007

Fuu (Magic Knight Rayearth)

Cloud (Final Fantasy)

Rei and Asuka (Neon Genesis Evangelion)

Naruto, Naruto, Naruto, and Sakura (Naruto)

New York Anime Festval

Honduras 9: Keifito’s Plantation Resort’s Horseback Riding

2008-01-10T19:29:00.000-05:00

Location: West Bay, Roatan
Date: December 22, 2007

Before my flight out of Roatan, I fitted in a horseback riding from Keifito’s Plantation Resort. My group rode on hills, roads, and even the beach outside Gumbalimba Park!

My Horse

The Guide

Horseback Riding on a Beach

Eagle

Mango Bay

Keifito's Plantation Resort

Food of the Day

Honduras 8: Anthony’s Key Resort

2008-01-09T09:40:00.000-05:00

Location: Sandy Bay, Roatan
Date: December 20, 2007

Somewhere in Anthony's Key Resort

When traveling alone, the simplest way to explore Roatan’s different attractions is by joining one of the many packages with transportation and admission fees included. I chose one that included Gumbalimba Park and a dolphin encounter at Anthony’s Key Resort. Anthony’s Key Resort is located between Gumbalimba Park and West End.

Inside Anthony’s Key Resort, there are Roatan Museum and Roatan Institute for Marine Science. Roatan Museum displays many Native American artifacts. There is a collection of ceramic pot feet. Their name is Yaba Ding Ding.

Use of a Yaba Ding Ding

Yaba Ding Ding

Anthony’s Key Resort’s Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) live in Bailey’s Key which is a minute boat ride away from the museum. They are not free to swim in and out of the bay. However, they have plenty of room in Caribbean Sea. Researchers from Roatan Institute for Marine Science learn a lot about dolphin communication through observing them.

Home of the Bottlenose Dolphins

A Bottlenose Dolphin

Anthony's Key Resort

Honduras 7: Gumbalimba Park

2008-01-08T08:42:00.000-05:00

Location: West Bay, Roatan
Date: December 20, 2007

A great on land attraction of Roatan is Gumbalimba Park. Visitors can choose to walk into the park or land onto it through a series of eighteen zip-lines. I chose the latter, although admittedly I almost regretted my choice when I saw the helmet, safety belt, hooks, and wires.

One of Gumbalimba Park's Entrances

Me on a Zip-Line

Because of the combined advantages of traveling alone, low season, and a day on which no cruise ship docked, I had the entire park to myself. Throughout all eighteen zip-lines, two attentive guides helped me on and off the wires, took pictures, and made sure that I would not run into a tree. They even offered to hang me upside down or back side up like Superman. But I refused all their proposals except for bouncing up and down one of the zip-lines.

First stop after the zip-lines is Coxen’s Cave. It is a small museum dedicated to Roatan’s history and the pirate, John Coxen. It is said that John Coxen was an active British pirate in the late 17th century and he spent his last years hiding in Roatan with his treasure.

Coxen's Cave

A Cannon and Cannon Ball Recovered from a Shipwreck

Behind Coxen’s Cave and across a pond, there is Bird Sanctuary. Gumbalimba Park treats their birds very well. Throughout the day, all the parrots are let out of their cages in groups to fly around.

Great Green Macaw (Ara ambiguus)

Great Green Macaw and Scarlet Macaws (Ara macao)

There is even more freedom in Monkey Refuge. The only monkeys on leashes were a baby White-Faced Capuchin (Cebus capucinus) and a violent Geoffroy’s Spider Monkey (Ateles geoffroyi). The rest are free to run wild. However, the park staff has great communication with them. They would usually show up to take pictures with visitors if they hear their name called or tempted with nuts and soda. It is not healthy for animals and human beings alike, but Gumbalimba Park’s Capuchins do enjoy Coca-Cola.

White-Faced Capuchins

A White-Faced Capuchin and Spider Monkey at the Spider Monkey's House

A Guatemalan Black Howler Monkey (Alouatta pigra) in Hiding

There are many interesting plants in the park. Among them, a wild iguana or two may be spotted.

Candle Bush (Senna alata)

A Small Green Iguana

Gumbalimba Park

Honduras 6: Roatan Butterfly Garden

2008-01-01T23:53:00.000-05:00

Location: West End, Roatan
Date: December 19, 2007

Probably the only attraction walking distance from West End is Roatan Butterfly Garden. The garden consists of three major sections: a butterfly house, a toucan house, and a large yard inhabited by different tropical birds and plants.

Owl Butterflies

The largest specie in the butterfly house is a type of Owl Butterflies in the Caligo genus. On average, each of their wings measures up to three inches wide at the widest part. So when they spread their wings, some are six inches wide. Compare to the small three inch Small Postman (Heliconius erato) and Zebra Longwing (Heliconius charithonia), the Owl Butterflies are giants.

Zebra Longwing

Small Postman

However, to the Keel-Billed Toucans (Ramphastos sulfuratus), the Owl Butterflies are just another type of insect. Because of its size, Owl Butterflies are relatively slow. The few that flew next door would inevitably become part of the Keel-Billed Toucans’ diet along with fruits. My tour guide said they eat smaller birds as well when they are in the wild.

Keel-Billed Toucans

There are more Keel-Billed Toucans in the outdoor part of Roatan Butterfly Garden. Sharing the space are more parrots and tropical plants including the Honduran national bird, Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) and Breadfruit tree (Artocarpus altilis).

Collared Aracari (Pteroglossus torquatus)

White-Crowned Parrot (Pionus senilis)

Yellow-Crowned Amazon (Amazona ochrocephala)

White-Fronted Amazon (Amazona albifrons)

Scarlet Macaw

Banana Tree

Breadfruit Tree (Artocarpus altilis)

Orchid

Roatan Butterfly Garden

Food of the Day

Honduras 5: My First Diving Gears

2007-12-31T01:11:00.000-05:00

Location: West End, Roatan
Date: December 18, 2007

After two rainy days of confined water practices, I was finally going to my first open water dive. It was still raining, but that did not matter. Coconut Tree Divers said rain does not affect diving, it is the wind that does. Strong winds can make the boat move so violently that it is difficult to get back onto the boat.

I did not take any pictures until my later dives, so here is a picture of the gear I used throughout the Open Water Course.

The Buddle in the Middle is Mine

Honduras 4: Free Pets

2007-12-29T14:01:00.000-05:00

Location: West End, Roatan
Date: December 18, 2007

Pets in West End are very lucky. They are allowed to make decisions for themselves, and they are truly part of their owner’s family. Everything, from chicken to dogs, can roam around town freely. I have not seen a single leash or spayed animal there.

Coconut Tree Divers has two cats that go and hang out there daily. They are mother and daughter who each gave birth to a litter of kittens recently. But their family did not abandon them. These three generations of cats still live under the same roof.

The Mother and Daughter

The Mother

The Daughter

Honduras 3: Rainy Season in Roatan

2007-12-28T23:51:00.000-05:00

Location: West End, Roatan
Date: December 17, 2007

Food of the Day

Honduras 2: Coconut Palms

2007-12-26T21:21:00.000-05:00

Location: West End, Roatan
Date: December 16, 2007

Coconut Palms

Ever wonder why coconut trees always grow near the sea?

Each coconut is actually a seed of the plant. So when it is ripe and fallen, it will germinate under the right circumstances. Sometimes the sea’s current would even carry a seed to an isolated island and plant it there.

A Young Palm

A Coconut

Although I have long known that, it is only until now that I see young palms and coconuts waiting to be carried away.

Food of the Day

Honduras 1: Coconut Tree Cabins

2007-12-24T23:22:00.000-05:00

Location: West End, Roatan
Date: December 15, 2007

Before landing in Roatan, I imagined that I would walk down West End’s row of dive shops and hunt for the best deal. But that never happened.

Once the taxi dropped me off at the main entrance of West End, I was right in front of Coconut Tree Divers. My would-be dive instructor showed me one of Coconut Tree Cabins’ rooms, a staff of Coconut Tree Convenience Store told me the rate, and the hunt was over.

My room was a little raised house built behind wooden gates and a stone fence. It had huge windows, two beds, a bathroom, an air conditioner, a porch, and a hammock. Between my room and the gates, there was a stone path with exotic flowers like ginger and hibiscus hanging along it. Occasionally, a chicken or cat would walk by there too.

Coconut Tree Cabins' Gates

My Cabin

My Room

A Flower

The ambience and locale were perfect. Its only defect was the scent of humidity during the rainy season.

Food of the Day

Japan 28: Boat House

2007-09-06T21:37:00.000-05:00

Location: 岡山県瀬戸内市 Setouchi, Okayama
Date: October 25, 2003

Japan 27: 吉備津神社 Kibitsu Jinja

2007-09-04T22:30:00.000-05:00

Location: 岡山県岡山市 Okayama, Okayama
Date: October 9, 2003

An Altar at Kibitsu Jinja

While I was in Japan, I was very lucky to have Professor TK as my mentor. Different mentor treats their exchange student mentee differently. Some see their students no more than five times during their stay in Japan. But I met with my teacher at least once a week, and he brought me to many places. On the day we met, he and a student of his took me to 吉備津神社 Kibitsu Jinja.

One of the Buildings at the Shrine

Wine for the Gods

Kibitsu Jinja is a 神道 Shinto shrine that mainly worships 五十狭芹彦 Isaserihiko who is a son of Japan’s eighth emperor, 孝霊天皇 Kourei Tennou. In the tenth year of 崇神天皇 Sujin Tennou’s reign or 87 B.C., Isaserihiko took over 吉備国 Kibinokuni which is now Okayama Prefecture, eastern part of 広島県 Hiroshima Prefecture, western part of 兵庫県 Hyogo Prefecture, and islands of 香川県 Kagawa Prefecture. He then is renamed 吉備津彦 Kibitsu Hikono. According to legends, he died at the age of 281. At Kibitsu Jinja, he is now a Shinto god and known as 吉備津彦命 Kibitsuhikonomikoto. The myth of 桃太郎 Momotaro is said to be loosely based on his life.

The sun almost set by the time we arrived, and Kibitsu Jinja was closing. Fortunately, the shrine keepers still walk around its main entrance.

An Entrance

A Lantern

Food of the Day

United States 44: Phonebook Sculptures

2007-08-19T08:07:00.000-05:00

Location: New York, New York
Date: September 21, 2003

Almost four years after taking these photos, I finally found out who made the statues. They are created by 陳龍斌 Long-Bin Chen, a Taiwanese artist who studied at School of Visual Arts. Chen made many statues using books. Some are several meters tall. But these are only about a foot tall, and they are made out of phonebooks. Now that you know who the artist is, do you know who the statues are modeled after?

Bodhidharma

Buddha

The Back of Buddha

A Buddha in Progress

United States 43: New York Science Barge

2007-08-18T13:07:00.000-05:00

Location: New York, New York
Date: July 28, 2007

New York Science Barge

Barge is a flat boat used for carrying heavy loads. The New York Science Barge carries a greenhouse. It is created by New York Sun Works to show how everybody can generate electricity and grow vegetables with no carbon emission right on their roofs.

My favorite object on the New York Science Barge has to be its solar panels. Unlike the traditional ones that lie stationary, these tilt and adjust their positions for the maximum sunlight.

Solar Panel

Wind Turbines

Of course there are wind energy and hydro energy being generated too. But their contribution on the barge is a fraction of the solar panels’.

River Water Desalinizer

Rainwater and river water serve another purpose, and that is to water the vegetables in the greenhouse. Every time it rains, the rainwater is collected from the gutters on the roof, filtered, and stored inside a blue tank. If there is not enough water from the rainwater tank, then water is pumped from the Hudson River into another blue tank for desalinization and cleaning.

A Young Plant

Instead of soil, the vegetables grow in sponge like material that can easily soak up water and fertilizers. To minimize the space each plant uses, the staff at New York Science Barge has trained the plants to grow vertically.

Tomatoes

Cucumbers

It is interesting to note that the entire deck is made from recycled plastic.

The Deck

New York Sun Works

United States 42: Nickerson State Park

2007-07-16T05:41:00.000-05:00

Location: Brewster, Eastham, and Orleans, Massachusetts
Date: June 22, 2007

SY, I, and SO

SO, SY, and I spent the last full day of our Cape Cod vacation biking down Cape Cod Rail Trail again. Unlike last time, the sky was crystal clear today. All the ponds and marshes looked so much prettier.

Marsh

We headed south until we reached Nickerson State Park. These 1900 acres of forests and ponds are geared for campers. But we explored it anyway through its hilly bicycle trails. Riding up some of the hills were tough. However, going down on them was a breeze, and it propelled us over other slopes.

Bike Trail Intersection

Nickerson State Park has eight named ponds. We took a quick break near its Flax Pond. SO and SY took the opportunity to review the 太極 taichi they learned from JM.

Taichi in front of Flax Pond

Flax Pond

Idle Times Bikes Shop Inc.

Nickerson State Park

Food of the Day

United States 41: Kayaking to Long Point Beach

2007-07-08T17:19:00.000-05:00

Location: Provincetown, Massachusetts
Date: June 21, 2007

From Venture Athletics, AC, DP, JM, SO, SY, and I rented kayaks and crossed Provincetown Harbor. This time we all got our own boat. It was definitely wetter and more fun kayaking than canoeing. AC was the only one brave enough to take out her non-waterproof camera.

SY and I in our kayaks in front of Long Point Beach and Long Point Light (by AC)

From Long Point Beach to Provincetown

After roughly an hour, we hit Long Point Beach. It is directly across Provincetown Harbor from Provincetown. There is no road leading to the beach, so the only people there were us and few other fellow kayakers.

Behind the Long Point Beach were sand dunes. They are a lot shorter and greener than what I perceived as sand dunes, but nonetheless they are in the family.

Sand Dunes

A Plant among the Sand

After walking around and reapplying our sunscreen, JM, SO, SY, and I started paddling back to Provincetown creating some alone time for AC and DP. Half way there, we decided to park our kayaks together and rest our arms. And the most exciting event of the trip happened.

My kayak capsized.

SY was parking her boat next to mine when a wave might have hit the bottom of boat when I turned to SY. The next thing I know was I was in the water and my kayak was upside down.

Although we are all amateur kayakers, JM, SO, and SY quickly flipped my boat over and saved my flip-flops. Now, all I needed to do was get back on it. The correct way to do it is to sit your body onto the boat first and then get your legs into it as well. But I do not have the arm strength. So I tried to get the left side of my body on it followed by the right side. It means I need to flip over once I got back on to the kayak risking capsizing again, which I did, but I made it on the second try.

Venture Athletics

United States 40: Canoeing in Nauset Marsh

2007-07-07T06:28:00.000-05:00

Location: Orleans, Massachusetts
Date: June 20, 2007

Canoe

This is a canoe - boat that is pointed on both ends and without any covering on top. AC, DP, JM, SO, SY, and I rented two of these boats from Goose Hummock Shops and set out for the Nauset Marsh. JM, SO, and SY were on one boat, while AC, DP, and I were on the other.

JM, SO, and SY reached the marsh very quickly. AC and DP not only took detours but also snails. There are certain areas in Orleans Town Cove, which connects to Nauset Marsh, with very shallow water. Snails, mussels, and hermit crabs can be easily seen from the canoe. If AC had some sharp knives, she and DP would probably scrape up the mussels as well. Meanwhile, I was just taking pictures of a hermit crab and staring at the marsh hoping I would get there within the three hour rental.

Snails

Mussels

Hermit Crab

Fortunately, we did. I have looked at marshes from observatory decks and bridges. But this was the first time I have been in a marsh. The winding paths visible from above are hidden behind the low grass patches. At some points, it seemed like an aquatic maze. I would definitely want to kayak through an entire marsh next time.

Nauset Marsh

Goose Hummock Shops

United States 39: Cape Cod Rail Trail

2007-07-03T10:12:00.001-05:00

Location: Brewster, Eastham, Orleans, and Wellfleet, Massachusetts
Date: June 19, 2007

From this trip, AC wanted beach, and I wanted marsh. Surprisingly, the Cape Cod Rail Trail accommodated to both needs.

Along Cape Cod Rail Trail

Cape Cod Rail Trail is a twenty-two mile long path made by paving over part of Old Colony Railroad Company's Cape Cod line. In 1873, Old Colony Railroad Company’s rails stretched from Boston all the way to Provincetown. Trains transported passengers in and out of Cape Cod on this line until 1960s. But now it is only for cyclists and passengers.

AC, DP, SO, SY, and I started our adventure along the trail by renting bicycles in Eastham. Then we biked north until we reach the Cape Cod Rail Trail's northern end - Lecount Hollow Beach. Lecount Hollow Beach is a quiet beach reserved for the locals. Not knowing that, we locked our bikes and walked down a sandy slope that led to the shore. AC and DP jogged, SO and SY tanned, and I got pushed and slapped several times by the waves. When we were leaving, we realized that the beach's only accommodation is a restroom. There is no shower or changing room because most patrons live nearby.

Lecount Hollow Beach's Hill

Lecount Hollow Beach

From Lecount Hollow Beach, we headed south. We went passed Eastham and Orleans and stopped when we reached Nickerson State Park. Along the way, we saw several ponds with marshes. And, almost every time we did, we took a break and many pictures.

Marsh

Two of our Bicycles

Idle Times Bikes Shop Inc.

Food of the Day

United States 38: Whale Watch

2007-06-29T00:33:00.000-05:00

Location: Provincetown, Massachusetts
Date: June 18, 2007

AC, DP, JM, JP, SO, SY and I boarded the Dolphin Fleet's Dolphin VIII for one of my favorite activities at Cape Cod - whale watching. On our way to a whales' feeding area where the fish that whales eat gather, a naturalist gave us a small lecture.

Dolphin VIII

Whales belong to the order of Cetacea which includes marine mammals such as dolphins too. They are divided into two suborders: Odontoceti and Mysticeti. Whales in Odontoceti have teeth like sperm whales; whales in Mysticeti have baleens instead of teeth like humpback whales. Baleens are plates of hair that line the upper jaws of whales and keep fish in their mouths like big sweeps. Because when baleen whales open their mouths the baleens resemble facial hair, they are also known as mustache whales. At the end of the lecture, the naturalist showed us an actual whale tooth and baleen plate.

Whale Tooth

A Baleen Plate

Very soon afterwards, people started spotting whales or more specifically the mist from the whales' blowholes. Without my eyeglasses, I could not see anything, but I am glad that my camera did.

Mist from a Blowhole

Then we saw whales. They were mainly humpback whales or Megaptera novaeangliae. Two pairs of mother and calf swam by our boat; one of the mothers was identified as Rapier. A very active whale stayed with us for a long period of time flapping its fins a lot and breaching many times. Further away from us were more whales swimming and perhaps eating. Even our naturalist said it was a very special day.

Mother and Calf

The Active Whale's Fin

The Active Whale Breaching

Whale Watch Dolphin Fleet of Provincetown

Food of the Day

United States 37: Nauset Light Beach and the Three Sisters

2007-06-26T22:57:00.000-05:00

Location: Eastham, Massachusetts
Date: June 17, 2007

From Coast Guard to Nauset Light

Nauset Light Beach

North of Coast Guard Beach, there is Nauset Light Beach. Between the two beaches is just a stretch of empty seashore, where I found a piece of real, natural sponge. I wanted to keep it as a souvenir, so I put it in a plastic bag. But I later realized that keeping it was a big mistake. It stank up the whole room SY, SO, and I shared.

Sponge

Like Coast Guard Beach, Nauset Light Beach is also named after the structure built behind it - the Nauset Light Station. Originally, there were three brick lighthouses built in 1837. Because of the cliff's erosion, they are replaced with three wooden, movable ones in 1892. But the mobile ones too needed to be relocated further inland in 1920. Today, they just serve as historical landmarks and are known as The Three Sisters. The current Nauset Light Station is built in 1923 and still flashing.

Two of the Three Sisters

Nauset Light Station

United States 36: Coast Guard Beach and Nauset Marsh

2007-06-25T11:17:00.000-05:00

Location: Eastham, Massachusetts
Date: June 17, 2007

The Road Sign

If you ever find yourself in front of this sign while walking to a beach, turn left and head to Nauset Light Beach. AC, DP, JM, JP, SO, SY and I walked one mile to reach this sign and then another mile before finding a shuttle that took us to Coast Guard Beach where we finally saw some water.

Coast Guard Beach

Coast Guard Station

Coast Guard Beach is named so because there is a coast guard station built above it since 1871. But the current one is no longer in service since 1958.

I played two games of beach volley ball with DP, JP, and SO against a group of girls, bruised my forearm, and decided to walk around instead. From the parking lot, you can see Nauset Marsh, and there is a path that leads to the marsh and then across it. I only made it half way across the marshland before I had to turn back to meet with the rest of the group. But I probably did not miss much because the winding waterways are only visible when you are higher than the marsh.

The Path across Nauset Marsh

Nauset Marsh

United States 35: Random Storage Pictures from Lower East Side

2007-06-15T00:00:00.001-05:00

Location: New York, New York
Date: June 17, 2003

Real estate in Manhattan is expensive. But is that why people need to store their things like this?

United States 34: Village Chess Shop

2007-06-13T20:24:00.000-05:00

Location: New York, New York
Date: June 24, 2003

Village Chess Shop

Although I have never been good at chess, I have always enjoyed designs of novelty chess pieces. Village Chess Shop has a great collection of such sets. There is always something different on the display whenever I pass by. Maybe one day I will actually go inside Village Chess Shop and play a game or two.

The Simpsons

Wire Set

Village Chess Shop

United Kingdom 10: Pitt Rivers Museum

2007-03-26T23:59:00.000-05:00

Location: Oxford, Oxfordshire
Date: January 9, 2005

Neighboring Oxford University Museum of Natural History is Pitt Rivers Museum. Although it is an entire museum to itself, it feels more like an annex than a neighbor since its only entrance is inside the Oxford University Museum of Natural History.

Pitt Rivers Museum

At first sight, Pitt Rivers Museum's collection seemed crammed and messy. Objects of all sizes are packed into its three floors. However, they are actually well organized according to their usages. There are boats, playing cards, shamanic charms and many other categories. In other words, the displays are organized typologically.

One of the cool items is a charm used by an ethnic group known as Shan. It is stringed on a red string and has an elephant shape. But it is actually a piece of elephant nail. The Shan believes that the charm will protect children from diseases. It is collected in the year 1894.

Shan Elephant Nail Charm

Pitt Rivers Museum was started in 1884 by Augustus Pitt Rivers and his donation of more than 18,000 pieces. Organizing them typologically is Rivers’ idea. So is the fact that there are anthropology professors at Oxford University. He created the museum under the condition that the university must have a permanent anthropology professor.

Now, Pitt Rivers Museum has 500,000 items. It is hard to believe they do not fit in all the shelves and space.

Silver Bells

Pitt Rivers Museum

Food of the Day

United Kingdom 9: Oxford Posting Box

2007-03-24T23:59:00.000-05:00

Location: Oxford, Oxfordshire
Date: January 8, 2005

Mail boxes in England are called post boxes. Not all of them are red and tall. The one in front of the Oxford Post Office is wooden and called "Posting Box" instead. Its vintage style matches the post office’s building very much.

Posting Box

Built in 1879

Sadly, I did not develop the habit of sending postcards until I went to Italy. So I did not use this mail box and post office at all.

Oxford Post Office

China 17: Main Sacred Way of Ming Tombs

2007-03-22T23:59:00.000-05:00

Location: 北京 Beijing
Date: August 7, 2004

Warrior

As much as I hate traveling in Beijing during the summer, there is some place I liked in this trip. That is 明十三陵總神道 Main Sacred Way of Ming Tombs, also known as 長陵 Changling.

My family was among Changling’s very few visitors at the time. It was peaceful, quiet and clean. The air there was probably the freshest in Beijing.

Horse

Along Changling, there are thirty-six statues. The first few we saw were of people, but the later ones were all animals. Some of the animals were mythological like 麒麟 qilin. All of them were taller than me. Walking down Changling was like walking through a time-frozen zoo without cages.

Camel

Qilin and Elephants

China 16: Road Side of Suburban Beijing

2007-03-20T21:18:00.000-05:00

Location: 北京 Beijing
Date: August 7, 2004

Business of all sorts can be found on road sides. In a suburban area of Beijing, there were peach vendors and a photo opportunity with two camels!

Peach Vendors

Camels!

China 15: Jade Factory

2007-03-18T23:59:00.000-05:00

Location: 北京 Beijing
Date: August 7, 2004

Another souvenir stop of a usual Beijing tour is a jade factory. Before the shop, there is a workshop where you can see workers turn white and green raw jade stones into dragons, monks and lettuces.

Carving Machine and Raw Jade Stones

Carving

The process consists of two basic steps. First, deep lines are cut into jade stones to carve out the shape wanted. During this step, an electric cutter is used and shooting jade dusts into the air. They stick all over the machine.

Statues Before Polishing

Polishing

The second step is polishing. It makes the lines smoother and the end products shiny.

Lettuce

United States 33: First American Anime Awards

2007-03-16T23:59:00.000-05:00

Location: New York, New York
Date: February 25, 2007

By getting our passes to New York Comic Con 2007 early, DH and I received tickets to the first American Anime Awards ceremony held on Saturday night. Because the ceremony was taped to be aired, cameras were forbidden.

An American Anime Award

On the next day, however, the awards were displayed at the recipient company's booths. So I was able to get a close up shot of the award. The award is a statue of a 1970s mecha, the Great Mazinger.

Other entries on New York Comic Con 2007

American Anime Awards

New York Comic Con