Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Chapter 8: Kyoto > Gifu
Gomenasai! Photos intensive, beware!
Nested in the quiet foothills of Mount Otawa is Kiyomizu Temple found at Eastern Kyoto, which has a large veranda supported on hundreds pillars and was built in 1633
Pagoda and adjacent building
Torii of Jishu-jinja, a matchmaking shrine
Kiyomizu-dera
Behind us is the Kiyomizu-dera. You can view the entire city of Kyoto at the platform and it's also a place whereby people will jump down, not for suicide but there's a saying that if you survive the plunge, your wish will be granted. Obviously, this type of behaviour has been banned
After climbing up, we have to walked down, like duh. The whole place is student-fied due to their vacations. ahhh. Students in their uniforms. Kawaii des! hahhah
Next on was the famous Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) at Kyoto. Another temple. Raaaah. It's a three storey building with the top two stories covered with pure gold. Say woaaaaah! It has a Japanese garden outside it and the pond in front of it is called Kyōko-chi (Mirror Pond)
Chinese Phoenix
After lunch, we headed to Gifu and take a ropeway up to the Mt Kinka to visit the famous Gifu Castle. I cant remember what the guide has said, you guys click on the link itself and read. lol. It has a story. I just know after taking the ropeway to the summit, we've to climb flights of stairs to the top. Madness. But the view on top is wooooaaaaaah!
On the ropeway
And we huffed and puffed all the way up..
And up into the castle, besides all the weapons and attires on showcase, you'll see..
If I know how to take a panoramic then. ahhhh~
Back down to Gifu Garden..
Then, in the late afternoon, it's still at Gifu yet something unique. We were able to look and observe and learn over the 1300 years fishing method known as 'UKai' - Cormorant fishing at Nagara River. This method is the combined work of a cormorant fisherman and his cormorants
Listening to the briefing
Pro sinseh
Telling us how the cormorant catches it and stuffs
Our boat
Itadakimasu
When we reached somewhere in the middle of the river and I had finished my dinner, it's pitstop time. Went down and explore the place and the toilet. hahah. The toilet is damn clean and the cubicle is damn cute! Small and cosy and you've your own mirror and sink. ahhh~ Coooool!
Snored. Back to the boat as it's feeding time soon. The cormorants have auspicious time for fishing loh, at dingus 1900hours
After this special show, we headed back to our hotel. ahhh~ Before that, we had supper because we were hunger! I forgot to bring my camera down to the cafe but I ate mini makemeveryfilling sandwiches. Once back to the hotel, packed my stuffs and showered and it was all the way concuss till morning. The bed is horrendously comfortable, big enough for two and the plasma tv..
I wish I can roll more on the bed before leaving for another destination. hahaha. Yup, been enjoying myself alot ever since I've stepfooted in Japan. I even call home and ask Mdm Wong to send money over to extend my stay. hahahah. I feel I'm spoilt. hahahah. And obviously, she ignores me. raaaaaaaah~
1:50 AM
Monday, October 08, 2007
Chapter 7: Osaka - Osaka Castle > Universal Studio > Shopping Paradise
I've stopped at the cruiseliner at the last chapter. One cabin only allows four person and all those staying in a lower deck have to share a public toilet, meaning showering and whatever you want to do in the toilet are outside. And the cabin is uber small. So my uncle decide to upgrade to a twins bed room with a in-cabin toilet for us. That was shiokness, totally like a hotel. heheh. Guessed we were really tired and we just fell asleep without any cam-whoring in the cabin. hahaha. So this was the next day..
Then, we took a bus to visit the majestic Osaka Castle. After the bus ride, we've to walk quite a distance and it was very entertaining with cameras around
Finally..
Sakuramon Stone Square
Osaka Castle with gold platings
Our breakfast place
Next on, it's Universal Studios Japan. Armed with our passport tickets, we explored the various popular movie theme sites such as Jurassic Park The Ride, E.T Adventure, Shrek, Terminator 2, Waterboys etc. It's really fun going there again and they've new challenging rides. ahhhh~ I shall feature the new ones that werent there when I last went
Hollywood Dream The Ride started in March 2007
My heart was in my mouth when I was up on that roller coaster
Spiderman is another best thing after Terminator 2. The graphics are so real due to the 3D and they provide the atmosphere like when there's fire, you will feel hot. When water is leaking, you will feel wet kinda stuff and it moves; not like a roller coaster. Just travelling bout the places. A must go ride for all. Lastly, this Spiderman ride is only available in Universal Studio JAPAN!
That was a sing and dance along session on the road with Sesame Street, Hello Kitty, Snoopy etc and everyone will just sit along the roadside to watch and sing and dance. Happening
Gifts shop
I couldnt find any mascots around because I think they were busy with the shows so I just took photos with the softoys. hahahah. The other time I went, I take lots of photos with the mascots. They are so kawaiiii! Spent the whole day there playing, eating and screaming my lungs out for that ultimate coaster ride. The rest are alright because I've played before. heheh
In the evening, had our free time to explore the shopping and eating paradise Shinsaibashi which is famous for its neon lights and Dotombori. This place is heavenly. You wont be able to finish all these streets in just a day. Every turn in a corner is something for you to explore
Shinsaibashi
Major stores and boutiques concentrates are found around the area - Daimaru, Channel, Coach, LV, Gucci, Armani, Dunhill etc, arcades, Crysta Nagahori( underground shopping centre). Shinsaibashi is easily accessed via the subway
Dotombori
Kani Doraku Crab
Located south of Shinsaibashi. This is a single shopping and restaurant street; famous for its surrounding theatres, shops, and restaurants and the many colorful neon and mechanized signs
Osaka is known for its food.And Dotombori is the main destination for food travel in Osaka. Osaka regional cuisine includes okonomiyaki (pan-fried batter cake), takoyaki, udon, as well as regional sushi and other traditional Japanese foods. Dotombori has all these and some of the ramens, crabs and beef are to take note of
Now you know why I heart Japan. heheeh. Till the next chapter =)
2:04 PM
