Saturday, January 28, 2012

Babies visiting on CNY

Unlike previous year, this Chinese new year is rowdy with kids and babies. Guess im growing older and most of my friends are settling down with a family.

Christine invited us to her place again. With Cadance and Calyn, the place is kids and babies friendly. So as usual, Sherry and Haze will bring the 2 princess along.

Cadance, at 6 months old is so chubby...he is very particular about who goes near him and who carry him.
IMG_9304

Haze arrived with Shermaine...only 8 months old!
She is really fair like Haze, and i think she has got very delicate features..
IMG_9346

IMG_9375

IMG_9372

Promised Haze that i will take some nice shots of Shermaine for her
IMG_9452

IMG_9443

IMG_9440

Here's Calyn playing peek-a-boo with Shania, as usual the most friendly children ever..
IMG_9408

And Shania...she has grown up quite a bit.
IMG_9403

cats

Finally my nephew, Lucas
Just woke up..
IMG_9504

Call his name and he will raise his hand!
IMG_9506

Lucas has picked up alot of things these days. Compared to Shania, i think he has grown up even faster!

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Japan Travelogue P6 - Famous Nara Deer Park and the Enchanted Uji

The inital plan was to explore Araishiyama at Kyoto before venturing out to Nara deer park, but we under estimated the crowd at Kyoto on a Sunday. We couldnt secure a locker for our bags at Kyoto station and as such, we have to make a switch in plans.

We took a train to Nara instead in hope that the crowd would be lesser and that we can find a locker at Nara.

The train ride to Nara took about 40mins and along the way, we saw a few attraction spots such as Uji and Inari that we decided to drop by on our way back from Nara!

Along the way to the Park, we came by these houses that i always saw in the Japanese drama..Would love to live in a house like that if i had the chance!
IMG_7448

IMG_7446

We decided to pay a surprise visit to this house and see if we can get an invitation to explore the house...haha but no one is around.
IMG_7445

Nara is located at a rural area and it was pretty peaceful even on a Sunday.
The famous temple at Nara Park.
IMG_7403

A nice big maple leave at the park!
IMG_7424

This is where the deer are kept for breeding
IMG_7425

A common sight...deers roaming around!
IMG_7432

And we have a curry lunch finally at Nara
IMG_7443

As there wasnt much to do at Nara, we decided to leave the place after lunch...
Uji was our next destination.
We didnt study much on this place but decided to drop by the station when we saw this from the train!
IMG_7468

Took a map from the visitor center and started our slow walk thru the streets of Uji
IMG_7457

A flea market on a sunday!
IMG_7459

IMG_7462

After 10 mins of walk, we reached the attraction.
IMG_7469

IMG_7477

We only found out that Uji was famous for green tea here!
IMG_7481

IMG_7484

The Mocha green tea, i was choked on the thick green tea powder topping!
IMG_7495

IMG_7487

As we stroll further in to the park
IMG_7488

IMG_7498

There was a guy on saxaphone who created a romantic ambiance! Adds to the serenity of this place!
IMG_7502

When i saw this aviary, i realised that this is the famous tourist spot where the fisherman uses these special birds to fish. It was shown in Japan Hours once..
IMG_7513

A shrine
IMG_7558

IMG_7561

IMG_7564

unlike many other shrines, the lucky charm here is place at an open spot where no one is manning the stall...its based on faith and trust that people donate and pay on their own will.
IMG_7569

This place is so comfortable that we stayed till sun set.
IMG_7579

IMG_7610

Reluctantly, we left this place with some green tea products..

Uji was the greatest discovery we have made in this trip to Japan and i will recommend people who has never been there to spend at least a half day there!

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Happy Chinese New Year 2012

Happy Chinese New Year to all my friends and families!

Let's hope in the next year of the Dragon, things will get even better!

Oh by the way, my shout box is back! Feel free to leave me a comment!

Friday, January 13, 2012

Japan Travelogue P5 - Nishiiki Market

It took us awhile to find this market. Hidden in one of the streets of Pontocho, this market is buzzing with life!

A market in a modern city...and so it became an attraction for most tourist. Regardless of the timing, its always crowded. We walked there from Gion and only arrived at around 4pm but its still super crowded.
IMG_7164

IMG_7166

Spice stall!
IMG_7170

IMG_7176

You can find any type of seafood here!
IMG_7177

IMG_7183

IMG_7187

IMG_7188

A food stall selling some deep fried yam balls
IMG_7191

IMG_7193

Here the 2 kids were playing in the midst of the moving crowds.
IMG_7195

IMG_7196

IMG_7198

Some rare find, giant cabbage!
IMG_7206

IMG_7209

This is like a konkon tozai shop which i bought 2 sourvinirs for my mum n sis here!
IMG_7213

IMG_7219

A shrine at the end of the market!
IMG_7229

A cartoonist who draws for a living!
IMG_7245