Tokyo-Nikko-Tokyo 5 - 7 Oct 09

Yes, this post is more than a month overdue. What's worse is that it isn't even a complete post on the whole of my trip. Unfortunately, my laptop can only support so much. After 5 years of service, it is showing more and more signs of aging. So please bear with me if you're hoping to get to read about my wonderful (and complete) Japan trip.

So, this picks up where I left of from my previous post, which was my first day in Tokyo.

Tsujiki Fish Market. Top: Fish market, Bottom: Dry goods section of market

Minsyuku Rindo-no-ie was where we stayed. It's owned by Rindo, the bald guy, and his wife. It's basically a Japanese style "home-stay". The family was really friendly and helpful. The downside is that the house is 20 mins walk from the town centre.




Shinkyo, or Sacred Bridge


Nikko is a World Heritage Site, with it's many famous temples and shrines. From top: World Heritage sign, three monkeys (hear-, speak-, see-no-evil), Toshogu Shrine and my jump for the trip.

The view of Lake Chuzenji, Kegon Falls and the autumn colour from Akechidaira Plateau.

We were lucky to be able to see the autumn colours. If you're interested in a report on the autumn colours in Nikko, check out this site: http://www.japan-guide.com/blog/koyo09/091005.html

It nicely coincides with the same period we were there.

Ryuzu Falls, at its peak of colours.

Our trek from Ryuzu Falls to Yudaki Falls, then to Yumoto-onsen, through the Senjogahara Marsh.

Finally reaching Yudaki Falls. The trek wasn't so bad, except for the fact that there are no bathrooms for 5.5km. That made it quite miserable for us.

Lake Yumoto

Back in Tokyo and caught in the bad weather just before a typhoon. We were lucky we missed the typhoon, but the rain made traveling rather inconvenient. This is the entrance, across the moat and through the gate, to the Imperial Palace Garden. It's pretty and all, but we couldn't see the Imperial Palace itself from here.

Tokyo Tower, all lit up at night, which comes around 5.30pm.

Shinjuku / Kabuki-cho area.

And so, we complete the highlight of the trip. Ok, so that's just my personal opinion. Nikko was my favorite place, just cos I like the outdoors and it's my first time experience of autumn. Tokyo, is just, well, Tokyo. Will probably get other chances to go there.

That's it for now. Hopefully the rest would come up soon.

Gina

Tokyo 4 Oct 09

Harajuku

And so, after months of saving, weeks of planning and days of hectic working, I am now in Japan. The flight to Tokyo was uneventful, but really tiring as I managed to sleep at most 2 hours. The Keisei train ride from Narita Airport to Ueno gave allowed me another hour of precious sleep. I was still tired but at least I felt more human.

The plan today was to go Harajuku and Shibuya. The metro ride there and back provided some more precious sleeptime. Harajuku was pretty interesting, especially for people-watching. Like Harajuku, Shibuya had many shopping spots but Shibuya's didn't suit my style. We ended our first day "tour" early and checked into Cube Hotel Ueno Express. Although the room's pretty tiny, the designers made efficient use of the space, making it comfortable enough to stay in.

It's now time for dinner. Wonder what I'll be eating tonight. Lots to choose from here in Ueno. Yum yum...

Gina

Bukit Tinggi & Padang 27-30 Dec 08

After about 2 hours of waiting at Minangkabau International airport, and breathing in all the second-hand cigarette smoke, the rest finally arrived and we set off for Bukit Tinggi.

Me and papa at Lembah Anai, a waterfall by the roadside, our first stop along the way. We did pay an entrance fee to get closer to the waterfall though.

Jimmy contemplates life as he stares into the plunge pool... Then again, knowing him, he's probably thinking about the force of the waterfall and the corresponding speed of erosion...

Kids are swimming in the plunge pool and the shallower areas downstream from the waterfall. The entrance fee's probably more for them then for curious tourists like us.

Us, the whole gang in front of a rumah gadang, traditional house of the Minang Kabau people. This one has been converted into a museum.

Papa and I, in front of the rumah gadang. The smaller houses in front of the main house is used to store rations for the families living in the main house, I think. The use of the smaller houses are defined by the number of stilts that hold it up.

Jimmy and I attempting a jump shot. Not too successful I must say, thanks to the photographer. :p

View of a valley on our way to Bukit Tinggi.

Lake Maninjau. There road to Maninjau has 44 hairpin bends. Driving down that road was nerve-wrecking, especially for the front seat passenger.

A closer look at Lake Maninjau and the padi fields surrounding it.

It sure gets messy traveling in a big group.
L to R: Tom, papa, Anton, mama, Tante Tju, Jimmy, Emak and Tante Tjin.

Me and papa, again...

Gunung Merapi (Sumatra), with its top covered by clouds.

The cliffs of Lembah Harau.

A little stream runs through the Harau valley.

Waterfalls also decorate parts of the cliff.

View of the gorge formed by the cliffs.

A look to the entrance of the gorge.

A winding path towards a rest house or cafe, I'm not sure as we didn't go there.

Waterfall down the cliff. You'll notice there are children swimming in the plunge pool again.

Pitcher plant.

The young ones, and the one young at heart, climbed up one of the shorter cliffs to get a better view.

"Gina looks pale," Papa said.

Group photo.

Ngarai Sianok. A canyon just off to one side of the city of Bukit Tinggi.

Lobang Jepang aka Japanese Tunnel. A tunnel used by the Japanese during their occupation of Sumatra. It was dug by POWs. It was used to keep ammunition, hold prisoners and also execute prisoners. Body parts of executed prisoner would be thrown out of the tunnel, down to a river at the bottom of the canyon.

One of the escape routes from the tunnel. If they were ever found, the Japanese would use this escape route to crawl out of the tunnel and climb down the side of the canyon with the help of tree branches and roots.

The stairs leading down to the tunnel. The stairs go down about 45 metres underground.

Jam Gadang, a clock tower which is a landmark in the city of Bukit Tinggi.

Us at the venue of a cultural show we watched.

Jimmy and papa trying their hands at the local music instrument.

This was probably the highlight of the show. The name of the dance is Tarik Piring. The dancers actually dance and jump on broken plates. Yes, it's as dangerous as it sounds. Not that we saw anyone get cut though.

Lake Singkarak, on our way back to Padang.

At a restaurant, located beside Singkarak, where we had coffee and fried fish. Also, where the "toilet" went straight to the lake.

Danau Dibawah, aka Lower Lake.

Danau Diatas, aka Upper Lake.

Still Danau Diatas. The lakes are separate by just a few kilometres, hence they're also called Twin Lakes.

Flowers grow prettier in colder regions.

Far off in the background is the city of Padang.

Teluk Bayur, a port in Padang.

Gina