Vietnam/ Laos March 08

So today I've been emailing a couple of hotels in Laos since we have decided to extend our holidays to include Vientiane and Luang Prabang in 03/08. I am almost there with 3 responses so far.

Hopefully I will have job in April 08 to go to and it will be the icing on the cake...a job upon my return from vacation! Sounds like a dream come true but if all else fails, then back to the resume and interviewing process again.

Alas.

Dinner with the President...A documentary!

I caught a documentary on SBS last night, ( a multicultural TV station that caters for other non-white Australians). It was a very interesting concept dealing with politics/life in Pakistan, religious factionalism, poverty, education, women and more importantly Islam and the Quran in modern times.

The interviewer or Narrator is a Pakistani woman - no headscarf, highly well-educated I presume with her rather astute questions and also brave. At one point she addressed the religious mullahs of Northern Pakistan on the interpretation of the role of women in Islam and challenged them to show her exactly where in the Quran dictated that women should have a passive role in Islamic life.

The most controversial question I suppose was when she asked them whether which one of them can dictate that her God and her Islam was any different from theirs being a modern muslim. The exact word was reiterated out loud- Modern! And the group instantly disbanded; walked away from the meeting with a hint of illiterate curses under their breath.

For me I guess the biggest flaw with any religion is how it fails so disastrously when transposing religion with modernity and evolution. Progress calls for new strategy, new interpretation and new application to a rather moralistic yet divine universal truth - good vs bad.

It seems that Northern Pakistan is a law to themselves - it has a hierarchy that is trying to impose age-old laws defined not only by its long affiliation to tradition but customs carried down through generations, hardened by war, poverty and lack of intervention by a government that is in constant fear of Jiihad fuelled further by really low literacy rates among the masses; the minority has little choice but to turn to their religious leaders for guidance.

And because the borders are highly sensitive, it becomes difficult for any intervention to take place without the risks of loosing support from these individuals in curbing the Taliban from slipping through the cracks.

If you have a chance to catch it where you are you should... the filming is also very candid.

The only thing that really struck me is that a lot of modern Pakistanis believe that Musharraf is good for the country because he brings about modernity and secularism where Muslims can make their own choices while others have always thought about themselves rather than the people.

The younger generation especially those living abroad seems to have survived the brunt of all the turmoil. In a sad way, they've isolated themselves almost to the point of elitism which is another negative result of affluence which makes their stance rather questionable! It is just another form of the caste system (semantics)!

Personal best II

I have to say this one is brilliant...a shot that I am quite proud of really. It took such a long time to find a pilgrim to come my way but eventually he did! And it was just right.

Wanna buy some bad luck?

Tsutaya is a chain store much like Borders. They have an entire floor of Japanese Manga and Anime on DVD but none of them had English subtitles or English Dubbed Versions. There were so many new seasons that I nearly flipped.

The lavatories are not so flash though - the ones at Loft are 10 times better. The ones at the airport had bum massagers! Not the sort you're thinking of! But way cool with LCD screens and all. You can even press a button for a deodoriser!

With Starbucks sharing the same space, it was hard to complain....have you tasted Japanese coffee?! Give me International Roast anytime...actually give me Japanese coffee. International Roast is crap!

Personal best I

I particularly like this shot. The lanterns where everywhere and it is more brilliant when they're lighted up. In the old days, there would have been candles instead- the reason why fires at shrines, temples or castles were not uncommon. These days the wonders of electricity provides for a safer alternative.

I love old trees

One of the many interesting fact is that the meandering lines on the surface of trees are usually caused by the natural weathering process eg. rain

It is a very long process but can you imagine how long it took to carve this one out?

Todaiji Daibutsuden (Nara) - One of the biggest buddha ever!

This place was massive and the structure that housed the buddha was well lets just say - can you see small people...I see small people.

Gion...Cedar and Geishas.

Gion is very famous for its authentic Japanese rural houses and excessively overpriced restaurants. It is in the middle of a city though it doesn't look like it but surprisingly you get little pockets of areas like these...

These two were one of those make believe Geisha for the day I spoke of. Great on pics but a real Giesha wouldn't be caught dead in those colours!

l

Kiyomizu Dera - Where you can pray for Love!

There is a shrine section that you can go to and they have these two boulders that faces each other. They say that if you are able to walk blindfolded from one boulder to another, you will find your true love. Without trying to break your neck of course with the massive crowd all trying at the same time!



A view of Kiyomizu Dera itself. It is more spectacular at night. This is another must see - it was magnificent and you get to make a wish at the bottom where a natural spring flows through into a man-made pool. Brilliant...I made a wish too! How silly I thought.

Insipid - Anglo saxons are a norm in Japan!

Insipid Anglo Saxon...I asked my other half why do they all looked the same - stringy and lean like the Japanese? Its just that they look all brittle and fragile if you get what I mean. Most of the beefy and tough ones seems to steer far far away from Japan. Maybe it is just my observation?

Try this experiment - if you google or flickr people who either worked, are working or have a Japanese girlfriend or partner....they have that look! There is a very bizarre trend trust me - very prepubescent.

It also seems that there are a lot more Americans than I expected and most of them are between the age range of 22-25 i.e. teaching English. Oh well I guess the good ones are back home! But I suppose you need to be a certain kind of person to make Japan your home...and these guys are usually not there to study! I wonder.....?

Our simple vegetarian meal...humbling.

Nikko - Another place to see for the Romantics!

Miso in a Vat...

Miso base...this store specialises in various Miso bases. Good bases are like chutney - you can eat them as they are. They have them in jars outside the store for tasting too. The good thing about Japan is that you can taste most of the local delicacies before buying and people won't frown at you because they're basically saying my stuff is too good to be ignored - I fear not my critics!

More of the old Japan & Sake Houses.

Among these old houses are family-run sake making/drinking houses. You know that they are sake houses when you see these...

Or these...which symbolises where sake comes from....rice.

You can even see the drizzle....not the best picture but you get an idea of what the establishment feels like.

The Japanese are like everyone else.

The entrance to the Shrine....

And what it hid! They were so cute together...I think they're in love.

Locking myself out of the car....

What a morning...with my routine broken when I got to the office i.e. someone volunteered to open the garage door for me, I had inadvertently left the keys in the car and slammed it shut to infact thank the lady from Payroll. This is the first time I've done that and I feel like a major himbo. The spare key is at home...it will take me an hour and half to and fro while a taxi was going to cost me at least $100.

Everyone tried to help - the workshop guys next door whom apparently didn't know what they were doing. So it looks like I have to replace my locks after all the screwdriver attempts that did not do what it was suppose to. I should thank them for at least making an effort to come around and give me a hand.

I called the RAA and it was going to cost me $165 to join on the spot and another $75 for the callout and $67 annually until someone in the office, with the miracle of a coat-hanger, came over and pop the lock. It was that simple .... I couldn't believe it and am now more paranoid than ever that my car is not the secure machine I thought it was. So no more leaving any valuables in the car anymore and I've learnt my lesson.

What a way to start the day eh? Bugger!

Family Pictures are always the best...

Sweet as....it was their son's 7th birthday and they were at the temple for a blessing by the local monk. They get those tiny bags when its over... tradition has its advantage - it brings people together.

2008 - What am I looking forward to...

So it is obvious that I will be jobless by Feb 2008. I should be upset but I am trying to put the thought away till Christmas is over. The good thing is that the business have been sending us to various prep courses so that we are preparing ourselves for interviews etc.

I have to say that on their part they are trying. I guess it is only human to be a little worried about the future but it is no use panicking about something that you have no control over.

The agenda therefore is to find a job that will keep me focused and enthused. The money has to be comparable and maybe something that is Arts related or something in Marketing. The safe bet is to work in another project role but I need to get off this laziness that has taken over me since being in this current job can no longer be my excuse. Who knows... 2008 could be it - I will find my dream job in Adelaide.

Till then... I am focusing on cleaning up my resume in its entirety and giving it a fresh new look.

Wish me luck!

A 'Damien' moment at the cemetery Mt. Koyasan...

Odd but this Crow was pretty adamant in hanging around people and knew it was being photographed.

Kyoto Tower ...

The other half could not understand why I was always taking pictures of the Kyoto Tower...neither did I but I really like towers and how they look at night. This was taken on the 11th floor restaurant level walkway in a mall across the street.

Another pic before I sign off...

How can you not be affected by the ordinary...Japan is just that - a juxtaposition of the ordinary beautiful.

Bamboo Forest....Eerie in Moonlight I think.

Himeji Station - Your Bento stop!

No more Bentos arrggghhh! Hurl Hurl...burp!

Autumn in Green.

For Bentley...I thought of you when I saw these!

I saw so many interesting designs - Japan is really into their hybrid cars and pushing the Toyota Prius like mad but I thought these Daihatsus are just too cute. Seen at a car yard!

I did miss my boys when I was away!

The new Northface Fleecy thingo on a hot guy!

This guy had testosterone written all over him. I tried looking for it, the jacket I mean but ended up with a Japanesque Duffle jacket from GAP. The trouble with Japanese design is that all the shoulders are really narrow so if you're broad shouldered then you're in trouble. I agree with Pinoyboy that Green is the new Black.

The guys at most of the clothing stores told me that it is how italian/american designs are shipped; they're tailored for the Japanese Market.

Louis Vuitton is just too 90s in Japan though. I saw two grandads with LVs and they were over 60 years old in the middle of nowhere. Gucci is in - I saw a young couple buying a his/hers ring at the store (so sweet) and apparently Coach has not lost its customer base in Tokyo...I wonder why.

If only I could have this in my backyard.

Autumn Pictures...OK I was overwhelmed.

Eel Livers...charcoal'd and yummy!

Must show food....

What I had...

What the other half had....

So Pinoyboy!

Just the structure and how the building is tucked away in Shibuya reminded me of Pinoyboy and so did the colours of these pans! They're too cute!

Yasukuni Jinja...The War Memorial.

It is quite a pretty place...albeit all the hoohah. Sometimes a place is just a place - you appreciate it for what it is and not what warmongers consider it to be!

Tokyo Station Skyline...

I thought I'd drop these so you can get an idea of what it was like looking up and how short I am. All my photos are always taken from a certain angle...you can tell alot about the height of the person from the pictures he/she takes.

Make a wish...I love what people wrote!

I recommend double-clicking on the image and reading the scribbles...

Me @ Sensoji

OK one more pic...I really hate taking my own picture; more so as I get older! Sensoji was so busy with people - it made me a little short but then again we came in the evening to get the right light and so did everyone else. The shops along the path towards the temple didn't help either. I was definitely grumpy!

I love the huge lanterns! I wish I had one at home.

For Andrew....Japanese Buddhas are chubby too.

For Keiran...I like the new picture!

Moss - For my Nephew...

He has some strange affliation with Moss so here's a nice shot of one!

I was so tired that afternoon...

So Team Schipperke from the Amazing Race was trying to fit in too many things into one day and kind of miss a train - or rather we couldn't fit everything we wanted to see in a day. We had to wait another hour in the middle of 'industrial' land where the only thing visible was a bus terminus with no one around. This picture didn't even make we want to Party! Maybe Life was pulling a fast one on us intentionally.

Then there is this other sign!? Why? You should have met their sales staff....

And last but not least, my favourite sign...too bad they didn't really serve those! It left me wondering about perspectives alot that night.

Tokyo Tower...come really early!

We didn't get to go up the Tower...there was a line that was a mile long. We were there right after lunch and therefore the hordes were already there. A little disappointed but the alternative was Ropponggi 六本木 so that's where we went to next.

These are from the Canon Powershot on WB Cloudy ISO 400 I think. The red is luscious! I still love my old camera I have to say...it takes videos which my current DSLR doesn't.

A tribute to Cat lovers - Ong, Peter & Pinoyboy

Do I need to say more... A Cat at a Shrine at Mt Koyasan! The Japanese believe that buddha will be reborned here - hopefully he is a Cat person.

Some Gorgeous Shots!

There were just so many things in Japan or at home that we take for granted. You tend to brush them off so quickly though...maybe having the camera with me made me stop and really look. I've always had issues with looking even when I was in art school. It was easier not to make the visual relationship personal I guess on my part!

This was taken at the last shrine of the Tokugawas. The brothers were interned here and don't ask me why caterpillars are interesting. They are just so oblivious while everyone else was ever so frantic which makes them quirky.

Tokyo in the day...

I thought I'd drop a couple of Tokyo pics during the day! It is entirely different....This is really early I guess around 9.30am but it was the weekend though. Just so many people - the reason why I really liked the later part of our trip when we started heading to Kyoto/Osaka and environs.

Why so many pictures you say? Well Japan is hard to explain without pictures. Autumn is visually stunning and so is Japan. It is easy to write squillions of text but sometimes the pictures, well they're self-explanatory ...OK it is also because of the new camera!

Why are the heaters always on!

I couldn't keep my eyes open in any of the trains be it in local, suburb type local ones or the bullet train for that matter. They had the heaters on and it was so warm and cosy in there that almost 75% of the people in the train were being lulled to sleep - me included!

The first pic was taken really early and is in a local JR train to Inari...remember Memoirs of the Geisha where Zhang Ziyi was running along the Torii Gate? That's where Inari Torii Gates are...here's a pic to remind you of the scene.

Another interesting shot!

I used my Nikon SB600 and was still learning. This was done on Manual setting focusing on the background. It is a little ephemeral or haunting!?

Apple Store Shibuya!

I was thinking of all the Apple users that I know while I was in Japan. You'd be surprised how many times I wish you guys were here with me! I was excited to be in Shibuya ...Pinoyboy and I would have gone berserk with all the clothes stores etc.

As to Episode #252 of Ohmypod...there was no Leopard T-shirt when I was there and I can't believe how quiet it was at the store in Shibuya. That's me being all Japanesque....cheezer! The prices were about 20% cheaper in Tokyo but no international warranty and the OS is in Japanese....duh!

So here are 3 pictures!

A bullet of a shot!

When monks and shaven heads collide!

Hot! I think he knew I was looking...check out the symmetry. Wonderful don't you think?

Our room in Matsumoto!

Obachan is serious about the rake!

For Andrew and Peter....

Both your cars just across from my hotel! How odd?!

For Pinoyboy...

I didn't have luggage space but next time, I'm buying everything when I get there apart from undies!

Some shots of Japan at night... Tokyo/Osaka

I thought I'd drop some night pictures. My camera is turning out good pictures now! I am a very happy chappy....

Even the monkey needs a break!

I didn't watch the show coz I thought that it was way too unethical!

Inside the Railstar...the NorthWest line.

Little compartment up front are like private carriages. This was the most spacious of the lot - Nozomi type space that reclines way back at Hikari prices. Excellent.

How cute is that?

Japanese Orchids!

Did not manage to find out which genus but they were blooming in Autumn? Strange I thought...

Deers in Nara...I prefer them medium rare!

Ikebukuro...punters haven - if you like that sort of action

Inside the Shinkansen!

In a Hikari Train...the only JR Rail ticket that you can purchase outside of Japan. We got ourselves a 14 day railpass. The Nozomi is the fastest but it is full fees only. Too expensive but you shave about 30 minutes off your trip anywhere.

Our luggage and how I hate Bento (lunchboxes) ...it was horrid after the 3rd day! I was ready to hurl.

Shibuya Station - You will feel the same way..

The D80 with kids that can't stay still....

This is a good experiment or rather a learning curve!

The kissing train....

The best Yakitori Ever...Yurakucho 有楽町

If you are a Yakitori fan...this is the place to go. Yurakucho is between Ginza and Hibiya. It is atmospheric in the evening and very pleasant indeed. You get to mix with the locals and we were lucky that the hubby knew it well - well enough. Beer is the call of the day.



The two pics are what you see when you look up i.e. the train tracks and across... the shop selling oden and yakitori of all sorts. I recommend kawa(chicken skin) and chicken livers.

Another lovely shot...

From the Matsumoto castle! If I ever wanted a castle, this will be it!

6 Mushroom GreenTea...

Excellent...served when you visit one of the old stock warehouses of the rich merchantile families during the tokugawa era. I need to remember where it was though? The lady of the house serves it up in the traditional way. It was drizzling that morning and a little cold outside - it was just the thing we needed.

Futari means two people! For buying tickets or asking for a table for two.

Futatsu means two servings! Especially handy at Starbucks...Cafe Mocha Grandes!

Sembei...Japanese Crackers Glazed with Sauce.

Must trys...various flavours some sickeningly rich.

Why Japanese Cypress is such wonderful....

Must try - a Japanese bath...made of cypress. Much better than iron or resin!

What's a real zen garden like?

Don't be deceived by all those advertisements...Zen gardens are not big. They're tiny in comparison to the posters you see in VISIT Japan flyers these days. The hubby was saying that I shouldn't expect too much but I realised that there is a sense of tranquility about them that cannot be explained? Reverence is more like it..... the best time to visit is when the hordes are still in bed.

Hiroshima - Reborn

Alot of people have this terrible image of Hiroshima but I have to say that it was one of the most splendid towns I went to. Hiroshima is not all doom and gloom....infact I found to be accessible, very young/trendy and vibrant - a place I will visit again. Of course, they are those that still believe Japan did not willingly partake in the outcome that contributed to Hiroshima but sometimes it is easier to believe what you want to believe.




Pics of the the atomic dome....near the epi-centre of the drop zone and a bust showing the affects of the blast at the local museum. It was quite sad.

Autumn red...

Something to compare with. And yes it is real...

The true Geisha....Go figure!

You see true Geishas do not walk the streets in broad daylight. Often what they wear speaks more about their true nature than the ones you see running around Kyoto....one of those 'Geisha for a day' makeover - photo perfect as they may seem.

Take a closer look and you will see what I mean.... In her rather attractive pashmina-like shawl seen at a zen garden.

If only I had a tripod...

Of course I was still learning the new D80 - not even the homework that I've done before the trip could save me from making some disastrous shots but at least I knew what all the buttons meant.

It is quirky and I've named it Ryan! It is also a little blondish sometimes but that is all right because it delivers. I have had moments where it couldn't focus and just didn't feel like it. I think out of the 4600 pictures, 4000 turned out right. The other 600 were trial pics experimenting with exposures, shutter speed and various setting with my new flash Nikon SB600 switching from P to Manual to Auto. I do love my camera and can't wait for my next trip in March 2008.



These are the wierd ones...wish I had a tripod. Cycling in Japan is very big but you have to share the pedestrian path with them. It seems that pedestrians have the least right of way so be vigilant. There are no rules.

Alone by Choice!

There were a bunch of American exchange students...I think he left the group because Bruno and some Chinese guy was making far too much noise. We were afterall in Japan and on holy ground - what were they thinking? It is an odd pic but I felt like it was a stolen moment caught in celluloid.

People Shots!

One of the better ones that spoke to me.

Shinkansen teasers!

The T700 Series at 6.30 am and at around 10am. I think it does look more formidable in the early morning.

White Balance = Tungsten

These images were taken inside Matsumoto Castle with WB @ Tungsten. There are 2 castles must-sees ie. Matsumoto and Himeji. To photograph them you will need to be the first in line at 9am to avoid the crowd getting in the way. We were there at 8.30am...it was breathtaking since these were the real thing and not a rebuild.

I'll leave you with a couple of shot of both. I fell in love and still am.....

Matsumoto Castle




Himeji Castle

Autumn is like nothing else.

Do I need to say more...

Japan is beautiful after the rain....

Takayama...atmospheric! Another quaint town that must be visited...their speciality "Hida" beef on skewers. Like all Japanese towns there is at least one place you must visit, one type of food that you must try and a local artwork that it is famous for that you will likely buy. Double click and you'll see what I mean by atmospheric.

The post holiday blues....

OK so I need a holiday from my holiday...don't we all?! Today is flickr day and I will get some pics up. It was a really good break and I have to say that I have fallen in love with Japan's Shinkansen (bullet train). I wish every continent had one making travelling across states so accessible. It is also carbon friendly compared to the airplanes we take!

Japan is definitely a place you need to add to your list of must sees. The only trouble is that you will need someone who reads and speaks Japanese at least so that you get a taste of the 'real' Japan. Because I spoke no Japanese even I found it difficult to get around on my own + get through some of the menu lists having travelled quite abit in my life. Thank god for the hubby...I have to say -I am utterly at awe with his linguistics skills. We were even able to book our reserved tickets on the train in Kanji!

My culinary escapade also included 'globefish', eel livers and raw horse. It sounds terrible but trust me the Japanese makes it so very delicious. There is also the tofu that tasted like snort - apparently a delicacy in Mount Koyasan where we stayed at our temple retreat!

Autumn too was something else. The colours were overwhelming from the ginko trees to the japanese maple it was unreal and if you are into Magnolias (Japonicas) then you're in for a treat. It was really tranquil which makes it even harder to come back to Australia.

Update...

This is the second day that I am back and I have yet to sort out my life...everything is on hold till the weekend which includes the sorting out of clothes and pictures. I learnt alot about Japan on this trip and that our perception is never as real as being there yourself. I painted an image of a cybercity filled with little pockets of OTAKUs running amock with technology but infact it was the contrary.

I only saw one iPhone user and Apple infact is NOT the sort after merchandise when you have various other gadgets which integrates with everything else at your disposal for cheap.

I have 5000 pictures to sort out and it will take some time before I finally load them up onto Flickr. Everyone that I know whom were out of town are now back and they seem to be more enthused than I am? I wonder why?

But today is our Christmas Lunch do and I am doing the obligatory thing i.e. to attend. I am still exhausted and haven't slept well for the past few days. So I leave you with one picture out of the 5000 which says it all...JAPAN is beautiful after the rain. This is from the new D80 with VR 18-200mm lens. The camera is awesome...it really is! Double click on the image and you'll see what I mean. I have been practising and will be posting them soon.

Oh my way home!!

The Japan trip is finally over and I am waiting for my flight in Narita. Lots to write about especially the amount of food that I had. We have decided to go on a diet when we get back with no gluten involved this time around. It was really difficult to work off the carbo but we had to have rice, noodles and I do seriously miss the amount of vegetables we get in Australia. We did loads of walking though and did Japan have loads of staircases to climb.

As for the various podcast and blogs...I do miss you guys loads. Salutations to Peter, Pinoyboy, Kevin, Andrew and Keiran. How are things guys!! I know I should have brought my laptop with me but being on the AMAZING Race was really tiring. Team Schipperke - that's us! The amount of hours spent on the Shinkansen and the speed that it was going was fascinating. Much much better than the Ice or the Euro ones! I have pictures.

Peter...I couldn't find any of your Gmen videos but all the magazines were in Japanese and the anime - forget about the English Dubbed Version....seen at a store -the recent episode of Naruto not out yet anywhere but in Japanese. I might have something else that is interesting though...

Pinoyboy - Fashion Magazine coming your way. The UniQlo shop wasn't too bad but I was so distracted by everything else. I couldn't concentrate.

Kevin - They have Phantom of the Opera in Japanese + Westside Story + Lion King. It was just too weird!

Keiran - Sorry mate...there wasn't any time to look for music. The only sound I was listening to was the bells at the shrines and the chanting. It was amazing.

There are load of pictures which I have to get through and I am so exhausted from this trip. Will I come again? Definitely.

OK guys off to have my Asahi. I hope that all of you are well and I will catch up on the good read and podcasts when I get back. I so miss my laptop.

Ciao!!

Where am I?

So we got up at 4am this morning so that we could be out before 5. The flight to Melbourne was rather uneventful...Qantas Crew looks horrid in the morning. Thank God SQ girls are taught how to clean up after themselves before stepping out of the door.

2 hours to go before the Flight to Narita. Actually too exhausted to be excited. The good thing is that we were able to secure emergency exit seats with more leg room for the 10 hour flight so we should be able to get some sleep.

Will see what Narita has to offer. Feeling a little tired...more later. Not a morning person.