Japan – The Country side of Yamagata Prefecture (1)

This is my trip to Japan way back in Nov 2005 (8 years already!!. wow!!).

It was one of my business trip and also my first trip into Japan and as usual it was always short and a rush visit. I was heading to Yamagata prefecture; a small country town up in the center of Honshu island.

My flight into Narita Airport was from Hong Kong. Upon arrival, I have to find my way to catch the train from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station, and then catch my Shinkansen to Yamagata Prefecture. Oh yes.. I bought my Shinkansen ticket way before I landed in Japan. So, good planning was required else I would have missed my ride. The total trip would take me close to 5 hrs just by train.

When I arrived at Tokyo Station, I was surprised to see the sign had English too. It was a relieved as I could not read or speak Japanese. Moving around the Tokyo station and finding the right platform was daunting task especially in the evening when everyone is rushing to go home after work.

One of the Shinkansen arriving at the station ….

A typical kiosk on the platform where the local Japanese will buy thing before boarding for their trip on the Shinkansen.

This Shinkansen look like a duck….. 😄

This is the coach.. a double decker. In fact, it was my first time sitting in a Shinkansen (a few years later, I have also managed to sit in the bullet train in China and also the one in Taiwan)

My dinner on board the Shinkansen which I purchased from the lady goes around from coach to coach selling food and drinks.

This is the view from the hotel in Yamagata over looking the beautiful hills in the foreground.

As usual, I will take the opportunity to walk around the town before heading to the office.

… Very quaint place.

follow me on my next posting in Yamagata, Japan.

Hong Kong – An evening view from the Peak (3)

This is my final part of an evening view from the Victoria Peak.

When the sun goes down….. it really goes down fast.

Enjoy the pictures of the sunset and also the night lights of the city of Hong Kong.

A shot of an airplane flying over the Peak.

The lights in the city is slowly lighting up……

Ligthed Terrace 428….

… and the fully ligthed city of Hong Kong .

Hong Kong – An evening view from the Peak (2)

This is my 2nd part from the visit to Hong Kong’s The Victoria Peak. The weather was nice and also the sky was quite clear. Guess it was me lucky day. =)

To wait patiently and take pictures of the sunset from the Peak is really worth waiting for.

The city view from the Peak……

The view of the sun slowly disappearing into the horizon..

Hong Kong – An evening view from the Peak (1)

During my trip to Hong Kong, I also had taken the chance to go to the Victoria Peak. We wanted to take the Peak tram up from the Peak Lower Terminus but instead we took the bus from the ferry terminal brought us directly up to the Peak.

We were there early before the sunset as I heard and seen pictures taken during the sunset is beautiful. I wanted to take this chance to see it myself and take pictures too.

Sign board…. hmmmm where should I head to?

An old tram converted to a Visitor Information Center.

Beautiful sight of Hong Kong from the top…..

The Sky Terrace 428….

Stay tune for more……..

Hong Kong – A walk in Kowloon area… (1)

This trip to Hong Kong was last year along with my Macau trip and Shenzhen. Guess Hong Kong is smack in the middle  (nearly) of these 2 places.

Anyway not much to tell but just enjoy the snap shots taken…..

… all the different signs

.. and all sorts of T-shirt design with the word ‘Hong Kong’

A walk along Ladies market..

Hong Kong – Bus trip to Tai O (1)

While we were still in Hong Kong, we wanted to get out of the city and to see what they have out in the country side. So we decided to go to Tai O.

Tai O is a fishing town, partly located on an island of the same name, on the western side of Lantau Island in Hong Kong. We took the MTR to the last stop and continued by bus to the fishing village.

View from the MTR….

Upon reaching Tai O … a sign greeted us.

Seafood streets vendors all along the alley

Stilt houses ….

Follow me on the next part of Tai O…….

Hong Kong – Visit to Wong Tai Sin Temple (2)

This is my continuation in the Wong Tai Sin Temple in Hong Kong from my earlier blog; Hong Kong – Visit to Wong Tai Sin Temple (1)

Below are some more snapshot around the temple grounds which caught my eyes.

Lamp holding statues

Yue Lau or The Old Man in the Moon

Hope you enjoy them.

Hong Kong – Visit to Wong Tai Sin Temple (1)

When I was in Hong Kong, one of the temples that I had to visit was the Taoist Wong Tai Sin Temple ( the Great Immortal Wong Temple). It is one of the well known shrine and also famous tourist attraction. It is s famed for the many prayers answered from their worshipers.

Getting there is easy . Just hop off at MTR Wong Tai Sin Station and it is just 2 minute walk and you are there at the entrance.

The temple has beautiful architecture; traditional Chinese temple style with grand red pillars, a magnificent golden roof adorned with blue friezes, yellow latticework, and multi-colored carvings. In the temple grounds there is the Daxiong-baodian, the Three-Saint Hall and the Good Wish Garden. This is just to name a few. It is worth the visit and as usual… I manage to captures some nice shots inside the temple ground.

Anyway… enjoy the pictures.

High rise building seen close by the temple…. mmm correction; more like their neighbors.

…catch me on the 2nd Part on the visit of the temple.

Macau – A Ferry Trip Across (5)

This is my final part of Macau before heading back to Hong Kong. If you have not seen my first 4 parts, pls feel free to have a read on them.

Walking through the alley, you will see lot of shops selling dry meat, Portuguese egg tart, almond cakes and egg rolls. Each of these shops are  fighting for customers. Guess when you are selling the same stuff, surely there will be stiff competition among themselves but the ones who gain are the customers. =)

… the ruins of St Paul Cathedral.

Heading back from the ruins ….

to catch a ferry back to Hong Kong.

The older part of Macau

View of Macau-Taipa Bridge from the Ferry

Hope you enjoyed the pictures. So what next? Want to know….then follow me on my next blog!  =)

Macau – A Ferry Trip Across (1)

Last year, I was in Hong Kong with my wife for a holiday, and we decided to take a short day trip (more like a half day trip) to Macau by ferry. In fact you can fly in or even go in style to Macau by helicopter. =)

We left Kowloon area early and went to the pier at Kowloon side to buy our ferry tickets. There are many ferry service providers there so, you can pick and choose the best and or which part you plan to ‘land’ on Macau.  As usual, I let my pictures tell the stories and let you enjoy.

  Shot from the pier.

  People catching the ferry to Cotai Strip where most of the newest casino are built and located. Most of them are heading to the casinos.

Macau International Airport which is next to the Cotai Strip Ferry pier.

Interior of one of the casinos.. all in gold colour

Gondolas, anyone?

to be continued….