Nijo Castle in Kyoto

Formerly the Tokugawa shogun's residence - this was really quite impressive. I couldn't take photos inside - understandable as the walls are all painted by the Kano School of painters, mostly in gold laced copper (I think). It is immaculate inside - just imagine back then when the shoguns were in rule. I was most impressed by the art, I have to say. It is just a shame I can't show it to you.

Oh, and the floors in the castle squeaks - I am pretty sure it wasn't my knee brace either. It was a sort of technology they used to determined where an intruder would be. These Japanese, just way ahead of time!

Karamon - entrance to the castle

Gardens surrounding the castle

Roof detailing

Kyoto Walkabout

It probably wasn't such a great idea walking from 10AM to 6PM in a knee brace but every time I wanted to stop there was something in this city that kept pushing me on. My knee was protesting at the end... but it was worth it.

View of Kyoto skyline from Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Lanterns hanging from the roof temple at Yasaka-jinja shrine

Entrance to Yasaka-jinja shrine at night

Monk banging the gong at 5pm to signal they're closing shop

Bamboo forest

Zen garden at Kodai-ji Temple

Some shop selling matchstick boxes for souvenir (JPY 160 each by the way)

Cherry Blossom

Random Kyoto Restaurant Find

First night in Kyoto, went hunting for food. Did not help that it was dark, but after an hour of wandering around almost lost I stumbled into this restaurant. It was hidden behind a little alley, and looked really quiet, but upon entering I saw piles of shoes - which meant there were people all hidden in different rooms.

Same story, one girl sitting at the counter with one bottle of hot sake. After a couple of glasses, I managed to find out that it was a 60-year old family run business. It was initially started off by grandfather after World War 2. Then each generation learned the business - highly likely the young sons will too.

The food was impeccably prepared. I had sashimi, chawan mushi (very nice) and tempura. Got around to chatting with the chef and he even let me try this gobo thing which is apparently a Japanese favorite. It was actually quite yummy.

I wasn't allowed to take photos but here is the business card. Do visit - it is simply delightful just to be eating watching the chef and his whole family at work. They speak minimal English but I speak no Japanese and we still managed to have a conversation (they even managed to make fun of my knee brace). Very friendly.

Chef's name is Iimura Yoshiyuki

Stupidity + Bad Conditions = Accident

I think the title says it all. I injured my knee skiing down a cat track at Happo-One on my last day. Conditions were bad - visibility was low, but mostly, stupidity and excessive risk taking got me here.

Moral of the story - don't do stupid shit. Next time I will have to warm up. But thank god (or whatever mighty being) for amazing people around me. They didn't leave me alone long enough for me to feel too sorry for myself.

Besides, someone needs to take photos of me.

Posing despite injury

Being bandaged up by ski patrol

In my ride down the mountain

Sign in form at the hospital - "Pain" damn it, PAIN

Embracing the brace

In the event you do stupid shit too:

• You will be sent to Hakuba Hospital for X-Ray; however doctor speaks minimal English
• Go to Hakuba Physio for some English explanation and also a knee brace if you want one (if you've done what I had - you will) number is 0261 72 4117. I saw Leah Mandell and she was great. Should be able to get it back on travel insurance - but I don't know yet. Will definitely let you know if that is not the case.
• For Ibuprofen you will need to go to Nakajima, which is next to A-Coop supermarket. The pharmacist will understand.

Snow Monkeys

Took a rest day from skiing by doing the snow monkey tour at Jigokudani in Nagano. Apparently these are the only monkeys in the world who bathe in hot springs. The story goes that one day, just this one moneky took the plunge and jumped into someone's bath and decided that it was too good of a thing to let up. Eventually all her friends joined in too and the humans had no choice but to build them a spring of their own. Not too bad for being spoilt! Who's the joke on now?

Those crazy humans, don't they know the party is in the water?

Close up

Just another one

Snow in Hakuba

Woke up this morning to a snowing Hakuba.

My skis under the snow - can you find them?

Skiing a couple of days ago

Chang Deok Gung

Whilst I was out and about doing touristy things I decided to visit a palace. The above mentioned was selected as it was UN Heritage listed.

It certainly has its charms and beauty. The under ground heating was impressive! But every time I have been to places like these I can't help but wonder if I should commend the Chinese for having spread their influence so far or the Vietnamese / Japanese / Korean for doing so well in the cases of the latter two, out pace the Chinese. Maybe if the Chinese had not pissed of so many people in the past there may have been a much more vibrant and cohesive North Asian history. I mean, traditional Korean script is Chinese after all. Most words now even sound similar to contemporary Mandarin.

The Grand Entrance into the Palace

As our guide put it - "big creation place" - indicating the pressure on the king and queen to produce a heir (much needed given the average age of kings then were only 46!).

But the palace is certainly worth visiting - to see the organization and intricate designs. But beware, you can only enter with a guided tour and there are only limited sessions a day.

If you have time (like I did as I was not aware of the aforementioned), look for a cafe called Margot two blocks behind. I have recently developed a taste for tea (must be the Chinese in me). Had tea at this beautiful little place. KRW 5 for a pot of tea and a plate of what I think must be dried apricots. Put a smile on my face on an otherwise freezing day!

DMZ

If I really had to trace the source of my interest in current affairs, it would be from the Modern World History study I did back in school. I found so much relevance in what I studied and what was happening in the world at large, the world which mostly, I struggled to understand to this day.

Visiting the DMZ was like stepping back in my history class - except this is still current. This has got to be the last remnant of The Cold War - where people fought (or not) over ideals. Or at least that was what appeared to be on the surface. Being at the DMZ I question what Kim Jong Il was fighting for. Ego? I suppose some find it hard to relinquish power once in possession.

What blew me away, despite all the stories of the repeated North Korean intended attacks on the South (e.g. the fore underground tunnels just the bare minimum of evidence) is the South's hope for re-unification. So much "hope". They've even built a train station (currently empty) in hope of one day connecting to the North. I don't know how they hold so much hope and faith in a regime that holds intentions to attack them nor included them in peace talks.

But I guess one has to choose peace. And choosing peace isn't easy.

Here's to hoping that it does become history and that train station goes into operation - then one can connect all the way from West Europe through to Japan!

Not to mention it'd be one step forward for world peace too.

Immigration stamp for connecting train to Pyongyang

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Walking into Korean Pop Culture

Was walking around the COEX Mall in Gangnam in Seoul and heard screams. I thought it was someone famous so headed over for a peek. Ended up being a dance performance. I nearly chocked laughing. I only caught the tail end of this so hopefully you will see why I was laughing so hard. This is Korean pop for you!