Day 8 of 100 (Part 2): arriving in Singapore

We finally arrived in Singapore. Met up my friend, James, who moved from Toronto to Singapore. He took us to enjoy a seafood dinner by the seaside...Singapore always maintains around 30c during day time (as it is almost located on equator, duh!) but at night, it is actually very breezy. Check out those seafood restaurants by the seaside and I have never seen so many people eating outdoor in Toronto or Vancouver...Oh...i saw something that I have never seen it in Canada as well....waterskiing in a pound??? check out the cool video.

Day 8 of 100: Leaving Tokyo...Who said there is nothing to see on the plane. Guess what I saw on the way to Singapore?

8 days done, 92 days full of adventure to go..!!!!  Bukle up your seat belt becuse we are taking off soon..

see you in Singapore...

Leaving Japan for Singapore!

I fly a lot both for work and pleasure. I always take a window seat because i can always look out and see something amazing...Guess what i saw on the way to Singapore? a HEART-SHAPED REEF ISLAND !!!!



Day 7 of 100 : Hotel Raider: Tokyo Conrad

Leaving Tokyo tomorrow so I decided to show you more of my home of the last 7 nights. Since day 1, i have decided to send myself a postcard to be my diary. So far, I have been keeping the practice but it will be getting harder and harder because so difficult to find postcard, stamps and mailbox....

This is my favourite tree at Conrad. It is located in the lower lobby, The hotel has done a good job matching the environment with some zen music...so enjoy...(Sorry, i know, I skewed up the orientation but it is still a nice zen moment....enjoy!)

Day 6 of 100: Wait...Am I in the US or Japan?

I saw the Statue of Liberty and visited a mall that looks like the one in Ceasar Palace in Vegas...Was i in the US or Japan????  I was confused for a moment.....Yes, Ms. Liberty is in Tokyo too....she stands near the harbour in Odaiba which is just a short ride of transit from Tokyo Conrad. It is a very nice area and you can see the famous Rainbow Bridge...lots of futuristic buildings, theme parks as well as shopping malls. You can easily spend the whole afternoon here without feeling bored..:-)

Before we meet Ms. Liberty, let me take you for a ride of the transit first. So buckle up and enjoy the ride!

Look like Ceasar Palace in Las Vegas, huh?

Day 5 of 100: Shrines and Temples of Nikko (World's Heritage site)

Today is a perfect day to get out of the cosmopolitan city to go to nature. Nikko is about 2 hours away from Tokyo by train but it is really worth a trip...Having visited over 150 cities in 40 countries, I have to say Nikko has some amamzing architecture which is nicely incorporated into the nature...After reading how the UNESCO described Nikko, how can you not pay a visit?

"The Nikko shrines and temples are a reflection of architectural and artistic genius; this aspect is reinforced by the harmonious integration of the buildings in a forest and a natural site laid out by man. Nikko is a perfect illustration of the architectural style of the Edo period as applied to Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. The Gongen-zukuri style of the two mausoleums, the Tôshôgu and the Taiyû-in Reibyô, reached the peak of its expression in Nikko, and was later to exert a decisive influence. The ingenuity and creativity of its architects and decorators are revealed in an outstanding and distinguished manner."

Day 4 of 100: Funny/silly/interesting Tokyo moment



Heat wave attacked the whole Japan and they have a new record high temp almost everyday for the last 100 years....so today is just a relaxing day: swimming in the pool @ Tokyo Conrad and walking & shopping around.....so just wanna share with you all some funny / silly and interesting pics and video..so enjoy!

SPAM Sushi????

Do you want to see World's busiest intersection?



Old Toy Stores



 



What do they use the washroom for????



I can try to use the washroom BEAUTIFULLY
but I am sure it is not going to be pretty... !!



Day 3: Iconic Statute in Japan: Kamakura Buddha

The Great Buddha of Kamakura is a bronze statue of Amida Buddha and is the second tallest bronze Buddha statue in Japan, surpassed only by the statue in Nara's Todaiji Temple. The statue was cast in 1252 and originally located inside a large temple hall. However, the temple buildings were destroyed multiple times by typhoons and a tidal wave in the 14th and 15th centuries. So, since 1495, the Buddha has been standing in the open air.

The big buddha statue in Kamakura is probably the most iconic statue you will see in any picture books or postcards about Japan. Having been to Tokyo so many times, I never had a chance to go there. Therefore, i am more than determined to play a visit this time. Kamakura is not that far from Tokyo. It is about 45 mins by train and a short walk (20 mins) from the train station. It was very hot the day when I visited but when I finally got there in front of the giant bronze statue, I can feel a zen moment & coolness in my mind....

It is a bird on top of the statue, not a UFO :-)

Can you feel the calmness and coolness?
It was actually 36c that day!



Inside the bronze statue so
it was probably 40c....