Friday, April 20, 2007
Yamaguchi & Hagi- Part I
So I asked around and discovered that we have a choice to choose the private room, called "Kazoku buro" in Japanese meaning bath for family. It doesn't cost much about 1500 yen ($15) per 5o mins. Not bad huh....
We arrived Japan in winter time so it was a perfect time to go to the Onsen. Hey, what are we waiting for, let's go to the Onsen!
We were looking for the place nearby Hiroshima we were recommended to go to Yamaguchi. Yamaguchi is another prefecture which is next to Hiroshima, about 2 hrs drive on the express way. It was also a perfect trip to test our RX8 performance. Woo hoooo.
When driving this beast, we actually felt bigger and stronger with so much power and style. On the expressway it was hard to control ourselves to drive slowly and it was like the car had a life of its own and asking us to go faster. At one point I was even reached 170km/h! Sorry mum, we wont do it again.
The first night we checked into the Japanese Traditional Hotel, called "Ryokan". We stayed at "Yuda Ryokan " in Yamaguchi. It was a bit expensive (18,000 yen per person ($180) but as I possess a real practical skill in negotiation and beat the hotel manager down to 15,000 yen per person. Well it was still a bit expensive but it came with a stomach bursting dinner and breakfast.
At the ryokan they provide you with a night dress called "Yukata". You can wear this dress and walk around the ryokan. It is like a uniform as each ryokan has their own fabric design. There is a correct way of wearing this dress, which is the left-side needs to be on the top of the right-side. I was doing it wrong back then if you can see on the photos, I was wearing with the right-side sitting on the top of the left-side. Below photos showing the incorrect way.
After dinner we got ourselves a private hot spring bath room. This is what it looked like. One thing that we need to do before get into the bath is we need to wash ourselves first. I mean in Japanese style. You have to sit down and wash yourself. Take a look the photos.
We're all clean so let's get inside the bath, it's freezing outside!!!
Kimochi.... This is so relaxing. Ahhh.
Next morning, we drove to the place, called"Kozan-koen " where the five storey pagoda is next to the lake in Yamaguchi city.
To be continued (tsuzuku)
Koh Chang Thailand Nov 2006
We stayed at the place called Sea View Resort for two nights. This resort has its own private beach so it wasn't that crowded.
The water is so clear and warm, perfect for swimming and snorkeling.
After a fun day, sitting next to the beach and appreciating the sunset scenery. Just like heaven!!!
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Loy Krathong Festival Thailand Nov 2006
"Loy" means "to float" and a "Krathong" is a lotus-shaped vessel made of banana leaves. The Krathong usually contains a candle, three joss-sticks, some flowers and coins.
Last year (2006) the Loy Krathong day was on 5 Nov, we were still in Thailand so we went joined this event. As we stayed in Sriracha there was a popular place that people go to float their " Krathong", called "Koh Loy" (Loy Island), familiar with the word "Koh", yes it means island. So we went there too.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Sanctuary of Truth in Pattaya
The first trip that we made while we were in Thailand was a place in Pattaya called "Sanctuary of Truth". I have to say it is one of the amazing places I've ever seen in my life.
The Sanctuary of Truth is a gigantic wooden temple like construction which covers the area of more than two rais. The top point of the buildingis about 105 meters high. It has taken over 20 years to build this and it is still underconstruction.
And when we finally arrived there. Wow !!!!!
Look at all the stuff that they made, amazing!!
This is one of the draft drawing
More information about this place go to http://www.sanctuaryoftruth.com
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
The Beginning
Over 6 months has passed since that day and it has really been an incredible journey for both of us (well in our eyes it has been) . It hasn't been all rosy and pink and at times it has been stressful, frustrating and emotional but it never has been boring.
After filling up half a 40 foot container (we should have got a 20 foot one) with all our furniture and belongings and then saying good bye to our family, friends and work colleagues, we stepped onto a plane at Tullamarine airport in Melbourne and flew 9 hours to Bangkok and arrived at the new Bangkok called Suwanabumi airport.