reminiscing Tokyo

(Click on the image for a larger view)
I was browsing some old photos for my scrapbooking project (yup, mami is into it lately! oh, digital that is...) when I stumbled upon these cute photos of Luke while playing with a stray feather he found on the wide grounds of Shinjuku Gyoen in Tokyo, Japan.

Taken last December 2006, these photos make me want to go back to this nice place and feel the cool breeze all over. Oh, how I wish there's a winter in the Philippines, even just for one whole day...

cooling down at Tagaytay

It's already ber-month, but the heat is not yet over. So, we made a short but enjoyable road trip to Tagaytay City last weekend. The weather was perfect when we left Laguna, but while we were enjoying the cool breeze at Picnic Grove, the downpour left us running for safe shelter (but mami can't run, huh!). Then, we drove to Taal Vista Hotel, and there we had a more enjoyable time with nature despite some showers. Luke, most especially, had a good time walking up and down the greeny-and-slopy lawn of the hotel.

Look how happy we were ...





P.S. Layout design via Adobe Photoshop CS3 (and oh, I spent long hours for these, eh!)

Life in the farm

So, Luke has a farm? Nope, he is just visiting the farm his grandpa is tilling since time immemorial. Spending a day in the farm at Dadi's beloved hometown in Lucban, Quezon surely means happy time, playing all around, making the entire farm a delightful playground, and with the luxury of being toured around via the carabao-pulled improvised transpo locally called "paragos".

With Luke are his cousins, and Tatay Rufino, and the ever loyal draft animal that helps Tatay do all the farm chores. ;)


Lucban, Quezon
Sometime in May 2007

Yummy donuts

Back in Japan, we enjoy munching on fresh and sweet donuts that come in different flavors, appearance and shapes. Pair these with hot milk tea, and our tummies are beyond satisfaction.

Oh, how we miss these donuts! Anyone from Japan care to send us some over here? ;)



Mister Donuts
Kameari, Katsushika-ku, Japan
Sometime in March 2007

On Dadi's grad day

So Dadi has finished his studies in Toudai. On his graduation day, get a glimpse of what Luke did the entire day.




The University of Tokyo
Tokyo, Japan
March 22, 2007

Visiting Dadi's campus

Sometime in January, Dadi brought Luke with him when he needed to attend a meeting. After the official work, Luke enjoyed strolling around the big campus, with no disturbances from other people, which is common on a regular school day.

Enjoy his photos:




The University of Tokyo
Yayoi, Bunkyu-ku, Japan
January 2007

Exploring Kyoto (Part 3) -- our last day

We didn't want our last adventure day to be just a travel day back to Tokyo. So, with the much-appreciated help of our friend, Mr. Kanai, who have come all the way from Nishinomiya to our hotel in Honmachi, we went back to Kyoto and have a glimpse of the other important and must-see tourist attractions there.

First we headed to Kiyomizu-dera (Temple of Clear Water) and spent our entire morning there. Uphill, we had a view of the central Kyoto where the landmamrk Kyoto Tower was clearly in sight.

Then, we traversed the narrow roads passing by old houses, mostly selling some souvenirs and teacups/teapots, until we reached Kodai-ji. We continued on walking till we reached the Maruyama-koen, which seemingly resembles Ueno Koen. Its main attraction is the weeping cherry tree. Why weeping? Pardon me for I couldn't exactly remember the reason why. Then we went to Chion-in but just on a short stop. We also passed by the Yasaka-jinja before we headed back to Kyoto station.

And oh, Mr. Kanai treated us to an authentic Jap resto where we had a sumptuous lunch of tempura. ;)

And so, our vacation is over, though we didn't want it to end. It is so nice to explore these places. Maybe, next time around. ;)

In the meantime, enjoy our photos:






Eastern Kyoto
January 4th, 2007

Nara deer-venture (aka Oh, di-di-di-deer!)

We went to Nara -- Japan's first capital -- on our third day. There, we met with our dear friends, Rich-san and Tomo-san.

Upon getting off at the Nara Station, we started walking down the Nara Koen until we reached the Todai-ji with the Daibutsu-den (Hall of the Great Buddha) as its main attraction. Before we got into the gate, we were welcomed by hornless deer scattered around the place. Children fearfully but excitedly love to feed them with shika-sembei (you can buy these deer biscuits for only 150yen). But beware! These deer just grab up anything whatever you're holding in your hands, which they believed to be their food. Look at how our friend Tomo-san tried to escape from the flock's plea for food.

Enjoy our photos (please don't mind the other faces in the pictures; the temple was way too crowded to get a chance for a solo):









Todai-ji and Nara Koen
Nara Prefecture
January 3rd, 2007

Exploring Kyoto (Part 2)

After happily munching on the chocolate-coated dango, we headed to the Ginkaku-ji, or the Silver Pavilion, on the eastern side of Kyoto. Luke was already asleep when we arrived there, and it was Dadi's turn to carry him -- while taking pictures of the vast garden and me!

Unlike in the Golden Temple, we stayed here for only about an hour hiking the mountainside walkways through the tall trees. From atop, we had a hazy glimpse of downtown Kyoto. It was almost closing time when we got out of the temple, so we planned to go to Kyoto Station for our dinner before heading back to our hotel. However, the queue at the bus stop was rather long, and the bus arrived after 30 minutes of (im)patiently waiting. Luke and I were lucky to find a seat at the back, but Dadi was far at the frontside. Again, it was about a 30-minute ride to downtown Kyoto, and Luke was already throwing tantrums because of his very wet diaper.

Anyway, despite some uneasiness once in a while, and the not-so-good weather, we still managed to enjoy our "exploration". ;)


Ginkaku-ji, Kyoto
January 2nd, 2007

Exploring Kyoto (Part 1)

Our first stop in our Kyoto adventure was the famous Golden Temple or known as the Kinkaku-ji. It was a surprisingly 40-minute bus ride from Keihan-Sanjo train station. It was raining when we went there, but that did not stop us from luring our eyes with the awesome sight inside the temple.

Roaming around the temple for almost two hours with a heavyweight toddler in tow (frontpack) was kinda back-aching thing to do. We were already hungry halfway through, thanks to those shops that offered free taste of their products, which of course, enticed us to buy some. I especially liked the chocolate-coated dango. ;)

Here are our photos:

Kinkaku-ji, Kyoto
January 2nd, 2007

Tigger also went to Kansai

To start the new year, we set off to see the beauty of west Japan, in the much-coveted and historic Kansai region. Our 3-night-and-4-day stay was rather short as we start our adventure roaming around Osaka, Kyoto and Nara.

I must say that we felt a bit warm in Kansai, as our bodies were somehow got used to the freezing temperature in Hokkaido.

Take a look at some of our pictures. Enjoy!

Inside the train at the Kansai International Airport going to Namba.

Finally arrived in our hotel in Honmachi, Osaka.

Exploring Honmachi and nearby districts in our quest to find a nice dining area on New Year's Day where almost all shops were closed.


Honmachi, Osaka Prefecture
January 1st, 2007

Bye-bye, Fukagawa!

January 1st, 2007 -- we left Fukagawa, Hokkaido. We were a bit sad with the thought that our snow-y vacation had come to an end. But we have our happy memories, and our pictures to share with you and for keepsakes.

In the photos below, we were at the station waiting for our train to take us back to the New Chitose International Airport.



To our dear friends, Rich-san and Tomo-san, thank you so much for your unselfish and warm accommodation, and for showing us how life is like during winter in the coldest part of Japan. Here's hoping to visit Fukagawa again sometime! ;)


Fukagawa Station
Fukagawa, Hokkaido
January 1, 2007

Hokkaido spree: seal or no seal

We spent two joyful nights and three blizzard-y days in Wakkanai, the northernmost part of Hokkaido/Japan. Aside from devouring the sumptuous Japanese dishes served to our pleasure, we went strolling around despite the bad weather (=snowstorm). We went to the Wakkanai Port to see some seals. Too bad we did not see any, but Luke was still smiling and jolly to be out trying to find some seals. On a fine day (which means about 0-1 degrees), we could've also have a hungry glimpse of Russia (at least the coastal part). Maybe next time...



Wakkanai Port, Hokkaido
Seal Viewing House
December 2006

As light as a feather

Shinjuku Gyoen National Park
Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
December-Autumn 2006