11 Dec 2006 - Our first attempt on a golf course!
We took a trip with our old Scottish friend to Fraser's Hills as he said he played on the course there many moons ago and no handicap was necessary. We went through turns around the mountainous range and finally ended up in Fraser's. Surprisingly, there is no longer a GATE time for traffic at The Gap as they now opened another road for ascending traffic. The golf course was definitely a disappointment but the game was a good one yah! We are now determined to learn GOLF! Hahahaha!
13 Dec 2006 - Steven took an 7 Iron to practise his swings
17 Dec 1006 - Steven bought a "how to play golf" book
Sunday, 17 December 2006
Our Korea Trip
17 Dec 2006
Our next holiday destination was confirmed more than 6 months back when we were able to redeem a free ticket to Seoul for year end. We've looked through some of the places in Korea and we have decided to target only a specific area for this trip. The chosen area is GYEONGJU. Apparently it houses more than 40 sites which are labelled as World Heritage by UNESCO and we are going to spend 2 or 3 days there for some nice photo shoots. Click on this following link to learn more about Korea, it is by the way, our main source of information: http://english.tour2korea.com/
Our next holiday destination was confirmed more than 6 months back when we were able to redeem a free ticket to Seoul for year end. We've looked through some of the places in Korea and we have decided to target only a specific area for this trip. The chosen area is GYEONGJU. Apparently it houses more than 40 sites which are labelled as World Heritage by UNESCO and we are going to spend 2 or 3 days there for some nice photo shoots. Click on this following link to learn more about Korea, it is by the way, our main source of information: http://english.tour2korea.com/
Saturday, 16 December 2006
Get Stuffed!
- Look through this tantalizing website for gadgets you would die for!!
- We were not aware what a stent procedure involves before my Dad went through stenting today. We only were informed of the need for the procedure to be performed about 2 days ago. However, after going through a few links in the internet, the following seemed appropriate for preparation of a stent procedure.
- http://www.manchesterheartcentre.org/textonly/txtangioplasty.htm provides a comprehensive explanation on stenting and angioplasty
Wednesday, 13 December 2006
Saturday, 25 November 2006
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Hong Kong, famous for its breath taking night scene, changed its tourism phrase from "takes your breath away" after the SARS incident to "Hong Kong, Live It! Love It!". We attempted to capture the Hong Kong night scene for a good 3 hours. Feast your eyes with them and give us your comments:-
Friday, 24 November 2006
Our Virgin Trip To Kyushu
DAY 1
Journey to the Mysterious Land of Myths and Legends
As the name of the place suggests, the journey to get there requires hours of trotting through ranges of hills and winding mountainous roads which finally led us to the mysterious site. The sun began to hide its blooming face behind the heavy clouds the moment we reached. The initial plan of visiting the mysterious gorge was to be postponed to the following day while we decided to embark on the exploring of the mysterious town on foot.
The first stop was to a 1300 years old tree that is believed to hold the main stream that flow through a dense forest before ending its path at the mysterious gorge of Takachiho. A shrine guards the stream and the source of water next to the enormous sturdy looking tree. Up the road, in a few minutes, another shrine comes into sight. However, what caught our attention most was the vegetable plantation, all greenery presented in a line of honour ready for its owner to reap the fruits of field.
The first stop was to a 1300 years old tree that is believed to hold the main stream that flow through a dense forest before ending its path at the mysterious gorge of Takachiho. A shrine guards the stream and the source of water next to the enormous sturdy looking tree. Up the road, in a few minutes, another shrine comes into sight. However, what caught our attention most was the vegetable plantation, all greenery presented in a line of honour ready for its owner to reap the fruits of field.
As the sun began to set, there was not much light around in the mysterious town of myths, we then walked on towards another form of aspiration and indulgence, the ever famous hot springs (the onsen) of Japan. A long walk on a scenic route leading to the Takachiho Onsen was more rewarding than expected. The cost per person for unlimited usage of the hotspring’s indoor and outdoor baths was 800 yen inclusive towels and robes. A pity photographs are never allowed in such public hotspring baths.
Dinner was a difficult task to accomplish as restaurants or rather small eateries in this town tend to stop functioning once dark falls. We resolved to fast food from a 24 hour joint finally.
ROUTE TAKEN
P: We arrived at Fukuoka Airport at about 8am.
S: Had to wait for our big backpack and we had to queue through customs with Labradors and Retrievers.
P: We had to take a bus from the international terminal to the domestic terminal in order to take a subway which heads to HAKATA TRAIN STATION
S: We got off at HAKATA TRAIN STATION and headed towards HAKATA BUS TERMINAL which is a few steps away from the station through the HAKATA EXIT. PLEASE ask for directions!
P: At the bus terminal, go up to 3rd Floor and purchase a direct bus ticket to TAKACHIHO.
S: Please check with the counter the boarding platform for the bus because even the security guard had problems.
P: Upon arrival at the bus terminal in Takachiho, KANAYA HOTEL is about 5 minutes walk away. Again, please ask for directions.
S: Had to wait for our big backpack and we had to queue through customs with Labradors and Retrievers.
P: We had to take a bus from the international terminal to the domestic terminal in order to take a subway which heads to HAKATA TRAIN STATION
S: We got off at HAKATA TRAIN STATION and headed towards HAKATA BUS TERMINAL which is a few steps away from the station through the HAKATA EXIT. PLEASE ask for directions!
P: At the bus terminal, go up to 3rd Floor and purchase a direct bus ticket to TAKACHIHO.
S: Please check with the counter the boarding platform for the bus because even the security guard had problems.
P: Upon arrival at the bus terminal in Takachiho, KANAYA HOTEL is about 5 minutes walk away. Again, please ask for directions.
ACCOMMODATION
S: Kanaya hotel is a modest looking rest place with minimum facility (ok, clean facilities) ran by a man assisted by the cleaner)
P: Cost of the hotel was 7800 per room per night.
S: Very expensive
P: But convenient as it is a stone’s throw away from the bus and taxi terminal.
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DAY 2
Continuing the journey amidst the myths and legends
The day was supposed to have started with a sunrise at the viewpoint at 5am. So much for our luck, it started raining cats and dogs and we decided to take a few pictures then head back to bed.
Later in the morning, when the rain mellowed down, we started our stroll towards Takachiho Gorge. The winding roads and splashing rainwater took us longer than expected to reach the gorge. But the torment was definitely worth it. The Takachiho Gorge stretches through all the way to Takachiho Bridge. A walk through the gorge also led us to the boulder which symbolizes strength for the people of Takachiho.
The damp path took us to the big Takachiho crossing bridge. We then walked towards the town centre until we reached the Takachiho shrine, a worshipping ground surrounded and lined by huge trees that dates back to over 800 years old.
We had some time before the departure of our next bus so we decided to go to a sacred place . We walked for about 30 minutes and finally decided to get directions from a local video shop. The owner was so helpful that he offered to send us to the place without charging us. However, when we reached there we only realized that the last bus that was going to leave the place was in 15 minutes time and it will take more than 15 minutes to even reach the place from the temple entrance. We gave up and just waited for the bus to return to the bus station. It was a disappointment to have missed it.
When we reached Aso later that night, we had a quick dinner in a quaint restaurant just situated outside of our hotel as it was raining heavily, it was impossible to go further.
Continuing the journey amidst the myths and legends
The day was supposed to have started with a sunrise at the viewpoint at 5am. So much for our luck, it started raining cats and dogs and we decided to take a few pictures then head back to bed.
Later in the morning, when the rain mellowed down, we started our stroll towards Takachiho Gorge. The winding roads and splashing rainwater took us longer than expected to reach the gorge. But the torment was definitely worth it. The Takachiho Gorge stretches through all the way to Takachiho Bridge. A walk through the gorge also led us to the boulder which symbolizes strength for the people of Takachiho.
The damp path took us to the big Takachiho crossing bridge. We then walked towards the town centre until we reached the Takachiho shrine, a worshipping ground surrounded and lined by huge trees that dates back to over 800 years old.
We had some time before the departure of our next bus so we decided to go to a sacred place . We walked for about 30 minutes and finally decided to get directions from a local video shop. The owner was so helpful that he offered to send us to the place without charging us. However, when we reached there we only realized that the last bus that was going to leave the place was in 15 minutes time and it will take more than 15 minutes to even reach the place from the temple entrance. We gave up and just waited for the bus to return to the bus station. It was a disappointment to have missed it.
When we reached Aso later that night, we had a quick dinner in a quaint restaurant just situated outside of our hotel as it was raining heavily, it was impossible to go further.
ROUTE TAKEN
P: We should take the left turn as the map says it will lead to the gorge.
S: OK, but there is also another bridge on the other side.
P: We will take the left turn then walk through the gorge to the other side.
S: We did and took many photos along the way. As we reached the Takachiho bridge, we wanted to get a cab to return to the town centre. However, with our limited knowledge in the Japanese language, we managed to ask a postman to order a cab for us but we later realize that it was not too far a walk to the town centre. We decided to move on before the cab arrived.
P: We reached the Takachiho shrine and walked up the steps to reach the temple.
S: We then rushed back to the bus station to purchase a bus ticket to Aso. The bus goes from Takachiho to Takamori train station. Then in Takamori train station, just hop on to any trains available.
P: You don’t need to purchase ticket because the ticket is taken on the train and you will only pay the exact amount stated on the digital board as you alight the train.
S: Get off at Tateno station and change train to Aso station.
P: You should ensure that arrival at Aso station is well before 6pm as the bus service to the town centre becomes scarce after dark.
ACCOMMODATION
S: Go-gaku hotel is a clean hotel situated in the onsen area of Uchinomaki Onsen. There is a bus stop about 60 meters in front of the hotel and it conveniently links to the Aso station.
P: Cost of the hotel was 6300 per room per night with indoor onsen facilities which we did not have a chance to use due to the lack of time.
*********************************************************************************
DAY 3
Journey to Mt. Aso
The planned itinerary was to travel by bus all the way to Mt. Aso’s crater and then return to Aso in the evening. However, we boarded the bus at around 830 in the morning and when we reached Kusa senri, the area was covered with heavy fog. According to the bus driver, it will take at least until early afternoon for the fog to clear. We saw in the guide books another magnificent landscape on the way to Mt. Aso named Komezuka. However, it was again not visible due to the fog.
As we are such friendly and nice people, the bus driver offered to send us from Mt. Aso to Komezuka (not a bus stop) on his way down from Mt. Aso in his later trip in the afternoon and he told us exactly the time to wait for his bus. When we reached Mt. Aso, we were told that they did not allow any visitors near the crater that day as the volcano’s activity was causing high levels of sulphur release which was dangerous. We waited for about an hour and finally decided to walk to Kusa Senri which is about 2km away from Mt. Aso.
When we reached Kusa Senri, we grabbed a quick lunch and moved out to the huge grass field for photo session. There were some horses there for rental and rides but it was too costly as it costs about 3000 yen for a 20 minutes ride. We did not forget that we had to catch the same bus to go to Komezuka, so we ran back to the bus stop and was just in time for the bus to arrive. The driver was thrilled to see us and he dropped us off on the highway which had a great view of Komezuka and reminded us that he will be back in 2 hours to get us.
We spent 2 hours taking photos in Komezuka area and it was really really worth it. About 2 hours later, the bus came and collected us and sent us back to our hotel. The bus driver even took less bus fare from us as he was telling us that he worked in Malaysia before and that he liked us!!!
We freshened up in the hotel and left just before sunset to look for food. We walked around the small town of Aso and saw some Japanese flag flying against a purple sunset. As it got darker, we moved on to a tiny shop which served noodles and bento. We had our dinner there and walked back to our hotel.
ROUTE TAKEN
Journey to Mt. Aso
The planned itinerary was to travel by bus all the way to Mt. Aso’s crater and then return to Aso in the evening. However, we boarded the bus at around 830 in the morning and when we reached Kusa senri, the area was covered with heavy fog. According to the bus driver, it will take at least until early afternoon for the fog to clear. We saw in the guide books another magnificent landscape on the way to Mt. Aso named Komezuka. However, it was again not visible due to the fog.
As we are such friendly and nice people, the bus driver offered to send us from Mt. Aso to Komezuka (not a bus stop) on his way down from Mt. Aso in his later trip in the afternoon and he told us exactly the time to wait for his bus. When we reached Mt. Aso, we were told that they did not allow any visitors near the crater that day as the volcano’s activity was causing high levels of sulphur release which was dangerous. We waited for about an hour and finally decided to walk to Kusa Senri which is about 2km away from Mt. Aso.
When we reached Kusa Senri, we grabbed a quick lunch and moved out to the huge grass field for photo session. There were some horses there for rental and rides but it was too costly as it costs about 3000 yen for a 20 minutes ride. We did not forget that we had to catch the same bus to go to Komezuka, so we ran back to the bus stop and was just in time for the bus to arrive. The driver was thrilled to see us and he dropped us off on the highway which had a great view of Komezuka and reminded us that he will be back in 2 hours to get us.
We spent 2 hours taking photos in Komezuka area and it was really really worth it. About 2 hours later, the bus came and collected us and sent us back to our hotel. The bus driver even took less bus fare from us as he was telling us that he worked in Malaysia before and that he liked us!!!We freshened up in the hotel and left just before sunset to look for food. We walked around the small town of Aso and saw some Japanese flag flying against a purple sunset. As it got darker, we moved on to a tiny shop which served noodles and bento. We had our dinner there and walked back to our hotel.
ROUTE TAKENP: A direct bus from Uchinomaki Onsen to Mt. Aso but limited services a day.
ACCOMMODATION 
P: Cost of the hotel was 6300 per room per night with indoor onsen facilities which we did not have a chance to use due to the lack of time.
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