tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324997522011-09-02T00:55:19.339+08:00Started with : Just had a wonderful holiday in Japan and would like to keep memories and pics of visit before my memory 'goes' any worse. That's a good reason to start my blog which has been in mind but couldnt take off because of 'what do I have to blog about?' So here goes ................. Now I am adding more photos of other trips, family, etc.hokysushinoreply@blogger.comBlogger2151100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-76717035663632669792010-01-01T00:51:00.045+08:002010-08-31T12:12:40.774+08:00

Hello! and Welcome to my travel photo scrapbook.I hope my photos and notes can help to give you an idea of what these wondeful places are like. I have enjoyed visiting them and these photos enable me to "re-visit" whenever I look at them, over and over again.Click on a destination name to start. Bon voyage! Selangor short tripCanadian Rocky Mountains railtourAlaska cruiseLondon, Mediterranean

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-13362715769440484252009-04-19T20:55:00.003+08:002009-04-19T21:01:18.904+08:00

                          Please click here to continue on our Kunming trip.

boraportofinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967381374910295186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-16579873359965084162009-04-15T18:32:00.006+08:002009-04-19T21:01:32.080+08:00

           Please click here to continue on our Kunming trip.

boraportofinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967381374910295186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-55406009300621270482009-04-15T17:14:00.007+08:002009-04-15T18:38:50.777+08:00

Please click here to continue on our Kunming trip.

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-64787859514243386382009-04-13T19:46:00.008+08:002009-04-15T17:31:13.060+08:00

Please click here to continue on our Kunming trip.

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-6394270824309460332009-04-13T19:23:00.008+08:002009-04-13T20:06:46.523+08:00

Please click here to continue on our Kunming trip.

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-46775601613891675052009-04-12T00:53:00.007+08:002009-04-13T20:02:12.813+08:00

Please click here to continue on our Kunming trip.

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-72332304064544391972009-04-12T00:19:00.013+08:002009-04-13T20:03:35.342+08:00

Please click here to continue on our Kunming trip.

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-5319493676613830552009-04-11T22:51:00.013+08:002010-12-08T13:30:51.791+08:00

  Click here to continue on our visit to Kunming.Click here to return to the Wonderful holidays home page.

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-59076163781058543632009-04-08T19:15:00.015+08:002010-12-04T20:19:31.552+08:00

       Click here to continue on our visit to Kunming.Click here to return to the Wonderful holidays home page.

boraportofinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967381374910295186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-44876199340475567742009-04-08T18:58:00.004+08:002010-12-03T18:59:56.304+08:00

    Click here to continue on our visit to Kunming.Click here to return to the Wonderful holidays home page.

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-42072173404558416482009-04-08T17:46:00.009+08:002010-12-03T17:26:52.953+08:00

        Click here to continue on our visit to Kunming.Click here to return to the Wonderful holidays home page.

boraportofinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967381374910295186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-433015032947071692009-03-06T19:26:00.001+08:002010-12-04T19:58:04.901+08:00

     Click here to continue on our visit to Kunming.Click here to return to the Wonderful holidays home page.

hokeeyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00542997563115788764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-92182695693457333732009-03-06T18:56:00.015+08:002010-12-06T17:59:58.236+08:00

This is a never-empty deep freshwater lake which supplies clean water to all the towns and villages even during periods of drought.A fantastic reservoir, seems to me. Most likely it was part of the palace grounds, there being a palace and a temple on the grounds. Nothing much to it; as you will discover if you Google it. Click here to continue on our visit to Kunming.Click here to return to the

boraportofinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967381374910295186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-32736474314230636172008-08-07T16:23:00.024+08:002010-12-06T17:43:24.714+08:00

A nice new village roadside cafe quite near to Dr Rock's old residence. The garden paths were in, waiting for the trees, shrubs and covers, and garden furniture to be added. This is a separate building.Probably the owner's residence. Charging up the electric scooter (below) ?Nope. The portable stereo set inside was running off the scooter's battery.   See the marbles of animal (horse?) poo?

boraportofinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967381374910295186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-70914378181343207192008-08-06T15:41:00.015+08:002010-11-22T19:28:22.820+08:00

Arrived at this little village - more like a few houses put together - parked and walked, asking for directions along the way.We were looking for the old residence of Dr Joseph Rock who made quite an impression on local folk in the old days. A helpful sign.  Admission charge was 15 yuan each.But it was closed. Managed to get into the courtyard for a look, but that's all. Click here to continue

boraportofinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967381374910295186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-21534733941607891162008-08-06T15:25:00.014+08:002010-11-22T17:40:59.769+08:00

People in China walk in big strides; always in a hurry, just like at home.Older folk in background doing morning taiji exercises.Check out that hard-pruned pollarded tree. Here we are on the way to the Dragon Mountain.Drizzling. Thick mist. Steady strong wind blowing.The mountain road up may be closed. True enough; we were turned back; the road up was closed.So here we were, taking a side road to

boraportofinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967381374910295186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-11275719238055118642008-08-02T19:44:00.016+08:002010-11-20T15:59:27.775+08:00

         Click here to continue on our visit to Kunming.Click here to return to the Wonderful holidays home page.

boraportofinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967381374910295186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-24031356649156265182008-08-02T18:20:00.027+08:002010-11-20T16:12:33.562+08:00

            Click here to continue on our visit to Kunming. Click here to return to the Wonderful holidays home page.

boraportofinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967381374910295186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-48029098898016629972008-08-02T15:33:00.018+08:002010-11-19T19:24:13.661+08:00

   Click here to continue on our visit to Kunming.Click here to return to the Wonderful holidays home page.

boraportofinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967381374910295186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-92166376646155262612008-08-02T14:28:00.015+08:002010-11-18T20:15:48.246+08:00

    Click here to continue on our visit to Kunming.Click here to return to the Wonderful holidays home page.

boraportofinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967381374910295186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-75229035230445945992008-07-27T23:51:00.014+08:002010-11-18T15:45:58.012+08:00

Click here to continue on our visit to Kunming. Click here to return to the Wonderful holidays home page.

boraportofinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967381374910295186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-91975037442408864182008-07-27T20:15:00.032+08:002010-11-18T01:03:12.368+08:00

          Click here to continue on our visit to Kunming. Click here to return to the Wonderful holidays home page.

boraportofinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967381374910295186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-51407176015773912902008-07-27T19:24:00.021+08:002010-11-23T19:15:56.379+08:00

Yup, that's the name of this little street.We are sitting down for a bite at one of the many restaurants all of which have alfresco dining. This was a side street off the main Foreigners' Street.It lead into an open square with more shops and lodging houses (below).     Right; here we are back on Foreigners' Street again.It was quite messy at parts where they were laying cables. Click here to

boraportofinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967381374910295186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-73873353353084960662008-07-21T00:26:00.016+08:002010-11-23T19:07:18.212+08:00

 A long walk to our hotel.Between and behind buildings.Passed many lodging houses along the way. A shot of the hotel's internal courtyard.I was standing on the main corridor where the rooms were on ground and upper floor. That's the business centre which was open 24 hours daily.It had one desktop PC with free internet service.Which worked very well and fast.    Click here to continue on our

boraportofinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967381374910295186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-45488432000608043172008-07-20T23:09:00.029+08:002010-11-23T18:53:10.690+08:00

 We stopped in this new town under development on our way to Dali.The tables and chairs are all short like little stools, which makes it not easy to sit comfortably, and to get up.Hence Penny's alamak look of disbelief, as she had a bad knee. The open kitchen lets patrons see the food preparation.Here's a member of the kitchen staff plucking the fine feathers off a chicken head.You must click

boraportofinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967381374910295186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-55561988070681569282008-07-17T13:58:00.105+08:002010-11-18T15:51:08.250+08:00

Starting time of 7.00am was changed to 7.30am as HueiLock was up all night before watching Euro2008.However, car couldnt be driven off the car lift as its doors wouldn't repond to the remote thingy.Siow Wang (in pink) came on his bicycle (he works 15 minutes away) and after some key and remote switch fiddling, got the doors open.But the car remained resolute and wouldn't fire up.It was going to

boraportofinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967381374910295186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-13555544661041311562008-07-17T00:37:00.041+08:002010-11-16T20:01:31.405+08:00

 No change in Lock except for a bit (ahem) of a beer belly.Still smokin' like a chimney, contributing to China's polluted air.In the pink of health (according to him).With local souvenier seller in Lion's Cave (bottom left).And (bottom) with Siow Mei his constant companion who hails from SzeChuan.  Here's Siow Mei outside the gate to the Reservoir which we didn't get in to see 'cause had to pay,

boraportofinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967381374910295186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-39865504132298648042008-07-16T20:36:00.013+08:002010-03-02T17:50:22.901+08:00

        Click here to continue on our visit to Kunming.Click here to return to the Wonderful holidays home page.

boraportofinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967381374910295186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-48775218040271544382008-07-16T20:12:00.000+08:002010-03-03T22:08:41.259+08:00

Click here to continue on our visit to Kunming.Click here to return to the Wonderful holidays home page.

keeyanhonoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-75171889375158640652008-07-16T19:59:00.017+08:002010-03-03T22:09:54.445+08:00

Click here to continue on our visit to Kunming.Click here to return to the Wonderful holidays home page.

boraportofinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967381374910295186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-12530342540526548932008-07-16T00:01:00.007+08:002010-03-02T00:25:48.084+08:00

    Click here to continue on our visit to Kunming.Click here to return to the Wonderful holidays home page.

boraportofinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967381374910295186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-81860606820283641542008-07-15T23:39:00.012+08:002010-03-02T00:23:30.866+08:00

  Click here to continue on our visit to Kunming.Click here to return to the Wonderful holidays home page.

boraportofinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967381374910295186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-55657909445014953952008-07-15T20:09:00.015+08:002010-03-01T22:19:04.615+08:00

  Click here to continue on our visit to Kunming.Click here to return to the Wonderful holidays home page.

boraportofinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967381374910295186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-12188614596798283252008-07-15T19:39:00.016+08:002010-03-01T22:00:34.959+08:00

Click here to continue on our visit to Kunming.Click here to return to the Wonderful holidays home page.

boraportofinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967381374910295186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-81617331808694845032008-07-15T19:05:00.016+08:002010-11-22T17:02:43.220+08:00

We took a path which wound upwards until we reached this park shelter on a little knoll. The path must have been along uninteresting areas as I don't have photographs to record the walk. Left us panting a bit though.Anyhow, Huei Lock said that that was the highest point in the park; that tour groups were not brought there because the route wasn't greatly interesting, besides being a little off

boraportofinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967381374910295186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-22800634838373593192008-07-14T19:34:00.001+08:002010-02-19T00:17:22.863+08:00

Click here to continue on our visit to Kunming.Click here to return to the Wonderful holidays home page.

keeyanhonoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-71409921911551267892008-07-14T19:10:00.012+08:002010-02-17T01:09:26.213+08:00

    Click here to continue on our visit to Kunming.Click here to return to the Wonderful holidays home page.

boraportofinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967381374910295186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-76543449100480194722008-07-14T12:56:00.031+08:002010-11-22T16:58:41.257+08:00

       Take a look at the "caged" strip between the two sets of steps.That's the usual treatment to prevent people walking or sitting on the sculpture relief.          Click here to continue on our visit to Kunming.Click here to return to the Wonderful holidays home page.

boraportofinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967381374910295186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-88639421412449829332008-07-14T12:37:00.016+08:002010-02-15T22:28:19.385+08:00

         Click here to continue on our visit to Kunming.Click here to return to the Wonderful holidays home page.

boraportofinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967381374910295186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-40227416790858729562008-07-14T01:10:00.020+08:002010-02-15T21:59:39.776+08:00

     Click here to continue on our visit to Kunming.Click here to return to the Wonderful holidays home page.

boraportofinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967381374910295186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-74254987054031075632008-07-14T00:54:00.013+08:002010-11-22T16:15:25.693+08:00

400 year old trees.Two of them.Their condition was terrible; with many parts of their trunks hollowed due to injuries and or pest attack, and poor subsequent wound treatment.Wonder why they were not properly looked after.   Click here to continue on our visit to Kunming.Click here to return to the Wonderful holidays home page.

boraportofinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967381374910295186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-35157993733044862322008-07-13T23:25:00.016+08:002010-11-22T14:26:01.825+08:00

 Just the heads of the posts because they're the only interesting things. To me.   Click here to continue on our visit to Kunming. Click here to return to the Wonderful holidays home page.

boraportofinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967381374910295186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-51985939916561187972008-07-13T19:06:00.015+08:002010-11-22T14:22:32.389+08:00

This is another attraction Lock brought us to.It is long long climb of many flights of steps.Good exercise.      Click here to continue on our visit to Kunming. Click here to return to the Wonderful holidays home page.

boraportofinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967381374910295186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-54424570884818062562008-07-13T14:22:00.033+08:002010-11-22T12:47:59.255+08:00

Took a bus to another part of Kunming city to have a bowl of this very famous noodles.The man on the right is walking up the ramp of an overhead pedestrian (and bicycle) bridge to cross to the other side of the road. Here it is - a very big restaurant that is on two floors - The Brothers Jiang.Everyone gets a large bowl of boiling hot soup and a plate of little plates of stuff which are dumped

boraportofinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967381374910295186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-74493392518570272402008-07-13T01:07:00.009+08:002010-11-20T22:18:32.956+08:00

I shan't have this again! Too darned chili hot!Click here to continue on our visit to Kunming.Click here to return to the Wonderful holidays home page.

boraportofinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967381374910295186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-89313727793431547692008-07-13T00:50:00.018+08:002010-11-20T22:14:10.395+08:00

Just scroll through and enjoy the photos.Click on any photo to enlarge it HUGE to see more details.       Click here to continue on our visit to Kunming.Click here to return to the Wonderful holidays home page.

boraportofinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967381374910295186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-31070063615736805622008-07-13T00:09:00.011+08:002010-11-20T19:20:37.594+08:00

When in KunMing, you have to try this beef satay stall. So declared our host Lock.So here we were, in the queue in this backlane where the stall is located, beside the red sign on the wall. Just scroll down through the photos and share our fun. Don't forget, click any photo to enlarge it HUGE to see more details. Here's the beef satay King.   Click here to continue on our visit to

boraportofinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967381374910295186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-20092955115222243452008-07-12T00:27:00.034+08:002010-11-20T19:11:46.047+08:00

This is an old street where the shops sold birds and flowers hence its name.However we didn't see any of these shops as they have been torn down to make way for redevelopment.But it was an interesting walk with lots to see.Heavy traffic - pedestrians, motor scooters, bicycles - meant we had to watch traffic more than the surroundings.But it was pretty safe as long as one doen't make sudden

boraportofinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967381374910295186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-26258123003976722952008-07-11T23:59:00.042+08:002010-11-08T20:02:18.616+08:00

This was a pretty huge (by Singaporean reckoning) open plaza which did not seem to have been designed for any purpose other than that of a parade square as there was neither hard nor soft landscaping.There was this doorway plonked somewhere in the vast openness. First-time visitors to Kunming have to step up and touch the two Chinese characters; first the one on the right and then the one on the

boraportofinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967381374910295186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-82286369749973568932008-07-11T17:27:00.022+08:002010-11-08T19:47:37.995+08:00

Finally decided to make a trip to Kunming. It's cool throughout the year according to very good old friend and Kunming resident, Huei Lock, hence its tag "City of Eternal Spring". Due to its altitude of 1000 plus feet above sea level. Kunming is in the province of Yunnan which is in the south-western part of China.

boraportofinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967381374910295186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-72751709707742272152008-05-14T00:35:00.002+08:002008-05-14T00:37:12.624+08:00

hokysushinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-46805649089278471032007-09-14T20:26:00.000+08:002007-09-17T00:34:16.407+08:00

Our Tokyo extension scrapbook ends here. Do join another of our scrapbook tours; simply click on Home and choose a destination, or go straight to Day 1 of any destination below.

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-50058689192964324872007-09-14T20:25:00.003+08:002007-09-18T02:10:04.658+08:00

Another "must-try" in Japan - the capsule hotel. So after an afternoon at Shinjuku shopping area, we trekked to the Green Plaza capsule hotel, the biggest in Tokyo, which was on the fringe of the red light district. Got lost but a policeman got us back on track.This is the front view of the capsule I had rented for the night at a cost of 4500Yen. The price includesd free run of the building up to

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-5139066884886060872007-09-14T20:25:00.001+08:002007-09-17T00:43:18.712+08:00

From the Tsukiji fish market, we went to have a look at Roppongi. This was the snooty area of foreign embassies, residences and hangouts of the diplomatic corps and local filthy rich.Quite a number of Lamborghinis, Maseratis and Jaguars passed us on this road.This corner resturant sold very great tasting yakitori.Its pot of sauce was really something, which you must click on photo to enlarge to

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-58856182113874316582007-09-14T20:24:00.001+08:002007-09-17T00:39:55.042+08:00

Please click here to continue on our Tokyo extension.

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-51010447306862892242007-09-14T16:46:00.000+08:002007-09-15T23:56:13.052+08:00

The room we had at Shinjuku Washington Hotel that we checked into last night was not too bad. There was lots of space for our two luggage bags on the floor, but it lacked space for the tv which took up much of the desk-cum-dressing table. The bathroom was simple and very satisfactory.After brekky, we took the train to the Tsukiji fish market. We didn't get inside as it was already past the high

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-78860525755317120692007-09-11T19:51:00.000+08:002007-09-14T20:23:52.583+08:00

This is a must-visit site if you're in Tokyo. Kappabashi Street in Ueno has over a hundred shops selling everything (foodstuff excluded) that you would need in the F&B industry. From crockery to pots, pans, chopsticks, signage, uniforms, you name it.The street is easily recognised by the Chef's head atop a corner building at the street intersection.Across the road, two or three buildings away, is

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-43952374681712963642007-09-09T18:34:00.000+08:002007-09-09T18:34:00.927+08:00

The Hilton Otaru room we had has got to have the BEST SMALL bathroom that I have ever come across.It was a simple moulded capsule that looked as if it consisted of one single piece as the overlapping joints were very well concealed at indentation lines.Everything was "built-in", like the anchor points for the shower screen, exhaust vents, toilet paper holder, and toilet flush button, while "

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-80952564983852592472007-09-05T12:44:00.000+08:002007-09-14T13:32:03.230+08:00

This station is like a town centre shopping village, with all the big name departmental stores in buildings like Odakyu (its building in photo left)atop the station (which is underground) or in annexed buildings, or in separate buildings along the narrow streets around the station.There are supermarkets, food courts and restaurants big and small in the big name stores; but on the street level

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-10839571543369714972007-09-04T17:00:00.000+08:002007-09-14T13:49:05.670+08:00

Last day of FlyDrive tour. Brekky, checkout, and a nice slow drive to Chitose Airport some 50km away, where Penny dropped off with luggage leaving me navigatorless to drive to the Toyota Rent A Car depot which wasn't where car was handed to us in the Airport carpark but 6km away, which gave her worries that I'd end up back in Sapporo.It wasn't a problem of course, but have to admit, it was a bit

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-33481487914173729302007-09-04T16:24:00.000+08:002007-09-10T20:08:55.811+08:00

After the Curb Market, we skipped the itinerary destinations in Sapporo ie Ishiya Chocolate factory, Okurayama Ski jump, Chizaki Rose Garden and Mt Moiwa, and drove to Otaru which was about 30 km away to catch up on a few well-known sights that we did not have time to for on Day 4. More on Ishiya Choc here and here, ski jump, Rose Garden and Mt Moirwa.Driving within Sapporo was not a problem as

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-68683250901249056322007-09-03T15:38:00.000+08:002007-09-10T01:26:09.506+08:00

Fresh salmon chunks all bagged up. And how they ended up that way. Everything else derived from salmon are depicted in chart (below, left) and salmon sausages (below, right). Fresh fish roe and fish roe products (above). A few shops here at Curb Street sell fresh fruit and vegs; esply Hokkaido's famous corn, rock melon, potato and tomato. And souveniers of course, like these cigarette

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-90370707694294065302007-09-02T19:56:00.000+08:002007-09-07T17:17:16.802+08:00

Day 7 was a whole day in Sapporo and first on the itinerary was Cub Street where fresh seafood is sold. Followed the GPS instructions there easily. Busy area, drove about looking for parking space. Made suicidal drive across the road twice. After finding a parking space at rear of shops, walking along Curb Street itself, we saw this huge carpark near one end of the street, aaargh! What

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-74550120244043227662007-09-01T19:25:00.000+08:002007-09-08T23:44:07.396+08:00

These 2 stops are not worth stopping at. The jam garden/factory is one stop while the ice cream, cheese and pizza make up the other. If you must stop, do so only at the jam joint and give the other a wide miss.The jam shop has lots of varieties of jam for tasting and sale in various size bottles. They taste very good and fragrant. And of course, they come in the most beautiful packaging that

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-1168112801123855622007-08-31T13:09:00.001+08:002007-09-19T20:34:39.827+08:00

Arrived at this carpark, finally.Lunch in the forest was recommended by Meng. However, it was through country roads, and somewhere along the way, there was a long detour due to roadworks.One thing about GPS: it doesn't give you an alternative route because "temporary detours" are not in its database or whatever. Just go straight, it says.Called Lance and he said not to worry, just take the detour

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-43975290149494527842007-08-31T00:57:00.000+08:002007-09-19T20:40:59.127+08:00

The first 60 or so kilometres were through farm country with views of harvested fields, hillslopes of plots of different crops making this "patchwork country" and farm buildings.Then to Hinode Park. It's a municipal park atop a hill. While following the GPS (to the foothill carpark), we met Lance on a side road and he advised that we take that route. Which led us to the top of the hill for a good

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-39400978293818356302007-08-31T00:49:00.000+08:002007-09-19T20:13:00.847+08:00

We checked out of last night's hotel, the Hilton Otaru which had the BEST SMALL bathroom I have ever come across.First stop, Sakai-no-Sato about 150 km away, was a flower farm which had fields aswarth with colourful species. The place seemed exactly as in the many posters of Hokkaido that you see in travel agencies.Then to Farm Tomita for more blue bands of colour, especially Lavender. Everyone

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-86092910645559041872007-08-30T20:35:00.000+08:002007-09-11T01:24:59.315+08:00

Down at sea level it was safer to drive; no mist, cloudy with sunny breaks, but very windy. Set GPS for Cape Kamui which was 70 km away. Along the way, stopped to see how some locals enjoy their camping on the coast. Tents were on gravel campground cum carpark. There was no sandy beach as the sea here is rough and coastlines are constantly eroded and required man-made protection. Click on the

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-52126585203092743852007-08-29T18:26:00.000+08:002007-09-08T19:59:35.867+08:00

It was was fine and sunny when we left Fukidashi Park for the Shinsen Marsh.However, it turned very misty and visibility was down to about 10 metres. We had to turn on headlights and drove at a crawl speed of about 15kph.It was a very very scarey experience.After what seemed like hours and a million kilometres, we reached this carpark to take a stress break, and found that it was the carpark for

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-52207540500163886252007-08-29T13:35:00.004+08:002008-06-25T20:24:29.884+08:00

Here we are in the lobby of the Toya Maseikaku Hotel with our three Tour guides, hosts, mother hens, Scout Masters - Lance, Yuki and Meng; taken just before breakfast.We had a very memorable day today. The day's first stop was a poor choice of an itinerary stop; it was just a plant nursery, and a small one at that. The Dutch Windmill, Fraser's and Waldecks at Kingsley in Perth are much much more

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-65924283104658893312007-08-29T01:17:00.009+08:002008-06-25T20:18:23.858+08:00

Our hotel was on the shore of Lake Toya which has a promenade dotted with about 40 sculptures.Is that a real bird? The figures in the two photos (above) were created with gravel of different colours! I thought this 'triangular' porch was very unique, unlike those regular rectangular ones that are a dime a dozen. And creative too, the three signs that fold around the corner; the bench to fit

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-37369497007632399402007-08-28T15:16:00.004+08:002008-06-25T14:05:24.860+08:00

This was the day 3 hotel. It was an onsen, but its public bath facilities were not as extensive as those at last night's hotel. Still, the Toya Manseikaku was a very comfortable stop with every necessary facility and excellent service. Its main doorway is under a porch, down a slope behind a few shops one of which is a 7/11.No jockey service though it was specified in our Tour Manual.After

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-21115793325457976962007-08-27T11:51:00.002+08:002008-06-25T13:58:52.366+08:00

On to the next spot in our Tour Manual which was the Silo Observatory 12 km away for which 20 minutes driving was estimated ie a dreadfully slow speed of 36 kmh!However, we did take 20 minutes because we passed the spot! and had to stop and check the GPS and then backtrack. Reason? it was just an old barn in a large field, that's all! And of course, the usual souvenier stalls and farm products

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-37851247466424058862007-08-24T20:19:00.006+08:002008-06-25T13:55:53.699+08:00

Then, we got lost!After Lake Kuttaru, we followed GPS instructions onto the Expressway and successfully did not miss the exit for Muroran which was at Cape Chikyu which was described as a memorable view and to see the Hakuchi Bridge.Somehow, got lost after the Exit from Expressway into the local roadway sytem. No worries, we thought, a re-setting of the GPS will get us back on track, but, alamak!

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-44819730873716621412007-08-24T17:28:00.007+08:002009-04-08T18:44:02.619+08:00

Toyota Hybrid Prius websitePrice in SingaporePrius Chat websiteOur PriusHonda Civic Hybrid websitePrice in SingaporeJohn's fantastic Prius websiteGraham's Toyota Hybrid Prius websiteCaversham (Lotus Super-7) website

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-49758465001045145102007-08-24T17:05:00.000+08:002007-09-08T18:34:48.969+08:00

Reached Lake Kuttara via a very narrow very steep road upwards out of the sulpur valley. It was hairy drive and we thus fully appreciated the first break. We had this Prius for our tour. It was easy and a pleasure to drive. And looked sleek and sharp. Silent as a cat inside and out, very comfy ride and a very roomy interior.We leave this region and its monster for Cape Chikyu, via

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-8553614269751149852007-08-22T00:21:00.000+08:002007-09-08T18:26:55.758+08:00

Starting out to the day's first destination, we had to "catch up" on Jigokudani (Hell's Valley), a crater of bubbling boiling sulphurous water. The pungent smell of sulphur, the sight of the yellow coloured stuff on the rocks, steam emitting from the ground crevices. Quite a sight. If you look closer, you can see a coin or two dropped by tourists on the surface of the bubbling mud.Walked down

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-8246592410150704712007-08-21T00:48:00.012+08:002008-06-25T13:48:34.900+08:00

A short 40 km away, to be covered in an estimated 1 hr 15 minutes! was our day's final destination, the Noboribetsu Mahoroba Hotel. Through beautiful scenery though.That was the day's longest driving distance. I must make known here that the DriveTour intinerary had been very well thought out and arranged. It starts out with short journeys and the journeys get progressively longer during the day.

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-14330602431762191302007-08-20T00:31:00.007+08:002008-06-25T13:26:14.165+08:00

Sangaitaki (three levels) Falls is so named as it cascades down, yes, three levels.Cool design, this bollard, no?They must have lost a few as souveniers!Here's a shot of the Falls and its three cascade levels (left). The photos do not do justice to the real thing.This is the stream just before the water falls. It's shallow and slow-moving, and together with the gradual concrete steps along the

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-84589927346841261602007-08-19T19:55:00.000+08:002007-09-04T00:20:42.105+08:00

This was a tourist stop to showcase local farm produce, notably mushrooms, which this region is well known for.However, the first display we saw was this, of souvenier items featuring owls which I guess must be useful in the area for some reason or other.Saw this when we came out from the spot behind the display.More owls and other critters in the form of hanging decorations, shoe horns, fridge

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-30922671729954932902007-08-19T00:10:00.000+08:002007-09-03T20:42:23.717+08:00

According to our Tour Manual, we were to collect our car at Chitose Airport at 10.00am and drive to and arrive at Lake Shikotsu 31 km away at 10.45 am. After the 10 minute familiarisation with the car, that's leisurely holiday driving at 53 kmh on country roads.We found that real slow; but it couldn't be helped, that was already exceeding the speed limit of 50 kmh.But hey, everybody drives

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-29630328039772184222007-08-18T19:09:00.005+08:002008-06-25T13:16:06.388+08:00

It was a sure thing after our visit last year that we would visit Japan again, so PRIME Travel and Tours . being good though not cheap; so we dropped in to check out their offers.Offers? They didn't have offers. Just holiday packages, and excellent service. The packages were very good too.After 10 minutes listening to Helen and we decided to join their 8Days 7Nights Fragrance of Lavender

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-70098406098497513742007-08-18T00:55:00.000+08:002007-09-04T17:12:54.312+08:00

One hour and forty minutes later we reached our starting point ie Fifth Station, and gave our sticks to two elderly Japanese women climbers.Here's a part of their large group togging up for their ascent.Made a quick check to determine departure time and embarkation location of last express bus returning to Shinjuku. It was where bus is parked in this photo. We went for a bowl of ramen and a cup

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-32672596072145307412007-08-17T14:45:00.000+08:002007-08-28T00:20:17.285+08:00

On our descent, we met climbers ascending. There were a few descenders too and generally they were faster than us and overtaking us easily.Here's another large tour group of climbers going up. And they're all hugging the inside of the path where it feels safer besides giving better wind protection. Beyond this group, there's yet another group. Seems on a good weekend, there could be as much as

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-75590535112564416972007-08-15T19:14:00.000+08:002007-08-24T00:18:39.797+08:00

It was now 1.30pm; we had climbed since 11.00am and we were now midway (2 and a half hours) through our Allotted Time To Ascend & Descend. We had to descend now so that we can catch the last bus (at 4pm) back to Shinjuku.We would most likely make it down to the bus in less time than we got up. But by how much less time? Could we make it up to the 7th Station in say, the next 30 or 40 minutes? and

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-15067046378287440472007-08-15T18:39:00.000+08:002007-08-28T00:18:43.816+08:00

Here's a climber giving another (probably) report via handphone to the rest of his kakis who were probably soaking comfortably in an onsen.Another one with hankie for his (or her) running nose. Like many of us. Off and on during the climb.This is what the top of one of the slope stabilising "walls" look like. And I'm here very glad for another break some 30 minutes since the last one at the first

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-21040248006274635812007-08-14T14:03:00.000+08:002007-08-28T00:11:21.255+08:00

Another 20 minutes or so later, another rest stop was necessary. No problems to the old backs; just needed some recovery time to release the acid buildup. And, of course, for another chocolate bar!Here was a large altitude change which required a flight of stairs to get up to. It was a change from the inclined path, but just as tiring to lift oneself to the next grade.The wind has died down, and

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-75419137883011933302007-08-14T00:00:00.000+08:002007-08-28T00:10:07.608+08:00

Here's a couple going downhill. But click on photo and you can see more climbers going uphill on paths at different levels.I just so like that yellow edged signboard which says "Top of Mt Fuji". Wonder why it was so signed. Taking all these photographs to record our climb had another very useful purpose. Gave us many opportunities to REST!Here are some other climbers having picnic breaks too!

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-29575678570968109512007-08-13T23:30:00.000+08:002007-08-28T00:05:09.232+08:00

Taking a well deserved break from all that tiring slog uphill, all of a full 20 minutes. This was one of the many wide plateau areas (like staircase landings) where climbers rest and enjoy the really beautiful scenery, and patting themselves on the back for their progress as they look down and try to spot their starting point. Nope, that (in photo above) was not where we started from; could be

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-33097127332828625442007-08-13T15:23:00.000+08:002007-09-14T16:57:39.855+08:00

Checked out (two nights had whizzed by) and had breakfast early; at 6am. That was very convenient, 6am, as we would have time to walk to Shinjuku Station to catch the 7.30am express. Left luggage to be collected later in the day; didnt say at what time as we would be back at about 7pm and that might be too late for the hotel to hold our luggage. But, happy days! they will hold luggage for 24

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-29661678031756697892007-08-09T13:16:00.001+08:002007-09-14T13:38:52.156+08:00

We split up from the FlyDrive tour group at Haneeda Airport in the main island of Honshu after arriving from Hokkaido's Chitose Airport. We took a Friendly Airport Limousine Bus to our hotel in Shinjuku. If I recall, 4 others also extended their stay in Tokyo.The rest of the tour group bussed over to the Narita International Airport for their flight back to Singapore.We took leave of the best 3

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-60915520052485213032007-08-09T01:15:00.000+08:002007-08-13T14:29:31.166+08:00

Day 1, I would take a bus to Kawaguchiko etc and get accomodations at places such as this or this. Or rent a car and drive there. It takes about an hour to drive up from MF foot to Fifth Station. Or, take an early bus from Shinjuku Station to the Fifth Station and get accomodations at the hostel, for the night before the climb. In any of these ways, I can start my ascend after breakfast on Day

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-44816133728237674162007-08-09T00:47:00.000+08:002007-08-09T01:00:41.235+08:00

PRICEP3 category (Pruis / Corolla)1st & 2nd Passenger Adult Twin S$ 2838Child As Twin S$ 26883rd & 4th Passenger (sharing same car with 1st & 2nd Passenger) Adult Twin/Triple S$ 2508Child As Twin / Child with bed S$ 2368Child no bed S$ 1688W1 category (Wish / Ipsum)1st & 2nd PassengerAdult Twin S$ 2938Child As Twin S$ 27883rd & 4th Passenger (sharing same car with 1st & 2nd Passenger)Adult Twin/

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-3523088978878455462007-08-08T23:35:00.000+08:002007-09-05T01:23:07.114+08:00

Everything about climbing Mt Fuji is in most of the guidebooks of the Prefectures or City authorities such as those of Fujiyoshida and Yamanashi, and the very experienced climbers like Scott Keene and mikomae.The most important topics are on What to wear and bring to wear later on in the climb, What to bring for sustenance, and How to keep at it and not give up.Despite it being the summer season

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-9611747081701226932007-08-08T17:34:00.000+08:002007-08-19T12:41:52.691+08:00

I can't quite recall how we got into this Climbing Mt Fuji thing. I think it was while we were discussing and planning our Hokkaido trip. That was an 8Day7NightFlyDrive package from PRIME Travel and Tours . While checking out Sunrise Tours (of Japan) website - we took their Heritage Tour last year - came across a new tour called Challenge Mt Fuji! and got hooked.So we extended our trip. Booked

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-63041986363864731442007-08-08T14:19:00.000+08:002007-08-08T18:51:09.185+08:00

That's us alright, Penny and I, on Mt Fuji, at 12.55pm, Friday, 3 August 2007.Please click here to continue Climbing Mt Fuji.

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-79909418597196219252007-07-21T00:47:00.001+08:002007-08-28T20:14:08.718+08:00

Our Penang trip scrapbook ends here. Do join another of our scrapbook tours; simply click on Home and choose a destination, or go straight to Day 1 of any destination below.

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-56849041599686847602007-07-20T20:35:00.001+08:002007-07-22T12:57:36.764+08:00

Please click here to continue on Penang trip.

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32499752.post-42928400144736614712007-07-20T20:26:00.001+08:002007-07-20T20:52:44.297+08:00

Please click here to continue on Penang trip.

tannerylanenoreply@blogger.com0