And That's a (Holiday) Wrap

The holidays have come to an end :(

Japan was great, it is especially interesting to see the local people treat us differently when they find out we can't speak Japanese. They keep talking to us in Japanese but we have no idea what they were saying.

And they were most helpful in ensuring we were getting what we wanted. At restaurants/cafes, we mainly ordered by the usual "pointing at the picture on the menu" style. The waiter/waitress would try to explain to us what we were ordering. Must say the trip to Japan provided us what we were looking for, a chance to see the cherry blossoms, see some "touristy sights," but most importantly, we were able to experience some of the local culture from a local's perspective, away from the tourists.

Anyways, some photos from our HK/Japan trip... the whole lot are dumped here (new window)

Hong Kong:
At the Wisdom Path on Lantau Island... didn't gain any wisdom though :D


View from platform at the Tian Tan Buddha after climbing many many stairs


What kind of a Mickey Mouse train system are they running? :D


Jenny driving at Disneyland HK... not worth the 30 minute wait


Mango pudding at a cafe in Disneyland HK (not such good tasting)




Castle at night...


Castle at night getting bombed?? ;)




Castle on fire? :D


One of the european-esque buildings in Stanley


Japan
Cherry Blossoms in Ueno park


Night view over a pond in Ueno park


Cherry blossoms and vending machines... two things that symbolise Japan :D


Imperial Palace


In Yoyogi park


All aboard.... bound for Osaka


That's one big apple... (200 Yen worth)


On the way up to Kiyomizudera Temple


More cherry blossoms in the temple grounds


View from the veranda


All made from wood...


The Golden Pavillion


Very modern and out of place... Kyoto station atrium


Osaka castle... most beautiful at night...


Nara's most famous (?) symbols... they're EVERYWHERE :D


Cute?


Sagi-ike Pond


Steps leading to the five storied pagoda


Making cake... Japanese style


Old back streets of Nara


Is that a road through a building or a building built around a road?


The time tunnel.... Umeda Sky Building in Osaka


Met up with Jenny's uni friend in Osaka


Timely reminder for those high-heel wearing people (most Japanese girls)


Watching the scenery fly by at 300km/hr on the way back to Tokyo


Just cruising...


The Rainbow Bridge, seen in most drama series from the 90s


The statue of Liberty... hmmm :D

Back "Home" (ie. in Hong Kong)

It'll never be my true home, but it is the first home that I have known. Been back for a week now, but it seems as though we haven't done much. But then you look back and see how much money we have spent, then you know we have done quite a bit :D There were three main objectives that we had for coming back, one of them has been achieved already, shopping till we can't shop no more :P

The other two, the Japan trip and seeing friends and relatives is still ongoing. There seems no end to the eating, although many nights its just been Jenny and I at a "quick eats" place. Truly cheap at less than A$10 per person. Last night was steamboat for HK$49 for both of us and we were stuffed after that :) Saved enough room for Haagen-Daaz @ $29/1 scoop though! :(

Also been to a few touristy places like the Ngong Ping cable car ride (the one where you get stuck up there if the wind picks up) and the Wetland Park out near the border with Shenzen. Hopefully going to Disneyland (free!) on Tuesday and Macau (not so free) on Thursday amongst all the other things that still have to be done in the meantime (shopping included).

HK Photos!

Maze at Disneyland Hong Kong


Extra large Christmas tree in the resort lobby


Kay and I


Kev and I


Su Ann and I (from quaintly.net)


Claud trying to hide from my camera :P