Cant recall when I started to love to feast on Salmon Sashimi. Probably when I started working as I could support myself to eat it? I rem a friend who shared that the sushi in Japan is very very different from that in other countries - this is one of the reasons for me to decide to do a backpack to Japan Tokyo in Jun 08.
Backpacking to Japan - I wanted to plan a 2 week trip to cover Hokkaido too - but there was a "big event" back in office - so I could not take a longer period of leave. As in other backpacking, I prefer to do some planning first instead of doing all in the country of destination. Day One was spent in HK as I did a transit to Tokyo from HK. I didnt want to get myself stuck in Japan Airport in the middle of the night figuring out the way/train to take. Safer to do that recci in daytime - thats why the night was spent in HK instead of Tokyo :P.
Not really surprising - the Tokyo Airport was full of Japanese wordings - Have been "warned" by my colleagues beforehand so not so shocked. Have to check with the train attendant in simple English and pointed to the place I wanted to go - I would be staying in "Sakura" backpacker hostel in Tokyo - need to take 2 types of train. Lucky me - I managed to "siam" the peak hour traffic when I was changing train in the JR Circle Line. (Till then, I have not really experienced the peak hour traffic YET - ya, YET). Anyway, the way to Sakura was still little sweat only - checked in successfully but have to purchase a towel at nearby provision shop. Was excited and roamed around and planned for my salmon sashimi trip early in the morning 6 oclock tom.
I have tried very very hard to wake up before 5 am - but managed to get out of room at 6 am. (Next time, will do better when I bring my dear to Tokyo hee hee). The train ride was already quite packed even at 6 am and I was heading to the fish market where you can witness "morning activities" from loading and unloading of fishes to the sale of the fish. The market was really buzzing with activities - must be very careful esp when u stopped to take photos - traffic was fast and furious - can see warning signs of "tractors/trolleys."
I must have enjoyed my salmon so much that I forgot to take a picture of it... no lah, photography was forbidden in the stalls so could only describe the yummy feeling of it. Fresh salmon on steamy rice - yummy!!! There were many stalls so you could pick and choose the one u want to patronise. The japanese stall vendors used "lazer pointer" - customers like me would just take the pointer to indicate on the charts/pictures hung on the wall the meal u want. Simple.
There are too many stalls - dunno which one is the best. Anyway, we can try more stalls next time if we go... hee hee... just need to climb out of bed early.
应该会很好吃, 但是得很早起床哦! 放心, 我一定能把你叫醒的. 早起的鸟儿才有虫吃嘛! 要是每天都这么早, 眼睛会变熊猫吗?
It has b
een a while since I wanted to visit Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. My last visit was quite some time back during a weekday - and I didnt have my DSLR and went there unprepared for a hike. Wanted to visit and really trek the area - and this dream was realised.
There have been "warning signs" of crocodiles and stray dogs - I met a pack of stray dogs last round and this time I would need to be extra vigilant and stay alert to any mozzy buzz, dogs, crocodiles or bees... Actually, Sungei Buloh is really a nice place that we can get close to the nature without travelling to overseas e.g. Hong Kong or Kanchanaburi Thailand. Lazy though, I didnt bring my long lens and tripod to increase my mobility. Hmm...sometimes u get to buy some stuff but end up not using them....
I remember there are seasons for bird viewing. But its okay, we were able to spot some birds along the way. Without binoculars, we did improvise and make use of our zoom lens to "see" the birds. There were some photographers there, some holding on to heavy tripod and long zoom lens. Reminds me of army field exercise though. Talking abt field exercise, the mozzy there are really "commando mozzy" - my insect repellent seemed not effective against them - have to re-apply several times to fend them off.
Capturing and composing a shot of the bird - esp flying bird is really not easy. While limited by our equipment, the correct moment, the timing all matters. Nevermind, we can try and attempt the next time - this round would be a warming up exercise.
There are a total of 3 routes in the Wetland - the 3rd route will take the longest duration. Being there the first time, we decided to explore all the "landmarks" there - pond, tower etc. We chanced upon a freshwater pond in one of the routes and it was really beautiful. We didnt expect to see flowering season - the whole ambience of the place was serene and soothing... It seemed to be a place in other countries e.g. national parks elsewhere?
很不一样的天空, 佷不一样的感觉. 亲近大自然, 圆一圆青色的梦. 置身在草原中, 感受花草的清香, 池塘的清静. 突然有股冲动, 想躺在花草中, 闻一闻大自然的味道. 佷开心能与你享受此刻的美景, 这就是一个人背包无法圆的梦.
An interesting return leg during our trek back to the entrance. We passed by the Mangrove Swamp and saw different types of crabs. Initially, we spotted only one "colourful" crab and actually there were many many other crabs surrounding that one crab. We got so excited about the counting of crabs as the more we counted, the more we spotted. Hmm... the childlike character from us seemed to emerge suddenly out of no where....
你能算出几只吗?
Nowadays, weekends are really precious. I realise that it is not necessary to travel far away from the country to enjoy the joy and relax. Just like in my photography journey, there are many little things that we often take for granted - but these little things may be portrayed differently if we view them through a new lens.
I never thought that I would be making a puppet - (hard to imagine for the typical "act-cool" person ) We chanced upon an activity - puppet making using recycled materials - and the organiser actually needs 1,000 puppets for the event. Well, we decided to do one to contribute to that tough target. Have to think of a concept for the puppet.
We started squeezing our brain juices and recci the available materials. The layering of the "hair" was fun and innovative - and this suggestion definitely dun come from me. The curly hairstyle though was an inspiration. To make it colourful, we cut small pieces of clothes to make the dress of the puppet. The eyes brows were made by me - decided to do a cresent shape and the cute X eye to be comical. The other eye and the body were creation of the lady - me of cos not as creative. Together, we gave it a name that we liked ...
从来没做过木偶，从来不知道做木偶的滋味。又一次不同的人生体验，一次甜蜜的滋味。
Finally I have a week break to do some "housekeeping" - realised that I have not updated an account of my Sukothai and Nippon Backpack last year before school re-open. Really lost track of time at times - Going back to school is quite taxing after all.
I have wanted to go Sukothai for a long long time - it was one of the ancient city in Thai history. Rem I stayed in a backpacker hostel in BKK near the Hua Lampong Station (Chinatown) the night before, then I realised I needed to go to Mo Chit Bus Station instead ;P. Had wanted to take a train but realised that there was no direct train station at Sukothai - need to change bus to reach Sukothai - so decided to take a 9-10 hours bus ride instead. Took a cab there to catch the earliest bus but the bus agent informed me that the earliest time was 1030hrs. For thai bus, it's best to take
better class" seats - it is not expensive and u get meal coupon, drink and cake on board. It isnt my first time on long journey thai bus, so mentally prepared for the "air con" (It gets hot and stuffy in the middle of the journey, and usually they will play thai traditional music.)
Managed to check in to my backpacker hostel in Sukothai after the long long journey. It was evening time and not too bad - no need to walk in the dark. Rem there was an aerobic session right across my hostel (well, i booked an air con room - but no TV - to tahan the hot weather). Quite cozy place and abt 5 min walk to the "tuk tuk station to Old Sukothai City" and another 5 min walk to the night bazaar. As usual, I went to search for my fav yummy thai noodles - those with char siew the best and it costs only 20B ;). Ate the same store almost every day.
Sukothai Town - most tourists will be staying in the new town while the attractions are abt 50 km from the old town - this means I need to take a transport to old Sukothai city (next time must stay near or the best next to the old sukothai city liao). Weather was hot and humid - I needed no more than 1/2 day to become tanned. How tanned I am? Locals didnt entertain me or they spoke to me in thai liao. I rented a bicycle to recci the old town - You have to go on wheels as it's a huge complex. Nice place - at times I am the only one at a particular site. As usual - mission-based ME - wanted to catch sunset (sunrise is too early - no transport yet). The complex bears similar "feel" as those in Ayutthaya. I stayed at each site for a while, waiting for potential "subjects" to appear. There were school children but no monks.
The time when I was at Sukothai - there were some grand ceremonial activities going on. Rem I wanted to catch the early bus to another old complex and was stopped by the hostel owner. He told me to proceed to the town centre - there was 1000 monks procession (see my album). Okay, it was really an experience - never saw so many monks before. It was very very crowded and students were activated to help out in the whole session. I went to get good location to take my photos. Actually I saw many posters when I reached BKK and saw the news about the procession - but didnt expect to see it in Sukothai.
It was a nice experience - first time backpack cum cycling. It will be great if you can travel with your loved one. We can share the joy of enjoying the roadside street makan, sweating together under the hot sun (of cos with sun block?!), and me showing off some "3-month" Thai language Xp.
