Sunday, July 31, 2016

Day 13 of Overseas Trip 2016


I took a non-JR train from Nagoya station to Kinjo-futo. The train fare for this one is quite costly compared to that of Tokyo by JR, Toei, and Tokyo Metro.




Why am I going there? See below picture.








I am going to Scmaglev and Railway Park. Fortunately, I was in the queue inside the building before the heavy rain happened 1 mins later.

Inside there, you will see a lot of old trains and shinkansen for your viewing pleasure. I now understand why normal trains and shinkansen are on different train tracks - this is due to different width size.



After returning back to Nagoya station to get my backpack from host's home, I am waiting for Tokaido shinkansen to take me to Shinjuku, Tokyo. While waiting, my friend texted me that there was earthquake in Kyushu region just now. That happened when I was browsing shinkansen in the aforementioned park.

Finally, I am in Shinjuku. It is difficult to navigate because it is busy area with very high human traffic.

I found the right direction towards Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden from JR Shinjuku station.

That is where I enter the entrance of Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. Before I entered, I have to open my backpack to let guards to inspect - strict security to prevent terrorist.












In the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, it was right timing for me to see cherry blossom. I had around less than 1 hour to explore this huge garden - I only manage to cover 2/4 of it.




























I was exploring Shinjuku. I spot two interesting designs on two different buildings.

Finally, I found this location which is why I spent around 30 minutes to explore around Shinjuku.






After ramen dinner, I was locating host's home as the sky is getting dark. With 1 hour exploring, I finally found the host's home - it is tricky location as if it is hiding behind one tall building.

After putting backpack in that home, I took 10 minutes to locate Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office.

The aim is to go to top floor to see aerial view of Tokyo.



Tokyo is truly beautiful city.

After viewing, I was surprised to see beggars just outside the ground floor of Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office.



End of Day 13. On Day 14, I am on the move again.
Tony Del Piero wrote and posted at at 3:42 pm

Day 12 of Overseas Trip 2016

In the early morning, I left host's home, heading to Urakami station. It needs to be this early so that I can move towards central Japan in afternoon.




Thus, I took express train followed by Tokaido shinkansen. The express train was few minutes late. Hence there was not enough time to transfer to Tokaido shinkansen. So, I had to take next train, which is about 30 minutes wait for me.

Finally, I arrived Nagoya station! Why all of Nagoya? I wanted to see Toyota museum. Toyota's birthplace is in Nagoya.

First, I placed my backpack in host's tiny room.


It is easy to find Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology. It is about 1 hour walk from Nagoya station.





I learnt that Toyota originally made sewing machines for mass production. It was the plan of the original founder named Toyoda. The son of the founder decided to manufacture cars.

Wow, I am impressed with this thinking of Toyota, son of Toyoda.

I truly learnt a lot about car manufacturing.




End of Day 12. Day 13 is half day spending in Nagoya before travelling to Tokyo.

Movie
Angry Bird Movie (Hollywood Animation Movie 2016)
Synopsis:
Red coloured bird was outcast in the island where all birds live in. One day he had a new mission which is to save the eggs of bird parents from evil pigs.
Rating: 7/10
Remark: That explains why the game we play on smartphone is like this.
Tony Del Piero wrote and posted at at 1:03 am

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Day 11 of Overseas Trip 2016

By the time I reach Nagasaki station from Urakami station, the clouds began to rain. I was just in time to enter shopping centre, about 5 mins walk away from the shop that offer ferry services to Hashima Island. Hashima Island is best known as Gunkanjima.

Since it is 2 hours early, I took my time to buy this sio pan. I love this kind of bread.






By the time I entered that shop, I was ushered to make the payment on which I reserved one for myself the day before.

I was given the ticket and pass so that I can enter this ferry.


Rain restarted but it has not stopped us to continue the ferry trip. That was great news for me.

About 30 minutes, we were bought to a nearby island so that we can have preview of what Hashima island will look like.





For probably another 30 minutes, we sighted Hashima Island. The reason why it is best known as Gunkanjima is that it look like battleship afar.





There is a lot of broken buildings on there. The tour consisted of three dialogue parts that explain about three spots of Hashima island.





On the way back to ferry, that was how we carefully cross the choppy seas like that.

The staffs of black diamond are excellent. The speaker is excited enough to tell us in Japanese.


End of Day 11. Day 12 is the time I exited Nagasaki.

Book

Title: Winning Decisions: Getting it Right The First Time
Author: Edward Russo and Paul Schoemarker
Rating: 8/10
Remark: It is pretty good book, making you consider your thinking process before making such decisions.



Tony Del Piero wrote and posted at at 11:10 pm

Sunday, July 24, 2016

Day 10 of Overseas Trip


In the early morning, in Hiroshima, I quietly left my hostel heading for Hiroshima station.

The picture on the left is the beautiful sight for me.



I flashed my JR pass and reserved seat ticket to the station master. I was let in and checked this signboard, looking for which lane.

It is my first trip on Shinkansen.



I saw Eva-theme Shinkansen over there. Eva is Japanese animation for your information. In the first class cabin, there is eva-type machine for you to pretend as a controller of monster.




Shinkansen does not go directly to Nagasaki. Therefore, I have to transfer to express train, which is faster than normal train.

Gosh, I missed the train because I was not familiar with the train type.


Eventually, I took the next train. I arrived at Urakami station. This station is in Nagasaki.

The host home is close to Urakami station - That is why.



It is easy to find the host's home. I left my backpack there.


After that, I located Nagasaki Atomic Bomb museum. It was about 15 minutes walk. Easy to locate.






It is slightly expensive than that in Hiroshima. Inside that museum, it is quite sad to see pictures and stories.







After exploring the museum for a good one hour, I went off to locate the peace park.

Nearby to that museum, I saw the location where atomic bomb dropped.



I found the peace park. Easy to locate too. It is the atomic bomb shelter. Bottom of the hill. On the top of the hill is peace park.





This statue is popular in the peace park. A lot of people would take picture of it.






After the peace park, I took a normal train to Nagasaki station, one stop away from Urakami station.






Megane bridge was located about 45 mins walk away from Nagasaki station. It look like glasses (Japanese for Megane) there.

I needed to find a company who can bring me to Hashima Island by ferry on the next day. There are 4 companies - two companies about 30 minutes walk away from Nagasaki station and another two companies 1 hours walk away from Nagasaki station. I found one company located in the harbour but the seats were sold out. So I tried to find the another one. It is so difficult and I had to google for the picture of that company. I realised that I passed by that shop - so hideous!

The lady in that shop was able to communicate in English well - wonderful. It was settled to take 1pm trip to Hashima island on the next day.

End of Day 10.

Book
Title: The most dangerous trade : how short sellers uncover fraud, keep markets honest, and make and lose billions
Author: Richard Teitelbaum
Rating: 7/10
Remark: Decent book discussing selected short sellers' lives/moment.

Movie

Title: Zenmou no Boku ga Bengoshi ni Natta Riyuu (Japanese Drama Special 2014)
Synopsis:
Blind lawyer was tasked to handle two cases - divorce case and murder case. The latter one is the major one for him as he believe that his client is innocent. The problem is that the statistics - 99.9% confirmed conviction to all murder suspects - is up against him. He sets out to find the evidence that will clear his name.
Rating: 9/10
Remark: Touching story.
Tony Del Piero wrote and posted at at 4:19 pm

Saturday, July 23, 2016

Day 9 of Overseas Trip


I went to the nearest tram station from my hostel. On the tram, there was a lady in charge of manning the tram and offering loose change for passengers with notes of large denomination.



That lady saved a old granny from falling with her arm. What a pose. From there, I kinda admire that kind of act. In fact, I never paid much attention to work uniforms. Seeing that, I find that Japanese work uniforms look cooler than that of Singapore.

It is easy to locate the JR Miyajima Ferry if you take tram instead of JR train. The tram stop is about less than 2 minutes walk from JR Miyajima Ferry.

Finally, I arrived Miyajima. It is a small island next to Hiroshima.


Tony Del Piero wrote and posted at at 3:10 pm

Sunday, July 17, 2016

Day 8 of Overseas Trip

On the day 7 of Overseas trip, I went to Willer Express bus stop, just outside Kyoto Station. The young man, staff of Willer Express, confirmed that it is the right bus stop.

I arrived there for about 30 minutes earlier so that I can have some time to confirm that I am at the right place.

Finally, the coach came. It was my first overnight trip from Kyoto to Hiroshima.



The coach driver finally brought me to Hiroshima station at 6am on the next day, which is Day 8. The driver, with dry lips, adjusted the internal board for us to know what destination we are at.

After breakfast, I put my backpack at hostel.

Peace Memorial Museum is about 10 mins walk away from my hostel. It is easy find.

Inside the museum, it is sad to see real life things. It is enough to resolve anyone that nuclear/atomic bombs should not be used at all.

Peace Memorial Park is just outside Peace Memorial Museum, about 2 mins walk.






Moving forward from Peace Memorial Park, you will spot this building which was damaged by atomic bomb but not completely destroyed.





After lunch, I went to Hiroshima castle. It is about 30 mins walk. I did not pay entry fee to go inside the Hiroshima castle.





Oh, I was fortunate to see Japanese marriage ceremony just outside Hiroshima castle.






It is end of Day 8. On day 9, I spent one more day in Hiroshima.

Movies

Kung Fu Panda 3 (Hollywood Movie 2016)
Synopsis:
50 years later, Kai successfully took his revenge at his former friend, Oogway. He has descended to the mortal world to get all chi energy from all martial artists. Can Po stop him?
Rating: 8/10
Remark: Good. It tells you to be yourself which means you should improve your strength.

Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice (Hollywood Movie 2016)
Synopsis:
Batman, not able to forget what has happened in 2 years ago, want to punish Superman for the latter's action. Is that for real?
Rating: 7/10
Remark: Slow pace story together with interesting fights at the end of the movie.

Beauty and the Fellow (Japanese Drama 2015)
Synopsis:
Ichiko, who always look down her colleagues, was demoted by the owner of the firm. To where? Entertainment firm, namely Hinode Promotion. Can she survive in that industry which she has very low opinion in the first place?
Rating: 8/10
Remark: Tough times do change people who work earnestly.
Tony Del Piero wrote and posted at at 4:02 pm

Saturday, July 09, 2016

Day 7 of Overseas Trip

Instead of JR train to Nara, I took Kintetsu train. Kinetesu Nara station is nearer than JR Nara station. Nara is well known for deers being roaming around freely.




Just 10 mins walk from Kinetetsu Nara station, you will find a lot of deers roaming in the park.

I took this picture somewhere in a temple.



After exploring Nara park, I took about 30 mins to find Todaji Temple. I did not enter. I am already tired of seeing a lot of temples and shrines in Kansai region.




After that, I walked to JR Nara station so that I can reserve seats for upcoming shinkansen trips. It is about 1 hour.









After lunch, I went to find this 4-storey pagoda. It is located at Kofuku-ji.

It is end of Day 7 as I went back to Kyoto.
Tony Del Piero wrote and posted at at 2:18 pm

Day 6 of Overseas Trip

I took JR train from Kyoto to Sagaarashiyama Station. The navigation in this area is slightly tricky.





Finally, I found the way to Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. It is quiet and peaceful place to explore. It is about 30 mins to explore the bamboo grove.




From that bridge to Ninaji, it is about 1 hour 30 mins walk. On the way to there, I saw ojiisan having head injury. The strangers are helping him. The ambulance did come and decide to drive around to find the nearest place. Japan maps are notoriously difficult to navigate.









From Ninaji to Kinkakuji, it takes around 40 mins walk. I am not sure whether it is truly made in gold or being painted in gold. There is no way to figure out because it is not possible to get in there.

It is end of Day 6.
Tony Del Piero wrote and posted at at 2:18 pm