Saturday, September 17, 2016

Day 29 of Overseas Trip 2016

I took sweet time to wake up in the hostel at Matsumoto. Initially, I went off to find Matsumoto castle. It is quite easy to find Matsumoto castle.












The dark clouds were gathering around Matsumoto castle. I took this picture before heavy rain truly came.

Because of the heavy rain, I had to cancel the trip to Nagano and ninja village.


 As the rain abated, I decided to take a limited train to Shinjuku at Tokyo.

These two left-side photos are taken on the way to Shinjuku.
I realised that the train is affected by other trains being delayed in Tokyo. Therefore, there was additional 1 hour to the expected duration.

It was about 3 hours ride. I arrived at Shinjuku, Tokyo. I truly took my time to explore many areas of Shinjuku, which I never done few weeks ago.

I found that this tall building is beautiful.










Shinjuku is very vibrant city. There is so much to see in Shinjuku. This left picture was taken somewhere near Seibu-Shinjuku station. No doubt, I had been there briefly to take Godzilla figurine head.




Thereafter, I went back to Matsumoto. End of Day 29

Movies

Title: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Out of the Shadows (Hollywood Movie 2016)
Synopsis:
4 Turtles learnt that Shredder was going to escape from the prison. They tried to prevent that but Shredder escaped through teleportation machine with the aid of intelligent scientist. However, this teleportation machine spelt more trouble for turtles and earth. What kind of trouble?
Rating: 7/10
Remark: Decent story

Title: X-Men Apocalypse (Hollywood Movie 2016)
Synopsis:
The story started in the early days where Professor X had hair, gathering mutants into one school. The school was located in his home. However, the real truth is that the first mutant emerged few hundred century ago at Egypt. He was put slept for many years.

When he woke up by accident made by humans, he was furious! How will he want to change the world?
Rating: 7/10
Remark: It is interesting to know how x-men started.


Tony Del Piero wrote and posted at at 11:27 am

Saturday, September 10, 2016

Day 28 of Overseas Trip 2016

Initially, I was worried that I may not be able to get the seat on the first opening day of Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. 16 April 2016 is the day the whole route was opened. At anytime before 16 April 2016, the same route was partially opened.

Nevertheless, I slept well on Day 27 and woke up at 4.30am on Day 28. I packed and went to Toyama station. The aim is to get JR discount ticket to travel whole aforementioned route. Thankfully, I got it!

There was very long queue at the starting point of the route. It was at Dentetsutoyama Station, just 2 mins walk away from Toyama Station.


By the time, I reached to the ticket counter and I got all tickets to complete the route within a day. After approximately 2 hours wait, I manage to get in the normal train.




Between Dentetsutoyama station and Tateyama station, I saw a small group of Japanese welcoming us.

It is something we don't get such receptions in elsewhere.



By the time I arrived Tateyama station, I realised that the counter lady from Dentetsutoyama station gave me a ticket which I need to wait for 4 hours later to get in. So, I went to the counter at Tateyama station to ask for a replacement ticket with earlier timing. I got it!

Instead of 4 hours wait, I only need to wait for 2 hours for my turn.

I am getting more excited carrying my backpack! That is right. I intend to stay a night at Matsumoto instead of Toyama.


I was brought to Bijodaira station. Now I had to queue up for bus. It was not very long wait.






I had a small chat with Japanese uncle. I am quite surprised that he can speak simple English at his age.






Finally, the bus reached the destination. It is at Murodo station







Outside the Murodo station, you can see snow corridor like that. Great view. I didn't wear sunglasses. So, I have no issue looking at snow.





I never walk on or see snow before. Now is the time! I am walking back to Murodo station.






I studied the map signboard carefully. I am ready for the next transport.







I had to ride on the bus that bring me to another mountain. The bus will travel along in the tunnels that are hidden inside the mountain. Where am I going to?!?!?!




I arrived at Daikanbo station. I did not take the opportunity to take aerial pictures at Daikanbo.






I went straight to the queue place for the cable car. That brought me to shorter mountain.






Descending, descending, decending...








I arrived Kurobedaira. I went to open space so that I can take aerial picture of the view on the shorter mountain.






I had to wade through a huge crowd of people who were moving in the opposite direction towards Daikanbo station.





I had to take a train that brought me to lower elevation of another mountain.







I arrived Kurobeko station. There is nearest main attraction to that station.







I successfully found the route which I walked towards Kurobe dam.







Breaktaking view!








I had to go Kurobe bus terminal. The bus would bring me to the final destination.






Sitting in the bus...








I arrived at Ogizawa Station. It was the last stop. Outside that station, you have two bus choices - 1) Nagano or 2)Shin-Omachi.





Of course, I choose bus that brought me to Nagano station. Once I arrived Nagano station, I had to take limited express train that brought me to Matsumoto station.

Finally, I had a long rest at the host hostel at Matsumoto on Day 28.

End of Day 28.

Movie

Title: The Jungle Book (Hollywood Animation Movie 2016)
Synopsis:
A abandoned child was found by panther. He was raised by wolf. But the tiger don't want him to stay with the wolf. He has to leave the forest. How can he survive without wolf?
Rating: 7/10
Remark: Good story - it teach children to be independent.
Tony Del Piero wrote and posted at at 9:19 am

Sunday, September 04, 2016

Day 27 of Overseas Trip 2016

I woke up in the early morning and took the same train as the one on Day 26.

I saw rays of sunlight penetrating the clouds outside the windows of the train.


Finally, I am 30 minutes earlier from the appointment time. Interestingly, Nohi knew that this timing would be busy and most seats will be filled up.

Therefore, two buses were sent to attend us at the counter number 3.


About 1 hour 30 minutes bus ride, I reached Shirakawa-go. I see a lot of tourists there. Truly popular place.






It is the only bridge where we have to cross by foot from bus terminal to Shirakawa-go.






Oh, it is aerial view of Shirakawa-go. I realised that I came at the wrong time because rice fields are not yet matured. I think by end of summer, the rice will grow up. It is quite unfortunate for me.




I decide to spend a lot of hours to ensure that I can cover most areas of Shirakawa-go. I went back to Toyama by bus at evening.

The sunset was evident outside the windows of the bus.


End of Day 27.

Movie

Title: Captain America: Civil War (Hollywood Movie 2016)
Synopsis:
Iron man realises that we need to agree Solovia accord to relegate our powerful actions that protect and harm humans at the same time. Captain America thinks otherwise. Hence, disagreement emerges, resulting in two different fraction teams. These two teams have different opinions on how they are going to dealt with evils with power.
Rating: 8/10
Remark: Great story.
Tony Del Piero wrote and posted at at 2:53 pm

Saturday, September 03, 2016

Day 26 of Overseas Trip 2016


I departed Kawaguchiko in the early morning. I took the train of Fujikyu Railway to Otsuki station. That is where I have to transfer to JR train.

Taking JR express train will bring me to Tokyo station.


At Tokyo station, I saw a Western lady carrying her baby while looking after these many bags. Oh my god. That was massive task to do while her husband was doing something else before he returned back to her.

At the same time, I saw Japanese businessman greeting to another Japanese businessman - a standard bow greeting.







I took shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Toyama station. At Toyama, I leave my bag behind so that I can check whether I can book coach seat for Shirakawa-go.



To do this, I have to take train. In the first place, I had no knowledge that this train trip to Takayama station was that slow because of only one train track for most of the trip!



Finally, it is almost 2 hours to reach Takayama station.

I manage to communicate the counter lady at Takayama Nohi Bus Centre to book a seat.




All is set! I can prepare myself to travel Shirakawa-go on Day 27.

Book
Title: The Devil's Financial Dictionary
Author: Jason Zweig
Rating: 7/10
Remark: It is excellent financial dictionary. However, I have some reservation of the author's interpretation of some financial-related words.
Tony Del Piero wrote and posted at at 11:35 am