The Diamond Island City

Recall My 2009

* Pieces of Me *

~ here and there ~

Happy Children's Day

To learn more, read HERE.

Performance @ ランの館

To celebrate a kinda Asian Festival, we were invited by the Chhubu Singapore Club to perform Cambodian dances (Robaam Chuun Por and Koas Tralaok) @ an orchid garden (a few blocks from Yabacho Station, exit 4) last Saturday.

Cambodian girls with Mongolian people

Coconut dancers with one of the organizers, whom I met twice (or thrice???) @ the Club's dinner parties

Oh, it's me @ the entrance.
Just wanna show you readers that it is really the orchid garden, although small... [YEAH]

Note: this was my 7th time (maybe the last, too) to perform coconut dance. Many mistakes, still.

A late update - Saona in JP

Guess what, Saona's visit has opened up a new chapter of my life in Japan. As an unprofessional guide with poor Japanese proficiency, I felt kinda sorry, though. Anyway, this one-week reunion was unforgettably joyous. We rocked Tokyo together, updated each other our recent stories, recalled the time we first met, talked about some secrets @ IFL, some of this and that, endlessly... The laughter (mostly started by her and unstoppable once broken out) and humor we shared colored the pages. Followed are the visual aids...

Arrival and Yokohama - March 28

A brief touring around Yokohama on our way back from the airport
Don't be misled by her smile; she was tired and sleepy after 10.5-hour flight (3 movies in a row without any sleep). My face was more honest [wink] - about 7 hours at Narita with a short nap.

Harajuku & Roppongi - March 29

Right at the entrance to the crowded famous Shinto Shrine, Meiji Jingu

NHK Building near Yoyogi Park
At first, we thought 200 yen was worth the touring NHK Studio Park there. But, it was suck because not a word was in English.

A park @ Roppongi Hills
This was the sweetest post we took there; others included jumping and single ones.

Tokyo city view from the 52th floor of Roppongi Hills' Observation Deck
Thanks, Mr. Self-timer!!!

Another part of Roppongi area
It was quite late at night and very few people around. After some photos, we headed back home... Then, done with another spot!!! Lolz...

Tokyo DisneySea - March 30

[Yeah] - our favorite gesture!!!
Too crowded and cold to fully enjoy!!! However, we made it to 3 shows (Over the Wave, Mermaid Lagoon and the Magic Lamp) and 3 rides (Storm Rider, the Journey to the Center of the Earth and Under the Sea). [double winks]

Ueno - March 31

@ the so-called Asian Market where you could find almost everything not typical in Japan's normal markets. That day, we bought coconuts, ngeav (a kinda sea shell), sdao (veggie)...

@ Ueno Park, famous for its 1,000 Sakura trees - a good site for hanami
FYI: Bang Nette also joined us; she is a skilled guide.

Nagoya - April 1

In front of Nagoy Castle
From left: Ricky, me, Saona, Bang Veara and his wife Bang Mom, LPP and Kanha

Immature castle models??? Lolz...

One more random post each... Ehe...

@ Osu Kannon, known for its Shinto Shrine and street market

Kyoto - April 2

@ Kinkaku Ji (Golden Temple)
New members: Chakrya (a tourist from Cambodia) & Rattana (a Kyoto resident).
Bang Thida was waiting outside. Big thanks to her, a Kyoto expert.

@ Kiyomizu Tera, famous for its spot to view sakura in spring and red leaves in fall.
Disappointingly, sakura has not yet in its full bloom there.

Nagoya - April 3

A small ad for NU by a Washington University's student

*A mouthful of natto topping sushi - hard to swallow, she commented.
**A bit wasabi sandwiched sushi - no comment. Good for your nose, though!!!

Last by not least, a group photo (taken by Bang Veara who was risking his life by positioning at the very edge of the sidewalk) in front of the sushi restaurant

Welcome those newcomers to Nagoya...

Shibuya - April 4

>>> no photos <<<

Departure - April 5

>>> no photos <<<
Bang Nette and I just saw you off @ Yokohama

...... END......

Note: Gotta say sorry to those who mind their pictures posted here without permission.

An update

This is one of the many shots of Sakura I've so far taken. I decided to post this one just because it is grown in Nagoya, more precisely NU's gym (next to IR).

Indian rice

Every grain is thin and long, showing the distance between the 2 tips.
[Sigh]

Happy White Day

@ a strawberry farm in Tateyama City, Chiba Prefecture

(On a zemi trip of Noukoudai)

Another spot...

@ Kawasaki Station

Lazona Plaza
A recommended mall for those shopaholic!!!

A buffet dinner @ Kakiyasu (Lazona Plaza)
Try it if you happen to visit Kawasaki

One afternoon in Yokohama

Please enjoy the photos with no details from this lazy, wordless author.

Bay Quarter

Landmark Tower
69 stories - the highest building in Japan (???)

Nippon Maru

#$%&@

TV Tower

One of the 3 Queen Towers

Navious Yokohama

Aka-renga

#$%&@

Taken from O-san Bridge

China Town

A lil ad

NEC Office in Kawasaki City

Testing

Central Building for Liberal Arts and Sciences, Nagoya University

My study room, GSID, Nagoya University

Note: I've just found out this function of my DC. Thanks K for the tips.

A Planned Christmas Eve!?

I still remember the last Christmas Eve I spent half in Kobe and half in Nagoya. It was real fun to be with friends. This year I had no plan to go outside Nagoya due to one main reason. Yet, I'd somehow planned my day: Shopping and seeing firework with friends. As it turned out, I was on my own, no one but me. Despite #$%&@, I was glad I made my plan work. It was not bad to go shopping alone (as I usually did in the past) and then enjoyed (I supposed) the crowded Christmas. Here are some photos from my DC.

Illumination @ Nagoya Station

"Star-light Hanabi" @ Nagoya Port
(Firework Display with narrative and background music)

The final shot!!!I was amazed indeed...

The end???

Not yet, though.

[A pot luck party @ LLP's and All-about-M3's Mansion]
Luckily, I grabbed a cake from Matsuzakaya Store on my way leaving Nagoya Station.

Guys, thanks for adding some taste to my day!!!

To everyone,
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!