tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-748596034648939762024-03-13T09:12:28.785-07:00Life in the Land of the Rising SunKate Minorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369706735791664234noreply@blogger.comBlogger231125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74859603464893976.post-51460317239606954822013-07-18T04:21:00.003-07:002013-07-18T04:21:45.507-07:00Shuffled Feels<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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As I walked home from work last week, I listened to my iPod
on shuffle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An eclectic taste in music
combined with a 60 gig listening device results in a musical cache almost too
diverse and vast to navigate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I
find myself unable to make a musical choice to match my mood, I put the 8000+ songs
on shuffle.</div>
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My iPod has been living on shuffle the past few weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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I feel this is a musical manifestation of my emotions
lately. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tomorrow marks the beginning of
our final week living in Japan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am
elated to be moving back to my city on The Lake and to be once again near to my
family and friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other hand, I
am feeling melancholy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Melancholy to
leave my international community of dear friends, my little Japanese town, my
life of international adventure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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As I sift and sort through this myriad of emotions, I consistently
come back to this one emotion: gratefulness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am so grateful that I have had this remarkable life experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grateful for the friends I have made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grateful for the things I have learned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have changed (for the better, I think) a
considerable amount since living abroad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For this too, I am grateful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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Major life changes can be bitter sweet; I like to focus on
the sweet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although leaving our friends
and community in Japan is difficult, I can’t help but stay positive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My life has been so enriched by my
experiences and friends over the past three years that I cannot be sad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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The feeling I had when I graduated from university is
similar to what I am feeling now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
ready then to graduate and move on to my new adventures of marriage and moving
abroad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, I am ready to graduate
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am ready to move forward to my
next phase of life and discover new adventures, challenges, and
experiences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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And so I take a breath, count to three, and take the plunge
into the next pool of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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Kate Minorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369706735791664234noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74859603464893976.post-76272866327048829072013-06-11T02:48:00.000-07:002013-06-11T03:50:38.060-07:00Ogawa Machi: Zakkoku Koubou Craft Micro Brewery<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLkT_xIhhdrsgDC6fEoX5NdRe8MS_2EHd9DKdpde2D_TjLl5G5FOWtbEpDYgx9WRU_NgoL1J_Qvy2oUKMb1rwy5ls5aGrm2vKkcyRbblodE-65HO8ND2JqrfnMChc5fT1Hq0c_ImpLo2rk/s1600/Craft+Beer+Outside_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLkT_xIhhdrsgDC6fEoX5NdRe8MS_2EHd9DKdpde2D_TjLl5G5FOWtbEpDYgx9WRU_NgoL1J_Qvy2oUKMb1rwy5ls5aGrm2vKkcyRbblodE-65HO8ND2JqrfnMChc5fT1Hq0c_ImpLo2rk/s640/Craft+Beer+Outside_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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There are many things that Japan does well<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>on a big scale-miso, sushi, sake, tea, to
name a few.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But one thing that left both
Karl and me disappointed right from the beginning is Japanese beer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>
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Having lived in the upper Midwest of the US of A for all of
my adult life until moving to Japan, a huge variety of delicious micro
brewed beer was always available.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In fact, when we were dating, Karl and I went to one of our favorite
haunts on the shores of Lake Superior on a weekly basis-<a href="http://brewhouse.net/" target="_blank">Fitger’s
Brewhouse.</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="http://brewhouse.net/" target="_blank"> </a> </span></div>
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Imagine our disappointment upon moving to Japan when-generally speaking-all we
had to choose from was Asahi and Sapporo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not terrible…but not great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Karl
loves porters and stouts, while I lean towards weizen brews.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neither of which could we find, besides the
insanely over priced cans of Guinness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hmm.</div>
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About a year into our living in Japan, we finally ventured
into a small establishment that would prove to increase our weekend enjoyment
exponentially-<a href="http://www.craft-beer.net/zkm.html" target="_blank">Zakkoku Koubou Craft Beer</a>.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQFziQ-VDzqBq5uvbmEYIsiCUwwDqOMOxbjnrNGxQG0K1iX8z3EvKJ0jEix1g2heDVtZ2oUFYOK1KG2xXaKvGnhPfmDaLORtpaZ7KmHPeQI4GpxonuwqqQupz8nhzqPWzUhhJWZqofsfIe/s1600/Craft+Beer+Outside+Sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQFziQ-VDzqBq5uvbmEYIsiCUwwDqOMOxbjnrNGxQG0K1iX8z3EvKJ0jEix1g2heDVtZ2oUFYOK1KG2xXaKvGnhPfmDaLORtpaZ7KmHPeQI4GpxonuwqqQupz8nhzqPWzUhhJWZqofsfIe/s640/Craft+Beer+Outside+Sign.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_fhM5qcPp-GGnSmy1Ve2xP9fKvzbA3FQ8OEOQ0DjlcOr5raUzzQ6uaGyyOqBbuOjHa8Eq6XQWeRqpEjrT-3R7k5sumXoyemI-fSa2b9af440Oq1VJr_wa4ANJoJ0lUO6MnPRUFy3l5gRI/s1600/Beer+Cats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_fhM5qcPp-GGnSmy1Ve2xP9fKvzbA3FQ8OEOQ0DjlcOr5raUzzQ6uaGyyOqBbuOjHa8Eq6XQWeRqpEjrT-3R7k5sumXoyemI-fSa2b9af440Oq1VJr_wa4ANJoJ0lUO6MnPRUFy3l5gRI/s640/Beer+Cats.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The brew master and some of his brewing friends call themselves the "Beer Cats." </td></tr>
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Although we had noticed this little place several times
before, once again our lack of being able to speak any significant amount of
Japanese held us back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, after
mustering some courage, we immersed ourselves further into our Japan
experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGjJ2hC18dsT819swhgiGPUdoxNPnxTGQdpYDhgkRZn4WO_8DhmdLU4G1xKrUaOBq-C9t-MDlQ8E8lKu0COynctSUVyRo4dm0Um_pe9YrYV88Mnj3ZXrD238sUjegD6qawBlDms0_FESk/s1600/Craft+Beer+Brews_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGjJ2hC18dsT819swhgiGPUdoxNPnxTGQdpYDhgkRZn4WO_8DhmdLU4G1xKrUaOBq-C9t-MDlQ8E8lKu0COynctSUVyRo4dm0Um_pe9YrYV88Mnj3ZXrD238sUjegD6qawBlDms0_FESk/s640/Craft+Beer+Brews_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The phrase that comes to mind when I reflect on this
discovery is, “It’s better late than never.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We were kicking ourselves after we realized what an incredible little
micro brewery our little town had had all along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But…better late than never!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CYrYhcDCfNsG5KdChKN1a7zf9Mttt9V0277zFyhy4zg1TM3QbVu5-yZyN7miBxdpzRTXE9QeRLXXPQ1nTflB-h2DurW652CCOF0IaR-VWA6zTE7azygmCO4C6114IhlmqKTGz4iNa1AP/s1600/Zakkoku+Menu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CYrYhcDCfNsG5KdChKN1a7zf9Mttt9V0277zFyhy4zg1TM3QbVu5-yZyN7miBxdpzRTXE9QeRLXXPQ1nTflB-h2DurW652CCOF0IaR-VWA6zTE7azygmCO4C6114IhlmqKTGz4iNa1AP/s640/Zakkoku+Menu.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A young couple<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>runs Zakkoku brewery-a local, organic micro
brewery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They do not speak much English
but they are some of the nicest, friendliest people whom we have yet to meet anywhere-Japan
or elsewhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZuCwYiQgSaUHNaEGu8NSGJFTK9hjzEtF1H9zAN1GKbaRRhqzpuGH-F7AyDUEUYiSWVo0Do0odHsb4nVZGBX5kogzQqe5bXEfDNxNsuQNJ7ORKplZZ5by2zoWaxrn8hKQsAwQsf5K4UVS/s1600/Craft+Beer+Wheat_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZuCwYiQgSaUHNaEGu8NSGJFTK9hjzEtF1H9zAN1GKbaRRhqzpuGH-F7AyDUEUYiSWVo0Do0odHsb4nVZGBX5kogzQqe5bXEfDNxNsuQNJ7ORKplZZ5by2zoWaxrn8hKQsAwQsf5K4UVS/s640/Craft+Beer+Wheat_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRDhzdo85hfgH8f4CECpHkbO_0JVQj766ND0xlShBeRAcetkhW7wF878jHasEtP2WBxIUc3kUQJoHi7ZY6z0NrhX6_khofEzRylXcMmpTejEXMkI8ecYYDKwGHRJsXFyIwot9ML0mI2Ap-/s1600/Craft+Beer+Hops_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRDhzdo85hfgH8f4CECpHkbO_0JVQj766ND0xlShBeRAcetkhW7wF878jHasEtP2WBxIUc3kUQJoHi7ZY6z0NrhX6_khofEzRylXcMmpTejEXMkI8ecYYDKwGHRJsXFyIwot9ML0mI2Ap-/s640/Craft+Beer+Hops_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hops!</td></tr>
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Sitting at the tiny little wooden bar, you can see right
through to the other room where the magic happens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They always have at least four beers on tap: a porter,
a weizen, a seasonal pale ale, and a few other seasonal brews.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Karl’s and my brew-filled
dreams had come true!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_HC_sp1bnlk_L-qPU3T0HkOO6KlBBSXVSTi9hyphenhyphenHeeII2yH0lcv5qi8gzYT4GD2x-FVfEw4JmPGfaK_dRr4kW0HUUIdCDIAIcrrFlWlhJkMteyRPtZ0qvNxt4UCSKu-Czj8UlT5iW_w_q/s1600/Ogawa+Porter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_HC_sp1bnlk_L-qPU3T0HkOO6KlBBSXVSTi9hyphenhyphenHeeII2yH0lcv5qi8gzYT4GD2x-FVfEw4JmPGfaK_dRr4kW0HUUIdCDIAIcrrFlWlhJkMteyRPtZ0qvNxt4UCSKu-Czj8UlT5iW_w_q/s640/Ogawa+Porter.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ogawa Porter-Karl's favorite. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxfDStU9g5CCicBtccgiLOxQpx_aIN513K6So_ZzrvQP20uIpD3KzqX8RpcMH0m4w7UlCnXbLvK_zBIdJDQI5aWmMMQVLzSkuo5vLXHQevg6OPkrK_wlXa3QWx94yGy85s6yYH7dNvI-Lt/s1600/Apple+Ginger+Weizen+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxfDStU9g5CCicBtccgiLOxQpx_aIN513K6So_ZzrvQP20uIpD3KzqX8RpcMH0m4w7UlCnXbLvK_zBIdJDQI5aWmMMQVLzSkuo5vLXHQevg6OPkrK_wlXa3QWx94yGy85s6yYH7dNvI-Lt/s640/Apple+Ginger+Weizen+6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Apple Ginger Weizen-my favorite!</td></tr>
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Along with the beers, they offer some incredibly delicious
snacks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spicy sausages from A-chan’s
delicatessen just down the street, wholegrain breads, pickles, pretzels, and
more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of them of are homemade, fresh,
and organic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Occasionally, they also
offer full meals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have had Japanese
style curry and rice there a few times (usually we are not enamored with this
dish-but it is extremely delicious at Zakkoku).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZ4H2O5Ay843Tc146Dg52PRWyqZpqG-sHTrdAs78Kfye1LDpPJANkx7M1lJcv9jq-xf0WOl923edJqTjve3ZcXkPnmSQijQND6Isqif-cnr8s9O5YrSShcAhWNF75J5OEBCfDcKYvU6iy/s1600/Zakkou+Achan%27s+Wieners.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZ4H2O5Ay843Tc146Dg52PRWyqZpqG-sHTrdAs78Kfye1LDpPJANkx7M1lJcv9jq-xf0WOl923edJqTjve3ZcXkPnmSQijQND6Isqif-cnr8s9O5YrSShcAhWNF75J5OEBCfDcKYvU6iy/s640/Zakkou+Achan%27s+Wieners.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spicy sausages that are made at Achan's Delicatessen, which is just down the street. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6WYDhu7IwZlxFD2N0TyfVw8bg3vop2nhJcU6Tj5Au1gLZT0f8uoZKof2cnvALYWmvgqi2zwvmlsAk6eNDSBXqM3mTW-_QX9kciHdFiAXgc-QZrUjM34u3n64ZY1KPDquaW4es7c7Pia_9/s1600/Zakkou+Pan+Set.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6WYDhu7IwZlxFD2N0TyfVw8bg3vop2nhJcU6Tj5Au1gLZT0f8uoZKof2cnvALYWmvgqi2zwvmlsAk6eNDSBXqM3mTW-_QX9kciHdFiAXgc-QZrUjM34u3n64ZY1KPDquaW4es7c7Pia_9/s640/Zakkou+Pan+Set.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delicious bread set. Homemade bread for the win. </td></tr>
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This is a small, quiet place that fills up quickly and
doesn’t stay open too late.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We usually
go on Friday afternoon right after work for a weekend kanpai (Japanese for
cheers).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes, we take a few
bottles home with us-though the bottled beers are usually limited to just two
or three types of beer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Zakkoku micro brewery is located extremely close to the
station-less than a minute walk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
usually start parties here with a brew or three of truly exceptional micro
brews and then migrate over to Ota Horumon (less than a minute walk away) for
delicious food and good times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are
going to miss this routine after we leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fortunately home is waiting for us, with all its glorious micro brews to
go with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Kate Minorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369706735791664234noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74859603464893976.post-76405438177345498472013-05-22T04:05:00.000-07:002013-05-22T04:09:06.464-07:00Ogawa Machi: Genki no Ki げんきの木<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">On a Saturday about a
year and a half ago, we had just finished working out at <a href="http://lifeinthelandoftherisingsun.blogspot.jp/2013/05/ogawa-machi-kawara-sports.html" target="_blank">Kawara Sports</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was midday, and we were ready to replenish
our burned energy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was then<span lang="JA"> </span>that we first noticed <a href="http://ameblo.jp/genkinoki/" target="_blank">Genki no K</a>i just across the street.</span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsuBtkyBezNvYcM-w4206ghX9flL_EJaJitQ-oIpS1N6f8uPXYctnFFutZ83Ie1af4I_f7QfRiPMIq3IijZKWvQswcXa74Yx77doVe-dXTtgkHoC7TXh0lvCgNaHeVQyYbpSjPmYajs3xQ/s1600/4+Genki+no+Ki+Cello+Concert+5.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsuBtkyBezNvYcM-w4206ghX9flL_EJaJitQ-oIpS1N6f8uPXYctnFFutZ83Ie1af4I_f7QfRiPMIq3IijZKWvQswcXa74Yx77doVe-dXTtgkHoC7TXh0lvCgNaHeVQyYbpSjPmYajs3xQ/s640/4+Genki+no+Ki+Cello+Concert+5.12.jpg" width="422" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">A tiny little white
structure, Genki no Ki looks as quaint as a cottage tucked away in a
forest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We walked in to inquire after the
menu.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lovely lady who owns and runs
the place greeted us-in English!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right
away she asked us to call her Ahchan-her actual name is Atsuko.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBXM7HIkP-i4uTTnxJ9eDNG-sKwQW-n68R-7_mXptbdXtYwx_wbZxX5n5bk8IJKZTHCOUfrMgYLg_yRYUu_RUcX0SL24TEGWUNwRUSrFb4Ynz1nIe92F2Q5-ix9bZ0mJBynp5-5s5611an/s1600/5+Genki+no+Ki+Cello+Concert+5.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBXM7HIkP-i4uTTnxJ9eDNG-sKwQW-n68R-7_mXptbdXtYwx_wbZxX5n5bk8IJKZTHCOUfrMgYLg_yRYUu_RUcX0SL24TEGWUNwRUSrFb4Ynz1nIe92F2Q5-ix9bZ0mJBynp5-5s5611an/s640/5+Genki+no+Ki+Cello+Concert+5.12.jpg" width="432" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">On that first visit,
Ahchan draw us a little map of other places to visit in Ogawa Machi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She told us about organic farmers markets,
organic restaurants, bakeries, a delicatessen meat shop, and a craft micro
brewery.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Our world opened!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were thrilled to have this new guidance
about our town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ahchan and her sweet
mother are the amazing cooks and bakers at Genki no Ki-an organic café and
coffee shop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They also carry a variety
of Fair Trade items for sale as well as local organic produce and small grocery
items.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">For the past year, our
favorite Saturday routine has been to get in a good long workout and then walk
across the street for a healthy organic lunch at Genki no Ki.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lunch is a set menu of the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is always good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>99% of the time, we order the drink and
dessert set to go with lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of the
coffees and teas are delicious.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Almost every time we go,
something wonderful happens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have met
dozens of friendly, interesting people in this tiny café-most of whom speak
some English!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have been pleasantly
surprised numerous times with the friends we have made at Genki no Ki.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you find yourself in
Ogawa around noon, this is a fantastic place for lunch and a cup of tea or
coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are looking for a
relaxing way to spend your afternoon after eating lunch, the onsen <a href="http://lifeinthelandoftherisingsun.blogspot.jp/2013/05/ogawa-machi-kawara-no-yu.html" target="_blank">Kawara no Yu</a>
is just across the street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Things to know about
Genki no Ki:</span><br />
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The opening hours are
midday only: 11 am to 3 pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a lunch place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It is closed on Sundays and Mondays.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lunch with coffee and dessert runs about 1000 yen-about ten USD. </span><br />
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Avoid going for a late
lunch-lunch sells out quickly!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
</div>
<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Japan,+Saitama-ken,+Hiki-gun,+Ogawa-machi,+%C5%8Ctsuka,+%EF%BC%91%EF%BC%91%EF%BC%94%EF%BC%96+%E5%B0%8F%E5%B7%9D%E7%94%BA%E9%A7%85&daddr=Japan,+Saitama-ken,+Hiki-gun,+Ogawa-machi,+Ogawa,+%EF%BC%96%EF%BC%92%EF%BC%93+%E3%82%AB%E3%83%95%E3%82%A7%E3%81%A8%E9%87%8E%E8%8F%9C%E3%81%92%E3%82%93%E3%81%8D%E3%81%AE%E6%9C%A8&hl=en&geocode=FUk1JgIdM_VMCCm9CQPg3NMeYDECxGMFQ9fH2w%3BFQo2JgIdzRZNCClzWNom79MeYDGAL2I4elvycg&aq=&sll=36.058402,139.270087&sspn=0.002442,0.004823&dirflg=w&doflg=ptm&mra=ls&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=36.058131,139.265484&spn=0.001685,0.008776&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br />
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</div>
Kate Minorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369706735791664234noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74859603464893976.post-67480609199736396442013-05-20T05:03:00.001-07:002013-05-20T05:07:53.804-07:00Ogawa Machi: Kawara Sports<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_BI4H_V3Bd0FHd_FJOHpT2y8olfJB_a_oMgk7mIqePsLcQdsIoxHxXcFSvcJXM__Fqymt2tOjcuDqN4TN9XOq36efzd0L2rXUhfb0thxvODvdQ5bDWcyReiImuUXIjRlrj1Pjac-d_EPI/s1600/Kawara+Sports_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_BI4H_V3Bd0FHd_FJOHpT2y8olfJB_a_oMgk7mIqePsLcQdsIoxHxXcFSvcJXM__Fqymt2tOjcuDqN4TN9XOq36efzd0L2rXUhfb0thxvODvdQ5bDWcyReiImuUXIjRlrj1Pjac-d_EPI/s640/Kawara+Sports_1.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
Stereotypically, college freshman gain somewhere around
fifteen pounds during their first year of university. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is referred to as “the freshman fifteen.”
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This did not happen to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However my first year living in Japan is
another story… </div>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
During my time in university, I was good at keeping up with
daily workouts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I moved to Japan,
my first job had me working from 2 pm to 10 pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Combined with the culture shock, this schedule left me little time or
energy to do anything-including exercise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fortunately, I soon found a new job with hours from 8 am to 4 pm and we
discovered the local gym.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a trial
day at the gym, and decided to join.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Though a small gym, <a href="http://www.kawara-sports.jp/" target="_blank">Kawara Sports</a> has a lot to offer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a weight room with free weights as
well as machines for lifting and cardio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There are two studios in which many different types of classes are held
everyday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lap swimming pool also
holds daily classes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Although gym memberships are expensive in Japan-ours runs us
close to 19,000 yen (combined) a month-we find that it is worth it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The membership fee covers entrance to as many
of the offered classes you care to join.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We have frequented yoga, taichi, and kickboxing classes and have really
enjoyed them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Along with the membership, you receive two free tickets to
the <a href="http://lifeinthelandoftherisingsun.blogspot.jp/2013/05/ogawa-machi-kawara-no-yu.html" target="_blank">Kawara no Yu onsen</a> that is located just across the street from the
gym.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have found that spending an
intense evening at the gym followed by a relaxing bath in the hot spring is an
excellent way to relax after working all day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh, and by the way, I have lost all the weight I gained that
first year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kawara Sports Club is located very close to Kawara no Yu
Onsen, only about a ten minute walk from the station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is a map:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Saitama-ken,+Hiki-gun,+Ogawa-machi,+%C5%8Ctsuka,+%EF%BC%91%EF%BC%91%EF%BC%94%EF%BC%96&daddr=Japan,+Saitama-ken,+Hiki-gun,+Ogawa-machi,+Ogawa,+%EF%BC%96%EF%BC%91%EF%BC%97+%E3%82%AB%E3%83%AF%E3%83%A9%E3%82%B9%E3%83%9D%E3%83%BC%E3%83%84%E3%82%AF%E3%83%A9%E3%83%96&hl=en&geocode=FUk1JgIdRvVMCCklHwPg3NMeYDEcegJhwlaH8Q%3BFaE3JgIdiBZNCCn9CzQ779MeYDGcSEu1Y0D3fQ&aq=&sll=36.05858,139.268886&sspn=0.004883,0.009645&dirflg=w&doflg=ptm&mra=ls&ie=UTF8&ll=36.05858,139.268886&spn=0.001685,0.008587&t=m&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br />
<small><a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=Saitama-ken,+Hiki-gun,+Ogawa-machi,+%C5%8Ctsuka,+%EF%BC%91%EF%BC%91%EF%BC%94%EF%BC%96&daddr=Japan,+Saitama-ken,+Hiki-gun,+Ogawa-machi,+Ogawa,+%EF%BC%96%EF%BC%91%EF%BC%97+%E3%82%AB%E3%83%AF%E3%83%A9%E3%82%B9%E3%83%9D%E3%83%BC%E3%83%84%E3%82%AF%E3%83%A9%E3%83%96&hl=en&geocode=FUk1JgIdRvVMCCklHwPg3NMeYDEcegJhwlaH8Q%3BFaE3JgIdiBZNCCn9CzQ779MeYDGcSEu1Y0D3fQ&aq=&sll=36.05858,139.268886&sspn=0.004883,0.009645&dirflg=w&doflg=ptm&mra=ls&ie=UTF8&ll=36.05858,139.268886&spn=0.001685,0.008587&t=m" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small></div>
Kate Minorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369706735791664234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74859603464893976.post-35137701638392729792013-05-16T02:37:00.000-07:002013-05-16T03:23:20.891-07:00Ogawa Machi: 花和楽の湯 Kawara no Yu<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjizlf8BGU36HgJjF7ecknF9pPaU01IUOZIvDLGzPA_CnTSANK5iyxNUsIhY7zR-ykITqksRAkF-t3AjoKHgQXkR9w4UL_XeD8kK8RkXtH3zT6MmrDXM5Hm-spaECQtqvWcy9cTKH2Vuth/s1600/Kawara+no+Yu+Sign_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjizlf8BGU36HgJjF7ecknF9pPaU01IUOZIvDLGzPA_CnTSANK5iyxNUsIhY7zR-ykITqksRAkF-t3AjoKHgQXkR9w4UL_XeD8kK8RkXtH3zT6MmrDXM5Hm-spaECQtqvWcy9cTKH2Vuth/s640/Kawara+no+Yu+Sign_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
If there is anything one can say with certainty regarding
the Japanese people, it is that they do things with dedication.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of all of the cultures I have experienced
(however much or little), the Japanese culture-as a whole-wins gold for
dedication to hard work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Japanese people are known to be hard workers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And although I say that they win gold for their
work ethic, this can be-and frequently is-taken too far. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The life of the “salary-man” is far too
ubiquitous in Japan and is debatably a partial cause for the <a href="http://thediplomat.com/2013/01/16/searching-for-answers-japans-suicide-epidemic/" target="_blank">high suicide rate</a> with which Japan struggles. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Although this sometimes decidedly unhealthy dedication to
work is so engrained into the Japanese way of life, this does not mean that
they don’t know how to play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of the
most intense parties to which I have been are the end of the year parties with
my husband’s coworkers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These people <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">really</i> know how to party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will drink you under the table and come
back for more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On weeknights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yikes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is all I
have to say about that. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another thing that Japanese people do well is relax.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their favorite way of relaxing is, of course,
the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onsen" target="_blank">onsen-Japanese hot springs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The archipelago we call Japan is ostensibly one huge
mountain range that <a href="http://volcano.oregonstate.edu/book/export/html/368" target="_blank">rose volcanically </a>from the ocean thousands of years
ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several live volcanoes still can be
found all over the islands-including (according to many sources, including <a href="http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/media/mount-fuji/?ar_a=1" target="_blank">National Geographic</a>) the great natural icon of Japan-Mount
Fuji. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Arguably the best product resulting from the volcanoes are the
hot springs located all over Japan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
our town of Ogawa Machi, we have a locally famous hot spring called <a href="http://www.kawarano-yu.com/" target="_blank">Kawara noYu.</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2pbGzJVwIZlVnVsiR3sKdgFCQlQDjvgm28sfJ78mQDOgUGbU8BtQFEoLOGuekcRgPgCe1igDgMdLCXzTl6drEWHchYxxVHiM3wrklfvM-NIEQf7A53ZMcT0e3cBkoyJFxhKI4qx2h4n_/s1600/Kawara+no+Yu+Entrance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2pbGzJVwIZlVnVsiR3sKdgFCQlQDjvgm28sfJ78mQDOgUGbU8BtQFEoLOGuekcRgPgCe1igDgMdLCXzTl6drEWHchYxxVHiM3wrklfvM-NIEQf7A53ZMcT0e3cBkoyJFxhKI4qx2h4n_/s640/Kawara+no+Yu+Entrance.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance to Kawara no Yu</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Not so many years ago, the building that now houses the
onsen was a roof tile factory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The son
who inherited the factory decided to change the business and drill through the
bed rock under Ogawa in search of hot spring water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After investing everything and failing the
first few drills, he struck gold in the form of hot water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A very successful and popular onsen, they now
have multiple locations in Saitama.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of the reasons this onsen is so popular is because of
the feel of the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some onsens have
a high level of sulfur in the water and besides not smelling so great, can
cause your skin to itch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I experienced
this at the very popular hot spring resort called <a href="http://lifeinthelandoftherisingsun.blogspot.jp/2011/01/kusatsu-in-january.html" target="_blank">Kusatsu</a> in Gunma
prefecture.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kawara no Yu’s water feels
very silky on your skin in the best possible way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is something about the mineral content
of the water that does not dry out your skin-it feels wonderful. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For the full experience at Karawa no Yu, you should also
spend some time in the hot stone spa-the <a href="http://www.kawarano-yu.com/ganban/index.html" target="_blank">ganbanyoku</a>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A dimly lit room with soft music and relaxing
scents, you receive a wooden head rest and a towel when you enter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After you have found a location, you lay down
on stone floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The entire room is
heated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The heat from the hot stones
seeps into your bones and feels amazing-especially during winter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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The hot springs themselves are separated by gender-this is
because the Japanese way to experience onsen is in the nude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, many people do carry small modesty
towels with them between the shower, sauna, and all of the hot spring
pools.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After showering, you can either
go outside to the assortment of pools which vary in depth and temperature, or
stay inside and enjoy the one indoor spring, the sauna, and the cold pool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone I know usually switches between all
of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Kawara no Yu also boasts massage and aroma therapy services,
two restaurants and bars, private rooms available for renting, and a big tatami
room for reading and taking naps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Although entrance to this onsen is a bit on the expensive
side, everyone we know who has been there agrees that it is worth it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are a resident of Ogawa and would like
to frequent this onsen, I recommend becoming a member of the affiliated gym
across the street-Kawara Sports-where along with your membership you receive
two free tickets per month to Kawara no Yu.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The tickets only allow one item with entrance-towel set, hot rock room
outfit, or yukata (a casual kimono for wearing while dining or relaxing outside
of the onsen itself)-we usual bring our own towels and ask for the outfit for
the ganbanyoku room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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Located a short walk from the station, Karawa no Yu is also
a great destination for a anyone day tripping to Ogawa Machi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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Opening hours:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Open
from ten am until midnight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
believe they are open 364 days a year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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If you are planning on going there during a
holiday-especially one that falls on a weekend-be prepared to wait a long time
for entrance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I find that the best times
to go for the least amount of people are in the evening during the week.</div>
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<br />
Here is a map from Ogawa Machi station to the Kawara no Yu entrace. I am sorry you have to zoom in to see it...I am still an html novice and could not figure out how to correct this just now. </div>
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</div>
<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=206467845485041912185.0004dcc0fd4c907817027&ie=UTF8&t=m&z=4&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br />
<small>View <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=206467845485041912185.0004dcc0fd4c907817027&ie=UTF8&t=m&z=4&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">Ogawa Onsen Kawara no Yu</a> in a larger map</small></div>
Kate Minorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369706735791664234noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74859603464893976.post-31120529157868710592013-05-07T04:58:00.000-07:002013-05-07T04:58:35.740-07:00Ogawa Machi: Our Japanese Hometown<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPV6TKZX2l-kNxQQuIAA6DggxeVwk2dIuXXkslRmMT3O-9qKFecEen_z-KjQ9Ul0kLeC3-sHA-btxmaRglGeEVFRjKqiiR7x7X3X0JuawtSciD375b2s19ZHhsq0PiNd0uEfWGHi5rlS5s/s1600/Ogawa+Machi+Map+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPV6TKZX2l-kNxQQuIAA6DggxeVwk2dIuXXkslRmMT3O-9qKFecEen_z-KjQ9Ul0kLeC3-sHA-btxmaRglGeEVFRjKqiiR7x7X3X0JuawtSciD375b2s19ZHhsq0PiNd0uEfWGHi5rlS5s/s640/Ogawa+Machi+Map+4.jpg" width="434" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A hand drawn/painted map of our town-Ogawa Machi.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Nearly three years have passed since my husband, Karl, and I
moved to Japan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this time three years
ago, we knew that we would be moving to Japan, but we were still anxiously
awaiting to hear about where we would be living within Japan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Only six short weeks before we were scheduled to leave, we
finally found out where we would be living during our time in Japan:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.town.ogawa.saitama.jp/english/" target="_blank">Ogawa Machi, Saitama</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Karl would be working in a tiny neighboring
village: <a href="http://www.vill.higashichichibu.saitama.jp/" target="_blank">Higashichichibu Mura</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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As soon as we had this information, we consulted with the
all-knowing Google to try and find out a thing or two about our new place of
residence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, we found very
little information.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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Because of this experience, I have decided to take it upon
myself to document all of our favorite places in Ogawa Machi on this blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though not nearly as exciting as Tokyo (which
is a mere hour away by the Tobu Tojo train line) Ogawa is a fantastic place to
live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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Ogawa is, by Japanese standards, a small town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The population is probably somewhere around 35,000.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is nestled in a little
valley right at the edge of the Chichibu mountain range.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like most places in Japan, it too boasts a long history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Right after the massive<a href="http://lifeinthelandoftherisingsun.blogspot.jp/2011/03/and-there-wasnt-any-rice.html" target="_blank"> 9.0 earth quake</a> that shook Japan on
March 11<sup>th</sup>, 2011, we were reassured many times by the residents of
Ogawa that we were living in a safe place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ogawa was built directly over an enormous bedrock, so even though we can
feel lots of shaking during earth quakes, the buildings are quite sound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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The weather in Ogawa is, for most of the year,
fantastic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saitama is rated at the
sunniest prefecture in all of Japan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Since the ground doesn’t freeze, the growing season lasts all year
long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The occasional slushy snow falls
in the winter and the summer is horribly humid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But the spring and the autumn are perfection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unless you have allergies, that is. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Over the next few weeks, I will devote posts to several
places in Ogawa that we wished we had known about when we first arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For anyone else moving here in the future, I
hope that you will find this useful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
Kate Minorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369706735791664234noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74859603464893976.post-3537108744115901612013-05-01T02:46:00.001-07:002013-05-01T04:56:21.427-07:00Hong Kong: History Museum and Tea Class<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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</style>On our final full day in Hong Kong, we went to see an
incredible museum exhibit at the <a href="http://hk.history.museum/en_US/web/mh/" target="_blank">History Museum</a> called, <a href="http://hk.history.museum/en_US/web/mh/exhibition/permanent.html" target="_blank">“The Hong Kong Story.”</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you can only fit one museum
visit in to your trip to Hong Kong-this is the one to see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Starting from 400,000,000 years ago, the story begins with
the geographical formation of Hong Kong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The exhibit tells the story of Hong Kong all the way through 1997-when
the British left and ceded Hong Kong back to mainland China.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4nr2Mq-5Jg_uiDyCZKiAKiB-fD9FfauCy710JiMtNENFt-OKxVCx6gOV4Dt1h6s1SlwFpw5LhJ1exOE9O9ym7HnN7jT9Cf9SuzTGqYqqrgmPu-Eldg7wGknl8SltveO68gYHB9H5qw5Jk/s1600/Day+7+HK+18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4nr2Mq-5Jg_uiDyCZKiAKiB-fD9FfauCy710JiMtNENFt-OKxVCx6gOV4Dt1h6s1SlwFpw5LhJ1exOE9O9ym7HnN7jT9Cf9SuzTGqYqqrgmPu-Eldg7wGknl8SltveO68gYHB9H5qw5Jk/s640/Day+7+HK+18.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the WWII area of the museum; these are Japanese military notes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSfYD9aM0UinYV_HV8N6VPUVRmwk5-rw0ddxKVPgOPsChAyVtMqXa5jXCMqE0ljruK7bDQkSF-xev_LcBWGMclpIvaHw87SlHa9Avzbb1YgfozUitbe43lnSaMZ_WbN-19p6O_xNZ_vKKE/s1600/Japanese+military+cash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSfYD9aM0UinYV_HV8N6VPUVRmwk5-rw0ddxKVPgOPsChAyVtMqXa5jXCMqE0ljruK7bDQkSF-xev_LcBWGMclpIvaHw87SlHa9Avzbb1YgfozUitbe43lnSaMZ_WbN-19p6O_xNZ_vKKE/s640/Japanese+military+cash.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interestingly, last fall a friend's grandmother came to Japan to visit and gave us this. She works at a post office in the US and somebody randomly gave her this. It is the exact type of Japanese military notes that we saw in Hong Kong History Museum! Fascinating. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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The exhibit is fantastic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We spent at least three hours going through the entire thing-though you
could easily spend longer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were
several interactive mini exhibits, movies, and smart boards with extra options
for learning-including games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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When we finished, we hopped on a ferry to go back to the <a href="http://lifeinthelandoftherisingsun.blogspot.jp/2013/04/hong-kong-tea-museum-and-aviary.html" target="_blank">tea museum</a> for a tea appreciation class for some more learning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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I have been to a few tea class/demonstrations in
different places in China before, and this was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">by far</i> the best one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
teacher was extremely knowledgeable, funny, and easy to understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were able to try many types of teas that
were clearly of very high quality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtlBHO0S79iSC9R00XwrLfT3nM6dcWMHrEcN0SVw5cArYP1I4H_YDmOOYPjmWrrLREk1JjEWIm4srkYQFFIozmMcNskIxL424osOltbs9W1_7RhFFipdAC4dgUmj4A4SWT0iwKWHOqcTN/s1600/Day+7+HK+36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtlBHO0S79iSC9R00XwrLfT3nM6dcWMHrEcN0SVw5cArYP1I4H_YDmOOYPjmWrrLREk1JjEWIm4srkYQFFIozmMcNskIxL424osOltbs9W1_7RhFFipdAC4dgUmj4A4SWT0iwKWHOqcTN/s640/Day+7+HK+36.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This class was a fantastic way for us to wrap up our
trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> If you find yourself in Hong Kong, I recommend you check it out.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The following morning we woke up early and headed off to the airport. Though we were tired and ready to get back to our little home in Japan, this trip to Hong Kong sparked a new drive for exploration. Perhaps sometime in the future we could call Hong Kong home. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Perhaps. </span></div>
<br /></div>
Kate Minorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369706735791664234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74859603464893976.post-84886360198627621632013-04-30T04:13:00.000-07:002013-04-30T04:13:00.197-07:00A Day in Macau<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2GEvA2yDpin7yDgGqZ33IdFL3fnA7YTshAns5_SptEHzaJ00hJo3gSPUWrI7nR7Acz64tquNmaOhmTagGMhqqujECL1a460e_mPYkiaqGv1T7FsqSK7UVLf3hJ_lfd2R3Hj8uiM9EvFrd/s1600/Macau+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2GEvA2yDpin7yDgGqZ33IdFL3fnA7YTshAns5_SptEHzaJ00hJo3gSPUWrI7nR7Acz64tquNmaOhmTagGMhqqujECL1a460e_mPYkiaqGv1T7FsqSK7UVLf3hJ_lfd2R3Hj8uiM9EvFrd/s640/Macau+8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Just a one hour ferry ride from the ports of Hong Kong lies
the <a href="http://www.macautourism.gov.mo/" target="_blank">Macau peninsula</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Similar to Hong
Kong, Macau boasts a rich, multi-cultural past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hong Kong is heavily influenced by the British, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Macau" target="_blank">Macau by the Portuguese</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>
</div>
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Unfortunately, in the eyes of some, Macau is now most well
known for its <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gambling_in_Macau" target="_blank">casinos</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is called the
Las Vegas of Asia-and for good reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More
money is lost and won through gambling per year in <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/14/macau-china-gambling-las-vegas_n_822890.html" target="_blank">Macau than in LasVegas</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gaudy casinos line the coast of
Macau.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gambling is not legal elsewhere
in China, so Macau has a monopoly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
a gamblers paradise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIak7ZpQNT9IMuplLVxRivigncOsq6t7Lg7OfId8bxuZUrVlMvjJYzg24CRhWjxsttrccAY7rcCDrXO-GmAH2B-3v8w4oHdi6sdfabQcx2Kiz-QCAAOj4V1UiLO7IUIeIa_nL9Off2rnV7/s1600/Macau+114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIak7ZpQNT9IMuplLVxRivigncOsq6t7Lg7OfId8bxuZUrVlMvjJYzg24CRhWjxsttrccAY7rcCDrXO-GmAH2B-3v8w4oHdi6sdfabQcx2Kiz-QCAAOj4V1UiLO7IUIeIa_nL9Off2rnV7/s640/Macau+114.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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Uninterested in the casino scene, we walked past all of the
tackiness to find the Macau in which we were interested.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The most famous cultural icon in Macau are
the ruins of St. Paul’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We started
there.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHbhYcxWHc0p0jszVYC4HME2RNbbDCItfQCUTuEGe_2lqMsgiZBVEYK73M4Jwdh2Edb4xd-pqDco5C1tNKtXMO2izx4vi8sThN7-YmveG_xIx3DAXfzUL4HJ6YA4QIG5XFbHuRH3Rpsa5/s1600/San+Paulo+HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHbhYcxWHc0p0jszVYC4HME2RNbbDCItfQCUTuEGe_2lqMsgiZBVEYK73M4Jwdh2Edb4xd-pqDco5C1tNKtXMO2izx4vi8sThN7-YmveG_xIx3DAXfzUL4HJ6YA4QIG5XFbHuRH3Rpsa5/s640/San+Paulo+HDR.jpg" width="464" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7MqYAItURMPMvFigBh111KHzBp8NJHhB1PjlVa2OS4ld2oac5cBDhPMTgUgcC2LgQvTWvlDWmbEBB6Z4UVm7XQC1zoLBJcDvKr4F8RLDcFjtl9ZVF7xt4Bt0wyhZ5T5ayWzCFVcYjOkzH/s1600/Macau+63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7MqYAItURMPMvFigBh111KHzBp8NJHhB1PjlVa2OS4ld2oac5cBDhPMTgUgcC2LgQvTWvlDWmbEBB6Z4UVm7XQC1zoLBJcDvKr4F8RLDcFjtl9ZVF7xt4Bt0wyhZ5T5ayWzCFVcYjOkzH/s640/Macau+63.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Unfortunately for us, it was pouring rain. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pouring</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>
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Despite the rain, we thoroughly enjoyed the ruins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon after we found the Macau Museum and took
relief from the rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The museum was so
well done, we ended up spending more than three hours inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbxvvXUzAlkvLVFe1vbwMWmyv4879RSyfh0DUuHEUARVlhzyA5i6quahD51NgI0BbFuh15lVxE5WzTBqW_WDnGwf-70UNkFUNuHEsNuCvW9bYoe_8G1zzEru-O_RaI9NqYeyY85UQsDhj4/s1600/Macau+61.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbxvvXUzAlkvLVFe1vbwMWmyv4879RSyfh0DUuHEUARVlhzyA5i6quahD51NgI0BbFuh15lVxE5WzTBqW_WDnGwf-70UNkFUNuHEsNuCvW9bYoe_8G1zzEru-O_RaI9NqYeyY85UQsDhj4/s640/Macau+61.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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By the time we had finished, we were starving and ready for
a late lunch. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We wandered through the
streets until we found a little Portuguese restaurant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went all out-it was fantastic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYB9rfsso4QB_L2zMBzLynjpizGMb9kxIlVt0qlsY3qg7C22awuUWSn2JRaqO3FaQcTeW2HcJTTFqWwGyp6XguLUXd59wg3qauc56wkERQEqxGyuv0lv4-sDiihwSjh_VPB7q2fHUHC2BP/s1600/Macau+75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYB9rfsso4QB_L2zMBzLynjpizGMb9kxIlVt0qlsY3qg7C22awuUWSn2JRaqO3FaQcTeW2HcJTTFqWwGyp6XguLUXd59wg3qauc56wkERQEqxGyuv0lv4-sDiihwSjh_VPB7q2fHUHC2BP/s640/Macau+75.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8vVDq4ydFVWKos50ouMSRa8cEehRUQFtFQ0rwwfet-b0Z6rapIBNKfJsIbFb6-WuU2s8pOVgT36ArGeca7DYpiNK46SbAdqfnLjyuw1jKNAnSpqLPDJHfImfzh1Dmb8gUPd7c0hDp-7_/s1600/Macau+79.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8vVDq4ydFVWKos50ouMSRa8cEehRUQFtFQ0rwwfet-b0Z6rapIBNKfJsIbFb6-WuU2s8pOVgT36ArGeca7DYpiNK46SbAdqfnLjyuw1jKNAnSpqLPDJHfImfzh1Dmb8gUPd7c0hDp-7_/s640/Macau+79.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best cappuccino I have ever had. Ever. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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When we had finished, we stepped outside to find the weather
beginning to clear-thank goodness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Walking around, we discovered some truly fascinating areas of
Macau.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You really feel as if you are
walking around in Portugal sometimes, then you would turn a corner and see a
Chinese temple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is an extremely
interesting place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinLTwJZ4f7InKW3-6tcnaePp42-M6qz75-CcbFNqSiCo6TYPHd4ba6v-FM-m1YS4m9ThJugdvytdOiHDqzl-CqIhMoGDJ3kxI9VRGYK4Yxo9wryDgIH7G5NbgxEOaua9XiDWtIQooR9QjK/s1600/Macau+90.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinLTwJZ4f7InKW3-6tcnaePp42-M6qz75-CcbFNqSiCo6TYPHd4ba6v-FM-m1YS4m9ThJugdvytdOiHDqzl-CqIhMoGDJ3kxI9VRGYK4Yxo9wryDgIH7G5NbgxEOaua9XiDWtIQooR9QjK/s640/Macau+90.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisT1hn2mmqy_NCaX9pTHw6AHaWqtlcdGNhhUdVBZtN7o1aW6YnOPGmNVBPURXgal7MkqCGuf3p5C1xfqrZFNg0g3HP1-x14vcmDITsPoYn36di0Kk09uUZHghzpYLnPJ_Wqt9L3JVGu8FM/s1600/Macau+88.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisT1hn2mmqy_NCaX9pTHw6AHaWqtlcdGNhhUdVBZtN7o1aW6YnOPGmNVBPURXgal7MkqCGuf3p5C1xfqrZFNg0g3HP1-x14vcmDITsPoYn36di0Kk09uUZHghzpYLnPJ_Wqt9L3JVGu8FM/s640/Macau+88.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5WKb2zJIc264SPOdsIOIDB4YL04DOTir1r-V17piAvAVZwL0O7rv8fv33U6xKWrg39luLvZU_SybZ6EldjztXUJ1e-3wK8jIwgRl04A-zjK8KCq-labr-CPmk0_BtfroJU9pVd5xVlj7/s1600/Macau+93.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5WKb2zJIc264SPOdsIOIDB4YL04DOTir1r-V17piAvAVZwL0O7rv8fv33U6xKWrg39luLvZU_SybZ6EldjztXUJ1e-3wK8jIwgRl04A-zjK8KCq-labr-CPmk0_BtfroJU9pVd5xVlj7/s640/Macau+93.jpg" width="640" /></a> <span id="goog_932537376"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcqde2etu49PrYDaSNPUypCHhrpAxApIbKfnXzOcjOmnR5Y1cA7gGmronPJ31ib6_SaygoUE40TY_QJwKx34fjXhyYKGtiIX5zEtVs25YxkmWGCGN3J_LnSR7wIbV4kjNnjU06G-bOqJx/s1600/Macau+99.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcqde2etu49PrYDaSNPUypCHhrpAxApIbKfnXzOcjOmnR5Y1cA7gGmronPJ31ib6_SaygoUE40TY_QJwKx34fjXhyYKGtiIX5zEtVs25YxkmWGCGN3J_LnSR7wIbV4kjNnjU06G-bOqJx/s640/Macau+99.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaYejbhOzCsaAZZCfT98reNvMjwKm0FTsjo62x1Y2m_6avDYUAIL1bG1j-YB8hFGyiXYBJmadi6_NGc00mo0FsVGSp3AwjRAAlWalhnapd_c8bi71Cj_Dzs0Yd9yz_HENJI3PIHfd9394p/s1600/Macau+116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaYejbhOzCsaAZZCfT98reNvMjwKm0FTsjo62x1Y2m_6avDYUAIL1bG1j-YB8hFGyiXYBJmadi6_NGc00mo0FsVGSp3AwjRAAlWalhnapd_c8bi71Cj_Dzs0Yd9yz_HENJI3PIHfd9394p/s640/Macau+116.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only blue sky we saw for the entire trip. Sigh. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
</div>
Kate Minorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369706735791664234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74859603464893976.post-85057024717700275402013-04-29T04:00:00.000-07:002013-04-29T04:00:06.601-07:00Hong Kong: A Little Night Viewing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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After yet another delicious meal of dim sum for dinner and
also making <a href="http://www.turbojet.com.hk/en/routing-sailing-schedule/hong-kong-macau/sailing-schedule-fares.aspx" target="_blank">ferry reservations</a> to go to Macau the following day, we took a walk
along the <a href="http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/see-do/highlight-attractions/top-10/tsim-sha-tsui-promenade.jsp" target="_blank">Tsim Sha Tsui promenade</a> for a little night viewing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>
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The Hong Kong cityscape is truly beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every evening there is show called the
<a href="http://www.tourism.gov.hk/symphony/english/details/details.html" target="_blank">Symphony of Lights</a>-we incidentally saw it some evenings, but never actually sat
down to watch it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Kate Minorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369706735791664234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74859603464893976.post-15760463748457312832013-04-26T04:32:00.000-07:002013-04-26T04:32:19.806-07:00Hong Kong: The Tea Museum and Aviary<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Since the hike took us less than half the time we had
expected, we found ourselves with more than half the day free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hauled out our little guide books and maps
and quickly zeroed in on our next destination: Hong Kong Park and the <a href="http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/see-do/culture-heritage/museums/special-interests/flagstaff-house-museum-of-tea-ware.jsp" target="_blank">Tea Museum</a>.
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The tea museum was free of charge and definitely worth a
visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had hoped to join the free tea
appreciation class that is offered at the adjacent tea shop, but unfortunately
the class was filled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately, the
class would be offered once more during our visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made a reservation and continued exploring
Hong Kong park. </div>
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We came upon the aviary during our exploration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was full of rare birds-some of which were
not a bit shy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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On our walk back towards the pier, we came upon a beautiful
church and another park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Hong Kong is
full of nice parks!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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We caught the <a href="http://www.starferry.com.hk/" target="_blank">Star Ferry</a> back over to Kowloon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have time, taking the ferry from Hong
Kong island to Kowloon is so much more fun than taking the metro.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And just as cheap and nearly as
convenient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We loved it and took the
ferry multiple times during our trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Kate Minorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369706735791664234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74859603464893976.post-9962780982530664082013-04-25T05:01:00.001-07:002013-04-25T05:01:24.163-07:00Hong Kong: The Dragon’s Back<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Almost from the very beginning of our trip, Karl and I fell
in love with Hong Kong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We loved the
unique feel of the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
international feel, the amalgamation of cultures, the size of the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are used to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo" target="_blank">Tokyo</a>-home to approximately
13,000,000 people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The vast megalopolis
is amazing, but it can get tiresome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Hong Kong is home to more than 7,000,000 people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Compared to Tokyo, Hong Kong seemed like a
small city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not because of the population,
but because of the physical size.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
not that large.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The metro is <a href="http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/getting_around/system_map.html" target="_blank">itty bitty</a>
compared to the <a href="http://www.pbase.com/image/44463421" target="_blank">intricate maze</a> of trains and metro lines we are used to dealing
with in Japan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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One of the other reasons we loved Hong Kong was because of
how easy it was to get out of the city and into the mountains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And how quickly you can get there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When researching our trip before we left, we
decided we would try to fit in some hiking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We found one hike-the <a href="http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/see-do/tours-walks/guided-tours/nature/dragons-back-hike.jsp" target="_blank">Dragon’s Back</a>-in the southern district of Hong
Kong Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 2004, it was voted
the number one urban hike in Asia by <a href="http://www.time.com/time/covers/asia/0,16641,20041122,00.html" target="_blank">Time Magazine</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
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We had to check it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
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It took us only about thirty minutes to get to the trailhead
from Kowloon. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We loved the hike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was not difficult at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We reached Shek O Peak with no trouble at
all. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our little guidebook told us that
the hike would take about six hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
took us two and a half.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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At the end of the hike we walked along the beach and checked
out this incredible ancient stone carving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Definitely worth seeing if you do this hike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We then caught the shuttle back to the
metropolis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Back at the metro station, we spied an outdoor market and
couldn’t resist walking through and looking at all the amazing food
stuffs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would love to shop at one of
these places for my groceries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>
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Kate Minorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369706735791664234noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74859603464893976.post-11464489537006046122013-04-24T05:39:00.002-07:002013-04-24T05:39:44.468-07:00Hong Kong: Antiquing on Cat Street<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpffVcTqI7Ost1ODh7JATkhl4hmHb5lPTqeOTLcJoYVCJHsCrKrDnz2wYxlTcclwzzAPDCvFq1VsZIeblrplOOPUNlDwz9MqiP0rchAQeyRga3dQNWqT8acF5g71vwegucqdFX3jjhBnqg/s1600/Day+4+HK+56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpffVcTqI7Ost1ODh7JATkhl4hmHb5lPTqeOTLcJoYVCJHsCrKrDnz2wYxlTcclwzzAPDCvFq1VsZIeblrplOOPUNlDwz9MqiP0rchAQeyRga3dQNWqT8acF5g71vwegucqdFX3jjhBnqg/s640/Day+4+HK+56.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Though not particularly set on purchasing anything, we were
interested in walking around <a href="http://www.discoverhongkong.com/us/shop/where-to-shop/street-markets-and-shopping-streets/cat-street.jsp" target="_blank">Cat Street</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The shops varied tremendously from being very
neat and tidy with legitimate looking antiques to literally a junk heap that
you had to scrounge through to find treasures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
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We ran into an interesting person at one of the shops who
noticed a little charm on my backpack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is a little piece of wood displaying a few Chinese characters that we
got at the top of Mount Fuji when we climbed it last year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This older man who ran an antique shop asked
us if we knew what it meant, when we said we did he was surprised and (I think)
impressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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The characters mean something like “protection of the
senses.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, they are written in
characters that nobody can read anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Our new friend
was interested in our story and asked us if we were on our honeymoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we said no, he informed us that it was
our second honeymoon and wished us all the best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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I love little surprise encounters like this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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We wandered out of the antiques district and found our way
to another interesting building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Built when the British were in Hong Kong, the <a href="http://www.westernmarket.com.hk/eng/about.htm" target="_blank">Western Market</a> is a European style
building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It now holds several restaurants
and some nice places to shop for souvenirs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>On the second floor we found some textile shops with some stunning fabrics
where Karl bought me a gorgeous silk scarf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
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Back in Soho, we found a nice looking Indonesian restaurant
for dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The coconut rice was
amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Kate Minorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369706735791664234noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74859603464893976.post-3856609752146360822013-04-23T06:31:00.000-07:002013-04-23T06:31:21.988-07:00Hong Kong: Man Mo Temple and Easter Sunday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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We happened to be in Hong Kong during Holy Week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After joining a friend for Easter mass and brunch afterward, we hopped on the tram and took it back downtown.<br />
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We spent the afternoon exploring more of Hong Kong Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To start, we made our way towards <a href="http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/see-do/culture-heritage/chinese-temples/man-mo-temple.jsp" target="_blank">Man Mo Temple. </a>
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I had never seen a temple like this one before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ceiling was entirely covered by enormous
incense coils-all of which were burning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There were signs advising wariness of these coils, as not all of them
had trays suspended above them to catch the ashes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The floor was covered with the ashes of the
spent incense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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The décor inside the temple was quite dark and mostly red
and gold-similar to <a href="http://lifeinthelandoftherisingsun.blogspot.jp/2013/04/hong-kong-tian-tan-buddha.html" target="_blank">Po Lin Monastery.</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
particular temple is dedicated to two gods-Man (God of Literature) and Mo (God of War).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is <a href="http://gohongkong.about.com/od/BestofHongKong/ss/Hollywood-Road-Hong-Kong-What-To-See_4.htm" target="_blank">a rich history </a>surrounding the
temple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A large sign outside the temple
summarized how instrumental Man Mo Temple has been in creating schools and
supporting education in Hong Kong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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When we had finished, we consulted our maps and noticed that
the street of antiques was nearby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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How could we resist?</div>
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Kate Minorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369706735791664234noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74859603464893976.post-8959025349945908672013-04-22T04:34:00.000-07:002013-04-22T06:00:56.335-07:00Hong Kong: Avenue of Stars and Andy Warhol <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The morning of our third day in Hong Kong found us walking
along the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
were waiting for the art museum to open and had about thirty minutes to
kill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately, the museum is right
on the waterfront of Kowloon, looking across to Hong Kong Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This promenade features the Hong Kong Avenue
of Stars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although we did not recognize
all of the names on the stars, we did see a few major names.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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During our trip, there just happened to be a fantastic
exhibit at the art museum-Andy Warhol 15 Minutes Eternal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The artist in me was giddy with
excitement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We bought the special
exhibit tickets (that also would allow us to see the other regular exhibits)
for the extremely reasonable price of about three US dollars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Museums in Hong Kong are cheap and
good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go to as many as you can!)</div>
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When we had finished, we made our way over to Hong Kong
Island to meet a friend for some <a href="http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/dine-drink/what-to-eat/must-eat/dim-sum.jsp" target="_blank">dim sum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></a></div>
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If you find yourself in Hong Kong wondering what to have for
lunch or dinner (or breakfast) go for dim sum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The variety is wide and always delicious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">In fact, we had dim sum again that evening for dinner. Yum! </span></div>
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Kate Minorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369706735791664234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74859603464893976.post-32670149863779076282013-04-18T02:13:00.000-07:002013-04-18T02:13:49.243-07:00Hong Kong: Kowloon Walled City Park<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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By the time we reached Kowloon Walled City Park, the sun was
setting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made the best of the dim
lighting and walked around the park exploring every nook and cranny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Every single time we visited a park during our trip, we came
upon at least one person practicing the art of Tai Chi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have been taking Tai Chi classes at our
gym in Japan for more than a year now, and were very excited to recognize many
of the moves when watching the locals exercise in the parks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8b2GX6C5NbZkK9Dwy6pZLU9-964UztPbF5GUTgKTirUaiRkiR99KExBKeDoeQJTOgTpX2_hxZAvHIMUvrmZ64vckMbydFz33R4Ia7wbTbgJDsYWuzx0ppGTiKFKBdePwEuTrBO2axRV5/s1600/Day+2+HK+185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8b2GX6C5NbZkK9Dwy6pZLU9-964UztPbF5GUTgKTirUaiRkiR99KExBKeDoeQJTOgTpX2_hxZAvHIMUvrmZ64vckMbydFz33R4Ia7wbTbgJDsYWuzx0ppGTiKFKBdePwEuTrBO2axRV5/s640/Day+2+HK+185.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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When we were about to leave the park, we stopped to listen
to this man playing his Chinese flute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His playing was skillful and beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He noticed we had been listening to him play and he came over to speak
to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As everyone we happened upon in
Hong Kong, he spoke English extremely well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He seemed excited to talk to us and happily gave us advice about how to
get back to where we were staying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>
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The more I travel, the more I realize how much I enjoy
speaking to local people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is such an
incredible way to learn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Kate Minorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369706735791664234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74859603464893976.post-17446018805104861272013-04-17T03:51:00.000-07:002013-04-17T03:51:41.019-07:00Hong Kong: Nan Lian Garden<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicw9q9AFwNgsWiaXg_2gPsOks9HYzCIDSR4F_tTOEOVpBAmX_v6ONxmFTqb0agA5X0GcVOcadmq10tzcHMNp_lLVRn-7U4IA5e7BnxOQtttJtDwzzjFAR6pGn6eVAcijlk4K1olCN3iq9D/s1600/Day+2+HK+131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicw9q9AFwNgsWiaXg_2gPsOks9HYzCIDSR4F_tTOEOVpBAmX_v6ONxmFTqb0agA5X0GcVOcadmq10tzcHMNp_lLVRn-7U4IA5e7BnxOQtttJtDwzzjFAR6pGn6eVAcijlk4K1olCN3iq9D/s640/Day+2+HK+131.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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The <a href="http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/see-do/culture-heritage/chinese-temples/chi-lin-nunnery-and-nan-lian-garden.jsp" target="_blank">Nan Lian Garden</a> lies in front of the <a href="http://www.chilin.org/" target="_blank">Chi Lin Nunnery</a> in Kowloon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For some reason our
little guide booklet did not mention the nunnery, so we had no idea it was
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a bonus-though not a full
bonus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although the garden is open to
9:30 PM, we discovered that the nunnery closed at 4:30-just before we got
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sigh.</div>
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We were still able to walk in as far as the first courtyard
of the nunnery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was all extremely
beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Nan Lian Garden was absolutely full of gorgeous things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a hall
full of intricate models of famous Chinese temples and palaces-including
Beijing’s Forbidden City.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUl5UDHRYp7WneoOihuCX-mAiD7UhGM9QZvayn-CqBPeHSH4I1wM2jwEWk4pD_0HHBSvysFMuTNPvTwGUQO-hOY-tP1qE6RoCoGXzvh64CDorml5Qx2WR0n5ku8NQ41DJ6E2_d-haPVy2L/s1600/Day+2+HK+130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUl5UDHRYp7WneoOihuCX-mAiD7UhGM9QZvayn-CqBPeHSH4I1wM2jwEWk4pD_0HHBSvysFMuTNPvTwGUQO-hOY-tP1qE6RoCoGXzvh64CDorml5Qx2WR0n5ku8NQ41DJ6E2_d-haPVy2L/s640/Day+2+HK+130.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The obvious center piece of the garden is the Pavilion of
Perfection-a golden pavilion that is perfectly symmetrical.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It lies on a tiny island in a pond, with two
red bridges connecting it to the main paths-and, of course, visitors are
prohibited from walking over these bridges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
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At the other end of the garden are a few more ponds, one
with a vegetarian restaurant in a corner with waterfalls cascading over it to
reach the pond.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A tea house was just
adjacent to the other pond-the largest of the three ponds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixaAym4u9imPTrCbCFJgIjgFI5WuSkpTg-rO_vkzY0o4ky1i2VvdyzaNqVo_aVn0YG1TZ-NlnCYj7HGuzHA7gj1unqD-pDQ0psIVwBM74lfCgh92e1xqtJd_v43p1pNIcPZ0iLKMWigWMT/s1600/Day+2+HK+142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixaAym4u9imPTrCbCFJgIjgFI5WuSkpTg-rO_vkzY0o4ky1i2VvdyzaNqVo_aVn0YG1TZ-NlnCYj7HGuzHA7gj1unqD-pDQ0psIVwBM74lfCgh92e1xqtJd_v43p1pNIcPZ0iLKMWigWMT/s640/Day+2+HK+142.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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In another little building, pieces of petrified wood were on
display.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just outside that building was
a small garden of bonsai trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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By the time we left, dusk was rapidly approaching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately our next destination-Kowloon
Walled City Park-was open until the late evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Kate Minorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369706735791664234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74859603464893976.post-32160159485442617582013-04-16T03:12:00.000-07:002013-04-17T05:12:49.636-07:00Hong Kong: Wong Tai Sin Temple<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGE9cdCBco7ihF_hG4eulO74R023zVl97v263pD0KaBdjVe2YhHNZAQV9ecBc-LJEMqswkUll3Jb7dvOkPQH3W9GSEf6OK-Pw_DJ5WumppfEw4NewGPrSmEqMKeh5RbBxqS1s6kq1ldc1H/s1600/Day+2+HK+92.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGE9cdCBco7ihF_hG4eulO74R023zVl97v263pD0KaBdjVe2YhHNZAQV9ecBc-LJEMqswkUll3Jb7dvOkPQH3W9GSEf6OK-Pw_DJ5WumppfEw4NewGPrSmEqMKeh5RbBxqS1s6kq1ldc1H/s640/Day+2+HK+92.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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After stuffing ourselves to the brim with delicious Thai
food, we shook off the food coma best we could and trekked back over to Kowloon.</div>
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Back in Kowloon, we pulled out our trusty walk tour pamphlet
that we had picked up in the airport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Armed with our maps and sense of adventure, we easily found our way to <a href="http://www.aviewoncities.com/hongkong/wongtaisintemple.htm" target="_blank">Wong Tai Sin Temple</a>.</div>
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Having lived and traveled throughout Asia for close to three
years now, I have seen quite a large variety of temples and shrines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of all that I have seen, this one ranked
highly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was full of rich history and
colorful beauty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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The temple complex was large.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right in front of the temple was a set of
large bronze statues of the animals of the Chinese zodiac.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To the right of the main temple were several
other statues, fountains and shrines dedicated to various deities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Behind the temple is the Good Wish
Garden-a garden filled with ponds, streams waterfalls and flowers. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></div>
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It was lovely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Checking our tour book again, we hopped over to the
neighboring metro station and discovered another beautiful garden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Kate Minorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369706735791664234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74859603464893976.post-52269729201125770642013-04-15T04:47:00.000-07:002013-04-17T05:12:30.976-07:00Hong Kong: Soho and an Escalator<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Following the handy tourist signs that are all over
Hong Kong, we found our way to the massive outdoor escalator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hong Kong boasts this <a href="http://hongkongextras.com/_midlevels_escalators.html" target="_blank">set of outdoor escalators</a>
to be the longest in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Following
it down (it only goes up, we had to walk down) we ran into what our maps
informed us was the area called <a href="http://www.discoverhongkong.com/in/dine-drink/where-to-eat/soho.jsp" target="_blank">Soho</a>-which stands for south of Hollywood
Blvd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>
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This was very lucky for our hungry selves as Soho is
absolutely packed to the brim with restaurants of every cuisine
imaginable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hard part was figuring
out what sounded the most delicious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7mYMdtswBycDDMiFlweQjrDsJ8fEfD7IVnMIoPq89XBvD9wN6y7yIGNFkthOo9u8tRbB0tDQoLkVUrefOLw6nVNcN-lGNkfYp0mL7uX0v6G1Ovj11WtlJe03h9okm6rHd_RzmhZ4m88kp/s1600/Day+2+HK+57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7mYMdtswBycDDMiFlweQjrDsJ8fEfD7IVnMIoPq89XBvD9wN6y7yIGNFkthOo9u8tRbB0tDQoLkVUrefOLw6nVNcN-lGNkfYp0mL7uX0v6G1Ovj11WtlJe03h9okm6rHd_RzmhZ4m88kp/s640/Day+2+HK+57.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Karl and I like to eat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We also like to take advantage of location.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Living in Japan, the cuisine diversity is
surprisingly limited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least, in our
small town it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we found
ourselves surrounded by a multitude of mostly southeastern Asian cuisine, we
were thrilled. </div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">We settled on a delicious looking Thai restaurant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCASXPCzv45F1PgYl_j1xlASsL16vYdgbF-fB4F6WMxhdv6v_QFRIJQBTN4OBuq180_1OLqXyJTgkJ_27-4e9Zi1c87d4_PxRe6AF7P4wP0SREHtH3nHfciKXvG771Bp87bpm-sQzfMDBs/s1600/Day+2+HK+54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCASXPCzv45F1PgYl_j1xlASsL16vYdgbF-fB4F6WMxhdv6v_QFRIJQBTN4OBuq180_1OLqXyJTgkJ_27-4e9Zi1c87d4_PxRe6AF7P4wP0SREHtH3nHfciKXvG771Bp87bpm-sQzfMDBs/s640/Day+2+HK+54.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marinated chicken roasted in banana leaves. So. Good. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5WI8ECe0WO2SfiXtbTq1s8dUGM20bOiLJKW8hEHPIfiRqhVkvjnv3whZc9UyZCE-I6wkPBN4gfxDXWP1nV4CfpDxbbb3YuJnTqw4KCzC2pVIc4BZhTwKQdzHKTlBzDwdmWQvULNJVTvmS/s1600/Day+2+HK+53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5WI8ECe0WO2SfiXtbTq1s8dUGM20bOiLJKW8hEHPIfiRqhVkvjnv3whZc9UyZCE-I6wkPBN4gfxDXWP1nV4CfpDxbbb3YuJnTqw4KCzC2pVIc4BZhTwKQdzHKTlBzDwdmWQvULNJVTvmS/s640/Day+2+HK+53.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green papaya peanut salad. I need to find a recipe. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiETy77ORUIuChSbJrs1pfz78mOcGaY6_Dm3TEyVvvpjPHYfgClVrIQ95lREaLFF2WRErsViFixigqGgdeZ5Jw75nHPsBwBRuIFDYgWp6kvibwfw6NUlwjQQi8a-PZkGPflaMMXWtcRb2a/s1600/Day+2+HK+55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiETy77ORUIuChSbJrs1pfz78mOcGaY6_Dm3TEyVvvpjPHYfgClVrIQ95lREaLFF2WRErsViFixigqGgdeZ5Jw75nHPsBwBRuIFDYgWp6kvibwfw6NUlwjQQi8a-PZkGPflaMMXWtcRb2a/s640/Day+2+HK+55.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red snapper in chili sauce and fresh coriander. Delicious. </td></tr>
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We were not disappointed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Kate Minorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369706735791664234noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74859603464893976.post-76809167311348512832013-04-13T23:49:00.000-07:002013-04-13T23:49:02.177-07:00Hong Kong: Victoria Peak<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Our second full day in Hong Kong we woke up to another
cloudy day…BUT!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On this day the clouds
were sitting high up in the sky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
tops of the skyscrapers and mountains had revealed themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having to play the weather by ear, we
determined that we were not likely to get better weather than this on our trip,
so we seized this mostly clear opportunity and headed for <a href="http://www.thepeak.com.hk/en/" target="_blank">Victoria Peak</a>.
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Hong Kong is by far one of the most fascinating places I
have visited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The amalgamation of
Western and Eastern cultures coming together for about a hundred and fifty
years during the British occupation<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>has
resulted in a totally unique place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There is nowhere else like it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Sixteen years ago Hong Kong was handed back over to the
China mainland government.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A treaty was
signed saying that the current system in Hong Kong would remain unchanged for
fifty years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is known as<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_country,_two_systems" target="_blank"> “one country, two systems,”</a> and seems to be the topic of much debate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How will the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/21/world/asia/21iht-hkmainbar.1.6255493.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0" target="_blank">capitalistic society of Hong Kong</a> and the <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/in_depth/china_politics/government/html/1.stm" target="_blank">neo-communism of mainland China</a> eventually meld together?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or won’t they?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am the first to admit that I am completely
unqualified to comment on this issue. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although
I am very interested in learning more about it and seeing what the future
holds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Sixteen years after the turnover, Hong Kong retains a strong Western influence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the
most evident contributions to Hong Kong by the British is the tram system that
is still fully operational today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
most famous tram ride in Hong Kong is the Peak Tram. </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcQ78BbuP8hmPXwFqwdvuYZV3S2KkZ0Vf12dcjy1QYlhuHNBzfnoDKBwWqlp0MC6po3_N_rDhpSM4ORlLQZC967D3V80jORggX4bUR8MXH8wCSXqWHKTatSOEEJP2gvPDVohdg2kEHaY3/s1600/Day+2+HK+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcQ78BbuP8hmPXwFqwdvuYZV3S2KkZ0Vf12dcjy1QYlhuHNBzfnoDKBwWqlp0MC6po3_N_rDhpSM4ORlLQZC967D3V80jORggX4bUR8MXH8wCSXqWHKTatSOEEJP2gvPDVohdg2kEHaY3/s640/Day+2+HK+14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Built in 1888, the peak tram became the main form of transportation
to Victoria Peak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <a href="http://www.thepeak.com.hk/en/5_5_2.asp" target="_blank"> </a></span><a href="http://www.thepeak.com.hk/en/5_5_2.asp" target="_blank">Made famous by movies</a>
back in the 50's, it has become a favorite among tourists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZa8x7JABRRsvH-513RJgVvLmFK3kvf2nd5q2yWIXPHM34xGHxFhLb5nNlhgpGNROF9_hII3esX_CHq6xVFd8sMai1kpGg9xUJQc2aKP2tL47yNb_zAxOBeE-pJbtlFkx7s0I_sZjkdrNb/s1600/Day+2+HK+17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZa8x7JABRRsvH-513RJgVvLmFK3kvf2nd5q2yWIXPHM34xGHxFhLb5nNlhgpGNROF9_hII3esX_CHq6xVFd8sMai1kpGg9xUJQc2aKP2tL47yNb_zAxOBeE-pJbtlFkx7s0I_sZjkdrNb/s640/Day+2+HK+17.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAEYgV-0Dp4oep4LbuVRMMXbh3D6H2F_tbgdjCbSYTo97VO2aoNRSTHdXEH5Fx1ok5830j1qbVDLbQBTNNKs1RQk4sgmdIZJ8-MQDj5A_kKC7hotGYIW6LF1FJJ3bRNl5ca8BKDQcXnIg7/s1600/Day+2+HK+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="612" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAEYgV-0Dp4oep4LbuVRMMXbh3D6H2F_tbgdjCbSYTo97VO2aoNRSTHdXEH5Fx1ok5830j1qbVDLbQBTNNKs1RQk4sgmdIZJ8-MQDj5A_kKC7hotGYIW6LF1FJJ3bRNl5ca8BKDQcXnIg7/s640/Day+2+HK+16.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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After the relatively short-but nearly vertical-tram ride,
you arrive at the top of Victoria Peak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You can pay extra to view the breathtaking cityscape from the special
Victoria Peak observation deck, we, however, took a hike instead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3JaOSPZCxnBJkf2Cfxm890Zbig83CzmAb19TjsDY2_w1eW4tuBYIpFfoG5V4qzFBG-3ZyraJmHA-tAAPjc0hfub063hKr467NbecDcoh550FsjtRqHxuh-ZFC4zk4L-8H7xSeDyAIT7DJ/s1600/HK+Peak+Pano_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3JaOSPZCxnBJkf2Cfxm890Zbig83CzmAb19TjsDY2_w1eW4tuBYIpFfoG5V4qzFBG-3ZyraJmHA-tAAPjc0hfub063hKr467NbecDcoh550FsjtRqHxuh-ZFC4zk4L-8H7xSeDyAIT7DJ/s640/HK+Peak+Pano_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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There are multiple trails and parks atop the mountain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We took a lovely little hike around and to
the very top of the peak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It afforded us
a fantastic 360 degree view of the area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We were even able to see some of the outlying islands in the
distance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjivsTRJEx2CrghRsWVUKh7vhblHk9nJyucjWg8nfy1UuJ5E02HitYdwM0B50pi58yGP1TGfo429P6bQBZ1maD4eWYhyphenhyphenEI4P6ClbXDS8n_uHKW-n-5FZWVyTGT7SZpPzQkBHSGILnI-eYmn/s1600/Day+2+HK+29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjivsTRJEx2CrghRsWVUKh7vhblHk9nJyucjWg8nfy1UuJ5E02HitYdwM0B50pi58yGP1TGfo429P6bQBZ1maD4eWYhyphenhyphenEI4P6ClbXDS8n_uHKW-n-5FZWVyTGT7SZpPzQkBHSGILnI-eYmn/s640/Day+2+HK+29.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSN25B6Ln2YypqP1E5bRCnmiwu70UgnLrxtfzti82SFR_7a9gfdS7lTHH-n9vU4YqcFnw3I8S2cv5sj3NKJDJL4D16pNrnWAUihiWQKsRvTSa9d0XCdz-Ev0k7DVTJzdxOSgFwpOEfNAI/s1600/Day+2+HK+32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSN25B6Ln2YypqP1E5bRCnmiwu70UgnLrxtfzti82SFR_7a9gfdS7lTHH-n9vU4YqcFnw3I8S2cv5sj3NKJDJL4D16pNrnWAUihiWQKsRvTSa9d0XCdz-Ev0k7DVTJzdxOSgFwpOEfNAI/s640/Day+2+HK+32.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprcZ5Qbl9LwvWxyqd12datGbqQt_oJGXSHqLA1BKOfgzE4uEujSYz2UsMEulXOEAyNld10IpkKfVXXAzNCJf8jpr43je-Gy3tpOrB53U9OKSwlPWt778i2w8EfPUuZOabyqmxcYGWIeX0/s1600/Day+2+HK+42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprcZ5Qbl9LwvWxyqd12datGbqQt_oJGXSHqLA1BKOfgzE4uEujSYz2UsMEulXOEAyNld10IpkKfVXXAzNCJf8jpr43je-Gy3tpOrB53U9OKSwlPWt778i2w8EfPUuZOabyqmxcYGWIeX0/s640/Day+2+HK+42.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Having taken in the view, we decided to trek back down the
mountain on foot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By time we reached the
bottom, we were ready for lunch.</div>
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Lucky for us, we happened to walk right into Soho…</div>
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</div>
Kate Minorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369706735791664234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74859603464893976.post-25523249099281849762013-04-11T05:07:00.000-07:002013-04-11T05:07:13.490-07:00Hong Kong: Shopping<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Why do people travel?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Most people have their own unique desires when it comes to planning their
vacations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some people want to relax and
soak up the sun all day every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some
people want to party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Others want to
have cultural, learning experiences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Still others travel to shop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>
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Now, of course, there are multiple factors that go into a
persons decision on how and where to travel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And these goals change over time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For myself, I like to learn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
could look at museums all day long and only occasionally get bored.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Information saturation is a real
thing!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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But at the end of the day, after a full day of cultural
experiences and adventures…it is nice to have some retail therapy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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In Hong Kong, there are a few places that most tourists head
to for their souvenir shopping: <a href="http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/shop/where-to-shop/street-markets-and-shopping-streets/temple-street-night-market.jsp" target="_blank">Temple Street Night Market</a> and <a href="http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/shop/where-to-shop/street-markets-and-shopping-streets/ladies-market.jsp" target="_blank">Ladies' Market</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7S_CqHh2sdYiHwwysEe31oswYr1sOj1adws3r3GdPxS2nB3ZSBsRlk6jcen-qAlHf9Enouq9lq-3iZWiQyc-uPEG5ipEf_MBL9-bLWuOXniL9weh2l0WHt4PiViBOGNAWqBHekQumPZbl/s1600/Day+1+HK+135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7S_CqHh2sdYiHwwysEe31oswYr1sOj1adws3r3GdPxS2nB3ZSBsRlk6jcen-qAlHf9Enouq9lq-3iZWiQyc-uPEG5ipEf_MBL9-bLWuOXniL9weh2l0WHt4PiViBOGNAWqBHekQumPZbl/s640/Day+1+HK+135.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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We went to both and didn’t buy a single thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>
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These are the types of stalls that are crammed together in
rows with no wiggle room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you walk
down the market row, the products repeat every few minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will be hard pressed to find unique items
at both of these markets, or things of good quality for that matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Still, they can be fun to walk around-but be ready to be
bombarded by people eager to sell you anything and everything they can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Another place we went shopping (and actually bought some
things) was on Hong Kong Island at a place called <a href="http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/shop/where-to-shop/street-markets-and-shopping-streets/stanley-market.jsp" target="_blank">Stanley</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The shops there had much of the some things
as Temple Street and the Ladies Market, but we dug around until we found
something we liked.</div>
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If you are serious about wanting something of high quality
and unique, be sure to go to <a href="http://www.cacgift.com/about.asp?Lang=E" target="_blank">Chinese Arts and Crafts</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a store right next to the Star Ferry
pier on the Kowloon side of the harbor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If you go though, be prepared to spend a bit more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, there is no bartering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We bought a gloriously beautiful set of silk
placemats and a table runner there. They sell everything from furniture to
jewelry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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One of the last places we went to shop was the <a href="http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/shop/where-to-shop/street-markets-and-shopping-streets/jade-market-and-jade-street.jsp" target="_blank">Jade market</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you might imagine, this
market specializes in jade, though we found several types of jewelry at this
market.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unlike the other street markets
(whish are open till late), this one closes at the early hour of 4:30.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unless you are a jade expert and can verify
the quality yourself, barter the prices down to something reasonable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCmHDTPyuBFjFxVpU4okjLgu07OXO0kqi6ovG_isBL1CQ206TJXMC-xfrHsCFwIrVn1y5vAIZiioWFzxM2IRjIv9WynSyLuU1ZmlIFRwTjCIuRiXhXbDR6PKH_oDNodTqBOVmJ-g2q9mzf/s1600/Day+7+HK+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCmHDTPyuBFjFxVpU4okjLgu07OXO0kqi6ovG_isBL1CQ206TJXMC-xfrHsCFwIrVn1y5vAIZiioWFzxM2IRjIv9WynSyLuU1ZmlIFRwTjCIuRiXhXbDR6PKH_oDNodTqBOVmJ-g2q9mzf/s640/Day+7+HK+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLc8DBuF-uztcyCfDMmq9_FfI5do2GvLJSVOQ2M61QoQlE71bQh-pckLuFmQitz0aOKpWnyLze8naeGEgva6pE9KZeme8Veju_244DpAqAB7H3MnhTe2wCwwAuzx1yiz1DsrRMCMUdRDDA/s1600/Day+7+HK+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLc8DBuF-uztcyCfDMmq9_FfI5do2GvLJSVOQ2M61QoQlE71bQh-pckLuFmQitz0aOKpWnyLze8naeGEgva6pE9KZeme8Veju_244DpAqAB7H3MnhTe2wCwwAuzx1yiz1DsrRMCMUdRDDA/s640/Day+7+HK+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We purchased some pretty little things, had a fun time bartering
our prices down to less than half the asking price and then left before we were
roped in by other prowling salespeople. </div>
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A Short Guide to Bargaining (Based on my experience.)</div>
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If you show the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">least</i>
bit of interest in anything-the following will happen: Salespeople walk right
up to you and start shoving bracelets on you wrists and putting necklaces
around your neck. They will then proceed to thrust a mirror into your hands and
prompt you to admire yourself in your newly acquired beauty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Did you ever imagine you could ever look you
beautiful! And YES that is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">DEFINITELY</i>
your color.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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You fall for the flattery and ask for the price.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
800 dollars, but for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i>
morning discount.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>600 dollars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You are now swooning at the flattery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But you must STAY STRONG.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do not show any emotion or attachment to the
item in question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Offer a much lower
price.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
200 dollars.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
WHAT?! Nonononono!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is high quality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is no fake!
Real jade!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You give me more!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
250 dollars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
More!More!More!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is no
fake! Real jade! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You give me more!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You walk away, no deal!!!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now you have stayed strong, but if they don’t take what you
offer, walk away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This will usually
trigger the response you want-even if they threaten you otherwise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once you agree on a price, don’t be surprised if they try to
sell you more items.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It happened to
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And remember, if one sale doesn’t work out, there are dozens
of other salespeople dying to barter with you for something that looks identical
to the item you originally wanted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also, have fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
is not something you get to do anywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All you need is a healthy dose of shrewd skepticism and you should walk
away with some great deals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One other short note about shopping in Hong Kong: You will more than likely be asked about <a href="http://gohongkong.about.com/od/shoppinginhk/a/Shopping-For-Fakes-In-Hong-Kong.htm" target="_blank">watches and handbags</a>. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Lots of times.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
Kate Minorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369706735791664234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74859603464893976.post-29484215599753964802013-04-10T04:57:00.000-07:002013-04-10T04:57:44.704-07:00Hong Kong: Tian Tan Buddha<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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When we
had finished lunch, we stepped outside to find no rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We felt like we had won the weather lottery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well aware that the rain could start again
any minute, we got right to seeing the sights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlqLiDqD0TweqZHXN4gBoxsiGB8iqOdKBAV77n5txG03TjSrtPdOI2LofPfMeEdZh9P1KkPvsp2rWwtFQfWRa9D5Q5N-2_RRYkrZweNeHxZ1MC2ACIxdT-DrSUJJInoq5qogt2BBKRYRJ_/s1600/Day+1+HK+42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlqLiDqD0TweqZHXN4gBoxsiGB8iqOdKBAV77n5txG03TjSrtPdOI2LofPfMeEdZh9P1KkPvsp2rWwtFQfWRa9D5Q5N-2_RRYkrZweNeHxZ1MC2ACIxdT-DrSUJJInoq5qogt2BBKRYRJ_/s640/Day+1+HK+42.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The main temple of Po Lin Monastery was beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surrounded by trees and flowers, it rose upwards
towards the cloudy skies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Red and gold,
the Chinese colors for happiness and prosperity, adorned almost everything
inside the temple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sounds of
chanting monks floated through the air as we wandered about soaking in the
beauty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I am sure the chanting was
either a pre-recording or from a microphone, but despite this it still provided
lovely ambience.) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqtDF9VYxKBdlgnrIaSOVQCAB-kTyT3pXO-64CtRNlMkEHUCXldeJS47XZRgTLPC9-eZqJHdW4Plu2GFGjjQ8zzTcYBznIK2Gf7pqsoYz8-kIJWmWbxDpnyqep4QbVIIe324PPRaMn3B2/s1600/Day+1+HK+51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqtDF9VYxKBdlgnrIaSOVQCAB-kTyT3pXO-64CtRNlMkEHUCXldeJS47XZRgTLPC9-eZqJHdW4Plu2GFGjjQ8zzTcYBznIK2Gf7pqsoYz8-kIJWmWbxDpnyqep4QbVIIe324PPRaMn3B2/s640/Day+1+HK+51.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGIDF33ULLBKoSOMAGveBR5C2PpYCdw3Jdagt0Rwot8V2ARGknv5sJGxt7E5L3gWbgXe2cOQ0SSvMSnqNKxhGAZ0V0ktlv1mu_m3hSuWzNzZTBFbpcXtprf5FAQejHcymqKug1k5F1gMcm/s1600/Day+1+HK+56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGIDF33ULLBKoSOMAGveBR5C2PpYCdw3Jdagt0Rwot8V2ARGknv5sJGxt7E5L3gWbgXe2cOQ0SSvMSnqNKxhGAZ0V0ktlv1mu_m3hSuWzNzZTBFbpcXtprf5FAQejHcymqKug1k5F1gMcm/s640/Day+1+HK+56.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
From the stairs of the temple we could see the Buddha: our
next destination.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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We walked over to the base of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tian_Tan_Buddha" target="_blank">enormous Buddha</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just barely two decades old, this is the
largest seated outdoor Buddha statue in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was magnificent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perched upon its plinth which rests at the
top of a staggering staircase, it maintains a commanding position amidst the
mountains of Lantau Island. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw68mKO_O36x7Tte68qOAoy5SbzygEHl1a3oZUD4OzYVNv-Xw-z3Cv6nwCa0ogQNbb67oWF5rSjuXNikBAywibi66BpvSpE2emoggaD5GlJiVqM2nkDR_NWVkQJYDVJ3B91MB3SCGDwoJT/s1600/Day+1+HK+100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw68mKO_O36x7Tte68qOAoy5SbzygEHl1a3oZUD4OzYVNv-Xw-z3Cv6nwCa0ogQNbb67oWF5rSjuXNikBAywibi66BpvSpE2emoggaD5GlJiVqM2nkDR_NWVkQJYDVJ3B91MB3SCGDwoJT/s640/Day+1+HK+100.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJrMTCdRTY8vBZa0SRv1LNdxiUMl9PIT7tZtM0IsQHcJNJhtrraW4VQfTQMroDT0XfmSZOFclpilGE74K5EIiyiGC48Cvf4zI7hMJbNkraRjibLRaXWxbYdaaehvRxjmc27zkg3a5IcfBc/s1600/Buddha+HDR+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJrMTCdRTY8vBZa0SRv1LNdxiUMl9PIT7tZtM0IsQHcJNJhtrraW4VQfTQMroDT0XfmSZOFclpilGE74K5EIiyiGC48Cvf4zI7hMJbNkraRjibLRaXWxbYdaaehvRxjmc27zkg3a5IcfBc/s640/Buddha+HDR+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A small museum is inside the Buddha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were able to read about the history
surrounding the Buddha and see many beautiful articles linked to its creation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> (Pictures were not allowed inside.)</span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU_f6BNVzthd5A6B2N8GpaTHD55jW4qxEjmNRDefA9yK2safYb6YDb9GyJTQvpZ828IzI1sR6_za_2OBJlkhon-2o2SJhfsDKmuXrrMpyKkilrq78hyphenhyphen534iNWKiroygRNDTyNfVnBjaW_8/s1600/Day+1+HK+77.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU_f6BNVzthd5A6B2N8GpaTHD55jW4qxEjmNRDefA9yK2safYb6YDb9GyJTQvpZ828IzI1sR6_za_2OBJlkhon-2o2SJhfsDKmuXrrMpyKkilrq78hyphenhyphen534iNWKiroygRNDTyNfVnBjaW_8/s640/Day+1+HK+77.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFfHNvaCKBwn69OZGG7VEnNVvMV9SW-28RTgpO10WJMbtS6lNYScXyeUS8M8hgkF_2pF1xqosSC_ckr7jbeJcyedQwXixAYnQheiOGto7gIcM7VxdwchwbX0P8fM8SRpncmCxG9Nw9-y4M/s1600/Buddha+HDR+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFfHNvaCKBwn69OZGG7VEnNVvMV9SW-28RTgpO10WJMbtS6lNYScXyeUS8M8hgkF_2pF1xqosSC_ckr7jbeJcyedQwXixAYnQheiOGto7gIcM7VxdwchwbX0P8fM8SRpncmCxG9Nw9-y4M/s640/Buddha+HDR+3.jpg" width="422" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we had had our fill of the magnificence, we made our
way back to the small “village” of <a href="http://www.np360.com.hk/en/" target="_blank">Ngong Ping</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(It’s really just a street full of tourist related stores and
attractions, not an actual village.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
stopped to see the small production called, “Walking with Buddha.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though somewhat clichéd in its presentation,
it did provide some interesting information on the origins of Buddhism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We happened to be passing by a tea shop right as they were
offering a free tea ceremony demonstration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We stopped in to have a cup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was delicious, though not quite as fascinating as the tea class we would attend
the following week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIyWZeH3KuUjKb5ThRCD9hmGcpLvrP7mnvW1K-8CgOXJVZcaofOrAhyphenhyphen1gZux-NKcDNxi14SDY90dTzqJjVs7n6-5__PBGL9zCCVAwawvZXGWEykQCEpU7nLM6fbeTwC2ZcH70U2F5QhB5U/s1600/Day+1+HK+115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIyWZeH3KuUjKb5ThRCD9hmGcpLvrP7mnvW1K-8CgOXJVZcaofOrAhyphenhyphen1gZux-NKcDNxi14SDY90dTzqJjVs7n6-5__PBGL9zCCVAwawvZXGWEykQCEpU7nLM6fbeTwC2ZcH70U2F5QhB5U/s640/Day+1+HK+115.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Before catching the ropeway back down to the train station,
we had some delicious lychee gelato.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lychee" target="_blank">Lychee</a> is a ubiquitous fruit in Hong Kong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We found lychee flavored sweets everywhere
during our stay, which is nothing to complain about-they are delicious!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZdIYzkgWqaAJ1gSDV9Bz1w8cjszR4P40khoDETobaky5iw93J3LY_HA56j3EPNfSoAl1-uvcGzdesWyUEsdUox-kMD7Qgbs7ME7dPD_waxptxQuyC0rLfKRG-NfzaH3MmAm7HlRA7P9Q/s1600/Day+1+HK+107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZdIYzkgWqaAJ1gSDV9Bz1w8cjszR4P40khoDETobaky5iw93J3LY_HA56j3EPNfSoAl1-uvcGzdesWyUEsdUox-kMD7Qgbs7ME7dPD_waxptxQuyC0rLfKRG-NfzaH3MmAm7HlRA7P9Q/s640/Day+1+HK+107.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we began the journey descending the mountain, it began to
rain heavily again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We could not believe
our luck! </div>
</div>
Kate Minorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369706735791664234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74859603464893976.post-11983044767030468252013-04-09T02:37:00.000-07:002013-04-09T02:37:22.927-07:00Hong Kong: Po Lin Monastery<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The best time to travel to Hong Kong is not when we
went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the <a href="http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/plan-your-trip/know-hong-kong/climate.jsp" target="_blank">travel research</a> we did
said to go in the Autumn-October and November are the best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Winter is cool and cloudy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Spring, the rains begin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Summer, the humidity is unbearable. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But alas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our vacation time is somewhat rigid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So we had to go when we could. </div>
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<br /></div>
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So spring it was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
crossed our fingers and prayed for no rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
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Doing our best to will good weather to come our way, we hit
the ground running.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On our first day, we
set out to see one of the biggest attractions in Hong Kong: The Po Lin
Monastery and the enormous Buddha on Lantau Island.</div>
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There are three ways to reach the mountains<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>on which Po Lin Monastery and the Buddha are
perched: bus, walking, or ropeway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Always up for adventuring, we headed for the ropeway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The weather was behaving at sea level, but
the tops of the mountains were shrouded in suspicious looking clouds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hoping for the best, we began our thirty
minutes ascent.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEuYByt90nZAt-RdoEfDpVOCKLmZaPHY3mTWlmRrVtzwghvqpUQBPNMjMzYnHyoGWaSV7-FZVnWvMnfBHDQictmPIJZDNvmUaClaHqS0WmusX6C2Xwq7UFAhQgzfDetk65f1npaMntacgR/s1600/Day+1+HK+15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEuYByt90nZAt-RdoEfDpVOCKLmZaPHY3mTWlmRrVtzwghvqpUQBPNMjMzYnHyoGWaSV7-FZVnWvMnfBHDQictmPIJZDNvmUaClaHqS0WmusX6C2Xwq7UFAhQgzfDetk65f1npaMntacgR/s640/Day+1+HK+15.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Less than halfway up the mountain, we were enveloped by low
clouds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We couldn’t see anything but
white.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the wind picked up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the rain started pouring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We swayed precariously back and forth,
praying to God the wind wouldn’t get worse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>
</div>
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We finally made it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our
only greeting at the top was a sign informing us of a “hoisted thunderstorm
warning.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yikes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQGc547PFjOrirt-yVZh9HDFEHKqkcZnNgbk_bmKKuBrz1YnGFMrwVcS2pLETll4ZTusPBU5MDYMlNlJAMAV8jX2ATVJUbIiL0r0e0kE_xxyFC58kB4qNDRzrzgo5AfP2jU7nPMDAZmfx_/s1600/Day+1+HK+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQGc547PFjOrirt-yVZh9HDFEHKqkcZnNgbk_bmKKuBrz1YnGFMrwVcS2pLETll4ZTusPBU5MDYMlNlJAMAV8jX2ATVJUbIiL0r0e0kE_xxyFC58kB4qNDRzrzgo5AfP2jU7nPMDAZmfx_/s640/Day+1+HK+16.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Some people turned around and went right back down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some pulled out their rain gear and braved
the pouring rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some just waited.
<br />
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We stood and waited for about fifteen minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rain eventually lessened enough for our
wimpy umbrellas to handle, and we made a run for it. We made it to the first
goal: the Po Lin Monastery vegetarian restaurant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnHLwUc9crydG-_sXnGMQIuINOo2QuBn_GHJl8Afam9HWOkpG4OZ3j9owFEltC4VX6v0uHfksKVadxYi-A51LBAbcRjQk7_u3KTYLDrq7LnHI4wO9dnFkqmXeadvOYGlvO1tMLPxEZ9s-e/s1600/Day+1+HK+23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnHLwUc9crydG-_sXnGMQIuINOo2QuBn_GHJl8Afam9HWOkpG4OZ3j9owFEltC4VX6v0uHfksKVadxYi-A51LBAbcRjQk7_u3KTYLDrq7LnHI4wO9dnFkqmXeadvOYGlvO1tMLPxEZ9s-e/s640/Day+1+HK+23.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GPPxtprNqWJFAl__keobBc1IHVdbseBXV6JUpn-0IDkhSGcDLYmDL1J4ZxIOtKgliEclB-qrWPsy2VjCOkm75U9gV4Tx0pQztogNQRg5YmUkxsH0yl24lU98KBWiMGg51KaDroTLV_KQ/s1600/Day+1+HK+32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GPPxtprNqWJFAl__keobBc1IHVdbseBXV6JUpn-0IDkhSGcDLYmDL1J4ZxIOtKgliEclB-qrWPsy2VjCOkm75U9gV4Tx0pQztogNQRg5YmUkxsH0yl24lU98KBWiMGg51KaDroTLV_KQ/s640/Day+1+HK+32.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibl3YrLRGbqoDCieMC83jMwzxr-YEQwGDvl-5KdcwDtEH2c-FqsLtAAkhrDA7xg5L-shlYHbhi3LwQH4k7TFKi3DL7N4N5zMgjn3BXoZKwA2xdaJUdiocNQXGo6y2m7KSDgmeGmC1ryMrh/s1600/Day+1+HK+33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibl3YrLRGbqoDCieMC83jMwzxr-YEQwGDvl-5KdcwDtEH2c-FqsLtAAkhrDA7xg5L-shlYHbhi3LwQH4k7TFKi3DL7N4N5zMgjn3BXoZKwA2xdaJUdiocNQXGo6y2m7KSDgmeGmC1ryMrh/s640/Day+1+HK+33.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihsLvqVwZCxim7FepOe-0xjrriUVjiqeMr_FiS5TSaIXcf89pad8XGwC7EIMlAQwXZgrZhOIPswl9TAiTpWRNh38LiZld6yRXQm40b0ybR0YwBiE-TY9-328WV6paGO-xFa5RwpKBdZCTh/s1600/Day+1+HK+36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihsLvqVwZCxim7FepOe-0xjrriUVjiqeMr_FiS5TSaIXcf89pad8XGwC7EIMlAQwXZgrZhOIPswl9TAiTpWRNh38LiZld6yRXQm40b0ybR0YwBiE-TY9-328WV6paGO-xFa5RwpKBdZCTh/s640/Day+1+HK+36.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQIE7LXaRQ1KgvVWJUy-LPNZXLxhjMaRi6ke5IRoUXzfebQ9uDSmIczF4fxO_T2sttoFyiPkQaHoXIRSZvnZf0KIt0CF1FRF6BTvQiSo7qFTvlCT4o8_PkODQZ8VDkwnt-SkxL6lCpCk5/s1600/Day+1+HK+37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQIE7LXaRQ1KgvVWJUy-LPNZXLxhjMaRi6ke5IRoUXzfebQ9uDSmIczF4fxO_T2sttoFyiPkQaHoXIRSZvnZf0KIt0CF1FRF6BTvQiSo7qFTvlCT4o8_PkODQZ8VDkwnt-SkxL6lCpCk5/s640/Day+1+HK+37.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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As we sat down to eat our simple lunch, we hoped the rain
would go away…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
</div>
Kate Minorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369706735791664234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74859603464893976.post-50470683279591866612013-04-08T04:46:00.000-07:002013-04-09T06:19:52.684-07:00Hong Kong: Arrival<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0AxAwS5ZhyXK8BVIGuel6YpQmvX6joI5Ra35TCxgOEs1DpKpBN3FXdb5spNh3vXdVaBSJf292AOldMIgB1gdGMu1L8rL6W1cyR5ksWIfE9qq9wUrkLQaHcDnWt_e_0wODzlD-kMioQJTf/s1600/HK+Night+city+scape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0AxAwS5ZhyXK8BVIGuel6YpQmvX6joI5Ra35TCxgOEs1DpKpBN3FXdb5spNh3vXdVaBSJf292AOldMIgB1gdGMu1L8rL6W1cyR5ksWIfE9qq9wUrkLQaHcDnWt_e_0wODzlD-kMioQJTf/s640/HK+Night+city+scape.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The school year has just turned over in Japan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a short week and a half long break
between terms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just enough time to
squeeze in a trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all, when you
are living in this part of the world, it would be a shame to pass up the
opportunity of proximity to great travels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;">
So off we went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time, to Hong Kong.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We began planning our trip to Hong Kong this past
January.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two years ago, we had a trip to
Hong Kong all ironed out, but the <a href="http://lifeinthelandoftherisingsun.blogspot.jp/2011/03/and-there-wasnt-any-rice.html" target="_blank">big earthquake</a> put the brakes on our
plans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We instead took the time to
travel back home to put our family and friends’ minds at ease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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I am used to horribly long flights from Tokyo to the American mid west-typically lasting somewhere between eleven to fourteen
hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The flight from Tokyo to Hong Kong was a mere
four hours, give or take thirty minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A breeze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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After researching our accommodation options that fell within
our budget, we booked a room at <a href="http://www.usahotel.com.hk/index_topic.php?charset=eng&did=162719&didpath=/162719" target="_blank">USA Hostel</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If you are planning on traveling to Hong Kong, do not let <a href="http://www.usahotel.com.hk/index_topic.php?charset=eng&did=136785&didpath=/136785" target="_blank">these pictures</a>
fool you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hostel-though not the most
awful place at which I have ever stayed-was pretty…adventurous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> (I did not take pictures-sorry.) </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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Our flight touched down an hour late.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We tried not to panic as we rushed through
the airport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had one hour to make it
to our Hostel before forfeiting our booking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fortunately, we had done enough research to know exactly how to get
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a <a href="http://www.hongkongairport.com/eng/transport/to-from-airport/airport-express.html" target="_blank">very fast train ride</a> and
a reasonable taxi fare, we made it-with fifteen minutes to spare.</div>
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Whew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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We fell into bed, ready to recharge our tired bodies for our
first day in Hong Kong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
</div>
Kate Minorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369706735791664234noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74859603464893976.post-52025095201333049562013-03-15T02:38:00.000-07:002013-03-15T02:38:33.437-07:00Senso Ji Temple and Asakusa Shrine <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPBb7yjual0WOXIdsZXpP8DAGDQxL1izktzTpqVfzhS_jP42hVeOTwq2YqH0IgUpqVtkMA-Y8X0kcw90CDRdHLbvrm3ezexKWW1AjI-gnZb16fUGS1aH2j2Zmcf4FBVYHE2ZMH-TnEQ7cs/s1600/Tokyo+Day+Three+34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPBb7yjual0WOXIdsZXpP8DAGDQxL1izktzTpqVfzhS_jP42hVeOTwq2YqH0IgUpqVtkMA-Y8X0kcw90CDRdHLbvrm3ezexKWW1AjI-gnZb16fUGS1aH2j2Zmcf4FBVYHE2ZMH-TnEQ7cs/s640/Tokyo+Day+Three+34.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
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If you are coming to Japan for a trip and plan on spending
some time in Tokyo, chances are you will find your way to this temple and shrine.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhudkOuKZa2HM7Hsb7Y5JK06beOZuQ3dRjcHJAtkgmQ3jm4jw8kFGbdj7g8Ue1dnr_pjmG3lvWdy23mt6tnb5VpAH7rIM4gFIjhUONdRoRcQIu85EBySac2X6H-kIr4cYOtOh83shhUIQzx/s1600/Tokyo+Day+Three+36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhudkOuKZa2HM7Hsb7Y5JK06beOZuQ3dRjcHJAtkgmQ3jm4jw8kFGbdj7g8Ue1dnr_pjmG3lvWdy23mt6tnb5VpAH7rIM4gFIjhUONdRoRcQIu85EBySac2X6H-kIr4cYOtOh83shhUIQzx/s640/Tokyo+Day+Three+36.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail on the side of the Senso Ji. In case you are wondering, <a href="http://www.japanese-buddhism.com/swastika.html" target="_blank">here is a good explanation</a> of the swastika.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asakusa" target="_blank">Asakusa district</a> is one of the biggest tourist
areas in Tokyo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is surrounded by
outdoors malls full of tourist shops all full of the same souvenirs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are also a few nearby shrines, plenty
of good restaurants, karaoke bars and even a small amusement park. </div>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqPBUS2Zq8DPjRDOHryHbex_7azrZU6Y4sv76WMcg44bXkfkyaB4jetiYS66Jt9W8sJCpx5Ml0YCMYQ-E8AyXhrDvglbDI6V4jQtw_lIhAM4PcZSgcaGuh7oF_svV7gjD02FOse965MfZ/s1600/Tokyo+Day+Three+29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqPBUS2Zq8DPjRDOHryHbex_7azrZU6Y4sv76WMcg44bXkfkyaB4jetiYS66Jt9W8sJCpx5Ml0YCMYQ-E8AyXhrDvglbDI6V4jQtw_lIhAM4PcZSgcaGuh7oF_svV7gjD02FOse965MfZ/s640/Tokyo+Day+Three+29.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Souvenir shops are still closed in the early morning.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>I have been to visit Asakusa Shrine and Sensoji Temple many
times during my time living in Japan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But by far, the best time was this last January.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></div>
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Tokyo is the biggest city in the world based on
population.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This teeming megalopolis is
home to <a href="http://www.metro.tokyo.jp/ENGLISH/PROFILE/overview03.htm" target="_blank">13,000,000 people</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It gets
crowded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add a bunch of commuters,
visitors, and tourists and the result is city crowded enough to drive anyone
crazy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Because of the major crowds, I suggest you visit popular
temples and shrines as early as possible-as soon as they open is
desirable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dragging yourself out of bed
on a chilly morning might be difficult, but the crisp cool air, quiet, and lack
of bustling crowds make it worth the annoyance a thousand times over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwqvm7P__yyxbvOtNcY2W1UneCXjPQJwdPgDoDFBTr0KeO6QqZApDwc2xfxVuoq2e9MtSK815oGAYxfvzqPBtM0G4NfgpXXpqHB2yRxXws00EgW78AhT5FwUQd0acgr0gTg-QwzkTXYl4w/s1600/Tokyo+Day+Three+31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwqvm7P__yyxbvOtNcY2W1UneCXjPQJwdPgDoDFBTr0KeO6QqZApDwc2xfxVuoq2e9MtSK815oGAYxfvzqPBtM0G4NfgpXXpqHB2yRxXws00EgW78AhT5FwUQd0acgr0gTg-QwzkTXYl4w/s640/Tokyo+Day+Three+31.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The entrance to Senso Ji early in the morning. By mid morning, it is packed with people.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyL0RecJnDrbvq2QUMd6GHsaUx8RPSNdxRUE_msKsTmoxpGJJZ4iSoEE-I8gEMqx1SMZ1yn3yQ4rUMjqIbl1iRyDZCMFhjvcZhDTQ9f3Mx7wl5ct1j6cX-SgIzF9GCePAPuJbmxobDozKA/s1600/Tokyo+Day+Three+33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyL0RecJnDrbvq2QUMd6GHsaUx8RPSNdxRUE_msKsTmoxpGJJZ4iSoEE-I8gEMqx1SMZ1yn3yQ4rUMjqIbl1iRyDZCMFhjvcZhDTQ9f3Mx7wl5ct1j6cX-SgIzF9GCePAPuJbmxobDozKA/s640/Tokyo+Day+Three+33.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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The first several times I visited Sensoji Temple, we came
mid-day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was insane every time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So crowded you could not move
individually-you became a part of a crowd that had to move in unison.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not for the claustrophobic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we went this year to get our
omikuji-this year’s fortune-we woke up very early and walked the few blocks
from the <a href="http://kshouse.jp/tokyo-oasis-e/index.html" target="_blank">youth hostel</a> at which we were staying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We were at the temple at about six am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2xTXIIKPy5YkB64eANENk8wDc_TaktzITnBz0ox9xUeuKCDFhM40f7wnUq8riasUS8-gc0n0lqwRke8QcG3Et0OC-Q_DhG5lsOkDTrZkKAHmtZBoA8VICnrkLvSIbI0resgiSmWIlMin4/s1600/Tokyo+Day+Three+39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2xTXIIKPy5YkB64eANENk8wDc_TaktzITnBz0ox9xUeuKCDFhM40f7wnUq8riasUS8-gc0n0lqwRke8QcG3Et0OC-Q_DhG5lsOkDTrZkKAHmtZBoA8VICnrkLvSIbI0resgiSmWIlMin4/s640/Tokyo+Day+Three+39.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It was stunningly quiet and serene in the light of
dawn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only thing to be heard was the
Buddhist monks chanting from within the temple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpRNkWo63eRD0YWLPSFTHo_R092uLwL4AGiYuwSYH-4-AvtVAMxfRAVaobgnZ9kMc__W7p-OoqrMgYSFiPed0CoNwiNwStDZ03xHHyHJ-VRFX4Hpjzw59KihdHdM_mAaweCpi8A-D8tHkQ/s1600/Tokyo+Day+Three+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpRNkWo63eRD0YWLPSFTHo_R092uLwL4AGiYuwSYH-4-AvtVAMxfRAVaobgnZ9kMc__W7p-OoqrMgYSFiPed0CoNwiNwStDZ03xHHyHJ-VRFX4Hpjzw59KihdHdM_mAaweCpi8A-D8tHkQ/s640/Tokyo+Day+Three+7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YHKdYVIOeMIF2rtBRB_Eo4od-4NSuIx8jraSnpuOcHm_DH-L9metQiecXDGUcaE45ipsQ-GfONtsknkU_urxCQt3n6GEjsn9fBgWuXqyvQjuzlMFoDTOcshqOX-xLQ93cN9MSDhdCBSg/s1600/Tokyo+Day+Three+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YHKdYVIOeMIF2rtBRB_Eo4od-4NSuIx8jraSnpuOcHm_DH-L9metQiecXDGUcaE45ipsQ-GfONtsknkU_urxCQt3n6GEjsn9fBgWuXqyvQjuzlMFoDTOcshqOX-xLQ93cN9MSDhdCBSg/s640/Tokyo+Day+Three+11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The temple all decorated for the new year. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAolqFgI16FJZh5tawop1uGZRyDujAGmpCKE5tgRynd0kjPasVpqwUAd_kwgsIGobayDlwSXUstry5ZlQT3YGzvqeH2lXnerAROnISVR1z0TNI75xdSjgMhjH-80RXFQ3wa4pgpIwsJxPV/s1600/Tokyo+Day+Three+32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAolqFgI16FJZh5tawop1uGZRyDujAGmpCKE5tgRynd0kjPasVpqwUAd_kwgsIGobayDlwSXUstry5ZlQT3YGzvqeH2lXnerAROnISVR1z0TNI75xdSjgMhjH-80RXFQ3wa4pgpIwsJxPV/s640/Tokyo+Day+Three+32.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlPlYkp9QdPwKO_DASuUqsGVFFvn0s2Z5fDVNTj675uTxn-1AA9o9akK__gMKFgA54jVuPAbY-86HRkuDBeTPNX5C5B7Kdz2rHJNK2Af-oDbCWWzx4MB8DAgnKupz2S0sK2OwV5gcvujE0/s1600/Tokyo+Day+Three+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlPlYkp9QdPwKO_DASuUqsGVFFvn0s2Z5fDVNTj675uTxn-1AA9o9akK__gMKFgA54jVuPAbY-86HRkuDBeTPNX5C5B7Kdz2rHJNK2Af-oDbCWWzx4MB8DAgnKupz2S0sK2OwV5gcvujE0/s640/Tokyo+Day+Three+13.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Vvupo-nvPY71YF_ndHVgALDT9hs_S_BJU7_57dOmVTk6xufNG3AdLIL_cEOEV6QKPQO6TkUw6JXKN5Wc_sXPRJzzeQ_mL-Mz5bOpNWJBO2oSukWE9Dwqkipbrf3tUrJmGSagVQtI6-pL/s1600/Tokyo+Day+Three+18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Vvupo-nvPY71YF_ndHVgALDT9hs_S_BJU7_57dOmVTk6xufNG3AdLIL_cEOEV6QKPQO6TkUw6JXKN5Wc_sXPRJzzeQ_mL-Mz5bOpNWJBO2oSukWE9Dwqkipbrf3tUrJmGSagVQtI6-pL/s640/Tokyo+Day+Three+18.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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Definitely worth the early start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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And afterwards, nothing beats an early morning cup of coffee
and some fat pancakes at a nearby cafe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGF2U5nnDbZA1kN6l1kwdRg5M_tC1Un0ebC1K86XpCKMzy94KzqzrZ5cGumPxMwiIZWmtAUknZFF1HJEtqwCaTZT1VhkkZ7M_zHy9IBy3kXNpRFb0C77_9blLe5B2Swp0L_TrEY4eaBd9/s1600/Tokyo+Day+Three+41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGF2U5nnDbZA1kN6l1kwdRg5M_tC1Un0ebC1K86XpCKMzy94KzqzrZ5cGumPxMwiIZWmtAUknZFF1HJEtqwCaTZT1VhkkZ7M_zHy9IBy3kXNpRFb0C77_9blLe5B2Swp0L_TrEY4eaBd9/s640/Tokyo+Day+Three+41.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Kate Minorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369706735791664234noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74859603464893976.post-73072290021488750722013-03-14T04:38:00.000-07:002013-03-14T04:38:22.614-07:00Japan Travel Tips <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEOe0XmbE2dvcTjI7Ey5bT7xqEev9-bVjM0vRwzMpfweuXMjBxPLI4ePygqYew9kZtec8I45-1J8nVgPQxEYQ4RgasKmzqlVzvWHdPlIGP7udEGwdjllayYDoXw_CbD3U4YMtOeaKMWlKX/s1600/Ito+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEOe0XmbE2dvcTjI7Ey5bT7xqEev9-bVjM0vRwzMpfweuXMjBxPLI4ePygqYew9kZtec8I45-1J8nVgPQxEYQ4RgasKmzqlVzvWHdPlIGP7udEGwdjllayYDoXw_CbD3U4YMtOeaKMWlKX/s640/Ito+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">K's House Ito Onsen-a fabulous traditional ryokan for a great price.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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When I was a kid, I had a paper route.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked those Wisconsin neighborhoods
everyday but Sunday for about four years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It wasn’t fun much of the time, but it was a great job for my child
self.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One thing I usually hated was
getting up at five am on Saturday to get the paper delivered by seven. There
were times, though, that I did not mind the early morning walk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Especially when I discovered (nerd alert) a
great radio show on NPR called <a href="http://savvytraveler.publicradio.org/show/features/index.shtml" target="_blank">The Savvy Traveler</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></div>
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As I walked my paper route, I would listen to people’s incredible stories from all over
the world and imagine myself to be there: sipping a cappuccino on a tiny street
café in Verona, riding a zip-line through the jungles in Costa Rica, hiking the
Great Wall of China.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Perhaps the seed was planted then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The seed which sprouted into a great desire
to travel everywhere, experience everything, and meet everyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been fortunate enough to nurture this
desire and gain many experiences, though they are few compared to others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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As someone who has lived, traveled, and worked in Japan for
a few years now, I feel obligated to do my part in sharing things I have
learned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve learned an incredible
amount during my time here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One such
thing is how to travel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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I’d been on a few major trips before moving to Japan, but
these trips (one to China and one to Europe) were more or less group
tours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not to knock group tours-they
certainly have their own draw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My point
is that group tours are a certain type of travel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Traveling solo, or without a guide is a
totally different story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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There are so many factors that go into planning major trips
on one’s own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First you have to decide
what type of trip you want/can afford.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Japan is known to be an expensive country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s expensive to get here, live here, and
get around here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Though the exchange
rate is now beginning to even out between the Yen and USD…which is bad for us,
but great for anyone coming to Japan to travel.)</div>
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There are many things I could talk about or suggest for
people who have a desire to visit Japan, but I only want to mention two here:</div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Buy
a Japan rail pass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">by far</i> the most cost effective way to
get around Japan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have to buy them
outside of Japan though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Find more
information <a href="http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en001.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Don’t
stay in hotels; Japan does the backpacker’s hostel <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">very </i>well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>specifically recommend <a href="http://kshouse.jp/index_e.html" target="_blank">K’s House</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have eight locations across Japan and
they are staffed by some of the nicest people I have ever met.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, the facilities are extremely nice and
very clean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> They offer private rooms as well as the cheaper dorm rooms. </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Z_D8ENkIW9tvoLWi5xgpMi7zyBDQGfV8sQ6d6Ii0zXFrlub8UCIHbTYzLPPj_yWEt46zLdb_VfBbWQsNEIYp-iAr8O520Y7xEk2FOmqtRlgUJu3b_ARq1fSKXNLtqxwWEjNs03i-hO_D/s1600/Ito+19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Z_D8ENkIW9tvoLWi5xgpMi7zyBDQGfV8sQ6d6Ii0zXFrlub8UCIHbTYzLPPj_yWEt46zLdb_VfBbWQsNEIYp-iAr8O520Y7xEk2FOmqtRlgUJu3b_ARq1fSKXNLtqxwWEjNs03i-hO_D/s640/Ito+19.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">K's House Ito Onsen-street side.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_L9YhPjBuUpi9_sV5seJyQW5g4DTF-xDUEvcpQLzKSBHfAcNae12jimoCiNnoRHsDGVLH6LmEVHpb-eASULm4n2xCnBhyZhuSiaIni54YpVqGoqNTRvW0k7cHOej8kfOzgK9L8esEaCg/s1600/Tokyo+Day+Three+40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_L9YhPjBuUpi9_sV5seJyQW5g4DTF-xDUEvcpQLzKSBHfAcNae12jimoCiNnoRHsDGVLH6LmEVHpb-eASULm4n2xCnBhyZhuSiaIni54YpVqGoqNTRvW0k7cHOej8kfOzgK9L8esEaCg/s640/Tokyo+Day+Three+40.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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These two things alone will help in planning a fantastic
trip through Japan!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Happy traveling,
everyone!</div>
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Side note: Unfortunately, The Savvy Traveler <a href="http://savvytraveler.publicradio.org/" target="_blank">was taken off the air</a> several years ago due to lack of listener donation during pledge
drives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sigh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Anyone know of any great travel podcasts?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Kate Minorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369706735791664234noreply@blogger.com1