Goodbye 2014, You've been a good year to me again and Welcome 2015!

Here, I am, working in the tropical city of Singapore for one and a half month now. And Singapore is a fabulous city/country! It is vibrant, fun and their food are delicious (no, the food is totally amazing!). But, it is also so hot and humid! Although, it is a warm and welcomed change for me when I first arrived, however, after a month and a half, I begin to miss Japan, especially that now is the season for hot spring and snow. Moreover, the Singapore heat is wearing me down and I can't wait to go back to Japan soon after this project is done!

As usual, on every year's eve, I tried to write something for this blog. So, this year, I am going to celebrate the 9th year anniversary in Japan. Wow, in a blink of an eye - 9 years. And I will be celebrating my 10th year in Japan. Should I have a party for myself on my 10th year in Japan? Maybe I should ^^.

One thing that I have learned since starting this blog is that single author blogging is hard. Finding the time to write posts in between work, research and play is difficult. Usually, my work is more manageable over the summer period, but when comes to the fall semester (my favourite season), everything and everybody seem to want to squeeze and cram into that 3 short months before the coming of a new year. That always leaves me very little time for my own research, and for sure, blogging is sometimes out of the question. And every time, when I am in this time deprivation situation, I reminded myself of this timeless quote from the movie, Lord of the Rings, to pacify my frustrated feelings about time deprivation. 

‘All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.’ – Gandalf the Grey

With this in mind, I will try my best to blog, work and research.

So, this question of time management brings me to think about why I started this blog in the first place. I wanted a space where I share special places that I find interesting, journaling my experiences, and also in a way, keeping a record of my travel. Although I feel that I may have not done most of it, but, I am trying to blog whenever I can spare the time.

I feel that I should be blogging more post for my early years in Japan. Looking back at those years reminds me of many Japan-naivety moments for me. I had more time back then to visit many places in Japan, racking up too many funny and embarrassing experiences to record and I especially, wished that I haven't lost my 2005-2009 photos due a hard disk failure (T_T). But, I will do my best to write these moments down and, perhaps, revisit the places again, just to retake some photos for the blog. I think it will be fun for me to see the same place with a different eye now.

Actually, every year, I will make a list of new year resolution (which I will break within a week after the new year starts, huhuhu). So, this year, I am going to keep it simple as I can already see the direction for me in the coming year. Well, this is perhaps my longest new year's eve post ever. So, I wish all my readers, a happy 2015 year and may it be another good and kind year to you and your family.

Waterfalls of DuPont State Forest

Every time, I return to the US, it is like going to an all-you-can-eat buffet for every mealtime. Since I don't really eat lots of sweet stuff in Japan, I indulged in ice-cream, especially the flavours I can't get in Japan, cookies, cakes and soda. And it is really hard to say no, especially when I believe that I deserve a little treat. And the fact that the portion size of food in the US is waaay more than Japan's is really not helping. After many days of indulgence, I can feel that my dress size went UP. Not in a good way. So, I decided (reluctantly) to take back control of my diet. I am goin to slowly eat smaller portion, cut some sweet calories out and get back on track with my usual active lifestyle. 

So, I decided to go hiking in the DuPont State Forest near Asheville. It is an area blessed with lots of waterfalls with plenty of easy hiking trails. I also heard that this is the film location for the Hunger Games and The Last of the Mohicans so it should be a great place to go. 

After a 3.5hours drive and a lunch stop, I reach the DuPont State Forest slightly after 1:30pm. I parked my car, started my hike from the visitor centre and the parking area in Hooker Falls area. However, I decided to skip the Hooker Falls, and went straight to see the Triple Falls where they filmed the Hunger Games. It was a short walk, less than 2km. 

As soon as I saw the Triple Falls, I can immediately recall the scene where Katniss nearly step on Peeta in the Hunger Games. 

The Triple Falls has lots of flat rock area to walk on or to simply relax on. I can see that it is a really great place to have a picnic. 

I continue my hike for another 1km towards the High Falls. After a few turns and a short, steep hill, I found it. This waterfall has a magnificent drop of 50m. Later, I found that the water level is quite low at the moment and it could have been even more impressive drop. Nonetheless, it is still an amazing sight for me. As I stood around to take some photograph, another hiker with her dog came and stood beside me. We chatted for a bit and she told me that the scene of the Last of the Mohicans was filmed here. Wow, I didn't know that it was already a popular movie location. 

I went down, nearer to the waterfall and I saw lots of people gathering at the base of the waterfall. Some of them just sit under the falling waters. Further down where the water is calmer, people just go swimming in the river. As there were too many people, I just went to take some photographs and continue my walk to the Grassy Creek Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. 

So, my hike took me a trail that leads me to the start of the High Falls. There is a covered bridge that connects the two banks of river of High Falls. This covered bridge somehow reminded me of the creepy covered bridge in the movie, Sleepy Hollow. I bet if it is rainy and misty, this bridge sure fits the bill. I went across the covered bridge and continue for a short distance to the marker that indicates the entrance to the Grassy Creek Falls trail. From there, I found the small trail that snakes through the woods with several short side trails to the falls. I decided to take one of the short side trails and found myself on the top of the Grassy Creek Falls.

This waterfall is secluded, more isolated and definitely quieter. I sat down to enjoy my packed snack and listen to the sound of running water. It is so calm and peaceful. The birds are singing. It reminded me of the piped-in bird singing sound that you can sometimes hear on the train station. I always find it weird to hear them on the train platform while waiting for the train. It feels so unnatural. That sound always makes me look up and see if any bird has set up their home and started to make a mess in the train station. Not a calming thought if that is what they intend the train commuters to feel. I personally feel that if they want to have a piped-in music, why can they choose classical or something soothing other that natural sounds that don't sound natural in the train station. Okay, back to my hike. 

After a quick lunch stop, I continue my hike down to the base of Grassy Creek Falls. However, going to the base was more challenging than I thought. There are lots of rocks that are slippery and some are just too far for the short-legged person like me to make a jump. So I just tried my best to get as near as I can. After a few photographs, I begin to make my way out. 

Still thinking that I will be going to the Bridal Veil Falls after this, but I noticed that the sun began to set and I looked at my wrist watch, found out that it is already 6pm. So, I gave up going to the Bridal Veil Falls for this time. 

I walked back to the covered bridge, and saw lots of other hikers who are also on their way back to the car park. One of the hikers has a dog with them and the dog just came up to me, sniffed at me. I know why he is sniffing me, I have a bit of cheese stuck on my pants (I tried to clean them off unsuccessfully) and he is trying to lick them off me - hahaha. It was a really funny moment. Then, the owner came up to take him away from me. But I am delighted to be able to touch such a friendly dog. I find that dogs in the US are pretty friendly and tall. 

Overall, I really enjoyed my hike and I think I will return again sometime soon to finish the other waterfalls. Now, I am going to drive back to devour a plate of big prawns!

A Photo Blog: A summer dream

Sorry for the long hiatus! 

I have been travelling. This time to the US! For work and a bit of personal time. 

Currently, I am enjoying lunch with a glass of wine in the nearby vineyard in one particular southern state of America. Vineyard here is still so green and pleasant to walk. 

I don't know much about wine, but I love to have a glass or two while working. So if you see any typo, you know what I have been doing *wink. 

Yes! More wine, please!

This trip just reminded how I needed to visit Japan's wine region in Katsunuma. If only I have more time... Well, once I am back, I guess I better do some proper trip planning for next year.

Well, I hope you have an awesome day!

Riddle of Tokyo's Sunflower Maze

When I was a kid, I love to play with word puzzles, picture puzzles and maze games. I have this boy-friend (he is a boy and he is my good friend) used to do our own puzzle games for each other. But unfortunately, he was being teased terribly at school by other boys for hanging out with a girl and her friends. Kids can be so mean at times. But we didn't care because we shared something in common, solving puzzles and creating maze games.

Because I had a good time with my friend, I grew up fascinated about being in an actual maze. Whenever I read the Greek myth of Theseus and the Minotaur, I feel like I can transport myself in the maze, feeling the excitement and as well as the fear of being in a maze. So, it has been a long-time dream for me to go and visit one. Some of the famous maze gardens I want to visit are the hedge maze of Hampton Court (I miss my chance of visiting this one and I am still regretting it years after, sob!), the yew tree maze of Longleat, and the one I really, really want to go to is the maze at Reignac-sur-Indre in France. Hopefully, all of them before I am too old and creaky.

So, when I heard that there is a sunflower field maze in Nishi-Tokyo, I knew I had to go and take a look. Since it is not open during the weekend and Monday (too?), I had to go on a weekday which is not a bad thing because it will definitely have lesser people.

It was a very hot afternoon and I nearly didn't make it to the door to go out and see this maze. But once you reach the sunflower field, you forgot about how hot day is.

The sunflower maze was created on 1,000sqm land. They planted a total of 3,000 sunflowers in this plot of land to create this maze. The creation of the sunflower maze is an idea of the Institute for Sustainable Agro-ecosystem Services, an institute affiliated with the University of Tokyo. They created it for their 'Sunflower Project DE OIL 2014', a project that focuses on learning about food and sustainable farming practices.

The staffs are really friendly. They quickly approach me when they saw me coming and encourage me to try out their maze. They also handed me their little maze map so that in case, you are lost, you can draw your way out. 

The sunflower towers around 2 meters and while in the maze, you could see just enough through the sunflowers to other areas of the maze and perhaps to make out silhouettes of other people who are there at the same time, but not entirely. It is also easy to find yourself hopelessly lost in that sunflower maze, although it wasn't that big of a maze.

Back to the sunflower maze, so, the maze itself is not very big, but once you are inside, it definitely feels far bigger. Like I-have-shrunk-to-an-ant-size magic. I feel that this maze has just that enough level of fun and confusion, especially for a first-timer! It was awesome. It is easy to get lost, but you can also easily find your way back on the interconnecting paths.

These girls went for several rounds in the sunflower maze.
I am sure they already know their way around with their eyes closed.

Okay, which way to go - left or right?

I am almost there! But that wasn't the way.

Finally, found it!

I was told that the maze route changes every year, so you can return year after year to try out their different maze route creation. I also heard that last year's maze route was harder than this year's. But still, I had good fun! The sunflower maze didn't disappoint me at all.

I definitely encourage you to go there with a friend and try it out yourself. I can assure you that you will enjoy getting lost in the sunflower maze. And don't forget your sunscreen and hat. And always drink enough liquid.

Well, if you are lost, you will still be in the company of the sunny sunflowers!

How to get there

There are two ways to get to the main gate of the Institute.

The easiest way is an 8-mins walk from the North exit (北口) of Tanashi station 田無駅) on the Seibu Shinjuku Line (西武新宿線). See map below.

The other way is to take a bus from the South exit (南口) of Hibarigaoka station (ひばりヶ丘駅) on the Seibu-Ikebukuro Line (西武池袋線).

Go to the bus stop of the South exit (南口バス停, Minami-guchi Basu-tei) and look for bus boarding stop No.2 「2番のりば」. Look out for the Seibu Bus (西武バス).

From bus boarding stop No.2  (2番のりば, Ni-Ban Noriba), take the bus Kyo No. 04（境04) which goes to Danchi Musashi Sakai-eki Yuki (団地経由武蔵境駅行) or Ta No.43 (田43) which is going to Danchi Keiyu Tanashi-eki Yuki (団地経由田無駅行). The journey on the bus should be roughly around 15mins. Get off at the Kami-Juku Jyutaku (上宿住宅) bus stop and walk 3mins.

Address and website

Institute for Sustainable Agro-ecosystem Services

1 Chome-1-1 Midorichō, Nishitōkyō-shi, Tōkyō-to 〒188-0003, Japan

〒188-0002　東京都西東京市緑町一丁目1番1号

http://www.isas.a.u-tokyo.ac.jp/detail/index.php?id=116

Best visit between: 13th - 29th Aug

Opening hours: 09:30hrs to 16:00hrs (last entrance is at 15:50hrs)

Closed on Saturday, Sunday and Monday (and also on rainy days or a thunderstorm or typhoon)

The admission is free.

Tanashi station (north exit)

Just walk straight for 550m!

Blue, blue sky...

Further up, there's a traffic light stop, just cross and walk straight ahead

You can see the sunflower maze from the opposite side of the street

A close-up

After this little sunflower maze, I am even more determined to make it to the other mazes that I have been dreaming about. Will you go and experience this amazing maze of the sunflower?

My favourite photo

Summer Cherry Blossom in Kamakura

Last week, I took a trip to Kamakura as it has been a while for me to visit Kamakura. I remember the first time I visited Kamakura, the town feels old and venerable. Kamakura has always been a tourist town, but it manages to feel otherwise.

Over the years, Kamakura has changed a lot. Although, I appreciate the changes that have been done in this city (it has definitely made the town look more interesting and beautiful), but I am not sure if I enjoy the experience of being in Kamakura anymore. It seems to me that more people are flocking to this city, making the streets crowded, not to mention, turning this place into an even more tourist town than before. 

Anyway, I am back to Kamakura to view a special flower which I like to call, the summer cherry blossom. They are not actually the famous Japanese cherry blossom, but every summer, this plant will produce brilliant clusters of red, purple, pink, lavender and white, wrinkly and crinkly-edged flowers. These flowers seem to fill the trees till it reaches an overflowing point. This plant I am talking about is known as a crepe myrtle plant. The plant produces crinkled, crepe-like textured  flowers, and perhaps, that's how it gets its name. 

In Japanese, these flowers are known as sarusuberi (サルスベリ). Almost sounded like strawberry if you are not listening properly. Maybe I should have called them strawberry flower instead because its deep pink colour.

It loves the sun (just like the sunflower) and that's why it flowers in summer. When these flowers bloom, they put up quite a show. Like puffs of heavy clouds, they cluster together in vibrant colours of deep pink, bright red, purple, white and light pink.  

The name given for these flowers by the cultivators also reflected their fatal attraction to them. These flowers have mind-blowing names such as 'Dynamite' for the red-coloured, 'Pink Velour' for the deep pink and 'Twilight' for the purple-coloured flowers. 

The flower is not the only thing that is interesting about this plant. Its bark is quite attractive, marked with blotches of various colours. As the older layers peel off in the early summer, it reveals colours from pale cream to dark cinnamon. It has an interesting whip-like branches that makes it look old and wise. And its leaf turns colours too from red in the spring, dark green foliage in the summer and a remarkable burgundy colour in fall. Its vase-shaped canopy provides shade like a banyan tree. Both are my perfect choice of shade for the summer.

The best places in Kamakura to view crepe myrtle flowers are Gokurakuji temple (極楽寺), Hongakuji temple (本覚寺) and the Hasedera temple (長谷寺).

How to get there

If you arrived at JR Kamakura station (JR鎌倉駅, JR Kamakura-eki), then, Hongakuji temple should be your first stop. The Hongakuji temple is about 5mins walk from the JR Kamakura station. The admission is free.

After that, you can make your way to the Hasedera temple to view more crepe myrtle flower. The walk from Hase station (長谷駅, Hase-eki) on the Enoden Line (江ノ電) is about 10 minutes or if you choose to walk from Kamakura station, it is about 30 minutes. There is an entrance fee to the Hasedera temple in case you didn't know, but it costs only 300yen. 

And from Hasedera, you can either walk for 20mins or use the Enoden line to Gokurakuji temple. If you are taking the train, then, stop at the Gokurakuji station (極楽寺駅, Gokurakuji-eki) and walk up the road till you get to the bridge. Turn left and you will see the temple. It is less than a minute's walk. The admission is free for Gokurakuji temple.

Address and website

Hongakuji Temple 本覚寺 

Address: 12-12 Komachi 1-chome Kamakura

Hours: During daylight hours

Admission: Free

View Larger Map

Hasedera 長谷寺 

Address: 11-2 Hase 3-chome Kamakura

Hours: 8:00-17:00 (Until 16:30 from October to February) 

Admission: 300yen

URL: http://www.hasedera.jp/words/english/e1.html

View Larger Map

Gokurakuji Temple 極楽寺 

Address: 6-7 Gokurakuji 3-chome Kamakura

Hours: 9:00-16:30

Admission: Free

View Larger Map

The crepe myrtle plant has one of the longest flowering periods with these colourful blooms lasting from 60 to 120 days. In a way, they seem to bloom all summer long, so catch them this summer if you are in Kamakura. I know for sure that the flowers will fascinates you with their eye-catching display.