A Piece Of The Netherlands In Japan

and you can find it at Huis Ten Bosch located in Nagasaki. No, no photos of the interior of the park in this post. Visit the park's website for more info. We weren't interested in the park, but was more interested on our train rides getting there. Weird? Yeah, we know and we aren't apologetic about it!

The park's location reflects historical relations between the Netherlands and Japan which began in 1609 and the park was built with special permission from the Royal family. It is a reproduction of the residence of Her Majesty the Queen of The Netherlands.

In front of Huis Ten Bosch Station

Sasebo in the background. Yup, plenty of European looking buildings here. I remember when we were there, the area had not experienced any rainfall for a bit so there was a drought notice and guests at the hotel were reminded to be prudent using water. No soaking in the room tub and we were encouraged to use the public facility instead.

That's the ANA Hotel Huis Ten Bosch you can see behind Raimie. We didn't stay there for the night.  I don't think we can afford a night there anyway! We checked-in Hotel Nikko Huis Ten Bosch instead, which is located further inland and at a safer distance from hearing ship's blasting canons over in the park at night. ^^

Looking back, I marveled at my lack of interest to even snap photos at the hotel we checked-in, let alone the park and surrounding area. There were a few tulips shots here and there, few train station's interior shots and the rest were of trains.Well, Japan for us in 2008 was a place filled with Ultraman, wonderful trains, toys  and games (yeah, in that order). I got more cultured and enlightened as the years go by though. At least, I'd like to think so. Wahaha

Trains, Trains, Trains - Rides In Kyushu

Last month, I posted some photos of airport trains; the N'EX, the Rapi:t and the Haruka in one of my posts.

Now, time for some photos of the trains we took zipping along the island of Kyushu.

We took this Limited Express Huis Ten Bosch from Hakata Station to HuisTen Bosch Station. That day, we probably spent like a day sitting down and making our butts extremely sore.

The trip to Huis Ten Bosch was made directly upon arrival to Kansai Airport so it was a 7-hour flight, a two and half hour ride on the shinkansen Hikari Railstar from Shin-Osaka to Hakata and then we got on board this limited express train for another one hour and forty minutes ride. Madness? Not if you enjoy train rides as much as we do!

 

This Seaside Liner train we took from Huis Ten Bosch to nowhere.We didn't have any particular destination to go to and we got on board just out of curiosity. We were rewarded with awesome coastline view on this ride and a glimpse of rural life there too.

We had JR Passes so the extra cost taking non-essential/unplanned trains weren't an issue for us. And yes, we got on this train on top of those earlier rides I mentioned above that day.

Getting on board the Sonic train from Hakata to Beppu. Our trip to Beppu was a day trip and it just wasn't enough. To Beppu we must return someday! The announcement of "Beppu, Beppu, Beppu" repeatedly was so cute! I wish I recorded it and put it here so you can listen to it too. ^^

This is the White Sonic plying the same route. A train otaku like us would make a point of taking the two trains for our return trip just to try them out.

Getting on the Relay Tsubame from Hakata to Omuta for our journey to Ultraman Land in Omuta, Kumamoto. Let's see, we've been to this part of the world twice using the Relay Tsubame, Tsubame and Ariake trains. The trains look similar, pity I don't have any photo of the Ariake to compare it here.

The Shinkansen Tsubame which we needed to make a transfer to, to get to Kagoshima-Chuo. Our train from Hakata was the Relay Tsubame and the train stopped at Shin-Yatsushiro and we dashed across the platform and got on the Shinkansen Tsubame. But not before snapping a photo or two!

Zaini had wanted to make the journey to Saga too (was it for the train Midori? I can't remember) but we simply didn't have enough time and energy to make the journey. You can only do so and see much with a 7-days JR pass.

On March 12 this year, the northern half of Kyushu Shinkansen is finally completed connecting Hakata  Station to Shin-Yatsushiro station thus reducing much of the travel time. Also, there will be new trains (Mizuho and Sakura) travelling from Osaka to Kagoshima. The Sakura will be used and gradually phase out the Hikari Rail Star. I wish we can get on board these new shinkansens someday!

The Disk "O"

 Hanayashiki Amusement Park - it's old,  its rickety but still absolutely fun to visit! It may not be Disneyland, but we sure had a fun morning here, one day in September last year. On the Respect-for-the-aged day, to be exact. ^^

A newer ride (than the rest, that is) and an awesome ride at Hanayashiki, I give you the Disk "O".

It spins, it goes up and down and it's a helluva ride! :)

Also Lisa of Ichigoichielove (did I get it right?) is hosting Show Me Japan Vol 1 Issue 21. Check it out!

OLA: Marveling at Palawan's Beauty, Part 2

Baker's Hill a la Knotsberry Farm

Would you believe there is a smaller version of Knots Berry Farm called Baker’s Hill? Children can play on its themed grounds for free while their parents saunter around for souvenirs, baked items (especially hopia, their flagship product, and great views of the city. Nearer the city is the Bay Walk which is the half-finished area around Puerto Princesa Bay reclaimed from squatters who have been relocated to tenement houses nearby.  A statue of Princess Eulalia (born in 1864 to Queen Isabella II of Spain) lords over the city named The Princess’ Gate, the largest in the country in terms of land area. 

Princess Eulalia at the Baywalk

And it cares for the future of people.

Viet Ville today

 Here, on the road back from the Underground River, you will pass by Viet Ville, the camp established for about 90 refugees from Vietnam after it fell to Communist rule in 1989. The population grew to 1,600 until the US finally agreed to give them asylum in 1995. Now only about 7 families (those who intermarried with Filipinos) remain in Viet Ville, largely propped up by the Catholic Assistance for Displaced Persons who took over their care in 1996. A Vietnamese Restaurant, a souvenir shop, and a noodle factory remain as sources of livelihood.

prison without walls

Then, there is the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm. In contrast to a penal establishment one would have in mind, it is essentially a ‘prison without walls’, a village of about 28,000 hectares, for about two thousand inmates. One will be surprised that the colony only has barriers for the maximum security sectio). No prisoners attempt to escape because they would face certain death on the mountains. Besides, the inmates (minimum and medium security) are allowed to live with their families during the time they are serving their sentence and are provided with the resources to build a livelihood such as land and farm animals. The sign in front says (translated from Tagalog): ‘A prison can be a paradise if it is conceived with God in mind and run in a humanitarian spirit.’ Part of the land is actually used by freed prisoners who have made Palawan their permanent home!  

Palawan's famed cherry blossoms

Conclusion

Skylight's breakfast buffet

With our stay at Skylight Hotel for just $30 a night, inclusive of a huge breakfast buffet every morning, we spent only a little over $500 for our 5-day/4-night stay inclusive of airfare (40%), accommodations (25%), tours (25%), food (5%) and souvenir items (5%)! It is not a backpacking trip and neither is it a first class vacation but it was a vacation where we met people who belong to the same generation as us, the Z Generation and their cruising lifestyle: Jure and Katerina from Slovenia with whom we shared the Underground River tour and a crocodile dinner at Kinabuch; Bryn and Sofia from Hongkong with whom we shared the Honda Bay Cruise and a seafood feast at Kalui.

Mendoza Park at night

The beauty of Palawan is forever preserved in eco-tourism, abundant in her many natural playgrounds, and etched in her heart for many humanitarian causes. It is such a special place on earth and the tropical cherry blossoms among centuries-old acacia trees adorn its streets. Mendoza Park and its eternal Christmas trees rock with variety shows on Saturdays.  Then when you think about how affordable it is to create a magical vacation there, it has become a top Philippine destination and a place not to be missed by Filipinos and foreigners alike. And we have not even seen El Nido, Amanpulo, Coron, the Palawan Safari, and Tubbataha Reef! We eagerly await the next chance!

Daniel, Jure, and Katarina with Bill

Bryn and Sofia with Bill

Sunset In Tazawako

Unlike in 2009, when we spent a night in Nyuto Onsen; located in the Akita Prefecture of Tohoku region, we only spent a few hours at the lake area last year. 

Waiting for the last bus to get back to Tazawako Station, we enjoyed the sunset sitting by the lake while getting eaten alive by mosquitoes!

Pity no dragon was to be found at the Lake. We did find a dragon head at the station though! Raimie did find something more fun (for him, at least) - a Kamen Rider can drink! XD

You are able to get to see a dragon or two over at Tazawako Station, even though it's just the heads. The bigger one on the platform is used for their annual float-crashing festival, I'm told.

And you can see my naked photo here, if you are interested in that kind of thing. ^^

Check out Ichigoichielove's Show Me Japan Vol 1 Issue 21 too!

Is It Spring Yet?

We miss out on the cherry blossom again this year. ^^

Cherry blossoms - its beauty thrill the hearts of the Japanese people and tourists alike with their beauty, glory and liveliness. But the blossoms reminds us of life's transience too, more so now.

Forget past tragedies and disappointment and look forward to a new start with much optimism and enthusiasm!

Enjoying some "hanami" time at Ueno Park, a few years back. Hope the crowd is/will be there for the cherry blossom this year!

Loveliness not only can be found on trees but on the road too. I present to you - cherry blossom on a manhole cover! ^^

Still Eating Sushi

Pretty self-explanatory, no?

Japanese restaurants in Malaysia are said to have stopped food import from Japan and source their supply elsewhere.

Instead of joining the mass-paranoia over the radioactive contamination, I hope we instead turn our thoughts  and energy towards the victims of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami that affected so many lives and people in North-Eastern Japan. They don't only need your prayers, they need help and assistance too. The survivors have a tough time ahead of them. Think about the children that became orphans,  about losing their loved ones - two-legged or four, losing their homes, losing what they built their whole live...

For those who plans to visit Tokyo and scared stiff of the possibility of growing a third eye or arm or something, check out the radiation level here. Then, as a matter of precaution and peace of mind, go compare the radiation level of stuff around you too.  You might want to eliminate something from your modern life...

And I tell you truthfully, I have a sneaking suspicion that Zaini, Raimie and I have higher chances of dying from lung cancer than anything else, what with all the second-hand smoke we had to inhale daily. Or being in an accident on the road, the way Malaysian drivers drive. I've had a few of those already anyway...

Here's a video titled "Ring the bell and donate for Japan disaster relief" from Lifeyou TV I'd like to share with all of you.