tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12461542603064460712024-03-13T18:42:39.178+11:00LAURA TJlaura tjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15060378031157543196noreply@blogger.comBlogger639125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246154260306446071.post-25286185745407863852020-02-15T22:35:00.002+11:002020-08-22T22:12:56.707+10:00Tokyo, another roundHere are my highlights of my trip to Tokyo back in October 2018.<br />
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A lot of food repeats (pretty much the same food from <a href="https://lauratj.blogspot.com/2018/10/tokyo.html">this post</a>) plus some new favourites are:</div>
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Ichiran ramen</div>
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Obana - unagi restaurant</div>
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Tatsunoya - best tsukemen</div>
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Negishi - grilled ox tongue</div>
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Kaneko Hannosuke - tempura don</div>
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Harrits - donuts and coffee</div>
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Sora-to-Kumo-to - a very small bakery that sells bagels</div>
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<div>And some other fun stuff from this trip:</div>
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<a href="https://daiba.ooedoonsen.jp/en/" target="_blank">Ooedo-Onsen Monogatari</a></div>
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It's a very touristy place but as a tourist myself I very much enjoyed it. It's an onsen house and plenty of choices of restaurants and snacks and souvenir shops. All visitors wear rented yukata (Japanase bath robe) in the bath house, which is super cute.</div>
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<a href="https://borderless.teamlab.art/" target="_blank">teamlab's Borderless exhibition</a></div>
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I always love their work and creativity and I've never get tired of it. This Borderless exhibition is next level compared to any other teamlab's exhibitions I've been to, it is such a HUGE warehouse venue and it's like a rabbit hole where you could just get lost and find new installations in every corner you turn. Highly recommended. Handy tip: Buy tickets ahead of time (online) as they sell out super quickly. And don't schedule too many things on the day as you might spend hours in this exhibition not to mention the lining up to get in (regardless you have bought tickets in advance).</div>
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You guys, I just love Japan. Would always love to go back.</div>
laura tjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15060378031157543196noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246154260306446071.post-71550423773058805902019-12-31T00:58:00.000+11:002019-12-31T09:36:33.849+11:00Daintree Rainforest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This was possibly one of the most expensive trips I've allowed myself to splurge on. Seriously it was worth every single cent I spent. It was unusual of me to not step outside the resort at all during the whole trip, but all for the valid reasons:<br />
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a) I was travelling with Jo who was heavily pregnant at that time<br />
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b) It was raining, which we embraced thoroughly with open and joyful heart (Yes. Really.)<br />
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c) The resort we stayed at <a href="https://www.silkyoakslodge.com.au/" target="">Silky Oaks Lodge</a> (definitely super highly recommended) has everything we need. Everything. From food, the spa, the riverside and rainforest that we could walk around and explore, really cosy room, lounge and library. Oh, and great toiletries supplied in the room - this is highly valued in my book.<br />
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Such a shame we didn't get to swim in the river because it was raining and so in most area the water was quite muddy and not so clear. I was still enjoying this trip regardless and it was the most relaxing trip I've had since forever. This trip was 1.5 year ago already but scrolling through the photos and compiling my short video reminds my how great this trip was and self note to slow down and be in nature more, it's okay to not do much, it's okay to splurge on getting spa treatments and massages.laura tjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15060378031157543196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246154260306446071.post-16520602378955066232019-05-10T22:52:00.000+10:002019-05-10T22:52:03.315+10:00Takayama etc<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here are some of my favourite memories about Takayama:<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">♥ </span>Walking around the old streets and check out the many little cafes, food stalls and souvenir shops<br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">♥ </span>Sushi on rice crackers from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hida-Kotte-Ushi/768894669986689" target="_blank">Hida Kotte Ushi</a><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">♥ </span>Green tea souffle from <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/giiWs1uAxXv" target="_blank">Chanome</a><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">♥ </span>Hunting hida beef for dinner pretty much every night, the most amazing we had was from <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/nxa5zcoVTmEu2DcL9" target="_blank">Hidagyu Maruaki</a> - it was so tasty that we ate it all and forgot to take photos!<br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">♥ </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarubobo" target="_blank">Sarubobo</a> everywhere, which I think is in the border between cute and uh.. a little creepy because it has no facial features?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old Street at Takayama</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some sake brewery at the Old Street, Takayama</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sushi from Hida Kotte Ushi</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Tea Souffle from Chanome</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-OSHPBo9GSKEUh_ghZ9UP2dUW59-KQZ_CwWqdtPSkhL9ik1ZGwy2JbFh4Uaw8vMe-9__HpZQh1F8_noUcvkGgTlu-2Y7pi75hGSxqsxbdQ4nOzLeqo8fuJqAIhQxXZFv-j0oiOFbj8zqf/s1600/DSC07766.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soeur Cafe, Takayama</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpasyfC_L1sFKQAy8qFVih8RE2gjKlwwk0R1TXwGPytLnpTD-FtYqfh2Q5SvEC7xsppujUjoN2WSR6zAxVv1kiTQiGBRI5dB4oVzjXD0zkXW8RgzxpkYZYeGEdrPgijg1rOUASciUOPcM/s1600/DSC07558.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hida Miso Beef from some of restaurant I can't remember the name in Takayama; tasty but not as amazing as what we had at Hidagyu Maruaki</td></tr>
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Apart of wandering around Takayama streets and looked at all the shops and cafes and ate delicious food, we went to a world heritage site <a href="http://ml.shirakawa-go.org/en/" target="_blank">Shirakawa-go</a> for sightseeing. A really really pretty village surrounded by the mountains. <a href="https://www.randomberries.com/" target="_blank">Alice</a> has been during winter time; I've seen some photos and this village looks even prettier when dressed in all white because of the snow - I could imagine it would have been like stepping into a Christmas card.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9eD2qQe0QuX5PDbrNpOk9WfZ4nuSjN1al6kQKtdSVNX5bykyJcgAh5GbmLmIqgqBuz0snfYBVnmeJ_q_v4OmNFqS7WO7M415UCtp84FuamcotVos_M7JMzajcYbh9-f3UIrSWUcFSIvU2/s1600/DSC07575.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shirakawa-Go in Autumn</td></tr>
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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;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJGytXz7FUrztrRCy7Bdw5w3Os-k59UcDqeKNwnZfB6sayhj2i5mIuWn6sq_0zBsmxMBSrrHL2qHCAmkNnLAp70dLiB3v1m90hXUhD7K-OD-CC-hS_nybTHd2kljAq2d-5pxDbmZ616-o/s1600/DSC07582.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A closer look of the village</td></tr>
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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;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1AzISnonXEQF11hPHB2UVQpFwhsOk9tn6ckQeOL1JuvKXH9BDs7VABzfNVKpDbXxgoktRCDGDQOu-6UG_YnoGYaTpgqnb5lkqM94wi3yUzXk_7XFJc_ObO8vZ7AigHqm96AzVjLLOS9y/s1600/DSC07607.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These cute Japanese traditional houses and the grass - are they called pampas grass?</td></tr>
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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/AVvXsEisioCryZubYn54x88x_kCGnlUXfu5pwwPiBlepQ-BurVnAQ77Mllywgd12Tj7B512T14En0Jj_QGcIe_KNo0ZZEmVimllMYYujTnlmPB7I0Pq5QBtA_qeGOsju6Kmakh3XINnhpOGcgmsr/s1600/DSC07613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisioCryZubYn54x88x_kCGnlUXfu5pwwPiBlepQ-BurVnAQ77Mllywgd12Tj7B512T14En0Jj_QGcIe_KNo0ZZEmVimllMYYujTnlmPB7I0Pq5QBtA_qeGOsju6Kmakh3XINnhpOGcgmsr/s1600/DSC07613.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More traditional houses at Shirakawa-Go</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii-m6atm-kpSiO6-RwuCyWz67mPTQUWLcQdQZurAeP1M5-q33TH4pPp8C0SRJNHFNmtIA4N-dbM7AYNBjeEufv5IiEU8G5BF8lCTugyEvWNX-YQuOvUImE4Xx1L26tCQ2u7ETpBu-2JzLH/s1600/DSC07617.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wish I could cut a bunch of these furry grass and bring them home with me!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQRfpCML2F9upczjgWWK-aHsnTYeltq-uCUdLlu0L9Wb_LGpOtzy9Umss8CzksY-UJU4kjS9LUdhKfbNIcL8ImQGvhdi0dbi4dS3SePO6xd_Ar5H0HTHaMOFIcfNagNo7zRJT4y-H_0Ny/s1600/DSC07621.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cute souvenir shop at the village</td></tr>
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And below are some shots from another sightseeing at <a href="http://www.hida.jp/english/touristattractions/takayamacity/historyandculture/4000165.html" target="_blank">Hida Folk Village</a> where we got to see some architecture of the old traditional Japanese farm houses. The autumn colours are insanely beautiful here, from green to yellow to orange to red to brown.</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;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-OAERjzZ3qlucQlCerpuAcGflB1C3Vse8EJSOnseQk_niAlCfP7aBpWuBX9pGdCljB6b-f7BHg1fqxQAOSetaeAt5tMWWoD3zd_cWsCIMY87mhF7NIgUTDpI8uaOHZCI7ajU7REOZ8DVK/s1600/DSC07642.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hida Folk Village, Takayama</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8eV4DRkLRqEUxLBHC_FQKFtdEJMUhwTq82Opjtcsr8t32ytdBD3DABA_Fmkh_wIjHQ3TlJi8y6jK8bSPbqxAcUW2sVYiq3yq6rzZEtHpnu50qivT0hX6gyBgwnGxM12iBaNzqKk90AtC/s1600/DSC07640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8eV4DRkLRqEUxLBHC_FQKFtdEJMUhwTq82Opjtcsr8t32ytdBD3DABA_Fmkh_wIjHQ3TlJi8y6jK8bSPbqxAcUW2sVYiq3yq6rzZEtHpnu50qivT0hX6gyBgwnGxM12iBaNzqKk90AtC/s1600/DSC07640.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map of Hida Folk Village, Takayama</td></tr>
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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;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFS-0XisTto0oOQ7O38qRJBgoWHYvAqZU9SufZLZs-XJGq1noKKNpP36Q5KDzxaRmDCLi_5uIMcGQmY_iCdmVc5wPKMRIbY-6UP-ZZklaaFGdGSiks4KrjweD63qs4PImuq_d4jvyEK9cd/s1600/DSC07747.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fat fish and fat ducks</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFzTmaRhv4cJ40AWd5RUGkAr6k7cygoOVDoyMSboC0PP06uQRKSjtlGolIhlhpzzI_dhCehmd5UDAGIywxhunwspjYB9FanLs41I6XIuvxULMnBM9mZlIutXxbxTSTt63Q9hNQ1M1Z7ef5/s1600/DSC07647.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breathing in the autumn air</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYjawemtTN4syBT4vnWKzMXo00lVgGMXMy_zPDls9kBTVnbJGbNyt6vcvalTnAZvYf1W-c5UGFEejqMMeXIjjpWdnSHaa2mwOm59wytWOVxTzQ5UOPTBTdzteAusqsQkzu1i48arZUK9cE/s1600/DSC07744.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little Japanese temple thingy</td></tr>
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laura tjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15060378031157543196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246154260306446071.post-59720221337785636142019-03-10T22:16:00.000+11:002019-03-10T22:16:07.274+11:00MatsumotoHear are some of the favourite things I remember when I visited this cute little town, not in any particular order.<br />
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Cute white and charcoal patterned houses lined up along the streets and the weekend flea market.</div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUzn2vGpvq78F9-_dpDS6yem1OK5TghGUQyjSKTfLqJgmdJJnc7_pqVqdd_EgzUUAff_QBMRA4bspFBJuxAoSz2Yhl_7VOgYtFkmkHAH1SDS5WyxZMoL1dxngFaF3CFaZw9PJHBy6TMMn/s1600/DSC07254.jpg" /></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnV_vH_zwuaHAbkNuHJAw2yr5uaIZXiITv5Hnc09KR24wHvijRA0JhWTj5WFxbNxeTzX88AfILep7a3F9R682wKYbGun7tIl6t9QWGyioXNKw8CbUdCFo3P2q_Z7dH0NRhEyowIqLyZ32i/s1600/DSC07320.jpg" /></div>
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<a href="http://matsumoto-artmuse.jp/en/" target="_blank">Matsumoto City Museum of Art</a>. I thought it was Yayoi Kusama's dedicated museum but not really. There were a few of her artworks and installations displayed though, and Kusama's influence is definitely apparent everywhere around the town (or well, to be honest around Japan too?). Quick fun fact: Matsumoto is Yayoi Kusama's hometown.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho6I3J5aokUWQDmDkvkdjVexlwvWZ_xGn3iRaN5B_9pKx1D4_eqmNLN4MEXHlMkoyQh-JT6VkZO5mQY91dN9IDfp121wPteukYvg152JbgwHIlosX12QAYVE4o-yJ4Pzqt6Rv9BlamLJIA/s1600/DSC07242.jpg" /></div>
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A little ceramic homeware shop <a href="http://hotakacraft.com/" target="_blank">Hotaka Craft</a> where we bought a set of Japanese ceramic bowls and little plates. Best thing ever, and possibly the most affordable ceramic homeware shop I found in Japan, mind you I probably didn't go to many. I really wish I bought a lot more stuff from this shop.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaH7_xMFiOORgmaafS99POi1Neotqg66qN8XjUcQS73Uv5AZ3AZ8TwrARcIbxvuFOkJZM1mTw2rKJpSRIAnsiZWPL6QV54FD4uXms2DR_bnmMAWfYcJ8iPyr_Jpa1jbchkb00FK2woFXcU/s1600/DSC07800.jpg" /></div>
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The cutest bakery with the most delicious pastries called <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/KE8BuUV1GPE2" target="_blank">サパンジ</a>. This one was suggested by my friend Misa of <a href="http://eatadakimasu.tokyo/" target="_blank">EATadakimasu</a>.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbacKoLtFqJO7lN9YQpQQhnK9IV5l0RL6SAucz5Q5CuIScl9qnWjeX-cZnYWguyo2CmbudAee_vvXltWreZFpjSeh-maYtIQTHCbuTqEPfRtz8XSO15vZvya0x4dxVKtztjrcSmSy1r9e8/s1600/DSC07783.jpg" /></div>
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Vibrant autumn foliage, little shrines and Japanese festival.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmyGRC4wUWMhXSfgKzjn5t8OcZ4vGDoHZi9_gd9K0egYFBTgXjni4v0ixj3ji-z0BTQ8VZSxnTKbapByas7kw2zC13cwJNW0APqDtuEJM7sNRgcDmuOO_rRdF5g5ijjySOQb4BxhGgem-z/s1600/DSC07262.jpg" /></div>
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And the famous <a href="https://www.matsumoto-castle.jp/lang/" target="_blank">Matsumoto Castle</a> that looks just exactly like the Japanese castle emoji.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc1puPFHh7ZTH2PXmVSmEn43hy2DGHwkMk5vqKAgjEBxmhcisAfomjn6rXZ1Ufbv0OviFQQ6bB5dnWdTu1fOFJRMe8H7SNAbtVzy8hdKo0eRWmv7S3oEGG7xH6cP5BEgo_GXCVEHfadGl2/s1600/DSC07281.jpg" /></div>
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laura tjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15060378031157543196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246154260306446071.post-183935984170714222019-02-10T22:27:00.000+11:002019-02-11T22:08:03.340+11:00Kamikochi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Looking back at these photos from my trip to Kamikochi back in 2017 reminds me how refreshing it feels and how important it is to get away from the big city hustle bustle every now and then to be close to the nature. We were lucky to get to see the autumn foliage on the mountains on a dramatic grey misty day as well as on a bright sunny blue sky. Both views were incredibly beautiful, no matter what the weather was like the water in the river remains a clear turquoise colour. It was unreal. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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Along with our trip to Kamikochi, we also visited Matsumoto, Takayama and Shirakawa-Go. Here's a video of the whole trip, but I'll save photos from the other towns for next time.<br />
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<div class="embed-container"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/316263126" webkitallowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>laura tjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15060378031157543196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246154260306446071.post-17436264429586026312018-10-12T09:10:00.003+11:002018-10-12T09:18:01.819+11:00Tokyo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hello blog, long time no see. Hi Tokyo good to see you again, I just arrived yesterday. For this post though - these are snippets of my trip last year that’s been sitting in my draft for a while.</div>
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laura tjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15060378031157543196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246154260306446071.post-77230547726529710572018-03-25T21:13:00.000+11:002018-12-24T22:39:44.780+11:00Uluru<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
One of my amazing highlights last year was my trip to Uluru at Yulara, Northern Territory, Australia. It was not cheap but damn worth it and from this trip I gained so much more knowledge, awe and appreciation of nature in the desert, Aboriginal art and culture.</div>
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Uluru (the Ayers Rock)</h3>
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Field of the Light</h3>
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Art installation by <a href="http://www.brucemunro.co.uk/" target="_blank">Bruce Munro</a> the land as huge as seven football fields with 50,000 spindles of light that gently breathe and change colours<br />
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Sunrise view</h3>
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Not pictured: the crescent moon was hanging just above the skyline and slowly disappearing as the sky changed colour and the sun cam out. And we got to watch all of this over breakfast and coffee.</div>
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Textures of Uluru</h3>
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The colours of the desert</h3>
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Sunset, dinner and star gazing</h3>
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Uluru in 73 seconds</h3>
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I'm going to leave you with a little clip of my trip. All I'm saying is, if you've always wanted to go or thought of going, book your trip already. I'd recommend to visit in early winter.</div>
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laura tjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15060378031157543196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246154260306446071.post-51225093355541201742017-10-19T22:48:00.000+11:002018-12-24T22:28:34.721+11:00Jiufen and Shifen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Outside Taipei we went for a day trip to Jiufen and Shifen. So much fun. A video wrap of our overall Taiwan trip at the end of this post.<br />
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Jiufen</h3>
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Packed with people, very touristy but also authentic, so much food to try and so much fun!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFDZ8mD6RqGVUYttai1OXDdYrPd5Ametcv5_dgI1_8vXI769-1WPRU51NmIG7YMb3o-4ftzsjezvoWtOA2X7u0cOkDK5yBjYhRgLuX8h3ro-beqjHlgQBRj-hNfNFiNijmf54Ff8Dq0kT/s1600/dsc04986jpg_37212399490_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFDZ8mD6RqGVUYttai1OXDdYrPd5Ametcv5_dgI1_8vXI769-1WPRU51NmIG7YMb3o-4ftzsjezvoWtOA2X7u0cOkDK5yBjYhRgLuX8h3ro-beqjHlgQBRj-hNfNFiNijmf54Ff8Dq0kT/s1600/dsc04986jpg_37212399490_o.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.7; padding: 0px;">A Mei Tea House, the inspiration of Studio Ghibli's movie Spirited Away that I have yet to watch</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLv_H5Jnqy6IPeCSlcGnYUmqd_D8HSnd-SPoTtFn0qgAJ-UvMM3EfMfft_HbG2_Olu3WIh9OtzkBvTYvvVIHbQsRga5IXw8YHevRWtkUurg7gjmZT-Q7KCNDqXvcPHvlVYNj5yDV4Jz5T/s1600/dsc04947jpg_37469968661_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLv_H5Jnqy6IPeCSlcGnYUmqd_D8HSnd-SPoTtFn0qgAJ-UvMM3EfMfft_HbG2_Olu3WIh9OtzkBvTYvvVIHbQsRga5IXw8YHevRWtkUurg7gjmZT-Q7KCNDqXvcPHvlVYNj5yDV4Jz5T/s1600/dsc04947jpg_37469968661_o.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; color: black; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.7; padding: 0px;">Busy streets of Jiufen</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwqX_twD9lsbHL4wEd0wGqcgctwxSfK2j1IVZRJQv9MtFH1uH_xrZYxPLtBwBDAWvbc-1ozhoDh6p0HLnXIfp2GS6ptpqwm2Q6Flw8FpIX9fuUAZa9psxlpgpnz9kTMvJounXx17UM06fG/s1600/dsc04946jpg_37212328920_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwqX_twD9lsbHL4wEd0wGqcgctwxSfK2j1IVZRJQv9MtFH1uH_xrZYxPLtBwBDAWvbc-1ozhoDh6p0HLnXIfp2GS6ptpqwm2Q6Flw8FpIX9fuUAZa9psxlpgpnz9kTMvJounXx17UM06fG/s1600/dsc04946jpg_37212328920_o.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; color: black; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.7; padding: 0px;">A-Zhu Peanut Ice Cream Roll - MUST. EAT. Please take a note if you are going to Jiufen.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY0H7j3TranbyFEFtPC6divivMS1B0gdo5QYiBQ6dWqS2SgILlgdACYV4TM2QqDYhE0OV4gDoQZ6kxAu9MXBHPDtwxqv8boM0o5TR9I4TWYlhB1XpxzjieA5-xJM0-NPCATIhsIoT0_ct0/s1600/dsc04944jpg_37212324540_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY0H7j3TranbyFEFtPC6divivMS1B0gdo5QYiBQ6dWqS2SgILlgdACYV4TM2QqDYhE0OV4gDoQZ6kxAu9MXBHPDtwxqv8boM0o5TR9I4TWYlhB1XpxzjieA5-xJM0-NPCATIhsIoT0_ct0/s1600/dsc04944jpg_37212324540_o.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; color: black; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.7; padding: 0px;">One interesting souvenir shop at Jiufen</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_UZLlQ_ykliXcWOcs-wVxaUouXOOVl6srfAF-C1Un6mlUH04ryMfGu6Rn3cZbA9diY8v5TFZlBeUVLi-tjsYv6ifFIxE2khsvQCXXD8Ko7BHeZWVxmfi1-y1sTTnt8OBmMD9YKt9UzGb/s1600/dsc04953jpg_37469972401_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_UZLlQ_ykliXcWOcs-wVxaUouXOOVl6srfAF-C1Un6mlUH04ryMfGu6Rn3cZbA9diY8v5TFZlBeUVLi-tjsYv6ifFIxE2khsvQCXXD8Ko7BHeZWVxmfi1-y1sTTnt8OBmMD9YKt9UzGb/s1600/dsc04953jpg_37469972401_o.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; color: black; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.7; padding: 0px;">Wu Di ‘Flower Lady’ Taiwanese Sausage - another MUST. EAT.</td></tr>
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Shifen</h3>
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Supposedly people go to Shifen for the sky lantern and to see Shifen Waterfall. But because we went to Jiufen on the same day, by the time we got to Shifen it was almost dark so we skipped the waterfall. </div>
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The sky lantern was a lot of fun! As soon as we arrived, we were greeted by the hustle and bustle spread along the railway track full of tourists prepping to release their sky lanterns. Who would have thought the railway track is actually still being actively used; the train passed at least twice when we were there hahaha!</div>
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Video snippet</h3>
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Last but not least, here's a little video snippet of our trip. Thanks Taiwan, it has been so much fun! (Music The Obeisant by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/heliosmusic/" target="_blank">Helios</a>)</div>
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laura tjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15060378031157543196noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246154260306446071.post-85443573809992137292017-10-14T17:21:00.002+11:002018-12-24T22:03:17.811+11:00Taipei<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Earlier this year I got to hang out in Taiwan with Misa my friend and co-founder of <a href="http://thisisqoqo.co/" target="_blank">QoQo</a> and my sister Alice a.k.a. the doodler and story teller behind <a href="http://randomberries.com/" target="_blank">randomberries</a>. You could check Instagram posts from our Taiwan trip <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/fatgirlsintaipei/" target="_blank">here</a> and below I've got a few selected shots from my camera.<br />
<h3>
Streets of Taipei</h3>
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Food heaven</h3>
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From restaurants to street food to cute cafes to night markets to bubble tea shops. Food in Taipei does not disappoint and they're super affordable. Here are some of the memorable ones that we ate.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/1067178890041421/fuhang-soy-milk/" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #cc8f8f; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Fuhang Soy Milk</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> is the best Taiwanese breakfast ever. We even woke up early to line up and come back for a repeat.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.7; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/845241148953518/hao-gong-daos-shop/" style="background: transparent; color: #cc8f8f; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Hao Gong Dao's Shop</a> offers delicious dumplings and various Taiwanese cakes and pastries.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-h46CnwUAb5IvL9KpmVB5B1PYGlG8iKFN4VnsHHyT6wydyMO2X0cmf-bGpikIrYjh8A3NvFq6bzY9sEKYh4StrbPPyDHutznO5J-DyvI7rXZZ5pVqIi0UnI05nWSrJ2PTsEcX3iyDtlXS/s1600/dsc05334jpg_37439659212_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; color: black; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.7; padding: 0px;">Taoyuan Street beef noodle soup.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
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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;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibkrqQvAbn8VvexZYl21a-W1xeRiSpBNHg3iIKEnoDWFt9Jiwv8HBIERifmDhQ1LJSXDHdv1189cMRcbe9_Ly0DnxUKjZpquLDMFUV24Z3e4QI1wW_4-tWXQYRseYx_IyqhyphenhyphennGYgNcYjW-/s1600/dsc05085jpg_23618280858_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; color: black; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.7; padding: 0px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; color: black; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.7; padding: 0px;">Ay-chung flour rice noodles soup, a hearty and tasty street food in the middle of busy shopping area.</td></tr>
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</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
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<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;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheirqK7DyYAtg_IpYnZ3AxDULRKjOmerxucplu6QALvT9ZMqmpgYhn1z1ijmnKqLDAN5co4qPpDWj5UDOkUsN8vmBzxBdMiWfa0XjWUONAf5eLnjQpR-6TX7F2V2CcRbfU-fhBCR7WIr4a/s1600/dsc05382jpg_37470429031_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; color: black; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.7; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/583317041849842/urban-select/" style="background: transparent; color: #cc8f8f; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Urban Select</a> is one cute cafe that sells quirky knick-knacks. Portion is pretty generous too.</td></tr>
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</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm2muTbjWZfsTuUd3pYA6uJyp9jF_NOQZwqVR7qQbImi4tx8PDJZIhGeI8cvTM9YQ82KX2b_a5Cc0Hkulf2sYXxeO9HtDpdKu_VBGGnC91KnNkBLiZFt6a1TpOGl58w4UPo9xDtlSLZTgE/s1600/dsc05224jpg_37470265641_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; color: black; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.7; padding: 0px;">Here's the big temple in the middle of Shilin Night Market (apparently<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> a night market is usually built around a temple).</span></td></tr>
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<h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Creative Parks</h3>
<div>
Possibly one of the things that came as a pleasant surprise to us was the art and culture sites in Taipei. There were a lot of old heritage buildings turned into creative sites for art exhibitions, cute cafes and shops, so much happening and these seem to be where the young people hang out on the weekend. Each site we visited has its own different quirks and charms.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<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;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHyflgsGDDKxpMnviR9iahD3a0p-oK-in2hk6pCVzIhWBbLwacwjM39MsGC5RqAbBwzdH313PCLEw3VbSol7rPiXNI1e__heBAJLu9GRp6ciSDF77kGqGDCyauHCWJHg4AhCnhS6W8rhfa/s1600/dsc05100jpg_23618290508_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; color: black; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.7; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.huashan1914.com/en/" style="background: transparent; color: #cc8f8f; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Huashan 1914 Creative Park</a></td></tr>
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</td></tr>
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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;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHo95gTz470tkQfjoCNlTYoX7L2fYPY9077BsRugDJo3fpqokl9c8KITI374ML3LXeT7o4IemLoUtAnba7dZWVbSF0TZd4s61tm9yhx6IeJuQLXn_ntJflhd2FBOyf9ZdKIB5UR-nrOcP_/s1600/37212481630_497d506c56_k.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; color: black; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.7; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.wooderfullife.com/en/" style="background: transparent; color: #cc8f8f; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Wooderful Life</a>, the famous wooden music box shop inside Huashan 1914</td></tr>
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</td></tr>
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<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/AVvXsEiz8Q7g4Xv90JS6MwVw329BLtximXQyW1GGTxSeKXGjB_8pUbaiwhKw-PSlPO5h419qDmZi-9uFH6UxbzM3omWrr3_hTqjShmsOfoIYNFNm67WFUnkUDwfn2CGuUo2dsystrMCn8kPygHXK/s1600/36800590343_c53440cd11_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz8Q7g4Xv90JS6MwVw329BLtximXQyW1GGTxSeKXGjB_8pUbaiwhKw-PSlPO5h419qDmZi-9uFH6UxbzM3omWrr3_hTqjShmsOfoIYNFNm67WFUnkUDwfn2CGuUo2dsystrMCn8kPygHXK/s1600/36800590343_c53440cd11_k.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; color: black; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.7; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.teamlab.art/" style="background: transparent; color: #cc8f8f; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Team Lab</a>'s exhibition at Huashan 1914</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWxA-7AsqcgZ9xEpx4llev30Ii0fSQiZJ_kcNUGD0Ib3kNrY4nPRQeav6nYgWRWgLR7wSVF-UfSA2ovmtbkLxYfXVHR1q9emgtDSbW_yHAzJGzdKraOhqCmZz7gwGoYpZyUww6eXbjEJhW/s1600/37470166011_65853d8f4b_k.jpg" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; color: black; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.7; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #cc8f8f;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Treasure Hill artist village</span></span></td></tr>
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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;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJsQY2PNqYnhKNuLPpHw9djMjrfX-yjylpKNHGuLGxzav-caDr3m0OaDQX7uMSpfP2WVgbUtzdHCjC-AVx553VQTd3JMDlvv0anxdnigGv-qebyVEc5RKC9hN7pSn3hBK9h826BJ9Ou25n/s1600/37212600420_f60178abe4_k.jpg" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; color: black; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.7; padding: 0px;">Some of the green corners at Treasure Hill</td></tr>
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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;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIKo9sFX1dXiWjCoxdmE7nFJ9-TQ8lC9BeLRn7fJB-7tHHn5400k2oKZ3ck6VNa0wyWj1jdB9zcupZ46KcFzaXiH2GzHMe2vWcwlTa4lCmTRD0YlXk5CiFRp0J1Kws_TTz4yiWEkls8HtT/s1600/37212646980_3dea865dcc_k.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; color: black; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.7; padding: 0px;">Treasure Hill artists village, a bit raw and run-down but quirky and beautiful</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span>
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<span style="text-align: left;">That's all for today. Next post: a short video clip from our overall trip in Taiwan + photos from our day trip to Jiufen and Shifen.</span></div>
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laura tjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15060378031157543196noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246154260306446071.post-89149321708152343652017-09-24T20:50:00.000+10:002018-12-28T21:00:25.928+11:00NY WaterfallsA little snippets of my overnight road trip to Niagara Falls, USA side summer last year :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihiLK6AliXAr1FFeBS3ExxW4-heo8D6gFFqr_bNh3_2KvmFXksT3H_qSNF6tdkni7taLatxFzh_vbZTRGnSAk_z_a9M7L_R8DtIlpKC88BW-bUnyPAi0xD6Fu_ZxR7itGHp4tvx8WrVufs/s1600/DSC04877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihiLK6AliXAr1FFeBS3ExxW4-heo8D6gFFqr_bNh3_2KvmFXksT3H_qSNF6tdkni7taLatxFzh_vbZTRGnSAk_z_a9M7L_R8DtIlpKC88BW-bUnyPAi0xD6Fu_ZxR7itGHp4tvx8WrVufs/s1600/DSC04877.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Maid of the Mist boat trip at Niagara Falls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj37fpXxiQtWtDKEvHazSsFJdlp6-4HeTyAzktKtlL0R3tMDxEthbzxd5yoffkp_F2IuyaZifhs6o0OO6wDTVaYMF7drxzyg4ewH19jh4d3QSv3hnb3nc-MkrL9IZQckP143pNy5AVsF2cq/s1600/DSC04786.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watkins Glen State Park</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSSyOLNr0TAQPKvJduVPow_M3XSxMKRb4LStmNF3_QFvEzIqzyIKD1tgnxehmhcZWWl0mgxlC1dkf9ktQVfi_5GBLc_MK4vbmmBAxBVBAj5cTZm9WY_4SzO0darGDSfhiLcr59O7-g4Rfg/s1600/DSC04841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSSyOLNr0TAQPKvJduVPow_M3XSxMKRb4LStmNF3_QFvEzIqzyIKD1tgnxehmhcZWWl0mgxlC1dkf9ktQVfi_5GBLc_MK4vbmmBAxBVBAj5cTZm9WY_4SzO0darGDSfhiLcr59O7-g4Rfg/s1600/DSC04841.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Whirlpool State Park</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgluUdht3-I0f_i50JjD15d0e1xATB_TafiQ2N5IFAsucLXxMDSg1oWLMVIutqImgKtgCCPdeoS7lAu4LQ-ffTZzXzws2-_ecDA_Ooy6TvlnFeake3Gd5VwLPzXk0Wx5_TPCKg7wQcsy0H4/s1600/DSC04851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgluUdht3-I0f_i50JjD15d0e1xATB_TafiQ2N5IFAsucLXxMDSg1oWLMVIutqImgKtgCCPdeoS7lAu4LQ-ffTZzXzws2-_ecDA_Ooy6TvlnFeake3Gd5VwLPzXk0Wx5_TPCKg7wQcsy0H4/s1600/DSC04851.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Old Fort Niagara</td></tr>
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laura tjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15060378031157543196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246154260306446071.post-6720869329877214742017-09-05T22:05:00.003+10:002019-08-02T21:31:19.416+10:00Exploring NYC<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
This time last year, I was wandering around New York City in the hot and humid summer. So grateful I have been able to stay at a friend's cute apartment around the Hells Kitchen area in Manhattan, caught up with my high school friend who I haven't seen for over 15 years and met up with this cool lady <a href="http://www.jenniferyoungstudio.com/" target="_blank">Jennifer Young</a> (we met online through blogging back in the day). To all of you friends, thank you for the very warm welcome and taking me around your big city. </div>
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As I was going through my photos it just brought me back to all the fun memories as I was exploring the streets, the food, art and culture and parks. Here are some highlight shots.</div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQa6a87q1id67794eF6jAWdi5wp_vooZ38u96vWna2cfTgolFec9Xb4wXVBEVNCDR3vvjkVfkhZ-J3FGgqab-vCyxfQ_pLDhyLzDPeLA_xhhagCKPC1pAtlZxTKOSz6seuaC2FJc05X_LV/s1600/dsc04296jpg_36398900730_o.jpg" /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A photogenic cafe across the Grand Central Station</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI48VgwhAaW-gbSq-vWCi3VprBHEtBDQnSUJP9a0OeHd-HY6bidnxOtBvk-SnLlUi3pkOcltDFL6xidACjjhy4NWUbMTkS07L6uZ5pssnZbTngFBF4cYXyYB7fZMIyNVW7oy9MFkYDYZsd/s1600/dsc04289jpg_36398912770_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI48VgwhAaW-gbSq-vWCi3VprBHEtBDQnSUJP9a0OeHd-HY6bidnxOtBvk-SnLlUi3pkOcltDFL6xidACjjhy4NWUbMTkS07L6uZ5pssnZbTngFBF4cYXyYB7fZMIyNVW7oy9MFkYDYZsd/s1600/dsc04289jpg_36398912770_o.jpg" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Grand Central Station is really grand. I also got excited about eating Shake Shack at their food court downstairs.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFpsKKOiCSAl_Gq_Y8mn79qSIUBQX5J17Hq47iBUQf3lhF2GV-cZ_6SD_mHCLGH1_4XPrdEzNS_1vpaEapiJfB49bmpLrknMEpHLuMwmgv-hiOM51QMsaxbMeW20-P4Fi_BmAEZTE0H_L/s1600/dsc04584jpg_35986352233_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFpsKKOiCSAl_Gq_Y8mn79qSIUBQX5J17Hq47iBUQf3lhF2GV-cZ_6SD_mHCLGH1_4XPrdEzNS_1vpaEapiJfB49bmpLrknMEpHLuMwmgv-hiOM51QMsaxbMeW20-P4Fi_BmAEZTE0H_L/s1600/dsc04584jpg_35986352233_o.jpg" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">The iconic Flatiron Building. Very New York.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSkgmMkgxRi3XhG1tEp4RS6PNYpOx4xlq-pmFLhmZJ03bw0NniwkCP0lBVBo17KKHbadbb7zgKYroZ-Van-eI4IWLN5Nq53dlDJm1-UlG1jIqZ3juNroAzHrmP_d8bfi9LG_NmygLP463/s1600/dsc04329jpg_36625554602_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSkgmMkgxRi3XhG1tEp4RS6PNYpOx4xlq-pmFLhmZJ03bw0NniwkCP0lBVBo17KKHbadbb7zgKYroZ-Van-eI4IWLN5Nq53dlDJm1-UlG1jIqZ3juNroAzHrmP_d8bfi9LG_NmygLP463/s1600/dsc04329jpg_36625554602_o.jpg" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vintage American stuff</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzsaYYsyu7U4oD970aYEBuQLv4qchAE504Q6lzMOPYwByGoV88P7y1fzegVqy9vr5VkSrRP5T4i0fGksezo6kZ-1-XbjpTuyC1F25rg4NNv-wiv6jfWuVmflgw2mpnGH88WeBme5-EvPYs/s1600/dsc04333jpg_36656695921_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzsaYYsyu7U4oD970aYEBuQLv4qchAE504Q6lzMOPYwByGoV88P7y1fzegVqy9vr5VkSrRP5T4i0fGksezo6kZ-1-XbjpTuyC1F25rg4NNv-wiv6jfWuVmflgw2mpnGH88WeBme5-EvPYs/s1600/dsc04333jpg_36656695921_o.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="https://thehalalguys.com/" target="_blank">The Halal Guys</a>. Best street food ever, so tasty and so cheap.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJlrcVVgQ_eYjgufD7HFzOrr81maLID9gq-dKX0Iw4OYxOaI9LFualp7xe8cgt2BFI7oOeI6EKgVZvv3vD0C4UjPOWXLT704aRHWscBbF0lbkPCSQBmrEQZpwIjTGblA2mZwpgTwiMOhl/s1600/dsc04571jpg_35960896094_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJlrcVVgQ_eYjgufD7HFzOrr81maLID9gq-dKX0Iw4OYxOaI9LFualp7xe8cgt2BFI7oOeI6EKgVZvv3vD0C4UjPOWXLT704aRHWscBbF0lbkPCSQBmrEQZpwIjTGblA2mZwpgTwiMOhl/s1600/dsc04571jpg_35960896094_o.jpg" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The famous <a href="https://www.katzsdelicatessen.com/" target="_blank">Katz's Deli</a>. Since 1888 apparently. I wish they have a branch in Sydney!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8u-_9z-MNmi_NJVqVX1xKRyYtdew7qkgboacHO8z-XRUOose3s9vwnxtTmQakBKYcfUX81jYUxhFutYgjtkp9uXYNvqTkYEilpr37kKfhfxK7MfD5X0VQ85quKSD0Tnd1hQTbjmWjkAOF/s1600/dsc04769jpg_35986017983_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8u-_9z-MNmi_NJVqVX1xKRyYtdew7qkgboacHO8z-XRUOose3s9vwnxtTmQakBKYcfUX81jYUxhFutYgjtkp9uXYNvqTkYEilpr37kKfhfxK7MfD5X0VQ85quKSD0Tnd1hQTbjmWjkAOF/s1600/dsc04769jpg_35986017983_o.jpg" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside Katz's Deli</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3xBqXKM_PMwLb6Czfi0QlRtxbxt_05VKLLbmvqparyYK4MFnpUXyg4vNDcCENkdth1uG4fxmI2wBuwcdRp0-0YkrIRO-PWu4g-zqF1L27wJdIJgsAKg-f0CWHvHptL9ZMxO23M7uQr8R/s1600/dsc04341jpg_36398791050_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3xBqXKM_PMwLb6Czfi0QlRtxbxt_05VKLLbmvqparyYK4MFnpUXyg4vNDcCENkdth1uG4fxmI2wBuwcdRp0-0YkrIRO-PWu4g-zqF1L27wJdIJgsAKg-f0CWHvHptL9ZMxO23M7uQr8R/s1600/dsc04341jpg_36398791050_o.jpg" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Oculus at World Trade Center. I remember I was there when it was the first day of Westfield opened and they gave out freebies. I scored some free popsicle, fairy floss and a glass of champagne LOL.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguOXKaOXtugI9VzHpqZqUJy8CrCZjWimo9t6K8epFn-4-9ODkZXjzJUbR7L3H2RXNRX7gicD-SZMf7qoInZi3xu76XRq7e53It3h7Qkd7Q_orpbuZuzF7a9714zFdnC7kkhz26KVE58nP3/s1600/dsc04369jpg_36625474882_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguOXKaOXtugI9VzHpqZqUJy8CrCZjWimo9t6K8epFn-4-9ODkZXjzJUbR7L3H2RXNRX7gicD-SZMf7qoInZi3xu76XRq7e53It3h7Qkd7Q_orpbuZuzF7a9714zFdnC7kkhz26KVE58nP3/s1600/dsc04369jpg_36625474882_o.jpg" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking out <a href="https://www.smorgasburg.com/" target="_blank">Smorgasburg</a>, unfortunately I was there on a weekday so they didn't have the open market then. Pretty cool area though.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4d5knTTPWiVQUTit3dFDXBPnvmqG8Apr3LEpL3gRp-QKNTDIRH5onOp6mjKjw12GwCvkBfC2VuKwEoc490XgZ4grNGy5a7pM6LGPwciBW47LISrvB1eowRpxuZewljyYbH2ZoAp98K-K8/s1600/dsc04390jpg_36625420982_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4d5knTTPWiVQUTit3dFDXBPnvmqG8Apr3LEpL3gRp-QKNTDIRH5onOp6mjKjw12GwCvkBfC2VuKwEoc490XgZ4grNGy5a7pM6LGPwciBW47LISrvB1eowRpxuZewljyYbH2ZoAp98K-K8/s1600/dsc04390jpg_36625420982_o.jpg" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another one from where I had lunch at <a href="https://www.smorgasburg.com/" target="_blank">Smorgasburg</a>.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzhz4c-dksgD195mU6_5VkicAeupmQbO_DB43nZcjUZ-pJN7065oqrbXUUGgchpGRKji-VXlUhkMWZexP6I8h0P0rxYFntyGfwm46iELJSJIaTfpA1MqOoDOCna9sDXvCmicB7hFPPdYaE/s1600/dsc04675jpg_36795330415_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzhz4c-dksgD195mU6_5VkicAeupmQbO_DB43nZcjUZ-pJN7065oqrbXUUGgchpGRKji-VXlUhkMWZexP6I8h0P0rxYFntyGfwm46iELJSJIaTfpA1MqOoDOCna9sDXvCmicB7hFPPdYaE/s1600/dsc04675jpg_36795330415_o.jpg" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Empire State building viewed from <a href="https://www.topoftherocknyc.com/" target="_blank">Top of The Rock</a>. A little tip from me as an Asian tourist: go during sunset time and stay until dark so you get all to see daylight, sunset and night view!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH2TdFn4j8sCkYeo8eW-zPRQwxFcD6NT3-8IubxBe965zzBfiUj48mRzg4yCJIiM2xpuYbbxIfIImOVD2tvCJIW4cYO3liYP-4lRIUCwzwb4Zsjh9QArgBn4ig51PeYaxDhwTwlIRN5vel/s1600/dsc04680jpg_36398237360_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH2TdFn4j8sCkYeo8eW-zPRQwxFcD6NT3-8IubxBe965zzBfiUj48mRzg4yCJIiM2xpuYbbxIfIImOVD2tvCJIW4cYO3liYP-4lRIUCwzwb4Zsjh9QArgBn4ig51PeYaxDhwTwlIRN5vel/s1600/dsc04680jpg_36398237360_o.jpg" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Viewing Central Park from Top of The Rock</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLx7jSx02oTG92DrycejVi2iRSynkrZDt9pSZGAsj7J7rChJvxKuq8LK2ed270DHvH9fh4VWeDpvavWvgnn3jRmKd2hPyPlobS2mXQ44VHVkRDeKRkPw1VfQ-ItH9muYsb0nySgRw2aVSO/s1600/dsc04753jpg_36795149545_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLx7jSx02oTG92DrycejVi2iRSynkrZDt9pSZGAsj7J7rChJvxKuq8LK2ed270DHvH9fh4VWeDpvavWvgnn3jRmKd2hPyPlobS2mXQ44VHVkRDeKRkPw1VfQ-ItH9muYsb0nySgRw2aVSO/s1600/dsc04753jpg_36795149545_o.jpg" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.artistsandfleas.com/williamsburg/" target="_blank">Artists & Fleas market</a> at Williamsburg</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZo11JP98ZvZmVcCkVxuKpWsS_o79W2Lsy25ECdZnzgTT5Qwa0FyXJ9GH5CPVU26D6RbO3NxBAfjRvbDF5wNetfxGNVJEPMJM8wWWk4psYmO8HZKuYG_xNFDq8mszgHIhQ4oehuzr21g9/s1600/dsc04754jpg_36795141995_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZo11JP98ZvZmVcCkVxuKpWsS_o79W2Lsy25ECdZnzgTT5Qwa0FyXJ9GH5CPVU26D6RbO3NxBAfjRvbDF5wNetfxGNVJEPMJM8wWWk4psYmO8HZKuYG_xNFDq8mszgHIhQ4oehuzr21g9/s1600/dsc04754jpg_36795141995_o.jpg" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Random art wall from some cafe in Brooklyn</td></tr>
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One other highlight that I would recommend to people who are going to NYC is to go see <a href="https://mckittrickhotel.com/sleep-no-more/" target="_blank">Sleep No More</a>. From what I heard the details of the sets were much much better 5 - 6 years ago when they just released the play than what it is today. I guess some details on the sets might have gotten old and lost over time and as they've gotten so famous and there are so many people going and the downfall for me was the fact that there were too many spectators for the play so when you were at the back you might not get to see much. But for me personally, this was one of the coolest theatrical experience that I've ever gone to, the production sets are still exceptionally amazing and I thoroughly enjoyed it. </div>
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Thanks NYC for all the fun and also the back pain I got from walking too much (and not wearing proper shoes). Loving all the amazing food, cool little bars, shopping, markets, all the art and culture and the green and calming Central Park.</div>
laura tjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15060378031157543196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246154260306446071.post-60288737823674270932017-06-12T20:01:00.001+10:002017-06-12T20:22:28.982+10:00New York City<img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidoespoWeGsStZs2K-0idN_r3cUfQQ1SDUCGx1Ufi8Q0-jtO-X4i3yvm83GSF4NejTAMMrPiYKwvYs6irlXVz0MX4H3rCTZsG_lo3HRDBIyXlZJAQ0-x7BdNN8CqDVOpHY-50l8BSn-CMj/s1600/DSC04690.jpg" /><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/221135819?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe><br />
Here's New York City behind my lens in less than 2 minutes, mini documentation from my trip last year. Music is OffOffOff by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Autolaser/" target="_blank">Autolaser</a>.laura tjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15060378031157543196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246154260306446071.post-8816699999878526182017-04-30T23:24:00.000+10:002017-05-08T22:10:26.809+10:00#VantagePoint<div style="text-align: left;">
Let's talk about photography.</div>
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My photography journey has gone through different phases. There was a phase where I got really into it and I bought a beginner level of DSLR, took up a photography course, organised photoshoots with friends and stuff. I carried my DSLR around with me almost all the time.</div>
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But then slowly I got lazy to carry such heavy bulky camera, I wasn't really happy with how my photos turned up and I moved my photography interest into <a href="https://www.lomography.com/" target="_blank">lomography</a> - little plastic film cameras that come in different funky colourful shapes. There was excitement getting my films developed, not knowing what I would get. There were good photos and there were meh, there were failures on a whole roll of film or two. It was the real analogue Instagram filters effect on the photos developed that made it all exciting.<br />
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And then... here comes the smartphones phase. All the convenience and instant shoot and post within just a few finger taps. I swapped all of my old cameras to one small simple Sony compact camera. It's enough and does the job, I only used it mostly when I travel.<br />
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I have to admit, when it comes to pursuing hobbies I am one that gets bored quite easily. For me personally though, regardless what cameras I used (I seem to downgrade throughout the time, whether it was a DSLR, a lomo, a smartphone, a simple compact point and shoot), photography has always been around me at all times. I'm a visual person and I love capturing moments and memories in this form.<br />
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Let me close my rambling by sharing with you a personal favourite shot as a part of #VantagePoint, a project by <a href="https://light.co/" target="_blank">Light</a>, which by the way a new light weight small camera of the size of a phone with new technology that would give you SLR quality shots. Sounds like a little gem that I need to keep an eye on when they release the product later this year.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUt8wWbVwu51nk5A2NWKw9tt40BIiW59P71s7FGoiDkUSRPVuqG2RODx1d4Wdm6MfpLVNRPXNaoOdv3CXK3qWV1q8gDD9oyT2_d1BtZ-YkTKf7RISaGipr47C1h4d2jRv8Mi2kfFTWP2Zz/s1600/31732045115_a0d2158145_k.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUt8wWbVwu51nk5A2NWKw9tt40BIiW59P71s7FGoiDkUSRPVuqG2RODx1d4Wdm6MfpLVNRPXNaoOdv3CXK3qWV1q8gDD9oyT2_d1BtZ-YkTKf7RISaGipr47C1h4d2jRv8Mi2kfFTWP2Zz/s1600/31732045115_a0d2158145_k.jpg" /></a><br />
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Taken with: Sony DSC-RX100 ~ ISO: 125 ~ Apperture: 5.6 ~ Shutter speed: 1/400<br />
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Location: Yosemite National Park<br />
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I mean, this place is so beautiful that I think any photos taken would just turn up great. But put photography techniques and all that aside, this one in particular is my favourite because I love the composition and the colours and I'm really happy with how this turned up. The river and the reflection give some depth and make the picture more dramatic, it also emphasises the colour the sky, the rocks and the colour changing trees at the start of autumn a bit more too. I found this image calming and soothing, it brings me back the memories of when I was travelling to Yosemite, quiet and peaceful. It gives me zen when I look at it. When a picture gives a certain feeling or triggers a memory, then I think (I hope) I did a good job. And it's not very often that I said I love my own photos ha, this one though remains a favourite that it has been staying on my iPhone lock screen since 2 years ago when I took this photo.<br />
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What about your stories? What photos are you taking? What cameras do you take photos with (if not your smartphone) and do you carry your camera with you all the time? For other amazing #VantagePoint shots, check out their <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/thelightco/vantage-point/" target="_blank">Pinterest board</a>.<br />
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laura tjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15060378031157543196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246154260306446071.post-17160036370802968562017-03-05T23:31:00.002+11:002017-06-10T21:26:59.954+10:00Japan in Spring 2016<div style="text-align: left;">
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXpkqs7d_wySbYj0fVe3wgNbltxYEa0UDpMf1tl0j8xjgX5CkGqGIUB3WZzyAG09E6VlNwR85VUQnqpsh0jsjX0sntx0PFp4OgYzq2HfAOrAYBlFDC0cdO2MBI3t5iV297zy7KxZzi7_zL/s1600/32129924985_30790b2dea_k.jpg" /></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/196986560?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe><br /></div>
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It has been almost a year since my trip and I finally put up my snippets from Japan trip last year, it's a combination of all my trip in Tokyo, Hakone and Kyoto in the last 3 posts. </div>
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PS I have also updated my blog layout and rebranded it to my usual internet handle lauratj, which is a short of my last name - while I'm proud of my name, I am aware of it just being too long and too difficult to spell for most people. Read a refresher about my blog <a href="http://lauratj.blogspot.com.au/2014/11/about-this-blog.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Cheerio!</div>
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laura tjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15060378031157543196noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246154260306446071.post-18670807991959777172017-01-28T12:28:00.000+11:002017-01-28T12:28:50.510+11:00Japan part 3: Kyoto<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Oh what can I say about Kyoto. Being a first timer to visit Japan, for me Kyoto was the most beautiful place I've seen the whole trip. All the scenery, the shrines and temples, the bamboo forest and cherry blossom trees were all so overwhelmingly pretty. I only did all the touristy activities of course, and there were just too many tourists everywhere - a little too crowded for my liking, but Kyoto was a wonderful place regardless and it was all very zen and beyond what I expected it to be. </div>
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Just highlighting places I've visited, not in any particular order: Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Tenryu-Ji, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kinkaku-Ji or the Golden Pavilion, Gion. Argh. Everything was just so pretty.</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/AVvXsEiIYRSbr9cWhxQISAYi3dDv36M15BxmoAIZhZDIle_ZNImRh1zKLX5To1yjQGc6aEmgephaqAhvKiI2Ad9wDlENiKSVq04sM6r5K004cK6Ek3nDbFV-xPbRUsuIOMMnx3uGmh77d8YyEizx/s1600/31754900980_097b12c99a_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYRSbr9cWhxQISAYi3dDv36M15BxmoAIZhZDIle_ZNImRh1zKLX5To1yjQGc6aEmgephaqAhvKiI2Ad9wDlENiKSVq04sM6r5K004cK6Ek3nDbFV-xPbRUsuIOMMnx3uGmh77d8YyEizx/s1600/31754900980_097b12c99a_k.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, was in my bucket list for so long!</td></tr>
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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/AVvXsEhk6S46b_ysZ98spLhNCkm6FrqxnIglu2mkX5rdtInha2e4DX0PY5cWHU5WrfrbSdjH1B_G4Nrpca1Kk8NcKTJefkaTiJrHasOgr3Ig1GWsNUdCosScqVZANyHKs28wm6rzZxU6H-zqMfIz/s1600/31754890730_e8fa9f43da_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk6S46b_ysZ98spLhNCkm6FrqxnIglu2mkX5rdtInha2e4DX0PY5cWHU5WrfrbSdjH1B_G4Nrpca1Kk8NcKTJefkaTiJrHasOgr3Ig1GWsNUdCosScqVZANyHKs28wm6rzZxU6H-zqMfIz/s1600/31754890730_e8fa9f43da_k.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arashiyama Bamboo Forest</td></tr>
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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/AVvXsEiSN4ebawQ-yTLV6Y8gMOgG1Ve1R7xpELsqPJFj-MVjh3OBp8AIRG1NVL5SD8uHNAdoOVRG98ZQC_-1MxNcrB8imQfw0jHynBvl7J4LSIvWsuOF-LB9fOYoANN09aO7Oqe5ONWRnm-cyinD/s1600/31754905300_f3c72ae7c5_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSN4ebawQ-yTLV6Y8gMOgG1Ve1R7xpELsqPJFj-MVjh3OBp8AIRG1NVL5SD8uHNAdoOVRG98ZQC_-1MxNcrB8imQfw0jHynBvl7J4LSIvWsuOF-LB9fOYoANN09aO7Oqe5ONWRnm-cyinD/s1600/31754905300_f3c72ae7c5_k.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tenryu Ji, the closest temple near the bamboo forest</td></tr>
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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/AVvXsEg3qmmxCVZaPTUScyQ9NBGVeGyKOPTN6_AoDGP4vvqeY2mCEedTwVtAwhQprNNPGzlm-xLlDbOXqil2oRj5Vn9M8z3JTXRYRhR7DgKi90X6UZuNYoJrpvKfKHWjoBtgu79YXR5UQn-O_FSV/s1600/32091045266_9bd61d9312_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3qmmxCVZaPTUScyQ9NBGVeGyKOPTN6_AoDGP4vvqeY2mCEedTwVtAwhQprNNPGzlm-xLlDbOXqil2oRj5Vn9M8z3JTXRYRhR7DgKi90X6UZuNYoJrpvKfKHWjoBtgu79YXR5UQn-O_FSV/s1600/32091045266_9bd61d9312_k.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The garden at Tenryu Ji with all the different types of cherry blossom trees</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mu9eF-vWrIkE3GLMwFOM-J9bOTU5HF5poCwvnqYxrIGJ6ZF-3ACbFtd4ioS9Q_A-0kfsC8_vigBWl4iLodrTkvhYy11Vm6UJpAmOAe3_1DN4NkRcR356FFRLEaK-Juy3Q5qPrPbbFrLp/s1600/31754917420_895acbb04d_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mu9eF-vWrIkE3GLMwFOM-J9bOTU5HF5poCwvnqYxrIGJ6ZF-3ACbFtd4ioS9Q_A-0kfsC8_vigBWl4iLodrTkvhYy11Vm6UJpAmOAe3_1DN4NkRcR356FFRLEaK-Juy3Q5qPrPbbFrLp/s1600/31754917420_895acbb04d_k.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tenryu Ji</td></tr>
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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/AVvXsEjaxbOaSnEMlQTBuYwWlIPgu2JFWodrzsn3Bm96XSGR_3m-5AJdELFfeQ6AhZzBLSLt4iLVfR_D2YZ9U90qc8TTa1u_BKvFlwPWicbVHhmw_8xR5jdsNewxXsWXN2tAmPsD95zdWBRtPm6w/s1600/32129924985_30790b2dea_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxbOaSnEMlQTBuYwWlIPgu2JFWodrzsn3Bm96XSGR_3m-5AJdELFfeQ6AhZzBLSLt4iLVfR_D2YZ9U90qc8TTa1u_BKvFlwPWicbVHhmw_8xR5jdsNewxXsWXN2tAmPsD95zdWBRtPm6w/s1600/32129924985_30790b2dea_k.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tenryu Ji</td></tr>
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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/AVvXsEgCfbCtiShCDCfN4To14PyJ0__hTU3ttM8n8xSBv7XWiXjlNpJkd5mtFJFX3EHuwNqyL_dkpmWOfwSA6osAAE0RBclt24yvSb0FcfYK96KTOw2WxKA4JjYksXqvpnWN0LnEbsKjW7lckUC2/s1600/32129928995_b179b6b2af_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCfbCtiShCDCfN4To14PyJ0__hTU3ttM8n8xSBv7XWiXjlNpJkd5mtFJFX3EHuwNqyL_dkpmWOfwSA6osAAE0RBclt24yvSb0FcfYK96KTOw2WxKA4JjYksXqvpnWN0LnEbsKjW7lckUC2/s1600/32129928995_b179b6b2af_k.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tenryu Ji</td></tr>
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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/AVvXsEjFjcprrzcfLnbWkI3x-qu9o61y-qRqiPK5t-Njj3oB_VbGarRW5pHTAYBBLxUqk7M0_C8OsH9KConbUsHLE8gPreako1aAdP4fHwt4QHUogR2QH_aN_eXg05iPvRpr4FCQq7X9tJ9GXgSe/s1600/31319823723_56e6c98643_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjcprrzcfLnbWkI3x-qu9o61y-qRqiPK5t-Njj3oB_VbGarRW5pHTAYBBLxUqk7M0_C8OsH9KConbUsHLE8gPreako1aAdP4fHwt4QHUogR2QH_aN_eXg05iPvRpr4FCQq7X9tJ9GXgSe/s1600/31319823723_56e6c98643_k.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tenryu Ji</td></tr>
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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/AVvXsEgYIEtGHiG7xffA-2YpeqMfdiUvxUbM7axkS8CVTJ3hr0Qnx8leDRUCGTX1s4WXKKTgPMpAjcEevCKjicKfhuVd0GUp2cWSvi6FKReZHkcTW5B2w_Z4WrS0gq0Kpsybaw9xuD5XbRTIfTdX/s1600/31754981670_5058a6f52d_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYIEtGHiG7xffA-2YpeqMfdiUvxUbM7axkS8CVTJ3hr0Qnx8leDRUCGTX1s4WXKKTgPMpAjcEevCKjicKfhuVd0GUp2cWSvi6FKReZHkcTW5B2w_Z4WrS0gq0Kpsybaw9xuD5XbRTIfTdX/s1600/31754981670_5058a6f52d_k.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tenryu Ji, oh gosh I took so many photos here, couldn't help myself the whole complex is so pretty</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TaZ9mGu9jn8UnzPyNu1TVBgYHCPt5_7GesvWtIGBROQs0p33H_g_nj0mYDwzePrEQvQ0bc9XWWCMijXMLTRmZr090XHshmgeDFFlgrs8-JrgCspAv0AYzg4_8Bs7nS4rnOBTGUa4ZOKH/s1600/31288710964_583582e6b4_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TaZ9mGu9jn8UnzPyNu1TVBgYHCPt5_7GesvWtIGBROQs0p33H_g_nj0mYDwzePrEQvQ0bc9XWWCMijXMLTRmZr090XHshmgeDFFlgrs8-JrgCspAv0AYzg4_8Bs7nS4rnOBTGUa4ZOKH/s1600/31288710964_583582e6b4_k.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tenryu Ji, where every ordinary corner is just pretty and full of cherry blossoms during spring</td></tr>
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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/AVvXsEibFLKNqoTpAtwTiu5ZPi0_PX7AalcHWUhrADgi3m-PrVsWDytkbgfIAhJi5vPXcs3kzCTfPQKQnySVVIA51mqw_C9SZXjzRrtBPa22UmQzHatofKZgrmPL-yde965993BRY83pXwIWJoTT/s1600/31288709984_8f32e5b87e_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibFLKNqoTpAtwTiu5ZPi0_PX7AalcHWUhrADgi3m-PrVsWDytkbgfIAhJi5vPXcs3kzCTfPQKQnySVVIA51mqw_C9SZXjzRrtBPa22UmQzHatofKZgrmPL-yde965993BRY83pXwIWJoTT/s1600/31288709984_8f32e5b87e_k.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tenryu Ji, last snap before we were heading off</td></tr>
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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/AVvXsEg9tXhL2x158iLFUf9D39ePjqYjddHCIOroN95A5bVzcx4OdW4yZGMb0DocJd2PRQqynTPAnLcP1MwuySa8Z22TDnIPg3CxszGJq2rpSu59AYNLWkDFDsKjC0gDxfAx5GbUEYOMmOa6T9yg/s1600/31288714424_b5bba1cc9f_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9tXhL2x158iLFUf9D39ePjqYjddHCIOroN95A5bVzcx4OdW4yZGMb0DocJd2PRQqynTPAnLcP1MwuySa8Z22TDnIPg3CxszGJq2rpSu59AYNLWkDFDsKjC0gDxfAx5GbUEYOMmOa6T9yg/s1600/31288714424_b5bba1cc9f_k.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kinkaku Ji, another beautiful temple but we didn't arrive early enough to enjoy the zen without too many tourists</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_uT-C8Mg_ZIJdC4yiOEBFok__yIsHxh7vlMlh7MDSQdjwEDYB6O-JYb14T2NecDe0RapRVKbJwsloaEhyphenhyphenmlQDbX4iT7aK01LBkg3peVQKEbcEWZ0P60gsSYbdTQN2Xmn_YpxbmmUqCIhp/s1600/31754939440_213d461089_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_uT-C8Mg_ZIJdC4yiOEBFok__yIsHxh7vlMlh7MDSQdjwEDYB6O-JYb14T2NecDe0RapRVKbJwsloaEhyphenhyphenmlQDbX4iT7aK01LBkg3peVQKEbcEWZ0P60gsSYbdTQN2Xmn_YpxbmmUqCIhp/s1600/31754939440_213d461089_k.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kinkaku Ji, not sure if you could see in the background, there were literally tourists everywhere</td></tr>
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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/AVvXsEgNAD3rY2nD-RTj1njQ0pLcBUXnH_DyFWIAfpgv0QHd45zIrk5GEjI07oNhOlqIs8bwJXAn4eOCHWGz69QQZrsiJlJGIZYriEDy8LKr1xE1pn_uYs-JpNEhJSOfvGSaIPovOG45NbZqb9hV/s1600/32011222521_86968386a9_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAD3rY2nD-RTj1njQ0pLcBUXnH_DyFWIAfpgv0QHd45zIrk5GEjI07oNhOlqIs8bwJXAn4eOCHWGz69QQZrsiJlJGIZYriEDy8LKr1xE1pn_uYs-JpNEhJSOfvGSaIPovOG45NbZqb9hV/s1600/32011222521_86968386a9_k.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kinkaku Ji, in between the hills</td></tr>
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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/AVvXsEgL3AQMsMf1eDFKUl4sSENz0PwqktWNyoy21g_uZ_YUqST5IfBHhJQfHz06rYhyDtXvZcKV6iBKdJLhimxd4fZITMmlKrNtZb4Zj0AIA_AwKYKgSFEE653dp3k0f25GqfoKpEWeeLEujwzS/s1600/31754950200_f3b565e7b5_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL3AQMsMf1eDFKUl4sSENz0PwqktWNyoy21g_uZ_YUqST5IfBHhJQfHz06rYhyDtXvZcKV6iBKdJLhimxd4fZITMmlKrNtZb4Zj0AIA_AwKYKgSFEE653dp3k0f25GqfoKpEWeeLEujwzS/s1600/31754950200_f3b565e7b5_k.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wishing plagues at Kinkaku Ji</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/AVvXsEgzcDcIQkzUJwCTRWPwQeOBN3y2BLHPkzIXDSfmOHDtZOQnER4E9P24Osi-fRp6u7n3ZsXRoMFTitg5ZTSEejxO0D65-ezThqysNRJJSvsG-NtF-w5XMMJjCokkvHZa3V_HjQj37ZofkMBG/s1600/31288765264_d8c57dabbb_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcDcIQkzUJwCTRWPwQeOBN3y2BLHPkzIXDSfmOHDtZOQnER4E9P24Osi-fRp6u7n3ZsXRoMFTitg5ZTSEejxO0D65-ezThqysNRJJSvsG-NtF-w5XMMJjCokkvHZa3V_HjQj37ZofkMBG/s1600/31288765264_d8c57dabbb_k.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fully bloomed at one random corner of the streets of Kyoto. I'm losing it.</td></tr>
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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/AVvXsEgvE3440AqOSILoDrlBkoi52qFksRvdAMB-ovs86h-hUpLv4shAecpBRsvGbXjFdlYrvjuEBYwE4scIFswaVPwfYosGqz-EliV1eoBBU9uiXSq-03hdfVPN10WpKnwTUkmwLXpiy2R6OPmH/s1600/31981278092_b658d913b5_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvE3440AqOSILoDrlBkoi52qFksRvdAMB-ovs86h-hUpLv4shAecpBRsvGbXjFdlYrvjuEBYwE4scIFswaVPwfYosGqz-EliV1eoBBU9uiXSq-03hdfVPN10WpKnwTUkmwLXpiy2R6OPmH/s1600/31981278092_b658d913b5_k.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I didn't really take many pictures of the food because I was too busy eating. But this is one of the delicious food I had at Gion, where we stayed during our visit. Oh, we also spotted a real geisha *we think* who ran off and walked super quickly and disappeared in one corner before we even had a chance to take a photo of her.</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/AVvXsEhC1lNjgh1OxJJpANXFe5s9eNqZULWTl0Ge5KZiatypklVvZQgxkGBIWUwJS3gj-nL5ACaWAFDhHUCNqtntcocEZRe1bPctG7rLJgfpPPpaIvB89w6LjAzezdNmtI8BL_yeEfiNJstE_LsU/s1600/31754972370_3f6beb1f29_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC1lNjgh1OxJJpANXFe5s9eNqZULWTl0Ge5KZiatypklVvZQgxkGBIWUwJS3gj-nL5ACaWAFDhHUCNqtntcocEZRe1bPctG7rLJgfpPPpaIvB89w6LjAzezdNmtI8BL_yeEfiNJstE_LsU/s1600/31754972370_3f6beb1f29_k.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fushimi Inari, another of my bucket list ticked off</td></tr>
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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/AVvXsEg9wWTnGMRjFYJM1uJWgU9VW5iUma62tQ3D8gZrHbCAkFn2TBwzRZQ6cJpDmuMrwbaqomO0CWClcRxLfH5yId6MibZEOjjfNykb1Iks1eVTJl3pHmf53laA-isqwi4vFawgd54Qdnl_t9zZ/s1600/31319872503_6a8f93e179_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9wWTnGMRjFYJM1uJWgU9VW5iUma62tQ3D8gZrHbCAkFn2TBwzRZQ6cJpDmuMrwbaqomO0CWClcRxLfH5yId6MibZEOjjfNykb1Iks1eVTJl3pHmf53laA-isqwi4vFawgd54Qdnl_t9zZ/s1600/31319872503_6a8f93e179_k.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fushimi Inari, again we didn't arrive early enough to avoid tourists.. but taking snaps from the outer side of the gates is pretty okay too.</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/AVvXsEjZaeHr3GIX2faqlgSuFZpsp-P0lYGJea4JtoXoQvGJeeF2z2L_mtRqiRYBClMK91XkYXIBfeP4hTt1aFOE35SW6P0EIyjvSMjPboxEbqSOcU3hIEUl2Jd1is5WoBemMtIS8_i3EerS19eT/s1600/31981290282_b7447b61f9_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZaeHr3GIX2faqlgSuFZpsp-P0lYGJea4JtoXoQvGJeeF2z2L_mtRqiRYBClMK91XkYXIBfeP4hTt1aFOE35SW6P0EIyjvSMjPboxEbqSOcU3hIEUl2Jd1is5WoBemMtIS8_i3EerS19eT/s1600/31981290282_b7447b61f9_k.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wooden wishing plagues at Fushimi Inari</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/AVvXsEjD0bcCn0dhjwTntJbaBaq-4NUfChtvDV6qOPiMPohyphenhyphenhICG0CT8wVStA7rsE14jgwa-EFesjhyphenhyphenRVSOk80rX0ooZsGfGmG_jh5idskfvuam0aw1I8FLOdvt4y1ZapCsDD6vqpteaTCtSj2bA/s1600/32091091666_5878cba4d2_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0bcCn0dhjwTntJbaBaq-4NUfChtvDV6qOPiMPohyphenhyphenhICG0CT8wVStA7rsE14jgwa-EFesjhyphenhyphenRVSOk80rX0ooZsGfGmG_jh5idskfvuam0aw1I8FLOdvt4y1ZapCsDD6vqpteaTCtSj2bA/s1600/32091091666_5878cba4d2_k.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So many of these mochis were sold, I'm pretty sure I took this photo at Fushimi Inari as well</td></tr>
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laura tjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15060378031157543196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246154260306446071.post-14834063096724969022017-01-15T22:15:00.001+11:002017-06-10T21:39:24.476+10:00Japan part 2: Tokyo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Japan post part 2 is from Tokyo and our main mission was hunting for cherry blossom trees. To be honest I really didn't feel like I have had spent enough time in Tokyo since I also had to work.. So Tokyo, wait for me. I will make a come back. </div>
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Here are some highlights from Tokyo snapped with my camera:</div>
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1 - 4: Learning how to hanami like the locals at Yoyogi Park. </div>
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5: Dessert stop at Harajuku. I forgot the name of the shop but this super soft shaved ice with toppings on top was super delicious.</div>
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6 - 12: Tsukiji Market, where we ate like there was no other day and everything was just yummy. </div>
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13: Romantic scene at Chidorigafuchi.</div>
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14 - 15: View from our <a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/3043357" target="_blank">Airbnb</a> at Shibuya.</div>
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16 - 18: The park at Imperial Palace, Chiyoda with the one most lushest cherry blossom tree.</div>
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Just a few things that I found super helpful during my stay in Tokyo:</div>
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<a href="http://hellosandwich.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/hello-sandwich-tokyo-guide-zine-third.html" target="_blank">Hello Sandwich Tokyo Guide</a> </div>
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Pocket wi-fi review at <a href="http://candidcuisine.net/guide-to-best-japan-pocket-wifi-rental/" target="_blank">Candid Cuisine</a> - very helpful!</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/AVvXsEibzUzW6D9CBeoJbmhxFCFfIbKg1bulAVU0g3dFuveD4IkL6VVs3B37MviRh-Uhja6gAAceNdgPhv-PbA_yxd86qbgbdfZvAoVIjTJai5dcMuXx73hLF7nzYCdNts2X6eyc8OVhXk31aipP/s1600/31981127612_1dfc4d5413_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibzUzW6D9CBeoJbmhxFCFfIbKg1bulAVU0g3dFuveD4IkL6VVs3B37MviRh-Uhja6gAAceNdgPhv-PbA_yxd86qbgbdfZvAoVIjTJai5dcMuXx73hLF7nzYCdNts2X6eyc8OVhXk31aipP/s1600/31981127612_1dfc4d5413_k.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1 - Yoyogi Park</td></tr>
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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/AVvXsEi8xKYtC-cBuRe0uYf0zBFE4_x2Rcg2TFNzof2vCCmei6RskBtwdzd-l9voZgHjj0hDEyfPU8Pa0JIR_piRRacG1fY1MxhuMaI85u8yqdLOMPvn4NCYozvAFyc0ItGb3LbhKwoNgA8ek-8p/s1600/31981124342_ca7ff40116_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8xKYtC-cBuRe0uYf0zBFE4_x2Rcg2TFNzof2vCCmei6RskBtwdzd-l9voZgHjj0hDEyfPU8Pa0JIR_piRRacG1fY1MxhuMaI85u8yqdLOMPvn4NCYozvAFyc0ItGb3LbhKwoNgA8ek-8p/s1600/31981124342_ca7ff40116_k.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2 - Yoyogi Park</td></tr>
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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/AVvXsEjlseA2KObWAVXg4guYZvKcORBRjpXq47KLPDDQ6P2WAaX0-42uDp2iFTJ0zUTXOrKpgOIKoY_v2_wapfpz1MdGo7OrLtLFgfe91Ltg5f3RA9DGfKliRRLz7iOnmG63eqG3qCZr6aGz-NLw/s1600/32090935746_db0ce65f40_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlseA2KObWAVXg4guYZvKcORBRjpXq47KLPDDQ6P2WAaX0-42uDp2iFTJ0zUTXOrKpgOIKoY_v2_wapfpz1MdGo7OrLtLFgfe91Ltg5f3RA9DGfKliRRLz7iOnmG63eqG3qCZr6aGz-NLw/s1600/32090935746_db0ce65f40_k.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3 - Yoyogi Park</td></tr>
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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/AVvXsEj5uXb4GEcsRSksK-40GWHhC0TPfdmEA9BPYYttP9Crf_EQPjo-68p03cJsx5XLkirltNokvVVgP3umRCyNcNwkRBvJqEwZl-rtSTwugkCnankQ1blbK0hyphenhyphenmxMvi-H5D4GLRDWHK1Uio1SM/s1600/31319702823_f49a5bac0d_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5uXb4GEcsRSksK-40GWHhC0TPfdmEA9BPYYttP9Crf_EQPjo-68p03cJsx5XLkirltNokvVVgP3umRCyNcNwkRBvJqEwZl-rtSTwugkCnankQ1blbK0hyphenhyphenmxMvi-H5D4GLRDWHK1Uio1SM/s1600/31319702823_f49a5bac0d_k.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4 - Yoyogi Park</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/AVvXsEhhgS_pgzF8F7TUyChOg4PjJYVLryFlIt4XnxthQPzO6-CtmBNogwWeXxf2nmD48Pimf76YZWuoeQVx30SsV0u8Y4QX4u6j0gFuAkldhtlB8cN2Ru6BouXq2724REmE1ODxJ4KJdbbbySPO/s1600/31319704743_288b458a45_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgS_pgzF8F7TUyChOg4PjJYVLryFlIt4XnxthQPzO6-CtmBNogwWeXxf2nmD48Pimf76YZWuoeQVx30SsV0u8Y4QX4u6j0gFuAkldhtlB8cN2Ru6BouXq2724REmE1ODxJ4KJdbbbySPO/s1600/31319704743_288b458a45_k.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5 - Harajuku</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/AVvXsEglL93NYgSX8TVld5z0jDKWRE1-lVVkQxq9HtjjFP6F2EPpjZDUFi91dBF8XdJzmEeWFqxEdCWsKXBDFC-meeBwjSDWVBo_Fhm32ABmczZT8kuLvopGLtbsZ96gCdDZlG5tSU5LsrAf8eH1/s1600/32090986296_8c0499a836_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglL93NYgSX8TVld5z0jDKWRE1-lVVkQxq9HtjjFP6F2EPpjZDUFi91dBF8XdJzmEeWFqxEdCWsKXBDFC-meeBwjSDWVBo_Fhm32ABmczZT8kuLvopGLtbsZ96gCdDZlG5tSU5LsrAf8eH1/s1600/32090986296_8c0499a836_k.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6 - Tsukiji Market</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/AVvXsEiR9d9xkKtFWoOtLHCq6wLRswRUwZkztSlvzgSoWbjUDDE9XU72dxdy8X-v99zKHZM_BnwUy9-VKfqUOHGa0bRBhyphenhyphenUXBlGgmicOxHn8XeTHtjIusehC6jtpDleakEA_Z81oJJpLKWvLjcko/s1600/31288661684_0b0377a3d0_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR9d9xkKtFWoOtLHCq6wLRswRUwZkztSlvzgSoWbjUDDE9XU72dxdy8X-v99zKHZM_BnwUy9-VKfqUOHGa0bRBhyphenhyphenUXBlGgmicOxHn8XeTHtjIusehC6jtpDleakEA_Z81oJJpLKWvLjcko/s640/31288661684_0b0377a3d0_k.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">7 - Tsukiji Market</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/AVvXsEg64V9iacAXUNVad89xJPNWCfGMGTpvnVg8rRD9KYeCjbwwIfvFBeEqI4OFC5L_RfSO4jm3nefTlb3yR8S6YeHUgIfWUuHOLu__HDwvv2HRYCNQcq9oHohsOibflmHM0pp74pIhuHHRtBjB/s1600/31981177172_fc57bfc29a_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg64V9iacAXUNVad89xJPNWCfGMGTpvnVg8rRD9KYeCjbwwIfvFBeEqI4OFC5L_RfSO4jm3nefTlb3yR8S6YeHUgIfWUuHOLu__HDwvv2HRYCNQcq9oHohsOibflmHM0pp74pIhuHHRtBjB/s1600/31981177172_fc57bfc29a_k.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8 - Tsukiji Market</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/AVvXsEhwbr-HocaQTmkzKDK8-3FBwxCmb0PPKgIUBD4kVY_MtluZCl2_lqQL4xesDDd_cVGMsH8-gH8K7hNkvrN3e2l9BqYQcCC8nBCEhoZh5UOLMyDtUB_1A8W773DRaM7j4hcX1a-UMXDbM79p/s1600/31981179692_5fc11eccde_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwbr-HocaQTmkzKDK8-3FBwxCmb0PPKgIUBD4kVY_MtluZCl2_lqQL4xesDDd_cVGMsH8-gH8K7hNkvrN3e2l9BqYQcCC8nBCEhoZh5UOLMyDtUB_1A8W773DRaM7j4hcX1a-UMXDbM79p/s1600/31981179692_5fc11eccde_k.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">9 - Tsukiji Market</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/AVvXsEghN01w0276iOkxZsBgxuNXFjCCcASF2WcHFrblC0U7Ksk28pJQDXHKEVOiSszqhNyg2bujQm8b6AkdzESkHsYWii3Lkl3yEt-ors79G9bf06X-7eOIrARJThH0z_7c1CHTmTlwj7MGbyBa/s1600/31981186092_978f6bc4f5_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghN01w0276iOkxZsBgxuNXFjCCcASF2WcHFrblC0U7Ksk28pJQDXHKEVOiSszqhNyg2bujQm8b6AkdzESkHsYWii3Lkl3yEt-ors79G9bf06X-7eOIrARJThH0z_7c1CHTmTlwj7MGbyBa/s1600/31981186092_978f6bc4f5_k.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">10 - Tsukiji Market</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/AVvXsEgTs4qcS36LlV9xhXy6PLJu9bfk9fIX14bVGfTBG7qlxfQ6-4syEBr9LgLTNEpSw5cKBDYYx3zt5jbMKEZhq8dVnrIeBM1BieWIFs6u35JTibwEHIZao1Y20mJ3UrcvXDLJCtok4Oesw7UR/s1600/31981188832_5ab901a404_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTs4qcS36LlV9xhXy6PLJu9bfk9fIX14bVGfTBG7qlxfQ6-4syEBr9LgLTNEpSw5cKBDYYx3zt5jbMKEZhq8dVnrIeBM1BieWIFs6u35JTibwEHIZao1Y20mJ3UrcvXDLJCtok4Oesw7UR/s1600/31981188832_5ab901a404_k.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">11 - Tsukiji Market</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/AVvXsEi-ujutco5FG5Hf2dys8QlmwqPGHrcN9rI5qqdmp6ClSxCv3hfundUHsw5kCiOnr8r96uIAkpbRKjDnBP7qSf0Iv4WTEZTDl4OS_ALC2kxp18zphqrmN6fuC97f6d4AQI2hdGHjgO3JNPmq/s1600/32090976826_1f0a897fb6_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ujutco5FG5Hf2dys8QlmwqPGHrcN9rI5qqdmp6ClSxCv3hfundUHsw5kCiOnr8r96uIAkpbRKjDnBP7qSf0Iv4WTEZTDl4OS_ALC2kxp18zphqrmN6fuC97f6d4AQI2hdGHjgO3JNPmq/s1600/32090976826_1f0a897fb6_k.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">12 - Tsukiji Market</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/AVvXsEj1WnOC9NONmqS_uZtJ1bMCGJfmvvRXyF0f2-mGTdVS0z5cyb-Ffn1cx0Eh1L7FWpZhxHzj7-SIQNyrg7yCDVJHt9glEstzPHMDDypfH0v1kEjss_Ip4NpBljEbSI9xgmMHZisYpox52fNZ/s1600/31319709633_dbc907f781_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WnOC9NONmqS_uZtJ1bMCGJfmvvRXyF0f2-mGTdVS0z5cyb-Ffn1cx0Eh1L7FWpZhxHzj7-SIQNyrg7yCDVJHt9glEstzPHMDDypfH0v1kEjss_Ip4NpBljEbSI9xgmMHZisYpox52fNZ/s1600/31319709633_dbc907f781_k.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">13 - Chidorigafuchi</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/AVvXsEh4K8rYNiOHNulUQCH2Z8n2ve_nKKuXI1zk_6Q1NCnrPfW7jF7ccxOXQghqnS4p9kM74mkO10rYqVEIbnxIK18TwMJ8Yv9LbKLqSJ_e5ROyrk5hz1YC-3oIgZGRXEF_JX76nfCATwIfcApu/s1600/31319745883_72c9cc46b0_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4K8rYNiOHNulUQCH2Z8n2ve_nKKuXI1zk_6Q1NCnrPfW7jF7ccxOXQghqnS4p9kM74mkO10rYqVEIbnxIK18TwMJ8Yv9LbKLqSJ_e5ROyrk5hz1YC-3oIgZGRXEF_JX76nfCATwIfcApu/s1600/31319745883_72c9cc46b0_k.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">14 - Shibuya</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/AVvXsEhDyAd4hAf1ILpzvyapiWgEqKbnO86hELSF5jqEmasPujx5Y-ymZJWnTvtbplbrbk7FqfStPdq37ENy87aWyYZAP1Us5_Ht2N4abiFSDvzBMWOAgK98xAWg21cY0yAX3rAAP5hfZeNoj2fx/s1600/31981203372_281327879d_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyAd4hAf1ILpzvyapiWgEqKbnO86hELSF5jqEmasPujx5Y-ymZJWnTvtbplbrbk7FqfStPdq37ENy87aWyYZAP1Us5_Ht2N4abiFSDvzBMWOAgK98xAWg21cY0yAX3rAAP5hfZeNoj2fx/s1600/31981203372_281327879d_k.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">15 - Shibuya</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/AVvXsEiMUfd9DRsTPvDvhmkRI2qp0gxM71q2kqdCcdBzd2uQTFaJJdm5D9tWRfUFp1RP7N2GnSvJRxy5i1oisPt2dFkbQSVlP1wPKCBMOLOk6H1qdP1CkPDueugdPEs_0mluaBRNIkXReKsEHFqL/s1600/31754825780_645655a42d_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMUfd9DRsTPvDvhmkRI2qp0gxM71q2kqdCcdBzd2uQTFaJJdm5D9tWRfUFp1RP7N2GnSvJRxy5i1oisPt2dFkbQSVlP1wPKCBMOLOk6H1qdP1CkPDueugdPEs_0mluaBRNIkXReKsEHFqL/s1600/31754825780_645655a42d_k.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">16 - Imperial Palace, Chiyoda</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/AVvXsEh8e8a90FFycIDcRjR5jvg6pDM0lE5uX409iH1otam7rNG5j0HXTYtMopZtJi0ADkp5SBJD50-8aR1U1JNkJBQR-8rK7Xj2YopgchhHe8uHJ1wyzMpQsoNWYiF7fYooCo2L_z8993qz2EGc/s1600/31288652044_aff3abc9e1_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8e8a90FFycIDcRjR5jvg6pDM0lE5uX409iH1otam7rNG5j0HXTYtMopZtJi0ADkp5SBJD50-8aR1U1JNkJBQR-8rK7Xj2YopgchhHe8uHJ1wyzMpQsoNWYiF7fYooCo2L_z8993qz2EGc/s1600/31288652044_aff3abc9e1_k.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">17 - Imperial Palace, Chiyoda</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/AVvXsEixeim0BaMS2Sm3ZUFcqa0z0O-g9SV4YcuOYGsCe8CRc_MGiEAuI2V68-7FZzU6nLXFYhBFERg2ymdU9TW2oCwvkxBd9tSKaJ1LCtgkc3CJYdG7YTKge41XP9_LDuedTPTmkSEc9Z9vkGK4/s1600/31981159542_fd79a63a1a_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixeim0BaMS2Sm3ZUFcqa0z0O-g9SV4YcuOYGsCe8CRc_MGiEAuI2V68-7FZzU6nLXFYhBFERg2ymdU9TW2oCwvkxBd9tSKaJ1LCtgkc3CJYdG7YTKge41XP9_LDuedTPTmkSEc9Z9vkGK4/s1600/31981159542_fd79a63a1a_k.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">18 - Imperial Palace, Chiyoda</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
laura tjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15060378031157543196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246154260306446071.post-40849832640739357662017-01-05T22:31:00.001+11:002017-01-15T19:29:48.421+11:00Japan part 1: Hakone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The stars are aligned and after having so many people telling me how amazing Japan is, I finally got to go last year. Not only first time going to Japan, but I was also lucky enough to go during spring. On this post I want to talk about highlights on our trip to cute little town Hakone.</div>
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First of all, the best of the best is that this is the very first time I got to experience staying in Japanese ryokan. I don't have any good snaps of our accommodation, but we stayed at <a href="http://english.ichinoyu.co.jp/shinanoki/index.html" target="_blank">Shinanoki Ichinoyu</a>. Mind you I haven't tried any other ryokan, I have nothing to compare this to - but for me personally I LOVE it there and enjoyed our stay very very much. We picked the room that comes with our own private little onsen. The dinner and breakfast were served in the restaurant instead of our room, but I didn't mind that at all. Urgh. Reminiscing about this all makes me want to go back to Japan already.</div>
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So. We didn't have much time as we were only staying overnight. We got a nice sunny day and got on to the cable car then did the <a href="http://www.hakone-kankosen.co.jp/foreign/en/" target="_blank">Hakone sightseeing cruise</a> around Lake Ashi. It was touristy but having not been here before I guess it's the one time activity that we got to do. While it was bright and sunny, unfortunately we didn't get to see Mount Fuji. Oh well, maybe next time. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YPcbWLmLyWp0u2EfMUkamST1buZtqpiZ4m83zTlJjvXjH4xiX427dCaRuENS7dnvOmXGFCzFZaBMeYckAU-R2EMVJ53YipadNihVXOai0ANaZgo0SFQrxBcUF-pHpe0Lq2Y_i8QREY6b/s1600/DSC03703.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YPcbWLmLyWp0u2EfMUkamST1buZtqpiZ4m83zTlJjvXjH4xiX427dCaRuENS7dnvOmXGFCzFZaBMeYckAU-R2EMVJ53YipadNihVXOai0ANaZgo0SFQrxBcUF-pHpe0Lq2Y_i8QREY6b/s1600/DSC03703.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5YWWs99p9FB8Kjut3KQgArWfFsCtaf-yKEP3Hah3hHP1-MEUgt5GkJIdmG4RvKfUSjJyKZzwBIS04YQvSFqNIenRNUFkke2WK5f4TFyA5N712IRS4BBXcuSoqtd7qJuJ7HMTY4QP56ib/s1600/DSC03669.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5YWWs99p9FB8Kjut3KQgArWfFsCtaf-yKEP3Hah3hHP1-MEUgt5GkJIdmG4RvKfUSjJyKZzwBIS04YQvSFqNIenRNUFkke2WK5f4TFyA5N712IRS4BBXcuSoqtd7qJuJ7HMTY4QP56ib/s1600/DSC03669.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjirSLco5RHnmaNKxJUtBLfrFAXQW9jQRas1L3vBbO7dHboc-S8IhbYd2WEzESyXWMu1V-3lwHpMUXYdH9TBN-cwtXMzVESs-q-S6DIQvOzw05UfiFGuo8iX1H5XWnCh1O_zoVaKvYuRKHb/s1600/DSC03667.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjirSLco5RHnmaNKxJUtBLfrFAXQW9jQRas1L3vBbO7dHboc-S8IhbYd2WEzESyXWMu1V-3lwHpMUXYdH9TBN-cwtXMzVESs-q-S6DIQvOzw05UfiFGuo8iX1H5XWnCh1O_zoVaKvYuRKHb/s1600/DSC03667.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5bd_olvBhzZLQET8-5bBcseRz2yww1SuPVQSd_m2ajbK48mjMHIrr2-kJU5YTWeu6dVhta3qRbyI5XwKhaSY3MiCbO5xrHLdwo30Vz-lt-hlqGFYoESjTyP0kG6CGGEfiF_56DI3N2srj/s1600/DSC03700.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5bd_olvBhzZLQET8-5bBcseRz2yww1SuPVQSd_m2ajbK48mjMHIrr2-kJU5YTWeu6dVhta3qRbyI5XwKhaSY3MiCbO5xrHLdwo30Vz-lt-hlqGFYoESjTyP0kG6CGGEfiF_56DI3N2srj/s1600/DSC03700.jpg" /></a></div>
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Day 2 of our trip, sadly it was cold and raining. All good though. I mean.. we were in Japan! So much excitement regardless what the weather was like anyway. Because of the rain and all that, we looked for somewhere convenient and close to our accomodation and decided to visit <a href="http://www.tbs.co.jp/l-prince/en/" target="_blank">The Little Prince Museum</a> which is super cute. And also very French. </div>
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<span id="goog_1330849675"></span><span id="goog_1330849676"></span>Okay, that is all for now. Part 1 of Japan done. A few more to go!laura tjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15060378031157543196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246154260306446071.post-71605481572042135502016-12-25T13:59:00.001+11:002016-12-25T14:07:13.653+11:00Canbera Balloon Spectacular<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here's part one of my "Looking Back at My 2016" photos that have been sitting in my storage unsorted for ages. After talking about it for so many times Jo and I finally made it to see <a href="http://balloonspectacular.com.au/" target="_blank">Balloon Spectacular</a> in Canberra earlier this year and we were just losing it. So much excitement. </div>
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I also think I lost all of my photography skill (all that time I spent on photography course back then...) and couldn't capture things properly even with my compact camera, sigh. I blame iPhone.<br />
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Anyway here's a short series of photos from the venue that I think are pretty decent to showcase from when we arrived when it was still dark to the last hot air balloon took off.<br />
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On another note, I remember when I told people I was going to Canberra for a weekend away people would give me a weird look and asked 'really?'. But guys, Canberra is pretty cool these days and I like their cafes too. And people are friendlier and they don't drive aggressively like they do in Sydney. I wouldn't mind at all going back for a short weekend away every now and then.<br />
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Fun places that ticked off the list within our short trip (in alphabetical order):<br />
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://abaker.com.au/" target="_blank">A. Baker</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.frugii.com/" target="_blank">Frugii Dessert Laboratory</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.hotel-hotel.com.au/" target="_blank">Hotel Hotel</a></li>
<li><a href="http://littlenationalhotel.com.au/" target="_blank">Little National Hotel</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.mocanandgreengrout.com/" target="_blank">Mocan and Green Grout</a></li>
<li><a href="http://nga.gov.au/contemporary/" target="_blank">NGA Contemporary</a></li>
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Merry Christmas!</div>
laura tjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15060378031157543196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246154260306446071.post-51351082060390527232016-12-15T22:06:00.000+11:002016-12-15T22:06:17.419+11:00QoQo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hey guys, I'd like to introduce you to my latest side project with my friend <a href="http://www.misamatsuda.com/" target="_blank">Misa</a>: QoQo. We're on a mission to hunt and gather all the coolest stuff we found and we want to support small businesses starting with artists, designers and shops. At this stage, we're sharing all these carefully curated gems on social media only. We're on Instagram <a href="http://www.instagram.com/thisisqoqo" target="_blank">@thisisqoqo</a> and <a href="http://facebook.com/thisisqoqo">Facebook.com/thisisqoqo</a>. I hope you like what we've got so far - follow our journey on your preferred social media platform and do contact us if you have some new ideas to collaborate with. Hope to see you there!laura tjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15060378031157543196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246154260306446071.post-2746780153064165092016-09-11T21:16:00.000+10:002016-09-12T21:42:21.866+10:00Raja Ampat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I spent one week of the end of my 2015 and start of 2016 in Raja Ampat islands. I didn't go diving as it freaks me out to be deep down in the water but I love snorkelling and this place has the most beautiful snorkelling sites I have ever seen in my life. </div>
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It is not easy to get to Raja Ampat islands, in fact it was annoying and felt like a never ending trip. It took 2 domestic flights from Jakarta - it was about 6 hours all up not including the waiting during transit. Then there was 2 hours express ferry trip that takes us across to Waisai, the main island of Raja Ampat (the non express ferry would take even longer). And finally, another 25 minutes boat trip that takes us to the resort where we were staying.</div>
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We went snorkelling every single day, catching boat with other divers from our resort. I've never seen as many different fish in my life, big and small. I met a lot of Nemo (<a href="https://g.co/kgs/YJDBJZ" target="_blank">clownfish</a>) on almost every snorkelling spot we went to. I am also proud to have learnt so much new different types of fish too from this trip, amongst the many many different kinds, I've met the evil looking <a href="https://g.co/kgs/I48W03" target="_blank">moray</a>, <a href="https://g.co/kgs/VR0kHF" target="_blank">wobbegong</a>, some baby manta rays, puffer fish and I even saw a baby white tip shark. And the coral reefs and clams were colourful and came in many different shapes. </div>
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Each snorkelling spot was overwhelmingly beautiful, some were really shallow water that I was scared I might hit some coral reefs with my fins. Some of the creatures were weird, foreign and alien-like, it was a different world down there. We went snorkelling maybe about 2-3 hours a day and we didn't get tired of it. I didn't bring under water camera, which is probably a good thing so I got the full experience in front of my eyes instead of having to worry about taking photos. </div>
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Above the water it was pretty amazing too. Here are some photos from one our rest spots after snorkelling Pasir Timbul (sandbank).</div>
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Other than snorkelling we also got to relax on a boat ride exploring surrounding islands, spotting some caves and local villages in the area.<br />
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Here's what one of the typical Raja Ampat kampung (little village) looks like.<br />
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Spotting this tiny secret beach in between our snorkelling spots!<br />
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And here's the resort where we were staying, <a href="http://www.rajaampatdoberai.com/" target="_blank">Doberai Eco Resort</a>. So many memories at this place. From just lazying at the bungalow in the morning and watching sunset, the meals and conversations, the power blackout during dinner one of the nights that turned out to be incredibly beautiful as we were gazing at the stars and saw all this fish (or planktons?) glowing and flashing some pretty green colour in the water, the new years eve celebration with fireworks with the staff and other guests, the python (!!!) that decided to join our party and turned up in the kitchen (then the staff rushing and catching the snake and brought it back to jungle which was really just behind our bungalows...), the wait at the beach at 4am in the morning to see the birds of paradise but none of the staff turned up because these guys were all asleep and drunk after the new years celebration hahaha.. it was all a part of the memories and experience.<br />
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Oh we did kayaking too, paddling around the back of our bungalow and found a nice secluded beach. Though we didn't get a chance to stay long at all as we saw the storm coming so we had to hurry paddling back to the resort because we didn't want to get stuck.<br />
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Loving the sunset we saw almost everyday from our bungalow. Not in picture: mosquitos and whatever other bugs there were. Both sun screen and insect repellent are definitely essential at the tropical islands.<br />
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Oh and let me tell you about our guided night snorkelling around our resort on one of the nights. Armed with the usual snorkelling gear and a flash light, off we go. It was a totally different experience and also slightly freaky now that I think about it and let me tell you why. We were expecting to see a lot of glow in the dark sea creatures, especially after we saw those beautiful small fish / planktons glowing in the water during the black out.. we did not. We saw a lot of sea snakes, puffer fish and different shapes of jelly fish; I almost hit one in front of my face but luckily I didn't get myself into trouble. Vision was very limited to as far as maybe about 2-3 meters ahead as that's as far as my flash light could reach, and I was scared of bumping into jelly fish or some sea snakes would attack me hahaha. Regardless, it was different experience though I'm not sure if I would do a night snorkelling again unless some glow in the dark action under water is guaranteed.<br />
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Here are the snorkelling and diving spots around the islands! Ticking off my snorkelling spots and digging my memory here I think the snorkelling spots we covered include Batu Lima, Coral Garden, Friwen Wall, Chicken Reef, Blue Magic.<br />
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These ones are photos from one of the snorkelling spots. So many pretty and colourful coral reefs and fish underneath this rock. The excitements of plunging into the water and exploring!<br />
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During the boat trip some water could be so clear and calm that it was just like a mirror and you could see the reflection of the sky and clouds very clearly. On other areas during the boat trip we also saw some dolphins and a school of flying fish (and a few birds flying low to catch them). So unreal.<br />
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On the way to Pianemo where we also spotted some more caves along the way, then we got to this are where the water was just changing colours with different shades of blue and green - you'll see what I mean in video below - then we got to stop at this spot to climb some never ending stairs in the heat, drenched in sweat... (sentence continued)</div>
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... to see Pianemo from above. Worth the sweat and running out breath to see this view that I only saw on google images before the trip.<br />
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Not pictured was the excursion to see the birds of paradise as the birds were just too far away to be captured by my camera. After failing to go on the first day of 2016 (because the staff was pretty much out after the new years party, such island life!) we managed to go the next day. We started super early at 4am and it was dark and had to hike in the dark, in the jungle for a very very long time. Well ok, maybe it was for 1 hour, but really when it was dark and you can't really see much in the dark using the flash light, hiking, drenched in sweat and my glasses kept being foggy (regretting I didn't wear my contact lenses) it felt like forever.<br />
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And then the waiting game in the middle of the jungle - also felt like it took forever. After a while though, we started hearing the different kinds of the bird singing and here they come. Our local guide pointed out where to look, aft first we saw only a couple of love birds but a few more were coming out afterwards; again, it was that live National Geographic moment going on.<br />
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This adventure felt surreal now that I'm looking at the pictures and writing all the highlights of my trip. If you love snorkelling and/or diving this place really is paradise, as what people say. Be open minded and put a lot of buffer for travelling in case of changes of plans, delays and cancels of flights and ferries; Indonesia's tourism system is not the fully developed and organised and we had a panic drama on our way back to Jakarta because they decided not to run the express ferry on the day we were going back hahaha. All good though, and trust me it would be well worth it, Indonesia has such beautiful hidden exotic gems like no others.<br />
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Thanks for the good memories Raja Ampat! And thanks for reading if you made it this far.laura tjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15060378031157543196noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246154260306446071.post-71508969751755051122016-07-02T12:49:00.000+10:002016-07-02T12:49:50.707+10:00Melbourne Lomos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A few forgotten lomo shots from my trip to Melbourne back in 2014 (gasp!). Two rolls of films have been sitting in dust for few years and I finally got them developed and it's always good to look back on the stuff I did or places I went to then. Probably also the main reason why I also keep this blog up and running.</div>
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Photo 1, 2: cute little beach houses at Brighton</div>
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Photo 3: some long jetty somewhere.. was it also at Brighton?</div>
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Photo 4, 5: Pretty sure this was food from <a href="http://www.stali.com.au/" target="_blank">St Ali</a> at South Melbourne and the alleyway across it. I don't really remember what I ate but I remember it being super delicious.</div>
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Photo 6: it's me, yay :)</div>
laura tjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15060378031157543196noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246154260306446071.post-73510330494854668952016-06-18T08:00:00.000+10:002016-06-18T08:00:35.109+10:00Momentum // James Blake<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMNM5SxmHpoz8r2fWjbp2KYZtRM4INZsUQ6hy_nwZIubCLd0TdgEH4pn5uv45L1Bsk2QwTQ5eR5XSIucHMDmDCcNPlikphqsh-Azul24_dTrJj1lc0GWYgaEt3si56kJHOM70-3lIsUQ3B/s1600/max-rive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMNM5SxmHpoz8r2fWjbp2KYZtRM4INZsUQ6hy_nwZIubCLd0TdgEH4pn5uv45L1Bsk2QwTQ5eR5XSIucHMDmDCcNPlikphqsh-Azul24_dTrJj1lc0GWYgaEt3si56kJHOM70-3lIsUQ3B/s1600/max-rive.jpg" /></a><br />
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You guys, have I told you about <a href="https://momentumdash.com/" target="_blank">Momentum dashboard</a> for google chrome? It is amazing and always makes me happy when I open a new tab to be greeted with pretty photograph that changes on daily basis. I can put my focus or intention of the day and my to do list for the day and I love the daily quote too. This is one of my favourite photos that came up on my Momentum dashboard - Greenland by <a href="https://500px.com/maxrivefotograaf" target="_blank">Max Rive</a>. It's insanely pretty right!<br />
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I also wanted to share my new song obsession <i>I Need A Forest Fire</i> by <a href="http://jamesblakemusic.com/" target="_blank">James Blake</a> featuring <a href="http://boniver.org/" target="_blank">Bon Iver</a>. So good. And goes well for this winter mood (or I think so anyway). </div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Stay warm and dry.</span></div>
laura tjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15060378031157543196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246154260306446071.post-36511560521802036962016-06-04T23:57:00.001+10:002016-07-02T12:50:23.351+10:00Kawah PutihAlmost every time I went back home to Jakarta, we always went to Bandung for a night or two just for a short getaway and mainly to eat Bandung local food that I could not get in Jakarta. I heard so much about Kawah Putih (translated: White Crater) and people kept telling me to go when I visit Bandung, so I'm glad I finally did late last year.<br />
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Kawah Putih is volcanic crater located at Ciwidey which is about 50km from Bandung. But really, it took hours to get to this place. Traffic jam is just business as usual both in Jakarta and Bandung, but I kid you not the trip from Bandung city to Ciwidey felt like forever regardless we left early in the morning trying to beat the traffic. I remember we went on a Sunday too and they had a local market on Sundays it seems. We got stuck at this market where the whole street was just full of private cars, local public transport and general people walking. That's right guys, no strict traffic rules in Indonesia. People walking and crossing the road wherever they want, public transport stops to get passengers and let passengers out wherever they want.<br />
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Anyway after about 3 hours or so we finally managed to get there. We saw a lot of tourists already at the parking area (of course). Exhausted from the road and seeing so many people, I wasn't feeling too excited. But you know, people talked about this place and I guess it's somewhere that I haven't been so I can tick it off my list.<br />
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As soon as I got out of the car, the air outside was quite chilly. I mean, I know we were quite high up above the sea level, but I guess in my head I always think of my home country having this hot and humid tropical weather all the time. After a short walk through this path, in front of me was this beautiful crater lake with the turquoise colour water surrounded by the hills and the mist or fog just keep moving and dancing above the lake. So. Pretty. Yes there were just too many tourists and if there weren't as many this place would have been perfect, but I was just struck by the beauty of this view that I could almost ignore the crowd. I could watch this lake and the mist for hours.<br />
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So if you happen to be going to Bandung, I highly recommend you to check out Kawah Putih. If you can, organise your trip on weekday instead of weekend and start making your way from Bandung city as early in the morning as possible, you should probably leave at 6am to avoid bad traffic. That's what I would do if I have a chance to visit again.laura tjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15060378031157543196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246154260306446071.post-45736259255611059432016-01-13T23:46:00.000+11:002016-07-02T12:50:23.354+10:00Yosemite National Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
What can I say about Yosemite, where do I start? Everywhere I looked was just breath taking and so beautiful - the trees, the mountains, the animals, the sky. Even with the worst camera you just could not go wrong though any pictures would not do justice to what you see in real life. It felt like I was being in one of Apple's Mac desktop wallpaper, except that it was a gigantic 360 degrees one and it was real.</div>
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I joined an overnight group tour with <a href="http://incadventures.com/" target="_blank">Incredible Adventures</a> (there are other tour companies too) because I didn't want to go through the hassle of arranging everything myself since I was in the USA only for such a short trip. It was the right decision to stay overnight, we took our time and didn't have to be in such a rush. For me the intensity of the walks / hikes is just right - I'm not super adventurous nor so fit. We walked a lot, like A LOT. It was a good work out of around 2-3 hours each walking trail, but it was all well worth it. I definitely felt great afterwards and saw some of the most amazing views I haven't seen anywhere else.</div>
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<a href="http://www.yosemitehikes.com/yosemite-valley/inspiration-point/inspiration-point.htm" target="_blank"><b>Inspiration Point</b></a></div>
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This was the first hike of the day and for me it was the toughest compared to the other two treks we did the following day. It was pretty steep at the start of the trail. I was all sweaty, at times running out of breath. The quick rest stop for lunch on the top of the hill viewing El Capitan, Cathedral Rocks and the Half Dome in the background was pretty awesome though. I felt like a winner.</div>
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<a href="http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/glacierpoint.htm" target="_blank">Glacier Point</a></div>
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A quick photo stop at the Glacier Point look out. Great view of the Half Dome and you could also view Yosemite Valley from the top. Can you spot the 2 waterfalls behind the Half Dome as well?</div>
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Pretty animals we met at Yosemite</div>
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We saw some deer and squirrels. I took quite a few photos however these two were the most decent ones I captured, everything else on my camera was blurry! We saw no bears, unfortunately.</div>
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They call it Mirror Lake but really, there was no water in the lake. We could walk through the flat waterless lake area surrounded by the mountains and trees. We saw a group of 5 or 6 deer along the way (but all my photos of the deer were blurry, damn it), some cute squirrels, we were spotting climbers up the mountains, we walked over the bridge of a small river and we walked through granite rocks at the base of the mountains. </div>
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Another quick photo stop at the side of the river with El Capitan and Cathedral Rocks in the background. I felt like I was in gigantic Apple Mac's desktop.</div>
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<a href="http://www.yosemitehikes.com/tioga-road/tuolumne-grove/tuolumne-grove.htm" target="_blank">Tuolomne Grove Loop Trail</a> </div>
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The sequoia trees were just extraordinary. There's this one fallen sequoia tree that we climbed over, it was so huge - see how small I looked in comparison of the tree? The inside of that fallen tree was empty that we could crawl inside from the middle towards the end of where the roots were. I felt like a little kid again.</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8FXhFboU-FWyUz5luE7y0Blh6m1qCwHtg1v7wzVE1QPdfQG1M3jpZxgMqW-1QlGcIwlNMg4rG18m2ZrYQL9LEDZfUpco6z09DZjlQYyDM67ZJdTC9WF227tGdWVd4zwSWHJreeS_vR16A/s1600/DSC02606.jpg" /></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid9tj99Qnd8Gsh9rrHKd0GK0I-h2ld9-BWQNNJPzE7ai3Ar_nA2QK3HTaJanqSHKQAvKFKu77AdKi-U9VL-XS8p-w-9A89USPHPsmo0GVZI7AWekM5bkiDEFxoRdAxofOOLvl6CYD09qtJ/s1600/DSC02636.jpg" /></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgIrIdzftmMGkUXmiq8PDdjEdLKge8DOfKpLNfmD0l3Kn5G2bgxGrkCH_GfSpq69oJ5PCe1RnAoNXr6ibqGRfrUxsA5QvKLX9HkRoP1T5d2R9Dpy0i2-pCzKN9ZRxYeAwgcufjp1jGuD1M/s1600/DSC02601-1.jpg" /></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">I would love to come back to this park again if I have a chance. Would love to see other spots and areas, and I would really love to get different view from different seasons. </span><br />
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<span style="text-align: justify;">It was good to be away from the city and spend a bit of a time close to the nature and I'm proud to have done so much walks. Coming back to Sydney, I'm all inspired to explore and do more walks and get more fit. Thanks Yosemite!</span>laura tjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15060378031157543196noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246154260306446071.post-46055005995339391302016-01-06T23:15:00.003+11:002016-07-02T12:50:23.357+10:002016 and Yosemite little teaser<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Happy 2016, I hope you are all well and have had a wonderful break. </div>
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Year 2015 has been amazing. I am proud to finally have launched <a href="http://lauratj.blogspot.com.au/2015/11/wood-cotton.html">Wood & Cotton</a>. I'm also grateful for both local small trips and overseas trips I've throughout the year. I still have so many photos to share but I haven't even gone through them all! So here's a little teaser from Yosemite National Park.</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;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig6bBt6O65Jnzbevkge4I_ygaTAR-TFVSbMfPnEKTra-7hzPlP11DW-0wHyEi3XdW0tJHNv5ZrPnX0IMTIvjKq0lUHI8MStfQFk5HkGK_IKuKdxCWoscSUoQsWxA2Zoez98RZmrWlaefat/s1600/DSC02652.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little treasures from Yosemite: pine tree branch, pine cone, bay laurel leaf, little granite rock</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwFJXFuJi1nB4PSjYsF6mMSmL8HryoL9psdcDVV6Qu5hh-4RxmDIYMi4DU-CRH2exVR-PayYF3lUuZPFG3FXTUBUycZvwnn7poSkaVvEe31OUxM3oaLzRKSYlRUAa2Yq0EPlduJn-Acsps/s1600/DSC02398.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from Inspiration Point</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLiXKyxJOvPFsVMKm171mR9g8bbugTGPgk1gvFZHjzYUGD2qgCtIrogr6rGUSnwOtnsXuYxJXnfCqPOcwB-6f2TrU4LJbrskH3NFGUo_wIh3TEJN046uk9lbvAlvDWTNyo0E99CBm2aZi/s1600/DSC02591.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the Merced River</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">I'm looking forward to see what 2016 has in store, and I know it is going to be exciting. Let's start the year by being open minded, focussing on the little things and practicing gratitude. Or at least that's what I'd like to try. Wishing you a wonderful new year full of love, laughter and adventures.</span></div>
laura tjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15060378031157543196noreply@blogger.com1