遊覧船で皆の楽しみが写れた。
そして、誰かは海員の衣服が無料に着てみることを発見した。従って、皆は一々海員の格好を試みた。
僕とベン：
ロセンナとジェネル：
ロセンナとナデァ：
九十九島を巡りした末、佐世保の名産：佐世保バーガーを探していた！それを食べいなければ、佐世保に来たことがないような！巨大な佐世保バーガー：
ＡＰハウス姫と佐世保バーガー：
最後に、メモリのためにみんなは佐世保で写真を撮った：
Saturday, July 14, 2007
佐世保の旅
ハウステンボスを観光したら、僕たちは日帰りで佐世保を訪れた。佐世保の最も有名な観光地とは、やっぱり九十九島に限るわ！九十九島の全貌と魅力を感じするために、遊覧船で九十九島巡りした。遊覧船「パールクィーン」は真っ白な船体が九十九島の海に映えて本当に綺麗だ。
ロセンナとジェネル：ロセンナとナデァ：九十九島を巡りした末、佐世保の名産：佐世保バーガーを探していた！それを食べいなければ、佐世保に来たことがないような！巨大な佐世保バーガー： ＡＰハウス姫と佐世保バーガー：
ロセンナとジェネル：ロセンナとナデァ：九十九島を巡りした末、佐世保の名産：佐世保バーガーを探していた！それを食べいなければ、佐世保に来たことがないような！巨大な佐世保バーガー： ＡＰハウス姫と佐世保バーガー：
Friday, July 13, 2007
台風とハウステンボス
Hi, everyone! Sorry for MIAing for so long. Recently, I have been caught up with projects, reports, short weekend trips and whatnot, thus I have not been able to update my blog.
Anyway, a typhoon is currenly being let loose in Kyushuu. My first typhoon experience! It has been raining nonstop for two straight days, and according to the news, there has been incidents of landslides and floods in some parts of Kyushuu. For once, I'm glad that my university is on top of a mountain and there is no chance of a flood nor landslideover here.
So, let's continue with the update of my life in Japan. And we shall being with Nagasaki trip, which happened like almost a month ago.
And another group photo in front of the landmark building of Huis Ten Bosch - Domtoren tower. Standing at a height of 105m, it offered us a birdeye view of the entire town.
A picture of the Singaporeans and half-Singaporeans on the dutch boat, which took us on a romantic trip through the canals and also one whole round the theme park.
And a SMU jump attempted by the Canadians (Nadia and Rosanna) and Weili in front of a windmill!
And the authentic jump by Thor and Weili in front of the twin towers gate:
P.S. Yijia or anyone coming to APU, if you are thinking of going to the theme park, grab the travel package offered by the student union. It's only 10000 yen and that includes a return JR train ride back and forth to Nagasaki, a 5 stars hotel stay, entrance fee to the theme park and a very good international breakfast buffet. Cheap until siao ah!
Anyway, a typhoon is currenly being let loose in Kyushuu. My first typhoon experience! It has been raining nonstop for two straight days, and according to the news, there has been incidents of landslides and floods in some parts of Kyushuu. For once, I'm glad that my university is on top of a mountain and there is no chance of a flood nor landslideover here.
So, let's continue with the update of my life in Japan. And we shall being with Nagasaki trip, which happened like almost a month ago.
A group of 8 of us embarked on a short weekend trip to Nagasaki. We all skipped our classes on Friday, and hopped onto a Kousoku bus from Beppu to Nagasaki. And from Nagasaki, we took the JR train down to the Holland Village theme park, Huis Ten Bosch.
And on our train ride, we saw this cute little picture of a baby boy sleeping on his mother's lap. よっぽと可愛いんじゃないか。
And a group photo of all of us on the bridge that connects the JR train station and the theme park. Right behind us is the hotel that we would be staying for the night - ANA Hotel JR Huis Ten Bosch.
A close-up view of our hotel. I really loved the hotel. It was really nice, (in fact, it was better than the theme park) and the stay at the hotel became the highlight of my Nagasaki trip.
A pic of our double bedroom. We opted for the double bedroom instead of the twin bedroom, cos the former is much cheaper than the latter (We are poor students afterall). But the bed was definitely big enough to comfortably accomodate two pple on it.
And the view of the theme park from our room：
And after checking into our hotel, we began our magical journey into the Dutch city of Kyushuu - Huis Ten Bosch. There, as we strolled along the 17th century Dutch houses and historic church towers, we couldn't help but drank in the full splendor of the old Europe's setting.
And our first stop: the teddy bear kingdom:
And the world's biggest teddy bear:
Ben! Are you molesting the statue?
And another group photo in front of the landmark building of Huis Ten Bosch - Domtoren tower. Standing at a height of 105m, it offered us a birdeye view of the entire town.
A picture of the Singaporeans and half-Singaporeans on the dutch boat, which took us on a romantic trip through the canals and also one whole round the theme park.
And a SMU jump attempted by the Canadians (Nadia and Rosanna) and Weili in front of a windmill!And the authentic jump by Thor and Weili in front of the twin towers gate:P.S. Yijia or anyone coming to APU, if you are thinking of going to the theme park, grab the travel package offered by the student union. It's only 10000 yen and that includes a return JR train ride back and forth to Nagasaki, a 5 stars hotel stay, entrance fee to the theme park and a very good international breakfast buffet. Cheap until siao ah!
Thursday, June 21, 2007
沖縄旅の最後の部分：青洞窟
Always wanted to finish blogging on Okinawa, but I was caught up with many things. But I guess I gotta bring my Okinawa's series to a conclusion before I leave for Nagasaki tomorrow. Haha, I can't wait to go to Nagasaki and particularly this Holland theme park by the name of Huis Ten Bosch. I first came across this theme park when I borrowed a book on Japan's theme park a couple of years back. And I was really mesmerized by the sheer beauty of the park, and I told myself that I would definitely visit that place if I ever got a chance to go to Japan. Finally, my dream is going to come true:)
Oh, anyway back to Okinawa. One of the most memorable events we did in Okinawa is definitely the cave snorkeling at 青洞窟. It's really beautiful, and this is my first time doing a cave snorkeling.
Group pic before going down to the cave:
Overcoming the treacherous path to reach the cave, and at the same time battling the propulsive waves that threatened to sweep us away anytime:
Why is the cave called 青洞窟? Because the water inside the cave is of emerald blue! And it's so clear that you can take a picture under the water!
Me attempting a dive:
The girls relaxing after the snorkel:
And finally, one group pic of all of us inside the cave:
Definitely one of my most mind-blowing snorkeling experiences! If you ever go to Okinawa, make sure you go for the cave snorkeling. Just mentioned 青洞窟 and the shop pple would know where to bring you to:)
Oh, anyway back to Okinawa. One of the most memorable events we did in Okinawa is definitely the cave snorkeling at 青洞窟. It's really beautiful, and this is my first time doing a cave snorkeling.
Group pic before going down to the cave:
Overcoming the treacherous path to reach the cave, and at the same time battling the propulsive waves that threatened to sweep us away anytime:
Why is the cave called 青洞窟? Because the water inside the cave is of emerald blue! And it's so clear that you can take a picture under the water!
Me attempting a dive:
The girls relaxing after the snorkel:
And finally, one group pic of all of us inside the cave:
Definitely one of my most mind-blowing snorkeling experiences! If you ever go to Okinawa, make sure you go for the cave snorkeling. Just mentioned 青洞窟 and the shop pple would know where to bring you to:)
Thursday, June 14, 2007
ホテル ムーンビーチ
Warning: This entry might induce intense jealousy; read it at your own risk:p
So after the 2 hours ferry back to Naha, we went to pick up our rental car and then drove for more than a hour to our 5 stars hotel: Hotel Moon Beach.
Hotel's lobby bathing in the morning rays:
Hotel Moon Beach's private beach, which is so coincidentally named 'Moon Beach':
Our deluxe room, which was in a complete state of shambles:
View from our balcony:
Pretty cool hotel. We stayed there for 3 days 2 nights after coming back from Zamamijima. The hotel has almost everything, and I particularly enjoyed the 大浴場(public bath). Sleek and modern, the public bath provides you with everything, including Shiseido skin conditioner and hair tonic. Picture's not available as no camera is allowed in the public bath.
And on one of the nights, we met up with all the APU exchange students who were also holidaying in Okinawa.
And the erm, Australian, Norwegian, American and Canadian gang:
And a group picture of everyone:
So after the 2 hours ferry back to Naha, we went to pick up our rental car and then drove for more than a hour to our 5 stars hotel: Hotel Moon Beach.
Hotel's lobby bathing in the morning rays:
Hotel Moon Beach's private beach, which is so coincidentally named 'Moon Beach':
Our deluxe room, which was in a complete state of shambles:
View from our balcony:
Pretty cool hotel. We stayed there for 3 days 2 nights after coming back from Zamamijima. The hotel has almost everything, and I particularly enjoyed the 大浴場(public bath). Sleek and modern, the public bath provides you with everything, including Shiseido skin conditioner and hair tonic. Picture's not available as no camera is allowed in the public bath.
And on one of the nights, we met up with all the APU exchange students who were also holidaying in Okinawa.
Introducing the Canadian gang:
And the erm, Australian, Norwegian, American and Canadian gang: And a group picture of everyone:And we had dinner at this pretty cool Italian restuarant. And Ben ordered this squid's ink pasta, which he totally detested it. The taste wasn't too bad, just that your tongue will remain inky black for a couple of hours:
And afterwhich we went to this club in Naha city. Girls seeking shelter from the torrential rain, while the guys tried to locate the club:
There were no one in the club except for us, and the drinks tasted horrible. Imagine gulping down Amowari that tasted so foul that it sent shivers down your spine, and then dancing in a dance-room so sparsely occupied that you felt as if you have entered Zouk at 9pm.
Definitely the worst clubbing experience I have ever had. Ugh.
今気に散ってしょうがない。復習を中途半端にしたい：（
It's 2.40am in Japan time. I am still in the process of studying for my japanese test tomorrow. Not even halfway done. And it is always during this time that I feel like blogging and doing unnecessary things.
For example, taking photos of myself:
Btw, these pictures were taken when i was studying for my finals before my Okinawa trip. Sighz... 時々、特にストレスの時に、僕は自己陶酔でばかばかしいことをしがちやな。これはやっぱり不正常じゃないか。
勉強！勉強！
帰国の日を恐れてしょうがない！
時々僕の知らなかった恐怖は心の深遠なところから浮く。その時に僕は驚いたけれども、自分の気持ちをもっと理解してもらった。
例えば、昨夜僕は夢の一つをした。その夢の中に、僕はシンガポールに戻ったと言うことを見た。その瞬間に、僕の恐怖が言葉で表現できないほど強かった。「日本で交換プログラムもう終わった？したいことがたくさんまだしなかった。帰国に行きたくない！」
僕は友人と家族を懐かしまないと言うことじゃないですけど、ＡＰＵの生活が本当に大好きだ。ここでは、自分の生かす方は自分に選んだ。さらに、自由とか、金銭の使い方とか、全部自分に決めた。この生活は、初めて体験して失いたくない！
でも、現実はいつも酷薄な。帰国の日まで、ただ七週間のみだ。そろそろ、ストレスばかりなＳＭＵにもどらなちゃん。本当に仕様がない！
そういうわけで、いまできることはただ時間を最大限生かすな。日本語をちゃんと勉強して、週末の間にハウステンボスをはじめ九州の各観光地をぜひ行ってみるよ！後悔を持ってなくて帰国する気持ちが欲しい！
例えば、昨夜僕は夢の一つをした。その夢の中に、僕はシンガポールに戻ったと言うことを見た。その瞬間に、僕の恐怖が言葉で表現できないほど強かった。「日本で交換プログラムもう終わった？したいことがたくさんまだしなかった。帰国に行きたくない！」
僕は友人と家族を懐かしまないと言うことじゃないですけど、ＡＰＵの生活が本当に大好きだ。ここでは、自分の生かす方は自分に選んだ。さらに、自由とか、金銭の使い方とか、全部自分に決めた。この生活は、初めて体験して失いたくない！
でも、現実はいつも酷薄な。帰国の日まで、ただ七週間のみだ。そろそろ、ストレスばかりなＳＭＵにもどらなちゃん。本当に仕様がない！
そういうわけで、いまできることはただ時間を最大限生かすな。日本語をちゃんと勉強して、週末の間にハウステンボスをはじめ九州の各観光地をぜひ行ってみるよ！後悔を持ってなくて帰国する気持ちが欲しい！
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
座間味島！めんそれ！
座間味島！めんそれ！(Zamamijima! Mensore!) This means welcome to Zamami Islands in the Okinawa Ben. On the 3rd morning of our Okinawa trip, we left the ever bustling and energetic Naha city for the free and idle island of Zamami. In the morning, the sky was dark and looming, and we were hesistating if we should make the trip down to the far-flung island. But I am glad that at the end of the day, we took the leap of faith and remained unyielding on our original plan. 
On our two hours ferry to the island, the shadowed clouds, with lady Luck smiling upon us, started to drain away, and gave way to a halcyon sky of azure blue.
On the deck of our ferry: 
Zamamijima! Mensore!
Zamamijima is part of the the Kerama Retto, which consists of six inhabited and some twenty uninhabited islands located about 30 km west of the Okinawa main island. Undisturbed and sparsely inhabited, this island is like an undiscovered gem, waiting for unknowing explorers like us to chance upon it.
Summer House Yuyu.
Summer House Yuyu.
This was the minshuku we stayed over on the Zamamijima. Very nice and cosy place. And did you notice the Nemo and other sculptures behind us? All of them were handmade by the owner. Impressing!
By the advice of the Oyasan, we headed down to this beach, which is reportedly the best snorkelling spot of the island.
Did you see those brownish discolorations in the midst of the turquoise blue water? Those are coral reefs, rich and undestroyed. I have been scuba-diving for quite a while, but never have I seen something so amazing. The coral reefs are less than a metre from the shoreline, intact and animated in the southern warm ocean water. Most of the other diving sites that I have went to are either partially or totally destroyed by inconsiderate novice divers or irresponisble fishing. This is really the paradize for all lovers of the sea.
Fishes, of rainbow colours and various sizes, unabashed of our existence, swam temerariously near us. And when we littered our unfinished Cheezos as we dived into the waters, school of fishes circled and enveloped us, much like the scene when the birds spiralled around the singing Snow White in Shrek 3.
Just as I was mesmerized by this magical moment, I heard a wailing scream behind my back. Apparently, a sea snake of bright yellow stripes was also equally interested in our Cheezos, and was swimming menacingly close to Jenelle. Jenelle, in her desperate attempt to distract the serpent, threw the can of Cheezos into the deeper waters of the open sea while she swam frantically to the shore. Fortunately, nothing untowards happened to us and the sea snake swiftly disappeared after its brief appeareance. Nonetheless, this incident became one of our laughing stocks for the next couple of days.
Hot girls in Bikini:
There were actually other hot pics (think FHM, haha) of the girls on the beach, but they were ruthlessly censored by the 3 iron ladies.
After the exciting and life-threatening dive, we visited several observatories on the islands. The sceneries from the observatories were equally stunning as the marine life from our earlier dive. We drank in views of treacherous cliffs and mysteriously shaped islands, all of which painstakingly crafted by Mother Nature.
After visiting the observatories, we went to the one and only restaurant in Zamamijima (remember? It’s only a small island) Decent food and reasonable price. Osusume!
On the second morning, we went for a scuba dive trip. This was my second dive in Okinawa. Unlike my previous experienced dive, this was a full dive. The instructors didn’t really ask for my diving license (I left my license in Singapore).
And after the dive, I felt so blessed. So blessed to be able to go on an exchange programme to Japan, so blessed to be able to come to Okinawa, and so blessed to be given a chance to dive in the Japan Sea. It has always been my dream to dive in other foreign seas outside of Malaysia and Thailand. Though it was a little pricey compared to my dive trips in SE Asia, the sense of overwhelming achievement and the unique experience of witnessing marine life of foreign seas certainly made my every cent count.
After the dive, we took the afternoon ferry back to Naha. There we would move into our 5 stars Moon Beach Hotel, and there we would begin our mad spending spree! Wait for my next installment of my Okinawa trip:)
By the advice of the Oyasan, we headed down to this beach, which is reportedly the best snorkelling spot of the island.
Did you see those brownish discolorations in the midst of the turquoise blue water? Those are coral reefs, rich and undestroyed. I have been scuba-diving for quite a while, but never have I seen something so amazing. The coral reefs are less than a metre from the shoreline, intact and animated in the southern warm ocean water. Most of the other diving sites that I have went to are either partially or totally destroyed by inconsiderate novice divers or irresponisble fishing. This is really the paradize for all lovers of the sea.
Fishes, of rainbow colours and various sizes, unabashed of our existence, swam temerariously near us. And when we littered our unfinished Cheezos as we dived into the waters, school of fishes circled and enveloped us, much like the scene when the birds spiralled around the singing Snow White in Shrek 3.
Just as I was mesmerized by this magical moment, I heard a wailing scream behind my back. Apparently, a sea snake of bright yellow stripes was also equally interested in our Cheezos, and was swimming menacingly close to Jenelle. Jenelle, in her desperate attempt to distract the serpent, threw the can of Cheezos into the deeper waters of the open sea while she swam frantically to the shore. Fortunately, nothing untowards happened to us and the sea snake swiftly disappeared after its brief appeareance. Nonetheless, this incident became one of our laughing stocks for the next couple of days.
Hot girls in Bikini:
There were actually other hot pics (think FHM, haha) of the girls on the beach, but they were ruthlessly censored by the 3 iron ladies.
After the exciting and life-threatening dive, we visited several observatories on the islands. The sceneries from the observatories were equally stunning as the marine life from our earlier dive. We drank in views of treacherous cliffs and mysteriously shaped islands, all of which painstakingly crafted by Mother Nature.
After visiting the observatories, we went to the one and only restaurant in Zamamijima (remember? It’s only a small island) Decent food and reasonable price. Osusume!
On the second morning, we went for a scuba dive trip. This was my second dive in Okinawa. Unlike my previous experienced dive, this was a full dive. The instructors didn’t really ask for my diving license (I left my license in Singapore).
And after the dive, I felt so blessed. So blessed to be able to go on an exchange programme to Japan, so blessed to be able to come to Okinawa, and so blessed to be given a chance to dive in the Japan Sea. It has always been my dream to dive in other foreign seas outside of Malaysia and Thailand. Though it was a little pricey compared to my dive trips in SE Asia, the sense of overwhelming achievement and the unique experience of witnessing marine life of foreign seas certainly made my every cent count.
After the dive, we took the afternoon ferry back to Naha. There we would move into our 5 stars Moon Beach Hotel, and there we would begin our mad spending spree! Wait for my next installment of my Okinawa trip:)
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