Category: Nature

Posted in Diving, Feelings, Nature, Place, Travel

Diving @ Mikomoto, Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka Part 2 (2nd Day)

Posted on by sonokotchi

I dived three times today.

I saw body of Hammer at the first dive.

I couldn’t see his head…I tried to look hard, but ocean is so blue and his body blended in.

At the second dive, when we just started diving, I met one Hammar.

I saw his head and body, but I didn’t see his distinguish head. 

He must have been facing side way. 

Then there was a family of Hammer, but I was bit late to swim fast.

I missed them…. ahhhhh

Unfortunately, I couldn’t take a photo of Hammer, but there are fish.



Now I became greedy.

Last week, I couldn’t see any Hammer and wished for one.

I saw one yesterday and two (!?) today.

But now… I want to see Hammer clearly, near and MORE!!!

I better check my schedule… hummmmm 

Posted in Diving, Experience, Feelings, Food, Japanese Food, Nature, Travel

Hammer Gettttttttt!

Posted on by sonokotchi

There was a concern about Typhoon 5.

It was 50:50 to dive today.

Nonetheless, I departed Tokyo by Shinkansen (Kodama 631) at 6:33 am and arrived Izukyu Shimoda Station by Ito line at 8:48 am.



The wave was high, but we could dive today.

And……

Finally, I saw a Hammer…

He was alone…

There was a distance between us, but I saw him…

A photo might not clear enough, but I think you can still see his figure.


Now I’m a certificate diver to see a Hammerhead Shark.

After finally have seen one, now I want to see a group of them… many Hammers!!!!

This is never ending adventures…


Today, I went to Mimatsu-Zushi Shimoda Station Branch to celebrate catching a Hammer!

I enjoyed every bite of sushi!

Bono Bono!

This Sushi restaurant serves many fresh local sushi that I highly recommend to visit!


Now let’s sleep to dream of meeting many Hammers….zzzzzz

Posted in Diving, Feelings, Nature, Travel

Gambling

Posted on by sonokotchi

I’ve been monitoring Typhoon 5 (Typhoon Noru) because it will affect my plan tomorrow.

The ocean swells today.

I would know I would dive or end up enjoying dipping into a hot spring tomorrow morning when I arrive at Izukyu Shimoda Station at 8:48 am.

Now it’s 50:50 chance. Amen.

Posted in Books & Magazines, Diving, Feelings, Nature, Shopping, Tokyo

Is Diving Addicted…?

Posted on by sonokotchi


I hope I’m not boring you…
Today, I received a turtle shaped dive stick and a book: Fish Watching 500.

When I started diving, I never thought I would want to learn name of fish and marine creatures that I see under the water.

hahaha

By the way, I usually buy diving goods at Aqros Shibuya Store.

Staffs are kind and always give good recommendations.

I also seek an advice on diving spots.

Posted in Books & Magazines, Diving, Feelings, Nature, Shopping

Book: Sea Creatures Watching 500

Posted on by sonokotchi

I ordered two books in Amazon: Fish Watching 500 and Sea Creatures Watching 500.

I received Sea Creatures Watching 500 today because Fish Watching 500 is currently out of stock.


Now I’m interested to learn names of fish and sea creatures so that I can introduce what I see under the water.


For example, I’ve seen these sea slugs such as yellow one and blue with polka dots (I should have seen it in Malaysia because the book says it can be found in Malaysia).

I never thought I would enjoy watching these encyclopedias…. 

Posted in Diving, Exercise, Feelings, Food, Nature, Travel

Diving @ Mikomoto, Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka (Day 2)

Posted on by sonokotchi

When I finished diving yesterday, the ocean became clear so I had a high hope to catch Hammerhead Sharks! 

I could see more fish today…..




Stingray

But no Hammerhead Shark….. ahhhhhh

Sayonara Mikomoto-jima (Mikomoto Island). 


After finish two dives at Zabune and Enokuchi Point, I had late lunch at Restaurants nearby Izukyu Shimoda Station.

Sushi, and 


Chinese… yap, I was greedy. hehehe


I reserved a seat for Odoriko 118 at 4:50 pm and I had time for my train.

After lunch, I still had time to enjoy free foot bath at Shimida Station.


I think I enjoyed my stay as much as I could.

Okay, it’s time to get on the train.


I’m glad I took a train this time.

It was relaxing and enjoying sceneries from the window — even sleeping! 


Posted in Diving, Exercise, Feelings, Food, Japanese Food, Nature, Place, Travel

Diving @ Kushimoto, Wakayama

Posted on by sonokotchi

Kushimoto is located at the southeast point of Japan’s Honshu (main island).

The dive shop, Coral Queen, owns a boat and takes us to off shore points if the condition permits.



I’m lucky and went to all off shore points, 5 dives in two days.

On Saturday, I went to Shimamawari, Ichinone and Ninone; on Sunday, Ninone and Ichinone.

These diving spots are with interesting landscape, fish (tropical fish, too) and creatures (including edible ones such as Ise Lobsters, Slipper Lobster and shells) and corals (hard and soft).

Rockfish with a group of Silver-Stripe Round Herring


Crack


I named it, Half Dome, or is it more like Shark Fin?


Boxfish


Many fish


Corals



You can see that ocean is beautiful; therefore, seafood is so fresh and delicious!!

Lunch at Coral Queen is nice: Shirasu-don (Baby Sardine Bowl)


And dinner at town, Matsu-zushi.



It’s a bit far from Tokyo, 7 hours to reach there, but I would love to go back Kushimoto, Wakayama again to enjoy diving and food!

Posted in Diving, Feelings, Nature, Place, Travel

Escape from Tokyo

Posted on by sonokotchi

It’s been very hot in Tokyo.

I decide to escape from Tokyo; hopped on a plane after office.


Arrived at Kansai Airport.


And here I am….at Kushimoto Royal Hotel.

I stayed at this hotel in last February and introduced this hotel.

At that time, I visited here for different purpose, visiting temples, then I spotted few dive shops in this area, wondering how beautiful it could be being at the tip of Kii Peninsula.

Good night.

Posted in Feelings, Food, Mt. Fuji, Nature, Place, Shopping, Shrine and Temple, Sunrise and Sunset, Tokyo, Travel

Trip to Mt. Fuji and Odaiba

Posted on by sonokotchi

My friend treated me a kebab for breakfast @ Asian Kebab, Roppongi.


I ordered Otsumami (snacks); this menu is Kebab meat and cabbage only (no rice or a pita bread).

It’s delicious and good portion.

I think I will take out this when I feel lazy to cook. hahaha


I took Chuo Highway to Mt. Fuji 5th Station.

We can go up to 5th Station by car.

There is a rest area to take a break and to admire Mt. Fuji. 


Rest area. 



Restaurant


The menu is displayed.


But purchasing meal tickets is challenging because words are written in Japanese. Hummm


I had a shaved ice.


There is a local Mt. Fuji Beer vending machine.

I bought one for my sourvenir.



If you run out Japanese yen, don’t worry.

There is a money changer machine for many currencies.

The service is better than ordinary banks.


I prayed Fujisan Komitake Jinjya (Mt. Fuji Komitake Shrine).




We can also admire a lake view.

I think this is Kawaguchiko (Kawaguchi Lake).


I enjoyed being ON the Mt. Fuji, but I struggle with a traffic jam. Ahhhh

It was 7 pm when we arrived Tokyo; therefore, decided to go to Odaiba for ocean view and dinner.



Kaisendon (Seafood Bowl) for dinner @ Genchan, Odaiba.


After getting energy, walked the area to enjoy night view of Tokyo Bay.





It is not my first time to post about Mt. Fuji and Odaiba.

Well, these are my favorite places; I will continue to post whenever I can to share the view of the day with you.