Posted in Art, Family, Feelings, Tokyo

Alfons Mucha

Posted on by sonokotchi

I went to the National Art  Center, Tokyo to see Mucha’s art.



He was a Czech painter.

He painted many large sized paint (6 x 8 meters canvases) under a theme of Slav Epic, depicting the history of the Slav people and civilization.

I just wonder how he structured these designs in his head to express on large canvases.

I was allowed to take photos of few paintings; but I could not take a photo of a whole painting because there were many people standing in front of it.

But even it’s partial, we can tell how talented he was.

It is strange when we admire his paintings from distance, his paint grows as if there is a spot light lighting the area.


On the other hand, his Art Nouveau is just breath taking; they are so beautiful.

I’m glad that Mom asked me to go with her.

Posted in Feelings, Japanese Culture, Mt. Fuji, Place, Travel

Business Trip to Nagoya (Day 1)

Posted on by sonokotchi

It’s Sunday, but we’ll start our programme early on Monday; we arrive Nagoya a day before.


I’m staying at Nagoya JR Gate Tower Hotel.

It’s new, convenient and functional.

New – this hotel is newly opened on 17 April 2017.

Convenient – it’s connected to Nagoya Station.

Functional – the size of room is only 20 sqm, but it’s functional.


We can experience IoT world.

We can operate light, AC, etc from a tablet.


I’m lucky to have a Nagoya Castle View.

Posted in Cooking, Feelings, Food, Health, Japanese Food, Tokyo

One of My Saturdays

Posted on by sonokotchi

This week I’ve been going to bed early; therefore, when I woke up today, I already felt fresh!

I went soba shop for breakfast.

I had a bowl of Hiyashi Kitsune (Cold Deep-Fried Bean Curd Noodle).

Nickname of this bean curd is Kitsune (fox) because we believe a fox that represent a guardian of area, messenger of shrine or god of harvest, likes this deep-fried bean curd.


Then, I prayed at my shrine, Tenso-Jinja (Tenso Shrine).

It feels good to pray in the morning when a town is still quiet.

But as you can see, this shrine is located in the center of Tokyo, between highrised buildings.


I got ready to go for body maintenance.

Now I don’t have a serious pain, but there are many parts that need to be fixed: legs, organs, shoulders and head…?


After refreshment, I cooked simple lunch:  Hiyashi Chuka (Cold Chinese Noodle).

I placed too much toppings over Chinese styled yellow noodle.


I’ve been eating well today; tonight’s dinner, it was tapas style (small dishes).

Posted in Daily Life, Feelings, Food, Japanese Food, Place, Tokyo

Weekday Night

Posted on by sonokotchi

I didn’t upload for few days; I was simply busy with work. 

After busy days, I went for a quick bite and went to bed early.

On Thursday night, I went to my regular Sushi Restaurant, Sushiya no Goto.


On Friday night, I went to a new restaurant, Niku no Rakuem (Meat Paradise) at Roppongi Yokocho.

At First/Ground Floor of ROI Buildig, Roppongi, about twenty restaurants operates.

Is this a typical Asian style restaurant corridor for you?


The most recommended restaurant there is Niku no Rakuen (Meat Paradise).

If you are a meat lover, it’s casual and delicious.

Posted in Family, Feelings, Food, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Place, Travel

Trip to Kamogawa, Chiba 

Posted on by sonokotchi

Yesterday, on Saturday, I drove to Kamogawa, Chiba to attend a Buddhist Ceremony for our Grand Father which is scheduled on Sunday.

It takes three hours drive to reach there and the ceremony is scheduled at 10:30 am in the morning.

We (family members) decide to arrive one day earlier to enjoy staying in town.


We used to visit there often when our grand parents were still alive.

We have many memories here and there in town.

We used to stay in Kanpo no Yado Kamogawa, a hotel operating by a Japanese former national insurance company (currently, privatized).


We used to dine at a restaurant to enjoy local food and bath in a large public bath over looking Pacific Ocean.



This hotel is reasonable and located in front of Kamogawa Sea World (aquarium) and our Temple, Eimeiji (Eimei Temple).




I attended a ceremony and we also enjoyed eating lunch and talking after the ceremony.


They gave us a box of Soramame (broad beans) as a sourvenir. 

I love this beans so quickly boiled and ate when I got back.

It’s so fresh!!!


I miss my Grand Parents.

Please Rest In Peace. 

Posted in Books & Magazines, Diving, Experience, Feelings, Food, Movie, Place, Surprise, Travel

Trip to Sipadan (Day 6)

Posted on by sonokotchi

It’s time to go back.

Sayonara & Arigatoooooooo!!!



Since it’s a last day of Japanese Golden Week holiday, a plane back to Japan is full.

I had to divert to Singapore: Tawau – Kauala Lumpur – Singapore – Haneda/Tokyo.

On the way to Singapore, I already started feeling sentimental by looking at movies and photos.

I arrived Singapore happily and saw a disturbing word on a signboard – Delayed.


Soon I found that my flight delayed for a half day – I missed going back to office on Monday. Ahhhhh
We get a free accommodation in Singapore, but this is unexpected.


It is a nice hotel, but didn’t have much time to enjoy my stay.

We arrived midnight and left hotel at 5:15 am to catch 7:45 am flight.
Luckily, I’ve been waking up at Kapalai/Sipadan early.


Hotel quickly prepared supper for us.

At the Changi Airport, I found a wine tasting server – interesting!


As usual, I enjoyed food and movies on the crowded plane.

Breakfast


Passengers


Collateral Beauty


I read a manga on the screen: Tokyo Tarareba Musume (Tokyo What If Girls).

My first time to read a manga on the airline screen!


Finally, I reached Haneda/Tokyo.

What a trip!

This trip become a memorable one for sure!

Would I do it again?

Absolutely!

Posted in Diving, Exercise, Experience, Feelings, Place, Surprise, Travel

Trip to Sipadan (Day 5)

Posted on by sonokotchi

Last day to dive…I’m lucky, I am going to dive at Sipadan again!

When we dive at Sipadan, we leave the pier at 5:30 am to catch early risers, bump fish.

It’s still dark.

I’m not good at waking up early, but for diving, I can wake up. hahaha

It was worth waking up early.

I swam with many Bump Fish!


There are many sharks!

A stream of horse mackerels.


My friend took a photo of me dive into bourse makerels.

Wahhhh her photo is so sharp!

Shall I consider getting a proper camera…?


We were looking for a barracuda.

We swam and swam looking for baraccudas at Barracuda Point, twice.

At last dive (4th dive), we decided to enjoy diving with beautiful coral scenery. 

But we are lucky!!!

There are baraccudas…

I got closer to them, then they started making a Barracuda Tornado!!!

Breath taking.

I’m so so lucky!

First Sipadan Trip, I witnessed a Barracuda Tornado!!!

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I appreciate whatever I see there.

This is a long living shell.

It grew too large unabling to close now.


I watched so many things: various tropical fish, sea slugs, turtles, sharks, Bump Fish, hourse mackerels…and…Baraccuda Tornado!

I had so much fun diving here!