Canal City

CANAL CITY, HAKATA, FUKUOKA, JAPAN

Canal City is in itself like a city within a city. But don't be misled by the name, Canal City is not actually a city per se, it is a just a big shopping complex with hundreds of internationally branded shops, cafe, and restaurants. It also serves as a venue for internationally acclaimed artists and acrobats. I happened to watch a circus during the golden week that amazingly kept my eyes glued on the performances.

Hakozaki Shrine

At the entrance of Hakozaki Shrine.

This is one of the three major shrines of Hachiman god, along with Iwashimizu Hachiman shrine (Kyoto)and Usa Hachiman shrine（Ooita）. This shrine is dedicated to Emperor Oujin, Empress Jingu and Tamayorihime-no-mikoto. It was founded in 923, with the transfer of god from Daibu Hachiman shrine in Honami-gun, Fukuoka. Since the 12th century, as the role of Korokan (ancient guesthouse for diplomats) declined, this shrine became a busy juncture of overseas trading and has survived a series of fires from the Mongolian invasion. Numerous building structures, including the main hall, the worship hall, Sakuramon gate, Ichino-torii (gate) and wooden lantern, are designated as important cultural assets. Tamaseseri Festival and Hojoya Festival are held at this shrine every year and attract a lot of people. (Source:http://www.hakozakigu.or.jp/)

Shinkansen, Japan's Fastest Train

I had the chance to ride on this very speedy train in Japan called the Shinkansen. It is a kinda luxurious kind of transportation yet very comforting. Its modernity is amazingly unbelievable.

Here are some of the descriptive facts about the shinkansen which I got from Wikepedia.

The Shinkansen (新幹線?, new main line), also known as the bullet train, is a network of high-speed railway lines in Japan operated by four Japan Railways Group companies. Starting with the Tōkaidō Shinkansen in 1964, the network has expanded to currently consist of 2,387.7 km (1,483.6 mi) of lines with maximum speeds of 240–300 km/h (149–186 mph), 283.5 km (176.2 mi) of Mini-shinkansen with a maximum speed of 130 km/h (81 mph) and 10.3 km (6.4 mi) of spur lines with Shinkansen services.[citation needed] The network presently links most major cities on the islands of Honshu and Kyushu, with construction of a link to the northern island of Hokkaido underway and plans to increase speeds on some lines up to 320 km/h (199 mph).[citation needed] Test runs have reached 443 km/h (275 mph) for conventional rail in 1996, and up to a world record 581 km/h (361 mph) for maglev trainsets in 2003. Running at speeds of up to 300 km/h, the shinkansen is known for punctuality (most trains depart on time to the second), comfort (relatively silent cars with spacious, always forward facing seats), safety (no fatal accidents in its history) and efficiency

Kansai International Airport

After almost fours of riding the Cebu Pacific plane, finally we landed in Japan. We landed at the Kansai International Airport in Japan. It is an international airport located on an artificial island in the middle of Osaka Bay, 38 km (24 mi) southwest of Ōsaka Station, off the shore of the cities of Sennan and Izumisano and the town of Tajiri in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. It is newer than the Osaka International Airport, which is quite closer to the city and now handles only domestic flights. It was ranked 4th overall in the Airport of the Year 2006 awards named by Skytrax, after Singapore Changi Airport, Hong Kong International Airport and Munich Airport. The airport serves as an international hub for All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines, and Nippon Cargo Airlines.

Going to Japan

I am pretty busy carefully packing our things for our Japan trip tomorrow. It will be a new experience for me and my daughter as we travel to a place where we are both illiterate. LOL. Only few Japanese can speak English and it will surely be a hindrance for me to communicate with them. I just hope that my mastery in sign langauage, I mean, action words, will do good for me and help me in letting the Japanese understand what I mean. Let's wait and see. For the meantime, I have to finish packing our things. Bon voyage to us.

Breathtaking Beach

This beautiful beach is located in Tolosa, Leyte .

Lake Danao

This is the picturesque view of Lake Danao (originally named as Lake Imelda) situated in the Island of Leyte, Philippines. The lushious green forest sorrounding the calm water of this guitar-shaped lake is an added attraction to this natural body of water full of magnificence and beauty. Lake Danao is about 15 kilometers northeast of Ormoc City, Leyte and can be reached by a motor vehicle passing through the Tongonal national road. A little bit of history about Lake Danao: It was originally named "Lake Imelda" and was declared a natural park in June 2, 1972 by virtue of presidential memorandum issued by then President Ferdinand Marcos. Later it was renamed and declared as Lake Danao Natural Park in February 3, 1998 through Proclamation No. 1155 and is now protected by Republic Act No. 7586 otherwise known as the National Integrated Protected Area System (NIPAS) Act of 1992.^[1] The lake supplies potable water to at least seven towns in Eastern Leyte including Tacloban City^[2] as well as the source of irrigation for ricelands in some municipalities like Dagami, Burauen, Pastrana and Tabon-tabon.

Manila Ocean Park

This is the Manila Ocean Park located behind Quirino Grandstand in Luneta, Manila. It is the Philippines’ first state-of-the-art Oceanarium, open water marine habitat, boutique mall, restaurant row and function facilities all located in one complex. It is a nice place to stroll around. There are lots of fishes which I have seen for the first time. This giant Arapaima, a South American tropical fish water, is very amazing. It is huge that its big mouth can even eat me in whole.

The Rides

The Carousel ride was a good experience for my daughter. She imagined herself as Cinderella going to the ball. I was the Fairygod mother. . . Daddy was the Prince waiting for my Cinderella . . . The Ferries Wheel was amazing. Too bad for me, I have fear of heights. It was a scary ride for me, but not for my daughter. Hey, take a look, we're at the top.

Getting Ready to Travel:Cheap Airasia tickets

I am very much excited for my next year's summer vacation. As early as now, I am already preparaing for. I so glad that I can make early preprarations for that travel. Planning ahead is convenient especially that there is www.airasiaplus.com which is helping me find cheap tickets. Why don't you try to have cheap tickets now . . Visit http://airasia.com for more information.

Admiring the Beauty of Nature

I recently visited a nice beach 150 kilometers away from my home. The place is so cool and very relaxing. I wish to be there once more this month.

Loboc River

Cruising along the Loboc River while being serenaded with good music is a truly worhwhile and unique Bohol experience.

Baclayon Church

This is one of the oldest churchest in the Philippines having been built in the 1800's.

Tarsier

Isn't it cute? That's a Tarsier. It's the smallest monkey and some of itare found in the beautiful island of Bohol, Philippines.

The Sunrise

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This picture was taken by my husband while he was in Bohol. It's cool.

Bohol

The breathtaking sea waters in Bohol. It's a perfectly wonderful sight to while away the extra boring day waiting for somebody for hours. The deep blue sea that beautifully complement the blue skies keeps one's eyes and mind extra busy.

My Dream Travel Destination

I don't really understand why I wish to travel to Thailand and why I consider Thailand as my ultimate dream destination. I have long been asking this dream travel from my husband, he being the one to pay for all my travel expenses,yet I always go a "we'll see" answer, an uncertain answer actually. Fortunately, in one of our recent casual conversation about this dream travel, he finally permitted me to go. I was extremely delighted and surprised! One condition was set though, that is, I will go to Thailand early part of next year. My over excitement about this future travel got me to do some research about the place and all other stuffs. Whew, I hope things will push through. I'll keep my fingers crossed. Good luck to me. Doris