emptied box

Castle Closer Up

2007-03-23T20:35:00.000-07:00

Castle Closer Up
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

Looks familiar? It is similar to the view as was shown on the popular samurai tv series Abarenbo Shogun.

Himeji Castle

2007-03-23T20:31:00.000-07:00

Himeji Castle
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

The famous Himeji Castle. It is one of Japan's most famous and visited castles. We went diem the cherry blossoms were in full bloom. There were many people there on the grounds outside the castle

walls having picnics and enjoying the clear day.

Egg Omu

2007-03-23T20:20:00.000-07:00

Egg Omu
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

Drink: Lact Aqua

2007-03-23T20:17:00.000-07:00

Drink: Lact Aqua
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

Seems like all I did in Japan was to try out new drinks...at least that is what I have on my phone. Anyway, this drink was one of those slightly tart lactobacillus drinks that are usually found in

small foil-capped bottles here.

Ping Pong TV Series

2007-03-22T20:42:00.000-07:00

Ping Pong TV Series
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

I came across a boxed set for a Chinese drama about ping pong in the foreign imports section of a Japanese video store. I am a big fan of the Japanese movie of the same name. Wonder if they are

related.

Qoo: the apple drink

2007-03-22T20:35:00.000-07:00

Qoo: the apple drink
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

I had Qoo orange drink before. Here's a Qoo branded apple drink that I found in Japan.

Toilet Plus

2007-03-21T20:30:00.000-07:00

Toilet Plus
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

This is a bidet toilet and sink combo found at the Dogo Onsen hotel. It puts into practice the concept of reuse. Brilliant!

Ice Cream Cone

2007-03-19T12:46:00.000-07:00

Ice Cream Cone
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

Yummy, creamy, soft-serve-like ice cream...in a cone...from the convenience store! This made a delightfully good evening snack.

Awa Kanko Hotel

2007-03-19T12:30:00.000-07:00

Awa Kanko Hotel
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

Our hotel room for the night on Tokushima island.

Akashi Kaikyo Bridge

2007-03-19T11:59:00.000-07:00

Akashi Kaikyo Bridge
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

Look! It is the longest suspension bridge in the world. This is a view from a scenic rest stop as we travelled along the roads and bridges connecting the islands of the Seto Inland Sea. We

eventually did in over the Akashi Kaikyo bridge to get back to Kyushu.

Yet Another Drink

2007-03-14T11:30:00.000-07:00

Yet Another Drink
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

Dinner On Our Own

2007-03-13T11:54:00.000-07:00

Dinner On Our Own
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

Still in Kyoto, Sharon and I had dinner at a small eatery in a shopping arcade that we got to via subway. It was a rainy night so the hearty meal hit the spot. The pictured food was only about 1400

yen.

McJapan

2007-03-12T22:50:00.000-07:00

McJapan
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

Ebi (shrimp) fry nuggets and Ebi patty burger. It must have been a new or limited item as there were huge ads for these items at that time.

Yet Another Drink

2007-03-03T19:17:00.000-08:00

Yet Another Drink
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

Forgot what it tasted like :L

Subway Ticket

2007-03-03T19:15:00.000-08:00

Subway Ticket
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

This was in Kyoto. From Shijo to a stop near the shopping district.

Mitsu Cider

2007-03-03T19:13:00.000-08:00

Mitsu Cider
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

Fizzy drink with a little candy that I dropped in too.

Where Is This?

2007-03-03T19:10:00.000-08:00

Where Is This?
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

Restroom onboard the Shinkansen bullet train?

Soy bean drink

2007-03-03T19:08:00.000-08:00

Soy bean drink
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

Or the empty bottle it

Aloe Yogurt

2007-03-03T19:05:00.000-08:00

Aloe Yogurt
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

Nagoya Castle Plaza

2007-02-26T09:58:00.000-08:00

Nagoya Castle Plaza
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

Strawberry Farms

2007-02-19T10:52:00.000-08:00

Strawberry Farms
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

Hillside strawberries for the picking. Yum.

Hot Food Machine

2007-02-19T09:42:00.000-08:00

Hot Food Machine
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

At the rest stations, this type of got meal vending machine is popular. Order at the machine, pick up done at the counters. It is very efficient.

Fujiyama

2007-02-19T09:40:00.000-08:00

Fujiyama
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

Bare branches so close. Fuji lies in the distance. Beauty everywhere.

Suntory Bikkle

2007-02-19T09:23:00.001-08:00

Suntory Bikkle
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

Yet another lactobacillus drink. This one was not recloseable :L

Looking For Guppies

2007-02-19T09:23:00.000-08:00

Looking For Guppies
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

On the bank of Shirainotake falls, looking for guppies.

Firemen Entrance Sign

2007-02-19T09:21:00.000-08:00

Firemen Entrance Sign
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

In Japan,buildings always had bright orange triangles on certain windows. This is the goods side of one of them. It turns out to be an indicator for emergency firemen entrances.

Hotel Mount Fuji Buffet

2007-02-19T09:17:00.000-08:00

Hotel Mount Fuji Buffet
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

The dining area of the hotel. The dinner and breakfast buffets were superb.

Fujisan...

2007-02-16T18:58:00.000-08:00

Fujisan...
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

...or was it Fujiyama? Anyway, the next morning we were lucky that the sky cleared up to reveal the famous sight of Mount Fuji. It had a good snow cap too.

Night Snack

2007-02-16T18:51:00.000-08:00

Night Snack
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

Got a nighttime snack at the vending machine. Got chips and instant ramen.

More Bathroom Goodness ;)

2007-02-16T18:49:00.000-08:00

More Bathroom Goodness ;)
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

Hotel Mt. Fuji

2007-02-16T18:48:00.000-08:00

Hotel Mt. Fuji
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

Our room at the hotel Mt. Fuji. This was very spacious and comfortable. It had a direct they of Mt. Fuji and Lake Yamanaoka.

Waiting - Mt. Fuji

2007-02-16T18:39:00.000-08:00

Waiting - Mt. Fuji
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

Sharon and Elaine waiting for the video to start at the Mt. Fuji visitor center.

Noodle House

2007-02-16T18:36:00.000-08:00

Noodle House
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

We had fabulous shoyu and miso ramen at a noodle house after crossing the lake. The hot soup was perfect for the cold weather. This is a view into the room where we had our lunch, sitting on tatami

mats.

Lake Crossing

2007-02-16T09:25:00.000-08:00

Lake Crossing
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

Riding a ferry to cross the lake in Hakone. Chilling!

Vinegar Drink

2007-02-16T09:23:00.000-08:00

Vinegar Drink
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

Okay, the label says Black Vinegar Drink, but it is a lot more like a very sharp, yet very refreshing apple cider. This was one of my favorite finds in Japan.

Moon Festival 2006

2006-11-19T08:40:00.000-08:00

Moon Festival 2006
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

Mommy cooking up some food for the festival

Loot from Tokyu Hands, Osaka

2006-10-20T19:58:00.000-07:00

Loot from Tokyu Hands, Osaka
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

Tokyu Hands in Osaka had nine floors of crafts, stationery, and office and home products. This skinny fountain pen is one of the things I got.

Point Point Eat Eat

2006-08-12T17:18:00.000-07:00

Point Point Eat Eat
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

In Japan, we ordered a lot of food by pointing at the samples to order. Once we even took pictures of the samples to show to the waitress. A picture was worth a thousand good meals.

My Eyes On The World

2006-07-13T19:46:00.000-07:00

My Eyes On The World
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

Blog This! I'm getting back into the blogging groove. Why the sudden conviction to blog again after the long absence? Convenience. You see, all this time, I haven't been able to send picture

messagesstraight from my phone to Opera. The reason was that Opera's blog handler couldn'tparse Sprint's non-standard picture messages. Well, that's been fixed by Opera's very hard working Ole

Kasper. Now I can share my views of the world with you much easier than before (hey, I'm lazy). I'll be seeing you folks around!

Lorie Driving in Tokyo

2006-07-03T19:33:00.000-07:00

Lorie Driving in Tokyo
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

Here's Lorie driving on a simulator at the Toyota Museum in Ikebukuro,Tokyo.

Deep Fried Goat Cheese Chevre Cake

2006-06-30T21:10:00.000-07:00

Deep Fried Goat Cheese Chevre Cake
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

Tokyo Street Marker

2006-06-24T19:00:00.000-07:00

Tokyo Street Marker
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

While cruising through Tokyo on the bus... This is a historical street marker designating the 2nd street from the center of the city...I think. "tokyo city ni-chome" or something like that.

In The Edo Tokyo Museum

2006-06-24T18:49:00.000-07:00

In The Edo Tokyo Museum
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

One of our first attractions was the impressive Edo Tokyo Museum, which housed this replica wooden bridge.

Stupid parents

2006-06-12T20:26:00.000-07:00

Stupid parents
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

Letting your climb all over the back seat and trunk while in a moving vehicle. I do hope they get stopped for the click-or-ticket law for the kid's sake...but them they'd prob. Blame the kid.

Ramen at Goma Tei

2006-06-10T20:11:00.000-07:00

Ramen at Goma Tei
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

Sharon and I tried out Goma Tei, a ramen restaurant at Ward Center today. I had the Tan Tan ramen (pictured) and Sharon had the shoyu ramen with boiled egg. The Tan Tan broth was tasty, but Sharon's

needed salt...the portions were large, though.

Tempura

2006-04-17T14:04:00.000-07:00

Tempura
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

Tempura lunch from a place called Aoi-marushin. It included a very light tasting Chawanmushi(steamed egg), tempura with lotus root and a very tender 1-inch thick squid, miso soup, and some vegetable

sides.

Hotel Toilet

2006-04-17T14:03:00.000-07:00

Hotel Toilet
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

A bidet toilet in our first hotel (Sunshine City Prince Hotel). Apparently there are pretty common in Japan. It has a seat warmer, adjustable pressure, deodorizer, and two sprays. It takes a bit of

getting used to...perhaps we're using it wrong?

View From The Runway

2006-04-05T14:14:00.000-07:00

View From The Runway
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

This is the last post for two weeks! The adventure begins.

Lorie

2006-04-05T14:12:00.001-07:00

Lorie
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

Lorie checking her luggage.

Sharon

2006-04-05T14:12:00.000-07:00

Sharon
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

Sharon didn't want to take a pic, so I had to sneak this one in.

Bernice

2006-04-05T14:11:00.000-07:00

Bernice
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

Berns frustrated over camera problems.

Elaine

2006-04-05T12:58:00.000-07:00

Elaine
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

Elaine starting on book 1 of 3.

Ryan

2006-04-05T12:51:00.000-07:00

Ryan
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

Ryan starts off the picture taking frenzy.

Waiting Material

2006-04-05T12:49:00.000-07:00

Waiting Material
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

Reading material while waiting for the gate to open so that we can start our first leg of the Japan tour. This series, Tales of Einarinn, by Juliet McKenna is wholly recommended.

My Opera Blog

2006-04-05T04:19:00.000-07:00

My Opera Blog
Originally uploaded by Tin Hoy.

This is a test message sent to flickr that will make a post on my blogger blog too. Too bad it can't automatically post to opera. Life would rock in that case.

Mobile...breakfast

2006-03-15T09:08:00.000-08:00

Honey bunches of oats with almonds

Piggy 8@)

2006-02-08T09:35:00.000-08:00

Oink Oink!

Tranquility Before Terror

2006-02-03T16:24:00.000-08:00

I want to be a dentist....dentist! I have a knack for causing pain! Just kidding. I do not have anything against the dentist. I am just killing time before my semi-yearly teeth cleaning. It is
neat how doctor and dentist offices always have the most serene and calming environments. Guess it says well to soothe your customers before inflicting pain upon their bodies and wallets!

Lemon Tea

2006-02-01T20:48:00.000-08:00

Hmm...this is not that good. The balance is...off. Sorry, cannot really elaborate.

Lean is Mean

2006-02-01T15:28:00.000-08:00

I didn't have any leftovers to bring for lunch today (had that for dinner!), so I took out a Lean Cuisine from the freezer. From the attached photo, you will get what I mean when I say that
"Lean is Mean."

OKF Aloe Vera Juice

2006-01-25T14:15:00.000-08:00

New drink for today is the OKF brand aloe vera juice. There's a good quantity of pulp in this juice, which is a plus. However, the taste is not much to my liking -- there's added honey (and to balance that out,citric acid).

Lack Of Home Lunch

2006-01-25T14:13:00.000-08:00

Lunch » I didn't bring home lunch today, so I went to Subway. I got a six inch veggie delight on honey oat bread with no cheese. Kind of plain, but it's actually tasty (I got the Southwestern sauce and extra jalepenos.)

Lunch For 01/18

2006-01-23T14:58:00.000-08:00

Bento from Soon's Kalbi.

Lunch At Cafe Laufer

2006-01-23T14:57:00.000-08:00

Sharon and I had lunch at Cafe Laufer today. We had the soup of the day with French roll, and pastrami sandwich and salad. This is one of our favorite lunchtime places, as the food is good, service is fast, and atmosphere is refreshing. Cost was $19 after tax, tip, and one cup of coffee.

Fountain In Morning

2006-01-20T09:46:00.000-08:00

This is the fountain in front of work.

2006-01-19T17:37:00.000-08:00

this is my first post in this emptied box.