Christmas season in Dublin

Greetings from Dublin.

Welcom back to Hidekis Blog Page. For those who have been waiting for the update particularly in India, and for those who don' care anyway, thank you for visiting my page again. After a few month of fighting against the phone company, I have now the internet connection resumed.

Whether you like it or not, Christmascomes every year. Like every other year, Dublin city centre is absoluitely packed with people. I just wonder where all these people come from. Even I do not like crowd, as my office is located near the centre, I went to take some photos to show you how it looks like.


Dublin's famous pedestrian shopping street"Grafton Street", still is crowded after 7PM. If you say it is much crowded in Shinjuku, or Shanghai, don't forget that it is in Ireland. Usually it is much quieter after dark in Dublin.


Off Grafton Street. It usually looks dark and boring here, but now it is very bright and looks much alive.


They spend a lot of effort and money on the show window of BrownThomas shopping mall. This year, for me it is quite difficult to comment on it. It does not look Christmas, but does look quite something.


Big Christmas Tree in front of General Post Office on the O'Connel Street.

I was a little embarrased to take photos in the crowd but there were lots of people doing the same thing.


After the photo session, I and my friend went to a Chinese restaurant. My favorite dish here is

Double Cooked Pork.

It is widely know in Japan as "hoy koh roh", but Chinese lady would not understan the way we say in Japan. Last time I was here, I asked to the same lady how to pronounce this dish. "hui guo rou" is how you say it.

So this time I said proudly "I would like to have hui guo rou please"

? ? ? ? ?

Hm? Isn't it hui guo rou?

? ? ?

hui guo rou hui guo rou hui guo rou

She was thinking every possible dish she could remember, out of my poor pronounciation.


Ah, you mean hui guo rou? OK OK, no problem.


That's what exactly I was saying.

My father who studied Chinese used to say to his son that "what's most difficult while studying Chinese is how to speak". It is much harder than I thought....

Tired of waiting

It has been, I believe, about 6weeks with no internet connection at home. It seems that we are gonna have one pretty soon. I had so many things to wright. As it was so many, I have forgotten most of them...

I have moved!

Long time no see, guys.
I have moved to a two bedroom house. Less people more comfort.

One thing I am not happy is that I do not have an internet access at home yet. There was an argument between two telecom companies "Eircom" and "Smart telecom", and things are so disorganised there.

My blog, both in English and Japanese are not updated for a while, unfortunatelly...

The earth is rounded 6

United800 bound for New York, is climbing up to 33000 feet. Seat belt sign is turned off, and drink service is now begun.

I asked for a glass of red wine, and then took a look at the on-board entertainment guide.

Let's see...

Channel1 Something New
Channel2 Eight Below
Channel3 Big Momma's House2
Channel4 Last Holiday
Channel5 Glory Road
Channel6 The Perfect Man
Channel7 The Pink Panther
Channel8 Disney Channel
Channel9 short programs


...well, could be better, but never mind. I would then may be see Eight Below and The Pink Panther, I think.


The plane reached the target altitude of 37000. The announcement from captain says "please keep the seat belt fastened while seated, just in case". Then the movie resumed.


Do you agree that it is kind of annoying when annuoncement interrupt the movie? The screen paused, and sometimes the volume of the annoucement from your headset is just too laud. When the movie start, you just remember it was a very nice scene and now you are spoiled.

The announcement is now from the captain, explaining the weather in New York and telling what route we are taking etc.
I have been waiting for the long announcement finish as it was in the middle of the movie.

Yes finally.


The movie resumed. 10seconds later, suspended again.

"(in Japanse) Ladies and Gentlemen, there was an announcement from captain. He said......."

Oh, Come on.

"Bla bla bla....."

Oh, enough!

"Blaaaah bla bla blalaaa...."

(Sigh)...what can you do?

"....so please sit back and enjoy the flight. Thank you."


Finally. Shall I rewind the movie or not? I am tired of waiting.

The movie sould resume in any moment. I had a sip of the red wine.


The screen remain paused and...

"搭乘的大家先生ー"

What? Chinese??

I forgot about it. This flight is a one stop flight. It came from HongKong or Beijin, stopping Tokyo once to pick up more passengers. Oh God, help me.

"座椅安全??常?地勒?．．．現在的現地的天气．．"

Just....please...


If you think about the time when there was no such a long range plane such as boeing 777 that can fly over 12000Km. For instance,

Tokyo to Paris via Hongkong, Dhaka, Delhi, Dubai.

Announcement start with Japanese, then Chinese, Bengali, Hindi, Arabian, English, and France.

Better stop thinking.

A movie finished. Where are we? Let's take a look at the satellite map.


Long way to go...

The earth is rounded 5

Did I travelled in the economy class, or did not travel at all? The answere is here.

Not bad.


By the way, the photo is a smoking area of Narita Airport. What you can see at the center of the photo is the cigarette lighter. Just like the one you can find on the car. Passenger who flies to the States can not carry a lighter. Therefore the airport provides it. That's logical. But I have never seen such a thing anywhere else. It is just great to have little things like this.

Good idea, well done!

Well, I am now on board, already having a welcome chanpagne. What I do next is to tune Channel 9 of on board entertainment.

United's channel 9 is wonderful for person who likes aviation. You can listen the communication between the cockpit and traffic control. I always listen to it at take off and landing. It is interesting and sometimes funny.

For example, some months before, I was about to leave London Heathrow. The taxi way was a bit of traffic jam. Following was from Channel 9.

----------------------------------------

Ground Control: "Speedbird(call sign for British Airways) 314, turn right next and follow All Nippon Boeing747(says carrier and aircraft type for visual check)."

BA314: "Roger. Turn right and follow All Nippon Boeing747. Speedbird314.(Repeat order and identify his flight)"


Very serious and professional communication


Ground: "United959..."

Hey, that's our flight!

Ground: "...keep going and erhh..."

Hah? What's happening?

Ground: "arh...just follow that NICE BLUE PLANE."


....He couldn't remember the aircraft type, I guess. Then I heard,

United959: "Roger, I follow NICE BLUE PLANE."

in a serious manner. I spread the water all over with laugh as I was about to drink.

Ground: "You are right. Ouah-ha-ha-ha-ha...."

Sir....

------------------------------------

Anyway, not so crowded Narita Airport, we are almost at the Runway.

Ground: "United800, you are cleared for take off."


See you Narita. United 800 taking off with full throttol (please switch off all electrical equipment...)

The earth is rounded 4

The beginning of "The earth is rounded vol.4" was really for Japanese people, talking about how you get to central Tokyo from Narita Airport with various transport. I'll skip on that.

My stay in Japan on this trip was only for 6days. My jet lag is getting worse and worse now a days, and I don't want to believe it is due my age. Well, a holiday like this short, I spend my time with Irish time zone. Therefore I do not suffer jet lag when I get back to Dublin. I was up until around 4a.m. and get up at noon while I was in Japan.

I haven't done much in Japan this time. I spent time with family most of the time. It was a bit too late for Cherry blossom season, but it was nicely not too cold, not too hot. I went to Onsen spa, and went to some place to eat nice food.

About my stand by ticket, what happens if the flight was totally full? No prob. You can change flight and destination. Problem on that day was that I definitely needed to arrive in New York on that day and there is no other way to be there without using a non stop flight. If full, then I had to ask captain to give up his seat (Ooops, that called hi-jack).

UA800 / destination New York JFK

This plain is quite often full in Business and First class, and empty in Economy. I have travelled in Economy class on this flight (for 13hours) before, and it was absolutely disaster. Hmmmm, which seat am I gonna get on? I have to wait the result at the gate.

By the way, today was the day the new terminal opened in Narita Airport. This terminal was to integrate all the Star Alliance airlines to be in one terminal. There was TV cameras everywhere and even Maiko miodels.

Hidekis without check-in baggage, went straight to the Electric check-in machine, and that was done within 1 minute. Received a boarding pass (without seat number), I proceeded to the security hall and passport control.

As I entered the passport control, I almost screemed


Empty...


The passport control hall in Narita airport usually filled with full of people queueing and my job was to find out which queue is moving faster than others. It is important to see how each immiguration officers handling it and you know, the shorter queue sometimes moves slower than others.

But today, there is not queue in front of probably about 6 conters. I don't have to worry about this kind of crap. Biggest benefit of the new terminal.


Viva new terminal!


Now as usual, I wait in front of the gate of UA800 until all the passengers get on board, then my name will be called, if not full flight....


Brand new self check-in machine. One machine can handle a number of different airlines system.

The earth is rounded 3

If you see the earth from North side...



The blue routing is for normal person. Hidekis took the red routing. You can see how foolish it is to take the red routing which is almost twice the distance than the blue one.

Anyway. Why am I sitting in the business class? Most of airline employee has so called "Flight benefit". As long as there is a seat available, employees can fly very cheap with stand-by basis. Airlines do not lose money with it.

Amongst airlines, American companies are generally good on benefit. The company where I used to work put employees in First class. If not available then business class. The european airlines I used to work before gave only economy class as customers are the priority.

Well it does not have to be like that. Most of the no-show occurs in the higher class as those expensive tickets have no restriction for changing flights. So higher classes would likely have empty seat in the end. So why not assigning employees in there? I would not agree to upgrade economy customer to business class usless airline disservice such as over booking occurs. The difference between economy and business on the longhaul flights are usually more than a few thousands euro. They should not upgrade customers easily. That would disrespect paid business customers.

How do I justify employee to sit in higher classes? Well, airline employees do not get good salary in general. So they deserve it. OK?

So today, Hidekis was lucky that there was only one seat left on UA845 and that was the business class. My flights today were:

Depart Frankfurt at 08:25 --- arrive Chicago at 10:27. Journey time 9h27m

2h32m waiting time

Depart Chicago at 12:59 --- arrive Tokyo at 16:15 (next day). Journey time 13h16m


Changing planes in the state is unpleasent. Even you do not stay in the States, you must go through the immigration. Furthermore, after September11 incident, security became tight and everytime you go through immigration, they take your finger print and photos that makes whole process very slow.

I do not have a good luck in Chicago every time. This time I see it would go smoothly, but about 10 people before my turn, they stopped the visitor line and let US citizen go first as the queue for US citizen was longer. So all the visitor had to wait more than a half an hour.

To reduce any of those stress, Hidekis never bring checked baggage. I bring small enough bag for carry on (if you change planes in the US, you need to claim bags and re-check in).

Chicago O'Hare Airport, the world NO1 busiest airport has 4 terminals and 8 concourse.
My UA883 bound for Tokyo leaves from Terminal1. Arriving at Terminal1 by airtrain, I quickly had one cigarette, then to gate. Busy, busy.

I know this flight is busy flght. I know it. But still not happy. The boarding pass I got shows "Economy class".

At least my seat was in the Economy plus area that has extra legroom in it. But economy is still economy. I used one special cushion for my back and another one for neck to sleep.


13hours later, UA883 is now at final approach. Senery below is difinitely Japan. I departed toward the opposit direction than other Japanese people I saw in Frankfurt, but here I am, back in Japan somehow.




UA883 was in the boeing777 old livery. Average opinion says the old colour is better than the new one. I actually like the new one. What do you think?

The earth is rounded 2

Near the place I stayed...



A smart way to park smart.


Anyway, the next day I woke up at 5:30, I headed to the Airport. Very convenient to go to the station which was just one minute walk from the accommodation.

Frankfurt (Main) International Airport. Of course, it is 10 million times bigger than Frankfurt Hahn.

I arrived there early. Had some chat with friend who works at the airport, then went to the gate.

Despite smoker-unfriendly-Europe, this airport is the exception. There are smoking area everywhere. You don't have to smoke in the cage-like smoking room like Narita or Helsinki airport, here you just stand in front of smoke eater (machine). It is easy to observe what is happening at the departure gate when you are smoking.

Today, the gate area where most westbound flights leave, was crowded. Me as stand-by passenger, have to wait until every passenger get on board. Yes, people who are still hanging around the gate are quite likely the airline employees travelling on stand-by.

The one I take today is United Airlines (guess what, it is the airline where I used to work until recently) UA945. Gate agents are Lufthansa(Star Alliance Group) handling agents.

Around the time when I thought I will be called momentarily, a lufthansa femail agent shouted,

"Mr. Hidekis?"

That's my name. Finally!

But strange. Instead of giving me a boarding pass, she passed me an emergency mobile phone that usually used by airport staff. What a.....

"Hullooo..?"

I answered powerlessly as I was so hoping to get on board, sit back and relax as soon as possible.

"Ah, Hidekis? Long time. It's Maria(fictional)"

Ohm? After flashing quick thought, I now remember an ex-colleague who were transfered to London.

"Oh hey, long time. Aren't you supposed to be in London?"

She explain that she was transfered once again as she speaks German well.

"By the way, the flight you are taking is very full. All passenger has boarded and there is only 1 seat left that is Business class. I hope it will be yours."

Oh. I thought it won't be busy flight as midweek.... Who has priority for employee stand-by traveling? It's Seniority. There are a few people hanging around the gate. Knowing there's only one seat left, I was watching those people in an agressive way..

"Mr, Uh.... Hidekis?"

Not too confident how to pronounce my name, but Yes, that's my name. I jumped and showed my happiness.

I threw myself into a nice, confortable Business class seat, and of course, asked for Champagne.



New livery United Airlines Boeing777 pushed back on time...

The earth is rounded 1

Sometime in the late May, I was at Dublin airport in the early morning. Temperature was 2degree, my appearance was absolutely winterlike.

This was already my last large holiday of this year. Hidekis who used to work for an airline company has a set of free ticket to Japan left. Only one thing I do not like is that I have to take flights via USA which takes twice longer than the ones via Siberia.

Anyway, this time I have some additional destination within this holiday, and the first one is Frankfurt, Germany. I was to meet old friend there to have dinner. My ex-ex-work place was an airline company who does not opperate between Dublin and Frankfurt, so I had to buy a ticket.

It was about a month before the holiday, most of the airlines are already expensive, I dont know why. So the conclusion was to take Ryan air to Frankfurt Hahn. I did not want to take it but did not have any more option.

Frankfurt Hahn is not in Frankfurt. That's a chatch. It takes more than 2hours buy bus to go to Frankfurt city.


Arriving at Hahn, there's absolutely nothing. In the air side, there was just an Aerofloat cargo DC10. I got on the bus to the city and waited for departure. A poor old lady who believed that she bought a flight ticket to Frankfurt Main (international) was complaining to the bus driver. Of course it was not driver's fault.

Driver: "Have a look around, madam. There's nothing. This is so called -Middle of nowhere"

...Well, did he have to assure that? I don't know.


The place where I stayed that night was just near the Hauptbahnhof (central station). How close was it?



It was litterely in front of the station. So convenient.

But I want to speak up here. I can not at all imagine it is the place where World cup take place. The signs in front of the station is nothing to do with soccer. It was so calm and boring. 4years ago when the world cup was in Japan, there was Adds everywhere in Tokyo. People were excited about that. Even in New York where I visited later of this holiday, in the States where soccer is not very popular, it was like a photo below.



Well, I was a bit dissapointed about it. But the food in the restaurant I went with my friend was very very good. So I forgive you (who?)

Coming next: unimaginablly long flight journey...

Back from Japan

Hi there.
I am back from Japan for holiday. I will not going back to Japan until next year, so I wanted to do as many things to do as possible.

I will be writing about the trip for a few weeks and show you some photos. For now, good night...

Escaping a reality

Well...I am really sorry that I have not managed to update my diary so far. My new job is really killing, but the problem is that I really like it so far. It is a shame that I can not tell you what it's like.

Dublin now is again wet and dull. Farthermore tonight it goes down to 3 degree. Un believable. And even amazing twist is that tomorrow is forcasted to be 24degree for high. I will go mad with these extreme weather.

I will fly back to Japan for holiday via the States this week. After this, I probably won't go to the States for a long time. As I do not work for an american company, I do not have a reason to go to the States. Hopefully in the future I could work for an airline company that flies to Japan via Siberia so the benefit will be good for me.

Anyway Japan. The most I would like to do there is to go to Onsen, a hot spring. I only have a week in Japan this time, but I want to go to Onsen at least twice.

There is an Onsen near my place. Rather in the city though. When you go there, a Yukata is provided. You go to the hot spring then get out with Yukata and eat or relax. After a while, you go back in to the bath again. This is how you spend almost half a day there. It is very relaxing and especially good for your blood circulation.

I believe it is one of the most important to keep a good blood circulation on an adult body condition. So many problems caused directly and/or indirectly by bad blood circulation. Tense, headache, joint etc.....

I will for a while forget all about Dublin life in order to success total relaxasion. Will see how it worked when I come back to Dublin.

Take care all.

My new gorgeous

Sorry, it's been a long time. I have been quite busy now a days.

My flatmate found a particular camera I wanted with a good discount in Japan. So now I have it. This camera is just so gorgeous.

So I have to take some test photos. What shall I take (looking around my room)?



No! Definitely not. I do not drink every day....

Well, this is one of my favorite scotch whiskey. Came this far, why not tonight?

Spring has come

Spring has come suddenly. Dublin here now is 18 degree and sunny. I woke up at 7 in the morning although I am off today.

It is nice to sleep longer, but when I sleep longer, I would not wake up until noonish time. Then I know what I say,

Urrrr, half of my precious day off is over

No, I do not want that. So went down to the kitchen, had a morning cofee, started washing machine, had shower, check email..... Everything has done before anyone in the house got up. All I have to do is to hung the clothes once machine finish. Great. No fighting.


Yesterday afternoon, the weather was beautiful. I decided to cut grass on the garden. Starting grass mower, my flatmate bursted out of house and said,

How could you murder these floweres???

I cut grass in this season every year before the garden turn into a jungle. After that we can lay down on the green under the sun, read a book with beer, or chat with friends or have a berbecue party.

But when I looked at those flowers, I thought pity of cutting them all. So I agreed to leave half of them until there is no more flower. My flatmate was happy in the end.

Spring makes people happy and peaceful. This is the end of Dark, Windy, Wet and depressing season.

As being a customer servise of Finacial company, even though it is a beautiful Spring season, there are a lot of unhappy professional complaint makers talking to me nasty way.

But this is the end of it. I found a new job. This was one of many CVs I have sent before I got my current job. Several of them replied after I started this finance job. So I did not attend interviews. But this time, I was alredy thinking about leaving the company anyway so I went to the interview and they liked me.

So why not?

My new job will be completely different area. I would not know if I will be happy or unhappy, but at least interesting. Will have to see how it goes...


--Important Note--

From now on, I will not disclose my work in this home page. Any comment by someone who know me that can publisize what I am doing for work, will be removed. It does not mean that I work for secret agent or illegal organization. My new job is a healty job. What my concern is the publication effect to annonimous people, including myself and my collegue. Thank you for understanding.

P.S. If you want to know what my new job is, please ask. I will email back to you.

Happy chap

Why am I so happy?
First of all, my holiday on late May has been aproved. I will go back home in Tokyo.

On the way home, I would like to stay one night at Frankfurt to meet my friend(s) there. It would be very nice to get together.

On the way back from Tokyo, I will go to Philadelphia to see a concert. I just bought a ticket for it on line.

In fact, I was planning to see them a year ago, but one of the people in the group got leukaemia and had to cancell all the tour schedule.

They are 60's folk group and one of the oldest existing and active group.

This person recovered and the group has started touring again, as if to sing is their destiny.

I will not miss the chance to see them this time. I will not. This probably once in the life time event makes me excited these days, and I just can not wait for it anymore.


Today, my flatmate is coming back from Japan after a long 3weeks holiday. He will bring my new digital camera (-of course it is Canon. I only buy Canon digital. I love them).

So this is another reason to be happy today. Weather is lovely in Dublin. Sunny and 15degree. In 2hours, I will be off to the airport to pick him up.

Happy weekend.

Pink Season

April is one of the most beautiful season in Japan. For only one or two weeks, cherry blossoms makes a full power of blooming around. Everywhere is pink. Every little towns and villages have local festivals.

My uncle emailed me about cherry blossoms season, I realised that I have not been back in Japan in this season for over 6 years.

In Dublin (you know what I am about to say), it still goes minus degree at night and I think this year is unusual. Can someone help making a weather better here?

I would like to share Japanese Sakura (cherry blossoms) view with you guys. Let's see... How about these links?

Japan Guide

Wonderful night view of Sakura

You might ask "when is the season? You said it is only one or two weeks."

Well thats the thing. It is different every year depending on how quickly Spring comes. So TV shows Sakura Forcast in Japan. Even though the forcast in Japan is reliable, some times it comes unpredictably sooner than forcasted. But these festivals needs to be planned in advance, and they sometimes miss it.

I have seen some times in my local town that Sakura Festival turned in to New Leaf Festival as it was not pink anymore....

New job

Some of you already know but I have found a new job recently.

I have been working in Travel industry more than 6 years. Now I am in Financial industry. This is a drastic change of industry but not so big change in a sense of being a customer servise person.

I am still not sure if it was a right decision to be in a finance company. In fact, there is not much opportunity to work in travel in dustry. It is either no position, or too low income.

I would like to do something creative. It is hard to know what exacty I really want to do though. Finance was not an option in my mind in the begining but gradually I expanded some more options to search for a job, as it is getting too long to be full time on holiday.

I would stay in my current job for a while until the time I can judge myself to know if this is the place for me or not.

One of the biggest change is that I have a chance to pop in to supermarkets. Previous work was just 30minutes walk, but there is no supermarket on the way. Now I am taking a train everyday and I could buy fresh vegitables everyday if I want to.

Another thing is that I do not do shift work. So now it is easier to join a course after work for example. I might start learning something.

Well, lets see how things goes on, and how I feel in about a few months time.

An annual Japanese meeting

There was an annual Japanese get-together on Saturday. I did not count exactly but probably over 25 people showed up at a pub in the city center of Dublin.

It is interesting to get to know Japanese people who decided to come to Dublin to live. As majority goes to UK, they have stories to tell why they come to Ireland.

Some likes Irish music like me, some do not like too popular places among Japanese such as London. Some even like specifically Irish accent.

This time, I was a little silly. I kept drinking rather stronger German beer in the pub and rather quickly I was quite pissed. I remember that I was talking to 4 or 5 people, but no more. What was wrong with me? I don't know.

So I did not get to know many people this time. Ah, shame on me.

Oh, I remember I was talking to a French guy in English there (he was a boy frend of a Japanese girl). I found it was easier to speak English. There is certan way to talk to someone for the first time in Japanese. I talk sometimes too frankly I guess in Japanese to anyone. And I can feel that sometimes people think it is too much or I am a bit strange.

Anyway that's beside the point. The following day I wasted half a day to recover from hungover. Never again.

Well I am going to bed now, once I finish my beer. (Will I ever learn?)

Playing with animation program

One day, I was playing with GIF animation program. I have published to my friend's website for limited period (5years aniversary of his home page). Unfortunately his page is completely Japanese, but you can still evidence the silly design which I made.

You can click HERE to see it.

The picture of the page was taken when we recently travelled around north west of Ireland. See the contrast of the road sign and the car beyond. We laughed so much when we saw it and even turn our car back there to take a photo.

Poor thing

Boring....

Oh, couple of days ago, I was ever so bored.


So without thinking, I switched on my laptop. And without thinking I reached a webpage called


CG(Computer Graphics) for poors

Why poors? Never mind...

I started to be interested. According to the website, usually for CG, you draw something on the paper, then scan it into PC, then color it with painting software.

As I do not have scanner and, more importantly, I do not have a skill to draw something.

So without thinking (again) I was drawing something on my PC.




A self-portrait (Hidekis)

Yes, very poor.

If you know my face, it might give you a fun....

Travelling abroad

Last Saturday, it was absolutely spontaneous idea to go abroad for a day.

Hidekis and his flatmate were having a breakfast.

flatmate: "We are running out of beer in the garage"

hidekis: "Really? We should go abroad and buy it soon then."

flatmate: "Why not today?"

An hour later, we are on the motorway. About one and half an hour later, we were outside republic of Ireland. In short, we were in the Northern Ireland.

By the way, there is no border control, in fact, it is difficult to know when exactly you crossed the border. If you are careful, there are some significant change you can find once you are in the North.

First of all, the road sign is mostly white and red, whereas it is yellow and black in Ireland. Speed limit changes from Kilometer to Mile. National road changes from N to A. Road maintenance is better in the north, etc.

Beers are cheaper in the north. From time to time, we go to the border town "Newry" to buy loads of beer. Ever since we started doing it, we drink at home more often than going to the pub. Well, beer was cheaper, but I am not sure if the cost of petro for carrying beers spoil the feeling of great saving in the north.

We came back to Dublin late afternoon. Then, I immediately started having a beer.
By the way, after that, I became sick. It was not a cold, it was something to do with my stomach. Until now my stomach is not working properly.

Go west 6

The hotel was not busy as it is off peak season. The public Onsen bath at the hotel was all for me. A huge bath tub, sauna, Jacuzzi, and massage... I was taking a long leisurely time there. This is my happiness, taking a japanese style bath. All my tense on my shoulder seems to be gone. My blood is purified.

Take a look at some of the Onsen Photos here.



Following day, we are at Katsurahama beach. Facing toward Pacific Ocean, many brave men stood here with great ambition, in the end of Edo period.

Ryoma Sakamoto is one of these brave Samurai. I have a great respect to this man. He had eyes to see the future. He had a tender heart. He was a Samurai who never want to kill anybody. He had the broadest mind.


I do not remember how many times I have come and visit his statue here in Katsurahama in the past. Too many. I get a bit of his power in me, and then go back to wherever I have to.

I will go back to Ireland in a week, and I hope this time I become a bit more braver.

Following evening, I and my mother headed back to Tokyo by Sunrise Express again.
My grandma was sad when she came to see us off at the station. She is very old. Whenever we have to go, she could not help thinking "this might be the last time to see them". I was trying not to think about it and give her a great smile saying "see you soon".



Go west --fin--



P.s.
I found a fish looks like a dog, at Katsurahama Marine Park.


Do you agree?

Go west 5

"sorry..."

Hhm?

"we are at sorry...."

Um...Nonsense.

Hah? My body was shaking like a boat on the rough see.

My mum was trying to wake me up. We are approaching to Gomen Station where we are suppose to get off.

50minutes journey on the local train from Oosugi to Gomen, I was deeply asleep. Funny thing is the name of the place Gomen. It means in Japanese "sorry".

The tram train from Kochi city ends at Gomen. At the front of train, there is a big sign of "Sorry".

Here my uncle was waiting for us. Then we went to our ancester's graveyard in the middle of mountains. On the way, there is a local viewing point called "todoroki waterfall". I have never heard about it, and thought that it should be a small waterfall.


Actually, it was quite a view. As far as I remember, I have never seen a waterfall like this. It has two basins of a waterfall. It is making an amazing sound of water.

Todoroki means "roar". The water roars a lot here.
Examining rocks around me, I found they are quite fragile. The water has easily changed the shape of rocks around there in the history and made this extremely unique feature of the waterfall.

As I was quite tired, we hurried to the hotel that was booked by my aunty. After picked up my aunt, cousin, and grandmother, we are now 6 people.


This is a state owned hotel on the hill above famous beach called Katsurahama. We are finally in Kochi. I must tell you more about this beach and an important person for me and Japanese history that has to be waited until the next episode.

Before closing today's episode, I would like to introduce a modern Japanse toilet widely known as "washlette", that was found in the hotel.


After you finish your job there, you press a button. Then....I guess, I don't have to explain.

Buttons are designed indevidually for men, and women. If you press a wrong button then,... I guess, I don't have to......

Go west 4

Sorry guys, I have been away and could not update this page for a while.

Where was I? We have just arrived at Oosugi, right?

"oo" means big, and "Sugi" is Cryptomeria(known as Japanese Cedar). This village used to be called just "Sugi". Then why it became bigger Sugi?

About 15minutes walk, there is an entrance of the hill leading to Yasaka shrine. Hmm.., I might not like it...


My mother was counting how many steps she had to climb, but half way through, it could not be bothered anymore. They are simply "too many".

Well, it is worth climbing up there to the shrine. In the centre of the shrine:


"Oosugi of Sugi" (A Special Natural Monument of Japan)

There are 536 Natural Monument, including 30 Special Natural Monument. This is one of the oldest Sugi tree. This tree is over 3000 years old.

In my knowledge, the trunk of Cryptomeria is rounded, and grows very straight towards the sky.

This "Oosugi" Cryptomeria is not rounded, not straight, and very thick and powerful.


There are places in the nature where you feel most comfortable, probably depending on your childhood experience.

Is it a mountain? or ocean? What is it for you?

For me, it is a Forest. I feel a power especially from large trees, touching its skins and listen to its life.

I came here only to see this tree. My mother enjoyed it too.

"OK, we are satisfied. Let's go back home."

Of course, I am joking. My grandmother(waiting for us in Kochi city) would have kicked me if she heard what I have just said. Meanwhile, my mother realised something wrong with me....

You remember?


Hidekis did not sleep almost at all last night.


I was almost asleep while I was walking. I think this is it. I need a rest.

Go west 3

7a.m.

Outside is getting brighter and more visible. I noticed that we are right now crossing the Great Seto Bridge right this moment.


What an amazing architecture. Now it takes only 15minutes to cross over the Seto Inland See.
I also remember the good old time I had to cross the see by ferry everytime I go to Shikoku Island. The ferry used to be National owned. There was a traditional Udon noodle bar on the ship I looked forward to, while one hour sailing on the beautifull sea with the view of lots of small islands to see.

Sunrise Express does not go to Kochi. We arrived at Sakaide and changed trains there. At Sakaide station, when a train approach the station, there was a music on the platform to warn passanger. The music was good old "Seto no hanayome (bride of Seto)". Nice welcomed feeling. Now I do feel that I am back in Shikoku.

On the way to Oosugi, my first destination, the train passes a great senery called "Ooboke valley". I can not imagine how human could build a train track on the valley like this...


"the next station is OOSUGI"

This is it! Let's get off the train. I wanna show you something...

-to be continued.

Go west 2

After SunriseExpress departed Tokyo on time, I explore inside of the train.


This is called Carpet Car. You can lay down without sleeper supplement ticket. We took this on the outbound.



And for inbound, we took a private sleeper. A blanket, pillow, and Yukata (onepiece pyjama) are provided.
There is an alarm clock and electrical door key. It was quite comfortable.

After checking the lounge, vending machine, and smoking area, I went back to my place and opened a can of beer.


Oh, I love train journey.


Train has passed Atami. It's almost midnight.

By the way, Hidekis is known as a well self-organized man (I don't know why), but often forget the most important things.

This time I finally realised a very important issue regarding a sleeper train journey....







.....I CAN NOT SLEEP (due to my jetlag)



I should have simply taken a day time bullet train (big tears).

Go west

I was born in Kochi, south west of Japan. Sometimes I visit my grandmother there. This time I took an overnight sleeper train from Tokyo.


The most economical way is to take the overnight bus. The overnight bus in Japan usually is quite comfirtable. But to my surprise, my mother had decided to come with me which I did not know.

A young and good looking man like me (who said that?) would quite be ok with the bus journey, but probably it is too hard for my mother. So, I decided to take a sleeper train.

Sleeper train in Japan used to be called "blue train".

(yes very blue)
But the one we took was the new generation of the sleeper.
When a beautifully colored 14coaches overnight train "Sunrise Express" appeared at the platform number 9 in Tokyo station, I was quite excited.


Well, this can not be called "blue train" anymore, can it?

A 900 kilometre journey was about to start...

A new time zone again

Hi All

It's been a long time. How are you guys?
I came back from Japan to Ireland on Wednesday.

I heard that it is depend on person whether if jetlug would bother or not.

My case it is quite hard to get used to a new time zone. Dublin and Tokyo has 9hours time gap. I woke up at 2 a.m. this morning and could not sleep again.
For me, it will take about 10days to recover.

Japan was colder than usual. New York (stayed one night) was extremely mild. Dublin is quite mild as well. I wonder how it is like in India...

Time is 3:30 p.m. I am getting tired already. I do have some more news about my stay in Japan. Will be updated soon.

For now,
Good night...

11cm Snow in Tokyo on last Sunday.

Forgotten photos for three years

I have mentioned about my old laptop sometime in December. The photos I found in there are quite nice. They are for my holiday in Scotland.

On the 2nd day of holiday I was at the south of Highland. Such a wild scenery...


Magnificent, is the word I would describe.

Then I drove in to a very narrow road beside the hill. Driving into a valley, suddenly the fog was rapidly growing around the car. It was so sudden...
Moment later, the fog covered the area completely and I could not see the thing.

All the sudden, a police woman appeared from the middle of nowhere, and gestured "wait for a while".



After a while, again the fog was going away so so rapidly, and I thought I was drunk.

I asked the police woman, as I was totally confused:

"What have just happened?"

She said,

"Ah, it was an artificial fog. They are filming a scene of Harry Potter up there. Well, the road is now clear enough. You can go."

Oh, really?


So this is a photo I took on the way, going through a valley.


After the holiday, I was wondering what was that strange building for in the movie, and couldn't wait for the movie released.

If you have seen the 3rd eddition of Harry potter, it was a hut for a professor Hagrid who teaches about "dangerous creatures", you might have already noticed...


---Well guys, I am flying to Japan tomorrow. While I am in Japan, I might not be able to update this page. But please check from time to time.

Ridiculously cheap.....can't complain

Now my date for holiday is fixed. I will be flying to Japan on 11th January.

By the way, I have to buy a separate ticket from Dublin to London. My flight from Dublin to London (60minutes flight)....

9 euro.

London to Dublin....

1 euro....

Tax?

about 60 euro.


This became quite normal in Europe. I will definitely have a heart attack when I have to fly domestically in Japan. From Tokyo to Kochi (90minutes flight)where I was born will probably cost around 350 euro round trip...

So I will take a coach (long distance bus), I think.

A technical issue

For those who reads Japanese, the problem on my Japanese site has been sorted. The old version at hidekisjp.blogspot.com was formatted as Universal UTF-8 code. A lot of Japanese PC that does not support UTF-8 shows a blank screen.

The new one at hidekiss.blogspot.com is now formatted as Japanese Shift-JIS which should not be a problem. Anyone who does not have Japanese Operation System but do have Japanese font installed, please use new version and encord it as Shift-JIS.
The old version will not be updated anymore.
Sorry guys, it took a long time to figure out what was a problem.

For Delhi people, if you still can not get to the garden, send me an email. I will send you a link to the page.

Best regards

A Happy New Year...

...to you all.
And thank you for supporting and your comments on this page in 2005. I will continue writing news around myself. 2006 is the year of Dog. Japanese year is Heisei 18. Anybody who were born in 1910/22/34/46/58/70/82/94, this is your lucky year. I wish the year 2006 will bring you a wonderful time.

I am still not sure when and how long I am going for holiday in Japan (hopefully as soon as possible). Will send you some update from Japan too.

Take care.