Scene in Nikko

Well, its autumn in Japan and soon will be winter. So me and my colleagues from the lab went to Nikko to search for the autumn leaves.
In the train, on the way on the way there, we got a glimpse to what is part of the Japan Alps (I think).



















Unfortunately, it was already snowing on the way up to the Yumoto . Hence, there were no more autumn leaves to be sighted.















Nevertheless, we turned our journey to waterfalls sighting instead. Starting from the highest point in Nikko:

Yudaki. 'Taki' means waterfall in Japanese language.



















Kodaki















Ryuzu Falls. Its a twin waterfall :)















There is actually another waterfall, known as the Kegon Falls, but I missed that.
Down in the Nikko town, we finally saw some autumn leaves as it was warmer there. Happy :D





























The Shinkyo Bridge or Bridge of Gods.















Nikko is also a World Heritage Site. Next trip there I will surely visit the Shogun Temple 'Toshogu' etc.

First experience with Homestay

I stayed with the Iizuka family for one night at their home in Matsubara, Tokyo last weekend.

One big happy family : Rui (host father), Mariko (host mother), Me and Noa-chan















My room















Japanese powdered green tea preparation by a 4th grade student at the Setagaya-ku Cultural Festival. It was the National Cultural weekend in Japan.















Traditionally, the green tea is drunk after eating the served sweets to minimize the bitter taste of the tea. At the ceremony we were served red bean 'manju' (mantou).














Me and Noa-chan drinking the prepared green tea.















Kids fun time!















Twas a good Japanese language speaking practice last weekend and fun too!

New home

Time passes so fast. I have been living in my new home for more than a month now. It is a cozy 20 metres square 'apaato' in Higashi Tamagawa. I like the housing area as its really quiet and it feels safe.

So how about a pictorial view of my home?




















The view of my six tatami mat room from the entrance.





















The 3 tatami sized kitchen. It so convenient now that I don't have to walk out to the common kitchen with all my groceries and spices to make my 3 meals a day.





















My shower and toilet. It took me quite a while to select the shower curtain :) So where do I wash my laundry?




















I have an extension of 4 feet outside where the balcony is and of course, the washing machine.





























The house warming part! Fortunately I could fit 10 people in my room :) Menu of the day:bread and cheese, Ebi Chilli (Chilli prawns), roti jala with curry chicken, self-syled yaki soba :P , fried rice and choc0late cake.

Are you wondering where is it that I sleep?

Malaysia Boleh!

Yonex Open Japan 2007
Venue: Tokyo Metropolitan Stadium
Semi-final and finals : 15 -16 September














Lee Chong Wei (MAS) vs. Lin Dan (CHN) in the semi-finals















The avid Malaysian supporters















Lee Chong Wei (MAS) vs. Taufik Hidayat (INA)














The moment of Glory!

Natsu Matsuri

Sakura-yukata.




















Pretty ribbon-obi.















Doing the pose with the umbrella :D




















Playing the balloon game.















In the 'odori' action.


































The finale.

The Badminton Game

So, I finally got to participate in the Asean Sports Festival in Tokyo. Playing my favourite game....
















In action with my game partner (Amy) for women's doubles, representing Malaysia...
















First and second place went to Vietnamese players and third place went to Malaysians!

Disney Sea Tokyo

Kamakura

Garden in Hase Dera.

Entrace to the cave temple.

Bamboo trees in the temple's compund.

Pacific Ocean? Should be...

Dai Butsu 'Big Buddha'

Mount Takao

Who said we cannot find something like Bukit Kiara Park in Tokyo? :D
Up we climb to 599 metres above sea level. Heave...heave...

I am known as 'syaga'.