2011 Travel Monologue
Happy New Year! I’m still here! This post was written at the end of 2011 so I’m re-writing some parts of it to reflect the present. I’m grateful to God for his provisions and blessings in making these trips possible. I hope that the New Year will bring more blessing and opportunities to experience God’s workmanship.
Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
In January, my dream of going to the far north of China to experience the Ice & Snow Festival became a reality. Together with some friends from the US Embassy, we headed up north for the weekend to freeze ourselves and have a look at the magnificent ice sculptures. We went to the Ice & Snow festival, Sophia’s Cathedral, Harbin Polarland, Sun Island and the Tiger Park.
I thought I was prepared for the freezing temperatures but a couple of minutes outside made me want to go back to Beijing and tell them that the weather there is warm. It was an awesome experience that I want to repeat and hopefully I would be able to do so before I say goodbye to China.
Hostel Review: Kyoto Hana Hostel
After staying in a hotel in Tokyo for 3 nights, my sister decided that we must experience sleeping in a tatami mat. Since she was in charge of our itinerary, I went along with her choice at Kyoto Hana Hostel.
Location
Kyoto Hana Hostel is located at 229 Azeku-dori St., Kogawa-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto. A quick 10 minutes walk from the JR Kyoto train station. Once you exit the train station on the Kyoto Tower side, head towards the street (Karasuma-dori) on the right of the Kyoto Tower hotel. Head straight till you reach the first major intersection (Shichijo-dori) with a Lawson supermarket in the corner. Turn right on Shichijo-dori and walk straight till you reach the first alley with an “AU” mobile phone store in the corner. Turn left at the “AU” corner and you’ll see the Kyoto Hana Hostel sign.
In the vicinity, Isetan and Porta at the train station, Starbucks & McDonalds at Kyoto Tower, Higashi Hoganji Temple, Lawson Convenience store and several vending machines.
Next Stop: Japan
I am way over my travel budget for this year. I was in Harbin in January, Shandong in February, Manila in May, and Europe in end June to early July. I haven’t even finish writing my travels in Europe when my sister asked what my plans are for the week-long October holidays. I told her, none yet at that time and she asked if I wanted to go to Paris. I told her I’ll check the tickets and see. After looking at the cost for this week-long trip, I told her if we can go to Japan instead.
I went to Japan last year but didn’t enjoy it much as it was raining most of the time. I wasn’t able to get a good view of Mt. Fuji as it was behind the clouds. When I go back to Japan, I am hoping for good weather so that I can appreciate the beauty of the place especially Kyoto. Moreover, I’d like to go to Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disney Sea. I would also like to explore Shibuya more and shop at the stores there.
It seems like we’re almost going already. My sister got her visa already but needs to extend her passport. As for me, I need to get a visa and the JR pass still. I’m not worried with the visa so I guess I’ll be in Tokyo for my birthday this year.
Don’t worry.. I haven’t forgotten my Europe posts yet. It’s hard to maintain two blogs and battle the “lazy” complex. Hahahaha!!
日本でお会いしましょう！(That’s google translate for “See you in Japan!)
Picture from www.veryicon.com