You'll never walk alone

I realised a few interesting points this time round while i m in Japan , significant difference between travelling alone and travelling with others.
It all boiled down to an issue of discipline but the contrast can never be bigger . First , its regarding waking up. Sad to say , i m still very ill disciplined in this aspect and i tend to laze ard and refuse to wake up . (Sigh, still can't forgive myself for not waking up early enough and had to forego Nikko as a result). This , in contrast with the times in Europe and Hong Kong where i had to sort of "force" myself to wake up early. Haha can u believe it? I failed to wake on any of my appointed time and only twice did i wake up before 9am :p
Difference number 2 is a big contrast to the above . I realised i m a slave driver when travelling by myself. (And maybe thats why its so siong actually) Usually, when i meet up with the girls, that day itself will actually be a slight respite but this time round, whew its day after day after day of climbing hills, mountains and roaming the streets . Talk about walking, its basically 4 km road march everyday on rough terrain. And gor me, hittin g the target is more important so as u guess it , its only eating after being able to hit my target point of visit or it happen to be along the way . No specific hunting for food :p

But sigh, Japan tour has ended and there are still so many things that i havent seen or feel. One week just doesnt seem enough . Don't even know when i m going to come back again. Earliest schedule seem to be after NS :(

JAPAN I M GONNA MISS YOU!!!!

Greetings from the Land of the Rising Sun

Greetings from Kyoto. Just completed the Tokyo leg of my Japan tour. Still cannot forgive myself for oversleeping on the 2nd day. As a result, i had to miss out on travelling to Nikko. Was having quote a hectic time while in tokyo. All in all, 3 days is definitely not enough for tokyo and think i will have to go back there another time to really see the whole of tokyo. (To be honest, i have not even completed tokyo city by itself yet -- the artistic centre in ueno, akihbara and even tokyo undeground shopping street, not to even mention the outskirts region of nikko and of course a more detailed exploration of hakone and Mt Fuji)

Anyway, first day in Kyoto today and i am running into cashflow trouble. The problem with Japan is that card is not widely accepted and as a result, i have to pay for my hostel and transport fees via cash. Lesson learnt, exchange more cash and heck about credit. If really bo pian, at least open an account with citibank (and not our lousy UOB or DBS) At least u can withdraw cash from ATM at convenience stores which are open 24 hours.

First impression about Kyoto. Its temples, temples and more temples (plus the ocassional cemeteries guarded by the temples). Temples to Japan is like what catherdrals to Spain. Had a whale of a time jumping from temple to temple, and just like my cathedral hopping, i can spend up to an hour in each. And it is here that i realise the greatest difference between Catholic and Buddhism. In Christianity, the focus is the cathedral wth all the mini chapels housing the tombs and potraits of various bishops, popes and saints which the masses can pray and relate to. In Zen Buddishm, the focus is on nature where people carry out activities and reflect on their way of life based on the teachings of Buddha. Statues of Buddha are seen, together with the altar of many great abbots but the main focus is nevertheless still on self reflection admist the calm and beauty of the various gardens.

Halfway through my Japan trip now. Feel sad that its ending soon and the thought of me having to go back to work at this time next week just make me sian. But anyway, it will be deer watching at Nara tomorrow so i m going to sleep now

O-yasu-mi-na-sai!!!