Tag: Travel

Autumn in Japan

Autumn in Japan

by yellownblac ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Day 1

And so we are off to Japan.

We did not plan for it but somehow we managed to get a redemption on an SQ flight to Nagoya.

I looked back at what I said previously, that I want to experience the four seasons in Japan. We visited Japan last December during winter, then in spring we headed to Fukuoka , in summer we did Kyoto .

I have always read about how you just need to know what you want – not how to do it.

And I get the idea now- this is how the universe does it.

Bf was in a low – he said he was demoralized due to work incidents but somehow this culminated in a trip to japan

I managed to put together a trip in a matter of days and the flight costs was manageable because we could redeem our miles

As I walked towards the aircraft, I can’t help but felt thankful

I learnt a few things in the last few days

– respect another’s journey

With bf and his low, we all wanted to do help and do something

We can try our best but like HuaiHao said, – it will work only if someone wants that help- enough

– talk it out on the table

I could feel bf happy as he stepped into the aircraft

I felt happy myself – thankful for the opportunity of a trip

Bf said he wanted to go to somewhere quiet and thankfully dad can help with the kids

It’s been quite a while since we took off on an afternoon flight and it was almost drizzling at ground level but as we flew up and out of the weather

Now that’s a teaching !

Day 2

We drove to wakayama , had some food at kurushio market and headed to Yuasa to get soy sauce at Kadocho
Founded in 1841, this brewery contributes a large part in the history of Yuasa soy sauce brewing.

Then we drove to Koya

A UNESCO-recognized World Heritage Site, Koyasan is a historic temple town located in the mountainous regions of the Kii Peninsula. It is the birthplace of the Shingon Buddhism, drawing plenty of pilgrims and tourists alike.

Koyasan is magical.

Somehow as the car weaves into the mountain or into place , the heart kind of opened up

Located 800m above sea level in the basin of an eight-peaked mountain, this small temple town is where the Shingon sect of Buddhism was founded in the early 800s. Today, there are 117 temples here, along with a collection of unmissable spiritual sites. This includes the sacred Danjo Garan complex in the centre of Koyasan, home to several temple buildings and the 49m tall Great Pagoda


Considered the heart of Koyasan, Danjo Garan Sacred Temple Complex houses the statue of Dainichi Nyorai (main Buddha) and the Konpon Daito (Great Pagoda).

Somehow in the air , it kind of felt like there’s a grounding force which stills you

We found our way to Fuzen to try the Sasamaki Anpu, these are small wheat-starch parcels flavoured with mugwort and filled with a sweet bean paste wrapped in bamboo grass leaves

Then as we strolled in the little town getting traditional sweets from kasakuni

Then we found ourselves at ekoin

We did a simple Ajikan meditation and a monk was explaining to us what to do

He made some points which were interesting intriguing and important

For example, how we sit , his advice is to lift the pelvic area so that that area is tense but the rest of the body is relaxed

He suggests moving the body from side to side and front to back to find a comfortable position

He suggest to half close our eyes, so that we can see the world but not get too relaxed

And if something comes to mind, look at it as if it were a pebble in the garden. Look at the garden not the pebble

He suggests once we think of anything , first create space in the mind

And that if we are able to control our breathing we would be able to control the mind

He says the goal of the meditation is to become one with the cosmic Buddha and the universe

Of course he reminded us to do this meditation everyday even if it were for 5 min

It made me think what true balance is – it’s a play between tension and relaxation and enough of both to set either element in place or rather- in check

And in the temple you can hear quiet . It’s so quiet it made you think what sacred is or means to you

We had shojin ryori for dinner

Day 3

We woke up and attended a morning prayer ceremony which involved some chanting and an offering of incense to the Buddha

Then we headed over to another small shrine and experienced the fire ceremony

Called the Goma fire ritual – I read that not all temples at koya held this every morning. But at Ekoin, it’s an everyday affair

“The Goma (Homa) Ritual of consecrated fire is unique to Vajrayana and Esoteric Buddhism. It is performed for the benefit of individuals, the state or all sentient beings in general. The consecrated fire is believed to have a powerful cleansing effect spiritually and psychologically. The fire symbolizes the wisdom of the Buddha and the wood sticks symbolize human desires (the root of suffering). the Buddha burns away the root of our suffering as we pray for our wishes to come true. Flames can sometimes reach a few meters high.

You could pray for the well-being of your family, recovery from illness, traffic safety, prosperity to the business and school success.” —— from the Ekoin website

The ceremony involved a monk chanting , and beating the drum . He observed another monk at the alter- who was involved in carrying out the main ritual of lighting the fire , burning wood and throwing some rice and others , and hand gestures into the fire as the ceremony progressed

Before this you would be writing your name and wish on a wood panel and the monk would put this into the fire to burn

The ceremony was just 20 minutes but it felt like there was a lot of content and cultural significance

Simply putting everything aside and Experiencing the fire in front of you , wood chips burning and cracking in the air made a lot of sense

It was a purification of sorts putting something out you want to release and handing it to the fire

Somehow the mood lightened as the ceremony progressed – like a weight lifted

We checked out and drove through the winding mountains down south towards Kumano

And it just made you stop to be

Be with the winding roads

It’s so beautiful with sunlight passing through foliage and thrown in the roads

And the beauty is having bf resonating with this feeling

So beautiful I said and he nodded

So just take time and be with the roads and let it show you the way (out)

Discover with it

After a 3 hour drive, we found our way to the Nachisan area, which is home to Japan’s longest waterfall-Nachi

There’s a shrine there and you could light a piece of wood and offer a prayer

We then hiked up to the Seiganto-ji Temple with its vibrant red pagoda.

There’s a camphor tree there and if you went through it it is dark and signifies the womb or a rebirthing process and you would then come out to light

You just felt very open as you reach the top

Affording myself a view with a little climb. And what- will you (choose to) afford yourself this day?

Then we continued our way down and drove to Kawayu onsen

It’s a quiet place and you could see people using a shovel to dig a hole in the river to get the underground hot spring water bubbling

We did our hot spring soak and it’s so good it made me think what made me so tired

It made me know that I have spent too much effort pursuing

How about this- just allow things to come to me

Day 4

We did a short 1km hike/walk on the kumano path at Fushiogami back to Kumano Hongu Taisha, one of the three revered Kumano Sanzan shrines.

Fushiogami means to kneel down and worship

At this viewpoint, ancient pilgrims first saw a view of Kumano Hongu Taisha in the distance and that moved them to their knees in prayer.

How much of a journey must that be for one to get down on the knees to pray?

I read here that in the mid Heian era, a great poet-Izumi Shikibu once embarked on a pilgrimage to Kumano Hongu Taisha from Kyoto. Less than 3 km from her destination, her period began unexpectedly. Thinking that she has lost her chance of worshiping the Kumano gods, she composed this poem:

晴れやらぬ身のうき雲のたなびきて

月のさわりとなるぞ哀しき

Beneath unclear skies, my body obscured by drifting clouds, I am saddened that my monthly obstruction has begun

That night, one of the Kumano gods appeared in Izumi’s dream as Buddha Amida and replied to Izumi.

もろともに塵にまじはる神なれば

月の障りもなにか苦しき

How could the god who mingles with the dust suffer because of your monthly obstruction?

Openness and acceptance is a fundamental theme of the Kumano faith. This beautiful story has been retold to emphasize that Kumano does not exclude anyone from worshipping. I take it one step further as a reminder to acknowledge the divinity in each and every being.

I read after that the Fushiogami-Oji Forest walk is one of the 100 therapeutic walk spots in Japan.

And before long we are on the hike!

We then drove to Ise and had a good time at the old town which exudes authentic atmosphere of a traditional Japanese town

We didn’t really have time to visit Ise-jingu Shrine’s Inner Shrine.

Oharaimachi features old-fashioned residences lining a stone-paved thoroughfare. Here you’ll find an impressive array of Japanese cuisine, traditional craftwork, and an enormous variety of souvenirs. The street runs parallel to the Isuzu River, where broad paths along the banks make for a nice walk if you need a break from the seasonal crowds.

Apparently , pilgrimages to sacred areas around Japan grew in popularity from the early 1600s with the end of the violent Sengoku civil war period. As Shinto’s most sacred site, Ise-jingu Shrine was no exception.

Most commoners who lived far from Ise could not afford the journey, so communities would pool their resources and send a single villager to make the pilgrimage on their behalf. With the influx of worshippers came money for food, accommodation, and entertainment. Oharai still prospers as a pilgrimage center to this day.

We had lots to eat too, such as the thick chewy Ise udon, traditional Japanese sweets

We stayed overnight at Gero onsen and then made our way to the morning market ideyu after that drove for about 2 hours to kamikochi

This is a place I have been when I was about 26-27 and it’s been almost 20 years now

Looking at this, the little roar of the river, the winds, the sky and then sun the clouds, the question that came begging at the mind was- 我要多么 坚持才可以跟你来这里？

How much endurance would I need to be able to come here with you

Anything lesser would not cut it

Anything lesser than any of my experiences would not have brought me here

The winds kind of brought them all out.

We stayed at Miyama Ouen at Hirayu Onsen and had a pretty good time

Dinner and breakfast was a course by course event and you could slow down and enjoy dining

there’s the onsen bath which is kind of a newfound love, I love how the heat seeps into the body and warms it up

Day 6

We came back to Kamikochi on a early bus ride

When we got to Taisho pond, the early morning mist was still there

And we walked up towards kappabashi in about an hour passing by a view point for mount yaka date, an active volcano

It was lovely to see how the light changes the atmosphere and the landscape

Passed by kappabashi and continue towards Myojin pond – and finding back a soba place and the river which we used to be at when we came the last time

And what would you like to do going forward TPY?

I would like to travel and see the world, be one worth nature, meet beautiful inspiring people and devote time to meaningful causes and to have the freedom of time and in life I want to continue writing or creating content that is close to heart and warms people , giving light and hope

Day 7

We left Hiroyu Onsen and drove down to Kiso, the valley of hundred year old cypress or hinoki, did first bathing at akasawa in the late morning-it is said that this is the very place which gave birth to the concept of forest bathing

in the forest, the trees have started to change colour, there’s yellow of all shades, oranges and red. And what-actually made the colours change?
Like a hurrah before the cold comes? Changes and perceived impending changes always get things out of us-and maybe nature too ?

we stopped for food at a 300 year old soba place and chanced upon a shop which does laquerware-which this area is famous for , and got to know that lacquer tree produces sap that is of a limited quantity -just 200cc of lacquer juice can be retrieved from a lacquer tree and the sap juice actually changes colour in contact with air . For darker colour lacquer, the odour is actually achieved through the addition of iron powder,’

We then weave our way down the valley and past Tsumago into Magome, these are post towns which let people stop and rest while they commute in between Kyoto and Tokyo.
By the time we reach Magome, the sun is near to setting and a lot of shops have closed.
But the town is quiet with few visitors and the feeling is serene -as how it is when things have settled.

The next drive was to tajimi and for some supermarket and shopping before checking in.

Day 8

We checked out the ceramic town of Tajimi and had lots of good time strolling the Honmachi oribe street which has a lovely collection of mino pottery stores. There were lots of artistic pottery work and a limit to what I could bring back home-but the joy seemed to be made bigger this way, not because you could buy everything you wanted back home but really- because you couldn’t

We then did shopping at Toki, there’s the premium outlet and Aeon mall and then drove to the airport . And this -along with lots of packing, concluded the trip!

Japan is so beautiful snd there’s a wealth of choices everywhere -whether it be culture, food or shopping. It is so nice to be able to some time here this season-to feel the feeling of being in season, to have the opportunity to be in place, to just see, breathe, walk, and bathe in autumn’s foliage, meeting with the autumn wind. In so doing, receiving the splendour and richness of nature.

10 Yrs 5 Mths

10 Yrs 5 Mths

by yellownblac ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

In this month, the tooth fairy came thrice, once in ah mei ah yi’s house and when no one knew what to do, grandpa came to the rescue and helped shake it out

Huaihao excelled in the Rubik’s cube, solving the scramble in 38s, but he was also on a buying spree as his past cube purchases could no longer satisfy him

we also did a few tastings and had lots of fun having sweets

but the highlight was really the trip to kyoto. huaihao prepared a list of To-pack

and before long, we were on our ANA flight to Osaka via Narita. He’s so well travelled he is at once at ease in the cabin, and now that he is older, he can help with luggage too. He got a nice surprise when ANA shared with him little gifts, he got little wooden toy plane too. Needless to say, he loved the child meal on the plane.

At narita, i got them tokyo bananas

We headed straight to arashiyama once we arrived, got our car, the drive was slightly under an hour and whilst looking for our hotel, we drove twice on the togetsukyo bridge, and was so wowed by the strawberry full moon

then we headed out for supper and had kushikatsu. The next morning, we rose early and headed to the bamboo grove, the air was really delicious and fresh and song birds were everywhere welcoming the summer morning with lovely tunes. We chanced upon playground and the huaihao and qinzhi had some fun with the swing

Then we headed towards the river and curved back upwards along the shops before heading to Tenryuji- and the Shigetsu inside for a vegetarian lunch

Needless to say, we were all SO happy to be back

There were so many nice desserts we came across previously strolling the streets and so we decided to head out to get some, we had a matcha eclair , and ice pop and a namafu and dango! then it was time to head out of the city – we drove to Ine.

The village of Ine is one of Japan’s Most Beautiful Villages. The last winter we headed out to Gokayama and Shirakawago, they were also in the league.

Without much room to build between the mountains and sea, the villagers created this village right along the waters of Ine Bay (in Kyoto Prefecture), one of UNESCO’s World’s Most Beautiful Bays, and the 230 “funaya” (boat houses) that line the bay trace their origins back to the Edo period. 

We had the opportunity to stay in one, and the beautifully renovated funaya had 2 levels of fun for the kids

Dinner was at a beautiful restaurant by the bay and there were lots of fresh catch . Huaihao enjoyed fish so much for the first time. Then we headed back for our cypress bath in the funaya! It was so good you could get whiffs of the elegant cypress as you enjoyed the bath. In Japan, cypress is precious wood used to construct temples.

What was eye opening this time at Ine, was the presence of swooping seagulls and beautiful black kites who glide and soar and come at food. One got so close it skipped just past Huaihao’s shoulders and scratched Qinzhi’s hand.

The next morning, we drove to Amanohashidate, one of the top three scenic spots in Japan.

For the record, Japan’s “Three Scenic Views” are comprised of Matsushima in Miyagi, Miyajima in Hiroshima, and Amanohashidate (here in Miyazu, Kyoto).

And Amanohashidate is an iconic land bridge that straddles the Aso inland sea and Miyazu Bay which connects to the Sea of Japan. The land bridge itself has thousands of pine trees of all different varieties with beaches on both sides spanning 3.6K. From one of the scenic overlooks, you can get a unique perspective of the scene by looking upside-down between your legs. The sea and bay reflect the sky and the pine forest turns into a winding green dragon crossing the heavens. 

After lunch of more fresh catch, we took a ferry to the other side, or the Kasamatsu Area (far side of Amanohashidate land bridge). The ferry was amazing because the seagulls and black kites were flying right above us to get the crackers passengers fed them,

We did not visit any temples at this side of Amanohashidate but took a chairlift up the Kasamatsu Park, to get an overview of this area. The kids had some fun bending down and looking out at the viewpoint then we took the chairlift down and strolled back towards the land bridge. In the midst, taking a stop to feed more seagulls and black kites, while taking note of some spectacular pine trees

The stroll was an easy one and we walked back to the Monju side and treated ourselves to more japanese sweets!

Before long it was dinner time, we did not have the foresight of reserving for dinner, and a lot of places could not take in more reservations. We walked to a few opened restaurants but all of them were full. So we had to drive out to Miyazu and dined at one of the restaurants in a shopping mall.

The next morning we headed back to Kyoto via Miyama, a quaint village of thatched houses. Kayabuki no Sato is the most visited attraction in Miyama. Almost the whole village is composed of old thatched houses and is carefully maintained as a cultural heritage site. But the kids did not want to get down, so we only drove past! So we only checked out the shops and had ice cream before I did my usual round of checking out farmer’s markets!

It’s unbelievable that produce is so affordable in japan, a cauliflower or broccoli costed maybe just under $2. And a bag of potatoes would be a dollar to two. It felt like people ate well and really close to nature.

Before we knew it, we were in kyoto, I managed to get a reservation at a ryokan in kyoto and we could do the onsen.

Dinner was spectacular at Warajiya, which served only unagi porridge and soup, something more homey and comforting. And it was rainy that evening in kyoto so all was good.

The next day was spent wondering around town but first heading to Kiyomzudera temple then shopping our way pass Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka towards Gion.

Huaihao had a first experience drawing a lot, and he got an auspicious one!

Then we strolled the winding narrow streets of Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka towards Gion. There was so much to explore, and to eat here. We popped into almost every sweet shop and had so much fun seeing how matcha was reinvented into flavours with contemporary flair.

We actually found our way at Okutan Kiyomizudera, an institution serving tofu course. And we had to, just had to pop in for lunch even if we were not at all hungry.

And a short walk after and we were soon at Yasaka shrine and Gion

We headed in , paid our respects and came out of the Shrine into the 1km-long Hanamikoji Street, Gion’s most famous street, lined with machiya (traditional townhouses) which have been converted into tea houses and high-end restaurants. A notice here reminded that photography is not allowed.

Even if it felt like we ate a lot, we still had kakigori when we took a little break

Then dinner time came. We headed for Nanzenji Junsei and had another tofu course. The nanzenji junsei restaurant is set in this manicured zen garden which was so beautiful it felt like there was so much to derive in every corner.

And before we knew it, we were in the last 2 days of our trip.

The first thing we did in the morning was to head out to early lunch at an old soba restaurant- Honke Owariya which supplied to the Imperial family before strolling to Nishiki market, there was even soba wasabi mochi!

We headed to Nishiki market for a stroll but before long we felt like its time for dessert! And- at Saryou Suisen, this Kyoto based traditional teahouse, cafe and shop specializing in Japanese matcha desserts serves really high-quality desserts. They claim to use only the freshest matcha directly harvested from Kyoto surroundings. So we had wasabi mochi and a freshly made hot version with tea, while the kids had cold sweets.. !

Then we shopped the kawaramachi area and had a very good unagi rice for early dinner nearby at Kyo Unawa

And Huaihao was so adamant to find his rubiks cube he really found some, even if they were not to his liking. In the afternoon, he found some at Tokyu Hands, and when he did the unscrambling, fellow customers were so wowed. Then he insisted we had to take him to shopping centres, which we did, but he couldnt find anything,

even when the shops were closing, he just walked into a mall and found a toy store-and in it, rubiks cubes

He is showing me what could be achieved if i had a clear focus in my mind, if a child could do it, so could I

And I just marvelled at this teaching he delivered. Of all places in kyoto, he found the things he wanted. He just didn’t buy them because they were not good enough for him

The last day in Kyoto, we checked out early nad drove to Kurama, and did the kurama kibune hike, for Qinzhi and Huaihao, this was to get to the nagashi somen or flowing noodles that were characteristic of summer.

We were all actually taught a lesson each by Mt Kurama. Huaihao had a leech on his little finger at the start of the hike -a leech is quite difficult to let go of once it attaches to you, so he had a scare. At another location, Qinzhi slipped and hurt her bum and we had to make a stop.

But all was good, we had a beautiful yuba rice lunch once we got to kibune and then drove to kansai and headed to Rinku premium outlet for last minute shopping before heading to the airport for our flight back.

And before we knew it we were packing for our trip to Taiwan with grandpa and popo ah yi! But first, a trip to Gengyan jiujiu’s house and he cooked us a Tachiuo donabe and we had a feast of durians! Huaihao took the chance to show off his cubing skills of course!

Kyoto (VII)

Kyoto (VII)

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The last day in Kyoto was slightly rainy. But we were thankful, it was supposed to rain for so many days when we checked the weather forecast, but in the end, it rained only on the last day. And while I had planned to head to Kurama the day before, the plan changed. In the end, we booked a car and drove to kurama, did the hike up from kurama dera to kibune jinja before driving to Osaka and the premium outlet at Ringu before heading to Kansai for our flight.

The top of Kurama was a spiritual power spot. And of course each of us had a go at it- the Kongoshō Six-Pointed Star in front of the main hall and it’s six points are said to be congruent with the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, body, and heart, or the six ways in which we sense and interact with the world as detailed in the Lotus Sutra.

Word has it that if you stand in the center of the innermost star and face the main hall you will feel energized, and achieve a realization of the innate power of the self.

Interestingly , the hike or this sacred mystical mountain taught us all something

At the start of the hike, HuaiHao had a leach on his baby finger and he had such a difficult time getting it out of the way

Then Qinzhi had a slip while going downslope and hurt her bum

While I could see that the daddy was worried about Qinzhi, he -as usual got into his normal mode of being upset and, like the other times, kind of distanced himself, and I did sense that maybe he doesn’t know what to do-everytime the kids had issues, he kind of stepped aside. This time too when Qinzhi slipped. I attended to her as usual but what was different was that I was actually amused by daddy rather then being mad.

In the past, I would be extremely triggered and upset! BUT this time, it didn’t bother me at all. I m amused myself why!

But it showed me how much I have come.

And it was here that I got a chance to reiki her! To get another practise! I was always doubting myself, whether divine energy really flowed through in the course of performing reiki. Previously, I would be like- do u feel anything? This time, I am-I just placed my hands at her back and allow. It’s good if she felt something, it’s also good if she doesnt feel anything, alls done! Because the work is not by me, but by the divine and the sacred.

In this, there is a sense or understanding that I subscribed to the intelligence that is in and around. And that there is harmony in ascribing to the flow and working with it.

The attachment to outcome wasn’t that strong as compared to the past. I was feeling much more relaxed and at ease and that was the change in me.

We went on a little rainy day and there were not alot of visitors, but the air was good, everywhere was green and lush. The whole area was actually quite a mystical place, had an aura about it. Sacred feel it surely had !

And the visit made me think and (re)think intentions. I read about kurama somewhere, and I thought to myself one day that I wanted to visit. I didn’t have any strong feelings about wanting to visit at all, not more than wanting to head over to switzerland! BUT! There I was, in the drizzle and that made me happy as a lark, i wonder why?

I couldnt place when I had the inkling to be at Kurama, but that inkling sent me there. Maybe, just maybe– because I didn’t try too hard! It made me think about the force I placed on something I want, was it to use more force or less? Perhaps less -IS truly more.

I m truly happy and thankful and grateful to be there and to share it with you-now!

Kurama let me see how I progressed. I would have been so angry and upset in the past but this time, now I am totally amused! There was no anger at all

As it was drizzling , when we got to Kibune after all, and found Hirobun, they stopped the nagashi somen service and the kids were especially disappointed , as they really did the climb for this purpose

On my way back into the car, I recounted how my dad reacted when once I cut my hand. Dad was feeling so pained as if -no, because his very most precious was hurt. It was a surprise to see dad that way, it was so clear even if the incident happened so long ago.

In fact the pain I felt was not as much as the look in his face, learning all this again, I thought of how dear I was to my dad. And my heart warmed at this to know I was precious!

And for a while I was reminded how my papa loved me so and I felt so prized so precious like a child.

Kurama was for me. The healing was for me. And the teaching was so beautiful and enlightening on all counts, at every level.

We didn’t get to eat the somen but had a pink yuba rice and it was so good! Afterwards we drove to rinku premium outlets and did some last minute shopping and headed to kansai- and, and, I want to go again.

I want to be in Japan every season! To celebrate the season, to discover and learn the season, to observe the season, to be healed by the season. To be, just to be-with the season.

Kyoto (VI)

Kyoto (VI)

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The last second day we spent in Kyoto was for shopping, there was so much to see, so much to do everyday. But most of all, SO much to eat.

We started the day first by heading straight to soba at honke owariya, an imperial family purveyor which started out as a confectionery which perfected soba kiri, the art of making and cutting soba dough and when demand was high, the confectionery started to supply food to temples

We had soba with tempura and a Hourei Soba which constituted a many layered soba with 8 types of condiments 

You could actually construct your own soba flavour with the different condiments. The end of a soba meal always came with sobayu, which was as comforting and nutritious you could imagine.

The specialty was also a soba warabi mochi and soba biscuit ! 

We headed to nishiki market for a walk but it didn’t last long when my heart reaches out for Kyoto sweets

So we walked to Saryo Suisan and had freshly made hot warabi mochi and tea

There was brown sugar syrup and kinako powder and you could make your own

We traced our steps back to daimaru and Takashimaya then chanced upon another eel place Unawa for dinner. The meal with superb narazuke, a type of pickle seasoned with fresh sake lees. You needed only a bit for and you would get the sake fragrance. Said to contain lots of calcium and minerals, this was good to pair with unagi and helped with digestion.

Then HuaiHao gave me a lesson on intention 

He had been so into the Rubik’s cube and really wanted to get one

And as life and the law of attraction had it, before dinner he found it in Tokyu Hands and stunned fellow customers who saw how he could unscramble and solve a Rubik’s cube within a span of a 2 minutes 

After dinner he insisted on finding more, and he DID

We just strolled and he said to get into a building and there was a basement level of toys – and there were Rubik’s cubes there too!

In my face – he delivered this lesson to me. 

I looked at my own journey

  • I wanted to go to kurama a while ago
  • I wanted to travel to be in the season be in place
  • And I came

What are my intentions I had to ask myself? What do I want to do? What would be meaningful to me? Why am I on this journey?

And I just marvelled at this teaching Huaihao delivered. Kyoto is so big and it is not easy to achieve a find, at least, it required effort. Yet he found the things he wanted-pretty effortlessly, he just walked into it. He just didn’t buy them because they were not good enough for him

Writing this now made me aware how much of my journey he is echoing. Of late, I also had been on a hunt for possible employment. But very much like his search, nothing purposeful came up. Or at least, the jobs I applied for were what I thought I could do, like-I think I can, because I can suppress something of myself to do it. But not what I want .

Interestingly though, with Ed Spina’s clearing session, 2 opportunities have realised and they are things which have not occured to me to be a possibility. It speaks of the need to be open-really open minded enough to let in what is for me.

Kyoto (V)

Kyoto (V)

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We headed out to kiyomizudera this morning, the weather forecast said it was going to rain but we were lucky, the clouds passed us by.

I told the kids how daddy and mommy came to this temple some ten plus years back. And then, the temple was still under construction. But now, it’s all completed. Several years back, we also came here with grandpa, po po and ah mei ah yi. And were treated to a lit up Kiyomizudera in autumn at night


After visiting Kiyomizudera, spend a few hours exploring Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka!

I love love love the winding streets and traditional wooden townhouses , there’s always something to —eat!

We popped into almost every sweet shop and there was always something inventive of matcha alongside traditional sweets like the dango, which was very very yummy too!

Even if we were quite filled up already before lunch (had the chance to) happen, we came by Okutan Kiyomizudera, which is an institution for serving a full tofu course, so how could we let it slip?

There were so many more places I would have stopped at for traditional sweets but even with the kids in tow, they were already filled up

Before long, we found ourselves in Gion — Kyoto’s most famous geisha district. Even if we did not catch this place during the evening, we passed by a geisha. Then we made our way into Yasaka Shrine or Gion Shrine, which marks the divide between Gion and Higashimaya districts, sitting at the end of Gion Shopping Street, paid our respects then headed out to the 1km-long Hanamikoji Street,

This is Gion’s most famous street, lined with machiya (traditional townhouses) which have been converted into tea houses and high-end restaurants. A notice here reminded that photography is not allowed.

We made a stop at a cafe for kakigori before heading to dinner

Dinner was more tofu at Nanzan Ji Junsei

The restaurant is set in this beautiful zen garden and when you talk about gardens, the Japanese have their aesthetic values imprinted in every corner of it-the purpose of the efforts : to still you

All the courses were vegetarian and they were all so beautiful and clean

The highlight was a hotpot of soy milk which would boil slowly and have the topmost layer of “skin” crystallized over day ten minutes

Too eager and you spoil your yuba —- with what else but impulse? Wait too long and the “skin” that forms on the topmost layer of boiled soy milk loses its soft spongy texture. 

So much play with the heart to get to that magic in a moment.

Kyoto (IV)

Kyoto (IV)

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We drove to miyama, about an hour away from Kyoto but the kids didn’t want to stroll along the thatched roof houses

So we drove out and didn’t make much progress on the roadside stations which promised yasai 

Some time was wasted even if we had a car but in any travel, or life- there seems to be some time which would pass and there would be not any fruitfulness

What can we do in times like these but allow it and go with the flow? It kind of reflected my experience 

But the drives weaved us into villages and townships of lush abundant green , lots of agricultural activity and padi greens

The mountains were green all over and nature was springing back with full force

It was happiness to find Tawawa Asagiri and that was a great farmers market- only that we were slightly late and it was soon to close

We soon found ourselves back at Kyoto and after checking in into a ryokan, we had a very special unagi soup and porridge at warajiya.

It was slightly rainy and this was as comforting and homey as it gets!

Kyoto (III)

Kyoto (III)

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We had lots of fun feeding seagulls and the eagles joined in the fun, scratching Qinzhi’s hand slightly 

But all was good.

We head off to Amanohashidate. Japan’s “Three Scenic Views” are comprised of Matsushima in Miyagi, Miyajima in Hiroshima, and Amanohashidate (here in Miyazu, Kyoto).

We arrived at the Monju Area (train station side) and had wonderful lunch of local fish and the hotel is just opposite Kasamatsu Area (far side of Amanohashidate land bridge)

We took a boat to the kasamatsu area and on the trip we had such a wondrous experience watching the seagulls and eagles or black kites as they call – fly and soar just above 

That close

My tears couldn’t keep on being inside 

I asked myself why

And I thought about how the seagulls flap their wings and how the black kites 

swoop and soar when they see food in sight

That much they WANT 

They want 

And it drives them and lets them bring out the best of their strength power and might

And that really got me

It reminded me of the time when I was like that- and not that

And how much I want to be that

Doing my best

Living my highest

Expressing my very best

Being my very self

They wasted no time. There was no consideration, care, they just went at it, with a very pure directness

We took a chairlift up the Kasamatsu park, to have an overview of the Amanohashidate land bridge. From one of the scenic overlooks, you can get a unique perspective of the scene by looking upside-down between your legs. The sea and bay reflect the sky and the pine forest turns into a winding green dragon crossing the heavens. 

Then we walked the Amanohashidate, an iconic land bridge that has thousands of pine trees of all different varieties with beaches on both sides spanning 3.6K.

Walking the sandbar, which is said to have appeared like a floating bridge from heaven, a gift from the gods that gave Amanohashidate its name, is a something I wanted to do. A few years back, I had been here on an ingredient filming trip, that trip inked this one. I had to recall how this happened, rather, marvel at how this happened. The slight almost missable intent that happened then, culminated in this gentle 4 kilometre stroll of about an hour today.

We passed others around us either walking or cycling, but the sandbar is never crowded. Said to have eight thousand pine trees here, we had fun exploring the different pines. And feeding the black kites and seagulls. The way the black kites glided, swooped and took the skies, taking it on, soaring, changing directions- its just breathtaking!

We walked back and had some dessert dango zansai amazake for the afternoon 

Kyoto (II)

Kyoto (II)

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We woke up early and strolled the bamboo grove 

The summer air is holding on to it’s last breath of chilly cold 

I thought about the last time I was here. And then there was bird song

It’s bird song. As bf said it, the bird is feeling so peaceful it sang

And there really was a tune to it

And he had to dish out this piece of advice for the kids, “ next time find a house where there is birdsong. There’s where peace is”

We strolled to the Togetsukyo spans the Hozu River at the foot of Mt. Arashiyama. It is 250 meters long and still retains its 17th century appearance, despite more recent renovations made using steel.

Yesterday night when we drove in search of the hotel, the full moon was up in the sky

And it’s beyond magic to be here in arashiyama

In this spot- it’s got this special aura you just want to be soaked up in it

In the hundreds of years that has gone before, so many have come here only to have their hearts filled with this magic

And to translate it all in works of art

Lunch is shojin ryori at Shigetsu

We came here last winter and the lunch was amazing

It was the why to the now

I can’t vocalize how my heart sang with joy to be back. The kids remembered this spot and that -“we were here!” and now we are back! This was possible not just because of the heart we have and held, it was because we had blessings! And that let us come back today.

It feels like a kid brimming with so much happiness and you can’t make sense of it because it’s just happiness

I was trying to look for the maple tree that turned red last winter and this time I saw it in luscious green 

And -flowers! Expressing their power and colour. It reminded me of how and why the Japanese were so adamant and would wow at maple or sakura- the bloom would not last, but it would be so full, so beautiful. There was not a care about anything about what the future would hold, or a past that had gone.

It was all about NOW

And I saw this maple that defied time and the seasons and maintained its red. IT about being authentic and standing by you even if you stood out.

Then we strolled the shops and had matcha ice cream eclair, namafu and dango! 

We drove to Ine, recognized to be among Japan’s Most Beautiful Villages. Without much room to build between the mountains and sea, the villagers created this village right along the waters of Ine Bay (in Kyoto Prefecture), one of UNESCO’s World’s Most Beautiful Bays, and the 230 “funaya” (boat houses) that line the bay trace their origins back to the Edo period. 

The Sea of Japan can be unforgiving, especially during the winter months with wave swells measuring meters high. But Ine has nothing to fear because the village is enveloped by mountains that separate it from the Japanese Sea. Geographically, Ine faces south.

As the Sea of Japan (to the north) wears away at the cliff faces of the Tango Peninsula, Ine remains safely nestled within a lush mountain-scape. What’s more is that the mouth to Ine Bay has a sacred uninhabited island called Aoshima, which also helps to keep Ine Bay calm, and its boat houses safe from large tidal fluctuations. 

I love how this pamphlet reminds the visitor that Ine is not a scenic spot nor historic site but a real living space. Asking us visitors to be mindful of the fishermen who live here and eke out a living going to sea early.

 Traditionally used in conjunction with houses to stow boats and provide extra storage/living space, now many of these historic buildings have been converted into Japanese inns, living spaces, and quaint cafes while still retaining their original designs. The people of Ine still live in harmony with the sea as the bay is a fishing port, but it’s also a center of cultural identity; the bay is the setting for spectacular fireworks and local festivals, a world renowned sake brewery, and views that really have no parallel anywhere in the world.

And we had the chance to stay in one of these Funaya – it even has a cypress bathtub and the kids love it. 

You cold get whiffs of delicious cypress when you bathed and it was the best baths ever!

Dinner was a full japanese course, highlighting fresh fish. Ine is really intimate and you would need to book the restaurants, otherwise you might need to drive out for food, the nearest convenience store is also a quick drive away.

What was really lovely was the quiet, and the gentle washing of the waves at the shore, punctuated by the flight of seagulls and black kites.

Kyoto (I)

Kyoto (I)

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My first time on ANA to Osaka via Tokyo and I slept like a baby while the plane took off

It has never happened before

And when I woke, it feels like i am in a different place

The view outside the window was humbling

Infinite shades of blue white light grey

The shade was on and the sun came through

I took a moment to observe that

The sun is shining like no one’s business and that is divinity

I was flying forwards and  cloudstream above was gushing in my direction 

It’s like a literal translation of how much I am moving 

Bypassing the shifts all together in no time

I thought of 2 points in time-

The first time I flew to Hokkaido on JAL with bf and the aliveness healing and thankfulness in that window seat

It was that instant that seeded all these wonderful Japanese trips and culminated in the now

I thought of the last I flew back from Fukuoka , in the night and I asked myself: where is my place in this big big big space 

I look out at the window and continue to be delighted like a child wondering about all this magic in life , of life

And my heart is filled with so much joy they have precipitated warmth in my eyes

I want to travel more, and more. To be in the season, to be in place. To be me. 

In this place nearer to God, I say my thanks and gratitude to all , all who have helped me lifted me loved me. 

Filming a time lapse as we make our descend to Narita made me see that the skies are always clear bright and fine weather up there 

I also asked myself: what is it that I would like to do? 

I look forward to the answer these few days

I sit and settle to connect with Kuan yin , Buddha , Jesus and the ascended masters who have blessed me, all this while and especially lately through Ed 

And I feel this warmth and love at heart

Is it not? This connection?

And I look out 

The world is so big 

In this expanse of space the possibilities- are endless – so long as I will

And so long as I set my heart to it, anything and everything goes

You have made so many things come true, TPY

And what is next? What is the next thing you want to make, come true?

Travel! Travel travel travel! And to have beauty find me, and to express beauty outwards. 

Through me, my eyes my heart my feelings my words

In doing so lift myself and others

And as I thought about what I wrote for the upcoming column in zb, this came to mind, whether I wrote beautifully or not, i wrote things my way, in a way that expresses what is in my heart the most, 没有人有办法写食物写到像陈彬雁那样

Magical Europe (II)

Magical Europe (II)

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8 – 10Jan

The days in Paris were spent shopping. We visited Troyes outlet and La Vallee Village but came out empty handed

Had a good time at Le Bon Marche and Le Grande Epicerie, my favorite spot in Paris and showed these off to bf

We had a nice dinner every night and also got pickpocketed on and lost a few hundred euros

On our last day in Paris, I booked Arpege. The food was every bit spectacular.But what I didn’t expect was how much of bf a shock bf was at the price of lunch he looked sore and upset

That upset me totally

I took the chance to explain to him – I just wanted to share with him what I enjoyed and appreciated and what was important to me

Alain Passard was important to me, inspirational and motivational. He was someone who heard and went by his heart’s calling in spite of public opinion. He was a pillar of strength to ask me to believe in my heart’s voice

After so many years I came back to this address again and this time I have bf with me, having a good meal that could make memory

And the feeling was that he rejected totally my heart my thoughts and what I love

That was difficult for me

I explained to him this is how I felt when I was with him on a snow mountain and when he urged me to do sledding or tobangganing

So when bf was sore and kept telling me- “I dont need this”

I was really thrashed- it’s like I fetched my heart for him only to have him throw it away

I used the words he used on me to let him know- we were in each other’s shoe

And I learned something- that we can share it outwards but anything echo back is a bonus that we have to learn to appreciate and accept. I have been one who is always on the lookout for comments, approval but this taught me once more – that while I can expect, it is best to offer my most sincere, and to be accepting of any echo that comes my way

But then something magic happened – he had a dish of beetroot tartare and opened up

And that kind of uplifted me- to trust the process. After offering my best my most sincere, trust the process rather than to want something out of it

At Moynat, we had a little chat with the team and one said, happy wife happy life. If she is happy you are

And bf said, that’s love!

When we checked in, he heaved a sigh of relief and said, “now I feel relieved and more safe”

He has been carrying the burden while I felt completely at ease having him navigate through everything for me

And now at the lounge, thinking back all, I know he loves me and keeps giving in to me. I thank him for bringing me to Paris and all this while for letting me do what I like .

I m so happy I can (choose) to see this . How he loved me.

Thankful all over again!

On the plane I asked bf what was the biggest harvest of this holiday? And he said, “ it’s knowing you “

He said he gets sore when I say he doesn’t buy me a bag or bring me to restaurants but what about the house with the morning sun that I want? How is it that I can choose to pick on what he does not do rather than delight in what he does?

He explained to me how he doesn’t take comfort in the things I delight in. Much like how I do not enjoy skiing or sledding. We are very much equals

He told me about George Lam who in his concert talked about this snippet of his married life

“We are both librans but after I shower the tub is cleaner than I m. But after my wife showers it feels like the bathroom needs a makeover.”

Bf said, “ I always thought about this George Lam said. Why would he say something like this? I think it’s that they both have differences, being in love doesn’t mean happiness everyday. They have their conflicts but they stay together despite it all because they have the love in between. So it’s like you like Paris and so I came with you.”

And I am beginning to see this a lot this trip. Somehow someway it comes through to me.

He is sleeping beside me snoring away. And I want my hand in his.

Thank you for bringing me to Paris. We have come so far.

I am thankful .

Love.