{ Japan Travel ~ Tools for planning my trip 日本旅遊 ~ 我的行程規劃工具 }

{ Japan Travel ~ Tools for planning my trip }

Agoda - for Hotel/hostel booking. Mr. C and I managed to find some really nice hotels, hostels and even capsule hotels on Agoda. We did talk about trying the Japanese capsule hotels but decided not to since we would like to stay together during the trip. (Male and female guests have to sleep in separate quarters in capsule hotels.) So we ended up with Sherton Miyako Osaka, Arima-Onsen Negiya, Grand Prince Kyoto. Will do a separate post for them later on. (C先生和我通過 Agoda 找到一些非常不錯的酒店，旅館，甚至膠囊旅館 。我們想嘗試日本的膠囊旅館，但因為想在一起所以沒有挑膠囊旅館， 選了 Sherton Miyako Osaka，有馬溫泉Negiya，Grand Prince Kyoto。稍後會分開寫他們。) Travel guide books and websites. My guide books are in chinese so not going to post about them here. But if you can read chinese, this is a really useful website: 背包攻略 (一個非常有用的網站：背包攻略) Google Translate - Not every local japanese speak english, and some bus stops do not have information in english, so it is really useful to have some of the bus stop names, hotel address information, temple names, etc in japanese first before you leave for your trip. This way when you're lost, just show people the stations or destions you're looking for. It makes it easier for the friendly Japanese to help you. (p.s. It is also useful for you to pick up a few sentences in japanese. If you're planning on trying local japanese restaurants, you may also want to translate a list of food items you would like. Some small local japanese places would not have an english / photo menu. Also Critical: if people you're travelling with has specific medical conditions or food allergies, it is useful to have that information translated into japanese for emergency. )   (谷歌翻譯 - 不是每個日本人會講英語或普通話，所以在你離開之前做一個包括英文/中字和日文名稱的列表: 一些巴士站名稱，酒店地址，寺廟名稱等。這樣一來，當你迷路了問路會變得容易。（P.S.如果你打算嘗試日本當地的餐廳，你也可能想翻譯一些食品的名稱。有些小餐廳不會有英文/有照片的菜單。如果你有特定的醫療或食物過敏，翻譯成日文，緊急情況有用。) Google Map - Get directions, recommended routes with it. I basically planned out all the travel routes with google map. It gives you recommended routes with which specific subway or train or bus to take.(Google map will show you the name of the subway or bus company. This is information you should pay close attention to. For example, Kyoto City Bus is different from Kyoto Bus.) It will also list out the total travel time, fees, platform #, how many stops and other detailed information. If you have to reach your destination at a specific time, enter your "arrive by" or "depart at" time to get more time specific travel information.      (谷歌地圖 - 行車路線，建議路線。我基本上是用谷歌地圖計劃旅行路線。它給你推薦路線與具體的運輸方式。（谷歌地圖會告訴你地鐵或巴士公司的名稱，注意: Kyoto City Bus 跟 Kyoto Bus是不同的。）它也列出旅行路線的總時間，費用，平台＃，有多少站和其他詳細信息。如果您有到達目的地的特定時間，輸入您的 “到達了” 或 “離開” 時間，以獲得更多時間特定的旅遊路線。) Some of the railways have a "limited express" options for express trains. They will assign seats for passengers. If this pops up on the route you pick, it is best for you to purchase these tickets early on to avoid sold out.    (某些鐵路有 “特急” 選項特快列車。他們會分配乘客座位。如果這個出現在你選擇的路徑上，應早購買這些車票。)  I only captured a few screenshots of google map and google translate since they're so common and popular these days. I'm going to talk more about transportation later on. Take Care and have a good week! :D      我只抓了幾個谷歌地圖和谷歌翻譯的截圖，因為他們現在是如此普遍。我會稍後談論更多交通信息。Take Care! :D

{ Hello! }

Hello! I'm back from Japan! Weather is very nice though a bit cool in Osaka and Kyoto right now and the view is amazing! Will post more about my trip here later on. Take Care. :D

{ We're Going to Japan! ~ Oct 4, 2013 }

{ We're Going to Japan! ~ Oct 4, 2013 }

Please excuse my lack of posting here. I have been busy getting my Osaka+Kyoto+Kobe trip set. Mr. C and I thought about going to Japan way back in March. We talked about visiting in summer or in autumn. Then earthquake and a typhoon hit Kyoto. We both thought Japan is not happening this year for us. As we discussed it more, Japan still seems to be a #1 destination we would like to visit so we spent many many nights looking for tickets and accommodation info. Finally we got our flight and accommodation set just this morning! Yeah!! We still have not figured out when to visit where in a very detailed form. We just know which area we're staying for the night. So if you have been to Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe, please give us some recommendation. (Or any great places visit, to eat, things to get, please let us know. Thanks!)

Our travel plan is: We're going on Nov 18 - 25.

Nov 18: Hong Kong ~ Osaka. Nov19: Kobe. Nov20~22: Kyoto. Nov23~24: Osaka / Nara / Miho Museum. Nov25: Osaka ~ Hong Kong.

{ Drawing Sketches - Feb 1, 12' }

I have been working on several new projects lately. Some of them have to do with my trip to Cambodia shortly after 2012 New Year. Two of them are submissions for creative projects. The photos above show some of my sketches. Will post more about this when the result comes out.

{ The Verandah, Repulse Bay HK }

Had tea at The Verandah. It is a beautiful restaurtant at the Repulse Bay Hong Kong. If you get a chance to come visit Hong Kong, it is a must. So quite and beautiful especially on weekdays.

{ Mid Autumn Taipei }

I went to Taipei during the Mid-Autumn Festival with the Chiu Family. :)

{ May 1, 09' Lamma Island Visit }

Hiking on Lamma Island. I was looking for a quiet escape from the city but it turned out as crowded as Mong Kok. Sigh...

{ Journal Page & Cheung Chau Visit - Feb 22, 09' }

My journal page for Feb 16.
Went to Cheung Chau Island. Haven't been there for 10+ years! We were there to look at 5 sites for the AD class final assignment. Some of the buildings are quite interesting. Will go back again for more detailed study.

{ Stanley & North Point - Jan 31, 09 }

Stanley is so beautiful especially at night. Went to North Point for congee dinner afterwards with Mr. C and visited the school I went to when I was a little person.

{ Beijing 08 trip - Day 1 }

Day 1 - HK > Beijing > Quick Lunch > Beijing National Aquatic Centre > Beijing National Stadium > Beijing subway > Wangfujing Dajie (w/ lots of small booths selling local delicacies) > Hotel

{ Ping Shan Part II }

{ Ping Shan Site Visit }

Traditional Chinese architecture in Ping Shan, HK.

{ Macau - Aug 30, 2008 }

Went to Macau during the weekend. Nice weather, lots of historical buildings & great food. :)