Monday, March 17, 2008

Back from Hundred Islands


Pangasinan doesn't have 100 islands . . . it has at least 123! And a day in Hundred Islands is worth the 5-hour drive from Manila.

Photos are here.

Saturday, March 1, 2008

Made in Japan

Here are some pics from my Tokyo trip:

25 February 2008 - my room at the ANA Intercontinental hotel, my home for 5 days.



My first meal in Japan - I checked in the hotel right before the sunset. After unpacking my things, I walked around the vicinity of the hotel. Japan looked clean and colorful, with all its neon signs and vending machines (there are probably 2 on each corner!) Too tired to have a full meal (I was lugging around my clothes on top of the 300 copies of the brochure), I decided to join the numerous professionals who pop in one of the convenience stores to grab a sandwich. I got lucky and got the best shrimp sandwich I ever tasted and tried on one of the Japanese juices, lemon peel and honey.



26 February 2008 - Japanese trinkets sold on the way to Senso-ji temple in Asakusa.



My favorite shot - fashionable Japanese girls on their way to Senso-ji temple.



An interesting site - a caucasian dressed in a kimono being interviewed in front of the 200-lb bell at the entrance of Senso-ji temple.



Still in Asakusa, a Japanese woman starts her day.



27 February 2008 - inside the Tokyo National Arts Center. The building was just so beautiful with its curved lines and the amazing shadows they create.



Shibuya Crossing is the world's busiest intersection. 6 streets meet at the center and all pedestrians are allowed to cross at the same time.




28 February 2008 - sunset at the Imperial Palace. The grounds of the Imperial Palace were so huge that we decided to just stroll around the water fountain and the nearby park. I found the sunset more beautiful than the fountain.



The sunset reflected on the building behind the fountain.



This was taken by the palace wall.



29 February - rush hour at the Shinjuku station; this station is said to be the busiest station in the world, with 2 million people passing through it everyday. I went there at 8:45 AM and literally got confused with the hundreds of people rushing to work.



For more Tokyo pictures, visit this page.