Just a micro-post from my iPod touch to say that we are safely (and comfortably) ensconced at our hotel in Phnom Penh. Tomorrow we get to spend the day exploring the city!
Monday, December 21, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Rome and Some New Age Music
While feverishly packing and tending to other preparations for our very early departure tomorrow morning, I allowed myself to be entertained by a few episodes of the TV series Rome, since my awesome friend Cheryl sent me the season one and two DVD boxed set for Christmas. I'm only three episodes into it, but I already am really enjoying the show and have my favourite characters.
After the hectic packing, I needed to relax a little, and could not think of a better way than to blog while listening to some New Age music.
I love New Age music, some of which I've been listening to for a long time (like Enya or Loreena McKinnet), but others are new. Two new ones are also available for free. One, Tata Yamashita, releases tracks from his Natural Healing as a Podcast which can be found via iTunes. A sample of his music can be heard here: http://homepage.mac.com/tatamusic/.
And the second artist, Emmosea, I just found today after he/she left a comment on an old blog post here. All Emmosea's tracks can be downloaded for free at http://music.emmosea.com/, and you can check out a video with music on Youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roKz-KaXgyw.
I'll be listening to more of this tomorrow during our flight to Cambodia!
After the hectic packing, I needed to relax a little, and could not think of a better way than to blog while listening to some New Age music.
I love New Age music, some of which I've been listening to for a long time (like Enya or Loreena McKinnet), but others are new. Two new ones are also available for free. One, Tata Yamashita, releases tracks from his Natural Healing as a Podcast which can be found via iTunes. A sample of his music can be heard here: http://homepage.mac.com/tatamusic/.
And the second artist, Emmosea, I just found today after he/she left a comment on an old blog post here. All Emmosea's tracks can be downloaded for free at http://music.emmosea.com/, and you can check out a video with music on Youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roKz-KaXgyw.
I'll be listening to more of this tomorrow during our flight to Cambodia!
Thursday, December 17, 2009
A Room With No View
I suddenly had to come to Tokyo on business. Fortunately, it required an overnight stay. So I had visions of staying in my favourite hotel, enjoying the big bath on the top floor, watching the traffic on the expressway below. Unfortunately, my favorite hotel was booked, so I got a room at a more-expensive but less luxurious business hotel.
This hotel does not have a big, shared bath, but at least my room has two good-sized windows.
Unfortunately, I guess the title of the post says it all:
Whoever said that a wall-view was a bad view? I can actually reach out and touch that building!
The hotel is otherwise just fine,especially since I am only here for one night; and, as you can see, I even have an internet connection in the room!
This hotel does not have a big, shared bath, but at least my room has two good-sized windows.
Unfortunately, I guess the title of the post says it all:
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| Two windows |
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| Close-Up Wall View |
Whoever said that a wall-view was a bad view? I can actually reach out and touch that building!
The hotel is otherwise just fine,especially since I am only here for one night; and, as you can see, I even have an internet connection in the room!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Cambodia Itinerary
| Cambodia Itinerary | ||||
| Date | Details | Departure | Arrival | Stay (hotel or town name) |
| 12/20/09 | Leave Narita, Terminal 1, North Wing Land in Phnom Penh at 10:40 p.m. | 13:55 | 22:40 | Hotel Anise – Phnom Penh Tel: (855)23-222-522 |
| 12/21/09 | Meet Shiran from Stray Dog Adventures at some point. Otherwise, leisurely day in Phnom Penh | Hotel Anise – Phnom Penh Tel: (855)23-222-522 | ||
| 12/22/09 | Begin 8-day motorcycle tour – Along Mekong River | Kampong Cham or Chhlong (town) | ||
| Day 2 | Head to Kratie town; maybe see Irrawaddy dolphins. Early arrival. | Kratie (town) | ||
| Day 3 | Water falls, Jungle Hills, wild life, national parks, tribes | Mondulkiri (town) | ||
| Day 4 | Ride down Death Highway | Mondulkiri (town) | ||
| Day 5 | Go to the south-east of Cambodia | Prey Vang (town) | ||
| Day 6 | Kandal, Takeo and Kampot. Long ride, but we'll see caves, ancient ruins and real Cambodian life. | Kampot (town) | ||
| Day 7 | Ride around Kep (City of Ghosts) | Kep? (town) | ||
| 12/29/09 | Final Tour Day – ride toward Sihanoukville; waterfalls, national parks and sandy beaches. | Sihanoukville? (city) | ||
| 12/30/09 | Beach – somewhere. | Not decided – beach | ||
| 01/04/10 | Siem Reap, Angkor Wat | Not decided – Siem Reap (city) | ||
| 01/07/10 | Land in Narita January 8th | 22:05 | 11:25 (+1) | Flight out of Siem Reap |
| Notes: | Airport Bus to and from Narita: 6:50 from Tomei-Susono bus stop, arriving at 10:20 ; returning from Narita13:25 | |||
| Actual accommodation during the tour is not yet decided. | ||||
| Final week not planned out yet | ||||
Adventuring in Cambodia
Brian and I haven't travelled anywhere exotic in a while, so for this winter vacation we decided to head to the uncharted (for us) territory of Cambodia. The country has a long and rich history quite apart from its recent suffering under the Khmer Rouge, and we intend to make the most of our time savouring the best it has to offer.
Wanting to combine our love of travelling with our other interests, such as photography and motorbiking, we did some research and opted to hire a couple of off-road motorbikes and a tour guide. We will be spending eight days on the road (or in the jungle!), where we will have a chance to explore some regions not on most tourist maps of the country.
Before the tour, we are only going to have one day in Phnom Penh, the nation's capital; but after the tour, we are definitely scheduling at least a few days at Siem Reap, from where we will be sure to go to the famous temple of Angkor Wat. And somewhere in the middle of all this, we plan to relax for a few days at the beach! All in all, it promises to be an exciting time with lots of adventure and some good photo opportunities.
We fly out on Sunday morning, December 20th and return on January 8th.
To check out our more detailed itinerary, visit: http://japanrider.blogspot.ca/2009/12/cambodia-itinerary.html
Wanting to combine our love of travelling with our other interests, such as photography and motorbiking, we did some research and opted to hire a couple of off-road motorbikes and a tour guide. We will be spending eight days on the road (or in the jungle!), where we will have a chance to explore some regions not on most tourist maps of the country.
Before the tour, we are only going to have one day in Phnom Penh, the nation's capital; but after the tour, we are definitely scheduling at least a few days at Siem Reap, from where we will be sure to go to the famous temple of Angkor Wat. And somewhere in the middle of all this, we plan to relax for a few days at the beach! All in all, it promises to be an exciting time with lots of adventure and some good photo opportunities.
We fly out on Sunday morning, December 20th and return on January 8th.
To check out our more detailed itinerary, visit: http://japanrider.blogspot.ca/2009/12/cambodia-itinerary.html
Monday, December 14, 2009
Biking to Shiraito-no-Taki waterfall
Yesterday we spent the day riding with a friend who recently got her motorcycle license, too. It was fun to ride with another woman, and though we didn't go too far, we got some good curves in on backroads all the way to Shiraito-no-Taki, a fairly famous waterfall in Fujinomiya city.
The weather was gray and a bit chilly, but we still enjoyed being on the bikes, especially as I had barely ridden in about a month. We took the 469 through Jurigi, where we stopped for a short rest to warm our hands up a little.
Back on the bikes, we had wide open roads with no traffic and made it to the falls in no time at all.
The kanji for Shiraito-no-taki (????) means White Thread Waterfall, and you can see from the photos it does look like white thread spooling down.
There is a second waterfall as well, this one called Otodome-no-Taki ???????which means "The Sound Stops Waterfall. The legend is that, hundreds of years ago, two leaders were trying to discuss their strategy, but couldn't hear due to the falls. So the falls stopped long enough to exchange the information.
Finally, I was tempted by this local sake shop, but avoided being lured in, even by their enticing barrel of sake:
[caption id="attachment_1407" align="alignnone" width="461" caption="Barrel of Local Sake"][/caption]
After exploring the falls and having some lunch, we rode to Fuji city, where we stopped by a motorbike accessory shop. We bought some new winter riding gloves, then said farewell to our riding companion (who lives near the shop) and made our way home through the city. In the end, it was a full day spent out riding and exploring, which is a pretty good way to spend a Sunday.
The weather was gray and a bit chilly, but we still enjoyed being on the bikes, especially as I had barely ridden in about a month. We took the 469 through Jurigi, where we stopped for a short rest to warm our hands up a little.
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| Our bikes parked at Jurigi, where we had a short rest. |
Back on the bikes, we had wide open roads with no traffic and made it to the falls in no time at all.
 |
| Shiraito no taki |
The kanji for Shiraito-no-taki (????) means White Thread Waterfall, and you can see from the photos it does look like white thread spooling down.
There is a second waterfall as well, this one called Otodome-no-Taki ???????which means "The Sound Stops Waterfall. The legend is that, hundreds of years ago, two leaders were trying to discuss their strategy, but couldn't hear due to the falls. So the falls stopped long enough to exchange the information.
 |
Oto-dome-no-taki
|
Finally, I was tempted by this local sake shop, but avoided being lured in, even by their enticing barrel of sake:
After exploring the falls and having some lunch, we rode to Fuji city, where we stopped by a motorbike accessory shop. We bought some new winter riding gloves, then said farewell to our riding companion (who lives near the shop) and made our way home through the city. In the end, it was a full day spent out riding and exploring, which is a pretty good way to spend a Sunday.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Routine
There is not a lot going on right now - I think we both feel a bit exhausted after having been 'in action mode' for the last little while. Now we have no tests to study for, no races to train for, no other set of immediate obligations to meet, we are able to re-establish our normal routine.
For me, it means back to Curves for my workouts, and for both of us, regular (fun!) Japanese lessons again.
Although it's only Thursday, I'm looking forward to the weekend, which may include getting out on the motorbikes if the weather holds, or perhaps a 'photo safari' somewhere nearby.
For me, it means back to Curves for my workouts, and for both of us, regular (fun!) Japanese lessons again.
Although it's only Thursday, I'm looking forward to the weekend, which may include getting out on the motorbikes if the weather holds, or perhaps a 'photo safari' somewhere nearby.
Monday, December 07, 2009
Test Day Done
...and I'm mostly just glad that it's over with. It was quite a tough test this year - harder than the last time I sat for the same level. Neither of us feel we did well, and are certain we did not pass.
However, now I don't have to study for the test, can focus on study for pleasure, and, best of all, sit down and read The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest!
However, now I don't have to study for the test, can focus on study for pleasure, and, best of all, sit down and read The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest!
Sunday, December 06, 2009
Test Day
Today is finally test day, and we are really not ready. We have been chronically procrastinating our study, then this last month has been too busy to allow time or inclination to study.
We have both been assigned Shizuoka city as our test centre this time, and not the more convenient Mishima Nichidai, so we have to leave early to make sure we get to the test room in time to get seated and be accounted for before the test begins.
Not my favourite way to spend a Sunday, but still we are going to go write the three-part, day-long test with the gambare spirit!
We have both been assigned Shizuoka city as our test centre this time, and not the more convenient Mishima Nichidai, so we have to leave early to make sure we get to the test room in time to get seated and be accounted for before the test begins.
Not my favourite way to spend a Sunday, but still we are going to go write the three-part, day-long test with the gambare spirit!
Friday, December 04, 2009
Resisting the Draw of a Hornet's Nest
I'm super busy with work this week, and would love to dive into a good book in the evenings. However, the big Nihongo Shiken (Japanese test) is on Sunday.
Due to unforeseen business, and completely predicable laziness on my part, we have not studied for the test. But we still have tomorrow morning before work, and all day on Saturday to prepare!
Of course, when I was in Shizuoka city last week, I picked up the third book in Stieg Larsson's 'series'. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest opens with the intriguing heroine Lisbeth Salander being helicoptered into an emergency room with a bullet in the head...
That's as far as I got, since the first few pages is all I'm allowing myself to read until after the Japanese test, but the suspense is killng me.
Due to unforeseen business, and completely predicable laziness on my part, we have not studied for the test. But we still have tomorrow morning before work, and all day on Saturday to prepare!
Of course, when I was in Shizuoka city last week, I picked up the third book in Stieg Larsson's 'series'. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest opens with the intriguing heroine Lisbeth Salander being helicoptered into an emergency room with a bullet in the head...
That's as far as I got, since the first few pages is all I'm allowing myself to read until after the Japanese test, but the suspense is killng me.
Flu
It finally came our way - Brian has been down with what seems like the flu for the last few days, while I seem to have developed a cold complete with wracking cough.
At least I am still mobile, and Brian is looking better today so things should be back to normal soon.
At least I am still mobile, and Brian is looking better today so things should be back to normal soon.
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
27 km - Accomplished!
Our big race was yesterday. I say 'race', but use the term lightly. While it was a race, we were not worried about 'winning' or even how close to first we came in. Running for me has always been about the enjoyment not the competition. And that's a good thing because, while I did not come in Dead Last, I was pretty close to the back of the line. Brian, however, managed decent time - 2 hours, I think, while I was 3 hours and 50 minutes.
We went to Kawaguchiko the day before the race and stayed at a Pension (a slightly Western-style, affordable Japanese B&B) so we wouldn't have to rush on Sunday morning. The weather on Saturday was not bad - there was some sunshine and warmth. But the usual views of Mt. Fuji were nowhere to be seen; heavy cloud blocked any sunshine and the damp, cold air seeped into our bones before we got started.
We had a good run, though, and enjoyed the race. However, the fact is, I hadn't trained enough and I simply couldn't run through the pain. At about the 15km mark, my right hip began to ache, by 17 km it was shooting pain through my leg, bursting at the knee. I ran about 3 more kilometres, then slowed to a limping-walk for several kilometres.
I was by far not the only walker and I did run across the finish line - but only because it was in sight!
Brian ran well, but he, too, should have trained more, and really needed new shoes as several of his toe-nails have already turned black, and the toe with the missing nail took a real beating and was still throbbing long after the race. His old knee pain, too, began to act up again. But unlike me, he ran through the pain!
One thing I did not like about the race (other than the coldish, bleakish weather) was that only full-marathon runners received a T-Shirt. We, with our 27km, only got a towel. It seems a small thing, but considering that I've been collecting my race T-Shirts, I was somewhat let down.
In any case, I think we will next try a half-marathon which is only 21km, and will ensure it includes a T-Shirt!
Meanwhile, here's photo that Brian took on Saturday, with his little Lumix:
We went to Kawaguchiko the day before the race and stayed at a Pension (a slightly Western-style, affordable Japanese B&B) so we wouldn't have to rush on Sunday morning. The weather on Saturday was not bad - there was some sunshine and warmth. But the usual views of Mt. Fuji were nowhere to be seen; heavy cloud blocked any sunshine and the damp, cold air seeped into our bones before we got started.
We had a good run, though, and enjoyed the race. However, the fact is, I hadn't trained enough and I simply couldn't run through the pain. At about the 15km mark, my right hip began to ache, by 17 km it was shooting pain through my leg, bursting at the knee. I ran about 3 more kilometres, then slowed to a limping-walk for several kilometres.
I was by far not the only walker and I did run across the finish line - but only because it was in sight!
Brian ran well, but he, too, should have trained more, and really needed new shoes as several of his toe-nails have already turned black, and the toe with the missing nail took a real beating and was still throbbing long after the race. His old knee pain, too, began to act up again. But unlike me, he ran through the pain!
One thing I did not like about the race (other than the coldish, bleakish weather) was that only full-marathon runners received a T-Shirt. We, with our 27km, only got a towel. It seems a small thing, but considering that I've been collecting my race T-Shirts, I was somewhat let down.
In any case, I think we will next try a half-marathon which is only 21km, and will ensure it includes a T-Shirt!
Meanwhile, here's photo that Brian took on Saturday, with his little Lumix:
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