tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58909412024-03-08T11:33:16.371+11:00Marissa's UniverseI am your star *lah lah lah lah*Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05444792242625636877noreply@blogger.comBlogger262125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5890941.post-881944992711354552012-08-11T00:07:00.000+10:002012-08-11T00:08:36.214+10:00Sunset and Stromatolites at Hamelin Pools, W.A<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJsotbdNfhyphenhyphen491ULXpQhCA9zM-ATUOhFyuc7O52a2MJfSW3mMwASHi6X8k4Q6oBxVP7MGYtDl8fHf_EH0f1QS6wPw6JCrKL2Ysy556ux9OuUAuLEsi1xGqJ8ETDSxH9PKj5l_mSQ/s1600/photo-716215.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJsotbdNfhyphenhyphen491ULXpQhCA9zM-ATUOhFyuc7O52a2MJfSW3mMwASHi6X8k4Q6oBxVP7MGYtDl8fHf_EH0f1QS6wPw6JCrKL2Ysy556ux9OuUAuLEsi1xGqJ8ETDSxH9PKj5l_mSQ/s320/photo-716215.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5775046172223369394" /></a></p>Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05444792242625636877noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5890941.post-10862910925671625912010-03-08T01:39:00.010+11:002010-03-10T20:38:20.807+11:00Tokyo - Pocchari Edition<div>Our day started in <b>Harajuku </b>- it was terribly wet, dreary and cold. The 100 yen store supplied us with eight 100 yen umbrellas. As with most Japanese things, they were both practical <i>and</i> stylish. Due to the horrible weather, there were no Harajuku teens congregated around the Jingu Bridge.<br /><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQ3_jMOUMBPQA_oG1NnATROYpxt0UVuxH-zukVr0S0cTGh1iXXhFIzot0frYPVhoiFuJd225zJOMlrEYGwXHsbNnXBBF2-FoXkcMBxCHx6bL4Rb0SePVEq2NJcJdJh3NvuQpwSw/s320/IMG_1034.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445903479140562034" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" border="0" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="">The rain however was not to deter our shopping efforts given Harajuku is renowned for being the fashion capital of the world for unique street fashion. I had great success having found a pair of <b>anpanman socks! </b>Squee! I'll let you know soon if it actually fits my feet. My feet are on the giant side in Japan - could not find any shoes that fit in Uniqlo Shoes. Speaking of Uniqlo, the boys went Uniqlo crazy, visiting no less than 2 stores today. I suspect that we will also be going to the Ginza Uniqlo tomorrow.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9wB6rzd9-SDaKxm_2v2O3plfwFGJxbgrJXEWC_dgqM7xQbb9gCESC-mgWfV51_0EtOkvKd5gt2S_LaVyhyuOOe6cRTOZk0AZYUvYO4UJuiyzN6E2shrbohKlM1YGIca-iqBbYyg/s320/IMG_8059.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445905061721473682" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="">Crepes are a must-do when when strolling down Takeshita Street<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqjpc4Qas5qpYIGTB_CgLg7rvVy4SWjSRLV9FVgvu9UMlhIsdvq8HFuIGwmBOX0cYrz080o-nHufj4uTalLY2Y3tcVU3KSl5Y1a1TKHsvxCJRlNi-XL5ezfoNlreO_BFWvIq-yg/s320/IMG_1854.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445903497257571618" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="">We then eventually made our way to <b>Akihabara</b>, with intentions to try world famous <a href="http://www.sunnypages.jp/travel_guide/tokyo_restaurants/ramen/Kyushu+Jangara+Ramen+Akihabara/2772">Kyushu Jangara Ramen</a>, and dine at a maid cafe. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The most popular dish at <b>Kyushu Jangara Ramen </b>is the thin noodle, pork based broth with the lot (number 1a). I am not a pork fan, so I went for 2a - miso based soup with the lot. The verdict? Probably one of the best ramen I've ever tasted. It really was good, particularly on a cold, wet night. Be warned though, you could be in for a long wait.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><br /></span></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8s2T2Ia6tXCJ4dIRBfOJl_rTnG9rJPQaubZe3XH7XM8Whawrezf9SBD37AnZbkRfPtazHkNIF2a2sqD69reio8XbaGENQRuihClkZn99vPf3_aPtZbsGD5tSPp82oLuSagw88Q/s1600-h/IMG_8070.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8s2T2Ia6tXCJ4dIRBfOJl_rTnG9rJPQaubZe3XH7XM8Whawrezf9SBD37AnZbkRfPtazHkNIF2a2sqD69reio8XbaGENQRuihClkZn99vPf3_aPtZbsGD5tSPp82oLuSagw88Q/s320/IMG_8070.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445905070065684978" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Probably the most exciting and interesting part of the day was the <b>maid cafe</b>. There are a number of 'maids' loitering on street paths inviting passersby (usually targeting men) to come into their maid cafes for more intimate, fun, personal frivolity. Here's a re-enactment ...</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwezBsLFjk7Ixt2I9DcX2FgS82yNrqjtDOS2vPv9i2COhkjajPiPEVUi4TAiRJVfaetd0PMIwzf8PD4Xw9BgJXSiXdoFzZmIcGWs99KdmQuck6gabv3oUjsZE7n1fQtpVMZ7x1Hw/s1600-h/IMG_1888.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwezBsLFjk7Ixt2I9DcX2FgS82yNrqjtDOS2vPv9i2COhkjajPiPEVUi4TAiRJVfaetd0PMIwzf8PD4Xw9BgJXSiXdoFzZmIcGWs99KdmQuck6gabv3oUjsZE7n1fQtpVMZ7x1Hw/s320/IMG_1888.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445903514401636002" border="0" /></a>By some bizarre twist of event, we ended up in a maid cafe that catered for clientele that has a <i>pocchari </i>(meaning chubby, slightly plump) interest (I don't really want to use the word fetish, because that will degrade the whole experience). The cafe itself was located in a darkish alley, away from the main street, where I suspect the more traditional (or less pocchari) maid cafes conduct their business.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSjfljdisY-b_xGtNqT4xNjmlw0rin1W6fNH-jbQXqydBbdUTRATcmJm4DZKy4i5gS_3GMyKc6TTAlXhjTUMMEIVgfFB0V64XMXc6PJHdIfui0giDu2bzmKrgd0dorzzRaE2_veA/s1600-h/IMG_1049.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSjfljdisY-b_xGtNqT4xNjmlw0rin1W6fNH-jbQXqydBbdUTRATcmJm4DZKy4i5gS_3GMyKc6TTAlXhjTUMMEIVgfFB0V64XMXc6PJHdIfui0giDu2bzmKrgd0dorzzRaE2_veA/s320/IMG_1049.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445905057282526370" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">We walked in hesitantly, but with a sense of wonder and ordered 4 coffees - luckily we had Ken (sorry Ken, named and shamed) with us who could read the Japanese menu.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvunojVYaV47xUSs3Qpz2FkRiPSYByOvzPrkbJTCzjrRBqos1HRvpVCYWBsgkNoCEwDHpbN2EwllAis-xQ8Ynr2bLIJIn5-X3i-h-qiY2GZ8SCuDtTbUYrGY8mGKUK0sGDJvRFw/s320/IMG_1051.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445903486630820530" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">We giggle, marveled and people watched for 30 minutes. It is a fascinating environment, and there is quite a lot of social and cultural commentary I could make about the experience. However, in the interest of brevity, I will say that this: there is nothing overtly sexual about the concept. It genuinely felt like the maids were there just to provide fun company and engage in a bit of friendly, harmless conversation. Sure they were making attempts to shower you with attention, but a lot of the patrons in the joint looked like they really needed it. The experience cost us about 1000 yen each (around $10 AUD). Part of our bill included a photo with your favourite maid (favourite pocchari maid in our case). They insisted that we all do the <i>cat pose</i>, and kept yelling directions of 'meow meow, meow meow, meow meow' from behind the camera. It was hilarious - yes even more hilarious than Ken's awkward face.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZV8f9Q-r9CHuJIP50vFPUej_rqAOwZh1hnNObPSPT3Zs8OHSX75XskMlRlqmvpVSbd47oBBzBTMKO3xyLXCCNoueXcw_MQ9HsynyCj6_MTXj5o14JW8tYYvAmr67j15ORYOlHw/s1600-h/IMG_1060.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZV8f9Q-r9CHuJIP50vFPUej_rqAOwZh1hnNObPSPT3Zs8OHSX75XskMlRlqmvpVSbd47oBBzBTMKO3xyLXCCNoueXcw_MQ9HsynyCj6_MTXj5o14JW8tYYvAmr67j15ORYOlHw/s320/IMG_1060.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445905046404990226" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" border="0" /></a></div><div>Oh, and I find it disturbing that my face is as pocchari (if not more) as the pocchari maid ... </div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQ3_jMOUMBPQA_oG1NnATROYpxt0UVuxH-zukVr0S0cTGh1iXXhFIzot0frYPVhoiFuJd225zJOMlrEYGwXHsbNnXBBF2-FoXkcMBxCHx6bL4Rb0SePVEq2NJcJdJh3NvuQpwSw/s1600-h/IMG_1034.JPG"></a></div>Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05444792242625636877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5890941.post-10175430386168413222010-03-07T05:01:00.004+11:002010-03-07T05:25:25.523+11:00TokyoWe have rounded out the snowboarding part of our Japan 2010 trip, and today we spend the day in transit from Rusutsu, to Sapporo and then finally to Tokyo.<br /><br />The journey was hard going on the now haggard body - there are more than a few weary and sore limbs and muscles in the group.<br /><br />We are staying in a fairly swish hotel in Shinjuku - Citadines Hotel for those that are looking for affordable, spacious and nice accommodation in a major hub. The highlight of the day was the traditional Japanese dinner at <a href="http://www.ukai.co.jp/toriyama/index.html#english">Ukai Toriyama Restaurant</a> which is about 50 minutes from Shinjuku. The setting was beautiful - it presented as self sustained village amongst lush gardens, narrow paths, stepping stones, fancy footbridges, mini water falls, ponds, koi fish. Each dining party has its own room/private dining area, most built with traditional materials, i.e. wood, bamboo, stone, mud walls, tatami mats and washi screens. And this is before we got to the FOOD! The food was sublime. My favourite was the red bean mochi - yum yum YUM.<br /><br />Unfortunately, the battery in my camera died, probably due to the cold weather, so this photo of the gang will suffice for now.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6XLDNf6j8raru0k-Gl4bCkdaFrJhelerLBSmnfkIvQ7TSuyr7IR0nJtSv_JYLuhEG7Mk4hhToIRREsf8PArcdMlvswEFkFv-wldLt-moIxb3_LWZZ5Aw_09H2NIH4APlpKPA5Q/s1600-h/P1000762.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6XLDNf6j8raru0k-Gl4bCkdaFrJhelerLBSmnfkIvQ7TSuyr7IR0nJtSv_JYLuhEG7Mk4hhToIRREsf8PArcdMlvswEFkFv-wldLt-moIxb3_LWZZ5Aw_09H2NIH4APlpKPA5Q/s320/P1000762.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445587548092261282" /></a><br /><br>Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05444792242625636877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5890941.post-88350239837577638272010-03-05T22:02:00.005+11:002010-03-05T22:20:36.223+11:00Rusutsu Resort<div style="text-align: left;">We have been at Rusutsu Resort for the past 3 days. To describe Rusutsu in a few words, think: Bellagio + Dreamworld + Snow Resort. A few of the novelties here include: amusement park, arcade, roller coaster, water slide, wave pool, musical fountains, monorail, pony rides, caramel making etc etc ...</div><br />We are staying on snow, in a lodge which is positioned directly adjacent to a ski lift. The only downside to the lodge is that there is 1 bathroom between 8 people! Luckily most of us are making full use of the public bath/onsen.<div><br /></div><div>The snow at Rusutsu has been above average. The runs are long and wide, and pockets of powder can always be found on the edges of trails. There are a lot of school kids at Rusutsu, all in their school jumpsuit kit.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ok, short entry, need to hit the onsen. We pack our bags tonight and its onwards to Tokyo tomorrow morning. I shall leave you with a few pictures from Rusutsu, and our fun tubing experience.</div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1orhvZCMeeClLGvJX04FHz46fMEbypYUsjZBWEDkkbrFwxk3jmUifpR7oIdqFkVSFYQYse_twoImbu_1ROqEQOsSnVb5DsZJIZGSltXJ6F-gE4lnLLlUJd9qMcprHekQrc2QLTg/s1600-h/P3053157.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1orhvZCMeeClLGvJX04FHz46fMEbypYUsjZBWEDkkbrFwxk3jmUifpR7oIdqFkVSFYQYse_twoImbu_1ROqEQOsSnVb5DsZJIZGSltXJ6F-gE4lnLLlUJd9qMcprHekQrc2QLTg/s320/P3053157.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445106092934100946" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj745K5LHGMfUKc75-eYIavHcKLEseG4GwKsxgiARGUpKXrs3Ql-hKBIPNbbo2uPl0syy_i6aIQuEDKPlQvlutWLM836cLHTXXuD4WeDHu9x8dVVIGziDqmpGksrrw9qz0Mt-AX8g/s1600-h/IMG_0881.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj745K5LHGMfUKc75-eYIavHcKLEseG4GwKsxgiARGUpKXrs3Ql-hKBIPNbbo2uPl0syy_i6aIQuEDKPlQvlutWLM836cLHTXXuD4WeDHu9x8dVVIGziDqmpGksrrw9qz0Mt-AX8g/s320/IMG_0881.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445106079479852210" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxrsPOPz5D9ipbYz8WS0QblYBd5md8cc95pJfD-_mDtcKZlfmYbuGEWyoSKUFcJ9wswQdoPFvtySJjNIKd6i31XXLxpmVBM9Njswij3E-SG3D4_FobUTo4cFYmm9flXRyb52lRGg/s1600-h/IMG_0871.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxrsPOPz5D9ipbYz8WS0QblYBd5md8cc95pJfD-_mDtcKZlfmYbuGEWyoSKUFcJ9wswQdoPFvtySJjNIKd6i31XXLxpmVBM9Njswij3E-SG3D4_FobUTo4cFYmm9flXRyb52lRGg/s320/IMG_0871.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445106071401366562" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx0TUS0zQMa7gYkccxk5AIdkiZVMkTZlV-Q52dfuT8B9Efma8WXi_7mDzAATtseCV9zk7J7lX7a3sk' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><br />And when in Japan ... do what the Japanese do:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5nr6Y7lAlVRIu3MgElURC_4MTW_RLr1AxJlLv7KPH6QzbynLtG0rGSlLTzH5lkFh7lfz3fegJ1hcq_l-8-F92HaW8ZJ5O5KTqewlJYVMdss5-SrLQ3B2PHNKBw3IKDC8MNrzYSw/s1600-h/IMG_0840.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5nr6Y7lAlVRIu3MgElURC_4MTW_RLr1AxJlLv7KPH6QzbynLtG0rGSlLTzH5lkFh7lfz3fegJ1hcq_l-8-F92HaW8ZJ5O5KTqewlJYVMdss5-SrLQ3B2PHNKBw3IKDC8MNrzYSw/s320/IMG_0840.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445106082792841010" /></a><br /><br>Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05444792242625636877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5890941.post-52159972793947590362010-03-03T00:47:00.005+11:002010-03-03T01:08:41.807+11:00Wandering SapporoWe spent the day wandering about Sapporo, and hitting the usual staples of Japanese shopping and culture including:<div><br /></div><div>A <b>pet store</b> with unbearably cute puppies ... and some not so cute puppies</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNsF2HBOe4mDLWpWS9dxmw7T0c_CtM3lOQX3pMjogrThFualvcArukQ8n4VsWyocmYOgRxL3lMfeaXkxYSNxSXJms5Djdzq_pBQkARpNALoTvTrBYw4f4FPTlZRq-b_B1zNGTKzA/s1600-h/IMG_1358.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNsF2HBOe4mDLWpWS9dxmw7T0c_CtM3lOQX3pMjogrThFualvcArukQ8n4VsWyocmYOgRxL3lMfeaXkxYSNxSXJms5Djdzq_pBQkARpNALoTvTrBYw4f4FPTlZRq-b_B1zNGTKzA/s320/IMG_1358.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444033689504464194" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuF3450I_LPqgBkQtdXesU1FfH0-eAWA0ZE8-7WjJ_7eX4qMCnejFjJl841RrTG1Fvrwai4vVJdCX0ZrfB3qVE5kXBG3rt0Wo4A9dpWQKinBbHhzIfPhljueTuFPgTJ3Pf_KndhQ/s1600-h/IMG_1369.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuF3450I_LPqgBkQtdXesU1FfH0-eAWA0ZE8-7WjJ_7eX4qMCnejFjJl841RrTG1Fvrwai4vVJdCX0ZrfB3qVE5kXBG3rt0Wo4A9dpWQKinBbHhzIfPhljueTuFPgTJ3Pf_KndhQ/s320/IMG_1369.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444034567482525522" /></a><br /><div><b>Bic Camera</b> - you can take a picture with just a blink of an eye with this particular camera</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1G-abwgmqZhk5XE9u_9PDLMETIv2V0f1Hkls4vskgfYTxj_ft8KTuCQcpjMRWdbrCki_i7yuNRzbdwDs9LGMUChBsQ-PB0lncnWpkC3dVfca9vh0otqGBuygBUGMh2u6xXtO5Ww/s1600-h/IMG_1398.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1G-abwgmqZhk5XE9u_9PDLMETIv2V0f1Hkls4vskgfYTxj_ft8KTuCQcpjMRWdbrCki_i7yuNRzbdwDs9LGMUChBsQ-PB0lncnWpkC3dVfca9vh0otqGBuygBUGMh2u6xXtO5Ww/s320/IMG_1398.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444033688907598386" /></a><br /><b>Expensive Fruit Shops </b>- approximately $35 for one rockmelon! Now I feel bad about the rockmelon that is rotting in my fridge.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsnft3mZSiUiwTBOm3TN3yCbZds2OEqoyRNt-yIHQ2nEccHTWGyZTrspwx8jXBpfim7GuDS-o15oh1KEHNBTWx9zqjmR-F3m7ZMHvAwCpQYB7Di2CT_wBMdtZwnm6CjuqvhGmysg/s1600-h/IMG_1380.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsnft3mZSiUiwTBOm3TN3yCbZds2OEqoyRNt-yIHQ2nEccHTWGyZTrspwx8jXBpfim7GuDS-o15oh1KEHNBTWx9zqjmR-F3m7ZMHvAwCpQYB7Di2CT_wBMdtZwnm6CjuqvhGmysg/s320/IMG_1380.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444034590063029794" /></a><br /></div><div><b>Subway <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">- check out the mirrors next to the doors. Tell me this is not a great a idea! </span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></b><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lhRCQ-3GyU9X_puk9_gi4z3h8x5aBT40m-21dLd1jjl-WzbE5lBN9Zb7eS64VQPDGphjX3eDxdmasPennshNxKa-eEm3zFx9i0kcysUJIWZIWq2XwNWyiZKGAO2wNc2ByaOrHA/s1600-h/IMG_1353.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lhRCQ-3GyU9X_puk9_gi4z3h8x5aBT40m-21dLd1jjl-WzbE5lBN9Zb7eS64VQPDGphjX3eDxdmasPennshNxKa-eEm3zFx9i0kcysUJIWZIWq2XwNWyiZKGAO2wNc2ByaOrHA/s320/IMG_1353.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444034581401519362" /></a><br /></div><div>Not to mention food halls, moss burger, seven ereven, Lawsons, and of course Anpanman shopping:</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZpUTOXNdL82npS9MTA1LmrwyY_YnBf4789GIy8oh2yQeAsTAprDntUXM_iHIEs08hyIJrwPwEg3NXat1alY7_vsCXvIlt8HH0ZsxLaTvDJO4Ge0CJ5TYMTer5dLubSQg7LiLVA/s1600-h/IMG_1408.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZpUTOXNdL82npS9MTA1LmrwyY_YnBf4789GIy8oh2yQeAsTAprDntUXM_iHIEs08hyIJrwPwEg3NXat1alY7_vsCXvIlt8HH0ZsxLaTvDJO4Ge0CJ5TYMTer5dLubSQg7LiLVA/s320/IMG_1408.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444037726229058338" /></a><br /><br />Off to Rusutsu tomorrow. Wish my shoulder good luck ...<br /><br /><br>Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05444792242625636877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5890941.post-11483724284315640022010-03-02T11:20:00.005+11:002010-03-02T11:45:48.303+11:00First Skidoo ExperienceThe powder was pretty epic on our last day at Kiroro (popurar ... particurary).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoaNGq5ZXr63JQU8R5XfetVVky8ME6Sve3IR2wftdE9Wh-ZaZeyCTPl_IRGCKSacfEEPlVlMOai-uE2Zb6JAijJDEr8vq6PlmxiMUEdPyeRsq5v8ZsWrWPgsuIaECm40PjNgLs0g/s1600-h/P1000571.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoaNGq5ZXr63JQU8R5XfetVVky8ME6Sve3IR2wftdE9Wh-ZaZeyCTPl_IRGCKSacfEEPlVlMOai-uE2Zb6JAijJDEr8vq6PlmxiMUEdPyeRsq5v8ZsWrWPgsuIaECm40PjNgLs0g/s400/P1000571.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443827422003269890" border="0" /></a><br />Unfortunately, I was the powder 'buzz killer' for the rest of the group. I crashed at high speed on the freshly groomed, aptly named 'power run' run. Kenneth (prematurely) flagged for the emergency medics, lots of fuss ensued ... and then I was on a skidoo back down the mountain. I ticked the 'overconfidence' option on the form I had to fill out at the medic centre.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIn378aB5EZx8ElD9jZkJnJQQPFbrmPLrNqGjaAHv3iByphkE4PIrMfZkhay0ygzX5g6OakkEF-z561gmc64RvSwqtdtiNhY5c4Sog_fNrUMu_SDRGNgkwugdD5u7gM10jpWA3w/s1600-h/IMG_7050_edited-1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIn378aB5EZx8ElD9jZkJnJQQPFbrmPLrNqGjaAHv3iByphkE4PIrMfZkhay0ygzX5g6OakkEF-z561gmc64RvSwqtdtiNhY5c4Sog_fNrUMu_SDRGNgkwugdD5u7gM10jpWA3w/s400/IMG_7050_edited-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443827196916854674" border="0" /></a><br />I have to get ready ... I will pass over to Sharlene:<br /><br />Hmm, what to say, that Marissa hasn't already. She has probably torn her rotator cuff, as said by Dr YDG. So, it was not as serious as first thought, but she did hear a *crack* when she went down.<br /><br />Have to say, the snow was awesome! So awesome, that we dared to go through the trees. I got up, close and personal with a skinny trunk. I think I came off worse, hence the tree not budging, and me adding a bruise to my list of injuries.<br /><br />Okay, have to go, we're in Sapporo now, taking a two day break of eating and shopping, before heading to Rusutsu resort for a few more days of snow.<br /><br />Bye!<br />SharleneMarissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05444792242625636877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5890941.post-43098724727516675022010-02-28T23:06:00.004+11:002010-02-28T23:37:02.557+11:00Kiroro - Day 2I am going to rely on pixels to tell the story of Day 2 Kiroro.<br /><br />To be clear, the intention was to spell out "Kiroro" in the following picture.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnpR0MfUC37Fs8O7yLeelnCRpUcDzvhDkximzimQeaX5PpaFh13AaF6vIic-o8HMKSJG6nSNu0RDWWx4QykgvcJTeumRf_dsPcCIC2x8EYWr-q2htO56sg37iGno66KQchovCLbw/s1600-h/P1000524.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnpR0MfUC37Fs8O7yLeelnCRpUcDzvhDkximzimQeaX5PpaFh13AaF6vIic-o8HMKSJG6nSNu0RDWWx4QykgvcJTeumRf_dsPcCIC2x8EYWr-q2htO56sg37iGno66KQchovCLbw/s400/P1000524.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443269509361477074" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Oh and YATTA! Success with the 100 yen anpanman machine. Not only did we get the red bean man himself, we also scored the 50th anniversary edition anpanman in a cake! Sugoi! Let's not mention that we managed to empty out the machine, and the fact that we were desperate enough to ask the hotel staff to open up the machine for us. But it was fate and destiny . Hotel staff didn't have the key, and the very next spin gave us the elusive anpanman. My holiday is now complete.<br /><br />I shall leave you with Kiroro carnage.<br /> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxwmgndTRfRqWEWs9YbEgtxoyJZMuyCAHGJXNAL0c_6B02a2XIJZiNz7Ngs4u94EggxHKnTqc1-oOw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><br /><br>Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05444792242625636877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5890941.post-61729197739698019442010-02-28T01:45:00.000+11:002010-02-28T01:46:04.027+11:00Kiroro - Riding - Day 1First day of riding today; snow condition was abominable for Japan standards. Some sections of the mountain were, dare I say it, Thredbo-like. Eek.<br />On the upside, the runs were empty and queues were non-existent. In fact, the only people en masse we had to contend with was at the breakfast buffet. The runs are long and wide, and there were still sections of the mountain with decent snow. My new boots held up well. Not sure how my toenail-less big toe held up though. It could be suffering badly under the 2 layers of sports tape and 1 layer of bandaid. I might muster the courage to open it up tomorrow.<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGH29qgl2jRDbEUBr38ufw2FTH4HxT4WrPqkLBBqNnhpRYhfXaXFbvftE7BPiX68M7emx-vTQrk5JzUi_Sg4xO1a5vyq-5CneXAomnq-xh_nlVnDNPJvErJAflXXEAB1v-xN9eA/s1600-h/IMG_0617.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGH29qgl2jRDbEUBr38ufw2FTH4HxT4WrPqkLBBqNnhpRYhfXaXFbvftE7BPiX68M7emx-vTQrk5JzUi_Sg4xO1a5vyq-5CneXAomnq-xh_nlVnDNPJvErJAflXXEAB1v-xN9eA/s320/IMG_0617.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442929676421996178" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwhwOIpS876kR25Kxe5uE7IlEXB5Wb4pAHUk2Ek3tXs4YKLP-9PKJ1ftyyNUDZg_oYRCIoSY31Rkad9cbotfqHYY1yw3rrLE14pOdjnzFMBBSy1QaBExaw_4Xo7dSIPhUGMO7Aw/s1600-h/IMG_0647.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwhwOIpS876kR25Kxe5uE7IlEXB5Wb4pAHUk2Ek3tXs4YKLP-9PKJ1ftyyNUDZg_oYRCIoSY31Rkad9cbotfqHYY1yw3rrLE14pOdjnzFMBBSy1QaBExaw_4Xo7dSIPhUGMO7Aw/s320/IMG_0647.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442929700948184370" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-L8d6gpyqfzOPtGnq7S-A9S2WA_o13F6MydzyYa_2XWX6QsJlOdeISWqf-yQ5ce3ed6TFVUZrT-s9vqLIW2LokfNpPEMy5jJY-JNsxE6A1ayPRTzj2LXniJQQl2xcm3P7su914w/s1600-h/IMG_0645.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-L8d6gpyqfzOPtGnq7S-A9S2WA_o13F6MydzyYa_2XWX6QsJlOdeISWqf-yQ5ce3ed6TFVUZrT-s9vqLIW2LokfNpPEMy5jJY-JNsxE6A1ayPRTzj2LXniJQQl2xcm3P7su914w/s320/IMG_0645.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442929690778038146" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB26BMG7derJcamTafrJ5glhSrR6GyO_MfkFAX9BTmSk6sDxOh90Wilo2Akv8L0zUzSFBYcMa5QBWz9nr2OEJnKTjnfMPXZ8HeFBVMRADluCWFKy4VlVRQVM_oK4_JCNgIh3ZJ5g/s1600-h/IMG_0651.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB26BMG7derJcamTafrJ5glhSrR6GyO_MfkFAX9BTmSk6sDxOh90Wilo2Akv8L0zUzSFBYcMa5QBWz9nr2OEJnKTjnfMPXZ8HeFBVMRADluCWFKy4VlVRQVM_oK4_JCNgIh3ZJ5g/s320/IMG_0651.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442929712214019282" /></a><br />The litter of beer vending machines strategically positioned at popular (or should I say popurar) rest stops is also a luxury to most, and a necessity to some (we call the latter drunks).<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUj9TfVWL3I3GhXvYWeunir4mzSNbbyAn0R2yfqltM1UwOt_o_r-crtPeT2GUzTpCo2SzYdaYJDXVHq-mRhMh5Eoyk2ijIhMXdrgvP_CdTO1TyCdSaXuV-ZSAza99-OxY8GGy_bA/s1600-h/IMG_0656.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUj9TfVWL3I3GhXvYWeunir4mzSNbbyAn0R2yfqltM1UwOt_o_r-crtPeT2GUzTpCo2SzYdaYJDXVHq-mRhMh5Eoyk2ijIhMXdrgvP_CdTO1TyCdSaXuV-ZSAza99-OxY8GGy_bA/s320/IMG_0656.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442929728701416194" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Dinner was, surprise surprise, a buffet. The cold dishes (raw prawns, snow crab, salmon sashimi, squid etc) was oishii! Queen of buffet YDG yet again brought her B-game(i.e. Buffet Game). She murdered the buffet.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZANBcsfe8DFCPpTNHuatG7JHHAPdMrXfjN7KQtQ-aX8vTk6NUoecVZEFNWss6rggzww7ssGKTPd6Kn4gHDOd_FfG-41bxq8WJhFg3sqVBFJhUM_DkOc4764Mt4oZOn3xPSir0Kg/s1600-h/IMG_1263.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZANBcsfe8DFCPpTNHuatG7JHHAPdMrXfjN7KQtQ-aX8vTk6NUoecVZEFNWss6rggzww7ssGKTPd6Kn4gHDOd_FfG-41bxq8WJhFg3sqVBFJhUM_DkOc4764Mt4oZOn3xPSir0Kg/s320/IMG_1263.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442931969823361138" /></a><br /></div><div>My quest for anpanman magnet continues. I have added another 3 to the collection since the following photograph was taken. I'm starting to think that there is <i>no</i> anpanman is that dodgy 100 yen machine. I'm about to clean it out!?!?<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"></span></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9fe4qWgoh-Pn-wondFvGfxLKE-cxEazxWzK3D_fjm9CLhMQ4_8iWbzOsYg-mSP8vwJ0wS-sSCwcZON5He2eARuPa_FgIa_K9gbEu3ylh5cxCe3muMVUt6cCzjZZWvTzbkWVE7A/s1600-h/IMG_1249.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9fe4qWgoh-Pn-wondFvGfxLKE-cxEazxWzK3D_fjm9CLhMQ4_8iWbzOsYg-mSP8vwJ0wS-sSCwcZON5He2eARuPa_FgIa_K9gbEu3ylh5cxCe3muMVUt6cCzjZZWvTzbkWVE7A/s320/IMG_1249.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442933014696102306" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"></div></div><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br>Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05444792242625636877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5890941.post-24476962448377873642010-02-27T02:49:00.000+11:002010-02-27T03:00:39.301+11:00Kiroro Snow World<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrAgpsfBeaG2oDHXjcEbSvdqVsqq6yfxjQgxeR5L9Y_EcDt6mfOPldkmlI9PMCoQPuyUYQQp5Pv2sZEKSo5bHUOU2D1cwvqhBzmDUN31qIA3g_ZNSs1ng3iX0RMd6ijV65uhZAdw/s1600-h/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HXzExMzYuSlBH%3F=-739302"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrAgpsfBeaG2oDHXjcEbSvdqVsqq6yfxjQgxeR5L9Y_EcDt6mfOPldkmlI9PMCoQPuyUYQQp5Pv2sZEKSo5bHUOU2D1cwvqhBzmDUN31qIA3g_ZNSs1ng3iX0RMd6ijV65uhZAdw/s320/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HXzExMzYuSlBH%3F=-739302" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442582726336630002" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY92_o5nXEpm5lF4Mv78TZWrNPGi0i4OLAxndNHt_-agEGF3uBD8l9oEt51Widw4eODQui9VnzTFj6SD1bT8Tx-rA808mqU20iSEbtoRUXy_sLdiKfGJInX78TITzFf1uTRpCApw/s1600-h/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HXzExNDcuSlBH%3F=-741238"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY92_o5nXEpm5lF4Mv78TZWrNPGi0i4OLAxndNHt_-agEGF3uBD8l9oEt51Widw4eODQui9VnzTFj6SD1bT8Tx-rA808mqU20iSEbtoRUXy_sLdiKfGJInX78TITzFf1uTRpCApw/s320/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HXzExNDcuSlBH%3F=-741238" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442582735736525314" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuoKxG1j9KCVBryc0aDaQPmMdIb9Kv6ZjRKUhz-Xpscg7xedwiHSXamsNEAA8E_siCsfJtZ8TMxncCn5dqYJ1MDLwp1CS2BW704LIzfTEk0UqKtIDkrqceMMzqIWUdUcbb_B7zTg/s1600-h/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HXzExNzYuSlBH%3F=-744183"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuoKxG1j9KCVBryc0aDaQPmMdIb9Kv6ZjRKUhz-Xpscg7xedwiHSXamsNEAA8E_siCsfJtZ8TMxncCn5dqYJ1MDLwp1CS2BW704LIzfTEk0UqKtIDkrqceMMzqIWUdUcbb_B7zTg/s320/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HXzExNzYuSlBH%3F=-744183" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442582747041293090" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVxkEn32LtvKMGSt62QJ6xDs8Gryz6ic70NvrEnxZgvRGusqB2EIdbhRIUua754w4EcuY6cm_gyVC0Zp0Lwe6asWpyKXMq49oHNwBGVGGmS0auRz7Tm_9TCOdQ1rgXF8zOzj8Cvw/s1600-h/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HXzEyMDkuSlBH%3F=-745627"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVxkEn32LtvKMGSt62QJ6xDs8Gryz6ic70NvrEnxZgvRGusqB2EIdbhRIUua754w4EcuY6cm_gyVC0Zp0Lwe6asWpyKXMq49oHNwBGVGGmS0auRz7Tm_9TCOdQ1rgXF8zOzj8Cvw/s320/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HXzEyMDkuSlBH%3F=-745627" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442582756461433506" /></a></p>We actually found the auction room at the Fish Markets (too) early this morning. Unfortunately, we couldn't stay for the actual auction since we had a domestic plane to catch ... bound for Kiroro Snow World.
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<br>We are staying at the Kiroro Mountain Hotel. It is a ski-in-ski-out resort hotel. This is my first ski-in-ski-out experience. Amongst many other advantages, we can now spend longer loitering around the breakfast buffet. I just have to get rid of this gastritis first - azuki bun waits for no buildup of gastic juices!
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<br>However, resort hotel means resort prices. A half a litre can of Asahi has inflated from 320 yen (~$3.50) to 420 yen ($~4.50). Guess you win some and you lose some.
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<br>Story behind pictures:
<br>1) Massacred tuna @ fish markets
<br>2) Signs designed to confused tourists
<br>3) Anpanman drinking Fire coffee - read the description
<br>4) Anpanman at Kiroro
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<br>Sent via BlackBerry® from TelstraMarissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05444792242625636877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5890941.post-29316597738252851702010-02-26T02:11:00.004+11:002010-02-26T02:27:36.881+11:00Annual Japan Snow Fix - 2010After a sleepless night (basketball finals plus celebrations drink plus last minute packing equals no sleep) and yet another Jetstar debacle - they actually <span style="font-style: italic;">cancelled</span> our 6am flight; no warning, no prior announcment, nothing! - we arrived to 15 degree weather in Japan.<br /><br />I do love Japan. She excites the sense, yet brings order to chaos. She is a living, breathing example of juxtaposition at work.<br /><br />We are heading out at 4am to visit the Fish Markets in Tokyo tomorrow, then is onwards to Sapporo.<br /><br />A few photos to finish off.<br /><br />Being in Japan means the revival of anpanman references:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhboOXbzLxaXIm8B6msnoSu1HnytZSWbllNbh3TfbfFgzUdhYdkipWfLyZUYabmOo14QYDyalsjM7TkNASyX3zyHAaoCxteJXSJb96x_qgPaXGgJKlNXuL9Mt7ejRGLX4R44NGd3A/s1600-h/IMG_1099.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhboOXbzLxaXIm8B6msnoSu1HnytZSWbllNbh3TfbfFgzUdhYdkipWfLyZUYabmOo14QYDyalsjM7TkNASyX3zyHAaoCxteJXSJb96x_qgPaXGgJKlNXuL9Mt7ejRGLX4R44NGd3A/s320/IMG_1099.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442201619646039186" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />Warning - the following content may be offensive to some viewers<br /></span>Haven't even hit the mountains yet, and already injuries to report.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLPG_zJYm-OEf0pD-e3WI_XXV-KLsDeASVnS_9kJ0F2FKQl4_cjDIWtoSYFhGVVck46nKih7fE3ZQyWfxAii6QqywjXo-CIzG3CpH7NrbM1n7ShptUwuygvOs7mY-koQZfBldQ6A/s1600-h/IMG_1119.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLPG_zJYm-OEf0pD-e3WI_XXV-KLsDeASVnS_9kJ0F2FKQl4_cjDIWtoSYFhGVVck46nKih7fE3ZQyWfxAii6QqywjXo-CIzG3CpH7NrbM1n7ShptUwuygvOs7mY-koQZfBldQ6A/s320/IMG_1119.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442201888778947442" border="0" /></a><br /><br>Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05444792242625636877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5890941.post-17880420380058548582010-02-05T17:59:00.000+11:002010-02-17T18:26:04.303+11:00Metaphysical Studies2010 is the year for me to indulge in <span style="font-weight: bold;">metaphysical studies</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>- these were the instructions from a bona fide, for real feng shui master; thanks YDG for the freebie, bulbous fruit (because they are lucky) filled seminar invite.<br /><br />In fact, my foray into <span style="font-style: italic;">metaphysical studies</span> had already begun prior to this edict. For some subliminally unknown reason, one of my 2010 resolutions was to dabble with yoga and meditation.<br /><br />So here is the running list (accompanied by trivial commentary) of kooky activities on my check list so far:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Yoga</span><br />The amount of clothing you wear is inversely related to your yogi-seriousness level, i.e. the more clothing the less serious you are - I fall in this category). Full-on yogis seem to wear next to nothing. There is always one (male) groaner in the class. The male yoga instructors have the best physiques ... one in particular, and he knows my name! Now that's incentive to keep turning up to class.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Feng shui</span><br /></span>Year of the metal tiger. The best advice is to stay away from people born in the year of the monkey (that's you 80's baby). Oh and fill your rooms with salt lamps and air purifiers.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Meditation</span><br />Meditation book sitting on my best side table<span> - thanks </span><span>Gregan</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Kinesiology</span><br />Apparently I eat too many carrots? And my chronic neck/shoulder pains is actually a manifestation of some deep seated mental blocker that may or may not have happened 4 years ago. Duh. Isn't everything related to mental instability?<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Blue Moon</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> .. and Mars in Opposition</span><br />Yup you could really delve into that header, but to be clear, I mean Mars the planet. Here is my digi cam photo of the rare event that occurred on 30 January 2010. The blurb from <a href="http://astroblogger.blogspot.com/2010/01/opposition-of-mars-and-blue-moon.html" target="_blank">astroblog</a>: "<span style="font-style: italic;">This Saturday Mars is at opposition, </span><span style="font-style: italic;">where it is biggest and brightest as seen from Earth. It is also the night of the "Blue" Moon, and the Moon this night will have the largest apparent diameter of the year. So all in all a good night.</span>" You might have to look really hard (potentially with the help of a microscope) to see Mars in my picture. It is to the left of the Blue Moon.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7nNcyYWn6Q_dkilYbjy9L_r6q8mb2hoxM4WkuY4_CYjupGWFkA1R6qO8KbrhWMWt6sO0pzQX7AI3hiO5YwhSR5DNdivXh8B1qt_jAh7hhJyJ-yTOiQAgHGnkWG88vn_wG2PKBQ/s1600-h/BlueMoon.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7nNcyYWn6Q_dkilYbjy9L_r6q8mb2hoxM4WkuY4_CYjupGWFkA1R6qO8KbrhWMWt6sO0pzQX7AI3hiO5YwhSR5DNdivXh8B1qt_jAh7hhJyJ-yTOiQAgHGnkWG88vn_wG2PKBQ/s400/BlueMoon.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439102164201098802" border="0" /></a><br />But guess what, there will be another Blue Moon on <a href="http://home.mira.net/%7Ereynella/skywatch/ssky.htm">30 March 2010</a>. Perhaps it will be a cosmic year after all.<br /><br />Annual Japan trip coming up next week, this time with added company of KS-personnel. Can't wait to get boozy every day on those $2.20 Asahis. Oh the snow will be nice too. W00t!<br /><br /><br>Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05444792242625636877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5890941.post-66421303475402024382010-01-24T13:31:00.000+11:002010-02-17T18:25:26.752+11:00Road Trip<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkIuSg24G_TDLFxlxQbgTajmZHONqu-q2SOXLRwH1yDNtADfIx19gRXh22sjoa3UsdV5pufB95WSEP4XGRRQdASyyan2DmYclStuv8zevfx4zrfMmksxdeI-YBNcaX4M7kj8E87g/s1600-h/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HXzA3MzYuSlBH%3F=-763801"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkIuSg24G_TDLFxlxQbgTajmZHONqu-q2SOXLRwH1yDNtADfIx19gRXh22sjoa3UsdV5pufB95WSEP4XGRRQdASyyan2DmYclStuv8zevfx4zrfMmksxdeI-YBNcaX4M7kj8E87g/s320/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HXzA3MzYuSlBH%3F=-763801" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430129147634709810" /></a></p>We are accompanying the BMW 335i on its quest to rack up enough kilometres to escape FBT damage. How does this sit with my renewed go green/eco-button outlook? Let's leave it as a rhetorical question shall we.
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<br>We stopped by Canberra yesterday and squeezed in the Masterpieces exhibition and Canberra Caps vs. Sydney Flames basketball game. Studying the artworks has given me resolve to sign off on my creations (should they ever be immortalised) using the FULL year, rather than just the last 2 digits. And why is it that all these legendary artists were marred with such insufferable doubt.
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<br>The caps vs. flames game was a cracker. It went into O.T with LJ hitting a game winning 3 to get her team up down the stretch. As expected, I made the gang loiter around after game while I go through my fan-girl/stalking for photos process. However, I think the fangirl stage of my life is drawing nigh, given that everybody around me, including the players, were half my age.
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<br>Best part of the night was catching with our friend Millie. It was so great to see here again ... she is still so gentle, caring and ever so diplomatic (well she does work for government). She really did warm my heart.
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<br>Onwards to Melbourne.
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<br>Sent via BlackBerry® from TelstraMarissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05444792242625636877noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5890941.post-86725130948792389282010-01-20T00:48:00.005+11:002010-02-17T18:25:42.467+11:00Price of Oil in DubaiI suppose it is about time I started sorting my <a href="http://miss-universe.blogspot.com/2009/12/asterisked-disclaimer.html" target="_blank">The MEAT</a> photos. I am hopeless with filing and cataloguing photos. My SD card full of THe MEAT photos remains untouched (until today), almost like it has some kind of awful disease.<br /><br />Came across this picture which gives you a sense of how unnecessarily <span style="font-style: italic;">cheap</span> oil is in Dubai.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigq47-gFms0zLEhTLOs8BMNF_Nq7ILlpMZc80fmva7zKcCt1bXe_ybf7vnqMx9MtzufbyEamb8BF0GyZVwOrhM9Kk12v-tkP66UpGTcOX99NPJU08yPq8lmQdSNbS4SIW4y31I0A/s1600-h/IMG_4267.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigq47-gFms0zLEhTLOs8BMNF_Nq7ILlpMZc80fmva7zKcCt1bXe_ybf7vnqMx9MtzufbyEamb8BF0GyZVwOrhM9Kk12v-tkP66UpGTcOX99NPJU08yPq8lmQdSNbS4SIW4y31I0A/s320/IMG_4267.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428448141964247490" border="0" /></a><br />For background, 1 Dirham = approx $0.30 AUD; 1 gallon = 3.79 litres.<br /><br />The calculation works out to be approx $0.49/litre. Hmmmmmm<br /><br /><br>Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05444792242625636877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5890941.post-27079581260490876652010-01-06T18:33:00.003+11:002010-01-06T18:38:08.793+11:00Sun-Kissed TattoosEnd of the naughties, start of 'the Tens'. If it were a numbers game, this should be an excellent decade for yours truly given No.10 is my number of choice. That gives me 10 years to get it vaguely right.<br /><br />Our farewell to the naughties was ceremoniously bizarre and quirky. We wound up at Mingara Recreational Club in Tumbi Umbi on the (false) information that we could oooh and aaah at the Central Coast version of midnight fireworks from the club. Wrong. and Fail. But there was a fake Elvis shaking things up.<br /><br />The only semblance of fireworks I saw was the 15 free spins from my lucky pyramid pokie machine. While I won enough to pay a small cheese burger meal, others were not so lucky. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Mingara </span>is now entrenched in KS vernacular, and can be used to replace terms such as 'ripped off', 'dodgy', or can be simply be used as exclamations e.g. you Mingara!<br /><br />Aside from Mingara and sleep, the rest of our waking hours were spent playing golf - now that's Mingara'd! We played 3 rounds of golf in 3 days. I ended 2009 with a crap golf game, and I started 2010 in the same fashion with the added eyesore of hideous tan lines. I officially have a natural Michael Jackson white glove on my left hand.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLhgmwG6KdSNMALmYb27KoDXq7OJ4qtN53QOItaU_HZ846VyU1-1X0FF1ttSbcx7pfFrolDSxtIncrM5nDlBRcu7Rky3zj42MOB5HAYaF51ukB9cA2ddpKx9HxMszDBEEgAGBK9w/s1600-h/IMG_0607+resized.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLhgmwG6KdSNMALmYb27KoDXq7OJ4qtN53QOItaU_HZ846VyU1-1X0FF1ttSbcx7pfFrolDSxtIncrM5nDlBRcu7Rky3zj42MOB5HAYaF51ukB9cA2ddpKx9HxMszDBEEgAGBK9w/s200/IMG_0607+resized.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423524455118591314" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDJ79FH4XKzohno3cTGB_7ALyRCAwXU5eFbkgVjINvw7p0zY6y7KHKFP8i9qwnQ_DiPRKW67XjX0iHkLLSm2Yg3EUOU_aeFGJUzkdPs7t2UrIIISFRrL8u2nRRIl2jrbTw6U4Ww/s1600-h/IMG_0616+resized.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDJ79FH4XKzohno3cTGB_7ALyRCAwXU5eFbkgVjINvw7p0zY6y7KHKFP8i9qwnQ_DiPRKW67XjX0iHkLLSm2Yg3EUOU_aeFGJUzkdPs7t2UrIIISFRrL8u2nRRIl2jrbTw6U4Ww/s200/IMG_0616+resized.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423524458090226882" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div>Nice.<br /><br>Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05444792242625636877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5890941.post-69167674335962686652009-12-21T23:33:00.001+11:002009-12-22T00:50:57.678+11:00* Asterisked DisclaimerIt is time pare back the Anpanman references and restore whatever minuscule credibility this blog has left. The Anpanman addiction reared its ugly head and started taking casualties when I blurted nonchalantly at YDG's bday lunch "<span style="font-style: italic;">winning Anpanman was the best thing that has happened to me this year</span>". By the reaction on the faces of a few of the people sitting around the table, this evidently came as some sort of anthrax-laced bombshell.<br /><br />This entry will therefore serve as the belated asterisked disclaimer to that flippant statement, and a timely occasion to lament on the nostalgia of the <span style="font-weight: bold;">M</span>iddle <span style="font-weight: bold;">E</span>ast /<span style="font-weight: bold;">A</span>frican <span style="font-weight: bold;">T</span>rip (<span style="font-weight: bold;">The MEAT</span>). Interestingly, The MEAT conveniently became The MET on the way back into Australia - customs seem to be far more obtrusive when African countries are involved.<br /><br />More than 2 months have passed since The MEAT - and yes I acknowledge respectfully that Dubai, Egypt and Jordan are Muslim countries and so the acronym may be slightly 'cute'. My very cool, very dear friends (and one in particular) had organised The MEAT as a surprise for my age-that-shall-not-be-mentioned birthday. They even went to the trouble of masking it as <span style="font-weight: bold;">T</span>he <span style="font-weight: bold;">I</span>ndian <span style="font-weight: bold;">T</span>rip (<span style="font-weight: bold;">TIT</span>); a fake itinerary was produced and award winning faux enthusiasm for 24/7 curry was on display. Suffice to say that the surprise came undone quite early on in the piece - it's okay Shar, my supreme detective skills would have achieved the same end result.<br /><br />The MEAT <span class="indefinitionword">née </span>TIT (okay that's the last of the acronyms I promise) was (and I don't use the next word lightly) perfect. It had a little bit of everything: reverence, relevance, grandeur, gaudiness, history, culture, shopping, cruisy days, hectic days, thought provoking moments, superficial entertainment, new found friends, lasting friends. The experience is nicely captured in Paul Theroux's “Dark Star Safari”:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">“<span style="font-style: italic;">The pleasantest aspect of the river cruise was the combination of gourmandizing and sightseeing, gliding with the current and stopping every now and then at a resurrected ruin.</span>”</div><br />A couple of things held true throughout the two and a bits weeks of travelling: 1) constant gorging of food; and 2) the realisation that it is quite a blessing to have a mix of good natured buddies with complementary dispositions to travel the globe with.<br /><br />Yes, the MEAT surpassed all expectations. KS - you guys rock - thanks for giving me the best entry ticket to your old fogey party. Oh, and the other weedy surprise party wasn't bad either. I really shouldn't be allowed to complain for the rest of this year.<br /><br />I'm not sure whether it is a bad omen that my actual birth day was:<br />- the <a href="http://miss-universe.blogspot.com/2009/09/dubai-first-impressions.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">longest </span>day</a> ever;<br />- in Dubai, which now has total <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8380105.stm" target="_blank">debts worth approximately $59 billion USD</a>; and<br />- I had blisters on my feet.<br /><br />A mention of our 3rd time unlucky basketball finals. Mindy took some <a href="http://pic-a-post.blogspot.com/2009/11/runners-up-again.html" target="_blank">good shots</a>. A sample shown below. Her other sets can be found <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mindy_w/" target="_blank">here</a>. Thanks to the usual crew for the support.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Ikrcke3t-LyiIQTGRmP763Px74hdv5huz1BXcL-7jADhzgYjFsE4N1eopR9z1v57SGM22S5_uiFx9R_8c1xoVSE0UTQmcl7XxpidPWEtMmgV1kUDUgJU6BPp00vL78KkvTm0pQ/s1600-h/KGVbasketball.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 192px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Ikrcke3t-LyiIQTGRmP763Px74hdv5huz1BXcL-7jADhzgYjFsE4N1eopR9z1v57SGM22S5_uiFx9R_8c1xoVSE0UTQmcl7XxpidPWEtMmgV1kUDUgJU6BPp00vL78KkvTm0pQ/s400/KGVbasketball.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417666032425152626" border="0" /></a>Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05444792242625636877noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5890941.post-76037171664036813512009-12-12T23:57:00.003+11:002009-12-22T00:52:27.286+11:00Playing with FoodThere were some creative juices flowing during dinner.<br /><br />This is our ETS inspired beef shank.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitqJswki1OMkF6Y32ASUbpzJSS_EppI3MZw-f0g_IHHV5xltdQycH831AknwbtTWYQNzXo7qIqIUwkaeYrB-uGPtOBXi5eRUCfvpkNu6aF0LK3UEIRazsE6dEOmkYdqMbg5pdgsA/s1600-h/IMG_0454.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitqJswki1OMkF6Y32ASUbpzJSS_EppI3MZw-f0g_IHHV5xltdQycH831AknwbtTWYQNzXo7qIqIUwkaeYrB-uGPtOBXi5eRUCfvpkNu6aF0LK3UEIRazsE6dEOmkYdqMbg5pdgsA/s320/IMG_0454.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414333578421580546" border="0" /></a>Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05444792242625636877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5890941.post-44444324816626783732009-10-31T13:44:00.005+11:002009-11-02T22:49:44.912+11:00Conquered<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuO8J1p8VgZWw5xl9aHKAYZKR2cg1Q-oYqn7LNoJiAJvPmb0zA8Y5xCoJ2gdj9anKNCBzumWg3ktRQ37qUMXU36E-5AXRUsxbrjw27YJRGgEI3tnnPyivz3l-5n7aCCZuobGcECQ/s1600-h/IMG_0209.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuO8J1p8VgZWw5xl9aHKAYZKR2cg1Q-oYqn7LNoJiAJvPmb0zA8Y5xCoJ2gdj9anKNCBzumWg3ktRQ37qUMXU36E-5AXRUsxbrjw27YJRGgEI3tnnPyivz3l-5n7aCCZuobGcECQ/s320/IMG_0209.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398586881755959058" border="0" /></a><br />This guy was worth every cent of other people's hard <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">earnt</span> $35. Fitting that it was ME ME ME that conquered the MAXI CLAW. I would love to boast that it came down to my supreme skill and dexterity that nabbed the sucker, but nay, it was the combination of mathematical probability and an element of kismet that led to the rare sticky grip of the Maxi Claw.<br /><br />In 3 crisp moments of palpitating excitement:<br /><br />... Lucifer-Anpanman was secured, in a dignified way (i.e. face up), in the 3 pronged Maxi Claw.<br /><br />... an eternity of doubtful reservations yet secret hopes - we've been <a href="http://miss-universe.blogspot.com/2009/10/suckers-for-punishment.html" target="_blank">burnt</a> <a href="http://miss-universe.blogspot.com/2009/10/heavy-head-thwarts-jaws-of-victory.html" target="_blank">before</a> - as we watched, with our faces pressed against the glass walls, Lucifer-Anpanman wobble his way along the treacherous route.<br /><br />... pause, pause, pause<br /><br />.... *<span style="font-style: italic;">insert pandemonium and school girl screams that are way too inappropriate for 30 year olds*</span><br /><br />No footage of the actual manoeuvre, but the aftermath of the excitement was captured.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyul_b-0vmQFA_9prfj-hgEG0A61KrENCJuGx3xfTHDPlH7dHcYj_QPxQOLysf1bfdpfF3RnuI4tUs' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div>This fella is so big, that I mistook him for an intrusive stranger when I caught a glimpse of him on my couch.<br /><br>Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05444792242625636877noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5890941.post-23880181365431030412009-10-29T15:23:00.005+11:002009-10-29T15:58:14.832+11:00Suckers for PunishmentWe succumbed to the allure of Big-Head-Lucifer-Anpanman/Maxi-Claw Machine again (the word 'maxi' conjures up thoughts of sanitary pads ... with wings. Redbull!).<br /><br />After burning $25 worth of attempts with no prize to show, it is safe to conclude that we have been comprehensively DEFEATED by the Maxi Claw Machine. We probably could have convinced the vendors to sell us the damn toy for $25.<br /><br />Our attempts were again captured on video. The first one is slightly lengthy but worth the viewing just to hear:<br /><ul><li>Shar's weird comment: "<span style="font-style: italic;">maybe you need to grab it at the neck</span>". Hey Shar, Anpanman doesn't have a neck!</li><li>the school girls screams at the 1.20 minute mark.</li></ul><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyCP-ZdIIqt2obsYDlP9bfbs7fgZ9mjZZy9pMemKNF70vS-ACi4LPORaiz8PMBegPsrLZaKOL5gUQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dySe8-kl8eBfQ10-FEneE80VsPL3GzeLjTcsdDLI1QzaxG9mhi3hZ9CKYOG2dTrbxbBBCCNPjEgAvg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05444792242625636877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5890941.post-67233080761869590572009-10-25T23:21:00.004+11:002009-10-25T23:50:34.795+11:00BlackoutLive Broadcast.<br /><br />Blackout!<br /><br />This is a slightly scary experience especially since I am so ill-equipped.<br /><br />My top 6 list for surviving a sudden blackout:<br />1) Leave laptop with big bright screen running.<br />2) Light my one and only (scented) candle.<br />3) Check outside to see if street lights are still on.<br />4) Get friend on the phone in case it is a murder/robbery attempt<br />5) Check safety switch to see if it has been activated.<br />6) Blog<br /><br />Such darkness.<br /><br />Collage of moment from this weekend. Picasa is rather cool.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLT16pfxmlvZaZSsCwj5NNYMnBjwTbH32e3EY0VJKBHAXHmKhMBam01o8DcDNODtaApqRYnkFhaj9IbUgn7TcTsCTL04wsIubgjRNeU5nkmMcT6hkHTD1jUbOlftdMMy2rkjSsNQ/s1600-h/collage.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLT16pfxmlvZaZSsCwj5NNYMnBjwTbH32e3EY0VJKBHAXHmKhMBam01o8DcDNODtaApqRYnkFhaj9IbUgn7TcTsCTL04wsIubgjRNeU5nkmMcT6hkHTD1jUbOlftdMMy2rkjSsNQ/s400/collage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396518423261432722" border="0" /></a>Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05444792242625636877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5890941.post-52531066032389273782009-10-15T18:18:00.000+11:002009-10-15T18:19:06.408+11:00Heavy Head thwarts jaws of VictoryIt was a normal Thursday lunch, on a normal (albeit slightly windy and underwhelming) day.<br /><br />A casual whim to take a stroll to Capitol Square to search for an iPod cover (not mine - haven't quite gotten past my iTunes frustrations yet) turned out to be quite the adventure. Safely tucked away upstairs, amidst the jungle of cartoon/cute toys wannabes was ...<br /><br />ANPANMAN - with an evil suit on.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyVUDt-vHZA4CbHS6ALqJZAodAYI-ajugI7l3_HfrzHaLHR9ILs6s6087QPO25yPS0ge8oBfMLqwGQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The odds were against us, and at $1 per go, Lucifer-anpanman seemed even more elusive. This roused our propensity to take on the improbable odds ... and building crowd of 3.<br /><br />...<br /><br />In the end, his massive head proved too powerful.<br /><br /></div></div>Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05444792242625636877noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5890941.post-61553169469042619462009-09-26T19:27:00.008+10:002009-10-01T00:57:05.874+10:00Dead SeaSo I've come down with a flu bug of some sort. Timing wise, I guess this is probably the best time to get sick (if sickness was mandatory), i.e. at the end of a trip.<br /><br />The Middle East adventure has reached its finale and is quickly coming to an end. Yesterday's itinerary was again FULL ON. We packed in the Dead Sea, Madaba (best known for a large Byzantine-era mosaic map of The Holly Land), Karak Castle (an ancient Crusader stronghold) and Mt Nebo (burial place of Moses). Dead Sea was definitely an interesting experience. The Dead Sea is famous for the extreme salinity (33.7%, or 9 times that of the ocean) - a result of the high evaporation rate that occurs in that particular location. Many white salt crystals are actually visible on the shoreline. You don't swim so much in the Dead Sea; the more accurate description is bob. The water is so buoyant that balancing can get tricky - quite an unusual sensation.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnKdr_FzvBSAtwN4VolhQdqucXDUHb4uSZkZhFPTBzl0cJFYMUFPexg75PjGlpBj60y0Khd097sZNClObYxd9YS7EkbzkAxUD7O05e7xotmlgrzY_rW6-XlZgVPz6jpuCA6yTTQ/s1600-h/P9252794.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnKdr_FzvBSAtwN4VolhQdqucXDUHb4uSZkZhFPTBzl0cJFYMUFPexg75PjGlpBj60y0Khd097sZNClObYxd9YS7EkbzkAxUD7O05e7xotmlgrzY_rW6-XlZgVPz6jpuCA6yTTQ/s320/P9252794.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386091872645120786" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Because the Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth (at 1,300 feet below sea level), it is closest to all the deep Earth's minerals e.g. chloride salts of magnesium, sodium, potassium, bromine. Combined with the low U.V and the higher atmospheric pressure, the Dead Sea is believed to have special healing and cosmetic uses. This explains the liberal use and application of the mud by tourists.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5PHBMWK-3iy_EBnc2jkHH69cc-AXJFjoSiMFMVcEst3VO6lWwNXHfi0tvfB0jHMAGJ3nvwdMOVAQeSoGaO_oJzab9EbBuRgbIKQv9TIhRaWTSE-NViTpMOMLRpUJ6mjmZP3yGmg/s1600-h/P9252813.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5PHBMWK-3iy_EBnc2jkHH69cc-AXJFjoSiMFMVcEst3VO6lWwNXHfi0tvfB0jHMAGJ3nvwdMOVAQeSoGaO_oJzab9EbBuRgbIKQv9TIhRaWTSE-NViTpMOMLRpUJ6mjmZP3yGmg/s320/P9252813.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386091875038160130" border="0" /></a><br /><br />More about the other 'highlights' another time<br /><br>Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05444792242625636877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5890941.post-75814756574035589052009-09-26T14:32:00.002+10:002009-10-01T00:55:41.304+10:00Red Sea, Wadi Rum and Petra<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9vZ_pSZtex9zb4AoXJRpQscyBT3VcbtT0m1dX3GTeB3bPS5v5LqC93im1TJQQLGbmiNjh7X7_G_PxfkgSOd9HbxKbLzGaHSySJ6bKmFlN2YV1LOG19estEyw_Y40Bmtdwqm-beA/s1600-h/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HXzk0ODIuSlBH%3F=-749710"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9vZ_pSZtex9zb4AoXJRpQscyBT3VcbtT0m1dX3GTeB3bPS5v5LqC93im1TJQQLGbmiNjh7X7_G_PxfkgSOd9HbxKbLzGaHSySJ6bKmFlN2YV1LOG19estEyw_Y40Bmtdwqm-beA/s320/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HXzk0ODIuSlBH%3F=-749710" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385634512766348930" border="0" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQxjkCiPHDzS-pqoSE6MFhyphenhyphen3O89gVjQqzNfqHkCynNjldkJeQevcz2OLHtY-FLXIlQLj0u9Yb0jkjpkZEVYgMuGanBqeKsHsBQv_fv7NQVr19N0ybnlbTC80l87lYdvwiNQqVstw/s1600-h/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HXzk1MTEuSlBH%3F=-751735"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQxjkCiPHDzS-pqoSE6MFhyphenhyphen3O89gVjQqzNfqHkCynNjldkJeQevcz2OLHtY-FLXIlQLj0u9Yb0jkjpkZEVYgMuGanBqeKsHsBQv_fv7NQVr19N0ybnlbTC80l87lYdvwiNQqVstw/s320/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HXzk1MTEuSlBH%3F=-751735" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385634521395902210" border="0" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZDE7PwCDvo1Lfs3LHcnoQ1yMj3oYfh2nUbvtBLRYNrluewqFju68nA1oEYGYglIPMi73VbJI6PIsZMgYfbH-5vd3BaAFaN47oe1uQHKWpLn1NDw_SYLNQXVUr2P_RUIKo0t0PQ/s1600-h/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HXzk2NjIuSlBH%3F=-753792"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZDE7PwCDvo1Lfs3LHcnoQ1yMj3oYfh2nUbvtBLRYNrluewqFju68nA1oEYGYglIPMi73VbJI6PIsZMgYfbH-5vd3BaAFaN47oe1uQHKWpLn1NDw_SYLNQXVUr2P_RUIKo0t0PQ/s320/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HXzk2NjIuSlBH%3F=-753792" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385634530723745970" border="0" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheVzCAjKaUf3fblcMQ3lfxpAqSj4QXevf6c5farRa9cUjS1KK6I8-mNtE1G-nUXT0R8CQm1p46mYjCBbAutJ1jrj4v7a9pio_OkyDjiu8l73wx4cxlBQDc1NEP3wfve2sx4Bh3ww/s1600-h/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FUDkyMzI1NDkuSlBH%3F=-756257"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheVzCAjKaUf3fblcMQ3lfxpAqSj4QXevf6c5farRa9cUjS1KK6I8-mNtE1G-nUXT0R8CQm1p46mYjCBbAutJ1jrj4v7a9pio_OkyDjiu8l73wx4cxlBQDc1NEP3wfve2sx4Bh3ww/s320/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FUDkyMzI1NDkuSlBH%3F=-756257" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385634538458419490" border="0" /></a></p>The itinerary in Jordan over the past couple days has been FULL ON. Early starts and late finishes. <p>Given that we are on a windy bus ride (on route to the Dead Sea for yes, another buffet lunch and then a swim), brevity is in order. </p><p>We arrived via a hydrofoil service from Egypt (Nuweiba, where I experienced the worst toilet on this trip) to Jordan (Aqaba). The sea sickness tablet completely knocked me out so I can't give you any insights about the hydrofoil or the journey. After a buffet dinner, we headed out to Petra By Night. Petra, also referred to as the rose-red city is located deep inside a narrow desert gorge and holds the remains of the once lost Nabataean city. Most people will recognise Petra from the last scene of 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade', specifically the Treasury (see photos 1 and 2). To get to the Treasury, you must walk through the towering siq walls. The siq was formed as a result of tectonic plate movement - the massive boulders on either side of the siq path actually match up like a jig-saw puzzle. The siq is about 2kms and leads you to the Treasury. However, Petra is much more than the siq and the Treasury. In ancient times, Petra was a city admired for its refined culture, incredible architecture and ingenious complex of dams and water channels. We spent all of yesterday exploring Petra. There was a lot of walking and a lot of sun and sweating. We covered around 10kms and managed to see the Monastery (see picture 3) and the tombs (carved into the mountain sides). There were still more things to explore but by 3.30pm (we started at 8am), our feet/legs went on strike. </p><p>The reward for a long tiring day was at turkish bath - sauna, a full body scrub and a bit of a massage. </p><p>We also did some snorkeling in the Red Sea (not to be confused with the Dead Sea) at Aqaba a few days ago. The corals started very close to the shoreline so most of us are sporting some nice coral cuts/gashes. My left calf looks like I've had a run in with Wolverine. There sea floor was also littered with sea urchins (spiky little suckers). Our Canadian friend managed to stand on one 5 minutes into the snorkel. He now has 8 urchin spikes on his foot. They are supposed to dissolve with time, but walking with spikes in your foot is not fun - I had a few on my heel.<br />Wadi rum was also on our itinerary, but I'm feeling car sick so I'm gonna stop.<br /><br /></p>Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05444792242625636877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5890941.post-5550438097132745372009-09-23T01:34:00.002+10:002009-10-01T00:54:17.241+10:00Mt Sinai<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBoBYx4f5i9GVvA01HFAB07EupbBA_RTPVc9gil8u1LerZ-DJkm0BupsMNKHP2PMZwAM6uESUbvXA9O_OQCvWD7jC6yB7UWeHR5CzN3zTd4t5_qv9Fqh7qG4ew_xchwcr4iLigBQ/s1600-h/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HXzg4MjguSlBH%3F=-775014"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBoBYx4f5i9GVvA01HFAB07EupbBA_RTPVc9gil8u1LerZ-DJkm0BupsMNKHP2PMZwAM6uESUbvXA9O_OQCvWD7jC6yB7UWeHR5CzN3zTd4t5_qv9Fqh7qG4ew_xchwcr4iLigBQ/s320/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HXzg4MjguSlBH%3F=-775014" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384338402783915922" border="0" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZv1Ybt7mnITt8TLs4vl1_ggfLQmP1B6dGbdaT7zCJrkRme_QvS3niR4F9l_HPeBlep1yYfVTgNY404KJmUjdZ8zQh7kdRv4faKbIlJO7EX2hbzKMDIbSb46bi2yWcB2qRBNaOw/s1600-h/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HXzg4OTQuSlBH%3F=-776763"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZv1Ybt7mnITt8TLs4vl1_ggfLQmP1B6dGbdaT7zCJrkRme_QvS3niR4F9l_HPeBlep1yYfVTgNY404KJmUjdZ8zQh7kdRv4faKbIlJO7EX2hbzKMDIbSb46bi2yWcB2qRBNaOw/s320/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HXzg4OTQuSlBH%3F=-776763" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384338410466845298" border="0" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-IYAtEfcsXiToLgz5SJCyymAKscXtxz_gtAbSeQMSbxMfyRrRL-cFfEyU9zKwMHSnL5_7nT9XpjK5gQfB9evJ4ZYSLMfzMFgafS7S2fcz-WBO4soGkdkQXGdX9DX3b1xxAumYCA/s1600-h/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HXzg5MzAuSlBH%3F=-778425"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-IYAtEfcsXiToLgz5SJCyymAKscXtxz_gtAbSeQMSbxMfyRrRL-cFfEyU9zKwMHSnL5_7nT9XpjK5gQfB9evJ4ZYSLMfzMFgafS7S2fcz-WBO4soGkdkQXGdX9DX3b1xxAumYCA/s320/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HXzg5MzAuSlBH%3F=-778425" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384338415680696482" border="0" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifTx1WLZLT8oD1nY2nFvhJqPdfsnOUgEb7_b-AUNsyX3v2p7xtoW2Mww54CuxiukK4OnfIMQjsGvd9iGyAUwu50nZtQ1ukW93LXxrDeCm8NjBfBQJNOE7wNbis_QBeb6lmAkUbrw/s1600-h/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HXzkwMjMuSlBH%3F=-780660"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifTx1WLZLT8oD1nY2nFvhJqPdfsnOUgEb7_b-AUNsyX3v2p7xtoW2Mww54CuxiukK4OnfIMQjsGvd9iGyAUwu50nZtQ1ukW93LXxrDeCm8NjBfBQJNOE7wNbis_QBeb6lmAkUbrw/s320/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HXzkwMjMuSlBH%3F=-780660" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384338425528899762" border="0" /></a></p>Wake up call was at 1am this morning. A door knocker with heavy fists (perhaps the fists of God) cane around and bashed on our door. Wearily, we got ourselves geared up for the trek up Mt Sinai. <p>Mt Sinai is synonymous with Moses and the 10 commandments - the laws that God gave to the Israelites. The summit is 2285 metres from sea level. The buffet style living was not conducive to this kind of hiking!</p><p>There are 2 routes available for the pilgrimage up/down the mountain:<br /><br />- the longer and shallower camel path (approximately 2.5 hours on foot, 4kms uphill and walkers & camels share the path; or</p><p>- the 3,750 Steps of Repentance in the ravine behind the monastery, laid by one monk as a form of repentence</p><p>The last part to the summit, which everybody has to do, is a steep incline consisting of 300 steps. </p><p>We took the camel path up and the Steps of Repentance down. Our trek began at 2.30am. The only light available was the halogen beams from our torches, and the bright stars that shone down on us (Orion's belt has never been so bright). Half of the group opted for camels, and the others (including yours truly) toughed it out on foot on the camel path. Every so often, a camel would pop out of nowhere, and every so often there would be a camel/human traffic jam or a camel/human/camel sandwich. It was quite a surreal experience. The path was not smooth at all - littered with uneven rocks, pebbles and camel poop. The hike to the summit is made that much harder with the hundreds of tourists/pilgrims that share the path; all rushing up to see the sunrise at 5.40am. Amazingly, there were quite a lot of older people (with walking sticks and all) doing the hike. I have to say, the hike was not easy, so I was super impressed with their will power and perseverance. </p><p>Mt Sinai is Bedouin country (original habitants). Bedouins are out in full force during the trek - leading the camels, leading the walking groups, loitering on various points on the climb selling camel services. Our Bedouon was a young boy. He does the entire trek 4 times a week! </p><p>We took the Steps of Repentance down the mountain. I think the legs started shaking at about step 500. At least we escaped the crowd and camels on the return journey. </p><p>Surprise surprise, a buffet breakfast awaited upon our return. After a quick shower, we headed to St Katherine's Monastery - the oldest working Christian monastery in the world. The monastery is dedicated to St Katherine, the legendary martyr of Alexandria who was tortured on a spike wheel and beheaded for her Christianity. Her body was supposedly transported by angels away and onto the the slopes of Gebel Katatina, which is 600kms from Mt Sinai. The body was found 300 years later by monks from the monastery. </p><p>St Katherine's Monastery is also the place where you will find the burning bush from which God spoke to Moses. The bush that exits today (see last picture) is a descendant of the original burning bush. </p><p>We are now waiting on the hydrofoil bound for Jordan. The immigration/visa process was a slight nightmare and not very clean. Hopefully there will be no sea sickness.<br /><br /></p>Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05444792242625636877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5890941.post-11236965305698110842009-09-21T17:51:00.005+10:002009-10-01T00:53:08.506+10:00Back in Cairo - Bound for Mt Sinai<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-FyFbLbgp3KZcqoMp63JVDxeEZuww0Ve6wilE2N8cOpZIjBQcyxaOku21zQE7LpSPuqJkrd824mu6Ua2E7ceHzb76udayu2YJUw2hlTurqtioRSvs-8E-10pwv-IsxG8mdhYPdQ/s1600-h/IMG_8345.JPG-748469.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-FyFbLbgp3KZcqoMp63JVDxeEZuww0Ve6wilE2N8cOpZIjBQcyxaOku21zQE7LpSPuqJkrd824mu6Ua2E7ceHzb76udayu2YJUw2hlTurqtioRSvs-8E-10pwv-IsxG8mdhYPdQ/s320/IMG_8345.JPG-748469.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386877398977885890" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQDfE0gzdrmzi3NPaP0LGFk7__CNu8y9c7Xv90Pc2MrLGN0TSdKsclJ4bGng_jfNQ5AehLIQTRuEIKTueyO-Imy5zfNo6LP7M8wORgWDLor7Z_AIbbM1O7KrVDXD2PTa8lchYivQ/s1600-h/IMG_8485.JPG-750939.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQDfE0gzdrmzi3NPaP0LGFk7__CNu8y9c7Xv90Pc2MrLGN0TSdKsclJ4bGng_jfNQ5AehLIQTRuEIKTueyO-Imy5zfNo6LP7M8wORgWDLor7Z_AIbbM1O7KrVDXD2PTa8lchYivQ/s320/IMG_8485.JPG-750939.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386877410017559154" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZVlsiiv70ycaycxb4s7q3jXD4Pu5UIwZVEhZeElX-dmUgoaBF9gxsSi5yCIdITeJf7dEViWhRJ6pBAui2t6fksq4TvaiMPxXzgcXvDDg-Q4bJ1e0FRAn2MwQz_eDsAxbdA2bXiw/s1600-h/IMG_8553.JPG-752926.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZVlsiiv70ycaycxb4s7q3jXD4Pu5UIwZVEhZeElX-dmUgoaBF9gxsSi5yCIdITeJf7dEViWhRJ6pBAui2t6fksq4TvaiMPxXzgcXvDDg-Q4bJ1e0FRAn2MwQz_eDsAxbdA2bXiw/s320/IMG_8553.JPG-752926.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386877413563869746" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVVk9CzlyfVDEyAEVJ6X1vuADcS-wChhEvTLmK94b93LWluNUJCjB_4mHAfYGcojMyR7uAx7LcZBylU7emZaH1mkDoymmuYP9Na6uNKcHXgkWdsNrbcIKMaWppdRVXSL90ueiGg/s1600-h/IMG_8600.JPG-755433.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVVk9CzlyfVDEyAEVJ6X1vuADcS-wChhEvTLmK94b93LWluNUJCjB_4mHAfYGcojMyR7uAx7LcZBylU7emZaH1mkDoymmuYP9Na6uNKcHXgkWdsNrbcIKMaWppdRVXSL90ueiGg/s320/IMG_8600.JPG-755433.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386877427622832642" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We took the overnight sleeper train from Aswan back to Cairo today. The ride was even bumpier than the original journey, and smooth breaking was not a skill they taught in Egypt train driving school.<br /><br />Our time in Aswan ended very nicely with a felucca sail around the Nile for a few hours. Also risked suffering extreme diarrhoea and swam in the dirty Nile water after a wee bit (heh) of peer pressure. It was cold and surprisingly fresh, but hard to keep afloat (fresh water).<br /><br />Our 'free day' in Cairo was basically an eating tour of Cairo. Yes we did start off at the Al Azhar mosque (the oldest mosque in Cairo); a creepy guy rorted us for 20 Egyptian pounds each for a semi guided tour. He had the audacity to ask for more at the end, and then requested for pens 'for the children'. On top of that, he wanted us to lie about the 20 pounds to his superior. Presumably because a semi guided tour should cost way less!<br /><br />The rorting continued when we sat down for Egyptian coffees and mango juices at a cafe well known for its interior design (mirrors) and the bazaar merchants that frequent in and out of the cafe with goods to sell. After some nifty trickery and persistence, one Ali Baba selling 'leather' foot stools rorted us with synthetic foot stools at 200 Egyptian pounds (approx $50AUD) for 3 packs. He demonstrated the authenticity of the 'leather' foot stools by lighting a flame over the material (it didn't burn). In retrospect, he was hastily rushing through the marketing and sale process.<br /><br />At the point of sale, the tricky Ali Baba handed over wrapped packages that contained fake synthetic foot stools. We were wondering why he kept burning his fingers when demonstrating the flame trick. Now we realise it is because he would rather burn his thumb than the dodgy material. To add salt into the wounds, another Ali Baba selling exactly the same foot stools quoted 3 for 100 Egyptian pounds. It was at this point that we declared, as Wayne put it, "War on Egypt". We formed a search party for dodgy Ali Baba and fortuitously, both he and the 2nd Ali Baba walked past the cafe as we were heading out. It was us versus the Ali Babas. The outcome? Extra pack for free (see 4th photo); all non-leather.<br /><br />We escaped an attempted pick pocketing attempt by a bunch of kids. Their strategy was: distraction and then attack. The cutest kids would come up and act cute, ask your name, dance etc. Once the cute kids secure your attention, the older uglier kids move in from behind and target the backpacks. Luckily we were on dodgy high alert and escaped unscathed.<br /><br />Now on the bus bound for Mt Sinai - the bus ride will take 7 hours. We left the party half the tour group behind including the ABBA gang (Scots) and the Aussie couple. The Scots were really good value, particularly when we made them spell "Gogol Bordello" (i.e. G-O-G-O).<br /><br>Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05444792242625636877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5890941.post-2675626234351301222009-09-20T05:30:00.003+10:002009-10-01T00:57:33.826+10:00Abu Simbel<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEp_oVKOuQYrkpSkcWHT_J3ap5yBSMsm4sf8QmVu2cBOyFm3EZkNwwy-qFIUeOEOFvHBnoyzouxEG8vpO4tQXvqRwKs64KcCS7ylLZbph0dUmqRA26tysOWKvmuu8QNgSA5_r4xg/s1600-h/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HXzU3ODkuSlBH%3F=-781116"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEp_oVKOuQYrkpSkcWHT_J3ap5yBSMsm4sf8QmVu2cBOyFm3EZkNwwy-qFIUeOEOFvHBnoyzouxEG8vpO4tQXvqRwKs64KcCS7ylLZbph0dUmqRA26tysOWKvmuu8QNgSA5_r4xg/s320/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HXzU3ODkuSlBH%3F=-781116" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383282724943739170" border="0" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD0_pAJyxmG_pqZEF-MEPpO4B2TK3H57WtK2R6tjHvsloNwo-cYbmCsWJKYp9H5ey7MJOQtvBexbvTL5Cf2_mVAchIZjaSLpPb8HYQN_Z0usUM9bg8_3eYFtSk_qA2LQrr3bR2Ng/s1600-h/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HXzU5ODMuSlBH%3F=-783251"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD0_pAJyxmG_pqZEF-MEPpO4B2TK3H57WtK2R6tjHvsloNwo-cYbmCsWJKYp9H5ey7MJOQtvBexbvTL5Cf2_mVAchIZjaSLpPb8HYQN_Z0usUM9bg8_3eYFtSk_qA2LQrr3bR2Ng/s320/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HXzU5ODMuSlBH%3F=-783251" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383282732357294386" border="0" /></a></p>Early start this morning (3am), destination: Abu Simbel, well known for the mammoth salvaging exercise in the 1960s to prevent the two temples (commissioned by Ramses II) from disappearing into the man-made Lake Nasser.<br /><br />The original temples were carved out of the mountain on the west bank of the Nile. The creation of the world's largest artificial lake, Lake Nasser, led to the flooding of many antiquities and the near extinction of the Nubian race. Some temples did in fact disappear beneath the lake. Abu Simbel was one of the temples that was disassembled, and subsequently assembled on a higher ground. The incredible engineering rescue feat took 4 years and $40 USD. They literally cut the temples into 2000+ blocks and then reconstructed inside a specially built mountain further away from the banks of Lake Nasser. The original site where Abu Simbel temples stood has since also disappeared under Lake Nasser.<br /><br />Tourists visit Abu Simbel in large guarded convoys of buses with security checkpoints every so often. The buses hooned down the 2 lane desert highways as if it was one long one way road -- it wasn't.<br /><br />The temples themselves were a self created homage to Ramses II. Ramses II definitely had megalomanic tendencies. Not only did he have many large statues of himself, he also portrayed himself as a god by commissioning artworks that included Ramses II in the company and on equal footing with other gods. The carvings at Abu Simbel also depict Ramses II as a friend and ally to the Nubians. This I believe is one of the oldest example of political propaganda. Add in Ramses II's playboy ways (although not confirmed, it has been said that Ramses II had more than 60 wives.<br /><br />We are now on a sleeper train to Cairo. Goodbye to Melodie for all the good times.<br /><br>Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05444792242625636877noreply@blogger.com2