lance_q_nguyen

On the Way Home

lance_q_nguyen — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Walked back to the Visitor Centre and then drove to nearby Katherine Hot Springs (closed).
One more stop at the old Pine Creek Gold Mine, 90Km North of Katherine. Back on the road 5:10pm. Another short stop at Adelaide River and we were back at Darwin just before 7pm.

2nd Gorge

lance_q_nguyen — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Trekking to 2nd Gorge;
More spetacular cliffs and then a free of "waterfalls-over-the-roof" treat before disembarking, back to first boat.

1st Gorge

lance_q_nguyen — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Cruising along the scenic gorge no1.

Nitmiluk Centre

lance_q_nguyen — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Arrived at Nitmiluk Centre for lunch and got ready for the Nitnit Dreaming Cruise at 1pm.

Katherine Town

lance_q_nguyen — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Stopped at Katherine Visitor Centre, School of the Air,
and then headed to Katherine Museum + Overland Telegraph Line (1872).

On the Road to Katherine

lance_q_nguyen — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

We left our Novotel, Darwin, just before the 8am sun rise. A long day ahead as the distance to travel one-way (Darwin-Katherine) is 320Km.
Our first refueling stop was at a small town named Adelaide River. We took a 5-min drive to the War Cemetory, passing wallabies out for early morning feed.

Then we were back to the "hi-speed" Stuart Highway for another 200Km drive (speed limit 130Km).

Stuart Hwy

Mementos from Japan

lance_q_nguyen — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Good, The Best, and The Strangest from Japan

Universal and 4 Airports in a Day !

lance_q_nguyen — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Day 9 - Last Day in Japan
Trying to cramp all into our schedule ...
Universal Studio (Osaka) -> Kansai Airport (KIX) -> Itami Airport (ITM) -> Haneda Airport (HND) -> Narita Airport (NRT) -> Sayonara, Japan

Olivia's Notes -

Day 9: Hotel to Kansai airport and "sayonara" for the flight to Seoul.
Then, continued to Itami airport and fly to Haneda airport.
After took the airport bus to Narita airport, "sayonara" to everyone
back to Australia.

Kobe - Osaka

lance_q_nguyen — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Day 08
Osaka/Kobe/Osaka

Driving to Kobe harbour.
Visiting the Japanese Sake Brewery.
Back to Osaka and walking around Shinzaibashi area, also seeing Kobe China Town.
Sunset dinner and a night walk on Osaka streets.

Olivia's Notes -

Day 8: Kobe is The Entrance for foreign country to make trade.
Because of the good quality water and rice grain,
there're over 2000 Sake brewery in KOBE.
- visited one of the famous Japanese Sake museum "Kikumasmune"
- we had wine tasting after watching the video about the process
of making japanese sake. Everyone got a sake cup as a souvenior.
- visited the earthquake memorial park at harbour side.
- We could see the Kobe Tower from the harbour side shopping mall.
- buffet lunch at "monsac" sshopping mall
- Visited China town in KOBE
Usually China town is very dirty but, when U visited the one in Japan,
it must changed your mind, so clean and tidy.
- back to hotel for a break and then we met again to have a
Chinese style hot pot buffet dinner at 33/F.
The place we could enjoyed the sunset while we had dinner together.

Hotel Osaka Righa Royal

Kyoto/Nara/Osaka

lance_q_nguyen — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Day 07
12 Jul 2008
Kyoto/Nara/Osaka
Visit Kiyomizu Temple, which houses Goddess of Mercy Statue.
After this visit, proceed to Nara by coach.
Visit the Deer Park and Todaiji Temple (great Buddha Temple).
Continue to Osaka to visit Osaka Castle.

Olivia's Notes -

Day 7: Kiyomizu temple(clear water temple) it houses goddess of mercy statue
- passed thru' the shopping street and pottery lane to the main gate
of the temple.
- in front of the main temple, there is a verandah which jug out from
the hill slope. It used 139 wooden pillar to support this verandah.
(no nail at all)
- besides the main temple, there's a shrine temple for people to
worship the marriage. Over there, there is a pair of lover stone
for people to check the possibility of their marriage in the year.
- free time to make shoping at the taditonal handicraft street.
On time back to the meeting place, which is opposite to "spiderman"
- lunch at Osaka Castle
Visited the watch tower after lunch.
We could see the whole city view from the watch tower 8th floor.
- Nara Deer Park, about 1200 deers enjoying their living around.
People said that they are the messenger to God.
- Todaiji temple(great buddha temple), one of the world's largest
wooden structure.
About 15m height bronze Buddha, made in 743.
Due to the civil war and fire, the size of main hall was miminize to
two third of the original.
- Osaka city, the most popular area for shopping, entertainment
and eating in "Shinsaibashi" and "Dotombori"
- barbecue buffet dinner

Hotel Osaka Righa Royal

Kyoto - Gion

lance_q_nguyen — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Day 06
11 Jul 2008
Toyohashi - Kyoto

Kimono show - Nishinjin showroom
Heian Jingu Shrine, Golden Pavillion
Gion Corner

Kyoto Holiday Inn Hotel

Olivia's Notes -

Day 6: Leaving Toyohashi city to Kyoto
- lunch at Nishinjin Kimono show room, restaurant "onomiyasu",
enjoyed the kimono show before lunch.
- "Kinkakuji" temple, the Golden Pavilion is one of Japan's best
known sights. The original building was constructed in 1397
as a retirement villa for Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu.
His son converted it into a temple after he passed away.
It was burned down in 1950 and reconstructed in 1955.
- Heian Shrine which was commemorated the 1100th anniversary
of foundation of the Heian capital. The majestic Vermillion
"tori" gate straddles the street and indicates you are nearing
the shrine.
- dinner at hotel Kyoto Holiday Inn

Hotel Holiday Inn at Kyoto

Mt Fuji - Green Tea - Bullet Train

lance_q_nguyen — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Day 05
10 Jul 2008
Trip to Mt Fuji - 5th Station (Shizuoka)

Green Tea Farm

Bullet Train Hamamatsu to Toyohashi

Olivia's Notes -

Day 5: Visited Mt.Fuji visitor centre to know more about how
Mt. Fuji developed so beauty and streches between Yamanashi
and Shizuoka prefecture.
- Climbed up to 5th station of Mt. Fuji, at 2305m by coach.
- 3776m in height, it opens only beginning of July to end of August
for people to climb up from 5th station to the top.
- lunch at "Fukuroi" restaurant where is famous for green tea farm in
Shizuoka prefecture.
- after lunch, we visit the green tea farm
- took the bullet train, "shinkansen" from station "Hamamatsu"
to "Toyohashi" and our bus driver was driven by himself all the way
to hotel Nikko in Toyohashi city.
- took the hotel shuttle bus from station "Toyohasthi" to hotel,
Before we had dinner, everybody was rushed to make shopping
where's next to the hotel.
- enjoyed buffet dinner at Nikko Hotel

Nikko Hotel at Toyohashi

Travel to Hakone

lance_q_nguyen — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Day 04
09 Jul 2008
Travel to Hakone, Lake Ashi, Fuji Visitor Center,

Owakutani Volcano Hot Spring, Hakone Peace Park, Jiragonno Fuji No Yakata

Olivia's Notes -

Day 4 :Leaving city headed to countryside.
Hakone National Park
- take the cruise across the Lake Ashino-ko.
From the pier, we could see the "sekisho, Edo checkpoint" in
the Edo period for the security reason in order to control people
bring in weapons and bring out women.
- lunch at lakeshore, "Kohansho" japanese restaurant
It seemed the meal to be prepared by your old grandmom,
after that, some of U tried the "wasabi" ice cream.
Did U feel interesting?
- Owakudani, hot spring valley, it contains sulphur minerals.
Don't U remember the "kurotamako", the longevity black eggs.
According to the Japanese said, eat 1 black egg, U will get 7 years
longer life.
- Peace Garden, (heiwa koen), where is in front of the Mt. Fuji,
and it is Nichirin sect, branch of Buddha religion. White pagoda
which houses a piece of Shakamuri Buddha's bone.
Its a gift from India. Here also is a memorial garden for the
people died during WWII.
- Mt.Fuji area, Yamanashi prefecture which is famous for
white crystal and kingdom of fruits.
Visited the Crystal factory before we arrived hotel.
- buffet dinner at hotel and enjoyed the hot spring spa
before or after dinner.

Kawaguchiko Giragon hot spring Hotel

Exploring Tokyo

lance_q_nguyen — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Day 03
08 Jul 2008
Asakusa Temple - Shops and Stalls - Edo Museum
Ginza - Imperial Palace - Shinjuku - Tokyo

Olivia's Notes -

Day 3 : Asakusa sensoji temple, (Kanno temple) which is the oldest temple
in Tokyo. In front of the temple, there is a shopping street named
"nakamise dori". U could find traditional handicrafts, fake
samurai sword, cotton kimono, traditional "sembei",
rice cracker and good luck charms, etc.
- Edo museum, it display the Edo period, olden time in Japan and
the Meiji period, modernization of Japan.
Passed thru' the "nihonbashi", japanese bridge, we could see a lot
of replica display at the museum. Such as the samurai houses
model and things were used in the Edo period (1603-1867).

- lunch at Ginza area, local japanese restaurant "kusiage cusine"
- Ginza, Tokyo brand name shopping area, same as NewYork
5th avenue. Toys Park, also named toys museum which is a 7 floor
stores located at the main street, Ginza. U could find all kinds
of toys right there.

- Some of our members used their free time followed me to visit
Panasonic show room at Ginza. The place U could experienced
the home theatre, latest model of electrical appliance and the
massage chair.

- Imperial palace, home of imperial family. It opens for public on
Dec23 and Jan02.
We took pictures in front of the double layer bridge which
is the offical entrance gate for the royal family.
- Shinjuku area, it houses a lot of department stores,
underground shopping malls, entertainments area at "Kabukicho", (night-life district), not only men could drink and chat with pub-girl.
also places for women to drink with handsome guy.

- shabu shabu buffet dinner at "Kabukicho" (beef hot pot)
Hotel Tobu at Tokyo

Nikko National Park

lance_q_nguyen — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Day 02
07 Jul 2008

Travelling to Nikko National Park

Togu Shrine & Temple

Nikko National Park & Kegon Falls & Lake Chuzenjiko

Tokyo Night View

Olivia's Notes:

Day 2 : Leaving Narita area, headed to Nikko National Park where
is located at Tochigi prefecture. We had lunch first before
we started our walking tour to visit Nikko Toshogu Shrine temple.
It's Japan most lavishly decorated shrine complex and mausoleum
of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate.
Nikko has been a Center of Shinto and Buddhist Mountain worship
for many centuries. Nikko National park continues to offer scenic
Mountainous landscapes, lakes, waterfalls, hot springs.
Finished the walking tour, we moved up to the Mountain side
to visit the Lake Chuzenjiko, which is a Volcano lake. You could
play ice-skating during winter time on the surface of the
Lake Chuzenjiko. Then we continued to visit the Kegonwaterfall.

- Dinner at "Wako" Japanese restaurant which served "tonkutsu",
deep fired pork cutlet, Chicken and prawn with miso soup.
Almost everyone enjoyed shopping at 100yen shop. Hotel Tobu at Tokyo

Flight to Tokyo

lance_q_nguyen — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Day 01
06 Jul 2008 - Sydney - Tokyo

Departing Sydney at 10:30am - Flight JL772 (JAL) to Tokyo.
Island Guam as seen from the airplane window.
Arrived ! Narita Airport ... and the waiting airport taxi (not for us).
Staying at International Garden Hotel Narita.

Olivia's Notes -

Day 1 : arrival at Narita airport in the evening
Buffet dinner at Hotel Narita Garden