IFC 2

International Finance Center (IFC), Tower 2 is a pretty cool looking building and I think it lends itself to some fun pictures. In addition there is a mall in IFC which is pretty nice.

The "fingers" which sit atop the building make it almost look like something out of a Batman movie at sunset.

Sometimes the clouds hang very low over Hong Kong and some of the buildings poke into them. Crossing the harbor one night when there were clouds coming in and going out quite quickly made some cool images.

I think in reverse order this series could make it look like the building is on fire and creating a smoke cloud. Thankfully it was not!

Nara... and the deer raising Monks

We took a trip Nara, Japan. Nara is an ancient capital of Japan (year 710 to 784). We stayed in a large park which contained many of the historic buildings and had a rather quaint feeling to it. 

You will understand the antlers later...

They had rickshaws around and would take people for rides up the hill to a temple and back... at a running pace!

One of the main sites to see is Todai-ji Temple Daibutsuden Hall... it is apparently the largest wooden building in the world. I must say it was big, but it's hard to imagine that somebody hadn't built a bigger wooden building!

As the building name implies it is a temple so although it is swarming with tourists people will still stop and pray and burn incense. So that means there can be a frail old man who's job it is to take care of the prayer pot!

And can you imagine that they pray to Buddha? I hope so because it is a gigantic Buddha statue when you get inside!

There were some other statues within the building; however I am not really sure what they represent. This one looks kind of like a warrior, except that he's holding a brush and scroll. Seems like odd "everyday wear" if you ask me!

I think some of the statues and decorations were newer than one would expect in a 1000+ year old temple! But they still could look cool. :)

Leah explained to me what this whole in the support pillar was for; however I have since forgotten. I liked the picture of a couple of feet sticking out from a giant piece of wood!

After Todai-ji Temple Leah took me further up the hill towards Kasuga-taisha, which is a Shinto shrine

Deer Park, surrounding Kasuga-taisha, could almost seems mythical with the green moss and the (tame) fawn just meandering through.

Yes, the deer were everywhere... and really tame, I mean really tame!

Kasuga-taisha is famous for the lanterns around it. Many stone lanterns exist on the grounds leading to the shrine... it must have been a full time job to keep the lanterns lit!

And leading away from the shrine...

The shrine is also famous for the many bronze lanterns which are hung within the shrine.

You're right... I did not actually take any pictures of the shrine. It was closed that day for a private ceremony and the pictures from a distance just were not very good.

From Kasuga-taisha we went to the Manyo Botanical Garden. It was small, but peaceful and not very busy. So we got to rest our feet and relax in the shade.

Water anyone?

Leah meets Pretty Woman

So she's not Julia Roberts, nor a hooker, nor is she at the horse races. But for some reason this picture made me think of the movie Pretty Woman; it must be the hat and the fact that she is quite pretty!

Well, maybe the background could almost be sold as a horse race facility.

Osaka Travels

I took a short weekend (3 days actually) and visited Osaka, Japan... well, I did not go to see Osaka; primarily I went to see Leah. Regardless the weather was on/off rain so we decided to take advantage of the non-rainy times and get out of the hotel.

Leah's new hotel is along the river so we decided we would follow the river walk towards Osaka Castle. It turned out to be a bit further than the map made it look, but the weather was good and the company splendid... so we enjoyed.

We didn't really know what to expect and or find; so thankfully at the "start" of the river walk there are some directions and guides.

We kind of took a wrong turn and landed off the river walk... we realized when we looked back and saw the island and City Hall. But regardless it was off towards the castle.

The castle can be seen just peaking between the trees. The castle is built and a pseudo island and is surrounded by water as well as a secondary dry moat. I am sure that historically the moat gave added protection; however now it just adds to the photos with some beautiful reflections.

There are 4 entrances... we only went in one which was on the side of the castle.

I really like these type of tree and they make cool photos because they seem unreal... at least to a Midwestern guy.

Up close the castle is still pretty impressive.

Complete with it's own (historic??) elevator in the corner.

We then went around back and out the equivalent of the back-door. I think a lot of this exit was modified to allow for service vehicle entrance.

Either way, the back-side was very quiet and peaceful. People were running and fishing and two guys seemed to be practicing some dance moves. Other people (and animals) were just lounging and sleeping away the afternoon... it looked like a good idea!

Nearly sunset reflection... the air and water sure got still.

Our return walk actually made it through the rose garden that we were attempting to walk through on the way out. It worked out better that we "saved" it for the end as we stopped for a snack and a drink and ended up having a full dinner at the Riverside Grill & Beer Garden!

The Osaka City Hall makes better evening photos with the accent lighting and coloring. It is kind of funny to me to see this building and know it is the City Hall; I am so used to the government buildings in China which are huge... makes it nice to know that government isn't so huge in Japan.

Many of the bridges across the river are both functional and decorative... looks like the water may be a little at this time.

Oh yes, the Japanese are crazy polite. Even to the point that they have open air smoking zones along the streets... which just happen to be called "Manner Spot". Refreshing, but almost too polite I think!

The Peak Tower

One can take the tram up Victoria Peak; then one can walk around Victoria Peak on Lugard Road. But what would a tourist destination be without a tourist trap?! Well, lucky for us it had a tourist trap... with a catch, the access to the Peak Tower was included with our Peak Tram pass.

From the Peak Tower you have the "highest 360 degree view of Hong Kong". And I must admit, it's a nice view. :) The tower is kind of cool looking too. 

From the tower there were many angles from which you could look... infinite angles if you care to believe the propaganda! Although the general idea is to over-look the city.

You can easily make out IFC 2 and Bank of China buildings... but they tend to stand out no matter where you are in the city.


So obviously the tower is on a peak which situates you high above the ground... and that means you get incredibly obvious signs!

But thankfully, obvious = hilarious at the same time.

The tower isn't all views though, there is some historical information regarding Victoria Peak and Hong Kong. It was kind of interesting to read.

Actually, there is a lot of it...

It continues on the other half of the roof-top terrace too!

Leah looking out over her (wishful) future home... but I was more focused on her.

You pay money for the roof-top terrace... and the view is great. However if you're just looking for the view of Hong Kong and Kowloon you can get the majority of the view from inside the tower for free. Can get it while riding the escalator...

Or sitting at lunch...

Lunch at Kyo Hachi was good... multiple types of Japanese food. The teppanyaki and fried lobster were very good and the lobster gave some entertaining comments... since it was WHOLE!

It was learned that even the mens restroom has a good view when you're at the Peak Tower!

See the restroom sign in the corner?! (This was from a doorway next to the men's restroom in the basement of the tower.)

Star Ferry

We finally decided to take try the ferry... after all, on of the piers is right outside of our hotel!!

The ferry company is the Star Ferry Co. LTD... it is certainly hard to miss as the ferry arrives for you to board.

And even once you're on the ferry there are indicators of the name every where... even the seats (which will face either direction)!

Unlike so many things in this part of the world... I'm not really bothered by the fact that the ferry was constructed locally. If it can last since 1959, then I'm pretty sure they know what they are doing!

Coming in to landing in Kowloon... man the piers show their age compared to the rest of Hong Kong and Kowloon!

Here is the arrival of our return ferry. Kind of funny that I caught my "mirror" taking a picture coming into landing.

I'm not usually much for cities, but this view of Hong Kong I think is quite stunning. Something about the water and mountains blended with the equally tall buildings is somewhat beautiful.