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Hayama OWS

memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

Another weekend, another swim. No rest for the wicked. So straight off the bat from last week’s 10km swim, I did another swim just yesterday. Wasn’t going to take it too seriously. It was going to be a nice fun training swim. Since the 10km swim, I only swum once during the week, a slow 2km. It was mostly a recovery week despite yesterday’s 4.5km swim. It was a Hayama beach area, so pretty convenient from Tokyo. It’s also “our local” open water swim “club” venue. It was organised by a private triathlon group so entry was pretty pricey -10,000 yen for a 4.5km swim. But it was well organised. And you bet we got a t-shirt and swim cap included.

It was on ridiculously early. Decided an early Saturday night was in order. Was in bed by 9:30pm. Woo hoo. Hashtag: Painting the town beige! Was up at 4:30am and on the 5:30am train to get the train to Zushi and then the bus the race beach. Caught up with some fellow swimmers on the way. I had a few swimming friends who were also racing today.

Registration was until 8am with our race starting at 9am! On a Sunday morning! It was a really good turn out for the race. Atmosphere was good and a well-organised event. Water conditions were good. Weather was hot and humid despite being hazy.

From Hayama OWS
From Hayama OWS
From Hayama OWS

The water was surprisingly colder than what I was expecting. It was only about 22-23. Very fresh but comfortable enough.

From Hayama OWS

They had a lot of lifeguards and water support crew. More than I’ve seen at a race in a long while.

From Hayama OWS
From Hayama OWS

Warm up swim time:

From Hayama OWS
From Hayama OWS

It was nice that they had a wetsuit and a non-wetsuit category. This was a really professional race event. We even had ankle time chips! A rarity at a lot of swim races here. There were 3 distances – 1.5km/3km/4.5km. I went for the 4.5km swim sans wetsuit. It was going to be a good open water swim training session for the 10km open water swim I’ll do in about 7 weeks time. See how I go today and then double my time and then some. I also raced carrying two gels in my cossies as a practice run. I hadn’t planned on practising feeding, but I did end up consuming a gel during the swim. The course was a 1.5km triangular loop, with an land entry between each lap. Run up on the beach, cross the mat, pass the drinks table, and then back into the water. The drinks table didn’t have any water, only sports drink. I prefer water to get rid of the salty mouth. Pre-race photo op:

From Hayama OWS
From Hayama OWS
From Hayama OWS
From Hayama OWS
From Hayama OWS

Hayama Open Water Swim:

From Hayama OWS

Time to do our thing. The start was a bit weird. There was no countdown and I was expecting a horn, but all there was, was a whistle. Just all of a sudden we were waiting around and then it was time to race. Not much of a lead up. Anyway, you can see me here on the right side of the photo, just casually walking into the water:

From Hayama OWS

Water was murky and not as clear as I would have liked it. I actually thought the course was clockwise, but it was actually anti-clockwise, so just as well I followed everyone else. There was about 300 of us all starting at once. It was definitely a more aggressive race. I took a few blows and probably gave a few too. I didn’t mind it so much. It gets you revved up. The distance from the start to the first buoy felt long. And it felt long on each of the three laps. After the first lap I took a cup of drink from the drink station. Was disappointed there was no water.

On the second lap, I took my gel instead of their sports drink. It was more time efficient for my to drink my gel on the run rather than stop by the table as well. On the third lap, going back out there was a lot more seaweed and debris that we had to swim through. I felt little stinging things in the water. I get very bad allergic reactions to the waters in Shonan. I usually make it a policy to not swim anywhere in the Shonan area – Miura, Zushi, Enoshima, Kamakura etc. Actually swimming in Kanagawa prefecture in general is not that great. I find that because it’s close to Tokyo, the waters are bit polluted and not so clean. Much prefer Shizuoka and Chiba prefecture. I don’t get as much of an allergic reaction. Am now covered in an itchy rash all over my torso. Just the usual, I guess. I should be used to it by now. Am somewhat concerned about the 10km swim I’ll be doing (the Shonan swim). It’s from Zushi beach to Enoshima beach (a point to point swim) in the festy sea lice waters.

I have a bad feeling I am going to get a crazy allergic reaction after swimming there. Mark my words.

This 4.5km swim was a fun swim to do though. I did it 1hr 14min which was good considering lack of training and during my recovery week. I would have liked to have gone a bit faster, and to have especially beat Youri but he beat me 3min. I really don’t do enough sprint/interval work. Got 5th place in my age group. And 68th out of 117 in the non-wetsuit category. And what a better way to end your race than with some free sazae (Japanese for turban shell. which we got as a post-race snack (it’s food, not a souvenir). I hate this stuff – it’s super chewy and salty and bitter and tastes very offal-ly.

From Hayama OWS

July is gonna be a busy month and I don’t foresee much swimming training happening which concerns me. But hopefully will have lots of travel pics coming up soon.

My first 10km swim race (Oiso 10km swim race)

memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

An epic blog post for an epic swim. Ok, so maybe I’m exaggerating a bit. It’s not so epic. On Saturday, I did my first ever 10km swim. It’s called an openwater swim race BUT it takes place in a pool. Their rationale is that the pool is “outdoors”. Right beside the ocean mind you. “OWS” race. An open water swim it is not. Misleading advertising:

From Oiso 10km swim

Right beside the ocean:

From Oiso 10km swim

Housemate had done this swim race before, a couple of years ago so had convinced me to do it. 10km in a pool didn’t really tickle my fancy but it would be a good test swim for a 10km open water swim. Most 10km swims here have a time limit of 3.5 hours so I figured why not do the pool swim and see if I can even make the distance before attempting it in the ocean.

I had already done the 8km Guam swim just a couple of weeks earlier. It meant that I wasn’t really prepared for this race though. The 8km swim really took it out of me. I needed a week to recover which only left about 10 training days for this 10km swim. I didn’t get the mileage up. And still I had not swum more than 5km since Guam.

Here is my training mileage over the last 6-8 months. I basically went from swimming about 8km per month to 40+ km per month. Still, this wasn’t enough training mileage. I was doing about 10-15km per week. Ideally 20-25km per week is better. My training would get me across the finish line, just probably not as comfortably as I’d like.

From Oiso 10km swim

No correlation at all to the amount of chocolate consumed over the last 6 months:

From Oiso 10km swim

So Saturday was race day. Left home around 7:30am and we made the trek down to Oiso. The race was at the Oiso waterpark – part of the Oiso Prince Hotel. It was a cold and wet rainy day. Perfect for a first ever 10km swim race. This is how I felt about the race, incidentally one of my favourite swimming quotes by one of my favourite comedians:

From Oiso 10km swim

The pool though was really cool. It’s 500m! That meant I only had to do 20 laps. Albeit very long laps. Half km laps at that. Race atmosphere was a bit depressing. Overcast, raining, wet.

From Oiso 10km swim
From Oiso 10km swim

The race was also being televised on a local Kanagawa channel:

From Oiso 10km swim

I was a bit out of my league in this race. The 10km was gonna be a fast field. Mostly college/university swim squads who are going to be future Japanese Olympic swimmers. They all finished in under 2 hours. The long pool: A dog-shaped pool. 250m each way, making a 500m lap.

From Oiso 10km swim
From Oiso 10km swim

The water temp was the optimal temp for me – about 25 degrees. Perfect. And it rained a fair bit throughout the course of swimming.

From Oiso 10km swim
From Oiso 10km swim
From Oiso 10km swim
From Oiso 10km swim

The small opening ceremony:

From Oiso 10km swim

We had about an hour or so to get ready and prepare. Stretch. Get in food and hydrate. Getting enough fuel to last 10km was important. Back at home I had eaten 2 pieces of toast with grilled cheese and tomato. On the train down, I ate lots of watermelon. Watermelon is my on-day swim race go-to food. Lots of water and sugar without being too heavy. It’s also not salty so won’t make you thirsty later on. It’s the ultimate food. Love me my watermelon. Had one banana and a couple of red frogs – my other secret swimming weapon. I love red frog lollies. Gets me through my training sessions. Also took a liquid gel before the race and water and gatorade. Slowly drip in the calories. We got given a shitty race cap. It was made of mesh. I hate it when we get mesh caps. I wore my own silican cap underneath. Lubed up with lots of Body Glide and was pretty much ready. I set up my drink station. BYO drinks. We were allowed to bring our fuel supplies to have poolside which we could grab at any time.

From Oiso 10km swim
From Oiso 10km swim

As ready as I was ever going to be:

From Oiso 10km swim

The obligatory pre-race selfie:

From Oiso 10km swim

And then it was time to jump in. My housemate also did the same race again this year. He is ridiculously fast and a great swimmer. The men and women raced together. And they had the 10km swimmers start with the 5km swimmers. There were only 5 female swimmers in the 10km race. And over 25 guys. And then we were off. The first 20 seconds was awesome. With everyone sprinting off, the draft was amazing. I didn’t even need to try and swim, you just got drifted along.

The pool was only 12.5m wide on each side so it was a bit more confined than being in the ocean. There was also a current in the pool (not sure if deliberate or not). Got knocked in the eye by an elbow which pressed my goggles into my eyes more. The field was fast so everyone shot off and we were all pretty much interspersed. A lot of drafting went on as well. Even though there was always plenty of space, everyone was swimming really close to each other. One guy was practically swimming up between my legs, despite us being the only two swimmers in that part of the pool. Yo, there’s a whole frickin pool and here’s this punk literally trying to swim over the top of me. So basically round and round I went. For a large portion of the swim I was on my own. Most people were ahead of me. It then got to a point where the first swimmers were lapping me, there were all like 1km ahead of me and then 2km ahead of me etc. Nothing to do but just keep swimming.

I told myself I wouldn’t stop for fuel until I was at least at the halfway mark. ” Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink” (The Rime of the Ancient Mariner). I swam into the drinks station when I thought I had done about 10 laps or 12 laps. I wasn’t sure. I had lost count. Ugh, my first disaster at the drinks station was that I had lost 2 out of my 3 gels. I had prepared 3 gels. I had basically left two of them with the lid unscrewed by still place on top. The lids had totally got swept away in the pool somewhere, gels were floating around and had been filled up with pool water. I took a big gulp and realised that I had probably just drunk a cup of pool water and my stomach would probably pay for it later. Ugh. I had left one gel sealed, so I unscrewed the lid off that I only took one sip. I had wasted so much time already, and this gel was going to have last me for the next 5km. At this drink stop, I asked how many more laps I had left. They said 10. Halfway point. I swam on. I felt ok. I knew my speed had seriously slackened. I knew most people were way ahead, so I just took the swim easy. I knew I could finish it, so I just swam along leisurely. No point in racing and worrying about the competition. Just swim my own race. Finishing alone was going to be a massive achievement and whatever time I did was always going to be a PB.

One of my biggest concerns about entering this swim as opposed to an open water swim was the toilet situation – or rather the lack thereof. In the open water, you can pee as much as you like. In a pool, I was going to be a lot more hesitant about it. Even when I swim train I can’t swim more than 3km without having to jump out and use the toilet. I was dreading when the urge to pee was going to hit me during the race. I decided to make peace with the fact that it wasn’t going to be a matter of IF I would need to pee in the pool but rather HOW MANY times I was going to. I wanted to relax throughout the swim. I pretty much made myself at home in the pool and I am pretty sure I peed about 8-10 times. I lost count. I actually think I peed on every lap, but 20 times seems a bit excessive…although I wouldn’t put it past me.

JC (housemate) passed me 4 times. We’d see each other underwater as he passed me. At that point I knew he was about 2km ahead of me and he would be finishing soon. When I no longer saw him pass me, I figured he had finished. I did another drink stop at about the 7 or 8km mark and I saw JC outside the pool. I asked him for the time which he didn’t know. I had the rest of my remaining gel. At the 14th lap (about 7km) in, is when I started gettting shoulder pain. And only in my left shoulder. It got worse with each km. By about the 8km mark, I was hurting. I was basically dragging the shoulder through the water. It was hard to get it out and swim properly. It was super painful. I thought about quitting. But continued. All I had to do was finish. I didn’t need to go fast. So I just slowly crawled along. Between the 8-10km, JC walked alongside the pool taking photos and video footage. I could see him following, so I kept on going. The rest of the photos are courtesy of JC. He had finished the swim in 2hrs 5min, so had plenty of time to see me swim. Yeah, he’s fast and pretty hardcore: Look he even swims without goggles!

From Oiso 10km swim

(Ok, not really him. Just a photoshopped face of him on a swimmer’s body). This was my drinks stop at the 8km:

From Oiso 10km swim
From Oiso 10km swim

No time to chat…must be off again:

From Oiso 10km swim

Head down and back to work. That whole thing about swimming being confusing. Not sure if I am swimming to not drown or swimming for fun:

From Oiso 10km swim

A bit better here:

From Oiso 10km swim

That left shoulder was not pretty. It’s pretty painful and you can see it in my poor stroke here. I’m literally just dragging it:

From Oiso 10km swim
From Oiso 10km swim

Yeah, pretty much most people had finished by this point, so I’m pretty much swimming on my own:

From Oiso 10km swim
From Oiso 10km swim
From Oiso 10km swim
From Oiso 10km swim

I caught up to the 3km swimmers, that had started 2 hours after our race had started. I managed to overtake them. I was on my 9th km at this point and they were all fresh.

From Oiso 10km swim
From Oiso 10km swim
From Oiso 10km swim
From Oiso 10km swim

Making my move:

From Oiso 10km swim
From Oiso 10km swim
From Oiso 10km swim
From Oiso 10km swim

The home stretch:

From Oiso 10km swim

Left shoulder killing me:

From Oiso 10km swim

I also found about 1.5/2 hours in that my hands were also hurting. Basically, using my handles as paddles, they were becoming stiff and cramped. I had to shake out my fingers and clench/unclench them just to get some movement back into them. Another problem I’ve been encountering is sore groin/uppper thigh/hip area. I never get this pain at swim training, yet I get pain there always in a race and always really early in a race, usually within the first 1km. Happened in the Guam swim too.

From Oiso 10km swim

Anyway, just cruising along. I was sore, I was tired but I was still going to bring home the bacon. And by bring home the bacon, I mean I was gonna haul my arse to that finish line.

From Oiso 10km swim
From Oiso 10km swim

Coincidentally, I had also just finished reading the book “Born to Run” during the week. Lots of motivational stuff about endurance which can be applied to swimming and full of gems such as: “You don’t have to be fast. But you’d better be fearless”. And “If you’re going to try, go all the way”. Never would I have thought I would be swimming 10km races espeically at my age. I’m just your average slightly overweight office-worker who is obsessed with food and doesn’t even have a swim coach. Much to my housemate’s horror, I don’t even know how to do flipturns even after nearly 3 decades of swimming!

From Oiso 10km swim

Around the final bend:

From Oiso 10km swim

When you finish, you have to jump out of the pool immediately. Yeah, not so easy to find your landlegs when you’ve been horizontal for the last 2.5 hours or so. Had to return my swim cap. Look at dem shoulders! Redefining the term “a broad”.

From Oiso 10km swim
From Oiso 10km swim

Done. Holy moly. My shoulders were killing. JC got the camera a bit too close here for my liking:

From Oiso 10km swim

I’m clutching my poor left shoulder. And my eyes are all squinty from the pressure of my goggles. But I’m pretty damn happy to have finished. Feeling chuffed. Have just swum my first 10km race ever. And my official time was 2 hours 45min. I was happy that I did it under 3 hours. It was definitely currently assisted (around 1-2km per hour).

For reference my 8km swim was about 2 hr 23min for 8km in the open water. The advantage of the pool swim was that you didn’t need to sight or navigate. I was 5th female to finish. Granted there were only 5 females in the race, one of whom was a pro swimmer in the Open category. Came second in my age group though! Yay me. But I came about 29th out of 33 (male and female combined). Wasn’t the slowest swimmer, but definitely ain’t the fastest. Those young 20 year olds are fast – sub 2hours.

So yep, have now officially completed a marathon distance swim (a marathon qualifies as being 10km in the swimming world). We also both signed up that same day for another 10km swim and that will be an ocean swim. So today’s race was just a “training” swim. Will need to take this week off from swimming. Pumping the protein shakes at the moment. Tiger balm applied straight after the race. And I think a massage or two are on the agenda, as painful as it is to touch my shoulders, back, arms and neck. Now I’ve even got sore hands/wrist from typing out this race report.

The fun part about endurance swimming is putting all the calories back in. Red frogs, chocolate muffins – yes please. And I have decided that my post-race dish is potato bake. I baked one in advance on the Friday night, so when I got home on Saturday night, I had a nice hot delicious potato bake to dive into – potatoes, cream, mushroom, bacon and cheese. Hell yeah. It shall be tradition.

I’ve now got 2 months to train my next 10km swim – a proper ocean marathon swim. I think I have a lot of potential to beat my PB. I’d like to do that next swim in about 2.5 hours which is possible with some more training and cross-training. I basically haven’t done anything but swim, and I need to pick up the jogging and yoga. I know that increasing my fitness will definitely help with my swimming. I also hope the shoulder holds out. Shoulder injuries are really common amongst swimmers and I’ve been really lucky to not have it effect me until now.

If you’d like to see me do more swims and read more of these entertaining swim reports , please feel free to send me <a href=”https://www.google.com.au/search?q=red+frog+lollies&amp;hl=en-AU&amp;gbv=2&amp;prmd=ivns&amp;source=lnms&amp;tbm=isch&amp;sa=X&amp;ei=8mCyU4j0CcWRkAWqyoCYCg&amp;ved=0CAUQ_AU”>Red Frogs </a>my way.

Harrods Tea Plantation, Ginza: Afternoon tea

memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

Due to a technical glitch, I hadn’t been able to blog for the past week. Couldn’t get access into blog host to post up some recent happenings.

Ticked off another afternoon tea venue in Tokyo, bringing my total tally to 28 venues, and that’s just in Tokyo alone. Doesn’t include the rest of Japan nor my afternoon teas abroad. I have singlehandedly had high tea at about 50 different venues around the world.

This time it was off to Harrods Tea Plantation Salon in Ginza, located in the Mitsukoshi department store.
Went there with a friend (whom incidentally started out as a blog reader, got in touch with me when she was in Tokyo and now has a job here. We’ve become friends, and meet up on the odd occasion to partake in tea and scones.).

From Harrods Ginza afternoon tea

It had a hint of a Singapore Raffle’s vibe to it:

From Harrods Ginza afternoon tea
From Harrods Ginza afternoon tea

Afternoon tea is available here from 2pm onwards (until 5pm) and boy did it get busy after 2pm. Luckily we had gotten there early at 1:30pm and were seated right away. We ordered the afternoon tea, even though we wouldn’t be served it until 2pm. The venue does not take bookings.

The Harrods Afternoon Tea set is a set price for 2 people so it needs to be shared and you’ll need even numbers. It includes a pot of tea each per person but the pots here are very small.

From Harrods Ginza afternoon tea
From Harrods Ginza afternoon tea

The tea selection is pretty impressive covering about 3 pages worth.
We went the Georgian Blend No. 18

From Harrods Ginza afternoon tea

and the Assam Orangajuli.

From Harrods Ginza afternoon tea
From Harrods Ginza afternoon tea
From Harrods Ginza afternoon tea
From Harrods Ginza afternoon tea
From Harrods Ginza afternoon tea
From Harrods Ginza afternoon tea
From Harrods Ginza afternoon tea

From 2pm, the place gets busy.

From Harrods Ginza afternoon tea

The teapots are tiny. Barely enough for 2 cups of tea. Free hot water refill is available, but the tea gets really weak.

From Harrods Ginza afternoon tea

I really liked the sugarcubes. They had different sized cubes, perfect for when you only want a half teaspoon of sugar!

From Harrods Ginza afternoon tea
From Harrods Ginza afternoon tea
From Harrods Ginza afternoon tea

Afternoon tea for two:

From Harrods Ginza afternoon tea
From Harrods Ginza afternoon tea
From Harrods Ginza afternoon tea
From Harrods Ginza afternoon tea
From Harrods Ginza afternoon tea
From Harrods Ginza afternoon tea

This place is an all-round good afternoon tea venue. The food was classic. Not too fancy but not too plain either. All in all, everything was pleasant.

From Harrods Ginza afternoon tea
From Harrods Ginza afternoon tea

I quite enjoyed all the sweets.

And the sandwiches were plentiful. There were 6 triangles each to consume, so it wasn’t too skimpy on the portions.
This was the serving for one person:

From Harrods Ginza afternoon tea

Scones were typical of the scones in Japan. Not the same as Aussies scones, mind you. Aussie scones are the best.

Scones with strawberry jam and cream – simple and sufficient. Scones served with any other jam than strawberry is blasphemous.

From Harrods Ginza afternoon tea
From Harrods Ginza afternoon tea

At the time of you ordering, you had a choice of either a plain scone or a raisin scone.

From Harrods Ginza afternoon tea
From Harrods Ginza afternoon tea

The price is split between two people so at a price of just a tad over 2500yen per person, it’s a very reasonable afternoon tea in Tokyo. Food was good, and plentiful. But no all you can drink tea.
It’s a nice spot for afternoon tea if you need a break from shopping in Ginza without breaking the budget.

Am now seriously running out of afternoon tea venues in Tokyo!

Indonesia Day 1: Taman Sari Water Castle

memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

Back to Yogyakarta on day 1.
After checking out the Palace, we walked onwards to the Taman Sari Water Castle which was nearby and a hell of a lot easier to find the the Palace.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/jW-ypb9PEKONoUEGkJ1RRd0ErprwCYrsut0bVWpMc2o?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-k3KWZIDABHU/U2o8DAxyW3I/AAAAAAACkzk/YkoukME9jxo/s640/DSC_0104.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/TamanSariWaterCastle?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Taman Sari Water Castle</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/uJ0XWK8DmtvQizw_G_8Oct0ErprwCYrsut0bVWpMc2o?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qC7wrs_lMX4/U2o8DCVfV4I/AAAAAAACkzw/KSfTYGgB2Ik/s640/DSC_0105.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/TamanSariWaterCastle?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Taman Sari Water Castle</a></td></tr></table>

Passed a chick on the street:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/iuUiF0p8KNKf7aJ03xvRSt0ErprwCYrsut0bVWpMc2o?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-q_pB6dlfsx4/U2o8ERq839I/AAAAAAACkz8/W-nWVzg07cE/s640/DSC_0108.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/TamanSariWaterCastle?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Taman Sari Water Castle</a></td></tr></table>

Being all about water myself, I was keen to check out the Taman Sari Water Castle, but it wasn’t very big at all. Just a few old half empty pools. Nevertheless it was kinda chill and a chance to take a seat and get some respite from the heat. It’s always very relaxing to be near water – a natural energy.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/xXaJHtaLJza-l07sxnEq990ErprwCYrsut0bVWpMc2o?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-fcW9cQ2C13o/U2o8FtjxQDI/AAAAAAACk0Q/8tthgRTL3Zk/s640/DSC_0111.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/TamanSariWaterCastle?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Taman Sari Water Castle</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/RQ4mIICZVnBAs1MaNJDAUN0ErprwCYrsut0bVWpMc2o?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6K4ucGAHNns/U2o8Go62a_I/AAAAAAACk0o/m1wl320wtbw/s640/DSC_0113.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/TamanSariWaterCastle?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Taman Sari Water Castle</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/iyI2teu4IYbz4Nj0IrN-Nt0ErprwCYrsut0bVWpMc2o?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-mUTC4PMh8Bo/U2o8HADXD_I/AAAAAAACk0w/M1PQPCZiOfA/s640/DSC_0115.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/TamanSariWaterCastle?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Taman Sari Water Castle</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ws4gS-vBaSqWis06CriOtN0ErprwCYrsut0bVWpMc2o?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-v-CKfgdphWw/U2o8H-CvTmI/AAAAAAACk1A/-tIxZd2zKGI/s640/DSC_0117.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”425″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/TamanSariWaterCastle?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Taman Sari Water Castle</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/etVXgm1VopS4BEauJIw2Lt0ErprwCYrsut0bVWpMc2o?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KYJYYX_VIvw/U2o8I2ftUTI/AAAAAAACk1U/hXcpP3w-nzk/s640/DSC_0116.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/TamanSariWaterCastle?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Taman Sari Water Castle</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/IEburiAo6mn-HLS-xXFBAt0ErprwCYrsut0bVWpMc2o?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-op_oLrwBQgA/U2o8JWI2pPI/AAAAAAACk1Y/bxo59BgwcBk/s640/DSC_0120.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/TamanSariWaterCastle?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Taman Sari Water Castle</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/gvPHOQarkcXJ7QQLjO5BW90ErprwCYrsut0bVWpMc2o?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KSV4lcBbSrg/U2q-vkeRzcI/AAAAAAACl8E/-Ut_1FDNS-8/s640/IMG_7624.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”480″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/TamanSariWaterCastle?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Taman Sari Water Castle</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/6HNAR1g5KxgVOpo1ZnSzoN0ErprwCYrsut0bVWpMc2o?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TljsI93tct4/U2o8LXAbXdI/AAAAAAACk2Q/oODnVxp57SI/s640/DSC_0125.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/TamanSariWaterCastle?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Taman Sari Water Castle</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vW_7otuFu_X7MUI__NjWSN0ErprwCYrsut0bVWpMc2o?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JIpu0LGLy4g/U2o8MCvsPPI/AAAAAAACk2Y/nW8SFYtwChE/s640/DSC_0127.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/TamanSariWaterCastle?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Taman Sari Water Castle</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-7rsqmBFVTL95LcuCPG7Pt0ErprwCYrsut0bVWpMc2o?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-LrhqA6qNzMA/U2q-w6VrdFI/AAAAAAACl8c/v-leC323RqE/s640/IMG_7628.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/TamanSariWaterCastle?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Taman Sari Water Castle</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/X7-iWnDjIsuow9hibRaQd90ErprwCYrsut0bVWpMc2o?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-55ylFRbuacg/U2q-w5fhiFI/AAAAAAACl8Y/46YOd7zmoMc/s640/IMG_7629.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/TamanSariWaterCastle?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Taman Sari Water Castle</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/kYPctEln_MTakXaOVPDZH90ErprwCYrsut0bVWpMc2o?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9WeEm9Lz2s0/U2o8OY947tI/AAAAAAACk3E/bhh-j-UCIc8/s640/DSC_0132.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/TamanSariWaterCastle?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Taman Sari Water Castle</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/4PEo-g0z-MlvM0bGPStkUt0ErprwCYrsut0bVWpMc2o?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DHH3hBHSjm4/U2o8PUXwSZI/AAAAAAACk3Q/SIaH2HzasII/s640/DSC_0134.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/TamanSariWaterCastle?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Taman Sari Water Castle</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/MuqXG8U6gsqPCVamB0-ugN0ErprwCYrsut0bVWpMc2o?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Jhf9DjZamwg/U2q-9Zf_2xI/AAAAAAACl8k/AyI6Os2Eiqk/s640/IMG_7651.JPG&#8221; height=”640″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/TamanSariWaterCastle?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Taman Sari Water Castle</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/klZj-KLvNf8s6ACa-rhBdt0ErprwCYrsut0bVWpMc2o?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DGXQsoBeoRg/U2o8Qw_G3PI/AAAAAAACk3o/JIEP8k7LHPA/s640/DSC_0136.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/TamanSariWaterCastle?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Taman Sari Water Castle</a></td></tr></table>

View over the local rooftops:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/W49dpIrk8NfzG1fL0wpuQN0ErprwCYrsut0bVWpMc2o?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-R2Wy1ovRfgs/U2o8RJZ39gI/AAAAAAACk3w/i_7xVqkLt6Q/s640/DSC_0137.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/TamanSariWaterCastle?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Taman Sari Water Castle</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ZMIvYbkf4wMaoLoxEIqiTN0ErprwCYrsut0bVWpMc2o?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-NMoTyfy6XYc/U2o8R65SQJI/AAAAAAACk38/FYR_qSfqup4/s640/DSC_0139.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/TamanSariWaterCastle?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Taman Sari Water Castle</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/QtmKDaLteBNSvVK–Zwqh90ErprwCYrsut0bVWpMc2o?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-cesg-IFFdtM/U2o8SSb21SI/AAAAAAACk4A/at9YsFik9SA/s640/DSC_0140.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/TamanSariWaterCastle?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Taman Sari Water Castle</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/LjlVXVQ6aUaQyJB-icJxZ90ErprwCYrsut0bVWpMc2o?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EiBUPfZyek0/U2o8TDM-zzI/AAAAAAACk4M/VUHgTXgcUf4/s640/DSC_0142.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/TamanSariWaterCastle?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Taman Sari Water Castle</a></td></tr></table>

Kobeya afternoon tea

memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

My mission: to find a cheap afternoon tea in Tokyo. The request was for under 3000yen. That was going to be a hard challenge.

I had plans a few weeks back to meet with a couple of ladies from my Namie NESS days.
We usually meet for coffee/lunch etc. They wanted to do afternoon tea but had set a budget for 3000yen or less.
The starting price for afternoon tea at most places in Tokyo is 3500yen.
And the consumption tax rate in Japan has recently risen as well (that’s been a huge pain!).
This was not going to be an easy task. And I wanted to throw in the extra personal challenge of choosing a venue that I have not yet been to.

I put my research skills to the test and came up with an afternoon tea venue for under 1500yen! Total score.
Not the best afternoon tea I’ve had in terms of food quality, but it made for a pleasant afternoon nonetheless.

The venue was Kobeya at the Tokyo International Forum (TIF) in Yurakucho. Points gained for location.
Kobeya is actually a really nice bakery chain. Some of their bakeries have extended into cafe dining restaurants where you can actually order main meals etc. The only place I know where the afternoon tea set is available is the Yurakucho branch of Kobeya. It’s kind of a “gentei” thing, which means it’s limited to so many servings a day. And they don’t take bookings so you’ve just got to turn up and try your luck that they haven’t reached the limit for the day. Luckily, it’s not heavily advertised and most people don’t know about it. You’ll need to ask for the Tea Time menu. And it’s only available between 2-6pm.

The afternoon tea is simple and no frills.
A pot of tea is included. One tea selection only (but you can ask for hot water refill, but the tea did not taste so good after we did this). I think I went with the UVA tea but they also had a couple of other options as well as an organic tea which is technically the tea that comes with the set.
I liked the little touches such as the timer and the teapot cover.

From Kobeya afternoon tea
From Kobeya afternoon tea

The 3-tier set is light and sufficient, but no so tasty. More skewed to Japanese tastebuds.

From Kobeya afternoon tea
From Kobeya afternoon tea
From Kobeya afternoon tea

I enjoyed all of the sandwiches, except one. There was a mentaiko sandwich. And mentaiko is the roe of pollock and cod (basically fish ovaries).

From Kobeya afternoon tea
From Kobeya afternoon tea

The other sandwiches were perfectly fine.

The second tier was essentially the pastry course: a chocolate chip scone, a green tea (matcha) pastry and a berry pastry.

From Kobeya afternoon tea
From Kobeya afternoon tea

Not enough savoury morsels for your liking? They threw in some olives as well.

Clearly, these items are just from the bakery section of their store.

From Kobeya afternoon tea
From Kobeya afternoon tea

I don’t like matcha flavoured stuff, so I didn’t really enjoy this much. Also the jam doesn’t really go well with a choc chip scone.

The last dish was heavy on the grapefruit theme. Again, not a huge fan of grapefruit, so this afternoon tea wasn’t really to my liking. But I wasn’t here for the food. I was here for the company, to catch up with some friends over language exchange.

From Kobeya afternoon tea
From Kobeya afternoon tea

There was a cheesecake which was quite nice. Can’t go wrong there.

From Kobeya afternoon tea

The afternoon set is 1300yen plus tax. Food items will vary as it will be seasonal. I think I must have gone during grapefruit season.

If you go on a weeked to TIF, you might also be in time for the regular antique market that they have there. Great antiques and knick knacks, but not cheap.

I ordered “pancakes”

memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

Back in April, a bunch of us had planned on going for a Sunday hike. Weather was not in favour so we went to brunch in Omotesando/Harauku instead.
Went to an unusual cafe. It looks like a tiny non-descript coffee shop at the front. Not at all enticing for a tea-drinker like myself. But lo and behold, once you enter and if you go out the back and downstairs there is a lot more seating. And they do brunch, lunch and dinner. So much more than a coffee shop.

I ordered the crab burger, which was a tad on the small portion size for my liking.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/769K0fyvTOvFCAEHdBhqqS1tLRW7weQC4VUklPbLQQo?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zuaCCGn5xYQ/U1OgFjFT06I/AAAAAAACjlM/h8ywgQ0yAxk/s640/IMG_7430.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”480″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OmotesandoBrunch?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Omotesando brunch</a></td></tr></table>

Oh well, that just meant that there was room for brunch dessert so I ordered “pancakes”.
But what I got was a “cake” made in a “pan”. Well played, Japan.
No disputing that they were “pan” “cakes”.
Surely, these are the thickest pancakes my eyes have ever laid on.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/tGfEkIrTJIVVwK3SeqquEy1tLRW7weQC4VUklPbLQQo?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-w9msqNLFWVU/U1OgFkPXv7I/AAAAAAACjlI/vohOBVC2eeM/s640/IMG_7432.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OmotesandoBrunch?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Omotesando brunch</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/QjULp9duWzzCjXJnlbTq9C1tLRW7weQC4VUklPbLQQo?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7lFRP_6gHyU/U1OgGuNPx2I/AAAAAAACjlk/3O50vE2Y9s8/s640/IMG_7433.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OmotesandoBrunch?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Omotesando brunch</a></td></tr></table>

It was like a cake batter cooked in a pan.
The thickness didn’t detract from their flavour, but they certainly were filling. They were thick and fluffy to be sure.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/GQGCBpRm7vQtLzPdVIx0Hy1tLRW7weQC4VUklPbLQQo?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rf0Flos6PcQ/U1OgHHoTGBI/AAAAAAACjls/LYMbfPhM_gs/s640/IMG_7435.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OmotesandoBrunch?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Omotesando brunch</a></td></tr></table>

Had to drown these in syrup.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/28-sTZpaP3151JSo1JcEPC1tLRW7weQC4VUklPbLQQo?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-y0Lw-muAs84/U1OgIlRYodI/AAAAAAACjl0/_Yy9AdaN4gg/s640/IMG_7437.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OmotesandoBrunch?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Omotesando brunch</a></td></tr></table>

And if you thought that was a generous quinelle of ice cream, you thought wrong. That was whipped cream with a side of butter.

Right now, can’t remember the name of the place, but I know exactly where it is.

Indonesia Day 1: Kraton – Yogyakarta Palace

memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

We arrived into Yogyakarta on Saturday night. Therefore Sunday was Day 1 of our Indonesia trip.
It was hot hot hot.
Sunday was our designated day to sightsee the city of Yogyakarta. Most people stay in Yogyakarta as a base to see Borobudur and Prambanan further afield. It didn’t seem to me that there was a lot to do in Yogyakarta and most of the major sights can be covered in a couple of days. We had two main things on our checklist for the day: Yogyakarta Palace (the Kraton) and Taman Sari (Water castle ruins).

We set off on foot to the Palace. We kind of got lost along the way but eventually found it although we kind of came in at the wrong entrance point.

Everybody in Indonesia rides motorbike scooters. They are everywhere.
We passed a lot of bicycle shops, motorbike scooter stores, and surprisingly a lot of wooden coffin stores. Correlation or coincidence?

Another dubious store:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/0NesBtbV44PhVE8yzb87FPU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xA_Ju1O6pSQ/U2o7NMBgriI/AAAAAAACkoQ/3BpA9uujQok/s640/DSC_0013.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

A becak – rickshaw vehicle where the driver rides a bicycle to transport you.
<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/mgQ_lzut4gH1gLepajxDsfU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-i40gsZRpzD8/U2o7NH9yUMI/AAAAAAACkoM/8BvKMFyACN8/s640/DSC_0014.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

It took us a solid half hour or so for us to finally reach the Palace with a couple of detours.
The Palace is rather unusual. It’s basically a large gounds complex with a lot of performance pagodas. You can see performances of traditional music and dance. Apparently the dance performances are only on certain days, Sunday mornings being one of them.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/–EltiyIk5PW81QkKs7rTPU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-zZjHjQLErmQ/U2o7OIuVO-I/AAAAAAACkog/JJCY0xK8sXk/s640/DSC_0016.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/KeGy9_j0lOgqhMki4clK_fU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0f7Yq33dd0A/U2o7PFjYlWI/AAAAAAACkos/GpVl2fHv5ik/s640/DSC_0018.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/J0lsE5G3WR8sT-pdrkq1IPU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IAnryq6kAH0/U2o7RsMNG0I/AAAAAAACkpM/XmX76hVuIBw/s640/DSC_0022.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/IQtuewqXoGYTmPjM2kZzq_U5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-OKNk55hDoqY/U2o7VVqCa8I/AAAAAAACkps/D3j9Du58lnU/s640/DSC_0026.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”425″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

There were a lot of school groups and the kids pounce on all the foreigners/tourists to practice their English and do questionnaires in English and have their photo taken with Caucasians.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/LbYKfkPEh_h15okqKkPO3_U5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jlTG9EbCOEk/U2o7WkeDhOI/AAAAAAACkp4/MLC8lh6Y120/s640/DSC_0028.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/5pvZcKvO75mdRGwRC63Mv_U5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-WKjr4FO7QBc/U2o7XOPFjAI/AAAAAAACkqI/jxSxtuqfm4s/s640/DSC_0030.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

Here are some tourists being mobbed by the schoolkids:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/zRZpl1sZrndoDaPttuxua_U5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4KqukP2FoOE/U2o7bS0KBMI/AAAAAAACkrg/mHxNnSTTu98/s640/DSC_0039.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

The Palace is essentially a museum of sorts, but a lot of it is not really accessible nor is it very informative.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vBOjyZwU-W3F7R6j6PEhPPU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jS3WLPbqCuA/U2o7XTSQ-QI/AAAAAAACkqM/85dN6s5xftg/s640/DSC_0031.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCN74l-j3wNHryQE&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/gqkj15Go3jS5X-w9ek-eLvU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-OAhFHwMkeyY/U2o7Ykvx5kI/AAAAAAACkqg/SjxB7WvzV_4/s640/DSC_0032.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCN74l-j3wNHryQE&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/rP7Ri4O1szEq3U-qKcKE2fU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-cfVEYcP5ado/U2o7c9qUphI/AAAAAAACkrk/hZcM2IY2PjA/s640/DSC_0042.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCN74l-j3wNHryQE&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

The highlight and the only interesting attraction are the cultural performances.

The males dancing:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vybsYPZLu3RT_ebJPa_UWPU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wxtg_iqvuPU/U2o7k5qdk9I/AAAAAAACkso/ggWMtqx4cOg/s640/DSC_0050.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”425″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCN74l-j3wNHryQE&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-Q-twtUxx2bQdT2zDjA-HvU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-l4l0ymfcblo/U2o7l7n2AcI/AAAAAAACks0/Ui3mZbU_zhM/s640/DSC_0052.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”425″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/71OSnYOvyZeO845sTIp_AvU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_sM3muIGnI0/U2o7m4_ac0I/AAAAAAACktI/OLxGouvUJiE/s640/DSC_0054.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/SJIQT67iKs2pR32PrnTzAPU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-lsWwrPsUhh4/U2o7oDeSwJI/AAAAAAACktY/mVx8yZaM6fo/s640/DSC_0056.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”425″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/mlrV_yKGRCBX6rr38pYVFPU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LncZkjULmcM/U2o7po_KUyI/AAAAAAACktw/jgPoch7bePs/s640/DSC_0059.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NG7BpHfBjQZMfzjo5_lU5vU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HKBRFAFfCcc/U2o7qimF6mI/AAAAAAACkt4/AFaVgiebCgo/s640/DSC_0060.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

Got to see the females practising outside before they went in to do their performance. The girls looked so pretty and graceful.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/–h_qdLsN5TLpyUiFsB0rvU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-uwJyhDZDIyc/U2o7rNNOChI/AAAAAAACkuE/DFied0jm3e4/s640/DSC_0061.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/qNuw8ZGDrW7OouvzTJZf9PU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IUhXq1cKK4M/U2o7tfSalxI/AAAAAAACkuk/gZ8ONPFn2BQ/s640/DSC_0064.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/0x6ZVV-XtoymT6NUkGWfVvU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-iJr3uYTx76k/U2o7vxxyqaI/AAAAAAACkvQ/jMAndJhHB8w/s640/DSC_0070.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”425″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Amj72M8NCrrOV7_2R1xo6fU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-FiycUvFIC2U/U2o7w1_MwFI/AAAAAAACkvk/tDOUhSudwpw/s640/DSC_0072.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/kaK1pSwkQ1XgCA8-o-4KN_U5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Tt8Cpu_9eSo/U2o7xTt_i1I/AAAAAAACkv0/A0znyzkrXoA/s640/DSC_0074.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/GJYPQ5bWeMcP7ILg7fpJ3fU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-U7kxvugOTqE/U2o7z8xPkuI/AAAAAAACkwY/mLtymf3YQRo/s640/DSC_0079.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

On stage:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NXLltluS_oh9KNLFQktvtvU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DRp5_tE2hfQ/U2o76bUMQzI/AAAAAAACkyI/mWeslXp26EI/s640/DSC_0095.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/C67SzFA_DrT_pwmQPEAjE_U5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0VrAvMXQmr0/U2o78kUzxXI/AAAAAAACky4/eVACFXSZ54s/s640/DSC_0099.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/h00l1sS8ZRsRwQBR8zBEhfU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1RkwkbXsn0U/U2o77sA2f3I/AAAAAAACkyg/1yhWRoCaMyY/s640/DSC_0098.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Jj2MVGiapCiw27BEgEkCiPU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pcQE-3Sy48g/U2o79D6flNI/AAAAAAACky0/SoDDU5y_Ot4/s640/DSC_0101.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/9W0FhJzLAn-FUzRl6MsU7PU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Ib7vrazdweg/U2o79fplyjI/AAAAAAACkzA/Oc3d6DHwQhc/s640/DSC_0102.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

Other parts of the Palace:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/l60mNNdgA8XC328Yl8Q_9vU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9TYL3_pwhb4/U2o72r_b1XI/AAAAAAACkxA/cp_kSMDLgGk/s640/DSC_0085.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/OlWjmxysdHQZLgEEfu6XPvU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ODRU_xEe2Us/U2o72yPaoNI/AAAAAAACkxM/9nRxriTYRlo/s640/DSC_0086.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

One of the things I observed throughout the trip was that very few buildings in Indonesia seemed to be built above one storey. All the buildings are flat. It doesn’t have that metropolis skyrise effect. Everything was just single storey buildings, Not a lot of high rise apartment buildings nor apartments for that matter. Even most of the hotels, hospitals etc weren’t built much higher than 4 floors. Everything was built flat and spread out rather then built upwards and underground. Perhaps because Indonesia is prone to a lot of earthquakes and volcano eruptions. But I noticed that everything was built low and out rather than up. Huge contrast to Japan where space is scarce and so everything is built up and down with numerous multistory buildings and a huge underground network.

Indonesia Day 2: Borobudur

memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

Have recently just got back from Golden Week holiday in Indonesia . Had an amazing adventurous time. Only spent about 10 days there. Way too short. I totally loved Indonesia. Definitely warrants another visit. So much to see and do there. Only went to Java Island and Lombok region.

Went with a friend flying from Haneda to Yogyakarta on Java Island. We decided to avoid Jakarta although we did have a layover there enroute.

On the second day upon arrival in Yogyakarta we went out to Borobudur about 1.5-2 hours from Yogyakarta. Borobudur is pretty amazing. It’s the world’s largest Buddhist temple. The stupas (bell-like mounds) are really cool to see. Just the scale of the place is pretty amazing.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/XSxsUuqJk-_vgKChpIfPbpHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8gWNLuqbeog/U2o-rGzBMYI/AAAAAAAClFo/eyWI71NPy2o/s640/CSC_0412.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCNfG_eeXhKzSwwE&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ZHJPY4Ou6uwbKaLR0QihZpHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xt8HWkIaGtk/U2rCC7QNDJI/AAAAAAACmGE/Ku7rqxCneFw/s400/IMG_7799.JPG&#8221; height=”400″ width=”400″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCNfG_eeXhKzSwwE&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/28pXHK2vv378AT0FKpGZY5HCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qWFSJTRxBRQ/U2rCC5sG9II/AAAAAAACmGA/4SUptqaOEko/s400/IMG_7798.JPG&#8221; height=”400″ width=”400″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCNfG_eeXhKzSwwE&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

There are apparently 72 of these stupors.

Entry into the grounds of Borobudur requires all visitors to wear a sarong (provided) regardless of what you are wearing.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/STu8sPVkBZgXjTrBbCbxZJHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Y47rFnfh0OA/U2o-t6GaBDI/AAAAAAAClGE/ZKfOAG03VPE/s400/DSC_0290.JPG&#8221; height=”266″ width=”400″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCNfG_eeXhKzSwwE&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

Pretty fashionable stuff. Cheesy poses are mandatory at all touristy places.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NaU_bugxFYaNlcBATABOnZHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ALtvdVpz01w/U2rBkzi9x5I/AAAAAAACmEM/AgJ66f75CxM/s400/IMG_7726.jpg&#8221; height=”400″ width=”300″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCNfG_eeXhKzSwwE&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/HLTXAwr76Ba0RzLQDucr6pHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-r-rthK5sdTQ/U2rCC2J72gI/AAAAAAACmF8/HIZHcK4xL1A/s640/IMG_7797.JPG&#8221; height=”640″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCNfG_eeXhKzSwwE&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NduJ2T231qlVspmSti5Ch5HCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-aMZzFIvmSwY/U2rBiXUlKzI/AAAAAAACmDY/TlY3AVYPI4k/s640/IMG_7719.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCNfG_eeXhKzSwwE&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

The grounds are pretty massive surrounded by various gardens and forest. So lush and green, surrounded by low-hanging mist.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/rLid8gv0Rw7uM8NCpiO8qpHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-cB-NChVhKnU/U2o-rXHUEYI/AAAAAAAClFs/n16Fyw3KgG4/s640/DSC_0288.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/VHKEdbiQ8xC1j_FyfSDdu5HCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-hmTkd4GNYSQ/U2o-rnzFX1I/AAAAAAAClFw/tsqwQ02rJoU/s640/DSC_0289.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/AlCnyfV6gpaZGsZMRrMNT5HCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-MiZaWtccvOs/U2o-xbLwBWI/AAAAAAAClGs/qAZotmbMbhg/s400/DSC_0296.jpg&#8221; height=”400″ width=”266″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCNfG_eeXhKzSwwE&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

The temple consists of a few different tiers:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Fv6BssVWoAkOGL-bfJltKpHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-LfCX2nBAlQQ/U2o-y38km4I/AAAAAAAClHA/IfbhQfoGhKI/s640/DSC_0299.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCNfG_eeXhKzSwwE&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/g4yDX9j1LuMwgdduUKrDBJHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WmY2US64idE/U2o-1EjEeHI/AAAAAAAClHU/EkOwxh8c6y0/s640/DSC_0301.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCNfG_eeXhKzSwwE&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/cHMFxqzycBuIuMxRgZr2RZHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Xpvp_nzFUnc/U2rBUpnuQNI/AAAAAAACl_A/SiKjiYbp3dE/s640/IMG_7682.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCNfG_eeXhKzSwwE&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

Most people are eager to climb up straightaway to check out the stupas, but the correct ritual is to actually walk around the whole complex three times in clockwise motion. We took the time to do this before entering the temple getting a 360 degree view of the place, all three times.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/JcqJhgiiFSdizWQdXSn6yZHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nqwlmuICQuQ/U2o-13b1J3I/AAAAAAAClHc/sIhUc0VU1LQ/s640/DSC_0302.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCNfG_eeXhKzSwwE&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vfsJEHf1xMBtuRduhCUtu5HCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-s0ZDmbrO56U/U2o-2LKuHwI/AAAAAAAClHk/xkGPbIGYSZI/s640/DSC_0303.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCNfG_eeXhKzSwwE&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/zIScaIwysJPBV_nuyBOOmJHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-saGNVv2WrSg/U2o-2rLIHkI/AAAAAAAClIE/Jl3SUKrXw3c/s640/DSC_0304.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCNfG_eeXhKzSwwE&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/fV7V3a2JJ6zfh-pxO-_RE5HCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-arNwaUc3r18/U2o-27Gy6II/AAAAAAAClHw/JpvvpSxSF84/s640/DSC_0305.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCNfG_eeXhKzSwwE&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/v3ScQZW6Xn92fEF60tIZk5HCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iDb8fWKpTDE/U2o-8WpbX4I/AAAAAAAClJk/e07YpXOa6Ck/s640/DSC_0317.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”425″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/juZVlnTmc_DS_cIY6qePaJHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-sHkZL8FdwjM/U2o-9Zdsj0I/AAAAAAAClJo/UN5p0WiSrr8/s640/DSC_0319.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ezvIWuMsmV5N9vH2n87NxZHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PEl4eT1Y_YA/U2pAAC4mSII/AAAAAAAClZM/BvE0hEXm5Og/s640/DSC_0453.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/yzjsMYh8_eHnZoWNPZ_DSpHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wja7roqmtiU/U2o–FyxOfI/AAAAAAAClKA/vAPenTKOSIg/s640/DSC_0323.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

The stupa mounds are pretty fun to look at. They kinda look like bells or Hershey kisses or short-handled toilet plungers. They’re so photogenic, one cannot stop taking photos of them. There is after all, 72 of them to look at. And you betcha that I’m going to post a photo of every.single.one.of.them. Just kidding. But I did take a hell of a lot of photos.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/opIOnyl03DOXGu9HgM_ybpHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-S4KGHrZ_KJ8/U2o_H5py0ZI/AAAAAAAClM8/C6ep64bB78w/s640/DSC_0351.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”425″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/O5YjXC5xENZaLCGlzj_fLpHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SgOhaofnX9k/U2o_HZvkJaI/AAAAAAAClM4/AA8WncQDBFU/s640/DSC_0350.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/YNgoZWLb6mBh7Z66ux2yE5HCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-UbR4KAEXRyA/U2o_JuBQ9JI/AAAAAAACmNI/jyIteMhjQnI/s640/DSC_0355.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/fJ2Qp_x1W2QLEkZt2Vspx5HCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Et6_TOLTmDw/U2o_JqF7BOI/AAAAAAAClNk/GXMEfPoLw7M/s640/DSC_0356.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/t47Xv3pDnzC215i2bOWML5HCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bRRbyyXEkxY/U2o_MF_ReZI/AAAAAAAClOQ/LHrqKDM8q5A/s640/DSC_0363.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/EALbEZxbdwsh_-fdhbC6a5HCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8js8bqspwVQ/U2o_NXL7L8I/AAAAAAAClOc/GmP5CBTzg9E/s640/DSC_0365.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/h1A7Irm_zMG4Pwbh6G7WyJHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZZiEHjtcn-U/U2o_OMBWKvI/AAAAAAAClOk/GjdP2uTps9Y/s640/DSC_0366.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/7jj0rIMzs4ls2tn6ht-6NpHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-mMoZoX4gJBg/U2o_P4143BI/AAAAAAAClO0/ZIisNlmXeS0/s640/DSC_0368.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/UpKdRBCIxirZttWPO-UyWpHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sBYYZ_icpRY/U2o_RsSSwuI/AAAAAAAClPc/ilFMOf4hqIo/s640/DSC_0373.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/RVNnLFY2USQD6T_T0TfEjJHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-twXLojGnFUY/U2o_R3FUv7I/AAAAAAAClPo/Ip2NHNMny1E/s640/DSC_0374.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/xQsAvQ8O1-mbBhP4esRZpJHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Zg3uR33RjOw/U2o_SJOAGLI/AAAAAAAClPk/rkv9UWy-Rys/s640/DSC_0375.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/c39VuCk2KjaA93hy1roCKJHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7XVZDctn2ro/U2o_TvWnfkI/AAAAAAAClP4/4a-GNwKJ1zg/s640/DSC_0377.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/MlSn0cF3URaf41_5kz4CE5HCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-awdbTdVwJUY/U2o_ZRyDOqI/AAAAAAAClQs/wcbJqc9XWiw/s640/DSC_0383.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/pAyuBQ9nUIi2SmMKYBJr_ZHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/–uOONltO-h8/U2o_c6AtZ4I/AAAAAAAClRM/auDy1ygnC58/s640/DSC_0388.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/fECoyvpvWvsfag_rUnEskZHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iksp-v8wleo/U2rBaTuzM4I/AAAAAAACmA8/bdap13ef01c/s640/IMG_7697.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/7S0wRaR8S97LJ8UW_mlQrpHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5oNjhXRsiYM/U2rBboVEJuI/AAAAAAACmBM/jLe_ANuUP-A/s640/IMG_7701.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/iZKSvP9rWSPxP23WcQXPIJHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-q8YA24G8tJI/U2rBbarAWkI/AAAAAAACmBc/DoiN4Wkmgwo/s640/IMG_7700.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/mlqa31Laqn3CIZCtTDV4sZHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-LzH4vwDS0bQ/U2o_irMsqtI/AAAAAAAClSM/3q5UEpzl9rk/s640/DSC_0395.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/FMNE0Z2Ciz7tMZcOsCXC-pHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zZtKMwG1wD8/U2o_mtkAmZI/AAAAAAAClS0/9cRM-ka_9RY/s640/DSC_0402.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/3WLYwImQbB3cHp4oRxWqVJHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zFFaezdYbHk/U2rBeBj2TGI/AAAAAAACmCY/Jtnzjk0K3MM/s640/IMG_7707.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ZVCaAtXUuhD1WK6zzIBAdZHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RYoMe29WUCs/U2rBmaQ73RI/AAAAAAACmEs/BCdVN8OkS9k/s640/IMG_7732.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/55fGj7RErDVVGlH1nKZB-pHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Q03DpP6RBlo/U2o_vAbh3CI/AAAAAAAClUI/KkrkaPjF5kY/s640/DSC_0411.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/QNOaxxj7ZgZWTIL9fmIW2JHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EQT1-W1TAGQ/U2o_w5HHiAI/AAAAAAAClU0/bnN49EpnaQY/s400/DSC_0416.jpg&#8221; height=”400″ width=”266″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/J_IASfEbx8wvVubQjSc4WJHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-n3SDKVJ95QI/U2o_znlk8-I/AAAAAAAClVo/c6qYR0l0zpk/s400/DSC_0423.jpg&#8221; height=”400″ width=”266″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/_sUl-01APf0ihKWaLCBPb5HCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-tHeh4rAbOsI/U2o_4YI8BKI/AAAAAAAClXE/vA3wFB8qhXA/s640/DSC_0434.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

The walls of the temple:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/gvo2P1FfxYOiGDLzy87VRpHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-clhLv7cuGME/U2o_5VR5vtI/AAAAAAAClXM/oAMMXQsNj7w/s640/DSC_0436.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/P1qOmp1ms2hbZ5sA544lBpHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-uNBOwOv95ek/U2o_6WK9LSI/AAAAAAAClXk/FKFYko-xCJw/s640/DSC_0439.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”425″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ZUkPtC4_ktjGctLouYEd4JHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qiHOpZcs9io/U2o_655cstI/AAAAAAAClXw/u_0-9QAOIws/s640/DSC_0440.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

Check out all the Buddha carvings into the concrete:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/HmurpCfJ__VXjQ3H1BuG4JHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-z71hEJ1GqTQ/U2rBndu8mlI/AAAAAAACmFM/zh6eiH3mltQ/s640/IMG_7735.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-f6jNmqYD3TJV9hMXuCvopHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-hln1lqifS0Q/U2o_7tO9g0I/AAAAAAAClX8/4rH_qxGTAbw/s640/DSC_0442.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vLJblRR6pdGxd0hUZFwwepHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F0bZ0Ez5AHk/U2pAB1BlNOI/AAAAAAAClZs/zFmNSeykzy4/s640/DSC_0456.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/g_dbRy3LG7KqBFT-6Ja8VJHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-o9vK-nVU8b4/U2rBYZEFVcI/AAAAAAACmAQ/EGeRLp4luDk/s640/IMG_7692.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”480″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

A walk through the garden grounds:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/uRUQQU_a0YqlwSX78PzqEJHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-497XpTK2npg/U2pAErIoowI/AAAAAAAClaw/cmPHcL0MnbE/s640/DSC_0464.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/tXMOxSeiWVD0W0gHLlDT8ZHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-83AUAqE82_o/U2pAE79U_oI/AAAAAAAClao/w08ai0R0b_E/s640/DSC_0465.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/T_9Inmb5-Tvefm2WFTg8PJHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BfEW-1YhNDU/U2pAGmhYA-I/AAAAAAAClbI/fRB7nbOYdWg/s640/DSC_0469.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

We had to pass through a maze of street stalls strategically placed enroute to the ground exit full of sellers selling their wares and touristy knick knacks.

Mmmm coconut. I love fresh coconut water.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/111lk-X7AHrUcC8-DEK21ZHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-tUkxwnA9xSA/U2pAIJW_c_I/AAAAAAAClbg/seveP4EdHbQ/s640/DSC_0472.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

Borobudur is Indonesia’s single most popular tourist attraction. I can see why.

The Official Color Run Japan

memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

I did the Power Color Run last month, but last weekend I did the official Color Run. This was the real deal and it was heaps of fun. These themed runs are fun to do. I did the Warrior Dash last year, and I’ve done two Color Runs this year.

The Color Run was well organised, great turnout, and beautiful weather.

From The Color Run 2014
From The Color Run 2014

The run was a little bit of a pain to get too. So far. Took about 2.5-3 hours to get there. That means getting up way too early for my liking on a Saturday morning. The run was at Pleasure Forest aka Sagamiko resort in Kanagawa prefecture. From Sagamiko it was then a 30min bus. Luckily they had frequent buses running from outside the station.

From The Color Run 2014

The run was 5km course through a forest, more like a BMX track, hilly and dirty.

From The Color Run 2014

Time to get Colorful!

From The Color Run 2014

The Color Run is a run inspired by the Indian Hindu Holi festival to welcome in spring known as the “Festival of Colours”.

Team Akabeko representing:

From The Color Run 2014

Got some cool loot in the goodie bag which consisted of a t-shirt, wrist band, sweatband, washable tatoo stickers, bottle of water and a can of red bull.

From The Color Run 2014

Awesome weather and the cherryblossoms were still out:

From The Color Run 2014
From The Color Run 2014
From The Color Run 2014
From The Color Run 2014
From The Color Run 2014

There were about 8 wave starts throughout the day, with people coming and going throughout the day.

From The Color Run 2014
From The Color Run 2014

Time to run, or in our case, mostly walk. It was surprisingly a super hilly course on a dirt track.
Couldn’t believe this guy wearing thongs!

From The Color Run 2014
From The Color Run 2014
From The Color Run 2014

It wasn’t really much of a run. More of a walk. And a hell of a lot of high-fiving and “touchy”.

From The Color Run 2014

At each km we were bombarded with colour powder:

Yellow:

From The Color Run 2014
From The Color Run 2014

Blue:

From The Color Run 2014
From The Color Run 2014

Green – the volunteers here were the most genki-est:

From The Color Run 2014
From The Color Run 2014
From The Color Run 2014

PINK:

From The Color Run 2014
From The Color Run 2014
From The Color Run 2014
From The Color Run 2014
From The Color Run 2014

And then the Finish line:

From The Color Run 2014

Yay us:

From The Color Run 2014
From The Color Run 2014

Check out my arm:

From The Color Run 2014

Covered in Colour:

From The Color Run 2014

They had these really air blowers to blow the powder off your clothes and hair:

From The Color Run 2014

And then Finish Line Colour Toss, just in case you weren’t covered in enough colour:

From The Color Run 2014
From The Color Run 2014
From The Color Run 2014
From The Color Run 2014
From The Color Run 2014
From The Color Run 2014

Random but cool photo of this remote controlled flying camera device so it could capture aerial shots of the powder toss.

Fun day out. Well organised and big props to the volunteers who were all so genki. Just wish these race venues weren’t so far away.

My running training recently has been rather lacklustre. Spending most of my time in the pool these days. I am rather excited about the Electric Run coming to Japan though. Date has been set for July 11. It’s gonna be awesome.

Ivy (Daikanyama) brunch

memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

Been a while since I’ve done some dining reviews. Really need to get back into the brunching and high-teaing.
Seriously, where does the time go these days. I feel like I have no free time. Am also constantly super tired. Not getting enough sleep. Working is really getting in the way of living ne.

Here’s a brunch I did last month. The venue: Ivy. At Daikanyama, fancy, I know. Not an area I frequent much but would love to if I could afford it. It’s a wealthy part to Tokyo full of designers and expensive places and everyone who lives there has dogs. You know the kind of place, where there are cafes for pooches (ie dogs).

Reservations for Ivy are essential, otherwise be prepared to wait in the very long line to get in. Yours truly, of course, secured a reservation about a week in advance (due to someone else cancelling, as I got put on a waitlist). The venue was surprisingly really large with lots of different areas.

A glass of sparkling to whet the appetite:

From Ivy brunch

They do have an official breakfast menu for brunch, but it ends at 11am, so we had to choose from the lunch menu instead.

I had a craving for seafood pizza on this particular day. Just as well, I went for a jog that morning. Also shared some wedges.

From Ivy brunch

The pizza base was really light (more like a flatbread rather than a dough), not so bready, so there was room for dessert.
I didn’t hold back. Pancakes it was then.

From Ivy brunch
From Ivy brunch

Pricey for what it was considering it’s not gourmet food. And overrated. I don’t think I chose wisely from their food menu. You might do better with some of their other dishes. Dinner might be a better option but it’s not exactly cheap.