By Gorge, This Is Awesome

Hi there, my other son came back from a schooI trip from Japan. I thought it would
be wonderful to share some of the photos he has taken. Here is a glimpse of some of
the beautiful scenery he got to enjoy. 

 

Hi, I am Ryan and this entry is written as guest to my mom's blog. Earlier this month, I went on a school trip to Japan. It was a definitely a remarkmable journey into another culture. We touched down at Fukuoka Airport in Kyushu which is the third largest island, south west of Japan. We were fortunate we were not affected by the typhoon that hit Japan but it rained on and off that whole day.
 

 
During the trip, we visited many places of attraction both cultural and scenic spots. Brimming with history was Kumamoto Castle and mythology were the shinto shrines. Apart from sightseeing, visits to the car & motor factories were part of our educational tour. We got to experience a farmstay for a night and attended bamboo craft workshop. The best time was spent trekking along Takachiho and Kikuchi Gorge.
 

Kumamoto Castle

400 year old

 

Kushida Shrine

House in Mojiko Retro Town 

KIKUCHI GORGE
Kumamoto prefecture

 

Throughout this short hike up the gorge, the temperature was a little chilly. The sound of footsteps on the pebbles, running water amid the lush greenery that surrounded us, felt very calming and serene indeed. Seen here were beautiful waterfalls and rocky banks.

TAKACHIHO KYO GORGE
Miyazaki prefecture

The Takachicho Kyo gorge is so different from the previous one we went. Located deep into the mountains, it is a ravine formed by the volcanic basalt from Mount Aso. Steep cliffs lined the sides of the Gokase River and 17 meter high Manai Falls cascading from the precipitous cliff was simply breathtaking.

We also went to this cave, Amano Yasukawara. A simple shrine is dedicated to the sun goddess. According to Japanese mythology, this was where she, Amaterasu hid after her brother destroyed her palace until other gods lured her out.

We also had the privilege to visit the proximity of Mount Aso, touted to be the largest volcano on earth. However due to the eruption level, warning was being raised in August 2014. With the closing of the facilities meant little photos could be taken.

Mount Aso

During this trip, we also spent a night at a homestay with a Japanese family. Our host, Ms Masugata; her hospitality was a very welcoming and warm one. Not to mention that we got to help out harvesting Japanese persimmons from a tree outside their home. When dinner time came around, my group and I were treated to a generous feast only a Japanese family could offer. So much food kept flowing out of the kitchen as we ate, that we suggested having leftovers for breakfast too.

Group photo with Ms Masugata & Husband

Alas, my holiday in Japan has come to an end. My friends and I thoroughly enjoyed the homestay. I have seen so much throughout this trip that I can share with you the beautiful gorges we visited. I returned to Singapore after an enjoyable week long trip in Fukuoka. 

~ X o X ~

Mom : I thanked God for the safe trip and keeping all of them out of harms way. Second typhoon Vongfong smashed through Japan and made landfall in Kyushu on Monday, 5 days after he is back. Phew !

Musical Exchange In Austria and Germany

Vienna City

  

 Hello, my name is Russell. My dear mother has asked me to share with her and you my two week long trip to Europe (Vienna & Berlin). Knowing the love she has for the details in a building – both the facade & interior – I have decided to be her guest blogger for this post.

  

Rathauskeller

The flight to Vienna, Austria was taxing: Having a flight at 2am local time, adjusting the body clock 6 hours back while enduring 17 hours of travel (inclusive of transit in Dubai) was no simple task. Upon landing, we were welcomed by the cool temperate climate; sunny yet chilly. The sky was a clear blue with clouds spread smatteringly across.
 

Part of the SMU Symphonia entourage at St. Stephen's Cathedral
     

Vienna - Konzerthaus Int

Our first half of the trip was intensively focused on the competition. The Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival invited music groups of many nations to participate in world renowned concert houses. Our engrossment in our task to perform good music however didn'’t stop us to bask in the atmosphere of the city. The adjudication took place in the ‘Musikverein’, home to the Vienna Philharmonic orchestra. Our band was also blessed with the top tier achievement, granting us the chance to perform in an additional venue - the ‘Wiener Konzerthaus’ which houses several premier music groups. Vienna has a deep rooted music heritage, which they show by paying homage to famous names in classical music. To me the building archetype here was not something new as I have seen the likes of it in Singapore. However the sheer number of it all over town made the experience walking down very surreal.

Musikverein - Golden Hall

Ritter Sport Shoppe in Berlin

    

 Some scenery in transit through Czech
  

With competition out of our minds, the second half of the trip in Berlin took a much more leisurely pace. It started with a day long bus ride up north, out of Austria and through the Czech Republic. Prague, the capital of Czech Republic was a beautiful town. Escaping significant damages from WWII, buildings and monuments stood the test of time. Allowing you to see what was once admired by the Czech generations ago.

Berlin's Potsdamer Platz

Being the capital city of Germany, Berlin is a very metropolitan place to be. The cityscape is similar to the likes of many other cities but with its unique features, Berlin is awe-striking in its own way. Standing in the midst of the public square ‘Potsdamer Platz’ makes you ponder; you are standing where WWII and the Cold War once happened. Within proximity are remnants of the Berlin Wall as well as the Holocaust Memorial, which now serve as a testament to how far the people of Germany have progress onwards and a reminder to result of conflict.
 

Berlin Wall

Holocaust Memorial also known  as the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe,

 is a memorial in Berlin to the Jewish victims of the Holocaust

Rehearsal for performance at Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche ( landmark church )

Beautiful midnight-blue glass walls and a giant 'floating' Jesus.

Alas . . our two week escapade to Europe had finally come to an end and we return home bound to our families and friends. This trip was definitely an eye-opener to me, being in Europe for the first time. It also a much deserved vacation for me before I buckle down for further studies. I truly appreciate the opportunity given to me to share the sights of Europe with you all albeit brief. Hope you enjoyed reading this post. 

Kudos,

Russell Lim