The mystical land of Kyoto
(Sunday, June 29, 2008/9:37 PM)
Tml is my driving test liao... Stressed ah! But I guess it doesn't help matters by being so nervous, so I'll juz leave it up to God! :) I had my final revision lesson today, and my instructor was sooo funny. He began talking to me abt psychology and how he loves to analyze ppl's characters, and he correctly asserted that I'm shy, and that I should try crazy things once in awhile.
Yeah u guessed it right, he talked abt sex. He told me all his sex stories and his love life and I almost couldn't concentrate on driving *lol*! At the end of lesson, he explained to me the rationale for talking so much nonsense, and that's to put me at ease, to relax and enjoy driving before the test. What a great guy he is! Thanks and I'll promise to do my best! =)
Alright, time to relive some memories of my trip to Japan. Helps to take my mind away from the test tml as well! Where am I now? Kyoto, isn't it? Kyoto is an old capital of Japan and retains much of its olden charm and glory. It's the place u go to if u wish to see magnificent temples and shrines!
Transport in Kyoto should be mainly by bus, and not trains. Most of the tourist attractions are situated near bus-stops. It shouldn't be that difficult to decipher the bus routes cos' they'd list major attractions which they'd go to conveniently on their directory boards. The buses will notify passengers of each and every bus-stop which it's stopping at as well. Think TIBS buses but way more advanced.
Kiyomizu-dera is a popular temple to go to, and I was pleasantly surprised to see even schoolkids dropping by the temple after school. I wonder is it because there's a shrine dedicated to love relationships up the slopes? :D
If u travel by public transport, the route to Kiyomizu-dera can be quite taxing as there'll be a long upslope to tread on in order to reach the main temple area. I was almost out of breath when I finally reached the temple gates *whew*! On the way up, u should pass through their shopping streets, so the shops will serve as resting spots if u feel tired midway. I walked thru another street and it was rather empty. I felt rather stupid, but it's okay since we took the route down via the shopping street.
Awesome place to take a slow-paced stroll but the throngs of tourists and giggly schoolkids might dampen the atmosphere a little. The worst event of the day was when it rained heavily when we made our descent back to the town. Guys, try not to go during the rainy season if u intend to do alot of sightseeing. But if u intend to have fun in the city area, shopping etc, I guess it'd be fine. I still prefer the cool air of end autumn. Late November remains as the ideal time to travel to Japan.
Kinkakuji is indisputably the #1 tourist attraction in the whole of Kyoto. When u think of a golden pavilion in the middle of a beautiful pond, u should go 'woahhh!!!'. That's what it is, and it's really beautiful to look at.
Woolala! Kinkakuji in its shiny and golden magnificence! The tourist route takes u thru their gardens as well, and it's truly beautiful. Along the way, there'll be 'wishing bowls' on the ground and if u successfully throw ur coin right in one of them, u'll have good luck. I'd say it's another gimmick to earn some revenue for the park. =P I don't need luck, all I need is God. =)
Next up was Nijo Castle, and prior to this trip, I've not visited this castle even once at all. I got no idea why it isn't in most tour agencies' itineraries cos' I found it really nice! Albeit for the fact that it isn't as beautiful as other famous castles such as Osaka Castle and Himeji Castle, it has its own unique charm, and the short tour inside the castle is enriching enough and yet not as taxing as Himeji Castle, which requires u to climb 7-8 floors. -_-"
Gion was disappointing cos' we didn't see any geishas around. Later on, I heard from my sensei that I'd have to step right into their establishments and fork out cash before they appear. Oh well... Luckily, Gion was a one-way street to the shopping district between Shijo-Kawaramachi and Shijo-Keihan-mae subway stations. There's many high-rise department stores there, enough to satisfy the average lady's shopping itch. =P The prices are mid-ranged to expensive, but there'd be sales around if u're observant enough.
Alright, that's it for Kyoto. The next time when I go there, I gonna see some geishas for real. =) Next up will be a short post on Kobe, before I rest up for the night. I do not want to wake up like a zombie and expect to drive seamlessly. :D
Yeah u guessed it right, he talked abt sex. He told me all his sex stories and his love life and I almost couldn't concentrate on driving *lol*! At the end of lesson, he explained to me the rationale for talking so much nonsense, and that's to put me at ease, to relax and enjoy driving before the test. What a great guy he is! Thanks and I'll promise to do my best! =)
Alright, time to relive some memories of my trip to Japan. Helps to take my mind away from the test tml as well! Where am I now? Kyoto, isn't it? Kyoto is an old capital of Japan and retains much of its olden charm and glory. It's the place u go to if u wish to see magnificent temples and shrines!
Transport in Kyoto should be mainly by bus, and not trains. Most of the tourist attractions are situated near bus-stops. It shouldn't be that difficult to decipher the bus routes cos' they'd list major attractions which they'd go to conveniently on their directory boards. The buses will notify passengers of each and every bus-stop which it's stopping at as well. Think TIBS buses but way more advanced.
Kiyomizu-dera is a popular temple to go to, and I was pleasantly surprised to see even schoolkids dropping by the temple after school. I wonder is it because there's a shrine dedicated to love relationships up the slopes? :D
If u travel by public transport, the route to Kiyomizu-dera can be quite taxing as there'll be a long upslope to tread on in order to reach the main temple area. I was almost out of breath when I finally reached the temple gates *whew*! On the way up, u should pass through their shopping streets, so the shops will serve as resting spots if u feel tired midway. I walked thru another street and it was rather empty. I felt rather stupid, but it's okay since we took the route down via the shopping street.
Awesome place to take a slow-paced stroll but the throngs of tourists and giggly schoolkids might dampen the atmosphere a little. The worst event of the day was when it rained heavily when we made our descent back to the town. Guys, try not to go during the rainy season if u intend to do alot of sightseeing. But if u intend to have fun in the city area, shopping etc, I guess it'd be fine. I still prefer the cool air of end autumn. Late November remains as the ideal time to travel to Japan.Kinkakuji is indisputably the #1 tourist attraction in the whole of Kyoto. When u think of a golden pavilion in the middle of a beautiful pond, u should go 'woahhh!!!'. That's what it is, and it's really beautiful to look at.
Woolala! Kinkakuji in its shiny and golden magnificence! The tourist route takes u thru their gardens as well, and it's truly beautiful. Along the way, there'll be 'wishing bowls' on the ground and if u successfully throw ur coin right in one of them, u'll have good luck. I'd say it's another gimmick to earn some revenue for the park. =P I don't need luck, all I need is God. =)Next up was Nijo Castle, and prior to this trip, I've not visited this castle even once at all. I got no idea why it isn't in most tour agencies' itineraries cos' I found it really nice! Albeit for the fact that it isn't as beautiful as other famous castles such as Osaka Castle and Himeji Castle, it has its own unique charm, and the short tour inside the castle is enriching enough and yet not as taxing as Himeji Castle, which requires u to climb 7-8 floors. -_-"
Gion was disappointing cos' we didn't see any geishas around. Later on, I heard from my sensei that I'd have to step right into their establishments and fork out cash before they appear. Oh well... Luckily, Gion was a one-way street to the shopping district between Shijo-Kawaramachi and Shijo-Keihan-mae subway stations. There's many high-rise department stores there, enough to satisfy the average lady's shopping itch. =P The prices are mid-ranged to expensive, but there'd be sales around if u're observant enough.Alright, that's it for Kyoto. The next time when I go there, I gonna see some geishas for real. =) Next up will be a short post on Kobe, before I rest up for the night. I do not want to wake up like a zombie and expect to drive seamlessly. :D
posted by MightyFlameboy. shoot me? | 0 shot me.