Meiji Shrine, Tokyo

This would be the second time I've visiting the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, or is it the third? Hmm...third!, with each visit a span of 20 years after the other! Amazing. Or not, shows my age! Well, this visit was in June 2013, when we were in Tokyo for our Board Meeting.

The Meiji Shrine would be the most important shrine in Japan, and gets especially busy during major festivals. It is dedicated to the Emperor Meiji and his wife. Luckily, it was a quiet week day when we visited, so we had nearly the entire place to ourselves.

As with all shrines and temples in Japan, the landscaping and architectural was in harmony with nature, and all very peaceful and surreal.

Barrels of sake that have been donated to the Shrine

Visitors will have to enter through a large torii gate. Local customs indicate that one has to bow once when entering (at the gate), and bow once when leaving.

Torii gate at entrance into the grounds

Once past the archway, it's a peaceful stroll along the pebbled grounds leading up to the main building.

Another Torii gate leading towards the compound housing the main shrine building

Before approaching the main shrine building, worshippers will have to purify themselves at a temizuya nearby, a water ablution pavilion. It is not unlike the water ablutions of many other religions, where worshippers will have to rinse their hands and mouth (a sign of purification) before entering the shrine.

The temizuya

Once done, worshippers can step across the gate and into the main compound.

Inside the main compound

Even the tress are asymmetrical with one another

Worshippers will write down their prayers or wishes, and hang it out for priests to pray on their behalf.

Prayers, or wishes, left by visitors around the big divine trees

Prayers of visitors

The House Of Dancing Water

Visited Macau over the weekend, and upon much recommendation, went to watch The House Of Dancing Water. We bought the most expensive tickets, and didn't regret it one bit. The show was marketed everywhere in Macau as a 'must see', and it was as good as all the recommendations said it was.

Housed in the City of Dreams, it has a central stage of water, and the first 4 rows of audience do actually get wet! According to its website, the show took 5 years to develop, 2 years of rehearsal and about HKD2 Billion of production investment.

We were fortunate to have been at its 2000th show. It was truly magnificent and a refreshing change from all the other usual acrobatic shows that one sees across China.

The Water Stage

Motorcycles stunts in such a confined space. Amazing.

Cast taking a bow

The Rolling Steppes of Mongolia

Beautiful.
Awesome.
Breathtaking.

These words just automatically popped into my mind as we drive through the Mongolian countryside. The grasslands were simply endless and stretches as far as the eye could see. The skies and clouds were more vivid in colour than I have ever seen, although it was only blue and white.

Would I go back again? Most definitely, yes.

A Little Town Called St. Gilgen

Mitch and I signed up for a day trip to Salzburg, and enroute we made a lightning stop in St. Gilgen. It was still quite early in the morning and most of the locals weren't up yet. It was so cold I could see the air coming out of my mouth as I breathe.

Breathtaking view

Lane leading from the St. Gilgen bus station

Our guide took us on a brisk walk around the town and town square. I would really have loved to stroll this place at my own pace, with perhaps a coffee on one of its many terraced restaurants. Unfortunately, it was not to be the case.

A quick shot of Mitch before hurrying after our group

Outside the Town Hall (I think!)

A mother with her children on a brisk morning walk

Cable cars going up to the ski base

Cable cars going across the town

Overlooking the roofs and across to the mountains beyond

Glad we made the stop but would definitely have preferred to spend more time here!

Vienna Sights - Kunthistorisches Museum

Vienna is actually a very walkable city, with most of its major sights within reach of each other. All one would really require is a good pair of walking shoes. Well, if even I can manage it, I think everyone else would have no trouble!

The first majot sight we visited was the Kunthistorisches Museum, part of the Museumquartier complex. First impression - Huge. First thought - No way I'm going to explore every inch of this place!

If our first sighting of it already took our breath away, we were astounded when we rounded the corner and came upon the central courtyard of sorts. The Kunthistoriches was paralel facing another similar sized building (I have forgotten its name now) and smack right in the middle between them was a giant-sized statue of Marie Therese.

Some of the items on display inside the museum.

Huge marble sculpture of 'Theseus Defeats The Centaur' greeting visitors at the top of the marble stairs

Mummy sarcophagi in the Egyptian Wing

Ancient Egyptian jewelry

Greek relief in the Greek Wing

After leaving the Museum, we came across a huge statue of Goethe on the streets.