The majority of the existing walls at the Great Wall of China now was made during the Ming Dynasty. However, some of the walls have been built as early as 7th century BCE. The most famous of which are the walls built by the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang. The walls served as protection of the Chinese empire from raids and invasions by nomadic group, and as a border control. The entirety of the Great Wall is measuring about 21,196 km.
Month: January 2016
The Frozen Shirahige Waterfalls
The word shirahige means white beard and the name was coined as the water flowing alongside the rocks resembled white beard. The beautiful splash of cobalt blue is created by the water spring beneath the rocks and the impact of the water plunging to the rocks below. The waterfalls which stands more than 30 meters tall can be best viewed from the helix bridge.
Mihama American Village In Okinawa
Located near the American military bases is an an entertainment complex called Mihama American Village. The entertainment complex resembles a big American outdoor shopping mall with lots of shops, restaurants, cafes and a movie theater. There are shops selling American brand clothing, second-hand American decorations and toys, as well as military-themed clothes and accessories. The most recognizable feature of the American Village is the large Ferris Wheel.
Throwback Trips: Ooyaji Temple
The Oyaji Temple is a Buddhist temple of the Tendai sect that was built in a hollowed cave at the foot of a rocky cliff. It was established in the year 810 by the Japanese Buddhist monk, Kobo-Daishi (also known as Kuukai).
Foodtrip In Philly
Philadelphia is famous for its Philly Cheese Steak, but it was not the only one we enjoyed during our stay in Philly. For 3 nights, we had different tastes of gastronomic fun. I think we had our dinner at 3 of the best restaurants in Philadelphia.
Okinawa Theme Parks
During my trip in Okinawa, I have visited 3 theme parks: the Ocean Expo Park, the Okinawa World and the Nago Pineapple Park. I went twice at the Ocean Expo Park, the second time as part of my second Okinawa Bus tour destinations at the same time with Nago Pineapple Park. My first Okinawa Bus tour includes the Okinawa World.
The Wonders Of Ifugao Rice Terraces
The Banaue Rice Terraces are 2,000-year-old terraces that were carved by hand by the indigenous people living in the mountains if Ifugao. Terraces were constructed as a practical solution to the problem of growing rice on mountanous land like Banaue. Because of its scenic beauty, it was called by the Filipinos the “Eighth Wonder of the World”.
The Train With One Passenger
A story about a highschool girl who has been the lone passenger of a train in Japan has been viral on the web. So upon learning that the train station is in Japan, I asked my friend to go there during one of our roadtrips.
Flashnote: Taushubetsu Bridge
It’s winter and it’s a nice time to walk along frozen lakes. One of the lakes here in Hokkaido that you can traverse by foot is the Nukabira Lake. Most of the people who go to the lake camp there to do some ice fishing. But today, we went there not to do ice fishing but to see the Taushubetsu Bridge.
Okinawa And The World War II
During the WWII, the Americans invaded Okinawa via Operation Iceberg to use it as a base for air operations on their planned invasion of mainland Japan. The Battle of Okinawa lasted for 82 days and was known to be one of the bloodiest in the Pacific. Dubbed as “tetsu no ame” (rain of steel), the battle was so ferocious due to the intensity of kamikaze attacks from the Japanese defenders, and to the sheer numbers of Allied ships and armored vehicles that assaulted the island.
Edo Wonderland
Ninjas are cool. The anime Naruto showed that being a shinobu (ninja) are the coolest thing in the world. But unlike the ninjas in the anime, the real ones who once roamed the Japanese lands do not possess superhuman strength and powers. Ninjas were actually covert mercenaries in feudal Japan responsible for espionage, sabotage, infiltration, assassination and guerrilla warfare. Their methods were somehow labeled as “dishonorable” in contrast to the samurai rules. However, their legendary powers (which were just based on folklores) such as control of the elements and invisibility made them look cool in the Western perception. Anyway, I had the chance of walking along with the “ninjas” nearly 5 years ago.
Stuck In Makati
During our 2 day meeting in the Philippines, we decided to hold our meeting in Makati and stay in the hotel there for 3 nights to avoid the heavy traffic in Manila. I didn’t have the chance to go to my hometown. So what did I do when I got stuck in Makati? 1. I…
Amoj In Wanderland 