Hong Kong`
It was 7 years since 1997 – the end of 150 years of British rule in Hong Kong. Something changed, and something has not changed.
Nowadays, HK people are more political conscious. The future of the Fragrant Harbor (the
meaning of the name of Hong Kong) depends a lot from China. However, Hong Kong has not lost its international charm and always
hustling culture. Visiting Hong Kong will a one
of lifetime experience for a lot of people. Hong Kong has a
blend of Eastern and European culture – from Chinese delicacy restaurants to
English pubs, cathedrals to Buddhist temples, Body Shop to Chinese herb
medicine stores. In a park of Hong Kong, the statures of King George IV – the
late King of the British Empire - and Dr. Sun Yat Sun
– the founding father of modern China - both stand.
I grew up in Hong Kong, and lived
there for 18 years. I really missed Hong Kong. Although
I am not sure about my future, returning to Hong Kong is
definitely a possibility. As a
career scientist, Hong Kong itself may
not be the best place for a scientific career. However, I think it is more
important to live a life that one enjoys.
Grandma and me – My Grandma is recovering from a stroke that
occurred 3 years ago. This year will be her and my grandfatherfs 60 marriage
anniversary; I am looking forward to that.
My father loves guests. He was having guests over to his
home.
I was going out with dinner with friends while I am still
recovering from jet lag. Man, I was
really beaten up in this picture L.
My cousin is a certified chief, and loves to cook. It is too
bad that she didnft want to open her own restaurant >_<. Her cooking is good J.
This is downtown Hong Kong
near the historical British High Court. The glass building next to the old High
Court building is the Bank of China – the landmark of Hong
Kong.
People are everywhere in Hong Kong.
This is already a less crowded spot.
Orientation in Yokosuka-Hayama (‘{κ|tR) Shounan International Village
Shounan
International Village
is about 90 kilometers south of downtown Tokyo
near the city of Yokosuka
– a major US
and Japanese Navy port and the historical landing place of Commodore Matthew
Perry. JSPS (Japan Society of the Promotion of Science) decides to use this
place for the orientation.
Dr. Behera (right) is one of my
host scientists.
Cho was my roommate in Hayama.
My digital camera likes Cho more
than I do >_<.
I spent two days with the Haruda
family as part of the orientation program. Mr. Haruda
himself is a retired JMA (Japan Meteorological Agency) scientist.
Home-style cooking. Yum!
If a 65 years old lady can use a PC, you have no excuse to
be unable to use it ;).
Seaside with the Harudas.
Tokyo
This place is
called Akihabara – the ultimate destination for Japanese geeks. The whole area only sells electronics,
computers, music, and anime goods. I will be poor if I go there too much.
This is a
sushi bar in Tokyo.
I hate 10 dishes of sushi.
It is actually fairly cheap. Each dish only cost 168 yen (about 1.5 US
Dollars).
Have food and
a drink :D
Yokohama ‘l Minima Kantou
μΦ Shounan Γμ
Kanagawa _ήμ
My work and
living place in Japan is in the Kanagawa prefecture in Shounan region.
There are lots of famous places in Shounan –
the historical city of Kamakura
and Odawara, the hot springs of Hakone, and the resorts of Ito and
Atami, and the metropolitan Yokohama. I will post pictures of my work place
soon. This will include the famous
Earth Simulator!
This is Japan
Marine Science and Technology Center – my host institute. It is kind of like NCAR or Woods Hole of
Japan.
I stayed in
this room for 2 nights. I have since moved to a larger room. This room costs
100 thousand yen a month (about 950 US Dollars). >_< My newer place is
much larger with only slightly more expensive rent.
I am on top of
a small mountain in Hakone. I do
not have enough time to enjoy all the parks and hot springs there, but it is refreshing to visit
the country side. Nothing is better
than a nice mountain breeze.
The winds are
really strong today, so it is a little scary in the cable car that is going up
the mountain.
This is volcano park in Hakone.
In this park, people use the hot springs to boil eggs. The bag I am holding has
a dozen of those eggs. Due to
specific chemistry of the hot spring, the egg shell is boiled to complete
black. The gas you see in the
background has very strong sulfur content.
Tourists are warned not to stay too long near it.
The warning is
official! All of that gas in the background view is volcano gas.
Summer
festivals and firework displays are common in Japan. I am heading to a fireworks event in Yokosuka (‘{κ). There
are lots of people, but I do not know the official head count.
Picture is not
very well taken. If you look carefully, you will notice big crowds near me. The
stalls in the side have games and food.
Japanese
festival food!
This is a not
very successful attempt to take pictures of the fireworks. The fireworks are
awesome. I wish I can take a better picture.
Others
Tcov:
These will be yours after I get back to United States.
Hmmmmcc Spam in a supermarket
>_<. I could not resist, but to take a picture of it.
Coming soon!