KINABALU

Friday, May 23, 2014

CHERRY BLOSSOMS - OSAKA CASTLE

We spent the afternoon in Osaka Castle on 09April before leaving for Tokyo. Surprisingly, there were still "Cherry blossoms".

The castle has a wide variety of cherry blossoms (sakura).

As the "Hanami" season was almost over, there were only a couple of stalls left.

Close-up on the flowers.

The castle in the distance.

Children picnicking under the sukura trees.

It was a very good afternoon walk, another memorable "Hanami" experience.

Sunday, May 11, 2014

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL THE MOTHERS IN THE WORLD

Happy mother's day to all the mothers in the world! It's a great day to celebrate!

Love from Cherry blossoms!

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

DOMESTIC AIRLINES IN JAPAN

There are more than 20 Japanese airlines operating in Japan. Many of them are budget or low-fare carriers painted with colourful livery. While waiting for our flight to Osaka at Fukuoka airport, I took some pictures of the planes coming in to land and some lining up for take-off.

The Star Flyer, a Japanese "hybrid airline" operating 4 cities in Japan with their fleet of black and white A320s.

Jet Star Japan, serving 9 Japanese cities with A320s.

Fuji Dream Airline operates a fleet of Embraer 170-175 aircrafts.

Another FDA plane in yellow coming to land.

A Japan Air Self-Defense Force (航空自衛隊)Kawasaki T-4 Training aircraft caught my eyes.

The Peach Aviation's A320 in pink and white.

A Bombardier Dash 8 of ANA WINGS

Another Bombardier Dash 8 of JAL.

Japan Transocean Air's B737-400

ANA on final approach

Skymark Airlines is the first low-cost airline established in 1998. It has a large fleet of B737-800.

I noticed another Fuji Dream aircraft in purple as our aircraft was pushed back for departure,

Flew over mountainous areas covered with snow.

Landed at Osaka International airport (ITAMI).

Saturday, April 26, 2014

FUKUOKA - THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

The next few days, we were busy visiting business partners and some old friends. We missed "Cherry Blossoms" as the season ended a day before our arrival.

The left over flowers near Maizuru Park.

A walk in Ohori Park(大濠公園) brought back lots of fond memories.

Ohori Park is one of the most beautiful parks in Japan and loved by local people as a relaxation spot.

The next best thing is to enjoy Fukuoka cuisine which is considered one of the best in Japan.

One of our favourites is this "Yaki Niku" shop.

Salad bowl.

Saga beef from Kyushu.

Plenty of green and "kimchi".

Another favourite of mine is the "Kushi-Age" 串揚げ(Skewer) served by this small Japanese restaurant near Nakasu.

The "Kushi-Age" 串揚げ consist of deep fried vegetables, fish and meat on skewers.

To end the dinner, the "Master" of the shop served us three types of "Ochazuke". "Ochazuke" is a popular Japanese dish served with rice in green tea and some salty toppings or pickled vegetables.

We had the toppings of salmon flakes, roasted seaweed with ginger and sesame seeds.

These were two of the most enjoyable meals with the company of our Japanese friends.

Friday, April 25, 2014

FIRST STOP - FUKUOKA ,JAPAN 2014

On first week of April, we flew Malaysia Airlines' B737-800 from Kota Kinabalu to Narita. It took off as per schedule at 07:40.

Mt.Kinabalu in the morning sun.

Flight was 70% full.

It's breakfast time - either chicken with fried noodles or omelet with chicken sausage.

The only meal for the 5 hours 20 minutes flight.

Landed at Narita Terminal 1 at 14:00 and the CIQ clearance took about 45 minutes as there was a jam going through Immigration. We took the shuttle bus to Terminal 1 where our connecting flight to Fukuoka was departing at 17:00.