i am uniquely and wonderfully made.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple 清水寺 – Kyoto, Japan

apple.e.e-s. — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 06:20:45 +0000

The smell of incense everywhere confirmed that yes, hubby and I made it safe to Kyoto. The former capital of Japan and widely known as the center of Japanese spiritual culture, Kyoto is visited by millions every year to pray, to ask for good fortune and simply to see its lovely sights. The city is one of the most picturesque places I have been to. While autumn is said to be the best time to visit Kyoto where temples and shrines stand out in a fall foliage background, it was still breathtaking even in the heat of summer.

Our first day of discovering Kyoto brought us to Kiyomizu-dera temple. It is a historic temple established in a vantage point overlooking a scenic Kyoto City in 778, even before Kyoto became the capital of Japan. The temple has burned down many times and most buildings are now rebuilt in the early Edo period. All the buildings in the Kiyomizu-dera Temple precincts are now designated as Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities) UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.

The Deva gate and three-storied pagoda at Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto, Japan designated as Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.

The three-storied pagoda at Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto, Japan.

The Deva Gate at Kiyomizu-dera Temple overlooking the city of Kyoto, Japan.

The Bell Tower at Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto, Japan.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto, Japan.

Hubby and I with an overlooking view of Kyoto City at Kiyomizu-dera Temple.

Filed under: Japan Tagged: Bell Tower at Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Deva gate, Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, honeymoon ideas, Kiyomizu-dera temple, Kiyomizudera temple, Kyoto, Kyoto Japan, shrines in Kyoto, temples in Kyoto, things to do in japan, things to do in Kyoto, three-storied pagoda, tourist spot Japan, tourist spot Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities) UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, 清水寺

Hiji Falls (比地大滝 Hiji Ōtaki) – Okinawa, Japan

apple.e.e-s. — Sun, 02 Jun 2013 23:20:19 +0000

Hiji Falls is the largest waterfall in Okinawa with a beautiful trail towards the base pool of only 1.5 kilometers. This short trail in the northern part of the island called Yambaru sounded really easy and effortless until hubby and I proved ourselves wrong hiking it on a humid summer morning. We had never sweated that bad! The staircases were also quite a challenge which are spread throughout the route. Our calves were very sore after.

Hiji Falls, located in the northern part of Okinawa island called Yambaru, is the largest waterfall in the island with a beautiful trail towards the base pool of only 1.5 kilometers.

However, the short trail was magnificent. A wide selection of rare flora and fauna carpeted the track. We even spotted a snake along the way. The stretch of the Hiji River was also captivating, quite a temptation when you are all covered in sweat.

The first sight to greet you on the trail towards Hiji Falls is the dam which was made to look like a natural waterfall.

The beautiful stretch of Hiji River in the northern part of Okinawa, Japan.

The staircases spread throughout the 1.5 kilometer trail to Hiji Falls is quite a challenge especially on a humid summer day.

Hiking the 1.5 kilometer trail to Hiji Falls in the northern part of Okinawa, Japan.

One of the charcoal pits spotted along the 1.5 kilometer trail to Hiji Falls in the northern part of Okinawa, Japan.

A wild snake spotted along the trail to Hiji Falls in the northern part of Okinawa, Japan.

An orange mushroom spotted along the trail to Hiji Falls in the northern part of Okinawa, Japan.

Snakes are something to watch out for on the trail and equally dangerous are the falling rocks along the way.

Falling rocks along the way are something to be cautious about while hiking the trail to Hiji Falls in Okinawa, Japan.

Japanese picnic table at Hiji Falls trail in Okinawa, Japan.

And oh, I should mention this day was our First Year Wedding Anniversary :)

Cheers and more to come!

Hubby and I feeling accomplished witnessing the beauty of the Hiji Falls in the northern part of Okinawa, Japan on our first year wedding anniversary.

Filed under: Japan Tagged: anniversary ideas, anniversary trip, easy hike in Okinawa, falling rocks, Hiji dam, Hiji falls, Hiji River, honeymoon ideas, largest waterfall in Okinawa, orange mushroom, snake in Okinawa, things to do as a couple, things to do in okinawa, things to do in Yambaru, things to see in okinawa, things to see in Yambaru, tourist spots in okinawa, Yambaru, 比地大滝, 比地大滝 Hiji Ōtaki

Tropical Dream Center – Okinawa, Japan

apple.e.e-s. — Sat, 01 Jun 2013 05:50:38 +0000

Another addition to my list of favorite places in Okinawa, Japan is the Tropical Dream Center. It is a wonderfully manicured garden of more than 2,000 orchids and polished beautifully with tropical and subtropical plants. A 6-hectare area of secret paradise overlooked by most visitors in the midst of Okinawa’s Ocean Park in Motobu Town, Tropical Dream Center offers serenity after rubbing elbows at the crowded Churaumi Aquarium. It is a self-guided tour with a choice of approximately 1 hour Standard Course and an approximately half-hour Short Course tour. It is most advisable to come here in the lightest and most comfortable clothes when planning to visit here in summer time since weather temperatures can soar high during summer months in Okinawa.

The Croton Patio inside the Tropical Dream Center at Ocean Expo Park in Motobu, Okinawa, Japan.

The Phalaenopsis Greenhouse inside Tropical Dream Center at Ocean Expo Park in Motobu, Okinawa, Japan has a wide display of genus Phalaenopsis or moth orchids.

Some of the Phalaenopsis or Moth Orchids displayed at the Phalaenopsis Greenhouse inside the Tropical Dream Center in Ocean Expo Park in Motobu, Okinawa, Japan.

The Vanda Greenhouse inside the Tropical Dream Center at Ocean Expo Park in Motobu, Okinawa, Japan. Blue flowers or blue orchids can be viewed here.

The Cattleya Greenhouse inside the Tropical Dream Center in Ocean Expo Park at Motobu, Okinawa, Japan. Fragrant Cattleyas or “Flower Queen” are in full bloom here.

Some tropical fruits grown inside the Fruit Tree Greenhouse in Tropical Dream Center at Ocean Expo Park in Motobo, Okinawa, Japan. Jackfruit, which is the largest fruit in the world, and cacao are some of the fruits in showcase.

Some tropical fruits grown inside the Fruit Tree Greenhouse in Tropical Dream Center Guide at Ocean Expo Park in Motobo, Okinawa, Japan. Guanabana, Dragon Fruit and Mango are some of the fruits in showcase.

The Lounge offers a place for light snacks as you enjoy a view overlooking a koi pond in Tropical Dream Center at Ocean Expo Park in Motobu, Okinawa, Japan.

The Gallery section showcasing plants from the savanna such as the baobab as seen in “The Little Prince” inside the Tropical Dream Center at Ocean Expo Park in Motobu, Okinawa, Japan.

The Observatory inside the Tropical Dream Center at Ocean Expo Park in Motobu, Okinawa, Japan provides a full view of the seaside area from a height of 36 meters (118 feet).

The Amazon water lily grown inside the Tropical Dream Center at Ocean Expo Park in Motobo, Okinawa, Japan.

The gazeebo at the Lotus Pond in Tropical Dream Center at Ocean Expo Park in Motobu, Okinawa, Japan.

At the Lotus Pond in Tropical Dream Center at Ocean Expo Park in Motobu, Okinawa, Japan.

Shikinaen Royal Garden – Okinawa, Japan

apple.e.e-s. — Mon, 27 May 2013 06:09:54 +0000

A UNESCO World Heritage Site under the title Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu situated right in the heart of Naha City was the summer house of the Ryukyu kings. It was constructed in the late 18th century and was completely destroyed during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945, the restoration of which took twenty years which began in 1975. Shikinaen, also called Shichina-nū-Udūn or Southern Gardens, is a perfect blend of Japanese and Chinese design which speaks truly of something Ryukyuan. It rained on the day of our visit but one cannot deny its unmistakable beauty as we trekked the 300 meter circular path through some forested areas. The ponds with stone bridges and hexagonal pavilions adds more serenity to the palace, with artificial hills for better viewing.

Shikinaen Garden is listed as one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Site under the title Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu in Okinawa, Japan.

Shikinaen Garden is one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites under the title Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu. It is situated right in the heart of Naha City and was formely the summer house of the Ryukyu kings.

The stone bridge at Shikinaen Garden in Okinawa, Japan.

The hexagonal pavilion in the middle of the pond at Shikinaen Garden in Okinawa, Japan.

The Banya or the Guard House at Shikinaen in Okinawa, Japan where guards stayed to watch people passing by.

Some forested path at Shikinaen Gardens in Okinawa, Japan.

Shikinaen Garden is listed as one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Site under the title Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu in Okinawa, Japan.

Our happy (and muddy) feet after trekking the breathtaking Shikinaen Gardens in Okinawa, Japan on a rainy spring day.

Filed under: Japan Tagged: Banya or the Guard House at Shikinaen in Okinawa, forested area in Shikinaen Gardens in Okinawa Japan, Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu, hexagonal pavilion, honeymoon ideas, Okinawa Japan, Ryukyu Kings summer house, Shichina-nū-Udūn, Shikinaen Gardens, Shikinaen Royal Garden, Southern Gardens, stone bridge, things to do in Naha, things to do in Okinawa Japan, things to see in Naha, things to see in Okinawa Japan, tourist spots in Naha City, Tourist spots in Okinawa Japan, UNESCO World Heritage Site in Okinawa, uniquely Okinawa

Valley of Gangala – Okinawa, Japan

apple.e.e-s. — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:02:20 +0000

The Valley of Gangala is perhaps one of the most overlooked must-visit sites in Okinawa. Like a book that awaits revelation, the valley has secrets and mysteries to tell. This surprisingly wonderful and unlike-this-world experience begins through a large cave where you can relax at a cafe and wait for the tour briefing to commence. The tour is only conducted in Japanese but we were fortunate to have our own guide who can speak and understand the language very well, though explanations on the details of the tour are handed out to foreign visitors. Only guided tours are allowed in Gangala valley to ensure safety and to protect the ongoing excavations in the site. It is also very impressive to note that they provide insect repellents and jasmine tea for everyone at the start of the tour, a sweet touch of Japanese hospitality.

Hubby standing in front of the entrance of the cave where the Valley of Gangala in Okinawa, Japan experience begins.

Looking out from entrance of the cave where the Valley of Gangala of Okinawa, Japan experience begins.

The hour and a half tour shows interesting natural sites like the river that flows through the valley and rock formations explaining how the valley was a cave once. Along the way, extraordinary trees were pointed out like the “Walking Banyan Tree” which is a name given because of the tree’s new roots that grew out extending itself down creating a “new leg” of the tree towards the river. It is the tree’s natural way of looking for more source of water. Another attraction was the 150-year-old banyan tree with roots that hang down all over prettily. It felt like a movie scene.

The famous “Walking Banyan Tree” of Okinawa, Japan is a name given because of the tree’s new roots that grew out extending itself down creating a “new leg” of the tree towards the river.

The river that passes through the Valley of Gangala in Okinawa, Japan.

Beautiful rock formations showing the Valley of Gangala in Okinawa, Japan to be a cave once.

The 150-year-old banyan tree is one attraction in the Valley of Gangala in Okinawa, Japan.

The valley also houses two famous caves in Okinawa – the Inagudo Cave or famously called the “female cave” and the Ikigado or the “male cave – and ancient Okinawans came here to pray for fertility.. There is a valid reason why they are called such and the photos will briefly explain why.

The Inagudo Cave or famously called the “female cave” is an attraction in the Valley of Gangala in Okinawa, Japan. Ancient Okinawans came here to pray for fertility

The Ikigado or the “male cave” is an attraction in the Valley of Gangala in Okinawa, Japan. Ancient Okinawans came here to pray for fertility

Lamps were provided as we entered the Ikigado or the “male cave”, an attraction in the Valley of Gangala in Okinawa, Japan. Ancient Okinawans came here to pray for fertility.

One astonishing attraction in the Valley of Gangala are excavations of pre-historic settlement believed to be 1,800 years old. Bones and tools of the Minatogawa man who are thought to be among the oldest inhabitants of Okinawa, and some of the oldest in all Asia were found in this site.

Excavations of pre-historic settlement believed to be 1,800 years old in the Valley of Gangola. Photo shown is the exact spot where the bones and tools of the Minatogawa man was found, who was thought to be among the oldest inhabitants of Okinawa, and one of the oldest in all Asia.

Ongoing excavations of pre-historic settlement believed to be 1,800 years old in the Valley of Gangola. Bones and tools of the Minatogawa man was found here, who was thought to be among the oldest inhabitants of Okinawa, and one of the oldest in all Asia.

There are many stories explaining the origin of the name Gangala but our Japanese tour guide concluded that the name is the sound of a stone being thrown and then rolled down the deep areas of the site :

Gang, Gang, Gangala, Gangalala, Gangalalala.