Japan: Kamakura

Kamakura is a small coastal city in Kanagawa Prefecture, about an hour and a half from Tokyo by train.

Kamakura’s Daibatsu or great buddha is among this ancient capital’s main tourist attractions

The serenity of the sitting bronze buddha has mesmerized thousands, including the so-called Lady of Nijo, and English poet Sir Rudyard Kipling.


One of Japan’s favorite hiking spots, Kamakura is small and may be covered by foot in less than a day. In the olden days, however, it served as the de facto capital of Japan as the seat of the Shogunate (Bakufu). I think this was during the reign of Minamoto Yoritomo in 1192. In fact, by 1250 AD, Kamakura became the 4th largest city in the world, a thriving community of 200,000 people.

Dining places near the pier

Kamakura is often referred to as the Kyoto of eastern Japan because of its well-preserved shrines, temples and monuments. It has also become a favorite surfing site among Tokyo residents.

Kamakura’s dark sands and wavy shores for some reasons are becoming a come-on for Tokyo’s surfing enthusiasts

More of those quaint dining places near the pier

Looking down, it is as if this red torii was built to invoke the gods’ protection from giant waves. The temple where the daibatsu was said to be housed originally was purportedly swept away by a tsunami. With the temple this close from the shore, there is practically no need for explanation.

More Cebu Photos

Fort San Pedro
Fort San Pedro is probably the Philippines' oldest and smallest fort. Named after one of Miguel Legazpi's ships (San Pedro) it was purportedly built to repel attacks from natives yet to be subjugated, Muslim pirates and other hostile elements. As the Spaniards consolidated their territorial presence in Cebu, the fort assumed various uses other than being a stronghold. It even served as a prison camp for Filipino insurgents waging a revolt against Spain. Of course, the fort had long been decommissioned for military purposes and has now become one of Cebu's popular historical landmarks.

More photos of Cebu Beach Club

Study on fruits 2

I just love fruits, especially as photography subjects. I had wanted to include more fruits to add more color but in Japan bananas and oranges are the most common (read: cheapest, ideal for a ryuugakusei running on a budget).

Hong Kong

The popular tourist destination known as Hong Kong--home to many popular Chinese A-listers--used to be a significant trading port under the control of the British. After its transfer to the People's Republic of China in 1997, Hong Kong became one of the two special administrative regions (the other one is Macau) under the special administrative "one country two systems" policy. This means Hong Kong is to be left largely autonomous, with its own currency and political system even though it is technically part of mainland China. This would explain also why Hong Kong residents generally do not consider themselves as Chinese and tend to look down on their counterparts from the mainland. This also explains why those in the mainland generally despise Hong Kong residents. So, no, Hong Kong Chinese are not particularly racist against Filipinos (who mostly work as maids, do their laundry and tend to their kids); they are racist even against their own kind.

But putting aside the economic consideration (which is why mothers and sisters would sacrifice their families to work in Hong Kong in the first place), would anybody really want to be in Hong Kong? The city is nothing but skyscrapers, vehicles and thoroughfares. If you think there is no slum in Hong Kong, try passing through the alleys hidden behind the tall buildings (I know any budget traveller knows this; this is where transients usually go for cheap room rates)














Temples, a giant buddha, parks frequented by domestic workers and old monuments--vestiges of Hong Kong's past--serve as respite to the city's lifeless urbanity.

In fact, were it not for Disneyland, Chip Tsao's city would be nothing but a wad of concrete emptiness.

Baguio

A beautiful cathedral at the heart of the city of pines whose name now eludes me (is it St. Mary's?)









Baguio is known as the Philippines' summer capital because its geographic altitude gives the city a cool almost springlike feel all year round. It is important to remember, however, that pollution, waste management problems and a giant mall at the heart of the city has altered its atmosphere somehow--in both literary and literal sense. Here are a few pictures of Baguio I took before my poor Olympus' battery ran out.

If you're planning to visit the city, do check out these gastronomic samplers from Zola (open 24 hours).

Samurai crepe (left); Mango crepe (right)



Sweet and sour pork (top); Beef and mushroom (bottom)

Study on fruits

Fruits make for a perfect study in digital photography. Bananas, which are widely available anywhere in the Philippines, combine perfectly with other seasonal fruits to create vibrant colors in photos.

I bet you know now where the idea for the banner came from.

Study on cats

Common domestic felines, your typical house cats, make for an excellent study in basic photography. Meet Kiko (the masked one) and Budoy (the striped "ipis" predator).