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| Mt May |
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| Lake Maroon and Peaks of the Scenic Rim. |
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| Purple Flower - Summit, Mt May |
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| Heading back |
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| Mt Barney |
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| Negotiating a "interesting" section of the descent. |
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| Dirt Road Out |
Friday 17 June 2011
Mt May
Dad, Benny the dog and I went for a bushwalk today. Our plan was to climb Mt May, an 800mish peak in Mt Barney NP, Southeast Queensland.
Winter was a good season for climbing this sub-tropical peak. And we had great weather for the day. Some light clouds, but no rain.
It took us around 3 hours to climb the nearly 600m of vertical to reach the summit. The views of the surrounding area were stunning.
After having a bite to eat for lunch on the summit, Dad and the dog took a nap while I went off looking for some macro subjects to photograph.
This was a circuit walk. We climbed up the north face and descended down the south-west ridge. I like to avoid backtracking if I can.
To the south of the top of the summit we get some great views of the twin peaks of Mt Barney. It's the highest peak in the local are and another 500m higher than Mt May.
There are a few rock scrambling sections on this route both up and down but nothing too difficult. The dog needed a little help with this one, mostly because he gets in the way of where we are trying to climb and one of us is going to get pushed off the mountain.
After that it links up with a dirt road for a 3km walk out. Lazy people could drive up this and make the walk much shorter. We managed the full circuit from the campground in around 6 hours, which made for an enjoyable day out.
Monday 11 April 2011
Kamakura - Daytrip
After our failed attempt to see the cherry blossoms in Kyoto last month, we thought we would visit Kamakura for the cherry blossoms. Cherry blossoms are rather temperamental. They have a very short flowering duration, perhaps a week but a strong breeze or rain will shorten that some more.
Just a few people before the tourist bus hordes arrive.
A Tsukubai in the gardens around the temple.
This time the cherry blossoms were in full bloom. However there aren't that many cherry blossom trees around Kamakura. So we visited several temples instead.
Different take on Buddha. Looks a little half starved and hungry.
Japan's traditional base isolators that protected temples from earthquakes.
One of the three Great Buddhas in Japan. The others are at Nara and Aomori, which in the 8 years I've lived in Japan I have visited.
Another lesser shrine behind the Great Buddha.
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| Kencho-ji |
Just a few people before the tourist bus hordes arrive.
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| Tsukubai - Engaku-ji |
A Tsukubai in the gardens around the temple.
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| Cherry Blossoms |
This time the cherry blossoms were in full bloom. However there aren't that many cherry blossom trees around Kamakura. So we visited several temples instead.
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| Buddha Hall - Kencho-ji |
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| Buddha Hall - Engaku-ji |
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| Buddha Hall - Kencho-ji |
Different take on Buddha. Looks a little half starved and hungry.
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| Base Isolator - Engaku-ji |
Japan's traditional base isolators that protected temples from earthquakes.
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| Great Buddha - Kotokuin-ji |
One of the three Great Buddhas in Japan. The others are at Nara and Aomori, which in the 8 years I've lived in Japan I have visited.
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| Shrine Hall - Kotokuin-ji |
Another lesser shrine behind the Great Buddha.
Thursday 31 March 2011
Kyoto - Day 2
Today was a late start since our hotel had a very small breakfast area and when we went down at 8 am there was no where to sit. It was a cheap hotel. We came back at 9 and found seats but considering what was on offer it was hardly worth the wait. Etsuko enjoyed it but I'm still not accustomed to Japanese style breakfasts.
Our first stop today was Ryōan-ji another of kyoto's Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto UNESCO World heritage site.
This is perhaps the most famous of Japan's rock gardens. There are 15 rocks in this garden but no matter what angle you view it from (except above) you can only see 14 rocks. It is said that once you have attained enlightenment you will be able to see all 15 rocks. Looks like plenty of people are trying...
Also at Ryōan-ji is this tsukubai. It's used for the ritual washing of the hands at Buddhist temples. The 4 kanji characters carved in to the stone have little individual significance but when combined with the 5th central kanji, they take on a profound meaning, ware tada taru shiru, which roughly translates to mean "what one has is all one needs". Very Zen.
Next up is Kinkaku-ji or the Golden Pavilion, another world heritage site and one of the most visited places in all of Japan. The top two floors are made of real gold.
I have know idea why, but people were trying to throw coins into this bowl. Given the number of coins outside the bowl, it looks quite hard but it wasn't that far away so I thought I would have a go too. However 15 yen later and all I could do was add to the outsiders. I'm not sure what you "win" if you get one in. No one else could do it either.
Later in the day we made our way to Heian jingu, a Shinto Shrine.
Not sure if these statues are supposed to be lions or dogs. I think they look like lions but others have told me they look like dogs. Most shrines and temples have a pair of them.
We ended the day at Yasuka Shrine before walking back to Kyoto station. Our night bus left at 11:30 pm but all the cafes closed at 9 or 10 pm so it was a chilly wait for the bus after that. Unlike the bus we came here on (different companies) this one had some reasonable leg room and I managed a little sleep.
Our first stop today was Ryōan-ji another of kyoto's Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto UNESCO World heritage site.
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| Japanese Rock Garden - Ryōan-ji |
This is perhaps the most famous of Japan's rock gardens. There are 15 rocks in this garden but no matter what angle you view it from (except above) you can only see 14 rocks. It is said that once you have attained enlightenment you will be able to see all 15 rocks. Looks like plenty of people are trying...
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| Ryōan-ji's Tsukubai |
Also at Ryōan-ji is this tsukubai. It's used for the ritual washing of the hands at Buddhist temples. The 4 kanji characters carved in to the stone have little individual significance but when combined with the 5th central kanji, they take on a profound meaning, ware tada taru shiru, which roughly translates to mean "what one has is all one needs". Very Zen.
Next up is Kinkaku-ji or the Golden Pavilion, another world heritage site and one of the most visited places in all of Japan. The top two floors are made of real gold.
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| Bowl and Coins |
I have know idea why, but people were trying to throw coins into this bowl. Given the number of coins outside the bowl, it looks quite hard but it wasn't that far away so I thought I would have a go too. However 15 yen later and all I could do was add to the outsiders. I'm not sure what you "win" if you get one in. No one else could do it either.
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| Shinto Priestesses |
Later in the day we made our way to Heian jingu, a Shinto Shrine.
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| Stone Guardian |
Not sure if these statues are supposed to be lions or dogs. I think they look like lions but others have told me they look like dogs. Most shrines and temples have a pair of them.
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| Paper Lanterns at Yasuka Shrine |
We ended the day at Yasuka Shrine before walking back to Kyoto station. Our night bus left at 11:30 pm but all the cafes closed at 9 or 10 pm so it was a chilly wait for the bus after that. Unlike the bus we came here on (different companies) this one had some reasonable leg room and I managed a little sleep.
Wednesday 30 March 2011
Kyoto - Day 1
With over 2000 shrines and temples, Kyoto is a cultural mecca for Japan and a must see on any travellers check list. It's even more impressive in the cherry blossom season and as a result accommodation becomes hard to find, so we made reservations some 6 weeks in advance. However cherry blossoms can be a little fickle and as luck would have it, they were late this year. So when Etsuko and I arrived early this morning, there wasn't a single cherry blossom in sight.
So no cherry blossoms, but there are still many other treasures to see. We started the day walking the streets north of Kyoto's main train station.
First stop was Nishi Hongan-ji one of two large temple complexes near the station. The other one is Higashi Hongan-ji but it's still under renovations. It was under renovations when I visited 5 years ago too.
We came across this European styled architectural gem while walking the back streets. It's a recently restored 1912 Mission Hospital that operates as a part of the Nishi Hongan-Ji temple complex.
A Japanese dragon watches over a temizuya. Most Shrines and Temples in Japan have one of these. It's a Shinto water ablution basin for a ceremonial purification rite known as temizu.
Several shrines have pomegranate trees growing in them, especially those that are devoted to Kishibojin the goddess of fertility. I wonder why Etsuko wanted to visit so many of these temples...
A Japanese Lantern in a private garden we passed by while walking the streets of Kyoto.
Who could resist photographing the straight lines of a lush green bamboo forest.
The ever popular Togetsu-Kyou or Moon Crossing Bridge, especially in the cherry blossoms or autumn leaves seasons. Alas, no cherry blossoms for us this year.
The ancient wooden corridor leading to Ninna-Ji temple, one of the buildings in the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto", a UNESCO world heritage site.
So no cherry blossoms, but there are still many other treasures to see. We started the day walking the streets north of Kyoto's main train station.
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| Nishi Hongan-Ji Temple in early morning light |
First stop was Nishi Hongan-ji one of two large temple complexes near the station. The other one is Higashi Hongan-ji but it's still under renovations. It was under renovations when I visited 5 years ago too.
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| Historic Mission Hospital |
We came across this European styled architectural gem while walking the back streets. It's a recently restored 1912 Mission Hospital that operates as a part of the Nishi Hongan-Ji temple complex.
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| Japanese dragon watching over a temizuya |
A Japanese dragon watches over a temizuya. Most Shrines and Temples in Japan have one of these. It's a Shinto water ablution basin for a ceremonial purification rite known as temizu.
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| Pomegranate |
Several shrines have pomegranate trees growing in them, especially those that are devoted to Kishibojin the goddess of fertility. I wonder why Etsuko wanted to visit so many of these temples...
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| Japanese Lantern |
A Japanese Lantern in a private garden we passed by while walking the streets of Kyoto.
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| Bamboo Forest |
Who could resist photographing the straight lines of a lush green bamboo forest.
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| Togetsu-Kyou Bridge - Arashiyama |
The ever popular Togetsu-Kyou or Moon Crossing Bridge, especially in the cherry blossoms or autumn leaves seasons. Alas, no cherry blossoms for us this year.
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| Corridor - Ninna-Ji Temple |
The ancient wooden corridor leading to Ninna-Ji temple, one of the buildings in the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto", a UNESCO world heritage site.
Friday 21 January 2011
Taiwan - Day 5
For our last day we got out of Taipei and visited Jiufen. It's a small town in the mountains about an hours drive east of Taipei. The movie "A City of Sadness" was set here and since then it has become a hugely popular tourist destination.
The weather has been getting worse all week and today we had light to moderate rain all morning.
Jiufen is filled with traditional Taiwanese architecture. I'm not sure if this is a temple or a hotel.
The semi-covered arcade is lined with tourist oriented souvenir shops.
Hidden amongst the mountains around are more examples of interesting architecture.
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| The mountain village of Jiufen |
The weather has been getting worse all week and today we had light to moderate rain all morning.
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| Unbrella toting tourists brave the elements - Jiufen |
Jiufen is filled with traditional Taiwanese architecture. I'm not sure if this is a temple or a hotel.
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| Traditional Taiwanese Architecture - Jiufen |
The semi-covered arcade is lined with tourist oriented souvenir shops.
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| Main shopping arcade - Jiufen |
Hidden amongst the mountains around are more examples of interesting architecture.
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| Taiwanese Architectrue - Jiufen |
Thursday 20 January 2011
Taiwan - Day 4
Etsuko and I tried again to get a birds eye view of Taipei from its tallest building. However the weather wasn't much better than yesterday.
Since today is probably our last chance we went to the top and hoped for the best.
In front of the window is a picture of what you could see on a clear day, but today was anything but...
This 660 tonne ball of steel is why it doesn't fall down after an earthquake or typhoon. This photo doesn't do it justice. It takes up the middle of 5 floors.
After that, there's not much else to see so we visited a few more temples in the afternoon.
The Baoan Temple is a Taiwanese folk religion temple.
Etsuko adds one more incense stick to the cauldron while being careful not to burn herself.
Next to Baoan Temple is the Taipei Conficius Temple. Here are a few shots to round out the day.
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| Taipei 101 |
Since today is probably our last chance we went to the top and hoped for the best.
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| View from the 89th floor - Taipei 101 |
In front of the window is a picture of what you could see on a clear day, but today was anything but...
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| Tuned Mass Damper - Taipei 101 |
This 660 tonne ball of steel is why it doesn't fall down after an earthquake or typhoon. This photo doesn't do it justice. It takes up the middle of 5 floors.
After that, there's not much else to see so we visited a few more temples in the afternoon.
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| Baoan Temple |
The Baoan Temple is a Taiwanese folk religion temple.
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| Etsuko adds Incense to the cauldron |
Etsuko adds one more incense stick to the cauldron while being careful not to burn herself.
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| One of the many shrines at Baoan Temple |
Next to Baoan Temple is the Taipei Conficius Temple. Here are a few shots to round out the day.
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| A Cloister - Taipei Confusion Temple |
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| Burning Candle - Taipei Confucius Temple |
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| Cauldron - Taipei Confucius Temple |
Wednesday 19 January 2011
Taiwan - Day 3
Day three started with a plan to visit Taipei 101, the building that once held the record for the tallest in the world. No doubt others have been build since that are taller. We had planned to go to the 89th floor's observation deck to check out the view, but the weather wasn't looking so good.
At about 300mm EFL and f/8, it gives a very nice background blur. I really can't complain with that. In fact I've been very happy with the lens all round.
With the weather deteriorating to occasional showers, we decided to head indoors and visit the National Palace Museum.
I've never been much interested in photographing artifacts in a museum but the exhibits are quite stunning. It's definitely worth a look.
Back outdoors, it was still cloudy so I turned my attention to a few arty black and white architectural shots.
That night we visited the night markets. It's probably more interesting if you have something you would like to buy but as a pure tourist attraction it's a little lacking.
There were plenty of shoppers and the occasional scooter.
And to finish the day off with an arty shot of some Chinese lanterns outside a small shrine next to the markets.
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| Taipei 101 in the Clouds |
While walking around the area I came across a few flowers. I had Canon's new 70-300 L lens with me so I thought I would see how it performs.
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| Purple Iris |
At about 300mm EFL and f/8, it gives a very nice background blur. I really can't complain with that. In fact I've been very happy with the lens all round.
With the weather deteriorating to occasional showers, we decided to head indoors and visit the National Palace Museum.
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| National Palace Museum |
I've never been much interested in photographing artifacts in a museum but the exhibits are quite stunning. It's definitely worth a look.
Back outdoors, it was still cloudy so I turned my attention to a few arty black and white architectural shots.
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| Railing - National Palace Museum |
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| Stairs - National Palace Museum |
That night we visited the night markets. It's probably more interesting if you have something you would like to buy but as a pure tourist attraction it's a little lacking.
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| Shihin Night Markets |
There were plenty of shoppers and the occasional scooter.
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| Chinese Lanterns - Shihlin Night Markets |
And to finish the day off with an arty shot of some Chinese lanterns outside a small shrine next to the markets.
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