days to remember

Hohohohoho… It’s my first birthday after wedding and my first birthday in foreign country.

Most of you would not know that now I’m in Tokyo, having a 5 days trip here, 26-30th Nov. We planned this trip is simply because:

It’s my birthday!

It’s going to be winter and it’s gonna be really chilling!

We want to have a trip!

Aren’t these reasons good enough? Hahaha…

Last night we already pre-celebrated my birthday at home… Alvin spent about 3 hours cooking big meal for the dinner.

I’m so hungry~~~~

There’re fried drumpsticks, fried prawns, fried mee, fried egg in soup, which Alvin insisted that it’s a MUST for birthday, fried vege and chicken soup~ ooohhh, that’s too much for two of us.

I’m eagerly wanting to eat~

We spent long hours finishing the dinner. But it was the best meal since we are in Japan, and the best Alvin cooked for me.

Oh, we had red wine too! Do you know how much is that? Less than RM10! Hehehe… but I don’t fancy bout it again..

It’s 12am! Cutting cake time~ We bought the cake from YouMeTown after back from church.
This small cake cost 1260yen ler! It’s around RM37++

And the candle is 100yen for 3! That is RM1 per candle. Oh gosh… I didn’t want to buy but Alvin secretly went to buy then..

Its not birthday without candle..

All my wishes are dedicated for family…

Yummy cake!

Thank you all for your wishes through sms, email or in friendster.. I’m sorry I can’t reply you, but the warmth of your wishes I’ve kept in my heart. Thanks~!

Tiring day… Travelled so much! Gotta get rest…

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We spent unexpected time in the Cathedral, so there wasn’t enough time for us to explore the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. After recharging energy in SOGO which we spent quite some time in hunting food around, we finally reached the Peace Memorial Park 広島平和記念公園 which is about 15 minutes walk from the Cathedral.

First building hop into our sight is the Atomic Bomb Dome, which I thought it was smashed into pieces and not even keeping it’s building structure.

This was taken by a tourist from US, his SLR camera is consider quite good de oh, what do you think of his photographing skill?

Sunset view of the Peace Memorial Park. Taken on the Aioi Bridge, a nationally known T-shaped bridge. I also just realised that this bridge was the target of the A-bomb. The bomb missed slightly, exploding 300 meters from the bridge in the air over Shima Hospital.
Memorial Tower to the Mobilized Students

To make up for the labor shortage, the government enacted the Student Labor Service Act in August 1944. This act required students in middle school and higher grades to perform labor service in munitions factories and the like. Then, in November, many students were required to participate in tearing down homes and other buildings (building demolition). The purpose was to create fire-breaks to limit the expansion of fire in the event of air attacks.

Under the Memorial Tower there are thousands and thousands of paper crane. Do you think that is all? I thought so, too.

There are few more spots not far away..

There are millions and millions of them!

On the left it’s the Monument in Memory of the Korean Victims of the A-bomb.

I didn’t know that there were Korean victims too in this tragedy. Copied this from the website of the Peace Memorial Park:

Japan took control of Korea during the Meiji Restoration and annexed in 1910. Many Koreans who had lost their means of livelihood were forced to come to Japan in search of work. Moreover, to make up for the wartime labor shortage, Japan also brought many Koreans to work in Japan through forced service or conscription. At the end of the war, about three million Koreans were living in Japan, and it is said that tens of thousands of them suffered the atomic bombing in Hiroshima.

Children’s Peace Monument
Sadako Sasaki was exposed to the bombing at age two, contracted leukemia ten years later and died. Shocked by her death, her classmates put out a national call to “build a monument to mourn all the children who died from the atomic bombing.” With the support of students in more than 3,100 schools around Japan and in nine other countries, including England, the Society was able to build this bronze statue that stands nine meters high.

On the top of the three-legged pedestal stands the bronze figure of a girl holding up a gold-colored “folded” crane. On opposite sides of the pedestal are suspended boy and girl figures symbolizing a bright future and hope. On the stone underneath the pedestal is inscribed, “This is our cry. This is our prayer. For building peace in this world.”

We didn’t walk over to the other side, so didn’t know it’s the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims and the Pond of Peace. So, introduce to you next time, when we visit the place again.

Peace Bell

On its surface a world map without national boundaries is engraved to symbolize “one world.” The platform evokes the radiation warning mark, expressing the hope for abolition of atomic and hydrogen bombs. On the opposite side is a mirror that reflects the hearts of those who ring the bell.

The pond is adorned by famous lotuses grown from seeds from Professor Ichiro Oga, who dug them from 2000-year-old ruins in Chiba City. After the bombing, lotus leaves were placed on people’s wounds to reduce the pain of burns and console their spirits.The Peace Bill was selected in 1996 for the Environmental Agency’s “One Hundred Sounds the Japanese People Wish to Preserve.”

You may toll the bell..

Walking around the park, the scenery is truly awesome, splendid, marvellous, wonderful! Any better description? I have very limited vocab. He he…

The leaves, are changing colour. Some are yellow, some are red, some would not want to wear any other colour other than green, and some would just leave the tree. Autumn is always the most beautiful season to me. Coming next is spring, where flowers blooms everywhere!

Always my best personal photographer…

An irritating incident occurred when we were in the park — my camera died!

No, not that it’s spoilt, but No more battery left and that means I can’t take any more photos. I did try with Alvin’s camera but it’s not under my control. Haih~

Before we left, there’s this 2 ladies posing their pets on the bench for them to take their beloved doggies’ photo. See how luxurious is the life of the pets here?

After shooting endless photos the doggy still got ‘coat’ to wear on. I think even that pink coat is gonna cost more than all the clothes I’m wearing. huh…

We also noticed the senior citizens feeding birds in the park. The birds are familiar with them. Or they are used to be fed.

I almost can read ‘lonely’ on their faces…

Looking at the countless paper cranes pleading for peace… I just can’t get these thought out of my mind for days..

If it wasn’t the Second World War — and the atomic bomb would not be dropped here, taking away thousands of lives. Compare to those sacrificed in the war, these victims are not considered a huge number.

If the war continues, how many more souls will be crying in grieve?

If you are not cut on your own body, you would not feel the pain.

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This is the tank for baptism in the olden days. But nowadays the ceremony is held in front of all the parishioners, so this place no longer serves its purpose. But it is kept well as remembrance. On the left wall hang a wooden crucifix, according to Teresa san, is carved from wood.

On the left, there’s a chapel, named after our Holy Mother of God. They have their daily mass here, 7am.

Now move upwards — we are going to climb to the top of the bell tower! But first, we move to the first floor where the pipe organ is. This is one of the largest pipe organ in Japan. I was so surprised when Teresa san said this organ is only played by one person. I really wonder how can a person play this organ? it is so big that it can accommodate like 20 people inside.

Every month there is pipe organ concert in this Cathedral. I’d very much like to join the concert if given the chance. But it’s costing a lot to come eh~

The church is not always using the pipe organ, they use piano too.

Moving upstairs, there’s a corridor where you can see the cathedral from another view.

Up up up, now we are going out into the sun, where there’s a bridge or a path to the bell tower. From here it’s another view of the design.

Going down a few steps, now we are outside of the bell tower.

See that little bird on top of the roof there? It’s not small actually but far from sight. Take a closer look..

This is Phoenix, the symbol of Japan. Actually the windows are also design with the specialities of Japan, a type of tree.. Hmm… forgot again. See how terrible my memory can be, if I don’t write them down everything will be wiped away in one second. There’s also church windows the 15 mysteries of the Rosary, surrounding the Cathedral.

Entering into the bell tower, we went on to the top. Seeing Alvin carrying his bag and the staircase is quite narrow, Teresa san offered to leave his bag in this little chapel while we go to the top.

The BELLS!

This is enormous~! Can you believe this is over 1 tonne? If I’m not mistaken it’s 1145 or 1150kg! Not even 20 strong man also can carry that. There are four bells all together, the size and weight varies from one another. The smallest bell also weights 250kg.

I can’t imagine if I’m here when the bells ring…

This is not the top yet! Again we go up, up, and up, now reaching the last level before you get to the top.

This staircase is called the staircase to heaven. Before you go up, take a look at the windows here. Does it make you think of something? Teresa san even imitated to me to let me guess what it is like…

Key to Heaven! Did you make the right guess? I didn’t. huhuhuhu.

It was a bit scary to climb that staircase.. It’s 45 meters high, and finally —

The whole of Hiroshima City!

From the very bottom to the peak, now we are at higher position than the Phoenix. The two picture beside that is the Elisabeth University of Music, run by the Catholic Church.

I’ve been mentioning Teresa san for so many times, you might wonder who she is… Tata~

Then from ‘Heaven’ we landed on earth safely. ;p

This is another building of the Cathedral, opposite the bell tower. Upstairs are Bishop’s Office.

Mother Mary and Jesus can be of any racial and appearance.. This is Korea costume, not Japanese oh~

This is indeed an awesome and fantastic experience! We spent at least 2 and half hour in the Cathedral, with our stomach protesting……… But worth it!

For more photos, please visit

http://www.alvinlms.blogspot.com/

http://www.evland.com/bbs/viewthread.php?tid=16011&extra=page%3D1

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19/11/07

We went to International Party of Hiroshima University which is organised in Granvia Hotel, Hiroshima. Since it’s costing us 2280yen to go to Hiroshima by JR train, we went there in the morning to explore the city.

I’ll post more on the city next time, now I’m gonna bring you to the very first place we wanted to visit when we go to Hiroshima –the Memorial Cathedral for World Peace. The Memorial Cathedral of world peace is also known as the Noboricho Church of Hiroshima. This is a Cathedral dedicated to the memory of the Atomic Bomb victims, a symbol of love and peace for all nations.

It surprised me on how pack the city is and how the cathedral actually stands in the middle of the busy roads surrounded by tall buildings. This is the bell tower.

Late Pope John Paul II visited Hiroshima and made his world famous Appeal for Peace. In front of the Cathedral stands a bronze statue of the Pope as a lasting remembrance. In Japanese his name is read as ”Yohane Pauro”. Hehe

We met this volunteer, Teresa Y. Omori san, who warm-heartedly showed us around the cathedral, almost to every corner and explained to us the stories about this church.

When the atomic bomb was dropped in Hiroshima, this German priest — Reverend Hugo Lassalle (1898-1991) was seriously injured. He had over 500 wounds over his body, the glasses pierced into his body, and he was burnt too. It was a critical stage then. But with God’s grace, he survived.

The church was less than 1500 meters from the hypocenter of the bomb. During his recovery he began to think of rebuilding the church as a monument to World Peace. This would be a place for all, regardless of their beliefs and religion to come and pray for the souls of the victims. It would be a symbol of love and peace for all nations.

His dream was supported and with the blessings of Late Pope John Paul II he set about soliciting funds from Europe, America, and from all over the world. With the help from all sources this cathedral started to build in 1950 and completed at 1954.

Father Lassalle served in Japan throughout his life, and he wanted to become a Japanese so much. The government approved his request and he has a Japanese name — 爱宫真備 Enomiya Makibi. A year before he went back to God, he was attacked by cancer. His love and passion had touched many people. After his death the church placed part of his ashes in the cathedral in memorial of him.

Walking into the church you’ll see this 3 words:

Faith

Hope

Love

This picture on the wall behind altar is made from various types of precious stones from different country. They are given by the Germany government. Germany was one of those donates the most in the building of this Cathedral.

Do you notice something different from the usual catholic church we visit? It is not cruxifix but it is the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Observe these lamps well.. What do you think it looks like?

Its design is based on lotus flower. The Buddhist community too donated in building this cathedral. Guess which one is taken by me, and which one by Alvin. ;p Actually most of the photos are Alvin’s production, a lot of the photos I took spoilt. ;(

On the right side of the church is Mother Mary’s statue. Teresa asked me to kneel on left side of of the statue then the right side and asked me of the differences of Mother Mary.

When you are on the right side, you’ll find Mother Mary’s eyes are more capturing.

On your left you will first see the confession room.

At the end that is where they place the Jesuit missionary, late Reverend Hugo Lassalle.

More to come…

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Suddenly the whole sky became cloudy, the wind was blowing. And I can assure you, it was REALLY strong! If you didn’t stand properly you might fall. And its chillness can freeze me up. Imagine we had our lunch in such awful condition… gggrrrrrrrrrr… I lost appetite already. I even have to wear gloves, yet still shivering while eating.

We only found out before we leave that there’s a building with cafe inside which we can actually sit there and eat comfortably. =.= haiz~

These are the artistic photos taken by Mr. Alvin when I was actually quite a distance away. Nice huh? haha.. I’m also learning a little bit of photographing. Can you differentiate which are taken by me and which are Alvin’s? hehe. Any improvements?

After everyone got up to the bus yet we are still not moving towards Kono Farm to pick mikan. Waited for half an hour only we saw two of the participants boarding their bus. All the tour guides were looking for them. I don’t know if they do not understand the Japanese and thus they were not back on time or they went too far and forgot the time. Actually every time when we are suppose to depart we’ll have to wait for at least 15 minutes or more to get everyone on bus. This dragged us behind the schedule.

One thing I noticed is that none of the mikan farm are fenced up. You can simply enter any farm freely. This is how Japanese culture is. Trust and Honesty.

Finally we arrived at the mikan farm, but due to the delay of the departure time at every spot we only have less than one hour at Kono Farm. We were told before hand to bring extra scissors as the farm unit only can provide a pair of scissors for two person. But we forgot to bring…

We bought a plastic bag at 500 yen (RM15) and you can fill up as much as you want in the plastic bag. And you can also eat as much as you want in the farm itself. I only ate 3 or 4 then I got fed up already. Alvin ate over 10! In the end I’m busy picking mikan and he’s busy eating and talking. There are quite a number of Malaysians or Indonesians.

Once getting in the farm some of the participants already got themselves strategic spot and settled down to have their ‘picnic’.

On the way back they drop us at a rest house to go washroom etc. There’s a souvenior shop there, selling food and also cute mikan decorations.

This is our price of victory~ wahhahahahaha~ We gave some to Prof Okuda, Funato san, Kho, and Alvin’s lab mates, and the rest for our own. Worth it huh?

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