困ったな！（"Perplexed"...actually i dun know how to translate this. hehe)

Dated: June 2005 (Another draft that i forgot to post. haha)

hehe...another blog? This ivan must be on drugs! and yes i am. I just bought Fancl supplements. ARE YOU MAD? yes i am. I was walking in the 7-11, saw the supplements with the labels "快眠“..Then i remembered someone said that Fancl uses NATURAL stuff. okay. Venom was pretty natural. heh. yes i do need something to help me sleep now. The early sun at 5am is getting me pretty pissed. With all the past haunting me again, it sure is hard to fall asleep too. The last thing i want is to feel wasted every day...I need my soccer back....=(

I think with this diet of mine over here, its sooner or later that i will really screw my healthy scale. I added 3kg to my weight. (actually more, but i suspect SN's weighing scale might be a bit off.) Never added weight for the past 10 years. Cool. Amazing what a glass of Hokkaido milk can do. Oh. The diet is abit on the overeating side too. Never hungry. Snacks too. hehe. need i say more.

Ah. but thats not trouble. Talked to a friend today, we briefly talked about choices we made in our lives. how scared she is to make the wrong choice again. I can't say i made the right choices all the time. Heck, i dun make good choices at all. I mean, making friends with Ed who throws his undies to me is one hell of a bad choice. hahahhaa! KIDDING.

There are choices i made that i am not proud of. In retrospective, its the worst kinda choice i could have made. Misunderstandings n shit happens. I'm sorry, if you are reading this through the blog site. Alot of people dun like to dig up the past. But i can't seem to bury them. Sure i met new friends who showed me the "light" at the end of the tunnel, only to be run over by the damn train. kidding. couldnt help it. =P (no no. this friend is good. =) thank you. Without whom i would have gone down pretty bad. =) ) But the effect of my decision lingers.

Is that going to stop me from making choices? no. (not talking about "which colour should i wear today" kinds of course haha)

A Day Trip To Mount Fuji

Arrgh.　I am absolutely bored at work. To think I bothered to come to work at all! Imagine everyone else is having fun somewhere out there. Haiz. Should have taken leave today, and gone on a trip again. =p

Just came back from a trip to Mt Fuji on Saturday by myself. It was pretty fun to travel without being told what to do, or people just fighting to guide. I was able to do a lot of stuff I wouldn’t have chance to do if I was in a group. For starters, I was able to write mails right in front of the majestic mountain. Of course, this blog wasn’t written there. Hee. I’m sorry, but by the time I got to writing my blog, I was already behind schedule. The bus services there end like 5.12pm. Anyway, I could also pop in and out of any restaurant I wanted to, with no budget concerns. (okay, there was, but its higher than normal. Hehe)

Actually, I didn’t want to go visit Mr Fuji. I did plan the night before, but after knowing I have a chance to meet people I dun want to see, and it’s a cloudy day, just not possible. When I woke up the next morning, I took a look at the webcam featuring Mr F, and it sort of confirmed the weather forecast by Mapion. It was dark and the sky was not blue. But, I was very tempted at the thought that it might just clear up for a little while during the day. After all, the sakuras are blooming over there. And I wanted some to go with my shots. Yes, I have been to Mt Fuji like 2 weeks before, with Calvin, Tshush and Mr cockanathan, Jeffrey. HEHEHE. The weather at that time was perfect. Rich blue skies, nice exposure, sun shining at the western side of Fuji, and COLD weather. Just no sakuras. Picture perfect minus one.

Then I thought to myself, this is the last chance to do what I always wanted to do. To travel alone. (Yar, I needed to get a haircut at BEES first. Hehe) I hardly got a picture with normal looking hair. In all the 1.5 years, I have been trying out new types of hairstyles, from Bruce Lee, to spunky to simply kinds. Finally settled on this current one. The final version. =p

Oops strayed from the topic. Ya. Decided to Just Do It. Since I don’t feel like cooping myself up in the dorm and I wanna enjoy the last of “3 degrees celcius” weather. (Jeffrey, u took my GAP jacket away at the wrong time. Never knew Fuji would be so cold that day! )

So I dragged myself out of bed again, put on my winter warfare fashion, put on Lucido’s (Its found in the girls section, but no one can tell.) Took my barang barang, and left the dorm. Traveled by train from Musashikosugi, and headed for Shinjuku transiting at Shibuya. It was a 1 1/2 hour journey including my slow walk to the station. After asking for some directions, I was up at the bus terminal. (When I was taking the train at Yamanote Line, the LCD display warned of an accident and construction work on the Chuo Line. The one I was supposed to take. Anyway, if I take bus it would be cheaper and I get my own seat.) So 1700 yen poorer, I was on the bus, to Kawaguchiko, the main lake next to Mt Fuji.

On the bus, which finally left at 12.40pm I think, I sat beside this lady. 30-ish and reading her book. Wanted to start a conversation with her, but I realized that I left my dictionary at home. Bummer. So I sat there, looking out the window, listening to my ipod, napping and writing emails to my friend. I wanted to do a pseudo real-time travelogue kinda stuff. Anyway, I have abt 2hrs to entertain myself. The scenery out of the bus was pathetic. I see walls, walls and more walls. Because of the noise barrier things. Until when I reached close to Fuji, then the walls are replaced by mountain views and some sakuras trees sprinkled here and there. There is this pipeline being camouflaged by sakura trees. Somehow it brought more attention to the pipes than intended I guess. As we neared, Mr F came into sight. I guess no matter how cloudy, I can’t disappear when I am so close. The bus stops at Fuji Q along the way. That’s where the most thrilling roller coaster rides in Japan can be found. Naturally, u won’t see me there. =p Finally, the announcement system called out “Kawaguchiko Eki degozaimasu”. Whee.

First thing was to check out the tourist information counter. Lots of information can be gathered there. Plus, there are the discount coupons we can use. Inquired about a thousand things later, I took a time check and decided there is time for lunch. I purposely chose the restaurant with a big glass window facing Fuji. He was pretty big and visible too. The sun was penetrating the cloud onto his surface. Nice, I thot. When I walked up the stairs to the restaurant, sat down next to the glass window, and looked out, my view of Fuji was blocked by cables. Dang. Wished they learn from SG and put cables BELOW the ground for goodness sake. There goes my photo opportunity. But I took one nevertheless. Lunch was cheap. 580 yen. For a bowl of Niku Soba. (Meat slices with soba). On a cold day like this, it tasted heavenly. While waiting for my food, I saw the Omikuji dispenser(Paper with good fortune, so-so fortune, bad fortune etc.) I paid 100yen for it. Twisted the top to correspond to my Horoscope, and pulled a lever. Out came a small ball. In there, curled up, was a piece of paper saying “Big Fortune“ (good fortune lah), along with detailed description from your health, to your love life. I guess it’s a standard message. Like “The person you are waiting for will come”, “The things you lost will be found”. Never read it as I needed to go plan my route.

Decided to go opposite the river, the same place I went the other time with Calvin they all. When the tour guide told me that it will take 2 hours to walk there, I decided to pay for the bus ride. 480yen gurai(around). It was a funny looking bus (Retro bus = retro-looking bus?) In there sat 2 European ladies. Their luggage blocked the aisle. Had to sit behind driver-san, who is so ever helpful. The ladies were speaking a little French(I think) and some English. Mixing languages here and there, so that I won’t understand them. Driver-san kept talking to them in English. Very friendly and responsible. He used his intercom with the command centre to get the answers. To which, I overheard saying “wakaranai”. Meaning. “I don’t know”. Haha. In the end, the ladies dug up a phone number, and driver-san went to call up the place. (They overshot the place anyway.) Why I didn’t help? Cuz when a Hong Kong family came up the bus, they had to clear the aisle. What did the 2 ladies do? Put the luggage on my chair next to me. Its okay. But they leaned it against me. What a bummer. It must have weighed 30kg. So all the way, I was stuck in my corner. When the bus is turning, I felt a push. Yes, she was afraid the luggage will drop. Oh well, at the same time, I was being entertained by the Cantonese speaking group behind. Only caught a little of what they said. I know nuts about my dialect, let alone Canto.

At the terminal stop, I got off. Glad I did. Cuz I found a monument of sorts stating Mt Fuji something something something. There was this mini-car gang posing their cars at the carpark with Fuji behind. They were taking pictures as though that whole place was booked by them. So I went to the shop next to it, and checked it out. There is a jam making session over there. Tempted, but time was not on my side. When I came out, they were still there. But I didn’t care. I just walked behind their cars, set up my tripod and took my own picture until its perfect. My back was probably in their picture anyway. Hehe. Finally Mt Fuji conquered. Again.

Along the way, I saw the spot which I went 2 weeks ago. Decided to go there again and take a bus back to the starting point. On the way, I saw sakura trees, and tried to take pictures, but the sky is really too cloudy. The photos did not turn out as nice as last time. Sigh. The walk back was freezing, but relaxing. My worries are miles away, my thoughts are clear, and it felt peaceful. Of course there is the occasional car passing by, else, it was nice. The lalang looking plants made it seem even more. When I reached the bus stop, I realized that I almost missed the last bus. (actually, I did intentionally take my time. I had the time table in my jacket, but it was so relaxing out there. Plus, I was contemplating a sun-rise photo the next morning. Hehe. Luckily, the weather was bad.) That would really basically mean I am stuck at Fuji till the next day. The Keio Highway Bus only operates until 8pm. And I am standing here at the north part of the lake at 5.10pm. (The last Retro bus comes at 5.12pm.Oops.) Whats more, I haven’t bought my tickets, as I wanted to be flexible. Bad mistake. Later on that.

I took the Retro bus back to somewhere closer, got off when I saw human activities. There were shops of Omiyage (souvenirs) and lots of cars. I went to this herb museum of sorts and ended buying a cute glass figurine (duh). There really isn’t much in there anyway. Then next to the herb museum, is a batting centre. Baseball. With Fuji on the left side of the court. I thought, what the heck. Maybe I will score a homerun into the volcano. 200yen later, I picked up the bat, and started batting. This was my second time anyway, so it shouldn’t be that hard, afterall, there were girls outside looking, usually I will be more alert. Haha. ZOOM! The first ball went past. ZOOM! The second. Etc. etc. I hit the 5th, 12th, and 15th ball perhaps. All just touched a little. No homerun. When I got out, I realized why. I was in the 105km/h cage. There was 70km/h to 110km/h if I remember correctly. Bummer. No wonder it was empty. Then I proceeded to walk towards a spot where I could see Mr F. I stood there, at what I thought was a carpark or empty land, looking at Fuji, and continued my travelogue for my friend. (Hey, if you are reading this, I better get my treats!). I thought about blogging too, but I think I needed time to walk back to the station. So I left instead. Hehe..sorry readers.

I overshot a junction when I was walking back. Good thing I went to ask around for directions. Because, when I got to the station, it was starting to get dark. At the ticketing counter, the lady asked if I wanted the next bus. (The second last one) I said I wanted the last bus. And she showed me the seating. FULL. Oh boy. Looks like I have to take the next one anyway. And guess what. It was the last ticket. I had to sit at the back of the bus, at the centre. Aiyoh. What if the bus e-brake?! Haha. Looks like no dinner for me, I have 30 min left, so I went to get some souvenirs back for my family and a keychain for myself. Its to keep track of where I have been to. That guy gave me a little discount when I bought like 45 bucks of stuff. Nice. (Probably marked up anyway. hehe)

Then came the most boring wait for the bus. It was cold, so I wasn’t venturing out there. Occasionally switching places from the tourist centre, to the train station, to the heated waiting area, to the outside, to the bus stop. It was just boring. Of course I could have taken out my PDA and type away, while Fuji disappears into the background, but it was cold. I was shivering. (Yar, my fashion jacket really just is a fashion jacket. The wools are useless.) Decided to wait in the tourism centre afterall. But they close at 7pm. Bus comes at 7.07pm. I sat at the newly built train station’s bench for 7 min in the cold, writing my email again, only to hear that my bus was late. I went to the heated waiting area again. This time, there were seats. The bus finally came at 7.24pm. So much for punctuality. Hehe.

Anyway, I am back on board the middle of the back seat. The guy next to me, who boarded at the same station, decided to put the handrest down between us. Scared of me? The next 2 hours in the bus, was dedicated to the travelogue and email. (I want Haagen Daaz please. =)).

By the time I reach Shinjuku, it was 9-ish pm, time for dinner. Hungry manz. I walked around and found a nice steak house. It’s a small shop. The narrow aisle made me stand up and down while people are getting out of the shop. The waiting area is also just outside the toilet. But the decors were authentic, European look. So it was okay. Anyway, sirloin at 1100yen is cheap bah? It comes with RICE. Japanese rice no less. Its funny, since I was only given a fork and a steak knife. No chopsticks, no spoon. Oh bother. When I saw the lady next to me eating from the knife, I thought, ah, heck the manners.
BTW, I ate from the fork, wouldn’t want an earthquake to give me a make over. Hee.

Ja. That was the end of the trip. Took the same trains back home. With my ipod screaming out “Sakura” by Kobukoro, and seeing some cute Japanese girls along the way, it was a perfect day. Felt so much better, about time to put Japan behind me. For good.

Mount Kitadake - A log of my second mountain hike in Japan Part 1

About the Mountain:

• Kitadake (北岳) is the second tallest mountain in Japan.
• The height of Kitadake is 3193 meter above sea level.
• It's located at Yamanashi Prefecture (山梨県).
• Kitadake is located along the stretch of mountain range called Minami-Alps 南アルプス (Southern Alps)

Pre-Climbing Ritual

Wednesday, 21st of Sept

Went to work as usual, ramen dinner, played Bishi-Bashi with JR and Tshush at MORES Kawasaki and completing it on one token each. Volunteer class at night, our own group Japanese lessons at night at Mister Donuts. Drank too much kopi lor. I took out my climbing stuff and left it on the floor as i needed the bag for work the next day. Slept at 4++am.
Thursday, 22nd of Sept
Woke up at 7.40am, feeling like a zombie. Worked (or rather, was surfing and doing my timing chart at the same time) till 6pm, went for dinner at MatsuYa, went to shop for some last minute stuff at MORES and then cycled back to the dorm with Tshush. Reached home 8pm, did some packing till 9.30pm and went to sleep. The previous night of sleeplessness helped the insomniac in me.

Friday, 23rd of Sept

Woke up at 2.30am, getting my stuff ready and putting on my Gatsby Clay (Ultra Tough) and my smell good stuff, hehe. Put on my fav holiday tshirt (a yellow Nike Dry-Fit) that i wear on the first day of every holiday. Put on my brother's Nike Running Shoes (to climb a mountain...oh...sorry bro, its kinda in a bad shape...haha). Went down to meet the rest at 3am, waiting for our rental car that shaonan collected. Waited 20min before we set off to Tsurumi, to pick up the girls. Tshush, Shaonan and Me in the car, Chee Keong, Augustine, James in the other car.

We picked up the girls and SN drove all the way to Kofu Station to meet up with the other car. Around 5.45am. around 2.5 hours ride. The other car got lost and we only saw them at 7.00am. In the meantime, we went to walk around, toilet breaks, bought drinks and food at FAmily Mart (something like 7-11) and to eat MacDonalds breakfast. We all rested in the car until they came over to the carpark. (pretty boring log so far huh...hehe)

Both cars then drove up part of the mountain to the carpark at 夜叉神峠...we then had a rather noisy toilet break, all thanks to some spider in the girls toilet. Jas had to go watch spider for Fiona. haha. We took a 45 min bus ride to the start of the trail because the roads are impassible for passenger cars. It is restricted to only busses and taxies. Con money? i think its because of the roads, pretty narrow. We also travelled through numerous tunnels that are so small, it looked like it fits the bus just nicely. 820 yen poorer by the way. Luckily i got a seat with Augustine. The bus was quite full with all the haversacks and people. 2 people also came up the bus with their mountain bikes. The destination, Hirogawara (広河原), the starting of the trail.
We reached the starting point of the trail around 11am, a bridge that crosses the river coming down from the mountain. Starting at an elevation of around 1520m i believe, we have 1,672m to climb. Total hiking distance covered is around 10.7km. Mt Fuji, we only had to climb 1472m ONLY. hehe.

The beginning of the route was through some trees, like in a forest in Bukit Timah Hill. Then we meet the river, and followed its path upwards. The river provided alot of photo taking opportunities with its various falls and rock. The scenery was nicer once we got out of the woods, where the valleys and mountains are in plain view. The fauna and flora were ,sad to say, inadequate. I was expecting more colours than this. Perhaps it is autumn now, I should be greatful that its not all stones and bare trees. The trees are still green by the way, showing no signs of yellowing. The flowers however, are few. The gradient at the beginning was good. Not steep. It was comfortable.

Halfway up, we met some people, from Belgium and Japan. One guy stayed so close to us at motosumiyoshi, he was like saying "why bother to come all the way up here to meet up?". As they departed, they warned us of rain/strong winds at 3 pm/am i dunno. hehhee. Nevertheless, we still moved on without putting on our raincoats.

The pathway to the top of the mountain is not entirely clearly demarked. Sometimes we reach a rocky area, wondering which was the right way. Of course, some nice people before us actually took the effort to mark out the right path with some red/yellow spray paint. Drawing arrows denoting the direction to go. Thanks!! it saved us on many occasions. Especially when i was thinking "are you sure this is the path?? its all rocks upwards"...only to find the arrow pointing straight up. haha. okay, not that tough, as long as we stick to the route, dun miss our footing at the side of the track, which i think is not possible if you are not drunk, you wun fall off the cliff.
Walking up the slope, though easy at the beginning, is not meant for your regular grandpa and grandma. Its tough actually. Maybe we are unfit. hehe. But i was already perspiring alot when we were just a tenth of the way through. As we walked further up, the challenge starts. No more are the paths nice and walkable. Some small climbing is necessary to get to the next walking path. Its not dangerous or hard to do, but just would have preferred to walk all the way up instead. hehe.

The rain came down on us halfway, we were starting to see clouds passing through us. Probably at a nice height already. we thought. It was cold. We started to put on our first layer. and a raincoat. It was a light rain compared to the one we experienced on Mt Fuji. No wind. Short. We were actually wet on the inside due to perspiration and condensation, rather than the rain. Honestly i do not remember much of the details on the way up. Most of the time, we were just climbing and climbing, rocks after rocks, path after path. I was just tackling the most immediate obstacle and such. The scenery was nice, with the valleys and mountains. By right, we could have seen Mt Fuji, but i din take notice. We were in the woods for quite some time. Berries we saw. Red. but dunno if poisonous.

Alternating woods with open spaces, this hike was more interesting than Mt Fuji. The first batch of people, CK, James, SS, Ron, Richard all went up the mountain first. They were faster. While the rest of us, TTT, YH, SN, F, J and me took our time. J was experiencing chest pains along the way. Poor thing. Can see she was pretty run down.

The walk was tiring when we first start off from our rest. maybe we need to get used to the little oxygen up there. After a while, when we gained momentum, it was fine.
At the last stretch of the journey, people were just saying "look, the hut is in front". which is of course a bluff to encourage everyone.
Followed by 7h 18min of climb later, we are at the hut.

The time was around 6-ish pm, or something, and it was dark already. The stars were out in full bloom. It seems like i am in an omnitheatre, with all the stars staring down at us. The milky way was also present at the top of our heads. Awesome. We straight away went into the hut seeking shelter from the cold and also to get our empty tummies filled. Surviving on Snickers Bars throughout the journey, i was feeling pretty famished. We went in to find the people over there
The 800 yen bowl of ramen did its job.

/******* 17th April 2006 ********/
Hmm...it seems eons ago when i typed this. I think its time to publish part 1. Wanted to complete it first...but i guess there wasn:t time once my real project started. Anyway, I have absolutely no idea what happened after that. Need to see my photos for a recap. Hehe. Hope u enjoyed part 1. Photos will be up in Part 2 =) Ja Ne.

The other days i owe my readers:
Saturday, 24th of Sept
Sunday, 25th of Sept
Monday, 26th of Sept