milo sees

"Follow your bliss." - Joseph Campbell Here, milo sees and milo shoots. I love photography and believe this love should be shared. Please join me in experiencing the sights milo sees!

[miloseesphoto]

Life after the Japan trip has been one big whirlwind: New challenging project started at work with so much to learn, followed by new responsibilities and long hours for months.  Finally getting the chance to venture out with Milo seemed so unreal that when he caught this view from the car window, Milo's awe was beyond any satisfaction one could get from any job.

This view served as a reminder, that it doesn't matter how busy your life becomes, you must allow yourself the occasional treat of doing something you love.  Allow yourself just a swift moment of self-honesty, and your entire being will thank you for it. 

[miloseesphoto]

Day 39 -  Back in Taiwan in time for Chinese New Year's Eve!  As some of you know, Chinese New Year is celebrated with family.  Not just immediate family, but relatives as well.  While alot of that family is now overseas, there's still a decent size left on this island that is Taiwan. After dinner we played with some 仙女棒 (sparklers on a stick) and tried our hand at some light painting/writing.  This year is the Year of the Horse, so naturally, the word Horse (馬) was done! Happy Chinese New Year to All!   Taken with a Canon lens EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5

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Day 38 -  We finally did it, the most tourist-like thing to do!  On our last night in Osaka, we decided to go up to the Umeda Sky Garden once again and experience for ourselves what all the couples end up doing on this rooftop - Purchase a heart-shaped lock, engrave your names, and lock it on a designated fence where thousands have done before - overlooking the city of Osaka.   Now here's something for all of you:  If you happen to find yourself at the Umeda Sky Garden, try locating Milo's lock and take a picture of you and the lock.  Let Milo know on this post and he will prepare a prize for you!  If you locate it, get your own lock, and manage to link it onto Milo's lock (or on another lock that's linked onto Milo's lock), take a picture of you, Milo's lock and yours, Milo will prepare an even greater prize! Milo is super excited to see this happen, let's help make this boy's wish a reality! Taken with a Canon lens EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5

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Day 37 -  On one of our last days in Japan, we decided to visit one of it's largest castles - Osaka Castle.  While it's exterior and surroundings are gorgeous, it's interior has very little to be desired - stripped of all it's original glory, the interior was replaced with an unfortunate sub-par museum setting that underscores the history and significance it holds.  So far we've visited 5 different cities, and whether they held less or more of a significance to Japan's cultural history, their interiors have mostly been left in tact and preserved.  Even if it wasn't, the museum display would still be very informative and impressive.  Osaka Castle for some reason failed on all counts.   So, Milo's recommendation: Save your USD $7 needed to go inside the castle and just take in the castle grounds and surroundings. Any merchandise/souvenirs worth getting can also be found somewhere outside the castle. Taken with a Canon lens EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5

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Day 36 -  We made our way to Umeda Station (梅田駅) right before sunset. As recommended, the number one place to go view a sunset in Umeda would be the top of the Umeda Sky Tower (梅田スカイビル).  Here you'll find a sky garden (空中庭園) with a very impressive view of Osaka.  We made our way up there, paid the entry fee into the garden, and captured our first sunset in Japan on camera.

More on the city of Osaka later. Taken with a Canon lens EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5

[miloseesphoto]

Day 35 -  We said our goodbyes to Tokyo, packet our bags and landed ourselves in Namba, Osaka.  This place, said to be one of Osaka's two major city centers, certainly deserves it's fame!

Not only is the district riddled with department store buildings, at ground level you'll also be able to easily find a massive set of blocks called Shinsaibashi-Suji(心斎橋筋).  Lined up with shops and restaurants, although not all of these blocks are paved with pedestrian walkways and ceilings, those without are just as busy!   Stretches out for an insane amount of blocks, certainly a sight to see even if you're not hungry or much of a shopper. Taken with a Canon lens EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5

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Day 34 -  As our stay in Tokyo is coming to an end, the night view of Tokyo Tower was certainly something Milo wanted to see.  Before meeting a friend for dinner, we made a quick trip over to Akabanebashi Station (赤羽橋駅) which is about 2 blocks from the tower. One thing about this tower is supposedly it lights up in different colors throughout the year.  Fingers crossed that one day Milo will be able to see all of them. Taken with a Canon lens EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5

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Day 33 -  We were told to definitely check out this one spot right outside of the Ueno Train Station (上野駅), and what we found was a massive street market that is easily at least 3 times as large as any night market you can find in Taipei.  An amazing selection of restaurants and shops of all kinds, certainly a place to visit if you are near by. Taken with a Canon lens EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5

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Day 32 -  In Odaiba, this Life-size Gundam was definitely the main cause for our visit.  More later again as today will be another busy day! Taken with a Canon lens EF 50mm f/1.4

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Day 31 -  Now in Tokyo, while there were some hotel hiccups, we still managed to venture out during the evening and found ourselves in Shinjuku.  More on this later as it's shaping up to be some busy days in Tokyo. Taken with a Canon lens EF 50mm f/1.4

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Day 30 -  And now to cross one thing off my bucket list!  We had the option of catching a 10 minute bus ride to the start of a hiking trail where it would take another 20-30 minute walk to our destination.  Instead we decided to do the 1 hour walk (did I mention it was also snowing?) from our hotel to the destination - Jigokudani (Hell Valley) Snow Monkey Park. These guys are famous for their dark red faces and the constant bathing habits in natural hot springs within the snowy mountain.  They have zero animosity towards humans and walk along side the villagers like regular neighbors.  There were so many occasions where they were just inches away from Milo and neither flinched nor grew cautious of one another.  Truly an amazing sight to behold!

Taken with a Canon lens EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS

[miloseesphoto]

Day 29 - We made our way out of Kyoto, on a 6 hour long trip of train changing into the mountains of Nagano Prefecture.  Upon arrival to the nearest train station, we decided against calling a taxi or riding the bus, and opted for the 30 minute walk to our town and hotel in Shibu Onsen Town. From the outside, this town doesn't seem like much, however once you are within the town limits, the sight would get anyone relaxed and excited at the same time.   Known for their 9 public bath houses, of which 8 of them are only open to overnight guests in Shibu.  It is said that if you visit all 9 bath houses, receive stamps for all 9, and climb the stone steps up to the shrine for the final stamp, good health and fortune would come to you.  Needless to say, we did all that. If you enjoy the occasional cut away from the everyday busy life, Shibu Onsen Town near Yudanaka Station comes highly recommended from Milo. Taken with a Canon lens EF 50mm f/1.4

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Day 28 -  Our original plans were slightly altered due to some unexpected activities we ended up participating in, and when we opened our blinds to the patio in the morning, we were pleasantly surprised with an unexpected snowfall.  Instead of heading out to Arashiyama (嵐山) we just walked a few blocks to another majestic piece of history - Nishi Honganji (西本願寺). More on this at a later time as we are again traveling today to another place in this beautiful country. Taken with a Canon lens EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5

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Day 27 -  We decided to venture further in the same direction today from Pontocho (先斗町) towards Yasaka Shrine (八坂神社) and beyond.  What we found there was the preserved Higashiyama District (東山).   Much like Pontocho in its atmosphere, this area especially from Yasaka Shrine to Kiyomizudera (清水寺) have gone through great efforts in removing telephone poles and repaving streets to preserve the old capital feel.  Further in this street will soon be lined up with traditional merchant shops, tea houses and restaurants.   This area leaves very little reason to not visit as it is one of the main passage ways towards Kiyomizudera, another place that should be on the must list of places to see in Kyoto. Taken with a Canon lens EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5

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Day 26 -  We deviated from our original plan today and decided to wander a bit.  By nightfall we eventually found ourselves in this beautiful district that's tucked away in an alley - Pontocho (先斗町).  Prominently tucked away just one block from the Kamo River, this long atmospheric alleyway is populated by restaurants of all wallet sizes.  If you ever want to get lost in time where you'd feel like you're in a different era, Pontocho Geisha District would be an ideal place to go in Kyoto. Taken with a Canon lens EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5

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Day 25 -  We arrived in Kyoto, dropped our bags, and headed south of the Kyoto Station for this amazing destination - Fushimi Inari Shrine. (伏見稲荷大社)  More on this place later as it is a busy day, but this place is a sight to see regardless of day or night.  It is an important place in history and frequented by locals daily for their jogs/walks/hikes.  This place deserves multiple visits for any length of your visit in Kyoto. Taken with a Canon lens EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5

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Day 24 -  It was an exceptionally busy day.  Since our Japan trip was delayed by one day, some of the planned sightseeing in Fukuoka (福岡) had to be either crossed off or crammed into the time we had.  Fukuoka Castle Ruins just happened to be a destination we were able to cram in during our final hours. Once the largest castle in Kyushu, Fukuoka Castle was almost completely torn down after the Meiji Restoration as it was a symbolic reminder of the country's feudal past.  Now with what remains, along with the park it resides in, this location receives visitors for their excellent walking / jogging trails and spectacular lookout points. Next time we'll have to see if a trip can be made during the cherry blossom season, this place is said to be an excellent viewing spot for it! Taken with a Canon lens EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5