The Colors of Japan - Just Huishan & me

I am thankful for the chance to meet one of my awesome buddies Shan after spending more than half a year in Japan!~ I wish I could share all the wonderful pictures we have taken over the past week but we took too many! In any case, here are the most memorable moments for me :)

Afternoon Tea @ Yokohama.

Nan and Ry brought me here to celebrate Nan's birthday the other time. It was simply a delightful affair to indulge in wonderful cakes while enjoying an awesome view.

Green tea swirl @ Tully's, Roppongi after visiting GRIPS campus.

Shan & her new cute favorite dress :)

Breakfast in our yukattas.

She wanted everything in this shop... okay, at least all the mushrooms and strawberries.

Owakudani (Hot spring or volcano?!)@ Hakone
The Carousel @ Disneysea.

My home @ TIEC

Exploring the streets (and of course Daiso) @ Harajuku

The wonderful fireworks of our future @ The Disney Show

Californian Maki Roll @ Midori Sushi (Mr. He Ye who touched our hearts with sushi that melts in your mouth) :)

The Shunkoso Ryokan @ Hakone. It was the onsen that changed Shan for the rest of the trip!

Gora Park @ Hakone

The Rose Garden @ Gora park

Huishan embracing Tokyo Fashion on Day 8.
Outside the Red Brick House @ Yokohama

Thank you for bringing me such lovely smiles from Singapore, toot... :)
And excuse the Sheriel Ryokan if the service was lacklustre at times. It was a first time for the owner.. :)

Sincerely,

The Sheriel Ryokan
p.s Under restoration works indefinitely... hehe.

The Black Necked Crane

I got this picture from my Bhutanese friend Tashi. The first time I laid eyes on this crane, I was really amazed at how beautiful it looked in flight -- the gentle curves of its wings yet unwavering posture gives it a lovely grace that I have never seen before.

Tashi then shared that this is a highly state-protected bird in Bhutan, whereby modern amenities in Bhutan are not allowed to disturb its habitat when it flies from Tibet to Bhutan every winter. It is also considered a symbol of love and faith because these birds are believed to have partners for life. "They never leave each other... and it is believed that if the other partner dies, the living also dies soon out of grief and sadness... such unwavering and unconditional love and faith... people revere this creature in Bhutan."

Even though life presents a new moment everyday and people are changing continuously, I would still like to believe that beneath it all, there is a steadfast knowing and understanding of love that lasts for life.

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Seng & Joan, check it out!