holiday

On Vacation

Cultural Heritage in Central Java

This is N'dalem Gamelan Hotel inside the Kraton, the Royal Palace of Yogyakarta.  I will be staying there for 2 nights and visiting the Kraton to learn something about the heritage and history of Indonesia.
I am painting an image of this hotel room and will finish it before my trip.

Goa Langse

This is the sacred site in Central Java at the south coast that I will visit on my next trip.  Goa Langse is situated under a 400m steep cliff east of Parangtritis.  The vertical cliff have many wooden and metal ladders to help in the journey.  It looks very dangerous but many people had been there.  In the photos, you can see the amazing landscape and vista.

I will be in traditional javanese costume making this journey and meditate on the level rock and looking out at he Pavilion. 
Here is a link to youtube video of the cave.  Just cut and paste to google.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxmpUVSM3U0

Spring Vacation

2012 Spring Vacation: Japan

April 13 (Fri) YVR to Tokyo Narita

April 14 (Sat) Arrive in Tokyo, Shibuya Carnival (12-10), Big Gym Ueno, Asakusa Blue Wave Inn

April 15 (sun) Jindai Botanical Garden, Kitarochaya, Sarasakan, Kasoyo for afternoon tea (closed Tue, Wed, holiday), Ginza Mariage Freres, Fucha Ryori Bon at Iriya (5:30pm start)

April 16 (Mon) Koishikawa Botanical Garden Glasshouse, Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Ryoguchiya

Korekiyo, Laduree afternoon tea, Nihonbashi Takashimaya Moroeya for Wabi, dinner at Yurakucho (5-10:30 pm)

April 17 (Tue) Tokyo to Kyoto early in the morning, put luggage away at the station. Take bus

to Kitano Tenmangun Oimatsu (daily 8:30 to 5), Kamahachi Roho (daily 8:30 to 6:30), Toraya,

then to Ryokujuanshimizu Konpeito (closed Wed and 4th Tue), Jidaigireya Bon (10-6 closed Sun), then back to station to pick up luggage to go to hotel, then shop at Sanjo Dori: Sanjyo

Damascene, Koromo Kyoto, Asutarute Shobo (12-7 closed Thur), Kinokuniya, Masune Wagashi (11-8 closed Thur), Chicago Vintage Clothings Kyoto Store for vintage kimono, Lupicia tea, Kyoto Rumie on Kawarimachi, Nomura Tailor on Shijo, dinner at La Papaya Verte Vietnamese food (daily 5:30 to 10:30 pm)

April 18 (Wed) Ishida Mansen Koujo, make Obi, Sanjyowakasaya (9 to 5:30 pm daily), Yurino Incense pouches (daily 10-6), Gensui Wagashi, Nishiki.

April 19 (Thur) Ishida Mansen Koujo, Chiso Yuzen Gallery (closed W, 10-7 daily),

Oryuri Mitsuyasu Vegetarian Kaiseiki (6-10 pm closed Sun, need reservation)

April 20 (Fri) Ishida Mansen Koujo, Konjaku Nishimura (10-7 closed Wed),

Chingireya daily (9-7:30), Takashimaya on Shijo Kawaramachi (closed 7:30 pm)

April 21 (Sat) Toji market, Sasayaiori (daily 9-5), Kameyamutsu (8:30-5 closed Wed),

Kanshundo Honten (daily 9-6), Shouhin Wagashi (9-6 daily closed 2^nd and 4^th Sun), Yamamoto

Wagashi, Kiyomizusaka, Minatoya Yurei Kosodate Ame Honpo candies (10-4, closed M),

Kiyomizudera,Gyoza Shoentei (4:30-9 pm daily) Ninesaka, Kodaiji, Maruyama Koen, Yasaka Jinja, Gion Koishi (daily 10:30 to 7:30 pm), Eirakuya (10-8)

April 22 (sun) Kyoto Botanical Garden Glasshouse (daily 10-4), Chokyudo (daily 10-8),

Kitayama Malebranche afternoon tea, Sou Sou, Italian dinner at La Verde Trattoria (11-11) or Santa Maria Novella Tisaneria (6-10 pm closed Mon)

April 23 (Mon) Ishida Mansen Koujo, Kameya Yoshinaga (8-6, closed Sun, 1^st, 3^rd

Wed), see gold leafing studio

April 24 (Tue) Check out from hotel, go to Kyoto Station, put all luggage away for 2 days or

send 1 luggage to Tokyo’s hotel, then, take train to Nara, Koriyama Honke Kikuya Wagashi, afternoon Kasuga Taisha, Shinen, then Nara Park, stay at Matsumae Ryokan

April 25 (Wed) check out from hotel, JR Nara to Sakurai to Hasedera, go to Kyoto Station Isetan’s Malebranche, the Cube, go to Tokyo, stay at Blue Wave Inn

April 26 (Thur) Asakusa, Kappabashi shopping for wagashi stand and senbei, then go to Narita and to YVR

May vacation

Day 0 May 15 Sun pass midnight go to airport
Day 1 May 16 flight Vancouver YVR by Cathay Pacific 2:45 AM to Hong Kong
Day 2 May 17 Tue Arrive in HK6:55 AM, go to Ricky's house, Wanchai Kapok G/F 5 St. Francis Yard near star street (11-8)to get James Heeley perfume, then go walking 10am to noon in HK Zoological and Botanical gardens, Central, HK, then shopping at Joyce Beauty New World Tower, Central for perfume, Lane Crawford IFG Mall Mariage Freres for violet tea, late afternoon to evening buy books from Page One Time Square and General Bookstore 449 Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay, early supper
Day 3 May 18 Wed take 9:20 AM flight to Jakarta CGK arrive at 13:05, take taxi to Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, stay there in accomodation 1 night
Day 4 May 19 Thur Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, take taxi to Bogor via Widayanto Studio to see ceramic art and have lunch, then to Bogor stay inside Kebun Raya Bogor for 5 nights, photographying and painting
Day 5 May 20 Fri Kebun Raya Bogor, morning Zoological Museum
Day 6 May 21 Sat Pasar Bogor, Kebun Raya Bogor, Kebun Raya Bogor painting, hire tour guide to search for Phytocrene macrophylla male flower, lunch at Cafe de Daunen, Botani Square get Garuda ticket (Yogyakarta to Jakarta), Gumati dinner www.cafegumati.com
Day 7 May 22 Sun Kebun Raya Bogor
Day 8 May 23 Mon Hebarium Bogoriense
Day 9 May 24 Tue Puncak Pass, Rindu Alam Restaurant, hiking at Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park then to Bandung, go to railway station to buy Lodaya ticket, stay at Amaroossa Hotel for 2 nights
Day 10 May 25 Wed learn Batik at Batik Komar, Bandung
Day 11 May 26 Thur take Lodaya train at 8am to arrive at Solo's Balapan train station around 5pm, stay at Roemahkoe Hotel in Laweyan Village for 2 nights, dinner at restaurant and watch dance performance.
Day 12 May 27 Fri explore Laweyan Batik Kampung, then Kraton Mangkunegara, Pasar Klewer for Batik fabric for bedspreads and kimono, lunch at Cafe Solo, then visit Batik DanarHadi Museum, shop at Batik Danarhadi www.houseofdanarhadi and Dancer's Requisites at Toko Bedoyo Serimpi (Jl. Hayam Wuruk and Jl. Ronggo Warsito) for costumes, masks, golden headdresses, armbands, keris, buckles for belts, Batik Semar, and Batik Keris
Day 13 May 28 Sat Train from Solo to Yogyakarta, stay in the Pheonix Hotel for 3 nights, drive to Kaliurang to visit Ullen Sentalu Museum www.ullensentalu.com and have lunch there, then walk around the cool resort town, then shop at Tjokrosuharto for dance costume, Ramayana Ballet at Prambanan in the evening
Day 14 May 29 Sun go to Sono-Budoyo Museum to see Wayang Kulit Puppets, Keraton watch Wayang Orang performance at 10 AM, shop at Jl Tirtodipuran, then walk on the streets to the batik factories and antique stores such as Batik Plentong, Batik Indah, Batik Winotosastro, Mirota Moesson, lunch at Hanoman's Forest Restaurant with classical javanese dance, wayang golek or wayang kulit and dinner at Purawisata theatre 8-9:30 pm in the amusement park to enjoy Ramayana ballet dance performance
Day 15 May 30 Mon Drive to Parangtritis Beach and then to Jatijajar Cave along the south coast
Day 16 May 31 Tue Yogyakarta flight 9:35 AM to Jakarta 10:40 AM, then 15:05 flight to HKG arrive 20:50 then at 0:30 flight to Vancouver YVR arrive 21:25
Day 17 June 1 Wed rest

Spring Vacation

2011 Late Spring / Early Summer
Day 0 May 15 Sun work until 7:30pm, then go to airport around midnight
Day 1 May 16 flight Vancouver YVR by Cathay Pacific 2:45 AM to Hong Kong
Day 2 May 17 Tue Arrive in HK6:55 AM, go to Ricky's house then if weather is good:
hiking 10am to 3pm at Namfung Road Fung Sui Aboretum HK, or if raining:
then go walking 10am to noon in HK Zoological and Botanical gardens, Central, HK, then shopping at: noon to afternoon Joyce Beauty New World Tower, Central for perfume, Lane Crawford IFG Mall Mariage Freres for violet tea, late afternoon to evening buy books from Page One Time Square and General Bookstore 449 Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay, dinner
Day 3 May 18 Wed take 9:20 AM flight to Jakarta CGK arrive at 13:05, take taxi to Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, stay there in accomodation 1 night
Day 4 May 19 Thur Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, take taxi to Bogor via Widayanto Studio to see ceramic art and have lunch, then to Bogor stay inside Kebun Raya Bogor for 5 nights, photographying and painting
Day 5 May 20 Fri Kebun Raya Bogor, morning Zoological Museum
Day 6 May 21 Sat Pasar Bogor, Kebun Raya Bogor, Kebun Raya Bogor painting, hire tour guide to search for Phytocrene macrophylla male flower, lunch at Cafe de Daunen, Botani Square get Garuda ticket (Yogyakarta to Jakarta), Gumati dinner www.cafegumati.com
Day 7 May 22 Sun Kebun Raya Bogor
Day 8 May 23 Mon Hebarium Bogoriense
Day 9 May 24 Tue Puncak Pass, Rindu Alam Restaurant, hiking at Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park then to Bandung, go to railway station to buy Lodaya ticket, stay at Amaroossa Hotel for 2 nights
Day 10 May 25 Wed learn Batik at Batik Komar, Bandung
Day 11 May 26 Thur take Lodaya train at 8am to arrive at Solo's Balapan train station around 5pm, stay at Roemahkoe Hotel in Laweyan Village for 2 nights, dinner at restaurant and watch dance performance.
Day 12 May 27 Fri explore Laweyan Batik Kampung, then Solo, Kraton Surakarta, Kraton Mangkunegara, Pasar Klewer for Batik fabric for bedspreads and kimono, lunch at Cafe Solo, then visit Batik DanarHadi Museum, shop at Batik Danarhadi www.houseofdanarhadi and Dancer's Requisites at Toko Bedoyo Serimpi (Jl. Hayam Wuruk and Jl. Ronggo Warsito) for costumes, masks, golden headdresses, armbands, keris, buckles for belts, Batik Semar, and Batik Keris
Day 13 May 28 Sat Train from Solo to Yogyakarta, stay in the Pheonix Hotel for 3 nights, drive to Kaliurang to visit Ullen Sentalu Museum www.ullensentalu.com and have lunch there, then walk around the cool resort town, then shop at Tjokrosuharto for dance costume, Ramayana Ballet at Prambanan in the evening
Day 14 May 29 Sun go to Sono-Budoyo Museum to see Wayang Kulit Puppets, Keraton watch Wayang Orang performance at 10 AM, shop at Jl Tirtodipuran, then walk on the streets to the batik factories and antique stores such as Batik Plentong, Batik Indah, Batik Winotosastro, Mirota Moesson, lunch at Hanoman's Forest Restaurant with classical javanese dance, wayang golek or wayang kulit and dinner at Purawisata theatre 8-9:30 pm in the amusement park to enjoy Ramayana ballet dance performance
Day 15 May 30 Mon Drive to Parangtritis Beach and then to Jatijajar Cave along the south coast
Day 16 May 31 Tue Yogyakarta flight 9:35 AM to Jakarta 10:40 AM, then 15:05 flight to HKG arrive 20:50 then at 0:30 flight to Vancouver YVR arrive 21:25
Day 17 June 1 Wed rest

Japan Trip Activity List

Jan 14 Asakusa Shopping: buy Zori or Getta, look at dance costume, cell phone hanging accessories. Then lunch at Ningyocho's Futaba Tofu, 2pm meet friends at Jusanburokan to see the exquisite dolls, then tea at Amedokoro Hatsune, shop at Ningyocho, and Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi for wagashi, dinner
Jan 15 Yayoi Museum for Hirezakieiho's exhibition, then Ame Street of Ueno and toy shop, if have time Tacoche and Mandarake, then go to Mt Takao Ukai Toriyama for dinner.

dream trip across Java again

2011 Late Spring / Early Summer
Day 0 May 15 Sun work until 7:30pm, then go to airport around midnight
Day 1 May 16 flight Vancouver YVR by Cathay Pacific 2:45 AM to Hong Kong
Day 2 May 17 Tue Arrive in HK6:55 AM, go to Ricky's house then if weather is good:
hiking 10am to 3pm at Namfung Road Fung Sui Aboretum HK, or if raining:
then go walking 10am to noon in HK Zoological and Botanical gardens, Central, HK, then shopping at: noon to afternoon Joyce Beauty New World Tower, Central for perfume, Lane Crawford IFG Mall Mariage Freres for violet tea, late afternoon to evening buy books from Page One Time Square and General Bookstore 449 Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay, dinner
Day 3 May 18 Wed take 9:20 AM flight to Jakarta CGK arrive at 13:05, take taxi to Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, stay there in accomodation 1 night
Day 4 May 19 Thur Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, take taxi to Bogor via Widayanto Studio to see ceramic art and have lunch, then to Bogor stay inside Kebun Raya Bogor for 5 nights, photographying and painting
Day 5 May 20 Fri Kebun Raya Bogor, morning Zoological Museum
Day 6 May 21 Sat Pasar Bogor, Kebun Raya Bogor, Kebun Raya Bogor painting, hire tour guide to search for Phytocrene macrophylla male flower, lunch at Cafe de Daunen, Botani Square get Garuda ticket (Yogyakarta to Jakarta), Gumati dinner www.cafegumati.com
Day 7 May 22 Sun Kebun Raya Bogor
Day 8 May 23 Mon Hebarium Bogoriense
Day 9 May 24 Tue Puncak Pass, Rindu Alam Restaurant, hiking at Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park then to Bandung, go to railway station to buy Lodaya ticket, stay at Savoy Homann Hotel for 2 nights
Day 10 May 25 Wed learn Batik at Batik Komar, Bandung
Day 11 May 26 Thur take Lodaya train at 8am to arrive at Yogyakarta's train station around 4pm, stay at Grand Mercure the Pheonix Hotel for 4 nights, , shop at Mirota Batik, Terang Bulan, then enjoy Ramayana Ballet dance performance (dinner and show) at Purawisata theatre 8-9:30 pm in the amusement park
Day 12 May 27 Fri explore Solo, Kraton Surakarta, Kraton Mangkunegara, Pasar Klewer for Batik fabric for bedspreads and kimono, lunch at Cafe Solo, then visit Batik DanarHadi Museum, shop at Batik Danarhadi www.houseofdanarhadi and Dancer's Requisites at Toko Bedoyo Serimpi (Jl. Hayam Wuruk and Jl. Ronggo Warsito) for costumes, masks, golden headdresses, armbands, keris, buckles for belts, Batik Semar, and Batik Keris
Day 13 May 28 Sat Kaliurang to visit Ullen Sentalu Museum www.ullensentalu.com and have lunch there, then walk around the cool resort town and then to Parangtritis Beach, evening Borobudur Spectacular (dinner and show)
Day 14 May 29 Sun go to Sono-Budoyo Museum to see Wayang Kulit Puppets, Keraton watch Wayang Orang performance at 10 AM, shop at Tjokrosuharto for dance costume, dinner at Hanoman's Forest Restaurant with classical javanese dance, wayang golek or wayang kuit
Day 15 May 30 Mon Yogyakarta to explore Pasar Beringharjo, Jl Tirtodipuran, then walk on the streets to the batik factories and antique stores such as Batik Plentong, Batik Indah, Batik Winotosastro, Mirota Moesson
Day 16 May 31 Tue Yogyakarta flight 9:35 AM to Jakarta 10:40 AM, then 15:05 flight to HKG arrive 20:50 then at 0:30 flight to Vancouver YVR arrive 21:25
Day 17 June 1 Wed rest

new trip for Japan

Final Plan for Japan Trip

Jan 12 Tue Vancouver on JL017 11:30 AM, flying to Tokyo Narita Airport
Jan 13 Wed Arrive at Narita 2:35PM, take Narita Express to Tokyo Station, transfer to hotel Blue Wave Inn in Asakusa, dinner at Asakusa Namikiyabu Soba (11-7:30 closed Thur), then shop at Carnival Shibuya (till 10PM), Biggym at Ueno (till 11PM)
Jan 14 Thu Jimbocho for hunting of old books, lunch at Ningyocho's Futaba Tofu (6AM to 8PM), go to Jusanburokan to see the exquisite dolls, then have tea in Amedokoro Hatsune, shop at Ningyocho, and also Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi for wagashi, dinner
Jan 15 Fri Yayoi Museum for Hirezakieiho's exhibition, Asakusa and Kappabashi shopping, then free day in Tokyo.
Jan 16 Sat early Shinkansen to Kyoto, drop off luggage and check in to Kyoto Garden Hotel, paint and take photos at Kyoto Botanical Garden, shopping at Sanjodori, dinner near Sanjodori.
Jan 17 Sun Continue painting at Kyoto Botanical garden then go to Nara Todaiji, Nara National Museum, Kasura Shrine and back to walk at Inari Shrine near Kyoto,KGH.
Jan 18 Mon Ishida Mansen Factory, studio learning, Daimaru shopping, KGH.
Jan 19 Tue studio learning, shopping near Shijo Kawaramachi, KGH.
Jan 20 Wed studio learning, KGH.
Jan 21 Thu Check out from KGH leave luggage, Kyoto Toji year end market, Nishijinorikaikan, Seimeijinjya, pick up luggage from KGH, and take taxi and check in at Yoshimizu Ryokan near Yasaka Jinja and Maruyama Koen, walk towards Kodaiji, Ninesaka, Sannesaka, Kiyomitsu Dera.
Jan 22 Fri studio learning, YR.
Jan 23 Sat studio learning, YR.
Jan 24 Sun Check out from Yoshimizu Ryokan, drop off luggage at Kyoto Station for 2 days. With a hand-carry, go to Ichijoji to visit bookstore, then to Kibune Shrine and Mt Kurama, stay at Kuramaso Ryokan, enjoy 1 day course at Kurama Onsen for lunch and hot spring, walk in forest, visit Kurama temple, Yuki Shrine.
Jan 25 Mon Kitanotenmangu market, shop at the cube then pick up luggage at Kyoto Station, take Shinkensen to Tokyo, stay again at Blue Wave Inn.
Jan 26 Tue Free morning in Asakusa before flight till noon, then take flight JL018 at Narita 5:40PM back to Vancouver arrive at 9:10AM

Aim for a New Trip

I would like to go to Xishuangbanna to experience the tropical rainforest in 2012 in the south-western part of China bordering Burma, Laos and Vietnam.
I am looking at the itinerary and it seems like fun but a bit difficult for independent travellers, maybe I should pick up a couple local tours so the transportation will be resolved and in 1 day I can visit several places.

I have 2 more days extra that I can use as my vacation is 2 weeks. Either I can stop over in Hong Kong and do some shopping and hiking, or I can spend more time in Jinghong for other activities.

Day 1 Vancouver 2:45AM to Hong Kong 6:55AM the next day
Day 2 Hong Kong noon to Kunming 2:25 PM, then 7PM to Jinghong 7:55PM (Xishuangbanna's main city) and then to Yourantai Cottages
Day 3 Take 1 day Rainforest Hike with ForestCafe tour to see waterfall (5 hours)
Day 4 Minority Park, Tropical Crop Park, Xishuangbanna Medicinal Garden and Mengla Road Fruit Market, Manting Park
Day 5 Xishuangbanna Primeval Forest Park, Wild Elephant Valley, stay in tree house
Day 6 Wild Elephant Valley, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, stay at the garden
Day 7 Painting at Xishuangbanna TBG
Day 8 Painting and researching at Xishuangbanna TBG
Day 9 Olive Dam, back to Jinghong to stay at Yourantai Cottages, and visit Mekong Hill Garden and TianZi Biodiversity Centre
Day 10 Yourantai Cottages, and TianZi Biodiversity Centre buying plants and herbal medicine and herbs and teas
Day 11 leaving Jinghong 11:15AM to Kunming 12:10PM, then 3:20PM to Hong Kong 5:40 PM then past midnight at 00:30AM to Vancouver arriving the same night 9:25PM
Day 12 rest and pot up new plants

Final Plan for Vietnam Trip

I am going to Vietnam via Hong Kong from April 25 to May 8, 2009.
Here is the detailed plan, a little bit different than before but mostly to do with activities in HK.

April 25 Sat 2:55AM YVR to HKG 7:10AM+1 day CX889
April 26 Sun 7:10AM HKG, Nam Fung Road feng shui woods walk, Causeway bay shopping, dinner
April 27 Mon HKG HK Botanic Garden painting, Mong Kok's HK Flower Market and dinner
April 28 Tue CX1791 HKG14:55 to HAN 15:55 (Vietnam Air) hotel pick up, Hang Gai shopping for silk, then Little Hanoi for dinner
April 29 Wed Hanoi, Hoan Kiem Lake, 36 Streets Walking, Tamarind Cafe for lunch, Cathedral shopping, Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, Green Tangerine for dinner
April 30 Thur Perfume Pagoda, Hanoi
May 1 Fri Halong Bay on Valentine Junk
May 2 Sat Halong Bay, Hanoi
May 3 Sun Hanoi Temple of Literature, Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, Craflink (before 12:15 or after 1:15), DongXuan Market, Infostones Bookshop, Ngyuen Freres, Emperor dinner
May 4 Mon Cuc Phuong National Park
May 5 Tue Cuc Phuong National Park
May 6 Wed Cuc Phuong National Park, Hanoi
May 7 Thu Hanoi, Highway 4 cooking class AM, pick up custom made shirts PM
May 8 Fri CX1790 HAN 11:05 AM to HKG 13:55 (Vietnam Air) then HKG 16:35 CX838 to YVR 13:50

Thinking about vacation 2010

I know it is a bit early to think about the future vacation but this one will take lots and lots of planning and coordination. I want to claim an award ticket from mileage to Japan but also get a side trip to Malaysia. Here is the trip plan.

Jan 17 Sun YVR to Tokyo by JAL
Jan 18 Mon arriving in Tokyo, afternoon, transfer to Blue Wave Inn Asakusa, then shop at Biggym Ueno
Jan 19 Tue Yayoi-Yumeji Museum (Hirezaki Eiho's Ukiyoe exhibition), then 1-3 pm Koishikawa Botanical Garden glasshouse; then Nagano's Mandarake comics shopping, Tacoche store visit
Jan 20 Wed Kanda Jimbocho bookstores tour 10 am to 4 pm, then Asakusa shopping and temple visit late afternoon and dinner
Jan 21 Thur morning train to Kyoto, morning to Toji the monthly market, then check in to Kyoto Garden Hotel and go for lunch at tsukemono place, shop for Rakugan at Kamesuehiro, walking and shopping on Sanjo dori: Sanjo Daimasen, Koromo, Ishikurokoho, shopping at Shijo, then Kyoto Rumieru
Jan 22 Fri Kyoto Botanical Garden painting inside glasshouse day time, late afternoon go to Chokyudo to buy confections, then walk in Nishiki market and shop at Daimaru
Jan 23 Sat Post Office, then Kyoto Botanical Garden painting, late afternoon, Soiree Tea Place, dinner Raimen place
Jan 24 Sun early train from Kyoto to Tokyo and flight to Kuala Lumpur, arriving late afternoon to hotel and then and shop at KLCC, dinner at Madame Kwan's Nasi Lemak Restaurant
Jan 25 Mon bus to Cameron Highlands staying at Bala's Holiday Chalets, mountain walk and hike
Jan 26 Tue Cameron Highlands, Tea Plantations, Orchid, Butterfly, Strawberry, Rose, Honey Bee, Cactis Farms, hiking
Jan 27 Wed Cameron Highlands, afternoon bus to KL
Jan 28 Thur Taman Negara 3 days / 2 nights
Jan 29 Fri Taman Negara
Jan 30 Sat Taman Negara to KL, Full moon night see spectacle of Thaipusam at Sri Mariamman Temple in Chinatown
Jan 31 Sun early morning from KL sentral bus to Thaipusam Batu Cave, back to KL, Craft Complex
Feb 1 Mon Rimba Ilmu Botanic Garden, Lake Garden, Central Market, Chow Kit Market
Feb 2 Tue KL flight to Tokyo then to YVR
Feb 3 Wed Rest! Too exhausted!

West Malaysia

I am researching on attractions in West Malaysia. This is the flower I will get to try to make Nasi Kerabu (blue salad rice)! Details soon.

West Malaysia

I think this is going to be my next destination. I want to experience West Malaysia, based in Kuala Lumpur. I am not sure which month, but just a two week trip again.
Day 1 Flying to Kuala Lumpur via a stop over depends on the airline, maybe US, HK or Japan.
Day 2 Arriving in Kuala Lumpur, check in to Hotel
Day 3 Rimba Ilmu, Botanic Garden at University of Malaya. www.rimba.um.edu.my then go to Chow Kit Market for fruits and shopping
Day 4 Taman Negara 3 days/ 2 nights
Day 5 Taman Negara
Day 6 Taman Negara, back to Kuala Lumpur
Day 7 Batu Caves, and city tour of KL twin towers etc.
Day 8 Cameron Highlands 3 days / 2 nights
Day 9 Cameron Highlands
Day 10 Cameron Highlands, Kuala Lumpur
Day 11 Lake Garden, Central Market www.centralmarket-kl.com
Craft Complex www.kraftangan.gov.my
Day 12 Flight back to home via stopover

2009 trip plan Hanoi, Vietnam

I think I am going to Vietnam via Hong Kong for Spring 2009. My parents went there in 2008 Spring and the photos they took are amazing and I want to go. In the picture is the hotel, so beautiful. And it is not me in the photo!

April 25 Sat 2:55AM YVR to HKG 7:10AM+1 day CX889
April 26 Sun 7:10AM HKG, Shin Mun Hiking and dinner
April 27 Mon HKG Lantau Big Buddha, Po Lin Monastery, dinner
April 28 Tue CX1791 HKG14:55 to HAN 15:55 (Vietnam Air) hotel pick up, Hang Gai shopping for silk, then Little Hanoi for dinner
April 29 Wed Hanoi, Hoan Kiem Lake, 36 Streets Walking, Tamarine Cafe for lunch, Cathedral shopping, Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, Green Tangerine for dinner
April 30 Thur Perfume Pagoda, Hanoi
May 1 Fri Halong Bay on Valentine Junk
May 2 Sat Halong Bay, Hanoi
May 3 Sun Hanoi Temple of Literature, Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, Craflink (before 12:15 or after 1:15), DongXuan Market, Infostones Bookshop, Ngyuen Freres, Emperor dinner
May 4 Mon Cuc Phuong National Park
May 5 Tue Cuc Phuong National Park
May 6 Wed Cuc Phuong National Park, Hanoi
May 7 Thu Hanoi, Highway 4 cooking class AM, pick up custom made shirts PM
May 8 Fri CX1790 HAN 11:05 AM to HKG 13:55 (Vietnam Air) then HKG 16:35 CX838 to YVR 13:50

Costa Rica trip plan

I want to join a group tour to Costa Rica, here is the details, tour is from May 1-10, then I will add a side trip for a few days to go to La Selva Biological Station to paint Aristolochia gorgona and other tropical vines.

May 1 Fri Flying into San Jose
May 2 Sat Small town of Fortuna, night walk of Silencio Trail, to see Spider Monkeys and exotic birds, and see Volcano Arenal at night
May 3 Sun Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge, Rio Frio, to spot howler monkeys, lizards, caimans, sloths, and endemic birds
May 4 Mon Lake Arenal, Santa Elena
May 5 Tue Monteverde Cloud Forest, sky walk along suspension bridges at the canopy level
May 6 Wed Quepos, Manuel Antonio National Park
May 7 Thu guided walk to the Manuel Antonio National Park
May 8 Fri back to San Jose
May 9 Sat San Jose optional activities: Jardin Botanico Lankester
May 10 Sun La Guacima Butterfly Farm
May 11 Mon La Selva Biological Station
May 12 Tue LS
May 13 Wed LS
May 14 Thu LS
May 15 Fri San Jose
May 16 Sat back to Vancouver

Costa Rica tour

I found out there is a Eco Tour organized by my old college going to Costa Rica this May 2009 for 10 days. What an opportunity! I really hope to go and experience the rainforest and also hopefully paint the aristolochia gorgona.

The tour mentioned Arenal Volcano, Monteverde Cloud Forest, Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge, and Manuel Antonio Rain Forest.

I think I will enquire about more information from the tour and hopefully will be able to do a side trip for my painting.

Aristolochia gorgona is at Estacion Biologica la Selva or at Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui.

I am reading up on both for locations to the above places of interest, I think they are located in more of less day trip distance.

Aristolochia gorgona flowers thru out the year and so it will be a hit or miss but I think with some planning I will be able to find at least a flower in bud or bloom to paint.

Trip Plan revised

I have finally decided that despite the coldness, I will go to Vietnam in Jan 2009 before Chinese New Year or Tet. It will be relatively dry but cold. Best time to visit the national park as I am afraid of leeches. I am going to have new silk shirts made and shop for other nice items.
Day 1: Hong Kong, Shingmun Hiking to look for Aristolochia
Day 2: Hong Kong, Lantau Po Lin Monastery, and Big Buddha
Day 3: Hanoi, Hang Gai Street shopping for silk items, order custom-made shirts
Day 4: Hanoi, Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi Cathedral, shopping, Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre
Day 5: Halong Bay
Day 6: Hanoi, French Quarter, bookstores, dinner at the Emperor's
Day 7: Hanoi, Temple of Literature, Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, Old Quarter's 36 streets
Day 8 Cuc Phuong National Park
Day 9: Cuc Phuong National Park, Hanoi, 36 streets, Hang Gai
Day 10: Hanoi, Highway 4 cooking Class, Markets, Hang Gai pick up custom-made shirts
Day 11: Back to Vancouver.

Trip Plan changed

No vacation in the fall! So maybe in Jan 2009 to Borneo as North Vietnam is too cold. This time in Borneo, my 3rd time, I want to cover North Sarawak: Miri, Lambir Hills and Niah, and then Sabah: Kota Kinabaru, Kinabaru Park, Mesilau, Poring, and Tambunan. Stop over is going to be Hong Kong for transfer but not sure whether to stay a day or 2 there as it is too cold in Jan. Borneo would be still hot but rainny.
Got lots of time to plan and will buy a package custom tour to explore all the places.
Here are some photos.