javanist dance costume

I finished a new painting of a Javanist dance costume. The batik is copied after the popular designs of Yogyakarta.

Vietnamese cuisine

My Mom made beautiful frog legs stir-fried with celery and peppers.
I had a similar dish twice in Hanoi but with a curry sauce. Next time I will make Cambodian deep fried frog legs with caramel sauce.

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

New kimono design

I bought a Vietnamese silk back from Hanoi and I wanted to have it made into an Asuka period costume. Here is the design. The obi is going to be further designed and made when I go to Japan next time.

recap of the beautiful visit of Sawara

Here is the link to my article on thingsasian.
http://www.thingsasian.com/stories-photos/37210

New articles written on thingsasian

I have written an article on Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens
http://www.thingsasian.com/stories-photos/37122

and also a long but very interesting one about walking in the mysterious sacred places in Kyoto.
http://www.thingsasian.com/stories-photos/37178

I welcome any comments.

Painting of Aristolochia tagala

I finally finished this painting started in Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens. I worked on it in Cuc Phuong while I stayed at the Mac Lake and also when I was staying at the Muong Village.
I will write an article about the gardens.