The plan is, as always, to post any photo’s and blog from the last year and then to keep up the good work. This time [...]]]> Just a little test on my iPhone, and YES I have been ridiculously not been updating my blog at all and am planning to change this in the very near future!!!

The plan is, as always, to post any photo’s and blog from the last year and then to keep up the good work. This time it may actually happen as I found this iPhone app I am currently using, and it actually works! Now I need to figure out how to align the pics with the text and I’m laughing! Hope this works! Xx

Arriving back to Phi Phi after diving

I can’t believe it’s already a week ago when I wrote my last post! Not too much has happened since then, apart from the fact that I went diving the day after: after i had met most of [...]]]>

The new pier in Phi Phi, getting ready for diving!

Arriving back to Phi Phi after diving

I can’t believe it’s already a week ago when I wrote my last post! Not too much has happened since then, apart from the fact that I went diving the day after: after i had met most of the Visa Diving crew I was going to be working with, we headed off on a boat at 8am in the morning. Cella works as the videographer of Visa diving so she dived with me and the other divers whilst filming it all.
I hadnt been diving for 4 years (!!) but it really is like riding a bike, I hadn’t forgotten. On the first dive almost straight away we saw a turtle swimming along, the poor thing only had 2 legs to swim with, one front and one at the back! he swam down to us and then past us. it was amazing! Later on we saw some more turtles and also loads of other colourful fish I don’t know the names of.

The Visa Dive Shop where I work

Inside of the shop where we chill and check emails if no customers

On the second dive I was having problems with my ears equalizing. With diving, just as flying, you put pressure on your ears, and you always have to equalize your ears for them to get used to the new pressure. My ears were hurting as hell, so I kept having to go up a tiny bit to ‘blow’my nose then go down again. It took a lot of time and even at 12 meters it was still hurting. Such a shame as I alter found out the rest of the divers were below me seeing lots and lots of sharks! I missed out this time, but I’m going to try again in a few days or so (When Clare and Adam come over :-)) I did see seahorses and clownfish and loaaaaads more cool stuff

My daily view of the street the dive shop is at

The donut/samosa lady that comes around daily with yummy snacks

I am so glad Cella came along, she made the most amazing DVD of the whole dive. She’s making a little taster clip for me that I can put on this website and facebook, so watch this space, you will see me with the turtles!

After that, I’ve been pretty much working, no partying as of yet, altho today, FRIDAY THE THIRTEENTH woooooo!! we are going for a big meal and drinks with the whole crew, as one of the Instructors is leaving and Cella’s mum is here.
So I don’t have that much to tell, but as so many of you have been asking, I will give you a little insight of a day in the exiting life of Marjolijn on Koh Phi Phi

The Thai Market I walk past on my way to work in the mornings

Plenty of shopping to do on your way to the beach!

I start work at about 9 or 9:30 in the morning. We don’t have set hours we have to work, but the more you are in the Dive shop, the more chance you have of selling stuff. And as we only get paid 10% commission, I try and be there as much as I can.
Usully I am the only one there so early, so I put the music on, hand the boards out (with advertising the different dives and courses we have) and put my laptop in the back of the shop. Ferry’s start coming in from 9:30 and then arrive every hour or every half an hour.

My personal 'mixed shake lady' she gets it ready for me as she sees me walking towards the shop!

The famous Thai Pancakes-try nutella/banana or egg/cheese!

When people with backpacks walk past I hand out maps of the island (with a little cheeky pricelist of Visa Dive Shop) and help them point them in the right direction and then ask if they plan to dive whilst they are here,a nd if yes, explain the different choices. Hopefully I book such people in straight away, but usually they want to find accomodation first. If these people end up coming back and book in with someone else, i get 5% commission, but sometimes they don’t come back and i earn nothing. In the mean time we nip to the shop for water or food, but usually I walk to the beach to get my mixed fruit shake, last year I was into the mango shakes, but have totally discovered the mixed one now, its got lots a fresh fruit and ice cubes, so it really is a smoothie, but its called a shake over here.

The Monkey Beach BAr on a different location, I worked here 4 years ago before the tsunami!

The manager still remembered me : "Marlboro Light!" he shouted..it was my nickname as they couldn't pronounce my name

There is also a cute lady walking around in the morning with homemade donuts and in the afternoon with homemade samosa’s. I can’t resist them, especially since they cost next to nothing anyway (TBH10 , which is about 20p)
This goes on until about 1pm when the morning boat with divers returns. It’s busy in the shop for a bit and usually I take my lunch break at about 1:30 for 2 hours or so.
I order my lunch ahead at the bakery (an omelet or sarnie or some thai food) and when it gets deliverd to the shop i am off with my towel and MP3player to the beach. i sunbathe, swim and snooze til about 3 or 3:30, then go back to ‘my’ place (I’ve moved into Cella and Aiad’s place now), have a shower and change of clothes and its back to work for me!

It's amazing how much things change in a year, me and Anna stayed here last year, its now a resort and a popular, busy beach bar, was very chilled last year...

Eventhough the tsunami was 4 years ago, they are still rebuilding on the island...

A few more ferries arrive and then it’s waiting for the new arrivals to walk past showered and fresh and ask them if they want to dive whilst they are here, or people who stop to look at the signs. It’s not easy and i don’t like to push, but thankfully there are plenty of people who want to dive and just walk in the shop. Trouble is there is lots of competition, 18 other shops on the island, two of which on the other side of the street. you can only sell your diving from your shop, or on the step if your shop, not on the streets
Althought between staff is no competition and we banter across the street or practise our poi if we are bored and take the piss out of each other. The shop closes at 9pm and towards 7:30 or 8pm we usualy (not always) start buying each other beer and stand on the front of he shop chatting and getting the attention of passers by to try and get them to come diving.
at 9pm we wait for the famous 6 words (let’s get the f@%$ outta here) and we head off for dinner together, or a few of us and sometimes a few, or a lot of drinks afterwards.
Then the next day its all same same but different !

Busy beaches now...

but Phi Phi will always remain beautiful, no matter how busy it is!

the amazing view from the top

Today is our last day in Japan. We decide to spend our whole day taking a relaxing 1,5 hour hike in the mountains, in specific: Mount Kurama. We take a train from Kyoto to Kurama, the hike starts here, all over the mountain to [...]]]>

the trail lined with lanterns

the amazing view from the top

Today is our last day in Japan. We decide to spend our whole day taking a relaxing 1,5 hour hike in the mountains, in specific: Mount Kurama. We take a train from Kyoto to Kurama, the hike starts here, all over the mountain to the other side to Kibune Guchi where we can take the train back to Kyoto.
They say it takes 1,5 hours if you keep your pace, but we want to relax and take in the sights and views. There are temples and shrines on the way, so we set off on the train.

Shoro

Kinone Michi

We arrived in Kurama, where we entered the temple, got given walking sticks and took a little cable cart up to the start of the trail.
The trail is lined with lanterns, which makes it look very pretty, but also very handy should you end up staying there til after dark.
The views from the top are indeed very impressive and on our way down, we get to Kinone Michi. This means: “The path on the exposed intertwining roots of old cedar trees”. We were warned by our guesthouse owners to be careful not to trip up.
Not long after, we stop at a little viewpoint where some Japanese hikers are also taking a break.

The Japanese hikers

The Kanji sign for our train station

We end up in converstation and the Japanese seem very impressed with Michiel’s Japanese and the fact he is studying at Osaka University (aparently a higher degree than the man himself has).
They are all very polite and the women suggest we have our picture taken and after lots of bowing and thank yous we are on our way again.
At the bottom of the mountain we realize is not the train station, it is another 20 minute walk so we venture into the village a little before heading to the train station. Just as well by the way, that Michiel has learned, and subsequently taught us, the Kanji for train station or we would never have known where it was as this village has no signs in Latin (English)!!
When we get back to Kyoto we have a nice last dinner and head back early for packing and sleeping as tomorrow is an early day for flying back home…
Bye Japan, it has been fantastic meeting you!

me and loads of Nijntjes

completely imerged in a manga comic book

on the way we see some [...]]]> Today the plan is to go to a manga museum. Michiel is very interested in Manga, both films and comics and we think it is worth checking out as it is such a big part of Japanese culture.

me and loads of Nijntjes

completely imerged in a manga comic book

on the way we see some big rabbits…, i already explained to you about Dick Bruna, the creator of Nijntje AKA Miffy, well, this is her but loads of them!! off course I dont miss the opportunity of having my picture taken with this celebrity
Once in the Manga museum we see it is a massive library as well as a museum. Lots of children, but also adults come here to read the books. There are people sitting, lying and crouching everywhere, clutching a manga book. The history of Manga is explained, as well as some of the Japanese Kanji Characters, how they came about… a special project was displayed and explained which took my interest. it’s called Linga Comica 3 by ASEF, the Asia-Europe Foundation. It’s basically a project, which they ‘plucked’ 14 emerging comic artists, for a 2-months online collaboration through comics. They all came from different countries and were paired up to write/draw a story about certain topics such as cultural differences or global warming. it was so interesting to see these comics by two artists in two styles come together and a fasinating read. unfortunately we were not allowed to take pictures, so if you were interested, you’d have to click on the websites to read and see more.

Michiel and I in traditional Kimono

How the Kanji for trees/forest is made up

Another interesting special exhibitions was about how the Japanese used to wear Kimono’s and where Manga began in Japan, a story that captured me is the tale on Genji. Everyone in Japan has heard of it, as it is actual history, that became more popular when Ms. Yamato Waki brought out a manga version. It is about Genji, who is the emperor’s son, who lives as his subject after this mothers death and therefore loses his right of succeeding throne. He has love affairs with many court ladies including his stepmother! drama! me and my brother both bought a book (there are 12 parts) which we will swap after reading. luckily it is written in English as well as Japanese
There was also a section about european comics and how this was seen as European manga, comics such as belgian suske en wiske and tin tin were mentioned and very old comics were shown. Apparently manga was initially made for children but when these children grew up they still liked manga so it grew with them and became for teenagers too, then adults. now manga is read by young and old.

In the evening, we go to the Kodai-ji Temple to see the ‘light show’ it is not really a light show but more clever positioning of lights so that the autumn colours come to their right even in the dark. it looks amazing especially with the lights reflecting in the pond.
the baboo garden next to it also looks fantastic, it was definitaly worth seeing!!

Kodai-ji temple at night

Life Size 'Dick Bruna' posters in Osaka-Umeda

Today we venture out of Kyoto and to Osaka, about 40 minutes away by train (although sometimes the journey can be longer, depending on time of day and where in Kyoto/Osaka you are). This is where Michiel studies and lives. We aim to visit Osaka Jo (Osaka [...]]]> DAY SIX

Life Size 'Dick Bruna' posters in Osaka-Umeda

Today we venture out of Kyoto and to Osaka, about 40 minutes away by train (although sometimes the journey can be longer, depending on time of day and where in Kyoto/Osaka you are). This is where Michiel studies and lives. We aim to visit Osaka Jo (Osaka Castle), the Umeda Sky Building and Michiel’s lab and Uni.
When we arrive in Osaka Station, we see lots of ‘Dick Bruna’ characters on posters. For those of you that don’t regonize the name; Dick Bruna is the illustrator and writer of Dutch children books, mostly famous for ‘Nijntje’, which incidentally is callend ‘Miffy’ in the rest of the world (Nijntje being a Dutch diminutive word for ‘rabbit’). It is funny to see the life size characters, which we associate with Dutch life, in Japan with Japanese writing underneath, so we see this as an opportunity to record this weird phenomenon!!

On the way to Osaka Jo, we bump into a sign that says you can do a Sightseeing Cruise, talking about feeling at home! We decide to do it with the ’special discount ticket’ for the Osaka Jo and the cruise combined.

Views of Osaka city and Tosabori River

After the relaxing cruise we walk towards Osaka Jo and take in the amazing views on our way. on top of the castle we have a nice little view and inside a museum-type story about Osaka and the castle’s history. Coming back down the castle looks even better in the late afternoon sunlight so we snap away a few more shots of the castle and the sun going down. By now we have to get our arses back on the train to town where we are meeting Michiel. We can’t be late as our phones do not work in Japan (you have to have a UMTS phone and sim) so we have no way of contacting each other.
On our way we see a really REALLY busy zebra crossing and more star wars-police men with their Star Wars Darth Vader Lightsabers! (photo’s of these in Japan, The Photos Day SIX)
Luckily it all goes well and we manage to meet each other, how did we ever do it without mobile phones? I can’t remember, it’s too long ago for me!!
We walk to the Umeda Sky Building which looks like an alien-type-supersonic-arc de triomphe! There is a cool little German Christmas Market underneath with lovely Christmas music. It sure does not feel like Japan here.

Osaka-Ji in the evening light

The Umeda Sky building with the scary escalators in the top!!

To get up to the top floor you have to take escalators a few floors up, pay and get an elavator to a certain point (which by the way, is a glass elevator on the outside of the building AAAAHHHHHHHH- do something that scares you everyday….I certainly did!)
At this certain point, to get up higher, you need to take escalators, that go from one tower to the other, with a WHOLE LOTTA NOTHING underneath! and glass windows on either side, just so you can see how high up you are… another thing that scared me, but I still did it! in the other tower we had to ascend some stairs or take the old people’s lift up to finally get to the outside observatory level. This was not so scary, funnily enough, as there was a floor below us so you couldn’t lean over and fall off, which was nice cuz I could enjoy the views and the really cool fluoresant flooring that lit up because of the black light above :-).

The ultra cool fluorescent flooring on the Umeda Sky Building

Me and Robot Repliee Q2

After this we venture into town for something to eat and find a little Japanese style take away where you can buy ‘ramen’. Ramen is a type of noodles and is cooked very quickly, you sit on bar stools, choose your flavour and ingredients and its in front of you in a matter of minutes. Tastes very good too!!
Then it’s time for us to follow Michiel to his campus and the lab where he works. Unfortunately the robot I was most interested in (The Geminoid) was in a different lab and we couldn’t go and see it, but we did meet two other robots, a few robot toys and LOTS of computers! Very interesting indeed to see what my brother is up to all day (mainly play with robots )and see his enviroment.
It was getting pretty late and we end up catching the last train back to Kyoto and straight to bed as we get in

We are a little templed out, so we go for a hike/walk we found in one of the guide books, named: Tetsugaku-No-Michi (Path Of Philosophy). The path takes its name from one of it’s most famous strollers: 20th century philosopher Nishida Kitaro, who is said to have walked this every day to keep fit [...]]]> DAY FIVE

We are a little templed out, so we go for a hike/walk we found in one of the guide books, named: Tetsugaku-No-Michi (Path Of Philosophy). The path takes its name from one of it’s most famous strollers: 20th century philosopher Nishida Kitaro, who is said to have walked this every day to keep fit and think.
Unlucky for us it is lined with temples and even though we thought we had seen enough, we cannot resist.
First up is Honen-In. As many of the other temples, this also has a beautiful garden that looks lovely in this autumn with the fabulous autumn colours.

Tetsugaku-No-Michi (Path Of Philosophy)

in the garden of Honen-In

We also find a buddha tucked away in a corner and a little mini tower.
Next in line is Nanzen-Ji. This exited me even more as they had a fully blown aqueduct!! Weird to see in Japan, as it feels like going back to Roman times seeing it, but it is very impressive indeed. Not only could you walk under it and be amazed by the autumn foliage around it, you could also go up and see the water flowing over the heads of others. How the Romans ever invented this is beyond me. Very clever piece of work.
Within the complex is a gate called the Sanmon, it symbolizes the three roads to Buddhist liberation and is well knows as one of the three biggest gates in Japan. The gate is in true Zen style, with a gabled roof of baked clay tiles and with 5 pillars and 3 entrances. My parents don’t want to go up so they wait downstairs as I go up. The view is amazing and can see all over the mountains and over the temples. The photo’s do not do it justice. As do none of the photos by the way, you really have to see it to believe it!!!! The stairs up and down are very VERY low, silly mini Japanese people! so there is a massive sign saying Mind Your Head. a little different from Mind The Gap, haha!

The view from gate Sanmon in Nanzen-Ji temple

Kinkaku-ji or Rokkuon-Ji-The Golden Pavilion and the Kyoko-chi, mirror pond

After this, we decide, as we are not too far from it, to go see another temple on our to do list: Kinkaku-ji or Rokkuon-Ji-The Golden Pavilion. The 2nd and 3rd floor are covered with gold-leaf on Japanese lacquer and the roof is thatched with shingles. The pond in which it stands is called Kyoko-chi, which means mirror pond. A name i can understand it having as it served as a mirror, its almost as if you see double!
As the sun was setting, it let an fantastic light on the temple and again the photo’s do not do it justice. I was hoping for a glorious sunset complete with pink, orange and red skies but unfortunately it was cloudy and there was none of the sort. Never the less a fantastic day which ended with a beautiful pizza (yes I know!! no Japanese food today ) PS the rest of the photos will be added ASAP on Japan-The photos underneath. hopefully tonight-japan time xx

Kyoto Station as seen from Kyoto Tower, with the lovely orange frame work

me 'pushing' Kyoto Tower

Today we decide to rent some bikes and explore Kyoto like we Dutch are used to do: cycling! We cycle to nearby Kyoto Tower and ascend (by lift, there was no other way, honestly!). At a 100m [...]]]> DAY FOUR

Kyoto Station as seen from Kyoto Tower, with the lovely orange frame work

me 'pushing' Kyoto Tower

Today we decide to rent some bikes and explore Kyoto like we Dutch are used to do: cycling! We cycle to nearby Kyoto Tower and ascend (by lift, there was no other way, honestly!). At a 100m high, the view was ok, but the orange bars in front of the windows did restrict the view a little. The orange bars are there to help the Kyoto Tower look like a lighthouse “to illuminate the landlocked city of Kyoto”, but didn’t impress me much. Never the less, it was a good view.
We then get into Kyoto Station Building to find the observation level. we can’t see much through the clouded windows, but the journey up there was pretty impressive, long long looooooong escalators up to the 12th floor, with a massive x-mas tree in the middle section. On our way down we go past the glass corridor that goes high above the main concourse (11th floor). Sweet views of the Kyoto Tower and as my dad gets snap happy and me an my mum wait, we take a few pictues of me ‘pushing’ the Kyoto Tower.
Then we cycle along to The Fushimi-inari-taisha Shrine. The shrine was dedicated to the gods of rice and sake.

The Torii of The Fushimi-inari-taisha Shrine

The fox's heads with wishes on them

A pathway wanders 4km up the mountain and is lined with hundreds of bright red torii (shirine gates) . There are also dozens of stone foxes everywhere. The fox is considered the messenger if Inari, the god of the cereals. the key often seen in the fox’s mounth is for the rice granary.
Tons of people com here to pray, you can also buy a wooden fox head on which you can write your wish, hopefully it will then become true!!
After this we are a bit cream crackered so we chill for the rest of the day.

A few Japanese things we have learnt (or trying to get in our heads) so far:
Konichiwa-Hello
Mata Neh-Bye
Domo Arigato-Thank you very much (or in Kyoto: Okini)
Hai-Yes Iie-No
One Gajshimas-Please
Sumi Masen-Sorry/Excuse me
Doi Tashimashite-You’re Welcome

Today the plan is to go on a scenic tram ride in the mountains, or along the mountain anyway.As we get there-which was a little miracle by the way, because Michiel went back to uni, me and my parents braved the train system on our own! All jokes aside though, its actually pretty easy [...]]]> DAY THREE

Today the plan is to go on a scenic tram ride in the mountains, or along the mountain anyway.As we get there-which was a little miracle by the way, because Michiel went back to uni, me and my parents braved the train system on our own! All jokes aside though, its actually pretty easy once you know what to do. As we get there, there is again a massive que and a man shouting in Japanese.

view of the river on the way to the bamboo forest

the bamboo forest

People in the que go: “Hai Hai Hai” (yes yes yes) and streched out their arms to the man. We tried to get his attention, but sadly he didn’t speak English so we had no idea what he was going on about. When we got to the ticket desk they didnt really know any English either and just managed to tell us that the next 3 hours the train was full so we bought 3 tickets for the next available train and sat outside to cook up a new plan for the next 3 hours. luckily there is so much to do in Kyoto that we had no trouble to fin something and we strolled past another temple, past a river and another mountain back drop (Kyoto lies between 3 mountains: Higashiyama (Eastern Mountains), Kitayama (Northern Mountains) and Arashiyama (Stormy Mountains) in the west - these were the Arashiyama). On the mountains there were again the beautiful tell tale autumn colours and the road busy with the tell tale tourists. We walked straight into a bamboo forest, whilst listening to loud monkey screams. Sadly we didn’t actually get to see a monkey, but it was nice to know that they where there. The bamboo is very high indeed and I was half expecting to see some Panda’s chomping away but I didn’t.
In time we got back to the train station and exitedly we waited, took our seats and off we where! at the next station however, many more people embarked, and got told by some Japanese people, that we were in their seats, we showed them our ticket to ask where we were sitting and to our horror he said: Standing ticket! We don’t mind standing but this way you don’t get to see the views!!

Standing tickets

Amazing views despite the standing ticket

That must’ve been what the man was shouting about back at the ticket office!!!!! Cheeky little buggers for not trying to explain the difference… Oh well, we made the most of it and we alternated the standing spot by the only free window, with a lovely Japanese couple. Did I mention yet by the way that Japanese people are very polite? Very humble and obedient almost. You have to tred very carefully and respect their culture as to not to offend them. Not that you wouldn’t anywhere else, but more so here, as they are so humble. An example of this is after we disembark the sightseeing tram, we get distracted by the sunset and the effect it has on the autumn forest on the other side, that by the time we want to walk to the station, their is no more croud to follow. We ask a Japanese man the way to the train station. Sadly, he speaks no English, but bless him, he summons us as he will walk us there, we try to tell him its ok, just tell us the direction. but it all gets lost in translation and he walks us to the station anyway..
at Kyoto Station we have a little look around the shops before retiring back to the guesthouse….