SEOUL | Shopping Time!

As mentioned in earlier posts, not everyday was a bright sunny day whilst traveling, a drizzle or two was also "part of the package" that need to be dealt with.

Nevertheless, one of the good things about these developed cities like Tokyo and Seoul, is that, not only their shopping areas are located on the street or above the street, but there are also loads of shopping area under the street, or underground, so this is the place to go if it is wet outside.

Unfortunately, (or fortunately, depending on how you see it), my shopping days are "over", ever since I "got hold" of my passion for photography, as I would rather spend my time capturing the scene with my camera, rather than spending my time shopping.

But, on the other hand, from my photos, I might lure other people to shop at that place, so it is quite a win-win situation for the place itself.


Seoul Plaza Underground Shopping Center is one of the underground shopping places.


Myeongdong Underground Shopping Centre is another underground shopping place, and the good thing about underground shopping is that, it is easily accessible via the Subway train, as they are interconnected with each other.

But, in a different side of the city, this is where the real deal is, the real shopping haven for tourist and Koreans alike. Just look at the photo below.

Shop closes at 0430Hours, yeap 4:30AM!!

Time is not the issue here, what matter most now is your wallet!

Happy shopping everyone, buy smart.

NIHONBASHI | Centre of Japan

Nihonbashi is one of the busy districts in Japan. Here is where actual business is done in Japan, the money making place, where millions of Yen, or more, exchange hands, because in Nihonbashi you can find, Bank of Japan, Tokyo Stock Exchange, Mitsukoshi (Harrods equivalent) & Takashimaya, just to name a few.

Translated directly as "Japan Bridge", Nihonbashi is literally the centre of Japan, as this is where the Zero Mile Marker starts, just like that Zero-Mile-Marker Big Blue Clock in Bandar Seri Begawan, which serve as the reference point of all roads.


A plaque on the bridge stating the history of Zero Milestone.


Zero marker where the distance are measured from.


Shortly before the 1964 Summer Olympic, an expressway was built over the Nihonbashi Bridge, "polluting" the classic view, thus this is why til recent years, local people have signed petitioned to "move" the expressway underground, and if this move is implemented, it would cost the government USD4Billion!

RANDOM | Who is Bruce Pee?? .. and what diet ..?

Bruce Lee.. Yes .... we've heard ... But ...



... But .. who the heck is Bruce Pee??


.... anyway..... here are something to start off your week ....


HEALTH QUESTION & ANSWER SESSION

Q: I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life; is this true?

A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it... Don't waste them on exercise . Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.

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Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?

A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And a lamb chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products

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Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?

A: Well, if you have a body and you have fat, your ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.

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Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?

A: Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain...Good!

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Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?

A: You're not listening... Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they're permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?

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Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?

A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.

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Q: Is chocolate bad for me?

A: Are you crazy? HELLO Cocoa beans! Another vegetable. It's the best feel-good food around! !

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Q: Is swimming good for your figure?

A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.

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Q: Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle?

A: Hey! 'Round' is a shape! !

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Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets.

NOTE: The above is not an accurate answer for the question, I am not going to be held responsible for any of the responses. If you believe everything you read, then you should know by now that the word "Gullible" has never ever been stated in the dictionary nor any thesaurus nor any encyclopedia.

SEOUL | Hello Photographers

Sometimes, we would be very cautious with bringing our camera gear while traveling to foreign country, the feeling of whether it is ok or not to photograph street photos and such, also the worries of carrying those bulky camera gears.

But whilst in Seoul, I feel "in" blending with the local, because many of the locals are carrying huge SLR with them almost everywhere, well, many touristy area actually, hence there were less guilt in capturing the street scene.


Checking the captured image from the tiny LCD viewer on his high-end CANON.


A bunch of friend having an outing together to capture the street scene.


There are even quite a number of women photographers, I guess they wanna play around with huge DSLR nowadays rather than those sleek slim compact, or perhaps just wanna make it a reason so that they can buy a new handbag which can fit their bulky camera!


A classic film SLR user.

SEOUL | Architectural & Sturctural Feast

Despite being modernise, Seoul still preserve the "old" buildings, but what struck me most is the beauty of the new buildings.

I wish I could post all those unique structures, but I know it will just hog the bandwidth, so, just to have a gist of the architectural feels, I will just post these few first.


A simple yet very modern looking building, glass facade is the game here.



Another unique structure, playing around with steel and glass. Bare steel trusses, rather than covering it with cement, making it more sexier, some kind of a fetish for the architects huh.



The only "problem" or concerns in having a glass facade is, it must be maintained accordingly, this is where "Spiderman" comes in, just like the Burj Al Arab, Dubai, by the time one have finished cleaning up to the top, it is time to clean from the bottom again.

Such design would also contribute the global warming index, as improper designed "glass building" will need more energy to maintain the interior climate.


So to end this post, I'll leave you with the reflection of a modern building, just like a reflection for us, to think about the consequences and effects of the rapid "inevitable" urban development.

NOTE: Nice date today btw .... 20.08.2008

K850i|Connecting

Trying to upload straight from the phone

ANNUAL PHOTO DAY 2008 | The 1.3MP CamPhone Photos Galore!

As posted last year, here we are again, to commemorate the Annual Photo Day, we proudly present you with various photos taken from the "Legendary" 1.3MP Phone's Camera ....


1. Crossing in the Rain


2. Lost in the Illuminated Column Maze.


3. Waiting for the Ride.


4. Checking for Time


5. For the Thirsty Traveller.


6. Closer to the Edge.


7. Hand Grips in the Advert Jungle.


8. Gaining Knowledge Along the Way.


9. Passing by the "Tunnel".


10. Canon EOS by 1.3MP CamPhone.


11. Back Thru the Cycle's Path.

SEOUL | Photos in the Rain ( In Mono)

Feel free to put on your own captions ...

RANDOM | 08.08.08

08.08.08

All eyes are on China today, as people all over the world have known that, today is the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics.

More than 80 Head of States, will be attending the Opening Ceremony, which will see 204 countries competing in various events, trying to break new records, with each country promising very interesting rewards for their winning athlete.


Thou many often compare of which is the bigger one between Olympics and the World Cup, and yet no definite answers are given.

Nevertheless, let us be together in this sporting spirit.

If one search the internet, there are many interesting facts and figures regarding the Olympic, so many that I can' just summarise them all here.



The future athlete?

One World, One Dream

TOKYO | Street Demo

On the other side of the sea, in Tokyo, I also encounter another demonstration, I would assume it was about helping the needy during the natural disasters in China.


People passing by donate some money, hence I'd assume the purpose of the demonstration.


Good strategy to collect money, let 'em girls do it.


Or the ladies are just emotional naturally...

SEOUL | Photos in the Rain (in Colour)

You will be lucky to have a bright sunny day throughout any journey.

But rain is unavoidable at times, and one do admit, it might restrict your movement, and perhaps your ability to capture more photos.

So what can you do? Look at the bright side, you can capture your journey with the rain as an "added effect'


Two veterans enjoying each other companies despite the wet weather.


Thou some people opt to rush in the wet weather, for obvious reason, to get less wet as possible.



I must admit, during the rain, it is quite difficult to capture anything with one hand holding your SLR, one holding the umbrella, and during nite time, whilst juggling your SLR as not to get it wet, unless yours is that weatherproof, shockproof or foolproof one!

SEOUL | The Lantern Festival

Whilst in Seoul, City Hall area to be exact, I stumbled upon, some sort of festival, as it was all spoken in Korean, so I assumed this is some sort of a lantern festival.

As for the protocol, I was not too sure the do's and don'ts duringthe festival, hence I did not captured as much photo as I want, furthermore I did not have any fast lens, tripod nor flashgun with me at that moment, so, these are few that I can share.


The locals, adorning their local traditional attire, Hanbo, carrying a lantern each.


Saying a prayer while holding on the paper lantern.


People of all walks of life are busy with each other, greeting one another, calling their loved ones and such.


A young child can be seen in the crowd, don't wanna miss this historic event.


It's getting late, the festival is coming to the end, people are now walking around more freely.

Had a long day, it was time for me to go as well.