Tokyo - Tsukiji Market Sushi Breakfast

In Japan, eating rice for breakfast is not unusual, so does eating sushi in the morning. Japanese housewives wake up early in the morning to prepare rice dishes for their husbands in fact.

Tsukiji Fish Market is the biggest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world and also one of the largest wholesale food markets of any kind. While the inner wholesale market has restricted access to visitors, the outer retail market, restaurants and associated restaurant supply stores remain a major tourist attraction for both domestic and overseas visitors.

How to get there?


Take the Toei Oedo Line to Tsukiji-shijō Station or the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line to Tsukiji Station.

Where to eat, what to eat?

 

There are many sushi restaurants along the stretch and these few are the most highly populated ones. Their food I would probably think is good but it is overly hyped over due to it being featured on travel websites.


Try the tamago! There are a few stalls selling tamago made differently and each of them taste very interesting.
 
 
 
 
 


This is the first time I came across a wasabi plant  and so this is how it looks like.


While we were hungry and impatient at the long queues and the overly hyped-up tourist-destinated sushi joints, we decided to just pop by any sushi restaurant. I mean in Japan, any sushi would taste as awesome!  
 
 
 


There's 2 kinds of shoyu, both have slight differing taste.
 

 
There's different sets of sushi platter on the menu but i'm rather picky with the kind of raw fish that I take and like. I like salmon and most of the time I prefer picking my platter of sushi I want to eat instead of getting their fixed set and end up with some selections that doesn't suit my appetite.

 


Set platters
 
 
 
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Snow Mountain in the Summer - Mount Titlis

Mount Titlis is the highest mountain in the  portion of Urner Alps of Switzerland, standing tall at 3,238m. It is located on the border between the cantons of Obwalden and Berne in Switzerland, overlooking Engelberg, 

Summertime may be the best time to visit a snow mountain, not only to avoid the sweltering summer heat, but also a period of time whereby the temperatures are bearable up in the mountains. In the summer, the temperature in Mt titlis would on an average be -1 degree, whereby it drops to a terribly low of -14 in the winter which wouldn't be ideal for much activities and hanging around. 

To see a snow mountain isn't that easy in summer. It depends on the highest altitude of mountain and the period of time you happen to be there. Before spending that 146CHF embarking on a tour up the mountain, it is safer to check their website for live web camera views of the mountain to ensure it's not a wasted journey.  http://www.titlis.ch/en

Take a tour or self tour?
From Zurich to Titlis, there are tours operated by companies like Viators, Greyline, City-discovery etc at 146CHF. They bring you to Lake Lucerne, the Lion monument, and followed by some free time of 1+ hour in Lucerne. It is quite a rush in Lucerne. After the bus ride and travelling, the stay in Mount Titlis is effectively only 2 hours and you have to head back to join the tour thereafter or risk spending the night in the mountains. It depends whether you are interested to see Lucerne/have seen Lucerne. Would be great for first timer being able to see a variety of sights. If you are thinking of spending more time in the mountains, hiking, doing flower trails, or other mountainous activities, it would be better to take a train down to Engelberg and head up the mountains on a self-exploration trip. Moreover, the timing wise is much more flexible.

Getting up to Mount Titlis
1) The cable car station to Mount Titlis is in Engelberg. It can easily be reached via the rail to Englelberg. Walk to the bottom of the mountain and buy the tickets. A round trip return ticket for Mount Titlis cost 89CHF, while a one way ticket cost 63CHF. 

There are cable car rides to Trusbee as well. There wouldn't be snow at Trusbee but there are fun filled activities there too. 


The surrounding looks like this.











2) There are different lanes for different cable cars to different mountains so be sure to be in the correct line. 






The ride is pretty steep and those who are afraid of heights should face the upward direction. Occasionally, the cable car ride bumps and ear block happens but it is totally fine.


3) Board the next cable car - Titlis Roatair - it is a rotating cable car.


Be greeted by an illuminated glacier cave from the entrance within the cable car station. Walking up the steps would lead to the top of the mountain.



The panaromic view of the snow capped mountain is breathtaking. Boots would be pretty essential to ensure a non-slip walking experience through the icy remains of the snow. It gets pretty slippery and uncomfortable wearing non protected footwear.

 Walking forward would be the chairlift station. It cost 12 CHF for a return chair lift ride.






 It's pretty fun hanging on the chair with legs dangling in the midair. It's a safe ride with safety bars locking your body in, a slow ride down the mountain to Glacier Park. Meanwhile, just enjoy the once in a lifetime mountain view!







Snowtubing is an alternative sledding experience down the snow on a rubber tyre. You can choose to sit or lie and whether to face backward or front. But anyhow, once you go down the slope, you will definitely spin a few rounds and get the adrenaline pumping. 

Definitely fun! While you decided to have another go at it after the fun, dragging the snowtube back and up a slope would change your mind. Nevertheless, it is still a must-do!

 Take the chairlift back up and just nice it stops right outside the start of the suspension bridge cliff walk.



Heading back down to civilisation via the same way as previously.


Along the way on the cable car ride, it was low enough to spot some cows living amongst the grazes. The most natural way of living not bounded by barriers and cages.


London Lavender Blooms

Its the Lavender Season in London and I went there all the way by myself. The Lavender farm was still quite unheard of then. But the adventurous nature in me will nevertheless head down for a trip even though if I have to go alone. 

Mayfield Lavender Farm is 1 hour off London, in Banstead.


Rows of beautifully grown Lavender flowers planted for harvesting in a few weeks time. I was lucky to witness the full bloom  of Lavenders.









So that's my stash. A bunch of lavender to bring home. 
Lavender cookies which I regretted not buying more
Pure Lavender Oil

Lavender oil is extracted mostly from the flowers of the lavender plant, primarily through steam distillation. The flowers of lavender are fragrant in nature and have been used for making potpourri for centuries. Traditionally, lavender essential oil has also been used in making perfumes. The oil is very useful in aromatherapy and many aromatic preparations and combinations are made using lavender oil.

Health Benefits of Lavender Oil
1) Inducing Sleep and Insomia Remedy 
It has such a relaxing impact on people that it can often replace modern medicine for sleep problems

2) Calming the Nervous system
The refreshing aroma removes nervous exhaustion and restlessness while also increasing mental activity.

3) Acne treatment
Lavender essential oil inhibits the bacteria that cause the initial infection, helps to regulate some of the over-excretion of sebum by hormonal manipulation, and can reduce the signs of scarring after the acne has begun to heal. Adding a small amount of lavender essential oil to other skin creams or ointments can greatly increase the potential for relief and healing.

4) Pain relief
Lavender essential oil is known as an excellent remedy for various types of pains. A regular massage with lavender oil can also provide relief from pain in the joints.

5) Urine flow
Its stimulating effect on urine production helps in urinal problems. Furthermore, it helps in restoring hormonal balance and reducing cystitis or inflammation of the urinary bladder. It also reduces any associated cramps with these and other disorders.

6) Remedies for Respiratory disorders
The stimulating nature of lavender essential oil can also loosen up the phlegm and relieve the congestion associated with respiratory conditions, speeding up the recovery process and helping the body naturally eliminate phlegm and other unwanted material. The vapor of lavender essential oil also has antibacterial qualities which can battle respiratory tract infections.

7) Preventing Cancer

There is still more research that needs to be done to confirm its battling effect of cancer.

8) Hair care
 Kills lice, lice eggs, and nits in hair. Aids in preventing balding


9) Blood circulation
Lavender essential oil is also good for improving the circulation of blood in the body. It also lowers blood pressure and is often used for hypertension.

10) Digestion:
Lavender oil is useful for digestion because it increases the mobility of food within the intestine. The oil also stimulates the production of gastric juices and bile, thus aiding in the treatment of indigestion, stomach pain, colic, flatulence, vomiting and diarrhea.

11) Immunity against disease for long term usage

12) General Skin care
The health benefits of lavender oil for the skin can be attributed to its antiseptic and antifungal properties. It is used to treat various skin disorders such as acne, wrinkles, psoriasis, and other inflammatory conditions. It is commonly used to speed up the healing process of wounds, cuts, burns, and sunburns because it improves the formation of scar tissues.

lavenderoil


London - Mystery of the Stonehenge and Tea at Bath

The Mystery of Stonehenge

Stonehenge is a massive stone monument located on a chalky plain north of the modern-day city of Salisbury, England. Research shows that the site has continuously evolved over a period of about 10,000 years. The structure that we call “Stonehenge” was built between roughly 5,000 and 4,000 years ago and that forms just one part of a larger, and highly complexed, sacred landscape.

The biggest of Stonehenge’s stones, known as sarsens, are up to 9 meters tall and weigh 25 tons on average. It is widely believed that they were brought from Marlborough Downs, a distance of 32 kilometers to the north. 
Smaller stones, referred to as “bluestones” (they have a bluish tinge when wet or freshly broken), weigh up to 4 tons and come from several different sites in western Wales, having been transported as far as 225 km. It’s unknown how people in antiquity moved them that far. Scientists have raised the possibility that during the last ice age glaciers carried these bluestones closer to the Stonehenge area and the monument’s makers didn’t have to move them all the way from Wales. Water transport through raft is another idea that has been proposed but researchers now question whether this method was viable.  






Bath 

The city of bath is a special and beautiful city that has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bath was discovered the the romans 2000 years ago, it is the only place in UK where you can bathe in naturally hot spa mineral-rich water.

The large open air " The great bath"
Thermal spa bath.


Bath Abbey - the last gothic church in england. It has been a place of christian worship on this site for over a thousands year. However, the Abbey has undergone many transformations and changes during this time, and miuch like the city of Bath has experienced rise and falls in fortune, survived a number of major conflicts, architectural and religious reforms and two world wars, but still stands proudly as an essential place for worshippers and visitors.



Afternoon tea at the pump room. Ordered some famous scones and cakes, coupled with some hot chocolate for a relaxing afternoon. The opportunity was forgoing visiting the Royal cresent. =(





abcs