Yangmingshan National Park

Yangmingshan National Park

Yangmingshan National Park was officially the third national park established in 1985. Situated on Mt. Yangming, one of the most well known mountains in Taiwan, Yangmingshan National Park is one of the most popular national parks in Taiwan. It features volcanic formations and fragrant blooming flowers during all four seasons. Because of the variety of beautiful plants and colorful flowers that flourish in the park, some people regard Yangmingshan National Park as the “backyard of Taipei”. Due to its tropical climate, Yangmingshan is an ideal location for plants and animals to grow.

Being the only national park in Taipei City, Yangmingshan National Park has become increasingly popular amongst Taipei citizen as well as foreigners. It is one of the best choices for families, couples, friends, and hikers to visit. The park also features popular scenic sites such as Qingtiangang and the Zhuzihu Scenic Spot. In addition to the scenery, visitors may also enjoy delicious wildlife cuisine at the national park. 

Overall, Yangmingshan National Park is one of the perfect places to get close to the nature in Taipei City!







 

Yangmingshan National Park

Found! The Stunning Mountain that inspired Avatar'...

 24 hour BBQ...the perfect meal to end the week

 Kimchi Hour

Hokkaido

Tokyo-Aomori bullet train line fully opens

 Blue Lake Multisport Festival 2011

 Bikevegas NDuro Summer MTB Cup Race 1

“Kia ora” welcome to Rotorua, where Maori legends ...

 Chinese New Year’s Eve in Ipoh

Chinese New Year in Chinatown

 Lion Dance

Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion)

Jogyesa Temple

The War Memorial of Korea,

Welcome to Christchurch, the Garden City.

Coloane

Lantau Island, An Island With Many Attractions

Lotte World Hotel South Korea

NANTA (COOKIN`)

reference  http://www.binscorner.com/pages/a/amazing.html 

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Found! The Stunning Mountain that inspired Avatar's 'Floating Peaks'

Its soaring steeple of rock topped by a small oasis of trees looks straight out of the 3D blockbuster Avatar.

But this is no special effects illusion, it's a real-life tower of quartz-sandstone deep in the rugged mountain terrain of southern Hunan in China.

The 3,544ft Southern Sky Column is one of 3,000 in the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and became the inspiration for the magical 'floating peaks' in James Cameron's film after a Hollywood photographer spent time shooting there in 2008. Now where have I seen this before: The mountain previously known as the 'Southern Sky Column' in China, which has now been named the 'Avatar Hallelujah Mountain'


And from the film: The Hollywood rendering of the mountains in James Cameron's blockbuster film 'Avatar'

Otherworldly: More of the strange peaks in the Zhangjiajie national park


Remote: The South Hunan region is home to the 'Avatar' mountains 

 

Yangmingshan National Park

Found! The Stunning Mountain that inspired Avatar'...

 24 hour BBQ...the perfect meal to end the week

 Kimchi Hour

Hokkaido

Tokyo-Aomori bullet train line fully opens

 Blue Lake Multisport Festival 2011

 Bikevegas NDuro Summer MTB Cup Race 1

“Kia ora” welcome to Rotorua, where Maori legends ...

 Chinese New Year’s Eve in Ipoh

Chinese New Year in Chinatown

 Lion Dance

Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion)

Jogyesa Temple

The War Memorial of Korea,

Welcome to Christchurch, the Garden City.

Coloane

Lantau Island, An Island With Many Attractions

Lotte World Hotel South Korea

NANTA (COOKIN`)

อ้างอิง  http://www.binscorner.com/pages/a/amazing.html
            http://travelerfolio.com/zhangjiajie-mountain/

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24 hour BBQ...the perfect meal to end the week

 24 hour BBQ...the perfect meal to end the week

Wow, what a week. Barbeque to start my week on Monday, and barbeque to end my week on Friday--now that's what I call a good week! ;-)

After work last night we went out for BBQ with a couple friends from work. We went to this place located near Omokgyo Station. This restaurant was the biggest bbq place I've seen--plus it's open 24 hours! The best part about bbq in Korea is the unlimited side dishes--just ask and they will keep coming. We opted for three plates of marinated pork for four people. It was enough to fill us up and make me very happy.

Here's the outside of the restaurant...I was jumping for joy once I saw the place:  

This place was enormous inside. Most Korean bbq restaurants have vents that suck away the smoke: 

Here's our sweet marinated pork on the copper wire grill...notice the cloves of garlic in sesame oil:

This is what happens once the oil gets hot enough...the garlic starts deep frying and gets golden brown!

Approximately one hour or so later, here is the scene of the crime, *burp*--excuse me!

Feeling hungry in the middle of the night? This 24 hour BBQ restaurant is located near Omokgyo Station, exit 8. If you're coming out of exit 8, turn around and walk in the opposite direction. You can't miss it.

Yangmingshan National Park

Found! The Stunning Mountain that inspired Avatar'...

 24 hour BBQ...the perfect meal to end the week

 Kimchi Hour

Hokkaido

Tokyo-Aomori bullet train line fully opens

 Blue Lake Multisport Festival 2011

 Bikevegas NDuro Summer MTB Cup Race 1

“Kia ora” welcome to Rotorua, where Maori legends ...

 Chinese New Year’s Eve in Ipoh

Chinese New Year in Chinatown

 Lion Dance

Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion)

Jogyesa Temple

The War Memorial of Korea,

Welcome to Christchurch, the Garden City.

Coloane

Lantau Island, An Island With Many Attractions

Lotte World Hotel South Korea

NANTA (COOKIN`)

reference  http://thedailykimchi.blogspot.com/2006/11/24-hour-bbqthe-perfect-meal-to-end.html

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Kimchi Hour

 Kimchi Hour

South Koreans often say “Kimchi” when taking photos, just like we say “cheese” to get this face -> :)

The most popular type of kimchi is the chinese cabbage type, fermented with seasonings. The taste is spicy and sour. Many non-Koreans (like me!) like kimchi, but some just don’t like it.   

 

 

In the past, women of high social backgrounds and Kisaeng female entertainers (like Japan Geisha) wore gache – a big wig. A gache with its decorations can weigh about 4 kg! No wonder this babe here looks a little sulky.

Making a new gache wig for a new daughter-in-law may take up several years for some families. According to a record, there is a sad incident where a young 13 year old bride wearing a heavy gache wig broke her neck as she was getting up to greet her father-in-law.
The hanbok girls were faking a tea session.

Some interesting facts about Traditional Korean clothing, or hanbok: it is often presented in vibrant colours and simple lines without pockets. Hanbok are classified into everyday dress, ceremonial dress and special dress. On formal occasions, you may see that ceremonial dresses are worn on child’s first birthday, a wedding or even a funeral.

 

Yangmingshan National Park

Found! The Stunning Mountain that inspired Avatar'...

 24 hour BBQ...the perfect meal to end the week

 Kimchi Hour

Hokkaido

Tokyo-Aomori bullet train line fully opens

 Blue Lake Multisport Festival 2011

 Bikevegas NDuro Summer MTB Cup Race 1

“Kia ora” welcome to Rotorua, where Maori legends ...

 Chinese New Year’s Eve in Ipoh

Chinese New Year in Chinatown

 Lion Dance

Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion)

Jogyesa Temple

The War Memorial of Korea,

Welcome to Christchurch, the Garden City.

Coloane

Lantau Island, An Island With Many Attractions

Lotte World Hotel South Korea

NANTA (COOKIN`)

reference  http://travelerfolio.com/kimchi-gache-wig-hanbok/

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Hokkaido

Hokkaido is promoting exchanges with northern regions overseas with which it shares similar climatic conditions and membership in the Northern Regions Forum, including the province of Alberta in Canada (sister affiliation since 1980), Heilongjiang Province in China (friendship affiliation since 1986), the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the U.S.A. (sister affiliation since 1990), and Sakhalin in Russia (friendship and economic cooperation affiliation since 1998).

In addition, Hokkaido is promoting exchanges with regions centered on East Asia, such as South Korea (especially Pusan and Kyongsang-namdo), China, and the Russian Far East.

Yangmingshan National Park

Found! The Stunning Mountain that inspired Avatar'...

 24 hour BBQ...the perfect meal to end the week

 Kimchi Hour

Hokkaido

Tokyo-Aomori bullet train line fully opens

 Blue Lake Multisport Festival 2011

 Bikevegas NDuro Summer MTB Cup Race 1

“Kia ora” welcome to Rotorua, where Maori legends ...

 Chinese New Year’s Eve in Ipoh

Chinese New Year in Chinatown

 Lion Dance

Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion)

Jogyesa Temple

The War Memorial of Korea,

Welcome to Christchurch, the Garden City.

Coloane

Lantau Island, An Island With Many Attractions

Lotte World Hotel South Korea

NANTA (COOKIN`)

Reference  http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/economy/summit/2008/venue/hokkaido_06.html

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Tokyo-Aomori bullet train line fully opens

Tokyo-Aomori bullet train line fully opens

AOMORI (Kyodo) -- The Tohoku Shinkansen bullet train line between Tokyo and Aomori fully opened Saturday with services starting on the extended section between Hachinohe and Shin-Aomori stations, both in Aomori Prefecture. The extension enables people to travel about 675 kilometers between Tokyo and Shin-Aomori stations in about three hours and 20 minutes, about 40 minutes shorter than ever before.

The full service on the Tohoku Shinkansen Line came 38 years after the government decided on basic plans to extend the bullet train line beyond Morioka, Iwate Prefecture.

The first Tokyo-bound train left Shin-Aomori Station at 6:31 a.m. following a ceremony attended by Aomori Gov. Shingo Mimura. "The full opening was our earnest desire for 38 years," Mimura said. "I want to share the joy of the start of a new journey."

One of the first train's passengers was Akio Nishino, a 61-year-old carpenter from Shichinohe, Aomori Prefecture, who used to travel to Tokyo in a sleeper train around 40 years ago.

"I couldn't imagine such a (fast-traveling) time would come," he said before boarding the train with around 30 friends.

The first train, however, had trouble connecting with an Akita Shinkansen train at Morioka station, which caused a 13-minute delay in its schedule.

At Tokyo station, meanwhile, some 500 people saw off the first Shin-Aomori-bound train early Saturday morning, with East Japan Railway Co. Chairman Mutsutake Otsuka telling them, "The Tohoku Shinkansen line has been extended northward step by step for the past 30 years or so. I expect many people to use it and visit Aomori."

A 45-year-old man from Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture, said, "I hope the Shinkansen line will reach my home province Hokkaido."

Shin-Aomori Station, which opened Saturday, houses 19 shops and restaurants inside the 1,085-square-meter station building.

As the Kyushu Shinkansen Line is scheduled to be fully opened to connect Hakata with Kagoshima next March, bullet train services will link Aomori, at the northern tip of the Honshu main island, and Kagoshima, at the southern tip on the Kyushu main island. 

Yangmingshan National Park

Found! The Stunning Mountain that inspired Avatar'...

 24 hour BBQ...the perfect meal to end the week

 Kimchi Hour

Hokkaido

Tokyo-Aomori bullet train line fully opens

 Blue Lake Multisport Festival 2011

 Bikevegas NDuro Summer MTB Cup Race 1

“Kia ora” welcome to Rotorua, where Maori legends ...

 Chinese New Year’s Eve in Ipoh

Chinese New Year in Chinatown

 Lion Dance

Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion)

Jogyesa Temple

The War Memorial of Korea,

Welcome to Christchurch, the Garden City.

Coloane

Lantau Island, An Island With Many Attractions

Lotte World Hotel South Korea

NANTA (COOKIN`)

Reference  http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20101204p2g00m0dm003000c.html

Read more »

Blue Lake Multisport Festival 2011

 Blue Lake Multisport Festival 2011 

Tikitapu (Blue Lake), near the geothermal city of Rotorua, is a beautiful place to test your limits. From 29-30 January, join Tour de France legend Lance Armstrong for a multisport event that will take your breath away in more ways than one. Whether you’re an international superstar, a novice multisport athlete or simply an avid supporter, Eves Blue Lake Multisport Festival delivers an action-packed weekend in a town that loves to party.
An annual event for 25 years
2011 will mark the 25th anniversary of the Blue Lake Multisport Festival. It’s timed to coincide with the Auckland Anniversary holiday weekend on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 January. Organised by the Rotorua Association of Triathletes (RATS), this exceptional event has grown from humble beginnings to achieve international recognition.

Clear blue waters and a forest reserve
The clear blue waters of Tikitapu (Blue Lake) are popular with water skiers, swimmers and boaties. The lake has beautiful beaches linked by an easy walking track that passes through native forest and exotic conifers. Along the way there are spectacular views over Blue Lake and the nearby Rotokakahi (Green Lake).
Lance Armstrong will be there
This year the event’s big star is legendary cyclist Lance Armstrong, who overcame cancer to win the Tour de France seven times. He’ll compete on both days, reliving his early days as a young triathlete. Bevan Docherty, New Zealand’s double Olympic triathlon medallist, describes Tikitapu (Blue Lake) as one of the most beautiful locations ever for a sprint triathlon race. Along with Kris Gemmell and Cameron Brown, Docherty competed in the event when he was younger.
Something for everyone
The multisport events range from a forest fun run/walk to the highly-competitive sprint triathlon. Entry numbers will be limited for each event, so don’t delay if you want to line-up against Lance Armstrong. Here’s a quick snapshot of the programme:

* Aquathon - 5.5km forest run around the lake followed by an 800m swim, Saturday 29 January, morning
* Swims - 750m and 2km events, Saturday 29 January, late afternoon
* Sprint triathlon - entries for this event have reached their limit and are now closed. Come and cheer on the stars in a 750m swim, 16km road cycle then 5.5km run around the lake. Sunday 30 January, morning
* Fun run/walk - non-competitive 5.5km forest run/walk with spot prizes on offer, Sunday 30 January, morning

How to enter
For details of Eves Blue Lake Multisport Festival 2011 visit the RATS website.

Entries from New Zealand and overseas can be made online, or by downloading an entry form.
Explore geothermal Rotorua
Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake) is just 9km from one of New Zealand’s premier attractions - Rotorua. Here steam hisses from the ground and roadside drains, pools of mud boil before your eyes and the mighty Pohutu geyser shoots water up to 30m into the air. At Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley you can walk through active geothermal areas, watch Maori master carvers at work and witness award-winning cultural performances. As you’d expect in a region that’s so in touch with the earth’s core, there are hot pool complexes and natural spa treatments everywhere you go.
Adventures of every kind
Rotorua is a mecca for thrill-seekers and adrenalin junkies. You can race your own luge cart down a mountain, roll down a paddock inside a Zorb, bungy jump, go white-water rafting, blast around a pond in a jet sprint race boat with the g-forces of a formula one race car, and so much more. The conservation parks and lakes that surround Rotorua are full of trails for walking and hiking. Ranging from 15 minutes to several hours, they’ll carry you away to lush native forests, magical waterfalls and lakeside beaches - with the occasional geothermal feature thrown in for free. If you prefer to pedal, you can hire a mountain bike and blast along purpose-built trails in the redwood forest.
Similar events this summer
Summer in New Zealand is all about enjoying a fresh-air lifestyle. The country is peppered with exciting outdoor events celebrating music, food and wine, arts and culture, and (of course) sport. Major sporting events in January and February include:

* Challenge Wanaka - Lake Wanaka, 15 January 2011. A remarkably scenic half iron triathlon around Lake Wanaka with Mount Aspiring National Park as a backdrop.
* Waka Ama Sprint Nationals 2011 - Lake Karapiro, 17 - 22 January 2011. Up to 3000 paddlers of all ages compete in the world’s largest Waka Ama (outrigger canoe) competition.
* 2011 New Zealand Masters Games - Wanganui, 4 - 14 February, 2011. Full-on fun and sport with more than 550 events across 64 sports, plus a ‘beach party’ theme and non-stop entertainment.
* Speights Coast to Coast - Southern Alps, 11 - 12 February, 2011. An international benchmark in multisport events that involves cycling 140km, running 36km and kayaking 67km across the South Island. Not for the faint-hearted.

Swim, cycle and hike around New Zealand
In New Zealand, you’re never far from a beach. Swimming, surfing, fishing and boating are a big part of the Kiwi way of life. The inland mountains and rivers are ideal for kayaking and white water rafting. Whanganui River offers a stunning multi-day wilderness journey for paddlers of all abilities. If you like cycling, you’ll love the Otago Central Rail Trail - four days or more on a disused railway line exploring spectacular alpine plateau landscapes, with historic towns for comfortable nights along the way. For hikers, there are endless opportunities throughout New Zealand. Check out the nine Great Walks - legendary on-foot adventures that lead you through our best scenery.

Yangmingshan National Park

Found! The Stunning Mountain that inspired Avatar'...

 24 hour BBQ...the perfect meal to end the week

 Kimchi Hour

Hokkaido

Tokyo-Aomori bullet train line fully opens

 Blue Lake Multisport Festival 2011

 Bikevegas NDuro Summer MTB Cup Race 1

“Kia ora” welcome to Rotorua, where Maori legends ...

 Chinese New Year’s Eve in Ipoh

Chinese New Year in Chinatown

 Lion Dance

Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion)

Jogyesa Temple

The War Memorial of Korea,

Welcome to Christchurch, the Garden City.

Coloane

Lantau Island, An Island With Many Attractions

Lotte World Hotel South Korea

NANTA (COOKIN`)

Reference  http://www.newzealand.com/travel/about-nz/features/blue-lake-multisport-festival-2011/blue-lake-multisport-festival-2011_home.cfm

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Bikevegas NDuro Summer MTB Cup Race 1

Bikevegas NDuro Summer MTB Cup Race 1

Challenge yourself in the 4th Annual Bike Vegas Summer MTB Cup - with single lap courses on some of the best trails New Zealand has to offer and all on those long, balmy days of mid-summer! We can\'t guarantee it\'ll be dry but it will be warm. The 2011 Series will be three races - with all having either 45 or 25 kilometre big one-lappers with single race winners and overall series champions.

We\'re really pleased to welcome one of Rotorua\'s top Bike Shop, Bike Vegas, on board as the naming sponsor of the Summer Cup.

© All material on the website is copyright. If you wish to use this event information in any publication or website, please credit rotoruaNZ.com as the source. 
 

Yangmingshan National Park

Found! The Stunning Mountain that inspired Avatar'...

 24 hour BBQ...the perfect meal to end the week

 Kimchi Hour

Hokkaido

Tokyo-Aomori bullet train line fully opens

 Blue Lake Multisport Festival 2011

 Bikevegas NDuro Summer MTB Cup Race 1

“Kia ora” welcome to Rotorua, where Maori legends ...

 Chinese New Year’s Eve in Ipoh

Chinese New Year in Chinatown

 Lion Dance

Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion)

Jogyesa Temple

The War Memorial of Korea,

Welcome to Christchurch, the Garden City.

Coloane

Lantau Island, An Island With Many Attractions

Lotte World Hotel South Korea

NANTA (COOKIN`)

Reference   http://www.rotoruanz.com/events/2011/jan/9/bikevegas-nduro-summer-mtb-cup-race-1

Read more »

“Kia ora” welcome to Rotorua, where Maori legends come alive

Info  PR: 3  I: 47,900,000  L: 0  LD: 191,053,541  I: 243,000 Rank: 7  Age: Oct 12, 1999  I: 0  whois source Robo: yes Sitemap: no  Rank: 1013  Price: 5626072 Links: 12|3 Density

“Kia ora” welcome to Rotorua, where Maori legends come alive

We proudly claim that the Rotorua region captures the best of New Zealand all in one place!  

Whether seeking to experience Maori culture, geothermal earth forces, spa rejuvenation, thrills and adventure, or any of the other natural assets such as 16 lakes, some of the world's best mountain biking trails, fantastic trout fishing and myriad forest walking tracks – Rotorua delivers it all!

This site, Rotorua's official website, details all essential Rotorua information including attractions and activities, tours and daytrips, the vast range of accommodation choices, what's on now plus upcoming events, and how to get here. We also showcase our art, culture, history, legends, personalities, buildings, population and weather.

"Rotorua - feel the spirit – Manaakitanga" is our catch-cry . . . and it holds a pretty powerful promise as well as an invitation to experience our extraordinary slice of New Zealand. A deep-rooted Maori cultural concept, Manaakitanga places a responsibility on us as your hosts to give you the best of ourselves, our time and our history. 

Yangmingshan National Park

Found! The Stunning Mountain that inspired Avatar'...

 24 hour BBQ...the perfect meal to end the week

 Kimchi Hour

Hokkaido

Tokyo-Aomori bullet train line fully opens

 Blue Lake Multisport Festival 2011

 Bikevegas NDuro Summer MTB Cup Race 1

“Kia ora” welcome to Rotorua, where Maori legends ...

 Chinese New Year’s Eve in Ipoh

Chinese New Year in Chinatown

 Lion Dance

Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion)

Jogyesa Temple

The War Memorial of Korea,

Welcome to Christchurch, the Garden City.

Coloane

Lantau Island, An Island With Many Attractions

Lotte World Hotel South Korea

NANTA (COOKIN`)

Reference  http://www.rotoruanz.com/

Read more »