Clouds

Two dates. August 6, 1945 and August 9, 1945. It’s been 70 years since bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. These dates will be forever remembered in our history. The devastation is unmatched.

Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima

War is a sensitive topic to discuss. Lots had been said about the horrors of war especially during World War II (WWII). And every time WWII is raised, Hiroshima and Nagasaki are always the points of discussion.

Gunkanjima

I am fascinated with abandoned places or haikyo in Japanese. These places project mystery and intrigue that photographers and explorers could not resist. I and my friends have been planning of exploring haikyo in Japan but it did not materialize.  Either we didn't have the time to plan carefully or just too afraid to admit that we are scared,

Haikyo is the Japanese word for ruin (廃墟), obviously composed of廃 (hai = useless, obsolete) and 墟 (kyo = hill) – used as a synonym for both urban exploration and abandoned places. more here.

I have been reading blogs about haikyo in Japan but never had the chance to join any of the haikyo groups. The exact location of the places listed on the blogs are omitted most of the time.  However, there is this abandoned place that is often mentioned as one the must-see haikyo in the world, the Gunkajima Island also known as Hashima Island or the Battleship Island.

Edge

I am at the edge of my seat. Lately.

It's been a quite busy and interesting month for me. Three of my weekends were spent for business trips in South Korea and Malaysia. This made me long for a good weekend at home. But how to when I failed the recent medical exams and I am subjected to further tests today. I can feel that I'll be fine and that the results will be normal, if not, I may have a minor operation. And that would mean the Angola business trip is not meant for me. Or that would mean, I have been working hard lately. Or could just be stress-related.

Talking about business trips, this year seems busier than last year's. Last week was my 26th flight for 2014 and we are not even half-way yet. I may go to USA, Malaysia, Ecuador, Angola, Saudi Arabia and India this year. And I don't know how to fit the schedule within the next six months. 

Anyway, I'll think about it once the effect of anesthesia subsides later. 

/totomai 
2014/06/19

Illumination

Are you planning to visit Japan this holiday season? You may think that there’s nothing to see in Japan at this time since it is a non-Christian country. You are wrong. Japan still found ways to celebrate the Christmas season. One of the things that you can look forward to is the lavish, colorful and vibrant illuminations. These illuminations are all over Japan. Get ready with your camera! Take it from a hobbyist who is afraid of night shots or long exposure photography! (Tripods are most of the times discouraged). 

It must be noted though that December 25 is not a special holiday here, it is a regular working day. That would be mean less crowd on Christmas day!