Sightseeing inTaipei

I went sightseeing next day.

First thing in the morning, I saw Lungshan Temple where is the most famous temple in Taipei.

The Cathedral was artistic. 

Many people prayed in the precincts.

The picture of upside is a gate of the temple. 

I didn't take the picture of the hall because precincts is sacred.

And then, I went National CKS Memorial Hall that is huge building made of granite.

I have never seen such a great architecture, and was stunned by the powerful figure .

The upside picture is the scenery from the Hall.

After having delicious lunch, I went Martyrs Shrine and saw guard mount.

They are really strong guys.

Next is the National Palace Museum.

The works of art are wonderful.

I was charmed by the beauty of the celadon porcelains.

After that I had massage in taipei method.

It was comfortable, I relaxed and completely regained.

The picture shows Shimen in the evening.

It is said that there has similar atmosphere with Harajuku in Japan.

There is bustling with activity, and very popular for young people.

I had a marvelous day in Taipei.

Wonderful Taipei

I went Taipei this week.
It  was wonderful trip.


The time reaching the hotel in Taipei was around 9 pm.
I went night market near the hotel soon. 


There are some night market in Taipei, those are open until about 2AM. 
There were very crowded , many street stalls, smells of many kind foods.


I ate sweets made of beans and jelly and potato, it was very nice taste. But I couldn't eat any more, because had eaten meals in the airplane. I regret that.

















Surprisingly, there was not street stall, and no garbage ( except some dog's craps) when I took a walk next morning 7AM. 

The streets were very clean, and many bikes shot vigorously. 

Cherry Blossom

I love cherry blossom. 
Most of Japanese love it.

Spring is the season of commencement,  and  new semester of school in Japan.
People take pictures of  their children under the tree on the occasion.


I have some pictures of when I was a student, which might be took by my parents or friend's father. After I  became a parent, of course,  took pictures of my kids under the cherry blossom when their school entrance ceremony.


So, memories of cherry blossom are concerned with starts of school life , happy smile of parents,  new friend , and  little nervous feeling toward new life.
Probably most of us have similar feeling.

I have other memories concerning cherry blossom.
Two years ago, my father was notified by doctor that he had cancer and his remain life is about half year.
My father said me,
“ I want to see cherry blossom next year, but I don't know if I can do."
I knew the feeling, but I couldn't say anything.


The period of opening the blossom is less than two weeks at the most and the petals are gone in 2 or 3 days after  full blossom.


I appreciate that I can enjoy cherry blossom this year too.

Steve Jobs kindle version

I finished Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson of kindle version.

This is the best biography that I have ever read.

It was thought provoking and there were many precious things in it.

For instance, to focus have great power.

It took two months to read.

I looked up words in dictionary so frequently.

My kindle is installed English-Japanese dictionary. 
It is very useful.
I can know the mean of the words If I put cursor in front of them.

If I used an electric dictionary, it would have had more time to read it.

I have never think to use usual paper dictionary, it would have taken much time.

Moreover, the price of kindle version is 11.99 dollars.

If you buy the printed book in Amazon jp, It costs 4290 yen (51 dollars).

The translated version of Japanese is 3990 yen (48 dollars).

I don't know why the translated version is cheaper than original one.

What books do you recommend?

Squid and Fish Dishes

There are squid sashimi, squid sauté, boiled squid with mustard source, 

and mackerel miso source.

I cooked all of these.

We went squid fishing in Wada on the last Sunday.

Unfortunately, I had sea sick because the sea was little rough.

So, I couldn't concentrate fishing and was lying on the boat deck in the later half.

My kind friend shared some his catches with me.

I felt little tired after fishing and cooking.

But I had very happy dinner with my family.

Fuel Cell Vehicle

 There were a lot of fuel cell vehicles in a trade show in Tokyo. It  is said that their energy efficiency is very good.

 But the hybrid cars, like Prius,  are improved  remarkably. On the other hand electric vehicle is also developed enthusiastically.

 I guess the survivor of them is the one that is superior to cost-performance balance.

Anyway, I'm looking forward 10 years later.

NISSAN LEAF taxi

I took a taxi last week.


It was a EV (electric viecle)!
I was little excited.
“ Wow  this is a NISSAN's LEAF! " 
“It's quiet and cool style  !”
"I'm so lucky”


The driver said, 
It is said that Leaf can cruise about 200Km(124miles)per full charge, but  it can about 100Km.
So, he can't drive whole day without charging.
Especially it seems that electricity decrease fast in the winter and rainy day.
Moreover the charging station is few. 


There are fifty LEAF taxis in Osaka  prefecture.
Most of them are owned  by the companies.
He said that he is a self-employed taxi driver but think about ecology than inconvenience.
It is so cool.
I really enjoyed the wonderful LEAF and small talk.

Boeing 787 Dreamliner

I took a Boeing  787 Dreamliner.
ANA have been using them between OSAKA and TOKYO 


The exterior is showed in the below picture.
The carbon fiber composite is used for the light body.

The Interior is cool.  
Beautiful rainbow colored lights were illuminating the ceiling and over head compartment while we were boarding.
The electric curtains are equipped on the windows.
Unfortunately I couldn't touch the switch because my seat was aisle.


It seems  that the ceiling is higher than previous models. 
Because of it, a cabin attendant needed to step onto the bar which was attached under the seat of aisle side for closing the compartments.


Today I went  Osaka for business. 
Thanks to 787, my flight was comfortable.
I want to take it too in next time.

Things Catch a Big One

There are many shared fishing boats in the area in where I live . 

Fishing nuts enjoy their holiday on the boats.

Most of the captains have web site which show off their results, 
what kind of, how many, how big size fish were caught. 

There is a lot of pictures  that  anglers grab big one with smile.

But generally speaking, amount of caught fish is often exaggerated. 

If nobody on the boat catch fish all day, the captain may describe nothing on their web site, 
as if  they did not  go.

Every angler knows it. 

But they ended up being lured with the pictures of big fish.

If the picture which I hold a big fish is appeared on the web site,
I am  also happy  and  want to show off it my friends.

Fishing and Seniority System

I love fishing.

My old friend call me once in a while.

“ Why don't you go fishing next Saturday?"

We were belonged to the same laboratory of the graduate school.

He may be two or three years older than I, and who is also my fishing mentor.

Generally speaking, the seniority system is a kind of conventional wisdom in Japan.

So, I should conform to his offer (with my pleasure!)

But I can't say yes right now.

Because I should get the permit from my wife though she is younger than I

“ Joe ask me to go to fishing next Saturday. Is it OK? You know I shouldn't decline his offer.”

She said, “I don't know. You can go wherever you like.”

I said “Thank you, but I can't help it.”

I shrugged my shoulders with hiding my smile and rushed into my room to prepare my fishing tackles with joy.

Seniority system is fading little by little.

But it is useful sometimes.

Things of trying blog in English

Today  I  am trying to write blog.
There are few people having skill of English.
Though most of us learn  English for many years.


I want to continu this for long.
There may be many curious sentence.
I'm happy if you would give me some tips.