Bali

Strolling in Xian

There were many artistic sights while walking down the street of Xian. This one house on top of a hill was about to be torn down, and was standing beautifully with pink flowers in the background...


I also really liked the daily landscape of people working on the street.

Xian

Xian is the old capital of China that Kyoto copied back in year 710. It was THE city back in the days which made Kyoto, the old capital of Japan adopt the grid-like city planning.

Indeed, Xian was a grid, and everything else I saw in this city was just as I learned in my Japanese elementary school textbook. This made me feel nostalgic, although it was completely my first time visiting here.

I must say though, as many foreigners who visited this city have witnessed, Xian is now a little Disney Landish. For foreigners who romanticize these things, it is a little unfortunate. I hope it will reverse itself soon, as it was once such a special city for many...

Suzhou Creek Artists’ Quarter

There was an area called Suzhou Creek Artists’ Quarter in Shanghai where they have multiples of galleries, some really small and others quite sizeable, one next to another.

Art Scene was the most comprehensive in terms of works that are from, and represent China.

I also liked this gallery that has not opened yet but let us in (or rather, didn't bother to stop us).

While this area is full of conserved warehouses, the outside world is regular China - gigantic apartments!

The last gallery was showing a million dollar art work that is also housed in one of the national museums in China. Apparently he was the first to use black ink from Chinese calligraphy, and paint in the manner of oil painting.

The girl from the gallery who showed us around said that Europeans always love this, because it's black and white. Indeed.

Shanghai

I was honestly stunned by the development in Shanghai.

My last visit was only three years ago, and it was arranged by the Shanghai Government where we only saw what the Government wanted us to see. This time, I had freedom to go anywhere, and yet, anywhere I turned, it screamed "look at us! we've done it!"

All the buildings were huge and imposing. The highways were just like the ones in Tokyo but just really much, much bigger. The shops were perfectly aligned.

The Chinese Government (or whoever) have also already went ahead and created a little area called Taikang Lu, a small alleyway to make you feel warm and cozy - as if you discovered an unplanned nook all by yourself. And yes, it works. It felt nice.

Cafes...
Bars...... and Galleries.

Cherry Blossoms at the Yasukuni Shrine

I also went to the Yasukuni Shrine. It was so beautiful that it was really hard to leave the place... night time cherry blossoms are very mystical and somehow exciting... as if to warn us that something is going to happen.

Cherry Blossoms in Chidorigafuchi

I walked around Chidorigafuchi, around the Imperial Palace where it is THE place to be for cherry blossom viewing. It was extremely nice... extremely...

Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo

I was very lucky to catch a glimpse of cherry blossoms not only in DC but also in Tokyo with the most perfect timing.

American Landscape!

I took a flight back from DC to Indonesia via LA. On the way from DC to LA, I saw the most AMERICA landscape! It was amazing... please click to enlarge!

Cherry and Almond Blossoms in DC