My Namagashi (生菓子)

This is a compilation of Namagashi that I found in the internet search. This is something that I want to try when I am in Kyoto next week. The Japanese name is Namagashi (生菓子) and it is typically wrapped with either green tea paste or red bean paste. The shapes are usually vary according to the four season and thus I would not expect to see the spring and summer themed namagashi. However, I am expecting to catch the autumn and winter especially Christmas and New year shape namagashi. Frankly speaking I am not sure I will like it as it often very sweet and the skin is made of mochi (rice flour). But I am very excited when I see these beautiful treats that I would consider for the eyes only than actually putting them in your mouth and eat them. In Japanese culture, one piece of Namagashi is often accompanied with Matcha 抹茶(powdered Green tea), the tea is usually bitter and strong and thus the sweetness of Namagashi neutralize and smooth the taste bud.

Well... let me check that out and let you know. I either like it or hate it I think. But I will try at least once.

A Walk to Remember

Yesterday (25th October 2008) we enjoyed the beautiful color of the forest in Spa, splendid colors of tangerine, red, maroon, brown, yellow, orange and many others form the marvelous scenery of autumn . It is a beautiful and gracious stroll from Thermes de Spa down to the city center of Spa. The walk is full of colors and it is indeed a feast to our eyes. 6^th years, not too long but certainly not short either. It is the journey that we chose to walk together since 2002, the stroll down the hill also represent our wonderful journey together that filled with many amazing colors and phases that we been through together. I could only count the blessings since the day we started this journey together. May the Lord bless our marriage more and more!

SPA for SPA

We will depart for Spa, Belgium shortly.

To celebrate our 6th Wedding Anniversary today (25th October 2008), we are going to Spa for a Spa weekend.

Breakfast with Acropolis

This is how I enjoyed my breakfast for the past 2 days, at the club lounge of the hotel, sitting at the balcony with a marvelous view of Acropolis from a distance. What can I ask for more???

Greetings from Athens

I didn't expect to make this trip but I am here already in Athens, the capital city of Greece. It was still summer here with about 26C in the day and slightly cooler in the evening.

This morning, or rather yesterday morning I made it to the Acropolis before I go to work.

It was impressive, and there are already a lot of people even though it is just about 8am in the morning.

Greece is indeed an ancient town, I though Rome already is a city full of history, but Athens is filled with more ancient history every step you take.

I Can Fly

Don't get me wrong, what I mean is I can fly a kite . Again, taking advantage of the Indian summer and the late start of the Sunday service today, we went to Scheveningen beach to kite. It’s a lovely morning; the beach was rather busy when we arrived.

Many people taking a relax stroll on the sandy beach, together with some people like us kiting and a few dogs and kids running around.

There isn’t much wind today but we still manage to fly the kite at the beach. It was a very relaxing morning with some running, picking up kite and setting it in position to fly. I also feel refreshed by the cool breeze from the sea.

We ended with simple Haring lunch before we return home and get ready to go to church.

A Visit to the Ark of Noah

Yesterday (4^th October 2008) six of us in two cars visited the ark of Noah in Kampen. Kampen is a small little town located at the North East of the country.

The story begins with a Dutchman by the name o f Johan who had a dream about half of Holland was covered by the water. He then shared this dream with his wife and children and eventually following the path of Noah in building an ark. This ark that we visited is already very huge but it is just half a size of the ark built by Noah.

As we walked into the ark, I could see lots of animal replicas of the actual size. There are giraffes, elephants, lions, tigers, pigs, bears and many others of the actual size. Each of these are displayed in an individual cell.

There are also a lot of sections that tell the bible stories such as the Jacob’s well, Abraham’s tent, the tomb of Jesus and etc. There are also a few mini cineplex’s that showing cartoon such as Joseph – the prince of Egypt etc. Frankly speaking apart from the ark itself, the entire setting wasn’t really appeal to me as it is more interesting for little kids to explore and learn about the animals and the bible stories. However, the architecture of the ark itself is quite an interesting experience.