The temple

This is the main temple structure. There are places to wash one's hands before one climbs the steps up to the alter. There also are places to cleanse one by covering oneself with incense smoke.

Closer

Picture of the second gate. Note the large red paper lantern, which is fairly typical.

Asakusa

If you've been to Buddhist temples before, you must have seen a five story tower buildings. This is a beautiful Asakusa version.

Asakusa2

This is the second have that you'd walk under before you reach the main temple building.

Another view

Of Nakamise, which is the main street that leads into the temple.

Asakusa temple

This is the main street that leads into the temple. Now, the streets line fairly tacky gift shops so the tourists can buy their souvenirs.

Tokyo subway

This is at the Ueno station. The orange line (my favorite color) is called Ginza line since it was the first subway that was built in the 1800's and connected Asakusa and Ginza. Asakusa is where I grew up and where my mom grew up.

Another

Picture of Ginza's main part.

At Ginza

Ginza's main street becomes open to pedestrians during weekends and many street performers come to life on the corners. Here's a street performer from England.

Ginza

I came to Ginza to do some window shopping today.

Tonkatsu

The best :)

My hotel room

Here's a small, but well apportioned and comfortable hotel room of where I'm staying in Asakusa. I typically stay with my aunt, but since I wasn't able to give her enough time for her to prepare for my visit, I've decided to get a hotel room. This hotel room is so inexpensive, yet walking distance to Asakusa temple, the subway lines, and just very very comfortable. I've stayed before and love it!

School Children in the Subway

I had to take this picture since there were lots of school children in uniforms in the subway. The cute white hats and shirts with navy blue shorts. I used to wear similar uniforms when I was in kindergarten. The teacher was smiling and talking to the kids as of her own. It was such a heartwarming scenery I had to take it...

Mt. Fuji

View from my hotel in Tokyo... I'm not sure if you can see it well, but Mt. Fuji peeked out between the clouds far in the back. The weather turned out to be gorgeous in the afternoon, but a bit overcast for the morning. You can see the tall buildings of Shinjuku area towards the back of the picture.

Cable car

As you all know, my favorite color is orange so you'd know why I love this particular cable car?

Morning Bay Bridge

I'm leaving for Tokyo on a business trip this morning. Although a bit of a rush, I've decided to swim at the cove before the trip since the weather is so gorgeous!

More IGLA Pictures part II

Here are my Tsunami team mates from left to right, Jason, Christophe, Stuart and me. Stuart just swam the 200m this day, and we look so happy together as a team. Thank you Long again, for your pictures!

More IGLA Pictures

Thanks Long for his photographic talents. Even a bad subject can come out better than average ;-) Here's me and Loc waiting for our event at the Paris IGLA. Mori has his eyes closed... ;-( But note the wonderful open roof swimming pool used for IGLA!

The view

From the Top of the Mark

Partner celebration

My best friend Jason took me to Top of the Mark restaurant on Sunday to celebrate my promotion to partner at Ernst & Young. The meal was a buffet style, and in an exquisite cuisine from Chinese to French. It was so incredible after a mile swim inside the cove! Thank you Jason for such a memorable lunch!