The 22,000km Trip (27) Tokyo:Tsukiji and Ginza

Ah yes, Tsukiji. I am probably one of the few who doesn't come here for the fish market, but rather for the outside market. It's full of liveliness and fresh Japanese traditional food from everything from azuki beans to wasabi plants. 

The other reason I always come to Tsukiji is to make a pilgrimage to the Tsuki Hongwanji Temple which is a big sub-temple from its mother temple, Nishi-Hongwanji. But even if you're not religious at all, it's one of the hidden gems of architectural marvel in Tokyo. First of all, it doesn't look like the typical Japanese temple; that's because it was modeled after Indian Buddhist temples. The inside is also just as beautiful; the main worship area is free to the public and if you're lucky you'll also be able to hear traditional gagaku music. In any case, you can't really go wrong stopping by for a short stroll after filling yourself up on sushi at the Tsukiji Market - it'll be right in front of you when you exit from the metro so you can't miss it. 

And now off to the Tsukiji outer markets... 

The infamous Yakult ladies making her round!

Tsukji outer market is also a hidden gem for a quick lunch. Many of the clientele work in the market so they KNOW what fresh food is. It's also fast and filling for the hungry workers. 

Knife shop owner sharpening his masterpieces

Tsukiji market also has a great selection of kitchenware including knives, china, chopsticks... all good quality too

One pack of strawberries for...$7, and you thought Whole Foods was expensive

Fresh wasabi root

Ginza doesn't have too much to do other than shopping and eating but one thing to check out is the Kabuki-theater. They just finished renovating it and the bottom floor has a shopping/eating space that's perfect to buy souvenirs 

There's even a shrine dedicated to Kabuki

The 22,000km Trip (4) Bangkok: Serenity at Wat Pho

Wat Pho is most best known in guide books as the temple which has the reclining Buddha. While it's a very famous sight, most people get taken aback by the enormous Buddha, take pictures, and then move on to the bars on Kao San Road. What not many people know is that there's a really beautiful garden within the temple grounds. Since R and I arrived there late in the afternoon, we were lucky that not many people were there so we enjoyed the serene scene with the sunset in the background. If you're lucky enough, you may be able to catch the chanting of monks at dusk!

 But as I always tell people that visit that region, don't forget to dress modestly. I know it's hot but it's incredibly disrespectful to show excessive skin at temple grounds. Also don't follow around monks or go up to them wanting to take pictures, and don't certainly tap them on the shoulder or grab them! They aren't really supposed to be touched, and forbidden to be touched by women.

Zermatt ツェルマットへの旅

Just some quick facts about Zermatt. There's about 20,000 people living in this small mountainous village, nevertheless 200,000 tourists and skiers come every year. Hence it's quite a touristy town, however, it's a car-free zone aka no cars or any gas emission related transportation are not allowed. I heard that the moment you are caught coming into the territory with a car, you are immediately fined so its very strictly enforced. Those with cars must park them in a nearby town and take the train here. However, there are gas-free taxis roaming around with those with heavy mountain or ski gear :)

日本人観光客にも人気のツェルマットについにやって来ました。マッターホルンが見渡せる数少ない場所でもあり、ツェルマットの人口は２万人ほどの小さい街 なのですが、年間２０万人以上の観光客やスキー客が訪れるそうな。また車禁止ゾーンでもあり、排気ガスを排出する乗り物は入村禁止となっています（もし見 つかったら４万円の罰金が課せられます）。そんなわけで村内はスキーや登山客の荷物を載せる電気自動車が走っています♪

The village, like most traditional Swiss ones, is very beautiful. Most importantly, its one of the few cities that you can oversee the Matterhorn from the center of the city. Seeing this upon our arrival, our excitement mounted in hopes to see the mountain a bit closer. There are many routes to go up to the mountains including hiking; but the most popular way is by the many mountain trains. We decided to take the Gornergrat train which I heard had an excellent observatory and there were multiple mini hike courses.

村内は本当に伝統的なスイス建築で今にでもハイジが出てきそうな感じ。ここからマッターホルンまで行くにはもちろんハイキングでも可能だけど、登山電車に乗って近くまで行くのが一般的。いろいろ悩んだ末、展望台があって、しかも「逆さマッターホルン」 が見える湖が近場にあるということでゴルナーグラ路線で行くことに

As I've written in my previous posts, I will reiterate that Swiss trains are expensive. A roundtrip one day pass from Zermatt to the end of the line to the observatory is 80 CHF. Luckily I had the half card so it was 40 CHF (another reason to get the card!).

I've heard that Japanese tourists flocked around Zermatt but oddly up to this point we haven't seen any. And then we saw where they all were. They were already all waiting at the platform of the Gornergrat train. Loads of them, all complete with their tour guide and tour pass badges. I was flabbergasted; this was the first time I've ever seen this many Japanese people in Switzerland but the rumors were indeed true! I don't mean to compare with other tourists but they were so polite; they didn't push and they even asked if they could stand next to me on the train so they could take pictures. Oh Japanese people, you made me happy.

このブログを前から読んでいる方には既にお分かりでしょうがスイスの電車は高い！ツェルマットから展望台まであがる一日券で９０００円（８０ＣＨＦ）近くかかります。私の場合スイスの半額カードがあったので助かりました　汗。

 さて、ツェルマットは日本人観光客が多いと聞いたもののここまで見た日本人観光客は数人。そして・・・発見しました日本人の大群が！↓　ツアーグループ発見！

早朝から開いてたパン屋さんにて購入したシナモンロールもどきのパン。やはり同じスイス内でも見たことのないようなパンがたくさん！

乗車客の表情が変わってきましたね〜みんな真剣‼️

電車からの風景。一気にテンション↑↑

After a 40 min aesthetic view, we arrived at the observatory. I think I will let the pictures speak for itself.

展望台からの風景

登山電車が通ります。すっかり電車女　笑

After we took our time looking around the observatory and taking pictures, we decided to embark on a mini hiking trip to see the "upside down" Matterhorn or the lakes which show the reflection of the mountain. It's quite rare to see the reflection as if there's too many clouds or wind, the surface of the water will be murky. We were terrified that the weather would be a bit cloudy as the summer season is officially over. But luckily the sun was shining with just a few clouds; which makes the likelihood of seeing this phenomenon extremely high. We hurried off as we heard that the clouds crowd over the mountain in the afternoons even on a sunny day. And we made it!

 

さてここから歩いて 「逆さマッターホルン」が見える湖に向かいます。展望台で長く時間を取りすぎてしまったのでこの時は既に11時半。午後になってしまうと雲が出て湖に山が写らなくなってしまうので先を急ぎます。そして・・・・・・・！

圧巻です。只その一言に尽きます。もともと雨が降る予報だったのでかなり心配でしたが、雨女二人、何とか大丈夫でした！

ここから二つ目の湖に向かいます。

There are actually 2 lakes so we headed over to the other one as well. The view was even much more stunning. At this lake we encountered an old man who was resting by one of the rocks, overlooking the stunning view. We were first conversing in English but when he learned that I was from Geneva, he quickly switched over to French and we had a fantastic conversation discussing about the beauties of Switzerland and the similarities and differences between Japanese and the Swiss. "To see the Matterhorn as a Swiss, is pure happiness" he said. An it certainly was.

この写真を撮っていただいたおじいさまと少しお話をすることができました。チューリッヒ周辺の出身だそうで最初は英語で話していたのですが、私がジュネーブに住んでいるんがわかるとすぐさまフランス語で会話を始めました。日本のことにとても興味があるみたいで「日本とスイスの共通点と違いは何？」とか「富士山を登ったことがあるのか？」と色々聞いてきます。少しお話が落ち着いたところで二人で一息ついてマッターホルンを眺めておじいさまが一言：「マッターホルンをこうして見れることは本当に幸せだなぁ」。まさにそんな絶景でした。

We ended our fantastic time at Zermatt with none other than fondue (3 different kinds!) and wine.
マッターホルンを思う存分に満喫した後はもちろんフォンデュタイム！。ヴァレー地方のフォンデュは普段慣れているジュネーブのより濃厚です。 ゆかりさん、みさきちゃんお疲れ様でした♡

追伸：後でリサーチしてみたら、フォンデュの味が違うのはジュネーブではモワティエ・モワティエ（半々という意味でグリュエールチーズとフリボール牛チーズを使ったもの）またはサヴォイ風フォンデュ（コンテ、ボーフォール、グリュエールチーズ）が主流。ツェルマットが位置するヴァレー地方のフォンデュにはアルプスラクレットを使用しているんですね。

 

This was very symbolic for me; not only had I wanted to come here since I first arrived in Switzerland but it's officially been a year since I lived here. Hence it had great meaning that I visited the symbol of the country upon the one year anniversary of my arrival. A lot has happened and I learned a lot since my arrival and what I can say is that I am deeply grateful for this country to accept me and let me study here. I have at least one more year awaiting for me in this country and hopefully there's more to learn and discover here.

スイスに住んでいるとなかなか国内でも旅行する機会は少ないので以前からずっと来たかったマッターホルンをやっと見ることができて大感激の旅となりました。スイスに来てちょうど一年。色々とありましたが、たくさんの事を学ばせていただきました。学生生活残り一年、スイス滞在後少なくとももう一年、また大いに満喫させていただきます　m(_ _)m