CW's Blog

New Cambridge Audio DacMagic 3

2009-07-26T14:07:00.004+08:00

Arrival of new Toy, i.e Cambridge Audio DacMagic 3, it is an external Digital Analog Converter, convert digital signal (from CD player or digital streaming music) to analog signal, then amplified to speaker.

First impression with CA DacMagic (no fully run-in yet), it delivers a wider, deeper and more dynamic soundstage, better clarity, i can hear different depth of music with ease, it provides a very good and clear 3D sound imaging especially at mid-range (vocal) frequencies. I tried them at both digital sources, i.e. CA 540C CD player and Squeezebox Classic.

Normally during daytime i listen at volume 35 (displayed from Krell) with unbalanced RCA analog , now with new DacMagic and balanced XLR (increased +6dB gain), i only listen at volume 30 and 20 during daytime and nighttime respectively.

I believe it would be more warmer and musical after full run-in. I am very satisfy with its performance though it's just first day of audition.

New Original Sonus Faber Concertino Domus Speaker Stand

2009-07-11T10:11:00.005+08:00

Finally, the original Sonus Faber Concertino Domus speaker stands had been arrived from Italy (As this model is no longer in produced, i was told it is now difficult to search for new speaker stand)

After getting the bookshelf speaker fixed onto the speaker stand. I am really delighted with the obvious sound improvement, i.e. wider sound stage, less noise distortion (could be due to the weight of speaker stand), also the music instruments played are more well-defined.

It's really worth and value for money. Not only sound improvement but also its aesthetic appearance. Photos are attached, not good quality though.

New cabinet/rack at listening room

2008-12-25T21:40:00.005+08:00

Squeezebox with analog spectrum display, one of the features or displays available.

Few masking tapes on floor for speaker placement.

This bookshelf is on my right hand side of listening position. I just shifted all my audio CDs to new cabinet/rack behind my listening chair. As you can see, they are audio magazines in english (Stereophile/The Absolute Sound) and chinese.

On my left hand side, magazines (National Geography, ClassicFM, Grammaphone, etc.) and books are kept on this bookshelf.
New cabinets/racks behind my listening chair which I bought yesterday. Mainly to keep my audio CDs, collections, books, etc.

New Krell joined in my 2-channel audio system

2008-10-03T05:53:00.008+08:00

The picture above shown SqueezeCenter in fishbone skin. On the left pane, there is of list of genre for you to choose, you can check the music genre, save it, then click on random play songs. There you go, you can listen to your favorite music.

On the right pane shown is list of random songs which will be played, with the plugin, you can even rate your songs.

Another closer view of Krell KAV-400xi integrated amplifier

The top device is Slim Devices Squeezebox V3 (SB3) (visit its website at http://www.slimdevices.com/ for more details), SB3 is a network music media player which can be connected wireless (wifi) or wired (ethernet cable) to transmit your music in digital format.

Most of my music collections in CDs had been ripped and stored in my 160GB external hard disk in lossless music format, i.e. FLAC, WMA lossless. My music is transmitted via wi-fi to this SB3 and its audio output is connected to amplifier via interconnect cable. This SB3 relied on its software called SqueezeCenter (SC), it will manage your music ripped in a well sorting manner, i.e., artist, album, genres, years. There are also lots of third-party plugins can be attached with SC which make this SB3 more fun. This software allows me to select my favorites music based on either artists, album, genres and play them randomly over my audio system, in short, it's like a music jukebox and play my music 24/7.

The bottom device is Cambridge Audio 540C V2 compact disc player. Though most of my time, my music are played via SB3, occassionally i will still listen to this fascinating CD player.

This is rear view of Krell, it looks messy with speaker and interconnect cables. The white color cables is Chord Carnival Silver Plus single-wire speaker cable, the orange color cable is Van den Hul the Source interconnect cables connecting between Krell and CD player, the green color is cable Audioquest Copperhead cables connecting between Krell and Slim Devices Squeezebox, network music player.

Top front view of Krell KAV-400xi integrated amplifier. You can see top louvres with heat-sink inside, the louvres is to allow heat to be dissipated and released. Beware of this razor sharp louvres from touching. Though some audio review said that this amplifier will get very hot, but i don't feel it, just a little hotter than my previous amplifier, but you need a well ventilation. The most important point is it delivers a nice, sweet sound system.

A close look at rear of Sonus Faber Concertino Domus , italian made bookshelf speaker. In this picture, you can also see Chord Carnival Silver Plus speaker cable (single wire) with banana plugs connected to speaker terminals.

New Krell KAV-400xi , a 200W @ 8 ohm integrated amplifier with output impedance of 0.17 ohm joined in for my audio system last September.

The Krell has been runned in for almost 48 hours at the time of this post, the soundstage produced by this audio system is greated depth, details, neutral. I can hear a very defined music instruments based on various frequency range, position of music instruments (front left, front center, front right, middle left, middle center, middle right, rear left, rear center, rear right).

I really enjoy the music produced, i can listen all over again my music collection.

Day 4 - Japan Trip 2008 - Around Kameoka

2008-03-31T13:00:00.002+08:00

Not sure what is this plant/flower? But it looks nice from far, isn't it?

Is it yellow water lilly?

We took JR from another Kameoka Station back to Kyoto
Hozu river

Day 4 - Japan Trip 2008 - Arriving at Kameoka Station

2008-03-31T12:30:00.001+08:00

Torokko Romantic Train or Sagano scenic railway
Lovely mascot, very popular here, but don't know what's kind of animal, otter perhaps?

View from Arashimaya side

Kameoka Station

Day 4 - Japan Trip 2008 - Kameoka (2)

2008-03-31T12:20:00.000+08:00

Cherry blossom trees along our ride to Kameoka. In autumn, you can see lots of maple trees.

Scenery of our train ride to Kameoka in next few photo slides

Day 4 - Japan Trip 2008 - Kameoka (1)

2008-03-31T12:00:00.001+08:00

Old train displayed outside JR Saga Arashiyama station
JR Saga Arashiyama station, we took Torokko Romantic Train via Sagano Scenic Railway (嵯峨野観光鉄道) to Kameoka, 亀岡

Visitors to the Kameoka area often ride the 25-minute Torokko Romantic Train. This train ride is a very popular tourist attraction that draws visitors from all over Kyoto Prefecture. The train follows the deep meandering gorge of the Hozugawa River, and should included in any itinerary to Kameoka or Arashiyama
Inner view of JR Saga Arashimaya Station
A train conductor
Entering tunnel

Day 4 - Japan Trip 2008 - Scenes around Arashimaya (2)

2008-03-31T11:00:00.000+08:00

A rare pink cherry blossom
This is the most beautiful and biggest cherry blossom trees. Just compare the car, you can imagine the size of this tree.
A Gargoyle at roof top.

Like this Toyota Auris? It looks like Toyota Yaris in Malaysia. It's very sporting look.
Another view of Toyota Auris

Day 4 - Japan Trip 2008 - Scenes around Arashimaya (1)

2008-03-31T10:45:00.002+08:00

Stone carving 'Arashimaya' by Kyoto town council.

Lots of tourists including the local tourists visiting Arashimaya during spring to witness and appreciate the beauty of cherry blossoms, pine trees, bamboos.

We walked around Arashimaya via small streets throught resident houses. We really enjoyed the cherry blossoms. Arashimaya is a quiet, clean and peaceful town.

White cherry blossom

White and pink cherry blossom with blue sky as background
Old pine tree
Bamboo trees

Day 4 - Japan Trip 2008 - Arashimaya (4)

2008-03-31T10:30:00.003+08:00

Pine trees and cherry blossom on each side of pavement
Wild flying ducks

Look at the cherry blossom trees, not all blooming yet during our visit
We did not take boat ride, otherwise, we would enjoy fast stream and winding Hozu river across Mount Arashimaya, wait for next time.

Day 4 - Japan Trip 2008 - Arashimaya (3)

2008-03-31T10:15:00.001+08:00

Another type of cherry blossom
Houses at Arashimaya
More houses and cherry blossom
Look at the blue sky and blooming cherry blossom

Day 4 - Japan Trip 2008 - Arashimaya (2)

2008-03-31T10:00:00.001+08:00

Full of Cherry Blossom trees on Mount Arashimaya.
Another view of Hozu river
Togetsukyo bridge, 岚山渡月桥

Day 4 - Japan Trip 2008 - Arashiyama (1)

2008-03-31T09:45:00.003+08:00

Arrived at Arashiyama, 岚山 around 9.30 am, this is one of my most memorable places, nice and lovely scenery.

Arashiyama (嵐山) is a district on the western outskirts of Kyoto, Japan. It also refers to the mountain across the Hozu (保津川) River, which forms a backdrop to the district.

The Hozu River (保津川 Hozugawa) is a part of Katsura River in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. The river begins in the mountains near Kameoka, a town northwest of Kyoto City. It snakes into the Arashiyama section of western Kyoto before changing its name to Kastura River

Cherry blossom and Hozu River as background.
Hozu River

Day 4 - Japan Trip 2008 - Shijodoori Street 四条通, Kyoto

2008-03-31T08:15:00.002+08:00

Our breakfast at McDonald, Shijodoori 四条通. I like the coffee very much.
View of Shijodoori street

Day 4 - Japan Trip 2008 - Heian Jingu Shrine, 平安神宫 (1)

2008-03-31T07:30:00.005+08:00

One of the largest torri, 鸟居 in Japan

What a lovely cherry blossom and its reflection on the river

Closer shot on torii
A nicely bloomed cherry blossom

Main entrance of Heian Jingu Shrine, 平安神宫
Notice board on pray and wish, i guess

Wash this water will bring you good luck, health and prosperity.

Japanese lanterns

Day 4 - Japan Trip 2008 - On our way to Heian Jingu Shrine, 平安神宫

2008-03-31T06:50:00.002+08:00

Higashimaya
We walked through small alley along river towards Heian Jingu Shrine

Cherry blossom along the river

Day 4 - Japan Trip 2008 - Kyoto JR Station - Higashimaya

2008-03-31T06:30:00.002+08:00

Going down underpass crossing the road, the building on the left is Kyoto JR Station; Isetan is located in this building.
Kyoto JR Station
Walking down across the road, going up is towards Kyoto JR Station
A clear illuminated signage telling you the direction of train, it's so convenience and easy that we never got in the wrong train.
View of Kyoto JR platform
Approaching train
Map showing Higashimaya, 东山 where on our way to Heian Jingu Shrine, 平安神宫

Day 4 - Japan Trip 2008 - K's House

2008-03-31T06:00:00.000+08:00

1st floor living hall

K' house is a backpackers hostel, for more details, please browse at http://kshouse.jp/index_e.html

Ground floor - computer section where you can surf net, emailing, etc. Unfortunately, it's not free, you have to pay by hour.
Ground floor - dining table where you can enjoy free coffee, tea and there is a pantry, small kitchen.

Ground floor - Bigger living hall (sorry for poor quality of photo, due to hand shaking and low illumination)

Day 3 - Japan Trip 2008 - Kiyomizu Dera (2)

2008-03-30T15:30:00.004+08:00

Guess what, i saw our former badminton coach, Mr. Park Joo Bong and his family here. There are lots of people visiting this old temple yet it's raining.
A lot of cherry blossom trees, some cherry blossom not yet bloomed
Look at the foundation of structure, it is made of wood.
More people

Can you see Kyoto tower from here without clicking this picture?

Lots of people queing to get water to drink, wash their face, hands. This water brings good luck, good health, prosperity.

There are many shops of this kind at both sides of passage to Kiyomizu Dera. This shop sells Japanese fans. Not cheap, around RM40 each (1500 yen).

Day 3 - Japan Trip 2008 - Kiyomizu Dera (1)

2008-03-30T14:50:00.002+08:00

As Kiyomizu Dera is located at hill top, we have to walk quite a journey and climb stairs, it's a tiring day as we visited many places on the same day. No regret, it's memorable, joyful trip.
Map of Kiyomizu Dera, 清水寺.

Main entrance

Day 3 - Japan Trip 2008 - Lunch near Kiyomizu Dera

2008-03-30T14:00:00.001+08:00

Our lunch near Kiyomizu Dera, 清水寺. The lunch set comprises famous bean curd (tofu) soup with seaweed, assorted tempura, mixed vegetables, rice with black sesame. I like the soup particularly, very nice and tasty.

Day 3 - Japan Trip 2008 - Ginkaku-ji Temple (2)

2008-03-30T12:50:00.000+08:00

You can find lots of wild moss spieces, 藓苔
One of beautiful scenery at Ginkaku-ji
This is not grass, but wild moss.

As we walked, there are lots of trees, bamboo trees along the walkway.
Some big trees and huge trunks

Day 3 - Japan Trip 2008 - Ginkaku-ji Temple (1)

2008-03-30T12:44:00.000+08:00

Map of Ginkaku-ji, 银阁寺.

When we reached Ginkaku-ji, it started to rain, however, it did not spoilt our travel mood.
You can find lots of nice patterns made of sand here
More sand pattern
A small but yet lovely sandy garden

Before reaching "moss" jungle, we walked pass a small lake with old pine trees.

Day 3 - Japan Trip 2008 - Path of Philosophy (2)

2008-03-30T12:10:00.002+08:00

There is a monsoon drain with cherry blossom trees beside the path

There are lots wooden boards with good wishes for sale, such as good health, good luck, good wealth, good grades in study, etc. You have to place this wooden board at temple to make your wish comes true.
More cherry blossom
Mochi,麻糬 rice cake with fine peanut

Tulips of different colors

Day 3 - Japan Trip 2008 - Path of Philosophy (1)

2008-03-30T11:30:00.001+08:00

On our way to Ginkaku-ji, 银阁寺, we need to pass by Path of Philosophy, 哲学之道. There are lots of cherry blossom trees along both sides of drain and pavement

Light pink cherry blossom
Have you seen cherry blossom on main trunk, take a look.
Take a closer look.

Day 3 - Japan Trip 2008 - Kinkaku-ji Temple (1)

2008-03-30T10:15:00.000+08:00

On our way to Kinkaku-ji temple, 金阁寺
This temple is made of gold, and it is prohibited to enter, we can only walk beside the building
Closest look of golden temple
A nice scenery with pine trees surrounding the pond

Peoples queing for praying.

Day 3 - Japan Trip 2008 - Visit Hiranojinjya (2)

2008-03-30T09:30:00.001+08:00

Lantern poles along the pavement.

Lots of people, mostly Japanese came here to appreciate cherry blossoms.

Another type of cherry blossoms
Hanging wishing papers

Day 3 - Japan Trip 2008 - Visit Hiranojinjya (1)

2008-03-30T09:15:00.000+08:00

As we entered Hranojinjya, 平野神社, there are lots of cherry blossoms trees lining both sides of pavement.
One of the huge cherry blossom trees at Hiranojinjya

Hanging Japanese lanterns

Close look on cherry blossoms
Cherry blossom with 鸟居 at background.

Day 3 - Japan Trip 2008 - Breakfast at coffee house

2008-03-30T08:00:00.003+08:00

After dropped off near Hiranojinjya, we walked and searched around for our breakfast, finally we arrived at a small coffee house. Nicely decorated. It is operated by a Japanese couple.

Nice, isn't it?

Salad, toasted bread (not in picture) and coffee.

Kyoto car plate

Day 3 - Japan Trip 2008 - Walking around Kyoto 京都 (4)

2008-03-30T07:30:00.000+08:00

View of Kyoto street at 7.10 am from pedestrian overhead bridge, while walking towards Kyoto bus terminal.

This is Kyoto bus terminal, next to terminal is Kyoto JR station

A very cute post box in front of post office building, adjacent to bus terminal

Kyoto JR station

We took bus 205 from Kyoto bus terminal to Hiranojinjya, 平野神社. The orange structure is called, 鸟居, one of japanese shrine structure.

Day 3 - Japan 2008 - Walking around Kyoto 京都 (3)

2008-03-30T07:00:00.003+08:00

Inner side of Higashi-Honganji Temple, 东本愿寺, there are few buildings surrounding the temple, one of the largest building is under renovation.

Nice and 'huge' water lily

History description in wooden board of Higashi-Honganji Temple, 东本愿寺

Head Temple of the Otani school (Jodo-Shin sect of Buddhism). Founded in 1602 by the 12th Head Priest Kyojo on the land donated by Tokugawa Ieyasu 1st shogun of Edo Period. The Goei-do (Founder's Hall) enclosing an space equal to 927 tatami mats is one of the biggest wooden architectures in the world and houses the image of the priest Shinran the founder of the sect while the Amida-do Hall houses the main image of the temple the image of Amida Buddha. These halls were rebuilt in 1895 (original halls were desroyed by fire). Ropes woven from hemp and hair contributed by women devotees were used to raise the huge beams. They are still preserved by the temple. - Abstracted from Kyoto City and Tourism Information.

Another 10 minutes walk from Higashi-Honganji, you will reach Nishi-Honganji Temple, 西本愿寺

Big lantern hanging near entrance to temple.

Day 3 - Japan Trip 2008 - Walking around Kyoto 京都 (2)

2008-03-30T06:20:00.001+08:00

Pine trees surrounding temple.

View of Kyoto Tower from Higashi-Honganji Temple

One of side entrance of Higashi-Honganji Temple, 东本愿寺
More pine trees

Day 3 - Japan Trip 2008 - Walking around Kyoto 京都 (1)

2008-03-30T06:00:00.004+08:00

We stayed at K's house backpacker hostel at Kyoto, 京都.

Kyoto street in early morning around 6 am.

It is common to see vending machines along Kyoto and other town in Japan, there are soft drinks, cigarattes, etc.

15 minutes walk from our hostel to Higashi-Honganji Temple, 东本愿寺 follow road Shichijo-Dori 七条通

As usual, there are lot's cherry blossom trees along street. Also there are people riding bicycle, as Kyoto is considered a green city in Japan.

Day 2 - Japan Trip 2008 - China Town at Kobe

2008-03-29T16:37:00.000+08:00

Busy street in small China Town, Kobe.

Day 2 - Japan Trip 2008 - Surrounding Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall

2008-03-29T14:28:00.001+08:00

Sweet, colourful flowers surrounding Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall, ain't they?

Day 2 - Japan Trip 2008 - Surronding Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, 明石海峡大桥 (2)

2008-03-29T14:18:00.000+08:00

Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall, 孙文纪念馆 (移情阁)

View of Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall from Akashi Kaikyo bridge viewing deck.

Day 2 - Japan Trip - Surronding Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, 明石海峡大桥 (1)

2008-03-29T13:52:00.004+08:00

The Akashi-Kaikyō Bridge (明石海峡大橋, Akashi Kaikyō Ō-hashi), also known as Pearl Bridge in Japan was completed in 1998 and is the world's longest suspension bridge (measured by the length of the center span of 1,991 metres/6,532 feet). It links the city of Kobe on the mainland of Honshū to Iwaya on Awaji Island by crossing the busy Akashi Strait. It carries the part of the Honshū-Shikoku Highway ~ extracted from wikipedia

This is a model showing steel wire strand on the suspended bridge.

Day 2 - Japan Trip 2008 - Lunch - Kobe Beef (神户牛肉)

2008-03-29T12:48:00.004+08:00

Kobe beef (神戸ビーフ, Kōbe Bīfu) refers to beef from the black Tajima-ushi breed of Wagyu cattle, raised according to strict tradition in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. Kobe beef is renowned for its flavour, tenderness, and fatty well-marbled texture. Kobe beef can be prepared as steak, sukiyaki, shabu shabu, sashimi, teppanyaki, ground hamburger patties and more ~ extracted from wikipedia.

Back to Kobe for our lunch - Kobe beef was sliced into pieces and served in teppanyaki style with mushroom, japanese cucumber, miso soup as pictures below. Hmm... Yummy!

Day 2 - Japan Trip 2008 - Nishi-Oyashiki-Ato Garden, 好古园 (2)

2008-03-29T11:06:00.000+08:00

One of the beautiful scenes in Nishi-Oyashiki-Ato Garden.

It is early spring, many trees still without leaves except scrubs. The garden will look more greenish approaching mid-spring.

Day 2 - Japan Trip 2008 - Nishi-Oyashiki-Ato Garden, 好古园 (1)

2008-03-29T10:58:00.000+08:00

Nishi-Oyashiki-Ato Garden (好古园). This stroll-type Japanese garden was built to commemorate Himeji City's 100th anniversary, featuring ponds and springs against the backdrop of the world cultural heritage Himeji Castle. Composed of 9 separate gardens making use of the layout of the former Lord's Residence and other samurai houses in the Edo period, it covers an area of 3.5 ha. Pictures below showing beautiful scenes surronding the garden including koi pond.

Day 2 - Japan Trip 2008 - Himeji Castle (5)

2008-03-29T10:15:00.000+08:00

Here is the sleeping area for ancient Japanese armies while defending their castle. There are gun emplacements (as the following photo) and stone-dropping holes nearby.

Ancient suits of armour

Day 2 - Japan Trip 2008 - Himeji Castle (4)

2008-03-29T10:01:00.004+08:00

A closer look as we walked near the stair to the castle.

I like this tree very much especially its branches, is it kind of rain tree?

Castle gargoyle -- an imaginary tiger-headed fish, called kinshachi (金鯱); this motif is used as a talisman for fire prevention.

City view of Himeji

Day 2 - Japan Trip 2008 - Himeji Castle (3)

2008-03-29T09:54:00.004+08:00

Another different angle view of Himeji Castle as we walked uphill.

One type of the crest tiles in Himeji Castle.

There are many types of crest tiles of the lords which were installed in building and repairing the castle over the years.

Day 2 - Japan Trip 2008 - Cherry Blossoms at Himeji Castle

2008-03-29T09:38:00.001+08:00

Cherry Blossoms or Sakura (樱花) . Late March and early April of every year is flower viewing season called hanami (花見), this is a social phenomenon since Heian period (749 -1191).

Day 2 - Japan Trip 2008 - Himeji Castle (2)

2008-03-29T09:28:00.001+08:00

Cherry blossoms trees and lamp post surrounding the castle.

Another different angle view of Himeji Castle - it widely considered to be Japan's most beautiful surviving feudal castle.

Day 2 - Japan Trip 2008 - Himeji Castle (1)

2008-03-29T09:05:00.001+08:00

Himeji Castle (姫路城, Himeji-jō) is a flatland-mountain Japanese Castle complex located in Himeji in Hyōgo Prefecture and comprising 83 wooden buildings. It is occasionally known as Hakurojō or Shirasagijō ("White Heron Castle") because of its brilliant white exterior.
It was registered as the first Japanese National Cultural Treasure by UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Japanese National Cultural Treasure in December, 1993. Along with Matsumoto Castle and Kumamoto Castle, it is one of Japan's "Three Famous Castles", and is the most visited castle in Japan.

Outside main gate to Himeji Castle.

Closer shot on Himeji Castle.

Day 2 - Japan Trip 2008 - Himeji - On our way to Himeji, 姬路城

2008-03-29T08:44:00.000+08:00

We took Kōbe Himeji Electric Railway (神戸姫路電気鉄道, Kōbe Himeji Denki Tetsudō) to Himeji.
Outside JR station at Himeji.

Lots of this kind of sculptures along main street towards Himeji Castle.

Day 2 - Japan Trip 2008 - Kobe - More flowers along streets at Kitano

2008-03-29T07:18:00.000+08:00

During our morning walk surronding Kitano, there are various type of flowers planted along the street as photos shown. Lovely and colourful ...

Day 2 - Japan Trip 2008 - Kobe - Early morning at Kitano

2008-03-29T07:01:00.000+08:00

There are lots of attractive advertisement signboards around Kitano mostly on restaurant.

blowfish/pufferfish, 河豚 (Tetraodontidae)

Puffer Fish are the second most poisonous vertebrate in the world after Golden Poison Frog. The skin and certain internal organs of many Tetraodontidae are highly toxic to humans, but nevertheless the meat of some species is considered a delicacy in both Japan (as fugu) and Korea (as bok-uh) and the meat has to be prepared by a valid licenced chef.

Day 1 - Japan Trip 2008 - Kobe Port - Night scene

2008-03-28T20:45:00.000+08:00

Closer shot on ferris wheel, it's freezing when i captured these shots.

Day 1 - Japan Trip 2008 - View from Kobe Port Tower

2008-03-28T18:45:00.000+08:00

View from Kobe Port Tower over Kobe Maritime Musuem.

Ferris wheel (摩天轮) at Mosaic Garden - A shopping, dining and amusement complex built in 1992 on the land-filled Kobe Harborland. The mall has three floors and is designed like an open street in a southern European town. Besides the many boutiques and eateries, there are also Cine-Mosaic, which has four movie theaters, and Mosaic Garden, an amusement park with an all-weather ferris wheel

Day 1 - Japan Trip 2008 - Kobe Port - Kobe Port Tower

2008-03-28T18:27:00.000+08:00

Kobe Port Tower 神户港湾塔 A sightseeing tower built on the waterfront in 1963, it is designed like a tsuzumi, a traditional Japanese hand drum. Its earthquake-proof design was tested and validated during the Great Hanshin Earthquake. It is 108 meters high, and from its observation decks and revolving lounge, visitors can see the city of Kobe and its port, as well as the Rokko mountains to the north and as far as Kansai International Airport to the south on a clear day.

This shot was taken underexposed intentionally as well as the photo below.

Day 1 - Japan Trip 2008 - Kobe Port - Meriken Park and its surrounding

2008-03-28T18:15:00.000+08:00

Meriken park is a waterfront park, in Kobe Port area. The park was destroyed in 1995 by the Great Hanshin Earthquake, but is now fully restored and has become a major attraction of the city for tourist, as well for local people.

Japan coast guard cruise embarked at Kobe Port.

Kobe was Japan's busiest port and one of Asia's top ports until the Great Hanshin Earthquake occurred. Kobe has since dropped to the fourth in Japan and thirty-eighth busiest container port worldwide (as of 2005).Lots of interesting sculptures and monuments here.

Day 1 - Japan Trip 2008 - Kobe Port - Kobe Maritime Musuem 神户海洋博物馆

2008-03-28T17:00:00.001+08:00

Upon checked in, we took a afternoon nap in the hotel after a busy and tiring day. At 4.45 pm, we took a bus to Kobe Port. It's getting colder around 15 degree celcius and below 10 at night.

Kobe Maritime Musuem 神户海洋博物馆

Hovercraft

Day 1 - Japan Trip 2008 - Back to Hotel

2008-03-28T14:30:00.000+08:00

On our way back to our hotel at Kitano around 2.30 pm. We could not get earlier check in, hence, we walked around city of Kitano and snapped few photos on flowers, sculpture, manhole cover and animal.

Day 1 - Japan Trip 2008 - Lunch at Uozaki

2008-03-28T12:30:00.000+08:00

We had our lunch at 樱宴, near another japanese wine factory. One of the japanese classic posters displayed in the restaurant.

Japanese beef hamburger, prawn tempura and miso soup. The upper right is grilled chicken.

Day 1 - Japan Trip 2008 - Cherry Blossom at Uozaki

2008-03-28T12:00:00.002+08:00

One of our first sight of Cherry Blossom and it's in Uozaki town.

Day 1- Japan Trip - Visit Uozaki (鱼崎)

2008-03-28T11:13:00.002+08:00

At 11. 15am, we took JR to Uozaki town (鱼崎), one of famous town in producing Japanese Wine , Sake. Houses in Uozaki

Japanese wine musuem and factory

Various type of japanese wine are sold here.

Old and new wooden banner

Big old wine barrel was displayed in musuem.

The main banner of the japanese wine factory.

Day 1 - Japan Trip 2008 - Heading to Kitagami Hotel

2008-03-28T10:50:00.000+08:00

On our way to Kitagami Hotel. The hotel is situated at Kitano (北野)

We did not manage to check in the hotel until 3pm. However, the hotel keeper allowed us to keep our bagpacks in a secured room.

What a colourful flowers on planter box.

Main street at Sannomiya

Lovely flowers

Day 1 - Japan Trip 2008 - On our way to Sannomiya (三宫)

2008-03-28T09:48:00.002+08:00

Outside Kobe ferry terminal, it was around 9.25 am. Ten minutes walk from here to Kobe Domestic Airport/Kobe LRT station heading Sannomiya via Port Island Line under Kobe New Transit.

Kobe LRT station is located on first floor of Kobe Airport building. The bridge is linked between man-made island to mainland, Kobe.

Note: Kobe LRT station, airport, ferry dock is built on man-made island.

Arrived at Sannomiya (三宫) at 10.10 am.

Day 1 - Japan Trip 2008 - Ferry ride to Kobe

2008-03-28T08:50:00.000+08:00

We took ferry from Kansai ferry terminal to Kobe. It tooks us 45 minutes ride.

Inside view of ferry

Day 1 - Japan Trip 2008 - Outside Kansai Airport

2008-03-28T08:01:00.000+08:00

JR West auto pay ticket machine. We did not take JR West to Kobe, instead, we took ferry there.
Outside of Kansai Airport, waiting for shuttle bus to Kansai ferry terminal.

Another view of Kansai Airport

Day 1 - Japan Trip 2008 - Arrival at Kansai Airport

2008-03-28T07:05:00.000+08:00

We arrived at Kansai Airport on 28 Mac 2008 at 5.50 am. The above picture shows ground floor of Kansai Airport.

Another internal view of Kansai Airport

Day 0 - Japan Trip 2008 - Transit at Changi Airport

2008-03-27T16:00:00.003+08:00

Terminal One of Changi Airport. We arrived here 10 minutes before 11.00 pm for a short transit before flying off to Kansai, Japan

Day 0 - Japan Trip 2008 - Arrival at KLIA

2008-03-27T15:50:00.009+08:00

We arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), Sepang around 6.30 pm on 27 Mac 2008 for our 9-day trip to Japan, i.e. Kobe, Kyoto, Nara and Osaka

Our flight JL 0722 from KLIA to Kansai, transit at Singapore Changi Airport for one hour plus.

New speaker for hifi setup

2007-05-12T21:11:00.000+08:00

New Sonus Faber Concertino Domus bookshelf speaker replaced my Acoustic Energy Evo One.

Also i have replaced Van den Hul speaker cable with Chord Carnival Silver Plus which gives a more neutral, warm soundstage.

Looking for new integrated amplifier, most likely go for Audio Analogue Puccini Settanta which i heard it matches with my current speaker, anway, i will make some serious and critical audiotion .

My High-Fidelity Audio Setup

2006-09-18T13:47:00.000+08:00

My high-fidelity audio consists of: -

Cambridge Audio C540 V2 CD player

Cambridge Audio A540 Integrated amplifier

Acoustic Energy Evo One bi-wire speakers

Slim Devices - Squeezebox 3

Van den Hul Goldwater speaker cables

Van den Hul Source analogue cables

Tacima power conditioner