Eirfan, Yuri & Eiqmal in Japan

Makinogaike Playground

2010-05-05T15:21:00.000+09:00

October 24th 2009

We went again to Makinoike park, but this time to the playground area. The playground is quite big and got many items for them to try too. Unfortunately this time i didn't bring my camera and just snap them with my mobile phone only.

This is the main attraction here... i think. Most of the kids that used to it climbed up to the top, Eirfan & Yuri they just managed to go across the bridge only. It very shaking when other kids jumping and climbing made them afraid to go higher too.

Yuri after crossing the tunnel at the walkway around the playground.

Inside another attraction.. don't know the name though.

Eiqmal enjoying the roller sliding.

A must have item at the playground.

A visit to Eirfan's class

2010-05-03T15:56:00.003+09:00

October 19th 2009

This is the 1st time(i think) for us to see what are the kids doing in their class. The lesson for today is English. Well he used to learn in English at Malaysian kindergarten before he came to Japan and hopefully he didn't forget a lot. Well he is a bit shy though, and quite bored if the lesson being repeat for many times too. From all that can be observed, he is catching along with other kids quite ok.
From the way they learn, is more likely learning while playing and it's quite fun for them too.

Sit in a row and listen to the teacher.

Line up before start to play.

The kids are enjoying and the mums are recording and i'm snapping.

Sing a song about the body.

Tenpaku Park as usual

2010-05-02T20:28:00.002+09:00

18th October 2009

It's an usual event to the park. This time we also invited Skano's family to join us at the park. Seems that his car got a navigator, then we just asked the to meet us at the park directly... but after we arrived and waited them and they still didn't show up. He called me that he have arrived but i couldn't find him.... after few confirmation, he was at Makinogaike Park instead.. :D
He said he will come to Tenpaku Park and leave from there as soon as possible.... finally they arrived with at last. Then we had our lunch together and let the kids play with themselves.

Playing with my kids.

They got themselves a plastic baseball bat but still cannot hit the ball yet.

Eiqmal trying to open the green tea bottle.

On the way to play the roller slide.

Gifu Air Show 2009

2010-05-01T22:48:00.005+09:00

October 12th 2009

Our friend told us that there is a free air show will be held at Gifu Air Base and we decided to go there together. The distance was not supposed to be far and should be arrived by less than 2 hours..... but when go with the kids for each family.... the time to arrive will be double.. lol. The road also congested when we almost arrived there. Our first plan was to go until the air base, but due to the traffic condition, we stop at a nearby park because we can see the show from there too. Well even the park itself was crowded with peoples who came for the air show.

At first the kids( 3 from my family and 3 from my friend's family) was excited with the air shows, then they just playing with themselves leaving the the adults enjoying the air show. We decided to leave the place a bit early before the total event end to run from the traffic jam. Hopefully we manage to come for the Air show in 2010 too.

Having lunch after arrived at the park.

The kids were very happy playing inside the tent.

The kids get along with themselves very fast.

One of the show in video mode.

Higashiyama Zoo 9 Oct 2009 | 東山動物園

2010-04-29T18:54:00.008+09:00

October 9th 2009

It's almost autumn and the weather changes a lot. This day it was more likely to a summer mode and as usual I bring Yuri & Eiqmal to the zoo after sending my wife to university. Our route for today was the Asian elephant, the must see penguins, the African elephant, gorillas and chimpanzees.And as usual they asked me to buy them the drinks too. Yuri always said that she is tired already, cannot walk anymore unless she got something to drink. Beside the juices I also bought them a cone of maccha ice cream for them to share.
Our visit always about 90 minutes to 2 hours only due to the coin parking is being charged every 30 minutes.

Morning zoo on weekdays is very relaxing.

Their all time favorite.

So tasty.. she can't resist

While waiting Yuri and Eiqmal having the ice cream , I managed to set the auto timer on the table .

The huge African elephant. Kids from nearby kindergarten also having their trip to the zoo too.

Looking down at the gorilla.

Yuri's kindergarten entrance test

2010-04-27T23:09:00.004+09:00

October 2nd 2009

From next April yuri will be going to the kindergarten same with Eirfan. Since Eirfan entered there in the 2nd grade and it was in February (we was late and lucky that he managed to entered) and his entrance test was only 2 person. But for Yuri, she went to the standard entrance test but since we already know what will be done based during Eirfan's test, Yuri is more ready for the test than Eirfan.
But Yuri is a bit shy to talk to strangers, not like Eirfan. That's the only problem.
As usual there is a balancing test, colour naming, music steps, few basic Japanese talking such as greeting and telling about family members and also the free colouring too. Well Yuri did well at the first stage of the interview, but when she met with the headmaster and being asked back the same question as before... she wont talk.
Well she got the language wall of course, but other kids also same level with Yuri, Same as Eirfan, her result came out just after the interview with the headmaster and she was accepted to enter the kindergarten. After that she went to check her uniform size and few other thing to buy to.
The next event before entering the kindergarten is the "one day trial" at the kindergarten on March 2010.

Music steps.

Balancing test.

Her 1st interview in her life.

Free colouring time.

Eirfan's Art Exhibition

2010-04-25T00:57:00.005+09:00

September 27th 2009
It's one of the annual event from Eirfan's kindergarten. Every class got their own theme for individual and also class presentation. The exhibition was held at Nagoya City Museum, such a grand place for an art exhibition af kindergarten kids though. For Eirfan he did some paintings and made an animal clay too. He made a gorrila but more look like a fat cat to me LOL. His class project was the big dinosaur.. the green one. He said their teacher do the stitching and they did the colouring.

Panorama view inside the exhibition hall

Eirfan looking at his seniors art.

This is his class's project, GARU the dinosaur.

"Eirfan and friends"

"Sea life"

An abstract art from Eirfan.

This is supposed to be a "gorilla".

Eid Mubarrak 2009

2010-04-24T15:27:00.006+09:00

September 20th 2009

Finally the Eid for this year has came. This is the 1st time for us to celebrate it as a family in Japan and 1st time to me celebrating it outside Tokyo. When I was studying at Kawasaki, the main event during Eid Mubarrak is to go for the Eid prayer at Malaysian Embassy + eat all the free food there and meet friends around Tokyo there, but here in Nagoya we celebrate it in general as the Eid prayer is held together with all Muslims around Nagoya. For the past years the prayer was held in a hall somewhere in Nagoya, but this year all the halls were unable to be book and it was held at a public park near Sakae.

The crowd was very big and assumed about 1000 peoples gathered for the Eid prayer. Seems that it was done at a park, i decided to went there alone and leave the rest at home. There also some open houses held by fellow Malaysian student and we went one of the on the evening. Seems that it's been a tradition of students in Nagoya to do an open house during Eid's and few more open houses need to be attend within the celebration season.

This year we are all in GREEN (sponsored item LOL)

Eiqmal wont pose for the camera this time

Yuri in Hijab

Eirfan and his style

Just after we went for an open house.

Usual morning

2010-04-23T12:44:00.003+09:00

September 17th 2009

Just another usual morning me and Yuri sending Eirfan to the bus stop for his kindergarten. Most of the time we managed to reach to the bus stop before the bus come at 8:20am, but sometimes the bus arrived early too. If we were lucky we just hop in just infront our apartment only. Otherwise we need a small run until the bus stop.

Yuri with Eirfan "ehonbukuro", the bag where he puts his shoes, sports wear and smock.

Eirfan's in uniform + his water bottle

Too TIRED

2010-04-22T22:48:00.005+09:00

September 15th 2009

Nothing much to say... just..Yuri was really tired playing and she fell asleep while playing.

During 9-9-9 day

2010-04-22T22:02:00.003+09:00

September 9th 2009

It's 09/09/2009 and I'm feeling to shot something and as usual it end up by bringing Eiqmal & Yuri to the zoo. We stop by the zoo after sending mum to university and the time was still before 10am. The zoo was still empty. Because we parked the car at the coin parking, we just spend here less than 2hours. We just went until the giraffe's barn before returning back to the car park. Sure is was a short visit but a very relaxing walk inside the zoo.

Morning zoo in the weekday is very calm

Eiqmal at the kangaroo's barn

Heading to the giraffe's barn

Short visit to the zoo ended.

Received their new Eid Mubarak outfit

2010-03-19T19:19:00.004+09:00

September 7th - 2009

Their grandparent from my wife's side sent them a brand new outfit for coming Eid Mubarak and also send us some dried cookies too.
The kids were very happy with their new Malaysian traditional costumes and the size also fits well too. Sure their aunties back in Malaysia had a hard time to guess their size too.
The coming Eid will be on 21st September and seems that they cant wait until that day to wear their new outfit.

Eirfan and his style

Yuri and her "Baju Kurung"

Eiqmal.. the pants need a minor alteration

The end of summer holiday

2010-02-10T20:02:00.005+09:00

August 24th - 2009

The summer holiday ends and everything went back to normal as I need to rush for the morning bus. We didn't travel much this summer and most are inside Aichi only, but we did went to see the fireworks at Nagashima Spaland though. It's in Mie but very near in distance. And we also did went to the night zoo at Higashiyama Zoo... but it was too crowded and not worth it to get into the crowd and see the animals. At the zoo we headed to Skytower and enjoyed the sunset only.

Fireworks at Nagashima Spaland

I think we sat on the wrong side..the view was not soo nice.

The zoo open until 8:30pm during summer holiday.

Nagoya Sunset from Higashiyama Skytower

Trip to Chita Peninsula

2010-02-01T18:45:00.013+09:00

August 11th - 2009

It's a mid of summer and we are feeling that want to go and play at the beach. So we decided to go for a day trip to Chita Peninsula just below Nagoya city. It was an early morning preparation and while packing, the news on tv said that there is a big shake of an earthquake at Shizuoka and Izu Peninsula. Well we did feel the shake a bit here in Nagoya too. While checking with the news regarding the earthquake, we continue packing and finally ready to wake up the kids.
Based on the guide on a magazine, we headed for our first stop at Mihama. It's a shrimp cracker's factory and one of the famous shrimp cracker in Aichi. The place called "ebi senbei no sato" (village of shrimp cracker). At the selling area there, 90% percent of the product can be taste as the free samples are provided. Well everyone loves free stuff hahaha... and we did buy a lot too. After that we went to the factory tour and see how the process being done.
Next stop is the beach.... we went to look for a white sandy beach...well... the beaches here not as free as homeland indeed. Even on a weekday like today..the parking fee really killing. We did stop at at fishing jetty to check out the heat and it's really hot and no beach near that area. Then we continue heading south and all the beaches need to pay the parking.. we just wont to stop for a while only and the 1000yen parking fare is too big for that. We did found beach and stop at a road side, but it was too hot to let the kids play at the beach. After snapping few shots we continue wandering and look for a restaurant to lunch.
The next stop is Minami Chita Beachland. It's a some kind of theme park for kids to meet with the sea creatures. There's a big aquarium to see the fishes and also and open pool with dolphins, penguins, sea turtles and more. Also an event where kids can get into the pool and play with the dolphins too. Well we were too late for all the events and we just go straight to the sea lion & dolphin show. My kids really enjoyed the dolphins show and Eirfan call it "the flying fishes". After the show we take a rest on the green grass here before heading to the last stop for our day trip.
It's almost dark when we leave Minami Chita Beachland and headed to Chubu International Airport for our last stop of the day. When we entered the arrival hall, Eirfan asked us "why everyone else got their traveling bags and we didn't bring any? Aren't we going to fly back to Malaysia?". Well we said that we will go back but not today hahaha. Seems that Eirfan wanted to see the aeroplanes at the viewing deck and Yuri follow her mum take a walk at the shop lots. After everyone met back, he took a short break at Starbucks before returning to our car. Just before we entered our car, Yuri asked me about her shoulder bag that she bring along into the airport. Seems that she left it some where and I rushed back to the places that we've been but I didn't found it. Then I asked the guy at the information point if he can check at the lost and found. But nothing similar to Yuri's bag was there and he told me to come again tomorrow or call again and check it with the lost and found section. Well, after took the contact number, I head back to our car and drove back straight to our home.
On the next day I called the airport and her bag is being put at the airport police station and I need to fill lost&found form before can get the bag. It took few days but we did got back Yuri's bag.

A short stop at Agui Servive Area.

Tour at えびせんべいの里 - Shrimp Cracker's Factory

While watching the crackers being packed.

At Mihama fishing jetty and only bring Eirfan to walk along but it was very hot.

Just arrived at Minami Chita Beachland

wait inside the aquarium hall before the dolphin show starts.

At the fountain new the entrance.

Eirfan on the grass, just after the dolphin show ended.

Yuri was tickled by the grass.

Eiqmal also enjoyed the green grass.

Just arrived at the airport.

Yuri stole my Starbucks

Blue Audi R8 on display and Eiqmal kind of like it.

Full coverage pictures available on my flickr

Working vehicles at Toyota Automobile Museum

2010-01-27T09:31:00.008+09:00

August 1st - 2009

The Toyota Automobile Museum is having an event regarding "working vehicles" .... it's about the vehicles that being use by Fire Brigade, Police and others. We decided to go during the JAF ( Japan Automobile Federation ) and there is a performance of a towing truck towing a car too.
The weather was a bit wet with a light rain, and as we arrived we went for the indoor photoshoot with the tow truck and Eirfan & Yuri wear the JAF uniform. After a few shots and pose there, we went outside for the towing show.
After the show we went to the main building and head straight to the event section. The first vehicle was the police car.. Eirfan and Yuri head straight to the costumes and asked me to help them wear it before i snap them. Next was with the ambulance then the fire engine. After that with the construction vehicles.
Then we went for the free colouring section and let both of them colour the pictures. The pictures was a JAF rescue car and a fire engine. I also took few home for Eiqmal too due he was left at home with mum. Before returning home we stop at the museum shop and buy some souvenirs too.

Funny pose with the JAF outfit.

A shot with the tow truck.

Police mode♪

The medical team

Fire fighters!!

Yuri did it again....

Busy colouring.

Colourful fire engine by Eirfan.

Pink fire engine by Yuri.

Toyota Fireworks

2010-01-25T14:06:00.004+09:00

July 26th - 2009

The 2nd fireworks festival for the kids.. this time is in Toyota and we decided to go by car. We also did bought Eirfan & Yuri a new "jinbei" for them and Eiqmal got Eirfan's old "jinbei" of course. We go out quite early to Toyota city, but the massive traffic jam really hurts. Seems that most of them are going to the fireworks festival too.
After on a slow traffic for about 2 hours finally we arrived at Toyota city and the event is near the Toyota Stadium and our next problem is to find a parking area. All the coin parking are full and other temporary parking also full to...and expensive. We went back inside the town and headed to area near the train station and manage to find a parking slot for us. From the station it's already crowded with peoples in "yukata". I also managed to snap Pizza La staff in "yukata" also.
As we walk towards the stadium, peoples are sitting everywhere and the closed road also filled up with peoples waiting for the show. It's very hard to find a nice spot and finally we decided to take the charged seating area due to there is no more nice spot to sit.
While waiting for the starting time.. the clouds become darker and looks not very good too. So i rushed to a near by shops to find a rain coat for Eiqmal due to he didn't have one yet.. Eirfan & Yuri bring theirs. Finally the worst thing happened...it a heavy rain but everyone still patience waiting the rain to stop. Well for me...got all wet of course..just cover the camera only hahaha.
The fireworks finally started and the shows are very nice and interesting...but we cannot enjoy until the end of the show due to we are all wet and afraid that my kids might catch cold too. So we headed back to our car and head strait back home.
Definitely we will come again as a revenge in next year's fireworks festival.

My kids in "jinbei"

This spot is quite expensive but the view is really nice.

Rain drops on my lens.

One of the video that i manage to get.

Nagoya Port Fireworks

2010-01-22T12:27:00.004+09:00

July 20th - 2009

It's an early summer and when summer, one of the most popular event is the fireworks festival. Every major town & places will have their own fireworks festival all around the summer calendar.
As a start, we bring the kids to Nagoya Port Festival. Seems that the parking for cars might be limited and congested, we decided to left our car near Kanayama Station and take the subway straight to Nagoya Port. Even parking areas at Kanayama also crowded and took us few rounds near the station to find an empty slot.
The subway also was very packed with peoples wearing Yukata and heading to Nagoya port for the fireworks.We arrived at Nagoya port about 7pm and it's already fully crowded and we just managed to get a not so nice spot to sit and view the show.
Eirfan & Yuri was very happy with the show, but Eiqmal was a little scared with the big sound of exploding fireworks.
After the event finished, we rush back to the subway station and yet... the subway was more crowded than the time we arrived. Well, the kids seems to like the show and we are planning to go for fireworks event at other places too.

Got a spot but view was not nice. Well...better than standing.

Short clip from the show.

Just after the last firework was launched and we are on the way back to the subway station.

While waiting for the return train.

A day at Oasis 21, Sakae

2010-01-20T12:10:00.007+09:00

July 17th - 2009

My wife need to meet few peoples from her University in Malaysia and they will having a meeting at a hotel one station after Sakae. So we decided that Eiqmal follows mum and Eirfan, Yuri and me will spend our time at Sakae's Oasis 21. All of us went there by using the subway due to parking fare at Sakae area is extremely expensive. After arrived at Sakae Station, i took Eirfan & Yuri for a walk at the underground shop lots under the Central Park before we went at the park for few photo shoot.

The underground shops connect to many exits at Sakae area.

At Central Park with Nagoya TV Tower in the background.

After had a walk at Central Park, we headed to Oasis 21 and wanders around there. We stop at the Jump Shop and get them some interesting drink. After finished their drink we went to Pokemon Center, but i just bought them some small stationery only.
The next stop was the Tomica Shop. At first we decided to buy the Tomica Shop edition toy cars but I asked them to change it with the custom made Tomica instead. The custom Tomica changes every months and the model are put in parts with different colours. So everyone can choose their own combination for it. After finished choosing, the staff will show them how the toy car is assembled in front of them, finally the staff passed them the car and asked them to put in the box. It's a nice experience for them too.

Chopperman Drink from Jump shop ( one of the character from comic/animation of One Piece )

The making of a Tomica

Packaging their Tomica

Yuri's taste of design - Subaru 360

And while waiting for my wife & Eiqmal to return from the meeting, we spend our time at the park behind Oasis 21. Well, Eirfan & Yuri spend their time by playing with their newly made toy car.

Walk around Oasis 21

Eirfan's day out

2010-01-18T21:01:00.005+09:00

July 12th - 2009

Since yesterday was Yuri's day out, so today is Eirfan's turn to go to Hoshigaoka by bus. He also was very excited riding the bus. This time we stopped at Yamada Denki ( electric store ) and had a window shopping at there. Eirfan got himself a promotion balloon there. After that we walk to Hoshigaoka Terrace and had a light meal at Starbucks there before returning home.

This is not his first bus ride because he's going to the kindergarten by bus everyday...( the bus just smaller only )

My notebook's rat went crazy...so we went to get 2 new one... and Eirfan got a free advertisement balloon

Donuting at Starbucks

It was a short but tiring trip...

Yuri's day out

2010-01-17T15:56:00.005+09:00

July 11th - 2009

~~Most of the time..~~ All the time we use our car to go around but the kids always saying that they wanted to ride the subway, train or buses too. Well, this time Yuri and mum went to Hoshigaoka with the city bus. The bus fare is 200yen for adult per ride and Yuri is still free because kids fare only starts from primary school children.
The interesting about bus service here in Japan is that the buses came as per schedule. This is very impressive.
Well for the ride home, I need to pick them up at Hoshigaoka of course.

Is the girl's day out..yaaay

Checking the time table.

So happy on her first bus ride

Arrived at Hoshigaoka bus terminal

Bye bye bus

A short break while waiting for me to pick her up.

Weekly visit to the zoo

2010-01-17T11:47:00.003+09:00

July 10th - 2009

Since that we missed the baby elephant's morning bath last week, so we decided to give a try again today. And we was lucky that both of the baby elephant are playing in the pool. We also met the same cameraman that told us the timing to come and see the baby elephant bathing. We spend most of the time in the zoo watching the elephant playing in the pool. After the elephants finished their bath, the kids had their drinks and we went to watch the flamingos before returning home.

Baby elephants morning bath

Watching the elephants.

Just after watching the elaphant

Kid's summit.

A light rain on the way out from the zoo.

Evening at the park.

2010-01-16T15:48:00.004+09:00

July 7th - 2009

It's our usual activity to go and spend our time at the nearby park. This time we went to Tenpaku Park and enjoyed the giant slide. While Eirfan & Yuri were busy with the slide, Eiqmal was busy chasing the pigeons there. Seems that they never bored with the playground here too even we keep on coming here.

While going to the slide's starting point.

During summer all the grass a bit tall.

Catch it if you can

Shinkenger Movie

2010-01-16T15:08:00.005+09:00

July 5th - 2009

This was taken at Jusco Miyoshi. My kids really loved this action heroes series. Sure thing that I need to bring them to this movie on 8th August 2009.Well.. this movie will be their 1st movie to be seen at the cinema.

Coming soon to cinema.

Eirfan is explaining to Eiqmal about the characters.

Morning walk

2010-01-15T14:59:00.003+09:00

July 4th - 2009

It's a fine morning and I need to pay some bills at the nearby convenience store. I asked the kids who want to follow and only EIrfan said he'll stay at home. The store is just about 4 to 5 minutes walk, but with the kids it may goes to 10minutes walk. After all the bills being paid and bought them a strawberry flavoured yogurt drink each ( this also include Eirfan's too ), we crossed the road at took a short detour at the nearby tennis centre's park. After few pose there, we head back home.

"peace"

looking at the fake waterfall

Enjoying their drinks

Eirfan's Class photo

2010-01-14T12:08:00.003+09:00

July 3rd - 2009

Eirfan bring back his class photo today, due to we didn't bring along our scanner to Japan so I just take a picture of the picture. His class is called "AKA 1 KUMI" ( 赤１組) which means RED 1 class. Each grades has 2 classes. Well in this shot he is standing in the middle row and he is the 3rd from left. On the left side is their headmaster and his class teacher is on the right side.

Morning Zoo

2010-01-14T11:46:00.003+09:00

July 1st - 2009

It's Wednesday and we sent mum to school early too....also Eirfan will be back from his kindergarten at 11:20. Not feeling going straight back home and we decided to stop at the zoo as usual. Morning zoo is really nice because very less people around and I can let the kids walk on their own. Our target today is to see the baby elephant having their morning bath. Unfortunately we were a bit late and the elephants just finished their morning bath.
One of the photographer at the elephant barn said that we must come as the zoo open at 9am if want to see the baby elephants having their morning bath. Then, Tuesday is the best day because the water is clean as Monday the zoo is closed and the water being changed too.
Well, no luck for us today and we just spend some time looking at the rhino and penguins only before returning home as the clock almost turned to 11am.

This zoo already open for 73years and the visitors counts reached 150millions hits.

The elephant won't go into the pool anymore.

Sence of an artist?

2010-01-06T18:14:00.003+09:00

28th June - 2009

We spend the day at home and Eirfan enjoy his sketching and he did a nice job drawing Eiqmal while he is sleeping. He also did draw himself and of course Yuri and us too.

Portrait in the making

We went to the zoo again....

2010-01-06T17:02:00.003+09:00

27th June - 2009

As usual we went to the zoo again.. today our target is to ride the paddling boat at the lake inside the zoo. Unfortunately the maximum people was 4 person per boat...so we cannot get on the paddling boat all 5 of us. So Eiqmal and mummy cannot ride.
The fare is 400Yen pax and we took the 3 person boat. Total of 1200yen for 20minutes ride. Eirfan & Yuri really enjoyed the ride and we also paddle near to Eiqmal's waiting place. Fun for them but really tiring for me...

Eirfan & Yuri were very happy in the panda boat

"Bon Voyage" by Eiqmal..

It was a hard work out for me..

Waving to Eiqmal...

Yuri at the dentist

2009-12-01T13:17:00.002+09:00

June 24th - 2009

Finally Yuri also managed to bear the fear of the dentist... or maybe because she went inside with her mother... her first time she went with me and she cried all the way. Well.. it's good for her to repair her teeth. After her treatment complete we will go for Eiqmal's treatment too.

Morning at the clover field

2009-11-27T15:22:00.003+09:00

June 18 - 2009

Again we stop by at Makinogaike Park after send mummy to school. This time i bring my camera along too. (^^)/~
As usual Yuri & Eiqmal enjoyed running at the field that still no one else around. I also managed to shoot some bees on duty too.

Into the green

A candid on Eiqmal

Yuri's 3rd Birthday

2009-11-24T17:43:00.006+09:00

June 14 - 2009

Yuri now is a 3 years old kid. She also managed to go to toilet on her own a week before her birthday. This time we didn't have enough time to make her a birthday cake and we just buy it from a near by cake shop and celebrate her birthday at Makinogaike Park. They were enjoyed with the outdoor birthday party ( during Eirfan's 4th birthday we did it at home only ).

I'm three now♪

Fuuuh ==3

Masked birthday party.

Family shott... it's been a while we did not shoot a family photo.

Morning stop at the park

2009-11-19T08:34:00.004+09:00

June 10th - 2009

Just a short stop at the nearby Makinoike Park after sending their mum to school. It's June and the field is full with white clover's flowers and the hydrangea also already blooms too. It was an unplanned stop so i just snap them with my mobile phone only. I really need to return again with my camera here...alone to shoot the flowers. After spent a while we went to the near by drug store to buy Eiqmal's milk before returning home.

It's a great view of white & green.

Eiqmal with the clovers

Yuri won't pose for me and busy playing by herself.. so only Eiqmal is the model for the morning.

June to July is the months to enjoy the beauty of hydrangea.

Nagoya University's Festival

2009-11-17T18:40:00.004+09:00

June 7th - 2009

It's a tradition for Japanese school and university to held a university/school festival where students will open a stall selling food and other stuff too. The stall always based from classes or circle.
This year is the 50th university festival for Nagoya University..but.....during last year's festival there was a food poisoning case happen and the festival itself was canceled in the middle. Due of that, this year all food & drinks are not allowed for business.. and it really effect the festival itself. All what can we see just rows of free markets... sure nothing much to buy there.. hopefully there will be food on next year's festival..

Yuri at the free market.. she got herself a handmade neckless.

This what the boys get....

Rainy Days

2009-11-16T16:55:00.004+09:00

June 5th - 2009

It's the raining season here.. When rains Eirfan no need to wear his school shoes. He need to wear the rain boots instead. The umbrella also just for the usage from house until the bus stop and no need to bring it to his kindergarten. When he return from the kindergarten and it's still raining... I need to bring again the umbrella.. a rain coat also can but it's quite messy to wear it when he get down from the bus.

Evening at Tenpaku Park

2009-11-13T15:23:00.006+09:00

June 1st - 2009

It's been a while since our last visit to this park. Maybe lately too much time spend at Makinogaike Park. Location wise Makinoike Park in nearer to our house. Also got many vending machines at Makinoike Park and none here at Tenpaku Park. But the giant slide here at Tenpaku Park is the best, and the field also bigger. The field was full with clover's flower, just like thousand of cottons on the green carpet.
Everyone bring their ball and enjoyed running all over the empty field. Of course after that we went for the giant slide before went home.

Play ball!

Eiqmal with his anpanman ball.

Yuri and her pink ball.

A yellow ball for Eirfan.

A short break after playing the ball.

Let's go to the giant slide.

Eiqmal & the giant slider.

No one else at the slide... Enjoy sliding

Eirfan's Sport Day 2009

2009-11-09T20:04:00.022+09:00

May 30th - 2009

Eirfan still new with his kindergarten's life and this time is his first time sports day. He keep on showing us the march that he's been trained at his class a week before this day. It was a very interesting day to all of us. The main event for his class is the "body spin" at the pole (should see the video because i don't know how to describe it ^^;) and single relay run ( as in the top picture ). There is also games that involves parents too.. sure i was included... one is the cap stealing games where fathers carry their kid on the back and the kid steal other kid's caps....and it's really tiring too ... run here and there.. Eirfan didn't manage to steal a single cap but we manage to remain in the game until the time ended. Yuri also got her own event ( an event for siblings that not in the kindergarten YET..

After all the event ends.. it's time for the medal receiving... a very cute hand made medal by their teachers perhaps... everyone got their medals.. no one win or lose in this sports day.

Eirfan's 1st show

Eirfan's class marching in. I just love the theme music.

Waiting for their headmaster's opening speech.

Eirfan ready for his single relay. He ran in style but end up last.

The part that really tired me up.

Eiqmal was a bit bored.

Yuri also got her part to participate.

Yuri the supporter.

Everyone got their medal.

A shot just after the event ended.

Full set of the day

We bring her to dentist...but

2009-10-20T15:11:00.003+09:00

May 26 - 2009

Since Eirfan is okay with his weekly treatment at the dentist, we decided to treat Yuri's teeth too because her teeth also got some cavity here and there. At the dentist Eirfan went first and she went after Eirfan finished his treatment. Unfortunately Yuri refuse to let the dentist to check her mouth. The dentist said there is no need to rush for her treatment and he only want to take a look at Yuri's teeth. I hold her in my arm on the treatment chair and Yuri cried louder and give the dentist a chance to look at her teeth while she was crying. Realizing that the dentist is looking at her mouth, Yuri shut her mouth and wont open again.
The dentist said that few of her teeth need to be repair and also Yuri need to get to use with the dental clinic first before start on the treatment on her teeth. As a start, the next week she will need to bring her tooth brush along and brush her teeth at the clinic without any treatment.

Lunch at the park

2009-10-10T18:50:00.014+09:00

May 24th - 2009

Another simple picnic at Makinoike Park. Our menu for today was "yakisoba" ( fried noodles) and petite burgers. And as usual, my kids enjoy playing with their balls. As myself, i enjoy snapping them playing and did some macro shots on the small flowers found here.

This time we bring along a small portable table too.

Ready to eat the yakisoba.

Eiqmal wants more.

Eiqmal & the small burger. He still need to wear the bib when he eat by himself.

Eirfan with his "training chopstick".

How to make a "peace" sign.. Eiqmal still can't do the "V" sign yet.

Playing Eiqmal.

Yuri chasing her pink soccer ball.

Eiqmal & Eirfan dribbling the ball.

Candid on Eirfan.

Another candid on the kids.

Holding hands.

Short trip to Higashiyama Zoo

2009-10-07T13:20:00.006+09:00

May 20th - 2009

It's Wednesday and Eirfan came back from his kindergarten on 11am..usually on 2pm. So we decided to have a short walk at Higashiyama Zoo due to the weather also very fine & nice. I love to go to this zoo on weekdays..very less people. Today less photo on the kids and more to the animals.

Refueling before starting the walk.

Kangaroos are having lunch..but most of them are sleeping & relaxing.

Relaxing kangaroo.

Sleepy rhino.

In the cage series

Lunch at Mister Donut

2009-10-06T20:03:00.003+09:00

May 13th - 2009

We went to the ward office for Eiqmal's 1.5years medical check up at the ward office's clinic. Seems that Yuri & Eirfan might disturb others with their noise. So i bring them to walk around Ikeshita Subway Station. But, there was nothing much to see ...
After a short walk at shop lots near the station we stopped at Mister Donut for a light lunch. Seems that Mister Donut is having a limited time menu that collaborate with Mos Burger, the doughnut served here is in a burger shape with a chocolate chip as the beef and sweet jam as the sauce. The size also very cute too.. and there is also a french fries shape doughnut too.

Got 2 flavour of jam inside, green tea(maccha) and strawberry.

I really like the size of this doughnut.

Summer Uniform

2009-10-06T14:46:00.000+09:00

May 13th - 2009

It's getting hotter here...so he no need to wear the upper coat already...but the summer shirt still not received yet...need to carry on with the long sleeve......The summer uniform will be a short sleeve shirt & white cotton hat.

Eirfan's 1st dentist appointment.

2009-10-06T02:25:00.002+09:00

May 12th - 2009

Since couple nights back Eirfan told us that his had a cavity and his teeth is very pain. So I bring him to a near by dental clinic that applied for kids dental. The clinic here need to be booked first before doing any treatment. And for the kids below 12 years old, all their standard medical treatment are free of charged and covered by the government even we are non citizen of Japan. At first I was afraid that Eirfan will cry when we entered the treatment area. But he looked very cool and sit on the treatment chair by himself. After the dentist check his cavity, he said that it was a bit bad condition and he took an X-ray shot on that teeth. The result was a 50-50 condition but he said he will not pull the teeth out but if needed he will only take out the nerves of that teeth before fill the cavity. Luckily the cavity was not reach until the nerves but to fill the cavity Eirfan need to be anesthetize before start the treatment. But what was shocked is that the anesthetize shot also was not pain at all. Eirfan also was very cool and didn't cried at all. After his treatment finished, the dentist told that Eirfan also got some other tooth that need cavity protection. Most of them are small cavities and this mean that Eirfan need to return for this treatment every week until all his cavities are being filled.
Finally after what we promised to him before the treatment, we bring him to the Tomica Shop at Oasis 21 as his little treat for being brave during the dental treatment.

Being praised by the nurse.

Treatment time!

At Tomica Shop. He got himself a new Tomica pajama and a Tomica model car.

Daily routine

2009-10-06T00:16:00.001+09:00

May 11th - 2009

This is my daily routine, before 8:20 am in the morning need to send Eirfan to the bus stop for his kindergarten's bus to pick him up. He will be back on 2:20 pm except Wednesday he will be home at 11:20 am. Most of the morning Yuri will accompany me to send Eirfan. She really wanted to go to kindergarten with Eirfan but she is still under aged. She was born in June so she need to wait until next April before can enter the kindergarten, but if she was born between January to 31st March she will enter the kindergarten by this year due to the school here start from 1st April. When picking up Eirfan at the bus stop, sometimes Yuri will follow me but most of the time she is having her noon nap with Eiqmal.

It's only about 3 minutes walk from our apartment to the bus stop.

The other side of Makinoike park

2009-10-05T23:32:00.000+09:00

May 9th - 2009

Today we went to the other side of Makinoike Park...to be actual we went the the main entrance of the park. The nearest entrance from our house was the back side of the park. In order to go to the main entrance, the route was quite far. The park itself is a big park c/w golf course. The parking area at this side also very big and got playground for the kids and also there are a lot of shady trees that can be lie down below it. The play field itself also many. Even there is also a place for skateboarders here. As usual, after a light tit bits then they played their toys that we bring along to the park.

Can't insist his favour to take picture with this Audi.

We set our mat under a sakura tree.

Play time : Eirfan with his new toy gun

Eiqmal with the ball.

Yuri doing some stretching.

Eiqmal at the watter cooler.

At the playground.

Toyota Automobile Museum

2009-10-04T22:55:00.005+09:00

May 6th - 2009

On the half end of the Golden Week, the weather was not so good and rain for the whole day. We decided to go to Toyota Automobile Museum at Seto City and it's about 10km from our house. The museum is not only for Toyota cars only but it's a museum o the history of cars. The entrance ticket for adults is only 1000Yen and free of charge for children below 6 years old, so only me & my wife need to pay the ticket and the kids got their privilege again. At the main building there are one floor of the history of car itself and another floor is the history & development of Japanese cars. There is also a new annex beside the main building and it about the history of car in Japan after the world war 2.
Eirfan & Yuri really excited here. They really enjoy viewing all the cars, same as me, i also really enjoyed visiting this museum. I also impressed with the leaflets about the museum here..it almost got every main languages...even got my homeland language Bahasa Melayu version. Total of 16 different languages of leaflet are available and also got a special leaflet for kids too. The leaflet for kids got a stamp seal area that can be stamped at few corner of the museum. There is also a theme base event held here from time to time especially for the kids of course.

The trade mark car for the museum, the first Toyota model.

Looks like a beetle but it's a fiat.

Eirfan & Yuri with the real beetle.

Eirfan & Lincon Zephr Series HB - 1937 model

Weired pose in front of an old Cadillac.

With the first Mitsubishi Pajero model.

Future car : Finally got a shot with 3 of them posing.

Eiqmal still not in a good mood for pictures.

He Just interested to the small model cars.

End up just Eirfan & Yuri with their strange pose.

Got a normal pose for this one.

Eiqmal with Toyota Corolla KE-10

Replica model at the new annex hall.

Can get on on this one..this antique is at the kid's garage in the annex.

His mood getting better after he hold this steering.

Another "ridable" antique at the annex.

I've seen this prototype during Tokyo Motor Show 2003.

The last shot of the day.

Nagashima Spaland de Kidstown!

2009-10-03T09:05:00.011+09:00

May 4th - 2009

It's a long holiday and we didn't went anywhere far. The next spot for our Golden Week holiday is the usual Nagashima Jazzdream Outlets hahaha...but this time we also went into the theme park just beside the outlets park. According to wikipedia here is the Nagashima Spa land details:
"Nagashima Spa Land is a major amusement park in Mie Prefecture, Japan. Nagashima Spa Land is best known for its roller coaster Steel Dragon 2000, which is the longest roller coaster in the world, as well as the 5th tallest. Other rides include White Cyclone, a large, spiraling wooden coaster, which is the tallest and longest wooden roller coaster in Asia, Wild Mouse, a zig-zaging ride that has two mirror image tracks, and a huge Ferris wheel. The park also features a water park, which has the record of most slides packed in a space."
For the official site in Japanese : Link
We spend our time a while at the outlets park before entering the Spa Land due to the ticket from 3pm is a lot cheaper than the normal ticket, it's about 40% cheaper than the normal full day ticket. While we spend our time in the Bandai Shop, we were lucky because there was a small event where the kids can meet Ultraman Taro. He came to the shop to promote the ultraman's goods at the store.
Inside the kidstown Eirfan & Yuri enjoyed some of the rides... but not for Eiqmal..he is too small for all of that.. he will need another year before enjoying all of the rides here. Due to the holiday seasons.. most of the rides got long queues too. Eirfan & Yuri waited for their ride patiently... all the rides are more than 30minutes waiting time a 5minutes ride.

Eiqmal & his buddy. Thank God he still want to sit on his stroller.

Eirfan (in the green cap) is receiving the power from ultraman.

He got himself a Mask Rider figure : Kamen Rider Decade

After done some lite shopping at the outlets, it's time to enter the theme park.

At the kidstown

Queue up for the Thomas Ride.

Lucky for them to get the front seats, easy for me to snap them.

Eiqmal wait for the train to pass in front him.

The 2nd ride was the flying elephant. We wanted to ride this with the whole family but only 4 person for one elephant...again Eiqmal need to wait outside the fence.

Yuri's happy face inside the flying elephant, but Eirfan looks a bit scared?

Happy riding by Eiqmal.

This time is for the water shot ride....waited it about an hour before can get the 2minutes ride.

This is the last ride for the day.

Looking at the merry go round, but no more ride for today.

Exploring Higashiyama Zoo

2009-09-30T16:16:00.007+09:00

May 2nd - 2009

This week is one of the most waited week in Japan, the Golden Week. This is the time that everyone can enjoy a long public holiday. Most Japanese will use this opportunity to enjoy the holiday abroad, but still crowded also even in Japan too. Most of the hotels will be fully booked and it is impossible to get within a last minute decision.
Well, we just decided not going far at all...our 1st target just the usual zoo near our house. hahaha..This time we explored a new route in the zoo. 1st we went to the amusement area inside the zoo and went up into the ferris wheel. This is the first time for my kids to experience the ride. It's a small size of a ferris wheel but still good enough to enjoy the view.
Then we went into the medaka(Japanese killifish) hall. Eiqmal really enjoyed viewing the small fishes. Just before we went back home, we drop by at the koala's and my kids take a rest beside the lake and enjoy viewing peoples riding the "swan" and boats while i rush back home to take our car and pick them home. ( due to our apartment is quite near and it is difficult to get a parking nearby the zoo i always drop them at the zoo and park the car at our parking at the apartment.)

Checking the condor's wingspan

Yuri enjoyed the view but Eiqmal still scared.

Masked guys, i got a terrible sore throat few days back and still not fully recovered.

ON the jet plane AT the amusement park IN the zoo.

Interested to the small fishes.

kame かめ亀 kura-kura

Picnic by the lake.

Eiqmal and his pet toy, geoffrey the giraffe from Toy 'я Us

With "face fitting" thing before went out from the zoo.

Meet the nature @ Meijou Park

2009-09-29T11:39:00.006+09:00

April 29 - 2009

Eirfan's kindergarten had arranged a father & child outing at Meijou Park (Nagoya Castle Park) and the theme for this event is to know more about the nature. The park itself is just beside the Nagoya Castle and it's a big park too. We took the subway to go there. Due to the slow walk from our house to the subway station at Nagoya University... we arrived at the assembly point just before the event started.

The outfit for the day was the sports uniform...but Eirfan only got his short sleeve shirt only..we didn't bought the winter version yet this time.

Eirfan showing his ban-aided knee just before we started the exploration.

Picking some weeds that can hooked to shirts. Their teachers told them not to pick it too much. Eirfan did bring this weed home to show to Yuri & Eiqmal.

Feel the softness and smell the aroma of a new leaf. It smell really nice.

He picked some clover's flowers. This flower easily can be found in open fields & most parks can found this plant.

"I found a seed"

Digging for worms? but don't bring them home.

Knowing the new & old leaves.

Dig Dig Dig......

Looking for a bug.

Checking the tree.

Chasing the pigeon.

Taking a break while waiting turns for the class group picture taking...and the windmill isn't moving .. just a replica.

Line up for the picture taking.

Last shot of the day : Daisy. Taken on the way back to the subway station.

Picnic at Makinoike park

2009-09-19T21:02:00.010+09:00

April 18 - 2009

We went here couple of days back just for fun, then this time we decided to have our lunch here at the park. After enjoyed our meal and it's time to play the blow bubbles. It's a quite tiring to blow the bubbles as their requested size.... Yuri & Eirfan also did tried to blow it by on their own. the mood at the park also very fresh due to all the new leaves starts to come out and the smell is really refreshing too.

Picnic under a shady tree.

View from above.

Eirfan catching the bubbles.

Blowing Yuri.. it's kind of hard for them to control the blow. But she's got the result well.

The most excited guy of the day.

While Eirfan & Yuri playing by themself, i can focus on snapping Eiqmal.

Evening at Maki-no-ike park

2009-09-16T21:20:00.008+09:00

April 16 - 2009

Before pick up their mum from university, we spent some time at a nearby park (Makinoike Park). This park is so big that include a lake and a golf course and another entrance on the other side from the place that we went.
We did enjoy exploring this park, the field are filled with bloomed dandelions.
Then we went to other part of the park and found a playground and of course they did enjoyed there. Unfortunately we can't spend more time here due to it was already getting dark and time to go to pick their mum home.

Dandelions really attract their attention.

Short break before continue exploring.

What to do after finish drinking.

At the playground area.

Eiqmal trapped in the giant artificial grass.

Sakura at Higashiyama Zoo

2009-09-14T17:40:00.006+09:00

April 8 - 2009

Just after Eirfan's Entrance Ceremony at his kindergarten ended, all of us headed to Higashiyama Zoo to have a picnic under the sakura trees at the zoo. Of course Eirfan was in his uniform, we just want to shoot him in his uniform with the sakuras. We also bought our self the year pass for Higashiyama Zoo due to our frequent visit to this zoo. The year pass is just 2000yen/year and standard entrance ticket is 500yen.
Even it was a weekday, we didn't get the parking at the main gate of the zoo and end up at the parking area at behind botanical garden. It's about 10 minutes walk until the entrance gate to the zoo/botanical garden. We entered from the botanical garden side due to we wanted to get on the monorail ride from the botanical garden to the main gate of the zoo.
After we got our picnic spot we enjoyed the food from home and shoot few shots of Eirfan in his uniform before he get changed. Enjoying sakura at the zoo might be sounds strange but the sakura here really beautiful and the zoo itself got a lot of resting place made it really convenience.

A shot just after entered the zoo.

Enjoying the sakura from the monorail

Viewing sakura from above is really interesting.

Full bloom at Higashiyama Zoo

Picnic time, let's eat!!

Eirfan is eating his dorayaki he got it from kindergarten

Yuri vs boiled egg.

Eiqmal with my snacks (kaki-pi)

Time for solo shooting.

No need to ask Yuri to pose

Eiqmal really interested with the sakura petals

Same goes with Eirfan

Eiqmal among the sakuras

Just before we went back home, they got them self an ice cream each.

Click for full set of this day pictures

First Day at Kindergarten

2009-09-13T10:01:00.007+09:00

April 8 - 2009

Today officially Eirfan become a kindergarten student. This is the event called the Entrance Ceremony, it's difficult to translate the meaning in English. The ceremony is the opposite of graduation ceremony. There is no class for this day, just the ceremony to celebrate new academic year and introducing new students too. But Eirfan is in the 2nd grade out of three grades here and only 2 new student for this grade, one for each class. Eirfan is in "aka 1 kumi" or "Class Red 1".
Due to academic year here starts from 1st April.....he was born on 15th March....so he is one of the youngest student in his class.
After all the student & parents seated, the ceremony started with the kindergarten song. It's a cute lovely songand it's about the kindergarten's life.

Eirfan was sitting in the front line on the left side. He keep on sitting while other student sing the song and his class teacher keep on remind him to stand up. At the foreground of the video there is a girl that don't even want to stand at all and cried on the floor.

Eirfan's seat being changed from the middle seat area into the front seat due to he will need to be introduced later.

Eirfan being introduced by his class teacher.

Greeting from all the teachers and the headmaster.

Time for him to moved to his class and the parents being introduce to some other related peoples and speeches.

After the speeches end and it's time to for the parents to go to their kid's classroom. When I reached EIrfan's class, his class teacher asked the parents to stand behind their kid but.... I can't find Eirfan hahaha, all of them looks the same and while I was looking for him, Eirfan noticed me and came to me.

Finally his 1st day at Kindergarten ends, from now on he will be going to his kindergarten by bus.

Sakura at Heiwa Park

2009-09-13T01:46:00.000+09:00

April 5 - 2009

Sakura fever has come!! This is the time that everyone enjoy the beauty of sakura. Sakura only blooms once a year and total blooming period is about 2 weeks. The most beautiful moment is when it's on full bloom and during the time that the petals start to fall.
Sakura tree can easily found here in Japan, even at the road side. Most of the public parks also got sakuras. For a start we went to a park nearby our apartment. The park is call Heiwa Koen ( Peaceful Park ), as the name itself there is a large area of Japanese cemetary beside the park. We picked this park because it's near & the parking is free. Who doesn't like free things right?
When we arrived, the park was already crowded with peoples. Most of them picnic under the sakura tree and enjoy the food and beer. Well, Japanese people seem can't live without beer. The best part here is the walkway under the sakura tree. Eirfan, Yuri & Eiqmal enjoyed running around.

Let's hanami♪

Eirfan under the sakuras

Eiqmal enjoy running along the walkway

It's hard & tiring to chase them running here and there.

Due to Eirfan & Yuri keep on running, Eiqmal got most of the shots.

On the way back to the car

I didn't bring along the tripod so i put the camera on the ground for this family shot.

Click for the full set pictures during this trip.

Sakura at Nagoya Castle

2009-09-13T01:16:00.004+09:00

March 28 - 2009

We start our sakura hanami ( sakura viewing ) at Nagoya Castle. Even we need to pay for the parking & entrance ticket, the view of sakura with the castle is worth of spending. The castle are was crowded with peoples to enjoy the sakuras. Everyone enjoyed taking pictures with sakuras. Some of the are students from the graduation ceremony, they came in with kimono outfit an it is really shows the beauty of Japan.
My kids enjoyed their first contact with sakura.

Under the sakura tree.

candid of Eirfan & Yuri while they are watching the sakura.

Short rest on the manhole.

I asked them to smile..but this is what i get.

My angels

Well..family shot is a must.

Wandering at Nagoya Port

2009-09-11T21:59:00.004+09:00

March 21 - 2009

It was a fine sunny day and we can't decide where to enjoy the sun with clear blue sky. Finally we end up went to Nagoya Port. This is the 2nd time we went to the port, the first time was in December. This time we walked from the Garden futo until the Nagoya Port Aquarium area.
There are many things to explore here.

Yuri giving her pose with the flowers.

Eirfan also posed with his kind of style.

With the propeller... big but not huge enough, i've seen larger propeller back at my workplace.

The bridge seen is the highway, somehow this view really reminds me of Yokohama ( viewing Bay Bridge from Minato Mirai )

Eiqmal is still slow with his walking and always being left behind.

With the exploring vehicle at Antartica. The ship for this exploration is an icebreaker ship. ( top picture)

Crossing the bridge & heading to the aquarium side. The building in the background is the Nagoya Port Building.

Take five a while and enjoy their drinks.

Interesting post box in front of Nagoya Port Aquarium.

Posing at the aquarium's entrance before heading back home.

Nagoya Argricultural Centre

2009-09-07T18:24:00.008+09:00

March 17 - 2009

Finally spring has come and the colourful season of flowers has begun. In Japan, before everyone enjoy the beauty of sakura, they enjoy the beauty of "ume" or plum flowers. the tree it self is not as big as sakura but the colours are similar.
So this time we headed to Nagoya Argricultural Centre here in Tenpaku ward. It's a free public flower farm. Actually we went here on the weekend few days back but it was too crowded with long queue of cars until the main road. So the weekdays is the best. The main attraction here is the ume, but by the time we came here most of it already gone.
But there are a lot more to see than ume. What i like most was the rape blossoms, the yellow flowers with the blue sky is just beautiful. We also enjoyed the milk ice cream that being produced from cows here. Tropical flowers also can be seen at the temperature house and other flowers being change by the seasons.

big map

Yuri at the entrance decoration

Eirfan with his pose

The flowers are so low

Yuri was excited with the flowers

Found a full bloom and just nice for a family shot.

Eiqmal with his walking style.

Enjoying the milk ice cream.

The best spot for photo shoot that we found during this trip. The yellow rape blossoms are just great.

Eirfan with the milk cow

Eirfan said.. " Look! it's a F1 car" hahaha...

Full slideshows from flickr

Eirfan's 4th Birthday♪

2009-09-06T13:46:00.005+09:00

March 15 - 2009

Eirfan's birthday come again. This time we just celebrate it with 5 of us at our apartment. The decoration also I did it myself and for his cake was fully decorated with strawberries. Yuri did lend some hand to her mum while decorating the cake. The menu of the day was the 50% homemade birthday cake, some snacks and noodles.

Happy Birthday to Eirfan♪

Eirfan & his cake

Cutting his cake

Yummy

Giving Yuri a bite

Time to eat the noodles

Eirfan called this noodles as "mee ponyo" after he watch "gake no ue no ponyo" and the characters in the animation had noodles for dinner.

One day trial at kindergarten

2009-09-06T00:21:00.001+09:00

March 11 - 2009

After Eirfan passed his entrance interview for this kindergarten back in February, today is the one day trail at his kindergarten. It's good to have this kind of opportunity due to not all kids can get along with other peoples in a short time. For Eirfan he was used to a kindergarten back in Malaysia so no problem for that, just the communication wall only. For this trail day, seems that all went well and they just play in the classroom. On the way back home I asked him about the kindergarten and do he really want to go there, and he answered that he like it.

At the shoe box outside his classroom. Japanese style classroom need to wear an indoor shoes .

The teacher is saying something but Eirfan didn't listen.

They made something during the trail class.

Play at Tenpaku Park

2009-09-05T13:07:00.005+09:00

March 8 -2009

The weather was really nice and we decided to go and play at Tenpaku park again. This time we bring along soccer balls too. Everyone got their own ball now. Eiqmal also enjoyed running all over the field chasing his ball. We also met a couple of kindergarten kids who bring along their pet rabbit for a walk. They came to us and offer us to hold the rabbit. As usual, Eirfan & Yuri won't dare to go near the rabbit, only Eiqmal was very interested with the rabbit.

He just walks where ever he wanted to go...and...I'm the one who keep on chasing him

Eiqmal & The rabbit called "milk"

Eiqmal with his running mode.

Her mother said, she runs in style...not like her brother hehehe

A short break after chasing the balls.

Eirfan also like to take pictures and Yuri like to be the model

And this is the result. Not bad for a 3 years old photographer

Exploring the zoo again

2009-09-03T23:05:00.004+09:00

Feb 28 - 2009

It's time to explore to zoo again. Even it's already end of February, most of the trees here still without any leaf yet. Our 1st stop in the zoo is at the asian elephant and the penguins. After that we went strait to the petting zoo and hoping my kid can touch the animals there. The main attraction at the petting zoo are the goats that keep on coming to you when you have their food. The food is sold for 50Yen and you'll a half palm full of the food. The other attraction is to hold the guinea pig. Well, as per expected... all of them afraid of the animal. They just watch them from a distance only.

Eiqmal also interested at the penguins.

We'll ride this next time OK?

Eirfan and the goats

If you got their food, they'll come to you

That's the nearest distance that he can approached.

Yuri don't even want to look at it...

Eiqmal is busy walking since he is still new in walking business.

After spend some time at the petting zoo, we leave from there and headed to the monorail ride point at the botanical garden. Before leaving the petting zoo all of them washed their hand at the washing area..but the water was so cold. hahaha
This is the first time we entered the botanical garden, actually the ticket for the zoo is already include the botanical garden too but the zoo is too big and we don't even have enough time to visit the botanical garden. We spend a while resting at the botanical garden before riding the monorail and head back to the zoo's main entrance.

We didn't explore the botanical garden, just took this picture only.

Everyone seems enjoy the monorail ride, even it's a little bit shaky all the way.

Just love the ride

Passing by the polar bear & seals

Eiqmal still ride it for free.

That's all for this time... still a lot more things to explore at this zoo

Eirfan & his interview

2009-09-02T00:00:00.006+09:00

Feb 18 - 2009

This is the day Eirfan went for his kindergarten interview. Most of the kindergarten in Japan will test or interview their candidates before accepting them as student. Eirfan attend for the interview at Eikoyagoto Kindergarten, this kindergarten was being introduced by one of our friend who lived nearby and their son was one of the student there. Before going for this interview we already asked thee tips form our friend what to be ask during the interview. All the task that Eirfan need to do are:

Questions regarding his name, age, parents name and what he love to do in Japanese
Need to tell colours in Japanese
He was asked what a square mean in Japanese after being showed the square picture...(I didn't teach him that ..so he can't answer)
He need to draw back the square on a paper
Some body movements such as jump, walks on a straight line and some hand movements.
Last one was the free drawing & colouring

After that Eirfan been interviewed by the kindergarten's headmaster and he did quite well but a little bit shy. He passed the test and was given the entrance certificate justx after the interview. The next agenda was to measure his uniform, sports wear size and his shoes.
Eirfan was accepted to be the 2nd year student at the kindergarten from April as the academic year starts form April. We was expecting he will be at the 1st year class but since he was born in March, it's at the last month of an academic year. So he will be one of the youngest in his class.

Eirfan drew a car, that's what he love to draw.

Eirfan's acceptance letter

Just after Eirfan arrived back home, everyone else are already prepared for the celebration on his acceptance and off we go to Sakae. Since it's a nice place as my last visit with Eirfan, this time Yuri & Eiqmal also need to see the place. After we arrived to Sakae and searched for parking, and as per expected the parking are quite expensive. The best parking that we got was 200yen for every half an hour. ( it's about USD4/hour). Just after we parked, we went to Oasis 21 and let them run at the open space inside there.

Eirfan already got his shot on the last visit, so this time Yuri & Eiqmal also got theirs.

It's a week day and the place is quite empty & provided them a lot of space to run.

Yuri at Oasis 21 roof top

His cheeck and nose turns red due to the cold wind

Eirfan and Yuri were really enjoyed the place ..but the wind was so strong that we can't stay there too long

???

Spend here for about 15 minutes while waiting the parking time round up to 2 hour.

After we spent 2 hours at Oasis 21, we went for dinner at Turkish Taste, a Turkish restaurant that most of the menus are kebap. The shop located near Honjin subway station not far from Nagoya station. The restaurant owner also quite friendly too.

Yum yum

The restaurant itself quite small with limited place to eat-in. Most of the time we just take-out.

Outing with Eirfan - Nagoya & Sakae

2009-08-31T19:51:00.010+09:00

Feb 14 - 2009

Today is the day that Eirfan experience his first time using the subway. Eirfan & me off to Nagoya Station to met my old friend from high school. ( he also graduated from Japan university ). He is on a business trip to Gifu, and Gifu to Nagoya is about 20 minutes by train. We are going to meet at Nagoya Station's most popular meeting point "The golden clock". From our house we took the Higashiyama Line subway at Higashiyama Koen station, about 20minutes slow walk with Eirfan.

After got the subway ticket we enter to the platform, Eirfan still free of charge and only will be charged when he enters primary school ( 6 years old ). Eirfan was very excited on his subway ride. It took us about 20 minutes to reach Nagoya Station and then we rush to the meeting point. My friend manage to spot us in the crowd at meeting point. Then we when outside the station for some photo shoot and went into Big Camera to see the latest gadgets.After had some window shopping with the latest cameras & all the gears, we headed to Sakae for some sight seeing & lunch. This is also my 1st time to be at Sakae.

A shot with Docomo's advertisement at the platform wall.

Eirfan with uncle Hasrul. He was shy at first but when he get along... there is no space for me hahaha.

Our 2 shot with one of the stone sculpture outside Nagoya Station.

Huge LCD TV at Big Camera.

After we reach to Sakae, we head strait to Oasis 21, one of the main attraction at Sakae. The building itself is very interesting and at the glass roof top of the building is a pool and can see the space below inside the building. From the roof top also can see Nagoya TV Tower, Sunshine Sakae & Central Park. Sakae is a place with a lot of branded shops too. Under the central park is an underground shop lots. After had our meal at one of the Japanese Restaurant at Oasis 21 and bought some toys for Eirfan at Tomica Shop, we headed for central park.

Eirfan was fascinated with the water flew out from the pool

Eirfan & Uncle Hasrul already become good friends.

Even during lunch Eirfan didn't want to sit beside me :P

He got his toy and very happy♪

An interesting view at the underground connection part between Oasis 21 & Central Park's underground shop lots area.

An open area at Central Park.

Three of us with Nagoya TV Tower as the background

We separated with my friend here at Central Park and he went back to Nagoya Station before heading back to Gifu. For me & Eirfan, we are on the other direction from Sakae. Just before heading back home we wander around a little bit more at Central Park. After reached back at Higashiyama Koen Station, Eirfan claimed that he is very tired walking, but he is still very happy with the outing.

Eirfan and the tower

With the big fountain at Central Park

It's Tenpaku Park again

2009-08-30T23:33:00.004+09:00

Jan 25 - 2009

We went to this park again and the main agenda is the giant slide of course. This time Yuri also already can ride it on her own. And for Eiqmal, he is on his walking training again here. Finally he can walk on his own now... but still slow and still no so balanced yet. Maybe still difficult for him to walk in the winter outfit.

Finally Yuri is on her own riding the giant slide.

Nothing to say for Eirfan, this is his favorite ride

Another slide at the park

Yuri also become better on her landing at the end of the slide, but she still refuse to ride it alone without his brother.

Eiqmal walks... finally...Yuri was the youngest that walks by the way.

But Eiqmal still walks like a robot.

Trip to Gotenba

2009-08-29T11:28:00.010+09:00

Jan 3 & 4 - 2009

As been planned with friends from Keio University ( juniors & senior of my wife during her Degree & Masters ,,, friends from my university are away from Japan that time,, most of them return & work in Malaysia, who remains in Japan also was in Malaysia that time ). Our meeting point with them is at a cottage area an gotenba called Otome Shinrin Park (乙女森林公園第2キャンプ場). It's a camping area & cottages.
It was about 260km journey from our house in Nagoya and we move out for the trip at 6:30 in the morning.

This shot was taken at a near by &-eleven near our house after bought some coffee and tit-bits while driving. Since that new year holiday in Japan is one of the long holiday in a year calendar, a missive traffic jam on the highway also in our mind. Means that even for a 260km trip, it might take a very long time to arrive.
From Nagoya we took the normal road until Toyota city and from there we took the Tomei Expressway. The highway still smooth and less traffic until we reach our first stop at Hamana-ko parking area. The parking was almost full.

Eirfan at Hamana-ko Parking Area.

Hamana-ko(Lake Hamana) is a huge lake just beside the sea and the parking area is located just beside the lake and can see the view towards the lake. The parking area is marked as "A" and the highway is green in colour.

for larger map

After done with the rest, toilet and breakfast, we are back on the road. From here the road start to crowd with cars heading back to Tokyo after the new year holiday.

After entering Shizuoka city, finally can view the highest mountain in Japan. Mount Fuji.

From Shizuoka the road started to move slow... just slow and not as the U-turn jam as I've been experience back in Malaysia during Eid ul-Fitr holiday. It's a lot worse than the jam here in Japan. The only problem during this kind of driving is when need to go to the toilet hahaha....

Finally we reach Gotenba around 4 pm. After followed the map that i've googled + guides from our friends that already arrived at the cottage. All goes well until we missed the entrance turn for the camp side and we end up climbing up the road that connected to Hakone. We went until the top and turned back after reach the toll fare gate to enter the road to hakone hahaha.
But we manage to view mount Fuji from there and stop by the road side to snap some pictures.
Then we managed to arrive to the cottage safely.

A shot after we missed the turn to the cottage area.

This is Luqman (top pic) and his father (of course bottom pic). The last time we met Luqman is when he was still about 2 years old, now he is already 6 and speaks Japanese with his father and Enlish with his mother. His father ( Hirman ) is our senior and he is working at Hitachi factory near Yokohama.

The main agenda of the night, the menu for the dinner are various type of nabe & fried noodles. Eifran also already get along with one of the junior that we first met ( they cane to Japan after we left ).

Eirfan also already get along with our junior's son, Nazran. Nazran is same age as Yuri.

The interior view of one of the cottage. Taken while waiting for the sunrise and hoping to see mount Fuji under the sunshine..but there are too much clouds.

The view of Mount Fuji from the cottage.

No wonder the night was very cold and freezing

Us in front of the cottage with Mt. Fuji as the background

All the members just before check out.

My kids with Mt. Fuji

Eirfan taking Mt. Fuji picture

Just after everyone separated, we stop here for the view of Gotenba & Mt. Fuji, but Yuri & Eiqmal was sleeping and only Eirfan got this shot.

Before returning back to Nagoya, we decided to go for some sight seeing in Gotenba area and we joined with Hirman's family for the event.

Yuri & Eirfan get along with Luqman very well.

As usual Eiqmal can't join his brother & sister yet.

Candid shot while they are amazed with the fountain.

After visiting few places at Gotenba, we decided to head back to Nagoya. Most of the members went to the outlet park here at Gotenba. It's another outlet which under the same company with Toki Outlets. Due to we already went a lot to outlets back in December and assuming the outlet will be very crowed we passed it.

On the way back there was an accident on the highway and we decided to get down from the highway and took the normal road until we passed the accident point and finally arrived to Nagoya just before midnight.

Hoshigaoka Terrace

2009-08-28T10:04:00.006+09:00

Dec 23 - 2008

Christmas is just around the corner, means that less time to enjoy the light illumination. This time we went to a nearby shopping area. It's just about 5minutes by car. The place call Hoshigaoka Terrace, it's a shopping area with various type of shops and most are fashion shops. Located just 1 minute walk from Hoshigaoka subway & bus station also giving this place a strategic shopping spot.
Even this place is near to our house, this is the first time we came here.
There are many place to explore but it's very cold.... so we just snap some pictures with the illumination + the X-mas tree then we went inside the shops to get warm.

view larger map

Day & Night view at Hoshigaoka Terrace

All of us with the tree & illumination

Eiqmal was attracted with the balls

All of them after after we bought a boot for Eiqmal at mikihouse and belts for me & my wife at GAP

Additional model for winter sale

Event it's cold but they seems happy

Mitsui Outlet Park - Jazz Dream Nagashima

2009-08-27T12:33:00.008+09:00

Dec 21 - 2008

Seems that Toki outlets was not enough. Over there was more for the kids... and nothing much for their parent hahaha. So the next shop is Jazz Dream Nagashima. It's another outlet park too and it's nearer than Toki outlets and it about 30km only. Actually this two outlet park was already on the list, just which one was 1st on the list only. This outlet got much much more parking spaces...about 15000parking for cars. Well the place itself just beside the Nagashima Hot Spring & Nagashima Spaland ( a themepark ). At this outlet got much more choices for the grown ones. Casual, smart, sporty or elegant style are here. Well got some for kids too but not as many as Toki outlets.

for larger map

Panorama view at Jazz Dream Nagashima

Eirfan & me in the same outfit.

What can i say, she really love to pose. This one was taken by her mum.

Outlet parks are the best place to buy watches too.

A rest area at the middle of the outlet park.

And just before leaving the place, my Eirfan & Yuri enjoyed their 1st churritos

Toki Premium Outlets

2009-08-26T22:57:00.006+09:00

Dec 18 - 2008

It's time for shopping. Actually we came to Japan with a limited winter clothing. For me & my wife we just bring back our old winter clothing when we studied here in Japan. But for the kids..it's very hard to find the perfect side for kids that aged under 6years old. So here we are at Toki Premium Outlets located 50km from our place. We came here for to find clothes for the kids and there are a lot here. Eirfan also got his first Edwin Jeans here, but for Yuri the designs are too childish and we just bought her a short jeans. For Eiqmal are some sweaters.

for larger map

panorama view a part of the area.

The girls team after window shopping at the Coach outlets.

With my kids waiting my wife choosing their cloths.

A spot for taking pictures.

My kids with their new vest. Yuri & Eirfan got a GAP vest and Eiqmal got an Osh Kosh vest.

Eirfan & Yuri with their new vest

Out to the park

2009-08-25T22:09:00.009+09:00

Dec 13 & 14 - 2008

Even in the winter, when it's a clear & bright day, so we start to search for a public park near by our house that have a parking area. Some of the park here in Japan doesn't have any parking area at the park. After a little google we found this Tenpaku Park located in Tenpaku-ku (ku:区 = ward/a part of Nagoya ). The park it self is big, full of greenery and got a lake at the park and can see few kinds of wild bird at the park area. The field also big and playground for kids. Here also got a BBQ area that can be freely use.

This is the main attraction for the kids... the slide is very joyful and even adults also can ride it.

Eirfan do enjoy the ride even this was his first time riding it, but Yuri still afraid and she slide with me.

Virtual ride with Eirfan.

Eiqmal also tried the slide.

And some other equipment at the park.

A very standard slide

Eirfan love slides

Yuri still got problems at the end of the slide

On the swing... they still afraid of the height & speed

Eirfan happy when i swing it slow but start to scream then i make it faster

What do they call this? can play up to 4 kids at one time

Eiqmal still with his walking lesson

On the next day we came here again and this time is more to picnic mode and we enjoyed the sun at the field. Eiqmal also came along with his stroller so he can sleep if he is tired. We also bought balls for Eirfan & Yuri so they can play with it on the field.

Picnic mode!!

This is what always happen when i tried to lie down.

The field is big enough for them to run..

While Eirfan & Yuri runs all over the place.. Eiqmal chase the like this

Playing ball with winter clothing hahaha... looks wierd

Well.. they do enjoy the park and this will be one of our main park to go.

Winter Illumination @ Nagoya Station

2009-08-22T16:17:00.005+09:00

Dec 10 - 2008

Still with the winter illumination mood. This time is at the terrace of Nagoya Station.
The place is absolutely free. We didn't took the subway to go to the station. As usual we went by car and parked at the underground parking at the station.The theme for this time illumination is sweets & teddy bears. Well, as per expected, it was a little bit crowded but still enough space to sit down and enjoy the illumination. We also managed to set up our ultra cheap tripod for and snap the 5 of us.

The camera was well set but Yuri is a bit not yet into the mood. But after that they do posed well in front of my camera.

All of them pose together.

Yuri with her new pose......

Peace!!

Eirfan with the bears.

The window displays also catch their interest.

One of the displays

Played with the reflection.

Kourankei - revisited

2009-08-21T15:18:00.010+09:00

Dec 4 - 2008

The is our 2nd visit here, well it's some kind of a revenge? due to last time we didn't enjoy the coloured leaves very well. This time we pick a weekday for the trip, and guess what..last time was on the weekend and the parking was 1000yen (10USD) per day, but in weekdays it becomes 500yen only at the same place that we parked before. There is also much cheaper place to park but it's kind of inconvenience such as the washroom is too far or need to walk a bit until the attraction point. At this parking area all are near, even there is a convenience store just across the road.

Just before we arrived to Kourankei we stopped here for the view. Seems that Yuri is sleeping in the car only Eirfan & Eiqmal got their shot here. On the other side of this river there is some kind of a small dam. I really like the red bridge there, this kind of view cannot be seen back in Malaysia... well never seen it yet in Malaysia.

This rest area is just a small parking area just beside the road and only can be fit with 3 to 4 cars at a time. No shop or vending machine, just a place to rest, strech or to take picture.

After arrived at Kourankei we had a small picnic for the lunch. Then just snap snap snap all the way.

All the food we bought at the convenience store on the way to this place

Eirfan, Eiqmal & Yuri blends with the autumn leaves

Their happy faces

Eiqmal doesn't look so happy though

Maybe he was still hungry.

Another close up on Eirfan

We already took pictures at this spot on our last visit, that time was already night time and we are on the way back to the car park and Eiqmal also was asleep that time...

Eiqmal got his bear cap just for this trip

They love picking the leaves and it's everywhere.

Yuri was tired and got on Eiqmal's stroller..on this bridge Eirfan got his head stuck between the bridge's bar. Luckily we manage to make him out from there without any help...

After reach at the food stalls and survenirs shops, we had a grilled ayu fish & baked-rice (mochi). Ayu fish is also know as sweetfish. (Read more about the fish at wikipedia)

Grilled Ayu fish : 450yen per fish.

Godaira mochi (五平餅） ,,, forgot the price.. but sure it's cheaper that the grilled ayu

Orange juice from the near by vending machine. Well they do serve free Japanese tea

After we spend some time at the shop area, it's time to get back to the car. Eiqmal also feeling sleepy already.

Just like walking in a coloured leaves tunnel

Eirfan & Yuri played with the fallen leaves on the way back to the car

A pose from Yuri & Eirfan ( Eiqmal was sleeping in his stroller already )

Taken by my wife while I'm pushing Eiqmal's stroller.

A lot more shots taken here some of it are in this slideshow.

The Port of Nagoya

2009-08-20T09:51:00.005+09:00

Dec 1 - 2008

Another walk around in Nagoya... this time is the Nagoya Port... There is a lot of places to go here..but this time we just spend the evening at the garden only and wait for the big cristmas tree to be lighten up. There is a big aquarium here in Nagoya Port, a Shipping Museum as seen at the top picture, the "Fuji" icebreaker exploration ship, a playland with a big ferris wheel and an Italian Village that just being closed down due to the safety requirement failure...that's what is said in wikipedia.

We were planning to viisit here ..but...bankruped already

Us with thee X-mas tree, on the right can see the ferris whell and the aquarium is behind the X-mas tree.

Actually here in Japan they enjoyed celebrating Cristmas as a modern cultural thing... there will be a lot of X-mas tree everywhere + the colourful illumination too. Unfortunately Cristmas day is not even a public holiday here.

Everyone got thier shot with the lighten up tree

And while waiting for the sun to go down i just do some random shots with the views

Only can see some small tankers only.

Also the birds ... can't get closer that this one

Seasonal flowers perhaps... they will change it time to time

The bridge that reminds me of Yokohama

Finally the sun went down..but the ship is blocking my view for the sunset....

Eirfan & Yuri didn't want to pose for me, so only got Eiqmal for the shots...well he still can't walk yet this time.

Nagoya's Trademark

2009-08-19T15:10:00.004+09:00

Nov 23 - 2008

This was our 1st time visiting the Nagoya Castle. We decided to go there because our friends from Tokyo came and pay us a visit here in Nagoya. So what else is more Nagoya than the Nagoya Castle. Actually Nagoya Castle was rebuild after it being burn down during the world war bombing. It's an actual size replica.
The ticket was 500yen ( about 5USD ) and free for kids.
It was nice to that we also can see the autumn leaves in the castle's area too.

Just after arrived at the parking area.. we took a walk at the near by park before entering the castle's area.

Thanks to Alang & Azam for visiting us!!

Well nothing else to say about this castle..hahaha....i just enjoyed taking pictures only

This kind of "face fitting" thing is available in most places here in Japan

Yuri attracted with the "momiji" (coloured leaves)

Just before we entered the main building.. the lower floors are full with replicas and historical display and the top level is the observation floor. Can see the cityscape of Nagoya

View towards Sakae from Nagoya Castle

Unfortunately the castle close at 4:30pm, feels some kind of early but it's autumn and the sun sets early...during the sunset the castle shines in golden colour.

On the way out from the castle are we enjoyed the flowers display that being held there

And of course we did bring our friends to see the lights illumination at "Nabana No Sato" but it was on weekend and very very crowded.

Winter Illumination

2009-08-19T13:52:00.005+09:00

Nov 19 - 2008

We noticed this place after read it in "Tokai Walker" magazine and also seen the commercial on TV. The place is called "Nabana No Sato" and it's a flower farm.
For winter the farm doing the light illumination. The place is in another "ken" (state) but it's only about 30km from our place.

大きな地図で見る

The ticket is little expensive ( 2000yen per person but free for kids ) this ticket includes a 1000yen coupon for sourvenir or food to be buy at the in house shops.

My kids just after entered the place

The temperature that night was 4℃ + it was very windy too. So with all covered up we explored the place!!

Eirfan enjoyed the blue lights

Attraction No.1 the 100m long light tunnel

The main attraction for the day

My kids with the lights

Enjoying autumn

2009-08-07T15:27:00.006+09:00

15 Nov - 2008

Finally we got a car... it's a 1995's Nissan Laurel... lil bit old fashion but inside is big enough to set 3 child seats at the back seat.
As our first long(?) ride with the car, few other Malaysians at Nagoya University & Nagoya Institute of Technology student invited us to join them on a driving trip + picnic at Kourankei to enjoy the autumn leaves.

大きな地図で見る
Actually the location was only 40km++ from our place
The place that we went is at point B & A

After a couple hours of delay, all sets up for the trip with 5 cars. At the meeting point I checked the location in my map with the other guys then the drive started....
but.... in Toyota City, the 4th & our car( the 5th ) was separated with the other 3 cars at the front and we also missed the turn to Kourankei.
After arrived at the place we called the other team and they already went to the parking at point A in the map and asked us to go there too..but myself and the other car member also first time at Kourankei and the road also very crowded...we decided to park at point B and asked them to pick us up from there with other car.

At the waiting point

Finally we met with all the members.. due to it's already about 2:30pm so everyone preparing for the food

After the meal, everyone enjoyed the view and also snapping the moments here.

Eirfan playing with the sand + also trowing the stones into the river

Yuri also happy

Family picture also a must

After the group photo being shot, we decided to return to the car by foot and enjoy the rest of the view on the way back to the parking area. It's already getting dark and all the trees being lighted up. The view was superb

Walking back to the parking

And... my personal best views of the day

The Zoo near our house

2009-07-25T11:56:00.002+09:00

3rd & 9th Nov -2008

We moved to our rental apartment just beside Nagoya University on the 3rd day after we landed in Japan. Without any internet and transport it's really hard to know around without wandering around.
The good thing is that there is a zoo ( Higashiyama Zoo ) just in a walking distance from our apartment. It's about 10 to 15 minutes walking only. The entrance fee is just 500yen (±5USD) for adult and it's free for kids until 15years old. The zoo itself is really big and even got a pond that can ride the paddling boat, an amusement park that has a ferris wheel and also a botanical garden and an observation tower called Skytower but the tower is in separate fee.
My kids seems to enjoyed the zoo very much.

at the giraffe barn

On the 2nd Nov we went for the 1st time, on the 9th we went with another friend from Okayama University. He and his family came to Nagoya due to he has a conference here in Nagoya. Due to he also got a limited time to go around Nagoya, we decided to go the the zoo.

With Athif's family

Eirfan and Yuri also really get along well with his elder daughter, their 2nd daughter is about Eiqmal's age.

Slide show from flickr set

Nagoya here wecome!!

2009-07-23T23:51:00.003+09:00

Connecting fllight to Nagoya, originally uploaded by emrank.

27th Oct - 2008

Finally after 8 hours waiting, finally we are ready for our flight to Nagoya...
even we landed at Narita at 7am and there is a morning flight to Nagoya on 10am...but we cannot take that flight due the time gap are too short and we'll miss the flight if our flight from KLIA delayed or something.

In order to get on this flight , we need to go to the aeroplane by the airport bus. It was a very short flight,,, less than an hour and we landed at Chubu Centrair in Aichi.in the flight my kids got some toys from JAL too.

Eirfan pushing the bag to the arrival gate at Chubu Centrair International Airport

At the airport we been picked up by Malaysian student from Nagoya University and given a ride to the hotel in Nagoya. Finally our 26hours journey to Nagoya finished. It was a tired journey.

My kids were very tired - Royal Park Inn, Nagoya

Welcome to Japan

2009-07-21T14:58:00.004+09:00

Welcome to Japan, originally uploaded by emrank.

Oct 27 - 2008

Our flight landed at Narita Airport at 7am( Japan Time ) and the immigration procedure took about 2hours...this was due to most of international flights landed here in this time period.
when we cleared the immigration, our bags already taken off the belt and ready to be picked up.

A shot after get out of the plane

while we were resting and made a call back home, the airport police came and get some details to all the foreigners.
where are you from, why come to japan blah blah blah....

Then the boring part starts....we need to wait until 4pm and there are less thing to do to accept wait,,,,,there was no free wifi at the arrival hall too..that's was the major damage hahaha..
only registered wifi & a vending machine type internet only ( a desktop PC with a coin slot ).

Yuri's 1st meal in Japan

After had our lunch we went to the observation deck to spend some time. But the wind was soo cold makes we ran back inside after few snapshots

Back inside i gave Eirfan & Yuri their sketching pen & paper to burn the free time

next post " Nagoya here we come"

Their first time flying

2009-07-16T11:02:00.003+09:00

Eirfan's first flight, originally uploaded by emrank.

Oct 26 - 2008

This shot was taken just after we landed at KLIA from Senai Airport...
it was a short flight..about 45minutes only.... but...........
Yuri keep on crying & shouting more than half of the flight...
she was a little bit? scared maybe...she was never on other transport than a car....due to she was crying...Eirfan also join her lah...
Eiqmal also cried a bit.
The cabin attendance came and gave some sweets...only works for Eirfan... and Yuri keep on yelling "nak turun"( i wanna get down )..
due to tired crying..she fell asleep after that...
We got soo famous, thanks to Yuri hehehe
We landed on 7:30 pm.... but need to wait for the KL - NARITA flight until 11:30pm.
We decided to had some meal then headed to the boarding gate an wait there.

This what happen while we are waiting... they were tired & sleepy of course...
Eiqmal was sleeping in his stroller.
While they were sleeping i went to buy something to keep them accompany for the waiting time at Narita Airport on the next day.

The 7 hours flight went well and they also slept well ... lega rasanya ..kalau melalak jugak abis laa

The Fly Day

2009-07-14T18:08:00.005+09:00

Family - Pahang side, originally uploaded by emrank.

Oct 26 - 2008
The day that our family flew to Japan due to my wife continue her study at Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan.
Only family members from my wife side did the farewell due to my family was too far to come ... Perlis to JB is about 850km.
We took the flight from Senai Airport to KLIA then need to wait for KL - Narita in the midnight. Then wait for the next flight at the evening to Nagoya.... it was a hard schedule lor.
Also a tired one to hehehe....

Friends ( my kids daycare teachers ) also came for bye bye
At this time my kids still in the happy mood

Flickr

2009-07-14T17:58:00.001+09:00

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