Gyoo

Very sunny Sunday. A perfect weather to go to Hiratsuka, about one hour from Tokyo. July 7th is known as Tanabata matsuri, the Star festival, and Hiratsuka during 4 days is one of the most famous city in Japan for this festival.

The festival traces its origins to a legend that the Cowherd Star (Altair) and Weaver Star (Vega), lovers separated by the Milky Way, are allowed to meet just once a year – on the seventh day of the seventh month.

Streets are decorated with lanterns and colourful streamers, and bamboo poles festooned with paper strips inscribed with wishes (tanzaku), origami, talismans and coloured threads are erected along the streets and outside homes. Have a look at the pictures.

If you are interested in contemporary art but don’t know how to start, this exhibition is for you. Personal collections of several private collectors in Japan are exhibited, and the collectors are explaining why they have been attracted by such a collection. This exhibition takes place in Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery in Nishi-Shinjuku, until July 11th. Nearest station is Hatsudai, on New Keio Line.

All the pictures of the week-end with my team in Korea three weeks ago.

The pictures of my trip in Australia two months ago are now online.

I arrived in Hong Kong on Saturday evening, after about 9 hours of airplane from Sydney.

I droped my baggages in my hotel in Causeway Bay, and around midnight I joined my friends living in Hong Kong in Wan Chai, in front of Joe Bananas, a quiete famous pub. They introduced to me the night life in Hong Kong. We went from bar to bar in Lan Kwai Fong until 6h in the morning.

On Sunday morning, I waked up around 9h to try to visit as much as possible Hong Kong. My flight for Tokyo is taking off at 15h. Bye bye Hong Kong …

My airplane for Hong Kong is taking off around 16h.

In the morning, I’m going to the flea market in the Rocks. I’m feeling like in a French South city here. Very nice.

Today I have been to Manly by ferry. It’s a nice area, with a busy main street.

When I came back to Sydney, I went to shopping. I have been seducted by a Didjeridu I bought from a friendly Lebanese guy on Pitt Street.

In the evening I’m meeting Nicolas in a pub, for my last night in Australia.

I’m visiting the Sydney Opera House, one of the world’s most important modern buildings. I’m spending time in the Royal Botanical Garden, bit impressive with the numerous bats living here. Art Gallery of New South Wales is my next destination. Very interesting gallery where aboriginal art and contemporary art are sharing the same space.

After I was shopping in Queen Victoria Building, when I saw Yuko! Australia is finally a very small country! I hope to see you again in Japan.

In the evening, I’m joining Nicolas, Sylvain and Marion, Sylvain’s girlfriend. Another coincidence, Marion was in the same “classe prepa” than me about 10 years ago in France.

When I was in my hotel, I was checking the news on Internet and read this terrible news: in Spain this morning, about 200 innocent people have been killed by Al-Qaida terrorist attacks against trains. When it will be finished ?

I’m going to Lone Pine Koala sanctuary today, near from Brisbane. I’m in Australia since more than 10 days now and I haven’t yet seen any Koala, so visiting this zoo was really necessary. I’m feeling Australia here ! Feeding the Kangaroos was a great experience.

At 20h00, I’m catching my air plane to go to Sydney. After deposing my baggages at Westend CB Backpackers, I’m meeting Nicolas – one of my coworkers in Sydney. Again a long day and a short night…

From Brisbane, a 75 minute cruise across Moreton Bay brings you to Moreton Island, a close second to Fraser Island for excellent sand-driving and wilderness.

I go to Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort for this day, to practice quad and snorkelling. And in the evening the event is on the jetty. It was the first time for me I’ll be able to feed dolphins…