Monday 15 August 2011

Fushimi Inari Taisha 伏見稲荷大社 - Yet Another Autumn Trip!

Fushimi Inari Taisha - One of Kyoto's oldest and most revered Shinto shrines, Fushimi Inari serves as the headquarters for all the 40,000 shrines dedicated to Inari across Japan. Originally the god of rice, Inari now governs the modern equivalent: success and prosperity in business. Fushimi Inari Shrine draws thousands of businessmen and tradespeople seeking blessings for their enterprises, especially at the first prayers of the New Year.It is also famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings.


A walking path leads through a tunnel of torii gates.
  

Dragon fountain with dippers, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kyoto, Japan


I have dreamed of taking my daughters to Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine in Kyoto since I read about it few years ago. I have photos of them running up the steep hillside heading to the fox statues. These photos are above and beyond glorious.


Foxes are thought to be Inari's messengers, resulting in many fox statues across the shrine grounds.


The fall colors of Fushimi Inari, Kyoto. When the sun rays hit the red momoji leaves and make them glitter warmly.


Our trip was coming to an end, but our happy times were just beginning!


Lunch in Kyoto.





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Sunday 14 August 2011

Memburu Jerung Putih Pembunuh : Saya Sahut Cabaran Ke Osaka !


Kedamaian Pulau Amity kini tidak seperti dahulu.Ada sesuatu di perut lautan pulau tersebut yang mula menyerang pengunjung yang selalu bermandi manda di persisiran pantai di situ.Kini, ketakutan penduduk setempat mula menjadi mimpi ngeri apabila beberapa keping gambar tersebar mengenai amukan seekor jerung putih "monster" (Great White Shark) yang mengganas dan membaham mangsa terbaru.Saya diberitahu tawaran hampir RM10,000 akan diberikan kepada sesiapa yang dapat menangkap monster tersebut - "Dead or Alive' !

Ini peluang terbaik saya untuk merebut tawaran tersebut dan saya tidak akan melepaskan peluang ini. Walaupun ada sedikit perasaan takut dibaham jerung,saya percaya kebarangkalian untuk jerung putih menyerang manusia secara spontan adalah amat kecil.



Misi pemburuan saya bermula dari Pulau Langkawi ke Singapura sebelum meneruskan perjalanan ke Jepun dengan pesawat Singapore Airlines. Penerbangan awal pagi (0115hrs) tersebut memerlukan masa hampir 7 jam sebelum pesawat mendarat di lapangan terbang Kansai di Osaka Jepun.Walaupun saya telah beberapa kali pergi memancing di lautan Jepun, ternyata saya lebih "excited" dengan trip kali ini.


Saya sampai di Pelabuhan Amity,Osaka pada awal pagi musim panas dan keadaan di situ cukup tenang seolah tiada apa apa yang berlaku. Namun selepas berbual dengan penduduk tempatan, saya diberitahu yang mereka pernah terserempak dengan jerung tersebut yang masih lagi kelihatan berlegar legar di kawasan terumbu tidak jauh dari pelabuhan.  


Bukti nyata.Tawaran wang tunai USD3000 ( Hampir RM10,000) akan diberikan kepada sesiapa yang dapat menumpaskan jerung tersebut .Hati saya mula berdebar debar untuk memburu jerung pembunuh itu.


Akhirnya jerung "monster" tersebut berjaya didaratkan.Terbukti ianya bukan calang calang jerung.Laporan menyatakan yang berat ikan tersebut hampir mencecah 1000 kilogram !


Sekeluarga bergambar bersama jerung yang berjaya ditangkap.
Kenangan yang cukup manis dan pasti tidak akan dapat dilupakan.


Untuk pengetahuan umum, cerita diburu dan memburu jerung "monster" ini bukanlah aksi sebenar di luar sana. Ianya hanyalah cerita rekaan didalam Studio JAWS Universal Studios Osaka sewaktu lawatan saya tempoh hari di sana. Plot cerita-cerita tersebut adalah adaptasi dari filem JAWS terbitan Universal Pictures tahun 1975  lakonan Roy Scheider di bawah arahan Steven Spielberg.

 Filem seram ngeri JAWS ini betul-betul meninggalkan kesan yang mendalam terhadap saya selepas saya menonton buat kali pertama pada tahun 1984.Ini kerana pada satu ketika saya cukup takut untuk berenang di pantai pantai percutian kerana terbayangkan serangan ngeri ikan jerung dalam filem tersebut.


Poster asli filem "blockbuster" tersebut.Adakah anda masih ingat ?


Universal Studios Osaka. Walaupun tiket masuk mencecah ratusan ringgit , ianya memang berbaloi ! Kepada yang belum pernah sampai, anda boleh melihat sendiri aksi aksi serangan jerung tersebut di video bawah :) 








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Nijo Jo (二条城 ) - Bukti Kegemilangan Tokugawa Shogunate.

Saya banyak menerima permintaan daripada sesetengah pembaca terutamanya pelajar yang mahukan blog saya dialih bahasakan ke bahasa melayu agar ianya mudah difahami.Untuk pengetahuan umum, pengalaman saya di Nijo Jo,Kyoto ataupun Istana Nijo di Kyoto Jepun  ini pernah saya tulis di blog lama saya (Samuraiblues.Com) pada tahun 2010.
Tetapi oleh kerana masalah teknikal, ianya masih gagal di buka sehingga hari ini.
Oh Ya, saya sertakan di sini beberapa keping gambar dari lawatan tersebut untuk dikongsi bersama. Ternyata, keindahan istana tersebut tidak ubah seperti di dalam gambar "Shogun" lakonan Richard Chamberlain dan Toshiro Mifune yang cukup "meletup" dipanggung pada awal tahun 80'an dahulu.  


Naomi dan Sachiko sibuk memikirkan ke mana arah tuju kami selepas ini. Gambar diatas di ambil di bukit bersebelahan Nijo Jo pada lewat petang musim luruh di Kyoto. 


Setelah hampir seluruh pelusuk Nijo Jo diterokai , ternyata lantai  "Nightingale" adalah satu ciri keselamatan yang cukup unik. Ini kerana lantai di dalam istana ini akan mengeluarkan satu bunyi yang unik seperti burung "Nightingale" sekiranya di pijak dan bunyi bunyi tersebut secara tidak langsung adalah amaran untuk penghuni istana menandakan ada musuh cuba menyeludup masuk.


Nijo Jo dibina pada tahun 1601 dan siap sepenuhnya pada tahun 1626 pada zaman pemerintahan Tokugawa. Halaman utama Nijo Jo pernah terbakar hangus pada tahun 1750 akibat panahan kilat dan tahun 1788 , ianya terbakar sekali lagi akibat kebakaran besar Bandar Kyoto. Namun, usaha pemulihan berjaya dilakukan pada tahun 1893.Untuk pengetahuan umum, lokasi Nijo Jo yang bersebelahan jalan utama ini menjadikan ianya salah satu tempat yang cukup mudah untuk dilawati. 


Salah satu menara kawalan di Nijo Jo. Kemungkinan besar ini adalah menara yang pernah dipenuhi oleh unit pemanah samurai pada zaman medival. Perhatikan juga dinding batu di tebing sungai tersebut.Adalah hampir mustahil untuk pihak musuh memasuki istana tersebut tanpa mengharungi kesusahan dan halangan.       


Erika hampir sesat bermain di dalam Nijo Jo kerana kagum dengan kecantikkan dan keindahan istana ini terutamanya pada musim luruh. Anda dapat melihat daun-daun Gingkyo ataupun "icho" yang gugur berteraburan diatas rumput di dalam gambar diatas.


Nana juga tidak melepaskan peluang untuk bergambar di Nijo Jo.




 Interested parties are welcomed to reproduce or quote materials published in this blog
All images copyright © Langkawi Ink.Com. All rights reserved.


Interested parties are welcomed to reproduce or quote materials published in this blog with the condition  that they are credited to http://hasnulyakin.blogspot.com/ to avoid
misunderstanding. Thank you.
 with the condition  that they are credited to
http://hasnulyakin.blogspot.com/ to avoid misunderstanding.Thank you.

Thursday 11 August 2011

Rich Green & Pure Streams of Adogawa River,Shiga Japan.


I am back again to Shiga for a visit to Adogawa River !
The mountain village started changing from cherry blossoms to fresh green season when I was there. The main stream of Adogawa River is light, open stream and shallow.This river is mostly fishing area of Ayu (Sweet fish). 


Kutsuki - Green Park "Omoide No Mori Suguinoko"
Shiga Prefecture has a wide range of sporting and leisure activities to offer, from rugby,football and skiing. 


My Best Streams
 I would still like to thank that I had good time in the beautiful streams and nature.

  
Rich Green & Pure Streams of Adogawa
The Adogawa River bends to the east at Ichiba village and flows into Lake Biwa.


Local Method
Ayu's fishing at Adogawa River.


Little Mermaids
Nana & Erika enjoying the cold stream of Adogawa River.


A Family Photograph. 
The stream that flows near some villages here is a shallow flow  and it is possible a heaven for trout fishing as well.


Lunch of The Day.
A delicous bento set ! 


Going Home
It will take about an hour journey from my house in Kyoto to reach here by car.




Interested parties are welcomed to reproduce or quote materials published in this blog with the condition  that they are credited to http://hasnulyakin.blogspot.com/ to avoid misunderstanding.Thank you.

Test Shot - New AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1.8G


Test shot taken with the new AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1.8G prime lens from Nikon. It appears that the actual speed that the focus ring turns is the same between the 1.8 and the 1.4.  However, because the f1.8 is about half that of the f1.4 in focus distance, the lens gives more of a quick snap to focus feel. This makes the new G lens a great performer and an overall better lens than it's predecessor.

Teru Chan @ D3000 Nikkor 50mm f1.8G,  f1.8  ISO200

Teru Chan @ D3000 Nikkor 50mm f1.8G,  f1.8  ISO200

Gonbei Chan @ D3000 Nikkor 50mm f1.8G,  f1.8  ISO200




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Saturday 30 July 2011

Exorcism and Exorcists: Is It Real ?



The Demon's Trap.


Few days back I was watching the movie -" The Exorcism of Emily Rose" and "The Omen" . At the same time I've read Wanda Pratnicka's "Possessed by Ghosts - Exorcisms in the 21st Century and I agree with her findings of which she claimed that :
  1. The sicknesses of the ghost pass over to the person possessed;
  2. The presence of ghosts brings about powerful mood swings from strong negative emotional outbursts through to profound depression. Ghosts can provoke the possessed person to forms of behavior which are not in the person's character, e.g. aggression, violence etc. If a trait like that already exists in a person it will be intensified considerably by the ghost;
  3. Ghosts frequently persuade the possessed to commit suicide or murder;
  4. Ghosts have a powerful influence on the psyche, provoking mental illnesses. I dare say that the majority of mental illnesses is caused by the presence of ghosts in a person;
  5. Ghosts can influence behavior and lead people to dependence on alcohol, drugs as well as to many other unwanted acts.
By the way, what is Exorcism ? According to Supernatural Wiki -Exorcism is the act of driving out or warding off demons from persons, places or things that are possessed or infested by them, or are liable to become victims or instruments of their malice. During the exorcism ritual, a solemn and authoritative adjuration of the demon is applied in the name of God or any of the higher powers to which the demon is subject.

But in Islam, exorcism is already part of Islamic beliefs since its beginning. Islamic clergy caution against the overuse of exorcism, citing that most cases are due to psychological and physical causes mistaken for possession. Real cases of possession are rare and the faithful are warned to watch out for exorcists who encourage a diagnosis of possession too quickly, as they may merely be seeking profit.



Google Images



There is a few tips offered before contacting an Exorcist:

It is better to make Ruqiah for yourself without contacting any exorcists however if you choose to contact an exorcist, please be advised that not everybody who claims to cure using the Quran is a righteous Sheikh, some are sorcerers who seek worldly benefits by their lies, here is how you could tell if they are sorcerers:

- If they ask for your mother's name, then definitely avoid them, only sorcerers ask for that
- If they say they have righteous Jinn helping them, then leave them, there is absolutely no way to know if a Jinn is righteous or devil, it would be a devil tricking the exorcists or more common he is a sorcerer seeking devils help
- If they write any symbols or unreadable text with or without some verses of the Quran, then leave them
- If they use sands in anyway (writing on it, hitting it, walking over it, etc.)
- If they ask you to do weird things like slaughtering a black animal or carrying some talismans with you all the time or hiding them in far places
- If they don't attend the regular prayers at the Masjid, usually sorcerers like to be alone, so please ask about them in the Masjid before contacting them.
- If they demand lots of money for their service, then leave them, usually righteous exorcists do this service for free and don't accept gifts in exchange, some of them however charge reasonable amount of money for their time to be able to help others   












Thursday 28 July 2011

Durian Perangin Waterfalls - Langkawi, Malaysia.

 The main attraction of Durian Perangin Waterfalls is the attractive 14-tier waterfall that cascades down from the slopes of nearby Gunung Raya. The unique rock formation found around this area makes the place suitable for picnics and relaxing dips in the cool, clear water. Every tier of the waterfall has its own natural attributes which makes these natural pools unique.

This waterfall is located on the northern slope of Gunung Raya, the highest mountain of Langkawi. Still, the water flow is seasonal and the fall can best be visited during the rainy season (September-October). Access is easy and clearly signposted
.
  

The durians in "Durian Perangin" waterfalls are dropping at its peak. It will be all over in a week or so. I should camped overnight determined not to miss out...heheh! 



My Precious....Durian! 


The Durian Perangin Waterfall is one such natural geological beauty on this mystical .
This waterfall is considered a great picnic spot by the locals and is regarded as the “third easiest” waterfall on the island.


We spent for few hours there.We saw lots of durian tree and got it for free!



The Durian Perangin area houses a wide variety of flora and fauna such as this money plant creepers.


In Malaysia, the rambutan generally fruits twice a year, the first, main crop in June and a lesser one in December.You can bought it for only RM2 a kilo.


Sleepy Hollow Town. Gunung Raya views at the top are spectacular when it is not enveloped in clouds.By the way, you can actually drive to go up there.

*****

Getting There From Langkawi Itself And From Other Parts Of Malaysia

By Air:

There are daily direct flights from KL on Malaysia Airlines and the budget airline,
AirAsia.

By Boat:

You can also take a boat from Kuala Kedah to Langkawi. The journey will take 1 hour and 15 minutes.

If you are starting your journey from Kuala Perlis, the journey will be around 45 minutes. Alternatively, if you are on Penang Island, you can also take the ferry from Pena to Langkawi. Take note, there are only two daily trips from Penang to Langkawi and both depart around 8am and 8.30am. The journey will take around 2 1/2 hours.

By Road:

From KL, take the North South Expressway and head north to Kedah. Then, take the Interchange 177 (Alor Setar Selatan exit) and proceed to Teluk Kechai and onwards to Kuala Kedah.

From Kuala Kedah, take the ferry to Langkawi island as mentioned above. On Langkawi, head towards Gunung Raya. Durian Perangin is located at the foot of Gunung Raya, just off the road (on the left as you head northward) to Kampung Air Hangat (Kampung is the Malay word for “village”).

By Rail:

There is a rail link that runs from KL to Alor Setar and Arau town in Kedah. From there, you can take a taxi or a bus to Kuala Kedah or Kuala Perlis and catch a ferry to the island.





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Sunday 24 July 2011

Beauty & The Beast

I think my wife loves my cat more than she loves me.I took this photo of her when Gonbei (my 8kg cat) was playing in the yard of my house.By the way, the community cat always preferred me to either of the girls of the house, despite the fact I didn't often do the feeding ...Heh :)


Gonbei with Naomi


Mikei Chan with Naomi





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Another Perfect Wedding Reception.

Check out the simply stylish decor Adrian and Joline incorporated into their wedding day at Berjaya Resort Langkawi, Malaysia. Can't think of any unique wedding decorations ideas? Then take a gander at some these and enjoy !

 Nikon D3000 + Nikkor 50mm 1.8G — 1/800 sec, f/1.8, ISO 200


 Nikon D3000 + Nikkor 50mm 1.8G — 1/1000 sec, f/8, ISO 200


 Nikon D3000 + Nikkor 50mm 1.8G — 1/600 sec, f/2.8, ISO 200


 Nikon D3000 + Nikkor 50mm 1.8G — 1/800 sec, f/1.8, ISO 200


Nikon D3000 + Nikkor 50mm 1.8G — 1/800 sec, f/1.8, ISO 200


 Nikon D3000 + Nikkor 50mm 1.8G — 1/1000 sec, f/2.8, ISO 200


 Nikon D3000 + Nikkor 50mm 1.8G — 1/800 sec, f/4, ISO 200


Nikon D3000 + Nikkor 50mm 1.8G — 1/1000 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200






Interested parties are welcomed to reproduce or quote materials published in this blog with the condition  that they are credited to http://hasnulyakin.blogspot.com/ to avoid misunderstanding.Thank you.