Day 01: Osaka - Nara - Gifu

Arriving at Kansai International Airport was no easy feat. The plane was wobbling its way through the six hours flight and I was pretty much sandwiched between my very sleepy mother and two Japanese aunties. I couldn't get a decent sleep because of the on going announcement that goes off every now and then warning its passengers of bad weather and turbulence. So I did what any youths my age would, grab the headphone and jack up the volume. Just for that night, I was okay listening to Girls Generation.

When we did eventually emerged from the MH 052, I was surprised at how simple the airport looks and how slow the process of immigration was. More importantly, Jeffrey was our tour leader and we have a Taiwanese local guide named Ah Du. The two seems friendly enough and immediately I realized I was the youngest (and the only child) of the group. So, one can only expect to get much attention. Epic line of the day: Eh, shouldn't you be in school?

Osaka Castle Park was our first stop. I've only ever heard of this place from the text book back at IBT. You can see why this monument is important from this picture itself. The architecture work is impressive and beautiful, it is a no wonder why people flock this park to do Sakura viewing. Unfortunately for us, it has been a rather gloomy day. Raining from the beginning till 4pm. My camera was acting all dodgy as well from the dampness, but it managed to avoid disappointing me when it comes to taking the shots. 

Pretty plum blossoms decorate the park much to us, Malaysians' excitement. Sakura flowers were low in number, but Ah Du promised that there will be more to come when we go to Gifu later this week. I sure hope he's right. 

Nara Park and Kasuga Shrine was next. The park was populated with friendly deer who are not afraid of you nor your cravings for venison. I guess humans became an object that represents food to them. Why, you ask? Well, visitors of the park may purchase shika senbei (biscuits for deer) for 150 yen to mess with them. Then you'll also quickly learn how pushy hungry deer can be, I was swarmed and attacked upon sight. Oh, and I forgot to mention that these deer are messengers of the Gods according to the Shinto religion. That oughta teach you not to mess with them cervines.

I think the crispiness of the biscuits give them the natural high they don't get from eating grass. I mean, if you become vegetarian for too long without ever meaning to be, a piece of meat will set you off faster than a ticking bomb. Trust me on that note, at least I got these deer to prove it to you.

Don't let this innocent (or stupid, as mom puts it) face fool ya. Deer are notorious for aggressively chasing visitors for a piece of your senbei.

Last but not least, the almighty Todaiji Temple! Another big ancient building that houses these big old copper Buddhist statues. I did a prayer and bought my first omikuji (lucky charm) for academic success. So far, I've scored three key chains for friends (the others weren't appealing enough), may tomorrow brings in more interesting sights for us to see.

Melon pan rocks,

Vonnie S.