Thank you for the 365 days that we've shared together. It was really a memorable one. Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there were numerous blessings and travel that came into my life. But the biggest one is that I finally reunited with my wife and daughter after months of separation.
Let's look back and see what milestones we've crossed and achieved this year.
1. This year, there were 94 published articles (34 more than last year 😄😄).
2. I have reached 3.1 million views (That's 500K new views this year). 3. My wife and daughter safely arrived in Hokkaido thus completing #TeamNicerio once again.
4. I finished my Master of Business Administration degree from San Pedro College of Business Administration.
5. My family and I bought a Suzuki Swift car we named Ruru.
6. My family and I got to travel around Hokkaido Prefecture. We visited 74 of the prefecture's 179 cities, towns, and villages.
7. I visited 4 new prefectures in Japan this year; Mie, Okayama, Hiroshima, and Ehime.
Speaking of travels, here are the highlights of my travels for each month last year:
Todaiji ( 東大寺 ) , an iconic symbol of Japan’s rich cultural and historical legacy, has been a significant destination for our family. Our initial visit on January 3, 2015 , was an awe-inspiring experience, and returning on December 21, 2019 , with my parents and siblings only deepened our appreciation. Most recently, on January 11, 2023 , which marked my 436th day in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme , we had the pleasure of revisiting this magnificent temple. Each visit has offered a unique perspective on Todaiji ’s enduring grandeur. Todaiji Todaiji Details Todaiji , located in Nara Park, is renowned for its historical significance and architectural splendor. Established in 728 and completed in its current form in 752, the temple was originally built to symbolize the power of the imperial family and the Buddhist faith. It is home to the Great Buddha (Daibutsu) , a colossal bronze statue standing over 15 meters tall, which is one of Japan’s most revered icons. Todaiji - ...
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Nestled in the picturesque district of Arashiyama, Kyoto, the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove ( 嵐山竹林の小径 ) also referred to as Arashiyama Bamboo Forest remains one of Japan's most enchanting natural attractions. The dense, towering bamboo stalks, swaying gently in the breeze, create a serene and almost otherworldly atmosphere that captivates visitors from around the globe. Having experienced this mesmerizing location multiple times, I've come to appreciate its timeless beauty from various perspectives. Arashiyama Bamboo Grove - Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture My first visit to Arashiyama Bamboo Grove was during my 2018 trip to Japan with my wife and daughter. We were drawn by the grove's reputation as a must-see destination, and it certainly lived up to the hype. As we meandered along the winding paths, we were enveloped by the soothing rustle of bamboo leaves and the dappled sunlight filtering through the green canopy. The experience was as magical as it w...
10 Things to Do in Uji City Uji ( 宇治市 ) is the second largest city in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan . Uji City was founded in 1951. The city is known for being the setting of the final chapters of The Tale of Genji by the 11th-century author Murasaki Shikubi. The kanji used for its name u ( 宇 ) means “space or universe” and ji ( 治 ) means “to govern or to manage”. For those planning to visit the city to check what it has to offer, here are the 10 Things to Do in Uji City: Uji City manhole cover 1. Take a picture of the manhole cover of Uji City . So far, I have seen 1 unique manhole cover. It is common around the city. Uji Bridge 2. Take a picture and cross the historic Uji Bridge ( 宇治橋 ) . It is one of the three oldest bridges in all of Japan. The bridge was also featured in many Japanese works of art and literature, the most popular of which was “The Tale of Genji”. Byodoin Omotesando 3. Shop for matcha and souvenirs at numerous stores located at the Byodoin Omotesando ( 平等...
Kamay ni Hesus Shrine, or simply Kamay ni Hesus is a famous religious shrine and grotto. It is l ocated in Barangay Tinamnan, Lucban in the province of Quezon. Kamay ni Hesus Shrine Kamay ni Hesus Shrine History Also known as Via Dolorosa Grotto , Kamay ni Hesus Shrine was built under the initiative of Fr. Joseph "Joey" Faller in 2003. He is known as a gifted healing priest. Due to Fr. Faller's healing masses, Kamay ni Hesus Shrine became one of the country's most visited healing centers. Kamay ni Hesus Shrine - Lucban, Quezon Statues of saints can be seen in different areas of Kamay ni Hesus Shrine A replica of Pieta by Michelangelo Pilgrims look like ants from a distance. Kamay ni Hesus Healing Church Inside the Kamay ni Hesus Healing Church One of the highlights of Kamay ni Hesus Shrine is the 50-foot statue of Christ with his arm wide open found on the top of a hill. This statue is often referred to as the Risen Christ or Ascending ...
Located in 1 Kujo-cho, Minami-ku, Kyoto City in Kyoto Prefecture, Toji or Toji Temple ( 東寺 ) is one of the 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites of Kyoto City. Toji ( 東寺 ) Toji History Toji was founded in 796, two years after the capital was moved from Nara to Heian-kyo (old name of Kyoto). The temple was one of the two guardian temples that were built on the main entrances of the Imperial Capital. To-ji , which means " East Temple ", was the guardian temple of the East while its sister temple Sai-ji , which means " West Temple " was the guardian temple of the West. This temple stood alongside the Rashomon which is the gate to the Heian capital. Sadly, Sai-ji burnt down in 990, rebuilt, and was ravaged by fire again in 1233. It was never rebuilt after. The Toji Kondo as seen from the Nandaimon (gate) I got to visit Toji during the Kobi-ichi (flea market) Check out the items you might want to bring home. Toji was formerly known as Kyo-o-gokaku-ji or...
Located along Daang Hari in the City of Las Piñas, Fernbrook Gardens also known as Palazzo Verde is one of the most popular wedding venues in the country. Fernbrooks Gardens / Palazzo Verde Most people would contest that Fernbrook Gardens should be included in the Visita Iglesia section of my blog because regular church services are conducted in its chapel which is also known as Notre Dame de Vie Chapel . Fernbrook Gardens - Las Pinas City Inside the Notre Dame de Vie Chapel Fernbrook Gardens has its own chapel but the chapel is just a small part of its venue. Overall, this place is more of a venue, than a pilgrimage site. The beautiful fountain as seen from the chapel The fountain as seen from the entrance Having fun with the trumpeters Issues aside, Fernbrook Gardens would surely captivate visitors with its fantasy-like ambiance. Its greenhouse-like structure shows a unique contemporary architectural design. Aside from t...
Located in Rosario in the province of Cavite, Casa Hacienda de Tejeros is famously known as the location of the historic Tejeros Convention of 1897. Casa Hacienda de Tejeros Casa Hacienda de Tejeros history Casa Hacienda de Tejeros was originally built in the 17th century. The hacienda and its surrounding lands were formerly owned by the Augustinian Recollects. The estate was once the largest and grandest estate in the country. It once covered as much as 1,125 hectares with the casa occupying 4 hectares of it. Casa Hacienda de Tejeros - Rosario, Cavite The NHI Marker of the Casa Hacienda de Tejeros The name tejeros came from the Spanish name tejer , which means "to weave". It's due to the fact that the weaving industry is one of the major industries of the municipality of Rosario. Going back to its historical importance, Casa Hacienda de Tejeros played an important role in 1897 when it hosted the assembly that the new leaders of the revolution were elected. ...
Sanjo Bridge ( 三条大橋 ) is one of the oldest and historical bridges in Kyoto City. It is located at Ohashicho, Higashiyama Ward in Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture in Japan . Sanjo Bridge Sanjo Bridge Details The precise date of the original construction of the Sanjo Bridge remains unknown. However, historical records indicate that Toyotomi Hideyoshi ordered repairs to the bridge in 1590. Notably, one of the bridge's original giboshi (ornamental, onion-shaped posts found on bridges, shrines, and temples in Japan) bears a distinctive cut, believed to have been inflicted during the Ikedaya Incident, an event associated with a nearby inn. Sanjo Bridge - Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture The bridge as it stands today—a concrete structure featuring two traffic lanes and pedestrian paths on either side—was constructed in 1950. Over the centuries, the Sanjo Bridge has undergone several reconstructions due to flood damage and other factors. The most recent reconstruction occurred in 195...
Our adventurous feet take us to the historical town of Maragondon in the province of Cavite. Today, we'll be hiking a historical yet controversial mountain - Mt. Buntis . Mt. Buntis Mt. Buntis Details: Mt. Buntis stands 280 meters above sea level (MASL). The name " buntis " is a Filipino word that means pregnant. To find out why it was named as such, I asked our guide who sadly seems to know nothing about it. Then I recalled that a few years back, I hiked another mountain near Mt. Buntis called Mt. Nagpatong . The name " nagpatong ", by the way, means to lie on top of somebody... I would love to share my own interpretation of how these mountains got their names but the story tends to be perverted in some way so I'd skip that part. Barangay Caingin Barangay Hall Don't forget to register Going back, despite its "shortage in elevation", Mt. Buntis remains one of the well-known mountains in the Philippines. This is brought by ...
Weekend 63: January 14 – 15, 2023 Day 439: January 14, 2023 Saturday – A Day in Sapporo Complimentary breakfast at Comfort Hotel Sapporo Good morning, everyone. It’s the final few days of our Winter Vacation. Today, we plan to explore Sapporo City before heading back home to Rumoi City. However, before that, we had our complimentary breakfast at the Comfort Hotel Sapporo . After our sumptuous meal, we went back to our room and did our final preparations before checking out. Susukino Station One of the first things that we did was rent a locker to leave our things in. In this way, we could explore the city more conveniently. Saw this cool Lego display at the station Time to board the subway to our next destination From the hotel, we went to Susukino Station and bought the Donichika Ticket . We then boarded the subway going to Odori Station . We then transferred to the train going to Oyachi Station . Before leaving the station, Ella and I did not miss getting the eki stamp of th...
It seems like your 2022 was full of adventures. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I hope this year would be better than last year.
DeleteCongratulations on your achievements this year dude.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot!
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