Oh Yeah, Oh Yeah, Oh Yeah! Hey!

14 August 2010 marks a historic beginning for the inagural Youth Olympic Games (YOG)! And yes, Singapore will walk down in history as the first host nation of the first ever YOG! Hooray!

Remember 10 Jan 2009? The date which we launched the Singapore 2010 YOG logo? That was more than a year ago! It felt like it was only yesterday when I was fretting over all the last minute preparations for the event and now, we are already in the midst of the games. 3600 young athletes competing in 26 sports all over our tiny island. How cool is that! Everyone should raise their poms poms and cheer them on! =)

To show our support for the YOG, bf and I got ourselves a place at the YOG Opening Ceremony held at the Marina Floating Platform!

Us with the YOG flag

Say hello to Lyo and Merly, the YOG mascots.

Merly & Lyo

We arrived there at 5 plus and the blazing sun was unbearable. We sat there feeling all sticky and so to distract ourselves, we dug into the goodie bags to entertain ourselves.

In there, some interesting finds include:

1. PIGEON TORCHLIGHTS

Pigeon torchlights

Fly fly...

These pigeon torchlights are very fragile. One of my pigeon’s wings broke while I was fluttering happily during the event. =( My bf’s one was perpetually lighted up and cannot be switched off… hahaha…

2. Tatoos

My bf dutifully pasted the tattoos...

3. Don’t know what this is called but I shall just call it poms poms

Cheer, cheer!

Other finds include a pathetic muffin which could barely fill anyone’s stomach, a nice handbook of some YOG information, a heart torchlight which is similar to the ones we see at NDP and so on..

After a 2 hrs wait, the ceremony finally began! It started off with a dance by a group of youths before ushering in the athletes from all over the world!

Kicking start the ceremony!

Our friends from all over the world...

The first segment of the performance was mainly focused on showcasing Singapore. At some moments, I felt that it was a NDP show that I was watching… hahaha.. Having said that, I believe our friends from all over the world enjoyed that segment, giving them a slice of Singapore’s multi-ethnic culture. The song “five stars arising” was also a nice inject into the introduction of the programme to represent how Singapore (a tiny star) rises to the challenges and tribulations since indepedence.

Showcasing our multi-ethnic country and kudos to the impressive Olympic rings...

The later parts of the programme was in my opinion, very interesting. Of which, I particularly liked the chapter on Monsters. This chapter focuses on the need for our young athletes to persevere and challenge these ‘monsters’ in their journey towards reaching their pinnacles. Beyond that, I feel that this fighting spirit also applies to other aspects of life. Be it obstacles, moments of defeatness and fear of failure, we need to constantly brace ourselves with the courage to keep fighting.

Fighting that monster in all of us!

And for the segment which I felt the most proud? It was when Singapore was called out during the flag parade that showcased all the participating countries. Everyone at the platform was filled with brimming national pride as we  jumped up from our seats and cheered as loud as we could. It was not staged, chereographed or coordinated by the cheer leaders. It was sheer pride that got everyone at the platform so overjoyed.

I was lucky to capture this shot before everyone infront of me jumped up and blocked my camera...

Here are more pictures of the other segments of the ceremony.

A nice lighted globe and beautifully flowers

The state flag

The Olympic flag

Chapter: Don't play with fire...

I guess this is a dragon...

Alas! The highlight of the night was nonetheless the lighting of the YOG cauldron. Suspense hung in the air as to who is the ultimate torch bearer. Amanda Lim was the first torch bearer for the night, coming in in a brightly lighted phoenix boat.

Together with the phoenix are dragon boats...

The torch went past the hands of a few torch bearers before it was handed over to Darren Choy, our national sailor. The platform was once again filled with the piercing screams of excitement of everyone there as Darren ran confidently across the shallow waters and lighted the cauldron! The YOG flame is finally ablaze here after 2 and a half years of preparation for this mega event! *Brimming with pride*

Handing over of the flame to Darren.

The YOG flame is burning bright!

The event ended with nonetheless beautiful fireworks that were ten times more interesting than the best I have seen!

Fireworks I

Fireworks II

Fireworks III- My fav fireworks shot for the night...

The fire is finally ablazed in Singapore! We should all savour this moment and stand proud as Singaporeans!

Our Hokkaido trip

It was our first trip together since dating for almost 4 years. Finally. =)

If I were to use one word to describe my trip, it would be “wonderful”. Although I left for this trip with much apprehension, everything turned out better than expected. The place is awesomely beautiful and the trip was well-planned. Hokkaido is such a captivating place, away from all the buzz of the city. Beautiful flowers, beautiful streets, warm-hearted people and so many more…

The tour package by five star was also very well-planned. All thanks to our Japan tour guide who helped to make this trip so awesomely memorable.

Here’s a snapshot of my beautiful trip to the land of the rising sun.

DAY 1

Day 1 was spent mostly travelling. A good whole day was spent on board the plane and by the time we reached our hotel at 10pm, we were totally famished. We had not taken our dinner and we were totally regretting not grabbing a bite before our domestic flight.

Well, but lady luck was on our side. We found a nice little restaurant right beside the hotel that we stayed that night. After dropping our luggage, we charged towards the restaurant, praying really hard that it will still be opened. Hooray, it was! Tonden saved our stomach! =)

Stomach Saviour - Tonden!!!

Yumz.... =P

Our first sushi meal at Hokkaido...

These calamari and onion rings are BIG and very NICE!

DAY 2

Our first destination was a nearby market. Typical of the Japanese, even their market is tidy and clean. The market was selling a lot of seafood, fruits and all… Nice place to catch a glimpse of where typical Japanese shop for their groceries…

You will rarely see me standing at the market.. hahaha.. =P

Giant Crab!

Lotsa crabs!

Seafood...

Melons... Yummy!

Then, we headed towards Ishiya chocolate factory. This is the place that sells the infamous Hokkaido shiroi koibito. The place is dolled up like a kiddy palace where we got to see many happy children prancing around the deamland.

Beautiful right???

So cute..

chu chu train...

The entrance into the retail shop.

3 little pigs

Love this shot... =)

Oh... The ice-cream there is really nice...

Afterwhich, we travelled to Okurayama Observatory. Sapporo was home to the 1972 winter Olympics. This ski-jump venue overlooks the city and till today, it is still in use. We took a ride up to the top of the observatory to catch a glimpse of Sapporo. That ride up got me bruised… hahaha.. Shall not share this embarrassing event on a public domain… =P

Mt Okura

Up we went...

The Olympic Rings

Bird's eye view from the observation deck...

At the top...

The day ended with shopping at the Sappora Underground shopping mall. We also took a sneak peek at the Ramen street that is said to be where Ramen was first introduced in Japan.

Ramen Street

The very narrow alley houses quite a number of ramen stalls

This stall is said to be nice.. But we were too full to have a bowl... =(

DAY 3 (–> Sounkyo)

After 2 days in Sapporo, we gradually moved towards Sounkyo. This day, we visited the Asahimaya Zoo that boasts unique enclosures of animals. This is the first time I have visited a zoo overseas. Although similar to our Singapore Zoological Garden, this zoo has a couple of rarer breeds of animals that can only be found in Hokkaido.

With this very cute sign post, off we went!

White Owl... Btw, the Japanese love owls...

I told you they love owls...

The penguins enclosure... We travelled on a travellator like those in underwater world... Nice touch to the experience.. =)

Don't ask me what breed of monkey is this because to me, they are simply monkeys... =P

I had to visit my friend... hahaha... So handsome!

My favourite animal of all time... Horse!

I bought this from the Zoo. It was irresistably adorable.. It's so fluffy, I'm gonna die... Officially, this seal soft-toy is called Fluffy...

The day ended with a visit to beautiful Sounkyo Gorge. I was mesmerised by the picturesque view of the waterfall. So silky and smooth, the waterfall was simply breathtaking.

Mt Daisetsu-zan

So beautiful...Postcard perfect!

Silky waterfall...

Then, we headed for a night stay at a ‘on-sen’ hot spring hotel. That night was exceptionally special as we were lucky to be there for the Japan’s summer festival. In celebration of the festival, fireworks were blasted into the air for a good 25 mins and being where we were, the fireworks were seemingly bursting right into our faces. So beautiful. Oh, I have to mention this. I finally went for on-sen after much persuasion from my bf. hahaha..

The on-sen hotel we stayed for the night..

Nice room...

Traditional performance in celebration of Japan's Summer Festival.

Fireworks!!

DAY 4 (–> Furano)

Day 4 was the most memorable day of my trip because I got to see many many flowers!!! I have never seen so many flowers before. You can say that I went flower crazy, but who cares.. LOL…

Sea of flowers... Pretty!

More flowers...

Nice big sunflowers... Some are almost my height...

This sunflower looks mickey-mouse like..

Sea of lavenders...

A close up shot of lavenders...

I am simply in love with flowers...

Pinku flowers

More pinku flowers

Marigorudo

We had to take a shot!

Then, we headed for Farm Tomita for more flowers. However, there weren’t as many flowers but the place is still very nice to shop around for Lavender products.

Farm Tomita

Nice hor..

We then headed for Furano Wine Winery for a tour of the place. Being a non-fan of wine, here are some shots of my visit there…

Furano Wine Winery

Wine cellar

100 years wine

Wine shop...

Next, we were off to Anpanman museum…

Anpanman shop!

Wanted to sit next to Anpanman but it was raining... =(

Anpanman museum...

Kawaii desu..

Bf posing with the baddy...

Anpanman at Mt. Fuji

I suppose this is the founder of Anpanman...

DAY 5 (–> Otaru)

Day 5 was spent at Otaru, my favourite town of the lot. Otaru is said to be the first few industrial zones in Hokkaido and boasts to romantic town in Japan. This place has its own unique appeal that is indescribable. Nestled in this little town are age-old factories, nice long canals , shops that sell glassware and many more. A really nice place..

First stop, we visited a cherry farm for cherry picking. Nice experience plucking cherries directly from the trees and eating them. =)

Nice cottage looking house where we cherry pick

Cherries... Not very sweet though

Posing with a cherry tree...

Yumz...

Nice cherries...

After cherry picking, we headed for Otaru Music Box Museum. It’s like a dreamland for everything pretty and cute. Upon stepping in there, you will feel that you have been transported back to the 18th century. Rustic looking buildings with nice little shopping outlets. If only I could spend more time at this place.

Totally love the street...

The bus is so old school...

Otaru Music Museum

My heart melted with the volume of Winnie The Pooh Music Teddies...

My favourite Pooh!

Aww.. I bought 2 of them in there...

Beautiful glass musical ornaments...

Sparkling beautiful

From the 2nd floor of Otaru Music Museum...

Brought one of these angels for my grandma...

Haha... Winnie the Pooh working hard...

For lunch, we ordered a 12,000Yen crab. We were taken aback by the size of our 1kg crab but we totally savoured the taste of freshness of this fresh catch. Yummilicious.. I think I will miss the taste of it really soon.

Our 1kg crab...

This sums up the chapter at Hokkaido… Day 6 was spent at Tokyo…

DAY 6 (–> Tokyo)

Since I have been to Tokyo before, I didn’t take many photographs. Well, the one thing that is worth mentioning is that I bought myself a Burberry Blue Label handbag from Ginza… =P Heart my new bag..

Me and my happy purchase...

Also, worth mentioning is the nicest unagi rice I have ever had… Yumz… This was our last meal in Tokyo…

oishi desu!

We topped up a plate of sashimi...

This shot is a little blur... We took a picture with the owners of this oishi unagi rice restaurant...

That’s all! Happy days often pass by too quickly.  It was an enjoyable and memorable trip and I am totally in love with Hokkaido. I would love to visit this place again. Really. Well, all good things got to come to an end. As I close this Hokkaido chapter, I am looking forward to some exciting months at work with new campaigns rolling out. Feeling re-energised and ready for whatever that comes.

As I type this entry, I am looking forward to my next trip already. Where and when shall it be? =)

HAPPY 45th BIRTHDAY SINGAPORE!!