Colin Gallagher's Blog
November 19, 2023
Changing Places
I can no longer justify paying 250 Euros + a year for a blog I don’t write on anymore.
This website will be archived at http://surprisinghorizons0.wordpress.com
It’s been a blast but I never hit the blogging stride I wanted to hit and as the world got more into 5 second soundbites, my blog got more and more left behind.
Cheers to the good old days when writing was an art form.
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August 5, 2021
Research Paper Writing Services – Locating the Right Composing Service
Are you having difficulty writing a fantastic research paper? Do you realize that you’re not making progress towards your desired result? If you’re then you may wish to think about utilizing a study paper writing service to assist you write a successful, well researched newspaper. But, it is necessary to realize that not all of research paper writing companies are all created equal. The following guide will help you compare the different writing services offered and find the perfect one for your particular requirements.
Most services provide online research paper writing, which permits users to make a manuscript and read it back on line. Although this sort of writing support has many advantages, there is also the potential for having poor quality work on the internet. To assist you avoid this problem, you need to get a respectable company that offers online editing and information as well as an online journal editor.
The best services use both freelance authors and specialist editors to make certain your paper is completely researched and well composed. You will have the ability to do all of the work with the professionals on hand to help direct you. You have narrowed down your choices to only a few reliable research paper writing firms but are unsure exactly what you could anticipate. The more advantages that the provider provides, the greater the likelihood of being selected.
While the price of research papers may fluctuate greatly, it is essential to get a company which supplies a reasonable price for the quality work they supply. It is likewise essential to find a writing service which provides a fantastic guarantee on their work. These solutions are often just licensed to provide you editing and proofreading solutions, and frequently charge a small fee for every one of these services.
The very best method to locate a fantastic research paper writing service will be by way of mouth. Speak to friends and colleagues who had used an agency in the past and ask them about their expertise with them. If they had been happy with the job, then you can make certain that you will be happy with your writing services for years to come. Although this system of study may be a little time consuming, it’s the quickest and simplest way to find a dependable company. And save time and money in the process.
No matter what method of writing you decide to complete your research papers, you can be assured that the service will be carried out professionally, accurately and in a timely manner. By utilizing an effective research paper writing service, you’ll be able to complete your project in a shorter period of time than if you had to do it all https://www.paperwritings.com/assignment/ by yourself.
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College Paper Writing Service
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Employing a college paper writing service can help a good deal, provided that they have the right tools. If they don’t have the ideal tools, they should not be utilized. It is also possible to get help from people that you know who have written documents before.
Do not forget you will need a writer if you compose a lot of papers. This writer shouldn’t only be great at spelling, but at making paragraphs flow. They ought to have the ability to express themselves clearly, without over-complication. The school paper writing service which you select should also have the ability to communicate with you clearly. If you cannot see what they are writing, you might not know what they’re communicating with.
If your target is to impress your professors, the faculty paper writing service that you use should be simple to comprehend, and you’ll be able to understand the message the author is trying to ship. In the assignment. In case you have any questions or queries, you can reach the writers by telephone or email.
A good idea is to come across a writer who can use deadlines. This author has to be instantaneous so the papers are completed in a timely manner. A fantastic way to learn if a faculty writing support will deliver on their promises is by studying the customer’s reviews and feedback.
Finding a good school paper writing service will take a good deal of effort and time, but the rewards to you and your college will be well worth it. You will have the ability to select some opportunity to do your personal research and also to work alone or with a staff that has worked together earlier. The end result will probably be better posts than you could have done all on your own. Good luck.
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June 7, 2021
Japanese KitKat Flavors
When I knew I was going to move to Japan I also knew that I would eat all the Japanese KitKat flavors I could get my hands on. This post is part one of many in my adventures chomping my way through the myriad of Japanese Kitkat flavors.
Most of the flavors are based around white chocolate as that is, I’m assuming, easier to manipulate flavor wise than milk or dark chocolate – with some exceptions. Let’s begin.
Sweet PotatoDoesn’t really taste of potato but has some notes through each nibble that reminds you slightly of the mighty spud. Or its lesser sweeter cousin in this case. White chocolate flavours abound with this one.
This was a Halloween special. You can get several flavors that have been released in the past on Amazon JP still. This was quite nice with the apple flavor complimenting the white chocolate shell. Also purple for some reason.
You can taste the alcohol on first sniff followed by the unmistakable flowery Sakura (cherry blossom) taste that is ever present in a range of foods around Sakura blossoming season. Not one to binge but pleasant nonetheless.
There are a bunch of matcha flavored KitKats hanging around the shelves at any given time in Japan. This is just one of them. Yes, it tastes quite strongly of matcha. A flavor I’ve grown to appreciate, not entirely love, whilst living in Japan.
Exactly what it sounds like. Salty caramel but this time in little niblet sized offerings! Nice to have a few with a coffee or tea I would expect.
Tastes exactly like cheese cake and like cheese cake you couldn’t eat a lot of these as the flavor is quite strong and overpowering.
Shingen Mochi is a roasted soybean flour mochi (small rice cake thing) with brown sugar syrup. Never had one. But I’ve eaten the Kit-Kat now. Tastes of brown sugar with a hint of roasted-ness. Mostly. I can’t remember what normal Kit-Kats taste like anymore.
Yes, has a somewhat cheap sparkling wine taste. Perfect for dessert. And with wine.
They certainly like to belt out the cheesecake variants. This one was fine again with a strong cheesecake kick.
Probably the most bizarre combo I came across. The two flavors work well together with the melon flavor winning the “smash your taste buds” fight.
Really sweet. Really peachy. A one stick at a time taste lest you get peach overload.
I really like mango flavored anything. And mangos. This was nice and quite balanced.
I’m not 4 years old. Physically. So this profile is not my favorite. Give me pure strawberry any day, this flavour leans too much on the milky milky.
Roasted tea leaf flavoured. Not good. Too overpowered with the roasted…bit.
As these were nibble sized bites, it’s seems easier to manage any sort of weird flavour profiles. This flavour is quite nice, though, perfume-y sweet potato but not overly so.
Love chocolate mint. These are great. What makes them premium? I have no clue, probably a better quality of chocolate perhaps.
Plum flavored. Really nice. Can’t really equate it to a plummish flavor but it’s sweet and tangy.
One of the few based around milk chocolate as opposed to white. Not bad but a bit muted with both caramel and banana being quite understated and the milk chocolate battling it out for supremacy in the flavour profile.
Yeah, a bit much for me. Definitely peachy but I don’t know about the parfait variable. Not a fan but nothing too nasty.
One of my favorites among all Japanese Kitkat flavors, if not my favorite. Such a nice balance between the green tea and tiramisu flavours. Very more-ish. I will buy again.
One of the latest releases out there in 2021. You get a very digestive biscuit vibe from each bite and it’s quite a pleasant snack. Supposed to be healthier…..hahahahahhhaa. Yeah…. This is one that is quite mainstream and has been on supermarket shelves alongside the normal KitKat flavor for quite some time.
Stay tuned for more Japan KitKat flavors as I have a cupboard full.
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May 18, 2021
Viewing Mount Fuji from Fujiyoshida
Being the tallest mountain in Japan and the seventh-highest peak on an island on Earth, you can spy Mount Fuji from many vantage points in Japan. Viewing Mount Fuji from Fujiyoshida is relatively easy if you get a clear day. Here are the best places in Fujiyoshida to view Mount Fuji from. If it’s not cloudy or raining, that is. We were fortunate for our two days that Mount Fuji was visible; albeit a little hazy.
The Fujikyu Railway from Otsuki to Fujiyoshida
Whatever train you get from Otsuki you will see Mount Fuji in the distance on the left hand side of the train. The Fuji Tozan Densha train is quite a lovely train with wood interiors which will stop for a bit on the best part of the track to view Mount Fuji. You’ll pay more though so get whatever train is leaving when you get to Otsuki.
As we stayed in the Bself Fuji Villa Onsen we had to do a bit of walking to get from wither the Mount Fuji or Fujikyu Highland train stations. Actually Bself couldn’t be more awkward to walk to but I’ll leave that to my Tripadvisor review. Anyway beside an oddly places Don Quixote and near their car park there is a small bridge which has quite a nice view of Mount Fuji. As you can see from the photo below, without a bit of zoom you will get a lot of lines and not the most scenic dried out river bed. But still a nice little spot off the beaten bath.
Here is the location on Google Maps
Fuji-Q Highland Theme Park Viewing Platform
You can actually just wander up to the Fuji Q theme park and ask for a free entrance ticket to just wander the grounds (we are over the whole thrill seeking rides section of our lives). There are a number of eateries inside and you can just gape at the rollercoasters as they swoop around you. There is a small viewing platform in the middle of the park where you can get a good view of Mount Fuji with the park in the foreground.
Lake Kawaguchi
Take the local train (after figuring out limited express add-on fees grrrrr!) to Kawaguchiko Station and walk towards the impressive Lake Kawakuchi. There are boat tours every 30 minutes and it only takes 20 minutes for the trip. Worth your while. It costs ¥1000.
To take full advantage of your views of Mount Fuji from Lake Kawaguchi having a suitable zoom camera is best (I had a 135mm lens on my SLR). There are a small number of objects along the way to get into the foreground to make for interesting compositions.
After you get off the boat on Lake Kawaguchi walk a couple of minutes to Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway. You pay ¥900 for a return ticket at a vending machine and make your way on to the cable car. It’s a cable car, it’s not some strand of rope where you sit in a bucket and get manually winched up or something. Don’t worry.
The views from up top over the neighboring towns of WHERE AND WHERE are worth the price of admission and from up there you can imagine the fear and respect that Mount Fuji has had over its minions ever since people started congregating at its base.
You can walk up a little further to an observation deck where there is a nice little red torii to frame Mount Fuji.
If you suffer from vertigo it might be a little uncomfortable looking down as you back on to the cable car.
The Fujisan World Heritage Centre is a nice little sojourn to get the history of Mount Fuji and the cultural impacts it has had over centuries. When we arrived the reception lady immediately asked if we wanted to view the video in English which we readily agreed to. It is a very informative and interesting insight into Mount Fuji. In the same building there are geographical information and rock samples from the mountain.
In the other building there is a 3D model of Mount Fuji and another informational video which runs every 15 minutes (if I recall correctly).
After doing all of that we retired to the small cafeteria (which was out of beer in a shocking revelation). We grabbed some potato wedges and a Mount Fuji ice cream which tried valiantly to represent Mount Fuji. Beside the cafeteria is a viewing platform which gives a somewhat blocked-by-trees view of Mount Fuji. Any chance someone could chop them down and replant some replacements out of the field of view? Probably not.
On a side note it’s kinda hard to get to the Centre if you’re walking from anywhere in the town.
Chureito Pagoda
Yeah, that’s right I saved the most likeliest way of viewing Mount Fuji from Fujiyoshida to the end. So there. The most famous photo you will take in Japan most likely. Best visited during cherry blossom season one would imagine. Also best visited during a clear and sunny day.
The Pagoda itself was built in 1958 to enshrine citizens from the Fujiyoshida area who died in wars after 1868.
As we visited during Covid times, it was relatively peaceful and not so crowded. I could imagine how the photo taking spot behind the pagoda would get crazy with elbows and shoulders. On balance, I still would like Covid to go away, though.
So as you can see viewing Mount Fuji from Fujiyoshida is relatively straightforward and there are a number of vantage points to do from. I wish you clear skies in your Mount Fuji viewing adventures.
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March 22, 2021
Konkai-Komyoji Temple and the Big-Haired Buddha
I have starred certain temples on Google Maps in Kyoto and one that I hadn’t un-starred yet was Konkai-Komyoji Temple, and the Big-Haired Buddha. The buddha’s hirsute stylings is not part of the official temple name, just so you know. It’s mine.
It was under an undecided sky on the day that I entered through the large wooden gate at the bottom of a not so scary set of steps towards the main hall.
Founded around 1175, it is a temple site created for the Jōdo Sect of Buddhism. Like many temples, its main hall was rebuilt in 1942 due to it been destroyed by (answers on a postcard):
a) a fire
b) a meteorite strike
c) large scaly monster stomping on it
d) a fire
It’s a little nondescript around the main hall area with a peaceful little water feature but people park their cars around the area so it doesn’t feel that tranquil like other places.
The smaller Amidado hall is quite pretty and striking with its white and dark brown features.
You begin to see that some views of the city could be possible from the grounds. So what you do is turn left while facing the Amidado hall and head down to the bottom of the cemetery below. There you will see a more cardio inducing set of steps up to the Konkai Komyoji Triple Pagoda rising high above at the summit. On the way up, though, you have to stop and pay your respects to the big haired Buddha.
So what’s the deal here? It’s certainly not a picture you conjure up of a traditional Buddha symbol. The reasoning is that Gokoshiyui Amida Buddha meditated for so long (and for the sake of all living things) that his hair grew out. There you have it.
It is said there are only around 16 statues like this in the whole of Japan.
As you head on up, you can see the pagoda (built in 1633, possibly rebuilt at some point, not sure) beckoning you on. From the top, there are some excellent views of downtown Kyoto city to reward you.
Sadly, the pagoda has some scaffolding around it for now.
Another stop by our friend on the way back down to give us good karma for the rest of the steps.
A trip to the lesser visited Konkai-Komyoji Temple is definitely worth it for the rare Buddha statue and views from the top of the cemetery.
Here’s where it is at. Enjoy.
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March 11, 2021
A Visit to Monster Street in Kyoto, Japan
How does a visit to Monster Street in Kyoto, Japan sound?
Monster Street, otherwise known as Yokai (妖怪; monster/ghost) Street, resides in a nondescript area of north west Kyoto city that warrants a ramble along if you’re “templed-out”. It is actually, in the real world, Ichijo Dori. Which probably translates to First Street. Or something. Map down below.
So what is Yokai Street? It basically is a street of random retail stores who have deemed it necessary to plop a variety of home-made monsters outside their doors. It is quite fun to spot the next one as you meander along the street and to see the variety of ways in which they are made.
The origins of Yokai Street stems from a period in Kyoto’s history where a mass cleaning of the city was called for. The tools that were tossed out on to the streets were angered and gathered together to form some sort of unwanted tools union and created monsters to display their anger.
The street they chose to gather on? Yokai Street, of course!
The reality of the situation is, is that retailers on the street were facing some hard times in recent decades and decided to use the Yokai legend to attract more customers. And, thus, Yokai Street was created.
Visiting during Covid times, it is not hard to see how the street could fall on hard times as it was quite…dead…when we visited.
It feels like a local street. For local people. Not much here to attract anyone away from the main shopping areas of downtown Kyoto.
They do have a small museum and a ramen place serving monster like black ramen.
The bedding store has a bedding monster!
The flower shop has a suitably horticulturally attired and decorated monster.
As you can see, it’s a pretty bland looking street otherwise.
It is worth a visit? I think when all the shops return to normal operating hours and more monsters are apparent, then it is worth a short visit. You can walk up to Kitano Shrine from there, if you so opine.
Here is the location of Yokai Street on Google Maps.
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March 3, 2021
A Walk Up Funaokayama Park in Kyoto, Japan
As you scroll around Kyoto on Google Maps you will see dots of green sprinkled around indicating, one would think, a park of some stature and presence. More often than not, you will find a small sand filled playground. Not somewhere you can go and relax. Kyoto does have some decent and real parks hiding behind those green pixels of Google Maps. Funaokayama Park is one such place albeit a more vertical than horizontal one. So let’s take a walk up Funaokayama Park, shall we?
The most scenic entrance is on Nishifujinomorichō (I’ll embed a Google Map below) with a large wooden torii and a number of smaller red torii (these gates help you recognise shrines as Shinto).
We didn’t walk up this red torii stairway but we took a hard left and headed up another direction.
The stairway up to the peak from the left of the main entrance curves up to the right and begins to pack on the cardio workout you will undertake.
As you get up to the top you get some nice angles of Kyoto city to the south and to the west.
To the east of Funaokayama Park lies Kinkaku-ji temple (Golden Pavillion) which lies underneath Hidari Daimonji symbol which means “big” or “great”.
You can get a great panoramic view of the west of Kyoto neighbourhoods from the rest area at the peak.
From the Takeisao Jinja/Kenkun Jinja (jinja=shrine) at the top you can look towards the east and get another great view of the “bowl” like surroundings of Kyoto.
The Takeisao Jinja (Kenkun Jinja) was built in 1869 by the order of Emperor Meiji, and enshrines Nobunaga Oda.
As you wrap around the park and loop back around to where you start you can get some final angles over Kyoto from the top of the stairs.
If you have run out of the usual temples and shrines to see in Kyoto then a little excursion to Funaokayama Park is well worth the workout.
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February 25, 2021
Visiting Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple in Kyoto
So you’ve visited Arashiyama to the west of Kyoto and seen what it has got to offer. Lovely.
And if you’ve come this far, maybe you’re willing to come a little further…
Take a 25 minute or so meandering walk from the main street in Arashiyama and you will come across one of the most whimsical and intriguing temples in the Kyoto region; Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple.
It is known for its 1200 (I counted) unique and individual rakan, followers of Buddhism, dotted around it’s sloping and grassy grounds.
Wikipedia>Otagi Nenbutsu-ji was founded by Empress Shōtoku in the middle of the eighth century. Though was destroyed by the flooding of the Kamo River, it was rebuilt as an offshoot of Enryaku-ji, a nearby temple. In the 13th century, it was again destroyed during a civil war. The temple was moved to its current location in 1922, later suffering typhoon damage in 1950.
So like all other temples and shrines in Kyoto, it’s seen some shit during its life span and starting in 1981 the temple was totally renovated. Even though the statues look quite old with their moss styled hairstyles they are, in fact, only around 20 to 30 years old. Carved by amateurs around the region and encouraged by the temple owner (Kocho Nishimura) to create individual characters for each one they carved. It’s very enjoyable to see the different and quite modern poses; it is a little weird contrasted against the traditionally stoic and serious Kyoto temples.
You can still do your usual praying and attempt moments of reverence but the statues are never far away to distract and intrigue.
As I looked through all the rows, I was reminded of the old game Guess Who. The temple owners are missing out on a major MAJOR money spinner. I only want 50% of the takings. Hit me up.
Kocho Nishimura’s son and grandson continue on the tradition and upkeep of the temple and long may they reign over one of Kyoto’s best temples to visit. If you get the chance to visit some of the highlights I spotted were the boxer, the upside-down dude, and the numerous laughing fellas.
Here’s is where it is at. Enjoy and visit. And enjoy.
February 20, 2021
Eating Japanese Sakura (Pink) Curry
I see pink on a plate and I’m eating dessert. And so that’s what your brain thinks when any food is presenting itself in such a lurid and 80s cheap music video fashion. Even more so when it has the consistency and look of trifle topping. Taking a spoonful must mean a fruity berrylicious taste experience? Not so with this Sakura Curry from Rakuten online. Sakura is the national flower of Japan – the cherry blossom. When the trees start blooming around Feb/March it’s a national event of selfies in front of trees and companies releasing sakura branded or flavoured food and drink.
Simply pop the non pink bag into boiling water and let it find its inner child over 4 or 5 minutes.
Open said bag and plop it back into the pan minus the water so you can dump whatever you want with it. It was now my brain was asking “where’s the fruity smell?!”
There are a few potato and carrot chunks thrown in for good baby vomit measure.
To ensure full scraping the bottom of the food barrel I added some vegan chicken nuggets.
I think we’re good to go here. As good as we ever will be.
Some boiled rice to give the illusion of a balanced and ordinary meal.
I’m a huge fan of Japanese curry so as I ate my first forkful I was pleasantly surprised to get the same taste profile of your ordinary curries you can get here. There is a very slight sweetness that the taste testers at the curry manufacturer probably just about “okayed” as any more would make the curry a weird dessert. The flavour profile mirrors, thankfully, the delicate and subtle smell of the actual cherry blossoms you take selfies with.
Would I buy it again? Nah, it cost more than your normal curries which pack more of a taste punch to the mouth than this. Overall, not bad once you get over the colour.
