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Bateaux Parisiens was a restaurant / cruise that operates on the Seine. With the iconic Paris as its back drop, the beautifully arrange French cuisine was just orgasmic. We did the lunch cruise 12:45 service premier (front of the boat, next to the window). 2 hours of pure Parisian romance.

With generous helping of champagne, wine, cake, starter, main, cheese, dessert, and more wine. I had major food coma. We were really lucky that there was hardly any body on the cruise on that day. I think there was only 6 tables? So we had plenty of good service and attention from the waitrons.

Stark with moat and a red bridge. This is the Matsumoto-jo, also known as the crow castle. Coincidently, tons of big (fat) crows can be spotted in the vicinity. The dark colour comes from a combination of wood and stone.

Matsumoto castle is an original keep from 1500s! It is only damaged by earthquake and neglect (was tilting like Pisa), but it is all good now. It is listed as a national treasure of Japan. Madness to think that at some stage the Japanese considered demolition.

There are only 12 original castles in Japan:

Favourite quote

一期一会 (ichigo ichie)

One opportunity, one time.

Japanese Kotowaza / proverb