Tag Archives: Garden

Tokyo, Japan: Exciting Shinjuku!

TOKYO CITY GUIDE : DISTRICT / SHINJUKU

Tokyo-Japan-Shinjuku-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

Shinjuku

Like in the Melville movies or  late 60’s/early 70’s Toei movies: the giant crab “logo” of an expensive seefood restaurants chain.

Shinjuku: the other nerve center of the megapolis, with its looks, tribes, folk. And its famous mascot (scoop): on his bike (picture on the second board below), the “Healer” never leaves the area. He is considareted like the Shinjuku star for the residents.

Then I meet the georgous Manga designer and ex Hip Hop DJ, my friend K San at Mixing (pictures on the first board below). Some say, generations of Yakusa bring their familly in this 50’s brasserie. Kitsch decoration. I order a kobu cha (seaweed tea).

Tokyo-Japan-Shinjuku-1-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

A quick visit to the golden melon, at “master” Takano (picture above), the label of luxury fruits, specialist in perfect melons (150 Euros / picture on the board below).

Now we walk in front a suehiro (on the board below, picture with the old man), a comedie theatre in small streets leading us to the old red lights area (prostitution), Golden Gate (b&w pictures on the board below).

Today really popular for having drinks in the tiny bars of few narrow streets. A detail: I’ve seen a dead rat in the daytime. At night, it’s crowded with locals and tourists.

I prefer cosier and more exclusive atmsophere, like the izakaya (a small tavern bar) of K San in an anonymous area of Tokyo and four great customers (always the same) and the warm owner. 

Takano fruit bar: 3-26-11 Shinjyuku, Shinjuku 160-0022

Tokyo-Japan-Shinjuku-2-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

Shinjuku Goyen Garden

There are few peaceful places such as Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. Early spring pictures just before hanami (the cherry blossom viewing).

About hanami, you can have an alarm on your mobile phone to look at the cherry blossom in Japan. Fantastic, isn’t it? The hugh park has approximately 1,500 sakura (cherry trees) and three different gardens styles.

Including a gorgeous Japanese traditional garden with a strange (sort of) velvet lawn and unrealistic gnarled trees. Like in a fairy tale. Eyes free the spirit. Comtemplative. 

Subway: Shinjuku Gyoenmae Station on the Marunouchi Line or Sendagaya Station on the JR Sobu Line.

Tokyo-Japon-Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

Photos : Mademoiselle Le K – copyright 2014, tous droits réservés.

Domo arigato gozaimasu M & K San 

Informations 

Takano fruit bar: 3-26-11 Shinjyuku, Shinjuku 160-0022 

Subway: Shinjuku Gyoenmae Station on the Marunouchi Line or Sendagaya Station on the JR Sobu Line.

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DESTINATIONSHOTEL REVIEWS & LIFESTYLE 

Italy, Piemonte: Sacred Mount Calvary of Domodossola

Italy-Domodossola-Sacro Monte Calvario-7-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2013

Awesome to stay in mountains during summer!

To be honest as a diver, I am definitely more sea than mountain. As I can’t stand the seaside summer crowds, I prefer to relax and recharge to the mountain. Where I love landscapes, semi-desert villages, hiking trails. Light, beautiful gardens and especially the feeling of serenity that calms my hyperactive temper.

During a recent short break in the Ossola valleys, in the Piemonte, I really had a big crush for the Sacred Mount Calvary‘s garden overlooking Domodossola (pictures below). This Christian sanctuary built in 1657, is part of the nine “Sacred Mountains of Piemonte and Lombardy“, registered in 2003 on the World Heritage List of UNESCO.

You can make retreats at the Sacred Mount Calvary. More modestly, I took a long walk between the kitchen garden and the rose garden and the areas near the ruins under the old trees (last picture). Always with the astonishing XXL view of the mountains and valley. And it made me euphoric!

Italy-Domodossola-Sacro Monte Calvario-1-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2013Italy-Domodossola-Sacro Monte Calvario-5-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2013Italy-Domodossola-Sacro Monte Calvario-10-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2013Italy-Domodossola-Sacro Monte Calvario-4-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2013Italy-Domodossola-Sacro Monte Calvario-3-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2013Italy-Domodossola-Sacro Monte Calvario-11-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2013

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés  

Informations 

SACRO MONTE CALVARIO       

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Poland: Odyssey, The Design Hotel in Kielce

I discovered this design hotel during my recent weekend in Kielce, in Swietorkrzyskie, the Witches country in southern Poland. It intrigues you … yes, witches of the south of Poland! Let me help you: we are not far from Krakow. To be honest, I have deserted “design” hotels for a while. I’ve prefered staying in hotels that often offered a greater comfort with more original decorations than a copied pasted of Wallpaper magazine. 4 years, almost all design hotels are alike (except for some really impressive). Do not expect to find at the Odyssey a revolutionary design. And so much the better! Here the decoration is more contemporary than purely “design”. It rests the eye and calms the mind. My favorite space: the lovely infinity pool with huge windows (picture 2). I stayed between the hot tub and spa that offers a wide range of treatments, with an interesting selection of brands such as Decleor, SkinCeuticals (…). I tested a really good SkinCeuticals facial. It’s been awhile that I wanted to test this brand, but never dared. In my room, I appreciated the clear space, shower (picture 4) and especially the unobstructed panoramic (picture 6). The garden (picture 1) and the large reception hall with the walls covered with green plants (pictures 3 & 7) amplify the well being vibe. And the restaurant is really delicious with a light cuisine very well presented and nicely served. A discreet hotel to spend a relaxation weekend.

Photos : Mademoiselle Le K – copyright 2013, tous droits réservés. 

ODYSSEY HOTEL CLUB WELLNESS & SPA

Discover my whole trip in my POLAND page and in the Facebook of  the Polish Tourist Organisation. You can also follow my  TWITTER. ENJOY!  

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