Henry Pike (2024)

02/05/2023

My last two days of travelling of the long weekend break! For the first time in more than 3 years, I met my two favourite Oregonians, Zach and Amanda, who showed me around the town of Long Khánh, some 70 km away from Saigon. We saw war memorials, the places of worship of three different religions (Catholicism, Buddhism, Cao Đai), and they even let me stay for the night!
Thank you so much you two! You guys rock! Who knows where and when we’ll next cross paths?

30/04/2023

Day 2 in Vũng Tàu! A hike up Small Mountain gave me views of Miếu Hòn Bà (Hòn Bà Temple, 1st picture), which is only accessible by foot during low tide.

On the summit, there is the Statue of Christ the King, a 28 metre sculpture of Jesus. There are some awesome views of the sea and city below! Finally, I was exhausted, so I took a rest under the shade near Bãi Trước (Front Beach).

29/04/2023

Vũng Tàu - a pleasant seaside town and a popular getaway spot for the Saigonese, with some interesting history.

Bạch Dinh (Villa Blanche) - this was a villa that was built in 1902, and lived in, by Paul Doumer, the French governor of Indochina. This was also used as a prison for the anti-colonialist Emperor Thành Thái, depicted in picture 4.

Hải Đăng Vũng Tàu (Vũng Tàu Lighthouse) - first built in 1907, this lighthouse can beam its light as far as 35 nautical miles. Check out the views of the city!

Đình Thần Thắng Tam (Thắng Tam Local Gods Communal House) - apparently the skeleton of a whale was buried near here

#頭頓市 #ヴンタウ

09/04/2023

Over the last 10 days, my family came all the way from the UK to join me for a wonderful reunion in Vietnam!

(1) Phở bò at Thủ Dầu Một market
(2) Phú An bamboo village
(3) My mother’s 60th birthday celebrations in HCMC
(4 - 6) Hotel Azerai Cần Thơ
(7) Cần Thơ floating market
(8) Cocktail making class, Azerai Cần Thơ
(9) A view of the Saigon River from Mia Saigon
(10) Bánh xèo & bánh khọt, Saigon food tour

19/02/2023

Bà Đen Mountain - 996m

Bà Đen , or Black Lady, is a local deity of Khmer origin. This mountain was also fought over during the US-Vietnam War, due to its proximity to the Ho Chi Minh Trail in neighbouring Cambodia. Today, the mountain is a popular tourist destination, dotted with many pagodas, shrines and gardens.

#黑婆山

18/02/2023

Tây Ninh, the birthplace of Cao Đài, one of the world’s youngest religions.

Founded in 1926, Cao Đài is a monotheistic syncretic religious movement, which combines elements of Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Christianity, and Islam. Its Holy See is the first picture, which is as big and colourful as typical cathedrals, Buddhist temples and mosques. One of the symbols of this religion is the Left Eye of God, reminding us that God bears witness to all acts of humanity, always and everywhere (picture 2). Picture 4 is a globe which is the temple’s icon.

Cao Đài teaches that throughout history, the word of God was revealed to humanity many times by different religious figures, including the Buddha, Confucius, Laozi, and all prophets from the Bible to the Quran. However, due to humanity’s earthly desires, their messages were either ignored or forgotten. To keep the word of God, the Three Venerable Saints - Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm (1491–1585; Vietnamese preacher and poet), Victor Hugo and Sun Yat-Sen (!), all signed the Divine Covenant of The Third Alliance between Heaven and Earth (picture 5). The message in Chinese and French, translates to “God and Humanity for Love and Justice”

Outside the main temple, there are many smaller temples as part of the complex. Picture 7 is a botanical garden, 8-9 are murals and statues of the Chinese Zodiac, and 10 is Bà Đen mountain, which I will climb tomorrow morning.

#天上天下 #高臺寺 #カオダイ教寺院

24/01/2023

Batu Caves, the largest Hindu temple complex in all of Malaysia!
Pictures 4-6 depict the life of the King Rama in statues. Climb to the top of the stairs (7), and you enter the cave with another temple (8), and lots of monkeys scaling the walls! (10)

#🐒

23/01/2023

1) Jalan Melayu market
2) 3) Masjid India
4) 5) 6) Chow Kit
7) 8) Brickfields, KL’s Indian district, where I tried a banana leaf platter for the first time!
9) 10) Petaling Street with

🏮🐇HNY2023🐇🏮

22/01/2023

1) Central Market
2) River of Life & Masjid Jamek
3) Merdeka Square
4) 5 National Mosque
6) 7) 8 Islamic Arts Museum
9) Old Kuala Lumpur Station
10) Chan She Shu Yuen Clan Ancestral Hall

恭喜发财 🐇2023🐇

20/01/2023

I’m in Malaysia now for a 5 night trip…but 2 days ago, I visited Thủ Dàu Một again to compare Tết festivities in Vietnam with Chinese New Year festivities in Malaysia 🧧

Chinese New Year and Tết fall on the same day each year, because they were originally the same festival i.e. Spring Festival / Lunar New Year (元旦节 jié yuándàn in Mandarin ; 節元旦Tết Nguyên Đán in Vietnamese). However, the Chinese and Vietnamese have similar and different ways of celebrating Lunar New Year.

(1-2) In Vietnam, people decorate their houses with flowers, such as marigolds (1) and/or yellow apricot blossoms (2).

3) Carved watermelons. These are used as offerings for family altars.

4) Tết ornaments, including envelopes for lì xì (money given to children by their parents). In Vietnam, 2023 is the Year of the Cat (Mão). To the Chinese, it’s the Year of the Rabbit (卯 mǎo).

5) Dried fruits are popular snacks, such as dried persimmons.

6) Red couplets are posted on doorways, like in China. In Vietnam, the messages can be written in Chinese characters or romanised Vietnamese.

7) Bánh chưng, a parcel of sticky rice, mung beans and pork, all wrapped in a banana leaf. This is slow cooked in hot water, then served on the day.

8) Red lanterns and buntings near the cathedral and pagoda. “Binh Duong pagoda welcomes you”

30/12/2022

A spiritual day in Côn Đảo this time, with visits to Vân Sơn Tự pagoda (1-4), An Sơn Miếu temple (5), and Háng Dương Cemetery (6-8). The latter is the resting place for those who perished in the island’s prisons during both the French colonial era, and the South Vietnamese regime. There are also North Vietnamese soldiers who fell during the US-Vietnam War buried there. The vast majority of these graves are unnamed. 🕊

On a lighter note, I ended the day with a lovely view at Lò Vôi beach, and a delicious ‘kêm dừa’ (coconut ice cream) at a roadside café! 🥥

#椰子冰淇淋 #ココナッツアイスクリーム

27/12/2022

Côn Đảo - Vietnam’s green and pleasant archipelago, with a dark and not so pleasant history.

(1-3) Côn Đảo Museum. During the 18th century, the islands, known as “Pulo Condore”, frequently switched hands between the British and French Empires. In 1861, the islands came under French colonial control, and were used as a penal colony to hold political prisoners. This museum gives an insight of the geography and history of the island, including remains of its animals, artwork and artefacts from its prisoners, from the French colonial period to the end of the US-Vietnam War in 1975.

(4-5) Island Chief Palace. This was the home of the French colonial governor of the island.

(6-7) Phú Hải Prison. This was built by the French during their colonial control of Vietnam, and would continue to be used as a prison for political prisoners by the South Vietnamese government with the US military. There are plasticine models depicting the hellish conditions endured by the prisoners.

(8-10) French “Tiger Cages” (No tigers were ever in them). These were the cells with by far the worse conditions for prisoners.

26/11/2022

Ho Chi Minh City / Saigon revisited!

Walking along the Saigon River (1-5), plus Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens (6-10)

#西贡河 #サイゴン川 #西贡动植物园 #サイゴン動植物園

20/11/2022

Củ Chi Tunnels, a network of war tunnels used by the Việt Cộng in their fight against the Americans.

1) “Peace, Independence, Prosperity” billboard
2) Memorial with a temple and pagoda
3) Remains of shells and bombs of the US army
4) US military vehicles
5) Entrance to a tunnel (6). The tunnels are 80 cm wide and 80 cm high. I could only crawl through them!
7) A vertical entrance to a tunnel through a narrow hole in the ground
8) A spike pit b***y trap
9) Underground conference room. The slogan translates to “Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom”
10) Shooting range with an AK-47

#クチの地下道 #纠支地道

06/11/2022

A spontaneous solo trip across the Saigon River to the village of Bình Mỹ!
After a sip from a fresh coconut (picture 1), a glimpse of a temple / residence (picture 2), and a hammock break at a café (picture 3), I explored more of the village.

After a while, it started raining heavily. As soon as I found shelter, these kind and hospitable people (picture 4) invited me to join them with some food and drink!

After I left, I walked through the village back to the river port, taking in the gorgeous scenery with lotus and taro fields, banana groves and a shrine. Day well spent indeed!

#🥥 #ベトナム生活 #越南生活

08/10/2022

A day out in the hustling and bustling Ho Chi Minh City a.k.a. Saigon, Vietnam’s biggest city! 🇻🇳
(1-2) Central Post Office. Built by the French during the colonial era, it is still being used as a post office today.

(3-6) Independence Palace. This was the home and workplace of the South Vietnamese government until it was captured by the North Vietnamese army on 30th April 1975. The conference rooms, recreation halls, dormitories and communications rooms have been left untouched since that day.

(7-8) Jade Emperor Pagoda. A small but peaceful Taoist temple dedicated to the Jade Emperor, with turtles.

(9) Bình Tây Market in Chợ Lớn, the city’s Chinatown.

(10) Ho Chi Minh City Hall with its French colonial architecture.

#胡志明市 #ホーチミン市 #西贡中心邮政局 #サイゴン中央郵便局 #统一宫 #統一会堂 #福海寺 #堤岸 #胡志明市人民委員會大廳 #ホーチミン人民委員会庁舎

24/09/2022

Checking out four cultural sights in Thủ Dầu Một! 🇻🇳

(1-4) Hội Khánh temple, with its 52m long reclining Buddha statue
(5) Lady Thiên Hậu temple, dedicated towards the Chinese goddess Mazu (妈祖)
(6-7) Phú Cường Cathedral
(8-10) The market Thủ Dầu Một,
with a view of the Saigon River

#ベトナム #越南 #トゥーザウモット #土龙木 #ホイカイン寺 #會慶寺

27/07/2022

My last day in the fascinating country of Turkey!
This is Perge, an Ancient Greek city founded in 1209 BCE. It had everything, including an agora, a temple of Artemis, baths, even a theatre (last picture).
Teşekkürler Türkiye! I hope I can visit you again! And thank you for being such an amazing host!

#ペルケ

23/07/2022

Beach day @ Konyaaltı

#コンヤアルトゥビーチ

22/07/2022

The awe inspiring ancient city of Termessos, nestled in the glorious Ta**us Mountains. This city is about 2000 years old!

#テルメソス古代都市 #タウルス山脈

21/07/2022

“Merhaba” from the amazing city of Antalya, Turkey! 🇹🇷 The Old City (Kaleiçi) is loaded with things to see:

1) Hadrian’s Gate, built in 130 CE
2) Fluted Minaret
3) Cumhuriyet Meydanı (Republic Square)
4) The dervish’s hall of the Grand Mosque
5) Grand Bazaar
6) Mediterranean coast & Ta**us Mountains
7) Hıdırlık Tower
8) Atatürk Avenue
9) Kemal Atatürk’s former residence
10) Broken Minaret Mosque, a former Roman temple, converted to a Byzantine church, then finally a mosque

#トルコ旅行 #土耳其旅游 #アンタルヤ #安塔利亚老城区

12/05/2022

昨天我刚满31岁。在伦敦中式餐厅的火锅也雪米兹好好吃！
🍲🍨
昨日31歳になった。ロンドンで中華鍋屋の火鍋も餅アイスも美味しかた！

#火鍋 #餅アイス #雪米兹

08/01/2022

書き初めの「寅」(Year of the Tiger 🐯)

色々教えてくださってありがとうございました!🙏🏻

#書道 # #書道ワークショップ #寅 #🐯 #寅年 #書き初め

01/01/2022

What a year 2021 was.

Going into the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic was not going to be easy, and the pandemic remains far from over, but 2021 was definitely a much better year for me than 2020.
2021年はコロナの2年目で、まだまだ終わっていませんが、確かに2020年よりも幸せな年でした。

I turned 30 years old, met my brother, his fiancée and their pets, attended the wedding of my cousin and her husband, went to London to attend cookery lessons and meet up with university friends and so on, and visited 3 different countries (Ireland, Poland and Scotland) for leisure!
30歳になりましたし、弟と弟の婚約者とペットに会いましたし、いとこの結婚式に出席しましたし、ロンドンで料理学校に行ったり大学の頃の友達に会ったりしましたし、アイルランド・ポーランド・スコットランドで遊びましたからです。
🇮🇪🇵🇱🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

More importantly, I got a new job working as an online English conversation teacher for university students living in China. My aim has been to go out to China to teach these students in person, but due to restrictions caused by the pandemic, I am still working from home in England.
1番大切なのは、中国の大学に就職できて、英会話の教師になりました。目的は中国で生徒たちに直接教えることですが、パンデミックの影響で、イギリスで在宅勤務しています。

I hope that as the world continues to battle the epidemic, things will only get better and better. I will continue to strive for a better life, and I wish all of you a happy new year 2022.

よろしくお願いしますします。

明けましておめでとうございます
新年快乐

1) My birthday, London, May 2021
2) Bao making class, London, August 2021
3) Hitting baseballs in the Home Run House, London, August 2021
4) My cousin’s wedding photo, Cheshire, August 2021
5) Lion dance drumming class, London, September 2021
6) Ryan’s birthday music performance, Ireland, September 2021
7) Warsaw Old Town, Poland, November 2021
8) Calton Hill in Edinburgh, Scotland, December 2021
9) Christmas with family, Guildford, December 2021

#明けましておめでとうございます🌅 #新年快乐2022 #🐯

13/12/2021

My third and last day in bonnie Scotland! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

(1-7) A guided tour of the Glenkinchie Whisky Distillery, just a 45 minute drive from Edinburgh. My awesome tour guide Jack accompanied me on a sensory journey through the production process of Glenkinchie’s fine whisky. Picture 2 is a smelling session of the floral, grassy and malty aromas that go into the whisky’s unique “thumbprint”. The tour ended with a tasting session of three different whiskies, and even a wee cocktail! My favourite is their Edinburgh Tattoo edition. Thank you Jack for hosting me in this wonderful experience! 🥃

(8-10) My trip ends with some lovely afternoon views from Calton Hill. Thank you Scotland - I’m sure I’ll visit you again some day!

#ウィスキー #威士忌

12/12/2021

Day 2 in Edinburgh 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

(1-5) Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano that gives some amazing views of the whole city and the surrounding nature

(6-10) The Royal Mile to Edinburgh Castle

#エディンバラ #爱丁堡 #エディンバラ城 #爱丁堡城堡

26/11/2021

(1-5) POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews - a fascinating presentation of the history of Poland’s Jewish community, from medieval times to the end of communist rule. Picture 4 is a reconstruction of the Gwoźdiec Synagogue, in what is now Ukraine.

(6-10) Warsaw Uprising Museum - a colourful and thought-provoking exhibition of the 1944 Warsaw Uprising. The museum displays in great deal the bold struggles of the Polish people to liberate their capital from N**i occupation, only to have 90% of it destroyed from the N**is in retaliation, and up to 200,000 civilians massacred. Picture 9 is a film showing the aftermath.

25/11/2021

“Cześć!” from Warsaw, Poland! 🇵🇱
The first picture is the Palace of Culture and Science. Take the lift to the top, and you’ll get some amazing views of the entire city.
This last picture is a warm and comforting meal of sour rye and kiełbasa soup with spinach pierogi, which I had at Bar Bambino, a “milk bar” (bar mleczny). I filled myself up for just PLN 17.75 (~£3.19)!
More stories of Warsaw to come!
#ワルシャワ #華沙

25/11/2021

“Cześć!” from Warsaw, Poland! 🇵🇱
The first picture is the Palace of Culture and Science. Take the lift to the top, and you’ll get some amazing views of the entire city.
This last picture is a warm and comforting meal of sour rye and kiełbasa soup with spinach pierogi, which I had at Bar Bambino, a “milk bar” (bar mleczny). I filled myself up for just PLN 17.75 (~£3.19)!
More stories of Warsaw to come!
#ワルシャワ #華沙

21/09/2021

1) My first attempt at baking savoury mooncakes (鲜肉月饼)! Thank you for teaching me! I hope I did it justice!

2) Lotus seed paste mooncakes (莲蓉月饼) from London Chinatown

HAPPY MID AUTUMN FESTIVAL 2021
中秋节快乐 🎑🥮

#中秋节 #中秋節 #お月見 #月饼 #月餅 #鲜肉月饼 #鮮肉月餅 #莲蓉月饼 #蓮蓉月餅

04/04/2021

HAPPY EASTER 2021 💐🥚🍫

Easter is the festival in which we welcome the spring, and celebrate new life. Picture 1 is a chocolate “Easter egg” I received with a KitKat Chunky. Picture 2 are “hot cross buns” (dried fruit buns decorated with a Christian cross symbol).

イースターは春を迎え、新しい人生を祝う祭りです。 1枚目はKitKat Chunkyと一緒に受け取ったチョコレート「イースターエッグ」です。 2枚目は「ホットクロスバン」（十字架で飾られたドライフルーツバンズ）です。

复活节(Easter)是一个庆祝春天并庆祝新生活的节日。第一个是我与KitKat Chunky一起收到的巧克力“复活节彩蛋(Easter egg)”。第二块是“十字面包”（hot cross bun; 用十字装饰的干果面包）。

#イースター #复活节 #イースターエッグ #复活节彩蛋 #ホットクロスバンズ #十字面包 #キットキャット #奇巧巧克力

28/02/2021

25 years ago, Game Freak released a game series that would change modern culture forever. This series would eventually become a trading card game, an anime series, clothing design, and even a popular smartphone game.
As a kid in the 90s, this made me interested in Japan. This game series is called Pocket Monsters, or Pokémon for short.
This picture is the Game Boy and games Pokémon Red and Pokémon Gold I played when I was a child. Looking at them brings back many fond memories.
To Game Freak, I would like to say, thank you from the bottom of my heart! And, here’s to another 25 years of success!

25年前、ゲームフリークは現代文化を永遠に変えるゲームシリーズを発売しました。このシリーズは、最終的にTCG、TVアニメ、服のデザイン、さらには人気のスマートフォンゲームになりました。
90年代の子供の頃は、これで日本に興味を持ちました。このゲームシリーズは「ポケット・モンスター」、縮めて「ポケモン」と言います。
この写真は、子供の頃に遊んだゲームボーイとポケモン赤・金です。これらを見ると、「懐かしいなあ」と思います。
ゲームフリークに伝えたいことは、心から感謝します。そして、これからもさらに25年の成功を！

HAPPY 25th ANNIVERSARY OF POKÉMON
ポケモン25周年おめでとうございます

#ポケモン25周年 #ゲームボーイカラー #ポケモン赤 #ポケモン金

28/02/2021

25 years ago, Game Freak released a game series that would change modern culture forever. This series would eventually become a trading card game, an anime series, clothing design, and even a popular smartphone game.
As a kid in the 90s, this made me interested in Japan. This game series is called Pocket Monsters, or Pokémon for short.
This picture is the Game Boy and games Pokémon Red and Pokémon Gold I played when I was a child. Looking at them brings back many fond memories.
To Game Freak, I would like to say, thank you from the bottom of my heart! And, here’s to another 25 years of success!

25年前、ゲームフリークは現代文化を永遠に変えるゲームシリーズを発売しました。このシリーズは、最終的にTCG、TVアニメ、服のデザイン、さらには人気のスマートフォンゲームになりました。
90年代の子供の頃は、これで日本に興味を持ちました。このゲームシリーズは「ポケット・モンスター」、縮めて「ポケモン」と言います。
この写真は、子供の頃に遊んだゲームボーイとポケモン赤・金です。これらを見ると、「懐かしいなあ」と思います。
ゲームフリークに伝えたいことは、心から感謝します。そして、これからもさらに25年の成功を！

HAPPY 25th ANNIVERSARY OF POKÉMON
ポケモン25周年おめでとうございます

#ポケモン25周年 #ゲームボーイカラー #ポケモン赤 #ポケモン金

15/02/2021

(12th February 2021)
Happy Lunar New Year 2021, Year of the Ox
(picture 4: Buddha’s Delight 罗汉斋 (left); beef dumplings 牛肉饺子(right))
#恭喜发财 #牛年大吉 #春节快乐 #罗汉斋 #餃子🥟

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