Hampton Court

I went to Hampton Court yesterday with my friend and teacher. The weather was not steady, and I thought it is typical English whether. So, It was overcast and a bit cold, but I enjoyed my visit there. Hampton Court is very quiet. I was surprised that. First of all, Hampton Court had a dark history long time ago.


Hampton Court was amazing and the enormous house!!! Windsor and Osborne house are huger than it, though. However, I was impressed the privy garden the most so far. There are many kinds of flowers, a fountain, and lots of nice green field. It was very pretty and managed very well. If I have a huge garden like that, I could go outside and play with my dogs.

Then, the most surprising thing there was the kitchen. In the kitchen, all kinds of cooking system were equipped. I experienced roasting a block of meat, and I had to roll constantly a metal stick not to have a block of meat be scorched. It was too hot to continue. I rolled for only 3 minutes, but it was hard work. If I were the chef at the moment, I would definitely refuse. However, the ancient people did that for 2 hours every day. Moreover, Many chef had been cooking for 600 people and tidied up all of things twice a day. I cannot imagine that situation because it is hard work for me to cook everyday.

I wandered around the house, but I liked this two sections the most. After exploring, we drank a cup of tea outside. It was good!! I enjoyed this excursion as well, but I got tired a little.


On the way back to Winchester, We called at Surbiton where Harry potter and the half blood prince was shot. I was glad to get there as well.

Luscious place, Paris.

I went to Paris during a week off with my friend. I left at 1 am on Monday, and went to Gatwick airport by bus. It was very quiet, and nobody was there. This is only summer school though. These three days were boiling, and Sun was very strong. It marked 39 degree. I didn't know European climate is too hot. That's how I was melted...hehe


First day
We went to Versailles Place where is much huger than Windsor and gorgeous. I got a big queue for an hour. It was horrible, but fortunately, we could go inside for free because we are the student in Europe. Inside the castle, there were many people(it was crazy), so I couldn't see completely. However, I don't know how I should express, but I recognised that Versailles is amazing, and grabbed the atmosphere!!!!! Gorgeous chandeliers which are very pretty shape and perfect drawings are everywhere. I cannot believe people actually lived there. There were too noisy because of lots of people to listen to the audio guide, so I stole the explanation which Japanese tour guide explained.
After that, we once went back to our hotel, and went out to have supper. We went to the bar near the hotel. The staff there was so kind because they spoke in all English and spoke to us every 10 minutes; how's going? and how is your deal? I ordered lasagne and a glass of beer which is for the first time for me in 2 months. I was impressed how delicious is it!!!hehe

Second day
We left at 8 am and went to Môn mantle first, then I faced the scary experience because the guy selling things spoke to me and grabbed my arm. He tried to beg money so I screamed and ran away soon. I was so scared. However, Môn mantle was very beautiful, specifically the view from there was great!!! I could see most of Paris. Then, we went to Notre Dame, Louvre, Champs-Elysees, the Arc de Triomphe, and Eiffel tower on foot. All of them was amazing!! I watched on only TV, so I was impressed because these things were present in front of me!!!! Specifically, the moment when I saw Venus de Milo and Eiffel tower. If you can, I would like you to go there!!!!

Third day
We went to Japan Expo 2015 which introduce and experience the Japanese calture such as foods, comics, clothes, traditional things, and so on. I think this sort of thing is very good opportunity to expand our culture. However, It made me get home sick. Then, when I wandered around there, I came across the famous designer and painter in Japan. Moreover, they offered us be a model of drawing. I was so happy because his brand is very popular among the young people. I cannot believe. I think it is actually the first and last experience in my life. I boasted my friends. I can say from the bottom of my heart I am a lucky girl.

I felt like I was in a dream in 3 days. I put the view of Paris in my brain because I would not come again in a few years.

National History Museum

I went to NHM on Tuesday. National History Museum allowed me to be a child because it was so interesting and whenever I saw, I had an emotion that normally a child would have. The building itself is so beautiful as well. We intended come in from the front entrance, but there was a big queue, so we entered from the side entrance.



There are lots of real fossils in National History Museum, and even now many researchers have found a new fossil.
The first session I saw is dinosaurs. It was amazing and enormous!!! In this area, why did dinosaurs disappear, what foods did they eat, how did they live, and how was their blood pumped up... many topics were discussed. The most interesting topic was about blood!!! Originally, I like about an body. Then, the type of blood tube, how to send blood, and blood system are different depends on a dinosaur. Dinosaur's big blood tube allowed to pump up very quickly through the long and thick neck, and dinosaurs needed a lot of foods because they had to keep their temperature to move whenever they wanted to. There are many facts about dinosaurs, so I recommend browsing the web to find out. I wish if dinosaurs would still be alive...I want to watch the film; Jurassic World or I want to jump into the film and have an experience with them.

Next, I went to exhibition; Coral Reefs; Secret cities of the sea. It was also amazing and beautiful world. There were many things I didn't know and have never seen so far. I wondered before I read explanations that is this actually alive?,and how did they have a food? because they don't have a mouth. This exhibition was interesting but also I could learn many new things.

There are many enormous mammal in blue zone. I would like to ride on the mammoth or hang on their tusk!!!! When I threw back my FB, I found I took the same pause as 4 years ago. hehe

Then, I wandered another two zones. The zone which explain about Earth was interesting because my country, Japan has many earthquakes and volcanos. When I looked around, I found the movie about Tohoku Tsunami in Japan. Next year, it is going to have been 5 years since then. Time flies so quickly, but I never forget it. Moreover, I found one result. When I saw it, I was surprised. It is nearly same!!!!! Earth is interesting.

Last weekend with my host family

This weekend was the last when I spent with my host family. It enjoyed very much!!!!


On, Saturday, I went to Peter's primary school fete and helped with my host family. It is a kind of charity event. They not only sold old toys and uniforms but also cupcake which many mothers made and foods which is provided from Kyoto kitchen, performed dancing, and many various entertainment things. It was very fantastic!! I don't have this sort of thing in my primary school in Japan, so I was interested. I enjoyed my cupcake. It was delicious and sweet!! I thought this sort of cooperating event is very good, and a nice time to not only share with friends but also got to know a new friend.


On Sunday, it is "Father's day" on 21st of June. I texted my father in Japan. I had a BBQ; turkey burger, kebab, sausage, rice, salad, sweet corn, mushroom, and chips, in our garden with my host family. BBQ in England is completely different from Japanese one because in Japan we don't make a burger and kebab, and baked just naked meats and vegetables on the metal net. When we have a BBQ, we absolutely make a baked Onigiri which is the shape of triangle, and seasoned by salt and soy source. Then we have to bake till it has scorch!! When I have a BBQ next time with my host family, I would teach how to make baked Onigiri. It was a bit windy, but I enjoyed!!! It was the first BBQ in a year!! Suddenly, my host family's children gave me a present afterwards!!! I was impressed. They gave me a mag cap in Portsmouth which my mother bought me, and Portsmouth is where I went with my host family for the first time since I came, two coasters; one is from my host family's old son, the other is from younger son, my favourite jelly HARIBO and jam, and the lovely letter from my host mother. I have met a lovely family. I just appreciate their kindness. I make sure I will give a big thanks back to them. Oh my goodness!! Such a brilliant.
I'm sure I will come to their house again and again!!!! It is not goodbye, just see you again.

Then, when I stayed away from their house in this morning, I gave a big hug to my family. I am already miss them, but I am excited that my new life in the accommodation starts.

The National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery

Yesterday, I went to the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery where there are many famous paintings. Both of them were so crowded even not weekend. I'm introducing my favourite 5 paintings.



The first picture is "Sunflowers". As you know, it is painted by Van Gogh, and very famous around the world. This painting depicts power and calm, I think. If I have a duplicated painting in my house, it would give me power and relaxation. Initially, the yellow is the most favourite colour of all because this colour makes me happy and cheerful!! His painting is sensitive, and even if his painting is used same colours, the colour varies delicately with each flower.

Second is "The Water-Lily Pond". It is painted by Monet. I like this expression of landscape. It is beautiful that there are many white and light pink flowers on the pond and these flowers match atmosphere in background. I thought I would like to jump into this painting and have a picnic. Moreover, I painted it when I was a high school student. I couldn't paint well because I'm obviously not good at painting.

The third picture is "Harvest Le Pouldu". It is painted by Paul Gauguin, and this is my most favourite painting in the National Gallery because the mountain seems to express 4 seasons. As you can see, the mountain has many colours; green, orange, light grey, and dark green. Mountains in Japan change colours as the season changes as well. So, I felt it is similar to Japanese mountains. Moreover, I like the colours generally.

Fourth is "An Old Woman". It is painted by Quinten Massys. It is said that this painting is the most horrible face in the world of paintings. I didn't know if it is a woman or man until I saw the title. To be honest, I could paint like it... And, it is funny that the woman doesn't have her hair in the middle of head. Her hair style looks like the Devil.

Fifth is "Queen Victoria". It is from the National Portrait Gallery. When I saw this painting, not only did I think that what I saw on the excursions so far was painted in it, such as the crown and stick, but also I recognised the value at that time long long time ago. Moreover, I thought this last 3 weeks educational excursion connects one by one. I had valuable experiences so far.

(I quoted on web)

Active weekend

I had a long weekend because the university was off on Friday.


On Friday, I watched Harry Potter film 4, the Goblet of fire in the morning. I love Harry Potter. I don't remember how many times I watched it in Japan. Then, after lunch, my friend's host mother took me and Urara to a huge supermarket, TESCO and Morris Den. TESCO is massive and I can buy anything, such as clothes, foods, housing stuff, drinks, toys, game, and books. So, this is very convenient, isn't it? I like the foreign supermarket because it is huge and there are many things which I have never seen before in Japan. Morris Den is a very pretty shopping centre which has a lot of old fashioned style furniture and stuff. If I brought lots of money, I could buy something...Next time I go, I will definitely bring lots of money. And, I finished writing essay afterwards.


On Saturday, I searched for a trip because I'm going to go to France at the beginning of July. I'm so excited!!!!! Then, after lunch, I went to another supermarket, Sainsbury's. This is massive as well!! I was wondering during food shopping that I will have to buy on my own a week later because I'm going to move into the accommodation...hehe I just chilled afterwards.


On Sunday, I went to a forest in Winchester, and there is the monument which a famous racing horse has been buried under it for about 50 years. From there, we could see the overview of Winchester, Southampton, and Salisbury. It is surrounded by lots of nature, and green fields. It is brilliant place to relax. On the way there, I walked over 10,000 steps, but I didn't feel tired any more. I thought that if I come after raining, I could see a beautiful forest view because there would be water drop on leaves. While we were walking, I found a footprint of a horse. I was surprised that there was a footprint because I can't see it in Japan. In England, horse riding is very popular, so it is allowed almost everywhere. This is a difference of culture between two countries. It's interesting. I had a good walk with my host family!!

This is the typical English view!!!

In the afternoon, I played badminton with my host mother in the garden. Both of us hit rubbish shot at the beginning, but we were getting better!!! It was so exciting, and good movement. However, I felt I am getting older regardless of I am 20 years old...I need more exercise...

Isle of Wight

I went to Osborne house where Queen Victoria lived, but it belongs to England on Isle of Wight with my friend and teacher on Tuesday. First of all, I didn't know about Isle of Wight, but my friend in England lives there, so I was so excited to go there. Isle of Wight is actually quiet and everyone is very friendly. When we got in trouble because we didn't know the way, people there told us regardless of whether we asked. I was impressed. Isle of Wight is very warm island, I thought.

On the way to the house, we found the interesting moving bridge!! When we cross the river, all of cars, bicycles, and pedestrians have to ride on it and it carries us to the other side. It is very funny, isn't it? I saw for the first time.


This is Osborne house. Inside, there are many miniature things. It is very pretty and awesome!!! The house has many portraits, furnitures, statues, decorated walls, and so on. Surprisingly, these design are deference!!!! Nothing was the same design, even tiny teacups. Statues and portraits have different face, such as funny face and serious face, as well.  I can't imagine that if this house belongs to me... I might get lost in it. It is like a maze. Not only the house but also the cottage which children can play is huge. It is not for children because it is nearly as large as a detached-house. People can live!!

After visiting the house, we went to the beach. Then, my teacher bought me ice-cream(I chose mint chocolate chips flavour) and we ate at the beach. It was yummy!!! I took a nap. I could refresh!!!!

Beach...ice-cream...sunshine...it was perfect day!!!! hehe Anyway, I was so happy to go to Isle of Wight.