Train Trip on Aso Boy

Aso Boy is a train in Kyushu operates between Kumamoto (熊本) and Aso Mountain  (阿蘇山) region.  There are two services each day and all seats are reserved, which can reserve at any JR Rail Pass counter.

This train is specially design for children and babies.

Aso Boy

Time Table

From Kumamoto -> Miyaji 10:28 hrs and 13:54 hrs.
From Miyaji -> Kumamoto  12:22 hrs and 15:40 hrs.

Train Interior

The interior of the train is very well furnished with many children friendly area.  There is a playground, library and seat specially for little boys and girls.

Kuro-chan are all over the train accompanying all of us through the journey.

Friendly Gift Shop 

The gift shop at the "Kuroclub" is the best place for the kids to hang out, where the friendly gift shop girl will entertain the kids with big friendly smile.

Kuro-chan Home

When reached at Aso Station, do not forget to take a picture with Kuro-chan at his house.


The whole journey was a wonderful one with the accompany of Kuro-chan and the friendly staff on the train.  The scenery along the journey was very beautiful in the Aso Mountain region.

Summer Road Trip Brest to Mont St Michel

It is cool and sunny summer for a long cross country road trip.  We rented a Renault Clio from Brest early morning at 8:30 hrs.  The car comes with few small scratches here and there, we noted down with the agent and off we go.

First Stop - Saint-Brieuc

The weekend road was smooth and low traffic.  After about an hour drive, we are need to St Brieuc and decided to have a coffee break.  We decided to stop by St Brieuc port area for a Decafe.

Supermarket and Cafe at St Brieuc Port area.

We turned out from the freeway and follow the narrow path to a small town center.  From the carpark, we have a beautiful view of the bay.  There is a cafe and a small supermarket near the carpark too.

We have a short chat with a girl coming out from the supermarket and she recommend us to go Binic.  A small marina about 10 km away from our present location.

Second Stop - Binic

A peaceful and beautiful marina, with shops, restaurants and residential.  A surprise for us to find such a wonderful place for a coffee break.

Place for Cafe.

We picked one small cafe located beside a junction with few people.  From the decoration, suspect it is a pub at night.  Interestingly, the cafe was playing Beatles song through our coffee break.  The cafe was strong and good.

Third Stop - Saint Malo

It is a majestic castle with lot of cars and tourists from all over the Europe.  There are lot of car park around and under the castle.  We have no problem in finding a parking lot, especially one that is near the main castle gate.

Entrance of St Malo.

Main gate of the castle.

Inside the castle, personally feels like inside a big shopping mall that selling branded goods.  The only part that I enjoyed most is the beach outside the castle wall.  Full horizon with only sea and sky.

With limited time for next destination, after a short moment of enjoying the breezes, we head off to St Michel.

Fourth Stop - Mont Saint-Michel

A big changes according to my friend that had visited many years back.  She told us that many years back, we can drive all the way till the gate.  Now we have to park our car at the hotel village, then take a bus ferry or walk for 40 minutes to the Mont St Michel.

It is highly recommended to book a hotel at the village and stay over the night.  The night view will be glorious.

It was a challenge for me to conquer all the way to the Abbey, as the slopes are very steep and with lot of stairs.  Feel like I am attacking the castle in Lord of the Ring.

At the entrance of the abbey, paid 9 Euro per person to have a tour into the abbey.  There is an audio guide, but need to pay extra.

The garden in the Abbey.

A pulley system to pull supply up to the fortress.  Man running inside the wheel like a hamster to pull the supplies up.

Looking down to see the platform for holding the supplies.

Inside St Michel, it gives me the feeling of time travel back to the medieval.  The tales of kings and knights and beautiful princess come alive at here.

St Michel was the highlight of this road trip.  Wish to spend a night here to see the water to cover the castle.  This will have to leave it till next round.

Good Bye Mont Saint-Michel.

A Sunday Afternoon in Brest

Arriving just in time for the marché in Brest.  The march is located at the Rue de Siam, just a few minutes walk from the Château.

Walking towards Rue de Siam from Château.

The marché is the highlight of Brest in Sunday.  After the close of the marché, the city center will become very quiet until the night fall.

It is around 1.30 pm when i reached there, about half an hour more to closing.  Most of the stall owner are packing up, with mainly the food seller still trying to clear their stock.  The food and fruits are cheaper then those sell in the supermarket, specially Carrefour City.

The melon and strawberry are very sweet and fresh.  Brought a box of strawberry, then get half a roast chicken with some baked potato for lunch.  The left over still enough for my dinner.

Quiet and Peaceful.

The late afternoon till evening is very quiet and peaceful.  Only regularly hear the arrival of tram at the station.  A good time to have a nap for the rest of the day.