MODEL GUN COLLECTIONS(11) - HK416D ASSAULT RIFLE BY VFC

Heckler & Koch is one of my favorite firearm manufactures, due to its good design, battle proved quality, but not the high price. This HK 416D assault rifle is an advanced model of US M4A1 rifle. It kept the popular design of M4A1, but with improved reliability. This airsoft HK 416D is made by a Taiwanese company named VFC, which is famous of producing high quality airsoft gun for hobbyists.  Due to the HK logo licencing issue, I had waited for it for a long time.

The airsoft is powered by gas, not electricity. So it operates more like a real rifle and gives player some recoil feeling. That is the fun part of operating a GBB (Gas Blow Back) airsoft. That is also why more airsoft BB manufactures produce GBB model guns.

If you are a BB gun hobbyist, and you love H&K, I will recommend you to get one.

TREASURE HILL(寶藏巖), A PART OF HISTORY AND MODERN ART OF TAIPEI

Treasure Hill(寶藏巖)is quite an unique place in Taipei City, you can find the info of it history at the website of Taipei Artist Village. It was a very special community in the past, and now became a village for modern artists. 

The reason I like to visit Treasure Hill is for the combination of old style houses, the unique way how they built the community on the hill, and some decorations by the artists.

If you would like to see a very different part of Taipei history, Treasure Hill will definitely bring you some surprises. 

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MODEL GUN COLLECTIONS(10) - BROWNING HI-POWER BY WE

During WW II, Chinese armed forces used a lot small arms from US, Europe, Russian, even the arms captured from Japanese enemies. Among so many weapons, I think Browning Hi-Power pistol is quite unique one.  Hi-Power pistol was widely adopted by many European countries, but the one I am talking about is the Chinese government model.

This model was made by Inglis, Canada. This model came with an adjust rear sight up to 500 meters and was able to adopt a should stock for long rang shooting. Also, it marked "中華民國國有" (Chinese Government's property). That is the cause making this small arm so special. 

Mine Hi-Power BB pistol is made by WE, a Taiwanese BB gun company.  This model is a full metal model but no any mark on it. So I paid a little extra money to get one with  "中華民國國有" on it. If you are willing to pay more, you can get a fully modified model with completed mark and the lay yard ring just like the real one.

The top 2 photos are showing the BB gun, and the bottom one is photo of real gun (the red colored mark is not a standard ) which is displayed at  Armed Forces Museum, Taipei.

KOZANTEIUBUYA (湖山亭うぶや), A VERY NICE HOT SPRING HOTEL IN KAWAGUCHIKO

 

We stayed in Kawaguchiko (河口湖) for 2 nights; one night at Hotel Regina Kawaguchiko, and one night at Kozanteiubuya. Hotel Regina is a perfect hotel for family and it provides a great Mt. Fuji view from the guest rooms, but it is a bit far away from station and the lake.

For the second night, we stayed at Kozanteiubuya. Be honest, we thought it over several times before making the reservation, due to above average price. But after viewing some traveling blogs, we decided to enjoy it as a gift for our 12th wedding anniversary.

Kozanteiubuya occupies the best location in Kawaguchiko area, provides the best views combined with Mt. Fuji and the lake; from each guest room, restaurant, bar, and hot spring bathrooms (outdoor and indoor).

We booked the smallest room on 5th floor with 2 meals (dinner and breakfast) at the cost of JPY52,000 (USD648). Once we stepped in the hotel, we did feel we were well taken cared; from personal check-in, brief of hotel, the quality and service of meals and all the privileges.

The decoration of the guest room is not so luxurious as other hotels we have been to, but the window view and the atmosphere made us feel so relaxing and comfortable. I even did not want to turn on the TV, I just wanted enjoying the amazing view of Mt. Fuji and the lake from everywhere in the hotel.

Kozanteiubuya is a hotel providing tradition Japanese hospitality and giving a really relaxing environment to all the guests. If you visit Kawaguchiko area and have some extra budget, I do recommend you to stay one night at Kozanteiubuya. You will get more than what you pay. 

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MT. FUJI AND FUJI FIVE LAKES 富士山與富士五湖

If you are asked what the most iconic symbol is for Japan, I think over 95% people will choose Mt. Fuji. I have been to Tokyo area several times, but never had a chance to take a good look at Mt. Fuji closely. In April, 2012 I visited Kawakuchiko (河口湖) which is the most popular location in Mt. Fuji Five Lakes (富士五湖) area to see the beautiful Mt. Fuji. I was really attracted by it.

It was the first time for me to get so close to Mt. Fuji, now I realized why Japanese respect Mt. Fuji so much. It stands alone without other mountains around, and presents itself in different aspects in a day, and in different seasons; always in elegant styles.

There are five lakes around Mt. Fuji area, we visited Kawakuchiko, also the Yamanakako(山中湖). One the way to Yamanakko from Mt. Fuji station, there is a place called Oshinohakkai (忍野八海), also a nice place to visit; it combines the beautiful view of Mt. Fuji and the traditional Japanese village.

Unless you have a plan to climb Mt. Fuji, or I recommend you to visit in winter or early spring while Mt. Fuji still has a white top. It is the classic view of Mt. Fuji and prettier than it without the white top.

BTW, If you do not have an idea where to go in Kawakuchiko, I do recommend you to visit the tourist center near the train station; staffs are really helpful and are able to communicate in English.

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