Solving 3x3 Rubik's cube.

I had been trying to solve Rubik's cube 3x3x3 since I was in my teens, only to throw it away frustrated after hours of struggling with it. And my Cube was lying forgotten and catching dust until recently when I found an online video tutorial which described the techniques to solve the cube. It involved 7 steps of lengthy algorithms which had to be memorized. Given my weak memory, I wouldn't put an effort to even hear it once, but somehow I survived the tutorial and memorized the algorithms too, well... almost....

Now I can solve it in about 4 minutes and I have my aspirations really high when I say that my aim is to bring it down to the World Record of 3x3x3... ie 00:05.66!!! Hmm, may be not... Now, I am using a beginner level algorithm and an ordinary cube, neither of which are cut out for speed cubing... Following the advice of veterans in speedcubing, my intention is to try to solve the cube with in about 1.30 minutes. By that time I should be ready to learn the Fridrich algorithm which is more suited for speedcubing.

score form online Rubik's timer

I am planning to write a very simple beginner's guide for solving the cube for dummies like myself and put it here... to rescue all those unfortunate Rubik's cubes sleeping in the darkest corners.... lol...

Trip to Hakone

Hakone is a town in Ashigarashimo District in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. It is known for it hot spring onsens, art museums and view of mount Fuji. Hakone is located in the mountainous far west of the prefecture, hence it is snow-clad even in February. The main motive of my trip is just to see snowfall!

You can read more about Hakone here, and if you are planing to visit, here is a guide.

I stayed at Fuji Hakone guest house. It is a Japanese style Inn and the stay was more delighting than words can tell. I got down at the nearest bus stop Senkyoro-Mae. The clear sky and snowy ground made my heart jump... lol.

Guest house was one minute walk away from the bus stop. The hosts spoke English and welcomed the guests warmly. 

 

The living room had piano, guitar, computer, toys for kids, TV, oven, hot kettle, origami papers, traditional Japanese show-case dolls etc. The rooms were Japanese style, floored with tatami mats. They were named Fuji, Sakura, Kabuki, Hakone etc.

All though there wasn't an attached toilet, it was very nearby the rooms. There were both indoor and outdoor onsens, which you can use private for 30 minutes. Having a hot sping bath viewing the clear blue sky is a must-have-experience if you are in Japan. The indoor onsen was also exciting as the window allows us to view a space closed by bamboo walls, where ground is snow-clad and you get to view the sky too... Yes, I love clear blue sky.

There weren't too many restaurants near-by. I guess the population density as such is low in Hakone. Regardless there were many tourst attractions nearby. There is Hakone Jinja Shrine on the south shore of the lake Ashi. Hakone open air museum is a must-go. Museum of Petit prince was one minute away. Grass lands were about a 15 min away by walk. A 24 hour Lawson seemed to be the only shop opened after 8.00pm. After check-out, I headed to Lake Ashi by bus, for boating and Hakone ropeway.

My trip ended with chilling memories of making snow angels, evening walk in snow fall and onsen baths.

Will it snow.....?

This is technically speaking my first winter off the tropics... but still I couldn't see snow fall. It's already mid-Feb... will I have to wait for next year?? :'(

Morning sun

I got up earlier than usual one day and was watching the sunrise. Nothing gives more energy than rising sun on a clear sky :)