PM Lee on leave and "undercover" in Japan, posts photos with rather amusing captions

But some were facepalm-worthy.

Jeanette Tan | December 29, 2016, 07:37 PM

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced last week (December 21) that he would be on leave for the rest of 2016, before heading back to work next year.

He has travelled to Japan for a vacation and he seems to have picked locations that would allow him to go "incognito" as a regular tourist in the land of the rising sun.

And if his photos and photo captions are anything to go by, he seems to be having fun:

1. The one where he wittily refers to an iconic photo:

Photo from PM Lee's Facebook page Photo from PM Lee's Facebook page

"Japanese macaques soaking themselves in the onsen within the Jigokudani Yaen-koen (Snow Monkey Park). They mostly ignore human visitors, but try Googling “snow monkey cellphone” to see what can happen if you get too close.

(Photo by me)"

And in case you're too lazy to Google it, this is the photo he's referring to:

Source Source

2. The one where he shows off his depth-of-field photography skills without saying so:

Photo from PM Lee's Facebook page Photo from PM Lee's Facebook page

But his caption says "Here's me schooling you in science, and also why yes, I still have super-sharp eyes.":

The land may be blanketed in snow, but pockets of greenery spring up in unexpected spots, small and delicate, like this moss on a rock. The sporophytes (spore-carrying stems) collected drops of melted snow, which caught my eye.

(Photo by me)

3. The one where he reveals his slightly shy side

Photo from PM Lee's Facebook page Photo from PM Lee's Facebook page

"Came across this bar in Echigo-Yuzawa, open for business on Christmas Day. I was intrigued because it had both Santa Claus and Japanese New Year decorations, credit card signs and a big red “Open” sign! I could hear the singing inside, but did not venture further. :)

(Photo by me)"

 

4. The one where he expresses his glee at not being recognised

Photo from PM Lee's Facebook page Photo from PM Lee's Facebook page

An undercover country leader would certainly relish the opportunity to remain unrecognised.

"Spotted lots of happy kids at the mall in Karuizawa, and managed to catch a few in action. It was fun to do people watching and street photography, without being noticed or recognised!

(Photos by me)"

 

5. The one where he reveals his lame side:

Photo from PM Lee's Facebook page Photo from PM Lee's Facebook page

"Two good luck cats (招财猫), taken at the Karuizawa mall. The one waving its left paw brings in money, while the one waving its right paw brings in people! That’s two ways to stay paw-sitive in business! ;)

(Photo by me)"

Why, PM. Why.

6. And we saved the best for last, it's a doozy:

Photo from PM Lee's Facebook page Photo from PM Lee's Facebook page

"Interesting sight at a pharmacy in Karuizawa. The message on the countertop is written in both simplified and traditional Chinese characters, for tourists from mainland China, Hong Kong or Taiwan (or even Singapore). The pills on display must be hangover tablets – the Japanese term “二日醉” (second day drunk) seems very apt. :)

(Photo by me)"

We hope he didn't need any of those!

You can view his whole album here:

He also posted a previous one here:

 

Top photo adapted from PM Lee's Facebook page

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