Wanderlust 2010: Central Japan

Yup, we've been to Japan and back. 28th April to 5th May 2010. Central Japan to be exact. Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, Kobe in 7 days. (5.5 days in Japan to be exact because of the travelling time). Japan has always been high in the list of places I would like to travel to, since the teenage days with the popularity of Japanese Dramas. The travel agent had a 2nd pax travel for 50% off, so we decided on Japan instead of our original choice of Korea. Its a good deal me thinks, so its Nihon , land of raw fish, sakura..here we come.

We travelled by Japan Airlines. Another experience i would say. i quite like the Yuzu sky juice provided by the airlines. Ours was an overnight flight from Singapore. We reached Narita Airport early morning and started day 2 of our tour straight. Totally zonked out when we were at Disneyland Tokyo. The place is huge, compared to Hong Kong Disneyland manz. We did some rides although the place was very crowded as it was Japan's Golden week. The entire country's on holidays and travelling. So glurp.. imagine the long long queues for the rides. We headed to Ginza for some shopping. Yup, me luvs shopping. Although i din get any burberry blue label bag in the end as i din like any of the designs. The dearie did get a black label shirt though. We had dinner at Ginza area before checking into our hotel for the night. We stayed at Tokyo's Hyatt Regency. Hee, liked the hotel. Our hotel's within walking distance to Shinjuku. Our guide brought us there for some shopping. We had ramen for supper.

Disneyland Tokyo

Shinjuku at Night

Ramen Shop- Where we had our supper

Day 3 started with a visit to Ameyoko. A local products market. This was followed by outlet shopping at Gotenba Premium Outlet Mall. Hee, the time we had there was too short. There's Coach outlet, Gap outlet, Prada outlet and many many other outlets (i wonder if its be more shiok outlet shopping in the states). We also went to Shirato-no-Taki Falls, where we had our first glimpse of Mt Fuji. Our hotel that night was a traditional hot spring (onsen) hotel. We had a traditional Japanese Meal and the dearie even tried out the onsen. Moi will definitely try the onsen the next time we are in the country (Hokkaido maybe?!) . Is also interesting how the sky is bright and sunny at 4am local time (3am sgp time).. so bright that moi kept worrying about oversleeping. Hee, our days start rather early with morning calls at 6-6.30am local time.. *Yawns* and breakfast at 7.30 am ( imagine eating rice at 6.30 am in sgp .. glurrp!). The locals usually have a full fledge morning meal consisting of rice. So diff from my 2 pieces of bread routine at home..

Goodies at Ameyoko

Our room for the nite

Dinner at the traditional styled Inn

Day 4 was visit to Mount Fuji! The weather was rather good that day, we had a wonderful view of the famous mountain and even went up to Mt Fuji's 5th Station. Very beautiful views (although my fav is still Switzerland's mountains.. opps). We proceeded to Oshino Hakkai with its crystal clear pond and more views of Mt Fuji. We left for Nagoya after that. It was shopping at Nagoya ( at Sakae shopping street near Nagoya TV tower and the Oasis 21 Complex) before stopping at Gifu, where our hotel was located. I rather liked this hotel we stayed at. Out of the way, but nice.

View of Mt Fuji

We headed for Kyoto, Nara and Osaka on Day 5. We visited Kiyomizu Temple which was a temple built in 1633 in Kyoto. We had lunch and shopping at the street next to the temple. I luv Kyoto, which provides a glimpse into the rich cultural history of the country. The next place we headed to was Nara. We visited Nara Deer Park where many deers roam freely . Todaiji Temple which housed the largest bronze Buddha Structure in Japan was housed within the park. We ended the day at Osaka, whereby we had time to do more shopping!

Osaka Castle

Day 6 was Kobe City tour. We opted for the city tour instead of going to Universal Studios. The entire tour went for the city tour as those who opted for the amusement park were not able to get tickets due to the long queues (golden week mah). We visited Osaka Castle, followed by Kobe Chinatown, and Kobe Harbour. Did more shopping and ended the day at Osaka again. More shopping and eating at Shinsaibashi (Osaka's shopping and eating paradise).

Really Oiishi Peach Jelly.. Expensive but good

Kobe Harbour

Shinsaibashi's food street

Day 7 was for last minute shopping at the shopping complex near our hotel before we catch our domestic flight from Osaka to Narita and subsequent flight back home. *Sighs* time passes when we are travelling. The wallets are lighter, but the mind is rich with the sights of the places that we've been to the past few days. Feels great, finally being able to visit Japan. We'll definitely be back, either Hokkaido or a free and easy trip within Tokyo. Hee hee, moi is a happy donkey. Such trips light up my life.. i heart the sights, the cultural, the food. Till the next long trip next year (hopefully Korea or Australia) =)

Osaka Airport

Lunch at Osaka Airport

The shopping loot!!

Wanderlust Again..

Blimey!! The travel bug bits again. I wanna travel.................................to London, Paris or the US, Switzerland. Aiz.. only in my dreams..

Short Weekend Getaway with the Mommie

It was a last minute impromptu decision. The mommie had booked a room at Genting as her boss was going there with his family. So there was a free ride up. The dearie could not make it as he was working sun nite.

If i din go with mommie, she would be by herself..eating alone.. Plus, i've always felt a tad guilty that i din have alot of time for her since i moved out although she used to be the center of my life when i was growing up. So, it was off for a short weekend getaway with the mommie. I noe, she dotes on moi loads, splurging on moi for the weekend.. am blessed that my family, dearie and his family dotes on moi. We took the coach back and reached the little red dot at about 7 plus. Feels good, to go on short getaways.

Herbal Jelly (available in sgp), But i just like having it overseas

Plus the cruise trip earlier on, its 2 short trips and 1 long trip for this year, although all the trips were taken with family. Wonder if I could hope on a plane and do another short trip before this year ends.. * Grins*

My Shopping Loot.. Courtesy of the Mommie.. Yippee

Its back to work tomorrow.. *Big sign*

Wanderlust- Macau & Zhuhai

I like to travel for the elusive 'Been there at that point in time" feel. The traveller who is only stopping by for that few days. Also, for the chance to explore other culture, lifestyles, cuisines.

The first impression that Macau gave me, was that the city exists for tourists and gamblers. With hotels and casinos dotting the landscape. We flew by Tigerairways, which landed in Macau itself. Our hotel is 5 mins away from the airport and located on the Cotai Strip. The locale is the nearest to any airport I've ever been to and we stayed at the Bella Suite, which could accommodate the whole entourage.

Pics of our suite

2nd Day- We trooped over to Zhuhai, China which borders Macau on our second day. It was a hassle though, having to clear thru immigration on both ends. We managed to find our way to Wan Zai Seafood Street, where we choose our own fresh seafood from the many stores along the street. Great variety.. And we got a restaurant to cook our chosen items (the restaurant charges for the cooking only). Our entire seafood meal consisting of live abalone, prawns, oysters, crabs and veg costs around RMB $400 (S$80)..a totally yums meal.

Selecting our live seafood Cooked Version
Wan Zai Seafood Street

After a hearty meal, we went to the Gongbei underground mall which is just next to the Macau-Zhuhai Borders for some retail therapy.



GongBei Underground Mall

Did my nails at the underground mall as well. About $110 RMB for manicure and pedicure which includes nail art.

Having a "Tai tai" moment with loud colours..

We had drinks at an atas cafe called Cafe E.S.Kimo at the underground mall before departing Zhuhai.

My Apple and Rose Tea

Pics taken from the Macau side of the borders after our trip to Zhuhai. Its quite amazing how the cost of living is so much lower once you cross over to China..

Day 3- We explored Macau town and enjoyed the view from Macau Tower. Also went to Largo do Senado, which is the Macau downtown with its shops and cafes.

Spectacular view from the top of Macau Tower
Largo do Senado
Enjoying Steamed Milk Pudding at one of the cafes at Largo do Senado


Iconic Macau Landmark at Largo do Senado

For our last night in Macau, we managed to find a restaurant which served very decent Portuguese cuisine. The restaurant is called Restaurante "A Lorcha" which is located at Rua Do Almirante Serigo No. 289 R/C Macau. There are a few restaurants serving Portuguese food along the stretch. The food was wonderful and we had a jug of Sangria to go along with the food. We had Kale soup, Seafood soup, really fantastic seafood rice Portuguese style, unforgettable clams cooked Spanish style, Bacalhau (Salted Cod)with potato baked in cream and African chicken. Only the chicken was a tad salty and not to our liking. The meal was more pricey at about $700 MOP but well worth the moo-lah. We will definitely do return visits to the restaurant if we are in Macau.. Sluppz.

Dinner at A Lorcha
Signature Portuguese dishes like Bacalhau. Portions are huge and great for sharing

Hee hee, and of course, no overseas trip is complete without the requisite shopping. Better that spending the moo-lah on the reels rightz?. So tadah, my purchases..or rather, the only items i could afford coz everything else was so expensive in the touristy resort. My only regret was not having time to explore the supermarkets for items not available in Singapore due to the busy schedule. A must do for all my travels,yah.. Oh, and not having time to queue for Pork Cutlet burger from the famous Lord Stow's Bakery ; which is just by our hotel.. ;p

Till the next trip.. yah........

Beautiful Memories

Beautiful Swiss Alps..Belated Honeymoon Pics

Top of Europe.. the most picturesque place i've ever been too..
if i have a chance to go back again this lifetime, i'm blessed..

Borders between Italy & Switzerland.. Lake District

Milan

Water City Venice

Our Italy and Switzerland journey. its great to be able to travel with my loved ones..

indeed there is beauty in this world, esp in Switzerland. these are the wonderful things in life that keeps me going in the next 2 months ahead.. i so so wanna travel. to escape. 2.5 work days for this week.. i am still counting down..