To the land of Konnichiwa

こんにちは~

I've told so many people prior to my trip that I'm not at least excited for it. OH MAN I've made such a huge mistake on that statement. Now, just 1 week back from Japan, I'm missing that place so much already. 

Shinjuku 新宿 - That's where my AirBNB apartment is. Amazingly, I booked the apartment (which it says its like 4mins away from Shinjuku JR station) and it took us such a long time to find the apartment. But that's just for the first day! Short cuts were everywhere (and we had a nice host, yay) so it makes travelling around Tokyo really easy from Shinjuku JR station. 

So we walked around Shinjuku JR station on the first night, since we touched down and found out apartment until 4pm. Japanese crepes. They are everywhere. Everyone's queuing for one so we had to grab one too. Not. Nice. One. 

That's my mum pretending to get something from those colourful vending machines near our apartment. Yes, these are the best way you can do coin donations in Japan. 

明治神宮は - Meiji Jinggu Shrine

Harajuku 原宿

& we had an enormous cotton candy for free YAY

Best tempura I had in my life. I ate everything that I usually don't eat (i.e. squid, prawn)

Shibuya 渋谷, the famous Shibuya Crossing.

Actually, nothing amazing lol. 

Ichiran ramen 一蘭のラーメン. This one is not bad (only the menu is a little bad), love the soup! 

Yokohama 横浜 - Cup Noodle Museum 

Quite an amazing experience. Didn't expect to have to much to see just out of making cup noodles. Honestly speaking, everything can be better with a little of translation in english. Don't like english? Chinese also can ma.....................

Yokohama Chinatown (I googled and it's one of the biggest in Japan).

Ueno Zoo 上野動物園!!! The oldest in Japan! 

Say hi to the Kangaroo and Joey!

Fresh Sushi from Tsujiki Fish Market 築地市場

Asakusa - Sensō-ji-ji

AND WHAT ABOUT DISNEYLAND LOVE IT!!

Now lovin' this country I'll do whatever it takes to go back again!

Satisfaction out of travelling

These few months have been so tiring, rushing work in and out due to all my traveling schedules jammed packed within 4 months. Having only 2 to 3 weeks (and even as short as 4 work days) in between my travelling schedules was crazy. All the jobs under my the name of ICA calling for my updates, assessments and reviews (which was lots of them)!

But anyway admist all those, I traveled to Bangkok for the first time without my family. Although I should have been used to it (since I have traveling to China with just colleagues), the feeling was still different. Luckily I had B with me, someone I could rely on. Enjoyed myself so much :)

Till next time. Bye.

Hong Kong 2013

 (Avenue of Stars, East Tsim Sha Tsui)

 (Flea Market, Sham Shui Po)

 (The Peak Tower, The Peak)

 (South Pole Spectacular, Ocean Park)

(Whirly Bird, Ocean Park)

Hong Kong has been a place mommy wanted to revisit for a long long time. Her last trip was about almost 20 years back. Since we've already traveled to Taiwan during mid-2013, I thought Hong Kong would then be a good choice for this year-end vacation.

I've heard so much about how good the food, the night lights and the tourist attractions are, so I planned my own itinerary with a bit of copy & paste from the ones I took from my friends. With high hopes to get better dim sum than what I took in Singapore, and higher hopes of seeing the magnificent night lights better than the ones in Marina Bay Sands, there we embarked on our 5 days 4 nights journey. 

The hotel we stayed in was rather convenient with shuttle bus service from 0800 - 2300, shuttling between Mongkok (where the hotel is located) to Tsim Sha Tsui & Kowloon on an hourly basis (I mean I would seriously recommend this 4-star hotel if anyone's interested). 

I strongly recommend street food becus they are a lot nicer than the ones you find in the restaurant. Mommy & I found this absolutely thumbs-up porridge store a few steps from our hotel & had it for dinner & breakfast for 2 consecutive days! Other than that... maybe I would say their dim sum's still not that bad after all (but definitely not as "wow" as what has been published along on every other platform). 

When it comes to shopping, we visited quite a number of malls! Habour City, Langham Place and Olympian City has everything you find in places like Takashimaya, but the BEST shopping location would be the few malls attached to Kwai Fong MTR station. Being wholesale malls, they sell everything you need and fashionable clothings, shoes and bags at wholesale prices! Definitely worth the visit! Ladies' Market, Temple Street, Fa Yuen Street and all the other famous streets, I would say - go for the experience, not for the products. Every other things are "inspired" products sold at "non-inspired" prices. You definitely wouldn't wanna be some stupid tourist (unless you really like them a lot, please go ahead). Oh ya, Sham Shui Po might just be another whole sale market you wouldn't wanna miss. You might wanna give the oh-so-famous Nathan Road Shopping Paradise a skip in your itinerary not because there is nothing to shop, but its so obvious that you wouldn't miss it even if its not in your itinerary. 

Do not expect too much from the Avenue of Stars as well as the symphony of lights or you'll end up disappointed like a lot of our tourists (including us). Most of us left before the approx. 15mins show ended. How sad. When it comes to tourists attraction, Ocean Park is a must go! With the themepark located on the mountains, you get to take cable car rides without paying extra and seeing all the cute ocean creatures as well as the Giant Pandas! Themepark rides are all up for grabs if you dare! We also went up to The Peak (a must-go for the breath-taking view of Hong Kong Island) via the Peak Tram, a superb experience! Visited the Madame Tussands Wax Musuem.

Anyway, I think it's because of the culture, 80% of the hongkies are hot-tempered and unfriendly. Be prepared to get nasty comments or replies if you ask for directions or seek help from the locals there! Also, get a pair of comfortable shoes because you'll be walking and walking all day long!

One-3rd January

School/work plus tuition everyday has been draining all my energy. Feeling blessed because I have awesome schoolmates who never fails to make my day even if I slept for only 3 4 hrs the previous night.

Actually, I cannot wait for work to end soon. Not because I don't enjoy myself there, but really, I need my time back.

Wanted to reject one of my previous tutee today but the mummy was so sincere and all ready to take any slot I am gg to offer. Maybe I'll try to slot her in after I end work. :)

#np 孙燕姿 我要的幸福