Leaving Tokyo, on the way to HK...

On the way flying to HK and end of my Tokyo adventure. I have only started to get used to the lifestyle and I am now leaving!


Tokyo has almost everything you need and want, but they are not cheap at all!I have spent so much that I have blown my budget already.


Alot of my research about the city made my life alot easier when I was there. Basically it was a breeze to get around if you do enough research and follow signs on the street. I can say that I had so much fun there, I wouldn't mind working there if I had a chance! I did feel abit lonely at times but most of the times I enjoyed travelling by myself.


As S said, things actually turned out alright after all the worries. I will remember this trip as I think I wouldn't think I will be doing another solo travelling for a long time.


One thing worth mentioning is that it seem like its fate that A and I got to know each other. If things turned out normally, I don't know if I would be able to get to know her. She is a very nice person and a good friend to keep.  I also hope G and T will get well soon, so things can go back to normal again.

I will post the main highlights of the trip soon...

Tokyo Japan 2009 Day 2 Odaiba

17th October, 2009 Day 2

A offered to accompany me today. (yay ^^)

The plan for today was to spend a whole day in Odaiba as there was so much to see and do:)

We met at Shimbashi Station in the morning and changed to Yurikamome line to Odaiba.

The famous Rainbow Bridge and copy of Statue of Liberty, Odaiba.  I must say that the view of the bridge would be nicer at night.

We went to this special omelette rice place called ポムの樹 in Aqua City for lunch.

Closed up

Drink and dessert in the "Lady's Set"

Pomunoki ポムの樹　アクアシティお台場店

Address: 〒135-0091 東京都港区台場1-7-1 アクアシティお台場5F

Tel: 03-3599-5510

http://www.pomunoki.com/pomme/index.html

I have been waiting to have this omelette rice for so long.  The rice, the sauce and the omelette were so unique and combined so well together that you can't find a smiliar delicacy for this dish elsewhere.

After lunch we went shopping at the Venus Fort. 

The famous fountain

I have seen alot of  info on this shopping centre on the web, and therefore have put alot of expectation on this. Unfortunately the shopping centre was undergoing a major renovation at the time I visited, so alot of shops aren't open.  I was somewhat disappointed.

However this didn't spoil my mood for my next stop - Ooedo-onsen Monogatari.

front door entrance

+

queue to reception

choose your yukata!

change room

After all these, we are ready to walk around...lots of shops and restaurant in the complex

Entry to outdoor foot spa

the kids infront of me, yelling, so hot, so hot! ^^

Now the real deal - entry to the Onsen

After we came out of the spa feeling relaxed and refreshed, we were hungry and craving for food!

Dry udon mixed with raw egg

Oden (おでん) and Gyoza

Yakitori and Asahi Beer

Ooedo-onsen Monogatari 大江戶溫泉物語
website: http://www.ooedoonsen.jp

Tokyo Japan 2009 Day 1 SYD -> HKG -> NRT Airport -> Shinjuku

16th October, 2009 Day 1

Arrived HK at around 5:30am HK time in the morning.  The plan was to transit in HK for a few hours before heading off to NRT.  Because I've chosen a different airline carrier to fly from HKG-NRT, I had to go to the transfer desk to get my boarding pass.  First time to do international transit in HK.

During the flight...

Snack

Lunch

After a short rest, I arrived on the Nippon Land.

Luckily I passed customs and got my luggage with no delay.  I then needed to find the ticket office to get a train ticket to Shinjuku.

Ticket Office

Narita Express (N'EX)

Ticket to Shinjuku :)

So far, so good. I have actually arrived Shinjuku earlier than my planned time! I was meant to meet up with my friend A for dinner that night, because she hasn't finished work yet by the time I arrived Shinjuku, I walked around the place while I wait for her.

When I finally met up with her, she took me to this Izakaya for dinner - my first meal in Tokyo.

different types of Chicken Yakitori, green beans (left), Asahi Beer

Fried potato, Japanese wine on the back corner of the picture

Grilled fish

After the dinner, I went back to hotel and hit the (real) bed straight away - what a long day!

Tokyo Japan 2009 - Foreword

Sometimes its good to have a change to a routine life, like adding spice to a tasteless meal.

My planning process hasn't been easy this time to Japan. Although a lot of changes has happaned during my planning, I am happy that I have made the decision to go ahead with it. Maybe its not perfect or ideal - as I won't be seeing my good friend as originally planned.

Maybe this is the way to experience life. Whatever happens, good and bad, I will treat this as part of my life experience.