Izu Peninsula Day 1

[Oct 10, 09]

We choose Izu Peninsula as our last trip in Japan. It is nearer from our dormitory and easy to get there by local train (no more Shinkansen), B-U-T it is still expensive! Not many foreigners will consider visit Izu. Only locals know about this place. When you need a place to hide or if you like nature, Izu definitely a good choice!

We stopped at Atami. Why Atami? Honestly we were really disappointed during the time in Kyoto because we only managed to see geisha's BACK (Please refer to this entry). Therefore this time we will not let ourselves down. No more! We were going to Atami Geisha Centre to look for geisha!

On our way, we kept on asking locals about Atami Geisha Centre until we managed to find it. Yes! we are here! We already here for Geisha! We were excited like kids (jumping up and down like jelly fish).

Admission fee: 1300 Yen (we got 100 Yen discount!) ^_^

Refreshment: cake + a cup of green tea. (Don't worry. All included in admission fee)

Finally we saw geisha on the stage. We found the performance really funny because we don't understand at all. All around us are aunties and uncles. We are the youngest one! ^_^ and also the silly one. ="= Paying 1200 Yen just to see geisha, but anyway it is cheap compared to those geisha centre in Kyoto.

Even more exciting, we got the chance to take few photos with them. Hahahaaha..

After performance, we walked to Atami Castle. The weather just nice for walking. Sunny but not hot. Windy but not so cold. We saw a pair of husband and wife fishing near Atami beach. How relaxing they are! Erm, how to control myself not to think about those irritating project? Don't care. I should make use of my time in Izu.

Took cable car up to the hill and saw such superb panoramic view of ocean. We had our prawn udon here. The scenery is breathtaking! We decided not to go to Atami Castle because we would like to spend more time in this place.

After that we returned to Atami station and strolled around at the market. They sell a lot of dried food and souvenirs.

Before turn dark, we have to get to our hostel at Usami. We took local train to Usami station. Usami is a small town. Once we reached this station, we hardly can find anyone else on the road. Seems like NO-ONE town.

We check-in at Onsen Minshuku Otsuka. This hostel not as cheap as in Hokkaido, and also not as good maintenance as in Hokkaido. B-U-T hostel owner is really kind. ^_^ He can speaks English, but not fluently. He offered to fetch us to their so-called night market (pasar malam) for dinner.

Just right in front of this hostel, it is Usami beach. We are surprised to see many people were surfing near the beach. Why in such cold weather?! Getting cold at evening. We shivered while sit on the beach.

I LOVE IZU!!!

At night, we had our Unagi rice at one of japanese restaurant. Oishi!!

As I mentioned, Usami beach just right in front of our hostel. There is highway in between the beach and hostel. That's why we can hear the car racing sound especially midnight. Kick away those noise, just concentrate ourselves to those beautiful wave sound. Night at Usami is boring. Nothing much to visit during night time. No Starbucks. No Coffee Bean. No internet cafe. All shops and restaurants closed around 7pm. After 7pm, we rotted in our hostel room. Normally foreigner excited to put on the Yukata that prepared by the hotel/hostels. We also the same. Since the night is boring, the only activity for us is to put on the Yukata and take photos! ^_^ Of course, our silly act photos cannot be published in the blog. :P

I wish

I wish,
one day when I wake up, I sleep in my own dream house but not rented room.

I wish,
one day when I wake up, my saving suddenly becomes 7 digits.

I wish,
one day when I wake up, no need worry about tonnes of work.

I wish,
one day when I wake up, I drive BMW to work.

I wish,
one day when I wake up, I just need to plan for trip but not work schedule.

I wish,
one day when I wake up, I no need to face those irritating faces or unfair incidents.

I wish,
one day I strike the 1st prize in TOTO or 4D.

I wish,
one day when I wake up, it is beautiful cooling day, but not freaking hot day!!

I think,
I think too much tonight.
It's time to sleep......

Tokyo Disney Sea

[Oct 3, 09]

I would regret if I never visit to Tokyo Disney Sea before I return to Sg. This time before visit to Disneysea, I must make sure I have entry ticket. I don't want the same thing happen to me again (Refer to this blog). Why we choose Oct 3 to Disneysea? no special reason. It is because we only left 2 weekends before we left Japan!!! By the way, see what a 'GOOD' day we choose. It was raining non-stop that day. T__T

There are 7 uniquely themed areas in Disneysea such as American Waterfront, Lost River Delta, Port Discovery, Mermaid Lagoon, Arabian Coast, Mediterranean Harbor and Mysterious Island. We were not manage to explore all games due to the bad weather. We played the outdoor game only when the rain was stopped. Most of time we acted silly by wearing all those character series hat. :P

Remember: please stay until night time. You will be amazed by the night at Disneysea. It was so spectacular!

Liew's visit | Jan 1 ~ 3

SL was taking Tiger Airway to Sg. Initially I have no idea how to pick her up at Budget Terminal because there is no direct bus or MRT to that terminal. Well, internet is really convenient sometimes. From one of the forum, it mentioned that actually got FREE shuttle bus service from Budget Terminal to Terminal 2. Ended up I successfully picked her up at bus station, Terminal 2.

SL was so energetic after reached Terminal 2 and we rushed to United Square after taking lunch at Ya Kun cafe. Why United Square? because SL wants to look for new dress for her baby. :P You can find a lot of baby stuff here.


CH picked us up for dinner. We went to Esplanade after that. It is a good place for those people who want to practise using their DSLR camera. I am one of them. :P I think I need a tripod to capture a still and sharp night landscape. Any sponsor? :P


For the following 2 days, SL and I spent our time in shopping. SL loves to shop in Bugis Street. She found lots of dress she liked. Me too!!! I found my jeans and boots!! Anyway hopefully SL enjoyed her trip in Sg. Hopefully I am a great tour guide to guide you around. ^_^

Ueno Ameyoko

[Sep 26, 09]

3 weeks left before return to Sg. Weather start turning into Autumn in September. Time flies fast. During the time we came to Japan, it was almost end of Spring. We went through few trips during Summer such as Hokkaido, Kyoto and Tokyo East. We almost finished our cash that we bring to Japan in the first day. However I have kept some cash for my mum's souvenirs - dried scallops and mushrooms.

Therefore we came to Ueno Ameyoko. Here you can find a lot of dried seafood and wasabi nuts which sells in bargainable price. But must always remember, only C-A-S-H is acceptable here! No credit card ok.

After shopping in Ueno Ameyoko, our cash is just enough for the trip back to our hostel. Sounds pity right? Even more pitiful is we had spent all cash on our lunch by mistake. Why? Before we ordered food, we actually did ask in English whether credit card is acceptable in that restaurant and the japanese shop owner just replied us "ok! ok!". So we ate our lunch peacefully. Ended up casher asked for cash in the counter when we were going to pay our bill. -_-''' They misunderstood us in the first place. Hmmm.. luckily credit card is acceptable in purchasing train tickets.

Tokyo Disney Hotel

[Sep 21, 09]

We had extra 1 day holiday during Japan Silver Week. Unfortunately we were not able to plan for a short trip to Izu Peninsula because most of cheaper hostels are fully-booked. Therefore we postponed the trip to October before we went back to Sg. In these 3-days-long holidays, we just strolled around Tokyo such as Machida, Shibuya, and Tokyo Metropolitan Building. We actually went to DisneySea in the last day of silver week. Yes, we went there! but.... when we reached DisneySea, all tickets have been sold out. -_-''' We learnt our lesson. NEVER visit Disneyland / Disneysea during holiday! NEVER visit Disneyland/Disneysea without ticket booking!

It is disaster! We had spent our money and time travelled from west to south-east of Tokyo. It actually sounds stupid if we just travel back like that. Therefore we spent some time in Tokyo Disney hotel, just right outside the train station.

We have ever think to stay a night in Disney hotel. After searching high and low in the internet for the fare of Disney hotel, we cancelled our plan due to the extremely expensive room rate. Well, maybe I would consider again if I have chance to visit any Disneyland in the world again. But now, N-O!

Just like a dream hotel when stepped in Tokyo Disney Hotel. You would see what it supposed have in Disneyland. Yea, Mickey and Minnie!!! ^_^ Btw it is just a statue. It's good enough for me. I rather take a photo with statue than queuing up for Mickey and Minnie for 1 hour inside the disneyland. :P