JAPAN TRIP 28 February 2013 to 5 March 2013.

Dear Diary,

This was one of my look forward holidays of 2013. I had been busy browsing hotels and topics related to Japan since last year. I mananged to  get a good price on tickets for my sis and me and after browsing through many hotels on tripadvisor and last minute cancellation on hotels. I managed to settle on Southern Century Hotel  Shinjuku.

Japan Itinerary 2013

28 Feb - flew off using SQ at abt 3 pm arrived at Haneda 11.00 plus pm and went out of immigration at about 12 pm. Thank god booked the Airport Transporter and the driver was prompt, just paid 8,400 yen and the driver directly delivered us to the hotel door. Booking and Check in was a breeze as  had already paid the full amount. The hotel was fantastic on the 30th floor, our room was 3055 facing the Takashimaya Time Square and the Shinjuku station. The bathroom was more then wide enough and with an automated WC with heated seats, even all the amenities, shampoo, conditioner and body wash was all from Shiseido..talk about class :D. I loved it, they even provided free pajama usage.

1 March 2013 (First Day in Japan)
The first day was spend at Tsukiji Market for a taste of the world famous sushi. Arrived there with the help of the hotel concierge who booked a taxi with my name. The journey was long as Tsukiji seemed to be out of Central Tokyo, arrived wondered around and asked for direction and arrived at spot i had written Sushi Dai or Daiwa Sushi for our breakfast and i forgot the coloured of the curtains and just queed at the orang curtains shop turned out it was Daiwa Sushi which was my second choice. But for that me and my sister had to wait at least 1 hour , the other Sushi Dai was even longer. So i think it was meant to be. I ate my first authenthic Japan sushi, it was not mind blowing as reported in several blows but i have never tasted Uni Sushi so delicious, i remember it until now. The taste of it off all the okamase set was mindblowing.  After filling our tummy.

Went with my not so detailed itinerary to Asakusa for Sensoji Temple and Kamimoron Gate and Nakamise Shopping. My sister was dead tired after this so the plans the rest of the night was changed and we ended going back to the hotel as our bodies and feet hurts.


2 March 2013
-Hakone using Romance Car, pirate ship, cable car
-Went back to Hotel about 4 plus pm.

3 March 2013
-Went for kimono, went to the wrong station Toridagatsu
-2 hours late for fitting at Omiya, omiya station,...wenr for walk at Omiya Shrine, visited a real Japanese Garden. Saw super big black crows and kois.

4 March 2013
-Tokyo Sky Tree Tower shopping, ate lunch soba udon and Gindaco Takoyaki.
-Went to Harajuku ate at Marion Crepe for famous harajuku crepes

5 March 2013
-Went to Shibuya, saw Hachiko statue, Shibuya Crossing, ate lunch there.
-Went to Ginza, walked around searching for Ginza Rag Tag could not find it. Used taxi to go from Ginza to Don Quiote but it was closed.
-Last stop Takashimaya Time Square, sis was too tired, used taxi to Isetan then shopped abit there then went back at 8pm because our driver was taking us from the hotel to Haneda at 9 pm.

9pm bye bye Tokyo was said, actually me and my sister went back home everyday with aching bodies.

Conclusion i felt this 6 days 5 nights trips was a bit rush and my sister was not in a condition like me to go straight to the next destination without any breaks. If it was a nine day holiday it would be more relaxed and fun. I loved the cold weather though i had many regrets on the shopping part, i was prepared to spend but did not do as intended so my chanel bag wish list was put off. I should have just buy the stuff on the spot as some shop like Don Quoite was apparently closed for no reason. Well i cannot read Japanese.

Will continue more soon.
Cest La Vie

One More Day :D!!!!!

The anticipation is building up, one more day left, i am still at work, feeling kinda nervous, hopefully everything will go well and selamat sampai tommorow. *Amin*.



LIST OF THINGS TO DO:-
a) Packing (have not packed at all, please put the essential clothings+ socks/scarf etc)
b) All the electrical appliances + chargers (curler+heat protectant, charger for mobile and 2 digicam)
c) Passport+ Ticket+ Hotel Booking
d) Coupons+ Musical Ticket (Make sure all in one file and priority in the luggage)
e) Travel Log Book ( To jot down all the travel adventures) + Korean Translation Book
f)Makeup Bag (Essential Makeup items; Wipes, Contact Lens Cleaner+ Cases)
g) Dettol Wipes+ AntibacterialWipes + 2 Detol Antibac
h) Body Spray+ Perfume
i) Itinery Log Book --- MOST IMPORTANT




This are just at the top of my head. Hopefully everything will be fine and we will survive and ENJOY this WINTER SONATA in KOREA :D


- Cest La Vie-

6 More Days :D

The days is zooming by fast. I am still at work until the last days. My travel essentials is not yet done, so many on my list not yet bought. My sis told me she only plans to exchange money when she is in Korea. It is really not helping that i am having my TOM. The pain is really killing my mood right now, i dont feel like working lol. I am just learning the essential phrases hopefully i can do this....KOREA i am coming soon ;)

The Day is Coming Nearer ;)

 Wheeeeeeeeeeee i am soo excited. 8 more days, discounting my holiday 5 more days lol. My travel checklist items not yet done. Can i survive being the tour guide there with my sister can we do this all on my own, doubts is starting to feel my head. But i will tawakal saja, hopefully everything will be fine there. I am having my TOM which is kinda killing my mood also to go out. And telling the truth i have to work until the very end until my holiday. Its ok...You Can Do It...FIGHTING!!!

The 2010 Korea Trip :)

 Our last Korea Trip was during the time of June 2010, it was summer in korea and it wass HOT!!!, just sharing some pics :D, Our next trip is in February which is WINTER such contrast lol:

Our first Korean Meal Dolsot Bibimbap which was SUPERYUMMY!!!

Our Hotel Hamilton Hotel

Haemul Tang Soup in Jeju Island

Jeju Island Souvenirs (so cute wanted to buy all lol)

Enjoy the pics expecting more for the upcoming one, My WINTER SONATA IN SEOUL ;)

So Excited :D!!!

I am soo excited 8 more days to my long awaited trip discounting the holidays,  that has already 40+ page of itinerary and info to bring :P. I still have to bring essentials and waiting for my sis to come back then we can go shopping and do our hair together. I was planning to do my hair today but the case of lazies come up so now im in bed typing this entry up.  I am listing here the travel essentials im planning to bring, hope i bring everything:-

ESSENTIAL TRAVEL ITEMS

• Passport
• E tickets (Flight Tickets , Hotel Tickets)
• Travel Log Book (I am not bringing my Lappy so i am just gonna jot it down here)
• Bought and paid for Musical Tickets
• Discount Vouchers For Shops, Resto and Musical
• My 40 pages itinerary :P which is not yet done
• Changed Money + Activated Credit Card for use abroad
• Toiletries (as i read the hotel does not provide them,  dettol/antibac soap, shampoo, tooth paste, brush, shaver)
• Curling Tongs
• Makeup Bag
• All the electrical charger for phone and camera
• Digicam (2 sets + memory card)
• Antibac hand sanitizer
• Contact Lens Rewetter (3x)
• Lots of wet wipes
• Sunglasses
• Pills in case of emergency (nurofen, anti diarrhial pills :P)
• Chewing Gum
• Umbrella
• Decide which trusty travel  bag to use
• 2 sets of contacts lens ( i tore my contacts on the last trip had to use glasses all the way, must look prettier :P)
• Bring my most trusty glasses
• Translation Book (12 more days including holidays to learn important phrases)
• Yassin
• Hand Lotion
• VS Body Spray and Perfume (Have to Buy)
• Lots of Pocket Tissues

I think thats about it have to buy most of them, change more money and will add some more when i think of it.


-cest la vie-

New York Blues

It has been literally 2 months since i left New York and i miss it so much, here i am listing some of the things i miss:-

 I miss the sense of belonging, independence though in the frenzy and hectic crowds of people, the feeling of oneness and aim when walking to work in my high heels and bringing my heavy bag, everyone had a purpose and that was to reach work on time. It is in New York i learned to walk fast in high heel and not break a sweat, to walk tall and proud and also to communicate with strangers, and exchange views and cultures.

 I miss the French Vanilla Latte bought at the Korean Deli, where the ahjumma would smile encouragingly at me as i am her regular customer,  needing a fix for my addiction. The taste of the Coffee is mind blowing, rich, luscious, upon sipping u get this shot of nirvana, not too sweet just perfection the combo of Coffee & Smooth Vanilla taste is genius, and 2 USD gives u a Large  which is best price. Drinking the hot French Vanilla Latte  in the chilly morning is lovely experience :D.

I miss the Halal Cart which served the most delicious food and it became my staple lunch. It was heavenly walking back to my workplace from meetings smelling the delicious grilled meat. My staple being the Chicken over Rice with lots of white sauce and BBQ . The white sauce is Da Bomb and combined with the BBQ sauce orgasmic. It was so yummy, the spicy yellow rice, the tender bits of chicken. The halal cart man was extra nice as he always gave me extra salad and chicken heheh. He also gave me a discount, the usual price being 6 dollars, but for me it was 5 dollars with a drink. Such a bargain, this lunch also never failed to cheer me up during my stressful time. But i remember the first time i ate it, i had a *stomach situation* for 4 nights, but my stomach adjusted ;).

Example of Food Cart in Times Square but not sure if this is a HALAL one .

I miss the ascessibility  of shops and safeness, at some point we only finished work at 2 am in the morning and it was safe to walk on the streets, this was New York unbelivable heheh. for me, all the shops you only ever seen in movies in front of your eyes, Macys, Bloomingdales,Saks. Though i only had one main splurge the satisfaction of having everything at your fingertips will never cease. I Love NY for that , i also loved the fact that i watched Phantom of the Opera in Broadway, all by myself that was an achievement in itself as i am a not so brave person, and for the first time ever i used a taxi to go and back to see the Musical. The Musical was fantastic,above my expectation and I LOVE IT.

I miss the shopping online, everything so digitized and it all delivered to your door and thats whats sooo convenient and it arrives within two or three days.

The delicious cupcakes, New Yorkers are crazy about their cupcakes i wanted to try Magnolia, but there was such a long queue i was put off. But I Love Crumbs and Georgetown Cupcakes (Washington). They are the best in the World.

YUMMY DC CUPCAKES

GEORGETOWN CUPCAKES WASHINGTON

CRUMBS BAKERY WHICH HAS BRANCHES IN NEW YORK AND WASHINGTON <3

Those are some of the things i MISS ABOUT NEW YORK. NEW YORK I LOVE YOU, I WANNA COME BACK!!!!

-C'est La Vie-