Monday, October 30, 2017

2017 - 18 days Japan - D1 - Singapore - KL - Tokyo

4-10-2017, Wednesday


  ( I had planned to do my blog daily during my trip, but it's totally impossible . At the end of each day, I am really tired. And the next day planning is a must. I hope I could update them soonest with loads of photos I had taken almost everyday)                     

I cannot remember when and where was it  that I had read about the owl cafe in Japan. I was excited to visit them - the owls. Being able to be so near them, it's such a luxury and happy thing for me. 2 years back, my daughter said her friend, Jolene was going Japan. I immediately asked her to tell Jolene to visit the owl cafe. Naturally, she thinks it has nothing to do with her. :)) When my son visited Japan last year, I asked him to visit one too. But to them, it's nothing so exciting or something they will really want to do. He just smiled at me. Fortunately, they passed by one and managed to enjoy themselves. I was so full of envy when I saw their photos, especially those with holding the owls. Finally, I am going to Japan! Owls, I am going , wahaha !!!

It was supposed to be a short 9 days trip, then after much searching, there are so much I want to do and visit, I changed and changed again, now I have 18 days, so joyful!

From Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka , I have extended to Hokkaido too. This is all possible because of the  Japan JR pass and google search. The more I check, the more I want to do, the more I think I have to go. Japan is very big and has too many things to do. Food, waterfalls, Nature trails, Owls cafe, Kobe beef etc etc., I hope I  could plan a good trip for both of us. I spent as much time searching as our travelling time, yet I am already enjoying it. I have helps from tripadvisor, JR , Pins, blog etc., Technology is terrific! I will be visiting Hokkaido and Aomori for the first week before the hubby join me for the second part. And we were be meeting our son who happened to be there for meeting. How interesting.

I am taking a night flight ,from Singapore transit at Kuala Lumpur and arriving Narita International airport the next morning. Malaysia airline has good service. I had enjoyed their flights and had fly with them a couple of times. Most importantly, it has the best offer. 

From Tokyo, I will be travelling to Hakodate it will be another 6 hours of train ride. Wish me happy trip! I am taking my owl pillow with me. I will be having many long train ride. She will be my little comfort nap companion.

Checking in at  Singapore Changi Airport, it's time for some local food before my flight.
Autumn festival is round the corner

one of my favourites -Roasted duck drumstick

fishballs noodles
After trying a lot of fishballs in different countries, I am proud to say our fishballs is the best to me.

fore: Ice jelly with soursop             back : Ice-kachang with red beans only

The ice-jelly which is sweet is best paired with soursop. they balance up the sweetness with the sourness. Many like it with mixed fruits too. The ice-kachang is normally top with a varieties of  sweetened red beans, corns, chendol, agar-agar strands and more. Different type of syrup and condensed milk is then added to the shaved ice. The hubby likes only red beans only. In the early 1970s, we had our ice-kachang in a sphere shape. Yes, sphere shape, like a ball. we would hold with both hands and rolled it around while we sucked the ice. It's a unique technique that we all have.!! Miss those good old days.




Our airports has lots to offer. The rest and relax area is really comfortable for a good relax, free tour during your transit if you have 5.5 hrs. check it out.
You can easily access by our skytrains within the three terminals. Fouth one opening soon. check it out.

My flight was delayed in KL for about 40 minutes but we arrived Narita airport on time. While waiting, the cabin crews seem very at home, I felt that they were talking a bit too loud. Quite disturbing.

This time round, I didn't enjoy any of my food onboard. I don't know why. I ate a bread and had some nuts.

I had 2 seats to myself. I thought I could lied down like I usually do but my foot would feel numb after a while. I keep changing my position. Age is catching up. 

Anyway, it's still a happy mood looking forward to my little adventure.



You may like my other post . . 
to be continue . . .

2017 - 18 days Japan - D2 Narita Airport to Hakodate

27oct 2017

Upon arriving Tokyo International Airport, I successfully exchange my JR pass. I had queued in the wrong line and entered the wrong entrance (local train entrance instead of Shinkansen train entrance), hence missed my train to Hakodate via Tokyo. Instead, I took the next available Shinkansen to Tokyo. Trains to Tokyo is quite frequent but train from Tokyo to Hakodate is one per hour or two hours. I missed the 1020 from Tokyo, hence the next available is 1220. That's a two hours wait! 

Always remember to reserve your seat at the JR office. In fact, I did my reservations for most of my trains trip while in Tokyo and I totally has no regrets, saving a lot queue time. Reserved seats can be made for Shinkansen only, the locals trains will be taken as per normal. You need to show the pass when you enter or exit at each station.


(You must purchase your JR pass in your country and exchange it in Japan . Use Hyperdia to do a calculation to justify the cost. Just remember there are some trains that are not available to use with Jr pass, eg., Nozomi
note : when you use Hyperdia , do not just use 'departure ' under type, try ' 'arrival' too. You never know , the time schedule may be better. That's what I experienced accidentally for my trip from Hon-Hachninohe to Juniko station)


I bought a 14 day pass for myself and the hubby has a 7 day JR pass as he joined me later. I'll try to show my cost as I go )

the pass is about 15.5 cm x 10cm , it's good to keep it in a holder or at least a plastic pocket due to daily handling. You will need to show the pass each time you enter or exit from each station.

this is how a reserved ticket look like.
it shows : from pt  A to ptB
date,time, reserved seat number
but you need to check the platform at the station or with hyperdia already.
(* always do a double check for the first few trips)

Tokyo station has much to offer, hence the 2 hours was well spent. Mostly on food , they just have so much food  to offer. A very very busy station. It has plenty of lockers for those who need them. Just remember the locker number and location. I always take a photo of my locker. You never know it may just slipped off your mind after an exciting day.

lots of lockers in Tokyo station


There are so much choices of bentos and food, you'll be spoiled for choice. just to share a few . . .










Finally I settled on this and wait to eat it in my train trip! (almost 300 mins trip)
For a first timer, especially in my country , there is strictly no eating or drinking in mrt trains and buses, it was really fun and exciting. Like in a flight, you could flip out your little table top. A place for your drink and hooks for your jacket.


top layer has mixed fruits and some sweets bites
additional plain jelly like cubes, which goes well with the bottle os sauce included
Sign are everywhere. I always double confirmed my ticket either with a officer or a local. They are always kind to assist. Better to careful then to take a wrong train. 

 Hmmmmm.... wondering what is the 'first' and 'second' for?


it's really busy. some pushing a cart here, some pushing  a cart there

when a train arrived, the worker will get a bag ready for commuters to throw their rubbish
After all has alighted, the cleaners will go into each train cabin to do a quick cleaning and checking. Then for some train, the cleaners actually came out and queue in a line and bow. Very impressive! I naturally bow back. I love the little flower each attached to their cap. They are the people that keep a clean and comfortable environment for our new train ride.


enclosed room for the smokers

Finallly, my shinkansen came, I am really off for my adventure ! I took Shinkansen Hayabuya 19 to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto then transferred  to Hakodate liner to Hakodate. There are people to show you to the local train area. This train will pass through the Seikan Tunnel which is under the sea that links Honshu to Hokkaido.

time to charge my handphone 

cute little sink in the train toilet
Finally, arriving Hakodate, I managed to find my hostel location but couldn't find the building. Though it was only 5pm, but it's already dark. (this time the days are much shorter) I asked a Japanese passer-by. He happily showed me the way but in the reversed direction? I was doubtful but didn't know how to stop him. We end up in the wrong place, he called the stay and brought me all the way back to our starting point. we crossed the road and it's there! I was really appreciated for his generous help. So the picture of the stay I had is different. The picture was taken from different side of the building. If we walk from the Hakodate station, you see a totally different building.

this photo  from stay
this photo the actual entrance
 After leaving my luggage, I head straight to Lucky Pierrot after reading so much about this. I had no regret, it is really the best burger I had ever tried. The bread is soft . The top layer has lots of sesame is really fragrant. The chicken is just tender and the sauce is really nice, a little sweet though but after each bite, you will want more. She is very generous with the veggies and the crunchiness with the well sauteed chicken makes each bite so wonderful. even now, I am missing it already. YUMMILICIOUS!!!






I love their display in this outlet. I supposed the others will be better.

 

 


 

 


     
pick your choice   :))





after dinner, I strolled around the warehouse area. Lots of owls for me to choose. 










parking seem quite expensive (for me)

my stay : The Share Hotel HakoBA 
friendly, clean, comfortable and affordable. good location too
10 bed in women only


 



My bed was on the uppder deck, I was afraid I may roll down. A kind lady travellor from Taiwan changed her bed space (lower deck) with me. Really appreciate her help. . No worry to fall! :)) Thank you, Taiwan friend.


After so many hours of flight, train rides and walking, after a good dinner and a hot shower. I slept so soundly like a baby . That was only 10pm!


Good night. Tomorrow will be another exciting day.



cost of trains rides
Narita Airport Terminal 2  to Tokyo         ¥1,320   
Tokyo to Hakodate                              ¥11,880 


Narita T2
Tokyo              
ShinHakodate
Hakodate

0919 
Ltd Express
Narita
Express 8
1017
track 1
 58

1220
Track. 23
SHINKANSEN HAYABUSA 19
1634/1645
Arr. Tr12
HAKODATE LINER  for HAKODATE
1705
285 (1)

what I planned  vs  what I did
1. challenge myself to catch the 8.53 train in order to arrive Hakodate by 3pm. Failed.

2. planned to have 2 meals at Lucky Pierrot (as there are two outlets near my stay) and try Shio ramen (Hakodate salt ramen)
    only managed One burger at one of Lucky Pierrot outlet








WALL EMBROIDERY PICTURE - Iceland - part 2 Aurora

I am struggling whether to do the trees with embroidery stiches or should I do applique . I want it to be nice but not overwrite the aurora....