Belated but still… how can I forget to blog this down?!

1 Nov to 7 Nov 2006... Best of Honshu trip aka Central Japan
Many of you should have seen the photos that we took from our trip...
seems like Japan hour? Everything also take photos?? ... hahhahah.... I wanna remember the trip.. every detail and thru the photos,
it's like revisting the place all over again =D

At 5.30am, we set off for Changi Airport Terminal 1.. really excited abt the trip..
as usual, the last minute planning.. we got our gloves, lugguage bag, clothes packed 1 day before the trip..
deciding what clothes to bring and predicting the weather is such a challenge! hahahha..

At the airport, hahha, we are the first few to arrive.. the guide's not even there yet! He finally showed up.. a guy called .. erm, what's his name?? oh ya Jerry..
yea! the local Japanese guide thought he's name is 'Jelly'! until the last day...
Other members in the group are..
‘The branded couple’..
‘The beng couple’..
‘The quiet family’…
‘The xiao di di and ah ma’..
‘The cultured couple’..
‘The japanese coy ladies’..
‘The teachers’..
‘the sheng dian xia (leidia sum) look alike and hubby’..
Last but not least, the ‘lueng ge’ (two) local tour guide…

We were very quiet the first day.. and also the tour guide and leader din help us break the ice.. a little awkward though..
But throughout the trip, we grown to accustomed to each other and people have been helpful.. start to joke.. sharing food.. smiles appear =))
It’s great to learn about a country through a guided tour.. the itinerary was very good.. seen a lot of things.. experienced a lot..

The next trip to Japan will be free and easy… I hope there is a next trip =)

Some discoveries
Discovery 1: Tour groups need jus 1 thing to keep them happy.. ‘Supermarket’!! Strange right? But everynite when we moved to another hotel, the one thing they ask is.. is there supermarket nearby? So the guide will automatically let us know even without anyone ask after few nites.. hahahha

Discovery 2: Most used word in Japanese: ‘Pls give me..’ let me recall… I wrote it somewhere… hehe

Discovery 3: Popcorn buckets are favourite at theme parks.. locals will bring them and jus get ‘refills’.. it’s very nice..

Discovery 4: Many slot machine shops, many sex info shop, many many takoyaki!

Discovery 5: Very obedient Japanese.. never cross the road unless the traffic light turns green!

Some experiences and highlights:

Day 1 (Foodcourt at Narita) – the foodcourt uses a beeper concept.. after ordering the food, the vendor will pass us the beeper and when it’s ready, we just go there and exchange for the food =) I tried to figure out the beeper thing cos after I hand it over, it seems to stop beeping automatically.. But then was too nervous when it started beeping.. still a mystery to me =P

(2) Day 2 (Tokyo Disneyland & Tokyo nightlife) – once you step into the themepark, the feeling was waah!!!!!! The cinderalla castle welcomes and bring us to the fairytale story.. it awaits us in the park.. Japanese tourists all cheerful and wearing the mickeymouse bands and clips.. I also got the clips cos nothing to be shy about! Just so in the mood to have fun =)
There were many people and we din take many rides.. but the pirate of the carribean ride was great! The parade was so nice and people just singing and applauding… my favourite is Minnie’s house =)
After dinner, we went on the streets and had our first huge takoyaki there!

(3) Day 3 (Asakusa Kannon temple, Sea cruise & Odaiba bay, Toyota showroom, Shinjuku, Foot of Mt Fuji) – The temple and the street was another experience of Japan.. This is the first temple we went and more to go! The streets.. full of fascinating stuffs.. nice weather.. wonderful! Then the sea cruise where we were welcomed by the magnificent rainbow bridge and followed by ‘Statue of Liberty’! At Odaiba bay, it seems like a dog’s paradise =) so many cute doggies and a dog café.. people bashing under the sun enjoying the sun and nice weather =) Next is Toyota showroom.. J’s dad’s mark x has new model.. told him and he jokingly say he will get the new one and pass J this current one.. hahahhahah… Shinjuku is where the blacks are.. I mean the red light district where there’s fights and gangs… the tour guide wants us to stay close.. hehe.. so scary.. Dusk fall, we traveled up to mt fuji and checked into the hotel.. After the Japanese dinner, went on stroll to the ‘supermarket’! hehe.. then struggle a bit.. persuaded J to try the hot spring bath and we were glad we tried that! J also had a gd time showing me stunts with the chair in the room.. =P

(4) Day 4 (Mt Fuji, Wasabi Farm, Peace Park, Owakudani Boiling Valley) – Just before traveling up to the fifth station of Mt Fuji, we had some snaps at the Lake kawaguchi which is just in front of our hotel.. the Maple leaves were so pretty red =) We felt excellent after the Japanese breakfast and all ready to see the great Mt Fuji! It was beautiful up there.. coolld… but so happy! More temples there and it was 5 degree Celsius… silly us, nvr bring the gloves out.. hahahah… Experience was wonderful =) Next went down to wasabi farm… had wasabi ice-cream and bought a tube of wasabi.. hopefully we can have sashimi one day =P.. Peace park was a little boring.. but we were on our own exploring the park.. Lastly, the Owakudani Valley.. the famous volcanic area where they have eggs boiling in the boiling valley.. the sulphur made the eggs black =D Well, we traveling 2hrs to get up there and there was jam.. so.. very happy to be there =) it was very dark then.. even though oni 4pm there..

(5) Day 5 (Kingakuji Temple, Kyoto – Gion, Bullet train, Shin Osaka, Shinsaibahi) Temple – think it’s all the same after awhile.. but the garden was pretty =).. Kyoto Gion was very very authentic Japan.. the more traditional side of japan.. The bullet train trip was like a group excursion.. afraid that we will lose each other.. tension.. but enjoyable =) The train trip was so fun =) we reached Shin Osaka and went to this big shopping area at Shinsaibahi.. had shabu shabu there.. J had a gd feast of meat =P he’s a carnivore =D

(6) Day 6 (Universal Studio Japan) – After the experience at Disney, we requested for more time at this themepark =) went for spiderman ride, jaw ride, Jurassic ride and the best was the waterworld.. fantastic.. At the Jurassic ride, bought the ponjo (dunno how to spell it.. the raincoat).. hehe.. Trilling.. and used it again when it showers in the after and run in the rain to Hard rock café and the shopping complex there.. Where we found the Takoyaki museum =D J’s favourite.. he can eat so much of that.. =)

(7) Day 7 (Port of Kobe) – gusty wind.. first time I feel like being blown away.. we saw the earthquake area and everyone were sheltering from the wind.. sad that we are leaving… say cheer! Took a group photo at the harbourland…
Phew! Finally! After 1 month, I really wish to go back there again.. =)