Japan Day-3

Second day in Kyoto was all about Arashiyama, a district in western outskirt of Kyoto. Depending of were you want to visit, you need at least half day to spend here. But hey, it was all worth it! We took JR train from Kyoto station to Arashiyama station. The train ride was around 25-30 mins. From the station, there wasn't really any sign board that show where we should be heading. We just keep walking and praying that we are in the right direction towards Tenryuji Temple. We passed by small shops, which were still closed at that point of time.

 Arashiyama small shops. Oh so cute.

It was about 10mins walk from the station went we found the temple. Tenryuji temple compound is large. It has it's own garden like the other temple in Japan but the Tenryuji garden is said to be still in its original formation, created during Meiji period.

Tenryuji Temple

Tenryuji Temple Garden

Just beside the temple, is the Bamboo Grove. This is one of the must-go place in my list and the main point of heading to Arashiyama. This place is so beautiful which my photo do not do justice to it. It's weird how such an ordinary thing, like a bamboo can make such a different feeling.

After Bamboo Grove, we then proceed to Togetsukyo Bridge. The bridge is Arashiyama iconic trademark. It was built during Heian period. 

From the bridge, we lingers around the park beside the river bank for a while. It was quite a tiring day and my feet hurt really badly. Afterwards, we went back towards the Bamboo Grove to Torokko Saga station to catch the Segano Scenic Train which also known as romantic train. The train ride was about 25mins with open window and cost 620yen, one way. We stop at Kamaeko station. Walked for about 7mins to Umahori station to go back to Kyoto.

Upon back to Kyoto, we purchased 1 day bus pass (which I regretted not buying before going to Arashiyama as the area is inclusive in the day pass). Anyway, from Kyoto Station, we took a bus to Fushimi Inari Shrine. This shrine is the most beautiful amongst all. I was almost 3pm when we arrived as the bus towards this shrine only available once in every hour.

To reach the peak, you need to climb a whole lots of stairs. As we came quite late, it was almost dark when we decided to turn back. Beside, we are too tired to continue for the hike. We bought Toriyaki as our lunch before we went back to Kyoto Station and had our lunch there. Afterwards was Gion. Main objective was to catch a glimpse of Geisha. But unfortunately, we didn't find any. 

We went back to our hostel thereafter.

I'm now done with my trip to Japan and China. Heaven & hell. 

Japan. What can I say. It's probably would be the same as what everyone would say. It's so easy to fall in love with and gets addicted to this country. Even when you're not there. 

My trip to Japan was first unplanned. I bought the ticket when AirAsia & Maxis offered me the price I can't resist. RM600+ return air ticket. So without even thinking, I bought it. At first, I planned to travel on my own, then my niece asked if she can tag along. So, she tagged along. That was last year.

I didn't plan anything until at the very last minute. I booked transportation & accommodation on the last week of our departure. Luckily, I managed to complete my so-called itinerary. Unfortunately, I lost my itinerary on our second day in Japan. Instinct come into place for the rest of the six days. 

We arrived at Haneda International Airport around 10.30PM and the plan was to sleep at the airport. On the airport's chairs. The are quite a lot of foreigners doing the exact same thing. The first thing I notice during our overnight stay at the airport, people leaves their handphones at the charging area. That was the first indication of how safe Japan are. 

The chair is actually quite comfortable for sleeping. It didn't have any handles in between that the usual airport's chair has. 

I can really sleep due to my uncomfortable attire. Should have wore something comfortable. At around 6am, we went to the shower room, paid ¥1,030 for 30mins shower. The shower room was super comfy and nice. I don't mind spending equivalent to RM30 for a 30mins shower here.

At the tourist information centre, we purchased a 1 day subway pass that cost us ¥800. As 1 way trip for metro would easily cost ¥200, so the 1 day pass is a bargain, if you intend to stop at multiple locations, like what we did. But first, we need to go to central Tokyo where the day pass is not acceptable for Keikyu Railways, it cost us separately around ¥400. Our first stop was Tokyo station to store our luggage. Actually, most if not all the station have coin locker, not necessarily Tokyo station. Our first stop was Tsukiji Fish Market. The plan was to have our breakfast there but unfortunately the market was closed on that day. Too bad. 

There were a few shops opened along the way towards Tsukiji market.

We then went towards Tokyo Tower. But first, we stop at Zojoji Temple. If you watched The Wolverine, one location in the movie is this temple, for the funeral scene. 

Another 10mins walk from the temple, is Tokyo Tower. We didn't go to the observatory deck. I personally think it's such a waste to pay a fee to go up there.

We then went to Sengakuji Temple. This was where the filmed the 47 Ronin movie with Keanu Reaves. I didn't watched the movie but my niece wanted to come here, so, we were there. There wasn't really much tourist around that area.

From here, we went to Roppongi Hill, with the main objective to find Hard Rock cafe, as I am a collector of hard rock t-shirt. For the rest of the day, we just linger around Roppongi area, had our lunch and went to Roppongi Hill shopping mall. There was nothing much here. But i liked the ambience. Almost evening, we proceed to take our luggage at Tokyo Station and went to Shinjuku station where the terminal bus is located. We waited until 11:45pm for our bus to Kyoto. 8 hours bus ride.

So, that was our first day in Japan. 

 - Paid)

i'm now watching "the cruise ship diaries", the captain looks smoking hot! how i wish i can afford cruising the ocean for a year and go to places i can't imagine of going. for now, it's just another wish in my bucket list. 

last november, shikin and i went visiting hong kong. it was unplanned and at the very last minute trip. it was never a good idea having a last minute, everything would be much expensive. the hotel, the flight ticket and you know, the money for the trip itself. but i do have a good time though. it was a laid-back trip i would say.

because the flight ticket was almost MYR1K when we looked it up, we decided to have a transit flight, which cost lower. we took airasia to manila, philippines, overnight and the day after we took tiger airways to hong kong. it was definitely tiring, but quite fun actually, doing nothing.

as we spent the night in manila and our flight arrived at midnight, we booked a hotel and sleepover. it was really a nice hotel, spanish style and it cost us only around MYR160. 

the actual plan was to stay the night at the clark airport as our flight was supposedly at 8am in the morning. but the flight was rescheduled to 8pm at night. that is the thing about taking transit flight. we'll never know what would happen. 

we arrived in hong kong at around 10pm and took the bus from airport to causeway bay area. i loved our hostel. location wise, the best. if i'm not mistaken, it's called yesinn@causewaybay. the room, too crowded, 9 pax in a small room. well, i don't really mind much. it is was it was paid for right? :P

the very first day we went to hong kong disneyland. it really wasn't my taste of places to go. i'm not exactly into theme park. it was crowded and too touristy. but it was alright. at least the shows are. my favorite was the lion king adventure.

the lion king adventure

can you see the man on the right side of the zebra? he's hot.

it's all fake. if you want the real deal, go to borne. we have crocodile farm in serian, 2 hours drive from kuching.

sleeping beauty castle. nope, we cannot enter. it was just bricks. i do hope they built it for real. was a disappointment.

the firework show. this was nice except for the whole audience, which really is annoying. i don't want to be judgmental, but the chinese from mainland is really something. they are too loud and selfish i would say. i swear i don't want to be judgmental, but i can't help it. 

yupe, we wasted 1 whole day in disneyland. we arrived before the park open and went back almost after it closed.we are the biggest fan, what can i say. and beside, it's the happiest place on earth. or so they say.

the next day, we continued our journey to the peak. the best place to view hong kong from up above. and i met angelina joilie and brad pitt! and johnny depp! well, they were wax figures, but what the hell.

at madame taussauds hong kong. met my idol :D

the peak observation deck

from the peak, we went all around hong kong to find somewhere to eat. well, it was shikin idea and we were lost for 3 hours! and when we arrived there, it was closed! shouldn't have done that. it was really such a waste of time. my feet hurt badly and i lost my mood to go anywhere right after and we just headed back to our hostel. 

on the 3rd day, we went to lantau island. the waiting line was crazy. and i think we waited around 1 hour lining up. do i enjoy it? hurm, average. the view was amazing though. the best i would say. we went to some villages in the hope of seeing pink dolphins. but, unfortunately, the dolphins were too ashamed to meet us because i hate pink. whatever.

 Tao village, if i'm not mistaken

entrance to the big buddha

the big buddha from afar. nope, we didn't go near because we wouldn't climb the bloody stairs!

cable car to get to lantau island

we headed back from lantau island to tai tung at around 5pm and went shopping! tai tung shopping complex was the best. it was filled with all this branded outlet and the prices were damn cheap! i was almost regretted going to lantau island and started thinking why didn't we just spend time here instead? it was heaven on earth!. the best place to shop till you drop. the price difference from in kl was crazy. i would definitely go back to hong kong for shopping. hehe

as i, wanted badly to watch the symphony of light, we cut short our shopping spree and went to watch the light show. it was magical i think. i kinda loved it. 

it was raining after that. phew. 

our flight back to manila was at 9am the next day and yupe, i don have fun. i brought this book titled 50 shades of grey, which i finished reading it in 2 days. that how haunting that book was. well, it's porno book in a good way. haha

city of london

the last city i visited was london. for only 2 days! i wished i stayed longer. well, maybe next time. i met a few lovely ladies that help show me the way around london. my flight from dublin to london was in the evening and i arrived after 10pm with and it was raining heavily then. i headed straight to victoria station and took a taxi to my hostel, travel joy. it cost me GBP10! i was in the same room with sandra, a lovely mexican, solange, an argentinean and erin, an australian whom were also traveling alone, so we made a pack, touring around london. it was so easy to move around london. i love everything about it. i love the people, the weather and everything in between.