Japan 2009 [Day 2]: Part 2

Yunessun Hot Spring (http://www.yunessun.com/english/ or http://www.yunessun.com/)

Our next stop is Yunessun Hot Spring Theme Park! Everyone’s excited for it! We took the Ropeway back to Sounzan, changed back to the Cable Car to Gora Station and took the Hakone Tozan Bus bounded for Yunnessun.



Waiting for the slow ropeway.


Finally its here!


At the bottom, going off to catch the bus!


(L) This handsome guy is very shy, he refuses to look at my camera!
(R) The children so cute!


Waiting for bus!
Yunessun was like a large palace and they had super many types of Hot Spring! Lin and Cin went for this Hot Spring slide called “Rodeo Mountain” which they kept raving about and even went on it a second time! Lin even said the slide was quite slow so it will be fine. One of my resolutions for this trip was to try new things, so I decided to heck it and go on the slide with them on their second time. Trust me, it was a wrong move for me. The slide did start off slow at the beginning for 3 seconds before it went really fast like crazy and I SCREAMED all the way down (Resonance of “SOB! I DON’T WANT ALREADY! I DON’T WANT ALREADY!!”) till my voice turned hoarse, and I swear my tears were flowing as I smacked into the water! I sputtered and coughed my way up and I felt cheated. The slide was a killer for me! Definitely not fun for the un-adventurous and weak hearted.



Have we reached? Seems like it!


whoaaa~ Palace! Almost Paradiseeee....!


Yep Yep! Quick lets go already!


Cute chairs and a cute girl :)


Entrance Fee! Actually, it could have been cheaper but i forgot to print the coupon! Dang! They have alot of promotional coupons in their Japan website. Do check it out if you are going!


Changed and armed with the map! Ready to explore!


Whoa "blue skies"! bad camera~


In our first hot spring! you'll see plastic in these few photos cos we wrapped the camera in it. haha.


The FREAKY slide! Grrr..

The next we tried was this floating bath which had us floating once we turned our backs! I couldn’t control where I was floating to though!

Floating!

Next, we tried the Coffee Bath! The color and smell looks like coffee, and it was warm! How good is coffee for the skin? Maybe it helps in awakening our skin~

Next, normal hot spring!


The small boy so cute!

Next, Red Wine Hot Spring! This doesn’t look like nor smell like red wine though. The color was pink and smelt quite icky. We were just in time for the guy to pour real red wine for us to put on our body! What a waste! I almost wanted to drink it if the guy didn’t say that its not for drinking. :(

Wah big bottle of red wine!


Guy pouring red wine for everyone!

After a luxurious red wine bath, we ran all the way back to the main hall as it was time for the fish spa! You know those we see in Singapore where we dip our feet into the water and the fishes will nibble at your dead skin? Yeah! That’s the one! We Q-ed up and listen to the guide blared off in really fast and cheem Japanese which I don’t understand a single bit. The other 3 looked at me and waited for translation and I told them, “Monkey See, Monkey Do!” So that’s what we did! We followed whatever the Japanese did! Soon after, all I remembered was "eeks! aarghhh! eeeeee! so itchyyyy!!!!* and grabbing of each others hands really hard! It was ticklish! We took a photo and paid 1000Yen for it.

Timing for the fish spa! See the people in the background enjoying it!


Monkey See Monkey Do! I have totally no idea what he was saying!


Fishes!!! Tickles!


Happy ~

Next up, more coffee boiling, Hot Sake, Warm Green Tea, Charcoal Bath, Waterfall bath and Marbled floor! I love the marbled floor! It feels shiok! The weather is cooling but the floor is miraculously warm and it just feels so soothing and comfortable that I could drift in to a deep sleep. Zzzz... Ju & Cin started taking some nonsensical photos where they called out different "themes" and they were supposed to act it out. -_-

Boiling coffee pool!


Enjoying and intoxicated! This Sake is the shiokest~


Green Teaaa~


Smiles! Notice there is no more plastic thing! haha~ I couldn't take it any longer! I want a waterproof camera!



Charcoal bath with real charcoal (duh!)


(L) Floating Corpses(R) Enjoyed & Satisfied!


The Charcoal House from another view!


Walking Bath! Crazily pain can! Its foot reflexology at its best and my feet smarts like crazy!


Marble Floor! Best! I love it! Acting as the korean ahjumas. haha!

Time's drawing near and theme park's closing, so we headed back to the main hall with the main pool with jacuzzi and it was so cool! We entered into a thunderstorm! The whole hall had "lightning", accompanied by sounds of thunder and even with water spraying from the ceiling! If i'm not wrong, there was bubbles even :) cool!

Pose! Enjoy and relax~~ Lin does a mean foot reflexology! Very shiok ah!


Ramen Sweet Drops! So tempted to buy! But I didn't. Wonder how it tastes like..


840 yen for 3 types. They have curry flavour too!


Very satisfied and relaxed !


So cute! 3D neoprint!
Thus, ends our wonderful Hot Spring theme park experience and back to our hotel! Wonderfully recharged, and slightly hungry, we checked in and 'complained' about the number of stairs we had to climb. (Thankfully, they gave us a room on the 2nd level!) Oh! And they were so nice! They already put our luggage in the room so we didn't have to lug it up 2 levels :) *melts*

When we opened the door, we were pleasantly surprised! The room is huge! Not exactly really enormous but compared to our small hostel room, we had plenty a place to walk and hop! We even had a tatami floor with a very comfy futon bed that we melted right into! Immediately the bed people (lin and cin) started fighting for it with the floor people (me and ju) and even suggested that all 4 of us squeeze and sleep on the floor! HAHA *crazy people* After a short discussion, we changed into our yukata and took some pics. Who was to know, these set of pictures will be our last set in the hotel… why? Read on!



Sitting area which in turns become our sleeping area with futon beds.


"Clogs"


Hahaha Action.
With grumbling tum tums, we headed to the hotel’s café and ordered a few dishes. They gave us Oolong Tea, on the house they said! Yeay~ The café was quiet and only had a man with a lady in kimono. We didn’t hold high expectations of the food thus, we were pleasantly surprised at how yummy it was! We decided to order Sake too and it was yummy as well! The staffs were friendly but slightly reserved and who was to know, that night would turn wild, fun and so memorable!



Don't Mess with Us!


4 bananas? 4 corn? Nah... 4 yellow wet towels!


Happy, where's the food!


Sake arrives first! yums!


Spaghetti! Looks plain and normal but its super yummy!


Fried Rice which was surprisingly nice too!


This is so singapore taste but nevertheless, yums!


Role Acting !


Happyyy


Pizza! Wah nice!


i think she's intoxicated. haha!
We had a very full and satisfied dinner, when one of the staff came and plonked this book on our table and said “Karaoke, on the house!” We were shocked and happy (cos’ we are all karaoke people!), especially when the menu wrote “Karaoke 300Yen”. But, it was on the house too! From then on, things got wild! We sang songs, got to know the man and the lady in kimono and the staff who’s English is really good! Soon, an angmor couple came along and joined in karaoke-ing! We blended really well and had the time of our lives! The lady in kimono asked where we came from, and once I said Singapore, she said “Yakun Kaya Toast! Oishii desu ne! Suki desu!” She loves Yakun! So sweet! We entertained them with chinese songs, in turn, they entertained us with Japanese songs ( I even asked her to sing Namie Amuro’s “Can You Celebrate”! And she has a really good voice!), and the angmor couple also entertained us with English songs! We had a fun time laughing, clapping, chatting … memories! The staff even handed us Sparkles and lighted the Sparkles for us! So cute!! I Love Them ALL! One of the most hilarious part was when the angmors (whom we chatted and got to know them as England-ers! They were friendly and doesn’t karaoke often!) sang the song “We are the world”. omg.. it was hilarious! The song kept repeating and repeating and repeating and repeating and repeating and repeating AND REPEATING and repeating and repeating and REPEATING and repeating and repeating and repeatingggg… You get the idea!! Till the guy sang “We are the world, we are STILL the children…….” Absolutely hilarious! :D



The Karaoke book with many many songs! Pretty cool huh


Enjoying!


The 'geisha'! She wanted to take the photo!


Chinese songs with japanese subtitles! haha~


Us all! Enjoyinggggg


Our turn!


Claps and claps and claps!


The England-ers!


Happy! she's a Gay-sha!


Sparkles! Even our eyes are sparkling from the happiness!


This photo look weird but I wanted to show u one of the friendly staff! He has a good command of english and is sooo helpful!


The guy who offered us drinks on the house~


Our 2nd glass of sake!


They got high! In their own ways! A scene that i will only see in mangas or anime!
Lin video-ed and took photos throughout and that’s when the bomb dropped on us. Both cameras were on low battery and we just realised that we left the camera charger in Tokyo and only brought 1 extra battery along, which is also on low batt… And we are thrown into despair as we still had one full day in Hakone with many places planned out. Our only plan was to go back to our room and check through our bags and hope for a miracle. We even asked the staff, *the one that i say the picture looks weird* if they happened to have a charger, but he didn't, but he took the liberty to go find those travel adapters for us, thinking that we might need it! He is so kind and i was very overwhelmed and touched. Thank you so much! :)

Nevertheless, this still marks our wonderful one night in Hakone with meeting the best people! Eth & Qara! I still remembered how down and worried I felt about our dinner in Hakone cos’ it was known that Hakone sleeps early, and we won’t be able to find dinner after 7pm. God’s Good! No, He is Greater than Great! :D

When we went back to our room, we were dead tired, but Ju started rummaging the bags for a miracle. Nothing turned up, we started thinking of alternatives and changing of itinerary… And we prayed! Took our anointing oil and prayed over our batteries and cameras that it will give it supernatural strength! :D But most importantly, we decided to get disposable cameras the next day. We then took turns cleaning up, and soon after, we were asleep.

More photos here and here!

Japan 2009 [Day 2] Part 1

[Sidenote: i broke my promise! I said it would be up by end of the month but i'm late. Grrr.. upset with myself. Because of this, i will speed up and put more up real soon!]

Day 2 [120509: Tuesday]


We were dead tired and couldn’t sleep as well as we would have liked but we were excited as we were travelling to go Hakone today! We left the hostel almost half an hour late. We were supposed to leave the hostel at 5.45 but ended up leaving at 6.10am, and as I was afraid that we couldn’t be in time to catch the 7am train, I made the stupidest decision ever, plus I got cheated by the policeman. He told be the trip by cab will be about 10 to 15minutes but it took us almost 25minutes and the cab fare was horrendously expensive. My heart jumped simultaneously with the meter. I tried to get my mind of the fare by making small talk with the cab driver but it only helped to levitate my heart attack.




The Taxi Driver Details! In case he cheat our $! haha


Total bill! Grrrr! 100yen = SGD$1.50.. Calculate yourself!
Once we reached Shinjuku, we scrambled and asked around before we found the correct train station with Oedo Line heading for Hakone! It was quite confusing and I panicked slightly but it was such a relief when we finally found the place but only to panic once again because we didn’t know how to buy the tickets for the Romance Car Limited Train. Finally, we managed to find a lady who helped us to ask around and guided us! Thank God for her! We thanked her profusely and I felt happy that DaddyGod sent someone nice and friendly to help us! Once again, we RAN for our train because it was due to move off in 5minutes! Rush rush rush! (*sings: It came over me in a rush, When I realise that…! Eunechan! haha)

The train ride took about an hour plus and it was cool that we could reserve and choose the seats we want, but the observatory deck (front) was taken up, so we had to take the observatory deck (rear). There are a variety of romance car trains, and this is the 2nd newest one. The newest train will be taken on our way back to Tokyo. In the train, I was tired, wary and very excited! It’s my first time in Japan where I’m travelling with my 1/12th knowledge of their language, and travelling to a place outside of Tokyo! I did a lot of research of Hakone and its one place that I’m really looking forward to and excited to go to! Hakone seems beautiful in the pictures and sounds wonderful but I wasn’t sure if it was really so but I just had a feeling that we all will and true enough, we love Hakone with all our hearts!




Happy to have caught the 7am train! (Singapore Time 6am!) Right on schedule!


:D


Our breakfast! its very very very yummy like mad!


I was acting as a decoy for Kiyoko to take the photo of the "squeezed sardines"!


(L) I printed a menu of this place we're gonna eat at, and wrote the SGD price next to it! :D
(R) Lin was taking a self potrait of herself (with a guy sleeping behind her)... and...


...then she asked cindi to take her own self potrait but somehow, cin started being shy and started laughing non-stop! haha! So we weren't supposed to look at her when she takes her photo!


The front of the train! No difference from the back actually! Now the question is, WHERE'S THE TRAIN MASTER?? Who's driving the train?


Yeay! We reached! The train that served us well!


Pretty Train! and Pretty us! :D
Hakone is a quaint little Hot Spring town, dotted with many mountains, green trees and flowing streams. We followed the map given to us by the information counter and found our hotel, Senkei Plaza, after 10-15mins walk. It is really pretty and seems comfortable! They were really nice! I actually found this hotel online and they just require a web reservation. When we arrived, they didn’t even ask us to pay upfront. We only paid after we finished our stay! That’s trust! :)




Shops we see along the way, later on, we'll buy something from this shop!


ume! sour plum! i don't really like these but it looks pretty!


How beautiful and clear the streams are!! We were practically screaming already!

Can't resist getting a picture eh!


Awed by the sights we were seeing!


Its just a small little town~


So so so pretty!!


More Streams!


Road leading to our hotel! not hostel! Finally a hotel! Cheap one too! $90+ a night!


More clear water streams!


Finally! Senkei Plaza !


Put our big luggage and off we are to our next destination! Lin's carrying the bag containing our stuffs for hot spring later on!


Go go go!
Owakudani Valley
After some rest, we walked back to Hakone Yumoto Station to catch the train which will take us to Gora Station, where we will change to the cablecar to Sounzan, and then to the ropeway to Owakudani Valley! Just Travelling to Owakudani Valley gave us the opportunity to take 3 different types of transportation: Train, CableCar and Ropeway. I wasn’t really looking forward to the ropeway actually because of my fear of heights. (Btw, their cable car is more like a tram and ropeway is actually cable car. )

In the train, we spotted a camera crew video-ing a couple, who looks pretty plain. Didn’t pay much attention to them after we realised they weren’t some hotshots. Haha! And we started imagining how cool it would be if we saw Shinlang & Hwang Buin! (some show that all of us watched!) Lin was hilarious! She started saying how Shinlang will be attracted to her cos she have the same bright hair as he used to have! HAHA!




Egg like thing, who's name is Hakone no ogetsu sama!


A variation, but more expensive by 100 yen! We bought both!


trying the taste...


... and honestly it tastes like 'huat kueh'. not very fantastic.. haha~


the camera crew behind! curious!


uhh.. who?


yeay~ the train started! Sunny!


All geared up with our sunnies! To hide our dark eye rings!

The sights we see.. way too pretty!

The train ride was a little draggy and we were all starting to feel the sleepy monster coming upon us, and just as I think I was about to doze off, a group of grandmas and grandpas boarded the train! So we let up our seats for them and they seemed shocked and declined. We insisted and they finally sat. It’s weird how shocked they were when we let up our seats to them. Finally we reached Gora Station, and all of us clambered into the small cablecar, which traveled at a snail’s speed.

Transferred to the ropeway, and boy.... was it crowded! Filled with Japanese tourist!


Very slowly... very very veryyyy slowly..zzzz....

At last! Sounzan stop! We practically ran up the steps so we could be a little faster than the group of grandmas and grandpas who seemed much more healthier and genki as compared to us! We got into the ropeway and the ‘stationmaster’ was really friendly and kept smiling at us and gave us the whole cabin to ourselves! We waved bye to him but he seemed shy and did a quick and low wave to us! ^^

MORE STAIRS!

The friendly but shy station master! Blurred though!
In the cabin, I freaked out a little but I forced myself to open my eyes really big and take in the scenery. Cin kept telling me “don’t look infront, ok, now don’t look behind!” haha! But eventually, I even forced myself to stand up and walk around to take a few pictures! And I’m proud that I did so! Actually, the ropeway wasn’t as scary as I thought it could be because it wasn’t shaky till it reached the top and when the wind blew. I totally freaked out when the wind blew that all I did was squat there and pray for it to stop!



Testing waters...


oo.. its going up!


ok, not so scary! Better take some pics!
On this ropeway, we experienced God’s love! On our way to Hakone, I was telling them that I was afraid we couldn’t see Mount Fuji because all the reports wrote that Mt. Fuji could only be seen when the skies are clear and best viewed in Winter. Other than that, its near impossible that we could see Mt. Fuji at all. Ju was adamant and said that we will see Mt. Fuji because DaddyGod gave us this trip! How sweet is that :) And just like that, we saw Fuji San! Honestly! What are the chances that we could see Mt.Fuji? The 4 of us screamed like crazy and laughed like crazy! We really did scream and scream and scream and SCREAM! Such is how we expressed our excitedness! We thanked DaddyGod immediately and continued screaming! Mt. Fuji was sooooo magnificent! But our DaddyGod is so much more magnificent because He created it and let us see it! :D :D :D We almost wanted to break out into a small Praise and Worship session then and there in the small ropeway cabin!


*SCREAMS* Mt Fuji!! *SCREAMS*


See! So happy to see Fuji San! Fuji san! Hajimemashite! :)
When we reached the station, we screamed when we saw Mt. Fuji again, went out and saw some stationmaster’s uniforms on the rack so we took some photos, and even with the stationmasters who were friendly and sporting!


Station masters for that minute!


salutes*

With the real station master!


Yes, How may we help you? :D
Once we went out of the station, the wind was really strong and we shivered! The weather sure is colder at the top! We took photos of Mt. Fuji, took photos with Mt. Fuji, helped people take photos of them with Mt. Fuji.. Everyone was just so awed by Mt. Fuji! But Mount Fuji is too magnificient and grand to take a picture of! The sun was at its brightest, and it was really hard to capture the real magnificent Fuji with a compact camera. I want a DSLR!


Quick take our pictures already! stop fidgiting with the camera!


SMILES!


Awww..such a serene Fuji.


Did i mention how big the crows in Japan are? I have absolutely no idea what they eat but they are like twice the size of the ones in Singapore! Its Freaky! Same big size as those we saw at chiba that time with nikki!


More Fuji! Btw, i didn't see Fuji Apples there though.... hmmm... :p


The sun was wayy too bright that we had to see the photos in the camera by hiding it in my jacket!
After staying and wowing at Mt. Fuji, we went for lunch and it was sumptuous!
Oishii! There i was worrying about food in Hakone when i was planning in Singapore, and here I was in Hakone enjoying super good food!! Beyond blessed-ness!


We saw a handsome guy! Yeah right, we were ordering food!


Presenting our lunch! Udon Soup! Slurps!


Cold Soba which is super delicious like crazy with side dish of yummy crispy tempura!


Black Curry Rice! Unique! and it really tastes like curry!


This is a MUST TRY! The Katsu is really KATSU KATSU! very firm and nice like siao!
After a fulfilling lunch, we started climbing Owakudani Valley and we decided to change out of our boots to our comfy slippers so we could climb better. (Vain Singaporeans!) At the valley, we were too filled but we wanted to try the famous black eggs! The eggshell actually turns black after being cooked in the hot boiling water! But buying 5 eggs were too much.. but Thank God, again! We actually met a man who was alone, and he bought 5 eggs and offered the remaining 4 to us! How cool is that!! So I made small talk with him in my very broken Japanese language and found out that he is actually Korean (Double S!) who is in Japan for business trip alone and he works for Panasonic.


We are "A"!!


Resting while we *ahems* change our shoes.


Beginning our climb!


The basket that transports the black eggs down to the 'shopping area' after its cooked in the spring up at the Owakudani.


Tired but satisfied! Take a pic to show that we are here!


*shashin!* Here's the pic!

Hot hot valley!


Egg selling area! 5 for 5ooyen? can't remember!


Black Eggs!!! Salt Provided!

The Panasonic guy! Guess he must be feeling sleepyyy!


Invaded by Students!!


Owakudani Valley 1050M!


More pics!


Mikki, Kiyoko, Aiko, Jyuri
We went down the valley and bought some foodies back home from a shop. After spending about 20minutes inside, we came out of the shop with our mouths opened! I kept repeating myself “What happened! What happened!” The whole valley was filled with fog and wind was really strong and we couldn’t see past 100m! The whole area was fogged and cold and we were excited! It was like a reconfirmation from DaddyGod! It’s as if He was telling us, “I made that special Mt. Fuji moment just for you girls!”

*Sings: So blessed! I can’t contain it! So much I gotta give it a way! Your love, taught me to live now! You are more than enough for me!* claps happily!


Yaki Soba wrapped in bread?? Only in Japan!


Going down the treacherous stairs!


Stop irritating me! Or i'll bite uuuuu!!!!!!


GROWLS! ME TOO!
haha! we were actually doing the 阳光男孩 *zzzhar!* thing by the Taiwan guy Nono. It's alright if you don't know, its a lame thing. haha!


FOGGY like crazy! the area behind was our eating place and where we saw Fuji San earlier on!


We better hurry!


Students squatting while listening to their teachers brief. When the teachers ask a question and its a yes, the students will stand up, teachers count, and they squat back down again. So tiring... and the teachers ask alot of questions!


Back down... ok im worried cos its shaky!
Overall, Owakudani Valley was beautiful and one of nature’s wonders! I Love such sightseeing! Mt.Fuji was definitely an added bonus! It was like the cherry on top of a very yummy cake! Like the egg that comes together with Ichiran Ramen! Yummy and Lovely!

More coming up!!

Photos Here and Here!

Sarangingeochyo: It's not love

Just a song that I'm very into right now.
Definitely an EMO song.



Sarangingeochyo
Written & Sung By Young Saeng

Credits to: Xaizhun

Sarangingeochyo
Love of my life, ch'eom mannahatteon nal gudaeui barkun misorul baottchyo
Love is my life, utteon gudaenun nawa eonusae gakaweo jinkeochyo

urin hangsang manhun shigandurul hamkke hamyeonseo seorul aegi hasseottchyo
ije seoya gieokun malhaeyo gudaewa hatteon shigandul naegen haengbok irago

Can you feel my love for you, sarangingeochyo imi gudaen saranghal su eobnun
bogo ship'eoyo soksagidul wichyeo bochiman eodi ittchyo gudaenun

nan gudaeman boyeoyo nega ireohke aeweonhako ittnundae
Oh~ gudaenun eodi bunayo gyeotteon naega ittchyo
ijenun saranghandago malhal sudo eobgettchyo

Can you feel my love for you, sarangingeochyo
imi gudaen saranghal su eobnun
bogo ship'eoyo soksagidul wichyeo bochiman eodi ittchyo gudaenun

bogo ship'tago saranghandago
gip'un mamsoke gudaega isseoya
gureon sarangwanun tarul tto tarul sarangboda gip'un
gudae saengage maumi ap'ayo
tu sol moayo gudaega bogop'ul ttaen

It's not love
Love of my life, when we first met I saw your bright smile
Love is my life, you're so close to me
baby, we were always with each other
now I'm left with memories of the times we spent in happiness

Can you feel my love for you, it's not love, no this love cannot beI miss you,
I want to be where you are
I beg you, you're the only one I can see
Oh~ I see where you've gone
now you say, I do not love you

Can you feel my love for you, it's not love, no this love cannot be
I miss you, I want to be where you are
I miss you, I love you so deeply in my heart
yet you're in love with someone else just as deeply
And it's hurting my soul to see the two of you

Japan Day 1

Sidenote: I know i'm taking ages, but I'm so far ready till Day 4! Out of 7 days a week, I'm only free in the evenings and weekends, which aren't as free either! I could no longer have the time I used to have in office but that is a good and normal thing right?

Day 1 [110509: Monday]

We were all really excited and raring up to go!

We even gave each of us a Japanese name! (Besides myself, as Yukki already named me eons ago) Presenting, Aiko (Cindi), Kiyoko (Kailin), Jyuri (Juli) and Mikki (Me la).

4 Japan Trip Happy, Excited, Nervous and sleepy Troopers!

Juli came over my house around 10pm so that we could try and catch some winks before waking up at 3am to catch a cab together with cin and lin. Obviously, catching a wink was hard because we were obviously excited :D

We’ve been waiting ages for this day to come and now that it was finally here, all of us felt very surreal and unreal. We took the same cab together to the airport and couldn’t help chattering in the cab! As we walked to the counter to check in our luggage, I felt as if everyone of us had a skip in our step as we walked excitedly and happily to the counters and got “interrogated” by friendly CISCO guards who questioned us on some security (terrorist-proof) questions.

Once inside the customs, we headed to the MAC booth and played around, took some photos on a borrowed polaroid camera (from dot :D) and decided to go look for some water as we all felt super thirsty. Who was to know that a bottle of plain water comes up to be above SGD$2! In the end, we decided to settle for a drink by the good ol’ water fountain.

Excited but really Sleepy!

Took our First Polaroid Picture!

Thirsty for water and getting assasinated for it!


Blogging!

We took more shots, blogged our last blog entry and headed towards our gate! *Excitedness*


Pose! Btw, the travellator wasn't working!


Happyyyyyy~~


GOF: Girls over Flowers! haha! 花痴


BOARDING!! Towards Tokyo Narita! :D




*smileys*


Waiting for our turn to board after all the VIPs bpard first~


Let's GO!

In the plane, the first thing the 4 of us all did was dabbed a little anointing oil on each of our hands, held hands and prayed! Cin led the prayer and we amen-ed all the way :) We prayed against the Swine Flu, sicknesses and prayed for favour and grace! It was such a wonderful feeling to know that all 4 of us are God’s child and it was a confirmation that this trip was planned to and given as a present to all of us by DaddyGod! A warm and bubbly feeling filled me, and I felt as if DaddyGod told me, “ Friends who prays together, Stays together!” Because of that, I believe our trip had a special reason for each individual one of us, and somehow, an invisible bond was created among all 4 of us! :)

Anyways, we took some nonsensical shots, ate our breakfast and snack, watched a couple of movie (I watched Hotel for Dogs and a little of Magadascar 2, watched 5minutes of Slum Dog millionaire but shut if off because it looked disgusting. Btw, I hate electricity.) and slept throughout. The plane was freezing cold and cin seems to have caught a cold then cos she kept sneezing and had running nose after.

Yeah there we were all raring to go and the Sleeping Beast Fell Asleep!



All ready with our eye mask, ear plugs, jackets, blankets...


... SLEEPING TIME! And that is how the Sleeping Beast Sleeps. *shhh.. don't wake the Beast lest you experience the Wrath of the Beast! It is scaryyy~


Wakey Wakey. Breakfast time! Western Style!


Singaporean Style: Mee Goreng! Qt nice despite its look.


Our Snack a few hours later after our breakfast.

Finally, its time we touched down! Saw our first Japanese Airport Staff! Went to toilet to wash up and poo, bought our direct train tickets, ran for our train at 3.15 when its leaving at 3.20, finally got into the train, struggled with our luggage, enjoyed the scenery, chatted about our itinerary, took even more nonsensical shots and slept a little.

The Plane that served us pretty well, except the seats were a little cramped for long flights.


Yokoso Japan! GO GO GO!


Went through the Thermal Scan as well as H1NI Interview.


Bought our Tickets and rushed for the train!


The Price of our ticket. We took the more expensive one but was more convenient without any changing of trains.


Excited with the sceneries! We ARE finally hereee !


Enjoying and Unwilling to lift my eyes away from the sights...


Kiyoko-chan checking out the Map of Japan. So what do you see?


Our Train, Normal Train~


Went throught the itinerary and discussing about directions.


Buin (with alternate different nail color) vs. Shinlang (Bright Golden Hair)
Only those who watched WGM will know. OMO! Otoke!


Stop Snapping, People tired!


Polaroid shots! Nice? I thought of it! *show offs*


"Are we there yet??"

80minutes later, we reached our station. Bakurocho! … Only to be greeted by a flight of stairs! And EVEN more flights of stairs. What a muscle building session we had, lugging our luggages up!

Finally! Something we've been looking forward to see for a long time!


The horrible stairs.


There's some chops located at various stations, so Choppity Chop!


It Reads, Bakurocho. haha!


So Old School! But I likey!


Me asking for the train timings to go back on our last day.


Aargh, another flight of stairs. How healthy!
Aiko is still struggling with her luggage.

Without much difficulty, we found our hostel – Khao San Ninja! It looked exactly like the photos we saw! Pretty, small and clean! We were bushed and tempted to lie on our beds but there wasn’t time to lose and I JUST HAD to eat Ichiran Ramen! I’ve been missing it for 2 years! So off we go to Ueno!

Khao San Ninja Hostel! So pretty! Just as we see it on the internet!


*Pose!* Quick Let's Take a Shot!


*Smiles!* Let's Go in!


Checking-in! The staff is very friendly and speaks good english! No worries!


Aiko's tired!


Right: The Calendar that updates travellers on the activities that are going on everyday in Japan during that period. Apparently it was Sumo Festival.
Left: The stair case that leads to the common room and kitchen, walls all filled with photos of happy travellers!


Leave your shoes here before coming in! Cleanliness #1! Thankfully the area wasn't really stinko!


Our small & Cosy Room! I couldnt take it and immediately plonked myself on the bed!


Off we go from Asakusabashi Station towards Ueno Station -- The place where Ichiran Lies Silently for me!


Finding the correct amount.*headache*


Machine *plonk plonk* -- sound of coins going in. haha


AHHH ~~ The train Station! I missed it! *ding dong*Abunai desu kara.* haha!


Tickets! Unknowingly, it was in the shape of a cross! Just goes to show how much DaddyGod's blessings will shower all over us in our trip!

Ichiran Ramen was still situated where I remembered it to be. The shops there all remained the same and I felt so nostalgic! I felt as if I was home! I could still imagine me and nikki walking along there, shopping at the drug stores, walking to Hard Rock Café to meet Masuo… Ueno sure held a lot of memories! Anyways, I half walked and half ran to Ichiran and I almost screamed when I saw Ichiran! It felt like an old friend! I finally understood how Yukki feels about Qiu Lian Ban Mian. How she always HAVE to eat it whenever she comes Singapore, and how I had to pack it to Taiwan for her whenever I go over. I totally understand how you feel now Yukki. If only Ichiran could be packed back to Singapore! I bet I would receive a lot of request to pack it back, and even if I sell it at $20, people would still be willing to pay for it! As for me, I’m willing to pay $30 for it!! I’m sooo missing Ichiran now. Everyone enjoyed their ramen and the eggs! YUMS! What a satisfying and fulfilling dinner!

Ueno Station! Just as I Rembered it to be! The "hometown" of me & nikki 2 years ago! Oak Hotel! I excitedly pointed towards Hard Rock Cafe and told them how 2 years ago, Matsuo met us there in his red plasticky puff jacket and brought us to Chiba! Memoriesss!


As you can tell, I was rushing (almost running) towards Ichiran! Remembering the route still!


And here we are!!!!!!!!!!


OMG! Ramen Heaven!


The Machine where we chose the infamous Ramen & Egg!


Asked for an english order form and chose the condiments and how we liked our ramen!!


OK! Quick Press the button and send our orders!


The booth seats opposite us!


Waiting impatiently and expectantly for the ramen to come our from the kitchen! Hurry up already!!!


And so the eggs arrive first!


Just as we were peeling our eggs, The Ramen came! OMG I could faint and cry tears of joy!



You all have no idea how happy I was! Look! No teeth! Only Gums showing from my smile!
Ok, obviously I was kidding, please don't go scrutinising my smile. :p


I finished all the soup! How Power am I?

VERY POWER! DA DA DA!

We walked around Ueno, bought collagen drink, some cosmetics (girls!), drinks from vending machine, shared the yummy and cheap Takopaochi and took somemore shots :) I planned for the girls to drop by Watami for supper but we were t0o filled! So we headed back to the hostel to rest early as we had to wake up at 4am the next day to catch our train!

Their Arcade is so big and grand, unlike our puny little ones.


Their umbrellas are so pretty but a tad too expensive!


Stopped by for Takopaochi! Its good to travel in group cos no matter how filled our tummies are, we can share food easily! Did I mention that we appointed Jyuri as our banker? We gave her money everyday and she pays for the food and drinks that we share. How ingenious is that idea! Saves us a lot of trouble dividing! haha!


The Big Octopus inside! And this takopaochi is definitely way nicer and cheaper as compared to Singapore's 3 for $2.50. For that price, we got 6!

Back at the hostel, after washing up, we were tired but reluctant to let our night end just like that, and our mouths were feeling a little itch for a snack so we decided to walk around and go by the 24hours convenience store for some snacks. The night was pretty quiet and we made a little noise while taking photos outside the hostel and the staff came our to tell us we have to be quiet. Shhhhh... We walked by some construction at the road and I was awed at how polite they are. They practically stopped working as we walked on by and continued after we passed them! And, was it our imagination? They seemed to looked at us funnily and smiled silently! Maybe coming out in our PJ's wasn't the brightest idea, but heck it! Its Japan! Finally located the 24hrs store, bought snacks, walked further up and located another convenient store and bought somemore! Somehow or other, we ended up as beggars on the street, went crazy at the hostel before konking out for the night~

Bathed and Refreshed!


Snacks!


*Begs for food & money*


Back to the hostel and Transformed into Ninjas! Crap, is that slippers that i'm holding? Err.. no, that's an illusion! Its actually this special Weapon that I use as a Ninja!

And with that I bid you goodnight!
Day 2 coming Up!
[More Day 1 Photos Here...]

Silent Japanese Gameshow in the Library

This is sooo stupid!
but quite funny, and some of their english words are outrageous!
This is one video where u will understand without the need to have knowledge of Japanese



The gameshows that Japanese plays!

Off with the old & On with the new

I had a new haircut!

I cut off my long limp locks and in place, a short boppity bop that goes haywire at times. Parting with my old locks this time held some significance to me. Its a new beginning for me in many different areas that I'm trying to come to terms with.



Also, the weather is absolutely crazy! *sizzles*

P.S(Yes I know, Japan Day 2! SOON! I PROMISE! Before this month ends. haha!)

A bear, a lion and a pig meet...

When a bear, a lion and a pig meet ...

Bear says: "if I roar in the forest, the entire forest is shivering with fear."

Lion says: "if I roar in the jungle, the entire jungle is afraid of me."






Pig says: "big deal.... I only have to cough, and the entire planet lives
in fear.

My Rest :)

I came across this blog (http://cheee.wordpress.com/about/) while searching for the song "My Rest". Parts of the song just kept playing in my mind but I just couldn't remember the lyrics except "..on pastures green..", so i googled for it! And, I happened to see the title "My Encounter with New Creation Church". Seems interesting enough, so i decided to just go ahead and take a look at it.. and wow. I felt as if I stumbled upon a blog entry that I could have written! The stuffs he wrote was exactly how I felt and thought. Especially about the "Two Layers of the Gospel" -- it was exactly how I felt and what someone I know is going through right at this moment.

I once ask her, "why is it that your church is preaching to you all about the devil and things that ought to be done? Exactly like how my previous church were?" and she told me, "its like that one. you just joined church, slowly, when got bible study, they will teach you all these things. Its more in depth. Beginning, in normal service, church will preach about God's love to draw people in, then during bible studies, then will teach you more in depth." Though those may not be her exact words, it was the gist of it. I was taken aback, and though at that point of time, I was a new NCC-ian, I told her that my church no matter what won't preach on such things cos only God's love and Jesus's sacrifice conquers everything. She gave me a look of disbelief.

Years later, which is now, chancing upon this blog just re-afirms what I told her and what I believe in God. He is just so magnificient, eternally wonderful, glorious :) No one believes me when I say that unless you have experienced His love yourself. So, have you experienced His Love yet? Cos I did!

My rest
My soul finds rest, in You my Jesus
My hiding place amid the storm
In pastures green, You lead me down to lie
By waters still, I shall abide.

I shall not fear, in times uncertain
I shall not look to my own strength
Into Your hands, I place my hopes and plans
My trust is in the blood of the Lamb

A crown of thorns, pierced through Your temple
The blood that flowed, took all my cares
What price You paid, what sacrifice You made
My life is Yours, Jesus my rest

Just Photos Only [Japan Day 1]

http://danlyne.multiply.com/photos/album/75/Japan_2009_First_Day

Yesss I've been procrastinating but I've been reallyyy busy. *no kidding!*So here's Day 1 first! As for the rest, I honestly will try my best to put it up! Blog entries will come later after all the pics are up! I've got no choice but to resort to this. Jikan ga arimasen kara...Anyways, my 2nd trip to Japan and I'm loving it! Missing it loads.. I've got loads to write and loads to say about it! Grrr... why is the day only 24hrs?

I'm back...

... and suffering from withdrawal symptoms.

so much so that i rather stay at home and not go out!

The trip was such a long awaited one and it flew by us in just a blink of an eye. It felt as if I was just sitting in the cab on the way to the airport, sleeping in the plane, sitting there eating the delicious ichiran ramen, getting on the subway trains, the excitedness of reaching Hakone, seeing God's miracles, eating black egg, hot springs, walking along the streets of shibuya... the memories...

Updates Soon!