Thank GOD for the opportunity to visit Japan. It's Eliza and my first visit to Japan. Pete has been to Japan on business trip and Renfred on a mission trip. Thanks to bro Louis, we had very good advice and help to plan the itinerary
Peter and myself took ANA and our two children, SIA. BTW, all the pictures in this blog are taken on my new iphone 4S. There are more pictures taken by Peter and Eliza on their own cameras. We spent 3 days in Tokyo but I did not take any pictures :( Louis and Chris met us upon arrive at our hotel and brought us to eat the best Tempura Rice that I had ever tasted:) We visited Shinjuku and Harajuku in Tokyo, known for its fashion and shopping
Eliza trying out a bike in Karuizawa. This is the place where the family had skiing lesson and spent the whole day skiing (except the mama, who after falling for a couple of times gave up :( so Peter sent me to the Premium outlets nearby to shop :) The second picture show the mountain where we skied
The senery here is breathtaking. Sunset at Karuizawa
Godiva cafe. The next picture shows where we had our dinner on the second night at Kariuzawa; a small cafe selling delicious Chicken Karaage (we had two aliens looking down at us while we were having our dinner)
We stopped for lunch along the highway to Mt Fuji. These pictures were taken at the very nice and clean outlet where we had our Ramen and Chicken Curry Rice. The 2nd picture shows the raw wasabi which we eat with our sushi.
We arrived into Mt Fuji, south-west of Tokyo, in the evening. After checking into the 5-star hotel (you will understand why I said 5-star when you see the view later), we drove out for dinner. We came to this huge place where they were selling second-hand stuff. They've got branded bags, clothes, vintage cameras, musical instruments, etc... Kool ;)
We have had the the opportunity to experience Onsen - Japanese hot spring at this hotel in Mt Fuji. The best part was, the 2 Onsens; female and male were empty! So Eliza and myself enjoyed the hot spring all to ourselves :). In fact, at the next stop, we also had the whole onsen to ourselves. GOD is Good :) BTW, it is not because of the Onsen that Eliza looked like this (she's just having a fun time), I used this picture because she was wearing the outfit after visiting the Onsen.
Da Da .... look at the 5 Million $ view!! This was taken from our hotel room and only with an iphone. Imagine you go to bed and wake up with this magnificent view! While enjoying this view, I am reminded of the Creator who created this plus the universe and all that is in it. How Great is our GOD who created the heavens and the earth!
Breakfast at the Mt Fuji hotel cafe. After we checked out, we headed off for Hakone. Along the way we stopped by the train station and bank to change more local currency.
We also detoured a bit to see the town. Someone told us to visit this oldest hotel which is now a tourist site. We had to drive into the woods to see it.
This is a traditional Japanese hotel in Hakone. They do not have private bathrooms, only Onsen (public bath) and you have to make your own beds and sleep on Tatami floorings. A tatami is a type of mat used as a flooring material in traditional Japanese-style rooms. Traditionally made of rice straw to form the core with a covering of woven soft rush (igusa) straw. When we first entered the rooms, we could not find the beds until Renfred sound the "secret" compartment where they placed the mattresses and blankets :)
This was the interesting part of our travel - the packing of new and old stuff (those bought during the first few days and used clothes to be put aside.) Thanks to our "commander" Peter, who is a seasoned traveller due to his business trips and also the many travels we had as a family, he was able to instruct us what to do so that we only open up one or two luggage bags for the last lag of our trip and organize the rest of the stuff into the other luggage bags under locked and key. I just love to travel with him as he organizes everything - the air tickets, itinerary, packing, etc. and I just enjoy :)
Kawaguchiko lake. Isn't it beautiful?
We had to return the car somewhere in Yokohama Chinatown so we booked a hotel near this place. Motomachi shopping area (something like our Orchard Road) is next to it. These two pictures were taken along Motomachi shopping are. The things here are very nice but also very expensive.
Found these food seasoning in one of the Muji stores. One of the shop owners in Karuizawa said he loves to eat Singapore's Chicken Rice and Muji stores exactly sellls the seasoning and Tandoori seasoning too. I was asked to try their mandarin oranges as they are supposed to be very sweet during this period of the year so I bought a few. Fruits are very expensive in Japan. How blessed we are to enjoy reasonably priced fruits and all sorts too in Singapore :)
Eliza, out of her own initiative, wanted to draw something for uncle Louis and aunty Chris for their kind hospitality and the many ways they have been a blessing to us during this trip. So she worked on her art piece for a few days before our arrival into Disney Sea World, which was our last stop before we headed for home. We were able to post her artwork through the hotel there. Here you see Eliza diligently focusing on her work and Peter relaxing (actually tired from all the walking and shopping) with some Japanese KFC
Japan Disney Sea World! Surprisingly, the meals here are quite reasonable, compared to other Disney theme parks in the world. For example, a burger lunch set with burger, fries and a drink costs Y370 which is quite reasonable comparing the food prices in any normal food joint in Japan. But I would not say the same for their popcorns and accessories that come with them
Picture 1 shows Peter patiently queuing for one of the shows at Disney Sea Word. Unfortunately it was in Japanese :( so we could only use our sanctified imagination while other audience laughed and had a fun time
Our Princess Eliza at the Mermaid kingdom and riding on an Abrabian camel.
Queuing up for Journey to the Centre of the earth. One hour wait but only about 10mins of ride
Eliza and Renfred trying out the different outfits and accessories at the shops. I had fun taking pictures for them :)
It was a memorable trip as a family, learning to accept and accommodate each other, enoying GOD's creation; being reminded of Who is the GOD I serve, being thankful for such blessings from Him. Of course, not forgetting the breadwinner of the family who worked hard to provide such trips for the family. With the children now grown up, we do not not when we will be able to travel as a family so we are thankful we had this trip :)
