Author archive
17 April 2015
After a breakfast of pastries, I checked-out and left my bag at the hotel reception. I began my exploration of the Narita area by walking to Narita-san, the temple nearby. It was actually a very nice temple for something that was so accessible and un-promoted. I remember the alleyway from about 15 years ago where […]
16 April 2015
I woke early this morning without an alarm. The sun was out way before 0600 I reckon. It’s nice to wake naturally, with assistance from sunlight from the outside. This wasn’t the case in wet gloomy Tokyo with natural light further obscured by neighbouring buildings. I made the most of the onsen once more before […]
15 April 2015
Hakone area After a day of shopping and pounding the pavements of the city, I left Tokyo. It was another early start with the alarm for 0600 for a shower, breakfast and packing up after 5 nights at the Tsukiji Business Ban Hotel. I left at 0700 and got to Shinjuku Station rather quickly but […]
14 April 2015
Above: Escape sling from high-rise department store. Today was the day that had been allocated to rest and shopping. While I don’t normally have much brand loyalty, I do rather like some of the cheaper-end stuff Uniqlo (a Japanese value fashion brand). I had been told about GU, their budget brand just the day before, […]
13 April 2015
I had set the alarm for 0640. I downed a simple breakfast with canned coffee, warmed up in a bain marie of boiling water. I was tired but I tried hard not to waste too much time getting ready. I made my way to Asakusa station by metro, which required a walk to the train […]
12 April 2015
Cycling I woke to a lovely clear sunny day, in fact, the only nice day forecast for my entire stay in Japan. It was perfect for cycling around the Palace moat area, something that’s only possible on dry Sundays. I took the tube to Nijubashimae and found the place for borrowing free bicycles near exit […]
11 April 2015
Tsukiji Tuna Auction & Fish Market The alarm rang at 0240. I got ready quickly and walked in the drizzle to the Tsukiji Fish Market’s Fish Information Centre. There were about 10 people waiting for me in the queue at 0300. We were each given a high-viz jerkin to indicate that we had been confirmed […]
10 April 2015
Leaving Haneda I started the day with a buffet breakfast in the hotel. It was a sumptuous Japanese and Western spread. EVA Airways crew were there and they didn’t hold back. Gotta have the energy to work I guess. I left the hotel for the metro station a few minutes away by foot at 1000. […]
9 April 2015
Above: Waiting to leave my hometown Kuching. I left Kuching at a civilised time of 1040 for Tokyo via Kuala Lumpur on AirAsia and then AirAsia X. The two hour transit in KL gave me enough time to fit in a quick light lunch at the lounge before boarding the flight to Tokyo, the world’s […]
31 March 2015
My aunt insisted on driving me to the airport, saying that the car needed a good run. Bag-drop at AirAsia was quick and I was in the lounge having breakfast before the short flight to Kuching for a 10 day stay to see family.