I’m blogging! How rare is that?! Okays, so anyway… I’d just came back from a trip to Japan! The land of awesome food. This time, I made it to Osaka, Kyoto & Kobe with Arielle.
This is awkward ‘cos I haven’t blogged in a long while… and I hope my memory doesn’t fail me. So this time, the trip was kinda in the middle of nowhere. Such a bummer ‘cos an aunt of mine had passed away the day before my flight - RIP. :( And then I got this really bad cough and was mostly short of breath throughout my trip. By the way, I haven’t recovered.
Right, so on to my first day… It was on an early Tuesday morning, our flight was 1.25am? Yeah, and I was extremely panicky at 12.45am ‘cos dear Arielle hadn’t arrived - haha drama even before our flight! Almost thought that we were going to miss our flight to Osaka. But it was alright in the end, the guy at the check in counter effectively managed to get both Arielle’s baggage and us on board the plane. Phew!
A few hours later… and we’ve arrived in Osaka to an awesomely chilly 17deg with light drizzle! I love the chilly weather… it’s perfect. Singapore’s too hot. I dislike being all sticky and icky.
Kansai Airport in Osaka.
Then we arrived at Rinku Premium Outlets~ which was pretty much deserted in the morning.
Very peaceful place - but it’s evil! Shopaholics should stay away from this place.
We had breakfast there - it was at this place called “Bagel & Bagel”. So pretty and the staff were so friendly! Anyway, Japanese are pretty good with their service standards. There are the quintessential bows and whatnots. Unlike Singapore - gosh, our service standards are horrendous! So, back to the bagels - I had this yummy cinnamon & honey cream cheese bagel - which was oh so delicious! It came as a set with a drink, and I chose Honey Milk - it was so good! I loved the honey milk. *Wonders how to do it - I should try making it one day. It’s so so so delicious.
After a long, perilous ride on the rail with our heavy luggages and carrying it up and down stairs and streets… we finally checked in at Hotel Villa Fontaine Shinsaibashi… and started exploring the streets of Shinsaibashi + Dotonbori! :D Super hungry!
The only reason why I was carrying an umbrella in this shot was … the light drizzle! (Lookin’ so auntie :p) Haha, got acquainted with that huge crab there (just kidding). So when you’re in Osaka, you’re bound to see this little drummer. I have yet to find out the story behind this bugger - but I will! Uniqlo even has a t-shirt of this guy!
This is what the streets look like, by the way - countless bicycles zipping by us, gals, guys, wearing all their pretty stuff, in heels - carrying an umbrella! They can ride with all that junk in their trunk, that’s a fact.
Spent some time orientating ourselves on the streets of Shinsaibashi, we walked up and down a few times! My feet were hurting, was desperately lacking in sleep - and sucking it up - hated getting sick when I’m travelling but some things are inevitable. Especially with my lifestyle, it’s not that difficult to get down with a flu.
Still, gotta try to explore and have fun, aye? So here goes…
Trying out this tempura place in Dotonbori “Ichiban Tempura”.
It was great, but it was a little too gelat - super value for money, we had fish, shrimp, veggie, miso soup and rice. All for about S$15+. The place was really quiet though, because it was around 4+, 5pm -ish went we went in. The guy must be thinking, weird time to come in for … lunner?
After eating and a bit of shopping at Shinsaibashisuji, we went back to the river to take photos - here we see the bright lights of the night lit up the whole area… superbly lively place at night!
Arielle got her camera, and it was way cheap! Less than $700 for an Olympus PEN mini (Dual lens set) and she got a 32gb SD card and free camera bag to boot. My bag broke, by the way - so we went over to Tsutaya to buy one of those magazines which gave a free bag. I got a Agnes B. one, cost me $21! And you’ll see in the next few days I’ll be carrying that bag. It looks super thrashed right now though… sigh, with all the abuse and whatnot I gave it the few days we were in Japan.. What to expect?
After a cup of Green Tea Latte to fill my stomach, it’s time to retire for the night~!!
The fact that it was written with her as both the narrator and protagonist makes the experience all too “in-your-face”… it will feel like you’re still reeling from the madness she’s gone through!
Hmmm perhaps I might want to read a happy book next.
Before I dive straight into… Shutter Island.
That might drive me crazy too.
. take a seat, New York .
(via photoholic)
Work is fun when fun is work~ When the people around you are light-hearted and have a huge sense of humour.
I LOVE. I WANT.
(Source: thepinkmustache, via unabrogable)
Uke’ve Got It!
http://cargocollective.com/avrilkelly/
I met my cousin’s newborn daughter…
petted a cute, old golden retriever named “Sakura”… (this is what I call a “balanced” dog, Caesar Millan! - super good girl!)
Went to Zhou’s Kitchen at Anchorpoint - I really liked the layout and vibe of the place! Thinking… it might be a good Sunday brunch place, non? I’ll show you… arty farty pictures. Any chefs wanna partner up?
Anyway, here are the patriotic people in my family. Haha! The bros & the mom.
My Dad and I weren’t wearing red, so yeah!~
The Arty Farty Set (I made them pose while I snapped their portraits - hehe):
Here’s looking at the menu:
Mom in the background:
After our yummy high-tea at Zhou’s Kitchen, we head over to Ikea for a spin around the huge furniture mall! Alright, I got my full-length mirror… and we head off to the city to see the fireworks!
*ji-ba-boom!!!*
Now, have you ever seen this?
It’s really blur, though! :( But at least you get to see the coconut tree.
After the fireworks ended… I snapped a picture of this:
*ta-dah* What a beautiful day (and night)!
(Source: here)
How many hobbies do you have?
A night in Orchard Central with the bestest uni mates!
A dose of seafood paella (didn’t realise the bokeh until I edited the photo) meets…
the sizzle of juicy mushroom, cheese and chicken kebab on a hotplate.
Throw in a hot cuppa latte!
coupled with a cha-cha-cha exotic ambience…
Try the international beers - get a whip of tastes from around the world…
Mediterranean food that won’t hurt your pocket. (*psst - if you have the DBS Indulge app, get 25% off!)
Reviews: http://www.hungrygowhere.com/singapore/Medzs__Orchard_Central
After satisfying our hunger pangs… we head on to satisfy our sweet pangs… (never heard anyone say that before, but whatever!)
Introducing.. the one… the only… !!!
Cold Stone Creamery!!!
I was so impressed by the guy who did my ice cream! He was tossing it around with his scoops - and the finishing touch was *mamma mia* - he tossed it like 2 feet in the air, and caught it with the dipped waffle cone.
I love it! However, the chocolate-dipped part tasted gross. When I say gross, I mean it tastes like cardboard. Plus, if you just had a meal, please don’t order “I Love it” (6 oz.) size - order “I Like it” (4 oz.) size. It’s way too gelat. Bliss for the first half of the ice-cream and guilt for the next half. The waffles were yummy though! Crunchy crunchy!
For awhile… I thought everything was going fine… But I’ve suddenly got this biting feeling… That I’m not cut out for… Am I thinking too much?
Why does it get me down so easily? Why do I have feel so helpless and vulnerable again?
Why do I have to hold back my tears