My 2nd solo trip to Japan (Part 1)

Having enjoyed myself so much on a solo trip to Hokkaido in 2004, I told myself I must do it again. As I only have the summer holidays to go, I chose the Tohoku region which is the north-east part of Japan, thinking that it'll be cooler than the rest of Japan. However due to time & financial constraint, I could only afford 4 days there, covering Sendai, Morioka, Aomori and Hachinohe. I squeezed in bits of Tokyo, Yokohama & Fukuoka as well. Here are my thoughts on the places I went to, the things I saw, the food I ate.... Photos are available on my "Photo Gallery -- Japan Travels 2007" (left column of blog)

2 Aug (Thurs)
Had an unpleasant flight to Bangkok from Singapore. There was a disgusting guy who rested his smelly feet at the chair in front & often strayed into my space. There was a lack of blankets onboard the plane and I had to freeze for 2 hrs. The flight attendants were all unpleasant with a sulky look.

The flight from Bangkok to Tokyo Narita was better probably it's a further international flight. One amusing incident I encountered was that of a lady in her 50s (I think) trying to use the toilet. She probably didn't understand English and didn't know how to open the door so I helped her. (Push open) From inside the cubicle she started pushing the door to get out, whereas the correct way's to pull open. Poor lady was trapped in it for a while before I realised she's stuck inside & helped her open the door.

3 Aug (Fri)
Arrived in Tokyo Narita airport in the early morning. Spent some time settling baggage delivery, phone rental and train reservations at the airport before going to the hostel. With a brief map by the hostel & wrong exit from the train station, I was lost for a while before finding it. Walked around the area & stumbled onto the famous Sensoji Temple. What excited me most about the place wasn't the temple but a shop along the path. They sold Ah Ke look-alike dolls!! Quite tempted to buy 1 or 2 back but think Ah Ke might feel threatened. And I can't imagine having to take care of another Ah Ke.


After that I went to the Singapore Embassy at Roppongi to apply for a document to be submitted when I register my marriage in Japan. Armed with only the address, I first had to figure out how to get to Roppongi coz I had no subway map. When I reached there I was totally lost. With a map & directions by the train station attendant, I went in seach of the embassy. Walked for the longest time & just when I thought I'm lost, I found the place. Settled everything & went to Shibuya and Ueno before heading back to hostel. Skipped lunch and had soba in hot soup for dinner. I was exhausted and slept early but kept waking up in the middle of the night.

Tokyo's too crowded with people. I don't exactly like it. And I didn't have the time to explore the outskirts of it. Probably next visit...

Japan's version of 花樣少年少女

Started watching Japan's version of 花樣少年少女 recently, titled as Hanazakari no kimitachi e. In my opinion the story isn't as good as the Taiwan version. Taiwan's version had better plot & character development. Japan's version is just very messy with weak plot. However they have very good looking cast, much better than Taiwan's cast. Both have nice theme songs though. Here's the theme song by Orange Range, titled Ikenai Taiyou. Enjoy!

Officially Mrs Niino

No more Miss Chan! It's Mrs Niino now (^-^)

We've registered our marriage in Japan at the city hall near his place on 10 Aug. It was an easy but troublesome process. First I had to go to the Singapore embassy in Tokyo to apply for an affidavit of marital status. Then he had to translate it into Japanese and submit it together with a marriage application form. The form required 2 witnesses info so his parents simply had to fill in the form without going with us. We waited for around an hour after submission coz they had to verify my information with the headoffice. With that done, we're officially married and they gave me a marriage certificate the same day.

His parents organized a dinner with his relatives at a resort hotel to celebrate the occasion. Food was great but felt uneasy in such a serious dinner setting. His father made a speech followed by him. Rest of dinner was just some casual chat which i could understand only 50% of it.

His relatives also gave us angbao. Quite surprised to receive angbao at this point. Anyway that will go into wedding fund. His mother gave me a lovely pearl necklace & earring set which I'd probably wear for my photoshoot.

The next day we went shopping for his shirts & shoes and my yukata meant for wedding. Hubby really dotes on me. I tried a white yukata with pinkish prints which is slightly costly. He said I look good in it & told me to get it & immediately paid for it without hesitation. When it came to his own yukata (for wedding too), he hesitated and didn't buy even though it was around the same price as mine.

That's what I consider a good husband! He helps to prepare breakfast, do laundry, wash the dishes. Buys me things I like. He noticed that I was interested in magazines and brought me to the bookstore. Only problem is he's untidy! When I stepped into his apartment, I thought I'm in a garbage place. Cleaning out his refridgerator was a nightmare. Fungus covered vegetables, expired food, and most digusting of all, a bowl of larve meant for duno what insect or animal!

We've a long way ahead of us as husband & wife. Hope we can survive the ups & downs of marriage life & live happily ever after!

Dreams of Teru

I think my craze over GLAY is out of control. I dreamt of GLAY's lead vocalist, Teru, a few nights ago. Can't remember the details, except that we took pictures together & became friends. Hahahah!

My bf is also called Teru, so he was quite happy & excited when I told him "I dreamt of Teru". Then I added, "Teru from GLAY". Hahaha.....poor him....so disappointed. He had a good laugh over it later, saying I must have been very happy in the dream. Yes, I was very happy. Hope to dream of Teru again..... 1st half of dream my Teru, 2nd half Glay's Teru... Teru... Teru.... Teru.....

It's summer vacation!!

So happy! Term 1 of school is finally over! (^o^) We've all survived the new 27-hr schedule, teaching up to 5 lessons in a row. Longer hours at school but with better pay, I don't need to do another part-time job, which gives me more time to prepare for lessons & relax at home after work.

Teaching P4 wasn't a problem since most were from my P3 last year. P5 was a challenge & will continue to be so. I hope next term will go well.

Now just enjoy my nice 1-month summer vacation. Going to Japan for holiday. I can finally go on a 1-week solo trip to Japan. This time's to Tohoku, which includes Sendai & Aomori. Very excited but a little disappointed that some places have to be omitted due to time & financial constraints. After my short little trip, I'll meet up with my bf in his hometown (Kagoshima) before heading to his little island (Amami-oshima) for 2 weeks.

I'm not sure if I'll have the chance to travel around Japan on my own again. After this trip, my next trip to Japan will be in April/May next year after my wedding. By then, I can't possibly dump my hubby alone at home while i go travelling for weeks on my own. And he has no time to go with me also.... So I must enjoy myself to the fullest for this coming trip! Tohoku, here I come!!