Tokyo 9 - 18 Nov 2007

Just got back from Tokyo. Happening! It was a really nice experiencing what people call a First World city. Anyway, won't write too long a intro, this post is quite picture intensive. MAKE SURE YOU ARE VERY FREE THEN READ ELSE YOU WILL NOT ENJOY!!! kekeke...

Reach Narita Airport at 7am. Waiting for the airport limousine bus. Here cannot take taxi, a trip from Airport to Shinjuku will cost about S$300! We made a mistake and took a cab after drinks 1 nite. We tot what the hell, only 4 train stations away, end up the cab fare cost us S$50+!!!

Too early to check in so dump our baggage in the hotel and went to look for makan. Our 1st Udon store. Pretty nice and quite cheap, 1 bowl is about S$8. This store only sell udon or soba. but damn good!

The skyline from our hotel window. Looks damn congested!

We had the privilege to have the company of Jacq's ex-colleague who is also there on work then extend. His fiancee and sister came along as well. Our first yakitori dinner. There was a small area near our hotel that has all the very small yakitori stores. Looks interesting. The food is good but we sat upstairs and was totally smoked out from the smoke of the grill and also smokers!!! Not that I'm complaining but the smoke from the grill is really bad!!! We were tearing to the end.

The view of the yakitori store from the front. As you can see it is really small.

Had drinks at one of the more ang-moh pub, Motown at Roponggi.

Quite a nice place, but it is a pub for foreigners.

2nd day - Went Disney Land and Disney Sea. I tell you, Hong Kong one no fight!

One of the more scarier rides, Tower of Terror. You basically sit in a lift-like thing and it goes up and then free-fall. In between the windows will open so you get to see the outside view. Not too bad but given a choice I would rather enjoy a mug of Asahi!

The main water show of Disney Sea. The show was very spectacular. Wonder how much they spend on each show? And they do it on a daily basis!!!

Taking the Disney train to Disney Land.... Check out the Mickey Mouse windows!

Entrance to Disney Land and be prepared to be enchanted...............

3rd-Day - It was spend walking around Shibuya and Harajuku. Bought 2 of the J-League jerseys, Urawa Reds of course being the champions last season and yokohama FC. Sorry no pics on the shopping. The Yakitori at our place was so good we decided to go again. But we tried another store which is bigger and more like a restaurant. The food there is EVEN BETTER!!!!

4th-Day Went fishing in tokyo bay. (See below)

After that more walking around Shinjuku area. Walked so much until my legs wanna break!!! Decided to give ourselves a treat to a more fancy place. Check out the menu, only 4 items, take it or leave it. Click on the menu to enlarge. Basically we spent more than S$150 for our meal there, but every cent is worth it!

Do you know why this dish is called Shabu Shabu? Ask me when you meet me the next time!

We tried all the dishes. This one is called Sukiyaki.

A VERY SATISFIED CUSTOMER although pocket a bit broke after this meal!

The fishing that was done earlier in the day. Our trused boatman, Hasegawa-san!

Basically the fishing was quite good. We don't use live bait. Instead we use lures which is fake fish. We started with smaller lures and the catch rate was good. 5 fishes within 20 minutes! Even Jacq, who is doing it first time, got 2!!! SURE CATCH AH!!!

Then after that, boatman changed our lures to heavier ones, hoping to catch bigger size. :( Sad to say no action after that. This boat trip costs us about S$300 for 4 hours. Expensive in local terms but sure catch leh, what more you want!

This trip is mainly on food. Not much shopping done as the clothes there are expensive.

One of the small sashimi place at (can't remember where liao) Die lah, after eating these in Japan, Singapore no fight leh.... Sigh.......

The sea-urchins (Uni) is also damn good!!!!

The famous Tokyo Rainbow bridge.

6th day - woke up early to go to see the Tsukiji fish market auction. Reached the place at 5.30am!

Then ate sashimi and sushi at 7am!!!!

Yum Yum..........

When we were at Roponggi the other day, noticed this store selling udon got damn long queue. Us being typical Singaporean and noticing that only locals are queueing up. Decided to come back and try during off peak hours. Check out the size of the bowls!

We were looking for a place to club and was walking around Shinjuku. Suddenly remember this place, Loft being mentioned in the Lonely Planet book. So went in. for a moment blur, cannot speak Japanese some more. then found out it is a place where budding rock bands perform. And that nite was a line-up of the more famous bands. Cover charge was 3000 yen (S$40) with a glass of beer served in plastic cups!!!

But when we went in, the atmosphere totally changed our mood. It was happening. Like some mini-nirvana / oasis concert. People were slam-dancing and body surfing. Although we don't understand a word the band is singing but the melody was catchy.

In the end, even bought one of the band's T-shirt and CD. You can see a clip of their performance in the video below.

After that more eating, a famous chain of Ramen store. I call it the Piggy Ramen!

Jacq found this theme park called Fujikyu at the foot of Mt Fuji. The rides there are happening.

This King of Coasters is commended by Guiness Book of Records as the highest coaster in 1990 or 1995?

This is the full view of the coaster. Height is at 80m. About 35-40 storeys high, I think??!!?

There is another one that accelerates to 172 km/h in just 1.8 seconds!

Definitely not for the faint-hearted and me!!

Was at Tokyo Dome City cos there is another coaster, sigh.... Apparently there is some Anime festival so all the young people there are dressed up. Only managed to take one pic cos some of the others do not allow. Maybe they are there without their parent's consent.. *Naughty naughty* But it is very interesting, they really go all out to look just like the japanese comics.

Our final sashimi and sushi place.

Video of "Die Like Dogs" performance...

Actually there is a lot more that happened but lazy to write. If you want to find out more, then gimme a call lah. Then you have excuse to catch up with me mah!!!

Cheers!

Headache! Headache!!!

It's been a while since I blogged. SORRY! Nothing interesting so far. Except for the last 3 weeks, it has been hell!!!

Well, actually my wife and I have been scouting around Singapore for a new place. Been to Oprah Estate, Sin Ming, Serangoon Gardens, Hillview, Thomson, etc. Never really found a place that we like. Either too expensive or too old and it will cost us a bomb to rebuild. It was made worse with the property boom. Even the private owners are taking advantage of this boom and just anyhow whack prices. I was at a point telling my wife that maybe we should just hang on for another year then see how.

Then 1 weekend, nothing much to do so decided to just drive around to look see. Ended up at an estate in Macpherson. Then came across this very unique and beautiful place. Decided for fun just call, I was thinking should be quite ex as it is newly rebuilt. When the agent told us the price, we were surprised???? Valuation is at 810K and owner asking for 750K!!!! Freehold!!! What a catch!!

Ok la, the land area is kinda small, only 1100 sq ft. But just nice, 3 bedrooms. Then now I can move my office back home.... And further more, it is a corner terrace so more space for my pets.

Decided to view the place. It feels good... can really picture myself staying there. Decided not to sound so keen so told them we will arrange to meet the agent again next week.

Then next week arrived sooner than expected. Agent advised us to try 730K and see if owner accept so we just decided the hell with it. I figured I can never find a place at this kinda price and furthermore freehold and newly constructed so we just paid the 1% booking fee. A few days later, the agent came back to say he accepted.

Now headache, last time I bought my current place, it is all handled by HDB and boy the process was smooth. Now private property, need to get quotes from banks, compare, worry about stamping fees, legal fees, etc. Furthermore, we still cannot sell our old place until July then 5 years. Alamak! So we decided to appeal to HDB since the maturity date is only 2 months difference. Now still waiting.

however, the good news is, since we have confirmed the new place, WTH, just try and see what kind of price we can get for our place. So got our neighbour whose an agent to do a valuation. The report came back at 385K. Allright, the price for my place went up by 10K. Initially was expecting to let go at the same price I bought it 5 years ago, 400K, would be a pretty good return. But guess what, manage to get a buyer on the first day of marketing at a price of 410K!!!!

Thank God! To be frank, have been praying the whole week for strength and patience to get thru this cos the numbers, procedures, people, etc is almost driving me crazy. So crazy that I did not even feel like drinking!!!

Well, the irritating thing now is waiting for HDB to approve our appeal for early release else we can't submit the Option to Purchase for my existing flat.

Anyway, the whole process is quite tedious.

Don't worry, once move in, will invite all of you to my housewarming.

Ok, pictures now...

Front view. Basically a 2 storey with attic. The master bedroom will be on the attic.

3 bathrooms, one at each floor.

Another front view.

My future office on 2nd floor.

My maid's room and also cattery.

Our master bedroom. Check it out... got balcony some more!!!

View from balcony. Not too bad, not many obstructions on view as my place is the tallest around, so far......

View of side garden.

Didn't take the living room cos at that time, my mom, auntie, cousin, sister and also the agents are around so dun want them to spoil the picture... hehe...

Well this is the next phase of my life...... dun worry not having kids lah......

Hope the rest of the journey will even be better than my previous 5 years.

God Bless!