Kyoto

Sorry for the late post D: been so... not busy but engaged? XD we had internet at the hostel we stayed at so there was a lot of internet usage for me which included chatting on whatsapp, Skype, Facebook, etc. XD well anyway~ here's what happened the times I didn't blog :p

Day 6
Nichiyoubi deshita! (It was Sunday) but we didn't go to church D: so I spent some time reading the Bible... on the shinkansen! :D (bullet train) we headed from the onsens that we stayed at and we paid the fare in coins... o.o paying the bus fare was really interesting... you get a ticket when you board... then put it into the machine when you exit and it tells you the fare then you pay in the same machine o.o
There were a lot of people that came from the train and they ran for the bus... and we took a train to the station with the shinkansen x)

The shinkansen is so expensive though! D: ~$130 or so... >__< 2 hours on the train from Odawara to Nagoya... there we got off the first train and bought bentou boxes for lunch. When we got on the second train, there were no seats so we had to stand... D: and we hadn't eaten yet :c but I was fine XD Amoz had an Oreo though :p when we arrived at Kyoto, we ate our lunches before heading off to the hostel. Got lost a bit as usual XD the hostel was small but I liked it... maybe because of the fast wifi XDD

They had a dog too :3 so kawaii ^-^ and so well behaved! The host invited us to the hostel's Christmas party on Christmas eve and we joined them (next day). We stayed a bit at the hostel (using the internet) then we went for a walk around the area. Checked out the arcade then had dinner. Amoz bought some masks then we decided to head back to the hostel while walking around Nijou-jo (Castle Nijou). Then we got back and showered n stuff.... used the internet more XD slept on futons :p

Day 7
The next day, we went to tour the castle and the actual palace was awesome! They had Nightingale floorboards which squeaked when walked upon to prevent assassinations o.o too bad they didn't allow photo taking inside the palace :c then we walked around the garden... took photos... then went into the lounge/souvenir shop and looked around. Then we went to a bamboo park. It snowed a fair bit and then we headed to have lunch. After lunch we headed to a monkey park which was quite a hike but it was so awesome to see the monkeys! We fed them from the feeding... shed ... XD they were really gentle in taking the food and the monkey which had a baby clinging onto it... fed itself when it took the food LOL. also when there were a couple of pieces of the food in your hand, the monkey would pick them all then eat it :o so smart! The view on the top of the mountain was awesome as well x)

After the monkeys, we headed back and used the intarwebs a bit and skyped with friends before going down to the party. It was fun, talking with people other than Amoz and Tiff XD we also played bingo and I won a prize :D and then we talked a bit more before going to sleep...

And that's day 6 in japan XD

Japan day 5

Today we checked out of the hostel we were staying at for the last couple of days and headed to our next hostel near the onsens. We took a train to the end of the JR line I think... then had lunch though we had trouble looking for a place since we had our luggage with us. After lunch we bought more onigiri for our breakfast tomorrow as well as dinner for tonight... well I didn't buy dinner since we still had instant noodles left. We took another train to Hakone-Yuumoto and then we took a bus. The buses here have no problem going up hills o.o or maybe its just those buses... but still! o.o there were lots of curves as well! Not to mention a few houses I think? And convenience stores. Maaan Japan is awesome * 3* the bus was rather narrow though >__< same goes for the roads... everything is narrow! When we got up, we didn't know that there were shuttle buses so we walked up hill... WITH our luggage... > 3< so tiring! Might end up losing weight here in Japan instead of gaining weight XD the hostel had no elevators either! D: we were on the second floor and there were stairs everywhere! Anyway, we got to our rooms, got our swimwear ready and headed to Yuunesun's onsens. Amoz wanted to walk but the shuttle bus came so we took that instead..... Amoz and his walking... >__< I think my ankle's injured again... D: We paid for the entry and got cool wristbands :o they have sensors on them for you to use your lockers and buy stuff inside without having to take your wallet with you (although you'd have to pay for that when exiting...) and they made me confuse them for my watch XD we changed and we went into the normal pool which is just a big jacuzzi I'd say :p decided that it wasn't enough so we went to the commercial ones and it was all outdoors! There was lots of steam from the onsens so it wasn't too cold up there. There was coffee >__< red wine, green tea, sake, apple and a few normal ones. There was also some hot marble which was more warm than hot XD also a bath walk which just bathes your feet. There was a 'performance' for red wine and there was basically just 2 guys making an audience from outside the area (in Japan lol) welcome by pouring red wine on her shoulders and then her head. Then they talked a bit in Japanese and started pouring red wine into peoples' open hands. There was a Caucasian guy and he let the performer pour the rest of the wine on his face and head. The guys asked who wanted more and then made us shout for one more bottle of wine so that another guy would bring another bottle of wine. Lol. They entertained us while we waited and then there was another round of pouring wine on us... it was fun I guess XD Then we sat in a few more before going to get the camera to take photos. After taking photos, we went and showered and got changed. Then we headed back to our hostel with the shuttle bus. We went to cook our dinners... but there was no pot! Or bowls >__< there wasn't anything but hot/cold water in the kitchen D: so I waited for Amoz to finish his dinner so I could cook the instant noodles... cup noodles style~ I had 2 buns while waiting and drank lots of water... felt a but bloated after that but I think I haven't had enough water lately so it's okay. After dinner we looked up how to get to our next place of accommodation and confirmed what time we're checking out. I felt tired so I blogged and got ready to sleep... also, this place has no internet at all... but good thing it was only for one day... = 3=

Japan day 4

Woke up around 9 this morning since we learnt that the shops don't open early :P we had onigiri for breakfast and had no idea what we were eating most of the time XD the way they packaged the onigiri was rather interesting :o the seaweed was wrapped separate from the rice ball but you just have to pull the ... plastic separating thingomabob and then pull one side of the packaging and you have onigiri with the seaweed attached to it. I forgot to take a photo/video D: although we may buy more? XD

Amoz led us towards the beach and we walked towards a hiking trail... not sure why we'd go hiking in Japan... seeing that we could do it in Australia as well >__< such a long hiking trail... but before that, we went into a shop that sold those old weapons o.o I think they were real considering the price... they also sold little figures of the Chinese zodiac. Then we went hiking... = 3=  not much to report there except for the fact that there were ~3 graveyards... and we saw a statue of the first shogun. Then we went to eat lunch and there was a traditional setting so we sat on the tatami mats and I asked the lady to use simple Japanese XD more chances to use my horrendous Japanese :p but I actually understood what she said ^-^

After lunch, we went to baskin Robbins for some ice cream XD they had little laminated papers to ask customers what they wanted such as what size and cone/cup. So much easier compared to Australia.... . 3. Then we went to a shop that sold stuff from the creators of spirited away, totoro, etc. I don't remember his name at all D: Miyazaki? I think it is... well anyway

We headed to Yokohama to shop around and bought stuff from kinokuya. I saw that mirror cube again and I really wanted to buy it but I decided to buy it online when i get back to Australia instead = 3= we decided to go to a curry restaurant since Amoz was craving curry for dinner... but on the way, we discovered that we had WiFi so we began using the internet XDD then we went in, Amoz had his curry while Tiff and myself had dessert. After that we walked around a bit more, explored, I bought some takoyaki for my dinner then we went to the supermarket to buy some dinner for Tiff. Headed back and rested a bit before showering and eating. Packed a bit too since today was our last day at the hostel. Finished packing and watched a bit of TV while Tiff finished up her packing because my luggage needed to be moved where Tiff was using it. Rolled the bed out and Tiff used my laptop and I'm blogging on my phone. Super tired now and I think I kinda fell asleep on the train on the way to Yokohama although it might've been for a few seconds or something...

Anyway, g'night~ o/

Japan day 3

Tiff and myself had a quarter each of the huge apple that we bought yesterday and had a hard time finishing it >__< we also had a piece of bread after eating the apple. We headed out around 9am and walked around a very nice dating site according to Amoz... soooo much walking though D: and I'm probably going to be complaining about walking lots for the remainder of the trip XD

While walking around, we discovered that the shops in Japan don't open very early = 3= We had shabu shabu for lunch and it was SO DELICIOUS! When hungry... ahahaha XD it was a buffet shabu shabu so we could go and take more vegetables and ask for more meat o.o we were hesitant to order more meat though because we didn't know that it was a buffet until we paid XD but I must say, they were prepared for English speaking customers since they had a list of phrases they'd have to say for us :p Amoz and Tiff made me go in first so that I could speak Japanese to the workers there... lol XD I tried~ :p

After that, we walked around  the shopping mall that we were in which is called World Porters. Can't say we bought much but... SHOOOOOESSSSS~~~ *u* I don't know why I'm looking at them a lot now... they're nice XD well I looked at the shoes :p from afar XD we bought only a few stuff ... not really shopping... maybe when we're at the big shopping malls... and I think I'm the only one who has bought the most merchandise I think? XD so far :p

We went to the arcade and there were so many of those crane/claw machines o.o" couldn't find the table flipping game though :c so sad~ hehe XD we came across a store where you play that crane game for desserts o.o but it looks more like a trap D: very good for business I'd have to say... just set up your trap and let people play it and then $$$! Also, that place had free WiFi so we stopped there for a bit to check on whatsapp XD we're internet dependent people :p

Then we went back down from the 5th floor and Amoz had a crepe. Then we headed back~
Rested a bit, I took a nap while Tiff used the internet for fb n stuff~ 6:30-ish we headed out again to look at more stalls... turns out that the stores in japan also close early in addition to opening late... D: or maybe it's closed normal time but I expected them to be open til late since they weren't open til around 11 = 3=

We were looking for a place to eat dinner and when we ordered, the lady asked if we spoke English XD her English was better than my Japanese = 3= that's one thing I'm jealous about the Japanese... after dinner, we headed to a convenience store and bought onigiri for breakfast~ they also sell a single egg there XD ￥64 I believe it was... then we headed back home

Took a shower, Tiff and myself forgot to bring our towels down but we realised that before we showered... Tiff went back up...whereas I used my clothes... . 3.

Feeling tired already even after a nap so time to sleep~

Japan Day 2

Following the post where Amoz almost got run over, I forgot to post that in Japan, the zebra crossings may not necessarily mean a zebra crossing... It depends on whether the crossing lights are there or not >__<

Well day 2~

We went to a little restaurant called Jonathan's and I must say the service is awesome o_o" the waiter was trying really hard to communicate with us too XD
when we entered, the guy tried to ask us what kind of table we wanted (smoking or non-smoking) and he had his hands full so he had to put a plate down to do the smoking  motion for us to understand =P although he put us in the non-smoking area, after we came back i could smell smoke on me >___< *spams deodorant*

we pressed the button to let them know that we were ready to order and the guy comes running to our service XD much better service compared to other countries i've been to so far . 3. after we ordered, he came back i think asking us what side dish we wanted~ with hand signals XD then he came back again saying that they didn't have something... with hand signals of course =P it was nice how they try to communicate with us regardless of us being unable to understand Japanese... although I could've... but it seems hard to respond in Japanese D:

after breakfast, we checked out of the hotel and then we went to exchange our currency... the rates dropped D: AUSTRALIA~~ WHAT DID YOU DO TO JAPANN???? DDD: If you did anything at all that is... then we went to the station to head to the hostel that we're currently staying in............. had to ask which platform our train was ... because they're so confusing D: As if Melbourne/Singapore wasn't bad enough... Japan has many major stops where there are lots of interchange trains = 3= and it's not just 1 line changing to another line, there can be a couple of lines at that one particular station = 3=

then we walked and walked and walked and got lost again and back tracked and walked and arrived at the youth hostel~ \o/ checked-in and checked out the room... 2 futons in 1 room for Tiff and myself... and the room is small! D:!! There's no room for the luggage when the futons are out... >__< no wardrobes either~ but what to do for a cheap hostel~? . 3. gotta be grateful for a place to rest x)

we explored Chinatown a bit and almost every shop had panda merchandise in it o_o Paradise for Tiff~ ahaha XD then we explored more... found Daiso and each item was only ￥100! SOOOOOH CHEAAAAPPPPPP compared to Singapore and Australia = 3= and there was a kpop store~~!! \o/ was pouring all over SHINee merchandise XD but I didn't end up buying anything = 3= 'cos I don't exactly like what they had =P oh~ and SHINee's Japanese version of Replay played~ :DD

On the way out of Chinatown, there was a shop where I found a poster of NEWS! :D but now it's just 4 of them = 3= Yamapi... T-T Ryo-chan... T-T well anyway... we went back to 　ぱんだや (Panda Shop) for Tiff to buy something XD then we went to have lunch at かばのおうどん (Hippopotamus' Udon) and also had a hard time communicating what we wanted XD although the guy could've pointed at what he was trying to say =P

Then we went to shop for dinner/breakfast at a nearby supermarket. Bought 2 massive apples for ~￥300 which is around $3 o_o so cheap! Then we bought instant noodles... fried squid and bok choy for our dinner~

we pretty much rested the rest of the day... i was trying to make a hotspot on my netbook 'cos there was no wifi... or so we thought... = 3= skyped with friends and family, told them of our experiences so far~ took a shower which is coin operated... ￥200 for 7 minutes which is a bit long it actually seems XD was trying to save my time and we could stop the water when needed... only spent 2 minutes of the shower water... lol XD cool place though =P

also the toilets here... THE SEATS HAVE WARMERS! IT'S SO WARRMMMMMM~!!~!!
not to mention they have sprays and dryers for your bum... which was disturbing to think about at first... lol~ i'll stop there :D

sleepy time~ i'm sleep deprived~ = 3=
おやすみ！～

In Japan! :D

Day 1!

We left home in Aussie at around 10:30pm. Had a farewell dinner for mum with her cell group at our place earlier though. Sylvia taught us the new dance moves for the CNY dance.

When we went through the x-rays, I forgot to take my jacket with me but thank God I realised that after coming back from the toilets >__<" The flight to KL was... alright I'd have to say... can't sleep very well as usual XD there was a crying baby on board but I slept through it with my iPod on... ehehehe :3 we didn't eat anything before we boarded the plane so I was very hungry... It didn't help that they were serving food on the plane and the smell was making me even more hungry D:

When we arrived in KL, we had a 7 hour transit but Tiff had to go out and get her baggage since she didn't book the ticket as a connecting flight... and had to wait... since she couldn't check-in until 3 hours before the flight XD had some food... I had "Chicken porridge" which was more like chicken with rice in soup... >__> but oh wells... I was hungry so I just ate XD

We connected to the internet... I started Whatsapping people... then there was no internet after 3 hours DD: so I attempted to sleep... then charged my stuff with my netbook... then had to go to the charging station to charge my netbook XDD we watched season 14 of pokemon while keeping an eye out for Tiff when she comes in =P After she came in, we had another 3 hours to kill... I slept a bit XD then we boarded the plane :3

Before we departed, the plane was rather empty O_o some people moved seats 'cos there were free seats XD The plane departed, I had my headphones in, my iPod was off 'cos it was supposed to be... and I fell asleep just about when the plane was taking off XD was so tired~ I just slept and slept and slept on the plane... It was good~ no crying baby XDD ahahaha~~ Had Chicken Lasagna for dinner.... Man it was so delicious... but not sure if it was really delicious or I was just that hungry... or both! XD Tiff couldn't find her ticket though O_o but it was okay~

The flight was actually nice... in fact, we arrived 20 minutes before schedule! :D Although the landing was... disturbing XD turbulence and air pockets... I dislike air pockets D: It's like my body forgot to hold onto the insides while it dropped >__<

We rushed to get out, and the airport reminded me very much of Singapore's Changi airport :3 had to wait a fair bit for the baggage to come out though D: we visited the toilets while waiting XD so... technological... but disturbing at the same time XD

After that, we went to get train tickets and then caught the train. When we went through the barrier, it seems to have the option of using cards that just scan through wallets/bags, etc. or using those tickets that you insert into the machine. Tiff forgot to take her ticket out but the staff was there to take it out for us XD

The trains were the same as what I've seen on J-dramas but it was interesting to be in one myself XD. they're like Singapore's MRT except they have space for you to put your bags on top like Vline. When we got to a station that we had to change trains, we had a hard time trying to figure out which train we needed to take :s but it all worked out in the end XD It was cold though! Stepping out of the train and woooooooosh! cold air XD It was like Melbourne's winter but... Japan LOL :D

Then we arrived at Yokohama station and had a hard time looking for the hotel... had to ask for directions twice XD and Amoz almost got run over by a car O_O" but when we got there, we were all so relieved that we could finally rest :3 desperately tried to connect to the internet so that we could let people know that we arrived safely XD and then 2 hours later, I'm here blogging XD and it's time to sleep 'cos I'm sleep deprived D: until next time! :D

Cz