Sunday, July 27, 2014
Japan, Part Three
Today's post is a fusion of the next two days on our Japan trek.
The following day we went to Universal Studios! I love theme parks, and I also went to Universal Studios in Los Angeles. Osaka's park wasn't too much different, which was kind of nice for me because I miss America like crazy!
These adorable kids were playing with the fog that was coming out from behind the sign, so cute!
My delightful caramel popcorn experience.
And my first ramen experience! I wish I'd tried this earlier in my life, because I want ramen for every meal for the rest of my life. Just sayin'. We found this restaurant called Tenkaippin near out hotel and I'm so glad this is the place I lost my ramen virginity. The staff didn't speak English but they have an English menu ready & are so kind & willing to cooperate. My bowl only cost about $7. Can't beat that!
Long & tiring day - as theme park days usually are, although my camera was in my bag in our locker the entire day so I didn't get many snaps, so let's shuffle on to the following day, shall we?
Day 4. Wow. Humidity levels are high... but so are we! We headed to Abeno Harukas, a 300m tall skyscraper in Osaka. $15 to get to the top to see the views.
Valleygirl denim jacket / Topshop dress / The Iconic bag / Fidel boots
We then headed to Osaka castle. A train ride & a very, very sticky walk away. Photos weren't allowed inside the museum, unfortunately. We weren't really in the mood to read & learn, it was hot; we were tired; but on a good day, I think it would have been so interesting. Japanese history is one of the most fascinating to me!
And for our final stop of the day, we headed to the Umeda Sky Building.
Coming up to the building we witnessed the most fiery sunset. It was so beautiful & numerous Japanese pass-byers; businessmen, kawaii-dressed girls & all; had stopped to take a photo. It was quite the sight.
Top of the Umeda Sky Building = 'bout $7.
So many sights today! But being so high in open air spaces makes me feel so alive & calm at the same time, just like Top of the Rock did in New York. What a wonderful way to wrap up the day, and to bid farewell to our time in Osaka.
Friday, July 25, 2014
Japan, Part Two
Ohayou gozaimasu!
Top of the morning to ya! After a much needed deep, long sleep we awoke for day 2 which involved a trip to Kyoto. First thing's first, though: I'm the realest. Just kidding, breakfast. I am the realest though.
We found a convenience store downstairs. One thing to note about Japan, they love their fried food & white rice, but for the most part, they're pretty healthy. They have a lot of raw food on offer & their packaged juices & smoothies are more real fruit than additives. Breakfast involved this green smoothie (which to be honest, didn't taste that great) and these fresh rice paper rolls; carrot, lettuce & prawns. Yuuuuum.
After breakfast, we hopped onto a train and headed off to Arashiyama, Kyoto.
My noble steed.
We actually came to Arashiyama in search for the Bamboo Forest, so a bit of cycling & getting lost later, we finally found it. If you decide to rent a bike, but want to walk to the Bamboo Forest, you can park your bike just before the entrance. No locks, no passwords, no worries! Just park your bike there, it'll be safe.
While I do love bike-riding, I would recommend parking your bike & just hiking. There's a lot of people about, so it may be hard to get through. It's a long walk to get to see everything but at least you can be snap-happy about it. A word of warning however, don't make the same mistake I did - wear walking shoes or sneakers!
Amongst your walk, you may find this cemetery...
Or this love-letter station...
After a LOT of walking, we decided we were too hungry to go on so it was time to say goodbye to our bikes & find food!
We found a restaurant called Aux Bacchanales which was meant to be 'French cuisine'. Don't really know why we chose to eat French food whilst in Japan but it happened.
I ordered an orange juice & a nicoise salad.
This may be stupid to admit but I didn't know that a nicoise salad was just tuna salad? Sounds a lot fancier! To be honest, I only know what it is because of the movie White Chicks though... hehe.
Patrick ordered a ham & cheese sandwich that I didn't get a photo of.
Shirley ordered an orange juice & quiche.
Dessert was found just next door where we ordered (to share) a berry mix waffle with cream & a baked cheesecake. The cheesecake was one of the best I've ever had. *drool*
Day 2 in Japan was so much fun. Shirley says bike riding was one of her favourite things we did in the entire holiday! Happy & food-filled we made our way back to Osaka to do some shopping at the Pokemon Centre & KiddyLand then headed back to the hotel for rest to be up & ready for day 3.
I ordered an orange juice & a nicoise salad.
Patrick ordered a ham & cheese sandwich that I didn't get a photo of.
Shirley ordered an orange juice & quiche.
Dessert was found just next door where we ordered (to share) a berry mix waffle with cream & a baked cheesecake. The cheesecake was one of the best I've ever had. *drool*
Day 2 in Japan was so much fun. Shirley says bike riding was one of her favourite things we did in the entire holiday! Happy & food-filled we made our way back to Osaka to do some shopping at the Pokemon Centre & KiddyLand then headed back to the hotel for rest to be up & ready for day 3.
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Japan, Part One
Konichiwa, from Japan!
I couldn't tell you why we decided Japan was to be our next destination without telling you how weird I really am, but let's say it started with my obsession of saying the word 'kawaii'.. From that stemmed our adventure across the pond to wonderful land of Japan, all of which started in Melbourne...
Patrick & Shirley! My cousins who thought they could survive with me hanging around them every hour, for two weeks.
A 10 hour plane ride, a handful of Japanese/English conversations & a three hour train ride later, we arrived in Osaka. We stayed at Hotel Monterey Grasmere, which was only a 5-10 minute walk from Dotonbori.
Arcades everywhere! Very loud, very colourful & very fun.
I know Japan is not known for being the land of love, but I couldn't help but notice more people than not were walking around in two's. Made me so happy!
Patrick decided he was feeling both hungry & adventurous, so he ordered one of these, of which numerous stalls across the strip were selling, but we had no idea what they were! Upon taste, we discovered it was octopus... Not for me, but they enjoyed it!
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