IMAGES OF CHANGI AIRPORT
Our flight was a SQ flight to Narita via Bangkok. Smooth flight all the way and Singapore Airlines really know how to pamper their customers with great in-flight meals. As for the service, the usual. Requested for a newspaper....but it never came, as usual!
Transit at Bangkok airport took about 1 hour and couldn't do much exploring within those minutes but 1st impression is that it's airy with high ceilings and wish that there was more sign-boards in English.
IMAGES FROM BANGKOK AIRPORT
Arrived in Tokyo on a cool cloudy morning and the first stop was Akasaka Temple with lunch at Ginza. After lunch, a short stroll around Ginza 8-chome and happenes that it was a saturday afternoon. The avenue was closed to all traffic for that day and it felt great to actually stroll around the World's Most Expensive Real Estate. Made one felt like a millionaire for that afternoon!
IMAGES OF GINZA
Next stop was Odaiba, the new shopping mecca for Tokyoites. I like to call it 'The Woman Disneyland'. Numerous shops that offer the latest men and ladies (mostly ladies) fashion and cute fashion accessories, footwear, computers, mp3 and not forgetting the various types of small cafes and restaurants that offer many types of cuisine. Although the only thing that looks out of place there was the replica of the Statue Of Liberty ! Trust these Japanese to be crazy over things American.
IMAGES FROM AQUA CITY, ODAIBA
Dinner was Sukiyaki ala buffet style at Momo Paradise in Shinjuku. There was a huge crowd with a long waiting line but then again, it was a saturday night so it was a normal crowd.
Accomodation was the Tokyo Dome hotel in Korakuen, Tokyo. Real comfortable, clean accomodation. High class hotel with FREE internet access in every room.
IMAGES OF TOKYO DOME HOTEL LOBBY
The next day, departed on a cloudly sunday morning for Hakone. First stop was a ferry ride departing from Moto Hakone. A slow moving ferry ride with nice scenic views of Hakone and her surroundings. The cool weather, strong refreshing breeze, scenic views and great company was just the nice mixture to make this ferry ride a memorable and highly enjoyable ride. If i may say so, i think this was one of the highlights of the tour. The ferry ride is highly recommended for any visitors to Hakone.
IMAGES FROM FERRY CRUISE
Next stop, Owakudani. An area around a crater created during the last eruption of Mount Hakone some 3000 years ago. Sulfurous fumes, hot springs and hot rivers can be experienced on a walk around the area. The specialty of this area are eggs boiled in the naturally hot waters. It is soled for around yen 600 in a packet of 5 eggs. It is said that by consuming 1 egg, one's life will be prolong by seven years. Perhaps this is the reason why Japanese have such a long life expectancy?!
IMAGES FROM OWAKUDANI
Next stop was the 5th station on Mt Fuji. Arrived at 4.30pm but unfortunately due to the weather, Mt Fuji could not be view at all!
IMAGES FROM 5TH STATION ON MT. FUJI
Our accommodation at Hakone was Fujinobo Kaen. I love the beautifully landscaped garden that they had there and a combination of a great Japanese bath with a fantastically generous buffet dinner spread could only mean one thing, HEAVEN!
IMAGES OF FUJINOBO KAEN
The trip back to Tokyo Disneyland took us about 3 hours. As usual, there was a huge crowd!
IMAGES FROM TOKYO DISNEYLAND
All too soon, the tour had to come to an end and the return flight back was on Singapore Airlines and as usual, we was pampered by their delightful in-flight meal.
Till the next tour.......
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