Wednesday, December 19, 2007










Tokyo in the day and nite is such a contrast!


Early next morning we went about our separate ways in the Ikebukoro area to do our own shopping.

After lunch we gathered at the lobby of the hotel for the the ride to the airport.

Monday, December 17, 2007


Asakusa Temple


We went to the fish market early in the morning and visited the fort that was constructed in the shape of a star.After this we headed to the airport for our flight to Tokyo

We headed to Asakusa temple and went exploring the area on our own. It was 8pm when we reached our hotel in the Ikebukoro area. One of the customers wanted to visit shinjuku so I accomapnied him as it was only 4 stops away.

Saturday, December 15, 2007



Leaving Sapporo we headed south towards Lake Toya. On the way we visited the Ainu village. The Ainu people were the natives of Hokkaido. Due to intense discrimination the language died out as nobody wanted to use it. There was no more pure blooded Ainus left due to intermarriage.

Next stop was the local bear ranch. The Japs raise them for meat. But the bears here are fun as they will beg you to throw them an apple by waving at you.

Next stop was Hakkodate and we were to spend at least 4 hours on the road. It was retty scenic ide as we drove along the coastal road. The coast was dotted by small fishing villages. it was already dark when we reached the city. We when up to the Mount Hokkodate to seee the nite view of the city. We had our dinner at the wharves where a big crowd had gathered to see the fireworks.

Friday, December 14, 2007


Otaru Canal

Otaru

It was another round of excellent breakfasting on Hokkaido produce. It will be another day of long journey as we head towards as we head back to central Hokkaido.We stopped at a horse ranch for lunch. The souvenir shop was selling products derived from horses.I bought a bottle of cream that would help keep your skin from getting dry in the harsh winter air. It seems the Japs like to eat horse meat sashimi.

By the time we reached the port city of Otaru it was a bout 4pm and getting dark. There were lots of European style buildings here as it was opened to foriegn trade. It use to produce lots of floating glass balls tied to fishing nets when the Herring trade was good in the old days. But when the fish stocks collapsed the factories turned to making intricate glasswares for tourists.

For dinner we would head back to Sapporo. It was 8pm after dinner when we went to see the Odori park where the hold the yearly ice sculpting competition. It was really cold but there were lots of people around taking photos of the X'mas lightings.The underground mall was closed by 8pm and we checked into our hotel for the nite.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007


Tancho Cranes

Tokachikawa Bridge


Woke up early next morning so that I could take a walk around the hotel grounds to check out the local scenery.It seems that the resort is located next to a river. Unable to stand the cold I went back in and proceeded to the breakfast hall. After hauling our baggage into the tour bus we walked over to the edge of the river to feed the ducks and swans that had gathered there.

When it was time to head further east to Kushiro the hotel staff came out and waved us off. kushiro is a port town and we went to the local fish market to check it out.
After that it ews off to the marshland to see the Tancho cranes.

Tuesday, December 11, 2007





It was a smooth flight but clearing customs and immigration took us alomost an hour. Chris our Japanese guide was nervous for we only have about one and a half hour to catch the domestic flight from Haneda airport which was about 45 minutes away from Narita.

It was nap time on the short flight to Chitose airport as the tour begins the moment we touch down.

It was straight to lunch after touching down. The temperature was about 2 degrees celcius as it had snowed the previous night.We had Japanese hotpot with seafood in it. If you are not a fan of scallops and giant crabs Hokkaido is not the place for you.

Our bus journey to the Onsen for the night in Tokachigawa in Eastern Hokkaido would take about 5 hours. It started snowing and in no time everything was blanketed by snow.

It was dark by the time we reached the Onsen or hot spring resort. It was decided that we have our dinner first before soaking in the hot springs. We were advised by Chris to wait at least 2 hours after meal before heading to the hot springs.

There were a couple of things we needed to take note of. One has to clean up before soaking in the baths. the Japanese do not soak more than 15 minutes at one go. If you have high blood pressure do take note that the temperature of the baths might affect you. One can go dip in the baths three times a day. After you finish a glass of ice water will cool you down.

Monday, December 10, 2007

My job on this tour organized by ANA was pretty easy. Help them with their luggage and rooming list in Japan

Sunday, December 9, 2007

We will be flying on ANA to Tokyo Narita on a midnight flight where we will be met by the local tour guide and be transported to Haneda for our domestic flight to Chitose airport in Sapporo.

Thursday, December 6, 2007

Have got all my winter clothing sorted out for the tour group that I will lead to Japan this weekend.

Monday, September 24, 2007

It was reported in the news that thousands of monks marched in protest of the military.

Hope the army will show restraint.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Going home

We had a couple of hours left before we needed to head to the airport for our flight home.

We walked over to Scott market to check out some of the jade bangles on sale.

Yangon is one city in Asia that has not changed much in the 10 years since I last visited. Its still untouched by mass tourism

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Day trip to Bago

Shwedagon Pagoda - Has been gilded with gold for centuries,this tradition was started in the 15th century by the Mon Queen Shin Sawbu who gave her weight in gold and continues to this day.The crown or umbrella (hti) is tipped with 5,448 diamonds and 2,317 rubies. The very top, the diamond bud (sein bu) is tipped with a 76 carat (15 g) diamond.


We set off around 8am for the 2 hour drive to Bago to visit the pagodas.During British colonial times it was called Pegu

As it has been more than 10 years since I last visited Yangon I was curious to find out from our driver how life has been since then.

He was definitely not happy with the current situation. Prices have gone up. Everything from food to gas.

We arrived at the Four Face Buddha pagoda in no time. We had to purchase a US$10 pass that will allow us to enter the four major attractions in Bago. The Burmese version of the Four Face Buddha is quite different from that of the Thais. Here it is actually four different statues facing different directions. The one in Bangkok is one statue with four faces.

Next stop was the impressive sleeping Buddha that was claimed by the jungle but rediscovered by a British hunting in the area. There are panels in the hall where the story of the sleeping Buddha is explained. The souvenir shops here sell products made of the pleasant smelling sandalwood.

We left Bago and made our way back to Yangon to visit the massive Shwedagon Pagoda. If are travelling in Myanmar you will quickly realise that it involves visitng one pagoda after another. The pagoda is laid with tons of gold. The steeple is decorated with rubies and sapphires.

Monday, September 17, 2007

Off to Myanmar


Did not realise that September was not an ideal month to visit Yangon as it can be wet with scattered thunderstorms.

We had to circle over the airport for over half an hour before the captain deem it safe enough to land.

We cleared customs in no time as there were few foreigners on that plane and got a cab to take us to our hotel in downtown Yangon.

We made a deal with our cab driver to bring us to Bago to see the sleeping Buddha and visit some Pagodas. It would cost us US$55.

After checking in we wandered around town and tried to get some local food at the classy Strand Hotel but found out that they don't serve Burmese food during the off peak season. What they do have is some fancy French menu which did not interest us. We opted for snacks and drinks at the bar instead.

There is nothing much to do in Yangon on a rainy night after 9pm, so we figured we should have an early night since we were leaving for our excursion early next morning.

Monday, September 3, 2007

Myanmar Trip

Just got our visas from the Myanmar embassy today.
Cost us Sing$35 per pax. Our airtickets on Silkair cost Sing$353 per pax.
Room at Traders Hotel cost us Sing$120 per nite