Fabulous Japan...Part II: Fuji Mountain

...Day Two...

A fresh morning with breakfast in the hotel. Food was OK. Then, we headed off to the Shinkansen (Japanese bullet train) Hamamutsu station to go to Chizuoka station. It took about 20 minutes. After lunch, we headed off to the Fuji Mountain, the landmark we couldn’t miss. It took so long to get to the mountain, but once we got there, it was worth it. We could also got a preview of the mountain along the highway. We were so lucky that the weather was so good. Clear blue sky, no rain, no snow. It was picture perfect.

We went for the snow sledding. Great fun. Ploy went with daddy only on the first round. After that she wanted to go alone and didn’t feel scared at all. What a character. She enjoyed the snow very much. After a while, she got bored with the sledding. She just wanted to play with the fresh snow. I taught her to make the “angel”. She was excited. The Fuji and the snow had put on smiles on my angel's face.

Leaving the Fuji Mountain with a lot of fun and wonderful memory… we made a stop at Kotemba Outlet. I got what I had planed: a new Nike Air. That’s about it. After shopping from a lot of great outlets in the US, this outlet didn’t excite me at all, especially when it doesn’t have “NINE WEST” store.

That night we stayed at the Yamanakako New Star Hotel. We had to sleep on the mattress, Japanese style. The hotel provided the “Onsen”, the Japanese natural hot spring. We didn’t go in as – for the Japanese culture - we couldn’t wear anything… I just couldn’t bring myself to be naked with other people. (Maybe if I was in shape, but I was SO NOT)…

Forgot to mention that we stopped by a supermarket and get some fresh sushi and sashimi. We brought them and ate in the hotel room with the Plum sake (I think). Ploy was excited again with the setting and atmosphere (even though it was not comfortable at all.)

That’s all for day two. Only 3 days left.

(I started to feeling sad then.)

Stay tuned…

Fabulous Japan...part I: Osaka - Kyoto

...Day One...

Started off the trip with the Osaka Castle, but just only stopped for photo taking. However, this was where we had the "real" Takoyaki. I'd never liked Takoyaki served in Japanese restaurant in Thailand, but I did like what I had that morning very much.

Next stop, the Osaka Aquarium. As we were on a tight budget, daddy sacrified. I and Ploy went into the aquarium because she wanted to.. (2,400 yens spent)... The aquarium was nicely designed. There weren't much of sea animals, but they were different from what Ploy used to see back in Thailand. It was a pleasure walking through - better than I had expected.

Lunch stop didn't worth mentioning.

Then we traveled to Kyoto, the world heritage historic city. We went to Kinkakuji Temple. We walked around the walk way circling the entire area of the temple. It was a gorgeous site where snow had covered all the trees and grounds.The Golden Pavilion, the best known temple in Kyoto, probably in Japan, was really beautiful. With the postcard-like scenery, the overall atmosphere was like a dream.

What can I say...if I can find better words to express the beauty of it, I would. But all I could say is that it was really gorgeously beautiful. I wished I had had more time to take more pictures and absorb the serenity in the air. No matter how many tourists were there, I still felt peaceful and relax.

Then, moving on to the next temple. The Kiyomizu Temple, where we had to walked uphill the same time it started to snow heavily, was beautiful. The temple is up on the big hill. Ploy enjoyed the snow very much. Actually, it was probably her sole attention at the moment. I felt good to see her happy. It re-assured my decision of bringing her along.

Daddy & Ploy at Kiyomizu Temple

Then, there was dinner. Korean/Japanese style barbecue. It was somewhat good, not enough to mention though. After dinner we checked in the hotel, tired and ready for bed. The hotel was another excitement for Ploy, especially the intelligent toilet. She did have a lot of fun with it. :-)

with my chubby hubby


Stay tuned...

Fabulous Japan

Japan...was it a dream?
(If it was...I didn't want to wake up.)


Time flies, especially "good time." A fabulous family trip to Japan with my hubby and my little pumpkin brought back old-time memory. It felt just like the old days...when there were only "us," no one else. And the cold weather, my good old jacket can be used again...

It was so happy that none of us wante to come back. 5 days and 4 nights (not include one night on the plane) had gone by incredibly fast.

I was happy...very happy.