It Took Me More Than 24 Hours To Reach Middle Earth

Five years ago when I went Japan for the very first time, I stopby at 5 different airports in 4 different countries within 24 hours when it only took within 5-6 hours to reach Japan directly from Kota Kinabalu (check out my old post here). And now, I repeat the same things again, stopy and landed in 5 different airports in 4 different countries but then, this whole journey took more than 24 hours to reach New Zealand. Of course, no doubt I was tired and exhausted but it's really worth adventures to experience for.

#1: First stop - Kota Kinabalu International Airport Terminal 2

#2: Second stop: Johor Senai International Airport

#3: Took public bus to Singapore to meet my sister before catching another flight

The reason why I chosen to fly into Johor Bahru instead of Singapore was because I managed to grab one way fare for only RM56. I'm not kidding! 

#4: Third stop: Singapore Changi International Airport

#5: Our official airline to New Zealand - British Airways 

#6: My seat (How I wish!)


#7: Fourth stop: Transit for three hours at Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport

 

#8: Changed to another airline, Qantas before reaching the desired destination. We were served by a handsome Korean steward. (P/S: I still remember his name and he talked to me when I took this photo) 

#9: Finally final stop - Auckland International Airport. Kia Ora New Zealand! 

It's been quite a while I didn't fly in an extremely long haul flight and away for a long long long holiday. This trip to New Zealand took approximately 16 days including spending a day in Sydney and Singapore. Unlike what I used to do previously, this time around no sneak peek to share with cause I shared most of my photos in Instagram (@dtdianateo) but there are few things I love to share are something which we're least expecting from this trip:

#10: It's blooming sakura everywhere in New Zealand. Para para sakura, come and dance with me!

Two of my friends who haven't been to Japan mentioned that no need to waste time and money to Japan for sakura viewing anymore. LoL! 

#11: Enjoyed the beauty of sakura in our favourite town, Queenstown

Last but not least, one of the things I'm looking forward in New Zealand is Air New Zealand. We're lucky to spot The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey aircraft before leaving to Sydney. And their Men in Black themed in-flight safety video is so freaking funny.

 

#11: Air New Zealand, the airline of Middle-earth

 

#12: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey aircraft 

Do you want to stay connected always while in overseas?

As I'm the type that can't live without Internet, most of the times I bought local sim card but for countries like Japan, South Korea, Australia and including New Zealand, local sim cards tend to be quite pricey and hence, rent a Pocket WiFi would be economical option.



This is the second time I used Wiyo Pocket WiFi to stay connected, find directions and upload all my travel photos instantly in New Zealand. Thanks Wiyo for the mobile internet access throughout my  two weeks trip in New Zealand. #sponsor [Will blog more about this soon]

Japan (2013) Day 4: Kitano-cho of Kobe

Date Visited: 13 October 2013

The first half of the day both mommy and I spent touring around Himeji Castle and Kokoen Garden, then we continued to the next city, Kobe. Just mention about Kobe and instantly remind of Kobe Beef. Unfortunately, our mission to there not for the sake of world's priciest and signature marbled beef cause we can't have it due to religion belief (that's too bad) but solely for sightseeing and wandering around the city. 

#1: Welcome to the sophisticated city of Kobe

What To Do & See In Kobe

There are plenty of things to do and see in this attractive city:

• Harborland - popular waterfront area
• Kobe Port Tower
• Mount Rokko
• Sun Yat-Sen Museum and Akashi Kaikyo Bridge
• Nankin Machi (Kobe Chinatown)
• Kitano Foreigners' Residences 

We arrived at JR Sannomiya Station and when we queries the helpful and friendly JR staff, the nearest attraction at the point was Kitano Foreigners' Residences. In order to reach there, the JR staff advised us to take City Loop Bus instead. 

#2: City Loop Bus Station bound for Kitano area

What's City Loop Bus

City Loop Bus is a green colour bus with retro design that circulates around the city of Kobe for about one stopping at popular tourist spots including Kitano Foreigners' Residence, Shin-Kobe, Sannomiya, Motomachi, Nankimachi and Harborland. During the ride, the city loop guide explains various sightseeing spots. A day pass with the cost of 660 yen is available inside the bus. You can opt for single trip too which cost 260 yen and pay upon existing the bus. 

Single Trip = 260 yen

Day Pass = 660 yen

And what so special of Kitano-cho? This is where many early foreign settles to Kobe took up residences in Kitano after Port of Kobe was opened to foreign trade in the second half of the 19th century. Some of their old western-style houses and former mansion still exist and open to the public as museums. Most of them charge an admission fee between 550 to 750, while combination tickets are available to see these multiple houses. 

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#6: Moegi House - National Important Cultural Property 

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#9: Spotted London underground sign

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The entire district is a pleasant and enjoyable to walk through, although there were some part where we had to dread ourselves up the sloppy and steep hill. Majority of these colourful houses were well preserved and maintained in the original form even after so many years. You can see houses including England House, France House, Italian House, Denmark House, Holland House and more. Besides those houses, Kitano-cho offers abundant of restaurants, cafes and boutiques. No surprise this area attract aplenty of young Japanese couples spending their sweet little time here. 

#12: Kobe's signature dessert - sweet and custardy Kobe Pudding

Back to the City Loop Bus, we only found out the last service ended around 6pm which indicates that we don't have sufficient of time to explore the rest. Honestly to say, spend at least a full day in Kobe, not half day like us did.  

#13: Kobe is also well-known for its delicious Western style sweets and desserts.

#14: Ended our day with scrumptious ramen for dinner

How To Get To Kobe

Kobe is located 20 minutes away from Osaka, 50 minutes from Kyoto and 40 minutes from Himeji with JR trains. Apart from JR West Kansai Area Pass or Kansai Thru Pass, another alternative passed you can opt is Hankyu Tourist Pass (1 Day Pass for 700 yen and depart from Osaka Umeda) or Hanshin Tourist Pass (1 Day Pass for 500 yen and depart from Osaka Umeda/Namba). These passes are available in Kansai Tourist Information Center Kansai International Airport.

Next Post >>> Day 5: Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan

Japan (2013) Day 4: Himeji Castle & Kokoen Garden

Date Visited: 13th October 2013

Rise and shine! Without realised, it's the fourth day we're in Japan. And today our travel adventures are going to be a long day cause we are covering two different cities in a day - Himeji and Kobe. For this post, I will specially cover on Himeji first.

Using the 3 Days JR Kansai Area Pass we bought earlier, it will be more worth to cover more underlying destinations including Himeji with unlimited travel on local JR trains. One of the plus points of using this pass is that JR trains to Himeji are considerably faster than those non-JR trains. 

#1: The journey from Shin-Osaka to Himeji took 67 minutes using JR trains. Upon reaching Himeji station, heading to Central Exit

What is Himeji popular with? Non other than the its prestigious and notable hilltop Himeji Castle. A symbol of Japan, Himeji Castle is the first example of Japanese historical architecture to be registered as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in the country back in 1993. Unfortunately by the time we visited, the castle's Main Keep was all covered up due to underwent extensive renovation works for several years and was fully re-opened to the public in March this year. Despite that, other area of Himeji Castle was still open to the public as usual.

#2: Also known as White Heron Castle for its elegant and brilliant white extension 

#3: From JR Himeji station, it takes 15-20 minutes walk to the castle down the broad Otemae-dori street

Admission fee for Himeji Castle is 1,000 yen (approx. to RM30) but we bought the combine ticket of Himeji Castle and Kokoen Garden for 1,040 yen. 

#4: Walking towards Diamond Gate, the most important defensive gate

#5: What a sunny day in Himeji

#6: Most structures have been well preserved for more than 400 years

#7: Extensive renovation works

#8: Overlooking of Himeji city taking from the above 

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Before we ended our tour marvelling around Himeji Castle, we stumbled upon something which we didn't expect we will see during the mid autumn season - Japanese cherry blossom which commonly known as "sakura". Awfully blessed and grateful cause finally we saw real sakura. 

#10: Japanese cherry blossom aka sakura in autumn. It's so beautiful I'm gonna die

#11: Sakura tree behind me

Right after Himeji Castle tour, we continue with another visit of Kokoen Garden, a Japanese style garden created in 1992 to commemorate Himeji's 100th anniversary. Kokoen Garden features a pond with a waterfall, a tea garden where visitors can enjoy green tea in a tea ceremony house, a pine tree garden, a bamboo garden and a flower garden. I personally think it's really worth to pay a visit to this serene and peaceful garden.  

#12: Kokoen Garden, a short walk from Himeji Castle 

#13: Himeji Castle mascot and memento 

And that's the end of our Himeji trip. Next, Kobe!

How To Get To Himeji Castle & Kokoen Garden

From JR Himeji station, it takes 15-20 minutes walk from the Central Exit down the broad Otemae-dori street. 

Admission Fee: Himeji Castle (1,000 yen)
                             Kokoen Garden (300 yen)
                             Himeji Castle & Kokoen Garden (1,040 yen)
Opening Hours: 9 am until 5 pm




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Next Post >>> Day 4: Part II - Kitano-cho of Kobe 

Japan (2013) Day 3: Universal Studios Japan, Osaka

Date Visited: 12th October 2013

"I want to go to Disneyland" my mom said to me.
"But there is no Disneyland in Kansai area" I replied to my mom.
"However, there is Universal Studios Japan in Osaka" I added.
"Cool! Let's plan a trip there" she expressed out happily.

So theme park, here we go again! My mom never been to Universal Studios in Singapore but I don't know what made her so eager and thrill to go to the one in Osaka. Perhaps, she is young at heart, just like me. I can't deny I love to go theme parks and so far I've been to quite number of theme parks around the world. 

#1: The iconic globe of Universal Studios 

We bought the tickets one day earlier cause we didn't want to waste our time to queue up merely for the tickets. We went on weekend, Saturday to be exact and hence, we were expecting the crowd would be more packed and cramped than normal weekday. 

#2: Getaway to USJ

Similar to all the theme parks, Universal Studios Japan (USJ) is arranged into seven distinctive zone areas by the time I visited. Of course if compare to the one in Singapore, USJ is more larger in terms of size by double at least. With the latest addition of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter which opened last year July, now USJ has total number of eight different zone areas. Now I wanna go back USJ just for Harry Potter!

There are abundant of amusement rides, ranging from child-friendly carousels to lung-screaming roller coasters and simulators inspired by famous and popular blockbuster Hollywood movies such as Spiderman, Terminator, Back to the Future, Jurassic Park and Jaws. Absolutely  a theme park filled with world-class family entertainment for all ages. 

Hollywood Zone Area

#3: Welcome to Hollywood zone area - This particular area is similar to Singapore 

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#6: Shrek & Sesame Street 4D Theater - in Japanese language but my mom enjoyed this so much

#7: Mummy Museum

New York Zone Area

#8: Terminator 2 - 3D (mini sequel to Terminator 2: Judgement Day)

#9: Trick or Treat?

#10: The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man - The queue was significantly long and so we skipped it.

San Francisco 

#11: Inspired by Back to the Future film series 

#12: I love this Coke building 

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#14: Our quick lunch. My mom ordered the creepy left bun on the left side - Jason's Bloody Mask

Jurassic Park

#15: This ride inspired by the notable Steven Spielberg's blockbuster films. We waited for more than two hours but didn't manage to experience it.

#16: Get soak with this water-based amusement ride

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Amity Village

#18: Jaws

Universal Wonderland

This area is mainly focused for children and families. It houses three different themed zones; Hello Kitty, Snoopy and Sesame Street. 

#19: The three main characters of Universal Wonderland area

It was too crowded and packed to the extent that I didn't really enjoy as much as I did in Universal Studio Singapore. Surprisingly majority of the visitors were local Japanese instead of foreign visitors. I have to admit that besides being friendly, Japanese are indeed patient people in the whole wide world. Imagine they were willing to queue for Jurassic Park ride for more than two hours without any complaints and cutting queue. Salute them to the max.

How To Get To Universal Studios Japan

There are several direct trains per hour and many more connections require a simple transfer at Nishikujo Station before reaching Universal City Station on the JR Yumesaki Line. Upon reaching Universal City Station, five minute walk to the entrance gate of the Universal Studios Japan. 

Admission Fee: 6,980 for adult and 4,880 for children 

Opening Hours: 10 am to 8 pm on low season and 9 am to 9 pm during peak season 

Next Post >>> Day 4: Part 1- Himeji Castle & Kokoen Garden