Why Japan?
The end of 2012 - Bad time at work, pretty much the whole year. It went flat and then down since maybe around March.
Lets just say I survived through, and looking back at that time, I can only smile that its over. But thats another story to tell.
By the end of 2012, I just needed a little getaway to a place that can lift my spirits up. Some place that not only would give me the overdue vacation I needed, but also a place that would remind me that I am a strong person, and I can be happy If i chose to.
So instead of some place I have never been, one day the end of December after yet another devastating occasion at work, I just booked that flight - to TOKYO!!
yehuu~
I didnt even notice at that point that I was making the trip during the CNY break, so I actually only had to take 3 days leave for the 1-week trip, departing kl on Feb.6th and returning back on the 12th of 2013.
And then I started making my plans..the where, when and whats continued for a while.
Lucky me I still have a couple of friends there, so my plan is based on these people location as well, as long as got to include Tokyo and Fuji mountain. Ironic enough, I never got close to the japan iconic mountain when I was there for 4 years as a student. Maybe because I had no close friends near that area.
Talking about Japan, the entry visa was a big headache. Going to the embassy twice to apply and pick up, the minimum amount of $$ to show in the bank account, getting the invitation letter, forms etc...
I got all the information from the internet and downloaded all necessary forms via the embassy website, and one day drove to the embassy in KL to apply for the visa.
Lucky me, I managed to get our dept. GM secretary to pick up the approved visa for me, I was really running out of annual leaves!
So here goes my visa on my passport..hihi..
I'd say people who are going to Japan now are lucky for not having to apply for a visa anymore - but it was a worthy experience :-)
Few weeks before the date of departure was pretty exciting. Got busy confirming my 'dates' with a few people, finalizing the itineraries. Got myself everything I needed for the trip and luckily I had saved one favourite jacket so I didnt need to buy any winter clothing except for a couple pairs of socks! owh and a cheap pair of gloves which proved to be useful!
Day 1(Feb.6th, 2013)
On the day itself, my sister and brother in law dropped me off at the LCCT on their way to work - yep early morning! My flight was actually noon 2.30. So after dropping off my BIG luggage, i just killed time at the airport, reading newspapers and watching people. Had lunch at the coffee bean and spent time there until it was time to board.
why LABU??
Boarding time yey!
The flight took off in time Alhamdulillah. No drama at all.
I got a window seat, and entertained myself watching and listening to these 3 guys talking about their 3 weeks to Malaysia. How they love Bukit Bintang and couldnt remember much about Kelantan! errr...
Managed to sleep for a few hours after I got tired of listening to these guys and when I woke up it was less than an hour to touch down, actually 45mins earlier than estimated. Speeding pilot!
I couldnt help by smiling when the captain mentioned in his announcement that the temperature outside was a little below 10 deg. Winter, here I am!
A bit of a drama once I got to the arrival hall as I couldnt find my checked in luggage. owh no panic! Consulted a ground officer and she said 'Finished". I started speaking in japanese, telling her that I didnt even waste any time, but it was a long immigration line I had to go through. The lady frantically talked on her walkie talkie and a few minuted later a guy showed up pushing a trolley with a few bags on it, one was mine! phewwwwww...for a moment I was trying to sort what I was going to do if my luggage is lost. that was close!
Ok so I got my luggage, and went to the main hall. It was almost midnight by the time I got to the main hall. Other people were trying to catch the last bus to tokyo...One thing about flying to tokyo via Air Asia is that the flight arrives midnight and its impossible to catch the last train to tokyo, if lucky maybe the bus.
Luckier me, I had people coming to pick me up :-)
One of my best friends from Uni, Rosa was still in Gunma, Japan doing her Phd. Her husband, Fakri - one of the seniors who picked us up on our very first day in Gunma, was coming with another senior, Bujin to fetch me all the way from Kiryu, Gunma.
Pheww, sungguh terhutang budi!
I called Rosa, and she said the guys were on their way. Luckily for the trip a friend was kind enough to lend me his new Iphone to use in Japan. He lives in Tokyo but was in KL during my trip so he actually offered me to stay in his apartment while I was in Tokyo for two days, and also loaned me the phone. how much luckier can I get? Saved quite a bit from not having to pay for accommodation in Tokyo and also any internet plan throughout the trip.
Went into the 'konbini'(=convenience store) to get something to drink and eat. So there goes, my first japanese food of many - tarako onigiri & hot green tea!
delicious onigiri! not the usual 100yen stuff but premium tarako onigiri, loved it! the hot tea, not my fav. brand but at that moment, anything will do!
Tea in bottles in Japan are sold according to season. And one thing I love about winter is its hot green tea :-)
after about 45minutes, Fakri and Bujin arrived and we immediately took of for Gunma! I could see Tokyo Sky Tree so proud in the Tokyo skyline while we were passing by Tokyo..of course its on my To GO list!
About 2 hours later, we got to Kiryu, arrived at the International Student House where I used to stay on my 2nd year.
Ya Allah! How I missed this place! It was FREEZING cold, really classic kampung Kiryu!
Rosa welcomed me and since it was already late, we decided to call it a night and go to sleep.
An exciting day waiting for us tomorrow!
Preview Day 2: A day trip to Kusatsu, the onsen town of Gunma!
Expense in day 1:
Return Flights: Rm1100 incl. taxes and luggage. No food or entertainment.
Lunch at LCCT: Rm25
Onigiri & Tea: 280yen.
