Osaka, here I come!
(Monday, June 30, 2008/11:51 PM)
Alright, let's shift the focus back to my trip to Japan. After our stay in Kyoto, we moved back to city life once more, right in the heart of Osaka. My friend commented that Osaka seemed a little more run-down compared to Tokyo, and I'd have to agree with that. But Osaka has its own unique charm as well! Besides, we would be meeting our first Japanese sensei for a meal and I was really excited for it. But, the dinner appointment was at 7 PM, so we went to do some sight-seeing first!
Osaka Castle is an incredible sight to behold. Majestic and has a commandeering presence. The ascent to the main castle building brought us thru the parks at the foot of the castle, and it's interesting to note that the residents there treat it as if it's East Coast Park to us Singaporeans. Rock bands are showcasing their stuff, avid fitness enthusiasts are jogging and cycling, families are taking a nice little stroll. It felt lively and homely for some weird reason. Perhaps, it's due to the mental image of East Coast Park which I had of the place. =P
The picture is slightly dark cos' the sky was consistently overcast. In Singapore, it'd mean that a heavy downpour is expected in 30 mins time. In Japan, the skies can be overcast for hours and there'll be no rain. I'd prefer it better if it rained soon, cos' I was constantly on my toes, anticipating the rain to come. Juz a reiteration, try to avoid the rainy season!
Osaka has sparse tourist sight-seeing attractions and even my sensei admitted that Osaka is a true blue concrete jungle, other than the fact that Osaka Castle still stands. I found another nice place to go to, when I did my online research while still in Singapore. That's Kaiyukan, otherwise known as Osaka Aquarium. It's an immensely popular place among the locals, but it isn't exactly a tourist attraction, so naturally, my friend and I felt out of place in the sea of local residents.
Couples and families usually go to Kaiyukan for a time of bonding. I wonder how does looking at fishes in tanks help with that agenda in mind, but oh well... =D My friend said that the girls will be distracted by the nice-looking fishes while the guys would use their hands to be touchy. Rofl, that is probably true. As for families, kids will forever be fascinated with marine life. Great way to keep a kid entertained, instead of throwing tantrums at home. =)
Ooo, I've got a pic of the manta-ray's mouth. Looks like it's trying to say hi to me *lol*! It's hard to fully appreciate the beauty of the marine life presented in Kaiyukan cos' ppl would hog the viewing panels shamelessly. My friend and I had a tough time spotting the attractions. Most of the time, we would be staring at a sea of bobbing human heads.
We headed back to our hotel to await our sensei to lead us to the restaurant for dinner. Gosh, it's super high-class, and she even booked a private room for us! I've got an inkling it'll be expensive but I didn't expect SGD$400 for the 3 of us! *gasp* My friend and I felt a little embarrassed cos' we only got her a SGD$20 souvenir *lol*.
Although I didn't manage to go to the popular shopping district of Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori until 2 nights later from the day I had dinner with my sensei, I shall lump it under this post as a collective effort to introduce Osaka proper.
Here's the famous crab sign from Dotonbori. Initially, I was rather disoriented in Namba, the main area encompassing Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi. Then, when I saw the crab from afar, I knew I was in the right place. =D To sum up the place in simple terms, go to Dotonbori for food and night-lights, head to Shinsaibashi for crazy shopping sprees. =) Shinsaibashi stretches on for a longgg longgg way. So, do stretch and warm up ur legs before u attempt to conquer the place. Lots of female boutiques, but luckily I found a large male boutique and got myself 2 shirts at only 1995 Yen. What a deal!
Summing up Osaka in simple terms? Great for city life, bad for sight-seeing. Rofl! Youngsters will love it, the older generation would probably not. My journey in memory lane is almost coming to an end now. Stay tuned for the finale soon! :)
Osaka Castle is an incredible sight to behold. Majestic and has a commandeering presence. The ascent to the main castle building brought us thru the parks at the foot of the castle, and it's interesting to note that the residents there treat it as if it's East Coast Park to us Singaporeans. Rock bands are showcasing their stuff, avid fitness enthusiasts are jogging and cycling, families are taking a nice little stroll. It felt lively and homely for some weird reason. Perhaps, it's due to the mental image of East Coast Park which I had of the place. =P
The picture is slightly dark cos' the sky was consistently overcast. In Singapore, it'd mean that a heavy downpour is expected in 30 mins time. In Japan, the skies can be overcast for hours and there'll be no rain. I'd prefer it better if it rained soon, cos' I was constantly on my toes, anticipating the rain to come. Juz a reiteration, try to avoid the rainy season!Osaka has sparse tourist sight-seeing attractions and even my sensei admitted that Osaka is a true blue concrete jungle, other than the fact that Osaka Castle still stands. I found another nice place to go to, when I did my online research while still in Singapore. That's Kaiyukan, otherwise known as Osaka Aquarium. It's an immensely popular place among the locals, but it isn't exactly a tourist attraction, so naturally, my friend and I felt out of place in the sea of local residents.
Couples and families usually go to Kaiyukan for a time of bonding. I wonder how does looking at fishes in tanks help with that agenda in mind, but oh well... =D My friend said that the girls will be distracted by the nice-looking fishes while the guys would use their hands to be touchy. Rofl, that is probably true. As for families, kids will forever be fascinated with marine life. Great way to keep a kid entertained, instead of throwing tantrums at home. =)
Ooo, I've got a pic of the manta-ray's mouth. Looks like it's trying to say hi to me *lol*! It's hard to fully appreciate the beauty of the marine life presented in Kaiyukan cos' ppl would hog the viewing panels shamelessly. My friend and I had a tough time spotting the attractions. Most of the time, we would be staring at a sea of bobbing human heads.We headed back to our hotel to await our sensei to lead us to the restaurant for dinner. Gosh, it's super high-class, and she even booked a private room for us! I've got an inkling it'll be expensive but I didn't expect SGD$400 for the 3 of us! *gasp* My friend and I felt a little embarrassed cos' we only got her a SGD$20 souvenir *lol*.
Although I didn't manage to go to the popular shopping district of Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori until 2 nights later from the day I had dinner with my sensei, I shall lump it under this post as a collective effort to introduce Osaka proper.
Here's the famous crab sign from Dotonbori. Initially, I was rather disoriented in Namba, the main area encompassing Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi. Then, when I saw the crab from afar, I knew I was in the right place. =D To sum up the place in simple terms, go to Dotonbori for food and night-lights, head to Shinsaibashi for crazy shopping sprees. =) Shinsaibashi stretches on for a longgg longgg way. So, do stretch and warm up ur legs before u attempt to conquer the place. Lots of female boutiques, but luckily I found a large male boutique and got myself 2 shirts at only 1995 Yen. What a deal!Summing up Osaka in simple terms? Great for city life, bad for sight-seeing. Rofl! Youngsters will love it, the older generation would probably not. My journey in memory lane is almost coming to an end now. Stay tuned for the finale soon! :)
posted by MightyFlameboy. shoot me? | 0 shot me.
A disappointing day indeed...
(/11:31 PM)
Failed my driving test for the first time... Tho' I know it'll be common to fail for the first time, I'm still rather disappointed cos' looking back at some dumb mistakes, I could have passed if I didn't commit them. I was a bundle of nerves and my stomach hurt like hell probably due to the undue stress I had which affected my stomach ailment. Nevertheless, I was quite stable for my warm-up drive and had confidence to pass.
I guess I got too nervous during the actual test and the positioning for my vertical parking and directional change was slightly off and required me to do correction, which gave me some pts. I even rolled back on the slope but I thought I hit the brakes fast, but I still got some pts. On the road, there's a ton of darn roadworks but I was well-prepared for it.
But the fatal error came when I thought it was okay to keep to the center lane since the roadworks was on the left, and after passing the roadworks, he required me to turn right after the next traffic light so I assumed it's alright to stay on the center lane. He marked me for road-hogging. That's freaking 6 pts. That's juz so great.
Oh well, it's not like I got a car waiting for me to drive even if I did pass, so I kept this mentality with me in order not to feel that disappointed. I'm juz pissed at how good they are at making money, forcing me to take 2 revision lessons before I'm allowed to apply for my next test. Kinda embarrassed cos' of how all my friends are expecting me to pass. Perhaps that's another aspect of the stress I had, trying too hard to fulfil their expectations.
Anyhow, I've booked my next test date and I'll be praying for success more fervently this time round. Despite the circumstances in life, God is good, all the time! Gotta move on and look forward in life! Sorry for the slight negativity... I shall move on to happier posts and continue walking down my memory lane of my recent trip to Japan. =)
I guess I got too nervous during the actual test and the positioning for my vertical parking and directional change was slightly off and required me to do correction, which gave me some pts. I even rolled back on the slope but I thought I hit the brakes fast, but I still got some pts. On the road, there's a ton of darn roadworks but I was well-prepared for it.
But the fatal error came when I thought it was okay to keep to the center lane since the roadworks was on the left, and after passing the roadworks, he required me to turn right after the next traffic light so I assumed it's alright to stay on the center lane. He marked me for road-hogging. That's freaking 6 pts. That's juz so great.
Oh well, it's not like I got a car waiting for me to drive even if I did pass, so I kept this mentality with me in order not to feel that disappointed. I'm juz pissed at how good they are at making money, forcing me to take 2 revision lessons before I'm allowed to apply for my next test. Kinda embarrassed cos' of how all my friends are expecting me to pass. Perhaps that's another aspect of the stress I had, trying too hard to fulfil their expectations.
Anyhow, I've booked my next test date and I'll be praying for success more fervently this time round. Despite the circumstances in life, God is good, all the time! Gotta move on and look forward in life! Sorry for the slight negativity... I shall move on to happier posts and continue walking down my memory lane of my recent trip to Japan. =)
posted by MightyFlameboy. shoot me? | 0 shot me.
Kobe beef... Mmm~
(Sunday, June 29, 2008/10:33 PM)
After the itinerary at Kyoto, we took a side-trip to Kobe, only 30 mins away by Shinkansen. Putting things in perspective, it's considered freaking fast. 30 mins by MRT would only take me from Lakeside to City Hall. They use that same amt of time to travel between cities! Shinkansen is truly a milestone in the transport department. Altho' it's freaking expensive. Luckily, we had the JR Rail Pass or else we'll be shelling out a few 10000 Yen bills. >.< 
Ooo, doesn't it look juicy and tasty? This piece of meat cost us 3900 Yen! That's abt $51. Hot dang! Oh well, it's alright to pamper ourselves once in awhile, isn't it? =D
After the sumptuous lunch, we went to Mosaic Town for shopping. The concept is rather refreshing as the streets were open-air and the architecture looks Westernized. There's toy shops, budget fashion boutiques, roadside stalls selling keychains and necklaces, amusement parks and arcades, so there's bound to be something for everybody!
Singapore Flyer, much? But we didn't enter the amusement park cos' we were already intending to play at Osaka's Universal Studios, which is definitely far more superior. If u're looking for real budget clothings, take the overhead bridge to the Hankyu Department Store, and there'll be a HUGE Uniqlo outlet. In fact if u're unaware, Uniqlo is the most popular budget brand for casual clothings. Each T-shirt would cost abt 1500 Yen. Think Giordano in the context of Singapore, but much more trendier. Wearing Uniqlo T-shirts can still make a fashion statement, unlike having the huge letters of GIORDANO across ur shirt, and u know u aren't gonna make any impact in the area of fashion soon.
Bringing us closer back to home, we made our way into Nankin-machi, otherwise known as Chinatown. There's tons of Chinese retaurants and popular Chinese snacks sold along the streets. I heard Angela Chang's song blasting thru the air and it sounded weird cos' I was already used to hearing JPop on the streets. But if u're intending to find fellow Singaporeans, it'll be hard unless u coincide with the tour groups. The residents there are mainly Taiwanese and mainland Chinese, but their Japanese is really good and polished. I feel so ashamed of myself. =S
If u're a gourmet like my friend, this would be a good place to drop by *lol*. The shops here should be mostly irrelevant to most of us cos' if we wanted Chinese stuff, we can get them cheaper in Singapore or even China. When we come to Japan, we must buy Japanese stuff! ^^ Here's a random photo of me posing with a cute little pig in front of a shop *rofl*. Thanks for reading and I'll be off to bed now! I'm gonna pray hard for a pass in my driving test tml!
Ooo, doesn't it look juicy and tasty? This piece of meat cost us 3900 Yen! That's abt $51. Hot dang! Oh well, it's alright to pamper ourselves once in awhile, isn't it? =DAfter the sumptuous lunch, we went to Mosaic Town for shopping. The concept is rather refreshing as the streets were open-air and the architecture looks Westernized. There's toy shops, budget fashion boutiques, roadside stalls selling keychains and necklaces, amusement parks and arcades, so there's bound to be something for everybody!
Singapore Flyer, much? But we didn't enter the amusement park cos' we were already intending to play at Osaka's Universal Studios, which is definitely far more superior. If u're looking for real budget clothings, take the overhead bridge to the Hankyu Department Store, and there'll be a HUGE Uniqlo outlet. In fact if u're unaware, Uniqlo is the most popular budget brand for casual clothings. Each T-shirt would cost abt 1500 Yen. Think Giordano in the context of Singapore, but much more trendier. Wearing Uniqlo T-shirts can still make a fashion statement, unlike having the huge letters of GIORDANO across ur shirt, and u know u aren't gonna make any impact in the area of fashion soon.Bringing us closer back to home, we made our way into Nankin-machi, otherwise known as Chinatown. There's tons of Chinese retaurants and popular Chinese snacks sold along the streets. I heard Angela Chang's song blasting thru the air and it sounded weird cos' I was already used to hearing JPop on the streets. But if u're intending to find fellow Singaporeans, it'll be hard unless u coincide with the tour groups. The residents there are mainly Taiwanese and mainland Chinese, but their Japanese is really good and polished. I feel so ashamed of myself. =S
If u're a gourmet like my friend, this would be a good place to drop by *lol*. The shops here should be mostly irrelevant to most of us cos' if we wanted Chinese stuff, we can get them cheaper in Singapore or even China. When we come to Japan, we must buy Japanese stuff! ^^ Here's a random photo of me posing with a cute little pig in front of a shop *rofl*. Thanks for reading and I'll be off to bed now! I'm gonna pray hard for a pass in my driving test tml!
posted by MightyFlameboy. shoot me? | 0 shot me.
The mystical land of Kyoto
(/9:37 PM)
Tml is my driving test liao... Stressed ah! But I guess it doesn't help matters by being so nervous, so I'll juz leave it up to God! :) I had my final revision lesson today, and my instructor was sooo funny. He began talking to me abt psychology and how he loves to analyze ppl's characters, and he correctly asserted that I'm shy, and that I should try crazy things once in awhile.
Yeah u guessed it right, he talked abt sex. He told me all his sex stories and his love life and I almost couldn't concentrate on driving *lol*! At the end of lesson, he explained to me the rationale for talking so much nonsense, and that's to put me at ease, to relax and enjoy driving before the test. What a great guy he is! Thanks and I'll promise to do my best! =)
Alright, time to relive some memories of my trip to Japan. Helps to take my mind away from the test tml as well! Where am I now? Kyoto, isn't it? Kyoto is an old capital of Japan and retains much of its olden charm and glory. It's the place u go to if u wish to see magnificent temples and shrines!
Transport in Kyoto should be mainly by bus, and not trains. Most of the tourist attractions are situated near bus-stops. It shouldn't be that difficult to decipher the bus routes cos' they'd list major attractions which they'd go to conveniently on their directory boards. The buses will notify passengers of each and every bus-stop which it's stopping at as well. Think TIBS buses but way more advanced.
Kiyomizu-dera is a popular temple to go to, and I was pleasantly surprised to see even schoolkids dropping by the temple after school. I wonder is it because there's a shrine dedicated to love relationships up the slopes? :D
If u travel by public transport, the route to Kiyomizu-dera can be quite taxing as there'll be a long upslope to tread on in order to reach the main temple area. I was almost out of breath when I finally reached the temple gates *whew*! On the way up, u should pass through their shopping streets, so the shops will serve as resting spots if u feel tired midway. I walked thru another street and it was rather empty. I felt rather stupid, but it's okay since we took the route down via the shopping street.
Awesome place to take a slow-paced stroll but the throngs of tourists and giggly schoolkids might dampen the atmosphere a little. The worst event of the day was when it rained heavily when we made our descent back to the town. Guys, try not to go during the rainy season if u intend to do alot of sightseeing. But if u intend to have fun in the city area, shopping etc, I guess it'd be fine. I still prefer the cool air of end autumn. Late November remains as the ideal time to travel to Japan.
Kinkakuji is indisputably the #1 tourist attraction in the whole of Kyoto. When u think of a golden pavilion in the middle of a beautiful pond, u should go 'woahhh!!!'. That's what it is, and it's really beautiful to look at.
Woolala! Kinkakuji in its shiny and golden magnificence! The tourist route takes u thru their gardens as well, and it's truly beautiful. Along the way, there'll be 'wishing bowls' on the ground and if u successfully throw ur coin right in one of them, u'll have good luck. I'd say it's another gimmick to earn some revenue for the park. =P I don't need luck, all I need is God. =)
Next up was Nijo Castle, and prior to this trip, I've not visited this castle even once at all. I got no idea why it isn't in most tour agencies' itineraries cos' I found it really nice! Albeit for the fact that it isn't as beautiful as other famous castles such as Osaka Castle and Himeji Castle, it has its own unique charm, and the short tour inside the castle is enriching enough and yet not as taxing as Himeji Castle, which requires u to climb 7-8 floors. -_-"
Gion was disappointing cos' we didn't see any geishas around. Later on, I heard from my sensei that I'd have to step right into their establishments and fork out cash before they appear. Oh well... Luckily, Gion was a one-way street to the shopping district between Shijo-Kawaramachi and Shijo-Keihan-mae subway stations. There's many high-rise department stores there, enough to satisfy the average lady's shopping itch. =P The prices are mid-ranged to expensive, but there'd be sales around if u're observant enough.
Alright, that's it for Kyoto. The next time when I go there, I gonna see some geishas for real. =) Next up will be a short post on Kobe, before I rest up for the night. I do not want to wake up like a zombie and expect to drive seamlessly. :D
Yeah u guessed it right, he talked abt sex. He told me all his sex stories and his love life and I almost couldn't concentrate on driving *lol*! At the end of lesson, he explained to me the rationale for talking so much nonsense, and that's to put me at ease, to relax and enjoy driving before the test. What a great guy he is! Thanks and I'll promise to do my best! =)
Alright, time to relive some memories of my trip to Japan. Helps to take my mind away from the test tml as well! Where am I now? Kyoto, isn't it? Kyoto is an old capital of Japan and retains much of its olden charm and glory. It's the place u go to if u wish to see magnificent temples and shrines!
Transport in Kyoto should be mainly by bus, and not trains. Most of the tourist attractions are situated near bus-stops. It shouldn't be that difficult to decipher the bus routes cos' they'd list major attractions which they'd go to conveniently on their directory boards. The buses will notify passengers of each and every bus-stop which it's stopping at as well. Think TIBS buses but way more advanced.
Kiyomizu-dera is a popular temple to go to, and I was pleasantly surprised to see even schoolkids dropping by the temple after school. I wonder is it because there's a shrine dedicated to love relationships up the slopes? :D
If u travel by public transport, the route to Kiyomizu-dera can be quite taxing as there'll be a long upslope to tread on in order to reach the main temple area. I was almost out of breath when I finally reached the temple gates *whew*! On the way up, u should pass through their shopping streets, so the shops will serve as resting spots if u feel tired midway. I walked thru another street and it was rather empty. I felt rather stupid, but it's okay since we took the route down via the shopping street.
Awesome place to take a slow-paced stroll but the throngs of tourists and giggly schoolkids might dampen the atmosphere a little. The worst event of the day was when it rained heavily when we made our descent back to the town. Guys, try not to go during the rainy season if u intend to do alot of sightseeing. But if u intend to have fun in the city area, shopping etc, I guess it'd be fine. I still prefer the cool air of end autumn. Late November remains as the ideal time to travel to Japan.Kinkakuji is indisputably the #1 tourist attraction in the whole of Kyoto. When u think of a golden pavilion in the middle of a beautiful pond, u should go 'woahhh!!!'. That's what it is, and it's really beautiful to look at.
Woolala! Kinkakuji in its shiny and golden magnificence! The tourist route takes u thru their gardens as well, and it's truly beautiful. Along the way, there'll be 'wishing bowls' on the ground and if u successfully throw ur coin right in one of them, u'll have good luck. I'd say it's another gimmick to earn some revenue for the park. =P I don't need luck, all I need is God. =)Next up was Nijo Castle, and prior to this trip, I've not visited this castle even once at all. I got no idea why it isn't in most tour agencies' itineraries cos' I found it really nice! Albeit for the fact that it isn't as beautiful as other famous castles such as Osaka Castle and Himeji Castle, it has its own unique charm, and the short tour inside the castle is enriching enough and yet not as taxing as Himeji Castle, which requires u to climb 7-8 floors. -_-"
Gion was disappointing cos' we didn't see any geishas around. Later on, I heard from my sensei that I'd have to step right into their establishments and fork out cash before they appear. Oh well... Luckily, Gion was a one-way street to the shopping district between Shijo-Kawaramachi and Shijo-Keihan-mae subway stations. There's many high-rise department stores there, enough to satisfy the average lady's shopping itch. =P The prices are mid-ranged to expensive, but there'd be sales around if u're observant enough.Alright, that's it for Kyoto. The next time when I go there, I gonna see some geishas for real. =) Next up will be a short post on Kobe, before I rest up for the night. I do not want to wake up like a zombie and expect to drive seamlessly. :D
posted by MightyFlameboy. shoot me? | 0 shot me.
The spa paradise, Hakone~
(Saturday, June 28, 2008/12:08 AM)
Tokyo makes me too stressed... Too stressed for a holiday... That's when Hakone comes in handy, as we left Tokyo and retreat into the quiet town of Hakone to relax in onsen and enjoy great scenery! Travelling there can be a little taxing cos' u would have to change multiple subway lines and even take a shuttle-bus or take a hike to ur hotel if it isn't conveniently situated, just like mine. But once u settle the necessary stuff, and set out to fully enjoy, wow it's truly SHIOK!
I used to hate anything that requires me to strip down to my swimming trunks cos' I'm heavily criticized for my white complexion and I think I'm darn out of shape after NS. =S But after experiencing the spa resort at Yunessun for the first time in 2005, the feeling of soaking myself in the onsen was so immensely enjoyable that the ppl around me dun seem to matter anymore. The main attractions are of cos' the funny themed onsen, such as coffee onsen, red wine onsen, green tea onsen etc. They SERIOUSLY ground coffee beans and pump it into the onsen to give it a unique twist. I saw the staff at work with my own two eyes. Initially, I thought it was a huge gimmick with fake coffee flavouring. Apparently, I was so wrong. =)
But actually to me, the main attraction would be the bevy of beatiful bikini-clad babes. ^^ Dun look at me as if I'm a pervert, every normal male will look out specifically for this at swimming complexes and public hot springs. If ur male friend ever denies, either he's a hypocrite or he's a gay. =S The traditional onsen is separated into male and female, and we'd have to strip down to our birthday suits. So, Yunessun is special in a way that it appeals to the younger crowd with modern architecture, attractions, and mixed baths. I was a little stupid not to realize that cameras are allowed in the bath area, but it's probably a wise move as well to protect my camera from water. So, all I managed to take a photo of was just the mascot at the entrance. Sry guys if u're expecting to see pictures of bikini-clad babes! =)
Be sure to take the Hakone Round Course, and go on a day trip and take in the stunning scenery of the area. Hakone Open-Air Museum is a tranquil place to take a slow morning stroll along a beautiful park. The entrance fee is abt 1600 Yen, rather hefty if u dun appreciate art (which I dun, but I still went anyway).
The statue guy above is supposed to be dead, I think. Lol, I just can't interpret art for nuts, but I still enjoyed myself thoroughly. Looking at beautiful art once in awhile helps to soothe the mind, even if u're an artistic idiot like me, lol!
The weather that day was very cloudy and there was no chance to see Mt. Fuji from the cable-car. At least, the itinerary planned for the cable-car trip went without a hitch. But when we went to the foot of Lake Ashi, the weather got so bad that the Hakone Sightseeing Cruise was suspended. Oh crap... =( On a random note, the ojisan in front of me like diao-ing me like that. Ewww, scary... Lol... Not... =P
We went to Gotemba Premium Outlets to shop anyway, thinking that it'd be a factory outlet style kind of place with cheaper than normal prices. Seems to me that it's just a glorified excuse to gather all the world's most expensive brands. There's nothing cheap at all! Anything with discount would be rejected goods or last season's stock. If u want the latest fashion, be prepared with 10000 Yen bills. It seems like a nice place to chill and relax tho', with the number of cafes around, but we were running short on time.
The town of Hakone shuts down pretty early. Even at the main station of Hakone-yumoto, I observed that stores close after 6 PM. Most ppl retire to their hotel abt 7 PM as most hotels serve dinner as well. What to do after 7 PM? That's when a good companion, hotel facilities such as karaoke and private onsen, would play a big role.
This is my standard dinner at my hotel. Mmm truly sumptuous! =D Altho' I still prefer to slurp down a big bowl of ramen and forget abt food for at least another 4-5 hrs, it's refreshing once in awhile to take ur time and appreciate authentic Japanese cuisine.
Hakone should be another must-visit place everytime I visit Japan, esp. Yunessun! Nice scenery, great onsen, relaxing and not as stressful as Tokyo. Just a little out of the way, but plan ur route well, and there shouldn't be any problems. Getting a little sleepy right now... I shall head to bed or else I'll fall asleep in church service tml LOL! I shall talk abt Kyoto for the next post. Ciao!~
I used to hate anything that requires me to strip down to my swimming trunks cos' I'm heavily criticized for my white complexion and I think I'm darn out of shape after NS. =S But after experiencing the spa resort at Yunessun for the first time in 2005, the feeling of soaking myself in the onsen was so immensely enjoyable that the ppl around me dun seem to matter anymore. The main attractions are of cos' the funny themed onsen, such as coffee onsen, red wine onsen, green tea onsen etc. They SERIOUSLY ground coffee beans and pump it into the onsen to give it a unique twist. I saw the staff at work with my own two eyes. Initially, I thought it was a huge gimmick with fake coffee flavouring. Apparently, I was so wrong. =)
But actually to me, the main attraction would be the bevy of beatiful bikini-clad babes. ^^ Dun look at me as if I'm a pervert, every normal male will look out specifically for this at swimming complexes and public hot springs. If ur male friend ever denies, either he's a hypocrite or he's a gay. =S The traditional onsen is separated into male and female, and we'd have to strip down to our birthday suits. So, Yunessun is special in a way that it appeals to the younger crowd with modern architecture, attractions, and mixed baths. I was a little stupid not to realize that cameras are allowed in the bath area, but it's probably a wise move as well to protect my camera from water. So, all I managed to take a photo of was just the mascot at the entrance. Sry guys if u're expecting to see pictures of bikini-clad babes! =)
Be sure to take the Hakone Round Course, and go on a day trip and take in the stunning scenery of the area. Hakone Open-Air Museum is a tranquil place to take a slow morning stroll along a beautiful park. The entrance fee is abt 1600 Yen, rather hefty if u dun appreciate art (which I dun, but I still went anyway).
The statue guy above is supposed to be dead, I think. Lol, I just can't interpret art for nuts, but I still enjoyed myself thoroughly. Looking at beautiful art once in awhile helps to soothe the mind, even if u're an artistic idiot like me, lol!
The weather that day was very cloudy and there was no chance to see Mt. Fuji from the cable-car. At least, the itinerary planned for the cable-car trip went without a hitch. But when we went to the foot of Lake Ashi, the weather got so bad that the Hakone Sightseeing Cruise was suspended. Oh crap... =( On a random note, the ojisan in front of me like diao-ing me like that. Ewww, scary... Lol... Not... =PWe went to Gotemba Premium Outlets to shop anyway, thinking that it'd be a factory outlet style kind of place with cheaper than normal prices. Seems to me that it's just a glorified excuse to gather all the world's most expensive brands. There's nothing cheap at all! Anything with discount would be rejected goods or last season's stock. If u want the latest fashion, be prepared with 10000 Yen bills. It seems like a nice place to chill and relax tho', with the number of cafes around, but we were running short on time.
The town of Hakone shuts down pretty early. Even at the main station of Hakone-yumoto, I observed that stores close after 6 PM. Most ppl retire to their hotel abt 7 PM as most hotels serve dinner as well. What to do after 7 PM? That's when a good companion, hotel facilities such as karaoke and private onsen, would play a big role.
This is my standard dinner at my hotel. Mmm truly sumptuous! =D Altho' I still prefer to slurp down a big bowl of ramen and forget abt food for at least another 4-5 hrs, it's refreshing once in awhile to take ur time and appreciate authentic Japanese cuisine.Hakone should be another must-visit place everytime I visit Japan, esp. Yunessun! Nice scenery, great onsen, relaxing and not as stressful as Tokyo. Just a little out of the way, but plan ur route well, and there shouldn't be any problems. Getting a little sleepy right now... I shall head to bed or else I'll fall asleep in church service tml LOL! I shall talk abt Kyoto for the next post. Ciao!~
posted by MightyFlameboy. shoot me? | 0 shot me.
The heart of Tokyo city
(Friday, June 27, 2008/11:13 PM)
Whew... Back from Yuling's farewell party at Jamie's place... It's been a long day since waking up at 8 AM and travelling to BBDC for my driving lesson, then returning home briefly to change up and have my lunch before meeting KC to buy the BBQ stuff. But KC is definitely more shacked than me. Nasty night shifts for his job lol!
I truly enjoyed myself thoroughly today. And I mean really really. Sometimes, I can't wait to leave certain gatherings but have to put on a false front and stay put and act as if I'm enjoying. But this time, I feel that it's really fruitful cos' Yuling will be leaving us soon, and this was the least we could do for her. I also got to meet up with old faces such as Desmond and Weijie and did some catching up. The atmosphere was natural and fun altho' we've not seen each other for months and even years! Yuling, pls know that the whole of W429 will miss u alot and pls take gd care of urself! Stay in contact thru email and MSN, okay? =)
Alright, back to business, we're still at Tokyo, aren't we? I forgot to introduce 2 shopping districts which I feel would be ideal for ppl having similar interests as me. And u've guessed it right, I'm gonna talk abt the land of otakus, Akihabara or affectionately called Akiba.
This place seriously has tons of anime stuff, so if u're an anime fan, u'll go crazy in this place for sure. There's alot of cheap electrical appliances and computer stuff for sale too, so if u've prepared cash to splurge, do look around. I bought a 8 GB thumbdrive for KC at only abt SGD$38. It's also famous for their maid cafes, so I was a little ecstatic *lol* to see girls dressed in their maid costumes advertising for their stores for the first time ever. But I never went in one, cos' it costs a bomb. Great place and worth the hype. Just felt abit creepy and cautious cos' of the recent massacre at that very place.
Harajuku is also great for youth fashion, but that's not what it's famous for. Takeshita-dori, a shopping district in Harajuku, is famous for housing many stores selling idol merchandise. If u're looking for ur latest idol's posters, look no further. I think I'd make it my pilgrimage to get to Harajuku everytime I drop by Japan to update myself on my favourite and cutest Jpop singer idol, Ai Otsuka. ^^ Oh yeah, shucks, I didn't manage to trek to Omotesando Hills to shop at their new shopping complex due to time constraint. What a waste. =(
Alright, on to overhyped places. Shinjuku and Shibuya seem overhyped to me. I've not really have a deep impression of these places the last time I went, and this time, I gave them another chance and still wasn't too impressed. The fashion boutiques there are really impressive, but their prices are equally as impressive. I can easily find a SGD$300 shirt over there, and almost nothing goes below 4000 Yen. The crowd is also horrendous, as it's a popular haunt for schoolkids and cos' it's situated near the city center, salarymen will be in numbers as well. The upside is that alot of good-looking ppl will be there, but u shouldn't have any mood at all to do any 'sight-seeing', with the insane crowd coming ur way.
Shinjuku is slightly more interesting cos' of Kabuki-cho, their red-light district *lol*. I didn't manage to find the main sleazy district but even in other sideroads, my friend and I got approached by sleazy old men who tried to tout for business. "Live show, massage, sex?". I almost *lol*ed in his face. =) I didn't manage to meet any Yakuza too, which I heard would be present in Kabuki-cho to oversee their brothel business. Yawnzzz... Overall, nothing really that great. I got no idea why ppl keep hyping these places as if it's some kind of shopping heaven. Maybe I didn't manage to find the correct places to shop? Oh well...
In the night, we went to Roponggi with the intentions to observe their nightlife. We expected to see pretty girls dressed up for the occasion, but instead, we got severely pestered by black guys along the streets to enter their pub/club establishments. And we only spotted a handful of girls dressed to club! I guess maybe we went on a wrong day since it was a Tuesday. But still, it's rather disappointing and there aren't many interesting shops around.
Our hotel is at Ikebukuro and that place seriously rocks! It has everything from arcades to eateries, fashion boutiques to anime shops. It's also convenient sandwiched in between the popular shopping districts of Shibuya, Shinjuku, Harajuku etc. so taking the Yamanote Line from Ikebukuro makes travelling and shopping a breeze in Tokyo. I highly recommend travelers to stay in this area for easy subway access, as well as convenience and nearby amenity.
Ummm... Above is a picture of ppl queuing up on a Wednesday morning at 9+ AM to enter a newly established pachinko parlour. I mean, seriously, dun they have to work or sumthin'!? Tokyo's culture amazes me. On one hand, I observed dedicated salarymen rushing for the morning trains and enduring the crowds. On the other hand, I see these people dressed casually and relaxing on a supposedly busy working day. Truly mind-boggling. =S
Hmmm... I love to type alot... Shucks, I always make my posts sound lengthy. So much so that I can't cover Hakone on this post. I'll leave that for my next post! Maybe later, maybe tml! :)
I truly enjoyed myself thoroughly today. And I mean really really. Sometimes, I can't wait to leave certain gatherings but have to put on a false front and stay put and act as if I'm enjoying. But this time, I feel that it's really fruitful cos' Yuling will be leaving us soon, and this was the least we could do for her. I also got to meet up with old faces such as Desmond and Weijie and did some catching up. The atmosphere was natural and fun altho' we've not seen each other for months and even years! Yuling, pls know that the whole of W429 will miss u alot and pls take gd care of urself! Stay in contact thru email and MSN, okay? =)
Alright, back to business, we're still at Tokyo, aren't we? I forgot to introduce 2 shopping districts which I feel would be ideal for ppl having similar interests as me. And u've guessed it right, I'm gonna talk abt the land of otakus, Akihabara or affectionately called Akiba.
This place seriously has tons of anime stuff, so if u're an anime fan, u'll go crazy in this place for sure. There's alot of cheap electrical appliances and computer stuff for sale too, so if u've prepared cash to splurge, do look around. I bought a 8 GB thumbdrive for KC at only abt SGD$38. It's also famous for their maid cafes, so I was a little ecstatic *lol* to see girls dressed in their maid costumes advertising for their stores for the first time ever. But I never went in one, cos' it costs a bomb. Great place and worth the hype. Just felt abit creepy and cautious cos' of the recent massacre at that very place.Harajuku is also great for youth fashion, but that's not what it's famous for. Takeshita-dori, a shopping district in Harajuku, is famous for housing many stores selling idol merchandise. If u're looking for ur latest idol's posters, look no further. I think I'd make it my pilgrimage to get to Harajuku everytime I drop by Japan to update myself on my favourite and cutest Jpop singer idol, Ai Otsuka. ^^ Oh yeah, shucks, I didn't manage to trek to Omotesando Hills to shop at their new shopping complex due to time constraint. What a waste. =(
Alright, on to overhyped places. Shinjuku and Shibuya seem overhyped to me. I've not really have a deep impression of these places the last time I went, and this time, I gave them another chance and still wasn't too impressed. The fashion boutiques there are really impressive, but their prices are equally as impressive. I can easily find a SGD$300 shirt over there, and almost nothing goes below 4000 Yen. The crowd is also horrendous, as it's a popular haunt for schoolkids and cos' it's situated near the city center, salarymen will be in numbers as well. The upside is that alot of good-looking ppl will be there, but u shouldn't have any mood at all to do any 'sight-seeing', with the insane crowd coming ur way.
Shinjuku is slightly more interesting cos' of Kabuki-cho, their red-light district *lol*. I didn't manage to find the main sleazy district but even in other sideroads, my friend and I got approached by sleazy old men who tried to tout for business. "Live show, massage, sex?". I almost *lol*ed in his face. =) I didn't manage to meet any Yakuza too, which I heard would be present in Kabuki-cho to oversee their brothel business. Yawnzzz... Overall, nothing really that great. I got no idea why ppl keep hyping these places as if it's some kind of shopping heaven. Maybe I didn't manage to find the correct places to shop? Oh well...
In the night, we went to Roponggi with the intentions to observe their nightlife. We expected to see pretty girls dressed up for the occasion, but instead, we got severely pestered by black guys along the streets to enter their pub/club establishments. And we only spotted a handful of girls dressed to club! I guess maybe we went on a wrong day since it was a Tuesday. But still, it's rather disappointing and there aren't many interesting shops around.
Our hotel is at Ikebukuro and that place seriously rocks! It has everything from arcades to eateries, fashion boutiques to anime shops. It's also convenient sandwiched in between the popular shopping districts of Shibuya, Shinjuku, Harajuku etc. so taking the Yamanote Line from Ikebukuro makes travelling and shopping a breeze in Tokyo. I highly recommend travelers to stay in this area for easy subway access, as well as convenience and nearby amenity.
Ummm... Above is a picture of ppl queuing up on a Wednesday morning at 9+ AM to enter a newly established pachinko parlour. I mean, seriously, dun they have to work or sumthin'!? Tokyo's culture amazes me. On one hand, I observed dedicated salarymen rushing for the morning trains and enduring the crowds. On the other hand, I see these people dressed casually and relaxing on a supposedly busy working day. Truly mind-boggling. =S
Hmmm... I love to type alot... Shucks, I always make my posts sound lengthy. So much so that I can't cover Hakone on this post. I'll leave that for my next post! Maybe later, maybe tml! :)
posted by MightyFlameboy. shoot me? | 0 shot me.
Tokyo!~
(Thursday, June 26, 2008/11:20 PM)
Tokyo is one popular city which the media loves to hype about on a daily basis. So, is it really worth the hype? I've been to Tokyo for the 3rd time already, and there's so much which I love about the place, and there's also aspects which I feel are frustrating.
What's frustrating? THE DARN RUSH HOUR TIMINGS! If u think Singapore has crazy traffic during rush hours, u'll be real surprised to experience the Japanese counterpart. Unlike Singapore with pretty linear MRT lines where most of the people will head in 1-2 general directions, Japan has an astounding amount of different railway lines and if u get stuck in the center of the traffic, u'll feel as if u're drowning in a sea of people as they brush past u in a myriad of different directions. TRY TO AVOID THE RUSH HOURS AS FAR AS POSSIBLE! In the morning, it'll be 7-9 AM. In the evening, it'll be around 6-9 PM.
The pace in Tokyo is veryyy fast and busy. My friend loved to take slow strolls on busy streets and I felt sooo stressed to force him to keep up with my pace or else we get shoved around by grumpy salarymen or get accidentally bumped into people riding bicycles, speeding as fast as they could for God knows what. If u like a slow-paced, relaxing holiday, Tokyo isn't the most ideal place to spend most of ur days, but it'll be good as a 2-3 day stay.
Moving on to the positives, I reckon in the whole of Japan, Tokyo has the most efficient subway lines. The Yamanote line is a big-time lifesaver as it covers most of the popular hyped shopping districts such as Akihabara, Shinjuku, Shinbuya, Ginza and Harajuku. The availability of vending machines also seem more in abundance in Tokyo, compared to other cities which I went to, even major ones such as Kyoto and Osaka. U'll never die of thirst if u see a vending machine every few steps or so. =) Oh yeah, to hold up the reputation of being the capital of the nation, the city boasts of the most beautiful people I've seen thus far. Truly amazing. I love the girls. Okay, that was random. =P
Alright, going down to the specifics now, I shall recommend some places which I enjoyed, and also what places which I feel are overhyped. First up is Ueno.
Ueno Park is a tranquil little place and it's ideal to take a break from the big city, free from the throngs of people bustling in the marketplace. There'll be live performances on some days if u're lucky. I saw a China troupe doing acrobatic stunts *rofl*. Take a break in this park and release some of the stress accumulated in the city while enjoying the serenity of the atmosphere there.
Next up would be Asakusa. This place has a nice blend of tradition and modernity. It's a great place to pick up souvenirs for ur friends and family! On Nakamise street, u'll find dozens of stores lined up neatly for u to take ur pick. There's also plenty of authentic snacks sold and it'll definitely excite peeps who love food! =) Shin-Nakamise street sells contemporary stuff and doesn't really have the appeal of the traditional aspect of Asakusa, but it'll be worth the detour if u're in need of a good restaurant.
Odaiba is a little out of the way and isn't covered by the JR Rail Pass, but it's an enchanting place worth the money, time and effort to visit. The main attraction of cos' would be to see the Rainbow Bridge light up to its full magnificence at night. There's a fake Statue of Liberty *lol* near the sea and it's rather interesting to see elements of America's influence sprinkled all over Odaiba. This is a good contemporary place to shop and relax, and since it's not situated near the city center, the crowd shouldn't be overwhelming. If u're a fan of Japanese dramas, there's the Fuji TV Building nearby and u can travel up to the souvenir shops (alot... and alot of escalators... at least u dun have to walk =P) and u may be in luck if they sell merchandises of ur favourite dramas!
There's a eatery in Aquacity Odaiba which dedicates the area to renowned ramen chefs. It's relatively cheap (for Japan's standard) at 700 Yen onwards and u get to taste really gooddd ramen! Here's something to make u guys envious...
Mmm... Delicious!!! But I think it made my stomach cranky cos' of the different spices involved. Rofl! =D Aye, I'm running out of time... I'll touch on the places in Tokyo which I feel are overhyped, as well as move on to Hakone. Wooo, onsen rocks! Peace out!~
What's frustrating? THE DARN RUSH HOUR TIMINGS! If u think Singapore has crazy traffic during rush hours, u'll be real surprised to experience the Japanese counterpart. Unlike Singapore with pretty linear MRT lines where most of the people will head in 1-2 general directions, Japan has an astounding amount of different railway lines and if u get stuck in the center of the traffic, u'll feel as if u're drowning in a sea of people as they brush past u in a myriad of different directions. TRY TO AVOID THE RUSH HOURS AS FAR AS POSSIBLE! In the morning, it'll be 7-9 AM. In the evening, it'll be around 6-9 PM.
The pace in Tokyo is veryyy fast and busy. My friend loved to take slow strolls on busy streets and I felt sooo stressed to force him to keep up with my pace or else we get shoved around by grumpy salarymen or get accidentally bumped into people riding bicycles, speeding as fast as they could for God knows what. If u like a slow-paced, relaxing holiday, Tokyo isn't the most ideal place to spend most of ur days, but it'll be good as a 2-3 day stay.
Moving on to the positives, I reckon in the whole of Japan, Tokyo has the most efficient subway lines. The Yamanote line is a big-time lifesaver as it covers most of the popular hyped shopping districts such as Akihabara, Shinjuku, Shinbuya, Ginza and Harajuku. The availability of vending machines also seem more in abundance in Tokyo, compared to other cities which I went to, even major ones such as Kyoto and Osaka. U'll never die of thirst if u see a vending machine every few steps or so. =) Oh yeah, to hold up the reputation of being the capital of the nation, the city boasts of the most beautiful people I've seen thus far. Truly amazing. I love the girls. Okay, that was random. =P
Alright, going down to the specifics now, I shall recommend some places which I enjoyed, and also what places which I feel are overhyped. First up is Ueno.
Ueno Park is a tranquil little place and it's ideal to take a break from the big city, free from the throngs of people bustling in the marketplace. There'll be live performances on some days if u're lucky. I saw a China troupe doing acrobatic stunts *rofl*. Take a break in this park and release some of the stress accumulated in the city while enjoying the serenity of the atmosphere there.
Next up would be Asakusa. This place has a nice blend of tradition and modernity. It's a great place to pick up souvenirs for ur friends and family! On Nakamise street, u'll find dozens of stores lined up neatly for u to take ur pick. There's also plenty of authentic snacks sold and it'll definitely excite peeps who love food! =) Shin-Nakamise street sells contemporary stuff and doesn't really have the appeal of the traditional aspect of Asakusa, but it'll be worth the detour if u're in need of a good restaurant.
Odaiba is a little out of the way and isn't covered by the JR Rail Pass, but it's an enchanting place worth the money, time and effort to visit. The main attraction of cos' would be to see the Rainbow Bridge light up to its full magnificence at night. There's a fake Statue of Liberty *lol* near the sea and it's rather interesting to see elements of America's influence sprinkled all over Odaiba. This is a good contemporary place to shop and relax, and since it's not situated near the city center, the crowd shouldn't be overwhelming. If u're a fan of Japanese dramas, there's the Fuji TV Building nearby and u can travel up to the souvenir shops (alot... and alot of escalators... at least u dun have to walk =P) and u may be in luck if they sell merchandises of ur favourite dramas!
There's a eatery in Aquacity Odaiba which dedicates the area to renowned ramen chefs. It's relatively cheap (for Japan's standard) at 700 Yen onwards and u get to taste really gooddd ramen! Here's something to make u guys envious...
Mmm... Delicious!!! But I think it made my stomach cranky cos' of the different spices involved. Rofl! =D Aye, I'm running out of time... I'll touch on the places in Tokyo which I feel are overhyped, as well as move on to Hakone. Wooo, onsen rocks! Peace out!~
posted by MightyFlameboy. shoot me? | 0 shot me.
Just back from Japan!!!~
(Wednesday, June 25, 2008/10:47 PM)
I know I said that I'll try to take this blog away from the conventional diary-like approach, but hey, it's not like I can travel to Japan everyday, u know? =) Furthermore, it's my first time going free and easy without assistance from any tour guides, so I gotta blog about this in detail! I'll recommend places which I enjoyed during my trip, so I hope that it can help others who have an interest in travelling to Japan as well!
Alright, moving along, it was an almost perfect trip on paper, but when I actually get down to fulfilling the schedule, it can be a huge headache due to circumstance encountered along the way. Confusing subway lines, bus trips, bad weather and that stressful rush hours when we try to take the trains in the morning, could be extremely daunting to a first-time independent traveller like me.
Now, I understand why my parents like guided tours so much, despite the meaningless trips to pearl manufacturing factories and the long trips on the bus. It's very convenient and u are assured that u have someone taking care of matters for u. Being all alone in Japan with my friend, we have to rely on our mediocre level of Japanese language to make my way around the cities. It's extremely crucial that u plan ur schedule adequately! Right down to the exact details of which bus-stop u should alight at, and the timings of the trains u're intending to take etc.
Another important aspect of a free and easy trip would be choosing ur companion. I feel that given a choice, my friend and I would definitely choose different companions to go with. He keeps blabbering about how nice it'd be to travel to Japan with his future girlfriend (if that's even possible, lol ops paiseh j/k! >.<). I think it'd be better if I went with closer friends of similar interests as well. We didn't really function on the same frequency. He absolutely LOVES food and takes his time to observe the Japanese food culture, while I prefer grabbing a quick bite and moving on to proper attractions.
Living with someone other than ur family can be a real challenge. I've known him for 2 years plus, but thus far, I've only discovered 2-3 quirky habits of his. Living with him in close proximity in 10 days, I could easily discover 4-5 others. I tried to be as tolerant as I could, but for some reason, I get easily irritated by people's bad habits although it's none of my business, and my voice tone and body language would betray me and subtly display my unacceptance. To that friend of mine, hontoni gomenne! If I had been rude, or if I switch off my mind at times.
Then again, going with a friend is always better than going alone! At least u'll have someone to cover ur ass in times of need, esp. in a country like Japan where communication could be overwhelming. But do grab the opportunity if the circumstances are right for u and ur close friends to go on a trip together!
I've merely been back in Singapore for a couple of hours but I'm missing Japan already. :( I shall be saving darn hard to finance my next trip, hopefully this December. If that's not possible, I'd most probably be gunning for SEP (Student Exchange Program) for my university Year 3 tenure already.
Pls do contact me if u are looking for a reliable travelling companion to Japan! =) I'll describe my hobbies, interests and preferences along the way, so u can judge on the possibility of us being on the same frequency or not. :) In my next few blog posts, I'll be filling in the details of my itinerary and what place is worth taking the effort to travel to. It'll be very soon, I promise! =)
posted by MightyFlameboy. shoot me? | 5 shot me.
MightyFlameboy's personal blog is up!
(/10:38 PM)
It seems like everybody is blogging nowadays, and I'm kinda left behind in this trend. Actually, I didn't really feel a need for blogging and it'd take up precious time meant for other hobbies which I'd prefer indulging in, such as music and gaming. But then again, during my recent trip to Japan, I observed how my friend, an average down-to-earth Joe, had his online blog constantly on his mind, and pens his experiences down in his diary and take photos daily to update his blog when we are back in Singapore.
So, I thought... Heck why not? It's still a long 1 month plus before my holidays end, and blogging may stifle some of my boredom rotting at home. :) I'll definitely try to take this blog towards a different direction. No offence to anyone, but I feel that the conventional blogs of people grumbling about their daily lives, or exaggerating the details of their daily affairs, otherwise relatively mundane, are rather shallow and attention-seeking. "Today, I had glorious Macdonalds MCGRIDDLES breakfast! Then, I went to school and had another fun day with my friends! Oh, after school, I met my boyfriend for dinner and had an amazing candlelight dinner!" Oh yeah... Gimme a break... :P
Well, of cos', if ur blog is made entirely to update ur close friends about ur lives, that's pretty fine. If that's so, once again, an advanced apology from me. :D I'd probably blog more about my interests and recommend and review new stuff that comes along the way for peeps that share similar interests. I feel pretty angsty *lol* regarding some societal issues in Singapore, so I'd probably tackle some of them while smattering certain details of my own personal experiences to supplement my views. Anyhow, pls do support my new budding blog! =)
So, I thought... Heck why not? It's still a long 1 month plus before my holidays end, and blogging may stifle some of my boredom rotting at home. :) I'll definitely try to take this blog towards a different direction. No offence to anyone, but I feel that the conventional blogs of people grumbling about their daily lives, or exaggerating the details of their daily affairs, otherwise relatively mundane, are rather shallow and attention-seeking. "Today, I had glorious Macdonalds MCGRIDDLES breakfast! Then, I went to school and had another fun day with my friends! Oh, after school, I met my boyfriend for dinner and had an amazing candlelight dinner!" Oh yeah... Gimme a break... :P
Well, of cos', if ur blog is made entirely to update ur close friends about ur lives, that's pretty fine. If that's so, once again, an advanced apology from me. :D I'd probably blog more about my interests and recommend and review new stuff that comes along the way for peeps that share similar interests. I feel pretty angsty *lol* regarding some societal issues in Singapore, so I'd probably tackle some of them while smattering certain details of my own personal experiences to supplement my views. Anyhow, pls do support my new budding blog! =)
posted by MightyFlameboy. shoot me? | 0 shot me.