My previous entry was, to me, a total disgrace to whatever I've been writing so far.. It lacks the depth which i usually blend with every entry. I regret posting that entry.. somehow.. partially because I've also straightened things out during this trip to Tokyo. There are so many things in this world that are so imperfect.. and that whatever that might seem perfect - are just so beautiful and so.. unnatural in some way.. Pardon me, I'm quite confused with myself at the moment. I'm pouring out my emotions as they come along with depth.
"Persiflage of calumny" -- There's some inspiration coming from that phrase.. But i shan't compose any literary material just yet due to my sudden hangover from that glass of white wine on the plane (which i don't quite understand why I'm feeling so when i wasn't even drunk back then..)
Now.. you chaps must be wondering how was my Tokyo trip.. Here goes the ranting..
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Day 1 -- Arrival at Narita Airport + Keio Plaza Hotel
The air was generally polluted (no complaints though.. Beijing was evidently incorrigible..). Nothing much.. Got to the hotel via the Airport Limousine (this is a bus service the goes to and from the Airport to various locations. Not the usual white or black limos you see in American movies..). The hotel room was sweet, just that i don't quite like to sleep in front of a mirror.. Toilet seat warmers are pretty cool to begin with, as well as the ermm.. "butt washer system" that the toilet seat was installed with.. (apparently, we tried it out, but it didn't really seem to work out for us.. Wonder how the Japs manage to use it effectively..)
Day 2 -- Disneyland (without shuttle bus service to and from hotel)
Ok.. we didn't have any form of transport to Disneyland from our hotel.. So the only way for us to get there was to take a train (JR line) from Shinjuku West station all the way to Tokyo Station, where we then transfered to another JR line to get the Disneyland's adjacent station - Maihama Station at Tokyo Bay. The trains were fine, the fares were reasonable.. The walks were rather long (due to those really huge Subway stations such as Shinjuku West station, which is further connected to Shinjuku East and Shinjuku Main Station.. not to mention the really enormous network within that Tokyo Station.. And those heaps of people who scuttle about to work.. GOSH..)
Upon arrival, 'crowds were aloof'.. Totally.. not the right place to be for a vacation.. I mean, look, queueing for 2 hours for some really thrilling ride is absolutely riduiculous.. I definitely wouldn't waste my precious 2 hours for that 5 minutes of enjoyment.. Geezz.. not very fair at all.. But of course, we went fastpassing* the rides by scanning our tickets and coming back sometime later for the ride at the allocated time slot (Space Mountain was one of them..)
Nothing much.. it was a pretty kiddy place.. the real stuff come in the next day..
Day 3 -- DisneySea (With hotel shuttle service to Maihama Station)
This is the place for someone who wants to get away from everyday life. By scrutinising that intricate architecture that clutters to take the form of Tokyo DisneySea, it's rather obvious that they've definitely spent heaps of Yen to build and dig through that huge quarry in the middle of the theme park. Pictures shall be up in the next post.. so just hang on.
Due to having insane height limitations.. Kids are mostly refused from all rides.. (YAY.. that would typically mean that there aren't as many visitors to this park relative to that of Disneyland..) It's nothing much.. Some rides were rather thrilling, but otherwise, the storylines were great (just as anyone would expect ANYTHING that's produced by Disney Studios). Some of these rides include Indiana Jones and the Curse of the Crystal Skull + Tower of Terror (that's the best..) + Journey to the Centre of the Earth (And that would = Satisfaction and only satisfaction..)
Day 4 -- Asakusa and what my brother would call.. "Raymond Shrine" (Senshoji)
This really long street is filled up with roadside stalls that carried goods such as Japanese traditional costumes and wares.. There were also wooden bokutous on sale for about erm.. 1800 yen. Got most of the gifts from this place due to the products' rich Japanese culture.. (or so if my memory doesn't fail me..)
Sweet sake went for only 100 yen.. It's basically rice wine at it's middle stage of fermentation with minimal alcohol content. The weather was pretty cold on that day.. So the sweet sake was the best thing there was to keep warm.
Raymond was fine, just a little disturbing due to.. my sudden intuition. I wonder how i'd deal with such things..
Day 5 -- Meiji Shrine and Harajuku
Meiji shrine.. The best place to be at in Tokyo (that's my opinion..) I'd jolly just stay there for the entire day to meditate.. There was total peace and quietness that i wanted. No corruption, no evils that plague my mind when i entered that shrine.. And no, they don't produced chocolates..
Harajuku - the shopping district for teens and adults alike.. The best place to get goods that are AFFORDABLE.. (many people have this misconception that Japanese goods are expensive due to their high costs of living which is generally untrue if you're smart enough to know where to do your shopping..) I don't quite like shopping, but i'll gladly tag along with someone who knows how to shop..
Day 6 -- Keio Plaza and Takashimaya + Kinokuniya (Shinjuku Area)
This is why people keep complaining that Japanese goods are expensive.. Why bother to shop in a Shopping arcade when they only carry branded goods? Isn't it obvious that the stuff displayed are mostly for the affluently affluent?
Day 7 -- Narita Airport and Home
We met another family from our home country here at the boarding gate.. Apparently, they went on a round trip with a tour group.. (That means they went to Kyoto.. and visited that Gold leaf Shrine Thing.. RAWR.. I want to go there -- PEACE AND QUIET..)
We chatted for a bit.. and well, exchanged contacts (since we cliqued rather well..)
Interesting things, humans..
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I need rest. Pictures should come in tomorrow. Stay tuned.
