Mickey Mouse & Sheraton Grande Hotel @ Tokyo Bay

Since our last trip to Hong Kong Disneyland, Gine has been so obsessed with Mickey Mouse. To meet her 'needs' and 'demands', we chose Sheraton Grande Hotel which is a listed Disney hotel, which means Gine will be able to take her 'Mickey Mouse' trains and buses, and beyond our imagination, she requested us to take photos with her beloved almost every other day.

And we did not even realise that Sheraton Grande Hotel was so child-friendly till our very last day as it was raining and we had no choice but to hang around the hotel before catching our flight back home in the evening. Amusement centre, photo studio with all sorts of costumes for the kids and I was simply amazed by the huge indoor playground within the hotel.

So many things to play but we could only afford to spend 20 minutes there, having to rush off to catch our airport transfer. Well, another reason for me to go back to Tokyo soon. :)

Sanrio Puroland in Tokyo

Fans of Sanrio characters: Do not scream when you see the pictures on this blog! Yes, you can definitely catch these Sanrio characters at Sanrio Puroland in Tokyo (definitely a place built specially for you!)

Minimal rides but lots of merchandise to purchase.

So tempted to buy but the exchange rate was definitely unfavourable.

Outside Hello Kitty's House

Kitty's car

Yes, we finally found Kitty!

Just before the theme closed, Gine was upset Kitty left without saying goodbye to her.

(Sigh, so sentimental)

Hakone - Mt Fuji

A magnificent view that was captivating. Did not manage to go to Hakone during our previous trips to Tokyo. Glad that we made it this time, though it was definitely a bit cold to go up there. All thanks to Hubby, who caught the entertainment show "King of Thirft goes overseas" on Channel 8, and did his homework.

Itinerary for Tokyo trip was quite similar to that of Hong Kong when we made our trip there last April - Disneyland, then sightseeing followed by shopping on the last day.

Cable car ride up to the mountain top

Was shocked while taking this photo for Gine. Suddenly, a Japanese teenage girl exclaimed, "Kawaii ne!" I turned around and she was smiling at Gine.

See Hello Kitty in that black egg shell? Yup, we ate some black eggs (they cooked the eggs in some sulphur) and there is this tradition that each egg consumed is able to extend one's life by 10 years (for longevity).

Unfortunately, we spent too much time on mountain top and did not manage to catch the boat back to the train station and had to take a bus down the mountain before catching the train back to Tokyo city.

Tokyo Disneysea

Hubby and I decided to give Tokyo Disneyland a miss during our tokyo trip this time as both of us have gone there during our honeymoon and since we have not visited Tokyo Disneysea (I was already bored when I went there the second time with Hubby during our honeymoon).

As guests of the Disneyland Resort Hotel @ Sheraton, we had the privilege of entering the theme park an hour before the opening hour. And we quickly grabbed the opportunity to take photos with whatever Disney character that we meet, without having to queue at all.

More thrilling rides at Tokyo Disneysea and both of us took turns to go on these rides. Luckily they had special queues for 'Single Rider'. Well, Gine was easily satisfied with her popcorn and contented with her carousel.

There were more rides at Disneysea than at Disneyland but of course, you will get to see Mickey and his friends at Disneyland (Mickey and Minnie have their own 'houses' there), at the expense of spending at least an hour queueing up. In terms of scale, Tokyo Disneyland and Disneysea are much bigger than Hong Kong's as we practically did not have sufficient time to cover all the rides and shows. (Remembered I was dashing around Tokyo Disneyland with my friends during my homestay trip to Japan years ago, hoping to try all rides before the closing hour.)

The most thrilling ride in Disneysea - Journey to the Center of the Earth

In one of the themed ports - Mermaid Lagoon

Another themed ports - Arabian Coast

Finally, Hubby and I get to take photo together while Gine was sleeping

At American Waterfront

A relaxing ride on the Venetian Gondolas

Time to go back to hotel. Pity that we did not have time to try Tower of Terror. Definitely gives me excuse to go back to the Disney resort soon!

Winter Holidays at Tokyo

Arrived at Tokyo, safe and sound but tired and hungry. My 3rd time in Tokyo, Hubby's 2nd and Gine's 1st. Colder than the previous trip when Hubby and I were there for our honeymoon but luckily it was not raining!

Have to admit that I have never ever travelled on package tours, not even when we brought Gine along!. Unlike our previous trip where Hubby and I took the JR trains (complicated and crowded), we decided to hop onto the airport transfer conveniently. Gine was definitely tired from the early flight and lack of sleep. Even then, she was definitely excited by the 'Mickey Mouse' bus and train (part of the reason why we chose to stay at Sheraton at Tokyo Bay).

Definitely impressed by Japan's customer service (so much better than any other countries) and the cleanliness etc. Hubby never understands why I love Japan so much till this day...

We ventured out again right after we have freshened up...to the well-recommended Rainbow Bridge at Tokyo Bay and the huge shopping centre located there! (typical Singaporeans)

As it was winter, the day was so much shorter. It was already all dark at 530pm. Guess all of us were so tired that we decided to go back to the hotel early...well-prepared for all the fun coming our way!!!

Oiishi Ramen - Glad that I was still able to converse in my 'rusty' Japanese

At the shopping mall/entertainment centre - with lots of kiddy rides which you can never find them in Singapore

Posing in front of the famous Rainbow Bridge

Chinese New Year in Tokyo, Japan

Regine maybe approaching 3 years old this year, but unfortunately, this is her first year celebrating the Chinese New Year! Dad passed away when Gine was 2 months old and a year later, Mum left us too...

Eversince then, Chinese New Year is no longer the same festive season. No more steamboat dinners with Mum and Dad, followed by sessions of blackjack or in-between...No more yummy food from Mum - yam paste (or ni), ngor hiang etc.

Anyway, since both Mum and Dad are no longer around with us, decided to take a break during this season and flew to Tokyo during the wee hours of the CNY eve. Initially had thought that Gine may get cranky, having to wake up at 3am in the middle of the night. Instead, as we were walking along the pavement, trying to get a cab, Gine started singing:

"We are flying an airplane, looking out of the window,

Watching the clouds go by.

Flying an airplane, looking out of the window,

Up so very high!" (BJ's song)

Surprisingly, Gine was all energetic, even till after we have boarded the plane. While in the plane, Gine started to ask, "Mummy, who is driving the aeroplane now?"

I replied, "The pilot."

Gine went, "Har? The parrot?"

"No, it's the pilot."

"How come I cannot see him?" Gine went on to ask.

"Cos the pilot is in the cockpit. Sorry, you are not allowed to go there." I replied.

Long journey that lasted almost 7 hours. Luckily, Hubby was smart enough to bring along his iPod and some toys to entertain Gine in the plane.

Not only that, after her nap, Gine started to sing to keep herself entertained.

"There are 7 days, there are 7 days, there are 7 days in a week.

Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday."

One of the european passengers was definitely entertained by her as he managed to learn the song from her by the end of the plane journey...

Gine outside Narita Airport, upon arrival in Tokyo

Weekend photography - Am I A Model?

Some shots that Hubby took of Regine...probably a good way of entertaining her.

Sunday breakfast at ECP, Old Town White Coffee

At the Zoo, Gine's favourite hangout

At some dessert shop along Joo Chiat Road after dinner on Sat

Gine with her coconut drink while Hubby ate the ice-cream...

My B(IG) Day!

When I was young, I always looked forward to celebrating my birthday...Mum wld use birthday parties to entice us to work hard and perform well in our studies. Unfortunately, I never get to have one, though I did well in my exams (don't ask me why, cos I never get the answer from Mum too)...

Still remembered that I had a week-long birthday celebration when I was 21. Firstly, with my family, then friends from primary school, secondary school and JC kakis, my university classmates, ex-colleagues etc etc...

As I grow older, this day slowly loses its importance, made even worse after Mum and Dad left us. At times, I can even forget about this day (especially the lunar date), only realising it when I started to think about the good times (and the good food) I had in the past for this special occasion.

Well, just glad that my closer friends still remembered this day this year. Received well wishes (even though there was no fanfare, no celebrations) and that was good enough for me. Greg's mummy tried to give me a surprise (though she failed) and I was contented to celebrate this special day, with a simple dinner, with my loved ones...

Perhaps its just that age is catching up and perception of life is now different...