Well, now that I am home, I won't be posting here much more until I decide to make my next trip away. But I thought that I would leave you with a few travel tips for Japan - direct from Tracey and I.
1. Take Japanese Money
Do not believe your bank when they look at you stupidly for taking great wads of cash. Most places in Japan do not take credit cards or travel cards. You need cash. Especially when you are going outside of Tokyo. And finding an ATM that takes your card can be tricky. That being said, most hotels will take credit card - so it can be handy to just book that up so that you have more shopping allowance. :)
2. Take your medication with you
This includes a good supply of paracetamol and ibuprofen. Japanese medication is pretty weak and you don't want to be stuck with a thumping headache and have to try and decipher the packaging (hoping that you get the right one!). And don't forget the head cold medicine, especially if you are traveling in winter. I suspect that the lovely rash I have now is an allergic reaction to the pills I bought in Japan.
3. Travel with someone of a similar fitness level
This may seem an odd thing to say but as someone with a very low level of fitness, it was great to be with someone who was at the same pace. The last thing you want is someone hanging miles behind you or someone charging ahead when you just aren't physically capable.
4. Travel with someone who has the same level of whinge-i-ness as you
My travel buddy and I are very similar, same level and all. Cause when someone else is complaining that their feet hurt, and you are complaining that your calf muscles are on fire, you are a perfect match. I guess this almost goes back to the same fitness level thing.
5. Take your own pillow
A pillow should not make a sound like a sack of flour when dropped to the bed. Our pillows weighed a tonne and kept an awful head shape indentation after use, making rolling over a real pain. Even if you have to sleep on a rock hard bed, a comfy pillow is everything. They are pretty cheap in Australia and light to pack, so I would suggest tossing one in. You can always leave it behind to fit in your shopping to come home.
6. Learn key phrases
I don't know much Japanese, but what I do know is very helpful:
Sumimasen - sorry, excuse me
Arigato - Thanks
I suggest doing a quick google search and learning a couple of things before you go. May make life easier.
7. Take an itinerary
Many Japanese people don't speak English, but they do read it. If you have your itinerary on you, you can point to the English word for where you are trying to go, and someone may be able to help you. It also helps to add maps in both Japanese and English - one for you and one for your helper. My itinerary was such a useful tool for seeking assistance.
8. Same level of Child-like qualities
Especially if you are heading to Disneyland. You don't want a party pooper with you who won't wear minnie mouse ears when that is all you have ever wanted to do. Plus, the kids rides are just as much fun as the adult rides and the lines are much shorter.
9. Space Bags
Perfect for plush toys. If you don't take any, find a 100yen shop. They will save you heaps of room by squishing up your clothing and toys allowing you to fit a whole lot more in your suitcase.
10. Have Fun and remember to take photos.
Why else are you on holidays - to have fun. The photos are to help you remember the good times. Just remember to take your camera charger. Trust me, the battery won't last.
Monday, February 11, 2013
Friday, February 8, 2013
Day 14 & 15 - Home Again
And after over 24 hours, we are home. Well, I am at any rate. We woke up on Wednesday morning and got stuck into packing our suitcases. With extremely full, and slightly overweight bags we decided that we would just head straight to the airport instead of trying to fit in more shopping. It turned out to be the best idea as it was freezing out and snow had started to fall.
So, at 10am we checked out of our hotel. We jumped on the free shuttle bus to Ueno station. From there we proceeded to hike to the Keisei Skyliner station. It's simply a separate station from the main JR and subway rail line stations and isn't linked underground. It's not really that far of a walk, but when you are struggling with three suitcases each and you toss in a bit of snow, wind and water, it makes for an uncomfortable trip.
The Keisei Skyliner then ferried us out to the Tokyo Narita station where we would be checking into our flight home from Terminal 2. I didn't take any photos of the day, but it's a pretty scenic journey out - we were both so exhausted from terrible sleep and illness (at least on my part) that we nodded off for most of the trip. Once at the airport, we proceeded to wait until 18.20 when we would be able to FINALLY check our luggage. Mine was a little bit too much overweight, (3kg) but they took it, I paid the excess and we were ready to wait again for the flight.
We grabbed some dinner and headed out to gate, on the way stopping to pick up some duty free booze. I grabbed a Yamazaki Whisky and another Muscat type of drink made from Japanese Plum (Ume) Blossom.
I popped some head cold pills before jumping on board our flight, hoping to knock myself out. Unfortunately, things went down hill from there. I got about a collective three hours of sleep on the flight. Stuffiness, cough and nausea hit me, culminating with a hunt for the courtesy paper vomit bag at 4am.
The flight landed in Cairns after 7hours and 15minutes on board at 6am. We collected our suitcases and made our way through customs, thankfully without any problems. I cannot stress enough that if you have something DECLARE IT! Much better to declare something that you didn't need to than to get caught not declaring something because you weren't sure. Case and point - my fur earmuffs. The fabric is so soft, I would be surprised if it wasn't real fur, but I just had no idea.
We then hopped on over to the Cairns Domestic Terminal (outside in the humid north Queensland heat) where we had to wait to check in our bags. Once that was done, we waited some more in the lounge area before we were allowed to board our flight - at 9.45am. Yes - a whole 3.75 hours later. Grrrrr.
Once on board, all I could think about was getting home to shower and change into some clean clothing instead of the clean-ish yet horribly rumpled dress that I was wearing. It was another trip of fighting off the nausea. I had the jerk in the seat in front of me push his chair back into a recline, giving me no room (why seats even recline on a 2 hour flight is beyond me), but he must have overhead me speaking to the flight attendant that I wanted ice to settle my stomach after throwing up on the last flight, because almost instantly, his chair popped up. So, note for those out there who need more room - threaten vomit. It's amazing what will happen.
Then we were back to Brisbane. My wonderful father came out to pick us up. We jammed our suitcases in my car and home it was. I jumped straight into the shower to wash my hair and take care of some deforestation.
Tomorrow, the unpacking continues. But I have never been more happy to be in my own bed. If only the itches would keep themselves away - because yes, to top it all off, I have had an allergic reaction to something and am now covered in the most lovely red bumpy itch. Argh!
So, at 10am we checked out of our hotel. We jumped on the free shuttle bus to Ueno station. From there we proceeded to hike to the Keisei Skyliner station. It's simply a separate station from the main JR and subway rail line stations and isn't linked underground. It's not really that far of a walk, but when you are struggling with three suitcases each and you toss in a bit of snow, wind and water, it makes for an uncomfortable trip.
The Keisei Skyliner then ferried us out to the Tokyo Narita station where we would be checking into our flight home from Terminal 2. I didn't take any photos of the day, but it's a pretty scenic journey out - we were both so exhausted from terrible sleep and illness (at least on my part) that we nodded off for most of the trip. Once at the airport, we proceeded to wait until 18.20 when we would be able to FINALLY check our luggage. Mine was a little bit too much overweight, (3kg) but they took it, I paid the excess and we were ready to wait again for the flight.
We grabbed some dinner and headed out to gate, on the way stopping to pick up some duty free booze. I grabbed a Yamazaki Whisky and another Muscat type of drink made from Japanese Plum (Ume) Blossom.
I popped some head cold pills before jumping on board our flight, hoping to knock myself out. Unfortunately, things went down hill from there. I got about a collective three hours of sleep on the flight. Stuffiness, cough and nausea hit me, culminating with a hunt for the courtesy paper vomit bag at 4am.
The flight landed in Cairns after 7hours and 15minutes on board at 6am. We collected our suitcases and made our way through customs, thankfully without any problems. I cannot stress enough that if you have something DECLARE IT! Much better to declare something that you didn't need to than to get caught not declaring something because you weren't sure. Case and point - my fur earmuffs. The fabric is so soft, I would be surprised if it wasn't real fur, but I just had no idea.
We then hopped on over to the Cairns Domestic Terminal (outside in the humid north Queensland heat) where we had to wait to check in our bags. Once that was done, we waited some more in the lounge area before we were allowed to board our flight - at 9.45am. Yes - a whole 3.75 hours later. Grrrrr.
Once on board, all I could think about was getting home to shower and change into some clean clothing instead of the clean-ish yet horribly rumpled dress that I was wearing. It was another trip of fighting off the nausea. I had the jerk in the seat in front of me push his chair back into a recline, giving me no room (why seats even recline on a 2 hour flight is beyond me), but he must have overhead me speaking to the flight attendant that I wanted ice to settle my stomach after throwing up on the last flight, because almost instantly, his chair popped up. So, note for those out there who need more room - threaten vomit. It's amazing what will happen.
Then we were back to Brisbane. My wonderful father came out to pick us up. We jammed our suitcases in my car and home it was. I jumped straight into the shower to wash my hair and take care of some deforestation.
Tomorrow, the unpacking continues. But I have never been more happy to be in my own bed. If only the itches would keep themselves away - because yes, to top it all off, I have had an allergic reaction to something and am now covered in the most lovely red bumpy itch. Argh!
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Day 13 - Ueno Zoo & Puroland
I woke up for the morning feeling better than the previous day - a real accomplishment with a head cold. I now believe I was in some sort of euphoric haze where I willed away my illness so that I could have a great last day in Japan.
In specific, to head to Ueno Zoo, were there are some truly amazing animals. The first surprise of the day was the price. At 600 yen, the zoo is a very cheap day out. But when we arrived we were directed to a separate window where the attendant asked to see our passport. In the end, our tickets only cost us 480 yen each. We headed inside where we got to see the lovelies on display. Including two Giant Pandas, flamingos, red pandas, gorillas and a lot of native Japanese animals.
I guess the only note I have is that if you are used to Australian zoos, you may be a little disappointed. Ueno Zoo is closer to how Aussie zoos were about 20 years ago - lots of concrete and a good number of the enclosures need quite a bit of work. But all the animals seemed okay and the newer enclosures were fantastic - take for example, the gorillas and pandas. I guess, it is just a matter of them bring the zoo to a higher standard bit by bit. As it was there were a few enclosures that were closed for renovations. It seems to me that Australia is just a bit above in this area, but by no means does it mean that the Ueno Zoo isn't awesome.
Afterwards, we made the journey out to Puroland. It is a theme park put together by Sanrio - the creators of Hello Kitty. As you will see from my photos it is incredibly pretty and cute inside. There are however a couple of let downs. If you are going to go, I would suggest going in the morning instead of the afternoon as there were a few things that were shut down that we could not do because we were there later in the day. Also, you will want to pay for the full ticket. There isn't much to do inside without the rides, shows and other activities.
Well, aside from the shopping. We both bought a few really neat things - Hello Kitty things, but on the whole there weren't any specific items the we had not seen anywhere else, and really Hello Kitty is all over Japan - just walking into a 100 yen shop, you can get a whole heap of Hello Kitty stuff. The only other comment that I have is that it's a theme park that isn't really for adults. I would suggest that the target age group is 4 - 6. The little ones there seemed to be having a great time. At any rate, I was happy to go, happy to shop and take some photos.
We then started the trip back to our hotel. We did get a little side-tracked in Ueno with dinner at the Ueno hard rock cafe, but we made it home to start the arduous task of packing our suitcases.
In specific, to head to Ueno Zoo, were there are some truly amazing animals. The first surprise of the day was the price. At 600 yen, the zoo is a very cheap day out. But when we arrived we were directed to a separate window where the attendant asked to see our passport. In the end, our tickets only cost us 480 yen each. We headed inside where we got to see the lovelies on display. Including two Giant Pandas, flamingos, red pandas, gorillas and a lot of native Japanese animals.
I guess the only note I have is that if you are used to Australian zoos, you may be a little disappointed. Ueno Zoo is closer to how Aussie zoos were about 20 years ago - lots of concrete and a good number of the enclosures need quite a bit of work. But all the animals seemed okay and the newer enclosures were fantastic - take for example, the gorillas and pandas. I guess, it is just a matter of them bring the zoo to a higher standard bit by bit. As it was there were a few enclosures that were closed for renovations. It seems to me that Australia is just a bit above in this area, but by no means does it mean that the Ueno Zoo isn't awesome.
Well, aside from the shopping. We both bought a few really neat things - Hello Kitty things, but on the whole there weren't any specific items the we had not seen anywhere else, and really Hello Kitty is all over Japan - just walking into a 100 yen shop, you can get a whole heap of Hello Kitty stuff. The only other comment that I have is that it's a theme park that isn't really for adults. I would suggest that the target age group is 4 - 6. The little ones there seemed to be having a great time. At any rate, I was happy to go, happy to shop and take some photos.
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