Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Day 7: HAKONE

Huh!!! My large suitcase had to be transferred again in the morning… I hate it!! Because my suitcase was the heaviest one, conversely I am the smallest body of this trip. I was more intelligent than in the first day to search for elevator first in case there was not any electric stairway available instead of carrying my large suitcase up and down by ladder.



Today trip was Hakone for sightseeing Mountain Fuji, the most renowned and elegant mountain of Japan. The earliest Japan rail to Odawara station was caught at 8.15am and taking 1hr 30min. Our baggage were kept in the locker at Odawara station.



2-days Hakone pass 3900 yen was recommended for travelling in Hakone that there was a souvenir bag for everyone who stamp the press in each station more that 4 stamps. We started by Hakone rail way to Hakone Yumoto station and transferred by bus to Moto-Hakone. Firstly, we intended to walk through Ancient Cedar Avenue that is winding road lined with old Japanese cryptomerias runs between Moto-Hakone and Hakone-machi, picnic around there with prepared Bento and board cruise at Hakone-machi. But it was too far and steep, our plan was abolished. We just take some photos at the entrance of Ancient Cedar Avenue that could not see the termination. And our lunch (Bento) were settled at lake side beside cruise habour. Though the sunshine was quite strong, the weather is cool due to Hakone is 800m. above sea level.

On the cruise, it was such a nice scene that consist of large quiet lake surrounding by green mountain. Nevertheless, it was an excellent landscape, we could not see any sign of Mountain Fuji yet. The gloomy fog cover Fuji area completely… we felt disappointed.





Then we got on the ropeway at Sounzan, the last chance to sightsee Mt Fuji and expect just the shadow of Fuji was seen. It was really only the shadow of Mt Fuji that we imagine ourselves. Everyone discussed which shadow was the real one, it was funny.



This was Mt. Fuji in the picture that could not be seen today.


Before the conclusion of our debate would be confirmed, we dropped in Owakudani; greater boiling Valley. The entire gorge reeks of sulfurous fumes. Clouds of steam rise from crevassed, hot springs bubble out. Black eggs, the remarkable thing of Owakudani, were tried by almost all traveler including our group. We found out that their tastes were same as ordinary eggs. After exploring and taking photos enough we went on our journey by ropeway. At our last ropeway station that might be the first one of somebody on the opposite way, there was a notice that “We can’t see Mt.Fuji” the painful truth that we discovered ourselves.


The next station had to reach by tram, Gora Park, the largest rock park in the Orient. The main attraction is a gigantic fountain pond.

tram for Gora station



Absolutely, we could get the souvenir bag, it was no doubt that more than 4 stamps could be collected. After that we headed to Asakusa Fukudaya Hotel in Tokyo before had a dinner around 9.30pm.

Day 8: KYOTO

Twin room was occupied by three girls. I accepted that it was too small for 3 people (around 150 cm in width) but we could sleep together warmly.

Today Sunchai refused to participated in our trip because he had already traveled there and intended to go to Nikko that he had never gone. Taking Sinkansen from Tokyo station to Kyoto around 3 hours but only 1 hour from Ozaka to Kyoto. Because of some condition, we had to stayein Tokyo and wasted long time in the train.



Firstly, we went to Kinkakuji temple, Golden building that was surrounding by quiet lake. Passport ticket is 500 yen.

Kinkakuji temple is such a beautiful place that was Cho-kun’s temple in Icque Sung cartoon. Souvenir here was nice and reasonable price so I got one postcard for my friend (80 yen) and Kinkakuji key rings for my friends



The second place was Ginkakufi temple or Silvery temple. The passport ticket is 400 yen. Full of elegant nature, Japanese style garden around the building attracted me to stand still and keep the front scene in my memory.






The last notable temple that we travelled was Kiyomizudera, one of the largest temple of Kyoto that was constructed on the cliff. Passport ticket is 300 yen. Unfortunately, it rained in the afternoon so traveling Kiyomizu was difficultly.


The remarkableness of this temple is three stream of water fall from the roof that are implied Healthy, Fondness and Wealthy. There is long line for drinking this significant water.


Another area is love place that two Love stones was placed. The notice explained that who walk from the first stone to the second one blindly (closed eye), he would succeed in affection. WoW!! but it was raining, I hadn't tried yet.



After wandering around the great temple, we had a lunch in the restaurant near there before going to the next station.

It was so late when we arrived Gion and just found out that there was a festival in Gion Shrine, we didn’t hesitate to visit. The festival in the temple consisted of lots of booth that was not different from temple fair in Thailand at all. And at the large field behind the Shrine, Art Exhibition were displayed and also a small show in the garden. We used some time for taking photos before went back hurriedly to Kyoto train station to catch Shinkansen Tokyo. Our dinner was Bento on the train again.

Day 10: AKIHABARA & GINZA & SHINJUKU & TOKYO TOWER

The really first day in Tokyo started so late because of our exhaustion that heaped for 9 days. We used 2-day Tokyo Metro Pass (980 yen) that we bought from Narita Airport. Our first station was brunch at Ueno (around 11am) before visiting Imperial Palace/Nijubashi that is opened for the public only East Park that consists of the famous Nijubashi bridge in front of the main entrance.
Nijubashi bridge

Imperial Palace




Then we went shopping (actually just looking) at famous Electric city of Tokyo; Akihabara then just a moment visiting Ginza; the high cost and tasteful shopping area.

Ginza

In the afternoon Sunchai brought us to Tokyo Metropolitan Government; One of Tokyo’s landmarks with an observatory on the 45th floor.



Before going to Tokyo tower in early night, we dropped at Krispy Kream; the famous American Doughnut fanshine. Though a purchasing line was very long, we waited just a moment with service of free one piece of Doughtnut during in line.




Tokyo tower was excellent, I had just known from Sunchai that there was 2 features of Tokyo Tower illumination which were changed every 2 hours. Hence, we could take picture both of them. We had a dinner at Chinese Restaurant at Ueno.







Day 9: TOKYO DISNEY SEA

Tokyo Disney resort was one of the essentiality of this trip that we couldn’t overlook. Anyway several discuss about it couldn’t be concluded between Disney Land and Disney Sea till a few day before going there. Disney Sea was selected due to it was settled only in Japan whereas Disney Land could be visit in other countries later. Moreover Disney Land is more beautiful and elegant, on the contrary Disney Land is more pretty and childlike.

Disney Sea planning was arranged by Nat and I. I forgot to tell you before that each of our daily trip had to be assigned somebody in our group for preparing thoroughly.

Because we had not any chances for buying Disney Sea ticket in advanced. Though Disney Sea was opened at 9am but we had to queue in such a long line in early morning. Due to Sung’s spectacles were out of order accidently, she had to waste much time for contact lens wearing attempt so we couldn’t depart from our hostel in early morning as first plan.

We took on JR Keiyo line to Maihama station and got on Disney train to Disney Sea. On the way we had seen ticket booth of Disney Land, it was extremely crowded. I had supposed that fortunately we choose Disney Sea which might be less amount of tourists.

But I was wrong!!!

I couldn’t believe that what abundant people it was!!! There are much more traveler in many long lines at only North Entrance (there are 2 entrance South and North). Actually, today was weekday (Friday), the next days are holiday, this Monday was Japanese holiday as well and this Tuesday was our last day in Japan that we had to depart from here in the evening. So it was no doubt that today was our last choice.

There are 7 lands in Disney Sea. Each of them consists of Attraction, Restaurant and souvenir shops. All of parts in Disney were congested by people even Popcorn stall that had such a long line so what numerous traveler in queue it was, you may not be able imagine.

Mediteranean Harbour and American waterfront were passed rapidly with little taking photos because we focused on Attraction playing first.


“Tower of Terror” was our first station. But what a pity! there are too much people in line and Fastpass was either too long time (playing duration 6-7pm (that time was 10am)). Hence we passed our first station. And went ahead to next Land, Port Discovery


“Storm Rider” and “Aquatopia”, two interesting attractions of Port Discovery were passed again because of too long line and Nat planed to use Fastpass for the more important one. [Fastpass: You can cut the wait time at attractions with the Fastpass ticket that get from Fastpass ticketing machines near the attraction entrance. Fastpass cannot be used for another attraction till the period of time for using the former one has passed ]



Port Discovery


Storm Rider
Mysterious Island, the next Land that consists of 2 attraction, we headed to use Fastpass at “Journey to the Center of the Earth” that get fastpass duration: 3.30-4.30pm. Then use single rider for “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea”
[Single Riders: it’s generally a lot quicker to ride the following attractions when they follow the designated single rider route for “Indiana Jones Adventure”, “Raging Spirits”, “20,000 Leaguea Under the Sea”]

Our group members separated and pretended to travel alone temporary. Instead of waiting for queue for 3 hours, we could walk pass such a long line to play immediately by riding alone with other groups that need somebody to fill the last seat on their plaything. “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea”: Explore the depths of the ocean aboard research submarines and discover a fantastic undersea world. It was so much beautiful but not exciting at all. Finally, we could play the first plaything after passed several ones.



Mysterious Island

The next Land was Lost River Delta: there were 2 interesting Attractions that could be use Single Rider: “Indiana Jones Adventure” and “Raging Spirits”.

Because of officer’s mistake, we had to line on the ordinary queue for 1 ½ hours (normally for 3 hours) then got Single Rider privilege to play “Indiana Jones Adventure”: search for the Fountain of Youth in a harrowing life-or-death journey to escape the supernatural and vengeful Crystal skull. It was more exciting than “20,000 leagues” and nice scene as well.

The second plaything finished around 12.30pm that was the end time of first Fasspass so Nat and I ran to Fasspass machine of “Storm Rider” before coming back to Lost River Deltal for “Raging Spirits”.

“Raging Spirits” Dare the wrath of two ancient gods as you speed through an archaeological excavation site aboard this roller coaster with a 360-degree loop! This was the most exciting of all playthings that we ever passed in Disney.
Mermaid Lagoon, the sixth Land of Disney Sea that is pretty and most childlike. Moreover, all of attractions here are more suitable for little children. We went ahead to “Mermaid Lagoon Theater”, the live musical production, under the sea, featuring Ariel from Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Although we could not understand Japanese language, the splendid performance fastened my concentration and impress me much.
During waiting for the next exciting attraction, first Fasspass of “Journey to the Center of the Earth” we played a cute plaything, “The Whirlpool” Board a twirling kelp cup and go for a spin.

Arabian Coast, the last Land of Disney Sea we had visited.

“Sinbad’s Storybook Voyage” set sail for adventure with Sinbad! Follow the compass of your heart to find the greatest treasure. One of my impression in pretty scene along the way of my sailing on the boat.

Now it was time for “Journey to the Center of the Earth” (our first Fasspass) in Myterious Island, travel through mysterious caverns to the earth’s core as a scientist aboard fantastic vehicles designed by Captain Nemo. It was a beautiful scene again.

Before reaching the time of the second firstpass of Storm Rider: 5pm. We had a lunch at 4pm around there and went to American Waterfront for Tower of Terror Fastpass. But Fastpass of Tower of Terror was closed already, Huh what a pity!! “Storm Rider”: descend into the eye of a storm aboard an advanced flying weather laboratory and experience the wild turbulence of powerful winds. I didn’t feel excited at all.
“Aquatopia”: Board a watercraft for a wild, spinning, twirling ride through a maze of fountains rock formations and whirlpools. The line in the evening was not too long, only 10minutes waiting we could played Aquatopia.
Arabian Coast was visited again for “The Magic Lamp Theater”: Discover illusion and laughter in a theatrical experience combining live actors, magic, and Genie from Disney’s Aladin. The 3 dimension performance was funny and cute. We could hear laugh from audiences frequently.
Then we went back to American Waterfront for Tower of Terror, the line was still as long as in the morning even it was late (7.30pm). maybe if we waited for queue, we would finish it at the closed time of Disney; 10pm. Because of our exhaustion all day, we chose to take photos with beautiful buildings in American Waterfront and watch an excellent show and firework at Mediterranean Harbor instead.



The colorful night show in the water was perfect. Flamboyant fountain was combined with rousing flames harmoniously. Many thousands of tourists occupied all of area around gigantic Mediterranean Harbor following by resounding applause after the perfect show ending.


We finished this memorable night with lots of impression and fatigue.
Good Bye Disney Sea…