Today I write the next big blog

Well, what can I say.
See, I'm free of Facebook now. 
Five nights of no peeping.
That is why I will challenge my self into making that long overdue Japan blog I NEED to make.
And make this the next big blog ever.
Okay okay.
Next big challenge, that is.
Never.

But first, I need to attend this 7pm Tuesday Service. So. Until then. I will perhaps wipe some of my face on the internet as well.
This is the proper time to really know how to blog.
More backgrounds. Less me.

Because my world, is not my readers' world. But a sort of whimsical amusement.
Or some information gathering.
For trips.
Get some tips.
And learn more words.

ro

Today, I chanced upon the blog of the mom of Ronan. I knew him because Swift made a song for him.
Looking at from a third-person perspective, I cry for the little man. Sometimes I wanted to die. Sometimes I wanted to die their death.
Life is unbearable.
And sad.
And bittersweet.

Japan: Sky Diving at Fujioka [Day 9]

My stomach ached from anticipation. I want to gag from sheer fright.

October 3 was a Saturday. The big day. The day we were about to jump off an air craft. The finale of my 10-day Japan visit.

Japan: Ibaraki [Day 2]

Mikawashima Station (Tokyo) → Katsuta (勝田) Station: by train "JR Joban-Line" (80min by "Fresh Hitachi") → Katsuta Station bus terminal (East Entrance) → Bus stop "Kaihin koen nishiguchi (Seaside Park West Entrance)": by bus (17min)

guard my heart

What do you do on days when you hate yourself?
I ask that because I hate myself right now.
How could I have missed that budgeting?
I hate hate hate budgeting.
From the inputting to PowerOLAP, to everything after it.

Japan Kanto Area Itinerary

After poring over endless materials and websites about where to go in Japan, here's what finally transpired.

Day 1. Flew in. Narita, Tokyo. Akihabara

Day 2. Hitachi Seaside Park at Ibaraki

Day 3. Kawaguchiko. Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station.

Day 4.  Kawaguchiko. Fuji Q Highlands

Day 5.  Nikko. Kegon Waterfalls. Chuzenji Lake

Day 6. Nikko. Shinkyo Bridge. Lake Yunoko. Ryuzu Falls.
to Yokohama

Day 7. Yokohama to Shibuya. Akihabara. And Ueno Lost & Found Section

Day 8. Disney Sea

Day 9. Fujioka and Yokohama

Day 10. Flew back to Manila

Japan Oddities

This is a guest entry from none other than my Mr. R (Right!)

Enjoy folks!

Two Japanese oddities that totally make sense

1. Faucets on toilet bowls

Having heard of Japan's high-tech electronic toilet bowls with built-in bidets and heating, I came prepared. Anyway, my toilet bowl at home has a built-in bidet, although not electronically controlled. What did surprise me was the toilet bowls with faucets that run water into the tanks.

From our first accommodation (Guest House Wasabi)

Really odd. That is, until I realized that it allows you to use the water twice. You could wet your hands using that faucet then proceed to the sink to soap up and rinse. Meanwhile, the water that you used to wet your hands is stored for the next time someone uses the flush. In that way, the water is recycled instantly. Instant water savings, and given the water-energy nexus, energy savings as well. Sugoi!

2. Condensed milk in toothpaste tube

Not strictly a Japanese oddity as a quick Google search returns results from other countries, but I saw this first in Japan.

Picture from Google - but this is the same brand that Chabs (our host in Yokohama) had

Condensed milk is thick (viscous) so it makes sense to put it into a tube and squeeze it out as needed. Then you just put the cap back on. Convenient and clean. This stands in stark contrast to how we do it in the Philippines: our condensed milk comes in tin cans. We punch a hole then wait as the milk pours out very slowly. Inconvenient and messy.

Japan: Akihabara [Day1]

We went to the airport at 3am, MNL time, flew at 5am. Then arrived at 10am, NRT time.
I was directed to www.hyperdia.com by Chabs. And from there I started my itinerary. It's really helpful when you are in the country where the train maps are as daunting as these:

Japan: Fuji Q Highlands [Day 4]

I'm writing notes while waiting for an almost 2.5 hours of queuing. I like all the thrills that Fuji Q is offering. I'm not too fond of the queues though.

We came here as early as 9 am. At Kawaguchiko Station Inn where we were billeted for two nights, 7am, we had a hearty Japanese breakfast fit for a King. Or a Princess if you don't mind. Haha. I checked the operating hours of the amusement partk and found we have enough time to check the Kawaguchiko Lake on day time. We went there the night before but all we saw were twinkling lights.

This morning, we got to see the Kachikachi ropeway. I asked R if he wants to try it and he said no. I did not mind. Wasn't too fond of the cable car either.

Then at around 9am, we hopped on the train going to Fuji Q. Fare is JPY 170 one way. Then entrance is around 1,400 JPY but we bought the free pass (i.e. ride all you can) for 5,200 JPY each.

Japanese Visa for Filipinos

Requirements for Japan Visa Application:

1	Philippine Passport (valid for at least 6 months)
2	Application form
3	picture Specs: 4.5cm x 4.5cm with white background
4	Birth Certificate of applicant
5	Marriage Contract (if the applicant is married)
6	Daily Schedule in Japan (TAIZAI NITTEIHYO ）
7	(if visiting friend) Documents or photos etc. to prove relationship
8	Invitation Letter from Guarantor in Japan
9	Bank Certificate
10	Income Tax Return (Form 2316) original and photocopy

I submitted my documents to an accredited agency - Reli Travel and Tours - located at 5/f SM Megamall. Beside Foot for the Gods.

The cost is PhP 1,200. This is just the travel agency fee. Japanese visa does not cost a cent for Filipinos. But they also do not allow direct application. So you're pretty much left with no choice.

Just Always Pray At Night. Version Gazillion

For the umpteenth time, I'm revising my itinerary. Just a teeny bit. It now looks like this:

Day 1. Fly in. Tokyo. Akihabara, Odaiba
Day 2. Hitachi Seaside Park. Ibaraki
Day 3. Kawaguchiko. Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station. Ice Lava Cave, Wind Cave, Kachi Kachi Ropeway. Flower Garden
Day 4.  Kawaguchiko. Fuji Q
Day 5.  Kawaguchiko - Nikko
Day 6. Nikko. Kegon Waterfalls. Shinkyo Bridge
Day 7. Hakone. Odawara Castle,  Lake Ashinoko, Hakone Shrine
Day 8. Disney Sea
Day 9. Fujioka
Day 10. Fly back to Manila

For my final (Read: What actually transpired) itinerary: click here.

Just Always Pray at Night

JAPAN!!!
After endless nights of planning for months end (I may have made at least 10 itineraries! And read more blogs than I could ever remember!), here's my final plan for the whole 9-day trip.

Day 1. Fly in. Tokyo. Akihabara, Odaiba

   [Stay at Guest House Wasabi. JPY 2,800/night]

Day 2. Hakone. Odawara Castle,  Lake Ashinoko, Hakone Shrine

   [Stay at Guest House Wasabi. JPY 2,800/night]

Day 3. Kawaguchiko. Ice Lava Cave, Wind Cave, Kachi Kachi Ropeway. Flower Garden

   [Stay at Kawaguchiko Station Inn. JPY 2,800/night]

Day 4.  Kawaguchiko. Fuji Q

   [Stay at Kawaguchiko Station Inn. JPY 2,800/night]

Day 5.  Kawaguchiko. Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station. 

   [Stay at Nikkosan Backpackers Inn. JPY 3,000/night]

Day 6. Nikko. Kegon Waterfalls. Shinkyo Bridge

   [Stay with Chabs. JPY 0/night]

Day 7. Kamakura

   [Stay at Retrometro Backpackers. JPY 2,600/night] 

Day 8. Disney Sea

   [Stay at Retrometro Backpackers. JPY 2,600/night]

Day 9. Fujioka

   [Stay at Retrometro Backpackers. JPY 2,600/night]

Day 10. Fly back to Manila

For my final (Read: What actually transpired) itinerary: click here.

Kanchanaburi Thailand

For our second day, we booked our tour with Tong.

Highlight was elephant bathing - well, more like, elephant tossing.

Around and around and around

Ayutthaya, Thailand

Visiting Bangkok for the fifth time is probably the least of my priorities. But my aunt wanted to experience Thailand. She had been a major sponsor of my education. Thus, it was an easy "yes, okay we will go."

December 2013, Chabs found cheap RT flight tickets to Bangkok. It was less than five thousand PhP per person. How could I say no to that? Most times, I get at least PhP 6k tickets.

Since these tickets were cheap, the dates weren't very flexible. I had to book a day later for our return trip. I did contemplate on whether Thailand is worth spending 3 vacation leaves. All of my previous trips were for business, and I went only on weekends. Oh not the most expedient, but certainly better than having to spend my precious VLs. Good thing one day was declared a national holiday, I got to keep one more VL! Hooray! 

Our flight was scheduled 2135H, I was able to go to work. I was supposed to meet Chabs and Rhoda by 1800H, but because they were still busy at the office, they prodded me to go ahead. The travel tax area of Terminal 3 was transferred to the other far side. Too much walking already. But this is nothing compared to what Chabs and Rhoda had to endure. They could not find a cab near their office, thus, they hopped on an ordinary bus, then on a jeepney, and finally a cab. They arrived at the airport at about 2000H. Buzzer beaters. Those girls are.

Shangri-La Mactan

Sometimes I just have to pause and thank God for what I do have. 

Minalungao National Park

It really is #morefuninthePhilippines

I love our Mother Nature. Makes you want to thank the One up above for giving us these fabulous sights.

Minalungao National Park is located in Nueva Ecija. Just a few rides away from Metro Manila. We took the bus at Cubao bound for Cabanatuan at 7AM, alighted at Gapan at 9:30AM. Fare is around 150 PhP. We then looked for Jeepneys bound for Papaya, Gen. Tinio (PhP 23.00), but decided on renting a trike the entire day instead. I've read it should only be about PhP500. But our driver wanted P900. We declined but he said he can lower the price to P700. We then decided we might as well take it, since it's already nearing noon.

JOMO

The Joy of Missing Out

There is no joy in missing out a beach trip! Except maybe for the reprieve of saying no to tagays and kampays.

Still, I believe it is better to miss the beach, than miss your self.

I got tired of living a compartmentalized life - one that of a friend, the other being a partner.
It's been over a year of constantly having to choose. Who to go with. Who to be with.
I no longer want that life. Thus, after a goal-setting, I've decided what I will have to prioritize.

start of something new

4.19.2014
Al + Abby
The day dawned sunny in Paranaque. We were headed out to Tagaytay. 
Slivers of sunlight peaking over chunky clouds. A road trip was underway. 

this will be a rant

Nakakainis ang feeling na napagkaisahan ka. 
WTF - Well, that's fantastic. Thank you very much.